The Pact #3
 

We are 3 (sometimes 4) women who met in the “Buddy Up Forum” last summer (2004).
Originally we made a pact to lift weights, eat right, lose weight, and to support each other wile doing this. We’re still trying to learn how to eat well and exercise regularly.

We don't follow the exact same food and exercise programs, but we all want to eat more balanced and healthier.
We are very friendly and welcome anybody who wants to join us in the pact to lift weights, eat right and lose weight!

2005 - It's a new year and a chance to continue with our pact and take a step closer to our goals. Please feel free to join us in the new year with our new resolve.

First post!
 

Hope everybody had nice weekends. I started the new thread, the old one was getting too long.

Ang, I don’t want a job where I sit on my a** all day either – but it does seem likely that I’ll end up sitting down a lot. Do you guys have something else you’d rather be doing? A dream job? Ang, you want to be a farmer full time, perhaps? :D
I loved The Great Gatsby, even if it’s years and years since I read it. I have a soft spot for bittersweet and tragic tales. I had to stop reading Stephen King after Pet Cemetery; it scared me so badly that I had to sleep with the lights on! Heh… And now that I think about it: Gerald’s Game with the woman handcuffed to the bed, was very scary too. And Misery. And some of his short stories. Yeah. I don’t read Stephen King anymore… :fr:

I think my protein sources basically are the same as before: low fat dairy (cheese, cottage cheese, milk, yogurt), low fat fish (tuna, cod fish), salmon (but a lot of fat = lots of calories), eggs and egg whites, beans, and protein shakes/bars.
For dinner today I’m having omelet with cheese, onions and peppers, and fresh strawberries for dessert.

I’m down another pound and have reached the one-seventies! I was down to about 183 six years ago, but now that I’m moving below that - I’m moving into territory I haven’t been in more than 10 years. And it’s nice to get closer to goal, nice to see that I’ll probably actually reach goal too. :p

Have a nice Monday everybody!

Yeah - I just wanted to post and bump the Pact #3 thread up on the forum page, so that it was above the #2 thread!
Don't mind me.
Just carry on... :rolleyes:

Morning ladies.

I think I am all caught up with reading the past messages and such.
So, heres my post weekend update:

Got my results back on Sat. Nothing beyond the mild dysplasia was present, and she removed the areas of concern at that appt. So, from this point, back to normal check ups every 6 months - then if I am clear for a few years, back to once a year.

The difference between MFD and WW - is that MyFoodDiary tracks calories eaten versus calories burned. So they put you at between 1300-1600 Net Calories as the weight loss zone. You enter your foods in and it tracks all that for you, as well as tracking where your calories come from. So, you can look and go, my god 80% of my calories are from fat! That's not good. I am aiming for like 50% carbs, then 30% protein and 20% fats. You get smilies for meeting daily goals, and frownies if you are doing something that should be looked into.

WW basically is a resticted calorie diet also, but uses a point system. They give you a formula for figuring your points and such, that revolves around calories, fat and fiber. So I could have, essentially, a 600 calorie day, but if it was high in fat, be WAY over my point values. While it is healthier to eat balanced, 600 calories a day, regardless of what kind, is not enough to keep your body out of starvation mode.

Doing the point system this past week, and adding in how much exercise I burned calories with. Every single day gave me a 'too few calories consumed' frownie, ranging anywhere from 600 - 1200 net calories.

I like the meetings and encouragement from WW, but I think their point system doesn't count for enough variance in people. Dunno.

So this weekend was great. I had softball practice (first of the year) and am so sore. I also weeded the garden and took a bike ride. Sat. night I went out with my friends. (I ama bear, and thus have not gone out since like last fall) Anyway, they all dropped their jaw and one of them just kept hovering over me with a wide grin about how tiny I looked. I certainly don't FEEL tiny yet, so it was a good jolt to the head for me, ya know a 'Hey you, you're doing good'.

I am technically, 16.6lbs away from my goal weight now, and it is getting slow. (Or it could be slow because WW has me consuming too little and the body slowed down because of it) -but the end is definitely in sight.

I still haven't secured horseback riding lessons. I wish there were someplace closer to me- That'd make it so much easier.

Anyway. That's where things are for me. Oh, and I couldn't STAND The Great Gatsby hahaha. ;)

I was out of the office yesterday and have a visitor today and tomorrow but I'm around and will try to post soon. Have great Tuesdays! :)

mette - thanks for starting the new thread. :D

Renee – I’m fascinated that you manage to ‘consume too few calories’! ;)
I must admit it’s a problem I’ve never had: My struggle is definitely to eat less.
What is going on with you since you’re not eating enough? Don’t you like the food on your plan? Are you afraid to stop losing weight if you eat more? Or do you feel satisfied on few calories?

Every time I eat less than 1500 calories I feel weak and drained of energy, and I’ll often notice being tired before I notice being hungry. It’s a bit weird. I eat 5 meals a day now, which means I try to eat every 3 hours. It keeps me from getting hungry and weak.

Yes, the end is in sight. I have about 16lbs left too, but I chose the goal weight because it gives me a nice round number (-80lbs in total), so I’ll have to see what happens when I get closer – right now I have no idea where I’ll end up. I have to see what it looks and feel like.

Hey mette

I dunno how it happens. Like I said, I am using this food tracker calorie counter thing. Today for example. I ate a total of 28.5 "Points" on Weight Watchers. For my weight, I am allowed 20. I exericsed for an hour at their 'moderate' level which, at my weight, earns me 4Activity points that I can, and did eat. I also used 4.5 of my weekly Flex Points (35 points to use wherever and whenever you want) All that said and done, the calorie counter said I consumed 1300 calories. But my exercise monitor said I burnt 450. So that leaves me at 850 net calories - IE TOO FEW AGAIN! It's really throwing my head for a loop.

I know that you need 1200 calories or more to stay out of starvation mode, but it doesn't seem like Weight Watchers works for that. I am going to post on the forums here and see what people suggest.

The thing is, I eat plenty. This morning, I had two Sausage Burritos from McDonalds. Have a salad from their for lunch. And an ice cream cone as a treat. Dinner was 1/2 cups brown rice, 1 cup stir fry veggies with 1oz steak. Then, a peanut butter granola bar and a brownie for dessert.

Weight Watchers figures points based on calorie, fiber and fat. So, those 2 burritoes counted for 14 points!!!! But had only 580 total calories....

We'll see. I think I might lose more weight if I wasn't always so deprived calorie wise.
Speaking of weight. Yesterday I was up 2/10th of a pound at weigh-in, which is really really minute and pointless to worry about. But I do think I'd lose better if I had this all figured out.

Well, to bed for me. Tomorrow is our first softball game!

I found a couple of minutes.
 

Warm weather has finally arrived! :)

I am so tired of sitting in my office. The nice weather gives me a chance to get out and walk at lunch. I would rather be doing a mix of farming (full time farming is impractical on a small scale and large scale isn't the same) and I have been talking to bf about buying houses, fixing them and selling them. It would get me moving and I love to see progress on things. I haven't given up on it. I can't see being at this job for too long.

mette - S. King does have a number of books that are adventure and not scary but I know a lot of people get turned off if they read his horror and aren't fans of that genre. I'm way behind in my S. King reading. I'm just finishing last month's book club book and the next one is in a week or two. Yikes! Honestly, I am not looking forward to reading the Great Gatsby. I had to read it a long time ago and don't remember loving it. :(

Congratulations mette on getting into the one-seventies. Reaching new weights is exciting. As an adult the lowest I ever got was about 172. I can't believe I have gained 30 pounds in 2 years. New topic... :mad:

Renee - MyFoodDiary sounds great. I'll have to go check that out. Where do you get your calorie counts from?

I know it might seem like a waste, but what about going to WW meetings for the support but not following the plan? When I went there were no questions about my points for the week so I could have been doing anything. You could also look into other support groups for eating, Renee, if you want the encouragement.

Renee - good luck at your softball game. Let us know what position you play. I used to play softball and miss it. Next year I'm thinking of joining the town co-ed league.

I'm off for my lunchtime walk. Take care.

Hey ladies, I think I got the WW forum into a tizzy with my post about points vs. calories!! Woops. People tend to read stuff and take everything literally and negatively. Ah well. That's why you guys are so great.

I am going to try WW this week and see what happens. Another bad week of breaking even or some minimal loss and I will try just following calories instead of points. So far, of the last 10 weeks. The times I have lost the most weight have been the weeks I complain of 'completely blowing it, pigging out and splurging' - which really sorta helps the cause for the idea WW is not giving me enough.

I went to a base metabolic rate site, and figured in loosely what I do, and it gave me 2700 calories for my day to day activity. Weight Watchers, at 20pts, is giving you a 1100 calorie consumption day. (If you dont use your freebies)

Why does this stuff have to be so confusing and complicated?

As for softball, the temperature is currently 48 degrees, with a NNE wind at 20mph to give a windchill of 39. Yay softball. >.< I may be playing second base tonight. Or right field. Which I hate. I am so bad at judging pop ups.

It is a friends co-ed league, so its not all competitive, but I hate when I miss a catch!

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow after I freeze my fingers off.

Well despite my efforts, we WON our softball game. I missed a fly ball and I over ran third to get tagged out even after beating the throw. Dumb me!

Everyone was fawning over my weight loss though so I felt really good about that! :)

I feel like I have a done a bad on here. I have gotten really defensive about the WW points vs calories argument after someone started basically slamming me with I'm right, WW is right, you are wrong. I hate when people, (who the diet is working for) go off on people who it doesn't work for and automatically claim they are being wrong about it. :(

I honestly don't think that, even if the cardio machines are wrong, that I am eating enough calories to cover for the amount I burn off.

I think I will find a place that does that resting metabolic rate test thing and get the real results and go from there. WW is nice and healthy, but at the lower levels, I think it's sorta goofy. Or no, not really. If you are ACTIVE. Like an hour of cardio 6x a week active, I don't think the point system can keep up. Sigh.

Now I am all crabby.

I just love having Fridays off. Unfortunately it meant no internet for the weekend because I couldn't get my computer to work at home.

I was so happy that the rain held off this weekend enough for me to get lots of time out in my yard. I don't know how much I accomplished and it wasn't really cardio, but I had a great time. I LOVE THE OUTDOORS! :)

I finally got to the store and bought a new pair of pants that are another size bigger. As much as I hated having to do it and spending way to much money on something so simple, I am much more comfortable today.

Renee - did anything useful come out of the forum discussion on points vs. calories? How many calories do you think you should consume each day? Where do you get your caloric information from (if it nots something in a package with a nutrition label)? I'm sorry the people in the other forum weren't more helpful. It is too bad when people can't be supportive and realize there are huge differences between people. I would agree with you that WW doesn't seem to be working well enough for you. At this point you are probably into good habits and have an idea of what you should be eating and how much. With all of your exercise I would think you are the best judge of what you need. Not eating enough is definitely detrimental to weight loss.

I hope you are all having better weather than me. Renee - has it improved since your softball game? I had a few nice days but then it went back to 50s. I can't blame my lack of exercise on the weather, but it sure doesn't help. Congratulations Renee on winning your softball game! Did you feel any different playing after the weight loss?

What did you ladies do over the weekend?

Hey there Ang - good to see you! Now all we need is a mette! :D

Glad you had nice weather Ang, isn't it such a boost to the spirits? I love the outdoors too. Our weather here can't decide which way to go. One day 80, the next 50, back and forth and back and forth.

With the softball, yeah, it did feel different. I didn't feel like people from the other team would call me 'that big girl' - and my base running was sooo confident it turned over confident! Hee, oh well. I'll remember that for next time.

As for the calorie counter, I am using a pay site called myfooddiary.com and it has a searchable list of foods and stuff, even dishes at restaurants. It's $9 a month and I am not sure I will use it forever. My plan is, that tonight, if I am not down a pound or better at Weight Watchers, to forget points this week and see how I do by counting ONLY calories in vs calories spent.

It's such a damn formula. Sigh, but I am keeping with it at least. I imagine last year I might have said, 'forget this, I quit, get a hamburger' - and now my quitting is only to quit and go to a different way of monitoring my food choices and health issues. :)

Don't fret too much about the pants hon, try to forget about numbers and just base it on 'this fits, this doesn't. This makes me look and FEEL good vs, this makes me look blah.' You'll get there. Summer is sure to help!

Hugs and good luck ladies.

Renee - it's getting to the point where nice weather here means it doesn't rain. I do want the steady 70s though. It is very motivating though when the sun is out.

Now that you mention it, I seem to remember some comments when I played softball about my running being slow. I'm sure a lot of it had to do with the weight I was carrying. Now that the first game is behind you, the restof the season should be awesome. Do you have any new softball goals for this year?

Good luck tonight. I have a tough time counting calories because I don't want to weigh things and a lot of the food I make is a little of this and a little of that so it's not easy to determine what's really in it. I got precooked tofu at Whole Foods today for lunch and have no idea how many calories were in it or even if it was healthy. I am amazed at the differences in you since I met you here. You seem to have really turned things around. Hopefully I can take some of that and get inspired.

Tonight is grocery shopping and errands after work. I should go running but after sitting and working all day it never seems to happen. It used to so I'm not sure what is wrong. I just always come up with an excuse. I had errands at lunch so I didn't even walk today.

Enjoy your evenings!

Welp, everytime I say WW doesn't work and I am going to change things up, it works. I was down 1.6 this week, which is wholly acceptable in my books for weight loss. The only notable thing I did different was to make sure I eat flex points every day, rather than save them for treats.

We'll see how this week goes too.

Just a quick check in for right now. *phew*

Congratulations Renee. I think 1.6 pounds in a week is awesome, particularly when you don't really have that much left to lose. It seems like your 'modifications' of WW work well for you. Keep up the good work. :)

Last night it was so late when I got home that I didn't get a chance to do anything outside. I brought stuff to run at lunch time. I hope I don't lose the motivation to go. I've got to start somewhere. Losing this much weight (again) just seems so big. I can't seem to break it down into little goals or steps.

mette - you out there?

I finished the first draft of my article (finally) and now I'm waiting for the comments from my coauthor and the two internal reviewers at work. Hopefully I'll get them soon and it won't be too bad. I want the article to be good but I really need to get it out the door in May. For now I have moved on to other work. It's a good feeling to feel like something has been accomplished.

Tuesday I ran at lunch. I was only out for 27 minutes (a little walking but mostly jogging). It's hilly at work and I haven't run in so long that I'm out of shape. I am planning on going again today in about 45 minutes. It's a pain to get back to work after running but I'm going to try and put up with it 2 days a week for now. If I can get running in at home great, but for now I need to start taking some serious steps toward weight loss and health.

Things here are plugging along. How is everyone? Renee - how often doyou have softball games? Are you still helping with the horses? mette - do you work right through summer?

How do you get smiles in the title???
 

I just wanted to let you know that I went running yesterday at lunch. I did the same route as Tuesday but jogged the whole thing. It was very hilly though (I swear there was more uphill than downhill ;) ) so I think on Tuesday I am going to try and go the other direction. It's not a long route so I need to venture soon to somewhere else.

I'm also thinking of incorporating some Slim Fast products into my diet. Opinions?

Hey everyone!

We got creamed at softball, but at least this time I wasn't the only one who made mistakes. The whole team did! Hee.

I started rollerblading again this week and my legs have new spots to be sore! It's kinda interesting how complex the body is and how one small difference can change what and where you are sore.

Today they are bringing in pizza for lunch, and since I get angry when someone limits the amount of pizza I can have (they aren't, the diet would) I have decided to not have any of it. I don't feel deprived about it- more I feel proud that I can chalk this one up to will power and wisdom. I'll head out to lunch with my sister and get a chicken whopper for 7pts, instead of two pieces of pizza for 10.

I had an enlightening experience this week. A girl friend of mine, who I see as : pretty, skinny, right sized, right shaped, better looking than me etc. - Well she borrowed a pair of jeans that is loose on me, and they were TIGHT on her! I know that my mind is behind my body on where I am - but that was a really good way of sorta kicking me in the pants and saying, 'You see her as attractive and skinny.... why can't you see yourself that way?'

Alright, so work is getting busy now. Congrats on the running Ang, just keep at it and soon you'll have a habit formed again! I sometimes need to go to the warehouse at work, and lately, when I do, I run. It feels good. I wish I could run more than 30 seconds at a time though. :p

Way to go Renee for not eating the pizza! :cheers:

Thanks also for reminding me about rollerblading. I have the pads and should go get some blades and use that as a means to workout and get some variety. Do you truly consider it a cardio workout?

Keep working at your self image and you will get there. :) If you want to run you need to stay with it regularly so you can build up your run time versus walk. The first time it takes a little while but you can do it. I'm back to around 2 - 2.5 miles even though I used to run 4. I'm mixing the walking in though as I build back up.

Sorry about softball - hopefully it was fun. I'm doing a Realy for Life walk tonight to raise money for cancer research on behalf of my mother. I'm supposed to walk around the track for an hour. At least I'll get some exercise today. :lol:

Welcome to a new week! :)

Hey Ang - man this weekend flew by! I didn't even exercise. I was a total dork and stayed in all weekend and played on the computer.

My sister and I are going to try the Friday night Weight Watchers meeting to see if we can find a group of meeting-ers that we better fit in with. If you are going to get support from it, you need to feel like you belong ya know?

I think on my next weigh in, I will make my 10% goal that they start you off on, and end up having lost 16lbs since March. Slower than I'd like, but really I guess it still adds up pretty fast.

The morning scale on Sat. read 143- and I still can't believe that number actually belongs to me.

What do you suggest for starting a running routine? I'm a little afraid I'd get bored with it - but I like the feel of running. Plus it'd help for softball! Could I do sprints? Like, sprint, walk walk walk, sprint?

Hmm, back to work now. Here's to a good week for everyone!

The weekends always go too fast. The bad weather isn't helping. I got out a little to work on my garden/yard but no sun so my mood wasn't the best. No real exercise for me either. Have you worked out this week yet?

I know exactly what you mean about being with a group of people that you mesh with. I think it is one of the reasons why I stopped WW in VA during grad school. I just didn't feel like I fit in with the ladies there. There are too many mothers in my age group - WW and in my community. I really feel left out. :(

Renee - I think your weight loss is great! Remember that it gets much harder as you get close to your goal. You must look awesome! :)

Do you run at all now? There are lots of routines. The best is to get something regular and THEN add hills and interval (sprints) training. For now I would recommend going out for 30 minutes.

Walk (warmup): 5 mins
Run (jog): 1 min
Walk: 3 min
Alternate back and forth for 20 minutes and then 5 min cool down walk. As you feel comfortable with this reduce the time you walk and increase the time you run.

Does this make sense? I'd be happy to give more details if you want and I'm always here as you get going. Right now I am trying to get back into it and I jog 20 minutes, walk 2 min, and run another 8 with a couple of walking mins for cool down. When you can do 30 minutes straight let me know and you can add in intervals and hills. Good luck.

It looks like bf is close to selling his house, which means he will be moving in with me. I think this is great but of course still a little skeptical (always skeptical when it comes to relationships of all kinds).

I should get back to work. mette - I hope you are doing well and come back to us soon. Renee - how is your week going? Work still crazy busy?

Where did everyone go? Any plans for the holiday weekend?

I'm still here! Really!!!
 

Hi guys. Remember me??? :^:
I’m sorry I fell off the face of the world there for a couple of weeks! I was completely stressed out by finishing my practice and patients, writing reports and trying to find a job for the summer. I’m very sorry I disappeared so completely, but it was nice to read up on how well you are doing: lots and lots of exercise! :D

I have big plans for this summer too. And I start tomorrow, Monday the 30th.
It’s my own private 12 weeks challenge to lose the rest of the weight: eating right and exercise more.

For the next 12 weeks I will:
-eat about 1500 calories a day (lots of vegetables, lots of low-fat-protein-stuff!)
-do weights 3 times a week (keep on the program I’m doing, try to get stronger)
-do cardio 5 times a week (I’ll start jogging twice a week this summer too)
-get down to 160-165lbs during these 12 weeks

I’ve just ordered “Body for Life for Women” by Pamela Peeke for inspiration and some new input. Looking forward to that. As for “The Pact”; I’m planning on reporting in daily – just to write down and share it with somebody: what and how I’m doing.
I need to focus on losing weight again, and I’m ready to lose the rest of the weight now. :smug:
And it's good to be back!

See you tomorrow!

Day 1 - Week 1
 

Good morning girls!
I’m doing my first “Summer challenge” daily report. I went out jogging this morning. And even though I have been jogging on the treadmill in the gym this winter; it really doesn’t compare with outdoor-jogging! Really! The hills alone are quite something else...
I now look forward to getting better at jogging *up* the hills! ;)

But at least I have started. I’ll be back again tomorrow, hope everybody is doing well! :sunny:

Day 2 Week 1
 

Good morning again!
Don’t mind me; I’ll just keep posting until you all come back to work and get online again… :lol:

Yesterday was a good day: I drank lots of water, slept enough, ate 1.554 calories, and jogged for 30 minutes.

This morning I went to the gym to lift weights and do cardio: I did my leg-program first, and then 30 minutes on the elliptical machine.

I’ve been thinking about where the key to success lies (duh!), and I think one of my keys is to write down everything I eat, so I need to find a way to keep writing every day. It’s not as if I fall off the wagon when I stop writing, but I stop losing weight because I eat (a little) more. I want to keep writing and monitoring my calories for these 12 weeks.
I also took before-pictures (in my underwear) today, mostly because everybody (at least Renee) says it's a good thing to do! :p

Have a good day, guys – talk to you again tomorrow! :goodvibes

Why won't my smiles work? :(
 

Welcome back mette! You have return with quite the resolve. Good for you. Were you able to find a job for the summer? How did everything end up with your practice?

Your plan sounds good. With your history it seems like all of your goals should be attainable. I am also trying to find some resolve. I am very tired of the way I look, feel, and the whole clothing issue (don't even get me started). On Sunday I jogged for 30 minutes and yesterday I went for a short bike ride. I also did a few hours of yard work over the weekend. I have been better about watching what I eat but the weight still keeps coming on. I don't know what I am doing wrong. I am hoping to run at lunch for 30 minutes (couldn't get motivated to do it before work) and really concentrate on increasing my exercise, but it is so frustrating. Maybe I should come up with a summer plan for June-August too. Renee - do you have goals for the summer? We could each have our own challenge.

I'll get back to you later with something mapped out. Back to work right now.

Day 3 Week 1
 

Good morning!
Ang, I think that to get smileys in the heading you have to choose from the smiley list below the message-box (where you write): They’re called Post Icons.
Good to hear that you’re jogging and biking and doing yard work - summer is nice, isn't it?? :D
I’m sorry you’re gaining weight, what do you think that’s about if you’re watching your eating and exercising more?

I’m on my third day today. Yesterday I did weights and cardio, ate 1.545 calories, drank lots of water and started reading "Body for life for women" – I’m not sure what I think of it yet. I have to read a bit more of it before I can have an opinion or take something useful from it, I think.
Today I also did weights (back, biceps, and abs) and cardio (bike), I'm going out jogging again tomorrow morning.

And yes, I did find a job – I’ll start June 15th – document control and some accounting I think (It’s stuff I used to do before I went back to school, it’s easy work to find and do for a short period of time, and it pays quite well too) I’m not too enthusiastic about it, but I think it’ll be fine. I just need to earn some money… :D

Talk to you again tomorrow – have a nice day, girls! :wave:

Day 4 Week 1
 

Good morning again. I went jogging this morning, and even if I’m a bit sore from my leg workout on Tuesday it still went a little better than Monday morning. My breathing was a little bit easier.

I also tried for a little pampering yesterday: I had my eyebrows waxed (ouch!) and bought two new work-out tops. So I’m all set for spending summer afternoons in the gym… :lol:

Yesterday I did weights and cardio, drank lots of water, took my vitamins, and ate 1.638 calories. It was a bit over plan because even though I eat 5 meals a day (at around 300 calories), I have 6 meals on my going-to-the-gym-days. I have to have something nutritious *before* I go to the gym to lift weights, so I have a shake: skimmed milk, protein powder, banana. Which means I have 240 less calories for the rest of the 5 meals of the day. And yesterday I got hungry and had an extra 100 calories – not exactly a disaster…

I’ll do better today, I think: I’ll stay within the 1500-1600 range.
Have a nice day guys!

I think Mette and I share the same line of existence, only one of us can be around at a time.

Sorry about that. I've been awful.

Work and life is so hectic, and for the past two weeks, I seem to have reverted back to my crappy eating and no exercise habits. It scares the crap out of me!

I keep telling myself that I hop back on the horse tomorrw - then something happens 'tomorrow' and it gets all back to craziness.

Ill try to start coming in and posting - I know it helps! HUGS!

Day 5 Week 1
 

Good morning!
I like Renee’s theory that she and I share the same existence! Even though I hope she’s wrong…. :lol: (as in: it’s very nice when we’re both here!)
Hopefully you’ll get back on track today, and stay there! :goodvibes:

Yesterday I went jogging, ate 1.475 calories, and drank lots of water. I also went to bed at 10 (!), and slept for 8 full hours! I felt completely rested when I got up to go to the gym this morning. It feels really, really good.

Went to the gym and did weights (chest, triceps) and cardio on the elliptical machine, and as of this morning I’ve reached my exercising goals for the week: cardio 5 times and weights 3 times. I’ll do something light for the weekend: some hiking if the weather is nice, some yoga perhaps.

And yes, Renee: posting here every day *does* help - I’ve found that too. Something about being accountable, I think.
Ah, well – wish you both an excellent Friday at work!

Day 6 Week 1
 

Well, I think I’m starting to feel a little silly – posting here all by my self. Perhaps I should consider only posting when you guys post, and do my daily reports somewhere else. Privately or something. :p

Yesterday I did weights and the elliptical machine, ate 1.563 calories, drank water and ate a lot of vegetables. After almost a week completely on plan, I once again get confirmed that the most important thing for me is to keep recording what I eat. Once I lose sight of how much I’ve already eaten that day I just start eating without plan. And there is no way I can keep at 1500-1600 calories without a plan.

Hope you’re having nice weekends. I’ll come back tomorrow at least, and finish daily reports for week one – but I don’t think I’ll keep posting alone like this. It looks kind of stupid. :lol:

Day 7 Week 1
 

Well, my first week is almost done, and I have 11 more to go! :D
It’s been a good week too: My favourite part was jogging in the park again – even with the wheezing, panting and puffing! ;)

Yesterday I didn't work out (rest-day), ate 1.450 calories and had lots of water. It was an excellent Saturday, and today we have good weather so I’m going out in a little while.

Hope you all have nice Sundays!

Nooo, dont' post anywhere else. Weekends are slow posting for me since I do most of my forum hopping from work. And like usual, your posts are encouraging me. I love how organized you are!

This past week I gained 2.2 pounds at weigh in! My god, it takes me 6 weeks to lose that much, and 1 to put it on? That cannot be right - I can only hope it was the two ball park hotdogs and the three beers from the baseball game the night before.

The good news is, I am back into the grind. I really need to find new and interesting foods, I think I am getting bored. Also, my exercise has teetered off. For like 2 weeks now, I just have had no energy or drive - maybe I am fighting a bug.

So Monday. Boss is back from vacation, so my stress level should go down. Woo!
Keep up the good work all.

Day 1 Week 2
 

Good morning!

I started the day jogging in the park – and it was truly glorious this morning: sunshine, green and sweet-smelling grass, birds singing, etc etc. Well, yes, and then me - huffing and puffing of course… ;)
But I did run longer than last week.

Renee – hopefully the gained weight will disappear just as soon again! I think the morale of the story is to keep away from hotdogs and beers the night before weigh in! :D

To sum up my first week: I averaged on 1.514 calories a day, I lifted weights 3 times, and did cardio for at least 30 minutes 5 times. I also drank lots of water, and got lots of sleep. So all in all a successful first week.

Ah well, talk to you guys again tomorrow.

That is great Mette. When you jog, is it jogging for the full time, or do you do walking intervals too?

My weigh in this morning has me back down, so the 'Flash Pounds' as my one friend calls them, seem to be gone. Thank god! Now I feel motivated to keep at it.

