That is the great thing about trainers THEY ARE SO OPTOMISTIC! I know when I had one a couple years ago there were many times I wanted to smack him-talk about a love hate relationship. Pee prego tests don't work for her-all her tests before came back neg until they did blood test. I just can't believe they let him out on personal recog hasn't he already proven he isn't to be trusted?? As long as he stays away from me and the kids I don't care and Kate can kiss getting logan back goodbye and if she doesn't hurry up and start on her depency, she will not only lose logan but any future children she might have. That kind of thing goes on your permanent record and never goes away. It is raining here yet again. I think we are like day 31 or something now-there are mud slides all over the place. I am sick of the rain and gloom too-I am with Kayelle on that one. It would be nice to take the kids outside and let them wear themselves out. I think they are sick of being cooped up in the house too.
Melissa

MistyDreamer, before you buy a bowflex compare it to the generic machine at walmart. it is just like a bowflex (at least to me lol) and it was a lot cheaper. i think we paid either $99 or $199 for it, I think it's the first one though. It works just like a bowflex, they are sturdy and after a year it's still holding up in perfect condition.

I went on a little shopping spree today, though only to walmart and goodwill. I got a pair of capri pants at goodwill that are exactly like my new size 20 jeans, except they are capris and a size 18. I will try them on after I wash them. At walmart I got a pair of pants which are now my goal. They are a size 18 and fit except they are a bit tighter than I like in the butt and hip area. My goal is for them to fit right come Allie's birthday party next month. Wish me luck! They are hung front and center in my closet because I don't have much time and every calorie counts now.

I bought a whole bunch of canned veggies and fruit (in juice, no sugar added) and 4 boxes of the 100 calorie snack pack things. I am serious those pants WILL FIT come the birthday party.

Oh, at goodwill I also bought a huge wok, I have always wanted one to make stir fries, and this one was in perfect condition and only $4. It works too! I had my doubts it was so cheap Now, when I get to the grocery store I can get some stir fry veggies frozen (doubt it's in season fresh, right?) and see how it works...after a really good scrubbing of course.

I got my seed starting supplies in the mail today as well so I need to get those going...so I can kill the plants come spring

does anyone know if primrose can be grown as a houseplant? I bought 3 of them at walmart in the houseplant section, then got them home and they only have directions for outdoors I obviously can't plant them out at this time and wanted them in my hanging basket.

Theresa

You should always be able to get the veggies for stirfry-broccoli, cabbage, onions, carrots, bamboo shoots-those are always available. You can also get frozen stirfry veggies too. I used to buy the one from schwans but they changed it and put some kind of bean in it and sauce packets and I just haven't gotten it again. The girls especially love stirfry and I put a little chicken in it too.
Primroses should be fine in the house and just make sure it is warm enough when you take it out or they will get shocked. They are really pretty sturdy flowers and should do fine. I have two rose of sharons in the house but it will be quite awhile before I put them outside.

Congrats on getting yourself some clothes! I am going to have to break down and get some pants next time I can get out alone. The ones I have on are baggy along with the other ones I have and that just leaves a pair of sweats. I keep holding off since I don't want to be out buying pants every month. I saved two gift certificates from christmas and I want to make them count and not have to replace really soon.

Argh Amanda is just having issues today and I am sure it is due to her cold. We all caught Joshua's cold this time around. If she feels just half of what I do, she is miserable. Gave her some cold medicine but it doesn't seem to be making a dent on her attitude about life.
Melissa

So how do you make it taste good if you don't get a prepackaged sauce? I am afraid what would be in the store sauce! I am going to use chicken the first time, but want to try with some beef sliced in pieces as well. Since this is goodwill find, I don't have a book of any sort and have never done this before...I feel like such a dunce, but it will be worth it when I learn. I got some whole grain rice to put it over, just am not sure exactly how to do it. The little knob has up to 450 degrees, simmer and warm. I don't know how high to turn it can I put the chicken, cut in pieces, in there raw or do I cook it first? Clueless here.

