Well, ladies.... I've been able to be pretty lenient with my eating, thus far.. it hasn't really been hard yet... but I'm afraid that's about to change.... I know that for me to keep losing, it's time to really buckle down, and I'm not "embracing it".

I think that during the week, I'll be able to do okay, though.... I eat more healthy when I don't have to eat WITH other people.....

Let's all have a great week!!!

Good morning fatchicks!!

Okay...my weekend wasn't great. It seems that we all had one of those weekends! I didn't exercise on Saturday or Sunday. I *think* I ended up around 1400-1800 both days. I ate out on Saturday so I'm not quite sure. Yesterday we had dinner with my family and I'm not positive how much chicken I ate (or how big my piece of cake was ). This week I am going to do much better!!! Oh! By the way, I found my newest FAVORITE treat!!! FUDGSICLES! They only have 40 calories per pop and they have less than one gram of fat! You can suck on one (ahhh..chocolate) for quite awhile without eating very many calories. They don't have that "fake chocolate" taste, either. Mmmm. Makes me want to go get one out of the freezer right now.

Shawn--Hang in there. Today is the day to change your life! You are going through a mental issue right now. Listen...you DO NOT have to change a ton about what you are doing right now to keep losing weight. At the calorie range you are at, you will still lose weight. You will probably stop losing 3-5 pounds a week and start losing 1-2 pounds a week and THAT"S OKAY. The hard thing is to not just give up all together because the weight is coming off more slowly. Even if you only lose 1.5 pounds per week, you will be 78 pounds lighter next year at this time! Even better than that is the fact that you will feel so much better about yourself! If you feel that you are struggling cutting out calories maybe you could write down everything you ate today for us to see. Perhaps we could give you some tips to help. Maybe today you could keep track of why you ate when you did. Write if you were actually hungry, if you were just bored, if you were stressed, if you were socializing, if you ate but weren't even really hungry (maybe you were thirsty?), if you are drinking too many calories, etc.

Here are some ideas...
1. Only eat at the table. It helps me not "munch" as much.
2. Eat SLOWLY!
3. If I want something to eat, I drink a glass of water first and then wait 10 minutes. If I am actually still hungry...I go for it.
4. I don't know if this is bad or not, but I eat much less during the day than I do in the evening. I KNOW that I am not too hungry until around 3 pm. I make sure that I ALWAYS eat breakfast and lunch, but I don't eat too much. I am often at only 400 calories by dinner time. I then am able to eat a nice big dinner (often with dessert) and still come in around 1200-1500. That is sort of just a "me" trait that I've discovered, however.
5. Don't give up!!! If you break every rule you have, get back on the bandwagon! Don't say "I'll start over tomorrow." Start over now!
6. Exercise. Honestly, Shawn, it curbs my appetite. You don't need to do much to start. Today, if you go somewhere, park at the FAR end of the parking lot, take the stairs (hard with babies, I know), etc.
7. Use SMALL plates, lol. This honestly works. If you have a big huge plate that is only half full, you feel cheated. If you have a small plate that is overflowing, you feel much better about it.


Thank you Shawn for struggling right now. You have helped me to get motivated again myself! I have been worse the past two weeks or so than I would like to be. It gets hard sometimes. Just don't give up!

Tricia--I was exhausted this weekend too. Don't know what it was. I MUST make myself exercise this morning. I have to get back into the habit of doing it.

Kellie--I hope your yard looks better than mine! I finally just called Trugreen. I can't seem to get rid of all the weeds. I swear we have more weeds than grass! I live in a VERY nice subdivision. My neighbors across the house just built a 9000 sq foot, million dollar house (across the street from our 1300 sq. foot, $130,000 house, lol. They have an awesome view, park like yard, pool, etc. We have...weeds . Well, at least we already lived here when they built their house). Anyway, I am embarrased to be bringing down the neighborhood, lol. We are finally putting in a sprinkler system. Hopefully that will help. We REALLY need a bigger house. We have four kids in a 1300 sq foot, 3 bedroom house. We are waiting until next summer to put the house up for sale, however. My hubby will graduate then and I won't worry about the cost of moving up so much. If any of you have a free house you want to give us, just let me know . I know we seem insane to want more kids right now. My husband and I both had a spiritual type experience that we should have more children. I imagine God up there with my two other babies waiting and me saying, "No, you can't come to me." My husband had a dream almost exactly the same! I know that everything is in God's hands. I just need to do the best I can. Anyway, sorry to be preachy, lol. Don't know where that came from.

Hope you are all having a day full of will-power!

Lori

Lori, I use almost all of the tips you have listed. Another that really makes a difference for me is that I only eat using a salad fork. It forces me to take smaller bites which slows my eating without me having to think about it.

I know just how you feel in a smaller home. The first house we built was only 1500 sqaure feet but it was the perfect size when we were just married. We each had our own "extra" room but since I still worked at the time it wasn't too much to clean. Then come children and we were out of room in no time. We probably could have stuck it out a little while longer but the demand in that neighborhood was high and we didn't want to miss selling under those conditions. We were caught by surprise though because our house sold in less than a month - and we hadn't even decided whether we would build or buy yet. We ended up living with my parents for about three months (probably one of the deciding factors in buying instead of building LOL). We more than doubled our square footage and I have to say that it is sooooo nice to have a little elbow room! We didn't realize how on top of each other we were until we got here. Everyone having their own space has made a big difference in our overall family dynamic. Isn't there a song that says something about love growing best in little houses? I think that is true but it is still nice having enough room to spread that love around a bit!

I have so much to do. My inlaws will be here Friday so I am trying to get some dinners in the freezer so my MIL won't have to cook unless she wants to (they are keeping the kids while DH and I go on vacation). Plus, the housework. I don't even know where to START with that! I had better go get busy.

Tricia

Ladies! I'm so proud! I took the girls walking in their stroller today! It was cloudy / overcast, but I wanted to try to beat the rain (it never did rain), and we only walked for 20 mins.... but that's more than I've been doing!!

I actually turned the TV on FitTV today to see what time the exercise programs were on..... but I wasn't able to work anything into my schedule.... I may try to start doing that again, too, though.....

Just had to share! Yay me!

Good for you, Shawn. Incorporating exercise, even just a little, will make a big difference in your weight loss and general well being. We all know it isn't easy to get twins out and about - you deserve a pat on the back!

I am on my way to the gym. I really don't want to go but I made a commitment to go every day this week. I wouldn't say that I've lost my motivation to exercise I just have so much piling up at home that I have a hard time justifying leaving for 2 hours. But, that attitude was one of the contributing factors of my getting to 214 pounds. There is nothing here that won't still be here when I get back. Plus, I have to remember that once I get to my goal I won't need to exercise every single day for 2 hours. So, off I go.

Everybody keep up the good work!

Tricia

Is anyone else comfortable posting pictures? Tricia, as I read your post, I'm thinking "she started at 214, and is at 161 -- I'd love to see her before & after pics!"

I'm off to FitWatch to enter my days info & see how I did.....

I don't mind posting pictures - I just don't have any. BEFORE pictures were forbidden, LOL! We've got to put batteries in our digital camera but once we do I'll post an after picture. I am sure if I look hard enough I'll be able to dig up and unauthorized fat picture as well.


I feel good about today. I made it to the gym and did an hour of cardio and my calories are right at 1200. Of course, it is only 9:00 so I still have plenty of time to do some damage.

I'll check in with you all tomorrow.

Tricia

*embarrassed*

OK, I am NOT allowed to keep Skinny Cow or Weight Watchers ice cream sandwiches in the house anymore!! I will only get them on special occasions.......... I ate FOUR of them today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *embarrassed*

If I gain a bit this week, we'll know why! At least that finished them off, so theres no more temptation!

Hi Ladies! I am having a hard time today. I ended with about 1900 calories. I am feeling horrible!! My dh is gone so I have a tendency not to eat as well as I would when he is home. I hate cooking for just myself. So, I did not do well today. Plus with him gone, I can't get out and walk the dogs in the morning. He did say he was going to be home tomorrow night, which is a day early. So hopefully I can get back on track!!

Kellie, 1900 calories is hardly a failure so please don't feel bad about it. I started out pretty close to the weight you are now. I looked back at some early fitday reports and I had plenty of days that were 1800-2100 calories. I still had significant weight loss during those weeks. I am sure you will too.

My DH doesn't travel regularly, but he is gone sometimes. I find it really hard then too. Part of the problem is that if he isn't here I stay up much later - and that usually means mindless munching.

Shawn, yep those ice cream sandwiches are tough to resist! The only thing that keeps me from having more than one a day - if that - is the kids. If they see me eating one, they want one. And I don't want to share! How sad is that? Of course, I've gotten that way with everything lately. They are forever asking for bites of what I have to eat. But, ya know, when you only get 1500 calories every last one counts! I've gotten plenty of "why it is important to share" speeches over the last few weeks. Boy, can two 4 year olds give a lecture! LOL!

