Heh Sub, Feeling kind of stupid having our own private thread here for everyone to see. But, what the ****. . .
I'm so utterly pissed off with my lack of get-up-and-go. It's so all-or-nothing with me. I was doing real good there and hen I just crashed. Work, my life, I just hate it and it colors everything I want to do a gray, putrid mud. But, actually, having you here to bounce things off is good. I'm not much for the rah-rah, you can do it, big cheers for every little show of resolve. For every one of them there's the opposite that is getting ignored. I mean, we're not children and it is so totally the big picture, getting ALL the things in balance, all the time, with perhaps a very occasional slipup, but not every day -- it's just NOT okay.

I'm pissed off because I had to cancel riding so I could go to the racetrack, but going to the track isn't even a money-making prospect at the moment, because the paper doesn't want the coverage. Damn. But I feel I have to keep my hand in things. Problem is there is free beer waiting and I don't want to drink. Just piles on the calories, wasted time. Hope I can just say NO!

I am going to keep trying to get it better. Yes, the little things are important, crucial actually, but I've got to get more of them, more and more. There is NO effect visible if I don't. I feel like a seed still stuck under the ground, waiting to sprout. And it's in my power to do that, not someone else's. I feel like I'm wasting my life away, so totally.

Oh, well, sorry for the rant. Who is this Leslie person by the way? I assume some exercise video, which one? Heh, I like your quote at the bottom of your sig, "...losers let it happen." Yeah, big loser at the moment, me.

I am doing better today, I think. I realized how much more able I am to eat and exercise a bit more when I am feeling more hopeful about other areas of my life. I don't think it's possible to do all that much when things elsewhere are looking bad, or I'm frustrated or worried, or fearful (a little) about something else in my life. And I think it would be weird if I COULD work out like an exercise fiend or eat perfect. But, I can and will try to limit the damage, or at least go into protective mode. And by protective mode I mean protecting what I have done till now, not rebounding, not backsliding. OK, Sub, you with me still?

Sub, where are you? I'm bumping the thread up. Struggling here. No time to exercise. No motivation whatsoever. Trying just not to make things worse by eating waaaaaaaaaay too much.
But, I MUST exercise.I feel awful.

Don't sweat the rant, Red. I fell off the wagon for a while myself. I let 6 months go by without checking my diet or exercise. I just came to the point where I decided that I am going to do this for ME. None of us are perfect...as much as it seems that Oprah is living the perfect life, it took her a long time to get her weight under control. You would think that it would have been easier because she could pay personal trainers, chefs, and buy her own home gym...but i guess something in her changed and she has been able to do it. Red, we too can do it. It seems that the odds are stacked against me. I live in the fattest city in the country. When I don't feel like cooking my choices are fast food places. There is no mass transit system because everyone should drive and everything is spread out. There really is no reason to walk here. People celebrate everything here with food. I, too, am dissatisfied with my job and I got really off track with my diet and exercise for a while. You can find small ways to squeeze in exercise so that it really doesn't feel like exercise. What are some things that YOU enjoy. Each day make YOU a priority. If this calls for being a ***** (Being in Total Control of Herself) then so be it. One of the hardest things that I've learned to do is say no and not feel guilty. Other people don't feel bad when they're sucking up your time and few people rarely appreciate it when you go out of your way. Some days, I do not answer my phone -- other people fiind this very annoying, but I don't care. I simply tell others just because my phone rings, doesn't mean I'm obligated to answer. Red, take it one step at a time and one day at a time. I am sure, if I ate properly, that I would be at my goal weight by now. In the mean time, I just make sure I work out with Leslie. Leslie Sansone, is the laziest person's best friend. She made a series of tapes called Walk Away the Pounds. The tapes range from 1 to 4 miles. Each mile is 15 minutes. You don't have to be Paula Abdul to follow the steps. If you really get into the workout, you will get your heart rate up and really burn fat. I promise you that if you did the two mile tape at least 4 times a week for two weeks, you will see a big change. I use the Walk Away the Pounds for Abs series. I either do the two or the three mile walk. I just ordered her four mile tape. I also use her Walk and Kick tape too. I can't believe how much my body has changed in the last four months. In January, my waist was at 38". I am now down to 32". Red, I am not lying to you. On the weekends, if I do nothing else, I do Leslie and go back to watching my sci-fi movies on Saturdays. I have more energy and I am no longer an insomniac. The key is having a support system. When I slack off, my cousin gets on my case and vice versa. I am working on my diet. I just ordered this book on the Mediterrasian diet. It has a large section devoted to vegans. I will let you know if it is worth the money. In the mean time, you should think about what type of job you really want. Make a list of your attributes, and if you have some friends that you really trust ask them to list your attributes too. Take care and hang in there Red, we can do this

Sub

Sub, thanks a ton for that long post. I don't have to worry about being a ***** I think, because I usually do just what I want (I think). But, work gets in the way of a lot of things and I have to work to earn money to keep my horse. But, you're right, I still have to put my body and my goals first, ahead of sloth and apathy.

Today was a great day. I rode and walked and rode my bike AND got to the gym, first time in weeks. I was surprised (not really) at how much muscle I'd lost. I was tired working out even which just shows what bad shape I'm in. But I feel great now, mentally. It was good to be back in the gym. Gotta keep that feeling.

Tell me what this walking tape is. Do you walk on a treadmill, outside, in place?

Tomorrow I am going to get out of the house early and walk a lot before work.

