Well, I'm not sure if you meant Riddle "Lisa" or me, but here I am anyway! Its the start of a new year and even though I have not been posting, I've been doing well!

I think I started around 235....wayyyyy back when. I'm happy to report I am down to 190ish!!! Will weigh in on Monday and confirm the exact number. I've been wavering between 185-190 for a bit now.

I've been sick since Thanksgiving, so I went off my meds. Restarted them yesterday as part of my resolution to get/stay healthy. Did Tae Bo just a few minutes ago - WOW am I out of shape! I haven't done any exercising in ages, probably since last spring, and I can tell!

Anyway, my long term goal will be to get down to 160-165. I remember when I was posting last year my long term goal was 185 and "I'd be happy!". So this is a big next step! I haven't been in the 160's for at least 10 years!

I hope everyone else is doing well. I haven't had a chance to go back through past threads (that would take me a year in itself!), but its really great to see some familiar faces here! Hope I can stick with you guys this time!

Best wishes for a Happy & Healthy New Year!

Lisa

Cat - keep trying. I know we will all find something that will work for us eventually. I think the key is to actually DO the work (if you know what I mean). I always keep saying, "I can start tomorrow". No - it has to be TODAY!

Grandma G - great idea about the exercise. We just bought a ball, so I am definately going to incorporate some of that tonight - some sit-ups, etc. Also, I just thought of something when I was reading your post - the part about portions. Wouldn't it be great if there were cookie cutters for portions? That were the right size for protein and a different one for veggies? When you went out you could just use your cookie cutter and you would be fine. And in a perfect world - no one would think you were a freak for doing it!:lol:

Anyway....I am off to have chicken and veggies. Remember that fish I had every night for dinner ALL LAST YEAR? It has more carbs than allowed in one day! Pretty funny.

Good night!
Meg

Good Morning!

Had a smashing day yesterday..stayed within points and got a good workout in on the treadmill. Wasn't too hungry during the day and did well with my choices. Felt great!:D I just want to keep building on these little successes day by day.

Hope you all are doing well. Talk to you later,

Pam

Good morning ladies,

I am up early this morning. I always am when I have regular coffee the night before. We went out for chinese last evening for dh birthday. There were 15 of us and we had a great time. but Meg I should have taken my cookie cutter. Actually although I only filled my plate once, I REALLY FILLED IT! At least I hadn't eaten much during the day, but I have no idea how many calories I consumed last night! It's a good thing I did my exercise yesterday. I have been keeping to my commitment on exercise! I've walked 3 and 1/2 miles in the last three days and that is really good for me! I amost didn't do it yesterday. When I wait until later in the day, I always want to put it off until tomorrow, but yesterday I pushed myself and wouldn't take no for an answer!

Lisa it is so good to hear from you. It sounds like you did okay during the holidays! I know what you mean about getting into the 160's. This is the first time in probably 20 or 25 years that I have been there. I have been hovering between 167 and 170 for about a month or better now, so I am ready to get going and work! My next big goal is to get down into the 150's

Cat, just keep trying until you find what works best for you. These challenges both with diet and now I am finding with exercise help me more then anything else. When I try to procrastinate, I think about the challenge and I don't put it off until tomorrow. Meg is right it has to be TODAY!

Pam, it sounds like you really have your motivation back. You will be at your goal before you know it. We are all so proud of you! keep up the good work.



:wave: Hi to Dahlia, Karie and anyone else I missed. :cb: :cb: Lets all keep with it, eat healthy and exercise - that is all it takes to bring us to our goals!

Good luck to everyone for an op day! ONE DAY AT A TIME - TODAY!

Hmmm...i did'nt get around to exercising or taking any pic's like i said i would..i spend so much time posting and reading on here that the hour's just fly by :rolleyes: i'm definitely getting control over what i eat tho' and making better choices :D

Hi Lisa..welcome back and congrats on the weightloss :D

I can't believe it's 2pm and i've been online since early this morning :eek: so i'd better make tracks before it goes dark.

