Holy Cats Girlie~ you rock at the gym!!!!!!!!!

Welcome Susan~popular name around here, AT least you all spell it different.LOL!
What an inspiring loss. Happy to have you on board!!!

I did the WTAP. Last week it was like walking in quick sand but I feeling rested and ready to roll. much easier today.
See ya later!!

Hello All,
Well today was a "overwhelming" day for me at work. I've been handed off my bosses files and I feel like I'm just sort of out there, floundering around in my decision making. I've decided that tomorrow I'm going to take a look at the files, and just start in. Even if I make the wrong decison, at least I tried right? Of course I'll run it by my boss before I speak with the customer, but it's time to jump in and swim!

Feeling overwhelmed makes it hard to not stress eat. I will admit that I did have a "Little Debbie" snack cake and it was out of stress..but I stopped at 2...wish I would've stopped at one..but I just didn't.

I'm going to the gym and I'm going to work off this feeling. Tomorrow I'm taking my workout clothes to work and going for a walk at lunch time...if not I miss a workout due to school. I know that eventually I'll be doing ok in my job..but right now I feel so undecided about what to do. It's a horrible feeling!

Girlie: You had a great workout! Don't wear yourself out girl! Did you find any workout clothes on sale at your WalMart?

Holly: You are the busiest person I know! I was laughing at the mental image I have of you bounding off the couch each time a commercial comes on. That's a good habit though! I love Desperate Housewifes! I remembered you mentioned you were getting into a book club, has that started yet? How did you do with the "No Cheese" today?

Susan:It's nice to have you join us. I'm looking forward to your posts.

Suzy: You did a great job on not binging with that pasta! Didn't it make you feel great? and help you stay on track for the rest of the day?

Jodi and Debbie: Looking forward to reading your posts later on.

I'm out of here ladies. Hoping to check in tomorrow morning because if I don't it will be Wednesday before I get the chance, due to school tomorrow night.

Susie

hello everyone!
well work was just crazy busy again. i like the old days much betterwhen i had time to check in and post first thing in the morning there. oh well got to make the money right? so i slept well last night got up early and did the WATP 2 miles. very proud of myself, i keep saying that i know just trying to reinforce it, most of you know how i loathe exercising i am very happy to find a plan and a time slot for it even if it is well before the crack of dawn!! (yawn) this is all worth it though i weighed in today and am down 2 more lbs!! one more to go to meet my january goal and that will put me right back where i was before the holiday eating frenzy i went on lol. i am very happy and motivated and ready for a good week!

susan- welcome! congratulations on your loss so far!! that is fantastic! hop right in and post, there are some really wonderful supportive people in this thread! we are all doing it this year! we are all going to move closer to our goal in 2005.

holly- good for you with the skating! my ankles were always too weak to hold myself up on the darn skates. sounds like you had a great weekend though. i hope DS gets used to going back to school soon, kids are really tough sometimes. hang in there! good job doing the WATP! we are doing this holly!! great goals for the week.

mychoice- sometimes the best thing with a new job is just hop right in, you'll learn from your mistakes hope it goes well for you! good job getting your workout planned in advance for tomorrow. don't look back at the little debbie, keep looking forward!!

girlie- you did an awesome workout!! good for you girl!! keep it up, we are all in this together. did you throw the cupcakes away??

suzy- great job not overdoing it with the pasta. i have those moments when i can catch myself sometimes before i make a bad choice. pat yourself on the back! that was awesome. great goals in mind for the week! give the weekly plan a shot. i just sit down with a note book and plan it all out. try planning 2 or 3 days if the whole week is too much. you are doing great, just keep looking forward, thinking before you are eating is a VERY positive thing.

hope you all have a great evening!!!

Hugs Susie~ jump right in tomorrow>You can totally do it!!!!! Good job for "working out" that feeling!!
Thre book club meets next Thurs to brainstorm how we want to run it.Thanks for remembering. No cheese at all today.

Jodi~ you just plain ROCK!!!!!!

IMHO, I think we are all doing incredibly well. Lets keep this momentum going!!!!

WOOOOOHOOOO!!!

good morning everyone!!
i'm feeling good and rested, got up early and did the dvd, i wanted to stop after 1 mile but i pressed on and did the 2. felt good after. good plan in place for the day!! we can do this let's keep going!!

holly - thanks, i want to be totally smokin' by the summer!! we're all in this together keep up the great work!

hope all the rest of you have a great day!!

I am having thoughts about water. I usually drink at least 8 12oz glasses of water a day. Sometimes more. I have 2 coffee in the morning and tea in the aft.
If i weigh in the mornings I am 225- 227. If I weigh again the same day before bed I am 230-232. It seems like a lot of fluctuation for 1 day but it is my pattern.

I feel really bloated by the end of the day.
I dont add salt to food or in cooking but we do eat some stuff that would have salt in it.
Anyhow, I am just wondering if this is the norm or if something is going on with me.
I will look in to it more.

Had a good morning with DS. Yippee.
We had some one on one after school and talked about his stomach aches etc. I set up rewards for not crying and working himself up. Worked today.
I am still reading really late. I dont feel tired all day. I had 5 hours sleep 2 nights ago and 6 last night. I was full of beans at 11 last night and read for 2 more hours. I feel fine/normal right now. Weird.
I have the 3 little guys today. They will all nap at 1 for 2 hours.May work on some photo albums. My New Years resolution for 2004 was to get caught up. I am up to last summer. Not bad. I LOVE the albums. So do the kids. It is nice to put them together and see how wonderful and blessed our life is and what fun stuff we do.
I really need a shower. LOL! Better do that too.
Oh and wipe up the crumbs DH leaves all over the counter in the mornings.Gotta love that.LOL!

Have a sunny day!