Ok, will try to write more soon. Thanks again! Yes, we CAN do this. More power to you, Sub.

Take care!

It is great that you made it to the gym this morning. Keep in mind that it takes about twenty times to make something a habit. Have you ever thought about teaching English as a second language to earn some extra cash? You could do well there and maybe earning some extra income would relieve some of the stress from your job. I know that housing isn't spacious in Tokyo and I think that Walk Away the Pounds would be a great workout for you because you don't need a lot of space. I am sure that you can march in place, do side steps, and kicks. You can do this workout if you do nothing else but wake up a half hour early to squeeze in the workout, or if you want walk for fifteen minutes before you leave and do the other 15 when you get home. Whenever I do my Walk Away the Pounds (WATP) I put a big L on the calendar. I like to see all the L's adding up and I know that I am not cheating myself. My diet is another story. I did much better when I was writing down what I ate everyday. I just have to get back in that habit. Today will be sixth straight day of working out. My son will be three tomorrow and I plan on spending a fun day with him, so I won't be working out. I will do a weigh-in Sunday. I don't have a scale, so this should be interesting. I haven't weighed myself in a month. I read an article earlier this week that said that a person needs to do at least 150 minutes of cardio a week to burn fat and lose weight. Make sure you put a big W on your calendar for your workout today. We have a lot of work to do...must get our asses moving Have a great day!

Sub

"We have a lot of work to do...must get our asses moving" !!!! Oh, you're SOO right, Sub. It's 5:30 a.m. I will try to do some work, then get out and walk further as part of getting to the office. I feel sore and fat this morning. Yesterday there was this challenge at the gym, so I signed up for it. The person who loses the most bodyfat percentage points wins. It was depressing but I had them weigh and measure my bodyfat. I think the machine was broken though! I used to always have around 28 percent and it was up to 40!!! But, I was wet with sweat and I think it was haywire. Not to worry, actually, the higher percentage means I have an advantage! My weight is basically the same, about 74 kgs, but I do have a ton more fat now because I lost a ton of muscle. I don't want all the muscle anyhow. This is my problem. I always just pack on muscle and so stay the same size. I am only 5 1 1/2 but am a size 10. So, I just look like a hulk. Short people just can't carry the weight well. I am tired of looking like a little powerhouse, which is what I am. Oh well, I can do this, slim down. Gotta go. Thanks for the long post again. Write soon!

Good going on signing up for a challenge. I am sure you can whup their asses on the challenge Red, you probably just want to make your muscle lean. In order to do this, you will have to do high rep sets -- at least 15- 20 reps in each set. The last two or three reps should be damn near impossible to do; if not, then increase the weight. You really want to avoid heavy weights and low rep sets. Also, you should avoid training body parts more than twice a week. I know my diet is one thing that has been holding me up and this week I have worked harder at eating better. After all, weight loss is a matter of burning more calories than you take in. I was so tired last night that I didn't doing Leslie, so now I have to workout so that I can put that L on my calendar. I am also going to try and do something fun this weekend. Hopefully, I will make it down to the Electronic Music Festival. There are DJ's from all over the world here this year, as usual, so it should be alot of fun. I hope that you get to do something nice for yourself this weekend too. Maybe you can get a little riding time in...I hope to do some riding later this summer. Have a great weekend and I will post again soon. We will reach our goals, but its going to take alot of sweat and discipline on our part. I will post again very soon.

Sub

Heh sub, no time to post these days again. Why don't you come join me over on the 21-day challenge. No one is signing up and it's lonely......or on Back to Basics. There's not many people there so it's an easy thread. Some of the threads are just so chatty I can't keep up even if I post twice a day, which is impossible.

Did you get to your music festival? Sounds interesting. Electronic music? Didn't know they had such a festival. Well, guess they have something for everything. The weekend is usually my busiest time of week. I am bogged under with work and I hate it. A real pain. Damn. Wish me luck.

Hey Red, I haven't made it down to the festival yet. I am going to the last day tomorrow.I've been busy around here. My son turned three, and I am planning on having a party for him next weekend. I did order Leslie's four mile challenge which I got Friday, and I have done it for the last two days now. What a workout. I am going to join you on the threads that you suggested...it is downright lonely here. Try not to work too hard, and I will check in with you to see how you are doing on the no sugar and beer challenge. I am starting a new eating plan Wednesday. I will be using the book Eat to Win because I am interested in cutting the meat in my diet down to a minimum. The Atkins is just too unhealthy for me to do. Hope to hear from you soon.

Sub

Hi everyone!

Ok..Ok...I know...I stink...
I haven't been on here in forever and I apologize..
maybe it is too late to try to save the board but I am going to give it a shot and post even if nobody comes and talks to me. We will see...

I have been going through a major life change in the last few weeks-
I have been homeless..I am still jobless...and things have frankly not been so good. Despite that- that is not why I stopped posting. I simply couldn't make the time anymore and for awhile was without a computer..and for a short time ..homeless.
Anyway- I graduated and moved to Nashville TN and I am trying to make an effort to get back on track and start losing again. I am going to try to keep this board alive and I give my heartfelt thanks to those of you that made that possible.

Okay - well that is all for now- wanted to touch base..
I will be on later and tomorrow and will make an honest attempt to get on as much as possible.
I will also start a new thread if anyone wants me too...
I have missed you guys..

Hi Crime girl, sorry to hear things have been so tough for you. Same here. Sub and I stayed here for a while but no one else is around anymore. I suggest starting up a totally new thread and see if you can't get some new members.
Good luck.