Hi--Man have I been in a "poor pitful me mood" and I'm not sure that I'm out it yet...I'm trying to though. I should have gone and worked out last night but I just stayed home and moped around.

I am going to workout tonight for sure--walk and then yoga..hopefully it will get rid of the rest of this mood.

I'm just feeling out of sorts because life isn't going the way I want it to and I feel in limbo...then I think well if I'm in limbo I'll just not do anything...I can't think that way.

Angela: I think your plan sounds good and don't forget to ice your knee when finished with the workout. I have seen them do that on the BL--I was wondering how some of those peoples could even walk after some of those workouts--I think ice is the key.

Mindy: It seems like you have a lot coming at you right now. :hug: You can come here and vent, cry..whatever...I know you will start loosing again but right now your body just wants you to practice maintenance. Maybe you should focus on measurements instead of a number on the scale? I'm sure with all those workouts you have lost inches like you can't believe!

Kelly: I'm a routine person as well so I understand.

Ward and Scraver: WE MISS YOU!!

Sorry! I am here! I have been busy at work and I don't have time to tinker on my computer at home. My one-year old has been a little bear in the evenings. Tonight I have to give him a bath and I am NOT looking forward to it. I wonder if I get in the tub with him if that will make it better?

My weight is still heading in the right direction. Not as fast as I would like, but I would have to be better about eating veggies to lose faster. Oh well. I am just glad that my clothes are fitting better and despite some events I have been too, I have still been losing.

I went downstairs to the gym today (we have a gym in my building at work) and I got undresses - go to pull my work-out clothes out of my locker, only to discover I have NO sports bra and NO T-shirt. BOO!

A friend of mine and I are going to try to run some 5ks this spring/summer, so that is keeping me motivated to keep getting on the treadmill! I can't wait until the weather gets better. The weather has been CRAPTASTIC since yesterday morning. Slushy snow all over my lawn and car this morning. Messy, messy, messy. Once it clears up, I am going to try to jog outside once a week.

Ok - done rambling for today. If anyone ever wants to chit chat via email - please PM me and I will send you my email address.

I think sometimes we all just need a bit of time to feel less than happy. I think it is OK to stop, say "ok, I will be in a mood for X amount of time and then I will shake it off" I also think it is that time of the year. The weather sucks, it's still cold. I am ready for tulips and crocuses.

Keep plugging away at things, and you will feel back to yourself soon!

Kelly & Mindy: two years ago, I bought my Subaru Forrester jsut so I wouldn't have to shovel anymore! WHOO HOO! But we have no garage, so I still have to clean my car off when it snows... or like today when it is less snow, more SLOP.

Susie, :hug:

Hi you guys! I am sorry I haven't been posting, but I am reading and thinking of you all. Things are going ok here, just a lot of craziness lately. I hope it will calm down soon.

We have snow again this morning...not a lot..but still...snow! I only like snow in December!!:snowglo:

Tonight is my weigh-in. I think I might have lost a little or be the same but you just never know when you step on those scales. :goodscale I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I enjoyed my workout at the Y last night and work up in a much better mood this morning. I knew I would feel better if I just went and worked out but it can take a lot to get there where one is feeling like I did.

I'm about to go down to the cafeteria and make me a salad for lunch. I really want pizza..but no way! not even 1 slice on weigh-in day!

SCraver: I have given my 1 yr old nieces baths before and I might as well just got in with them as wet as I was when I was done! That stinks you didn't have your workout wear with you--I have done that before myself.

Ward: Sorry to hear that things have been crazy for you :hyper::crazy:
I hope when you say you have been ok it means that you are on track with the workouts and the food...no binging...ok?

It's great to see Ward and SCraver back here...looking forward to seeing everyone again tomorrow.

Stay strong today!

Well after hanging between 180 and 181 for at least a week, yesterday and today I am 179 something. Go figure. Tom is coming, probably within a week, but who knows after last month. I am SO TIRED of gaining 5 pounds at TOM time. I wish it wouldn't happen again. PLEASE!!!! Especially since I am 179.4 today, add 5 pounds and BAM!!! 184, YIKES!!!

Ward- Good to see you are just plugging along.

