I love the book she is such a great inspriration no matter what diet you do!!! It just is teaching me to love me and feed my body right and take care of it. I was on atkins for so long it is just hard for me to adjust to being able to eat food but it is working slow but sure. I didn't gain this over nite and going to take time for me to lose it. You guys are really a big help to me just knowing I am not in this alone!!!!

Hi Debbie -

I hope you didn't mean you are eating 1000 calories per day?? If so, that is WAY under for your weight. You can actually gain weight when you eat too little. I weigh 176 right now and I stopped losing weight for a few weeks when I was eating 1200 - 1400 calories per day. As soon as I started eating between 1400 - 1800 per day (I eat higher calories when I exercise), I started losing again. You don't want your body to go into starvation mode & hang onto fat, so make sure you are eating enough calories. At your weight, you should not eat under 1600 calories per day and as you lose, you can lower them a little (but never go under 1200 calories per day). Hope I didn't misunderstand you :D

Melanie

That is all the calories I am eating. I eat three meals a day and two snacks and I am just not hungry. I am adding more calories gradually I just have to get over the carbaphobia. I know that isn't enough especially with me walking 3 miles. Right now I am just trying to focus on eating right then the weight. I Have dieted so long I really am having a hard time at this. It is like I am afraid to go over 1000 calories and I know so little about it.That is why I came here and hope all of you can help me get it figured out. If it helps here is some of my menu that isnt what i eat every day that is todays

Breakfast Bowl of Raisin Bran with some type of fruit
Snack 0 fat bagel with promise margarine
Lunch baked potatoe with out cheese usually
snack fruit or 0 fat sherbert or frozen yougart
dinner pinto beans corn rice
I just can't make myself eat meat yet Heck what I am saying is I am here to learn to try to get fit with help from others.
I did lot of different kinds of diets and the one that is making most sense to me is the Susan Powter way. I appreciate all advice.

Okay my weigh :goodscale in:
8-01-05 225
8-06-05 222.4 lbs
8-13-05 221.7

8-20-05
weigh in today 220.1

Slowly but surely, I think that I am gonna cut out the m amd m's and some of the sweets I am eating. Maybe, I will lose more. Also, I am going to eat better on the weekend. Still, I am happy I did well!

Cheers!

Karen

Way to go Karen. I will be glad when I get scale moving as much as you guys. Thanks Mel for answering my pm the menu was great help. I started measuring my food and wasn't really surprised at how fast the calories add up and if I am not honest with myself I am not cheating any one but me. So now I measure my cereal, yougart and everything with calories and fat grams. Thanks again and good luck to all.

YEH Karen!! Good job :D Keep it up!

No problem Debbie ;)

Just bought a really great digital food scale from Target and am SO glad I did - I was WAY over estimating my meat portions - I was thinking I was eating a 6 oz chicken breast that was really only 3.5 oz & I was doing the same thing to my fruit too! I just feel better having it and knowing I can weight everyting out. It weighs in fluid oz, solid oz & grams.

How is everyone doing??

Hum???? since Debbie and Melanie are measuring and weighing food. Maybe, i should too. Melanie, what is the brand of food scale at target that you have bought. Well, I ate better this weekend. Kept track on intake on Sunday. I did not do it on Saturday. Next weekend, I will try to do both. It is sometimes hard when we go out and get busy. Hope everyone is doing well!

OK, I'm so mad.

Last week, I gained 2 lbs because I ate HORRIBLY.

Well, this week I STILL gained 2 lbs!! I didn't eat TOO horribly, AND I ran for 6 days a week from anywhere to an hr-1 1/2 hrs. What is going on?? I can't seem to get past 155!!

Celeste - sounds like you're hitting a plateau. Perhaps that's just your low set weight. Not to mention, when you eat horrid, it doesn't have an immediate effect; it takes time to show up. Just keep at it.

My weigh in:

7-30-05 204
8-22-05 196

I know there's been other weigh-ins, but to be honest, I haven't really kept track of dates and weights.

Andrew is doing better. I, of course, have finally ended up with whatever he and my husband have, and I blew my nose for about 20 minutes when I got up this morning. I got my Billy Blanks boot camp DVD's in the mail on Friday. I attempted the Basic Training one on Saturday, got about 30 minutes in, and had to sit down. The worst part is, I was so sore yesterday that I couldn't sit down or stand up without help. I'm hobbling around like an old woman. I'm STILL incredibly sore today. I'm supposed to go to Curves today, and I can't even fathom it! I've stuck within my calorie range, even though I suffered through raging PMS. However, on Friday, part of my calorie range was spent on Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Yeah, didn't go over on calories, but THAT was full of saturated fat. I needed it so badly though. However, I continue to lose weight, even though right now I am so bloated and uncomfortable. Sometimes I despise being a woman. Really.