Jodi:
I ate one cupcake, gave the other to DH :)
Hey, in the old days I would have scarfed down two cupcakes and probably would have taken two packages!

Holly:
I definitely think it's normal to have some fluctuation in a day. That's why I just weigh once a week, on Sundays when working out is usually the first thing I do before eating anything.

Well ladies, I just couldn't get up this morning to get to the gym. After a long day yesterday, working until 9pm, I couldn't get to sleep until 11p and I did wake up at 4.45a and brushed my teeth but I looked at DH and was so pooped. I decided to get the extra 2 hours of sleep and do my workout tonite. It will either have to be before or after The Biggest Loser heh heh...can't miss that tonite! So I will try to get to the gym after work and get home by 7pm to watch. I hate going to the gym right after work because it will be totally packed, but that's my punishment for not getting up this morning. That way, I'll be able to get home and relax and not have to worry about when I'm going to exercise, although watching the Biggest Loser inspires me, just to see the before and afters.

Girlie

Hi went to the doctor yesterday
 

Hi All :)


I went to my Doctor yesterday, and he said I was doing great!! I lost 2 more pounds,down to 253 My weigh in isn't til friday, hope I can maintain it. He said I could exercise, but go slow, I have asthma, so I have to be careful, I am going to start walking. Who knows maybe, if things keep going as well as they are, I might get off my butt and join a gym :cool:

Take care
Susan

hello everyone!
really crappy day at work! DH made it home before me and made dinner, it was nice to come home to.
holly- my weight fluctuates all day, usually within 3 - 4 lbs. i am always more bloated in the morning when i get up. so glad DS went to school good this morning, what a relief for you! i so need to get my photos organized, i am terrible about that, one of these years i will.

girlie- good for you with the 1 cupcake, like you i would of opted for the 2 or more scenerio in the old days (well ok 2 weeks ago lol but who's counting). don't wear yourself out but have a good workout tonight!!

susan- great news at the dr. walking is geat exercise! good luck!

HI Jodi!! Still here?? Sorry you had a crappy dya. Nice of hubby to pitch in !!
Good news, Susan.
So is my true weight 225 or 230. My sis say to weigh 1st thing in the morning right after my period for an accurate weight.
What do you think.

well holly, i am always looking for motivation so i always take the lowest number i can get no matter what time of day. i would say if you are consistantly 225 every morning that should be your true weight. i have read many times before your morning weight is your true weight. see don't you feel better now you just lost 5 lbs!! keep going girl!!

Hi Everyone!! Can I join?:)
 

This looks like an awesome group, So I'd love to join in if you don't mind!!

Let me tell you a bit about myself- My name is Robin and I'm 25 years old, never married, no kids, just my dog,Thor:). I graduated from Old Dominion University last year with my Bachelor's in Nursing. All through nursing school, I was completely stressed out, and didn't know how to deal with it...Yep, emotional eater, totally and completely. I gained a ton of weight during school, and I've decided this year is MY year!! Lots of change, all for the better....I was just hired as an RN, and I'm very excited about that. I start at the end of January.

Anyway, I've been losing weight since June- now THAT, wasn't by trying or even by choice. My ex-bf of 6 years and I went through a tough breakup...I went on what I call the "stress/trauma" diet. I basically stopped eating, I was so upset. Around November, things began to heal, and I regained my appetite. So I basically got a 40 lb loss/jumpstart, due to that whole ordeal, which was good, because it had totally motivated me. :cb:


ahh, the catch...now that I've gotten the appetite back, which is awesome, I definitely need to watch what I eat and get healthy! I've started the year off with a 4 lbs loss(YAY!!) and made a few changes. Cut out soda completely, on the elliptical 3x a week, strength training 3x a week....


I'm excited to be making this journey with you guys as we head off to ONE-derland!!! :D

Hi,
I made it! I didn't think I would have any computer time tonight, but DH is watching TV and he said to go ahead and email my Board Pals. I try not to be on the computer when I can spend time talking to him. We don't have children, but our lives are full with all the other things we each do, so when we can spend time together we both try. I got home from school a little early tonight, and he wasn't expecting me..that's why he was watching TV. I thought I would let him finish the show since he really wasn't expecting me.

Thank you all for letting me go on and on about my new job. I tell you..it's so wonderful to have a place I can come to and be open and honest about what I'm feeling and know that you all will help me see it from a different perspective. Believe it or not, I'm not one to usually share when I'm struggling ,but it's easy with you guys.

I had an ok day. I did get some things accomplished on my own and I have two things to talk to my manager about tomorrow and I have a solution to the problem, so I'll present it. That way I can see where I was right or wrong in my thinking. At least I'm thinking it through and I have a reason for my decision.

I tried something new at lunch time. I went to the Y and did a 25 min. walk on the treadmill. I thought I would start trying this on Tuesday or Thursday (that's the days I would miss my workouts due to school in the evenings.) If I feel like it I can go both days..right now I made a pact with myself to go one of them. That way if I need to study at lunch, or actually go to lunch with a friend I have an option. 25 min isn't a big deal, but I figure every little bit helps!


One Motivated Chick: Welcome to our group. These are a great bunch of ladies! It looks like you have things headed in a very positive direction. Sorry to hear that breakup with BF started the whole losing thing..but hey..it turned out to be a plus for you...so...you are making the most of what life handed you..and that's really what we all should do everyday.

Jodi: Sorry you had a tough day. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. You are doing great with your workouts and it's paying off. Celebrating that loss with you!

Susan: Doesn't it feel good to see those scales go down. Walking is a great exercise and you don't have to "kill" yourself to get the benefits of it. Just move the body..that's really all exercise amounts to. Enjoy the movement...and relax..with it...that's what keeps me exercising. It's a privleage to be able to move my body..not a chore....(I repeat this in my head several times a day! lol)

Girlie: Good job on getting rid of that cupcake! Did you get your workout in tonight? If not, don't beat yourself up..you are motivating yourself with that show...you will exercise the next day if you missed one..I know you will!

Holly: My weight fluctuates also. I just take whatever the number is when I weigh in on Thursday nights as my weight. Someone once told me that the number on the scale is just that a number...a guideline to use so you can see where you are and where you are going. Sort of like a speedometer (sp?) in your car...it doesn't make the car perform any better..it's just an indication of what the car is doing. I keep thinking one day I'll get my vacation pictures in a album..maybe I should send them to you?

Ok..I'm getting sleepy..better get some rest.

Susie

good morning everyone!
it is raining here AGAIN!!! i am so sick of the rain, at this point i would rather see snow than all this water. really weird winter weather wise. i got up early and did the WATP easier today than it was yesterday. i just want to keep this up! food has been ok, water is good, i have journaled everyday. i am hoping i can last this time beyond a few weeks. i am trying to make all of these things good habits, part of my daily routine, hoping then it won't be so difficult in the long term.

mychoice- good for you getting moving during your lunch hour, 25 mins is great! don't seel yourself short every bit counts! thank you i am celebrating too!

holly- hope you have a great day today!

one motivated chick- welcome! great job so far! sorry to hear about what brought you to this point but great job anyway! the changes you have made so far this year are great steps!! congrats on the new job too!! i look forward to hearing more!

girlie- did you watch the biggest looser? i was so motivated by all of them. they all did a great job! hope you got your workout in! have a good one!

to everyone else yet to post have an awesome day!! be good to yourselves! this is all about taking good care of US!!!

Hi Ladies,
Welcome to Susan and Motivated Chick.
I am so proud of all of us. Everyone really seems to be sticking to our plans and goals. It is very inspirational. I want to send a special kudos to all of you who go out of your way to make exercise a part of your life. For me, that is amazing and I admire all of you. I am trying to ease my way into a healthier, more active lifestyle by making slow, gradual improvements in my life and that seems to be working out well for me. I take something from all of you and have added it into my plan so I feel very fortunate to be with this group. I keep in mind that I would like to stay as busy during the day as Holly does, as dedicated and positive as Susie is, plan and execute meals as well as Jodi does, exercise as fervently as girlie does, etc. So thanks, ladies, you keep me going.
Suzy
PS: Anyone struggling? We are here for you if you are. Helping others helps me too.

It is raining. We went out for the bus. It didn’t come. Drove DS to school as per his wish( HUH!).The busses are cancelled. The back roads are a sheet of ice. We are on a paved road and it is clear. DH just came home.Cant use power tools in all this rain.
I was hoping for a nice quiet day. It is never quiet with DH home. The kids get all wound up and he is noisy and messy!!!
Thanks for the feedback yesterday. I have decided I will weigh myself once a month, in the morning, right after my period, for my “official” weight. I will still weigh in at TOPs because the weekly accountablity and info is good.

I had a funky sleep last night. I had picked up Cold Mountain at the library. I started to watch it at 9. I was soooo tired at 10:30, I shut it off and went to bed. I tossed and turned till 12. The DD came in at 1. Poked my in the eye a few times. Anyhow, it was a fitful sleep. I am tired today.
I did NOT eat after supper yesterday and I did NOT eat cheese all day. I DID WATP. 2 for 2!!!!! I did 10 min upper body weights. Fisrt time since the hols that I have pulled this off.
Not much going on today. The usual tidying and kid stuff.
I might have to be a B*tch and bug DH to tile.
I firmly believe that he is an inteligent adult and I should not have to nag him. But he also is a procrastinator. Something that I am most definitely NOT.

onemotivatedchick~ WELCOME!!!!!!!

Suzi & Susie~ I feel the same way about everyone here. It seems we have a made a genuine connection of caring, support and friendship. I look forward to it every day.
I grin when I see on the main page that someone has been here. For me it is especially good because I am home 24/7, these connections fill my life with a much needed diversion from kids and home.I feel very blessed.

Jodi~ even in my deepest depression I kept journalling every day even when I was feeling completely pathetic.I am not sure what drove me but it helped me have perspective and get out of the slump.

Susan~ you might want to try the Walk Away the Pounds video by Leslie Sansone. The 1 mile walk is gentle and is about 15 min.You can go at your own pace.

Have a great day!!!!

Good morning everyone. I hope it's going to be a good day. I'm so glad all of you are so upbeat. The beginning of the year is the best time for me. A fresh start and a great time to make changes for the upcoming year.

Last night I wanted to be home for the Biggest Loser so I got home and already had my gym bag packed and my workout clothes laid out. I made it to the gym by 5.15p and did my 65 minutes on the elliptical, then headed to the store and bought a rotisserie chicken (love those, so quick and so good) and I made green beans at home. I was able to get home by 7pm and DH saw how excited I was and actually watched the show with me!

I got up this morning at 4.45a and got my 65 minutes of elliptical in again. It was tough getting up this morning but I reminded myself that it was hard because I had just been to the gym 12 hours previously and my body hasn't had as much rest in between workouts as it normally would, and also I thought about how great Kelly from the show looked at the end!

Jodi:
Yep, watched the Biggest Loser and it was so good. It's crazy how much weight these people have lost in only six months - the problem is that it will probably be hard for them to maintain the weight because they took it off so fast. But the look so great. Kelly looked fantastic in the pink dress, didn't she? She started the show at 242 which is where I started so I use her as inspiration...if she can do it, I can too. And Jodi, you can definitely make your journaling and other changes last longer than a few weeks. I have the same problem. I usually start to slack around April-May and gain back all the weight I lose in Jan, Feb and March. I am determined to keep up working out at least 5 days a week, and be still doing it during the summer. We can do it! We just have to recognize what our weaknesses are and what our bad patterns are and do our best to break those patterns.

Sueisme:
Congrats on the loss. You definitely can maintain that loss! Keep up the walking! Great job!

Holly:
If I were you, I'd choose one time of day to weigh in and do it once a week. I used to weigh every day but would get fluctuations, so I decide to do it just once a week after my workout and shower and make that my "official" weigh in. :)

Robin:
Welcome! Please feel free to join us and stick with us. I feel truly blessed because this really is a great group of ladies here. You only have 6 pounds to lose until your V-day goal - totally doable! You can do it! You will be in ONE-derland in no time at all! But you can still stick with us afte that too!

MyChoice:
That's great about the 25 minutes on your lunch break! 25 minutes is great and I bet that will help you get through the day easier, especially when you have class at night. I think it's good to change things up too.

Suzy:
Definitely make slow changes. Did I ever tell you how in my Healthy Heart program we were doing things like just trying to eat one apple a day - for people like me who have a hard time getting fruit in...or some of the ladies get no exercise at all, even though they may not be overweight. They made goals to do 10 situps a day, something simple like that and build on it over time. I think that's great of you. And I know what you mean, I really like our group too.

Believe it or not, I do think of everyone throughout the day. It's too bad we don't live near each other - I think we'd make a great crowd over dinner or lunch!

Talk to you all later!

Girlie

ROADTRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOl, I am almost serious. Most of you are in the northern States and I am in southern Canada. I have driven to New York and through Ohio just for the heck of it before. Mind you I didn't have a hubby or kids.
We could meet in the middle!!!!

I was down 2 tonight. Back to 230 after the holiday blip!!!

did i hear road trip?? that would be wonderful to meet you guys!! i was in new york and eastern pa 2x last year. that is really something to think about! congrats on the loss holly! you are doing fantastic! and the WATP 2 for 2 you go girl!! keep the energy up! look out 220's here she comes!!

girlie- great job going for both workouts! way to push yourself! keep it up girl we are going to do this!!

me- i just got back from DS's basketball game, oh the poor little dears lost again, DS fouled out in the 3rd period. he was so sad he started to cry in the car on the way home. now that he is 13 he rarely cries about anything anymore sports really get him going. tough night for him. after dinner tonight the kids and i did the WATP tape sort of funny dancing mixed, and lots of giggling but we all did it. i was very happy to see my very athletically fit children huffing and puffing by the end lol made me feel like it wasn't just me. that's a little sick huh? lol so i am feeling supercharged! i walked 8 miles so far this week!!

i hope you all have a fantastic evening!

Go Jodi, go Jodi, go Jodi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Everyone,
I heard we are planning a trip?! Wouldn't that be something? What fun. Hey, I'm game. I don't have a lot of time to take of work due to being new, but maybe we could work something out sometime? I'm in Ohio and I've went to Niagra Falls, Canada last year for vacation. I love to go places..so...really, wouldn't it be something?

I had a pretty good day at work today. I closed 8 claims...that felt good. I still have a lot of area to work on when making the calls, so I feel polished about the product and how to solve the claim and such, but I guess that will come with practice. I'm going to see if my co-worker, who has done a lot of training with me, will sit with me for an hour or so tomorrow and help me through the calls. We can use a "splitter" and both of us hear the conversation, but the caller can't hear my coworker talking to me..that way if I get involved in something that I don't know what to do..he can prompt me.

It was like a spring day here in Ohio. It made me think about how I want to be in the low 200's..so that I can wear those wispy blouses and such.

I had a great walk at the Y. I went all along to my workout tonight. DH has a cold and my workout partner went out to dinner with her DH for her b-day. So it was just me and my cd player. I pulled out an old Bon Jovi cd and went to town. Also did my upper body. I told myself that I could have a rootbeer float tonight after I got done with the workout..but to tell you the truth, I didn't want it when I got home..so I'll just bank those calories.

Jodi: You are doing great with the workouts and I love the part about seeing the children huff and puff...lol!

Holly: Down 2 lbs! Look at you girl! Great job.

Girlie: Glad you got to watch your show and you did the workout!

Suzy: You do excatly what I do. I think about how everyone here has something that they just seem to be able to put in there plan so well, and I try to copy it. I think that's how we become successful at this weight-loss journey. You are approaching exercise the correct way, so continue on with it just the way you are. I loved what you said about how helping someone else helps you. I feel excatly the same way..always have..not just in the area of weight loss.

I used to visit this little old lady in the nursing home. I met her when my grandmother was there. She asked me one day as I was on my way to my Grandmothers room to stop in and see her. So I did. My grandmother eventually went to live with my Aunt, but I continued to see my friend, her name was Bertha. I would go see her every week. I loved visting her. I could just talk and talk to her about anything..she loved to listen (can you all believe I'm a "talker"...*giggle*). She and I had a very special friendship for almost 12 years. She died at the age of 98. She had never had children (not sure why), he husband had been gone for over 30 years and she had done so many interesting things in her life. Her husband had some sort of job in Washington DC and she had been everywhere. I loved hearing her stories. People always thought it was so nice of me to visit her..I tell you, she gave me much more than I ever gave her. Thanks for letting me share that with you. She wasso special to me, and I think about her a lot.

Well..I'm headed to bed. I probably won't be able to check in until Friday morning. Weigh-in is tomorrow (and so is school)

Susie
__________________

Hi Everyone,
I heard we are planning a trip?! Wouldn't that be something? What fun. Hey, I'm game. I don't have a lot of time to take of work due to being new, but maybe we could work something out sometime? I'm in Ohio and I've went to Niagra Falls, Canada last year for vacation. I love to go places..so...really, wouldn't it be something?

