LOL! Thanks for the kick in the right direction Anna!! Well I didn't make it to the gym Monday, but I did make myself go Tuesday after reading your post. =)

And tomorrow/later today is training day so that should help get me back in exercise mode. Now to work on my eating habits, arg!, I'm a total sugaraholic.

How is your week going?

hey hotmama!

Glad you got to the gym! Yay for exercise! It's so hard getting there, but once you're into it, it's worth it!

I have been doing pretty well this week. Have managed to drop down to 198.0 and overall have been doing great on my eating/exercise. I have to make cookies tonight, though..... danger! DH gets back in town tomorrow night so hopefully I will be able to stay on track once he's home!

Gooooooood Monday Morning, ladies!!!

How is everyone this week? We had our first snow yesterday! I think we got about 3 inches or so. Nothing too serious. It was great to spend the day snuggled up inside with DH and doing nothing all day long. I wish I could do that more often! Just reminds me that the holidays are coming up and will have to make extra effort not to go overboard!

I haven't weighed since Thursday. I don't think I've been eating *too* bad over the weekend, but still not ready to jump on the scale just yet. I need to get back into exercising big time.

Hi!!
Awesome on getting to 198 Anna, I know it cam take a lot of commitment to get the ball rolling. I gained a few pounds back and I was dreading my scale, but after a week of good workouts they finally came back off and I think I'm ready to see some new lower numbers.

Training was super hard today, I about cried. I am not an athletic person, meaning i'm not a fast mover. Well, my trainer has it in his head how wonderful jumping is. I don't jump, I don't jump, I don't jump. So after I faired pitifully at the jumprope, he decided we'd have me jump using a stepper. I was not a happy camper. And my trainer is seeing more jumping in my future. If I didn't respect/like my trainer so well, I would likely be thinking how to quit.

Also, i'm large chested -- yet another reason I don't jump, which I explained to him in case he can't see. My assignment until our next session is to aquire appropriate reinforcement even if that means double bra-ing it. Heaven help me, i think I hear trees falling.

hey hotmama! I'm so jealous you have a trainer.... I think having someone depend on me to show up would really motivate me to get to the gym more often. And I am sooo with you on the jumping! I am large-chested as well, which is the only reason I don't jog, because it hurts and it's embarrassing! Haha, I hope you are able to find double-reinforcement! I really feel for you there. If you happen to find a magic bra that is great for us large-chested girls, let me know!

I gained a few back over the past week. Having DH back home again meant I really haven't been cooking as healthy. I did finally make it to the gym this week and my body is feeling it. Funny how taking a few weeks off can make such a huge difference.

Here's to the weekend!

Good Monday Morning, ladies! I hope you all survived the weekend! Ours was pretty great; got to spend lots of quality time with DH before he leaves for Reno today on another business trip.

Well my doctor seems to think I may be insulin resistant so I started a new diet today called the "insulin-resistance diet." Basically you can't eat more than 30g of carbs per meal, and you have to link your carbs with at least 14g of protein. It's interesting, I started this morning with half of an english muffin topped with a slice of lf mozzarella cheese and 1 oz of turkey ham..it's been 2 1/2 hours and I'm still not hungry! I need to eat again here soon...supposed to eat every few hours. So hopefully this will yield some results for me and I won't feel the need to eat sugar all the time!

Other than that, got a bad filling that is hurting like crazy, so it's off to the dentist this afternoon. Ugh! Not a fun way to start my week.

How is everyone else? Since the holidays are coming upon us, what's the one thing you have in mind to keep yourself from going hog wild over the holidays?

Hi Anna, Ladies,
sorry I haven't been on, I had kinda a rough couple weeks -- tire blow-out, traffic citation and DH was out of town for almost a week. Everything has settled back down though. I'm sure I'm up on the scale, I just know. So I'm not looking till tomorrow, lol. Trying to be very good and simple today w/ my eating. Hopefully the numbers won't be too off by tomorrow. I have till wed. tho to get my but in gear as that's my next training session.

Anna, I wish you good luck on your new eating plan. I've been thinking of dusting off my WW points books and giving sticking to a plan a try. I really, really would like to lose another 10 pounds by the new year. I'd be thrilled actually. I really need to rededicate myself to this fitness thing and focus.

Sherin =)

P.S. Good lucki at the dentists'. I know i'm not supposed to, but I avoid visiting until something hurts.

Hey hotmama! Don't you hate those weeks where life seems to get in the way? I think that is one of the biggest challenges with eating right and exercising, when stuff like that happens. So sorry to hear about your flat tire and traffic citation! At least DH is back, huh?

Well as far as my tooth goes, looks like I have a cavity right next to the one with a filling already...have to go back on Thursday to get another filling. Ugh! It's been a real pain to drink anything and stay hydrated. Right now I can tolerate lukewarm water and that's about it. Not fun!

the new diet plan is going really well. I have lost 2 lbs on it already without even really trying, which is a big accomplishment given that my parents were visiting this weekend and we have been eating out all weekend. It seems to have eliminated a big craving for carbs, especially sugar. I'll take that any day!