I think that I would lose weight better if I had more calories, but I've complained about that for a while. Everytime I say 'if I don't lose well this week at WW' I am just going to use MFD and count calories - I end up doing well.

I've been meaning to plan out my weekly routine and figure in what days will be what exercise. I have completely fallen off that wagon. I did get a 40 minute bike ride in last night, but my sister rides so slow it's not even really a work out for me. I suppose it still counts as motion though.

I also need to get back into strength training, and tone myself up. I am finding some spots, the extra bit of me there, seems more skin related than fat related and I hope some muscle definition will help cover that.

That's it for now!

Day 2 Week 2
 

Where did Ang go?

I’ve been thinking about making plans for exercise when I start working next week too. For me it’s mostly about getting into a routine – as long as I know what I’m supposed to do, when and where – I will exercise just as I planned to. It’s when I start to improvise and never plan I never get around to anything. This last year has been amazing for me when it comes to working out – I’ve never worked out 3 times a week for a whole year before.

Good to hear the weight went away. And yes, I do try to jog for the full time – but I have a couple of hills I haven’t completely broken yet. It’s my goal for the summer to jog through the whole trip. :smug:

Yesterday I ate 1.388 calories – I don’t know how that happened since I normally struggle to keep lower than 1.600. I also went jogging. Today I’ve been to the gym and done weights (legs and shoulders) and cardio (30 min elliptical machine). I don't think eating too few calories will be a problem today: I'm starving!

Have a nice day. Talk to you guys again tomorrow. :)

Day 3 Week 2
 

Well, it’s Wednesday and we're almost halfway through the week. Yesterday I ate 1.704 calories, did weights (legs + shoulders) and cardio for 30 minutes. I’ve already been to the gym today and done weights (back + biceps) and cardio. I’ve been doing the rowing machine (for cardio) a couple of times lately, and I sort of like it. Variation is my friend when it comes to cardio, that’s for sure! :p

Hope you guys are doing well too. I’m getting a little worried that Ang disappeared - I hope you come back soon, sweetie! :)

Renee – I just wanted to say about skin and fat once we’ve lost a lot of weight: it really *does* get better with time and exercise. When I lost weight last summer I did get some loose skin around my belly, upper arms and thighs – but through doing weights and maintaining the weight for a year, it’s definitely gotten better. So don’t lose faith – your body will keep changing even after you’re finished losing weight, and – as everything else – it takes time.

OK. See you guys again tomorrow.

sorry I was gone (but I figured out the smiles - thanks mette)
 

Very quick for now - I'm so sorry I have been gone. I took a couple of days off and then the weekend hit (no internet at home). :( It is planting season and my garden is so behind. I have been frantic at home and at work. Deadlines all over the place. I stopped receiving reminders regarding your posts for some reason too, which didn't help. Anyway, I'm back and I'll post more later.

mette - I think it's great that you post everyday. Although I still haven't had time to come up with a plan. I want to and will try to post at least the days I am at work. It sounds like you are doing well. :)

I am in the garden a lot, haven't been running or biking in at least a week because of it. I'm hoping to start lifting weights soon. Been doing some Slim Fast stuff but still no weight loss. At least I haven't gained recently. how sad for me. :(

I've got to work on a paper due Monday but I'll be back. Enjoy your Wednesdays.

Day 4 Week 2
 

Good morning again.

Good to hear from you, Ang. Sounds like planting season in the garden is fun, but stress at work isn’t?
As for the reminders regarding posts in this thread – I think only one reminder is sent out, and then you have to visit 3FC before you’re reminded again. If you stay away from the site you won’t be reminded of all new posts - just the first one.

Yesterday I ate 1.327 calories – but I keep thinking I forgot to write something down. I did weights (back + biceps) and cardio (rowing machine). I drank lots of water, took my vitamins, etc. Today I went jogging. I have two really long and steep hills on my route, and today I almost broke the first one. Maybe next week!

Ang, how is the slim fast stuff going? Do you like it? Do you eat some meals or do you use slim fast instead of every meal? I’m sorry you’re not losing, but at least you’re not gaining either. :^:

I’ll be back tomorrow. Have nice Thursdays.