Girls I had my christmas party last night. THe food wasn't to good and I did a lot of dancing first time in years. So I can count yesterday as a good day even with the baking I did. Today I am going out with the girl friends to finish shopping, seal a meal my cookies, dinner and a play out tonight. This sure is a busy weekend. Our weather is awesome no snow coming down. Roads are just wet. So I will take advantage and get out while I can. My nephew is in the play he is a senior at his high school. I am taking his gram as she doesn't drive. We will have italian food for dinner. That will be hard to keep the cals down so I will attempt to eat healthy the rest of the day. To try and keep my calories to 1500 or so. My dancing at my work christmas party had to count for some great calories burning. Hope your all doing well and I have even figured out a plan for this next monday to exercise. That has been my down fall lately.
Carol

Hello ladies. I'm still here, lol. Been missing for a couple of days though. I'm disappointed to say I didn't lose anything this week. I shouldn't let it get me down, because my weight loss moves very slowly so this is actually quite normal. I can't help but let it bug me a tiny bit though.

Went to the dr. yesterday. Nothing important, just the annual check up. The resident that saw me was quite impressed with my weight loss (the dr. office didn't know I've been losing since they saw me last year). He was even happier with how slow it was going, he was quite excited about it and said I was doing it right. I told him it could take me 3 weeks just to lose a lb. sometimes, and he quite liked that. He said the lifestyle changes will make a bigger difference than actual dieting, and that they tended to stick more. With my method it would be harder for me to gain it all back than if I were to just take 60 lbs off in six months and then go back to normal eating habits. He said it was the hardest method because people get discouraged when they hit the plateaus, but as long as you didn't lose the motivation it would always work out fine. So, that made me feel good.

Emjay, I've never tried Pilates. It looks so hard. A girl at work wanted me to go to Yoga class with her, but she said they make you stand on your head on the very first class. I can't even imagine the pain my neck would be in, so I passed. Instead, I prefer the Rodney Yee AM Yoga video/dvd for beginners. By no means is it any kind of yoga workout, it is just gentle stretching (and I even found that difficult, lol). But, after using it for a while it gets easier to stretch farther and farther. Plus, I don't feel like I am doing anything dangerous to myself that will cause pain. My legs were a bit sore after the first few tries, but just because they weren't used to stretching. I've accepted I will never be a yoga goddess, lol. But, I will be able to build my flexibility slowly with this tape...good enough for me.

Carol, sounds like you had some fun at the party. All that dancing would tire me out, lol. Enjoy your busy weekend!

Well, I need to work on cleaning today, I don't want to do it tomorrow. I'll talk to you all later!

Hi everybody. Wow, missing just two days gets me way behind on reading posts! Took me awhile to get caught up. Welcome to the newbies, Carol and Erricah

Well, my eating has still been pretty good this week but I missed two days of exercise I think. I've been cheating and looking at the scales as usual and I dont think I have lost anything this week. Of course, altho I check many times during the week, I never count it as my real weigh-in until Monday morning. Still got a little while to maybe lose a lb. Going to the mall tomorrow so that should get in some walking.

Carol, my AirWalker is similar to the "Gazelle" you see advertised on television. You move your arms and legs at the same time. You just glide your feet back and forth so there isnt a big strain on your knees like on a stair stepper or something and it's much easier than a treadmill to me. It's not hard to do, almost feels like it's too easy to accomplish anything but my husband and I both have used it before and lost 50 lbs in 6 months. (which I've now gained most of back which is why I'm here now..See, Erricah, you're definitely with the right group!). Anyway, when I first got it, it seemed sooo easy at first but it gets your heart rate up and by 5 minutes I thought I was dying I was so tired. Being so overweight at the time, I honestly could only do 5 minutes the first time. I eventually worked up to an hr. Now I usually do 30 minutes each time. I like walking outdoors best, but when I cant do that, I love my AirWalker. It's in my living room so I can watch TV or listen to CD's. I bought it off QVC Shopping Network for around 100.00. ( I think the brand name is XL Gliders)

WW, thanks for the info on the ipod. I'd love to have one but guess it'll have to wait for now..I havent even started on my Christmas shopping yet! Hopefully will tomorrow. How cool your doctor actually bragged on you...I always dread going.

Emjay, I couldnt help but laugh at you trudging through the snow to thaw out your internet. It reminded me of myself. We live in the middle of nowhere, 15 miles out of town and before we got Dish Network, we had one of those huge satellites outside. One winter, it was frozen solid and we were going stir crazy. My husband and I went out and chiseled through inches of ice all over this huge thing to get to watch TV. It took forever. We were freezing to death and it was lightly sleeting the whole time. I know people driving by thought we had lost our minds. lol.

Erricah, the last time I got serious and lost weight, which was 2 yrs ago, I was about to reach the "40" milestone. That's what really motivated me to lose the weight. I was thrilled at losing over 50 lbs but here I am again, having to relose over 20 of those plus some. I didnt reach my ultimate goal last time, but I am going to stick with this and with 3FC until I do. I am determined that I am not going to gain and lose the same weight again.

Carol, your party sounds like lots of fun. I'm envious..I had a work party last night and it was BORING. Hubby's is next weekend and his usually tend to be much more entertaining than mine.

Guess I better get off here. Need to check on a couple of Ebay bids that will be over shortly. So far I have lost 3 different items this week because my bid was $1.00 short but I forgot to get online and check before the time was up. Aggravating! My 16 yr old, Josh, only wears certain name brands and Ebay has great deals on them sometimes. ( My 14 yr old, Luke, couldnt care less where his clothes come from..like they say, they are as different as daylight and dark in every aspect) Anyway, I'll try to check in tomorrow night but if not, I'll be back by Monday.

Bye for now
Miki

Hi all....I'm so far behind with all the posts. It's been crazy, like you're not all super busy too, I just get so stressed out and find it hard to do anything. Did manage to get the house decorated and 6 trees up and decorated. My son needs to get his tree decorated and then we still need to find a 3ft live for the front porch. Trying to get some cookies baked, sighh, did 3 types today and about 5 to go. I'm only doing single batches this year. Weightloss is depressing as usual Was happy yesterday after coming in from shoveling, heck scales had me down like 5 lbs, course I'd not ate or drank anything before going out so obviously was dehydrated. Now today I'm 9 lbs heavier than that weight and 5 lbs heavier than this morning's weight. I just hate how my body is and yeah I know I should stay off the darn scales more than every 10 minutes, ha.

Well just wanted to say hi to everyone and tell everyone to keep up the good work

Debbie

Hi Debbie! You must have posted right behind me tonight. I left, went to Ebay, came back and there was your post. Girl, we gotta stay off those stupid scales!! Doesnt it drive you crazy how they can change within minutes?? I mean, there is no way we could gain 9 lbs overnight! I am just like you but I just cant stand not looking. And then when I look, even tho I know I've stayed on track, if I show a slight gain or no loss, it ruins my mood and I get really discouraged. On the other hand, if I know I've cheated and not exercised and done terribly, yet the scale shows down a lb or two or even the same, I feel fine because of what it says even tho I know I havent done right! Ridiculous that I actually let the scale determine how I feel whether or not it is truthful or not. I mean, come on...If Ive eaten junk all week, but the scale says I lost a lb or stayed the same, should I really be feeling all smug like it wasnt that bad?? Nooo..I should be feeling bad because I know inside that I did not stay on track and the weight is going to show up..it's just a little slow occasionally. Honestly, we shouldnt let the scale judge us...we should judge ourselves based on how well we've really done. (Ok, that little sermon was just for me..lol) It really gets to be an obsession with me tho.

6 Christmas trees? Now I really feel bad...I havent gotten my ONE up yet! Just seems like time has just sneaked up on me and I am so behind. It'll be over before I realize the season is really here.

Well, heading to bed now. Christmas shopping tomorrow and hoping to really get into the spirit of things and get lots done. Goodnight everyone!

Miki

Hi all,

Overindulged a bit at the christmas party I attended tonight. But I did 3-mile watp tape. So, hopefully it equalls out. I plan on doing 2-mile tomorrow. Otherwise been doing quite well with food. I'm becoming more in the mindset that I don't need food all the time or to be happy or to celebrate or anything else except nutrition and fuel.

WW, Good for you for maintaining. I think your doc is right slower is better. I usually lose pretty slow too, I am anxious to get some weight off right away though so I hope I con't. at a pace. And then join you with the slow but sure.

Carol and Miki, I'm right w/ both of you, I have to learn to stay off the darn scale. It makes me crazy watching it go up and down between AM and PM. Plus I don't think my scale is the most accurate, I can step on it 3 times consecutively and it will show 3 different weights sometimes. I think that is because it's digital. At any rate I need to just say "no" to the scale unless it is Tuesday AM. Good luck teaching an old dog a new trick...

Carol, Good for you for staying on track at your party. And getting in the extra excercise w/ the dancing (it's Kirstie Allie's secret weight loss tool you know). Hope your busy weekend is going great.

Erricah, Hope to hear from you soon.

Am I forgetting anyone??? Well I have to finishing baking for a cookie exchange I am hosting tomorrow. Don't worry I plan on giving almost all my cookies away...

Emjay

Hi Everyone!
Just rejoined the site here and recommitted myself I will post more about me later ... just wanted to touch base with everyone.

I am also coming back to the 3FC site after being AWOL for quite some time ... I have been a member of WW on and off for - oh - my entire life (it seems). I am 48 and 5'6". I have lost and gained about 3 people in my lifetime (and I am tired of draggin' them all around with me!).

I re-joined WW in October of this year and did really well the first two weeks ... then I crashed and I have been totally out of control since then. I've gone to meetings and told myself that I was committed to getting back on track - but I wasn't NOW I AM!! I know that I can do this, especially with the help of my 3FC buddies . I am determined NOT to be a fat 50!
I WILL BE A FABULOUS, FIT 50

I am a nurse and work part time at our local hospital. I usually work two or three days a week but on different shifts. I will try to visit here everyday - but may not post daily (sure will try to!) ...SO, If it takes me a day or so to respond to anyone ~ you'll understand why

Good Luck to Everyone! I know that we can do this and have a much slimmer 2006

Cathy

Hi Everyone!! How are you all doing? I haven't been online for a few days, it just feels weird to not post for a couple days. I also had my work christmas party on friday, it was so much fun, and I didn't eat too much junk either... although I had way too much to drink which is never good

Well I got my Walk away the Pounds DVD's in the mail on Friday and I used the 1-mile one yesterday, I really liked it a lot. This morning I did 15 minutes on the elliptical... that thing kicks my butt!! It is a very good workout though. Me and my Dad both did the bike and the elliptical together this morning then we switched from one to the other... it is always easier to have someone to talk to when you are working out.

It is really cold here again today, and it is snowing pretty hard.. but oh well I guess that's winter in Wisconsin for ya.

About how many calories do you guys eat in a day? I am thinking about trying to watch my calories more. I don't know though Do most of you only weigh yourself on a certain day of the week? That sounds like a good plan.

to Debbie, Cathy, Erricah, and Carol!! I hope you are all doing good, and I am looking forward to getting to know ya'll better.

Well I just wanted to check in and say Hi! I will post tomorrow. Have a good day!

Well didn't do the greatest w/ food today. But I haven't stepped on the scale today, mostly because I don't dare. I don't have a good feeling about my weigh in Tues. I will be ecstatic if I maintain. Did my 1-mile WATP today, hopefully will do more tomorrow. Had a cookie exchange at my house today, I have to get my bounty boxed up and given away immediately so I don't eat too many.

Welcome Cathy, your story sounds similar to a lot of us here. I think you will do well at this site. I have joined WW on more than a few occasions and never found it to be all that effective for me. The constant counting of points felt so restrictive to me, I don't like to think about it that much. So glad to have you join our group, talk to you soon.

Allison, So glad to hear that you liked your watp tape. You are really fortunate to have so many options when it comes to excercise. Hey at one point I found a website that someone posted on 3fc to go to to calculate how many cals you should have daily to lose weight. It was for post-partum mothers but they said anyone can use it because there was a question "are you breastfeeding" and if you answered no it calculated normally. Obviously breastfeeding moms need more. It went by your age, weight, and height. If I find it again I will direct you to it. That's cool that you had a good time at your party. I am a social drinker too and it's a struggle when you are trying to lose weight, especially around the holidays. Oh well, if you get drunk enough you don't have to worry about eating too much the next day, lol.

Miki, Good luck with weigh in tomorrow. I know you'll do great!

Hope everyone else is doing well. Talk to you soon.

MJ

Hi Everybody. Welcome Cathy!

Just got home from the mall. Did ok with my eating. Had an order of Bourbon Chicken w/Fried Rice for lunch in the mall then had a salad tonight. Oh and had a yogurt breakfast bar for breakfast. Walked several hrs at the mall but still plan on exercising before bedtime. I'm hoping for a loss even if a slight one tomorrow.

Allison, I try to stay around 1500 calories but most days I dont actually take time to figure them up to make sure I did. I used to log everything in Fitday.com. My official weigh-in day is Monday mornings but I cheat all thru the week by sneaking peaks. It's a bad habit I know and several of us here have it. Even tho I cheat, I only count Monday's weight as my real one and that's the one I use for my tracker. I do that because my scales literally can change in 5 minutes at times. I figure once a week at the exact time is more dependable than lots of fluctuating times all through the week.

I dont have time to post individually to everyone but sounds like we're all still determined to stick together and lose this weight. I know with all of ya'll motivating and inspiring me, I can do it. I'm really excited we have gotten such a great group working together. I know I couldnt do this alone!

Hope you all have a good Monday.
Miki

Brandy thanks for the reminder to just jump right back on. I burned a lot of calories with dancing at my christmas party. But sunday was a different day sampling christmas cookies. Oh so bad! There all bagged up and put away now so hopefully I can jump back in. I have planned on healthy choices for breakfast and lunch, christmas party after work at a clients group home. So I hopefully can make some good choices. I won't stay too long but want to go. I am also going to get to the gym today. That is something I need to do. I realized this is something I have to do 3 times a week so today is #1. I will be trying to be more accoutable in this area...It will help balance the extra calories that are so difficult at this time of year. My breakfast and lunches have to be low cal, low fat! And exercise 3 times a wk. thats my plan to survive.

Hello Everyone,

I am so bad when it comes to not posting ---- I forget to -----. I will make a commitment to post everyday. That's where the positive reinforcement came from when I was losing weight the last time. Christmas is not too far away and I still haven't went christmas shopping yet. I do this every year!!!!!!
I was really stressed out this weekend and I didn't lose any weight but I know I gained. I refuse to get on the scale because I know that I will be disappointed. I didn't drink any water either. Sodas and food was my buddies. Even my children left me alone. I am feeling alot better now that I have gotten my feelings out in the open. I need to learn how to handle stress alot better than I do now.

Hi Everyone! I hope everyone's day is going good! I am not doing too good today for eating... there is SOO much junk food around our office with the holidays, everyone has candy at there desks.. and AHH! I am also working a 10 hour day today... so it will be a long one considering I got here at 11am and it's now 2:30pm and I work until 9pm

I did the 2-mile WATP dvd last night, I absolutley love it! I am super excited. I think I am going to start weighing myself on Mondays only. That way I can see the overall results of that week. It sounds like a good plan to me. I am also going to go on the exercise equipment when I get home tonight.

Miki- Thanks for the advice about calories and trying to weigh yourself only once a week.

Erricah- I'm sorry that you didn't have that great of a weekend. Don't let one slip-up ruin your plans! Just jump right back on!

cacmsc- sounds like your plan to survive is a good one!

Well I hope the rest of everyone's day is good! Talk to you guys later!

Allison I also put in a longer day with a christmas party at the group home. I feel its important to try to attend. But it was all the way on the other side of town 11 hr. day isn't so fun. Which was 45 min. from home. My case load is all over the place. I didn't eat to much as far as portion control. I had that but the choices were tough lost of southern cooks, but boy was it good. First year I made it to this house usally the weather is too bad. I did have a healthy breakfast with oatmeal and a salad and soup for lunch. The thing is to try and balance out the calories. 1500 can go pretty far most of the time with healthy choices available. I will try my best to stay a bit lower today 1400 to make up for yesterday. Christmas cookies are all in the freezer and I managed to make my peanut brittle last night after work. I am shipping my gifts off to Hawaii on thurs. So that means finishing up the touches on those gifts. Take care everyone and I agree with the doctor slow is sometimes better in changes habits for good. Also that is what my doctor also recommented when I was last there. Slow loss is more permanent results. Thats not a problem as nothing I have done results in a fast loss. They say do something for 10 days and it becomes part of a routine.

Bad news! Today is weigh in for me and I am up 2 lbs. Yuck! I am disappointed but not surprised. Oh well, I will do better next week.

I feel for you girls w/ your long work days and work parties. And the dreaded treats every where you look in the office. That was always a huge temptation for me. Sounds like you guys are doing well though. Keep it up!

MJ