Jen,

Well I got my 3-mile in b4 noon today so that was a good thing. I have got to stay in the habit of that.

Good luck on the daycare thing. Wow, what a huge expense and then to be worried that you are getting a good one. I can't imagine. Do you have to look for a new job all together or are you going back to one you left? What field are you in? I'm strongly thinking about looking for a real job when we get back this spring. Or a I may advertise a little and p/u some more houses to clean. A job w/ benefits would be great but I like the flexibility of cleaning. I don't know. Well right now I am off to my inlaws to work on tax prep for my husbands business (yuck). My mil always did it for him in the past but since I haven't been working I have been doing the business stuff. So she is going to show me the ropes. Still, not looking fwd to it. Well talk to you later.

MJ

Emjay,
I talked to my boss today. I had to fill out another app since I have been gone for 3 months but I don't know why she wouldn't give me the job. I am very good at what I do. I am a CNA/Med Aid. I like working the day shift, I am done by 2:30 pm and have the rest of the day to do whatever I need to. I will start getting up at four again to do my workout, then probably something like pilates or maybe weights in the afternoon. We will see how it goes.
Tax stuff sounds like no fun. Glad I don't have to deal with that, for that matter we take our W-2s to HR Block and let them deal with it.
I am really starting to like the way my body is looking. I mean at 190 I obviously have a lot of fat left but it is a huge change from before. I am very pleased with how I am looking. I can get into some 36s and some 14s, depends on the brand. They are still tight but I can get into them and wear them. By my birthday I am hoping they fit nicely. Well I must get the girls in their jammies. I will talk to you later.
Jen

Jen,

Hey, I have worked as a CNA before. It is actually how I got started in the medical field way back in high school. I really loved that work too, although it is very physically demanding. We're you working in a nursing home or hospital setting? Well that is cool that you can probably just step right back into a job. I wish that was possible for me. The last place I worked (which was in a physical therapy office) closed the office that I was in so it is out of the question. Oh yeah, I also have a cosmetology license and I was kind of considering getting back into that. Not sure.


I would kill to be in a size 14 right now. I put on a pair of 18's today that had become snug and they fit quite comfy, so I guess that is a start. I'm also wearing some 20's. The last time I lost a lot of weight I got down to a size 12 (occassionally a 10) and that is my goal this time. I kind of have a large bone structure so 12 looks pretty good on me. I was a size 10 when I graduated high school and look back on those pictures now and think I was quite thin. What is your ultimate goal, size wise?

Well talking about all these smaller sizes makes me feel like working out. Better get it done before hubby comes home. Talk to you later.

MJ

Emjay,
What a day. I am down one kid for the rest of the week. My mother came and picked up my oldest.

I work in a nursing home, but I have also worked in an assisted living. Being a CNA is okay but not my ideal job. For a while I thought about getting my RN but never could quite talk myself into it. Now I finally have the nerve to do what I really want to.

I'm not really going to brag about my 14s just yet. I can get into them but they are still very tight. It is a wonderful feeling. At 140 pounds in high school I was at my smallest in a 29 in levis. I would love to get back into that size but would really be happy in a 32. I think realisticly that may be what I aim for. Or about a size ten. It is really hard to say, I think this time around I will have have lower body fat percentage so I think clothes will fit differently. It all comes down to how I feel and how I look.

Well I spose I should go. It is 11 and I need to get ready for bed. Talk to you tomorrow.
Jen

I am in a wonderful mood this morning. Of course part of it is the excersize endorphins, but I just got off the phone with my boss, I get to just pick up where I left off! I am going in the the morning to work out my schedule. And to make things better the daycare upstairs has room for my girls! That saves me a ton of money, over 100 bucks a week. I will be close if they need me.

Well more good news. I weighed myself this morning and I am down to 189. This is huge for me. I was 195 when I got pregnant with both girls. I haven't been this low in like 6 years:carrot:

Now if I could just find a nice big house for a reasonable amount of rent:?: My mother keeps telling me to be patient and I will find the perfect house, but I don't think she realizes that my walls move in everyday, well or so it feels like it. My hubby tells me to quit buying stuff. I can't help it I am a compulsive shopper. I just have a compulsive personality, not as bad as some but shopping and food have always been vices and hey, I gave up the compulsive eating so I am not going to stop shopping:devil:

Well I have rambled on for long enough, with my mood I could go forever but I don't think anyone wants to sit and read all I have written for that long. Have a wonderful day.
Jen

Jen,

Congratulations on budging the scale. That is awesome that you broke thru a weight barrier so to speak. You are well on your way, although I know that this is where it gets more difficult. But you will do it.

I'm with you, I'm not too concerned w/ clothes sizes. When I feel like I look good and when I feel good I will be where I am going. I know I'm not going to be where I want to be in FL, but hopefully I will be a lot closer to my goal by the summer months, I'll settle for that.

Whew, I had a busy day. I was up at 5:15 and off to babysit for my husbands brothers kids for about four hours this AM, then had to clean my sisters house, and then went to a friends house to cut and color her hair. I just got home a bit ago. I did pretty good w/ food today (my only downfall was a bowl of ice cream). But I did not excercise, I just couldn't fit it in, and now I am too tired. But I will definately be right back at it tomorrow.

So when do you start back to work?

MJ

Emjay,
I know that the awesome weightloss I had going to start had to slow down. I should be happy with avg of 2 pounds a week but when I started I was losing 5 and that is an awesome motivator and I hate to see it go. Oh well 2 pounds a week is healthy. I think eating around 1400 calories a day also helped, the thing is somedays I am looking for calories cause I have kinda gotten used to only eating 1200.

I go back to work on Monday, kinda excited but kinda hating the idea of not being with my kids. I know I have to get used to it. Ashley will be in kindergarten next year. I feel too young to have a little girl going to school already. Guess that is what happens when you start your family as young as we did. I don't regret it though. I will be young enough to enjoy all the things I want to, and now I am taking time for myself.

Well I'm gonna go, I want to do some browsing around here before i start packing. We found an apartment that we are going to move into at the end of the month. Until next time.
Jen

Jen,

Hey that is great that you found an apartment. But I know it is going to probably suck packing and moving. I know I hate it. Are you staying in the same town or are you leaving?

Wow, your were losing 5lbs a week to start? I feel that I am going slow at 1 a wk. I know if I cut my calories I would lose more but I don't want to change my eating habits too much cuz then it is like a diet. Which I know it is anyway but I would rather modify my eating habits so hopefully I can stick w/ it forever. Mostly my problem has been eating too much not necessarily the wrong things so I am trying to train myself to eat less. So far it is going pretty good. I feel as though I am slipping a little this week but I know it is pms. I did get in a 2-mile today and I am going out tomorrow night so that should guilt me into a 3-mile tomorrow.

Talk to you later.

MJ

Hey what happened to our weightloss trackers????

Jen,

OMG, I feel like the bottomless pit today. I just can't stop eating. Damn that PMS. And to top it all off tomorrow is weigh in. I did an old aerobic stair tape today, it was an intermediate (30 mins.). Quite challenging though, I can tell I'm getting old because I used to do that tape all the time almost effortlessly. It was a real workout for me today, I might do that one once a week (yeah that is what I said about the susan powter one). However, I didn't feel as though I got enough strength training w/ it (it was more cardio) so I did 1-mile watp. Hopefully this combats what I've eaten this weekend.

Hope you had a great weekend even if you did probably spend it packing. Well got to go, I ordered "March of the Penguins" on pay per view at 7PM. Good luck at work tomorrow. Talk to you later.

MJ

Oh what a weekend. We went to my brother in laws, we have a lot of our stuff stored there because our house is too small. Well we brought a few things back since we will have more room. I hate eating fast and easy. Don't always work with the whole diet thing. That is okay I will live.

I go back to work tomorrow. Kinda excited kinda tired and hating the idea of putting my girls back in daycare. They need it and I need it. Then I get to come home and pack some more. I just keep telling myself I burn lots of calories packing and moving heavy boxes.

I know how PMS is. Last weekend I felt like I couldn't get my hands on enough chocolate. It is like our bodies are programmed to fight us every step of the way. The good news is I made it through and so will you.

Yesterday I was in a huge hurry, trying to get around to go and all so I didn't get a real workout in. When I got to my mothers to drop my youngest off she wasn't home yet so the hubby and I went for walk. Not a major cardio walk but a nice lieserly(sp?) walk. It was really nice. I never workout on Sundays so I kinda missed my workout.

My new apartment will be closer to work so I am thinking about walking on nice days. It is about half a mile so I could put the girls in the wagon and go. I think it will be a nice way to unwind after work. Well I have rambled on and on so I will go for now.
Don't let the PMS get to you. And feel free to rant to me, that is what I am here for. Well talk to you later, and good luck. You are doing great so far.
Jen

Jen,

Well how was your first day back? Good I hope. Were the girls ok at daycare?

Well I weighed in today and I am up 1 pound. I'm disappointed, but nothing I can do about it now except do better this week (which I intend to). That is one thing about gaining it always motivates me not to the next week. Didn't excercise today, it was my cleaning day.

Well got to cut this short, talk to you soon.

MJ

This is going to be a quickie, I'm on my lunch break. The first day was okay, lots of new faces and some new routines, and several sick employees so we were short, no surprise this time of year. I did have a huge headache by the time I got home. It was a combination of lots of things, not enough sleep or food that kind of headache. Today is going good. It makes me feel good that everyone is glad to see me back.

I have gotten up at four the last two days to do my workout. Yesterday I felt like a huge clutz but I am sure it will get better. Today was better. I only got in 30 minutes both days but hope to have the energy to do more tonight. Well I must run, don't wanna be late, I will talk to you later.
Jen

Jen,

Got to make this short. I'm on my way out the door for an overnighter. I won't check back in till Thurs. night.

Glad work is going well. Can't beleive you are getting up at 4 to workout. I couldn't do it. See you later.

MJ

Hi Jen,

I'm back! Hope things are going well for you. Do you have to work this weekend? I hope not, that would suck! Well not much new here, I dug out all my WW stuff this AM and have decided to count points starting today. I feel a little out of control and could use some structure I think. Well I am off to the grocery store and I think I am going to look for a new watp tape while I'm there. I need some variety. Talk to you soon I hope.

MJ

Sorry I have been gone so long. This last week has just been hectic. Yeah I had to work this weekend. I am trying not to stress out over everything that is going on. My husband has decided at the last minute to try to get a job in Lincoln, which would work out great for us and all but to change at the last minute, yikes.
I have decided not to weigh myself so often. It like I am obsessed. I need to focus more on things other than a number. I am thinking about just once a month. I really don't know for sure yet. I know I have eaten like a pig this last 4 or five days. Ouch, and havent' worked out like I should. Well I have a ton of work to get done. I will check in tomorrow.
Jen

Jen,

Glad you are back. Sorry to hear that your life is hectic right now. Hopefully things will even out soon. My life is a little crazy too w/ taxes and all. My hubby leaves Wed for an 11 day trip to Idaho. I will miss him but I think it will nice to be alone so I can really put a lot more effort into weightloss. I will be able to be very selfish w/ my time to workout and I won't have to cook for him (and won't be tempted by what he eats).

I weighed in today and am down 1 pound. Better than nothing.

Talk to you soon.

MJ

Emjay,
Well another day has come and gone. I haven't been excersizing like I should. I know I need to find the time but right now it is impossible. I am thinking about getting an elliptical.

I really haven't been sticking to my diet but I'm not going to beat myself up over it. Well I have so much packing to do. I will check in again soon.
Jen

Jen,

You have a lot going on right now, I can totally understand why you have been a little off track. It's probably just going to take you a little time to get into a groove. But don't let it get you down, you have done great so far. I was just thinking about the name of this thread "Time to start again". I think I am going to treat everyday as time to start again, if I mess up today tomorrow will be better. I didn't fit excercise in today but will definately be back to it tomorrow. I had a job interview today and got the job, Salon manager in a hair salon. I am excited but now I will be in your shoes soon when I start working. But the good thing is that 30 hours is considered full time so I will have some extra time for excercise I hope. I think I will be quitting my cleaning jobs I haven't totally decided though.

Well I better go, talk to you tomorrow.

MJ

Congrats on the new job:carrot: I am sure it feels great. I know I was feeling very cocky yesterday afternoon when I got off work. I hate to brag but I am very good at what I do. I am an awesome aid. Well as I was leaving yesterday I over heard one of my nurses talking about me. She told another one of my nurses that I am really good. The other one said yeah I had a great day. How well we work makes their day go smoother. And the compliment came from a nurse that is very hard to please, so that made it all that much better.

