Hi there,

I'm new to the site and want to lose 50 more pounds. I've lost 17 so far, but I have a ways to go to reach my goal. Do you mind if I join in your group? It seems like the place I'd belong. You all seem to be in the same place I am. I want to hit 189 (like tomorrow) and am going to make my 12/31/04 goal 179. I'm losing weight slowly so that would be quite a challenge. I'd sure love it though.

Earlier in all the posts, one of you asked about Dance videos. Now don't laugh, I like Richard Simmons old stuff. Half because he's a little odd and makes me laugh and the other half is the music. Anyways, the reason I bring it up is that I wanted more variety so I looked on Ebay and found lots of his tapes and ordered them for about $3 each (with shipping). So I got to try out 7 tapes - I dislike 4 of them - and it was cheap. So Ebay is my recommendation for cheap videos so your not stuck paying a lot. I plan to sell the 4 I don't like on Ebay and maybe I'll break even. Who knows?

Have a great day everyone.
Marie

Hi Marie, I'm just checking in again before I call it a night. Maybe dance videos are the way I can fit in exercise with my busy house. Good idea. It would be great to have you join us. I look forward to "chatting" with you.

Good Morning,

Thank you tiredoffat for the welcome. Tips for busy moms hummmmm, nope i just wing it most of the time........lol My hubby and I have often said that we should just sell our house because we are never home. My kids are in a variety of sports and extra activities that they have to be taken to, mainly my daughter she plays rep hockey and I am the manager and trainer for her team so we are on the go at least days a week for that then the paperwork I need to do at home.....ughhhhh

Well I haven't had alot of success so far trying "fad" diets so bascially for me it is a eat less, move more diet. I have a friend that did Atkins and she looks amazing but I just can't eat that way. So I want to be able to eat something if I want it without thinking "oh great I have to start all over". Just to say "I hope it was worth it" and move on.

You have all had just great success, what are you doing????

Well gotta get ready for work you all have a great day.

Kim

Boy Hockey, I'd love to be 160 by 2/25 too. 2/14 is my 46th birthday. Like you, I spend lots of time taxiing the boys to and from sports and school events. They're happy and involved so I wouldn't want it any way. I keep a lot of seltzer in my car and sugarless gum and eat and drink that when I need too. I'm following a calorie counting diet. I try to stick with about 1500 a day. Also, before school started (I'm a teacher) I was exercising a lot. Now I try to fit it in when I can and hope to do better at this because I know it's important. Thanks for checking in. Have a good day.

210/186/150

Hello ladies, and welcome Kim and Marie. I know I'm a little late with my welcome but hey, I haven't been in much lately so better late than never right?

I've spent the last week trying to help figure out what happened to my friend during the last hour of her life. Her mother is desperate to know considering a few stories aren't matching up. She suspects someone isn't telling the whole truth. I'm trying my best to help her but it's an uphill battle, very time consuming. I'm just happy I can be there for her. She is such a sweet lady, this whole thing has been so hard on her, well, all of us really. So that's where I've been.

I did go to the gym today, my DET is:
1 Hour Eliptical
45 Mins Circuit Training
I know I said I was going to start my workout routine this past Monday, but to be quite honest, I couldn't work up the nerve to go. That's the last place I saw Inge and I will admit my visit today was an emotional one. I pushed through it though and focused all of the emotion on my workout. During my circuit training I was lifting weights like a mad woman, much heavier than usual. I will make myself go back again tomorrow. I weighed myself while I was there, still 176. My eating habits are almost back to where they were prior to this ordeal so I feel better. I still expect to gain some of the weight back soon. But if not, that's okay too:). I'll just keep pushing.

TOF, I'm sorry I wasn't here for you when you were having a meltdown (as I like to call them). I'm glad your husband took care of the soccer thing so you could have some time to yourself. You really deserve it considering everything you do. Don't get discouraged. Your course will be over in December and things will be less stressfull. Not too much longer, you can do it!

Skinny, I'm so glad your girls weekend went well! I'm sure everyone was impressed by your weight loss, I know I am! Way to hold off on the cookies and kisses! You're doing great!

Well, that's it for me ladies. I need to go get my boys ready for bed. Goodnight!

Hey tired our stats are very close. Lets do it!!!!

Thanks for the welcome reds, it was your original post that hit close to home for me and inspired me to get my butt moving and following through all the posts....wow you have just done amazing. Keep up the great work.

Did pretty good yesterday, my hubby even bought me flowers to reward me for day 2 of exercise....gotta luv him eh......lol

Well gotta get moving for work.

You all have a great day!!!!

Good morning, ladies
 

Yes, it's me-I know I've been absent for a few days but I've been fighting a stomach virus! Yuck! Since I haven't been able to eat anything but crackers and soup for a couple days, my eating has been going well! :D Perhaps I need to weigh in this week!! :) I'm feeling better and more like myself today. Maybe not 100% yet but close.

Kim and Marie-welcome, welcome, welcome! How great to have you both! I hope we will inspire you to reach for your best self. The support on this board is phenom! You both sound like pretty busy ladies. That seems to be par for the course for us ladies these days, doesn't it? Anyway, welcome to the board. Congrats on your weight loss and exercise program thus far. Hang in there. Believe me, it's worth it.

Reds-good to have you back. You're such a kind person to help Inge's mother through this difficult time. I'm sure you will be blessed. Hang in there and let yourself feel what you need to feel. It looks like you're getting back on track w/exercising and eating properly. Good for you. That's one of the best things you can do. Hang in there. Be sure to let us know your needs so we may encourage and lift you up! :grouphug:

TOF-sounds like you're making great eating choices! WAY TO GO! Isn't it wonderful to fit into clothes you'd all but given up on? I have an outfit that I can fit in the pants but it's still tight around the arms. So, I'm hoping my new exercises I've added at the Y will help w/those little bat wings! :D It sounds like you're handling your stresses pretty well now. Just remember to be kind to you. Do you like hot teas? I find them very relaxing-especially when I drink them right before bedtime. Helps me sleep better. I tried a pumpkin spice tea at the B&B. It was yummy! Hang in there! Proud of you!

Someone had asked about tips for busy moms-can't remember who-but here are some things that help me:
1- organize, organize, organize! Do as much as possible in the evening so you don't feel rushed in the morning. I lay out my clothes, set out breakfast dishes/cereal, etc. I hate feeling rushed in the morning.
2- time yourself. I set a timer for drying my hair and putting on make up. When the timer goes off, I stop. (this has lead to some rather interesting make-up looks but you never know-might start a new trend!) :)
3- delegate! For some reason, I tend to think I can do everything myself. Well, unless you're wonder woman, this is impossible. I make a chore chart for my kids, give them a time frame and consequences if chores are not done. Sometimes I put the weekly chores in a hat and let them draw out three chores a piece. That way it's "fair." I also ask my hubby to help. He's really good about that.
4- Get up a little earlier in the morning. Now, the reason I do this is so I will have some time to exercise and do devotions. It gives me some quiet time before the busyness of the day begins.
5- LET GO. The dishes do NOT have to be done before you go to bed. My family calls me the OCD sister so it's not an easy thing for me to leave dishes in the sink.
6- Choose wisely-if it comes to spending time w/ family or washing those dishes or dusting the living room, choose family. Someday, our houses will be spotless and then we'll get grandkids! hee, hee.

Hope those help some. Just some pointers from someone who has learned some things the hard way.

Have a great health day! Take care of you.

Oh-Marie-I like Richard Simmons as well! Right now, I do his blast off and his love to stretch. I'm borrowing a couple tapes from a friend to see how I like them so I'll know whether or not to buy them. He cracks me up but he's doing something right-he's been healthy for a long time. :D

Hello ladies! I just wanted to stop in and say hello. I second the "hot tea" motion, it has a very relaxing effect, especially before bed. I drink a tea called "Sweet Dreams". It has chamomile flowers, hibiscus flowers,(yes, I'm reading the package :) ) peppermint leaves, rose blossoms, spearmint leaves and orange blossoms. Works great.

I'm so glad everyone is doing so well. I know we all have hectic schedules and things pulling us in a hundred different directions but we're all managing and that's a good thing (sorry, had to quote Martha Stewart :) ).

Time to put on my "cook" hat and fix some dinner for my boys. Have a great night ladies!

hello
 

Reds-I used to serve "sleepy time" tea to my girls when they were small. We'd all drink a cup and sit around and read together. Even now, at 15 and 13, they sometimes still request some sleepy time tea.

No cook hat for me tonight. My DH has plans to take the girls out to eat and I am meeting a friend to catch up on life! Then, coffee and dessert at my house. Just a choc. chip cookie so I figure it won't blow it for me. Besides, I ate crackers for three straight days-I figure it will all balance out! :D

Well, just wanted to ck in before signing off for the night. Have a great evening. Take care of you!

Susan

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the great welcome. I feel like I found the right place for me. I'd been falling off the wagon (more like dragging my feet on the ground) up until last week. I knew I need to be around people that were in the same boat I was. I needed motivation and boy, this site has it.

I don't know about evereyone else, but I get very motivated to stay good every day when I see others doing so well - losing weight and exercising. It helps in the day to day motivation. If I'm feeling like cheating, all I have to do is read some of the posts and I get a tad jealous when others have lost more than me. So lurking and posting is great for me.

Hi everyone. I just read all the wonderful posts. There's so much positive energy. Thanks for all your well wishes - I'm in a much better place this week. I'm actually caught up at work finally! The start of the school year is always crazy. I finally feel like I have a good feeling about the children in the class and how they learn so a pattern has emerged. I'm going to study all weekend for the course and my husband is going to pitch in - no company or have tos this weekend (at least none that I know of).

Good food day. I've been using the crock pot. It's so great to come home to a delicious smelling dinner. Tonight we had beef stew. I'm not sure about the cals however, but I browned the meat in a little olive oil, then placed it in the crock pot with some red wine, balsamic vinegar, water and lots of spices. Then I added onions, sweet potatoes (first time I've done that), potatoes, mushrooms and lots of carrots. I thought I cooked it a little too long, but it still tasted great. The reason I don't think it was that many calories is the way I feel now - if I eat a lot of a calorie high food I usually feel really fat-full (not good), but this was just enough to fill me up with lots of veggies, delicious broth and some protein (meat).

To top of the meal I had my very low cal ice cream substitute - a frozen strawberry drink. Simply place frozen strawberries with water in the blender, blend and it makes a very tasty, very low cal, same texture as ice cream drink.

Thanks for the tea tips and mom tips. Very, very helpful. Thanks for all the positive energy. I check in to keep me on track and I get so much more than that. I hope I can give as much back. Have a great night.

Good morning, ladies
 

Hope everyone is having a good health day. I got back on track w/my exercise this morning! Yeah. I'm glad to finally be feeling good enough to do it! Good food day yesterday and off to a good start this morning. :)

My girls go to their dad's this weekend so DH and I have a date for tomorrow. Yeah. It's been a while since we've had more than a few seconds alone together outside the bedroom so it will be good to just visit!

I'm considering dropping my Weds. night Bible study and WI and just going w/what we do here. Reason: our youth leaders are wonderful but inexperienced. I thought it might help them to have someone w/some experience helping them. I'll run it past them first as I don't want to overstep any boundaries or hurt any feelings.

Well, time to get to work. You know me, though, must have my coffee! :coffee: Have a great day!

P. S. search for motivatedmoms on your internet for a yearly schedule of chores that keeps you on top of everything and keeps you from having to do spring/fall cleaning. It costs about $7.00 to download. I plan on using it as soon as I get my closet organizer fixed and my bedroom back in order.

Goodmorning ladies! I wanted to stop in before I head to the gym and wish you all a wonderful day full of healthy choices. Stay focused gals! We can do it!

Good evening. So nice to hear from everyone. A fairly good eating day. I did give in to a couple of glasses of wine tonight and boy did that taste good. I think it was the field trip today that made me want a bit of relaxation. It's study, study, study this weekend which hopefully I'll get into. I'm going to bed early tonight to get ready.

Great job getting to the gym Reds and Skinny - Once this course is over that's where I'm putting the time. The gym. I spoke to a woman recently who told me she'd support my efforts for training for the Danskin Triathlon. I heard it's lots of fun especially for first timers. They're held all over the country. Any interest? As you've probably noticed I'm a big dreamer and I'm always thinking ahead for better or worse. Have a good night.

Hi again, a crazy, busy study day hear. Thank goodness my dh is supporting me through all this. Who would think one course could take up so much time. At least I'm learning a lot. I've stayed te course today as far as eating is concerned. My sister thinks we should go on the Oprah show once we all meet our goals - she couldn't believe how much we've lost altogether. She's been my "trainer" of sorts - she's very health conscious, athletic, slim. Have a good day.