I would be very upset if my mother said something like that to me! Sure, belly dancing is different, but that's the POINT, right? It's FUN to try new things!! I think it's awesome and if you carry your weight in your stomach, it's ideal to get all those muscles working! Maybe I can share some of my hips (I carry a lot of weight there, though the tummy has a bit extra from the pregnancy!) with you
Kim--I'm glad you joined our group and want to say congratulations for that and for re-establishing your former goals. You sound determined and ready to take positive steps toward meeting them! I know I've started and stopped many times before finally getting in the right mindset. Now I'm 100% positive I will reach my goals for health and fitness. It's great to be on track and moving toward those goals, isn't it?!
I also have to tell you that your upcoming trip with your husband has inspired me to work harder on my relationship with my husband. Things haven't been great for a long time, and I keep sticking with it, mostly for the kids and because I don't really want to leave. I've been fantasizing about being on my own again, because it seems that no matter how much I try to reconnect with him, I wind up feeling dissappointed and angry. I thought I just had to find a way to live my life and find happiness within the boundaries of this marriage, for the kids' sake, but I notice that over the phone lately he's been trying to warm up to me and my new healthy lifestyle by asking me if I want to get a sitter and go hiking when he comes next time (he lives and works 3 hours away right now, due to financial problems we have.) I'm feeling I should try again to make a connection with him.
Anyway, when you talked about a trip to the mountains with your husband, I flashed on how much fun it might be to take a trip with mine without the kids. (mine are ages 5, 4 and 1) It's not feasible yet, while they are all so young, but they are getting older. Perhaps next fall.
Elisette--You have a good plan, getting habits set before going back to work. I'm not sure if this is your first baby, or not, but it can be hard when you first go back, missing the baby and all. Don't let your feelings sabotage your efforts to lose weight and get healthy. Keep water at your desk (if you have a desk job) and bring healthy snacks. Most of all keep positive and come here if you need support. You can do it!
Well, I have to go do my yoga! I woke up late this morning, so I'm a bit behind.
Oh..and I am down to 188.4 on my scale this morning. (I was testing the weighing less in the morning thing, and it's true! I weighed less!
Hello Elisette and Kim and welcome!! Well I got a call at work yesterday morning and had to go pick up my son Seth from school because he was running a fever of 102, so I missed walking on my lunch break and didn't get any workout at all I really missed it. I did however go out and buy that Yoga video that Andrea recomended (THANKS ANDREA ) and good job with the scale and weight loss !!!
Joan you sound like you are shaped just like me!! No curves except where we don't want them and of course it is ok to vent here!! I too would be upset by that. Yet another thing we have in common, I love my mother dearly and know that she would do anything in the world for me but sometimes she opens her mouth without thinking and says some of the worst stuff!! I hope your Dad gets better, and I'm so glad that you went to the BD class!! I'm jealous though cause I wish I could go!
Kim I love your screen name too funny!! I have been doing the SB diet for 6 weeks now and I am a firm believer in it. I don't feel like I am missing out on anything and have found it really quite easy to stay on!! You are almost through with the 1st phase and it gets so much better after that. I love having the smoothies for breakfast or sometimes even for dessert!! YUMMY!!! Did you buy the book or the cook book? I bought both so if you need any recipes just let me know!!! I'm really excited to have someone else on the board doing the same diet!
Oh unfortunately I bought the yoga video but didn't get up early enough to do it yet I mentioned that I'm not a morning person. I did walk 2.6 miles on my lunch break today though.
Andrea-- I hope you get things ironed out with your hubby. I have been divorced for almost a year now but that is another long and extremely bizarre story!!
Joan--I'm really sorry your mom said such a rude and unfeeling thing to you. She sounds like a really unhappy person. You seem to know her pretty well and I hope you are able to let that roll off of you, because they are just the words of an unhappy person and no reflection on you. And of course you can come here and vent. I would for sure! Otherwise I'd brew about it longer than is healthy, tight stomach and all!
I hope your dad gets better. Might help your mom's attitude, too.
On a bright note, I'm so glad you enjoyed the bellydancing class! (And yes, I can see why the instructor would be intimidating! What a body! She looks pretty young to, so...) But you sound like you enjoyed yourself. That's so great. I really like the idea of belly dancing. It's so feminine and sensual, and as moms that side of us sometimes gets forgotton. As soon as I can I'm going to find a belly dancing class--if there is one out here in the boonies!
