Kellie, I am sorry to hear about your mom. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts.

Such emotional and stressful situations can really take a toll on a weight loss program. Without a doubt, I have always been an emotional eater. HOWEVER, what has worked for me is reminding myself that I am of no use to the people who need me or in helping resolve a conflict if I haven't taken care of myself first. We all need energy to face the tough things in life.

Think about the rules on an airplane. If there is a problem they tell you to put the oxygen mask on yourself FIRST, even before helping your children with theirs. Of course, the reason is that you can't help anyone if you are struggling to breath and survive yourself. So, now, I try to take that mentality when I face emotional and stressful situations. Instead of hunkering down with a bowl of macaroni and cheese I stay on plan knowing that eating healthily is what will keep me at my peak. All that comfort food never solved a thing. It certainly won't make your mom's surgery any less upseting, it certainly won't help her recover any faster, and in the end it is just going to make you feel physically tired and probably a little guilty on top of it all.

Please don't get me wrong. I don't mean it to sound as if I am juding your reaction. Like I said, everything in my being tells me to do the exact same thing when I'm in a similar situation. But, if I take a little time to calm down, think about what I really need and what will really help me through, I almost always make the right decision.

Shawn, sounds like you are doing great with your walking. How has your water intake been? I know you've been trying to up how much you drink. In fact, you inspired me to do the same. I've had only water for the past couple of days and I feel so much better. I don't think diet drinks have a negative impact on weight loss but water just does so much GOOD. I think the amount we sometimes hear to drink is a little overstated but there is no doubt that making it you main beverage makes a difference.

I haven't done any official exercise in a couple of days but yesterday I did dig a sandbox for the kids. Let me tell you, it WAS a workout so I didn't feel bad taking a break from the gym. I will be going tonight though. My goal is to finish out the week with at least an hour and a half each day.

Keep up the good work everyone!

Tricia

He's here! He got here yesterday, at 3pm - he is so pretty. His name is Cameron and he weighed 8lbs 12oz and 22in. long

Mom, Dad and baby are doing fantastic - they should be coming home tomorrow.

wow! Cameron's a big boy! I'm glad everyone is doing well!

Congrats, Kim!

well, I'm thinking I need to start again...... I'm not looking forward to watching what I eat again, but we're going to see my dad (& that whole side of the family) for Father's Day in June, and I always hate being the fat one! I'll feel better about the whole thing if I can drop a bit b/t now & then.... just need to set a start-date now.....

Shawn, I think it is great that you've decided to start again. It always helps me to have a reason behind my efforts too. Obviously, health and vanity are always there but sometimes a little something extra like a family visit keeps me on my toes. As a matter of fact, we will be visiting DH family later this summer and I am hoping to be close if not at my goal weight by then. It is definately keeping me from becoming content with where I am.

As for a start date...what about right now? There is no time like the present!

Good luck to you. If there is anything extra the rest of us can do to help you please let us know. I've gotten pretty good finding ways to get a lot of food out of just 1500 calories - I'll be happy to PM you a typical week for me if you think some new food ideas would help. I hope it will help you to know that we are all 100% behind you!

I am off to the gym. I've missed my favorite step class but I'm sure I can find something to work off a few calories. I am thinking about swimming a few laps in the pool just as something different. I've been stuck in an exercise rut and I think it will help if I mix things up again.

Oh, and I've asked DH to take pictures from the front, side, and back view. It was a little tramatic just asking him to do it - seemed so gooby for some reason. But, I haven't been this weight since well before my children were born so I know the pictures I have aren't an accurate reflection of how my body actually looks. And, of course, the mirror doesn't give me an objective enough view. I think I've reached the stage where exercising, specifically weights, needs to become a little more focused. But since I don't have a realistic idea of how I look I'm not sure where to start. I have to be honest, I'm a little afraid that these pictures are going to discourage me if they aren't as good as the image I have in my head (which still isn't great, just better than the one I had 4 months ago!). I suppose it will be worth it to have a better idea of what my goals need to be from here on out.

Have a great day!

Tricia

Tricia - I would LOVE for you to PM me some info re: getting alot of food from just 1500 cals!! As I've said in another post, it feels like I can't eat much at all, so I'd appreciate that help!

I had my "official" weigh in yesterday and lost 1.2 pounds last week. I am so excited because I rarely see the scale move more than a few ounces anymore. I'll get to that first smiley face on my ticker yet!

I also had DH take pictures from every angle. It really helped my eyes and brain catch up with my body. I was looking in the mirror and not really seeing my progress. I wanted to objectively look at myself so that I could pinpoint the areas I really need to focus on while losing these last 20 pounds. I was surprised to find that I am not fat anymore. Don't get me wrong, I'm not thin either. But, I'm not fat - I wouldn't stand out in a room full of what I consider normally sized women. Pretty spiffy, and very motivating to boot.

Where has everyone been? Out enjoying beautiful spring weather I hope! Have a great day and good luck on your Wednesday weigh ins!

Tricia

I am here, not been doing good (eating/exercise)... but am trying again today; my first goal is to be good until lunch.... so far, so good!

Hi ladies! I'm still here too. I've been super busy lately. I have had a so-so week. I did really well for 4-5 days and had a bad couple of days. I am hoping to not see a gain tomorrow. Besides that I've been doing well. We are going out of town next weekend (over Memorial Day) so I won't be around much next week. It is my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary! We are having a family reunion to celebrate. The kids are estatic! They love going to visit Gwanma and Gwanpa. Well...I have not eaten breakfast yet so I'd better go find something!

Here's to a healthy and exercise full day!

Lori

Hi All! I am here too. I have started walking again and trying to eat better. I broke my toe last week, so it was hard to do much. It is feeling better now so I can get back out there.

We are going to my SIL graduation this weekend. It will be nice to get away. We are looking forward to it. Plus my MIL & FIL have not seen the girls since Christmas!!


ETA ~ I have decided that I can not weigh every week either. Not saying that I don't jump on the scale every now and then, but I can't be a slave to it. It makes me depressed and then I figure why continue. So instead, I am going to do either every other week or once a month. That way I am not so hard on myself every week.

Kellie - I think that's a good idea, and I may do the same re: the scale. Even after "being bad" for a week or two, I was happy to see that the scale didn't creep all the way back up! I guess the LITTLE changes (ie - water, walking, etc) DO help!

Hey everyone how's it going? I have been off program for awhile now. Probably won't go back until after summer break (we get out Friday). I'm going to watch certain things I eat, and the amount I eat, but I'm not even going to TRY dieting. We do too much stuff during summer break, such as camping, etc.

Still in love with my new grandson. He is growing like a weed. Dr. said, Monday, that he was up to 9lbs 3oz.

OK gotta run - check back later

I hope our thread doesn't fizzle out all together!

In the event that any of you guys are still checking in I thought I would mention that I've come across a really good new snack. Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom Fudge Lites. One fudgecicle has only 35 calories and is sugar/fat free. They probably aren't an option for you, Shawn, since you don't use artifical sweeteners. But for anyone who doesn't mind Splenda they are surprisingly good for so few calories and have really been helping to curb my sweet tooth.

Hope everyone is doing okay!

Just letting you know that I won't be back for awhile - it is summer break and we stay very busy - I will be back but it will be more like August. Have a great summer everyone

Is anyone still out there??? HELLLL-OOOOO *hears echo*

I am back, b/c I went to my ob/gyn to get on anti-depressants, and at my 30 day check-in, she got onto me pretty hard about my weight........ soooo.... I'm writing down everything I eat, and reporting back to her in 30 days.....

tonight I walked for 40 minutes -- I'm sitting here sweating as I type this.

Just wondering if anyone else is still around?

btw - my siggy is no longer right; I've gained it all back... again....