Hello ladies,
Meg, not sure what is the story, but that is nice that your boss is going to increase your salary and its his idea.. that means you are a valuable employee and they know it.. *hurrah for you* :)

Pam... my son is doing very well, thank you for asking.. we are taking him in for a post op checkup on MOnday, 3 weeks early cause he is having some problems,,,, but I'm sure they will taper off, just want to talk to the doctor and have him tell us everything is ok.... but it's amazing the difference a month can make... there is a light at the end of the tunnel... whew :)

Pam it sounds like you are doing so great on staying op and getting close to your goal... soon more of us will be able to say that too..I remember 5 yrs ago how great it felt when I lost the 40 pounds.. and people were all noticing and telling me how great I looked.. I want to hear that again and I WILLL... I am determined.. I am a strong willed person, I just have to get my act together...

OK.. grandma G.. one more week and I'll be able to get back on my treadmill,, the kids will be out of the basement and it will be mine again.

Hi to everyone else,, have an *op * weekend and take care.

Dahlia

Hi All,

Dahlia, you sound great and I'm glad DS is on the mend. I know how scary it can be not to know what's going on all the time when the body is healing. Fingers crossed that everything will be fine. I also forgot to ask how the grand babies were doing? Do you still babysit them alot?

Cat, isn't it amazing how fast the day can be frittered away on line? I'm amazed at how fast I can chew up an hour :)

Meigg how is the Atkins plan going for you? I had a bit of a giggle on the fish comment. Go figure eh?

Lisa, nice to hear from you and continued success. I know you're a busy gal but try and stop in once in awhile :) We miss you!

I've had a smashing good 3 days and feel quite a bit better than I did before New Year's. My body just doesn't handle high fat and no water very well. I've noticed since I've been eating my regular way I feel a bit more energized. DH and I had a giggle over this being our regular way of eating and Christmas being an oddity in our household. Ah the difference a year can make.

Hope you all are having a pleasant weekend. Will check in tomorrow. Sweet dreams to all....

Pam

Well everyone, after several days of doubt because of the scale, I finally have faith that Atkins can and does work (at least today I do). I am down 3 pounds. Hey - I don't care if it is water, fat, muscle, or anything - I actually LOST! 181.5 lbs is the weight I have never been able to get below, which is why I set my first goal at 179. Then I will know that Atkins REALLY works for me.

I need to go out and by those ketostix that you pee on to tell you if you are in ketosis. What a nightmare. I just can't imagine adding that to my routine for the rest of my life. - but hey, if that means that I can fit into all of the clothes that are stored in the basement, I think I can pee on a stick!;)

And the food - sounds great on the front end...but man - apparently I am not clever enough with my menus! Eggs with feta for breakfast & turkey sausage. Turkey burger with cheddar and a small salad for lunch, and roasted chicken for dinner, or a burger, or scallops. I may be overloading on the cheddar as snacks, but a girl has to have something to keep going!:s:

Pam - you sound great - and back on track after a slight holiday binge. It sounds like you truly have made some lifestyle changes, which is what it is all about!:smug:

Dahlia, I am so glad to hear your son is doing better. I am sure the doctor will tell you not to worry - and everything will be fine! My thoughts are with both of you!!!:grouphug:

Grandma G. - Sounds like you are VERY dedicated to the treadmill, and you are an inspiration to me. I have called around to all the local gyms to get pricing and hours. Can you believe that the new curves is only open 9-12 and 2-7. I am in the CITY OF CHICAGO. Not in the suburbs. This area is a ghost town during the day. I found a gym about 10 blocks away, same price but open 24 hours, with a parking lot. I am going to join - just not sure when. Thanks for the inspiration!

Ladies, once I create, patent, and start testing the "Lifestyle cookie cutter by Meigg" (to wordy?:lol: ) You will all get one free to test. In the mean time, let's try to watch our portions.:chef:

Have a great rest of the weekend - Meg:wave:

Good Morning Ladies...Meg they have started showing an ad for Curve's on tv and they make it look real fun :) the women are just ordinary overweight women..no Cindi Crawford's :lol: so you've had second thoughts about joining :?: do those hours not work for you? Congrats on the weightloss :D where do you get those ketostix? i've heard about them but have never seen them.
Are you missing carbs at all? i could'nt imagine having bacon and eggs without bread :cry: but i suppose it's a small sacrifice to make if it means not having to live on lettuce :rolleyes: oop's questions..questions..sorry to bombard you with them :lol:

I'm going to use my treadmill in a while..i almost put "try" but i'm not going to try i'm going to do!

Pam..great job on the 3 day's OP!

Pam - I get home from work at 6. I worry I can't fit it in. And they aren't open weekends. I was really psyched about it and now I am not.

