Brandy-
AWESOME! I just got back from our work gym doing 20 minutes on the ellipical - went a mile in that
I might be slightly sweaty but co-workers haven't complained yet
You guys are so right - it helps a lot to have him (my b/f) involved, because the 10 lbs we both put on over the last year of our relationship has a ton to do with that we don't see each other that often so when we do it is out to eat! He said the other night, "I say we cut down going out to eat only once a month" I said, "well I think that is a little harsh" he said, "okay once a week, but lets try to make it healthy like Wild Oats or Tomato Salad" ... I just smiled because that is exactly the kind of support system I need to make this lifestyle change.
I actually two years ago Oct 2004 was out with my girlfriends for a girls-night-out at the latest hot club (hard to believe in Utah we have those LOL) and we were all standing outside waiting to get in the door. ALL my friends look like real life Barbie dolls and they are sweet and nice to boot, well these guys drive buy in the car and make the usuall "woo-woo" calls, and the one turns to me and says, "Girl if you dropped 20 pounds you would be FINE". Now I know that is harsh to shout out, but the truth of it is he was totally right. I decided that night to do something about it. At the time I stepped on the scale and was 198. That was higher than when I was 9 months pregnant with my daughter who was at the time 5 years old.
I started the South Beach Diet and lost the 20 lbs within about 3-4 months, I was on cloud 9. I could fit into a size 10 and I was really getting fit, the healthy choices had become a lifestyle. The lowest I ever got was 171 - but that was due to being sick, I usually hoovered around 173. It was hard being carb-free as I am a former carb-junkie and over the next year I just sort of maintained, even though that wasn't my goal weight. I even went up 5 lbs but could usually drop it, then one day I just didn't.
For about the next year I stayed at 178, but I have picked up another 5 lbs somewhere and getting on the scale and seeing 184 was rather sad for me, I thought gee another 10 lb gain and I will be back to where I started
So I came back to this board and re-commited to getting back to my healthy lifestyle.
This time, no trick diet, just good ole calorie counting .... burn more than I eat.
Games like this really help me feel good about the mini-accomplishments it takes to getting to the goal. It is so hard to think about 'well someday I will be 30 lbs lighter' or whatever the long term goal is, but it is REALLY great to think about, "TODAY I ate well, I snacked well, I exercised, I drank water .... I DID IT".
So thanks again for coming up with this great way to support one another and keep me focused!!