Yey! We're back!
 

I second both the “hi hi hi hi hi!” and the “So good to see you again!”!! :lol:

Renee – so good to hear that both work and weight loss are going well! As for looking for a husband, I think you should talk to Ang about it – she seems to pick up new boyfriends very easily?? ;)
(Still waiting for the story behind that, Ang!)

It’s good news that you don’t gain weight back when you’re eating off your diet, Renee. How is your sister doing? Is she doing just as well as you on her diet?
Love your weight loss goal for 2005!

As for the holiday binge: I consider the feast over now! We’ll get back to normal now, right??? I spent the Christmas weekend with my mother – and did (surprisingly!) not gain any weight. But I did get back to the gym today for 45 minutes of cardio – (I felt really great after: A big “Yey!” for endorphins!) - and I’ll do weights tomorrow!

Hope everybody is having a great day! :)

Wow!
 

Hi Ladies - you both are just what I needed. It's good to be back and I hope we can continue to keep in touch even with our busy schedules.

First to respond to your posts...

I am so glad you are both doing so well. I am sooooo happy for you and sad for myself at the same time. I hope to get motivated and inspired by both of you. More on me later....

mette - It sounds like you had a good semester and a very interesting one coming up. I still envy you being at school. I miss school so much. This real world stuff isn't all that it's cracke dup to be. :?: Your 'assignment' for next semester sounds very interesting. I can also understand your apprehension though. What are your goals with these people? When do you start?

Congratulations to both of you on not gaining weight over the holidays. I think it is a testament to how you have 'conditioned' your bodies. I guess dedication does pay off. mette - good foryou for getting right back to the gym Renee - I think we need to take a cue from mette and get to the gym ourselves. I did just agree to get a treadmill from this guy in town who is giving an old one away for free. You can only walk on it but that should be better than nothing (which is what I am doing right now). The weather here is really cold and I think I have SAD (seasonal affective disorder) so I need to do something. I'm hoping having the treadmill in the house will help me get moving at least a little during the week. We'll see.

mette - how was your visit with your mother? Did you have a good time? Renee - what did you do for the holidays?

Renee - I can't believe how well you have done with your weight loss - congratulations! :cheer: Are you still doing a modified South Beach Diet? What happened at work that all of the stress is gone? I think it's great though. Life must be so much better without stress at work. Your goal definitely sounds reasonable - the weight one that is. :lol: Of course getting a husband is reasonable but definitely not easy - regardless of how easy I may seem to find boyfriends - I always seem to find the ones with problems.

Shoot - it's getting late but I want to give you a brief update. I finally got sick of not getting anything from my bf and got him to sit down and talk to me. He told me everything I had guessed...too much stress at work, not happy with himself, nothing to give to a relationship.... ok, no surprise but why he couldn't tell me 6 months ago I don't know. We broke up because I want more and he can't give it and wasn't giving me any indication that anything was going to change, ever. We are still 'friends' and plan to do the farming together in the spring. I'm not sure if he has totally giving up on us but for now not too much has changed in his life and he isn't making any moves these days to see me so I've given up...unfortunately there is still some sick connection I have with him but that's a different story that I can't explain but need to deal with soon.

Meanwhile, the farmer (that old man I leased my garden from - I hope you remember) had two strokes and he is not doing well. I am dong my best to help out with that situation and it is a mess. Not important for here and too strange to explain in less than 10 pages. Let's just say the police are involved and it is a mess. I'm just trying to be a friend to the old man while he is in the hospital (on his way to a nursing home forever :( ). After his first stroke (about 3 months ago) his nephew came back into his life. At this time I had gotten rid of bf and this guy showed a lot of interest. We are seeing each other. He has his issues (a big one or two) but he seems like a good guy and he really seems to care about me. He makes time to see me and does everything for me that he can. He is almost opposite to the last bf. He is a bit older than me (46 compared to 40 for the last bf) but wants to have more children. Yes, he has two sons (14 and 16). Here's the bad part - please no judging - he is still married. He has been 'separated' (although still living in house) for ~8 months and will be moving out within the next 2 weeks (if he doesn't he is history). I'm trying to be patient and trying to not feel completely terrible for what is happening. He swears the marriage was over way before he met me, but still.

Believe it or not that's the short version of my story. Feel free to inquire about any part of it. The bottom line is that the stress of deadlines at work combined with the stresses at home (personal relationships and trying to removate my old house) and the cold and dark weather have made me stop exercising and I have started binging again. I have gained about 10 pounds and don't fit into my pants and I'm terrified. I don't know if I have anything to wear to work tomorrow that fits. I know I need to just go to the store and buy a couple of things that are bigger to wear for now. I just didn't want to admit that it had gotten this bad. I'm scared and it just makes me eat more and move less.

I can really use the support of friends and hope that the two of you have time for this thread again. I can use the help and I know it helps me to be able to be there to support others too. So welcome back and Happy New Year to us!

I think we can keep this thread alive and give each other support, too! I have really missed the routine of daily checking in and being kept accountable! I want ‘The Pact’ and 3FC back as a daily habit again.

Ang – you really have had a stressful couple of months. Sorry about your neighbor, does this mean that you can lose the garden next summer? If he goes to a nursing home and the farm is sold?
I’m sorry about your breakup with the ex-bf too – but it was reasonable to break-up since you didn’t get what you wanted from the relationship, wasn’t it? The nephew /new bf sounds like a nice guy, and you probably could use a man who’s ready to commit to you. As for him being married, Ang – just take care of yourself: as long as you’re not too patient and don’t wait around too long for him – and as long as he actually moves out from his wife – being married in itself doesn’t make him a bad guy. I’m wondering about becoming a stepmother for two teenage boys though! That sounds challenging! ;)

I’m so sorry to hear you’re binging and feeling out of control with your eating. I know I’ve been there too, and it takes a bit of time and some slow steps to get everything back together again. You’re completely right that you need to start with getting hold of clothes that fit you: You really don’t need the extra stress of not having clothes to wear at work! So one small step could be to get some new clothes.
And coming here every day and write posts can be another small step. To write about it will start you thinking about it again, and with that: thinking about solutions too. It’s good to write about the stress in our lives, and then getting feedback and support from others. It’s great to have others cheering you on, and that’s exactly what we can do for each other here! :D

I do know I’m lucky being at school, I’m sure I’ll miss it a lot when I start working again.
As for my hospital practice this spring; I think it’ll start the last week of January but I’m meeting my supervisor/adviser next week. I’ve just talked to him on the phone so far, but he seemed nice enough, and I think he’ll give me some reading assignments – so that I can prepare a little. I think the work I’ll be doing deals with how patients better can handle living with chronic pain, and also working with the psychological ramifications of being critically ill. So yes: scary stuff!

As for exercising – walking on the treadmill sounds like an excellent idea! Something you can do indoor, and perhaps while doing other stuff like watching TV (with headphones) or listening to music or books. Have you tried light therapy for your SAD? I hear many benefits from it.

The Christmas weekend with my mother was OK, but it’s very nice to be back home again. How is your mother doing, Ang? Did you spend Christmas with your parents, and did you enjoy it?

I’ve been to the gym doing legs today. I actually did 110lbs squats today!!! It’s a new record for me, and it feels really great to become stronger. I still miss other girls in the weight room at the gym though.
Have a nice day everybody – I’m going to enjoy my vacation and play some Sims2 and watch some old X-files episodes from season 6.

Hey there ladies. Woo I was hoping that the activity I saw was going to keep going. Yaay.

I am so tired today, just blah and bleary and groggy and want to curl back up in bed. Ang- I totally believe I have SAD too, though I've never gone through the effort of seeing a doctor, mostly because I asked work once if they'd bother doing anything to help me through it and they said no. (Like, I work in the inner most office that has no windows, and looks into the hall that has no windows, etc etc. - when there is an unused window office down the hall!) Our winter has been exceptionally grey. In fact, I think we've had about ten sunny days since Oct. >.< It just zaps me! As for the nephew thing, I tend to agree with what Mette already said. My brother married a woman who had two teenagers, and they being the spoiled angry sort, give him nothing but grief. So it's a big big decision. Just make sure that he is interested in you for you, and not as a way out of the other thing. :( Sometimes guys can be a little slow.