Val, I'm so glad you picked up the yoga video. I can't wait to see how you like it and if you notice the same kinds of changes in your strength and energy as I've been experiencing. Good for you! I hope you like it.
I have to say, I woke up late today too, and so I made breakfast for the kids and me instead of doing my yoga. Since you aren't supposed to do it right after eating, I decided to get a bunch of housework done. My house was getting out of control! I still have a bunch to do, like laundry and picking up in my room, but I can do some yoga first, before lunch. I'm going to do that after I get off of here. I hope nothing gets in the way of that goal, especially since I took yesterday off!
Oh, and aren't marital problems always long and bizarre, even though they are so common! I find it bizarre that I'm married to someone so unlike myself in temperament, after refusing to commit to anyone for years. Ugh...at least the men I didn't choose liked me, but here I am married to someone who really doesn't seem to most of the time. BIZARRO! hahaha Oh well, part of it is the financial stress, and part is his drinking and another part is my fault for not taking better care of my own needs and standing up to him more about the drinking and other things. I'm trying to do that now. Hopefully I'll be more content and he'll be more inspired to improve on his end. He seems to like the changes in my demeanor. We'll see!
Wow! There have been so many replies since my post! First off, let me say thanks for the warm welcomes. You seem like a great group of ladies.
Next, Joan..........Bless you! I hope that your mom's unkind words make you more determined than ever to show her what you can do for yourself. I think it is AWESOME that your taking belly dancing classes. What a great thing to do and what incredible exercise!! Good for you!!! Keep us posted on how you are enjoying it.
Serafyn ( Andrea? I am trying to get you all straight here)....Yes, I am very determined! I can't stand looking at myself in the mirror. That just isnt me. So..I am making changes. I walked a mile this morning. I know that isnt far, but I just started again. And we have some hills that kill in this neighborhood. I will get there though. I have done well with my diet and drinking water. I HATE water, but I am somehow making myself drink it. YUCK!
How long have you been married? My hubby and I have been married 18 years in June. And we knew eachother 5 years before that. I was 15 when we met. He was 18. We have had problems in the past, but we made it. About 5 years ago, we went on a mountain vacation. It was incredible. We rediscovered eachother. It was amazing how much we focused on the kids and everything and everyone else and not us! We vowed to try to do that once every 2-3 years. We haven't. We really need this long weekend. The focus on everyday life is amazing. Anyway, I am really looking forward to it. It helped our marriage soooooo much.
momof3 (like I said, I am will learn who is who), I love this diet!! I have never eaten so healthy in my life. I was also never so aware of all the sugar and junk I put into my mouth! Anyway, yes, I can tell it is starting to get easier and easier. I am really looking forward to Phase 2. Phase 1 is getting boring! I have the book and the cookbook. The book makes total sense, but something you wouldn't understand without reading it. Can you tell me what recipes you have tried? and how you liked them? Some friends of my husbands family are on it. The woman had all kinds of health problems and the man was on 3 insulin shots a day for his diabetes and meds for high choloesterol. He is off everything (meds and insulin) and they are both doing great. Said they have never felt better. Lost lots of weight too! Anyway, I pray this will work for me.
Well, I am off to figure out what to do for dinner. I didn't plan today, but I will put together something healthy!
Joan-I too am sorry to hear what your mom said. As I was reading it I got a little teary eyed. Don't let it get you down. I know it's easier said then done when a comment like that comes from your mom but just keep doin the great job your doing. Your belly dancing class sounds fun. I've always wanted to learn salsa dancing but my husband isn't interested. Your belly dancing class is getting me more determined to just go alone. Maybe if I come home and tell him my partner is tall, dark, and handsome he might reconsider.
Andrea-You had asked about journaling. I have been doing it for about 3 years off and on. It is so helpful and important but unfortunatly it becomes tedious. The longest i've stuck to it was 3 months and I lost 30lbs. That was about 3 yrs ago and as soon as I stopped I started gaining the weight back.
This morning I realized that I have gotten to the point of wanting to work out. I'm so glad i'm here. I go to the gym with my girlfriend Bobbi and this morning she had to enroll her son in kindergarten so I had to wait for her to go to the gym. I literally waited for the phone to ring for her to tell me she's ready. I've worked my way up on the elliptical. I'm now at 30 minutes. It's the first thing I do instead of the last. Why didn't I think of that before.
How about that weigh in day? Do you all think we should do it on the same day or as long as it's done in the same week is fine too? Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays were the days mentioned.
Speaking of husbands, mine is in the dog house right now but he did put his arms around me last night and said that I feel firmer. I think it's a little soon but I have been doing WW since march 1st and had no results until I hit the gym hard last week. 3 days down 2 to go!!!
I did not hae a computer this morning and was goijng nuts until hubby came home to work on it. I was pretty busy today. Brought NIcky to school for 1 1/2 hours and got ready for my job interviews (2 of them), the first one they told me was stressful and the agents and customers call screaming at you cna you handle that. (Iin my head I was thinking I get that from my 3 year old and thats why i am going to work..j/k... ) and the second was a good job and I hope I get it. My only problem is my sons school I choose (learning center) is 15 minutes in the oppostit direction.. yuk.. Then I came home, my parents were watching my son and they wanted to go to the CHINESE BUFFET Should I say more. I can justify it tho. All day I had coffee, water, granola bar and handful of pretzels. I did have 1 plate and was full usually I go for 2. I did have dessert a little ice cream and some peanut brittle but not much I was full. Tonight I had just water. I have been good all week, then I eat there and don't go for a walk. I was a little bummed tonight over it until I thought about my lack of food today because I was on the go all day, job interviews and looking at schools for my 3 year old. Tomorrow I need to walk or exercise (plus clena my house for my company on saturday) and eat very healthy . Keep your fingers crossed that I get that job. It would be a great opportunity for me to help us get out of debt. 1 salary is not working in my hosue and my son wants to play with other kids anyway.
Welcome Kim and Elisette!
Andrea thats great that you lost weight and even better you bought a scale. So lets get a weigh in day and do it ladies. Lets all post our day we want and majority wins. since everyone said they really didn't matter so no feeling will get hurt.. what do you say??? are you in?? and if anyone doesn't want to particpate thats okay too.,...
Joan thats great about your BD class. I am so proud of you. You know I told you my niece did that and lost lots of weight so keep up the good work and have fun. I wish I had something I really enjoy. Don't let your mom do that to you. I know what your talking about cause so many times I say why did I tell my mother that cause my mom harps on things and thinks and worries over everything until she makes everyojne crazy. I love her too but she worries to much about everything from the weather to driving to what if's. She is going to worry herself into a grave. Sometimes if you tellher somehting she thinks about it and gives you her opinion every time she talk to you and it drives me nuts. Anyway my point is we can't let them get to us. We can't let them make us eat. Some one said make it more determined to prover her wrong. My hsubands family treats me like crap and is very opinionated so I know what you mean. they are just mean mostly behind backs but sometimes to your face. but thats another story. oh and feel free to vent all of us will take a turn...
Well I am so tired now and I have to go I hope I responded too everyone I wanted to.. Talk to you ladies in a few hours!!!
Anyone have any advice on how to get my son to do #2 on the potty and not his underwear? I promised to buy him a train and everything but he just wont. He held it so last (today was day 3) and made himself constipated. I felt so sorry for him. he got it out but in his underwear. He doesn't like it and we started potty traiing 1 1/2 weeks.
Karyn, good luck on the job. I hope you get it.
I like your idea for the weigh in day. My vote is Mondays.
As far as the potty training. My friend just went through that about a year ago with her son. He would also make himself constipated and he would sit on the toilet for what seemed like hours and just cry. I want to say that the doctor told her to put Karo syrup in his juice but i'll make sure tomorrow morning when I talk to her. I know the Karo syrup only takes care of the constipation problem not the potty training but I just can't remember how it all turned out. I'll ask her and get back to you with that.
I wouldn't want to give him Karo Syrupt. I know that makes you go go go if you know what I mean and I don't want to do that to him. He can't have juice because it has too much natural sugar in it and it makes him go go go and thats not good for potty training. He will have it all over. Anyway he won't take the time to sit thats the problem. He likes to run up to the toilet, go like his fathe and hes out there if you know what I mean. So this is a challenge to get him to sit. I mean its only been over 1 week and we accomplished so much already. Thank you for the suggestion tho and I have heard of karo syrupt for little ones but its ironic, my son has been loose since he was 3 months old and no he has this. I think he was afraid to go on the potty and held it so long but ended up doing it where he knew he wasn't supoose too but last night i did not care at that point i wanted him to go because it was 3 days and he was winny and lathargic last night and was telling me he did not feel good and myson is active from 9am to 10pm if you kmow what i mean. doesn't sit or anything.
Anyway, I stepped on the scale today even tho mondya is my full week I lost 2lbs so far with the chinese food so i guess my calaories were far off. I guess not eating during the day paid off this itime. I know that is not the way to do it but once in a while we have no choice..
