Bonnie-I'm a little over 5'8" and consider myself to be large boned. At my very skinniest (which was toooo skinny and I'll never do again) I weighed 140 lbs and wore a 8 1/4 size ring. So, I inherited my dad's big frame. But that's okay. I can live w/that as long as I'm at a healthy weight which is where I'm heading right now! The weight at which I felt my best was around 160-170 so I'm working towards 180 and will regroup from there.

Isn't Laura Bush one of the most gracious, kindest women in the public eye? I really like her. Watch some inaugaration for me! Oh, yeah for you for watching instead of eating!! :)

Selina- 5 miles a day is great! perhaps I should move my refrigerator next door :lol: seriously- that's really good- keep it up! :cheer: I have an office job and I sit right here all day- a few trips to the restroom because of the water, but that's it... and at night, I'm too mentally exhausted to do anything... I take out my contacts and sit and watch TV.

Amy- if you're pants are fitting better that's a great sign! we're at about the same weight- have you lost a size yet? I can wear 13/14s now... (down from 16/18s) it feels great!

Bonnie- congrats about starting right back up again- and not letting the one bad day get to you! Weird that raleigh and east coast has had snow and we still haven't had any snow this winter yet in the foothills! I saw snow flurries Sunday night driving back from P. Mountain but nothing that amounted to anything.

Dena- the 3 minutes up for 1 minute is a wonderful Non scale! are you shooting for a specific time? like this week I'll make it to 5 mins? next week 10? I've never done an elliptical before.

I'm 5'10 and a medium frame I'd say... what is it- if you can wrap your thumb and index finger around your wrist? I've always been bottom heavy though. I wear a size 6 ring- I saw skinny had posted her ring size. 155 was in the healthy range for my height- medically recommended is between 132 - 174 lbs (19-25 bmi) so that's the goal.... I started with a 29.3 BMI (overweight/obese) and want to be 22.3 (healthy/ overweight). I like this site pretty good- they have a few different calculations. http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm

exercised today too... glad I did- I gossiped the whole time :lol: found out that someone that joined our church last sunday, he brought his fiancee to church last night, anyways- his divorce isn't final yet... but he's got a fiancee hummm :?: :o
not nice to gossip I know... :(

have a great night everyone!

Hi there well I am med. bone I think and I just cheked the chart and I should be 150 I like that I am 5'5" so 30 more lbs Jean

I'm 5'5. I'm not sure if I'm small or medium framed. I'm about 146 lbs. now and would be happy to get back down to 132-134, where I was a few years ago. In any event, size 8 is what I'm shooting for (down from size 16.) Needless to say, I've had a few ups and downs in my life. :(

Kandice, my goal is to stay on the elliptical for 1/2 hour. I can do that fine with the treadmill. I also spend 30 minutes with other weight machines at the gym. When I was at my lower weight I could stay on the elliptical for an hour!

Skinny, I watch the gals at the gym do pilates and i think of you. That still seems too hard for me to do. Kudos to you for accompishing that one. I'm actually afraid to try it. I don't want to look like a klutz. :lol:

Off to the gym I go~~~~
Hugs,
Dena :cool:

Kandice, you're just too funny!!!! :lol:

Dena, you tripled your endurance, way to go :cb:

I'm 5'2" and medium boned. Medically I should weigh 137 or so, but I'd be happy at 147. I carry a ton of weight around by tummy and chest. I have a problem that if jeans fit my *** then they are way to tight on my tummy. My sister has the opposite problem, if jeans fit her *** they are way to loose on her tummy. If only our genetics had evened out a bit more.

As for my job, I'm an RN and will work in the hospital. Monday I'll find out when I start.

Happy Apprentice and ER oh and CSI for those who watch. I always bike in the evening while I watch my shows. Did anyone watch SuperNanny? Nasty kids, scares me half to death. :stress:

Diana

Hey, hey, hey I did four minutes on the elliptical today!! Plus my usual 30 minutes on the treadmill and 30 minutes on the weight machines. Tonite hubby and I went for our evening walk. The weather is finally tolerable at night. It was pretty cold there for a while. It's amazing to see all our neighbors out there, too. I guess we had enough of staying indoors at night.
My computer is acting funny, so I better go.
Hugs,
Dena :cool:

Wow! Everyone is doing so well! :D
 

Hey peeps! I read all the new posts.. lol. I don't have the memory that you all do! I want to address each of you and I go blank when I start typing my post. :(

Ok, let me think. There was the cereal question. I have found that eating cereal in the morning is ok for me, but I let myself eat some throughout the day as well, to keep hunger at bay. I carry a bag with me in my car so I'm not tempted to stop for fries. If I get too hungry, I'm done for. So I have found that eating a fruit and a cup of cereal for snacks does me good. Sweets are my downfall too. I have to be very careful.

Oh and about my five miles a day.. yes, I walk/jog that in a day, sometimes more. But that's not just when I am exercising. It's from the time I get up til I go to bed. I wear a pedometer. So I don't really know exactly how many I do while I'm jogging. I think about 2+ miles in the 30 mins of jogging. The rest, I do all day.

I truly do park furthest from the door at a store (even if it's midnight and I just have to pick something up quick), and I have even walked around my kitchen table while folding clothes there. Just pick up a shirt, fold while walking around once, and then do it again. Y'all probably think I'm crazy, but with five small kids, you have to be creative! I usually jog in place while watching TV too. I even put the box for storing my Christmas ornaments across my living room so that each one I took off my tree and wrapped, I had to walk over there to put it in the box, and walk back over to the tree. I hit my 15K no problem that day, I think I cleared 20K. I've done that about 3 times this month I think.