Mette- You really need to clue us in on your secrets of this gym going thing. Between the grey days, the freezing temperatures, I get in my car and want to race straight home. No WAY am I going to go someplace to get all sweaty and then go back out in the cold :) Though I know I would benefit SO much at this point in things, by going.

I am starting to get impatient about the last 5lbs I need to lose before finding horse back riding lessons. But I also don't want to cheat and go early because I want to teach myself to be accountable towards my goals.

In other things, my poor stomach has been off for a week. I feel constantly bloated and tender tummied. I think that my lack of good food has clogged me up a bit or something. A serious lack of fiber and veggies I guess. :( I get cracvings, but never feel hungry.

The SB diet... yah, way modified as of late. :lol: I still follow the basic 'avoid bad carbs' thing. And if they don't offer good carbs (many places don't) then it's a 'choose whatever has the least amount of those bad carbs'. To be honest though, I really can't say we've followed it much at all these past weeks. Though we really have given up on potatoes and french fries and junk.

Anyway, back to doing nothing at work. :)

It just dawned on me that today is Tuesday. Since I worked from home yesterday my schedule is all off - in a good way at least. :)

The good thing about the garden is that the property is actually part of an estate for the famiily. The newphew will be getting the house and moving in there. He is actually getting some renovations done next week so he can move out of his house. At least he is making progress. I don't doubt that he will physically be away from his house/wife very soon. The bottomline is that he has already told us (3 people) that we are welcome to do our gardens again this year. Planning for that is actually getting underway now and it is one of the bright spots of this winter.

I agree with both of you that I need to be careful about the bf situation. After he moves out we can be more public and I will be able to meet his children. Only time will tell how it goes. Luckily they are not that young and they are pretty independent. I doubt he would even have actual custody of them - just visits and stuff. Time will tell with all of that too. I'll keep you posted. For now I'm just trying to enjoy the time together and the help he is giving me in renovated my house. Did I mention that he is VERY handy?

My life definitely needs an overhaul. I agree that small steps are the only way to go. I'm going to get to the store this week then I will try to start thinking about the next step. One thing at a time I think.

mette - good luck with your supervisor. Maybe reading a little will help you feel more secure in the situation.

I spent the holiday with family, including my mother. She is doing well. She still has a little trouble with her foot (slow to heal) but otherwise she is back to status quo. She is supposed to come visit again later in January so that will be good. It was nice to see my niece and nephew. I don't see many kids around here and they are so loving and it doesn't take much to make them happy. It's a nice change.

Good job mette on getting to the gym today. Another squat record - bravo! :bravo: Are there girls in other parts of the gym? Maybe you could convince some to join you in the weight room. I think if women could see other women lifitng they would feel more secure about joining. I know I would.

Renee - are you feeling sick today or just a little run down?

I don't know that I actually have SAD but I get the symptoms every year at the same time. I haven't ever tried conventional light therapy but I have had UV lights and I always keep a lot of extra lights on in the house. I am thinking of investing in a broad spectrum light. Renee - have you ever thought of getting a broad spectrum light for your office? It's too bad your work isn't more accommodating. I am lucky to have a window but it doesn't do enough good.

Amen to Renee's thoughts on going to the gym after work. It's hard enough to stop and run errands if I have to.

Renee - maybe you could use the horseback riding lessons as an incentive to get moving. As you get close to your goal weight it is going to be harder and harder to lose without exercising. You've done so well without exercising, you could be at goal weight in no time if you were moving too. Could you try a small goal (even 15 minutes)? Could you do a videotape inside?

