Oooh - yummy idea on the buffalo sauce - will have to pick some up!

So last night was the hubby's birthday and we stayed up way too late and I didn't get much sleep because we were watching a movie together (Madeline went to bed on time, so we actuallly had time together...imagine that!). Anyways, I was exhausted all day and when I got home, I didn't want to go to the gym (surprise, surprise). Well...7:30 rolls around and we put Madeline to bed. So, I'm like "screw it" and I went to the gym. I have a meeting with my trainer on Thursday, so in order to let my muscles rest, I HAD to go tonight, and I did.

Funny thing was that my trainer was there and she saw me. She asked what I was going to work on, and I told her that I was going to do the entire checklist that she gave me, and she said way to go. So, I didn't skip out on anything, as much as I wanted to, and I did the whole workout. I was there for over an hour and a half doing this stuff. Now I'm sore, but I'm glad I went. I'm doing cardio tomorrow right after work rather than going home and then back out to the gym. Then I'm with the trainer on Thursday...and by Friday, I'm going to be sore and nonfunctional.

My arms feel like rubber bands right now, but all in all, I did it. I got off my butt and went.

Does anyone have any good low cal recipes to share? I'm looking for ideas...I'm getting sick of salad...

Hi all....I am three hours behind most of you so I don't get a chance to write much during the day...anyway I had an ok day. I've been 'clean' for two days in terms of not eating anything that is not good for me. I had some horrible cravings and went to 7-11 and got five packs of gum. I find that helps, chewing and then my jaw gets sore and I forget I 'think' I'm hungry. I know I wasn't cause I just ate. Umm, don't go to 7-11 when you have a craving...I was literally drooling over everything there, even things I wouldn't normally have. It's like going grocery shopping when you are hungry! I didn't work out today and I wish I would have but I have decided that maybe some of the reasons (other than the depression which I am seeing a doctor for on Friday btw - I've been there before and know it's full blown - unfortunately), is because I overwhelm myself. I get off a binge/whatever you might call it and I sit here and make all these new goals, lists and try to do everything at once. The habits I have are very old, some lifelong in some respects, I have to be patient. So I am giving myself happy thoughts for doing the little things - like finishing my laundry, washing my face at night - it feels silly, but it's also important for me to recognize that doing these things are really hard sometimes. So rather than going all gung ho, I'm trying to do a little at a time. On a scale, my binge eating is the worst issue (other than my medical one) that I need to deal with, so I am putting most of my effort into that. I know how good working out feels and I will get there, hopefully a bit tomorrow. But pushing myself so hard right away is not necessarily a good thing. Wow I'm really rambling

Lindy - thanks for the comment and what a great mom

Vicky - good for you pushing through the workout - I'm not there right now but have been and I love going to the gym once I get there. Having a trainer is a really good thing - it's worked well for me in the past

All of you are wonderful....I have to tend to my sun burn now... Good night everyone and thanks for the well wishes.

Vicky - good job on pushing yourself, thats awesome! I almsot crapped out on my workout today but Im taking Friday-Sunday off from the gym so I just said...get your butt up and do it, and now...I feel good that I did. How did you do with eating and your hubbys bday? Did you stay away from cake or anything (not that you should, just asking)? Good job any which way.

Stacie - Im glad to hear your thinking out your issues and going to see a doctor. Its important that you address your depression before moving forward with anything else, including weight loss. I wish you the best of luck in tackling it...I've been there. Oh - and feel free to babble away.

NEESY!!! I have a bone to pick with you. You said in order for you to stay on track you were going to log on everyday, even for a couple of minutes....WELL...... I hope all is going well, I know its getting closer to your hubby's departure.

Ok, little bit on me. Me and Gab had a good night last night. No tears, just quality time and an early night. Gab went to bed at 730 and me 930! Boy, we are just SOOOO exciting, lol. I feel I did good food wise and intend to follow the same pattern today. 2 more days till the long weekend, Im looking forward to it. Well, I dont have too much else to say, Ill check in later.

maddiesmom - way to go on the workout! what discipline! As far as recipes, I may have mentioned this one before but baking chicken breasts covered in salsa (regular, peach/mango, salsa verde, etc) is my current favorite easy way to make chicken seem more exciting.

