I weighed this morning and I am down a pound (of the two pounds I gained last week) so its back to 153...hopefully by the end of this week I will be at 152...AGAIN!! I need to get off of the 150’s already. I was supposed to go to the gym last night...but I didnt go...I went to see my Mom...I hadnt seen her all of last week cause I was away...she was doing fine but I had lots of clothes to wash for her...so after my visit with her I went home and did her laundry...which took up most of my evening but it needed to get done. So now its ready for my Dad to bring it back today. You go away for just one week and things pile up...my Dad is not to good with taking care of my Mom..so its up to me to make sure things get done.
I wish my Mom wasnt sick...I hate this friggin illness.

I got on my bike last night to cycle..I managed 10 minutes...I guess I am still tired from the plan ride and time change. That intestinal pain I had is also gone...nothing a little fiber wont take care of I am not used to eating too many prepackaged foods..so I felt the difference. Its nice to be cooking my food again...at least I know what is in there....REAL FOOD!! LOL Anyway, by the time all the laundry and cooking was done...it was 9pm.

I slow cooked a beef curry last night for tonight’s dinner...Mario is picking me up at work and coming over for dinner and to hang out. Did I mention how much I like him...k..just checking. He rocks!! I spent a good two hours talking on the phone with him and got to bed after 11pm..time flies when the conversation is good. We are planning our first vacation for late summer..like in September...we are planning to go to New Orleans...I have always wanted to go there...so I think it will be a great first vacation with Mario....definitly looking forward to it. His parents are coming in from Spain late june and staying the rest of the summer...so looks like I will be meeting his parental units.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: carnation breakfast with skim milk
lunch: 4 mini crab cakes with feta cheese stuffed jalapeno peppers
dinner: beef curry with noodles
snack: pear, plum and berry boost fruit smoothie
beverages: water, tea and diet cola

exercise: hopefully some cycling

Have a super duper day

Cyan

PS Feel better soon Stephanie

Hey Miki get yer bum back in here...I miss reading your posts

Looks like this week is going by fast!! Its gym time tonight...looking forward to it..havent worked out at a gym in many many years...should feel good...I want to use the nautilus machines to work out my upper body and abs area and lower body too..ok I guess I need it all over...LOL

Anyway, last night was great...Mario picked me up at work...we went over to my house and hung out...had a nice dinner...looks like he enjoys my cooking...YAY!! Cause its low fat cooking but he doesnt seem to mind...it was a beef curry with snow peas. I had of course portuguese bread and cheese for him on the side. He must really like me cause he wants to come over again tonight...after my work out of course...or maybe its the ribs I was slow cooking in the oven last night.... In anycase...ribs or me...or both...he will be there for 7.30pm. I didnt realize how funny he is...he had me laughing most of the evening...I could tell he is definitely comfortable around me. and of course I am with him...still cant get over how hot he is...Oh and he wore the new jeans I picked out for him this weekend...the loose fit Tommy Hillfiger...he looked really good in them. Ok enough about my CutiePie.

Food intake was good but I had some ice cream...about a third cup...but I scaled back on the beef curry...so it might of all worked out to the same amount of calories.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: carnation breakfast with skim milk
lunch: left over beef curry
dinner: ribs (home-made) with a green salad
snacks: pear, banana, fruit smoothie
beverages: water, tea and diet cola

exercise: work out at the gym for an hour

Have a great day

Cyan

Cyan- that's awesome! It's so nice to find someone that you enjoy being with! I'm so happy for you!!! And a hottie, too! That's even better!! That's awesome that you're going to the gym. I need to go more often. I've had a membership since last july and I haven't been in a few months! It's pitiful to have something like that and just let it waste. -Means that I really don't have too many excuses, doesn't it?

I'm trying to get back on track after being sick. I think today will be my best day since I've been sick. I must do some jogging tonight! On a good note, I did lose weight while I was sick. The last time I weighed before getting sick, I was 227.5 (2/18/05). Now I weigh 226 lbs.!! I'm so happy to have that 1.5 lbs. gone! Now I'm pushing towards 225! Can't wait to see it!!

