Hello All!!!!

Welcome to the group!!!! I hope all of you have found us.... there should be 6 of us although anyone that would like to join are more than welcome.

Our Goal - to love and support each other through all the challenges that we face in getting and staying healthy.

I think we should start off with an introduction.

I am a single (engaged) mother of a 14 & 16 year old.... challenging to say the least. Getting married soon, been a single mom for 12 years. I work out of the home although I am on the road alot (in sales). I am very unhappy at the way I look and how little motivation and self discipline that I have had over the past few years. I am looking to change all this.

Name: Ursula.... aka Angel

Age: 34 Height: 5'2" Weight: 207 Clothing Size: 16/18

Short Term Goal: 2-3# a Week Weight Loss

Mid Range Goal: 175# (size 12) by 5/3/03 - My Wedding Day

Long Term Goal: 125#-130#

Exercise Routine: (M-F) 10 min cardio warm up,
30 min Circuit (alternate upper & lower)
30 min Cardio
10 min stretch
(Sat) 15 min cardio warm up,
60 min Circuit (both upper & lower)
60 min Cardio
20 min stretch
I am also trying to include walking and yoga in with this.... I am very determined.....

Food Routine: 1200-1400 calories a day

Trying to follow the 90/10 plan by joy bauer. It is where 90% of the calories are from the good stuff and 10% is from the fun stuff.

Water: 8-12 glasses a day

Biggest Weakness: FOOD in the evening.... I graze at night when I am tired.

I know that my goals and plan are pretty well defined and I dont assume that everyone elses is there yet..... I have been really looking at this for awhile.

What I would like to see from everyone else is their starting point.
You can follow what I did above: Name, age, height, weight, size, goals that you have (which dont neccessarily have to be weight related, could be want to walk a mile by the end of January- whatever is important to you). Give us a brief introduction and the we can go from there......Anything else you would like to include do so....

I am so glad that all of you are here to help me, encourage me and support me.... THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Angel and others,

Howdy! I have not been posting on this web site for the past 3 or 4 months. I really got off track since about Thanksgiving and put on about 8 pounds over the holidays! YIKES!!!

Here's a little info about me. I am a married mother of a 4 1/2 year old. I too work out of the home. I am a social worker for Birth to Three/Early Intervention services in the state of Illinois. Three years ago I started out at 245 pounds and about a size 22. I am now down to 174 and a size 14/16. I HAVE to get down to 150 at least. Once I get on-task I usually do well, but need the motivation machine to get started. I have been stalling the getting started part for the past month.

I know this website works IF you feel comfortable with your group and sometimes it is hard to find a "good fit". Hope this is a good place for me.

NAME: Tressa...aka Boatingmommy
AGE: 35 Height: 5'4" Weight: 174 pounds CLothing sz: 14/16

Short term goal: 2-3 pound weight loss

Mid Range goal: 150 by June 13 - Departure date for Disney World

Long Term goal: 140 in my sweetest dreams

Excercise Routine: 5 days a week of 45 minutes - either aerobics or walking tapes. Need to increase to 1 hour 5 days a week.

My husband is trying to lose 25 pounds also...hoping that will also make it easier for me.

Can't wait to hear from others who are ready to experience a thinner, healthier life!

Boating

Name: its_my_life-- Bev

Age: 35 Height: 5'4" Weight: 185.5 Clothing Size: 16

Short Term Goal: lose a pound a week

Mid Range Goal: 170 May 6

Long Term Goal: 150

Exercise Routine: (M-F) at least 30 minutes of exercise to include cardio and pilates

Food Routine: food exchange program

Water: 8 glasses of water

Biggest Weakness: unplanned eatting

Hello All!!!!

Welcome aboard Boating.... we would love for you to join us....

Bev.... you found me!!!! It looks like you have been on this board before..... I am there with you on the unplanned eating bev... man it is sooooo hard!!!!!

Boating.... WOW... from 245 to 175.... WAY TO GO.... Just get back ontrack.... and hopefully we can give you the motivation that you need and want.....

As for me.... I got up this morning and worked out at the YMCA.... I did extra today because they were closed yesterday for MLK Day. I did a 35 min cardio warmup, did both lower and upper circuit, and then another 35 min on the elliptical.... and I drank 8 glasses of water while in the gym.....

