Hope this finds everyone doing well. I'm dealing w/mixed emotions this morning. I finally updated my signature and added the pounds I gained during Thanksgiving/Christmas. I gained 13 pounds during that time. Oh, I'm such an idiot for letting that happen! But, the past is the past and all I can do is not let it happen again. It just irks me that I have to relose all that weight!!

Anyway, lost 2 pounds this week! I was amazed as TOM is here. Yeah! That's two less holiday pounds to lose!

I have been op since last time I wrote and only used 6 flexpoints at my sister's this weekend-we made smores and it was worth the points! I have also exercised and met water intake. Yesterday, I did two sessions on the elliptical-50 minutes and 4.25 miles and 35 minutes and 2.75 miles for a grand total of 7 miles yesterday! I thought dh was going to have to push me out of bed this morning! Anyway, it felt good. Tonight, probably 3 miles on ellip or maybe just walking. Haven't decided yet.

Bonnie-congrats on the weight loss!!! You go, girl!

Kandice-Congrats on your weight loss! You're almost there already! You're inspiring! I don't understand the SBC stance either. I work w/a baptist minister whom I respect very much. We've had some interesting theological discussions but it keeps me on my toes and sharpens my wisdom. I love talking theology w/him but that's one thing I guess I won't ever understand.

Jean-I have a friend who uses that video and she really likes it as well. Kudos to you for walking in such frigid conditions! Brrrrr! I miss snow, we don't get a lot here in southern KY like I did in central Ohio. However, I don't miss the cold weather! I guess I'm just a true southern girl now! I prefer warmth.

Amy-You sure passed up a lot of goodies! Way to go! I'm proud of you! You're doing well. As for exercise, the only thing I can say for sure that I've heard is that it's good to take at least one day off a week to allow your body to rest. I take off Weds. and Sun. usually b/c they are busy w/church stuff. However, I'm getting ready to incorporate Weds back into my schedule at least. I have some video's I plan to use in the mornings before work.

florafae-congrats on your loss as well. You're doing good. Hope your garden is soon restored to proper order. I remember looking at pictures and it was beautiful. I'm sure you'll have it whipped into shape in no time.

Well, laides-gotta run. Have a great health day. Take care of yourself. We're doing great!!

Oh-thoroughly enjoyed my down time w/my sis! Didn't really do anything special; just hung out. She walked w/me Saturday but made me promise to walk my warm-up speed so she could keep up. We went to a park close to her house. The lap was 1 1/4 miles through some woods. It also had a pond w/ducks and geese. It was nice to just spend time w/her. She's an angel!

Hi Everyone!

It's that time of the week! I'm happy to say that I lost another 3 inches, so that makes 7 inches so far. One more to go before Valentine's Day!

Oh, and more exciting news... I found a really great gym! It's called "Lady of America." It's new and clean, for ladies only with treadmills, ellipticals, weight training machines, free weights, balls, stretch cords, aerobic classes galaore, yoga, step, televisions to watch while exercising,
free babysitting, tanning booths, spray tanning booths, lockers, showers and fun people... all for $149 a year! I signed up immediately, and I've already worked out several times. I just love it. They took my measurements and will do so again in a month, so that's great motivation, too.

Congratulations to everyone who lost weight this week! You are all doing a great job!
Hugs,
Dena

WOW! Congrats Dena (for the inches and for finding a gym)! that's such a good price too!! Where are you losing the inches? (just curious...) is it in 1 place more than others? I know personally almost 1/2 of my inches came from my thighs...

Skinny- remember that next time... "have to relose all the weight I already lost...." but congrats for staying OP and losing 2 lbs!

I go get a haircut (just trim- still trying to grow out my hair for the wedding 'do ) and an eyebrow wax tonight- fun fun! I almost want to go shopping tonight too- just to go, but I think we'll probably just stay home and watch the final final biggest loser... the rest of the week is pretty busy with church tomorrow, and dance class thursday...

oh bonnie! that's terrible! I hope you feel better by Saturday! I know you probably know what works for you, if this has happened to you before, but really, try the thermacare for the back. Chris lifted a box wrong and I got him some of those and he said they are a miracle- they worked for him.

Bonnie, wow, that's an exciting weight Give your back a little TLC, it needs it.
Amy, 4 pounds, that's really impressive.
Kandice, keep it up, you're getting there.
Florafae, wow, is everyone losing? This is great.
Skinny, congrats, you're almost at the half way point!!
Dena, inches is what really matters in the long run. That gym sounds good.

I don't understand it, I'm up 2 pounds this week. I just don't know why. I'm not going ot put it in my signature, because it will be gone next week. So there, hmmmph. I'm mad.

Diana

I just came back from the gym, and I'm so happy, because going there actually makes better. I feel like I'm back and strong again, before my stupid sick episode. I went on the treadmill for 1/2 hour, worked out with weight machines for 1/2 an hour, and got on the elliptical for a few minutes. So I was there for over an hour and loved it.

Kandice, you asked where I lost inches... 4 around my waist, 1 on my bust,
and 2 on my hips. I would really like the hip inches to keep dropping, please. Congrats to you for being so close to goal!

Dew, hang in there. That's happened to me before for no reason. Did you have some salty foods?

Skinny, wow, congrats on the 2 lb. loss!

Flora, congrats to you, too!

Amy, four lbs!! Wow!!

Bonnie, I'm so sorry about your back. Take care of yourself!

