day 13>> 1287 calories

Completed Day 1 yesterday - today is almost over and I'm going strong!!

One thing that keeps me coming back to this thread often is that if I don't, I won't be able to keep up This is aside from all the really cool people here of course!!

Apple! I am so sorry about your cat! I don't know if you have seen this before, I hope it brings you some comfort: http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

Thank you to everyone who gave me information on flours!! I REALLY appreciate it! Especially being told to strive for better than the norm in my baking hee hee, thanks Joy! I'm more excited about your list of flours than the list of foods I ate the other day - seriously, I want to try spelt!!

Like Vanessa, I am going to attempt 21 days straight. This is a level 2 again, but this time I'm going in it with the intention of making it 21 days straight!

Happy Birthday CBETA! I'm so glad to hear that you have such a loving and caring friend - what a sweet thing to say, about staying the same and whatnot. I would quote it, but I wouldn't want to confuse Red (j/k I confused myself when I wrote that post).

Sushi - Congratulations on completing your ab challenge! Whew! All of these ab challenges have inspired me! I'm going to try to come up with one to start tomorrow - I'm thinking attempt (daily) and work up to completing the ab routine on this Denise Austin DVD I have.

I don't like pilates either Red - but because I find it to be REALLY hard. I have a lot of respect for people who do pilates (go Phys!!). If you are interested in yoga, I highly recommend this DVD: http://tinyurl.com/dcqmk and this book: http://tinyurl.com/czewh No food porn, I was going to confess to everything I ate the day I slipped... but I guess it would be cruel if I did, huh?

I really hope your dog is okay Fish!!

Carla - your SM sounds awful! Bless you for being so sweet and keeping her in your life!! I would not have done the same.

Okay, that's all I have to say right now! Hope this week goes well for everyone!

Ees

Hello, everyone. I have notched another day on both challenges. Hurrah! The crunches hurt today because I think I really did them well yesterday, slowly, going for more burn..I opted out for a cup of tea instead of coffee with my lunch, so I'm okay there. The eating wasn't the best...someone gave me delicious Lebkuchen as a Xmas present...but it was okay. What kept me afloat was thinking of the excellent day I put in yesterday and knowing I just have to do more and more of them until at last they are the habit...too much dwelling on how bad I feel and then just feeling worse about things. I am going to try to think of my accomplishments and meditate on them when I feel myself being sucked into the feeling of..."what the heck, what does it matter anyway..."

vanessa -- Great going on getting through Day 2! A whole hour on the cardio! the rest as well and staying within your points. You'll knock off those 15 lbs in no time flat. Thanks for the cheers. Yes, no beer is a great thing. I used to be very scared to ride..actually I still am...but I work through my fear...imagine warm, quiet balmy days of summer in my head as I'm riding to calm me and stop me from panicking. My horse did not act up for me, which was great. I don't know if it was just coincidence or if she was calmer with me (I doubt that). I think it was just that she wouldn't have acted up where we were. If I had gone out in the big ring she probably would have as she did for my teacher a few times before I got in. She spooked, ran off a few times, did her little bucking bronco thing but the teacher stayed on..apparently she didn't like some rustling noises over in the far corner of the ring...probably is a den of wolves over there just waiting to burst out and GIT her!!

ees -- Congrats on Day 1! You can believe you'll be left behind if you don't check in here often. It really gets hopping some days, doesn't it? I know that poem about the rainbow bridge. It is nice. I also like the one that I think they recited at the Trade Center after 9/11, the one about .."do not stand at my grave and weep..." Do you know it? Apple, do you know it?

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

When one of my former teacher's young horses died in a freak accident I made a picture I had of the horse and superimposed that poem over it, then put it in a black frame for her. It's really pretty, though I think it was kind of lost on her.

Well, good luck on getting through without pause days. You can do it! And yes, please keep things simple for me! I hear you on the pilates. I KNOW it's good for me, that's why I have a hard time with it! That yoga DVD you mentioned got great reviews on Amazon. Maybe I'll give it a try...first to get a DVD player...and yes, NO food porn (oops. I did mention Lebkuchen before!

curly -- You keep it up! That scale has just GOTTA budge!!

Ok, let's see, where are some of our regulars? Shad? marb? And those newbies trixie-o and minaaa, come on, there's no shame if you've fallen. Get back up! chai, Phys, you doing OK? derry? alte? Anyone I missed? Come in and post! New people are ALWAYS welcome!!

Red - Well it's a good thing that I don't know what Lebkuchen is! I'm tempted to look it up though... think I will... OH! I know those! I thought it would be something I have never heard of and wouldn't make my mouth water... I've had them and they are not gross! That poem "...do not stand on my grave..." gave me chills when I read it just now! I just read it again - so beautiful!

Great going on cutting down on your coffee!! I did that a while back, I know how hard it is!! I know you can do it - trust me it's worth it!!! How many crunches are you doing for your challenge?

It is really refreshing to be at such a busy thread! The first one I got involved in cleared out quick. I wasn't sure if people would come back or not and I made it my goal to write in it every day so I ended up writing to myself for a week!

Vanessa - congratulations on Day 2!!! I made it through Day 2 myself!! Go us!! I'm glad you are on track with me, if I forget where I am, I'll just check and see where you are!

Today will be Day 1 of doing my Denise Austin abs - wew hew! I'm thinking I will alternate it with 8 minute abs (yes, I have all the cheesy ones) if/when I get bored or they get too easy (CAN't WAIT!). Later All!!!

Pilates / Lifting Challenge:
Friday - Day 5 complete (1 hour after work of pilates!)
Saturday - **PAUSE**
Sunday - Day 6 complete (20 minutes w/o the video)
Monday - Dat 7 NOT COMPLETED (2/3 pause days left) and I'll do this after work.

What a busy, hectic weekend... I overate the wrong things and drank a beer and was slovenly in general. How on -earth- did I manage to loose a little weight? (Even with all of the SALT I had!?!) Somehow, after my indulgent weekend, I feel like I didn't really deserve it. Interesting.

Does this mean that taking care of my body (eating right, working out) is becoming more rewarding than simply dropping pounds?

In summary, this weekend -- I had a Gyro and greek salad with all of the sauce and dressing, I made (and consumed) bourbon balls, I attended a party and drank beer and ate bean dip with tortilla chips in vast quantity, I ate steak fajitas (real, authentic mexican-style grilled) with homemade (by me!!) corn and flour tortillas, I made and ate some of a reindeer cake, I had wonton soup and vietnamese pancakes.... yikes! What **didn't** I eat? I think I pretty much just got sick of being "on a diet" and wanted to just eat what I wanted to. And I did.

Congrats on everyone for keeping on... and for posting. It's a lot to read after the weekend, and I enjoy it.

Hi everyone.....no more dancing carrots....I only made it through Day 9...then life intervened.

getting ready for holidays consumed me. But I should get some credit for shampooing the carpets, shopping and cleaning? and I'm eating properly and my pants are much looser. no real splurges except for one small snickers bar (left over from halloween--it was going to go stale!)

Thanks for the MISO info. I found exactly what you described at the asian market....bought the yellow...what is the red and white? (beans I guess)

Good news is that I am feeling much stronger, (but after carpet shampooing I had to lay down on a heating pad and take a pain med. because I thought my shoulder might fall off)!

too busy to catch up on the posts right now, but Phys. I did read your response to the hunky questions. Yep, there is nothing like a traditional hung. family...to pamper you.

BBL

Hi everyone! Well, I am back to day one today. I did my exercise like a good girl, but went over my calories by about 150-200 both Friday and Sunday. Had it just been Friday, i would have made it a pause day, but with both days and the holidays coming up, I am starting over.

My stupid dog is doing just fine. Thank you all for asking. The vet's office gave him an emetic (sp?) but he refused to regurgitate and after 4 hours they gave him something else and told us to pick him up. All weekend long I kept telling him that "gee, I could have a piece of chocolate, but you ate it all!" Then he would put his head on my lap and wag his stubby tail!. We found some of the wrappers this morning in the back yard (gross!) but it seems to have not affected him at all.

Congrats to Sushi Penguin for finishing her crunch challenge! Hello to everyone else, and welcome Vanessa! I will chat more later. For now I have to do some work!

Day 4 done! woo hoo! this is getting easier!

No Desserts/Treats Day 6
No Chocolate Day 17
*No Soda Day 34 * Challenge Completed* Goal December 25th. ~~PAUSE~~ Day, my Secret Santa gave me a cold Diet Coke and it was just to tempting!

It just happened again. My nice long post disappeared. I don't have the time or courage to start over now - will try to check in later.

Today is Groundhog Day for both challenges (Day 16, one pause day left for each).

ess and red.
I read your comments about beer. I personally do not like it a bit, but I do like other alcohol mixed drinks like daquiry, margarita and especially apple martini. Strangely enough, though it was my b-day yesterday i had ZERO alcohol. Seriously not a sip. I did not even realize it until this morning. This one is definatelly a first b-day w/o even a glass of wine, since I turned 12 or something.
As for my weight. My b-day greated me a full 10lb loss since the day I started. I still need to change the ticker, but not until Friday when I am sure that the loss stuck with me. I had no breakfast, ate a moderate lunch, and for dinner went to a sushi place with friends. All an all though it was someone a sad b-day. I cried a couple of times, eveyone wished for my weight loss and it was somewhat bitter-sweet.
Challenge A( 3 bottles of water): Level 2 (-3) - Not enough only had 2 :-(
Challenge C( no food after 7pm): Level 3 (-2) - DAY 14 (Dec 18) Done
Challenge B( daily gym - 1h, or some other major physical activity no less than 3 hours): Level 3 (-0) - Start on 12/19 again.
So for A I am on day 13. For C I am on day 14, and for B I am day zero as of Yesterday 12/18. This means no pause day for water and 1 pause day for dinner after 7pm.
Good news: 3 more days not including today before a company shutdown till Jan.3.

How is this for keeping up with everyone! I'm writing twice in one day (so far)! I did my abs today - daaaaamn that was hard! I used to work out A LOT - almost every day, lots of aerobics, yoga and what's it called? Pushups, situps, etc... I've been slacking off a lot. I do some yoga now a few times a week and have walked a handfull of times. I've been slacking on the situps more than anything - and boy did it show today! I was a-huffing and puffing! I'm happy to get back to it though!!

Fish - I am so happy to hear that your doggie is okay? What kind do you have? Sorry to hear that you went back to day 1! This time will be better!!

CBETA - I'm with you on alchohol, when I think back to how I used to drink 2 years ago - I can't believe it! I could really hold my liquor - I used to go out all the time! I loved beer especially, and doing shooters. Now I'll have one drink every few months and I get a nice little buzz going. Congratulations (early?) on your 10 pound loss!! That is excellent!! And look at you!! You are 2/3 of the way through two of your challenges!! Way to go!! No worries about having to start your other challenge over, you'll do it this time! I'm happy to hear that you get a long break from work!!

Okay, I am HYPER!!! Weeee!! Just had a bunch of grapes - I'm going to use the energy to clean the house!

How is this for keeping up with everyone! I'm writing twice in one day (so far)! I did my abs today - daaaaamn that was hard! I used to work out A LOT - almost every day, lots of aerobics, yoga and what's it called? Pushups, situps, etc... I've been slacking off a lot. I do some yoga now a few times a week and have walked a handfull of times. I've been slacking on the situps more than anything - and boy did it show today! I was a-huffing and puffing! I'm happy to get back to it though!!

Fish - I am so happy to hear that your doggie is okay? What kind do you have? Sorry to hear that you went back to day 1! This time will be better!!

CBETA - I'm with you on alchohol, when I think back to how I used to drink 2 years ago - I can't believe it! I could really hold my liquor - I used to go out all the time! I loved beer especially, and doing shooters. Now I'll have one drink every few months and I get a nice little buzz going. Congratulations (early?) on your 10 pound loss!! That is excellent!! And look at you!! You are 2/3 of the way through two of your challenges!! Way to go!! No worries about having to start your other challenge over, you'll do it this time! I'm happy to hear that you get a long break from work!!

Okay, I am HYPER!!! Weeee!! Just had a bunch of grapes - I'm going to use the energy to clean the house!