I also want to say this. I am probably more fit now than I have ever been in my whole life, including childhood. I can do more now than ever b4. The gradual addition of a little more intensity, a little longer walk, a little jogging added in, slowly, have brought up my level of fitness so much in the last seven months. It's so weird. But good.

The smallest weight I have ever been at as an adult was 179. That was in 1996. I was about 22 years old. And I stayed at that weight all of 3 months. Uphill from there, sadly. That's what happens when we marry! LOL. He and I both gained! That is why my first goal is 178. I want to hit my smallest ever first.. then go from there. Another weird thing? I'm fitter now than I was 40 lbs. lighter at 179. No way I could have jogged much at all back then. I did walk several miles at a time then tho. Either way, I'm very happy that it's paying off. :D

And see? I can't remember who wrote what in all the posts! :mad: Dang it! Ok, I'll work on that. :D
Thanks again for the cheers of support. :cheer: You all are helping me alot. I want to get thru this plateau and move on!

Hope you all have a great day! ;)

Good morning ladies!

Okay, I have a very serious question for you! ;) I am calorie counting (and fat % counting). Now, if I stay under my calorie count for the day AND my fat count, does it matter what I have eaten? I ask because yesterday I broke down and had a Charleston Chew. However, when the day was said and done, I had only eaten 1197 calories (even though I am shooting for 1500 a day), 18% of which came from fat (I am trying to stay at 20-25%). So, did I stay OP or not? Technically it is easily within my goal for the day, but I feel like I cheated horribly and shouldn't count it. So, if sweets are a part of my calories, but I don't go over the calorie count, is that still okay? If it IS okay to have a little bit of sweets, as long as I don't go overboard, I can actually see how I might be able to stick to this plan long-term. I don't know if I can go without sweets forever. Sigh. It can sure be frustrating, can't it.

On a positive note, that darn extra pound I had yesterday has melted away from my scale this morning (I weigh in unofficially each morning first thing, and on Monday morning officially). Maybe it was just some water weight or something.

Hope you all are doing well. Chiming in on the cereal discussion...I find that if I have cold cereal for breakfast that I get hungry very quickly. I eat a wheat bagel with a little bit of jam on it for breakfast instead. It keeps me feeling full for hours.

Cheers and may we all lose more fat today!!

Amy

Diana- I watch apprentice- I like how he split them up this season... the college grads failed miserably last night though! and the guy that's a marketing tech! (the hippy sing songy one) I hope he does better in his real life!

it's fun because Chris only has a HS.. he went through basic law enforcement at the college to become a policeman (in his old life), but he doesn't have a college degree. I have my MBA and fairly established I think- I'm an accountant... so of course we picked sides at the very beginning. All in the name of fun.

Dena- 4 mins! YAY! 5 today? :cheer:

selina- oh selina, don't say that "that's what happens when we marry..." sigh... I do think that's what happened to me though. In May 2003 I was 173 at the dr's, May 2003 we moved in together and June 2004 I was 204! :eek: and moving down south too, where most of the traditions (that I've experienced anyways) involve "Mom's" home cooking, biscuits and gravy for every meal- breakfast, or as a side for dinner, sweet tea...and before March 2003 I was single and eating when I wanted to, and now I cook dinner- that's a big change too...

This is about my average weight now- the lowest I've worn in jeans that I can remember is a size 12 in 1998 when I was a senior in highschool and delivering papers in the morning to get some extra money. I walked a little over 3 miles in my loop every day.

I would love to be my lowest at the wedding- I set a goal of 175 because I thought that was attainable but if I can make it to 173 and weigh the same as I did 2 years ago- that would be the best!!

We're taking a co-worker out to eat for his birthday so send happy thoughts to me that I can choose a healthy meal and not be tempted. and I'll go to Curves for #15 after work.

Have a great day!

Amy- if you were under in both categories, I would think you stayed OP for the day, even with the sweets.

congrats!

Good Morning, Everyone!

I love the energy everyone has. It's so motivating!

Selina, we don't all have perfect memories. :lol: We just scroll down and read what was said before. I even have to write names down to remember who did what, but that's my problem. :) We're just happy you're here with us and doing so well. I love your keeping busy and walking around attitude. I, too, park far away from the store in the parking lot, (but that's mostly because I don't like to park near anyone else, who can bang into my car.) :lol: Good excuse for walking, though.

Amy, some us are trying to stay away from sweets, because they cause some of us to want to overeat. But if you can control the situation, and count it in your calories, no problem. Last night I had a cup of popcorn and it was within my calories. It's not sweet, but a snack I don't usually eat. It's all about control and moderation. You're doing absolutely great!

Kandice, I'm sending you good thoughts, so when you go out to lunch you'll be fine. I know you will order the right thing. I'll be the little angel on your shoulder watching you. :)

Well, it's another gorgeous day here in Las Vegas. It should hit 70 degrees today, so I better get out there for my morning walk. I do love all that sunshine. Enough with winter. And I plan on doing my 5 minutes on the elliptical later at the gym. Wish me luck, ladies. Kandice, I took my little size 8 dress out of the closet and put it where I can see it. Talk about motivation. We shall get there!

Have a great day, everyone.
Hugs,
Dena :cool:

Hello, my friends!
 

Sounds like veryone is doing well. Things here are good. I was op-even w/some LF cookies-walked 3 miles and met water goals. That's 20 miles for the week and 60 miles for the month. Whew! I'm tired! :)

Selina-Don't feel bad about not remember what everyone said. I do one better than Dena-I use a cheat sheet! :D I get a blank piece of paper and write down names and responses! It works! I just want to be sure to get to know everyone a little personally. I know I like it when people address me by my name so I try to do the same. Good going on your walking!

Kandice-thanks for posting that weight site. My idea weight is 166 lbs, 2 pounds above the high end of the medical weight. So, I guess when I hit 180 I'll need to regroup, aye? So, the undivorced man brought his fiancee to church? Well, good-sounds like they both need to be there! :D Oh, did I say that out loud? hee, hee. I have a co-worker whose dating a man whose divorce isn't final. I'm so afraid she's going to get hurt but she's an adult. I personally wouldn't date someone who isn't divorced yet but that's between them and their God. Anyway, sending you strength to eat healthy at lunch time! I'm sure you'll choose wisely! :)

Dena-congrats on the elliptical! :cheer: When I first started on it, I could only do about 5-8 minutes. Now, I'm up to 50-60 minutes. You can do it! It's good to challenge ourselves sometimes. Also, on the pilates-I have a video. It's called pilates for dummies! When I first started doing that, I couldn't do all the reps and I didn't even attempt the last two exercises until I'd been doing it for quite a while. I built up to it, just like you're doing on the ellip. So, keep going, girl. Pretty soon, you'll be able to outdo me on that ellip!

Diana-My family doesn't have cable right now so the only things we can watch is our local ABC and NBC channel. I'm not much into reality shows. I figure my life is reality enough!! :lol: However, we do have a friend that tapes CSI (original) and Gilmore Girls for us. Oh, our cable is gone b/c of disobedient children. They're not supposed to watch t.v. until homework/chores are done. They decided they didn't like that rule so we decided we'd remove the temptation for them! If more parents would do this, we wouldn't need shows like super nanny! :D

Amy-As long as you were op, I wouldn't worry about the candy bar. I definitely limit my sugar intake. I usually save it for special occasions but as long I'm op, I don't sweat it. The other time I allow myself something small (sweet) is when I'm PMSing. Don't think I would survive, nor would those around me survive, my PMS w/o a little bit of chocolate! :D :D Congrats on the pound being gone!! :cb: See, we told you! Just hang in there and don't be too hard on yourself.

Gotta run. Have a great day, ladies.Thanks for all the encouragement and support! (((((hugs)))))) all around!!

Hi all,

I’m in the middle of a big project, and I haven’t had much time to post. I’m hoping to be caught up by the end of next week.

I’m a hair under 5’6” with a medium frame. I’m aiming for the 140 - 150 range. I have a long way to go, but I’m getting there one pound at a time. Having a large amount of weight to lose can seem a daunting task at times, but this great group continues to keep me motivated. Thanks so much to all of you.

And now, it’s back to work. Have a good weekend everyone.
Florafae

grilled chicken salad with honey mustard dressing. The honey mustard was in a packet and it said 8 total carbs and then I think the only other thing I have to count is tomatoes- everything else is free... so about 10 carbs for lunch.
(and Dena- felt you there- a coworker sitting on my left offerred me fries (I said no)
and then the coworker on my right- she had a ton of fries left over- I was like "you can't let those be thrown out!!" :lol: but thankfully the waitress came and asked her if she was done before my hands made it over there!)

I forgot to pack snacks today since I wasn't packing a lunch- so I've only eaten breakfast- 20 carbs (protein mix- 12 carbs and skim milk- 8 carbs) so 30 for today so far... we're having "rooster rollups" for dinner tonight, chicken and cheese and crescent rolls, and chicken soup- it's alot like chicken dumplings. I think it comes up to 11 carbs for 2 rolls ... I'll have to look it up- we haven't had them for a while... so I'll be within my carbs today (40-60).
I would love to get to a new low- been bouncing around 173 (naked) for a week or so now...

I don't know if anyone rents a lot of movies- we do- but on moviegallery.com they have rent 3 gets the 4th free coupon and it doesn't expire until 12/31/05.. I printed a bunch out. Usually we all get to pick 1 movie (=3) but if we get a 4th free... we can find 1 more no problem! We haven't been to the library in a while either- we should see if there's movies that we haven't seen there.

have a great weekend everyone!

Wow, good for you, Kandice! You're doing a great job. I'm proud of you for skipping those fries. Not an easy thing to do! (And I was looking over your shoulder!) :) The weekend is coming up... my downfall... so now it's your turn to watch me. :lol: On a brighter note, I did my 5 minutes on the elliptical today. I really wasn't looking forward to it. I made it some kind of pressure on myself. But thank you, everyone, for cheering me on. I feel like I accomplished something! By the way, I used to go to the library every weekend to get movies. They have the newest and best films on DVD. If I didn't get cable a few months ago (to finally see the latest episodes of the Sopranos), I'd still be going there. The only problem with cable is now I sit a lot more and want to keep watching tv. Not good.

Skinny, I must tell you that you inspired me when you said you can go on "that thing" for 50-60 minutes. That's awesome! Plus you walked 60 miles in a month?! And pilates?! Wow, girl, you put me to shame. But I love to hear what you are doing. It inspires me to get going, too. Speaking of inspiration, have either you or Kandice ever watched Joyce Meyers? She's a minister on TV. And I just love her. She's very intelligent and teaches scripture and about life extremely well. She has a great sense of humor, too. She's on every morning at 7:00 am. And I enjoy listening to what she says. (Oh, wait... I think she's on cable.)

Florafae, glad to see you again. Sorry about the huge project, but you'll get through it. Take care!

Well, it's time for me to make dinner. Have a great weekend, everyone!

P.S. How do you like my new avatar? :D
Hugs,
Dena :cool:

Skinny butt, you are quite an uncommon mother, to take away cable from your kids. But I think it is a very good decision on your part. I'm sure that some tday I will have to od the same thing. I grew up without tv and so did my DH and we both think we are better for it. I read lots and he said he was very outdoorsy. Hats off to you for making tv a treat for your kids.

I hope your'e all doing well. I think I'mm addicted to eating the way others are to smoking. I mean well, but just can't quit. I wonder if there is a medicine out there that I can get from my doctor, I'm serious, I try everyday and it never works. I've had 2 good eating days in the last 3 weeks how pathetic is that.

Diana

Hi everyone!
 

Hey! Imma use my cheat sheet today! hee hee

Oh first I needa report my inches lost since I started all this. I just added them up. It's only measuring my Chest, Waist, Hips, Calf, Bicep, and Thigh. All together there are 38 3/4 inches gone! Yay! :D Why are they going away so slowly now tho? :(

Amy, Eat sweets if you can put them into ur plan. I eat Bit O Honeys... let me go get one and tell u the stats.. brb. Ok, I'm back. 1 whole bar is 190 cals, 3.5 gms of fat. Not so bad when most candy bars are 200+ cals and 13 gms or so of fat. I love those. I don't eat them every day but I do eat them. I just add them in. Oh and I eat fat free sherbet for ice cream when everyone else here is eating ice cream. I have just come to accept that for the rest of my life.. this is how it will be for me. And that's ok. Because I am going to hit my goal and maintain it, dang it!~ :D

Kandice, Oh yeah, the food of the South. MMM.. so gooood, yet sooooo bad. I hear ya. You did very well at lunch. ^5! I bet you will make it to 173.

Dena, Congrats on your additional minute! I love it when my fitness level increases. It's great! Oh and I want springtime to get here soooo bad. I love flowers and all the greenery that comes out. I wrote a poem about it about 2 years ago and it's published in a book now. ::sigh:: :^:

Smart doing Skinny! LOL. I'm with you there on the cable issue. I'm a stickler for rules too. I try not to be too strict but you have to keep priorities. And I love that nanny show too! You are doing very well with your exercising too!

Hiya Flora! :wave: nice to meet you. I'm new here. :)

Diana, about being a food addict. I am one. Oh yeah. That's why I knowwww that I will have to be so diligent the rest of my days with this lifestyle I have now. I simply cannot allow it to overcome me again. Too many other things I want in life. Don't you all notice that food is something we HAVE to have about 3 times a day? You don't NEED drugs, cigarettes, sex, alcohol, etc. 3 times every single day of the week, do you? With those things, an addict would still live if they never had them again. (Ok, the no sex part, maybe would make life boring, but you get my drift.) So No Fair!! :mad: We have to struggle several times a day to eat THIS food and not THAT food. They can just choose not to even see what they overuse. We have to face it head on, non stop.. forever. That is why this is so hard. But I do believe that we can do this. Just means we are strong. Fine with me! :lol: I can be strong. ::flexing muscles:: Ha ha. Really tho, over time our tastes will change. I know that when I started Sugar Busters, which I don't really do anymore, the lack of sugar in my diet made it to where I had to drink my sweet tea only half sweetened bc I couldn't stand it so sweet. I had limited it so much that getting only half as much sugar in it was plenty. That was nice.

Ok, hope I got to each one of you who wrote! ;)

Well, high fives to everyone. Keep at it. You all are doing greatttt! Hugs!!

Dena- thanks for your encouragement... and congrats to you too- for making it 5 minutes! :cheer: And no, never seen that show. I don't think I've ever watched a TV ministry- we just always turn the channel.

this weekend was my downfall... I was 177 naked this AM- so that's like 180+ on the curves scale :eek:... I'm gonna get back on today. I get weighed and measured Thursday and I want it to be the real thing, instead of just measuring my mistake this weekend. it was so cold and icy, we didn't go out. All those comfort foods- cupcakes, pancakes; yeah that's what I ate. and I felt so bad about it at the time too- but still didn't stop myself! ugh!

selina- I noticed my taste buds changing too- I asked if I was normal. :lol: sweet things are (most of the time, except this weekend) too sweet, and bread, same thing, I can feel myself getting full when I eat bread.

everyone else- keep up the great work- can't wait to hear your progress!

Measurement/Weigh in Day
 

Good Morning, Everyone!

I'm happy to report that all of my exercising is paying off. I lost another inch... 1/2 inch from each thigh. That makes a total of 8 inches, so I met my goal this time. It's a good thing I didn't set a goal for weight loss. The scale hasn't budged. It's super discouraging when I rely on the scale and don't see progress. At least with taking my measurements, I know that I'm getting fitter. It's really hard for me to tell unless I measure. My hubby says I'm looking better, however! :)

Kandice, good for you for getting back on track. I know how hard it is to be good when it's cold out and all you want to do is kick back and eat comfort food. I'm glad the temp is the 60's here. It makes life a lot easier.

Selina, congrats to you for losing so many inches! Keep up the great work! Wow, you wrote a poem and got it published? Congrats to you!

Diana, I think you are going through some stress with your new job. Stress tends to make us want to eat. Once you settle in with your new routine you will be able to be a little stronger. Hang in there. We're rooting for you!

OK, how did everyone else do? Here's to another successful week~~
Hugs,
Dena

Good Monday morning, ladies!!
Well, after I went to the bathroom and nursed the baby this morning (got to get rid of that extra fluid, :D ), I weighed 186! Hooray! I have lost 6 pounds. Even better, my clothes are starting to fit MUCH better! Yesterday for church I was actually changing outfits because I had more than one that I LIKED how I looked in (instead of desperately searching for an outfit that doesn't look horrible, like I usually do). That really motivates you, doesn't it?
I haven't exercised since Wednesday so I MUST do it today! Also, I've stayed under about 1400 calories all week, even though I have had a few valentines candy hearts (oh, my downfall, although there are only 140 calories in 40 hearts so they aren't TOO bad), and a piece of birthday cake for my daughter (and of course that candy bar earlier in the week). I figure that as long as my calories are okay and I am under the fat % I want, that it is okay to eat some sweets. I figure that if I am going to have to live this way for the rest of my life that I am going to need to find a way to get SOME sweets in (or I know I would never keep on doing it forever).

SkinnyButt-You know, we watch hardly ANY television at my house. The kids each get 30 minutes of either cartoons, computer time, or nintendo time a day. They can earn extra time if they do extra work or something around the house. My husband and I really don't watch any tv.

Kandice-I don't think that pancakes are that bad for you (unless you drench them in butter and yummy syrup, lol). I like to put some jam on them and they are quite tasty.

Anyway, I am about 5'2 and my ultimate goal is 125. However, I am going to try to get pregnant once I hit 140 (that is considered a "healthy" weight for me). I am going to keep it up during the pregnancy (since it is 4 pregnancies in 6 years that helped me gain all this weight in the first place!!!), but not actively try to lose weight. I am just going to be careful about what I eat. I will need TONS of help then, so hopefully you ladies will still be around to help me control all those cravings!!

Well, back to my crazy life (not to mention I smell a stinky diaper :mad: ). Do you ever feel like your life JUST WONT STOP? I have four little kids (ages 7, 5, 3, 1) and my life is so PHYSICALLY busy. I feel like I am constantly changing diapers, bathing kids, brushing teeth, combing hair (I do that a lot with three girls) potty training, dressing kids, feeding kids, cleaning up, doing laundry, picking up kids from preschool/ normal school/piano lessons/soccer practice/basketball practice/dancing lessons/ chess tournaments, etc. At the ages of my children, I have so much I need to teach them in order for them to grow up to be good, responsible adults, but it just takes so much time! I need to teach them to WORK (which makes every task take three times as much time to complete when I'm trying to get the kids to do it). I need to teach them responsibility and respect (which means that I am also a constant mediator). I need to teach them to respect their bodies and to live healthily. In fact, in that area, I have started trying to teach them the importance of exercise. I figure that all adults in today's world will need to exercise 3 or 4 times a week to stay healthy (not many get enought physical exercise through their work anymore, although a few do). I have decided to purchase an exercise video for kids and have them do it three times a week. I will make it fun and do it with them and hopefully it will get them in the habit now of exercising for life. Anyway, I love being a mom more than anything, and I LOVE having a bunch of kids. At this stage in life it just takes so much physical energy. Some days I long for the days when they can all simply dress themselves and get their own drink of water, lol. I know I will miss the baby stage, but sometimes it is hard to see the end of the tunnel.

Sorry to vent like that! Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and can't wait to have more. It is just so much work!! Tell me it's worth it in the end!

Cheers!
Amy

Hey everyone! I don't have much time to write but wanted to say I'm doing ok, lost 1/4 an in. here and 1/4 an in. there so far.. uggh~!! I am going to weigh on Wed.. taking one child to have his checkup so I'll use their scale hopefully. :dizzy:

I wanted to say to Amy that I get the same feelings about life with all the kids. Loving them so much but being so physically tired and mentally drained from all the mediating and teaching them. It's such a big job. My husband knows from only being with them on weekends too! One time he was with them for two days without me and he said 'I don't know how you do it everyday!' LOL. They are good most of the time. They have consequences when they aren't, like no TV or games... or time out, etc. And Bryan does very well with them though! He is more fun than I am.. I am always trying to keep the muddy shoes outside instead of walking across the living room carpet, or trying to keep the drinks in the kitchen instead of other rooms. If I don't, I have to scrub stains. So I have to force myself to try to be more relaxed about things, but it's hard. If I don't watch each thing now, then there is more of a mess later. I have 5 kids ages 8,7,4,3, and 2. When my son was tiny I had him as an infant, plus another 3 month old baby and a 18 month old and a 2 year old. All four under the age of 3. Plus we lived in an upstairs apartment which was big enough but was upstairs! You should have seen us carrying all those babies up and down plus the bags and toys, etc. every time we went somewhere. That was hard. I don't know how I did it! At least 3 of my 5 now can brush their teeth and dress themselves. My son is 3. He's learning. We have had a total of 12 foster kids in the last 3 years. Before this, we were parents to 8 exchange students in a span of 3 years. We love kids. One of my teenagers from Brazil called us yesterday. It was his birthday (He called me b4 I had the chance to call him :( ).. he's 23 now! I feel so old! He calls me mom. :D And I'm only 31! But I was his mom for a whole year here and he had a blast! We took him everywhere, all of them. We even took him trick or treating. They don't have Halloween so he loved it! LOL.

So glad to hear you are all doing well. I'll write again soon. Hugs!

Hello, ladies
 

:wave: Hope everyone is having a wonderful day. Things here are good. I weighed this morning and it seems that the pound gone last week when I tried out my new scales is indeed gone! Woo-hoo! That's three pounds gone since I started this challenge. Yeah-4.5 more to go! :cb: :dance: I was op this weekend. As a matter of fact, I was under point one day this weekend. My best friend really let me have it for being that much under point. I didn't do it on purpose it just happened that way. I told her I wouldn't let it happen again. I did 50 mins. on ellip on Friday and Saturday and 30 minute pilate yesterday. met my water goals as well.

Dena-congrats on adding more minutes to the elliptical and on losing more of you! You're doing great w/your exercise and you're losing inches. Good for you! :cheer: I have heard Joyce Meyer. I like her, too. Thanks for your encouragement and kind words. Oh, like the new avatar! :)


Diana-Thanks for calling me uncommon! Who wants to be common? :D Anyway, being a mom is my favorite "hat" I wear. If I fail at being a mother, I fail completely. It's a daunting task sometimes but it is worth it. About your eating...are you eating emotionally or is it b/c it's a habit? Ask yourself what's realy going on when you're eating. Also, remember it takes time to break old habits and establish new ones. Remember to be kind to yourself. You can do it, Dianna. We're all sending you strength and good thoughts to overcome!! :grouphug:

Fit chick-Congrats on your inches gone! Woo-hoo! :dancer: I know it's hard when things are happening slowly but that's the best way for it to happen. Hang in there! Thanks for your encouragement about being a mom and my exercise. Boy, you are one busy woman w/that many kids! I love kids as well and constantly have kids in and out of our house. But, I wouldn't have it any other way. We hope to be foster parents someday. Probably within the next year or so. Have some other things to get taken care of first. You sound like you have a lively, loving home. I'm sure all the children who are blessed to be there are better it.

Amy-I think all parent's who do their job as parents the way it needs to be done feel the way you feel sometimes: like all the activity is never going to end! It seems that you get one thing done only to have three other new chores waiting for you, especially when the kids are little like yours are. Just hang in there and keep being the good mommy that you are. I assure you, it will be worth it. Soon, you'll be doing what I was doing the other day and looking at your soon to be sixteen year old and thinking where did the time go? Have I taught her everything she needs to know? Will she be okay at college? Sometimes I wish she was 2 again when mommy was all powerful, all healing and all knowing! ;) *sigh* But I know there are some things that my kids have to learn themselves, no matter how much it hurts her or me! It's hard to raise good kids but if you stick w/it, I can tell you it's definitely worth it. When you hear your child say, Yes ma'am, no ma'am; when you hear them firmly but lovingly stand up for what they believe, even if it isn't the norm, when you see them hug someone who's in pain, when they are teenagers and still want you to tuck them in at night, when they tell you they missed you when you were gone last weekend b/c no one else's shoulders hold their heads quite the same as yours when they lean on you, you will shed a tear, send a prayer of thanks heavenward and say, yep-it was worth it!! Hang in there, sweetie. You are in the middle of the toughest, most rewarding "job" of your life.

Have a great day. Talk to everyone later. If I forgotten anyone, my apologies.

We're all doing so well! Yeah-us!!! ((((hugs))))

Hi ladies,
thanksfor the encouragement.
I'm going to weigh in tomorrow morning, in case you wanted to know.
To those who lost, congrats, and keep it up. You're an inspiration!
Had a good bike today, 29 k's. My farthest so far. I bike 60min everyday.
My SIL watches Joyce Meyer everyday. I don't even know when she's on.
Good night,
Diana

Good morning, ladies!
 

Hope today finds everyone doing well. Things here are fine. I met my water goals, was op and got in 40 minutes on the elliptical. Feeling pretty good this morning. The last couple nights of sleep have been very, very restful.

Well, have a great day. Take care.

some good/ weird, and upsetting news today.

upsetting= Chris ran into a cow today on his way to work. the cow ran across the road and chris swerved to miss, but it was too late. not a lot of damage because he swerved, but still it's enough. his windshield is gone on the side (he's got a chevy lumnia van and it has like 3 windshields) and the main windshield is cracked pretty good. we have a $250 deductible so that's $250 that we weren't planning on spending. he missed an hour of work now to wait for highway patrol... ugh! he's fine though. I went to check on him- it only happened a mile from our house. he said he was fine, but he's a "man" and wouldn't admit it shook him up pretty bad. He found the cow in the ditch- I think he broke it's leg.

Now for the good/ weird news. I weighed myself today (as I do everyday) and I was back down to 173 today. how in the world did I lose 4 lbs over the course of a day?! (I did use the bathroom, but still :lol: ) so that puts me at 178 on the curves scale meaning I stayed the same this week. Yesterday the boys were having Chicken helper and I asked Chris just to make me a plain chicken breast that I had with cheese and green peppers, and I ate well all day yesterday, less than 20 carbs (phase 1). Today I planned for 24 carbs. So maybe I'll even see an improvement tomorrow.
If this is going to work this way forever (they say it is), this is something I can stick to. Eating what I want for a while and then dieting 1-2 days and getting rid of it. the dieting isn't even so bad anyways, not really depriving myself of anything.

Interesting fact I read in Low Carb living- Your body needs carbs, because carbs= glucose (sugar). The brain is the most important part of the body that needs sugar to survive. so if you have a low carb lifestyle, and don't supply your brain with enough carbs to make sugar with, then it has to go out and look for it, in the form of protein. It takes energy for the body to break down the protein into the glucose so you're buring calories while you sit!

Not trying to get anyone onto LC, because it seems everyone's diets are working for them, but just thought it was a neat little fact.

Dena- congrats on making goal already! did you set a new one for yourself to start working on?

Amy- 6lbs! congrats! With the 4 kids and all the activities, no wonder it's falling off! you must feel so good about yourself! (and pancakes are like 32 carbs I think, so in my day of 40-60 carbs, that's most of them, the rest of the day I would need to eat very low carbs to stay good.)

Diana- way to go on the bike yesterday! keep it up!

everyone else- just stopping in to say Hi and make sure everyone's doing alright! :D

Hi everyone! You all are doing very well! Wanted to tell you about a website I found. www.lowfatlifestyle.com. It's interesting. It's pretty much the way I am doing it. So if any of you are too, you should go check it out. It has some links to counters, calculators, etc. I am doing ok, went over a little yesterday but not in fat, just in cals. So that's a little better than going over in both! Hope to do better today. Still at over 15,000 steps a day plus all my toning exercises. The food, not going over, and all that is my hardest part... not so much the water or the exercise. Ugghh!! ah well... gotta run, keep up the good work y'all! :-)

I had to take a minute to tell everyone to go look at Selina's pics! wow! Girl you do NOT look 220! I can't wait to see a picture at 200 and even goal!

keep it up! :cheer:

Hi there ladies!
I am doing well today! I bought a new The Firm video (I have a bunch, and the stuff. I LOVE them, lol). It was fun and got me back to exercising. I haven't exercised since last Wednesday :o . Anyway, I feel great. Today when I weighed in, I had lost ANOTHER pound. What is up with that anyway? I go an entire week not losing anything and then I lose two pounds in two days? Maybe I was just having weird water weight or something. Anyway, I now weigh 185. I've lost 7 pounds and feel great. I love that even with all my clothes on, at the end of the day (my heaviest weight time) the scale says under 190 (usually about 189). I just can't wait to keep losing.

Thanks for the encouragement about the kids, ladies! You all have more kids than I do! What am I complaining about?!? Seriously, I know how important and great it is being a mother, I was just having one of those days. You know?
Well, gotta go pick my son up from school.

Catch ya all later!
Amy

SW: 192
CW: 185
GW: 140

Hi all,
it's weird how there's a few of us that are reporting "interesting" losses. This morning I had lost 1 pound from yesterday, which is the pound I had expected to lose this last week. So now I'm saying htat this last week I lost 1 pound and not "stayed the same". Anyways, I know that sounds dumb, but hey it makes me feel better.
Diana

Diana- makes me happy to say I stayed the same last week and not gained! I was the same today too- 173 naked.

I track my weight everyday on my excel spreadsheet and graph and it's been interesting (jan 12th was when I hit 173 for the first time and been bouncing along since)...
1/15/2005 175
1/16/2005 173
1/17/2005 173
1/18/2005 175
1/19/2005 176
1/20/2005 176
1/21/2005 173
1/22/2005 175
1/23/2005 176
1/24/2005 177
1/25/2005 173
1/26/2005 173

I've been eating good the past couple of days- I really want to see 172 for the first time...

I got the 100 calorie packs from Curves one time in a gift bag- oreo chips.. anyways it's 100 healthy living tips- they only have 38 posted so far- but thought I'd share...

http://www.nabiscoworld.com/100calor...s/100tips.aspx

#1. Drink more water! Add a twist of lemon or lime to a tall glass of ice water and drink to your health!

#2. Find an exercise buddy at work and schedule time together to work out.

#3. Pack your own lunch and you’ll have greater control over what you’re eating.

#4. Lighten up that salad. Try dipping your fork into a side of dressing before stabbing those greens.

#5. Studies show that laughter is therapeutic, so go ahead--let loose!

#6. Try to exercise! Join a local gym or fitness center. Many facilities now offer single gender exercise rooms.

#7. Are you a morning person or an evening person? The best time of day to exercise is the time that best fits your schedule!

#8. Ordering an appetizer with that meal? Try soup made with broth instead of higher calorie menu items.

#9. Consider raking leaves or shoveling snow as an opportunity. A finished job is very rewarding and a good way to burn some calories!

#10. Combine exercise with your top priorities. Catch the morning news while on the treadmill or go for a walk with a friend.

#11. Take your kids to the park and join in the fun. Leave that park bench empty!

#12. Challenge your kids to a game of basketball, volleyball or even duck, duck, goose!

#13. Start a walking club in the neighborhood. It's a great way to combine exercise and a chat with friends.

#14. Slow down when you eat. Taking the time to enjoy the food will make you aware of when you are full.

#15. Get ready to dance. It's a great way to get in some exercise and have fun with your kids.

#16. Watching TV? Try some stretching or stepping as you catch your favorite show.

#17. Remember to eat breakfast – it’s the most important meal of the day and the one that gets your body going.

#18. Teach your kids to play baseball, basketball or your favorite sport. It's great for them and you'll get some exercise too!

#19. Participate in a charity walk. It's a great way to get some exercise while you help others.

#20. Exercise for healthy bones. Walking (or other weight-bearing exercise) is a great activity that can help maintain bone density!

#21. Enjoy the great outdoors. No matter the time of year, outside activities can raise your spirits and keep you motivated.

#22. Get the whole family moving to foster physical activity and build family memories.

#23. Think of a snack as a small meal. It can give you an energy boost and help bridge the gap between regular meals.

#24. Exercise during rush hour! When you're finished, your commute will be easier and quicker.

#25. Salad plates aren’t just for salad anymore – serve up dinner on a smaller plate to keep sensible portions in perspective.

#26. Kids sporting events are a great opportunity to exercise. Don't sit in the bleachers, walk the perimeter of the field as you cheer on those pint size athletes!

#27. Exercise can be fun--think of it as recess for adults.

#28. Eating out? Choose menu items listed as baked, broiled, grilled, poached or roasted.

#29. Be sure to get your rest. Choose a comfortable pillow and you’re on your way.

#30. It's okay to have small indulgences. Just be sure to use portion control.

#31. Be a role model. Your children are more likely to embrace healthy eating and exercise if they watch you lead the way!

#32. Jazz up mundane household chores with some music, get your feet moving, and have fun!

#33. Get moving after a meal. Walk around the block after dinner or visit a friend down the street.

#34. Eating out? Try to avoid that basket of bread on the table and save your appetite (and calories) for the meal.

#35. As you begin to feel and look fitter and healthier, you may gain confidence.

#36. Reward fitness milestones with new exercise gear or a post-workout massage.

#37. Let your tummy do the talking – when you start to feel full, put down the fork and pick up the conversation.

#38. Get a little exercise by walking around the mall for 15 minutes before you start shopping.


Enjoy!

Wow, Kandice, those are some wonderful tips. Thank you!
You're doing great. Keep up the great work.

The past few days I've been really struggling. I don't know why. It seems I do really great for a while, and then I forget everything I learned. I think it's that darn scale. I know I lost inches, but was truly discouraged when the scale hasn't budged. So, now that I pulled myself up again, I'm going to try a lower carb version of what I've been doing. And see how that works. Wish me luck, because I've tried something like that before, and I'm not that good at it. Kandice, how do you do it? I need your support now.
Thanks and hugs,
Dena :cool:

Dena, you can do it!!! I went ot a step aerobics class at the gym today, and if I can do that, you can do anything. They have childcare during their aerobics classes so it is an option for me. I'm going out for a while, need some different scenery.
Diana

Diana,

Thanks for your encouragement! I'm doing better now. I guess I needed a change in scenery, too. I think this crazy weather has something to do with it. It's been raining and chilly again. All you want to do is stay warm and eat. Not good. I decided to go to the gym (which is not easy when you are on a downward spiral), But after I went, I felt better. In fact, I went on the elliptical for 10 minutes today! I also did the treadmill and weight machines.

Diana, good for you for going to the aerobics class!! And thank you for caring. You really helped.
Hugs,
Dena

Hey peeps! :wave: Hope everyone is doing well tonight. I am still hungry after I'm done with my calories.. but working on that. Opting to fill up with veggies along with my meals. Should help. :dizzy:

I weighed today.. ::: drum roll ::: ...... I'm 213 3/4! Down from 277. I'm so excited. Over 7 pounds gone since Christmas. I like weighing about once a month. I always have lost. No getting upset every day looking at the never-moving scale. I hate those things. I measure every Sunday morning tho. So glad I'm losing a little there too. :)

Kandice, Ty so much for the sweet compliments. Other ppl have told me that, but you can't see my bottom half in those pics! I gain in my hips, rear, stomach and thighs. It sucks. Uggh. Working on that tho! :D I show my shoulders and arms now alot bc I have worked on them so much, and it's finally showing in definition. I never had that b4. They were big, white flabby arms b4. :cry:

Amy.. I know! I have those days too. Sometimes we just needa vent! Congrats on the loss!

Diana, Any loss in any form is a great thing! Good 4 you!

Yay Dena! 10 minutes, Wow! :cheer: You are getting on up there huh? Good job!

If I missed anyone from recent posts, I'm sorry! I'm sorta in a hurry too this week... so much going on.
Oh, if anyone wants to see my webpage, I have more pics there and tips and my food list, etc. You are welcome to it. I think this will get you there.
http://hometown.aol.com/SSills2670/

Talk to you soon! Hugs, Selina

Selina, you're lookin' good. Hmmm...weighing once a month...an idea

Dena, 10 minutes, WOW, WOW, look at the improvement!! Glad you're doing better.

hello to all you lovly ladies,
yeh you know which ones i'm talkin about. you know. i'm talkin to al yah. this week has been good i'm down 2 lbs. towards my 10 for valentines day. i hope you are doin just as well. gotta go catch ya later on the flip side. florafae i love that picter of the flower. tobaccaygirl i want to go to that ther beach. it's wet and nasty here. well it's better than the floodin we had last. yhank the good Lod for that. would ya all tell me how you get all those little movin figures in you text. by gum theres as cute as a bugs ear.
kind regards
mary

Thanks Diana! The pic I have on there is too big! I will be putting a recent smaller one on instead this week. Hope everyone has a great day.

Hi Mary! :wave: Congrats on the two pound loss!! :cheer:

Hugs to you all! Bye!

Dena- Low carb is hard, the first couple of weeks are the toughest, so hang in there if you decide to do it... cravings do diminish (don't go away completely EVER!) and you get some energy back. that was my biggest problem when I started LC- lack of energy. It is frustrating when the scale doesn't move, but just hang in there... at least it's not moving the other way!! :D and 10 minutes?! you must be so proud of yourself! :cheer:

selina- it's all in my bottom too. I've always liked my arms though, so all my pictures are from the waist up too. looking real good!

trying to decide if I want to get weighed measured today. Tomorrow looks really busy at work and I'm not sure if I'll get to go to Curves and I can't go after work because we're going to get our marriage license at 3 and then spend some time with Chris' mom. She lives in the county seat city, where we need to get our license.
I definitely don't want to get measured on Monday after 2 days of lounging around... don't want 2 days to ruin my whole month.... guess you'll know when I come back after lunch!

have a great day everyone!

(PS dena- Have you checked out how many views we have? and 14 pages?! this thread is hopping! thanks again for setting it up!)