You get the ketostix at the pharmacy - no prescription necessary. I don't really miss the carbs. It is weird. but one day I had a craving for sugar cookies - and I don't even like sugar cookies.:dizzy: . I have had to give up ALL sugar - including aspartame. It is hard - just to figure out!:o

Right now I am using chocolate molds and melting nestles chips - I have to REMEMBER NOT TO LICK FINGERS or it messes the whole thing up. But what is funny- I don't really have a craving to - so that is good.

You go with the treadmill girl!!!!

Just another quick check in! Sounds like everyone is doing very well!

Saturday night I had to go digging through bags of old jeans - someday I'm gonna make a quilt, when I have time - to find a smaller pair of jeans for myself! Hubby was quite impressed on how a size 16 looked. 14s next? I don't know...haven't been that size in 15 years and two kids ago!

Weighed in this morning at 190 which gives me 25 to goal. Set up my exercise room over the weekend, but I really wish I lived close enough to a gym. I always thought that would be more fun to go somewhere and work out than to sit at home and do it.

Well, I have a busy day ahead, so I better get going! Take care all!

Lisa

Hi Ladies,

I don't have much time but I just had to check in and say WAY TO GO LADIES! Everyone sounds so motivated and ready to work! I know we can do this together.

The exercise challenge has helped me so much to get my motivation back. Every day after I finish I record it and I am determined not to miss a day. For the last three days I have managed 1 and 1/2 miles each day. And I never thought I could do it. What a great feeling! But I find I need to do it the first thing when I get up or it is much harder to get myself going. Like I told Meg, if you don't have a treadmill or a gym just do any kind of exercise you can and set a certain amount of time each day to do it, and increase it gradually. Then set up a challenge for yourself and try to do it daily. It's amazing how fast it adds up - I pledged to do 50 miles by valentine's day and I am already at 9 miles, almost a 5th of the way there! I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM DOING IT! I think this is what I needed to get those scales moving again!

:wave: Hi to everyone - good luck for an op day.

It's Working!
 

Well, I got the ketostix, and suffice it to say, the diet is working. I registered a reading on the stix, and lost 3 pounds on the scale! That is definately motivation to keep on truckin' with the low-carb thing. Perhaps my body just wasn't meant for alot of carbs.

I have alot of energy. Didn't even need to press snooze on the alarm this morning - what is wrong with me? And I am looking forward to joining the gym! I am inspired, and I hope to stay this motivated. I haven't felt this good about a program EVER!

Lisa - CONGRATS ON THE SMALLER SIZE! I keep seeming to get bigger. That is a great indication of how well you are doing - keep up the good work! Can you try integrating some new music or videos into your workout - something that makes your home gym a treat? Maybe put in a VCR so you can watch movies while you work out?

Have a great day everyone!

Meg

Good Morning Ladies,

Grandma G...way to go on your challenge. I'm so proud of you!!! 50 miles is a lot of walking but you'll be there in no time. Are you still using your paintings as a visual?

Meigg, holy smokes girl! No snooze button??? Terrific...I'm jealous :) Great job and keep up the good work.

Lisa, you are doing so well and I'm happy you're checking in again. The scale isn't always the better judge of things as you well know. I'm so proud of you and the new size!

I've had a good weekend..actually a pretty good past week. I'm feeling better mentally and that sure carries over to other things doesn't it?

Well back to what they pay me for and I'll check back in later,

Pam

Hi Ladies :wave: Grandma..you're right..when i used to exercise religiously every day it was because i alway's did it in the morning it was like do it now and then it's over and done with and the rest of the day is 'free' to do other things..now that i have no motivation to do any i say to myself "i'll do it later" but later never happens :( today is a prime example..it's 4.20pm and i still have'nt done any..i'm sat in my lycra shorts but i have'nt done anything :lol: well..that's not exactly true...i bought 2 exercise tapes yesterday to motivate me..NOT...one is one of the FIRM series and OMG these amazon women move that fast that i have'nt a clue what just happened..i have no co-ordination at all :spin: so that was $20 spent well :mad: maybe if i watch it a zillion times i'll get some of the moves down but there is no chance that i'll mess with the 14" step that they use unless someone gives me a ladder :lol: now i'm really gonna use my treadmill..i did'nt yesterday like i said i would but i am now..right this minute :wave: