Well, ladies, the name of my workouts the last two days is...snow shoveling. Last night when I got home from work I shoveled for about 45 minutes, then it snowed all last night, we had a snow day from school , and I shoveled again today for about 2 hours. My arms are kind of jello-ey right now.

Sorry I have been MIA for so long. My daughter was in a hockey tournament last weekend so we were out of town (they won by the way!!) and my husband and I had to go to court Monday, so my routine has been all wacky. Through all the "out of routine" days, my weight has stayed the same, thankfully. This week I am kicking off a new diet plan, thanks to the advice of all of you here. I am going to kick up the fiber in my diet, eat more fruits and veggies, and just try to eat more whole, raw foods, instead of all the boxed and processed junk. For now, I am trying to find meals I like, so I have put aside the calorie counting for a while. Eventually I will probably have to get back to it, but for now, I am going to focus on eating things that are as healthy as possible.

I hope everyone is not giving up. I hope you are all just busy. Don't stop posting!!! Most experts say this is the time of year that most people give up on their New Year's Resolutions. Don't be one of those people! Don't let this year pass you by! I know I am not.

Kelly- You know I'm not giving up. I am shedding the TOM weight this week. YAY!!! 178 this morning. Hoping for 177 something tomorrow for weigh-in at school.

I was getting ready to workout tonight when my DD came in and we had a sick horse. Bad bellyache that could kill a horse. We walked her for about an hour until we got poop. She seems to be feeling better now. Then I did Shred level 2 for 30 min. Think I got in a good workout tonight.

My friend, Rick, and I have decided to do some 5K's together. So, I need to get my @$$ movin' on the treadmill and outside (once it stops snowing!). I just did 5k on the treadmill in 42:06 mins. I don't think that is too shabby for a fat chick! And I will only get better with practice!

That is all.

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Looks like everyone has taken a break from posting.

Friday was a good weigh-in, 176.4. Yesterday I went up to 177.2, today 177.4. Not bad, but I still like the 176's better. I am trying to get back there. I won 2nd place in our school contest, because I lost about 6 pounds in a week. Man that TOM gain just kills me.

Went to a huge mall in Novi, MI yesterday. Bought the cutest white pleather jacket. Can't wait to wear it. Plan on enjoying the rest of my 3 day weekend. Hope everyone is doing well.

Hi Ladies--It seems that most of use have been MIA for a bit. I don't know about you all but the cold and snow has me down a bit.

I"m trying to get those workouts in but it's hard. I have my DVD's to use at home for those nights when I don't feel like going back out to the Y but I'm not as consistant with the workouts as I like to be. It's really strange because I really do like to workout so I'm not sure why I am not motivated right now.

Mindy: Way to go with that weight-loss!

SCarver: I think having something to train for provides a lot of incentive. Keep up the training.

Kelly: I too have been shoveling a lot of snow. It's snowing here again in Ohio so more shoveling.

I'll see you all tomorrow.

Hello-I dug myself out and made it to work. The roads were in pretty good shape.

I'm having the best salad for lunch. We have a cafeteria where I work and you can make your own salad; I made one with dark greens, spinich, beets, peas, carrots, mushrooms, peppers and egg. I have a low-fat blue cheese dressing and I'm enjoying all of it!

I am going to do my WATP video tonight at home and then sit down to watch BL for inspiration!

How's everyone else doing?

Weight has crept back up over the last few days, 179.8. Dang!!! Did Jillian's kickboxing today, always a killer. Nothing much else to report.

Hey Ladies,
I know, I've been horrible about posting. I'm sorry! I haven't felt like I've had anything to say. My weight had stayed the same for about a week and then yesterday it went up a pound. I was excited today when it was down 3 from yesterday!! I hit the 1 month mark for this journey on Monday and not seeing much change had me feeling a little down, but I'm getting back up. I've been finding out that changing everything in my diet won't work for me, but I am consciously making better choices: smaller portions, more fruits and veggies, more water. That's all I can do right now. The exercise is still my big hurdle. I just can't seem to find the motivation, but I will. I HAVE TO!! Or else, this will never work. I really have no excuses. I have workout videos, and games(Wii) and thankfully, I don't have snowstorms like most of you.
Anyway, I'm back and plan to check in more often.
Angela

Just hanging around 178-179 these days. YUCK!! I am at the point where I hate those numbers. Not working out today. I have pulled or strained my hamstring. Working out is supposed to be good for you, right?? All I seem to be doing is hurting myself lately.

Hi-I have good news to report on the scale front--I showed a 3 lb loss at TOPS last week. That is over 2 weeks (we didn't have meetings due to the snow) but I'm happy with that number. Finally I'm seeing some progress at the scales.

Most of you know that there is a lot going on in my workplace and the pressure and stress keep building--I'm working hard to find a way to manage it and get my life back in balance no matter what is going on around me. The first thing I'm doing is saying "No" to a lot of things...no to overeating to start with, no to I can't do this or I can't go there or I can't take on another project, no I can't change my workout time...you get the drift. I am such a pleaser and I say yes way to much...I decided I'm going to be 45 in June and it's time I learned to say no and still like myself.

I actually feel better about myself since I've said no to some things..it gives me room to say yes to those things I really want to and I'm noticing that my mind is clearer, I don't feel so overwhelmed and I'm a better friend, wife and Aunt because of it. Someone commented that I'm smiling a lot more these past 2 weeks....I still have the same situation but I'm dealing with it differently...the way I want to deal with it and it feels good!

Mindy: Good idea to rest that hamstring. Exercise is good for us but not if we overtrain. I wish the scales would move for you....have you thought about talking to a trainer and getting an idea of what your heartrate should be when exercising to burn fat? My former manager trains for triathalons and I know he trackes his training by his heart rate. It's something to think about.

Angela: It's always nice to read others posts and I find when I post daily I stay on track better. I am having issues with getting into a workout routine as well. Let's try to encourge each other in that area.
When I was in a routine that I liked, I worked out Sun, M, T, W, TH, Sat (light exercise that day). I give myself Friday's off. How many days do you want to work out a week?

Ward, SCraver, Kelly--Were are you guys? We miss you!

Good morning everyone. I hope you are all having a great weekend. I have spent a lot of my weekend decluttering and trying to get my home office in order.

I always seem to be more in control of my food choices and my workouts when I have things in order.

My workout today will be the 2 mile WATP dvd and the ab workout on my Biggest Loster Viedo.

Looking forward to reading everyone's post.

Hi Gang! Where is everyone?

I'm just checking in. Tonight I will be at the Y and do a 45 min walk on the track of the treadmill and then do some upper-body weight training.

I am retaining water for some reason--no longer have "that time of the month" but I do have my ovaries so maybe I am going through it anyway? I'm trying to drink a lot of water so that I can push the retention out..and also watch my salt intake. Maybe I can sweat it out during my workout?

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone here soon!

Looks like the name of the game again today is ..... shoveling. Can't seem to get "life" to go away and let me focus on workouts. I need to get my consistent schedule back so I am in routine. Pretty much just maintaining now.

Susie- Good job on the loss.
Kelly- You and me both girl!!

ANother snow day for us and lots of shoveling. Everytime I turn around something has gone haywire around here. I am getting tired of problems. My son's car, the water for our house, now the borrowed vehicle has a flat tire and my daughter needs a root canal. Seriously!!!! And I can't seem to lose a pound to save my life. I just feel TIRED.

Hey ladies,
Still hanging around 219. I did a vendor event on Sat. and for some reason my right knee was aching terribly Sun. until yesterday. I guess from standing and leaning on one side. (Hard to explain, but basically to make room for people to pass, I had to squeeze btwn tables and shift my weight to the right, in heels). It was a weird setup in a hallway. Anyway, it just shows how out of shape I must be and I need to get it together. I don't know why it's so hard to move, but I am making a plan to work out.I'm thinking maybe use the videos Mon, Wed, Fri and walk the other days to start. Then, when it gets warmer use the pool and add in other things as I get more comfortable.

I'm so sorry you are all having to deal with the snow. Although I'm sure shoveling is a great workout, it can also be depressing.

Kelly, Mindy: I'm sorry you both seem to have hit a plateau. I wish I knew the answers for you. Hang in there!!

Susie: Thanks for the encouragement. I think you have a point about posting be helpful. That's why we're all here and I was doing better in the beginning, when I posted more often. I'm going to work on that.

Where are Ward and SCraver???

Angela