OK, time for me to make dinner.
Hugs,
Dena

Thanks for the support ladies! Today has been good so far but hte hungry bug has hit me hard, I've actually got a growly tummy.
Here's a question, have any of you tried Atkins or counting WW points? Just wondering.
Diana

Hi all,
I know I'm late getting in this challenge but as you can see I have already started! I just found you guys this minute. Love the site and joined yesterday.
Sooooooooooo much fun reading all the posts. I am eating LF, LC, and watching calories. Trying to get 30 mins exercise everyday.

Juitsy,

Welcome to our little weightloss group! How exciting to have a Valentine's Day goal and birthday on the same day! Good luck to you. I like your plan of LF, LC and exercising 30 minutes everyday. Glad you could join us.
Hugs,
Dena

juitsy, welcome- I'm doing LC too and it's working for me... good luck!

I flipped the page, but someone asked about the Atkins book? Never read it- I'm just doing the Curves Low-Carb plan. the ladies in the Atkins forum though are very knowledgable... give them a try.

I really don't feel like going to curves today- but I hate to break my going... Been 12 times this month already... my gym bag's in my car and I won't have a chance to go tonight with church, so I need to go at lunch.... keep telling myself, go to curves, go to curves....

Hope everyone is having a good health day. I exercised for 45 minutes last night, was op and met my water goals. I got up this morning and worked out w/my pilates video. I can tell it's been a while since using this one! Ouch!

Dena-congrats on the inches gone and to finding a gym that fits your needs so well and so inexpensively! That's awesome.

Kandice-I agree w/Bonnie go to curves! Usually, when I really don't want to go is when I need it most. I always feel better afterward! What kind of dances classes are you taking? Are you learning to waltz for your wedding? What fun.

Bonnie-Hope your back is better soon. Be kind to yourself.

Dianna-hang in there. I agree w/what has already been said on this board-it's probably sodium in something you ate. I know that happens to me sometimes. Our bodies flucuate a lot. Just keep exercising and eating right and you'll see that 2 lbs just disappear! Also, I tried Atkins before but found it to restrictive. I like food, obviously! So, I don't really want to be denied anything-in moderation. That's why I like WW points. I can eat anything I want, in moderation, as long as I count the points for it. We recently celebrated a birthday here at work and I had a small, 2x2, piece of cake and that was okay. I just counted the points. Of course, as w/every healthy eating lifestyle, you can't over do and you need to maintain a healthy balance of fruit, veggies, meat, dairy and bread. But, I really like WW and it's the one "diet" that has brought me the most success. Ck out Atkins, though. It might be doable for you.

juitsy-welcome, welcome, welcome! You are in the right place for encouragement and support. We'll be cheering for you to reach your bday/vday goal!

Gotta run. Have a great day, ladies!

skinny and bonnie- I went at lunch time! I needed to I know it...

Bonnie- Chris' back is fine now- he just lifted something wrong and I got him the thermacare. I hope you take lots of breaks during your car ride, it would be awful to be stiff on vacation.

Skinny- our first dance is choreographed- we're dancing to Rascal Flatts' "Broken Road". It's alot like the waltz though I think... it's a simple box step (moving around though) and then an underarm turn, then this one thing that we stop and sway and then come back together, and then the 5th position break- it's like posing for the audience... and then we end with a turn and bow/ courtesy. I hope it'll look good. We had only danced together once before at a college friend's wedding in september and it was reminiscent of the 6th grade dances- arms around his neck type thing... I didn't want to do that for our first dance. (Chris is going to kill me that I told that he was taking dance classes- he pretends to be "manly", but he's not! He's about even as far as high maintenance with me- he uses facial scrubber and moisturizer, plucks his eyebrows...)

Have a great afternoon!

Hi ya'll! I sooooo want to enter Onederland too~ So far, you all are helping me stay movitvated just knowing I'm not the only one who plateaus, who has bad days, who has good days. It's really nice. I'm so glad I found this community. Everyone here is doing so well. Congrats!!! I really hope I can hit my goal of 1 inch off my chest, waist, and hips. My arms and legs go more slowly and have stay the same for a while... they got smaller first, of course. It's the belly I want to go tho!!! I wear a 1x top (small chested.. yes..lol.. odd for a big girl, I know.) with 2x or 3x pants! I hate it.

I would love to hit Onederland, as u all call it so cute-like, by April 1. My husband's bday is April 3rd, and we have planned a trip to Galveston for that weekend. Yay!! I have a top I wanna buy just for that weekend too. But I want it to be at least one size smaller. The visualizations help me tremendously. Try that too if you haven't already.

I'll keep you all posted and you do the same. I love reading how everyone is doing day to day. Also, when I post my miles for the month, they include each step I take all day, all month... not just when I'm exercising. I'm at about 90+ miles this month. I have been walking, jogging, etc. at least 10K-20K steps each day. I wear a pedometer. Another great suggestion! Get one! Today! They are great.. you can really see how much or how little you are moving.. I now have the habit of parking furthest from Walmart's (where u can get one for about $7.00) front door to add steps.

My Vday goal is losing one inch off my chest, waist, and hips... each. I don't own a scale. I hate them. I use the doctor's, my family's, etc. LOL. But if I were to do weight.. I'd say 212? 8 lbs. down... but then again.. last time I weighed, was Christmas Day. LOL. I was 221.. and I know I've lost, so I'm saying I'm at 220 now. Probably lower. Guess I need better access to a scale. Ah well! LOL

Oops! And thanks for the sweet welcome~ :-D You girls are great here! Hugs!