My vote is for Friday but any day is okay with me. I will still particpate no matter what day. I liek this group and know that if we stick together WE CAN DO IT!
Has everyone been really tired this week? I think between the time change and working out I'm sleepy all day. I can't wait to catch up.
Karyn, my friend had more of the constipation problem with her son. My kids are older and I can't really remember potty training other than my son being alot easier than my daughter. Good Luck.
Well i'm off to the gym. I hope I stay awake today.
I'll check back in later. Marina
Hi all! thanks for all your kind words over what my mom said. I know she's going through her own stuff right now and she is a very unhappy person. I have a rule: I allow myself to be mad/upset about it for 1 day and then I let it go. That way I validate that I have a right to my feelings but I can't wallow in it. Because our parents are the way they are. We can't change them just the way we respond to them. OK, I'll get of my now!
I had so much fun I ordered a deep purple hip skirt with silver coins of the internet. Hopefully it will be here for my next class. I hope I have enough hip to hold it up! I also bought a 3 CD set called the Goddess Workout, Bellydance Fitness! I hope to do it, no scratch that, I will do it this afternoon. I've lost another 2 pounds so something must be working!
Just a question for the group: How many of you consider our shared problem a weight issue as apposed to a health issue. Just curios. It became a health issue when I was diagnosed with diabetes/metabolic syndrome at 36yrs old.
All brought on by weight/poor eating habits.
I'd appreciate any feedback. I'm curios about peoples mindset and what motivates their change. Sorry if you think it is too personal a question!
Hi everyone! I'm feeling chipper this morning! Yesterday I didn't do my yoga when I got up in the morning, because I woke up so late. That always worries me, because once the day gets going, I find it difficult to take the time to do it. Part busyness, part laziness! Anyway, I had a lot going on yesterday and I got home late from grocery shopping in Astoria, Oregon. (I sometimes go across the Columbia River to the oregon side to shop, because it is a bigger town and the stores have a much better selection, somewhat cheaper prices--and no taxes!) The kids were all asleep, so I put them in bed. I was up by myself at around 11:00, and I motivated myself to do my yoga!! I'm so proud of myslef, AND it felt so darned good before bed! I was more flexible than I am in the AM. Plus, there were no noisy, bickering or overly energetic children running around me while I was trying to hold a correct pose! I'm considering doing it at night every night and doing something else in the AM. Hmmm....thinking about that...
Other good news: I tried on clothes again last night at the store, and some of the pants that didn't quite fit last time I was in there, now fit!! I also fit into a 14 in one pair of capris! Still wish I could buy some new clothes--it's been SO long since I've done that and I have very few things to wear--but just trying them on is VERY motivating!
And more good news: My husband called this morning and his daughter and her mom are coming out this weekend with him. (I know that seems weird to most people, but I actually have a really good relationship with Ron's ex and she also watches my kids for me sometimes and they adore her--as all kids do.) I'm glad she's coming because I really wanted to go dancing with my husband Saturday night. (selfish motive, I know, but I will be happy to see her too!) Someone I know here on the coast invited me to join her and her boyfriend on Saturday night where he is playing with his band. She's a really cool, upbeat woman with teenaged kids and her own business--a really cool feed store. I've wanted have a more involved friendship with her, ever since I met her. Thought a night out dancing at a supposedly cool place in Astoria sounded so fun. I haven't done anything like that in so long. Anyway, now we can go! I have a sitter! (I wish I had some of those clothes I tried on! , too!) Plus it will be fun to have the company out here!
Kim--I'm glad you're so determined. I am too and it's so great to be with a group of women who are so positive and enthusiastic. Hey, and good for you and your mile yesterday morning! Keep at it, and those hills will whip you into shape. I miss the hills of my old neighborhood in Portland. The beach here is perfectly flat, of course, but sometimes I make myself walk in the deeper, dryer sand for more of a workout.
In answer to your question, I will have been married only 6 years in July. I think we would be doing better if we weren't under so much financial t pressure right now. I'm learning to take better care of myself and trying to learn to be calmer and more in the moment, too. I think we'll make it. Even at my most unhappy moment in this marriage, I didn't really want to leave. I love our family unit--he's a great dad and we all have fun together sometimes--just wish I had a more engaging relationship with my husband. We're working on it.
Yoga--I find it very accomodating. By that I mean that wherever you are in your fitness journey, there is a right yoga for you. As long as you have the right teacher, or a tape that offers modified poses for beginners or those lacking flexibility, you can do this. What I love most about it is the deep core conditioning. After not doing yoga for months, I came back and was noticeably stronger and more flexible within 2-3 sessions. My posture is better. I get out of bed more easily in the morning. I'm not so tired out by handling my children anymore. I also like that, because I can adapt it to suit my level of fitness, I get a workout without feeling like it's too hard. I mean, I don't dread doing it and I'm surprised that I get such a good workout for how difficult it seems to be. I suppose that's because the stretching that is essential in yoga just makes you feel so good after holding a difficult pose for awhile. I should also mention that I like that it's easy for me to follow--I'm terrible at trying to follow the choreography of aerobic dance type fitness videos (and bellydancing too )
Anyway, I won't say that some of the poses aren't challenging. They can be, but you can work into the full pose if you have the right instructor or a good tape, like Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss--which offers programs for several levels of fitness. The important thing in yoga is never to do something that actually hurts. Also, you shape up quickly and find that in just a few sessions, you can correctly perform poses that were difficult for you in the beginning. You just get better and better!
Can anyone tell that I LOVE yoga!?
Marina--Thanks for the info about journaling long term. I have been journaling at livejournal.com since March 15, when I started this endeavor. My friend was supposed to be doing this too, so we wanted to be able to read each others journal and then comment--to support each other, you know? But she hasn't journaled or commented on mine since the first week or so. I kept after it, because I found it motivating, and I continue to do so. I have to admit it's a bit harder now that I'm also posting here, because that' more time writing about the same thing than I care to do, but I will keep at it, because I want a log of this journey I'm on.
As far as the weigh-in, I vote Friday, too, because I like the idea of (hopefully) seeing progress right before the weekend--it will keep me motivated to stick with the program even when I have more people and more temptations in the house.
Karyn--Congratulations on your 2 lb loss!! Whoo hoo!! You're doing it!
Sorry, though, I'm noone to ask about potty training. My middle daughter, who turned 4 on St. Patrick's Day, is still peeing and pooping in her pants much more often than I'd like. She is driving me nuts, actually! She didn't even begin to start potty training until 3 and a half, but it looked like she was done until a little over a month ago, when she just started having accident after "accident". She is really stubborn about going when she needs to. She's a bit immature for her actual age, so I'm hoping she will just mature out of it eventually. But, I am really sick of dealing with it.
Well, this is another long post! Guess I'll go now! haha...Looking forward to reading about your progress!
Just a short post today it has been a really bad day. My ex likes to spend his time stalking me, burglarizing my home and just generally making me miserable. This morning after I took the kids to school I went back home cause I had forgotten something and guess who is driving by?? Oh yes it was him. Anyway I try to stay very upbeat but some days it is difficult. Walked my 2.6 miles at lunch and of course staying on track food wise. I'll catch up with you guys tomorrow when my mood has improved
Sorry
I really missed it. I did however go out and buy that Yoga video that Andrea recomended (THANKS ANDREA 
) and good job with the scale and weight loss 
!!!
and of course it is ok to vent here!! I too would be upset by that. Yet another thing we have in common, I love my mother dearly and know that she would do anything in the world for me but sometimes she opens her mouth without thinking and says some of the worst stuff!! I hope your Dad gets better, and I'm so glad that you went to the BD class!! I'm jealous though cause I wish I could go!
too funny!! I have been doing the SB diet for 6 weeks now and I am a firm believer in it. I don't feel like I am missing out on anything and have found it really quite easy to stay on!! You are almost through with the 1st phase and it gets so much better after that. I love having the smoothies for breakfast or sometimes even for dessert!! YUMMY!!! Did you buy the book or the cook book? I bought both so if you need any recipes just let me know!!! I'm really excited to have someone else on the board doing the same diet!
I mentioned that I'm not a morning person. I did walk 2.6 miles on my lunch break today though. 
She looks pretty young to, so...) But you sound like you enjoyed yourself. That's so great. I really like the idea of belly dancing. It's so feminine and sensual, and as moms that side of us sometimes gets forgotton. As soon as I can I'm going to find a belly dancing class--if there is one out here in the boonies! 
Keep us posted on how you are enjoying it. 
Anyway, I pray this will work for me. 
Karo Syrupt
now!
Marina, your not the only one who is tired this week. I can't keep going for anything!
Oh yes it was him. Anyway I try to stay very upbeat but some days it is difficult. Walked my 2.6 miles at lunch and of course staying on track food wise. I'll catch up with you guys tomorrow when my mood has improved 