Just a quick not before school to report a loss! I'm down 2.5! I knew the change of routine would do wonders. I'M BACK!

InTheMidst and OnMyWay -- congrats on the losses, you are doing great!!

inthemidst - way to go on the pound lost!

OMW - you are doing great! 2.5lbs is a big loss so quickly! What's your eating plan/exercise routine?

I've hit a mini-wall mentally or something - the last two days I've exercised (but haven't run b/c of shinsplints) but I've been eating more than plan (like 1800-2000 cals) so I need a kick in the butt to get me going again. What do you guys do to get re-energized about weightloss when you're feeling kind of blah and unmotivated?

onmyway and inthemidst...awesome job

newleaf....way to go on the arms that is a someday goal of mine to do something about my grandma arms. I used to refuse to wear sleeveless shirts, but as I've gotten older I've cared less and less about what others might think and more about comfort.

dancer...I think you are doing a great job, you are very inspiring with your steady loss. When I am feeling the blahs I usually read an article, magazine, book about someone meeting a goal weight loss or otherwise. I also take another look at my journal/food plan or exercise plan and kind of analyze it to see what I could change or what worked well in the past, etc.

I did good on Monday and even refused the candy that was passed around in the all day meeting I was involved in. Then I kinda went bust, stopped exercising/journaling and am fighting the urge to stress eat. I found out I am one of 6 people who are expected to present and train a group of K-6th grade educators in 2 weeks. Oh the joy of being told somewhat last minute that your summer vacation just got sucked away. Ugh.

onmyway...How do you do it? I always feel my level of stress climb as soon as school starts back up and I tend to overeat or make poor choices. There are so many changes this year due to budget cuts and job cuts, it makes me very nervous about my ability to meet the needs of all my students. Do you see my stress thermometer rising? sigh.

My positive for today: The scale is down! Even with my sloppy exercising/journaling I am down a half pound. So I am feeling encouraged to just get back to doing the things I need to do.

Way to go, ladies! Sounds like everyone is chugging along with TWENTY days til Labor Day (if you count all day today, and all day of Labor Day, lol!)

Dancer, what fires me up is the Goals and Minigoals threads. I also lurk in the 100# club - they are an amazing, crazy, motivational bunch. Something about seeing everybody celebrating their successes, from the little ones to the big, and tripping and getting back up, makes me want to go along for the ride. I CAN DO IT TOO, darn it!

Carol - Yay! I think we all have a bit of that little kid "need for structure" and it when the groove is not a rut, it's all good. You are headed for a fabulous school year!

sukierd - Sorry about the last minute project, but it's an opportunity to shine! Stay with the plan - you know you're on the right track!

Heidi - great work (or is it play?) on the exercise! Send a little of that motivation my way, please.

inthemidst - congrats on the loss!

Sitting at ticker - which is 3 pounds off since I started the thread (and halfway there). It's TOM so I am thrilled to be making the scale move at all. 3 more pounds in 20 days ... doable! No formal exercise at all but I have worked a lot more movement into my days at work and time at home.

Keep it up, gang ... we are going to have some impressive total losses by Labor Day!

Newleaf, sounds like you will offset any overeating while camping with hiking and biking! Hopw you have great weather!

ICU, I also do some lurking in the 100 plus thread. Those ladies are amazing! 3 pounds in 20 days is very doable! You go girl!

Sukie, I work as an assistant in a special ed preschool classroom. I am not responsible for all of the paperwork that a classroom teacher has and can basically leave my job at school at the end of each day. It takes a really bad day to stress me out, that's why I love what I do. I pack my lunch each day and don't keep extras in my desk so I'm not tempted.

dancer, I think my loss is kind of like the bigger loss you get when you first start a diet. I basically maintained all summer. I'm back to really watching what I eat, with no snacking. As for exercise, right now I am walking about 40 minutes each day. I also tread water when we go to the pool a couple times a week.

inthemidst, glad your first day of school went well. I always enjoyed the older adults in my classes when I was in college.

The scale loves me this morning! I am down another 1 1/2 lbs! Woo hoo. Just had to share. Feeling rejuvenated now. I walked yesterday too. Today I need to have a date with my journal.

SukieRD - congrats on losing 10 lbs!!!

Thanks, New Leaf! I'm pretty excited, because I promised myself a treat after every 10lbs lost. I think I'm going to get a piece of jewelry. I usually don't spend much or even get much jewelry. Maybe like a $5 bracelet every once in a while. So I'm thinking of bumping up to a $30 item. lol.

Morning, ladies!

Sukierd - congrats on the losing streak - curious to hear what piece of jewelry you select...

OMW - sounds like you know exactly what to do to get results - thanks for sharing!

ICU - I lurked as you suggested, and you were totally right - thanks for helping me get back in the groove! 3 more pounds are going to slip right off in the next few weeks, I just know it!

I'm a total of 25lbs down from when I started and the wedding I have to wear the strapless bridesmaid's dress in is on 9/12 so I'm hoping to be able to lose 5 or so more if I'm aggressive about it. Thanks to all of you for being such a great cheering squad and sounding board! I used to see acquaintances going to WW meetings and wondered why they needed a group setting for something so personal and thought that just wasn't for me. Turns out a virtual group setting was just what I needed afterall : )

Happy Friday!

sukierd - Congrats! 10pds is a LOT of weight! Sounds like you are positioned for success!

dancer - glad the suggestions helped. I spent lots of years wondering the same thing about why people wanted to discuss weight loss all the time. Now I know! I can't count the number of things I've learned since joining here almost a year ago. I have to say that the vegetable recipes have made an enormous difference.

Same old 157 today. Much activity planned for the weekend. Good stuff is stashed all over the refrigerator and in the garden. One good weekend ... I am DUE for a new number!

Hi all,

I am overwhelmed with school. I must admit it. Have missed being here and reading everyone's posts. And now I don't feel like I have the energy or the time. (Do you want a little cheese with that whine?)

I am having a roughish day. I am exhausted. So I napped today but I have much homework. I have eaten ok but I have a bad sweet tooth. Had a minor binge on fiber one bars - but still have enough calories left for dinner. (Some more cheese perhaps?)

Will eat a healthy dinner. That is my promise to myself. And to come back tonight. And to drink lots of water. lol

See you later.

Hi All,

It is a new day and a new week!

I have had two great days. No loss though. Must keep the momentum going. Did change my jingle goal - I overestimated my ability to lose weight at 49. lol Will not change this goal as we are so close to the end. And I am promising myself not to feel bad about my accomplishment - no matter what!

Wishing you all success!

Ash

Morning, girls!
Inthemidst - sorry it was a tough week but sounds like you've turned it around! I'm sure you'll see a loss this week.

I'm still chugging away slowly. 2lbs for the week...
June 8:190: 190
June 15:188: 189
June 22:188: 188
June 29:186: 187
July 6:184: 184
July 13:182: 181
July 20:182: 179
July 27:180: 178
Aug 3:178: 178
Aug 10:176: 176
Aug 17:176: 174
Aug 24:174: 172
Aug 31:172

LABOR DAY Sept 7: 170
Sept 12 wearing bridesmaid's dress: 168

dancerindenver- Thanks. You are doing fabulous.