Eating is always my biggest problem... I have done so-so today... ate a banana on the way to the gym (6:30am), had a yogurt on the way home (9:00am) , had cream of chicken soup for lunch (11:00) with a coke (BOO!!!!), then chocolate pudding for a snack (1:00). I became real hungry at 4:00 so I went ahead and had dinner which was a glass of milk and beef stroganoff. So far I have had about 1400 calories and I havent even made it through the worst part of night.... UGH!!!!! I know I could have saved the 100 calories from the coke, the pudding could have been smaller to save some of the 290 caolries, and I could have definetly ate something besides the 400 calorie Beef Stroganoff.... unfortunately my neighbor (aka adopt a mom) brought over the stroganoff and the pudding so I felt obligated to eat it. I could have/ should have had more control and maybe only ate half and then had a salad or something.

I did drink a glass of water while at her house today which was really good for me... normally I have a can of soda and 2 mini candy bars.... today I just had a glass of water... YEAH for me.... I know I should celebrate all the small steps and just think I saved about 250 calories.... that is something....

Now I have a challenge for tonight.... my fiance just got tickets to the hockey game.... I have no idea how I am going to avoid food once I get there.... I am going to try.... pray for me....

I am not always going to be so long winded. I know the last two messages have been long.... although I have to admit, I am the one that people say could talk to a brick wall if it stood still long enough!!!!

Anyway, How was everyone elses day???? Were you able to stay on track? How are you guys monitoring what you are doing? Do you keep a journal? Counting Calories? Counting steps?

Talk to you soon!!!!

Ursula

Hi Boating and angel,

I am very glad to be here. I have been posting here for awhile but never have found a group I really fit in with so hopefully this will be it.

angel, how many people do you sent the email to about this being our new home. Please tell us alittle bit more about your plan. Is it a very strict plan or what.

boating, your weightloss stats are just amazing. I hope I can be as successful as you are. What did you do to loss the weight?

well I decided to an exchange plan becasue that is the only way I have ever lost weight. I am have a really hard time sticking to a plan so I tend to switch back and forth between counting calories and exchanges. So in a few weeks I might write in that I switched plans.

A little bit about myself- I am 35 , married and have two kids 9 and 5. Right now my biggest problem if that I have had two knee surgeries in the last two years and now I am starting to have pain in my good knee so I can only exercise when it is not bothering me and the type of exercises have also changed for me. So really getting my food under control is key for my weightloss since I can;t really counting on the exercise part.

bev

Hello ladies! Well I didn't do too bad today, but could have done better.

For breakfast I had a bowl of granola cereal, could have been a little smaller bowl...but there was just a fourth a cup left in the bag so I dumped it all, lunch was a bowl of chilli, then for dinner I had potato and sausage casserole (one helping), green beans, and applesauce for desert. Doesn't sound too bad, but my portions need to be a little smaller, I think.

For excercise I did the 45 minute Minna Lessig Fat Burner tape. That one wears me out, but I like her because she's not too perky and annoying.

My worst thing about trying to lose weight is the social eating. I know what you mean Angel about going somewhere like a hockey game and not wanting to binge! It is very hard. I know Sunday will be hard because we will get together with friends for the Superbowl, drink a few beers and eat junk. I'll pray for you tonight and you pray for me on Sunday...deal?

Well, every have a good evening and keep your hands out of the snacks!

Boating

Hello All!!!!!

Just a quick note before I head to bed.....

Went to the hockey game.... we won YEAH!!!!.... had a coke and split a soft pretzel 3 ways (with the kids).... so i thought i was doing pretty good.... unfortunately I came home and was tired but wired and so i thought i would have some crackers with peanut butter and raisins (i know it sounds weird but is good) i ate too much and blew it.....Nighttime is my absolute worst!!!!!

I still had a deficit of 800 calories for the day which is good but with how much I worked out it shoudl have been alot more!!!!!

Food.... i swear i am an addict.... do you realize that i had over double the amount of calories after 4:00 than I did all day before... one thing i really noticed today is that i need to eat about every 2-3 hours.... if i dont i feel it....

Oh well, tomorrow is another day!!!!

I hope the rest of the girls find us.... i emailed everyone.....

Hey Bev, sorry to hear about your knees.... i have a friend that is in a wheelchair... she has an exercise video that is designed for the upper body.... something you might be able to try.... i know she uses hand weights in it.....

I have been reading the book "Business Plan for the Body" and it talks about muscle burning more than fat.... which we all knew but maybe if you can build your upper body and do light things with your legs or when you can start walking or whatever.... you can gain some muscle... just a thought for you....

