Hello everyone!
K.C.-I don't eat low carb-but since I am a percon with blood sugar issues, I have found that all carbs are not created equal-white bread, pastry cakey type things, and white rice are things that I just cannot get enough of if I start eating them, and I am starving an hour later. If you like carbs, but want better carbs that go through your blood sugar slower-try whole wheat pasta, and whole wheat breads that have fiber in them, and cereals such as Kashi and Raisin Bran rather than cereals that are more processed/refined. A good rule of thumb is to check the fiber content-if the bread or cereal, etc. has hardly any fiber-less than a gram-it is going to cause the blood sugar spikes and lows. Once I changed from Corn Pops to Shredded Wheat, and from Cream of Wheat to oatmeal-I have felt much better. Fruits are a great source of steady carbohydrates as well.
Holly-yes, Jason's costume will be movie quality. That is really what I do-I study the costumes in movies and go on all out searches for the right materials, etc. I have to get pretty creative. My Queen Amidala costume fabric had to be dyed, layered, etc. and I used about 5 packages of wig hair in making the headpiece-and gazillions of beads and pearls. For Jason's officer costume I spent more time in the hardware store for supplies than in the fabric shop! I have actually went to a workshop/seminar last year with Trisha Biggar-who was the designer/creator of the costumes of the last 2 Star Wars movies. It was like dream. She actually brought some of the costumes with her and had them set up on stage-the one I made, and 5 from Attack of the Clones-Anakin's outfit, Queen Jamilla's gown and headress, and 3 of Padme's outfits. I have tons of pictures. It was really cool to see how SMALL Natalie Portman is in real life by actually seeing these gowns. She must really be only about 5'1" tall, very small framed through the shoulders, and about 105 pounds. She also has a pretty small head-just a tiny gal in general.
If you want, you can check out a friend of mine's website who is a costumer-she does them from lots of movies-I do not have the link-but if you punch in "Surlygirlie's costume-o-rama" it should come up. She does awesome work-Star Wars, Moulin Rouge, The Nightmare Before Christmas-and others.
My class last night was awesome! I had such a good time! My teacher is great, instead of just throwing on a cd and teaching us moves, she teaches us factual information as we go, and information about the music. Last night she played a tribal drum, and tapped out a beat called "beledi" and had us do moves to it, and getting us used to that beat-so that we could recognize it for ourselves if it is played in a song. We will use this beat for a couple of lessons, and then go on to another one. It was really neat. We did some basic posture work-you have kindof a wierd stance in bellydance-not like you do when you stand normally. I was so happy when she went around the class and I was one of teh only ones who did not get corrected! My tons of videos have really helped me get used to the posture ahead of time.
I can really feel it in my thighs this morning-and I am really looking forward to next week's class!
Well, today is my Pilates day...and I am going to also review what I did in class-and my exercise will be done for the day.
Well, I need to get off here and get these buns a movin-everyone have a fantastic day!
Aphil
Thanks for all the info. Aphil....too bad there's not a "high fiber" section (other than the produce section) in the market to make it all a bit easier. I spend a lot of time reading nutrition labels.
Hi again... just another quick read before I get into the work!!
Georgia Lady - I wish there were Wal Marts in Australia!! I have been here 20 months now. About 90% of what is sold in a walmart in North America is not available here, but on the plus side... our fruit and veggies are amazing to what we got shipped to northern canada!! yum yum pineapple in season all year!!
gotta go and get through the email in box at work *sighs*
Well this is my first post. I am 27 years old with 3 kids and I am married to an army guy. I grew up in vermont, I was very active until I got married at 18 and realized I could cook. I weighed 140lbs when we got married. At 5ft7 that is skinny. Now 3 kids later and 9 years of marraige, I am still 5ft7 but now i am 190lbs. I feel awful. i have bought everything that is gonna "fix" me. I have decided now to get serious. I wear a size 16 and they are tight. My problem is my mid section. I bought a treadmill, a pilates machine. I am gonna do it. I want to feel better.
One thing someone said to me that got me thinking....You body is your machine,your vehicle to get you through life. When you put food into your mouth,think about it...what is that going to do FOR your VEHICLE,your body. (I know wacko right) If that bite of food is gonna do nothing for you but make you feel like crap or make you fat dont do it. Eat to Live.....
So I am thinking to myself who has that kind of will power? I am gonna try. I finally found this place. I think you ladies are perfect. I wanna do this and now I think I can.
My husband is gona a lot. And now who knows what is gonna happen...But I do know when he ccomes home. I want him to find me skinny. Thanks ladies for listening to me ramble. rachel
Welcome Rachel!
No-thinking of your body as a machine or vehicle is not wacko-it is right on! Back in caveman times, there were no Twinkies or donuts...you ate fresh fruits and vegetables, and fresh meats. You ate to live. In Pioneer days a treat was honey or seasonal maple syrup...not all of the crap we have in the stores today.
Your body is the only one you are going to have-so you need to treat it right. Have the occasional small treat-but make it a treat, and not a daily occurance. When I eat at a fast food place or have an ice cream cone, it is a treat-not an all the time thing like it is to some people.
Don't focus too much on being "skinny" or weighing in at exactly 140 like you did before your children. Make small goals for yourself-like commiting to working out 5 days a week, or to drinking more water, or small things you can commit to. Make your weight loss goals in small goals of 5 pounds at a time-rather than saying "I am going to lose 40 pounds by May"-especially since it is pretty much March. Don't set TOO hard of goals that will be impossible to achieve-but DO challenge yourself.
Aphil
((((HELLLLLLOOOOooooo)))))
Well I am still busy with school and instead of looking to exercise to clear the stress I have picked up another hobby. I was invited to a baby shower this weekend. She is expecting a baby girl. I just found out this past Sunday I had been invited, so I got busy. Let me show you what I have been working on...
That's beautiful! I'm totally incabable of doing stuff like that. No talent for it, no patience, either. I always envied people who could create beautiful things.
Hello everyone!
Kina-I LOVE to chrochet! I did that like a madwoman when I was pregnant with my daughter...part of my "nesting" syndrome that time around, I guess. That blanket is gorgeous! I am sure your friend will just love it!
Well, I have been super busy...I am actually on the way out the door going to get part of the tattoo on my stomach that I told you all about a while back. It will have to be done in like 2 or 3 sittings...OW. It's gonna be a biggie...but-it is going to have some of the symbolism of my children like I taked about earlier-plus some sun/moon/stars type of stuff. What was funny, is when I made my appointment, I looked through all of the artists personal books there-and there was one artist that I really liked-so I asked the guy at the desk "Who did the work in this album?" He said..."See that big, big dude way down there?" So-it looks like I am getting tattooed today by Big Foot.
I will post more when I get back.
Aphil
Welcome, rachel! I hope you find that this group will help you. You asked "who has that kind of willpower?" - YOU do! You can do it! We all get to a point when we realize the connection between what we eat and how blah we feel...then somehow we're able to start making better choices, exercising consistently, and when you start to see/feel some results, that just keeps the commitments going. Welcome again!
It must be very difficult to have a loved one in the service, particularly at this time...I hope, as we all do, that things will not progress to worse.
Hello to everyone else! Kanola, haha, "too hot to ride"! wow, tryin'hard and I would love some of that heat! I do so envy you; but realize that you waited through the cold and rainy winter for it. Enjoy!!! Good for you for stepping up your exercise, and kicking the sweets, if you see those needing improvement. You are dedicated!
Hi tryin'hard! We had a day of milder temps yesterday, around 35, and the sun was shining, so seeing some melting snow/ice water along the roads was nice. Then it dips down at night and freezes over, making for some slick paths. Yikes! But it's March 2, which means spring is not too far away. Thanks for the input on the loose skin; I would not ever do any kind of operation in that respect. It's good to know that there is still a year's worth of shrinkage possible.
Kina, hi, that crocheting is marvelous! Beautiful piece of work. Add yet another talent to your accomplished person list!
Aphil, congrats on being complimented on your form in class! And woo-hoo to the tattoo starting to be done - "Bigfoot", that's hilarious!
Hello GeorgiaLady and RavenToy! Hope everything's going well for you.
Nancy, are you busy with moving??? I miss hearing from you, and hope everything is okay! Has your new medication dosage helped you any?
You know, each time I read posts here, I can find something useful, something that smacks me in the forehead and says "open you eyes and listen!" - I have slipped into the bad habit of having small amounts of some kind of cakey sweet, like a half a bakery muffin, in the afternoons, or in the morning with the breakfast coffee...and I thought that because they were small amounts, not that much harm was being done...but with Aphil saying that it just makes her want/crave more, I realize that is the same with me. And rachel - you saying "if you know that bite of food is gonna make you feel like crap" - right on!!! So thank you ladies, for the help.
I have also totally sliped with my water habit!! blah!! I willmake a huge effort to do better with that this week, and try to hold myself accountable! meaning truthfully reporting to you all! haha
Hi holly...Thanks for the kinds words...where in vermont are you? I grew up in north bennington and just moved to louisiana from there...i miss home. I have lived all over, hawaii, alaska, tennessee, and now here in louisiana,but vermont will always be home. Good luck to you....
everyone thanks so much for support. I feel this place will help.
~rachel~
Hello everyone!
Well, the tattoo isn't exactly started, but we did make some progress. The shop had a major surge of walk-ins come in, so I am coming in on Saturday to get things started-but we did mark the placement of the first part, and he made a pattern to use from my drawing to proper scale.
My stretch marks are pretty much in 3 patches...one on each side of my hips-about a fist sized area starting right about a couple inches below the antural wasitline, and then a double fisted sized area a couple inches below my naval-this is where most of the work is to be done. He said it would take about 4 sittings to get done...fun for me.
I will be so glad to get them covered up though, I am really self conscious about them.
Well-I am finally down another pound to 184!
I am so glad the scales have started moving again! I am getting so close to the 170's-I WILL be in the 170's by the time shorts season is here...
My husband and I went out to dinner Friday night-we usually go to Applebee's when we go out, because ours carries their low fat menu items, and all of their low fat menu items are under 800 calories. I had a Roma chicken and veggie rollup and it had a side of fresh pineapple and strawberries. YUM. Call your local Applebee's and ask them if they have low fat items on their menu, and if so-GO! You can get the nutrition information here at 3FC in the restaurant nutrition section of the site. They have a great blackenend chicken salad for like 400 some calories...it is great also! It is nice to eat out without it being a "cheat."
It is definitely one of my saving graces-a nice dinner out with my husband-I get low calorie, he gets a big fat steak, we both get time to ourselves (we do this when grandma has the kids overnight) and everyone is happy.
Well, I need to get going. I have to exercise, and then get ready to pick up the children-my stepmother and father have taken them to go see a "Cinderella" musical.
Bye!
Aphil
Okay I said I would do this at some time. I have to admit I haven't put much effort into this because I have been swamped with school.
1. I have four children...2 boys, 2 girls
2. I am in college; educating myself to become a paraprofessional accoutant.
3. I have 3 brothers...1 older and 2 younger.
4. I collect frogs...I prefer them "au natural" than wearing clothes; I think it looks weird when the frogs have clothes on...call me strange.
5. I also collect snowmen but they don't sale them year round.
6. The day I met my husband was the first day of our life.
7. I worked in a meat market for a couple of years and then was transferred to the seafood side of the market; worked there for a year.
8. I like to do silly things with my kids and with whomever.
9. I crochet and knit baby blankets.
10. I am now teaching my boys to crochet a granny square as we speak.
Way to go Aphil! I'm sure you will be in the 170's before you know it!
Kina, You must be one of the busiest people I know.
You have taken multi-tasking to a new level!!
Well it's about a month from now that my DH and I will be going on our long awaited cruise. We are going to be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary (March 19th) and the cruise is on April 6th. My son, who is 17 1/2 does not want to stay with his grandparents and has asked to stay home alone while we are gone. I totally trust him but I'm a bit anxious about letting him be here by himself. He has promised to eat over at his grandparents every day and call them several times a day so I think we are going to let him do this.
Another thing I am stressing about is the change in routine that is going to happen when we go on the cruise. Right now I'm really watching what I eat and working out and I know that is going to change somewhat when we go on vacation. I just don't want to gain any weight back when we go on the trip. I also want to be able to jump right back into my routine when we get back. I'm planning on taking my journal with me on the trip and writing down everything I eat so hopefully that will help.
I was hoping to have more weight off before the trip but realistically, I think I will only be down to the mid 160's. Thank goodness for those "special" Carol Weir bathing suits that hold you in.
Georgia Lady-I am totally for bathing suits with tummy control, pantyhose with control top, and tank tops with hidden bra shelf supports...and if I was small chested I would probably take total advantage of those new bras with the water pockets in the cups.
There are lots of great things that you can eat on your cruise that are low in calories if you pay attention. Shrimp cocktail is a great choice-I get one of these and a salad when I got to Red Lobster. Very low in calories. Baked potatoes are also a great choice-ask for any sour cream or butter to be on the side-and use only 1 tablespoon of whichever you like best. A average sized baked potato is 100 calories, a large "Idaho Baker" size is 200-and the 1 tablespoon of butter or sour cream is about 100-so 200 to 300 total-not too bad. I am sure they will have lots of great salads as well. White wine or champagne is a great lower calorie choice-much lower than fruity foo-foo drinks-about 100-120 calories for a wine glass full. This is the best choice for the occasional celebration drink. There should be losts of great foods that you can eat on your trip. As far as exercise-make your husband dance with you, and walk a lot around the ship. They may also have some sort of fitness class or workout room-a lot of cruise ships do these days-if so check it out. Going on a trip does not mean you have to go off of your plan-just take your journal, and your book of calorie counts, and make smart choices-and have a great time! 20 years is definitely something to celebrate!
My mother came up to visit with the kids, so I got a chanve to go out and get my hair cut-it needed it really bad. I have one of those blazer styled leather jackets that are popular now, and it was actually nice enough today to wear it instead of my winter coat-I sure got a surprise! In the fall it fit, but it was uncomfortable a bit-snug through the shoulders when I moved around a lot and snug when I have it zipped up...now it fits perfectly! I hadn't even thought about it having been a few months since I had last worn it...until I slipped it on today.
I am feeling really well today-no cravings, my eating has been right on plan-I have felt great. My exercise has been consistent and I have been giving myself that little extra push during my workouts-and I can really feel the difference. My mini goal for the month is to hit 181-to reach a total loss of 30 pounds. I am only 3 pounds away from that little milestone-and I am going to reward myself somehow for reaching that mark when the time comes-which is hopefully SOON!
Everyone have a fantastic day-drink plenty of water, exercise, stay on your eating plan, and do something good for yourself-even if it is just putting on some great hand lotion before bed.
Aphil
My tons of videos have really helped me get used to the posture ahead of time. 
Don't set TOO hard of goals that will be impossible to achieve-but DO challenge yourself. 
That blanket is gorgeous! I am sure your friend will just love it! 
I'm sure you will be in the 170's before you know it!
