Hey Fish - look at the bright - you and I weight the same now, but you're 5 months pregnant! Hehehe BTW- I also come from a small family - one brother and one sister, but my husband's one of 10, so....! Hope you have a great holiday! Looking forward to hearing back from you and what your new challenges are.

Hey all. Made bad choices yesterday, and took pauses on the counting calories and follow workout schedule challenges But, earlier this week a friend, after congratulating me on the weight loss, said "But I know you. When school starts, you are going to get stressed, start eating, and put it all back on." My response was that I don't choose to live that way anymore. I stick by that response, despite a bad day. I will not go down that path again.

and the funny thing is, each time i have been "bad," it doesn't taste like it used to. Good!

WEather still stinks up here, but we may get a dry spell. Let's hope. Have a good day all.

Hey Jolly! good for you for staying positive and not knocking your friend out cold! It's interesting how those who are close to us can be so ":insightful" and hurtful all the same. Hmph. Well - here's some encouragement for you: you're doing a great job staying focused and on track!

Well I hope to update my ticker on sunday, my official weigh in day, and I'll be darn frustrated if I haven't lost anything this week after all my hard work!

Dietitian on tuesday - wow - that's 4 weeks and 3 days!!

Take care, pals!

Hi all. Having a better day so far. Still ok to drive to work - I don't have to take a real scenic route . . .yet

Miriam - you have to find things that work for you, and in timelines that work for you. Every week I lose at least 2 pounds, I allow myself to choose from things like flowers, a magazine, a "splurge" meal, etc. For each 10 pounds I lose I choose from a manicure, a movie, an item of clothing. I planned bigger things if I hit milestones by timelines that meant I lost at least 2 pounds per week. Mani/pedi for 250, facial for 225, massage for 200, $100 spa or shopping splurge for 175. I do think it is important to have at least an outfit or two that fit nice all the time. There will be days when that makes or breaks you. But I do understand not wanting to have an entire new wardrobe for each size you lose. That's nuts!

Off to clean, run, then nap before working 3rd tonight. Have a good one all

30 min exercise, Day 10, 1 pause left.
Hi all, we went camping earlier this week. It was fun, although 2 of the kids had stomach problems. Helpful advice: If a child throws up in the car, turn around and go home!! They weren't feeling too sick though, we were still able to go on bike rides and play on the beach. I have it nowbut my body rarely lets me barf. Sometime I wish I could, since it would provide some relief. I think. I've just been feeling nauseous the last few days. I didn't think I would be able to run today, but I put on the shoes, threw the little one in the stroller, leashed up the dog and ventured off into the 80 degree heat. It went OK, the dog and the kid were more of a pain then the nausea. Feeling crappier now that I've stopped, actually. I definately have to get up early for my longer runs, to escape the heat. That way I won't have to bring any kids either.

Fish, you really shouldn't be worried about weight gain, it's gonna happen. Just eat healthy and exercise. Are you planning on breast feeding? If you do, you will be amazed at how quickly all of your weight will come off. I lost all of my baby weight gain in about 3 months, with out really trying, except the last 5 pounds. That is still there. And I've had 3 babies, thats 15. And 5 for the husband. Thats 20.
And yes, they are loud. We had a birthday party for my oldest yesterday, and it is reassuring to know that my kids are not THE loudest. But they can hold their own.

Jolly, that was not nice of your friend to say that. Not exactly positive. But it sounds like you are really wrapped around your new healthier attitude and you will be fine! When I was in college, I found I did better in class when I was athletically involved.

Miriam, good luck with your weigh in!

Hi Red, Shy, and everyone else! Keep it going!

Welcome back Apple -
Your point of "if a kid barfs in the car.." cracked me up!!
Sorry to hear you're not feeling well though - I had a really nasty virus for a month a few years ago and it too 10 pounds off me. Fringe benefits, hehe
How old are your kids?

I took a pause for one of my challenges, so here we are now:
Day 8 - food b4 10
Day 7 - write food night b4 (1 pause taken, 2 left)

I find eating fruit not a challenge anymore as I stick to my eating plan, and I have 2 fruits on it every day. 2!!! ME!!

Red - what's the time difference between the states and Tokyo? how long are you planning on living there?

Fish - here's some simple math: the average baby is about 7 pounds (many are more though - ouch - been there, done that, lol) and aside form baby weight, you have water weight, higher blood volume, placenta, and other icky things. Probably the least you will lose when you give birth is 10 pounds. So think that you haven't gained any yet

Tomorrow - weigh in!
Tuesday - dietitian!

I can't wait till tomorrow anyway, love going back to work!

Happy weekend!

30 min exercise, Day 11, 1 pause left.

I ended up in bed at 5:00 yesterday. Bleh. I'm feeling better today, so I went to the gym and got a short cross-training session in. So I'm still on schedule with my "training". No fringe benifits, I weighed myself and I'm down 3 pounds but the last time I weighed in was just before TOM, so maybe 1 pound is real, but it's probably ALL water.
Miriam, I have an 11 year boy, an 8 year girl and a 4 year old boy.
Hope everyone has a nice week end!

Hey all. Did my first 4 mile run - went pretty good. Actually felt better and recovered faster than I did after the 3miles.

Did take a pause on soda today. We went to see "The Happening" and I was pretty tired after my 3rd shift last night, so . . .

Have a good night all

Hey all. Feeling a bit bummed this morning, as i only lost a pound this week. Training was a little less, and eating was a bit more. I guess I just don't want my friends words to come true Did get a nice bike ride in this morning. Won't be able to get to my gym for a few days, so . . .

I feel like I am on the verge of something - a change, or clarification or something. If only I have the courage to explore what is brewing in my mind and heart, and then go for it. I don't know how to explain better than that. Just lots of thoughts boiling up, that I need time to work through. I wish I were more one for meditation. I guess I just want to get down to who I am, and who I want to be.

Will check in later. Waiting for the Father's Day guest of honor. . .

day 9 - food b4 10
day 8 - write food day before

sorry to hear you're feeling down jolly. <not like your name at all!! :>
unfortunately - so am I and I don't know how to get out of it and it's beginning to make me feel really strange. i wonder if it's organic? i've been used to eating so much so often maybe my body is wondering what's with me.

I was also only 1 pound down this week - yes, i know that i should be happy i went down and not up but still. working sooo hard with so few results.

what's going on in your head? sounds mighty interesting!!

apple - i have ss 15, sd 13, s 10, s 7, d 5, and s 3 (almost 4)
as i said - motley crew

Fish
They are doing well. My son has a lot of problems because of the meads they gave me to try to keep me out of labor. Other than that they are doing great.

I have had a terrible week. I have stayed on plan but it has been horrible trying to get myself to eat. I have eaten the basics and that is it. Pain meads just make me not hungry at all. Hoping for a much better week this week. Hope everyone is doing well. If you have had a hard week just remember. Tomorrow is a brand new day and anything is possible.

Day 13
All Challenges met

30 min exercise, Day 13, 1 pause left.
I actually got up early to get my run in today!!! I need to run early anyway to escape the heat, but today I knew that if I didn't get my run in early, I wouldn't have time to later. I really like having a program to stick to, it seems to be working. And it helps that the program only has me running 3 days a week, cross training or strength training the others. I think if I make it through this novice one, I'll repeat it as an intermediate, which has a bit more running. But that is still 8 weeks away.
Jolly, congrats on your 4 miler. I have to do one I think on Friday. It's been years since I've run that far...I am sure that you are on the verge of something GOOD. You really seem to have figured your self out and you are traveling down the right path...
Shy, I hope you are felling better soon.
Miriam, OK, I thought I had my hands full....at least you have a built in babysitter! One pound a week is great, by the way. If you are losing nice and slow you will probably keep it off easier.

Day 14
Today has been a great day. The majority of the pain is gone and I feel terrific. Bit tired now but terrific. I got 6 miles of walking/aerobics done today and 62 min of resistance training. It felt great. Eating is going fine. Hope everyone is doing good.

Apple
Thanks, I am pretty much back to normal.

30 min exercise, Day 14, 1 pause left.
Ughh. Having an "ughh" day. My scale at home doesn't work, so I weigh myself at the gym. I've been going twice a week. And no change today. Grr. At least I went to the gym.
Wow shy, I'm impressed at how much exercise you are getting in in spite of not being pain free. Way to tough it out! Glad you are almost recovered!
Red??