As for my plan being very strict or not.... it isnt... I count calories... using a basic model found in 90/10 plan... i try to eat between 1200-1400 calories a day..... about 200 calories coming from my fun food (which is typically chocolate).... It is very flexible... I do have a hard time with my eating as you can tell from today.... I do pretty good with my exercise.... well i have for the past 2 months... it is like a switch went off in my head or something and I have been just sticking to it.... I get up at 5:30 which if you knew me is an amazing thing and go to the gym right away..... that way i cant talk myself out of it and my life doesnt mess it up......when i was trying to work out in the evening it just never happened....

And I have to admit this and I never thought i would.... i do feel better since I have been working out.... it took 2 weeks for me to relly notice the difference.... and i will admit I dont like working out but i do like the way it makes me feel.....

Anyway I am off to bed now.....

Sweet Dreams Ladies..... and hopefully the rest will find us....

Angel

hey girls!

well I so looking foward to this

I'm Winnie, 20 years old @215 and 5'6
I'm going to the gym and working out for 1 1/2 and
drinking a lot of water.I don't eat greasy food and pop
and try to keep my self active at all times.I have a lot of energy
since I started the gym and this amazing group that keeps me going.My goal is to be at 130-135 by the end of the year,but for now to reach the hundreds and not be on 2'hds in the next 3 to 4 weeks.I can't wait to hear from you angel and the rest of the girls
and let's get this thing going!

Hi everyone, this is going to be quick since I have alot of things to do today and I also have water aerobics today. I go to water aerobics three times a week. Yesterday I was so proud of myself- I went to my favorite chicken place and have one half of a chicken sandwich and only a few fries and threw the rest out. I would never have done that before because I figure if I pay for it I must eat it. and for dinner I had a veggie soup I made that it very low in calories.

well I stepped on the scale today and I was very mad I have not lost a pound even with working out every day and watching what I eat. I was sure i lost weight ( I feel thinner in the waist area but the scale has not moved.) But I will not let it get my down.

Hi Winnie.... you found us.... YEAH!!!!!! Welcome aboard!!!!

Bev.... dont get discouraged... you are more than likely building the muscle which does weigh more than fat.... you did notice that your waist felt thinner and it probably is.....

I have been working out pretty realigously now for almost 2 months and I havent lost any weight yet..... that is why I am now trying to pay attention to the food.... I do feel better and I am noticing muscle.... my arms are getting firm!!!! so just look at the other things when the scale isnt moving....

Also WAY TO GO on only eating half a sandwich... thats what it is all about... I dont believe in depriving myself of what i love.... just eat less of it....

As for me... went to the gym and did a total of 70 min on elliptical, my lower body circuit, and 10m stretch.... now if I can control my eating....

Hope all is well and will chat later....

hello girls!
hi angel,so how was your day?well I had a great day
I went to the gym and ate healthy.I had so much water which kept me very full and I know that's the clue,water is what helps our body burn the fat.So girls drink a lot of water o.k. Angel try not to eat any junk food please,I really want you to reach your goal.Which is to loose weight for your wedding right? So as your new friend I will try to keep you on track and of course me as well,So feel free to tell me anything that I doing wrong.We have to all encourage one another,so good luck to all with are challenge!!
Winnie

Good morning! Well, here it is...a brand new day! The scale said 172 this morning so the excercise and eating must be going right somewhere. It would probably have said even less if I hadn't eaten Long John Silvers yesterday. I had a low-fat poptart for breakfast and slimfast for lunch, and splurged on two pieces of fish. I didn't eat the fries or the slaw...but I could feel the grease going down when I ate that fish!!!

So today I am just going to focus on...today. My goal for today is to drink my 8 glasses of water (not hard for me cause I drink lots of it anyway) and to stay with my food menu...not stray to the evil foods that lurk in the shadows! Oatmeal for breakfast, turkey sandwhich for lunch, fried rice and salad for dinner.

Well, I must get going to work. Good luck today everyone and I'll check back this evening.

Boating

Hello All!!!!

It is still the food... in the pm no less.... UGH!!!! I am really going to try today to limit my intake to only 1200 calories.... I realized that I am eating lately around 2200 calories.... also I vow not to eat after 8:00....

I asked my neighbor to walk with me from now on in the evenings instead of going over to her house and eating junk food while chatting... I said lets burn some calories instead of eating them... anyway we went for a 1 1/2 mile walk while we chatted... YEAH!!!!

Of course it wont be happening for the next few days because we are currently at 20 Degrees.... with windchill @ 0.... YUCK!!!! I am soooo not a cold weather girl....