Susie- Good luck at the weigh-in. Mine is tomorrow.

Angela- Get a good workout in. You will feel better.

Scraver- Have fun with those 5k's. I have done about 4 now. It is a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Kelly- You and me. Stuck together, but not forever. We will figure something out.

Hey Ladies,
Just stopping in for a quick note, but I'll be back:
217 today-Yay! .5 more and I will have lost 10 lbs!
Lunch is made and ready to go for tomorrow-salad and yogurt. I'm going to a CROP (scrapbooking) at a friend's house from 10-2:30, so I need to bring a lunch.
Welcome back Ward and SCraver! It's good to see you again.

Remember I said you never know at the scales..well..I had a .25 lb gain. That happens to me sometimes when I start back exercising, so I'll not fret over it yet..it should all balance out next week.

Mindy: I will wish with you!
Angela: This time next week I bet you will be telling us that .5 lb is gone!

I'll be around this weekend and I hope you all are too!

Happy Friday everyone!

I just ate a Healthy Choice Café Steamer for lunch... and, dang, was it tasty! No MSG, HFCS, or Trans Fat and I think it was way tastier than any Lean Cuisine. Looks like they may be a good option for me to grab when I am too tired/lazy to cook. They could stand to have more veggies in them... I guess I could always add some cooked veggies to them.

Tomorrow I am hosting a girls night. There will be about 12 of us! I am so pleased with how many girls can make it. We are going to have a LOT of food and drinks. I am going to try to stick to mostly shrimp cocktail and cucumber cups. But the drinks will kill me... they always do! Then the desserts! Oh my sweet tooth! My goal is to just not make a pig of myself and instead focus on enjoying my friends company! Then I will run it all off on Sunday! :woops:

Scraver- those steamers are really good. I have tried a few of them.

Susie- Not bad on the scales. You keep it up.

I am hoping TOM is coming soon. Hopefully before I gain anymore weight. I was 180.2 today and hoping to stay around there until TOM. PLEASE!!!!! Can I finally catch a small break.

Went to the mall and tried to spend some $$$ on clothes. Couldn't find a thing. DANG!!!

Good morning--I'm at work and I need a break. We moved down a floor and now I'm unpacking...it will take all day--and now I sit right beside my manager who keeps TONS of candy at her desk--I'm just going to try and ignore it...NO--I WILL ignore it.

I'm looking forward to going to the gym tonight for a 30-45 min walk..I think it will relax me.

Mindy: Sorry you couldn't find anything to buy--I have had that happend...when you have $$ you can't find anything.

SCraver: How did the party go?

Hi Everyone!
So yesterday I spent all of my workday unpacking--we moved down a floor in our building. I was BEAT by the time I left and this morning I can feel every muscle in my body.

This tells me that I need to make it to the gym more consistantly and start upping my workout level.

I'm going to start with the consistency. I have only been getting in about 2 workouts per week and so starting tonight I will make it at least 5 times per week. After a few weeks of that I will start upping the workout level.

How is everyone else doing?

Okay girls, here it is. Jillian says to lose fat we need to increase our human growth hormone. HOW???You might ask. High intensity workouts. That means cardio kickbox or lastchance workout nearly everyday. Then throw in a few days of strength training. You all got it??? :)

TOM should arrive tomorrow, right on schedule I hope. I was 181.2 today. That's a few pounds less than last month pre-TOM. I hope that is a good sign.

Ok, it's late, but I had to share that I was 215.5 today!! That's 11 pounds lost. I have all of you to thank because without your support, I'm sure I wouldn't be sticking with it. I still need to do the workouts, and I will, but I am happy with the losses.
It was great to see BL back on the air tonight, huh? WOW!! Crazy as always.

Susie- I know how you feel. It's frustrating when your muscles get a workout you didn't really intend on giving them doing something you wouldn't think would hurt?

Mindy- TOM-ugh. I will be there soon, myself. It's just dreadful for so many reasons. Good luck with the weight loss.

SCraver- How was the girls' night? I have a small group of friends that gets together every month, if possible, and it's tough because of all the food. I've had 2 since I started this journey and they are tough, but I think I've handled the temptations fairly well so far. I hope I can continue and so can you.
Well, off to bed. Talk to you tomorrow.
Angela

Hola!

