GOOOOOOOOOOOO RAVEN What a great accomplishment!!!! I haven't weighed, too busy going crazy! I hate being iced in but things have improved. The kids are back in school but they are calling for a little snow tonight and a bigger storm Monday. Guess we will see.

Kathy, to answer your question from days ago, my hubby and my brother get along great. They help eachother out and so on so it makes life around here alot better. I can't imagine if they didn't get along.

Happy, did you ever read the South Beach book? What did you think? Do you follow a plan or just control portions?

What about you Raven? How did you lose the 5 pounds? Portion control and exercise?

Jolly, hope you aren't feeling lonely here anymore! Isn't it odd that we eat things we shouldn't and we know that the whole time we are eating it? I do the same thing. I think alot of mine has to do with my mood. I sometimes get a piss on it attitude and eat what I want when I want it but am always sorry about it later.

Tracy, How are you??????

I have been out of sorts this week, no excuse but I'm useing it as one. Everyone has been home because of the weather, my nepher was here an extra day because Chris couldn't get him home. Anyway, I have spent alot of time in the kitchen cooking for all of these guys. Quick and easy stuff that isn't healthy at all and I would eat it too instead of taking the time to make myself something different just because I wanted to hurry up and get out of that damn kitchen!!! We picked our vacation dates and I really want to lose 30 pounds by then. I am refocusing and preparing raw veggies and stuff again hopeing to get myself back on track. I know I can do this, I think it's just a matter of getting everything worked out. I am still adjusting to having an extra person to cook for and clean up after and when Alex is here that adds another one. I love having him and my brother, I am just so use to it just being the 3 of us and my routine is all screwed up.

I'm really hopeing that I can get all of you to help me out. I need for you guys to help me stay focused. I'm not very good at holding myself accountable on if I eat right or exercise so you all stay on my *** and make me tell....Okay?

Gotta run...talk to you later!

Hey Hippy, I'd like to lose at least 20 pounds by mid April for my vacation and birthday, so we can team up together as a challenge if you like. I'm sure Raven would be happy to be our exercise

I have the South Beach book but haven't had time to read it yet though my sister just got it and said it's a quick read. She is considering it for her and her husband and we talked about buddying up on it. I am following a diet I started in 2002 which is very similar to the SBD. I try not to eat processed foods (too much salt for me), cut back on white stuff as much as I can - white bread, pasta, sugar tho I haven't cut it out completely. I just try to eat a balance of fruit, veggies and protein. I did lose a few pounds this month but I attribute it to portion control. I am not a person to log every bite into Fitday and figure out my calories. When I started up again in January I had some long talks with myself to figure out where my problem areas are. Giving in to cravings, late night nibbling, no regular exercise and eating more than I should even if my food choices are basically healthy. I started measuring my portions and using the smallest plates in the house. A tiny dish for sides like salad or fruit or veggies, a luncheon plate instead of a dinner place and smaller cups for my coffee and milk. I'm trying to stick to only 1 Coke a week and even then, I don't finish off the can. Sugar is a big trigger for me - the more I get the more I want. It always sends me on a bender or makes me look for things to nibble on at night. I am also trying to exercise at least 30 minutes 5 times a week - walking, free weights and Pilates. I need to start my yoga again to stretch my tight muscles. So I'm not on a formal plan, just trying to do good things. I have it easier on the food front as there's only the 2 of us and my husband eats pretty much whatever I put in front of him. I just make minor variations. He gets corn, more potatoes than me and the full fat salad dressing. He likes ice cream and cookies - I just buy him the stuff I don't like so it's not so much of a temptation. I also found that I really have to plan my meals ahead of time and know what I have available to eat. When I just stick my head in the refrigerator - I'm doomed for failure.

Sorry to be so long winded tonight.

Hope you all stay warm and safe and comfy. The only good thing about time flying by at such speed is that winter will be over soon although when it's this cold that's hard to believe.

Good morning! It's Friday! Wee!

Happy - Yes, when the sap expands in the trees as it freezes, the tree can actually explode. It sounds very much like a gunshot. It's pretty cool, and I know it happens wherever temps get real low. And I don't think you'd like me to be your exercise coach, I'm kind of a hardass. It's kind of stupid, I know, especially when I've gone through so much, but the harder I work, the less tolerance I have for slacking off. The more I accomplish, the harder I get on myself. It almost seems like some sort of internal mechanism of setting the bar higher and higher till I fail. I'm trying not to fall into that this time. So far not doing too badly. How is that tooth? Sounds like you might have whipped that one into submission! I sure hope so. 20 pounds by mid-April?? That's a hefty goal. Lets say we use till April 16. That's 11 weeks. That's 1.82 pounds per week. I know that doesn't sound like much, but ... are you up to it? Gads I'm such a troublemaker.

Hippy - How did I lose it? By making a comittment to drink my water, work out at LEAST 5 days a week, and by making sure I stayed within 1200-1400 calories a day. I have a problem of going off the deep end and not eating at all. I had to use fitday to teach myself how much I could eat safely so I didn't suffer anxiety attacks. For me it was always all or nothing. I ate like a pig or starved myself. Neither approach is real good for healthy fat loss. I don't seem to suffer from the food triggers - I seem to be able to incorporate a little of whatever I like into my diet and not have that switch on any compulsions to binge. I had to learn how much protein I could stand in my diet, how many carbs, how much fat. I learned that I must have some sort of treat at the end of the day, or I feel resentful and deprived and the next day I'm hitting the chocolate in righteous indignation. I've had to learn a lot, but it's coming together slowly. The next big challenge for me is eating out. My boyfriend likes to go out once a week or so as our "alone time" and I've been avoiding that like the plague for the last year. Well, I think I have quite a bit under control, now it's time to face that monster. We'll go somewhere like Friday's or Chili's where they have the lighter fare on the menu, and I can get the nutritional content breakdown and start learning what I can and can't eat when I go out. He's been really understanding, and even last night when I talked to him about it he offered to stay home, but I told him I can't hide for the rest of my life. I have to learn how to do this. So... wish me luck! I know that when myt routine is all jumbled up like yours is right now it's SO hard for me to stay on track. I need so much focus to do this right now. One year it will be second nature, but for now I'm still having to think about everything, plan everything, and any interruptions really mess up the program. I hope you can get things into a workable routine.

This morning was a rather humorous one for me. I inadvertantly yanked the headphone adaptor out of my stereo, and it went flying, of course the stereo is turned up LOUD so I'm now waking the dead... Took me a while to find the adaptor, and by the time I got everything all hooked up and I was ready to go again, the treadmill had reset the numbers. I figured I'd done about 20 minutes and needed to do about 10 more. So what happens? I can't even begin to make myself get off that treadmill till the clock says I've been going for 30 minutes. Can we say slightly oc? I got in a nice little workout, though. Did a lot of incline, trying to get that rear in shape, you know? Plus it really helps the calves. Stepping on the dogs ball at the top of the stairs while I'm running to the bedroom to get the spare adaptor, running into the laundry room door on the way back OUT of my room, and nearly falling down the stairs and killing myself all must figure into the calories burned somehow.

And after what I really thought was an excessive dinner last night (till I logged it into fitday and found out it wasn't) I weighed in this morning with another half pound loss. I hope it stays gone. I kinda like this trend.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!!

Throwing caution to the wind here, and making a new goal for February. I want to be at 185 by the end of the month. I might be able to drop that other half pound by Monday, which would put me at 192. That means I'd have to lose 7 (*faint*) pounds in 4 weeks. That puts me more in line with what you're trying to do, Happy... Are you with me? That's a half pound more a week than my original goal. But lately I've been doing so well that I really think I might be able to actually do this, and it would feel SO good to be back where I was when I fell off the wagon up in Alaska so badly. Then I could go back to my originally stated 5 pound goal for each month, but darn I want to be losing "virgin fat" as Linda calls it.

Jolly - Should we start a new thread for the new month?

You got it girl - I'm with you. And I could use a bit of a hardass training coach too. I also hate this back tracking to get back to where I was a few months ago but that just goes to show you where giving in to the inner demons will get you.

I am going to continue to focus on portion control but like you, I think the difference will come in really stepping up the workouts. Better go clean that basement tonight so I can get the treadmill rev'd up. But do I HAVE to put it on a high incline she whines... only if you want results you loser

And yes, let's start a new thread for the new month.

Happy. Ok girlie girl... Since we both know we really can't control the scale, and we both know all we really can control is what we put in our mouths and how we work our bodies... shall we play a game?

A distance challenge for each week, perhaps? Or? Suggestions are welcome. The loser owes the winner a foot rub.

Raven you are such a

May I call you Evil Trainer - with the utmost respect of course!

And I do love a good challenge. However, I must say I might just let you win so I can escape these frigid temperatures even if it involves a foot rub

Let's see, how do you want to do this?

I'll talk to the husband tommorrow. The problem with the treadmill is that it's HUGE. And it's in a part of the basement where he's still drywalling and sanding and dust is the major killer of treadmills. Maybe we can move it to one of the smaller rooms for the time being. Without the treadmill I can't really log miles or calories expended. BUT I can do other things and log minutes.

My exercise focus for February is going to be:
- Cardio (walking) - 5 times a week
- Strength training (back to the weights again) - twice a week
- Crunches to slim down my big bellzo - 5 times a week

I'm thinking (and open to suggestions) to increase the workout each week
For example: Cardio 35 min / 45 min / 55 min / 60 minutes increasing by 10 minutes each week
For strength I will probably increase reps/sets. I have a degenerated disk in my neck so I will try to increase the weights but will see how it affects me, I think reps is a safer route for the time being
Crunches 50 / 65 / 80 / 100

I know you are trying to build up your endurance with running and the incline and I thought you said you were trying to get back with weights tho I might be mistaken. So maybe you can increase your incline or running speed or decrease your mileage time - running farther in less time.

Let me know. I'm game to start on Monday. Thanks for asking!

You girls are so funny I have no excuse to not exercise at some point during the day other than I just don't do it. When I was following my program I did WATP everyday but I had to do it first thing in the morning, as soon as I got Jordan off to school. If I walk outside I want to do that first thing in the morning. Now my mornings are so screwed up and by the time I take care of everyone, get Jordan off to school, Gary fed, Chris fed, clean up the mess................I just don't have the want to. I know, I am also having a hard time planning. My guys are the biggest meat, potato, bread, beans people I have ever seen!! By the time I cook for them it's easier for me to eat what I already have cooked. Just an excuse.

It's colder than a welldiggers *** here today. It was 12 yesterday and right now it's 2 below. BRRRRRRRRRR. We still have snow and ice. We got sleet and a little snow Thursday night. I think we are suppose to have snow, measurable, Monday night.

Happy I have until July to meet my goal. I keep thinking I have plenty of time but I know if I don't work hard and pay attention then It will be July and I will still weigh the same

Better get going, talk to you soon.

Happy, thank you for the compliment!

I'm going to think about how we can work this. My time is somewhat limited in the mornings at this point - I suppose it wouldn't kill me to set the alarm a little earlier each week to accomplish the cardio challenge. I can definitely add in the weights twice a week. I've been trying to ignore the UB flabbiness, especially the tricep area, but it's getting harder to "not see" it in the mirror. It bothers me. So I might add in no weight lunges and squats just for flexibility, plus a decent UB two nights a week. I don't have a way to measure the incline, unfortunately. It does the auto incline thing, but no read out. I might be able to put something next to the belt area to measure height and use that, then up the time spent at an incline. *ponder* I don't have a DVD player and won't till mid-February, but then I can start adding in the pilates again. You want ab work... do the pilates stuff. Dang. I've never seen anything sculpt that core area faster. Lets bang this out and yes, I'm very game to start Monday!

Where is everyone else?? Anyone else up for our little challenge??

I'm not trying to look a gift horse in the mouth here, but any time I drop a significant amount of weight in a short time I want to make sure I'm not doing something stupid, as I am wont to do. Like not eating enough. I dropped another POUND AND A HALF this morning. That puts me down to 191. I checked fitday, my calories are in a good range. I could be eating a bit more protein and a few less carbs, but my fat is a good number, too. I'm drinking water, and I feel ok. So I guess I'll just accept the number for now and move on. And pray the scale doesn't bounce back up another two pounds tomorrow as IT is wont to do.

If Jolly doesn't pop in, I guess I'll start a new thread tomorrow or Monday for our second month.

Today, peruse the web a little more, catch up where I can. Then get a load of laundry going, hop on the treadmill, then off to the stables. I need to stop and get dog food and chewies so Artemis stops eating my recliner, then tonight is my big challenge - dinner out with the boy. *panic* We're going to go to Chili's or Applebee's or something like that so I can pick out something relatively healthy, but passing up the appetizers and dessert is going to be hard. I can do this. I just need to treat it like any other dinner. Wish me luck, folks! I'll report back tomorrow on my SUCCESS, because FAILURE is NOT an option! Right?

Morning ladies

sorry i have been gone..wiht the school out for 3 days and the hubby home..ah..i was so glad to be back at work.

I bought a pedometer..logged in 700 steps thursday but only 2550 on Fridya but I was playing basketball for an hour and a half.

Wednesday was my little girl's 6th b-day..i still cannot beleive it!!

Raven how awesome are you on that running??You serisouly are kicking some exercise booty!!

Hippy omg totally on the meat and spuds..my hubby that is all he eats..ugh..my girl is the same way and my son..forget it..junk or chef b ar dee..

Happy i am sorry about the drywall problem..move the treadmill girl..i wish I had one but as all of my exercise equipment has been broken by me..i think i have a problem just like with plants!!

I was so glad to see the ice melt..my driveway was skate central and I bite the dust many time.s

well hubby is working today..YEAH!! (how sad is that??)

Goal.10,000 steps a day..come on Tracy you can do it!!

oops..typo central here..that was

7000 steps...on my first day ..lol with weights..HA!!

Morning, ladies. Happy February.

Hippy - Meat and potatoes aren't as bad as all that. Portion control and the cuts of meat you use, and how you cook things is the key. Along with generous helpings of veggies, either in a salad or as a major portion of the meal. I'm finding slowly that almost any dish can be redesigned to be healthy, and our meal plan is getting more and more varied as I go. Thank goodness. I don't think I could have survived another year of grilled chicken and broccoli. I know if I don't totally commit to working out, it won't get done. I know you're in a rough spot right now, I don't know that I could focus on food and exercise either. OTOH, how long is this going to last? Can you rework things so you CAN schedule time in for working out? What is your priority?

Tracy - Slowly but surely the running is coming along. I have managed more than a half a mile at one time so far, and now I'm kind of scaling back and working on walking speed (trying to comfortably do 4mph for up to an hour at a time) and hitting the incline. Some days I do interval. I just really like to shake it up, and I seem to see progress that way. Keeps me from getting bored. I wonder how many miles 10,000 steps is?

Ok Chicks... Jolly appears to be MIA, so I guess I'll start the new thread. Look for me there!