I drink tons of water myself.... heck I drank 8 glasses at the gym this morning.... also another tip that a friend told me yesterday that I am going to try.... she said that as soon as she is finished eating she sticks an altoid in her mouth.... she says after that you cant eat anything not even a glass of soda because it tastes so bad.... I went today and bought me some altoids to try....

Goal for Today:

I am counting the calories..... so if my BMR= 2178 calories
Today's Workout (35m warm up, upper body
circuit, 50 m cardio, 10 m stretch)= 1270 calories
Eating Plan (1200-1400 Calories)= -1400 calories
Walk on the Treadmill 1 1/2 miles= 150 calories

Total Calorie Deficit= 2198 calories


WAY TO GO.... boating... congrats on the weight loss......

Thanks for the encouragement Winnie... we all need all the help we can get.....

How are you Bev????

Talk to you soon.

Hello Buds!

I finally made it!! I have been really busy and this is the first chance I got to get on my computer. Well first a little about myself. Im 32, married, 5 children, I work full time and try to run a house on top of if. Im sure you can all relate. Since Febuary of 00' I have went from a size 16 to a size 10. It was very hard, and I loved the way that I looked. My problem is now Im back in a size 12 and scared to death!!!!!!! I have a very busy job, I work in a factory, so Im constantly on the go. I have no energy to exersize, or the room to in my house. My budget is very limited and the only gym we have is way out of town. I know that right now i could be exercizing but i have no energy ( i cant even hit the shift key lol). My weakness is at night. I can walk in that kitchen and have make some popcorn, but before I get in the living room it has a ton of butter and maybe some shredded cheese on top. And then later if no one is watching I will grab cookies, cake anything I can get my hands on!!!!!!

Girls, I really need support here. My family supports me, but its not the same I think as having ppl with the same problems. I can see my self getting fatter by the minute and I cant stand it. It really depresses me. Top it all off, my best bud just moved 6 hours away from me (that was 2 pizzas I think). Please any support is really needed.

I would like to be down to a size 8 by summer. I have a small frame so me being a size 11-12 makes me look dumpy. Are we exchanging pics or anything like that.

PLEASE I NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

WELCOME CHERISHED!!!!! I am so glad you found us!!!!!

Way To Go on the original weight loss.... I know that was hard and you should definelty be pruod of yourself....and it is good that you are trying to catch yourself before you back slide too far...

5 CHILDREN..... How do you do it???? My two are driving me crazy!!!! You are a strong, strong woman!!!!!

As for working out..... i know that you are very busy and tired, but maybe we can find little places to stick in exercise. I can honestly tell you that since I have been working out I have so much more energy than before (and when people used to tell me that I thought that they were full of it!!!)

I used to do this 5 minute routine in the morning that I got out of a Denise Austin Book... It really didnt take long and it did make me feel better.... also when I first started back to working out I got this book called "8 minutes in the Morning" by Jorge Cruise.... it is 8 minutes of a weight routine.... I saw improvement especially in my arms just by doing the 8 minutes.

Another thing I do is while I am getting ready in the morning I do different type of exercises.... march in place with my knees high while blow drying my hair, or if you need body in your hair (which I do) while I am blow drying my hair upside down I do a toe touch type stretch, while brushing my teeth I put my leg on the bathroom counter and lean over, anything that you can fit in.... I know that I look like an idiot but it really does work.

Also, when you have a lunch break, eat for half and then walk for the other half. I like to walk first.

While watching tv I doing different exercises during the commercials.... I can convince myself just to get up off the couch for the two minutes during the commercials even when I am tired... this also keeps me out of the kitchen... Another thing I do is I have a step and while watching the show instead of sitting I step up and down on the stair.... I dont have it elevated so it doesnt feel bad but I am moving....

I know when you are tired you dont want to do anything.... If you can just get yourself moving a little bit at different times of day it will all add up....

I work out in the morning.... at the beginning I REALLY had to force myself out of bed (NOT a morning person). I was getting out of bed @ 5:30 when I was used to getting up @ 7:30-8:00. That was hard. But after 2 months of doing it I can honestly tell you it isnt hard anymore.... and I know I am so much better off if I do it....

I hope this helps you.....

As for me... it is 8:30pm and so far so good.... I am not hungry and I have had @ 1400 calories today.... YEAH!!!!! Know it is just staying out of the kitchen.... There should be locks on the refridge and pantry that automatically close at 8:00 and dont reopen until the morning....

How are you doing, Bev, Winnie and Boating? Are you being able to stay ontrack?