I am the same way about you, and I only bought the capris today because they were only $2, otherwise I am just waiting until summer to see what size I fit. I have a bunch of 18 shorts, but I am hoping to be in a 16, which will leave those baggy and me frumpy and/or naked.

My mom has been losing weight as well and she told me today she is looking to buy new clothes because she has been pulling her pants up to her bra, tucking them into the bottom wires to keep them up! She said a belt doesn't work because the crotch sags almost to her knees in most pair. She has been going to work like this She's wearing an 18 like that and thinks she "might" be into a 16 now...I am betting she's a 14 if she can pull them up THAT high and tuck them in! What do you guys think?

Theresa

I use teriyaki sauce in mine-it is the favorite of the girls-i just didn't like the one from schwans. I cook the raw chicken and then add the veggies when I do it-small pieces dont' take long at all to cook. I would probably do 350 degrees and it may take some trial and error before you get it just like you like it but it will be worth it. Cook the rice seperately-

ROFLMBO! I thought my clothes dilema was bad. Ed Grimly anyone?? Martin Short character who wore his pants like that and loved Pat Sajak-hehehe. I am thinking must be 14 if they are falling off. I lost my skirt at work once when I lost weight. I was in the checkstand working away and suddenly felt a draft like you wouldn't believe. Thank goodness I am vertically challenged and no one saw! I called my boss on the phone and held my skirt with one hand while running groceries with the other until she found me some pins and pinned my skirt to my shirt in like 4 places. I was really embarrassed.

I got a bisquick crockpot recipe in my email and it is only 7pts so I will try it and let ya'll know if it is any good or not. Gingered pork wraps are for tonight and they are only 5pts no idea what the calories are but it has to be reasonable to be only 5pts. Now I just pray that the crockpot lives on forever! I grabbed it through freecycle while back and then it sat in my cupboard-go figure. I sure love the thing now I can tell you!
Melissa

Mmmm stir fry is one of my favorites. I like it with brown rice & veggies drizzled with teriyaki sauce. In fact, that's exactly what I'm having for dinner tonight.

The cool thing about wearing huge, baggy clothes is that when you finally do put on the right size...everybody that sees you think you lost a whole bunch of weight overnight because they didn't realize how much smaller you were getting under your clothes.

I am feeling a little nervous tonight. I was asked (along with a couple other staff members who have made some big health-related changes) to speak to the fitness class tomorrow morning and try to give them some advice and motivation about getting healthier. I don't know why I am worried about it...I haven't felt nervous about dealing with the kids since my first year working there. Maybe because I'm usually not talking about myself with them. At least they gave us all a list of questions so I can be a little prepared. Hopefully I won't sound like an idiot. Yikes.

How exciting Kayelle! You are very articulate and I have no doubt you will be brilliant. You have questions and so you can prepare and that should take care of some of the nerves. I always hate talking in front of people myself but I know you will be both awesome and as with us here, an inspiration.
Melissa

KayElle, I am sure all the little boys think you're a hottie and they'll be making googlie eyes and the girls will find you inspiring. It's a shame how many children are overweight these days, so hopefully you can make a difference in some of them early on. I would be nervous too though, def. not one for public speaking.

Found my Carb Options BBQ sauce marked half off on closeout sale at the grocery today. I bought all I could of it, but I cannot imagine a life without BBQ chicken seriously, I have it at least once a week, and this is the only brand I have found that doesn't add sugar, in any of it's many labeled forms. Guess I'll have to figure out how to make my own maybe.

Okay, I sat in my closet tonight and cried. I tried on the new 18 capris and they fit good, just a tad tight in the butt, but I could wear them and no one would notice but me. This inspired me to tackle cleaning out my closet. I dug out 4 trash bags of clothes and ended up crying on the floor in the closet. I came across these bright yellow jean shorts, which I bought right before finding this group. All of my 22s were too tight for comfort, I looked horrible, and when I went shopping I realized I needed a 24, 26 in some styles even. I cried in the dressing room that day, refused to pay the $ for that size and went to goodwill where I bought the bright yellow UGLY shorts simply because they were the only pair there that would fit me, and I had to have something that didn't slice me in half when I breathed. I felt miserable, they were ugly and outdated and just finding them in the closet today brought all that emotion back.