I also have intestinal issues when I don't eat right. Do you eat cereal? Fiber One has an incredible amount of fiber for very little volume. It usually doesn't take me more than a few days for my stomach to feel better after eating better. Exercise helps with that too - btw. :D

Enjoy your day off mette and Renee, enjoy doing nothing at work - that sounds nice too. I guess I know why there is no stress at work - there's no work. :lol:

I have a paper due by Thursday so I'm totally stressed. Better get back to it.

Hi guys. I’m back for my daily check-in. It hasn’t been that hard for me to go back to my normal eating after the Big Christmas Week Binge; I’ve had some cravings for sugar and sweets, especially at nights, this week – but I’ve done OK with my eating. So that’s a good thing.

The secrets of getting to the gym? Well, actually, studies show that 75 percent of the people exercising in the morning are still exercising one year later, while only 50 percent of the people exercising at noon, and only 25 percent of the people who wait until the end of the day, are still exercising one year later.
So maybe you could try exercising before work, and see how that works for you?
It’s also about creating habits: it takes at least eight weeks, and usually more, for behavioral changes to develop. And discipline and habits don’t just appear – at least not for me ;) – they are created and solidified through actions and performing the wanted behavior. It’s just by making yourself exercise for more than 8 weeks you will be on your way to making it a habit.
Not the magic answer you would have wanted, is it? So far I’ve found no easy solutions – but I’ll let you know if I do, OK? :D (If you find an easier way, I want to hear about it too….)
I also like Ang’s suggestion: exercising at home, maybe using a video or a couple of dumbbells.

Ang – a handy bf when you’re living in an old house sounds like a dream come true!!! Good for you! :D It’s also good to hear that your mother is doing well.

As for other women at the gym – there are some, but they seem happy staying with the machines in the ‘common’ area of the gym. Besides, since I work out in the morning there aren’t many people there, and it could be more women in the weight room in the afternoon or at night. It’s just that if I should rely on getting to the gym after a full day of work/studying/reading/doing stuff – I would never get there either. It’s just like you guys are saying. The gym is crowded and uncomfortable in the afternoon, you’re hungry and tired, and it would be so much more tempting and easy to just go straight home from school or work.

I really recommend trying to exercise in the morning: it feels so good when you’re done, and it’s still morning and you have the whole day before you, and you don’t have to think about exercising anymore that day. It feels great!
Don’t you agree, Ang? You used to run in the mornings when you were at school didn’t you?

And also: Good luck on your paper, Ang!

In the morning? >.< Oh dear that would be so awful! I start work at 8:30 so need to leave the house by 8:00 which means my alarm goes off at 7:45. I take my showers at night, so morning is just up, dress, teeth, hair, fly. It takes me like 45 minutes to actually be brain-awake though, so I can't imagine getting up at like 6am to go get sweaty and move. That'd also mean I'd have to go to bed earlier, and so it still cuts time out of MY day for doing what I want. It's so awful. I don't think this exercise thing is going to work until I stop seeing it as the enemy of fun. I am bitter towards it!! :lol:

I could maybe do a video tape at home. I've done the Zumba tape twice, and actually kind of enjoyed it, but it's hard to find room to actually do the moves and stuff as they are intended. We'll see.

Riding will be a form of exercise, but at once a week, just not enough. And once spring hits, I will have Softball too. But until then? Gah. And winter doesn't help. I used to at least sometimes, skate during my lunch, or go for walks, or bike rides after work. Can't do that when it's only 15 degrees out. :(

Well, today is another insanely boring day at work and I am getting stir crazy. At least I don't have a sweet tooth today, so I am avoiding the sweets alright for now.
I suppose I could eat my lunch early, then go do shopping at lunch.

Hmm, I'll come back and write more later.

Hey there. I'm getting my butt kicked by this paper so this will be short.

mette - what are you doing to combat your cravings? I am been eating way too much chocolate these days. I know it has to stop but I seem to have no will power. It's comforting.

I agree that the morning is best for exercise. I was able to do it before school because I had a flexible schedule. I don't think I can get up at 6am now though to exercise before work. Maybe it just comes down to what I want most. mette - what time do you get up to workout?

Renee - you're lucky you get to sleep so late. I get up at 7am and count myself lucky for that time. I think the key thing about exercise is to do something fun that also is exercise. I tried aerobics classes, for instance, and hated them so I didn't stick with it. I love to ride my bike though so it's easy to get out. I guess you could say the same thing about farming. As for the videos - if you don't have enough room just do the best you can and modify the moves. The important thing is that you are moving, not that you are duplicating them perfectly (I've gone through this too.). The key is to do something, even if its only for a short time. Do you have stairs at work or long hallways?

I guess I should heed my own advice. I didn't walk at lunch today because I had an appointment and then I didn't want to get all muddy. The snow is starting to melt and mixes with the sand. Yuck!

I wanted to let you both know that I had a long talk with ex-bf yesterday. It was nice to talk to him and I shared a lot of things with him about how I felt about our relationship and what happened. It began the closure and I really need that. Closure is so important and I never got that. He also guessed that I was seeing someone else and I confirmed that for him. He was not very happy about it. I think he hoped I would wait around forever for him. I just couldn't do that without some reason to beleive that things would be good on the other end. I'm sorry I hurt him but it had to be done. He didn't call today even though he said he would. I guess I'll have to wait and see if he truly wants to be friends and do the farm or if he was just trying to keep me around for something more. I just don't understand why I can't let him go easily. Why do we have to love the ones that are bad for us?

Enjoy your afternoons.

OK, so maybe this morning exercise isn’t for everyone…. :p

Looking for a fun exercise??? Weightlifting is fun!!! What’s the fun of weightlifting? It’s lifting more and becoming stronger every week! For the first months your strength improves really fast. And it’s fun!! Really it is!!! :D
(Or perhaps it’s an acquired taste? (heh…))

Renee – doing videos at home sounds like a good idea until spring comes around and you can do outdoor stuff! Sometimes it’s just about getting through the winter…

I get up at 6:25 to get to the gym when they open at 7 when I work out in the mornings. I get out of bed, get dressed in gym clothes, have a shake (yogurt, banana, protein powder), and walk to the gym. I work out for maybe an hour – depending on how much cardio I do (and have time for). Classes and lectures normally start around 9, so it gives me time to shower, change and eat breakfast before the day starts. The best thing about it is that when I get to class I’ve already finished working out for the day.

Ang – I think your attitude toward exercising is very good. I also think it’s about doing *something*, no matter how little to start with. Small steps, building habits, and all that – I totally agree.
And good for you that you are starting to let go of the ex-bf. It’s probably good for both of you that he knows you have moved on and are seeing somebody else, and that you’re not waiting around for him anymore. Good for you, Ang! I know you loved him, and that he cared for you too, and that letting go is hard. But it still sounds as if you’re doing well – and that you remember that you never got what you wanted from the relationship.

Oh yes, chocolate is very comforting. As a drug it works perfect! It comforts us, makes us feel better, and makes us feel taken cared of, warm, and safe. It sometimes seems to get associated with every good and warm feeling you have when you’re eating it. It’s not until later the self-blaming, guilt, and shame appears.
When I have cravings for chocolate I usually eat it; but I don’t eat much, and the chocolate I eat is the really dark, bitter, and sugar free type. I love dark chocolate with coffee, and it’s not a type of chocolate that triggers binging or overeating – because it tastes so rich.
Sometimes, if I don’t want to eat chocolate, I substitute the cravings with other things - like fruit, berries, smoothies, nuts, etc. What I’ve found is that for the substitute to work it has to feel luxurious and feel like a treat, because that’s the whole point for me. Carrots will not do. But smoothies made of frozen blueberries and vanilla yogurt sometimes will, and warm blackberries with vanilla yogurt sometimes will. It must feel like a treat, like a reward, like something good I give myself.
If the cravings still don’t go away, I’ll usually try to ignore them – and see if it passes. Right now – in winter - I’ll try to drink some hot spicy tea. I’ll try to eat some real food to see if it goes away. I’ll try doing something else, keeping busy.

I just became very obvious to me – writing this down - that I actually have a lot of good strategies for dealing with cravings. And along the way, I’ve sort of figured out things that work for me.
How do you guys deal with cravings? Do you do some of the things I do? Do you do other things?

Well. I went to the gym and did upper body today. And my record for the day is bench pressing a complete set of 75lbs! My ultimate goal is to bench press my body weight – but that is a long time away (besides I still got at least 20lbs to lose – so I’m aiming for somewhere around 160lbs – but that’s still more than double what I lift now). It’s possibly a goal for 2006. For 2005 I want to lift my bodyweight in squats (not too far off there! :D ).

Hope you both have a great day!

Wow benching 75 is really impressive for a girl! I remember in high school I did a weight lifting class, and it was the squats I was great at. I think I squatted 230 by the end of the semester, and the coach would always embarass me. I remember his words as if they happened yesterday! - "See fella's that's the kind of girl you want to marry, the kind that can carry the cows home!" I actually really enjoyed weight lifting in high school, but when I do stuff at the gym, I am doing it because I have to, not because I want to. Do you take a notepad with or something? That you write down what you've done, what weight and how many reps? Maybe if I documented my session I'd get more into it. But then I'd feel like a dork in there with my little notepad.

Slowly starting to get back on the eating track, and lordy do I need to. The digestive system has reached an all time slow, and things are just uncomfortable all around. To the point where I am afraid I am going to hurt myself trying to get past them. (What delicate choices of words haha!) :lol: I drink a lot of water, but haven't had veggies or fruits in literally, weeks. Maybe I should start taking some metamucil until I get better on the eating my fiber stuff.

Hoping to get out of work early. It's slow today, so so slow. And I think, maybe, if I am feeling good, and I get out of work early enough, I may try to go to the gym for a bit. Or I could rush home to play my video games. Gah. I am so bad.

Ang- I know how hard it is dealing with the ex stuff. My best friend was a guy, for seven years we were best friends, though he always wanted more. When he pulled the 'we have to be more than this, or nothing at all' I caved in and gave it a shot. Things went awful and it cascaded into a total falling out, which I don't think will ever be repaired. I still 'love' him as a best friend, so it's hard to swallow the pill that you might not be able to interact with them anymore. In time it gets better though, and you move on. Hang in there and be patient.

Mette- I think we should crown you as motivational ringleader for the time being! Reading your suggestions and watching how excited you are about your lifting always makes me want to go do it! I just need to read this forum at the end of the day, instead of the morning when I am stuck at work!

Today was one of my McDonalds breakfast days. I love their burritoes, and while high in fat, they aren't too high in bad carbs. I allow myself to have them twice a week and today was my second one. Of course, with the other issues going on, it sort of hit my tummy hard, so I am trying to guzzle the water. Like you girls said, when you are uncomfortable, chocolate is comforting and we have tins full in the work kitchen. This is very bad! :p I shall try to stay put.

Well, I will likely not check back in until Monday - so have a safe and happy new year!

I talked with my bf and we are going to check out the YMCA tomorrow. If it is 'satisfactory' then he may join with me. If we schedule times to go together I know I'll stick with it. I'll let you know how it goes.

I went and bought a pair of pants yesterday. At least they fit well enough that I am not too uncomfortable. I guess I should get at least one more and in the meantime loss some weight so I can wear the closet full of clothes I already own.

mette - you definitely seem to have figured out eating for yourself. These days I tend to give in to cravings. Now that the holidays are ending I need to remove the sweets from my house. In the past I have tried to substitute. I like this fat free pudding and I have picked up a couple of things from the SBD book. My problem is more emotional eating. When I get upset I don't employ my good tactics, therefore I am working on improving my emotional/mental well being.

Congratulations mette on the gym. 75lbs benching is great. I think goals are good for exercise and eating. What weight are you at for squats?

Renee - in the past when I've been to the gym there were lots of people writing down things. The ones who were haphazard about it were the ones who didn't look as impressive.

How about going to the gym and then going home to play games? You can do both. I just got back from a 30 minute walk. Except that my feet hurt because I am not in the right shoes, it was good to get out.

I agree that this forum is very motivational. Renee - you and I can definitely learn a thing or two from mette.

Good luck staying away from the chocolate Renee and Happy New Year.

Gotta finish this paper. See you later.

Just a short one today!

Renee – wow girl, you should really consider to start weightlifting again! You’re very strong, and doing 230lbs squats is very impressive!!! And if lifting weights was something you enjoyed – well, this could really be something you’d like.
And I *always* bring a notepad and pencil to the gym: I write down how much I lift, how many reps I do – and I follow the same program every week. This is the way I measure my progress – and it wouldn’t be half the fun without it!!
Do I look like a dork? I don’t think so actually. Instead I look like someone who takes her weightlifting serious – and you know, Jessica said something important to me when I first started going to the gym: she said that people never notice you as much as you think they do. And it’s true: they’re too busy worrying how they look or appear.
I really think you should consider giving weightlifting another try Renee – you might actually find something you really enjoy!

Ang – hope you and the bf liked and joined the YMCA: an exercise buddy makes it so much easier to get into a routine.

I’m at 110lbs for squats this week – so I’m way off Renee’s record (yet). When I started in August I did 45lbs, so I’m happy with my progress – and my goal for 2005 is to squat my own body weight (depending on how much I weigh by December I suppose…).

Talk to you both later. Wish you both a happy new year!

I hope you both had a Happy New Year. I spent a quiet evening with bf. It was nice. Yesterday was unproductive though, except for visiting my friend in the hospital. Today I'm in a quandry. I am not normally one of those people that makes New Year's resolutions but it seems that you can't help taking stock in your life at least a little bit.

Bf and I liked the Y but he doesn't really want to join from where he lives now - too far away. I'm reluctant to join myself because I'm afraid I won't go enough and I can't afford to waste the money.

I feel like I'm living too much in the moment and really need to take stock in what I want for my future, at least for this year. Things are starting to roll fast with the farming stuff and it takes time and money just to plan and who knows what's going to be happening...just so much that involves so many people and I'm in the middle. It's just hard.

mette - it seems that you have made awesome progress at the gym. The Y has nautilus machines - I don't really know what they are but they give you a lesson when you join. I guess I need to check out Krista's site again to try to make a plan for lifting.

Renee - how did things go at work on Thursday? Were you able to stay away from the chocolate?

What did you ladies do for the New Year?

How are your new years going? Today was a typical Monday. I did get in a little walk at lunch before I had a very tough talk with bf that put me in tears. To be fair, I was already emotional about some other stuff so he just sent me over the edge. Eating still terrible but a little walking better than nothing. I also went for a short run yesterday. It was cold and I wasn't dressed properly but it was still good to get out. I think I ran about 1.5 miles and then walked about 0.5 miles. The cold air and the lunch I ate prior to the run kind of made my stomach and lungs hurt.

I spent most of tonight on the phone with friends and then doing a little laundry and cleaning. I wish I could just get the gumption to clean before 10pm. What do you think is up with that? Now it's 11:30pm and I'm wide awak but have to get up in the morning to go to work. Hmmm....I definitely don't understand myself and doubt I ever will. Oh well.

How are you ladies?

Hi Ang! I’m here! I haven’t gone anywhere!!! :D

My New Year celebration was rather quiet too; I was watching reruns of Buffy when the New Year came around. .

I haven’t tried nautilus machines, but they're all about building strength, aren’t they? Did you like the people at the Y? Did you like the place? Do you see it as a place you could enjoy working out?
I think you're doing well with your exercise: *both* a run and a walk! Good for you! And remember: Baby steps, Ang! :^:

I spent yesterday with friends I haven’t seen all Christmas, so there was a lot of coffee and a lot of talking going on.
I’ve also started reading up on SPSS, one of the statistical programs we’re using – I’m trying to save my self some problems by actually learning how I best can use it. Trying to learn it properly for once… ;)

Hope you’re feeling better, Ang. Hang in there! :grouphug: