I got to say ladies I stuck with it all day. No candy no sugar no sweets touched my lips. I ate salad with my lunch and dinner. Tonight I was looking in the cabinets for something and didn't know what (wasn't going to find anythihng good anyway) so I had some milk and it really worked. thanks for that advice! Anyway after dinner me, my son and the dog went for a long walk. My 3 year old keep running ahead of us so I know we weren't dilly dallying either. It was nice to do that with them. Of course he still didn't want to go to bed even after his gym class, some park time and that walk iand no nap.. i was sure he would go no problem but of course not.. anyway I am so proud of myself and just wanted to share that with you ladies. I hope my posts aren't boring some of you. just wanted to share.. usually i end up snacking even when i just start a program.

karyn

i have a suggestion, if anyone wants to meet once a week or soemthing we should check out the chat room and talk. just a sugestions. i am sure that everyone is on differnet schedules..

Great job Karyn! Isn't this group so inspiring? Your son will probally sleep good tonight. The chat room sounds good to me. I think it's a good idea. Whatever day and time you all choose is good with me.

I cooked a very healthy dinner tonight. We had fish and veggies. I only had zuchinni, mushrooms, and tomatoes but I grilled them up with a little seasoning and added the tomatoes at the last minute. It was really good. I didn't have any red potatoes (do you think I need to go to the grocery store?) so I doubled up on the veggies. I like that feeling after a meal where your satisfied and not stuffed. I did have some chocolate after dinner but it was within my points. I grew up always having dessert and i'm still like that to this day. My dad is a big chocoholic so if we ever were out my sisters and I were sent to the store around the corner for candy bars. Now if I eat a whole candy bar I feel guilty. Most of them are about 6 points so i've gotten use to hersheys miniatures and I'm satified with just the 2 bites. I do have my husband hide the bag though.
Well i'm off to bed. Talk to you all tomorrow.
Marina

Hi everyone-

My name is Jessie. I am going to be 33 this year and I am a SAHM of two daughters ages 4 and 3. Cabin fever is a big issue, we live in Buffalo, NY. I am feeling pretty down in the dumps lately it probably is just the weather but it would be nice to talk to someone who knows what it's like.
I am 160 lbs. and actually I'm pretty happy. I lost about 30 lbs. over the last year. Now I'm starting to think I would like to try and lose more perhaps another 20. I do WW but I'm having a hard time getting motivated to journal all my food and be on board. Hope I can be part of the group

Welcome Jessie. I am Karyn and I live in Nj, so I know what you mean about the bad weather although its colder by you. It looks like a nice week so maybe you can get out and miss some of that cabin feaver for at least this week. I took my son and dog for a nice walk around 5:30/6:00 last night and it was wonderful. The dog pulled because he didn't like my 3 year old running ahead but I thought to myself yes spring is coming and it was just so relaxing.

I did weight watchers about 4 years ago and made goal. After my son was born I had a hard time following the program and getting motivated to do it. They call that out of the honeymoon stage. But anyway, I still use the concept of what I learned there. I am not fully doing the program but the concept if you knwo what I mean. I never journaled the hole time but i will tell you it took me almost 2 years to loose 40lbs. Too long. I did it slowly I told myself but if I would have journaled it would have been 1 year . Journaling is very important. I even tried the core program last year and hated it.. what did you think about that program?

Good Luck and welcome!

Karyn

PS what does sham mean?

SAHM is a stay at home mom
Karyn your posts ARE NOT BORING!!! We are all in this battle of the bulge together! You inspire all of us. This is a safe place for all of us to brag, cry, celebrate, or scream!
I think it is great that you went out walking. We have a big bear problem around here so I don't feel safe walking with the kids. We are hoping to move out of the area in the next few years but for now we are stuck here.

Jessie welcome to the group! I live in Nj about 3 minutes from Orange County, NY.
The weather has been horrible lately. I'm looking forward to seeing the sun. Cabin fever is a big problem for me too. I live on a mountain and when the weather is bad I don't go anywhere.
Well I need to go cook my dinner now so that I have no excuse not to go to my bellydance class at 5:30!

Welcome Jessimom, glad to have you join. Great Job on the 30lb weight loss!!