Girls night went SOOOo well. All the girls had fun! I nibbled all evening (instead of stuffing my face like I usually do). I never felt "stuffed" at any point - this was a HUGE improvement on my part. I did, however, drink a lot of Sparkling Raspberry Martinis. YUM! Then on Sunday, I had left over baked crab ranggons for lunch and more for dinner. (BAD, SHERRI!) :nono: Yesterday, I threw away the last four cupcakes and last three sugar cookies. They had to go. They weren't helping me.

I did go for a jog outside! Aprox. 4 miles (it is VERY hilly) and I did it in 57 minutes. I think that was a presonal best! :encore:

I have to be better about eating more veggies. There are veggies out there that I really like... but sometimes at the end of the day, I am just TOO tired to whip up a gormet meal and instead, just shove a lean pocket in the toaster oven. :shrug:

:bravo:

For girls night, I really just ttried to only nibble on some things. I tried to stick with a lot of veggies (I made these cucumber cups with tomatoes & eggplant in them). Alcohol is a killer. Alcohol packs in the calories, increases your appetite and does things to your body that make it harder to lose - so if you can stay away from it on girly evenings - you are WAY ahead of me.

I can jog a mile in 12 minutes pretty comfortably... but climbing up and down stairs is like torture to me. I think it has a lot to do with what we are used to. Moving around constantly, unpacking, lifting boxes, and going up and down stairs is probably not something you do everyday - so I wouldn't take it as a sign that you are necessarily "out of shape". Moving is a LOT of work! I told hubby if/when we ever move out of our house, we are going to have to save up for movers b/c I ain't doin' it!!! Lol!

Hi--I am happy with myself--I have made it to the Y to do my workouts 2 days in a row this week! and you know...it's amazing at how much more energy I am having...just from moving a little more every day. Remind me of this when I tell you I am tired..tell me to get moving!

Mindy: Thanks for that info....it's something to work towards for sure!

Angela: WOW! 11 lbs...don't you feel so much better? Good work..keep it up!!

SCraver: Since you put it that way...I will count Monday as a workout! BTW I LOVE Sparkling Raspberry Martinis!

Okay, so TOM arrived and I was at 180. Not 183.8 like last month. I am hoping this is a good sign. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Tomorrow is my official weigh-in. Since it is still TOM, I know it will be up some still.

I stayed the same at my weigh-in last night. I was ok with that..because I had gotten into the habit last week of having 2 peppermint patties at 10:45 a.m.--it was like clock work I tell ya!

So, I am happy with myself for making my workouts...I got 4 in last week...I'm going for 5 for this week. (I guess I think my weeks go Fri-Fri--at least my weight-loss weeks do!)

Mindy: I hope the weigh-in goes well and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the lower TOM weight is a sign of good things to come with the numbers on the scales.

179.8 today. I've seen that number a million times. Hoping for something lower once TOM passes through. Did some walking/jogging tonight. That was different. Wish me luck.

Susie- Step away from the peppermint patties.

Mindy- I feel for you! TOM is coming any day now for me. I was back up at 216 today. I'm sure my wight will be high for the next week, but hopefully will go back down after that. Fingers crossed for you. :crossed:

Susie- I know those temptations are horrible. I admit I let myself give in every once in a while, like with the girl scout cookies. I just have like 2 and then walk away. I just can't make myself say no to everything sweet. I just have come the conclusion that my self-control is much better than before and I'll strive to do better and better. But, don't make it an everyday habit. :dust:
SCraver- I'm glad the girls night was successful. It sounds like you made a conscious effort to make good food choices. :cp: Yes, alcohol can ruin all your hard work. Luckily, my girls group doesn't really drink. One of the things I like is just diet cranberry juice (only 5 cals) and club soda or raspberry seltzer. I know it sounds kind of boring, but it's pretty good and better than indulging in vodka/cranberry or other alcoholic bevs.

Angela

What a beautiful weekend! It feels like spring and the week is promising more of that type of weather. I am hoping to be able to take a few walks outside this week.

I totally unplugged from things this weekend. I turned the BB off and stayed of the computer much of the time. It was so nice to take a break from all that stuff.

It is BEAUTIFUL here today. I'm making sure that I'm out of the office on time and when I get home, I'm taking a walk in the neighborhood.:running:

What is everyone else up to?

I wanted to jog after work, but we had a staff meeting that took.......forever. Tomorrow I have some meetings and should be done early. I am jogging....outside.

Enjoy this nice weather. You know March is a tricky one.

My walk last night was great! It felt so good to be outside. Tonight's workout is Zumba.

Food is going good. I have someone who comes in to cook for me 2 nights a week and last night she made a tortilla soup--broth based with corn and chilies in it..very good and harty..I brought that for lunch with a apple and a sugar free vanillia pudding.

Mindy: I hope you get outside today for a jog.

How is everyone else doing? Hope to see your posts today!

Yesterday, I did my 4 mile route in 53 - 54 minutes. BEST TIME EVER. I was thrilled... now today, I am just SO tired. My sister says maybe I should jsut do 2 miles and slowly work up to 4 as it gets easier to continuously jog (I jog a while, walk a minutes, jog a while, walk, etc.). I told her that idea was crap. Which, of course, it isn't, but I like doing my 4 mile route... so I am going to keep doing and eventually I won't feel SO tired the next day!!

Yesterday, I also signed up for my first 5k... it is in June.

I need to be better with the eating though. I have been eating too much in the evenings.

Good morning. I"m getting new furniture delivered today. I was/am apprehensive about buying new furniture but my other was 18 years old and my husband broke the couch abuot 2 weeks ago so it was time.

I just didn't want to spend the money right now with things so unsure about my job but you just can't put your life on hold forever and you have to have furniture!

So I'm working from home today. I got up early so I could clean my area rugs..I cleaned them out on the front porch and they are drying over the railing...my DH called me a hilly billy! I have wood floors and it was time to mop them again so I thought while everything was out of the living/dinning room I would just do a through cleaning.

I had the best yoga class last night! It always refreshes me.

Tonight is my weigh-in. I'm hoping for a good number. I really need to get at this harder than I have been if I want to see some weight really move...and I do!!

SCraver: You really ROCKED that 4 miles! Let your body rest and catch up with you today...do a light workout.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone one else.

Susie - yoga is great! I actually signed up for a Thursday yoga class that I have been skipping to jog instead, but today, I think I am going to take it. My legs are sore from jogging and my arms are sore from my strength training yesterday, so I think the yoga will do me some good!!

I WAS jsut about to eat a frozen pizza last night for dinner when I stopped and re-thought my priorities. I want to lose 5 more lbs before buying my dress for my sisters wedding. It's in October, and I think we are going to be ordering dresses SOON, so now is not the time to slack off!! I also couldn't sit and eat pizza in front of my 13 mo. old son while he ate his broccoli. SO, I opted for broccoli, talapia, and a glass of red wine! Whoo hoo!!

I was 178.2 today. Not my lowest, but getting close. Don't know if I will see a new low at this rate. Did Cardio Max tonight and a little jogging. I'm giving it all I've got. My official weigh-in is tomorrow.

Susie- Good luck with that scale.

Scraver- Do what your body tells you. IOf you feel like pushing a little bit...do it. If you feel tired....take it easy. Our bodies will tell us what they need. We just need to listen.

Hey y'all! :wave:

Three more days of my BL contest and I am truly giving it my all. In the beginning it didn't seem possible for me to win, and I really didn't care. We started out with 17 people and each of us pledged $10. But as time has gone on, people have dropped out, and I have been leading the pack. So now that the time is so near, I want to WIN! My iPod disappeared last week and that money would make me feel a lot less guilty about replacing it. I have been working out like crazy and eating on plan 64 out of the last 67 days and I am finally under 130 again. I know I haven't been checking in here much, but I do read every day and I am following everyone's progress. Keep up the good work!

Hi--I did not have good luck at the scales. I had a gain. I was shocked because I felt like I had lost. It has thrown me for a bit of a loop but I'm working through it and almost ready to try again.

I think I"m struggling because I can't stay focused and I feel like so much is going on around me that I can't give this the energy I know it needs to have in order for me to be successfull. But then again, I know I don't have the energy to go through another year weighing what I do now.

Mindy: I'm happy to see the scales are getting back to where you want them.

Ward: 64 days on track! That is huge....congratulations. I didn't realize you are in a BL contest but it's great to hear that you are winning. I hope you do so that you can replace that Ipod guilt free...but you now you have to have one...who could workout with one?!
BTW I like your profile picture...did one of your children draw that for you?

SCraver: Did you make it to yoga?

177.8 today....still not my lowest. Looks like no loss for me again this month. This really sucks. I'm gonna try something. Keeping it a secret for now to till I see if it works or not. SOmething has to.

Susie- Wish I could give you my willpower, if that's all you need. I have plenty of that. Unfortunately, it is doing me no good. Stick with it.

Hey ladies,
Sorry, I've not been keeping you posted again. I haven't weighed myself in a week. I figured with TOM, it wouldn't really be worth it. But I am getting back on the scales tomorrow. I haven't really been keeping track of my food, but still making pretty good choices, in my opinion, especially with the emotions I've been going through. My grandfather lost his 2 year battle with cancer today and it's been tough, but I am not going to let that be an excuse to let myself go.
On the good news side, I have noticed a difference with some of my clothes. Some pants that were tight are not and some that fit are now loose. So that's a good thing. I took measurements in the beginning and might check them again soon. This week it will be 2 months since I started, so maybe I'll check, just out of curiosity.
Well, it's been a long day and now that I've vented a little, I'm going to try and get some rest. I'll be sure to check in this week and more often.
Good luck all,
Angela

I am sorry for your loss, Angela. :hug:

I got back on the scales today-213!

Ward-Thanks, I appreciate it.
Susie- I know how you feel. Sometimes, you just want to give in and give up, but like you said, you can't go on where you are either, so just keep our eye on the prize (better health) and hang in there.
Mindy-Hang in there, too! I hope your secret plan works for you.

Angela

Just teetering around the 178 mark. Did Shred with Kelly today, about 25 min. Used #8 weights and they killed my arms. GOt home and got some news that pissed me off, so I took off from my house and started running. By the time I had worn my frustration down I had run 1.5 miles. Go ahead!!! Piss me off again. LOL!!!

Happy St. Patty's day! :luck2you:

I've been dealing with a lot at work but things are coming to some sort of closure and that is a very good thing. There could be scary times ahead and but I plan on doing what I can do to keep that to a minimum and I know what I want and couldn't go after it before and shortly I will be able to. So that's a good thing.

I have been totally off plan but I'm ready to get back on now.

Mindy: I am so proud of you for turning to exercise and not food...you have become a totally different person....and it looks so good on you! I know the scales bring you down sometime but you have to think about all the other good things that have happened to you from losing this weight and not just that number on the scale.

It was good to hear about Kelly--I hope she will come back to see us. (hint, hint!)

Angela: I am sorry to hear the news about your grandfather--my deepest sympathy to you and your family!

I am glad to see that 213 for you! Keep it up.

Ok..back to work for me. See you all later.

BTW: Did anyone watch Biggest Loser last night? I am so bad remembering peoples names, but didn't she look amazing last night?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! :goldpot:

212.5 today. I had some scrambled eggbeaters (dyed green, of course) w/a little ham and a wheat sandwich thin toasted for bfast and some progresso light soup for lunch. I've been eating a lot of soups for lunch lately. Then fish sticks, rice and salad for dinner-ok, but not great choices. I made rainbow cupcakes for St. Patty's day and do plan on having just 1 with fat free whipped cream tonight. I'm giving most of them away to the 2 neighbor kids, so that I don't eat them, but I love to bake. Did anyone else eat anything "festive" today?
I've still been losing, but I know I need to get back to actually keeping track of the counts, before I fall off the wagon.

Susie: Thanks for the condolences and yes, I saw some of BL last night. I was going back and forth with American Idol, but saw that the other Mom went home (Sherry?) Did I read that right at the end? She's 138 lbs. now??? WOW! I can't wait to see her, and everyone else, at the finale.

Mindy: I'm glad you were able to work out with Kelly.

Angela