Red - I'm still here. I got the email daying you'd posted but I don't see your post on the board... I read it in my email. Wierd huh!

Ha, ha, grasshopper. Not weird, that was me. Your light was off and so I thought it would just look stupid if I left mine there and it looked like you'd posted 2 hours ago, so I went back and deleted that. I do that sometimes. So, hi there! I'm here, just got in from the gym and need to feed the cats and make something to eat. Will you be around in a bit? What are you doing up so early still? When do you have to leave?

I woke up at 3:30 and could't get back to sleep. I've been playing online since. OH I did watch the west wing. :)

Good for you - going to the gym!! I swear if mine wasn't right in my path I probably wouldn't go as often!! I have to drive around it to get anywhere though!

I'll be here in a while. Just going to spend some time with my honey before he goes to work. Have fun playing with the kitties.

Is it after 6 or after 5 now on the East Coast. It's 20:15 here. Too bad you can't sleep. How is that going to affect your day? I hope it won't make you eat or not work out. It would me maybe. What's west wing? I take it it's a TV program?

OK, well, I won't keep you from your boyfriend. I fed the cats, now it's me. Yum. I walked to and from the gym (45 mins. each way!) jogged 4 K and then did some leg weight training. And I rode today, which entails another hour and 15 minutes walking on top of the ride and I was sweating there! So, I'm back in form, at least mentally, at least for today. Just got to keep this up! I have really gained. Even notice it in my face, which is always thin. Oh well, I was in a bad way. So I just have to accept it. Up and down, up and down, that's how my weight goes. I can get this off. Also, I have not reached for coffee except in the morning so to be going to the gym sans caffeine is a major victory.

You have really been doing good all along, haven't you? Your trying to fit in exercise at any time is a very good thing. Something I must do. OK, chow time, then I'll be back to try to catch up a bit with everyone. Bye for now. :wave:

thanks for being here!
 

Ok, people, I want to try to get this out to you quickly because I have a friend waiting for an email and chiding me that my messages are too short!

As you can see I really kicked butt today and forced myself to go to the gym. I was going to take the bike because it wasn't so cold but then chickened out and besides I thought it'd be more exercise to walk. I promised that I would not eat anything the whole time, not until I got back home and I did it!! Normally, when I walk I'd be eating along the way, stopping in at convenience stores. I've been doing this too much, even the walk into work and so, it's like, what is this, a mountain hike?!!? I've decided to stop this, make promises to myself saying I won't eat and such. I know six little meals are good and all that but I just graze and it adds a ton of calories and then I get home and think I have to eat and really I've been eating all along. So this is going to stop!!

Gosh it's already 9 p.m. here. I'm really feeling beat. Can I take a rain check till morning? Sorry, but I need sleep. I really went at it today!

Just wanted to say, though, that most of the time I was thinking of you all here and how I could tell you what I'd done and that really got me going and to the gym and so. Thanks so much for being here and, yes, let's all keep going. You all have been doing so well, except for a couple minor slipups here and there. I'm the one who has been on the rocks. So thanks again!! :love:

OK, good night. Talk to you in the morning. :wave:

Good morning everyone!
 

How is everyone this bright and wonderful morning? I just woke up and it is 30 minutes before my alarm and I can't go back to sleep. I think my body picked up on little grasshopper being here before dawn. :lol:

red- Great job at the gym!! :strong: :bravo: I am so happy you seem to be back on track! Good for you!
Thanks for telling me what ratatouille is- if you have a recipe I would love to have it. I think it would be great to put in the freezer. :D
Well get some much deserved sleep and keep the upbeat and determined aura coming! ;)
West Wing is a TV program about the comings and goings of the people that work on a fictious West Wing. Martin Sheen plays the president right now and it is a totally additictive show! I love it!

little grasshopper- I am a huge West Wing fan! I Tivoed it too last night. :lol: I have been watching since day one. What do you think about the changes they have made recently?
Sorry you couldn't sleep through the noise- did I understand you right and the dogs got hold of a whole box of bones? Man, if Charlie could get hold of this treats there wouldn't even be the box left. :lol: Thank God he can't open the fridge!
Thanks for the chicken idea- I may try it this Sunday. I want some good chicken to put on salads. I get bored if a salad is the same ole same ole. ;)

kjk- you are kicking my butt with this challenge- great job! :cp: Don't get too comfortable and let yourself slip though because I am back in the game! :lol: I have seen the WW cake on the Applebee's menu and haven't tried it yet- so it is yummy then? It doesn't have many calories either. Good to know.

Well to answer my own questions- I have been OK with exercise- I have been walking just about everyday but not to the level I would like to get to. I think I need to step it up a bit and start doing a video or something. Need to figure that out.

As for my name- most of you already know- it comes from getting my masters in criminology. I also picked it because my brother likes to call me crime girl- defender of obscure facts on crime. He is a nut! My father calls me shortcake and my mom calls me Pooh bear. I love Winnie the Pooh since I was a child so that is where that comes from and shortcake because I am much shorter then my dad or brother.

Okay well I need to go- time to start the day and I have a million things to do today. Have a wonderful day everyone and keep on posting! I will try to catch up later.
:spin: :spin: :spin:

Red - I hope you're snoozing peacefully :) I finally fell asleep for a bit and am feeling much more rested. I have one job today - to take a box of cashes and throw them in the TRASH CAN!! I am addicted to them - best place for me is out of the house!

Crime girl - sorry I woke you - I was really trying to be quiet :) On the dog thing - I usually pick up their bones and such before bed..they'll make all kinds of noise if I don't. I get them soup bones from the butcher and they love it! I forgot to get them last night. The grind and grind for hours if I dont pick them up.

Well ladies. I'm trying to decide if I need to go to the gym today. It's stacked like this. I haven't had a day off this week at all. I am a bit sore today - I could skip today to recoup but then I'd HAVE to get up at 6:00 in the morning and go then......I'll probably end up there today. Once i get moving I'm sure I'll feel more into it.

today I'm going shopping for a new bra. My current one is a minimizer and is not doing so much these days. I think it's more just support right now. I'm going to see if there is that much difference if I get a new bra of if I should just wait a month more or so...definatley not getting an expensive one! I hope to be replacing it soon :)

Okay, out of here for now. I'll talk to everyone later. Red, thanks so much for chatting this morning - you did GREAT with all the walking and gym work - really truly great!!!!

Tomorrow is - " What have I been doing to move my bootie" day so give us an idea of how your exercise program is going. What is your program tailored to do to your body? are you going for muscles or a more lean look?
For my exercise I've been using Yourself!Fitness on the XBox, doing a 30 minute workout every day, each day targetting something different! I'm hoping to start jogging outdoors soon (scary because when I was in shape before I couldn't jog!) and maybe hopefully joining a gym in a few months so I can do some lifting weights! I'm going for a leaner look.

Question for tomorrow- How did you pick your sign in name? Do you have any other interesting nick names? Confess ladies-let's hear them. It's my name :D Creative huh? I use it on every board I'm on actually...

How do you ladies avoid the scale EVERYDAY?? I can't seem to avoid it, and I NEED to! Today I was up .5 of a pound, and while I know it's no big deal and still days until weigh day...It's discouraging to see that darn thing every day! How can I avoid it??

(Sorry for this being my 3rd post)

Grasshopper, I loathe bra shopping! I have 2 bra's that I've had forever and I actually just sent my hubby to the store and said "Get something this size for me." I hate it because it's so darn depressing because my bras are so expensive and I can't get anything cute in my size...

CrimeGirl, I set my alarm for about an hour before I need to so I can get some quick computer time in in the morning ;) That means I got to bed about 2 hours before I need to because I could sleep all day every day if I was allowed!

Red, I hope you got some good sleep :D It sounds very needed for you!

Sorry to anyone I may have forgotten!

It's off to work :D I'll be around tonight!

jacque you're so funny! I had the same problem with the scale and I still do so I asked BF to hide the scales from me. It was annoying at first and then very relaxing to not be able to get on the scales. Also I avoided the "I'm losing I can afford to be a little slack" because I couldn't tell if I was or not. I highly recommend hiding the scale.

As for bra shopping - I hate it!! I can find one type that is my size and is carried in department stores and it's $60.00 I REFUSE to pay that much money for something that looks that utilitarian!!! It's just a lot of HARDWARE for something I'm getting rid of....I can find cheaper ones on line but I hate to buy them and have them not fit. I just bid on two on ebay that are the kind and cut I can do, I'm sure I'll get outbid but we'll see. You're right though - It can be frustrating to bra shop. you'd think that with all the inplants being done they'd make better and prettier full coverage bras but not so far.

okay off to the chamber...I much find something or running is going to become less and less fun :)

Hi all! Just quickly checking in!

Grasshopper, I didn't get up this morning! I was still a little sore and worn out from volleyball last night, so I took that extra 45 minutes to get a little more sleep.

Jacque, I highly recommend hiding the scale as well. Mine is now in a closet in the basement that I don't use. I go down on Sunday morning, open the door, step on, and then retreat upstairs. I'm not tempted at all to use it during the week because it's "out of the way." I guess I've done this enough in the past to know that little fluctuations are going to occur, and I want to prevent myself from getting upset by them!

As for good bras, have you tried Lane Bryant? Do you all have those? That's where I get all of mine, and they are pretty, functional and much cheaper than $60. They usually run $28 each, but I tend to go when they have sales like buy one, get one half off, or buy two, get two free. Just a thought....if you don't have a store, they're online at lanebryant.com.

All right, must get to work....have a great day. Keep up the good work!

Kelly

Lane Bryant bras for $28?!?! I get mine there and they are about $40! Last time I went to JC Penny's and bought the biggest things they had for $12 each (although they are crappy crappy quality!)

Hiding the scale...hmm....very very good idea! I will ask DH to do it for me tonight and then have him only get it down for me on Sundays...

Today is going to be HIGH stress!! I need to find a ride to work tomorrow because my husband is out of town on meetings... and if I can't find a ride I'm walking... (only 4 miles...but that's a long walk before a 10 hour work day!) I know the exercise would be good, but I'd much rather get it in a "fun" way! Plus, he finds out tomorrow if he gets this promotion he's been waiting to hear on for six months... so it's a hair pulling few days ;) I hope I can relieve it by working out and not by eating chips and cookies ... .*Fingers Crossed*

Wow Jacque - did you have to walk? I hope you got a ride. Taking a 4 mile walk when you expect it is one thing - but HAVING to take one is different!!

KJK - thanks for the tip on Lane Bryant. I'll check them out. When I'm at my goal I'm going serious shopping..matching stuff and all :) Until then I'll take whatever works for the next few months :)

Okay I have to eat a salad and then push myself to go to the gym. I need to go today just in case I am out of it tomorrow a.m.

See you guys soon !! Good luck hiding the scale!

the evil and angelic scale. . .
 

Good morning! 5 a.m. here. I had a restless night too. I knew the working out would do it. The cardio stuff. You gotta remember that your heart's a muscle too and if you overwork it it's going to be "sore" which usually means you'll have trouble relaxing and sleeping. So be careful, those of you are have added a lot of new cardio to your days.

Talk about the scale. I agree for you here with the HIDE IT and only take it out once a week or so to weigh. The fluctuations are SO frustrating when you're trying to lose. HOWEVER, I, for one, was not weighing enough. I had totally stopped weighing myself over these months and I think that's what allowed me to gain so much, about 10 lbs! It "snuck" up on me because I had my head in the sand, refusing to look at the number while at the same time denying that my clothes were tighter (and I normally wear all this stretchy stuff because I just hate feeling restricted but at the same time I had baggy jeans). So here I was gaining and gaining and just denying it and ignoring it. I was not trying to lose weight anymore really and knew I was gaining so that is the time when the scale is very much needed! When you're working out, counting calories, etc. it's the opposite, the scale is then a source of more often than not frustration.

Jacque, DON'T feel bad or anything at all about a little gain. It's not a gain at all really, not the way you've been going. Did you know that when the body is losing fat it turns it into water first and tends to hold onto the water for a while even though the fat is gone, or moved, or whatever, and that the weight in water is more than the weight in fat. It also feels worse because it takes up more room. So, it'll look like a gain when you just have to have faith and wait for the entire process to finish. Take it from me, one who has lost and regained over and over again SO much weight in her life. So, yes, if you're sticking to your plan, you don't need the scale. Stay off it except for confirmations along the way.