I also tried the "Core" program and just did not like it. I couldn't figure it out. I kept going back to the book. I think it was confusing after doing points for so long. I totally agree with the journaling. Alot of times I try and do it in my head and I start to lose track and get all screwed up which then screws me up for the week.

I'm off to the gym. Talk to you later.
Marina

Hello everybody and welcome Jessie!! Yesterday I walked 2.6 miles on my lunch hour and then went to the Y and played and hour of raquetball. I worked so hard playing that my face was beet red and I was sweating profusely! So I'm sure I burned some major calories and had a blast too!! I wish we had a belly dance class around here but no such luck, I think that sounds like alot of fun so maybe I'll have to get a video. What one do you have?

Great job on the 3 lb loss Marina!! Keep up those gym workouts it sounds like you are doing fantastic!

Andrea I love your long posts and don't really think of it as rambling, I feel like I'm getting to know you better!! BTW what yoga video do you have? I'm still not doing anything in the morning when I get up and I'm thinking that a nice stretching yoga workout might just be what I need to get me going!!

Way to go Karyn!! sticking to your plan and going walking!!

I seem to carry all (or almost all, it sure seems like ALL to me) of my extra weight around my middle, so I have no waistline what-so-ever. That also makes it very difficult to wear anything remotely feminine because dresses and skirts and so on all want to define the waist area which is just a tragedy for me!! I really need a good ab workout. Has anyone tried the Windsor/Pilates videos? I was looking at those too and thinking about buying.

The raquetball hour was so much fun it made me want to renew my membership at the Y, but a really tight budget makes that impossible. I like a lot of variety in my workouts and love to try new stuff. Last week I bought a pair of roller blades and have went a couple of times. Jacob (16) is a skateboarder, I bought Leiren (12) roller blades, and Seth (11) a skateboard. So the two youngest and I went out to try out our new stuff and Jacob ended up at the same place as us. I embarrassed him really badly cause I was doing so well I thought I would skate (impressively) up to his friends and him and say "HI" but instead fell on my behind in a big way!! All I could do was laugh. I got a few nice bruises on my palms from that landing, and then the next day went to the skate park to let the kids try out the ramps and such, but alas my adventurous spirit got the best of me and I decided I just had to try some myself. Bad idea I fell twice trying to do the ramps and got some serious bruises. Oh well you live and you learn right!! I have sworn off of any more ramps though!

The chat idea sounds great to me just name a time and I'll try to be there. Bye for now!

What I didn't like about the core program is that you had to give up too many points for non core foods. When those foods were no points or low points to start out with. I would calculate in my head but keep in mind that I prepared breakfast lunch and diner in the am and brought it to work so i could figure out my day pretty much without journaling. I worked 2 jobs at that time. Being home its much harder. I just need to change some eating habbits and exercise and I know that will give me the start I need. No matter what program you do, you have to stick with it or a healthy lifestyle for life. If you go back to old habbits you will be a yo yo dieter like I have been since I was 12.

PS I have done well today too. I am going to go get ready and take the dog and son out., Another walk and trip to the park. can't be gone too long, need to potty train..haha..

Hi all, sorry I didn't post last night--and you all have been so busy! I fell asleep putting my son down around 8:00 last night (he nurses and sleeps with me still), and didn't wake up till this morning at 8:30! Must have really needed the sleep. Yesterday I stayed within my projected calorie range again. I'm thrilled at how easy it is to do that. I played with the fitday.com calorie counter and nutrition log last night, to see what my calories might have been before I started this program--eating seconds, and thirds and all the sugary treats in between, etc..., and came up with 3,800 calories! Now I'm keeping it between 1200 and 1500, and it's really not that hard to me. Weird...but good!

I forgot to tell you all that the other day I went shopping at Fred Meyer, which is a grocery/department store combined, and I tried on some clothes. I could only buy one pair of pants, but I tried on lots of stuff out of curiosity. Wow! so many things looked good (or much better than the last time I went shopping, I should say)! There was this one pair of black, sort of dressy capris that I tried on with some strappy medium high wedge sandals and a taupe colored v-necked knit top with 3/4 sleeves, and I looked pretty darned good! Even a bit sexy. I haven't felt that way in a long, long time. I was kind of glad I couldn't afford to buy more than one pair of pants, because I imagine next time things should be even better--and smaller! The pants I bought were a casual, size 16 light colored capris. I love them, but they are already starting to get a bit large in the waist. I carry my weight mostly in my hips and thighs, but I had even started gaining quite a bit of weight in my belly and waist, so I'm GLAD to see this go away! Whoo hoo!

Karyn--I'm sorry to say that I don't know a whole lot about the particulars of Baton Rouge. Here is a LINK to a tourism site that can help you out though. I will say it's a shame you don't eat seafood, though, because that is a huge part of the cajun/creole cuisine! If you can eat crawfish, definitely try out Crawfish Etoufee--ridiculously good--but very fattening, so watch portions! Otherwise, chicken gumbo is really, really good, and you might try a Louisana PoBoy sandwich for lunch while you're there. Boutin's is supposed to be a good cajun restaurant there, with cajun dance music and a dance floor, but I looked at the menu and it's heavy on the seafood. (I, personally, was drooling!)

Yay Karyn on the getting motivated and started on your plan--and sticking with it ALL day!! That's great. You sound ready to do this thing!

Joan--I found some bellydancing icons you might be interested in using, but I didn't keep the links or save any. Just google "bellydancing icons". So, how did the bellydancing class go!? I'm sooo curious how you liked it!

Marina--I lost 4 lbs during my period a couple of weeks ago, and that was weird! I wasn't expecting such a big loss. But it was at the beginning of this program and my body was not happy being at 200 lbs! Still it seemed even weirder, when, at my next weigh in, when I was NOT menstrual, I lost only 2 lbs. Of course it was a totally different scale and I was wearing all my clothes. Who knows, but I hope to lose a healthy and reasonable 2 lbs a week, but won't mind if it is occasionally more!

Oh, your meal of fish and veggies sounded so delicious. Night before last I had the last 3 oz of the salmon I cooked for lunch the other day with a gigantic salad of spinach, tomatoes, shredded carrots and my own balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing with garlic and basil. It was so good and satisfying. And I'm with you about enjoying chocolate in small amounts. Keeps me from feeling deprived and I seem to enjoy it more when I can only have a little. I savor it and don't wolf it down mindlessly.

Val--I'm glad you enjoy my posts. I worry sometimes, because in real life some people say I talk too much. I guess I have a complex about it! I work things out verbally, you know? It's who I am, though I have my quiet side, too.

The yoga dvd I'm using is called "Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss" Gaiam puts it out and the instructor is Suzanne Deason. I LOVE it. I have other so-called "beginner" yoga tapes, but they were way too hard for me in the starting out. This dvd has different "workout levels" depending on your level of fitness and flexibility and strength, and I've been able to find a comfortable level and work up. And I see results so quickly. I really do love yoga!

I still feel like I need more exercise and hearing about your rollerblading adventure had me feeling jealous! I used to live near a really nice waterfont park in Tacoma, WA a few years ago when I was going to college, and I roller-bladed there. GREAT way to get in shape, especially if your problem area is large thighs! I enjoyed it. Even if we had a place to do that here, my kids are too little to go out and do that with me yet. (5, 4 and 1) I'm sorry you got so bruised up, though. I know from experience that falling down while roller blading HURTS!

I'm having trouble remembering all the posts I wanted to respond to. Gotta get here more often! We have a busy group! I love it! Congratulations to all in your efforts and successes. Someday we're all going to reach our goals and we will all know each other so much better--won't it be nice to have friends that were with us from the beginning? I like that idea, don't you!? Does anyone understand what I mean?! hehehe...I'm having a hard time writing with my kids all tattling to me and fighting right now. I better get going and take care of the wee ones. I'll check in later tonight.

Taa Taa!

Hi Everyone! I'm happy to say I bought a good digital scale today! I'm even happier to say that when I got home and stepped on it, I found I've lost 2.5 pounds since I weighed in at T.O.P.S last Thursday!! I know, it's a different scale, but, hey! I'll take it!

By the way, have we decided on a weigh-in day? Anyday is fine with me. (But I couldn't resist getting on today! )

Jessie, I just saw your post. Of course you're welcome here! I can TOTALLY relate to the cabin fever thing. Being home with small children can be hard that way--I know! I have three kids ages 5 and under, and where I live there isn't much in the way for us to do when it's raining, which is most of the time in the winter and spring! We have the beach within walking distance, but that's not fun when it's blowing and raining. When I lived in Portland, OR, we would go to the Children's museum or one of the other myriad things to do in the winter. I don't miss the traffic and crowds of the city, but I do miss some of the activities. Still, I know Summer is just around the corner and we'll be hiking and beachcombing a lot more. Hang on--better weather is on the way shortly!

And congratulations on your 30 lb weight loss! That's fantastic! I can't wait till I can say the same!

By the way, why did you quit journaling? Does it get harder to stay with it? I ask, because I am finding journaling extremely helpful, but I'm wondering if that's because I have only been doing it for 3 weeks. Just curious if I need to prepare for a time when it won't seem so fun and my enthusiasm will wane.

Hello everyone! I have been posting at another thread and was reading about all the SAHM here on this board and the moms that want to start taking care of themselves. I would love to be a part of this group!
I will be 38 in August and I have 2 kids, a 13 yo boy and a 9 yo girl. I lost lots of weight when I turned 30 and gained it all back plus some. I quit smoking and that was part of it. I went from one bad habit to another. I was always a TINY person until I started having kids. I was a size 3-5!!! Then when I quit smoking it only got worse. I have done a couple other diets (WW), gone to TOPS and gained it all back. Not because of the programs, but because I got lazy and quit. I am determined not to do that this time. I started South Beach Diet 9 days ago. I am also walking. Not far, but I did start walking (takes me a while to build up!). I had lost 5 pounds when I weighed myself on Monday. YEA!!! I needed to start a better way of eating......permanently!!!!! I have stuck to this like glue and really need the communication with everyone else.
My hubby and I are planning a trip to the mountains in July. I would LOVE to feel good about myself by then. Even feel sexy??? What is that? I don't remember!!!
Anyway, I refuse to go through another summer miserable.
COUNT ME IN if that is ok with everyone!
Good luck to you all! We CAN do this!

Hi everyone! I'm a new mom to a two month old boy, Lucas, and am struggling to lose that pregnancy weight! I have to go back to work in two and a half weeks, so the challenge will double then - I'm working on being on a good eating and exercise program before I go back so I have a better chance of sticking to it. I started really trying to lose weight at 209, this morning the scale read 205.4, and my goal is 200 by the time I start work. I think I can do it!

Welcome Elisette and Kim!!! It is definetly time for moms to take care of mom!

I went to my bellydancing class last night and had a blast. Some of the women were wearing hip scarves and I wanted one! If I decide to stick with it long term I will get one but at $35 a piece it can wait. I spent a lot of the time cracking up because I couldn't seem to use my arms and legs at the same time. Forget about shaking the hips and the chest at the same time as the arms and legs!!! It was a lot of fun but I confirmed the fact that I have no hips to shake! I carry just about all my weight in my stomach and I literaly have no hips. I'm actually trying to build up my hip muscles to make it look like I have something there! Womanly curves I don't have! Maybe when I loose my stomach I'll find something!
After seeing my teacher I really felt intimidated. (Go to DesertFlames.com and you will see why!) But I decided just to go with it and have fun.
I'm planning on going again next week.
I was in a really up mood until my mother called me while I was checking out the costumes on my teachers website. I told my mother what I was doing and she called me an A-- H---! Just because I was taking a bellydancing class. She shocked me! She has never been supportive of any weight loss effort I've ever made. Often sabotaging by sending home baked goods with my family knowing I would have a hard resisting She even made fun of me for joining the gym and when I took a yoga class. I know she is going through her own stress right now. (My father is ill). But that is no excuse for making fun of your own kids. No wonder why my sister and I have had weight problems all our lives! I know I shouldn't let her bug me but it still does! I hope it's OK for me to vent here! I needed to get it out and my DH doesn't fully understand. Thank God he has been so supportive of anything I have tried to do to improve my health! He may think that me bellydancing is funny but he would never say that to me.
I was going to go to the gym this am but woke up with such a headache. Gee, I wonder why? So hopefully it will be better this afternoon and I can do a Leslie Sansone tape and some free weight work.

Thanks for letting me vent!