I had a pretty good day at work today. I closed 8 claims...that felt good. I still have a lot of area to work on when making the calls, so I feel polished about the product and how to solve the claim and such, but I guess that will come with practice. I'm going to see if my co-worker, who has done a lot of training with me, will sit with me for an hour or so tomorrow and help me through the calls. We can use a "splitter" and both of us hear the conversation, but the caller can't hear my coworker talking to me..that way if I get involved in something that I don't know what to do..he can prompt me.

It was like a spring day here in Ohio. It made me think about how I want to be in the low 200's..so that I can wear those wispy blouses and such.

I had a great walk at the Y. I went all along to my workout tonight. DH has a cold and my workout partner went out to dinner with her DH for her b-day. So it was just me and my cd player. I pulled out an old Bon Jovi cd and went to town. Also did my upper body. I told myself that I could have a rootbeer float tonight after I got done with the workout..but to tell you the truth, I didn't want it when I got home..so I'll just bank those calories.

Jodi: You are doing great with the workouts and I love the part about seeing the children huff and puff...lol!

Holly: Down 2 lbs! Look at you girl! Great job.

Girlie: Glad you got to watch your show and you did the workout!

Suzy: You do excatly what I do. I think about how everyone here has something that they just seem to be able to put in there plan so well, and I try to copy it. I think that's how we become successful at this weight-loss journey. You are approaching exercise the correct way, so continue on with it just the way you are. I loved what you said about how helping someone else helps you. I feel excatly the same way..always have..not just in the area of weight loss.

I used to visit this little old lady in the nursing home. I met her when my grandmother was there. She asked me one day as I was on my way to my Grandmothers room to stop in and see her. So I did. My grandmother eventually went to live with my Aunt, but I continued to see my friend, her name was Bertha. I would go see her every week. I loved visting her. I could just talk and talk to her about anything..she loved to listen (can you all believe I'm a "talker"...*giggle*). She and I had a very special friendship for almost 12 years. She died at the age of 98. She had never had children (not sure why), her husband had been gone for over 30 years and she had done so many interesting things in her life. Her husband had some sort of job in Washington DC and she had been everywhere. I loved hearing her stories. People always thought it was so nice of me to visit her..I tell you, she gave me much more than I ever gave her. Thanks for letting me share that with you. She was so special to me, and I think about her a lot.

Well..I'm headed to bed. I probably won't be able to check in until Friday morning. Weigh-in is tomorrow (and so is school)

Susie
__________________

You just never know....
....what will happen next. DS had a great morning again. DH did not. He has a wretched stomach virus which makes him unbearably grumpy. I am surrounding him with thoughts of love and staying the **** outa his way!

I had a good day in general yesterday. I enjoyed watching the end of Cold Mountain.
I was nominated to sit on the school council by other parents. I went on Tues night for a meeting. I will probably do it. It was nice to be with adults talking about admin stuff. it uses a part of my brain I haven’t used in a looooong time. I am nervous about the social aspect of it and putting myself in a positon to be targeted by other parents.

SO....I am kidless today. Both mine are in school, the others stayed home. I will finally go and do Grandma’s hair. I am excited about the uninterupted housework I can get done. ( I know, Freak!)
I finally had a great sleep last night. Yippee!

Okay off to shower, clean the upstairs and off to London to do G’s perm. It’s her 95th Bday in 2 weeks. Gotta look smashing!

Good morning ladies.

I'm all for a road trip LOL! It would be hard for us to decide on a place to meet. Two of you live in Ohio and I have family in Columbus. Also, my mother lives in Philadelphia, and DH and I have always wanted to go to Toronto. I think some day we defininitely should try to plan something for the future!

Holly:
Yay for your nomination.That would be really cool! I can understand you feeling self conscious about it - but the nominated you for a reason! :) And as you lose weight and get more in shape, it really helps with the way you feel others percive you too!
I'm glad you got a great sleep in - that's one thing I don't get lately. I was asleep by 9pm and wake up at 4.45a...that's enough sleep, but I woke up around 2.30a to pee and I had trouble getting back to sleep, and had a dream full of anxiety which left me waking up feeling very unrested.

MyChoice/Susie:
With all the "Sue's" around here, I have to think of you by your screen name! Thank you for telling the story about your special friend. I am sure you gave her so much more than you think! I bet she looked forward to the days when you would see her so much! Did she pass away recently? I really bet you helped her through what was probably a lonely time in her life! Good luck with school and good job on the walking - I'm sure you'll have a great weigh in as well as you've been doing. And root beer float - that's really great that you passed it up! **hee hee*...Bon Jovi!

Holly:
Whoo for being down two! I need to get back to 230 as well. I can't wait to be out of the 230's. Weighing in on Sunday.

Jodi:
Great job on the walking! And your poor DS...I don't have kids yet but I love to be around little kids. They have such tender hearts. Heck, I have almost cried at times when DH and I leave my softball games in the summer. I always want to do well. Part of me working out now will leave me in better shape for the softball season which starts in April!

As for me-
Doing okay. I did my 65min on the elliptical today. It's not hard to do at all and I've never even contemplated stopping early. It's more like trying to stay busy for the hour by watching my stats and making sure I'm keeping a good pace up. By the time I hit 40 minutes, I'm good and kick it up a notch to finish hard. I'm still making 5 miles in that 65 minutes, but it will be a while before I can do it in 60 minutes. I'm just going to work on keeping up the workout and I'll probably take Saturday off, go in on Sunday and work out and weigh in. I'm hoping I have good results. I peeked a couple of days ago and was down to 234, just one pound, but at least it's a pound and that's good to me.