My job is hard on my diet. Getting enough to drink is an issue. By the time I get home I feel famished, even though I do eat at work. I have oatmeal for breakfast, sometype of snack between 9 and 10, then lunch. I need some delicious, low calorie, filling snacks to eat when I get home from work. That seems to be the time that kills me.

Right now I am just going to focus on getting moved, then jump head first back into weight loss, don't worry I am by no means giving up, no way on that, I just won't let it be another source of stress for me right now.

Good luck with the new job. Hope it works out well for you. Well I must go, no matter how hard I try I just can't get these boxes to pack themselves.

Jen

Jen,

That is awesome about the compliment at work. That always makes me feel good too. I liked that job too, I found it very rewarding. Do you have good co-workers or is there alot of people who don't pull their weight too well? That is what I found when I worked in that position, the latter one that is. I am excited to start my job I have an orientation on Monday and probably get my schedule after that. I have not been a stylist in a salon in a long time (like 13 years). But I never quit doing hair in my kitchen. But I'm looking forward to doing it more again. The management aspect will be cool too.

Well, not so great on food today. And I was half way thru a 3 mile watp tape today when my husband called. I had to answer it (usually I don't answer the phone while I'm working out), anyway when I got off the phone they were at the last 1/2 mile. So I got about 2 miles in. I'll shoot for 3 again tomorrow.

Talk to you later, MJ

Emjay,
The weather was beautiful today. Didn't even need a jacket it was so wonderful.

I'm thinking about checking out a new workout to see if that helps jumpstart stuff for me. I hate to say I am bored with Taebo I am just having a lot of trouble doing it. I think what I need is more variety. Maybe I will see what I can come up with this weekend.

At work we have a little of both. That is okay cause the area I work I really don't have to worry about finding help. Most everyone on the hall is either independent or one assist so I am alone.

Well I am hoping my husband gets home soon, so I should go get supper started.
Talk to you later.
Jen

Hello Hello
Well the day is off to a great start. I finally got brave enough to weigh myself this am. I have eaten like a pig and not worked out in since last Wed. I haven't gained any weight. I think my job is saving my butt literally. But then I am on my feet all day. I sit long enough for a quick break and a quick lunch, but I walk constanlty for most of the shift. I am in a wonderful mood.

My hubby and I talked about my diet briefly this morning. I am thinking about giving slimfast a serious try. I am really sucking at structuring my meals around work and all. I am planning on having oatmeal for breakfast, then a shake at my 9:30 break, and one for lunch, then healthy low cal snack after work. Then a nice well balanced with lots of veggies supper. Sounds easy enough not to have to put too much thought into it with work and all. I am going to give it a shot. I really don't take time to eat at work anyway so this may really help.

I finally decided to check out ebay, and I actually bought something. I am a precious moments collector and my bid won on an Aug plate. I want to bid on more but I need to wait until I get them all unpacked so I don't double up on anything by mistake. When I finish here I am going to look into workout videos.

Well I am quite the little chatterbox today. But then this is my day off and I got good sleep last night so I feel totally refreshed and like this is my chance to get some stuff turned around. Well I need to go.
Talk to you later.
Jen

Jen,

The weather here is quite nice too. Well, only about 44 degrees but that is warm for January or February. It has been very sunny the past couple of days. I still haven't went to the tanner yet. Got to get there at least a few times this month before we leave for FL. I failed to work out yesterday, I had a busy day. I am going to definately make time for it today. And I had pizza last night, that is such a no no food for me. But I feel as though I need to have it about once a month. Oh well!

MJ

Jen,

Down 1 pound today. Had my orientation at my new job and then out to dinner w/ friends after that so I didn't get a workout in. But I did 4-mile watp Saturday and 2-mile on Sunday. I was so proud of myself for getting six miles in in two days. Clean house tomorrow so I may not get one in. Talk to you later. MJ

Emjay,
So how was orientation? Good I hope. When do you start working? I feel like I haven't been much of a buddy this last week or so. I am up to my eyeballs in mess. And now to top it all off I managed to catch a bad cold from work, although that is better than the flu that a few people have had.

Congrats on the pound lost. I really want to jump back into working out I just don't know when I would do it. I get up and go to work and come home and work on my mess. The good news is I will have this house empty by friday. Then I have to move all of my stuff up to the 3rd floor, so I will definately be getting some exersize.

Well back to work for me. I see the end, dimly but the end of the packing, then oh my I have to put it all away. I will talk to you later.
Jen

Jen,

Yes my orientation went well and my first day is Thursday. I am pretty excited to get started too. OMG, I do not envy you with moving. I hate to move I hope I never have to do it again. So is Friday your first night in your new place? You are going to have such a busy weekend. You don't have to work this weekend do you? I hope not!

Well I only did 1-mile watp today because I also did my cleaning job. My in-laws invited me to go out to dinner tomorrow night so I better do at least 3-mile if not 4-mile tomorrow. I looked at Taebo tapes at the store yesterday but was surprised they were $30 for a set of two. I guess that is not too bad but I just didn't have the money for it this week. Still waiting for my sister or my neice to dig theirs out.

Hope you feel better.

MJ

Emjay,
So how was your first day of work? Good I hope.

I am getting the keys to my new apartment tonight! I am excited, well until I remember that I have to carry my stuff to the 3rd floor:dizzy: Okay enough of that depressing thought.

So how are the workouts going? How is going back to work going to affect them? I am thinking about getting an eliptical, okay I am pretty sure that we will get one with my tax refund, I am thinking that it will be a nice change and it will be something that I can do in the evening while I watch CSI. We will see.

Where did you see the taebo tapes? Sometimes Walmart will have them for as little as about $10, just gotta kinda look around. Well the hubby just got home so I need to help him load the truck. I will talk to you again soon. I am looking forward to hearing about the job. I am also sorry it is taking me so long to respond. I promise once I get settled it will be better.

Well off to work again.
Jen

Jen,

Whew, first day of work was tiring. I forgot what it was like to be on my feet all day long. The salon is very busy (it's a costcutters inside of Walmart) which is good because you can only make good money when you are busy in that field. The salon, however, is in desperate need of management (been w/o since Nov.) so I really have my work cut out for me. It is going to be a busy Feb. so I may not be able to get here as frequently.

Workouts are going well, I was able to get in a 1-mile before work this AM. Probably not tomorrow though. I may have to revert back to 1-miles for a while, but definately more on my days off. You are so going to get excercise moving your stuff up 3 flights. Yuck! It was at Walmart that I saw those tapes, I think the problem was that they were in multi-packs. Probably would have been alot cheaper individually.

Well try to make the best of moving, hopefully you can settle in quickly.

Later, MJ

Jen,

Happy Birthday:hb: Hope you had a great day.

Are you all moved in? Well I have to keep this short, got to get to bed. Hubby's flight last night was supposed to get in at 8:45PM didn't get in till 2AM at an airport 50 miles away from the originally scheduled one. Got to catch up on sleep tonight.

Talk to you later.

MJ

Emjay,
Happy Birthday to you too, even though it is a little late. They finally got my phone turned on this morning. Well we have everything at our new apartment, now the daunting task of cleaning and putting everything away. Carrying stuff up all those stairs sucked. Well the first day wasn't so bad. Hey even the couch was easy. By the 3rd day everything was heavy. We bought the girls a bunk bed, it about killed me to carry it up the stairs. Trent and I are going to buy a new bed, we will definately have them deliver and carry the thing up the stairs.

Yesterday we did some shopping, I tried out an eliptical and loved it. Trent even loved it so we are definately getting one, don't know for sure when, I want to go get one tonight, but at the same time I want to wait until my mess is a little cleaned up.

As of today I am officially back on track food wise. Excersize is still on hold, but I think I am getting a little in with all the work I am doing:devil: Well I must go, walls don't wash themselves. Talk to you later. Hope the new job is going well.
Jen

Jen,

First and foremost, weigh-in day, down 3 lbs. I couldn't beleive it myself. I know that it was mostly on account of hubby being gone. So now I have my work cut out for me this week to show another loss. And I have b-day cake in the house, it definately has to go... I think I will bring it in to work tomorrow (let everyone else get fat).

Well I hope you have a tub in your new place. Cuz you have got to be sore from all that moving. Yikes! I would love an elliptical too, but haven't brought myself to spending the money. My husband isn't as open minded to excercise equip. as yours unfortunately. Let me know when you get it and how you like it.

I'm slacking on the excercise too but think I shall force myself into at least a 1-mile tonight. I have probably about 3 loads of dirty clothes hubby drug home, yuck.

mj

Hello again. We did it, my husband bought me an elliptical for my birthday. I am so very excited. It is still in the box but we didn't get home until after ten last night and now I am just waiting for him to put it together.:D I feel like a little kid at Christmas. But honestly I just don't have the energy to work out. I don't think I will ever see the end of all this work.

Congrats on the 3 pounds lost:dancer: It feels wonderful I know. I would like to see what I am at now, but I have no idea where my scale is, that is okay for now.

I hope the new job is going great, getting your coworkers fat sounds like a wonderful yet evil idea. Well I must go, I will talk to you later.
Jen

Jen,

Well as soon as you get your elliptical up and running let me know every detail (likes, dislikes, brand, etc.). I bet you are exhausted after this weekend. Did you have to work much this week? My job is going ok, I have a lot of problems to deal w/ going into it though. A little more stress than I was banking on but hopefully I can get things ironed out quickly. And not do too much stress eating in the meantime. I have been struggling w/ fitting excercise in too but I haven't abandoned it completely so that is good. I did 2-mile Monday, trying to fit at least a 1-mile in today, and tomorrow AM is me time so I will do 3-mile or more.

Talk to you later.

MJ

Emjay,
I only wish I was exhausted, I have had two days off since I started moving, one of which I had to trade, so now I am working tomorrow, and it will be day five. Normally I only work 8 hour shifts but the lady that traded me works twelves, so I have to work 12 tomorrow, yuck. So no I'm not working out now, but I am still very active, I know not an excuse but I am just too tired to care.

I hope things get better at work, I know that stress at work has a huge impact on us both on and off the job.

Well I must go, I will talk to you later.
Jen

Jen,

Sorry I have been missing for so long. I worked all weekend and Monday and had a lot of other things going on as well. I weighed in yesterday and was up 1 lbs. I wasn't too disappointed though because of the 3 I lost last week (that was really unusual for me). I have been trying to fit in 1-mile on the days I have been working but that is not enough anymore. I have today and tomorrow off so I am planning to do 3-mile on each.

Yuck I can't imagine 12 hour shifts. That would totally suck. Did you get through them ok???

Happy Valentines Day!!!

MJ

Emjay,
Dont feel bad, I haven't had the time lately to check like I used to. I need to get back into checking every day but somedays I just want to crash at night. I have today off so I am going to get a lot of unpacking done. I am waiting on my bed to arrive.

I love my elliptical. Definately worth the money we spent on it. We bought it at sears. I know some people say to stay away from the cheaper models but my husband and I cant afford the very pricey ones and we decided that in time we may upgrade. After 15 minutes on it I am winded, but I keep going anyway. It has different programs on it and I so far I just kinda play around.


Well I have so much I want to get done, day off what a joke, is there really such a thing:dizzy:

Jen,

I'm glad you love your elliptical. Also glad that the less expensive models are good too. Any time I go to a gym that is what I use, I like the different programs.

Well did you get all unpacked? Won't you be glad when that is over and you can get back to normal?

Well I have to make this short, I want to try to get a 2-mile in b4 work. I will try to check back in tonight.

mj

Jen,
Just wanted to check in and make sure you are doing well. I am fine. Work is hectic and I haven't been finding ample time to excercise and haven't been eating great. Same things you went thru when you went back to work. It is so frustrating. We are leaving for FL in 1 week. I hope there is a computer in the condo we rented so I can keep up w/ this site. If not I will have to find a cyber cafe and check in once a week or something. Talk to you later.

MJ

Emjay,
I have been such a bad bad buddy. I hope you can forgive me. I am so exhausted with work and moving, I still have stuff in boxes, some nights I just don't feel like doing it. I have been doing the elliptical about everyother night. I need to do it tonight. My eating has really gone off course, today has been good. I made cake for my hubby last night and I really really want some but maybe if I keep my calories low enough I can have some tonight. I am making meatloaf so that shouldn't be to bad if I eat a small piece.
Everything has been stressful.
Well I am off to buy cold medicine for my youngest. I will talk to you again soon, much sooner.
Have fun on your trip.
Jen