Hotmama, do you do better when you're sticking to a plan rather than trying to wing it? I'm still trying to figure this one out. It seems like I have tried and failed so many plans that I was really reluctant to start another one. Calorie counting worked great for me in the past, but I can't seem to get back on that wagon. The IR diet I'm doing is simple enough, but I have to say it helps that lately I haven't been craving the usual...sugar.

Happy Monday! Here's to hoping we can survive the holiday season... lol.

Hey everyone, I'm back. I don't have anything exciting going on, and no "good news" to report.
I have been busy the last few weeks, but I need to confess that DH and I are having huge issues. And it's all about my fat.
I haven't lost anything in a long time, and came to the board today to see some success stories and find out how the 70s club was doing.
I need motivation.
I'm back up to 221. (5'6")

Hi 2B So sorry about you and DH having problems. I actually just wrote a blog about how I think my insecurities/low self esteem about being fat is starting to affect how I relate to my marriage. I am afraid of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

We CAN do this. We CAN! I know it. What is it that is keeping us from really pushing forward?

I think for me, it's a combination of laziness and the deep belief that I always have been and always will be fat. Every time I gain, I feel more and more discouraged. Every time I give in and eat something I know I shouldn't, or don't go to the gym, I convince myself again and again that I'll always be this fat, that nothing I do will ever change that. I have started and fallen off the wagon so many times I lost track.

If the issues about your weight are really causing problems in your marriage, isn't that motivation enough to do something about it? We can do this together. YOU can do this!

2Fat- thanks for the boost. Yes, having this cause problems "should" be enough to motivate me, but I'm angry at my DH.
I guess since we really don't know each other, not neighbors, or that kind of think I should spill the beans and get this off my chest if you guys don't mind.
DH wants nothing to do with me in the "romance" dept ...if you catch my drift. We have not had "you know what" in many many many months.
He said he is not attracted to me since I've gained so much weight. He is mad at me because he takes care of himself and is the same size today as when we got married.
He doesn't like my excuses about 2 kids in 2 yrs and one C-section then hit with early menapause in my 30's. He hates the belly fat. The big butt and saggy boobs. He said he could live with the boobs if I lost the other fat, and then he'd get my boobs fixed.
But what makes me mad is that he can't love me for me. Inside and out.
He went on to say with guys it is all physical. I know he has not strayed or cheated. He'd never do that, and I can say that and believe it. We've always said we'd file for divorce before we'd cheat. And besides when he is not in his office 7am to 4pm, I know he is here, and I also know I can call his office any time he is there and he will pick up. He would never cheat, yet how he can go this long without the sex is beyond me.
I'm mad at myself for being fat, but having him be mad at me about it doesn't help. You would think it is motiviation enough, so this time I need to stay focused...including thru the holidays.
On fitday it says to drop 70 pounds in 12 months I need to lose 1.7 pounds a week. Nobody can do it but me, I know that.
Today I went to Old Navy and bought some new "comfy" clothes. Since last night he gave me the speech about how he hates the same old sweat shirt and pants. But those are my comfy clothes when we're home. I hate buying new clothes in fat sizes. But today I caved and bought some stuff since Old Navy was having a pretty decent sale. I actually bought MENS shirts in XXL, they are longer and very soft - the long underwear type material. And I have new pink sweat pants. So least he'll get a change of scenery.
But anyway, I strongly think my DH will file for divorce if I do not lose the weight for real this time. He said he doesn't want to be miserable for the rest of his life in a marriage with no romance and where he is not attracted to me ....he says he loves me deeply.....but if he does, then why can't he love the fat me?
He is just very mad that I don't want to look better and get thin for him.
What should I do? Stapple my mouth shut? He thinks I get all my calories from milk (2%) and soda. I drink 2 gallons of milk in 2 weeks. And I do like MUGS ROOTBEER. He told me he knows it will be hard, but he said when I apply my strong will to any other part of my life I always succeed, and he wonders why I can't have that same determination with the fat to get it off.
???
Whew.
Okay I'm sorry for a very long post....and esp one so personal.
But I did need to get this out there to my friends HERE who are struggling with weight loss.
Thanks !!!!

Hi 2b... hugs again I'm so sorry things are rough with your husband. I know *exactly* what you mean about even though this stuff should motivate you in theory, it doesn't really help at all, and just makes you resent your DH and feel even worse about yourself... I know, for me, when I feel bad about myself, it doesn't really motivate me in the right direction...instead I just kind of sink lower and lower and eat more and exercise less.

And then there is the question of WHO exactly you are losing weight for? I wonder that even if you lost all of the weight, would you still feel upset and resentful at your husband for not loving the 220 lb you vs. the 150 lb. you? I agree that men are more physically-inclined that women...they are visual creatures by nature. But that's not all to it, and I don't really buy that men are ALL about the physical. Otherwise, men would not be divorcing super model-like women because they drive them crazy. You are a great wife and mother. Don't think or feel differently.

Forgetting about your husband for a second, what are the reasons why YOU want to lose weight? Physical appearance? Better for your health? Have a goal in mind (running a marathon, climbing a mountain, etc.)? Saving your marriage? Those are all very valid reasons. I think if you shift the focus from your DH over to your personal reasons for wanting to lose, you will not feel so frustrated, discouraged, and angry. Do it for you. You say that when it comes to other areas in your life, you are very focused and determined. Is there something specific you could set your goal on (like running a marathon, for example) that could help you with determination and focus?

Bringing your husband back into the picture, I was reading an article the other day about bringing romance back into the bedroom. A part of the article addressed women who are overweight or feel really insecure about themselves. You can be sexy and still have extra weight. You can be romantic and still not weigh 150 lbs. Ugh, I don't remember if I posted this on here, but when DH and I were engaged, I really let myself go. I gained a lot of weight, yeah, but I also stopped wearing makeup, dressing up, etc. I was in sweats and sweatshirt all the time because I was so depressed and ashamed of myself. Then other women started mistaking me for DH's sister, and not his fiancee. I was totally Frump Girl. And that's where the fears started...that someday, even though DH is a great guy, he'd meet someone way more attractive than me, and leave. It takes a LOT to get out of that funk... like you, I hate shopping, because stuff doesn't fit me. It's either too small or too big. I cringe every time I have to buy something in a size 16 or 18. I have more than TRIPLED my clothing size in the past 2 years! It is so hard not to resort to comfy clothes, but there are some great plus-size clothes out there. When you feel good about the way you dress, you're more motivated not to ruin it by eating unhealthy food.

Sorry, this is really long, I just wanted to offer an ear. If weight loss was easy, we'd never have a problem doing it.

What is your current eating plan look like?

Hey girls - I'm new to this site, and I've suscribed to a few of the forums and then I found you! to put things in perspective. I started my lifestyle changes Sept. 21st, but didn't really get serious about it until Oct. 25th. So here I am! I started out at 191.9 and my ultimate goal is to get to 125 so I'm in the 70ish pound range

I weigh in every Friday at work, as part of a Christmas Challenge that we started in Sept. Right now I'm in 3rd out of 5... I really want to win it - there's motivational money involved!

I'll post my weight on Fridays.. and I need all the that I can get!!! I'm loving this site so far - and all the mini-challenges. I do much better looking at pieces of the puzzle with the big picture in mind.

Hey Girls!! Big Hugs.

Losing weight is hard to begin with and then further complicated by the intricacies of our lives huh?

Going back for a sec, um Anna, you had asked me if I do better when sticking to a plan rather than trying to wing it? I have a very difficult time sticking to any specific diet so I do wing it. I wish I was a more disciplined dieter, but I'm not and I can't seem to make myself stick to any particular plan. I think if I were able to, I would get to where I'm going a lot sooner. For me though, exercise and specifically exercising with a trainer are what yank me back to reality. Exercise reminds me that it's hard work burning calories so I really otta help myself out by making better food choices. And exercising w/ a trainer a couple times a week, 1/ gives me better physical results than I would know how to achieve alone and 2/ keeps me accountable. I so dread the days when I feel I look fatter whether because I actually gained or am puffed up because its TOM. Oddly, those are the days that catapult me back into 'dieting' and/or 'doing better' so I feel good about myself at the next session.

So back to you, 2B. I'm sorry your DH (the first time my husband looked over my shoulder and saw me using that abbreviation he thought it stood for damn husband, lol) is putting that kind of tension on you. I know that some men are like that. My father(may he RIP) was one of them (he hated the times I was a chubby kid too), fortunately my husband isn't. I think I married my husband for all the ways he wasn't like my father and kinda missed some other very important attittude/personality aspects I should have been watching out for. All future advice for my daughter and sons.

Anyway, maybe you could use/channel your anger towards your DH during your workouts. You deserve to reap something positive out of these hard times. I'm serious. Being pissed off at someone or about something make aerobic machine workouts fly by. I've always found having a crush on someone improves my eating habits and being a little angry at something improves my cardio workouts. Thus being married has definitely made it harder to be thin. I'm not trying to make light of your problems at all 2B. I am no expert at men and have my own marriage issues, I'm just offering how i would try to look at the situation, at least temporarily.

It's not very PC, but I do find attractiveness to be advantageous in marriage issues. It does give an added upper hand sometimes if you can call it that. If only even because we are more confident about ourselves when we feel good about ourselves. And feeling good about ourself seems to come easier on days when we feel we look good. So in that regard, buying some new clothes, even if you aren't going to be using them for long, was a good decision. We deserve to feel and look nice along the road to where we're going. Along those lines, maybe your DH is more turned off by possibly how you are feeling towards yourself. You know, embarassed or ashamed to be chubbier than you were before. A new attittude, even if you have to fake it a little at first might give him pause and cause him to rethinkhis own surly attitude.

Well, I've talked for a mile as well. I only mean well, please forgive me if i've said anything i oughtn't have.

Sherin