QUESTION/PROBLEM
Okay, I have a question/problem that's a bit TMI but maybe I can get some help. From all this cardio I've been doing, I've gotten two blisters this week where my thighs rub together. Anyone else have this problem? It's so embarassing, I get them occasionally and DH helps me "drain" them. Do you think putting some baby powder down there before I work out will help? The thing is, they don't seem to bother me when I work out. It's late in the day when I find them. It seems to be more from the pants I wear during the day and the way the pants rub against my upper inner thighs. This will be one benefit from losing weight - the skin down there won't rub together so much. *sigh*

Hey everyone, Just a quick post.I have an old abrasion on my eye that didnt heal right and I had to have my cornea
shaved and all the dead tissue removed so I am not seeing well yet. cant really see well enough to read all your post but i'll be back as soon as possible

I miss everyone. BIG HUGS

hello everyone!
the week is almost over thank goodness! i need another weekend! what am i saying? i need a long vacation! too much to do in too little time and i am just not ready to extend my day with more work hours yet, it is my option so i will keep going at this pace as long as can and hopefully just about the time i am ready to fall over work will slow down wishful thinking!

mychoice- good for you going to the gym and doing your workout without your buddy. and for passing on the float! i love your story about your friend she sounds like she was a very special person.

holly- i hope DH gets feeling better soon! men can be awful when they are ill. congrats on the nomination!

girlie- great job on the pound!! and the workouts! you just ROCK! what position do you play in softball? my DD loves softball, she has been playing since she was 6. she will play on her high school team this year. she plays 3rd base and center field, she is a good power hitter too. i was never much of the athletic type growing up so it is a lot of fun for me to see all my kiddos when they play their sports. honestly there are times when i want to cry at the end myself! as far as the blisters go, i don't think baby powder or cornstarch would hurt. hope they feel better soon!

debbie- sorry to hear about your eye surgery, hope you get well quick!

to anyone i missed have a great evening!

Late check in today ladies. How is everyone doing? I hung in there fairly well today. Kept myself busy, focused on moving more, ate ok, and am feeling better since starting a healthy new year.
Debbie- I hope everything goes well with your eyes and you are back soon. I will be thinking good thoughts for you.
Girlie- Ouch, that must be sore. Baby powder might not be a good idea for an "open" sore. Try padding them up with gauze. You sure are doing great with the exercising if you are getting those.
Holly- GREAT JOB on the 2 lbs. Even when you are "not busy" you sound busier than me on a good day. HAHA. Sorry about the cranky DH. Hope all is well soon. At least your DH and DS are taking turns. What an honor to be nominated by the other parents. They know that you are a go getter and that they would be lucky to have you representing them and their children. Don't give it a 2nd thought if you want to do it. You'll do great!
Susie- Thanks for the encouragement and for sharing your story about your friend. When I was a young girl, probably from 8-14, my best friend was my senior citizen neighbor, Aunt Mabel. She was the greatest person I ever knew and I couldn't wait to get home from school to go over her house. She taught me so many things that I carry with me today. Thanks for making me think of her today.
Jodi- I can relate to your DS story. I have a very athletic, 9 year old, baseball lover who has trouble hitting now that the kids are pitching to each other. His team went undefeated last year and on championship day when everyone should have been celebrating my boy was sullen because he disn't feel he had contributed to the win. Breaks my heart to see them put so much pressure on themselves. Should be all about fun. Sounds like fun doing the tapes with the kids. Once I did Richard Simmons with the kids and it was very amusing.
Have a great night ladies.
Suzy

Hi,
I weighed in last night...down another pound! YIPEEEEE! I felt like it might be more, but I'll take it. I know I worked very hard for that pound...and I'm ready to start the week off again and work for another one next week.

Debbie: I'm sure everything will go well with the eye surgery. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. As soon as you can, let us know how you are doing.

Holly: What an honor to be nominated. That committee isn't going to know how lucky they are to have you. You have more energy than anyone I know!

Suzy: Sounds like you are doing well. I know those extra movements that you are putting in your life will greatly benefit you, so keep up the good work.

Girlie: I'd say the babypowder, would help to keep friction out of that area when you are working out. It won't be long and you won't have the problem.

Jodi: I'm ready for the weekend too! You have done great with your exercise this week.

Ok ladies...we are one week closer to summer, so let's keep up the good work..we want to enjoy summer is shorts, sleeveless tops and maybe for the brave...tank tops!

Have a good day.

Susie

Debbie~ I hope all is healing well!!!! Take good care of yourself.

Susie~ good for you!!!!

Jodi~ wishing you a restful weekend!!

Girlie~ when I rub and rash I use the zinc diaper cream cause it heals it fast. I have never blistered though.

Suzi~nice that you are feeling healthier!!!!

School bus time. I will add on.

I had a good day yesterday. I cleaned the upstairs. It gets so messy. I focus more on the main living area.
I went and gave Grandma a perm.Had a great visit. I stopped at Penningtons and bought a pair of pants( size 2x!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and 2 tops. I saw tons of really cool stuff but bought practical neutral stuff. I dont have much use for the cool stuff. I have a few funky tops and that is good for the 3 times I year I go out. 10 years ago it was the opposite. All my clothes were funky.When DS was born I didn't own a pair of track pants or runners.
I know I am always "doing" but I honestly never have a clean home. There are 2-8 people here every single day(and cats and rabbits). I cook 3 meals and 2 snacks about 360 days of the year. My Mom always tells people how "wonderful" I am and how much I do for others. I my mind, I ask, who wouldn't? But apparently all people dont. I have cared for and cooked
for both of of my Grandmothers. I help out friends in need.It just seems right for me. It bothers me when Mom goes on about it because I dont do it for the accolades.
Anyone who volunteers or helps out another person knows it is a 2 way street and the rewards are bountiful just in sharing that experience with them.

I ate too much before bed last night. I was really ,really tired but stayed up to watch ER. I ate a piece of chicken and some rice crackers.
I had a good sleep.
3 kids here today. we will go to the early years centre.
We have a hockey game at 9 tomorrow and then the kids are going to my folks ,at the lake, for a sleepover. I need to do the books for both DH and myself for taxes. We are both self employed . 2 years ago we paid a ton of tax and we are poor( income-wise) by modern standards. If we had taken out rrsp's we would have been okay. So I am on the ball this year.

Hope everyones day is going well. Have a glorious weekend!!!!!

Holly -
Yes, you are always so busy and must have a ton of energy. What I do must not be any comparison to you! I feel really lazy! How was ER? I was asleep by 9pm for once! Thanks for the diaper cream info. Hopefully in another month or so those nasty blisters will be gone forever!

Susie -
CONGRATULATIONS on the pound! Every single tenth of a pound counts, and you lost a whole pound. I used to think of it as too little, but as you said, you worked hard for it and you will work hard next week and the week after, etc. Soon those weeks add up! Also, I wanted to ask you about TOPS. What is a meeting like? We have a couple meetings in my city but they are all during the day. :( I would love to join because I like the accountability of a weigh-in, and they are not expensive like Weight Watchers meetings. I don't follow WW, but I was thinking of signing up for 10 weeks just so I could get an official weigh in once a week.

Suzy -
I'm glad that you are feeling good. I am too. Except for yep, the nasty blisters. It's so embarassing. But DH is so great about it. He fixed the bad one up last night and put in peroxide and it feels much better today. I don't want these ever again. I have a lot of just flabby skin in that area and I hope it goes away...although losing weight might just add more skin there. Oh well.

Jodi -
In my first softball season I was catcher...last season the coach put me at 2nd base and it shows on my legs, all the bruises! I'm on a co-ed team with people from my company and some of these guys hit these really hard grounders to me and they are hard to stop. But I'm a rough n' tough player and am always getting hit on the shins! When I was young I was a great hitter, but I tend to have trouble these days because I get so nervous, but last season I got on base pretty much every time. I'd rather concentrate on fielding now. I'm so excited about this coming season (practices start in March) because I wasn't working out much last season...so I wasn't in the greatest of shape - I would always get so winded by the time I get to first base. This season will be different!

Well, it's FRIDAY and I'm so glad I get to sleep in tomorrow! This has been a great week for me. When I got on the elliptical this morning I realized that I did 60-65 minutes on the elliptical every day for six days! That's over 6 hours of cardio for the week. What sounds better to me is that there was only one day that I didn't hit the 5 mile mark - so I'm at about 30 miles this week. I'm so proud...although it's not as hard to do as it used to be, I worked hard this week. I may not get in 6 days every week but I did this week and that is my success for the week. I feel great physically and mentally. Even if I don't show much of a loss on Sunday, I know I've worked hard. :yes:

I was running late this morning after the gym - I took an extra long shower today and fully washed and deep conditioned my hair - so I didn't have anything planned for breakfast. I was going to have another smoothie, but didn't have time to get it before work. So I made a cup of tea here at work and bought a bag of animal crackers from the vending machine to much on until lunchtime. I think I might start drinking a slim fast for breakfast sometimes, just to have them on hand for mornings like this. I have tried the vanilla soy version and it's pretty good. I could add half a banana and ice and blend it to make my own smoothie.

OK enough for now. It's going to be a busy day at work.

CD

Well, I made the big leap to join in the conversation, then didn't post for ages! How's that for showing off my behavior patterns?

Anyway, will be making an effort to post more often. Glad to hear there are a couple fellow lit-chix here! So inspiring to read all of your posts and know that this isn't impossible.

My big challenge is exercise: I just can't seem to do it. But I finally bought Dance Dance Revolution, and a treadmill is on its way to my house. So there's no excuse! Sadly, my main life activities are writing, reading, grading papers...all those sit-at-the-desk-and-snack activities. I wonder how I could make them active.

Girlie: Don't be too jealous of the college professor life! I've been so absent because I got slammed with mid-term grades (one student actually *cried*) and taking on another last-minute class. I'm feeling the overworked/underpaid thing big-time. Also, keep writing!!! We need strong female voices. Maybe you'll post some of your writing for us to see sometime? And on the blister thing: ouch! Have you tried spandex bike shorts or unitards under your sweats? Look for the kind made of that moisture-wicking fabric; I hear they help.

Girlie: If you're looking for super-fast breakfast alternative and want to get away from the Slim Fast (it's pretty sugary, I hear), check out some of the other meal-substitute shakes out there. I love Kashi and Kyoto shakes -- filling and actually nutritious. But my biggest saving grace: Clif bars. 250 calories, 5g fiber, 10g protein, all organic, loaded with vitamins, and actually delicious. They fill me up all morning. Check out www.clifbar.com if your grocery doens't carry them

hello everyone!
sonds like eveyone is well, i am relieved to be at home warm and cozy in my p.j.s already. just relaxing tonight. we got subway for dinner i had the grilled chicken on WW with FF dressing. it was really good. i did my work out 5x this week very proud of myself. just feeling pretty good about it all.

spores- hi! yes hop in as often as you can! good for you with the treadmill on the way! i am not real keen on exercie either but i am now giving it my best shot! it really makes me feel good after i am done. good luck with the video. you can do it!!

girlie!! great job!! that was fantastic you were able to get in so many miles this week, keep up the great work! sounds like you really like softball, i look forward to hearing about your season when it comes up! we can swap stories! if you can do 5 miles on the elliptical you should have no problem running the bases this year! great job!

holly- how nice you got to spend some time with your grandma, i bet her hair looks great! i've been getting tax stuff ready too uuuggg! i am hoping for a return this year though (fingers crossed). wasn't ER good last night? i just love abby i am so glad she is ok. i would hate to see her go from the show.

mychoice- yay!!! good for you girl!! great attitude for next week too keep up the great work!!!

suzy- good job getting more movement in your day, just small changes can make a big difference! arent boys funny? my son sounds just like that. always taking the weight of the world on his shoulders.

well i hope you all have a great weekend! if i missed anyone sorry!

