Good Monday morning ladies!!!

I hope you all did great this weekend! I was so proud of myself. Yesterday at church I was given a cookie, AND a candy bar and I didn't eat either. On Saturday my family made some cupcakes for the neighbors across the street and I didn't have any of those either! Then last night at a meeting they were having cheesecake and I just had ice water! Hooray! I never thought I could have such self-control!

Oh, ladies from Canada, I MUST move there! I constantly tease my husband that he needs to move me to a colder climate. I LOVE the winter, especially snow. It gets cold where I live, but not cold enough for my liking. It averages about 35 for the high here in the winter with the lows in the teens. Still, it hardly ever seems to snow (although it DID snow yesterday and there's some on the ground!) I was so excited about the snow that I decided to walk home from church in it (it was the HUGE, beautiful flakes and I just couldn't resist). I was so pleased that two different cars stopped and asked if they could give me a ride. I turned them both down, of course, but I was pleased with the reminder that people can just be so GOOD. You know what I mean?

So, is Monday officially weigh-in day? I started on a Wednesday, so I have had that as weigh-in day, but I can switch it. Last Wednesday I weighed 192 and today when I weighed myself I weighed 188!!! Yippee!

Well, I have yet another question for you all! How often should I exercise? I enjoy exercise and will exercise as often as I should, I am just not certain how often that is. I was not exercising at all before I started. I thought that I had read that you should start out exercising 3 or 4 times a week and then when you hit a plateau then add a day. Is that true, or just something weird I have in my head? It seems that I also read that I don't have a need to exercise every day now. What are your opinions? Exercise every day or just 4 times a week? I'd love advice to maximize my long time weight loss goal!!

Thanks ladies!

Amy

SW: 192
CW: 188!!!
GW: 140

48 pounds to go before it's baby time!!!

Congrats Bonnie on your * new* weight- 199 :cheer: you're in Onederland! wait until you get to like 190-195 and that really settles it- it'll feel great!

My grandma isn't a cooker but they do make their own french fries- just cut up a potato and fry it... then chicken gravy- the lighter color gravy- and topped with shredded cheese. is how they made poutine.

Yup- I don't understand that about the SBC- I could go on forever... Chris and I are in a committed relationship and can't be baptized but a college friend who is single and sleeping with different guys, theoretically could get baptized because she's not living with anyone. It would be on her conscious I know, but to my knowledge they don't ask if you're having pre-marital affairs :lol: they just kinda assumed with us since we're living together. But when we moved in together, we had intentions of marrying someday- we weren't engaged yet, but in the talking stages. I had never lived with anyone and Chris only lived with the Ex, so right there, that tells you this isn't a "bed-buddy" situation, it's for real.

I agree with most of the other views though, which I guess is the important thing because I doubt anyone could find a church where they believe everything the church teaches- I was catholic and still didn't believe everything they said either.

off to Curves!

178 down 1 lb this week- 3 more lbs to go until valentinies goal :D

Howdy everyone,

I weighed in this morning, and I was down 2 pounds. Hurray!

The ground dried out enough for me to work outside this weekend. The yard and garden were a real mess after last week’s storm. Our neighbors lost a tree that borders our property. There were branches and debris all over the place.

Amy, congratulations on your 4-pound weight loss. I’m so impressed that you were able to pass up all those goodies. Sometimes it seems as if calories are flying at us in all directions. It can be so tempting.

Bonnie, I share your love of salty things, and they certainly can send the scale temporarily in the wrong direction. But as you know, in a day or two, it will drop away, and you’ll be back in the 90’s. I think you’re wise to listen to your body and scale back a bit on the exercise when you’re feeling a tad tweaked here and there. Better to ease off than a risk an injury that could put you on the sidelines for weeks or months.

Kandice, you’re one pound closer to your goal. Good for you. From everything you have written over the course of the past few months, it is obvious that you and Chris are “living in love”. I know you will have a wonderful life together.

May we all have a good week,
Florafae

Good morning, ladies
 

Hope this finds everyone doing well. I'm dealing w/mixed emotions this morning. I finally updated my signature and added the pounds I gained during Thanksgiving/Christmas. I gained 13 pounds during that time. :( Oh, I'm such an idiot for letting that happen! :mad: But, the past is the past and all I can do is not let it happen again. It just irks me that I have to relose all that weight!!

Anyway, lost 2 pounds this week! I was amazed as TOM is here. Yeah! That's two less holiday pounds to lose! :cb:

I have been op since last time I wrote and only used 6 flexpoints at my sister's this weekend-we made smores and it was worth the points! :D I have also exercised and met water intake. Yesterday, I did two sessions on the elliptical-50 minutes and 4.25 miles and 35 minutes and 2.75 miles for a grand total of 7 miles yesterday! I thought dh was going to have to push me out of bed this morning! Anyway, it felt good. Tonight, probably 3 miles on ellip or maybe just walking. Haven't decided yet.

Bonnie-congrats on the weight loss!!! You go, girl! :cp: :cp:

Kandice-Congrats on your weight loss! :bravo: :dance: You're almost there already! You're inspiring! I don't understand the SBC stance either. I work w/a baptist minister whom I respect very much. We've had some interesting theological discussions but it keeps me on my toes and sharpens my wisdom. I love talking theology w/him but that's one thing I guess I won't ever understand.

Jean-I have a friend who uses that video and she really likes it as well. Kudos to you for walking in such frigid conditions! Brrrrr! I miss snow, we don't get a lot here in southern KY like I did in central Ohio. However, I don't miss the cold weather! I guess I'm just a true southern girl now! I prefer warmth.

Amy-You sure passed up a lot of goodies! Way to go! I'm proud of you! You're doing well. As for exercise, the only thing I can say for sure that I've heard is that it's good to take at least one day off a week to allow your body to rest. I take off Weds. and Sun. usually b/c they are busy w/church stuff. However, I'm getting ready to incorporate Weds back into my schedule at least. I have some video's I plan to use in the mornings before work.

florafae-congrats on your loss as well. :cb: :cheer: You're doing good. Hope your garden is soon restored to proper order. I remember looking at pictures and it was beautiful. I'm sure you'll have it whipped into shape in no time.

Well, laides-gotta run. Have a great health day. Take care of yourself. We're doing great!!

Oh-thoroughly enjoyed my down time w/my sis! Didn't really do anything special; just hung out. She walked w/me Saturday but made me promise to walk my warm-up speed so she could keep up. We went to a park close to her house. The lap was 1 1/4 miles through some woods. It also had a pond w/ducks and geese. It was nice to just spend time w/her. She's an angel! :angel:

Measurement/Weigh in Day
 

Hi Everyone!

It's that time of the week! I'm happy to say that I lost another 3 inches, so that makes 7 inches so far. One more to go before Valentine's Day!

Oh, and more exciting news... I found a really great gym! It's called "Lady of America." It's new and clean, for ladies only with treadmills, ellipticals, weight training machines, free weights, balls, stretch cords, aerobic classes galaore, yoga, step, televisions to watch while exercising,
free babysitting, tanning booths, spray tanning booths, lockers, showers and fun people... all for $149 a year! I signed up immediately, and I've already worked out several times. I just love it. They took my measurements and will do so again in a month, so that's great motivation, too.

Congratulations to everyone who lost weight this week! You are all doing a great job!
Hugs,
Dena :cool:

WOW! Congrats Dena (for the inches and for finding a gym)! that's such a good price too!! Where are you losing the inches? (just curious...) is it in 1 place more than others? I know personally almost 1/2 of my inches came from my thighs...

Skinny- remember that next time... "have to relose all the weight I already lost...." but congrats for staying OP and losing 2 lbs! :cheer:

I go get a haircut (just trim- still trying to grow out my hair for the wedding 'do :lol: ) and an eyebrow wax tonight- fun fun! :D I almost want to go shopping tonight too- just to go, but I think we'll probably just stay home and watch the final final biggest loser... the rest of the week is pretty busy with church tomorrow, and dance class thursday...

oh bonnie! that's terrible! I hope you feel better by Saturday! I know you probably know what works for you, if this has happened to you before, but really, try the thermacare for the back. Chris lifted a box wrong and I got him some of those and he said they are a miracle- they worked for him.

Bonnie, wow, that's an exciting weight :spin: Give your back a little TLC, it needs it.
Amy, 4 pounds, that's really impressive.
Kandice, keep it up, you're getting there.
Florafae, wow, is everyone losing? This is great.
Skinny, congrats, you're almost at the half way point!!
Dena, inches is what really matters in the long run. That gym sounds good.

I don't understand it, I'm up 2 pounds this week. I just don't know why. I'm not going ot put it in my signature, because it will be gone next week. So there, hmmmph. I'm mad.

Diana

I just came back from the gym, and I'm so happy, because going there actually makes better. I feel like I'm back and strong again, before my stupid sick episode. I went on the treadmill for 1/2 hour, worked out with weight machines for 1/2 an hour, and got on the elliptical for a few minutes. So I was there for over an hour and loved it.

Kandice, you asked where I lost inches... 4 around my waist, 1 on my bust,
and 2 on my hips. I would really like the hip inches to keep dropping, please. :) Congrats to you for being so close to goal!

Dew, hang in there. That's happened to me before for no reason. Did you have some salty foods?

Skinny, wow, congrats on the 2 lb. loss!

Flora, congrats to you, too!

Amy, four lbs!! Wow!!

Bonnie, I'm so sorry about your back. Take care of yourself!

OK, time for me to make dinner.
Hugs,
Dena :cool:

Thanks for the support ladies! Today has been good so far but hte hungry bug has hit me hard, I've actually got a growly tummy.
Here's a question, have any of you tried Atkins or counting WW points? :?: Just wondering.
Diana

Hi all,
I know I'm late getting in this challenge but as you can see I have already started! I just found you guys this minute. Love the site and joined yesterday.
Sooooooooooo much fun reading all the posts. I am eating LF, LC, and watching calories. Trying to get 30 mins exercise everyday.