Chiming in a little late here..
but Yay for the one pound down, Marti! I've been fighting my one little pound for weeks,so I know how great it feels to just get one off....never to return!

All this Gazelle talk is giving me ideas...it looks like something I would like. However, I already have the folding stepper and really no room for another piece of equipment, but when I breaks...the gazelle is next.

1st day of boot camp went alright. The workouts are frequent and somewhat vigorous, but since I don't have a treadmill I'm just doing what I normally do. I don't know if I'll be able to squeeze in the second workout... maybe I can work up to it. On the boot camp, for two days you do two workouts in a day. They aren't long, so we'll see. I thought I'd just focus on 6 days a week for starters....

The food plan is pretty simple, but it involves cutting out bread for a month.then you can add back some whole grains..I did it yesterday. I am going to do it becasue I consistently notice that sugar ( white food, hence the bread) and alcohol are major triggers, and this involves cutting it all out for twelve weeks. they don't call it boot camp for nothing!

Wish me luck
Katy

Ok girls..I'm still working out on the gazelle. And I have this friend at work that when she see's me eating some "no-no" foods....she tells me "That's an extra 10mins on the Gazelle Marti!" which actually helps me stay on my toes!!

I've been reading up on how to dress to where you flatter your body rather than make it look fat.....so think that's where I"m getting comments on my looks lately.....and I'll take that!!! (I had two different women at different times at work tell me that I look like I'm losing weight!-----now,....if only I can convince my scale the same thing!)

How is everyone else coming along?

Well, tomorrow is WI...maybe this time I will remember. Haven't done so good this past week though. So a little afraid to step on those scales. I did however get weighed my first visit to the chiro last week, EGADS! :Yikes: Almost fell over too! Actually, I didn't give it much thought because I was fully dressed of course. Had a heavy sweatshirt, shirt under it, my shoes and socks on etc....and I know that was at least another 5 pounds which would have been about right. Going to really work harder this week on both eating and exercise. I've had the cravings like I have before TOM but so far no sign of Auntie Flo. But then if I miss this month next month may be worse, or I could be real lucky and not have a TOM next month either. Time to get my sh*% together regardless.

Started the Dr. Phils book on CD yesterday. It does good to hear him read the book. I think it sinks in more. There are 5 cd's and then a cd for the computer to print out the food list, inspiration, exercise tips and a few other things. Just don't have any paper at the moment to print it out now. I'm curious as to what all is on there. Didn't really want to look until I get paper to print it.

Hope everyone else is doing fine.

Hiya ladies,

Katy - how's Bootcamp with Oprah going? I know I could never cut out a whole group of food, but yay to those of you who can!! At least you get to add in the whole grains. Is this more doable than Core?

Marti - just so you'll know, I've adopted your regimen for the Gazelle. Using it every weekday, off on weekends. Btw, I do think how we dress makes a difference. Now that I am in Spring colors, I think I look bigger than when I was wearing black, navy, maroon, etc. for the winter. But I do love the new sherbet colors and will just have to look bigger! Although I am not actually at goal, I like myself this way, and will stay here. Now if I can just tone up!!

Cristi - I wish I could forget to get weighed, lol. I do it every morning now that I'm in maintenance. The scales is sitting out in the bathroom, very visible, and we've gone from being mortal enemies to quite good friends, lol. Hope Auntie Flo loses your address. She lost mine and boy am I ever glad!! If anything could motivate a person, I think Dr. Phil's voice is it! His quotes run through my head daily, and that's no joke.

Hope the others are doing well....

As I told Marti, I'm doing pretty good with the Gazelle. And as nicer weather gets here, I'll be doing more and more outdoors. Neal and I are going to continue the road clean up, and that truly is good exercise!

TTFN,

Hi all -
Ok good news/bad news. The bad news is a sort of confession. My new WW scale that I got two weeks ago said I was 5 lbs heavier than my last scale.... My last scale was a piece of cr*p, so I made peace with the fact that I was heavier than I thought. Well, I never changed my ticker, maybe out of embarassment. Now the good news is that over the last two weeks - I have lost those pounds and now the ticker tells the God's honest truth!

Cristi - I think listening to Dr. Phil is the way to go. I had a hard time with reading his book, because I felt it was poorly written. Then I realized he was just writing like he talks.. so that made it easier to take.

Jane - I think a person could do the Core and boot camp together pretty easily - just have to eliminate all the refined carbs ( white foods) including sugar. Don't know what that means with regard to Splenda. Personally, I have to cut it all out..anything sugary whether fake or not is a major trigger, as is alcohol. The boot camp is really helpful to me as I have realized over the last few months that my diet is perfect for maintenance, but if I want to lose, I am going to have to get aggresive with my triggers. I have not eliminated bread completely, but have limited it to some homemade whole grain breads I made and I only ate 2 servings a day for the last two days. Of the weight loss I just mentioned, 2.5 pounds of it came this last week when I started boot camp.

Also - I haven't been able to do the double -up days ( the days where you do two workouts) I just haven't been able to make the time. I have done cardio everyday and resistance most days.

Marti - Been meaning to tell you that I love the "What Not to Wear" book! I got so many great ideas for dressing more attractively from that book. I love how they give ideas that can fit any budget or body type. I wanted to let you know that I noticed that the authors were on Oprah last week on a show about dressing thinner. I missed the show, but I bet it's on the website. I'll probably check it out sometime today.

Gorgeous weather here today---so I am going to get out and enjoy it...have a great weekend everyone.

Good afternoon ladies--

Katy--I went to the Oprah bootcamp and signed up just to see what all was involved. Oprah looks fantastic and I would love to be toned up like she is. I hope it's a workout for you!!

Cristi--I forgot to WI yesterday, wasn't even on my mind! But when I do remember is when I actually get on the scale. So maybe later on today or tomorrow morning (since morning is best) I will WI. I think books on tape are great! You can take them anywhere!! I had a book on tape about the war once that I listened to on the way to work when I was at Sony.....people started to wonder why I was sad after awhile.....

Jane--You should check out those British Girls "What not to wear". They have a book out they really tell you how you should dress to make you look like you lost weight even when you haven't. As I have found out....if your big busted, a v neck top w/sleeves flatters you more than a mock neck shoulderless top!! And after reading thier book......I realize that I am dressing the wrong way. And so a girl at work gave two tops that shrunk on her, and I wore those to work...and that's when I got the compliments! Amazing. So slowly I will be changing my wardrobe over the year!!

I've been keeping up w/the gazelle. I'm thinking that on Tuesdays.....if the weather provides sun, I may start riding my bike to go visit my grandpa. He's only 2miles away and for most of the ride I can be on the bike path that starts just down the road from me. I need to get a variety of exercises going. Don't want to bore myself w/the gazelle......as of right now, I love that thing. And I don't want to ruin a good thing!

Keep up the good work girls.

Just bumping to keep this going .....
Not much to add, I slipped up a little and had some pizza yesterday, but other than that I am doing ok with the boot camp food guidelines. I am happy to have cut out sugar and (most) refined carbs. My cravings have decreased significantly, I have more energy, etc. Too bad sugar is such a bugaboo for me, 'cause I really love it!

I am hoping to make this a double workout day..we'll see if I can swing it. I am thinking that I can take L for walk this afternoon then sometime today I have to get out the stepper and squeeze in #2. Wish me luck

Didn't WI this morning, not really into it for some reason. I think I get obsessed with those darn scales and I really do do better when I don't weigh as much. So I think I am going to change my WI to every two weeks instead of every week. Dont feel like I gained any so should be fine. We's see how that goes.

Can't believe that tomorrow is a new month, WOW, March all ready! Up to 4 bottles of water. I must say I have surprised myself by sticking with this so far. Apparently making it a habit. I have been drinking my three bottles everyday and I am proud of that. On to four...

Now to get the eating and exercise down. I am confident that it will all fall into place soon enough. I think that's where I failed before, trying to do everything at one time rather than work on one thing at a time. So next I am going to concentrate on the exercise part of it and make that a habit. I have been listening to Dr. Phil and making notes. Also, going to make a list to post in the kitchen about exercise, food, water and not eating past a certain time and such. That helped me before. Anyway...that's how I am doing.

How is everyone else doing?

Hey there...WI on Saturday...didn't want to since I'm dealing w/TOM and I'm having a rough week w/it. But I WI the same. That's good.

Cristi--I think it takes just what you're doing to make things work. Starting w/one thing at a time. I've been trying to do the same. I've been doing my gazelle on week days ever since I've gotten it...and now, I decided it's time to work on my portion control w/my food. One thing at a time. I think it does become overwhelming when you try to do everything at once.

I also think weighing in every two weeks is a good idea. I may do that myself!

Katy--How is Oprah's bootcamp coming along?? I signed up to get idea's...but haven't actually checked out the site yet. keep us posted.

Hi ladies,

YAY to all of you for the progress you have made!

My trip to Evansville was so nice! As you know, I saved up points for a few days to splurge on a meal while there. I did just great, except for one thing. Later in the day, I had a cookie that wasn't planned, and mmmm, it was good! It was a strawberry shortcake one, and probably several points. But with all the walking we did, I think I probably worked it off, lol.

See you at chit chat!

So with today the start of a new month I have started on the four bottles of water. It seems like soooo much to me though. Of course today it won't be a problem because I have no diet coke and don't plan on going to the store. We'll see how tomorrow goes though. Diet coke is my coffee in the morning and without one to start the day mommabear is going to be grouchybear! Can't exercise as I did something to my back but I am moving around. Hurting or not I can't just sit around and do nothing, but do need to be careful. Even missed my chiro appt. May be able to go for a decent walk by Friday, I am hoping anyway. Anyway, that's what's up with me.

Jane~I don't think one cookie will hurt you, especially since you have done so well.

Marti~It does become overwhelming when doing too much. I think working on one thing at a time will be the key for me in succeeding. I know I will eventually get this weight off, don't ask me how I know but I just feel that I will.

Still same old, same old. Getting the four bottles of water down and a little bit of exercise in. Also, listening to Dr. Phil's book on cd as well as referring back to his book. It really is basically the same but it is a little different for me with him reading to me, which is a good thing.

How is everyone else doing? Katie, with bootcamp and Marti, did you ever join the gym at work?

V asked how I was coming along with the 10 pound mini-goal and how close I am to getting that reward. he said he should buy me the watch and dangle it in front of me, tease me a little. I told him that wouldn't work because he would just end up giving it to me! LOL He would too. Anyway the whole point is to earn it so I am working on that. And that's about all I have for now. Hoep everyone else is doing fine with their programs and weightloss.

Cristi--No, I didn't join the gym at work. After getting the gazelle I thought I would hold off on that until they move to the sony building and I'm more comfortable where it's at. (lame excuse I know) but also to save a little more money for a little while. I know that $8 is cheap, but it adds up.
I am getting results off the gazelle....I was noticing that my weight isn't changing.....but the behind is losing it's double butt!! It's starting to round out more than be flabby! So I was thrilled to be checking that out. So I keep on trucking along on that gazelle even when I'm not in the mood to do it. I just keep thinking of how it IS going to make a difference even if it's a slow process.

How is everyone else coming along?

Well, boot camp is trucking along so-so this week - just haven't had time to exercise as much as I should. I just can't seem to fit in 8 workouts in a week anyway, but I do what I can. I get 5-6 in for sure. I didn't lose lst week, but I started TOM a couple of days ago - and I was very bloated. I am counting my calories this week and keeping it between 1300 and 1500 -

The biggest benefit I have had so far is how great I feel since I have cut out sugar. I just had no idea it was affecting me like that. I was having routine insomnia, which I was finding very frustrating. Since cutting out sugar, I have been sleeping SO much better. Sugar was triggering some binge eating and snacking - it's just a taste I have a hard time controlling - it's like it flips on some kind of switch. Well, I am controlling my snacking urges MUCH better now. DH says that some of the effects could also be due to not eating for 3 hours before bedtime, so maybe it's not all due to the sugar purge. I didn't think I ate all that much after 7, but maybe I did kind of unconsciously via BLTs.

I cannot for the life of me cut out grains completely, as she suggests for the first month. I'm doing great on other "white" food.

Marti and Cristi - I am glad to read that your programs are going well for you.

Cristi - I think a 10 lb reward is a great idea - but just don't let V get it for you, lol! What a sweetie. I have to say my DH is like that - any thing I want he'd figure out a way to get it for me - even if we couldn't afford it. I've stopped telling him I want things - out of fear for our budget I take that back. I did tell him I want a diamond band for an upcoming anniversry; either the 15th ( the next one) or the 20th. I have a wedding band that is two bands soldered together. One is a plain gold band that belonged to my great-granmother and the other is a gold band with an etched design that David gave me when we married. I want the ring of diamonds (tasteful small ones, of course ) to put in the middle of the two bands. He perked up, and I could see the wheels a turnin'......

Marti - glad the gazelle is working for you... have you been taking measurements? that could be a great way to keep track of your progress. I've noticed I'm wearing a smaller size, even though I am not losing much (hopefully that will change) round butts are good - gravity bad, lol

Ciao

Marti~know what ya mean and it isn't a lame excuse. I think trying to fit a workout in your schedule would be hard anyway. But good you are doing the gazelle like crazy and seeing results, that is always a plus.

Katy~I have heard that from quite a few people when they cut out sugar. I'm not sure I could cut it out completely though-I know me! Glad you are doing fine with boot camp. Oh I did tell V not to buy anything! I told him this is a reward and do not get it until I have accomplished my first mini-goal. Your wedding rings sound beautiful and I bet someone gets a diamond anniversary band this June. I think that sounds really pretty with a diamond band in the center. And you are lucky to have gotten your grandmas ring, that makes it even more special.

I am going to cut my calories some this week and see what happens. Plus exercise, exercise, exercise! I feel like I have to do more at this point. I know it is not going to come off as fast as I put it on but I feel like I have stalled. So we will see...

Hope everyone has a great week!