Hi everyone! I'm exhausted...I can't wait to hop into bed in a few minutes. I just wanted to check in really quick - I don't think I'l be able to tomorrow. So DH and I went to dinner with his friend. His friend's favorite restaurant is what I call the "meat buffet" - it's a smokehouse buffet with mostly meat - grilled chicken, ribs, pulled pork, brisket, etc. I focused on veggies and meat but I still overate and haven't done that in a while. Stinking buffets! So I felt a little guilty and my gym closes at 11pm on the weekends, so I coaxed DH to go with me and I did another 30 minutes on the elliptical while he swam. I feel a little better, but still a little bloated. I'm probably not going to the gym tomorrow to give myself a rest, but I'll have to drink lots of water and get rid of this bloating feeling before I weigh in on Sunday!

Spores:
Good to hear from you! You will have to give me some ideas of some good contemporary fiction to read. I love girlie reads. It's hard for me to find good fiction to get lost in. Maybe I'll make a trip to the library and find some more Joyce Carol Oates. I'd say she's my fav female writer, next to Emily Dickinson for her prose. My poetry is posted on my website: http://ivomitwords.diaryland.com - it's all mine, even the design ideas. And thanks for the info on breakfasts. Yes, like like Clif bars, and Luna bars as well. I've never tried the Kashi drinks though. I'll have to check them out. Sometimes, all I need is a big glass of Silk!

Jodi:
Glad that you checked in tonite! I'm very much looking forward to softball season! Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Girlie

Doin' a Happy Dance!!!!!!!!!
Kids are at the Lake!!!!!! DS played an awesome game this morning. He stopped the puck right at the last second of the game to prevent the tie being broken. The crowd went WILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DH just made plans to go and install a dishwasher this aft and then go to a buddies for a few beers. WOOOOOHOOOOOOO-yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
This is an unexpected gift!!! The house to myself for a few hours. I will eat the food that only I like for supper.I may dance around naked, take a bubble bath and watch decorating shows to my hearts content!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The real plan is to. Get the kitchen cleaned up while listening to some good ole 70’s rock. Pull out the files. Sort. Start inputting data. Take a break. Dance around the house. Fold some laundry. Do more bookkeeping. Eat hummus and such. Have a bath. Maybe some more bookwork. Watch TLC shows and work on photo albums. Take a break. Drink a glass of wine. This will all be mostly done in flannel PJ’s.
WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! !!!!
Repeat tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

Oh the madness of it all. I must turn off the phone. LOL!!!!

Holly: OMG LOL....enjoy your day!
Geez, that still sounds like a lot of work to me for being a relaxing day.
I'm so glad for you! It's funny because that is how most of my weekends are...except today I slept in until about noon and it felt SO good! I needed that! Gosh, I had better enjoy these days until I have children!

Definitely unplug that phone and play air guitar as you dry the dishes lol!

Girlie

Hi all. Checking in from a beautiful but *cold* Saturday in Colorado...no way I'm taking a walk outside in these temperatures! I'll have to try to boogie in the warmth of my living room, which should be no trouble, as my bf broke out the vinyl and is blasting me with ELO.

Jodi: Thanx for the welcome. Glad to hear the Subway is good...I saw their TV advert the other day in which they show the 6-grams-of-fat sandwich next to the 30-grams Big Mac, and I really got thinking about how much crappy fast food I eat. Sounds like Subway is a good substitute.

Holly: Sounds like you have an awesome day planned! Naked dancing should be on everyone's daily agenda. :)

Girlie: Ack, too much meat is a killer! I spent two weeks with my parents over Christmas, and they are pretty strict vegans, and I felt so good all over after just a couple of days eating what they eat. Wow, contemporary fiction: I could go on and on. If you like Oates, check out Alice Munroe (Canadian writer of mostly short stories...spare and evocative prose), Kate Atkinson (especially her first novel "Behind the Scenes at the Museum"...funny and poingant and insightful) and the essays of Virginia Woolf (much as I love her fiction, her essays are something else). I love Dickenson too, but am not familiar with her prose. Will look it up. I tried your link and got an error page; phooey!

Okay, gotta grade a pile of essays, hopefully with activity-breaks in between!

Hi there,
I just whant to say that I am so glad that I have found you!
I am from Europe and ther are no boards on net about loosing weight. Ther are only one or two that i have found but not interesting at all. They all have to loose 20 pounds or so...that is not a problem really :)

I will track your post and I hope I will get some support here. Also I will sare my feelings and try to help anyone who is interested.

It is Saturday evening and from tomorow I will be on 500 kcal diet (I know it is strict, but I will try to do it!) and i will go to acupunture every other day, for 1/2 houre. And i feel I am scared a little, because what if i fail again? I didnt get any helthy food, so I am afraid and because of that. But tomorow is Sanday and I hope I will get organised for the next week. So, wish me luck. I hope that we all get to 199 point soon!

LOL spores!!! We used to make out to ELO at school dances way back in the day. It reminds of DR. Pepper lip gloss and a disco ball. ROFLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Giggle. I may need to find some for this aft. Shucks DH just left.


Point~ Welcome!!!!
500 cal is not enough. It will set you up for failure because you will be too hungry. If you go to the main page here or www.fitday.com you can log in your age, height weight, activity level and it will give you a healthy amount. I eat between 1500- 1800 cal and I am losing. It is slow and steady.
It is nice to have someone from Europe here!