Hey Debbie -

Here's a link to a calculator you can use to determine how many calories you should eat to lose weight. (it also has the # of calories you could eat to maintain your current weight). Just plug in your age, height, weight and activity level and the calculator will do it for you;

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

For every 3500 calories you don't eat or burn away with exercise it equals 1 lb of fat - so you should be losing 1 to 3 lbs per week.

Blessings,
Melanie

Hey guys!! Hope everyone is doing well. I am trying to get into nursing school, so I'm trying to get everything done before the deadline (8/31). Today I take my NET (Nursing Entrance Test) and get my TB screen.

Sarah-Thanks. I hear everyone saying that those last few lbs are hard to lose and OMG are they right! I'm glad Andrew is better but I hope you get better! Take it easy!

Debbie-That could be it too. I'm in DFW and holy crap the heat is crazy! In fact, it's now 7:45am and already 79! I'm so sorry for your loss :bighug: You're in my thoughts!

You know, that's a great way of putting that...5 lbs of lean mean vs 5 lbs of jello.

Karen-I'm 5'4. I REALLY need to start lifting weights..I wish we had the $$ to join a gym!

Haley-It's ok, it's a new week!!

Melanie-Yeah, I wonder if that could be it? I upped my running to an hour, sometimes more. I was running 30 min now I run hr to 1 1/2 hr. Thanks!

Celeste: GOOD LUCK! On your test. I think that you will be lifting weights soon. I am a nurse. Well, Was for 11 years, now a full time mommy. I worked in a hospital, it is a very phyiscal career. Lifting moving patients, bending, running here and there. It kept me in shape. What a wonderful and rewarding career you are about to take. I know I love it. And I miss it too. I know you will make a great nurse!

Thanks Karen!! Wow, you were a nurse? My mom is a nurse and she is my inspiration (ssshh don't tell her that ) She is now the Director of the ER. I'm SO nervous, this nursing school is SO hard to get in..You pretty much have to have perfect grades. My GPA is 3.77 for my pre reqs and then my support courses are a 3.5

Wow! That is an excellent GPA. I had a 3.2 . You may get your whole education paid for. I did! Nurses are really in demand! Good luck! I know you will do well!

Mel, Thanks you are so helpful to me (all of you are) Thanks for sending me that link. Last night was sad night. Me and hubby just sat and talked about Granny and what she was to us. Tonight we go for viewing. I always hated that felt it is kind of morbid. Thats just my thought. I guess it just makes me sad to see everyone around chit chatting . Like a reason for reunion. Opps didn't mean to go out on a tangent!!! Back to subject at hand. I feel so much better. I actually jogged yesterday. I came home ringing wet with sweat came home and lifted weights . Last night I even came home and put on the little red teddy. I can't believe how much better I feel just by giving up the smoke and the fat and moving around. My only regret is I didn't do it years ago.

Karen,Thanks! I hope so. I can't believe I'm actually finally applying! I've had to retake classes over because B's and C's aren't going to cut it and plus my A&P courses were over 5 years old.


Debbie, I'm so sorry :bighug: It's so hard to lose a loved one. I lost my grandpa in 1996 and it was a very difficult time for us. Good for you for jogging!!

Karen - I didn't know you were a nurse?? Cool! What dept did you work in at the hospital?

Celeste - Blessings on your test! My mom is also a nurse, and a great one. She works in oncology and she is now Head Nurse/Manager for her floor. She has touched so many poeple's lives, but she always tells me that it is the patients that have touched hers. What a rewarding career

Debbie - I am so sorry for your loss and all the emotions that has stirred up in you......you are dealing with it very well by taking care of yourself and talking about your love for your Granny to your hubby. Keep up the great work of exercising and I am SO proud of you for not smoking anymore - what a major accomplishment and something that will add years to your life!

Well I made it through the wake tonight. People I haven't saw in years did not recognize me. One older gent whispered to hubby when did he remarry. Hubby said just this year lol. This is the first time in years I actually wore a nylon skirt and silky t-shirt blouse and sandles. No hose or the dreaded girdle. I felt almost nude but it was so nice. After the wake all the family was going to gather at Aunts house and pig out. I begged off telling Lloyd I had rather us just grab a subway sandwich. He was quite impressed. I didn't go over my fat or calories once again. My friend said she was going to go out and grab a smoke and wanted to know if I wanted to . I said nope lol I quit. She couldn't believe it. Now I sit here hair and clothes reeking of stale smoke from others. Man what was I thinking. Ok I am going nite nite. I just had to come here and unwind. Good luck everybody.

Debbie: Again, sorry about your lost. You are doing so well at this stressful time. Keep it up!

Melanie: Yes! I am a nurse, and miss it very much. What your mom said is so very true. Eventhough I get paid money, the patients are my teachers and reward me in seeing how they cope with lifes issues. I worked at Emory University Hospital. On an GYN/Urology floor. Women with ovarian cancer, etc and men with prostate cancer etc. to name a few types. When the kids get back in school, I will go back and work 2 days a week. I do miss it.

Celeste: How did the test go? I know that you did well.

Hey, they are starting a body for life contest at my workout place, and the top prize is $300.00 workout sessions. I hope to win something and do my best. It starts sept. 6th. How is everyone doing today?

Celeste - We are dying to know how the test went???

Karen - You should totally sign up for the "body for life" contest - GO GET 'EM Karen!

Debbie - Great job on opting for subway and not smoking!

Sarah, Nicki & Haley - how are you gals?? Miss you!

I passed my NET!!!!!! I got an 81%!!! Passing is 50%



Whew! That's one major thing down!!

Oh man,yesterday I had my TB screen, and apparently I have a sensitive vagus nerve :blush: He was poking the needle in my skin and I started to get nauseaus and woozy. I felt so silly. But the guy was very nice about it and said it was common.

Ooh, and I think I got my weight loss taken care of...I think my weight gain was water retention....After my test I had to pee SO bad. Remember the movie Austin Powers where he had this never ending pee? Well, that's what it was like for me Then I got up a few times last night and the never ending pee again! I swear, I think I peed at least a gallon!!

So, I am pretty sure I'll have a loss this week!

Celeste (AKA: peeing Wonder Woman - LOL! ) - Congrats on passing your test - we knew you could do it Big hugs your way! And, good to know you are retaining water and getting rid of it! Man, you are on fire in so many areas of your life - you inspire us to know that we can really do anything we put our minds to

Mel

Celeste – Good luck on the nursing thing! How did it go? Maybe you already posted. I’m only reading the first post on this page, lol. I’ll make my way down. So does that mean you know stuff about heart rates? Because I REALLY need help w/ that kinda stuff!

OH JUST READ THAT YOU PASSED! LOL Great job Celeste! What a great feeling! Good for you! And good luck on your loss this week, I know you will! 

Karen – You are a nurse! Do you know about heart rates? LOL Like VO2max and all that good stuff? Oh Karen, good luck w/ the Body For Life! Let me know how that goes. I read the book so I know what the deal is with it. It’s a good plan!

Debbie – SO sorry to hear that your Grandma died. That’s not a great feeling. I know about it.  But anyways, good for you for becoming healthier! I bet you just feel SO great! It really does feel good.

Melanie – Hi! I’m here! Sorry I haven’t bee checking in as much as I should be. But I will from now on.