Staccie - Nicely done on the clean eating! I like your gum strategy - will have to try that. I got some sugar free cinnamon altoids the other week for the same reason. And I think your strategy of setting small goals for getting things done is great. If you can fit the exercise in, do you find it lifts your mood a bit? If I'm in a bad place, exercise can help a lot but it's so hard to get started.

Lindy - so glad you had a nice evening with your daughter. And I'm right there with you on the wild and crazy life - I went to bed early too : )

Heading out for a run...

I would comment on how quiet it is in this forum but that seems to be the norm these days. Today was a good day for me food and gym wise. I made some smart decisions and burned 300 calories at the gym in 30 minutes...Im ecstatic about this.

I am going to try and take it easy tonight for dinner. My grandma (who lives next door to me) made northern bean soup with veggies so I am going to have a protein packed meal and call it a night (as far as food goes). I promised Gab that I would make her a pizza cookie (an oversized cookie). Hopefully everyone else is having a good day.

Lindy - sounds like you are doing great!! No wonder you're so good at this! I would have a hard time resisting the cookie dough but I'm sure you won't : )

Not such a great eating day for me - I had a tuna sandwich from subway which aren't exactly low fat but I love them so much. And have just devored a bunch of cheddar cheese rice cakes as a snack before heading out to some volunteer stuff tonight. Salty and crunchy are my major weaknesses but when you throw in cheesy, too, well, I'm done for : ) I'm trying to be careful to only buy small bags of things I have a weakness for and it seems to help a bit. When I get back, I'll try to make up for my earlier lapses with a very OP chicken and broccoli dinner and will hopefully stay within calorie limits for today. Yesterday I finally tried the sugar free snack size rice puddings I had brought home a while back and they are seriously yummy if you're needing a not too bad treat.

How weird is it that I'm psyched not to have to eat in restaurants this weekend? I'm becoming a control freak apparently : )

Hi ladies - quiet day I am managing to log on earlier than normal. I've had a lot of sun the past two days and dying to go outside but don't think I can hack it! It's Canada Day here today.

I'm still doing good...haven't been to the gym though...but I am back to work tomorrow and in a bit more of a routine so that should help me a bit. If I don't go tomorrow then I will definitely give myself sh*t I know the gym will make me feel so much better - it always does. I am pretty proud of the fact that I have not binged in three days despite being off my routine and home by myself with no one to watch me! I'm not really looking forward to going back to work tomorrow...but lots of people are away so my influences will be better. I'm still not socializing outside of work at all, but I am not pushing it. I get mini anxiety attacks thinking about it - once I get things straightened out and my self confidence increases a bit it should be ok.


Dance - I am definitely going to the gym tomorrow - I promise you - it helps to make me accountable And I've not chewed too much gum today but I am sure later tonight!! I had bad crunchies last night so I had a piece of fruit and a few croutons. I stopped at a few though even though I was so tempted to get more. Woo hoo. I hope this 'fight' gets a little easier. I don't want to spend the rest of my life like this!

Sounds like a great plan for tomorrow, Staccie - come back and give us the full details on your workout when you get home afterwards : ) If you do yours, I'll do the hour-long jog tomorrow that I know I need to do but don't always have the energy for. I'm with you on hoping it gets easier over time! They say you have to do something for a month before it becomes a habit but it seems like this takes longer.

Staccie: So glad that you are feeling better. I know what you mean about going gung-ho on things and not accomplishing them. I find when I try too much too fast, I fail. (I was MIA from the forum for awhile because of it). I started working on my eating first, because food is my major weakness. I lost 20 pounds that way. Now that the food side is settling down, I'm working on the exercise portion.

I'm glad you're seeing a doc about the depression, it is good to seek help when you need it. Hope they can help you!

Lindy: Didn't do too bad on the hubby's birthday actually. I came home and made him a double chocolate cake, and had a very very small sliver of it. That was Monday...it is now Wednesday and I haven't had another piece since. It's actually quite amazing...chocolate is my weakness. I did find that if I could say no to chocolate during the TOM, I can say no any other time. Plus, with working out, I didn't want it to go to **** for a piece of cake!! LOL I guess I'm my own drill sergent.


I'm eating pretty well too. I'll post in case it gives you ladies any ideas of what to have during the day for variety:

Breakfast: Dannon light yogurt (80) cal with 1/2 cup blueberries

Lunch: Chix Teriyaki Lean Cuisine (I don't usually like them, but it was good), side salad, diet dr. pepper (my downfall, but what can ya do?!?)

Snack: 1 cup grapes and 1/2 cup stawberries

Dinner: 5 oz chix breast grilled with cajun spices, 6 stalks grilled asparagus, 1 corn on the cob, and 1/4 cup mashed potatoes

AND I ACTUALLY WENT TO THE GYM AFTER WORK! I know, I'm amazed too. I was there for 30 minutes, burned 320 calories on the eliptical and came home for dinner. And, I have the trainer tomorrow. Yikes! Busy week.

Anyways, I'm babbling. Hope you are all doing well. We can do this!!!

Dance - you're on - 60 min of cardio. I love doing weights but I have to do cardio first - or I tend not to do it and although weights are important, it's cardio that will improve my cardiovascular fitness and tone my slightly exaggerated JLO butt (ok very exaggerated lol).

Maddie - I am glad to hear that. They say that food is 80% of the equation when losing weight. I just want to get that tamed a bit more. But I am heading off to the gym tomorrow morning and I know it will help me feel even better! Your food looked great today. I didn't eat probably as much as I should have but here goes:

Special K, Chicken Salad, white nectarine and strawberries, tuna sandwich, sugar free jello and some croutons and a small piece of pre-packaged Activa cheese (love the individual calorie sized portions). It's not a lot, but I am not active at all either (and I will admit I did not get out of bed from reading until almost noon

I'm through another day. Cravings a bit today but not unbearable. It's rare that I am surronded by junk food at work so I should be good. I'm also not taking any money to work so I can't stop by somewhere on the way home for a nasty bingefest. Seems excessive but I am hoping it will help. I'm off coke zero for three days - right outside of my desk is a coke machine that I hear go ping everytime someone uses it. It's annoying! But I just need to remember that putting that into my body is not worth it. I've cut pop completely out of my diet before and it really helped curb a lot of cravings for chips and other salty foods (one seems to be related to the other).

I'm glad I am making the effort to to go the doctor and even though I know what she will say, at least I am acknowledging it before it gets even worse. I have been 'worse' before and I never want to get back to that.

I love this forum - it really helps. I need to stick with it, even if for some reason I have a bad day - accountability is key

Hope everyone has a fantastic day tomorrow. I know most of you are excited about the long weekend!

S

Maddiesmom - I'm so impressed by your discipline - way to go on the workouts and good food choices! You asked for some other meal ideas - I sometimes do a whole wheat english muffin with peanut butter and some fruit in the mornings if I want something that sticks with me a little longer. Or a scrambled egg and whole wheat toast.

Staccie - I love the bringing no money strategy as a way to resist temptation! I'm procrastinating a little before heading out for my run, which isn't very smart as the longer I wait, the warmer it gets.

Food-wise, I'm planning a very on plan day (chicken, veggies, some fruit, protein snacks) and did a frenzy of fridge-cleaning out, sauteing spinach, cutting up celery and boiling eggs so that I have plenty of healthy things around and no excuses. Plus, I finished off the small bag of salty crunchy stuff yesterday so there are no temptations around : ) I'm working from home today so can probably sneak in some yard work at lunch and am planning a walk with a friend later this afternoon as we'll be out early for the holiday weekend. Should be a good day for exercise calories burned.

What's everyone else up to?

Vicky - very cool on the chocolate cake...Im so proud of you! We are doing Gabriella's birthday party next week and I am buying her a carvel cake and yes, I have every intention of eating some. Its soooooo yummy. The vanilla with the chocolate crunchy things...mmmm...:drooling: lol! Anyway, wow- you are also doing exceptionally well on your gym routine. You'll have to let us know how the trainer thing goes today. A couple days ago I did something different at the gym, I did the row machine for 20 minutes and for the past 3 days my legs have been SO SORE. It looks like I have a stick up my....haha...well, you know. Lol. Thats a good thing though. Its been a while since Ive had that feeling. I ALWAYS sweat my butt off but to be sore, its good.

Stacie - when I took vacation time I binged...BIG TIME..so that fact that you have so much self control is quite impressive. I am also very excited to see 2 posts from you in the same day. I know we dont always have the time but I genuinely like hearing for you and pulling for you to tackle your depression, and I know you will. Good luck at the doctors office.

I am a little upset with myself. I am supposed to go out with a group of friends from HIGH SCHOOL!!! tomorrow night and wanted to be down to 185 before I did so, well...I have been super strict with my eating minus a few starburst, but I figured...no biggie, I burned those off at the gym...well, I got on the scale and I am back at 192! Ugh!!! First Im mad that I got on the scale before weigh in day and yes, maybe Im retaining water or whatever but even if I am, I wont be at 185 by tomorrow night. I know this is stupid because its only a few pounds but I really dont even want to go. I dont want them to see me heavier than high school, even though Im sure most of them are, I mean...it has been 10 years but Ive gained a significant amount of weight since high school. I know...dumb...dumb...dumb but this is just how I feel. I am very discouraged today and although I have every intention of sticking with what Im doing, Im just really ticked off. OH WELL...what can I do, right.

Anyway, Ill check in later.

Lindy - totally understand the self-consciousness with the high school friends - I actually skipped my 20yr (!!!) reunion a few years ago because I was heavier than I wanted to be and my relationship was in a weird spot and I just didn't want to face a bunch of old friends who were blissfully happy and competitive sort-of friends when I wasn't in a great place. I'm sure you're just retaining water - can you go easy on sodium today to help with letting it go? Not sure if this works for you but I like to slap on a bunch of self-tanner before social outings that matter to me - it makes me feel like I look thinner somehow. A pedicure in hot pink (or bright color of your choice), a bit of a tan and a necklace or top that makes those blue eyes of yours extra sparkly and you're all set! They will just notice how great you look - especially if you feel good on the inside.

So, I am one pound away from being 'overweight' instead of 'obese' according to BMI. Can't wait!!

Staccie - I did my jog this morning all because of you : ) It was hot and I was having a major bout of the 'I don't wanna's'. Thanks for pushing me!

Hi Ladies,

Sorry I have been awol for almost a week, but life has been busy - boy is that an understatement! LOL.......Anyway, have had weekend visits from my daughter and her Navy comrades, more 'pets' in the house to take care of (son and his four-legged friends), and our home business has been quite busy since they just launched their enhanced compensation plan. Sooooo, my personal time has been on hold - till now. I have been thinking about all of you, and wondering how you have been. It sounds like everyone is doing well, and staying focused on getting healthier! Congrates!!

Lindy - Wow, High School reuinions can been fun and stressful, but I know you will have a blast and look great! I hope you go with your friends, as those are 'good' memories you will have forever. Remember, they too have 'life' to deal with and I am sure are looking like the HS days. I didn't attend my reunions and really wish I had. I was WAY over what I weighed in HS, I mean by 140 pounds, and was too embarrassed to go. I really wish I had gone anyway and held my head up proud. It was 'me' that thought they would say things, but in reality most of the people there would have enjoyed the visits, memories and good times we could have had. They knew the person I was inside and would have cared less about the weight. So, it was my loss in not attending. Incidently, you LOOK great - so go and have fun!!!

I am doing good my eating and getting fit. I did have a few days that I went into a 'sugar coma' from my son bringing cake home, but when I woke up the next day and felt like crap I knew I needed to get back on the healthy lifestyle!

I will check in later.