Goodmorning everyone! Well I went out and bought my new sneakers yesterday. That will maybe get me a jump start on going to the gym. I hate the fact that it is dark when I get up now. That makes me feel like not leaving the house early. It must almost be time to change the clocks around. This morning it is cooler and a bit rainy so no outside walk. Sometimes I wish that I lived in the village with sidewalks etc. it would make it easier to go walking. I live on a country road but it gets a lot of traveling to and from work etc... Well enough of that I must get my butt in gear to workout. Tonight I have to go for an eye exam at 5:00 so that messes up my after work thought of exercising. Unless it stops raining then I will jump on the canal for a walk. On wed. morning I am going to get there for sure! I need to get it in my mind. Now that the weather is changing and it gets dark earlier the amt. of normal exercise in the yard is less. Is anyone else feeling the same things? Sorry for babbling! Need my coffee to kick in. I ate dinner a bit late last night. I already made lunch for today with some of the roasted chicken leftovers. One of the guys whom I share a client with saw me yesterday and said hey you've really lost a lot of wt. Its funny how some people you don't see for awhile give you nice compliments. I said only about 11lbs. He said it really shows. I think alot of it is that I have more muscle now instead of my flab. I did buy some new fall clothes just a few things. It was nice to have them fit so nicely. I wanted to just keep buying but stopped myself,new sneakers, 2 new shirts and 1 pair of choc. colored pants. I love earth tones and boy are they in the stores this fall. Oh I spent some more money on myself the other day with getting my hair colored and highlights put in. Oh my everyone has had such nice things to say about it. I guess the buying new things and new hair do is all to do with the fact I am feeling better about myself. When I started this journey a year it really helped me to make some changes. Thank you girls for all your support. This is my one year on the 3 fat chicks!!!!!!!!!!! I am working on my sweater at night it gives me something to do. I am not snacking as much in the evening I noticed for the last month or so. Unless I am camping or have company over. Well gotta go take care and hope your all doing well.

Hi everyone,
I am also new to 3FC and I was worried this time around that since I did not have the finances to go to a gym or WW to weigh in and be held accountable that I could not do it....MAN I am glad someone posted this forum NOW I can be accountable.

Today's weigh in 167.5, the tickers do not show half pounds, sigh. I started at 169.5 and down two whole pounds whoo hoo.

Thanks for letting me share
Jess

I hope everyone's making good choices today! Carol, you are a great role model for how to have a fun weekend with friends and eat yummy food without going off program or feeling deprived.

Welcome, Jess! What's your strategy for reaching your goal?

Tired--what did you think of The Constant Gardener? I am having clothes issues, too. This weekend I need to go through my fall and winter things. I know that I need shoes, and maybe a trench coat. I haven't lost as much as I'd hoped by now, so some of my old clothes will fit, but others won't. Either way, I will have motivation to stick with the program. I tend to be "hungrier" in the fall, and more sedentary as we get closer to the cold weather. It's easy for me to slip back into more food/less exercise--not to mention the holidays! Plus I really do react to the light, so I want to sleep later in the mornings...I will definitely need your help over the coming months.

Marie, I hope that your week is better than last week! You have so much and so many people to juggle. I hope you enjoy tonight's birthday dinner at Applebee's.

I went to my first Pilates class last night. Most of the women in the class were bigger than me, and several had taken this class before, with the same instructor or with another one. You wouldn't think that wriggling around on the floor would make you so tired! But it was good--I can see the potential benefits, if I practice a few times during the week.

I have to scoot. Meetings all afternoon, and Curves after work. Hugs to everyone--judy

Hi all, sorry I've been so short with my entries - life has been very, very busy. The boys' activities are in high gear. DS1 Xcountry and church group, DS2 football and soccer, DS3 soccer. We're also still dealing with an ill relative which is taking a lot of time and effort, but at least everyone is doing their part - that helps.

Judy, I liked everything about the Constant Gardner except the speed of the film footage at times which made me so so so dizzy. I always love movies about Africa - I'm intrigued by the continent and excited by the vibrant energy. I felt overwhelmed by the theme of the film because corporations like the one depicted are so powerful and can be so evil! My world (education) is so pure in comparison. I have always fantasized about traveling and living in other countries for some good cause like the people in the film, yet I'm a bit fearful too particularly when it comes to situations as depicted in Sudan. My husband did that - he traveled all over working for public health. I had the chance to meet many Africans and others from countinents and countries throughout the world - very interesting. That's why I'm always drawn to films like the Constant Gardener. Let me know if you have any other film suggestions.

I wish everyone well with their health journeys. Hopefully my life will gain some sort of balance with thoughtful entries as a component. Marie, I keep hearing your encouraging words about balance playing in my mind and I'm heeding the message. I'm always remembering how kind you were to me last spring when I was really losing it. I know you are dealing with a lot right now, I hope I can be a good "listener" and "supporter." Hang in there.

Carol good luck with the new sneakers. Welcome Jess!

Today's diet
2 kashi bars for breakfast 260
apple snack 100
salad with feta for lunch and dressing 400
broccoli, pasta, avacado, some blue chips and 2 chocolate sorbet bars (800 or so)
About 1560 total - that's it for the day!

Tired, thanks for the compliment. I really hope that you can keep your life in balance. It's amazing how just a little stress can throw the diet way off. I've been busy the last two days - no exercise and a little overeating. I'm back on track today and decided that I always don't have time in the evening to post so I'm just going to take time a work and do it.

Judy, I did have a good time at Applebee's. I love their Chicken Parmesan and ate the whole thing. The portion is really big and I was a stuffed pig last night. The upside to that is that I had the tiniest piece of birthday cake in the world. I also didn't take any cake for lunch today. I love birthday cake and said no to it. I'm glad the Pilates class went really good. On sunday I purchased a Pilates Performer from Amazon.com for 129 (free shipping). From what I read the original pilates was designed to do the mat work (what you're doing) and the machine work (what I will be doing). So between the two of us, we'll have a complete workout.

Jess, great job on the 2 pound loss. I can understand not affording WW or the gym. If you want variety for exercise, go to ebay and get some exercise videos for really cheap. I did that and have a bunch of them and spent under $30, including shipping. That way you have a variety on a budget.

Carol, congrats on the 1 year anniversary on 3FC. Mine is next month. I don't think I would be doing this good without all of your support. This is a great place to be. I hope the eye exam went good. I hate having my eyes dilated. I had the lasik surgery 5.5 years ago and have been contact/glasses free ever since. I love it!!!!

As I mentioned earlier, I have been overeating a little. The mania side of the bipolar left and I'm swinging pretty neutral right now. The mania made dieting a breeze so it's gotten a little tougher. I've been lonely in the evenings since DH is working swings so food is my friend. Actually that's not true, I'm overeating at lunch. So today I brought a lean chicken fajita pocket (220 calories) and a Klondike ice cream bar (lite at 180 calories) so I should be much better today. And this afternoon I will exercise when I get home.

The asthma is still holding steady at about an 8 out of 10. I wish it would get all the way better, but it's not getting horrible like it was a coule weeks ago. I only use the inhaler to exercise or if I'm giving a presentation.

That's about it. Tired, it was nice to read a long post... Keep up the good work.
Marie

Tired, I'm so glad you liked The Constant Gardener, too! I generally don't enjoy movies about Africans made in Hollywood or by the Brits, so this was refreshing. I've only been on Africa once--to Capetown and J'burg, in 1998, and really want to go again. One day I'll go to West Africa, to do the obligatory African American diaspora visits. Your husband was lucky to be able to travel so much as part of his job. I've been to Mexico, Russia (when it was still the USSR), England and Japan. I almost went to Uruguay once, but knee surgery got in the way

Marie, your post cracked me up! My abs are still sore from Monday night's class, which tells me that my Curves workouts aren't doing anything for my belly and back.

I'm having a good day, eating on program, 25-minute walk this AM and Curves at lunch. Hope all of you, including the lurkers and the long-lost Dailies are dong well, too!

hugs--judy

Good evening! Good to hear from everyone! Not the best eating day - oh well, it was a busy day.

breakfast - cereal, milk, coffee (good!)
snack - apple
lunch - salad w/tuna, cheese
snack - cookies and chocolate
dinner - american chop suey
snack pretzels

I should of taken another apple in the afternoon instead of lunging after what was available in the car - the kids' cookies and chocolate. Just shows that this isn't second nature for me yet. There's more work to be done.

Take care all.

Jess welcome! We would love to have you on this site the more the better! We like to support each other, share ideas, vent went needed, just get to share girl stuff etc.... So again welcome! Sounds like your in a good frame of mind to get started that means alot.
Marie you had my favorite dinner. I need to make some of that soon. I do like to get it out but sometimes enjoy making it at home though I don't think its any cheaper. When I go usually it is big enough for two meals. Yummy choice! Good thoughts on the birthday cake a little is better than none and I am a person who thinks everyone shouldn't do with out but have less.
Tired than movie you and Judy talked about sounded great. Is it playing now I am so out of the loop! We don't go often to the movies to much walking and sitting for the hubby. Sounds like your doing very well keep it up. I am starting to get into the exercise frame of mind. Judy your exercise class sounds wonderful. Good for you going and getting right into it. She must be a good trainer if people have returned! I need to ck the gym and see what classes are available. Great idea thanks!
Did you all know when I was at the health food store yesterday I found out that black licorce relaxes you. Yah! Now how crazy is that? I bought licorce which is made of all natural ingredients. Though the licorce root it is used to relax the body and reduce stress. Hey now I am going to take this to work. 15 PIECES equal one serving on 130 cals. I surely wouldn't eat that much. Now heres the thing will my teeth all turn black before a meeting? Oh now lets see that wouldn't be so good. At any rate I am taking it into my high stress office and trying it out on people. Hah! Hah!I purchased soft and chewy. I think I'll give the hubby some too! Oh its fat free too! Oh well that was my shared info. for the day.
I did well with calorie intake yesterday. But being I went out to the casino with a friend I never ate til 9:30 now thats a no no! So I will be more careful in the future to eat before I go. Other than that not so bad. I did a lot of walking yesterday up my work stair case 4 times I did the stairs 20 each and parked way out in God's country yesterday. I did meet a client out for ice cream I only ate 1 scoop of the 3 brought out. Don't you hate it when you order one scoop and they put in 3. Oh just testing me I guess. Have a super day!

Hi all. Wish I had some black licorice right now - I love it! I helped out with my son's K soccer practice - lots of fun! Still keeping the peace and balance around here which is my primary goal this year. I hope everyone is doing well.

Here's the day:

yogurt for breakfast 130
salad bar for lunch 500
apple snack X 2 200
lots of water
sandwich for dinner and a few cookies probably about 800 or so

Have to be a bit more specific about calorie counting, but I'm done for the day.

Hey girls I lost 1 lb. doesn't sound like much but I'll take it. One day someone said to me thats like losing a lb. of butter of your body. I think that sounded funny but kind of true. This is my losest pt. yet in years. I might just make my thanksgiving and christmas goal. I was scared to get on the scale I had a little bag of chips yesterday and they have salt on them. Oh and more bread than usual. I thought I'd retain fluid if nothing else.
Oh the licorce thing was so funny. My boss came in and we were all having a little morning social time discussing some client and other issues of course. My friend offered her some licorce. She said oh I don't like blk. so S said well this is really good! So she tried a piece and came back for another handful. Oh after she left we all just snickered. Then S said to me in the afternoon I think it worked but it has worn off got anymore? We said better buy stock in it. Oh how funny! We need to laugh sometimes its can be so stressful and the little things kind of annoy yah as they come in. Tired it really was good licorce. I think I will get some more. Fat free and relaxing now thats not bad!It was all natural licorce root...
I continue to do my journal everyday with my intake, etc. It does seem to keep me on track more. Tired I'm with you aren't the apples great right now? Good fiber and tasty! Have you ever baked them in the mico? There is a little ww recipe. I think its just core it out then add walnuts, cinn, little syrup or brown sugar and a dab of water. Oh its a great treat and you feel like your cheating. I think I will look up some of the ww recipes for fall. Take care and have a good day. Hope everyone is doing well!

Hi everyone!!! It's FRIDAY!!! With me hating my job so much, this is like heaven. I have Monday off so it's a three day weekend in 6.5 hours. YEAH!!!!

Carol, sounds like you found a new snack. I don't like black licorce - but I do like the red stuff. What I'm really partial to dark chocolate. Good for you on the pound loss. I've always thought of the pound of butter equivalent when I lose weight. Unfortunately I haven't lost any lately, but I'm ok with that. I'm at a plateau.

Tired, sounds like you had at fun time at the practice. That's great!

Well, I really should work. So I'll talk to you later.
Marie

I may have had a mental breakthrough. For years I've struggled to visualize myself at a healthy weight, but since I've ben overweight since childhood, it's been difficult. I can vaguely imagine being a 12 or a 14, and even that is more in my head than in my core.

But lately I look in the mirror and I can really picture me, not someone else, with markedly smaller arms and legs, and a normal big American butt . Maybe I'm just hallucinating, maybe it's a symptom of severe carb withdrawal, but somehow I may have crossed a huge psychological barrier that keeps me stuck well above 200 pounds. We'll see!

So I wore my black dress last night and generally looked great, according to several people. The reception was inspirational and fun, but I was on my feet almost constantly for over three hours, and never had a proper dinner, so I was beat when I got home, and dragging this morning. This won't be one of my lazy weekends. I have a lot of running around to, alas. But I will try to pace myself.

Carol, I'm so glad to hear about the one-pound loss, hooray Soon strangers will refer to you as that skinny woman with the black teeth.

I hope that everyone has an enjoyable weekend. And let's all pray for our sisters and brothers on the Gulf Coast.

hugs--judy

Judy I enjoyed the future image of me Hah Hah! That was good I really laughed out loud! I am up early and almost packed fully to go to the Adriondacks for the rest of the weekend. My friend asked me to go yesterday at 7 a.m. . We are staying at a really cool old fashioned bed and breakfast. They wait on you like royalty. Should be fun we are going to take the fall train ride, shop, walk, and I am planning some kayacing as the place has a couple we can use. We are going to be right on the water. Moose lake is beautiful. I am so looking to a break it just the girls. My hubby was really good about it. He knows that once in awhile I need to get away. Its hard cause he is limited and sometimes acts a bit like he can't go places. Sometimes its he prefers not to go. He never liked to travel where as I love it. Now it is harder for him to do. Oh I am babbling on sorry. Proably trying to not feel to guilty about going. Judy hey good for you seeing that other side of you in the mirror. I never dreamed I'd ever be back down to my current wt. and wearing smaller clothes. There is a rainbow out there for all of us. In my journal I reflected back to see what I did differently to start losing again. It was reducing my calorie intake. I used to shoot for 1400 to 1500 now I go for 1300 to 1400 usless it is a special occassion. I preplan when possible for my extra treats. Like last night I had my fried haddock but not fries..... etc....
Marie sometimes maintaining your loss is just as important as losing. I stayed the same for quite awhile and I was okay with that. The slower you lose the better chances of keeping it off. Then after awhile I changed the calorie intake and tried to increase my walking exercise and taking the stairs at work only. The elevator comes and I put it in my head its going to break down. So I throw my work bag over my shoulder and walk down the steps.... Park out in God's country also helps a bit.
Have a good one I gotta fly. Hope everyone else is doing good. And lets pray is right for those effected by our crazy storms. Its so sad and not right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Judy, way to go on the visualization. That's just awesome. I once got to my goal weight so I know what I look like at that weight - although considerably older.

Carol have fun this weekend and don't feel too guilty. Maybe DH will have fun regarless. I wish I was going kayaking with you. I love doing that (although I've only done it once). My weeked is filled with helping DS1 move. YUCK!!! although I admit i's better than working.

DH just got up so I'll be back later.
Marie

Hi all. Good to hear from you. Marie, I like your pound of butter analogy. Judy, great job visualizing. I bet you look beautiful - every pound makes a difference. Focus on that as you continue. Do you give yourself treats every time you make a goal - like a special soap, new clothes, movie night? I try that. Carol, congrats on the pound. I hope you had fun with the girls.

Marie I have some similar feelings to you about work. I actually like my work with the children (Thank God!) but it's all the peripheral stuff that gets in the way. I'm trying to avoid that as much as possible and focus on what's important with the job which is what I like best too.

On that note, I've been a bit off at work lately. I find that if I don't have a project the usual routine sometimes leaves me with a little too much mental power. If it's not directed I sometimes throw that energy the wrong way (ADHD perhaps?). So, I'm thinking of writing books. I've always wanted to try my hand at it. We'll see. . . I got up early this morning and started a short story for children.

Diet wise I'm trying to start up again after many fits and starts. The school routine seems to help since I learned last year not to touch all the treats in the staff room. Like Carol suggested I've surrounded my desk with healthy treats and yesterday I did a great grocery shop and bought a few new pieces of clothing to start on a good note. I went to a road race yesterday too. It inspired me to continue this health journey. I'll have to remember to add health events to my schedule weekly (daily would even be better). My neighbor ran her first race ever yesterday at 40 something - she was elated and I was so happy for her.

Have a great day everyone!

Here's my food plan

breakfast - kashi bar/apple
lunch - salad
dinner - meat/veggies and maybe a low fat, low cal choc. sorbet bar (great dessert)

new commitment - little to no wine, desserts and breads!!!!