Sarah

Thanks mel, I am going to get me one of the scales also. It is amazing just how wrong you are on the guessing of how much eating. I didn't get to do much walking this week have had horrible bronchitus but feeling better and ready to get things moving again. Celeste do you think it could be fluid retention because of all of the heat. I know here in East Texas it has been horrible and my hand are constantly swollen. Also please everyone remember us in your prayers today. We lost our precious Granny Hester this morning . A beautiful precious lady that gave 92 years to us. I have no doubt in my mind she is smiling down from heaven at us. I have only one prob lol. I was looking for dress to wear and my smallest dress is 22 and guess what I wear a 16 now. geesh maybe I should wear a dress more often.

Celeste: I think that you look so great in your after pic. How tall are you? I looked great at 150. Before the babies were born. I tend to have lots of muscle. But, I too wanted to get down more. I remember it was so hard. To lose that last 10 pounds. I can understand you fustations. I say just keep up what you are doing and try to eat clean everyday. Have you ever tried lifting weights. It may boost your metabolism. Just keep going!! :smug: :ebike:

Sarah: Great weight loss :cheer: Hope that you are feeling better soon to kick some butt!

Debbie: So sorry to hear about your lose. It maybe a challanging time for you food wise. I know it would be for me! :angel: Here is an angel! Great job on your dress sizes....

Debbie, so sorry to hear that.

Sorry I've been MIA this past week, I've just been out a lot with my friends before they start school today and then I move back to school on Saturday. I just stepped on the scale and I'm at 206.5. I'm disappointed I won't reach my first mini goal, but it's my fault.

Hope you're all doing well.

Karen - the food scale I bought was $29.99 and it was a Phillips Precision Electronic Kitchen Scale w/ Bowl. I know what you mean about it being hard to keep track of caloric intake on the weekends.......anytime I am out of my routine of eating, it's more difficult to keep track.

Debbie - I am sorry about your loss, but you are right about her smiling down on you from heaven :angel: I know it's a pain you can't find a dress to fit, but how great that you are down to a 16!!

Sarah - I SO know what you mean about being a woman - so many obstacles - one thing right after another. I still can't figure out why men are convinced they are the stronger race - LOL....We all know that's not true. :lol: Congrats on the weight loss, keep at it girl!

Celeste - I am wondering if you are gaining muscle right now? I mean, muscle does weigh more than fat AND you are exercising an awful lot. You've lost So much weight and you've changed the way your whole body is shaped. Keep at what you're doing, it obviously has been working great! If in a couple weeks you still don't notice a change, then re-evaluate the situation. You are AWESOME ;)

Haley - I've missed you girlie :D Keep your head up.......you know what you need to do and you have it in you!

I was totally PMSing this weekend and ate way more than usual and I hardly exercised last week because of the baby being sick and me going out of town. I feel VERY unmotivated to exercise right now, but I am going to make myself because the baby is finally asleep :dizzy: Gotta get off my lazy butt :lol:

OMG I'm leaving right now, but just wanted to say good job to those who lost! I'll try and check in later. :D

Hey everyone, I just wanted to pop in and see how everyone was doing. I managed to get my three mile walk in and I actually was able to jog some. It is amazing how much better I feel since I gave up the smoke. I actually had to borrow a dress cause I don't want to buy one while I am going to be losing all of this. I use to could never do that cause I was always fatter than everyone else. Now I am actually smaller than some. ( Trying not to giggle here ) I had always heard muscle weighs more than fat and I did some research and it says fat weighs same as muscle but in comparison 5 lbs of lean meat will fit in a small bag but 5 lb of jello takes one three times as big. Guess it is good theory has anyone else read the same thing. I would much rather put my steak in my jeans than all this jello I have been wagging around. So glad I found you guys ya'll are a great inspriration to me. I have couple of questions. About how much is average to lose a week and if I eat 1600 cals a day is that to maintain what I have or how much should I eat to lose. Slow learner here. I appreciate all the help.

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! :D

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 :lol: ) 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 :D

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! :D

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??? :gossip:

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

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

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

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 :lol: 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!! :o

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

Woo Hoo Celeste!!
 

Celeste (AKA: peeing Wonder Woman - LOL! :lol: ) - Congrats on passing your test - we knew you could do it :cheers: 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 :thanks:

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. :p 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. :D

Good to hear from you, Nicki! ;)

Oh you know, I thought it would be nice to grace you guys w/ my presence. :p I don't know how to spell that. Oh well.

Oh! Troy and I went to his parents yesterday, and I hadn't seen his Mom in a while (like a month or so), and she thought I looked good! She could tell I lost some weight! So that made me feel really good! Yay! :D

Hey Nicki - It's always nice when someone can see the efforts you've made, even if you can't! You're doing great :D

BAM! I am down 10 pounds from start!! I'm sooo excited. And I've held it steady over the last 3 days (well, this morning it was a little bit under, but not enough to say I've lost 11 pounds). I weigh myself on my dad's triple beam scale, so it's super accurate. I actually can't wait to see the nutritionist next week.

I've been really overwhelmingly busy the last few days. The ol ball and chain has been working pretty much nonstop, so I've had almost sole baby duty (trust me, not complaining) and between Andrew and work, my life has been a million miles a minute. Not to mention, I've got the sinus infection from ****, the period that just will not end, etc. However, I did WALK to the pharmacy last night to pick up my scrip, I made it there and back in just over 40 minutes, and that is counting the 10 minutes I had to wait for the stupid thing (I BOOKED back, because I didn't want to miss So You Think You Can Dance). I just mapquested it, it says it's 1.22 miles, but since I cut through two apartment complexes and didn't walk along the main road, I'd say it's probably closer to just one. So that's between 3 & 4 miles per hour!! YES! That's pretty much the only exercise I've been getting though, after the Billy Blanks fiasco and the red tide, I've been kind of down for the count. My eating has been going really well though, aside from cheese sticks for lunch the other day.

Melanie - Thanks for that calculator link. No wonder I'm losing weight rapidly!! Most days I'm 800-1,000 below maintenance calorie level!!

Celeste - Congratulations! That is so awesome. I have friends going through nursing school, and they are all struggling.

Karen - Good luck in the contest. I'm sure you'll do great.

Debbie - I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Hang in there.

Sarah

Celeste: WOW! on your exam! I Knew you would do great. Are you still peeing.....?

Nicki: I know a little bit about heart rate and stuff, but I bet you know that too. Like target heart rates...anyway, glad to hear from you! I was wondering they are going to weigh us on a fat % scale. Does anyone think that accurate? What are everyones thoughts on this? Also, I will weighing in the morning. I have my monthy vistor. And these last two days, I am eating alot of carbs so to help the fat cells to get big. Is this a bad way to do it? But, I want to be the fattest as I can be. I will be eating very clean the rest of the time. I only want to lose 2 lbs a week, if I lose more than I may lose some muscle too. Any thoughts of this anyone?

Mel: How did the weigh in go today. I know that you are doing great.

Debbie: Hope all is well with you and your loved ones at this time.

Sarah: Sounds like a lot of STRESS!!!!! in your life... You are doing so great on your weight loss.

Haley: MISS You!
Well gotta go for now...Little charlie is waking up!

Weigh-In
 

Morning Ladies,

Here's my weigh in;

Week 1 - 190.5 (7/10) - 0
Week 2 - 185.5 (7/22) - 5
Week 3 - 181.5 (7/29) - 4
Week 4 - 178.5 (8/5) - 2
Week 5 - 179.0 (8/12)+ .5
Week 6 - 176.5 (8/19)- 2.5 lbs
Week 7 - 176.5 (8/26) -0

Total lbs lost: 14.0

So, I maintained this week, which I know is much better than gaining.......but sheesh, all that work for maintenance, huh? Oh well, I expect to do better next week. I guess the few high calorie meals I ate last week are catching up with me this week....who knows?

Sarah - Congrats on the weight loss!! How exciting and rewarding :D

Karen - That's awesome you are going for it with the contest!

Debbie - How are you??

Nicki - Hope your weigh-in is a great one today :)

Haley - Miss ya girl - ya need to make me laugh some more :lol:

Celeste - How's it all going?

Have a beautiful day everyone :grouphug:
Melanie

Melanie: You did GREAT! Maybe, you are building some muscle? You have done so well since 7 weeks ago! :strong: It will be better next week. Also, the more muscle that one has the better the metabolism....So, it could be a good thingy....

I have really eaten bad the past two days, because of my weigh in in the morning...Now, I think that I should not have done that! Oh well! :nono: I was trying to get fat the last two days...I felt so bad about it. So, I will eat better from this point on!!!!

Karen I dunno how I feel about the body fat scales. I mean there is so much to consider. Like you can't be dehydrated... I can't think of other things, but I know a few people who have them, and they are really sensitive. I think the trainers are better off using calipers (I'm practicing w/ mine now! LOL), but I dunno. I'm sure it will be fine. :D

Well. I think I stayed the same this week. I didn't think I did that bad, but oh well.

Way to go Mel. I will be glad when I get as skinny as you and the others. Yall make me want to try that much harder when I see it can be done. I am doing better. Things are slowing down now. It was a sad day but a happy day. My best friend has been waiting for her grand daughter to have her baby and at the exact time we lowered Granny to ground Cory Daneyle came busting out. God took an angel and gave us one back. Ain't it wonderful. I found a wonderful deal on a second hand tread mill that has the weights for arms also. Be delivered saturday!!! I can't wait now I can at least walk when it is to hot to go out side. I just have a second cause the two year old just woke up but I wanted to pop in and say hey!!! How do I find the smiley faces. So glad I found you guys!!!

Still trying to figure all this out
 

:lol: I think I figured how to do smiley faces. Just practicing now :dizzy: