Yeah, that lower number looked great!! I just wisk my scale would move now though. I've been "stuck" at 239 for 9 days now! I lost a lot of weight the week before though - I weigh every day although I only "record" the Monday weights. I know that for example from the previous Monday to last Monday I should have only lost 2 pounds according to the math and I lost 3. So it all evens out.

Danielle - glad you're doing ok with the change! You've done a ton of exercise today! I was in that mood too. And, while Jillian also rubs me the wrong way - too hard - I'm interested in her book. She went from a flabby 150 pounds to what she has now, so she "knows" what she's doing. I guess losing weight from 150 qualifies you???? My abs are doing good. Today I only did the 15 minute workout though!

Hi Elizabeth - I can see a difference in you face and neck too. It's hard to see "body changes" when we are fully clothed in pictures - but I'm sure you can!! Your jeans sure looked loose. Sorry about all the stress. That's wonderful though that you are only considered pre-diabetic now. My DH has diabetes (type2) and he is basically considered "well" for now since his numbers have been perfect for about 3 years now. He controls it with diet and exercise and doesn't need medication.

I don't know if we are going to go for #3. I always thought I'd want to have loads of kids. I'm the oldest of 7 and love being in a "big" family. DH is 1 of 9. I have had it rough both times for the first few months. I don't know if I have faith to go through it again.

Sorry for the lack of personals. I've got to go make dinner also. I found this way cool site the other day and have tried 2 recipes so far and LOVE them! http://fooddownunder.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=low+fat. The 10 Minute Szechuan Chicken was soooo yummy. You can adjust each recipe byt he number of serving you want and then print it out. Tonight I'm making the Chicken Breasts with Spicy Honey Orange Sauce.

Goooood Morning ladies!

How is my great group of girls doing today? I hope everyone is doing well and remembering to also take good care of themselves. This includes exercise and eating right.

Nori, great job with the exercise! The workout that you like so much, is it effective for the lower abs & hips? I need work in those areas the most, gotta love having 3 c-sections. Now I am curious what Miss Jillian has to say, may have to go pick up her book! She definitely has a great looking body, but darnit all, at 150 pounds she was still at a weight I'd have killed for! I can't believe what big families you and dh came from, wow! I am the oldest of 4 girls and we're all 6 & 7 years apart w/ my youngest being only 16. I think God knew that my mother could not handle lots of kids and all at once either, you should see her with my 3 who are all about 2yrs apart! It's hysterical. I am definitely done with 3, however I admit sometimes I wish maybe we'd had a 4th just to even things out. Looking to get a puppy soon, guess that will have to count as my 4th!

Stacye, yes, it is awesome to have you back with us. Now don't disappear again! It does feel like home here, and I've not been here that long! I do know that this is my most favorite thread to visit everyday, ya'll are like sisters to me.

I have absolutely nothing to do today, well, I have housework so I guess that counts as something. Let's just say, there's nothing that I *want* to do today! Lots of rain falling today, which is good for our dry and parched fire areas. Can you believe over 140 days with no rain? Next week we go back up to 80 degree weather tho, summer is approaching soon!
I am gonna get my exercise in this morning and keep this new found energy I've found this morning. I think it's 'cause of my reduction in meds, however I am gonna have to quit it altogether cause I am feeling things creep back in and that's not good. Hoping the new Rx will be weight loss friendly

I'll check on ya gals later, be good!

Stacye - Hi there! Thanks for asking about my Mom. She called yesterday morning to say she was having a great time. I didn't tell her that "on accident" I'd found a note she'd left for all her kids and grandkids. You know one of those "if I don't get home" notes. That's geat that you joined Curves. I've heard lots of good about their circut training program.

Danielle - Wow-3 c/s?? I guess once you have one anymore you're almost required to have the following babies that way also aren't you? Yes, the "I Want That Body" does work your lower abs as well. And your thighs/hips/buns. To be honest I feel the Winsor Pilates Buns & Thighs more in my thigh and butt though. At least while I'm doing it. It's that burning. I don't stay sore afterwards though - not anymore.

Oh, and the scale finally moved this morning!!! 238.

YEAH Nori!!!! Congrat's on the loss, you are kickin' some major butt lady! I forgot to ask you what plan you were using,if anything? You seem to be losing very consistently and I find that motivating. Thanks for the info on the dvd's, I may need to check into those. 3 c's weren't all planned. #1, ds turned himself breach when I was 7 months pg, so opted for the c, #2, had planned vbac birth, labor for 19 hrs, came to realization dd was not moving an inch, I wasn't even dialating. Turns out her head was humungous! , #3, by this time, when I went in, told doc just give me a c for dd and tie me up! I was not going to go thru the "pain" of a regular birth after having 2 the "c-way" that he agreed and we did it. Also very convenient to have the tubal done at the same time.

My plan includes:

• Drinking a minimum of 100oz of water/day,
• 1,000 calorie deficits 5 days out of the week and 500 calorie deficits the other 2.
• Eating 4-5 small balanced meals (approx 300 calories) through the day (vs. the 3 meals-2 snacks I'd always followed when dieting),
• Incorporating a lean protein source, vegetables, and whole grains in most if not all meals,
• Keep fats healthy (I use mostly almonds, some olives and avocados),
• Upping the fiber - I eat oatmeal with blueberries in it almost every day. I also use a protein shake as a meal when I want more control over my days calories.
• Exercise every day - 5X/week for a minimum of 90-120 minutes and 2X/week at low intensity for 30-60 minutes. Includes cardio, strength training/toning, stretching & pilates.
• SLEEP! Sticking to a regular sleep schedule...8-9 hours per night...although I'm up feeding a baby a couple times a night still.

Just wanted to edit this and say that my plan is not always my reality! Like this am I had scrambled eggs with cheese added and 3 pieces of bacon! Not a lean protein in the bunch! Calorie wise it was fine - something like 380 calories, but it was mostly fat %-wise. For my next meal I ate 3oz tuna, 2 RyKrisps, a Roma tomato and 1/2 an apple. Under 200 calories, to try and balance out the breakfast. Every once in a while I like mixing it up though - I think I should add "occasionally mix it up" as part of my plan! It's got to be a plan I can live with for the rest of my life - I'm not "going off of this". And yes, twice this week I dipped into the Peanut Butter Panic ice cream. Not binges or anything - just a 1/4 cup! Gosh, that Blue Bunny ice cream is good! Not on my plan - but for some reason I don't feel guilty when I eat a little. I know it's not the healthiest choice. But I'll still want some now and then...

I came very close to getting a c/s with dd#1. My waters broke (at the grocery store!) about 3 days before she was due and I wan't dilated or effaced at all. That was in the late evening. We of course had to be admitted and I chose to wait and walk through the night instead of going right to Pitocin. In the morning, nothing had happened, so got the Pit anyway. Needed it 2 times since the first time it was titrated up too quickly and my uterus went into "irritable uterus" state...jsut one cx after another with any breaks. The second time it worked. I also needed 2 epidurals since the first one only numbed half of my body. It was a horrible experience. Especially whan the doc showed me how bent the needle was from forcing it between to spaces (facets?) in my back. BUT, I didn't need a c/s and after 33 hours of labor she was born - healthy and screaming! She was so stuck the the doc had to break her clavicle on the way out so I of course "gave a little" when all that was going on and ended upwith a 3rd degree tear. So when DD#2 was to be born I didn't want Pit. I actually had a hard time finding a provider that would take me on as a vag birth candidate - because of the shoulder dystocia dd#1 had, docs are very scared of lawsuits. I found a midwife who didn't have a problem with me going vag. Didn't want an epidural. Didn't want anything. I did have to be induced after all (high blood pressure), but they were so careful to titrate it up slowly and I could handle it OK. Didn't get an epidural and actually almost had her on the toilet. I thought I needed to have a BM! And when I called the midwife in to check me, her head was already out! 1 more push and she was born. It was such a nice experience after the rough labor with #1. Not that it was a piece of cake...

Hey chickies! Today was such a beautiful day that I decided to do some spring cleaning. I washed my car (boy it needed it) and cleaned and organized my bookshelves. Then I used some of those Swiffer dusters and I actually had a ball dusting everything I felt like the commercial where the woman is cleaning her friend's house!

Nori - Oh my! Almost having her on the toilet! I don't know whether to laugh or not! Also, at the top of page 36 you were talking about Jillian.. I re-read that section of her book last night and she says to workout when you feel like you have enough energy (even if it's morning on an empty stomach), but that working out on an empty stomach could affect your performance and make you feel weak.

I took some pictures of me yesterday wearing the tightest shirt I own.. Sorry for the toilet backdrop and bad lighting, it's the only full-length mirror in the house!

You look amazing, Katie!! How tall are you? I think you'll look very lean at 140. Can you imagine weighing 100 pounds more than you do right now? That's where I started. Ugh.

OK, that must have been mis-information I had about Jillian wanting you to work out on an empty stomach all the time. Don't even know where I got it. Thanks. I need to read her book.

He-he - go ahead and laugh about me almost having her on the toilet! I'd take that way any day over my previous experience! It was pretty funny having the midwife tell me what was going on down there and then sending my DH out into the hallway yelling for a nurse. Within 30 seconds there were 15 nurses in my room.

Thank you for the compliment, Nori! It feels so great to get them! I'm 5'9, by the way.

I felt so great that I went out and washed my grandmother's car too! I don't know where I got all this energy from, but I hope it sticks around.

Hope everyone's having a great healthy weekend!

OK, so I decided what my reward is for this phase 1!! As soon as I get there, I'm all over these shoes!

Hi ladies, I burnt my hand on a saucepan handle today and it hurts if I take it off the ice for more than a couple of minutes so this may be a short post.

Nori: I love the shoes!! It must be a losing weight thing. I bought a pair of red bandolino heels with an ankle strap that I'll probably never wear at Goodwill last week for $8. I tried to post a photo of them but I don't know how to insert a picture???? I don't often wear heels but I couldn't resist them, they look brand new.

No horror stories to share, my kids were fairly easy to deliver. DS was a little stubborn up all night with pitocin that didn't work but DD flew out in a shot, DH wanted to know if he could finish watching NYPD Blues before we went to the hospital! No painkillers, I may have had a demoral with the first one and a few stitches though. I guess that's the one saving grace for having big hips!

Someone asked about posting my menu, yest it does help because all night I've been dreading to have to tell you I ate a bowtie from Dunkin Donuts and a piece of chocolate cake today This sucks because I was really hoping to hit Onederland soon...oh well, this happens. Tomorrow is another day.

Talk to you girls tomorrow. I'm going to read while kids are sleeping and DH is watching Soprano's.

Serena: I thought I had a baby carrier I could have sent you but it's gone, I think I sold it at a tag sale. I'll keep my eyes out for one.

I can't believe the deals at the Goodwill and Salvation Army! I'm seriously thinking of buying stuff to just sell on eBay. The guy that works at the Salvation Army said a lot of women who own consignment shops come in and buy the good stuff and sell it in their stores. Yesterday I bought a kids coat from Orvis (the fishing store) that was down filled with goretex lining, looks brand new for only $1.00 I have a lot of nieces and nephews on my DH side but it costs so much to send them overseas. Probably not a good time of year though to auction that off. I also bought myself some Gap shorts for $3 each and found a bunch of stuff for my girlfriend who is a size 4

Well, I'm off to get more ice for the bag before going to bed. I'll write tomorrow from work.

Mo

Good morning all..
my plan
1300-1500cal a day
walk for 30-45mins five times a week
journal daily
be more positive in my life and my food plan will follow

Although the plan doesn't seem like much, lately this has been a struggle for me. I am an emotional eater. If something sets me off, there is no going back.
Your posts are great. Keep them coming..

Morning everyone! I am glad everyone had a nice weekend.

Here is my big success for the weekend. On Sunday after church, I went to lunch with my friend. We ended up at my favorite Mexican restaruant, and SURPRISE! It was a buffet! Instead of eating until I was going to pop, like I usually do, I only ate until I was satisfied.

I also bought an iPod for using at the gym to make the time go by better. This morning I walked for 20 minutes on our treadmill at home. Tonight, I'll go to the gym for an hour.

My doctor told me that to actually burn fat, you have to work out more than 30 minutes. She said for the first 30 minutes you are burning calories, and then after you work out for 30 minutes you go into fat burner mode. Anyone heard of that?

Katie - your picture looks great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Danielle - keep up the great work!

Stacye - love hearing from you!

Nori - YAY for breaking past that stuck point! Your plan is awesome. I'm so glad you've found what works for you!

Mo- I'm with you on the good deals! I love good deals!!!

Catherine - If I had a nickel for everytime my computer locked up...lol

Everyone, keep up the great work!!!!!!!!