Morning, ladies!
How are all the twins and their mommies this morning? I did pretty well yesterday. I was at 1300 calories, but I had 33% fat. That is too high for me. Oh, well. I checked out my reports and it looks like I have averaged between 1300-1400 for this week. I was hoping for around 1200. I can only assume that it being TOM gave me the munchies. My husband asked me last night why I was so hungry all of a sudden (with a suspicious look on his face ). I immediately knew what he was thinking and said, "Honey, I'm not pregnant! Hello? I'm having my period!" . Anyway, I thought it was funny. I did 75 minutes on the treadmill yesterday. I REALLY need to do more of my strenght training. It's much more of a pain to do that at home than the treadmill. I have to get out all the weights and the steps and the video, etc. It just seems like a pain.

Tomorrow is weigh in day. I'm trying to not set myself up for disappointment so I'm hoping that I've lost one pound. Just one measly pound, is that too much to ask, ? If I don't lose a pound, I think I'll be okay. My husband is really trying to coach me through the "stronger me...not necessarily a lighter me" thinking. He is so awesome and supportive.

Tricia--I am SOOOOOOO jealous about you going away with your hubby. I WANT TO GO TOO (insert whiny tone). We are going to miss you when you're away. You help keep us sane. How long are you going to be gone? How are you going to keep up the exercise (you staying somewhere with an exercise room?). We (as a family) are going away for a four day weekend over Memorial Day to visit my grandparents. It is their 60th wedding anniversary! They are so great. My kids ADORE them (especially Hannah...her twin calls her "Hannah's grandma."). I know that it won't be too many years until they pass on so I like my kids to be able to know them. They are both 85 now. Anyway, I have made sure that we are staying in a place with an exercise room. That way I can get my exercise in, even if I eat a little out of the norm.


Kellie--Chin up (Hannah would burst into the song, "Gray skies are going to clear up...put on a happy face." She LOVES that song ). 1900 calories should still put you at LOSING weight. You're fine. I actually think it's better for the metabolism to have occasional "high" days. It helps it to not get stuck in a 1300 calorie only mode. My husband really doesn't travel much at all. However, he works full time and goes to school full time. He often doesn't come home until the kids are in bed. I don't really cook on those days. I HATE cooking. In fact, this summer DH and I are going to switch roles. He is going to cook dinner every night (he kind of enjoys it). I have to plan out the meals and tell him what to make, but he wants to try. I am excited.


Shawn--I know what you mean about eating all the treats. I had a big old bowl of sinfully rich ice cream last night. I am determined to STAY AWAY today . Did you ever read that comic strip where the kids were looking for food and one brother said to the other, "Where is all the good food?" The brother responded, "Mom is starting her diet in the morning." "Oh, so she threw away all the fattening food?" He replied, "Nah, she ate it all." That is like me, lol.


Well, the twins have preschool at someone else's house today. I'd better go get them bathed.

Lori

Hi...me again.

Well, I did my exercise today and I'm only at 140 calories. I am going to go have a frozen diet meal at 210 calories so that will put me up to 350. I'm hoping that you are all doing well today! I'm worried about some of you.

Let's do it ladies!

Lori

I think you mean ME, Lori! LOL

I'm doing alright today; I made ham, egg & cheese sandwiches (for me & DH) on whole wheat bread for breakfast, and had black coffee; then I went to my sis's house, and had a little bit of mac & cheese, and 2 chicken strips for lunch (can you tell she has a toddler? LOL) And I had a NF Latte from starbucks.... but haven't OVERINDULGED on anything today..... My clothes are still fitting better than they were a few weeks ago, and that's the main thing!!

Alice, Jane, Pam -- where you guys at??

Yes, I do mean you, Shawn, but I also mean Pam and Jane and Alice. I hope no one is giving up already!!! We can do this ladies...it is so worth it! I have only lost 26 pounds ( I really need to lose like 40 more), and I feel so much better about myself. I use to dread running into people I hadn't seen for a long time. I was hideously embarrased about how I looked. I'm not exactly Miss America now, lol, but I am less embarrased. I feel better about myself. It is wonderful to have clothes that are baggy now. It feels great to squeeze into those size 10's. It is amazing when I wear clothes that I haven't been able to wear for four or five years! It is hard, but worth every bite I don't eat!

Lori

I just walked 20 mins with the girls again.... this time uphill part of the way (not steep, but I could feel it!) and pushing at least 45 lbs!! (2 15 lb babies, plus stroller). I'm all sweaty now!