That was right before I found this group and when we first joined together I felt helpless. I felt trapped and like this was an impossible journey I just could not do...so why try? I stuck around though and saw the progress others were making and it felt like you were all swimming laps while I was still treading water. I started exercising, then making small changes, all the while still feel helpless. Then suddenly the scale just started moving. Suddenly I felt I was going somewhere, even if at a snails pace.

And tonight I have reached a milestone. I bagged up all those ugly outdated clothes and got rid of them because I no longer need them. I don't have to settle for whatever in the store fits, but can choose things that look good and flatter me. I am now in an 18 and I thought I would NEVER make it this far even. Knowing that I am still going to get even better is amazing. I don't feel helpless anymore and the journey doesn't feel overwhelming, scary, or impossible. It feels natural and I am in such a differnet place than 6 months ago when we first met. I don't think I'd be here without the support, inspiration, and ideas that I gained from you ladies seriously, you guys have helped more than anyone else could and I thank you so much. I feel like this group has saved my life, seriously I do.

Truthfully, I was still eating mac and cheese and taco bell daily when we first started, and I didn't know how to eat healthy. It was listening to you ladies talk about what you do and taking the time to research different ideas, different eating theories, and experimenting that I found what works for me. You are my inspiration, keep on swimming ladies!

I am going to Goodwill and dropping these bags of clothes in the AM. I don't want to hold onto them a second longer. I did think about just dumping them in the trash, but there will be others desparate for something to fit them and they will pick these up and go home feeling as miserable and sad as i did 6 months ago. That makes me want to put them in the trash instead of passing them on, but then maybe there will be nothing in the store for that 22-24 sized girl and she'll feel worse. I imagine whoever donated the yellow shorts before me maybe had the same feelings.

Theresa

Theresa, I know how you feel, I did the same thing right after Katrina hit. My hubby and I decided if we couldn't donate money we could donate clothes, household items etc... so we went through the closets. When I found the size 24-26 clothes, some still with tags because I could never face wearing them I just cried, dh thought I was crazy!!! It's just actually seeing that I really have made a change, and realizing how close I came to seriously destroying my health. Your story brought all that emotion right back, a good reminder to me and an inspiration to keep on going. We had 11 bags of clothing between the 2 of us, most of them were mine. I never want to see any of those sizes again. I agree that this site has been a lifesaver. So many times when I feel like giving up, I read something one of you have written and it just makes me more determined. I may get there slower than some, but I will get there!!!! Thanks Theresa for the wonderful reminder that yes I have accomplished quite a bit in the last 6 months.

Suzette

WI results: 2 of the re-gained lbs. gone, 2 more to go.

Good luck on your WI Melissa...you will be back to 202 before you know it.

I have 3 weeks to get my new pants from slightly tight in the booty to fitting comfortable and I am determined to get there.

Suzette, beyond feeling so sad, I had this feeling of freedom, like I have let myself out of a cage where I'd been locked for years and was just realizing I was free...I can do what I want, go where I want, I'm free! Maybe silly, but I do feel that way.

Theresa

Theresa- that is awesome that you got rid of "baggage"
I also chunk up my chicken cook it for a few and add veggies- instead of oil i use chicken broth and i also use chinese LOW sodium sauce- sweet and sour- duck sauce- plum sauce- and orange juice is good to stir fry veggies in- just a 1/4 cup or less add a squirt of lime and it's good.

Melissa- package is on it's way today!

if anyone else wants recipes let me know

WOW Kayelle- you will do wonderful and inspire so many! how great is that??



i am so crazed right now - but it is a good crazed- gettng my notary AND trying to get a business license/tax ID number so i can buy wholesale and sell retail on ebay-i may have run into a small bump in the road BUT keep praying or keep fingers crossed for me so that i can do this. First i have to come up with the $$ to get licenses and i plan on being an ebay queen this weekend. i only need 90.00 for everything- hubby said i can do this plan ONLY if I raise the $$ and not take it out of the budget- well ALL my 20 -22 sized jeans/clothes are getting sold as well as other items that are just sitting around-colecting dust and i have no idea why i even have them?? the good thing is I haven't been snacking-too busy- so i am eating really GOOD! i've really made time to exercise and and i've been drinking my water too So i am doing good. i am keeping up by reading posts but had no time last two days to post myself.

I like capris as they hide my dimpled knees - of course i have to hem everything but still love capris. and or 2.00 thats my kinda deal

am going grocery shopping today - super target has a great sale going on now.
so the knock off bowflex is pretty good?? I am getting hubby one for his BDay and wondered- he's been watching the BL with me and he says if he had a bench/boflex he'd use it. i am getting the porch all redone for it and putting in outdoor carpet and Blinds up- ( one of the reasons i want to sell on ebay is to make extra so i can get nice blinds and decent carpet instead of going really cheap.
to everyone!
you all ARE WONDERFUL- WONDERFUL -WONDERFUL

Sandi, the knockoff we got at walmart is called Techrod, TR2 in some places it says. It is just as good far as I can tell...but you should compare them and see because the Bowflex might have features and options that this one doesn't have. It's just basically the seat you sit in, all the long tube things which are the weights that pull out to the sides, the bar that hangs from the top, hand straps that come out from the sides, and the foot thing that lifts up in front of the seat. There are lots of movements you can do with it...too bad I threw out my paper that showed them all, I'm having to guess until hubby comes home to show me. It suits our basic needs so we didn't see the point in paying more for the Bowflex name, but like I said it might have other things to it that this one doesnt, I'm not sure.

Theresa

Sorry I missed all of last night's posts. We were at the 5th grade science fair supporting our grandson Jake who entered a project. It was pretty boring but it made Jake happy that we were there. Then we took everyone out to Outback to celebrate Jake. I had a ceasar salad with shrimp, dressing on the side, but I did pick at the breaded onion appetizer thing a little too much.
I also could not be OP most of the time if not for this group. I think about you all thru the day, I click on often, and the support in immeasurable. I can't fool myself or walk away anymore because you are all there for me.
Theresa, I remember when you were still eating fast food and wondering why nothing was happening. You have come a long way in your thinking.
I am off to work out. Be back later.
Laura

Wow everyone has been so busy posting! It is good to see. Good job getting rid of the bigger clothes. You are saying NEVER AGAIN when you do that. Congrats too on the loss! I think we all have come a long way since we started and will continue to grow (smaller) and learn. I told all the gals at WW about our group and they thought it was great. I told them the site was 3 fat chicks on a diet but it was the sight name cause there were more than 3 of us. I would have reverted back to my old eating habits if it weren't for all of you!

Drum roll please.....My loss for the week was 6.8lbs. I am going to fix my ticker and put it up to where I really am. I kind of really started all over anyway so it needs to reflect where I really am not where I was. I will be there again soon but gotta keep it real and honest.

I picked up a trampoline today. It is larger than a rebounder but still on the small side. I will need to clean it up and get new rubber ends for the legs but otherwise it was in good condition. I may just get on there and do some bouncing along with the kids!

Thank you Sandi-can't wait to try them out. Those ginger pork wraps were to die for but next time I am using chicken cause I am just not a huge pork fan and it would be just as yummy. the only thing I did different when I had one for lunch today is added more of the veggies. I mean geez they are free food basically so why skimp? Good job on the eating and man when you got it down how to be ebay queen let me know. I really need to make some money but with the cost of daycare, I would be working for free and homey don't play that if she can help it.

I am sure I missed some stuff but I am sure I will be back later!
Keep up all the good work!
Melissa

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