Stephanie
234/226/125
SW/CW/GW

Yippee! I am finally back on track after being sick (still really trying to get over the stuff)! I did not get any exercise in yesterday. I'm still just so tired. I'm totally on track for today though! And so happy about it! I had my two waffles for breakfast ~200 cals.
Brought my lunch to work ~320 cals.
AND brought some mini carmel rice cakes! Those are 60 cals for 7 mini cakes! And they taste great!
And hopefully I'll be able to make myself exercise tonight. I desperately need to do that!! I'm hoping that I can get to 225 by Monday. I don't know what it is about hitting the 5's and 0's but it just makes you feel like you're going somewhere!

Stephanie
234/226/125
SW/CW/GW

Man I had no idea how weak my uper body is...I could barely do 10 reps of those exercises using the nautilus machines that work your shoulders , arms and chest...those machines are hard. I faired better with my abs..thanks to pilates, back and legs...those were fun but I still used just about the smallest weights possible. I must continue strengthening my upper body.
I think Mario is afraid I will wind up looking like Madonna with extra sculpted arms...I said...fat chance that happening...he told me again that my body is beautiful. He is so sweet...I wont see him till Saturday evening...he has a contract at a clients house after work to finish rennovating a bathroom...Damn he’s a hard worker. Thats good..I need time to myself to finish unpacking, setting up my new computer, and seeing Ivano...I will spend friday night and saturday afternoon with him...he is still in pretty bad shape ...his Mom passed away suddenly two weekends ago...he cries alot when I talk to him on the phone...so it will be very good for him to see me and spend quality time alone. He helped me out so much with my Mother and supported me through that so it is the very least I can do for him...I need to be there for my dear friend.

I have class tonight so I will leave work early today...I find it to hard to work all day and then go to class in the evening..I dont have the stamina to do both.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: carnation breakfast with skim milk, two whole wheat toast, reduced peanut butter (1 tbs) and 1 oz cheese
Lunch: dont know yet
Dinner: maybe spaghetti
snack: plum
beverages: water , tea and diet cola

exercise: cycling and pilates

I have to get some shopping done this weekend

Have a great day

Cyan

Hey Stephanie..I challenge you to go to the gym 3 times next weekend...I will go monday wednesday and friday ...so here's your challenge..are you up for it?

Cyan - I'll accept your challenge! I'm breathing a sigh, knowing that I'll have a difficult time with it, but I WILL do it!! My goal after getting to the gym will be to travel 3.1 miles on the treadmill. That way I can check my time for a 5K. And start getting better at that time! This weekend may end up pretty enough to actually go outside and run on the trail! The first thing I need to do is schedule the gym trips. That way there will be no backing out. No thinking that I will do it later, etc. I will post again once I've figured out exactly when I can/will go to the gym. Saturday morning is a definite. I need to see when the gym opens and when my boyfriend has to go to work to know if I can go this Sunday. There is no daycare at the gym on Sundays, so he would need to watch my daughter. Boy oh boy. I've got to get over this mental block of going to the gym. I'm giving myself one million and one excuses for why I can't go to the gym on any given day. No wonder I never end up there!! Ok. I will be going to the gym 3 times over the next week. (maybe all this weekend) I will schedule the times as appointments and keep them thusly! I will post back with my gym appointments as soon as I decide on the times!!!

Thank you so much for challenging me to this. I really needed it. And I'm just a little competitive so I don't back down from a reasonable challenge easily!!!

Stephanie
234/226/125
SW/CW/GW

Ok. I said that I would post back with my three appointments for the gym. I just found out that my daughter is staying with my mother until Saturday. She is still not feeling well. Supposedly still hacking a little. I wonder what 8 year old would feel well when at their grandmother's and faced with going home and to school?? I know I never felt well faced with those options!! But anyway...it frees me up to go to the gym tonight!
Tonight and Saturday morning. And I will get back to you with the third appointment! It would be good for me to find three days each week that I could set a definite weekly schedule. I need to determine which would be best for Savannah with her homework.
Stephanie
234/226/125
SW/CW/GW

Ok I didn't make it to the gym last night. I cashed my paycheck and got some groceries, took them home and put them away. Realized I didn't have anything clean to wear to the gym so I decided not to go. BUT I did not sit on my butt all evening! I cleaned house like a madwoman! I cleaned from 6PM to 10PM sitting down only a couple minutes a few times! I broke a sweat and got my heart rate up! And I'm sore from bending over so much! My place does look much better too! I will still go to the gym three times. I just don't know when I'll go other than Saturday morning!

Last night I ended up snacking! I blew a great day on some darn crackers!! I ended up eating 1,700 calories for the entire day yesterday. I have to say that I was doing great not eating too much last night until I sat down around 10 PM. I should have just went to bed. I was tired. But instead, I stayed up an hour longer and added 630 calories to my calorie intake for the day. I was at 1070 calories for the day before I sat down at that time. And I WASN'T hungry. How silly I am sometimes. I was just craving those stupid crackers. Next time I will just go to bed if I am tired. I will not eat something when I am tired enough to go to bed and it's bedtime!! I will do better!

Today has started off very good again! I have had my 200 cal breakfast and today I brought a 250 cal lunch with me. Along with my mini carmel rice cakes if I want something sweet. And I will be more careful with my cal intake this evening!
Stephanie
234/226/125
SW/CW/GW

wooooooohooooooooo I love Fridays!! I finished work at noon yesterday...took the bus to my favorite Sushi take out restaurant...picked up my lunch and walked home...I walked for about an hour round trip in subzero temperatures...it felt good...the sun was so bright that it helped keep me warm. It felt good to walk. Had my Sushi ...then dyed my hair...took a nap with Kitty...talked on the phone with my friend Lisa..then I went to Class...it was a great class..very good when you are not tired from working all day. I walked from the bus stop to class..about another 10 minutes and then on the way home...from the subway to my house...uphill...another 10 minutes..all in all ..I think I got my cardio in..I kept a brish pace whilst walking.

Tonight I go to the gym again with Lisa. I will focus on weights again..I figured at the gym I will do weights..with the nautilus machines and at home I will do aerobics..like cycling and walking.

Ivano is picking Lisa and I up after the gym..so he will meet us there..we will head back to my house for dinner and to hang out for the rest of the evening. Then on Saturday...the three of us will go shopping for food. Then I gotta get my car back from Ivano’s driveway..I parked it there whilst away in San Fran.

I finally get to see my Cutiepie Saturday night...I am meeting his close friends I think Lisa and Ivano might join us too… to make for a bigger group...we are going to this restaurant that is buffet style but you order it from a menu and they bring it to your table..as much as you can eat...LOL dont worry I have a cap on this...Its Schezchuan style food...YUM YUM.

I didnt get to talk to Mario last night but thats cool...it’s nice to get my space and I am sure him...his space...He is finishing up a client’s bathroom rennovation. Actually this client...Richard is the guy that introduced me to Mario..indirectly...Richard is an architect ...so when our offices were getting renovated I called Richard to help design our new layout...He then hired Mario to come to the rennovations...badabing...there you have it...Mario came over to work on my office...and my eyes started sparkling...my mind started working on over drive....a little convo here and there ...like...wow...you work two jobs...your wife must be mad that you are never home....No..I am not married...My eyes get bigger...My heart beats a little faster....Well then...your girlfriend....No..I have no girlfriend...Your Kids...No kids....BINGOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Let starts this show....and so it begun...the friendly chatter....for a few months...until he finally had the nerve...or desire to ask me out on our first date...Heheheh!!

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: two whole wheat toast, one egg, one slice of cheese, chili sauce
lunch: half a smoke meat sandwich
dinner: ribs and green salad
snacks: berries (frozen one cup), banana
beverages: water, tea and diet cola

exercise:weights at the gym for one hour

Have a great day

Cyan


Hey Steph...I am off to the gym this tonight and I will go again on Sunday..so that's my three days for me!! Come on you can do it. Have a great weekend

Have a great weekend!! I may not get to post again until Monday!

Stephanie
234/226/125
SW/CW/GW

Hello ladies. I've been lurking but with no time to post. You all know how I am when I'm in school. Things are so busy.

Cyan, I am so sexcited...I mean excited about your new man! Sounds like things are heating up in the kitchen. Woohoooo!!! You go girl!

Stephanie, you seem to be doing awesome with your motivation and positive attitude. Keep up the good work!!

Cjunk, I'm still here! Aren't you getting married??? Sounds like Cyan might need some wedding advice one day soon. hee hee hee!

Well, *Sigh* it's Monday. Saturday, my kids went with my mother-in-law and flew to Arizona to see my sister-in-law's. They won't be back until tomorrow night. I was so excited that they were going and to have a quiet time here with just the baby, but once I left the airport, I was sooooo sad!!!! I miss them terribly! They call often and they e-mail pictures, so that helps. But I can't wait for them to get back!

Okay, eating. Weightloss. Blah Blah Blah.....blah blah blah...blah.....
I have been eating everything in sight. I don't know why, I've just been eating. Lots of chocolate. I think my body may be trying to start ovulating again and causing me to have a period soon. I haven't really had one since the baby was born and I'm still breastfeeding. But as he is 10 months old now, he's eating more solid foods and I'm breastfeeding only slightly less. I'm up to about 205 or maybe a little less. I'm too scared to go weigh myself. I'm not sure if I should start doing ATkins again, or if I should just start watching what I eat better. Less dessert and breads, more fruits and veggies....hmmmmm.. I think once I'm done breastfeeding, my body will leg go of a few pounds. I just keep seeing these cute ladies my age at church and at the hospital and on TV and they are so cute. I'm not talking about super models, I'm just talking about people who are at their normal weight. Then I see myself and I am so FAT. I look so out of proportion because I still have a skinny face and skinny legs. My belly, hips, thighs and butt are HUGE!! It's disgusting. I'm really at a loss and I don't know what to do. I need motivation and encouragement. HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks all!

Lisa

It wasn’t too bad getting up this morning..thank goodness..there are days where I think my eyes are glued shut.

Hey Lisa..hang in there...my advice to you is not to give up...refocus..maybe really think about why it is you are sabotaging your weight loss..maybe you can come up with a reason...you are under alot of stress...motherhood, student, wife...thats a lot to deal with...you have to get it right in your head first...make the decision to lose the weight..you have to do that first..there is no way around it...its a concious effort to lose weight..simply follow a diet plan never worked for me...just hang in there...it will click sooner or later..hugs

Hey Stef...did you make it to the gym?

As usual, the weekend flew on by..I went to the gym on Friday for weights and then again on Sunday...I go again tonight ...I am planning on going mondays, wednesdays, fridays and sundays. Lets see if I see a change in my body at the end of this month.

It was very nice spending friday evening and Saturday afternoon with Ivano and Lisa...They also came with me to the restaurant Saturday night and met my Boyfriend’s friends as well. Saturday evening went very well and his friends were very nice, genuine and fun to hang around with...so it went well as I expected it would. Mario is such a cutiepie....always makes me smile when I think of him. I saw him again on sunday afternoon after going to the gym and visiting with my Mom...She is doing the best she can...I cant wait till the weather warms up so that it will be easier for me to take her for car rides and not have to worry about ice and such and cold weather.

So tonight is gym time again...then I have to wash my clothes...washed my Mom’s yesterday so I ran out of time...and make chili con carne for tomorrow’s dinner or lunch depending on how I feel..maybe it will be for lunch.

Mario is coming over tuesday night..I think we are going to go see a movie...Constantine...Keanu is so hot...cant wait!!

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: carnation breakfast with skim milk
lunch: chicken breast with hummus and tzatiki ...one tbs each
dinner: ham sandwich on whole wheat with asparagus
snack: grapes and yogurt
beverages: water, tea and diet cola

exercise: gym work out

Have a great day

Cyan - I'm so glad to hear that all is well. I'm so happy that you've found someone so nice! And Constantine is really good-me,my boyfriend,my best friend and her husband went to see it two weekends ago.
The gym just didn't happen. I've come to a sad conclusion. One of the little boys at the gym childcare is mean. Just absolutely mean. And his mother either owns or manages the place. Either way he is there almost all the time. I just mentioned the place to my daughter and she got all antsy and said that the one little boy was just too mean. She didn't calm down until I told her that she wouldn't have to go then. The gym is in the next town over. It's about 25 minutes or so away. That causes some difficulty in getting there as well. It was convenient for my other job. It was on the way to it. I've just had to accept that I'm going to have to work out at home mostly. I will be able to go to the gym possibly on Saturday mornings. All my other workouts will have to be at home until it warms up and Savannah and I can go to the trails to walk/jog.

Lisa - Thanks. I'm trying. Today is not the best of days for me. I hope this week will get better. I'm just trying to stay somewhat on track for the week.

I am so very stressed today. I work through a temp agency as a receptionist at an attorney firm. The firm decided to merge with another firm. Which means that my position that started out as temp-to-hire is not going anywhere. I will be working with the firm until noon on Friday. I don't have a job lined up yet. It makes me very stressed. I also had to get the doctor to call in more antibiotics as I'm not yet well from my bronchitis. Between lost wages, doctor visit, and medicines I'm out $450 for this sickness. That was my entire savings! So now I don't have any savings and I only have two paychecks left. Not where I want to be at the moment. I'm hoping that I might get some good news soon about a job. I'll let you know if I hear anything about a job.
And God help to keep me from eating everything in sight. I'm a horrible stress eater and I've got enough stress going on right now to cause me to eat the entire house! Even though I know it wouldn't help my situation at all, I'm still prone to stress eat.
Trying to hang in there!
Stephanie

Happy International Women’s Day
In case you dont know..here is a brief summation of this special day…


International Women’s Day (8 March) is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.


International Women’s Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. In ancient Greece, Lysistrata initiated a sexual strike against men in order to end war; during the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for “liberty, equality, fraternity” marched on Versailles to demand women’s suffrage.


International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point for coordinated efforts to demand women’s rights and participation in the political and economic process. Increasingly, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of women’s rights.


I went to the gym last night..worked out for 1 hour and 15 or so minutes...cycled and did weights...worked out my abs..those were killer...I am a little sore this morning but it is all good. I see my Cutiepie today..he is picking me up at work today...going back to my place for dinner..we are suppposed to go see a movie but I just feel like snuggling with him...he is just so huggable...I really like being in his arms...he is a great hugger.

Anyway, tonight no gym...back tomorrow...so I will take a night off.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: carnation breakfast with skim milk
lunch: chili con carne
dinner: steak sandwich with snow peas or asparagus and carrots or side salad..dont know yet
snack: pear and banana
beverages: water, tea and diet cola

exercise: night off

Have a great day everyone!!

Cyan

Its gym time again....and my abs are still sore...the upper portion of my abs are anyway...looks like I wasnt working those out at all Looking forward to going tonight...even if it is so friggin cold out there...it was -30C last night and this morning it -17C without the windchill factor and its MARCH!!! Ack! I am tired of this friggin cold weather already. Yeesh

Sorry for the rant...moving on....Mario picked me up at work yesterday...we came back to my place...had dinner....we were supposed to go to the movies but we wanted to just hang out at home...and snuggle plus it was soooo friggin cold anyway. The evening passed by quickly as usual...He is just the best and so easy to get along with...so affectionate and loving...I think I will look for batteries behind his head soon.

Meal Plan for today
breakfast: carnation breakfast with skim milk
lunch: chili con carne with oz of cheddar cheese
dinner: shrimp stuffed peppers (new recipe) hopefully it will turn out ok
snack: grapes one cup, pear
beverages: water, tea and diet cola

exercise: gym workout..weights and cardio

I have been bad with the pie eating all week long ...my dad brought home lemon pie and bumbleberry pie...I have had a slice for dinner every dinner this week...the lemon pie is gone...I will resist the bumbleberry pie....sometimes I have no backbone...its as if I am compelled to eat that friggin pie or the world will end...like how dramatic is that...geez...I think I need to be more mindful when I get into that frame of mind..I dont even consider that I dont have to eat it...I just do...like a reaction instead of thinking about it first.

So back to clean eating for the rest of the week...no more deserts..I can do it..yes I can!!! say no to Pie!!!

Have a good day

Cyan