Freda your not alone I had a few lbs. come back my way too. The thing is we become a bit comfortable and lay back a bit and on they come. Their just waiting for us to give in a little to let our guard down. So lets go we can do this. In my case I also slipped up on my medication too and that knocks my metabolism around. Dum mistake. But I am trying to pull it all together. Yesterday I allowed a few small oops but otherwise ate healthy. Today I have my plan all figured out and I am going to try my best to stick to it. Marinated my salmon last night and going to use George to grill it up with some asparagus for dinner. Had counted my cals up a bit high for the day but some healthy choices in there 1560. I like to be around 1400 or so. Penny I just think jounaling helps and when we do it we do better its when we let it go too many calories sneak in. So I am with you on that one.
Marie your weekend sounded like lots of fun. You most likely sweated off a lb. Thanks for your support the weird thing is my clothes fit like before. I think its inches I have lost more than lbs. but I would like the scale to go down too. I know when I am honest with myself things I have added in lately that aren't healthy so changes are needed without a doubt.
Nikki toned I am somewhat thank God for that cause it hides my extras. I am a very active person for the most part. Good luck with toning up. Have you ever used those strech bands? Lots of people like them. Well I am shooting for 1400 cals today. I made a salad for work with lettuce, blueberries, walnuts, croutons , orange peppers and cheddar cheese. I have the spray dressing which saves lots of cals. Have you girls tried it yet. The wine vinegar tastes like homemade dressing not low cal. But its 10 spuirts for just a small amt. of cals. ck it out.

Ok I don't know what is going on but I am up from 157 today. I have not eaten alot either. Yesterday I some rice and chiken and thats it I got busy ands forgot to eat. So far today I have had a hotdog, watermelon 1 cup and a piece of cheese. I really have no idea why my weight is being so stubborn lately grrrr. Hopefully by friday it will go away I am due for TOM saturday so maybe that accounts for it this week.



Cac- I want to try those dressing I have heard great things about them. I do leg lifts and crunches etc maybe I should try those bands what are they called?
Nikki

Hi Nikki and Carol, it has to be the moon with those darn scales. Since Friday, I've eaten 1400 cals a day, exercised and drank my water. This morning, up 1.5 pounds. The only think I can account for it is water weight since it's so darn hot out. That or my scale is getting old. So I wasn't happy this morning, but I was also reasonable and didn't let it make me mad. There was no physical way to gain 1.5 pounds of fat. So here's hoping for nicer on Friday.

Carol, I use the stretch bands with one of the miles of WATP. I originally got them from my physical therapist when my facet joint popped out of place (between spine and rib - very painful) 6.5 years ago. Since then I had to replace them since they wore out (plastic deteriorated). I got my new ones at Walmart.

Nikki, scales are evil. And weight loss is aggravating. But we can and will win. As much as the scale is mean, not trying or giving up means fat back on. So we can do it.

Hi to the rest of the group.
Marie

Girls the scale was a bit nicer to me today. Down 1.5 of my few I gained but still its wt. I had already lost. I think going off my meds for a few days wasn't too smart. If that was a client I would have said oh don't do that. Just didn't get to the store. Now that is an awful excuse! Oh well live and learn can't be messing with the meds. At any rate now I am back on them and watching things better. I still am not perfect but much better and if I eat something it is added in. Yesterdays cals around 1350. I enjoyed the salmon for dinner. Today it is finally stopped raining the weather has been muggy and wet. I have made a salad for my lunch today and will use the spray dressing again. Its not bad and I think there on to something with spraying and not pouring. I have had that dressing forever and its small and half full still. It has been a stressful week lots of politics going on at work. Everytime things start getting better they go back to the old way again. People just can't all get along I don't get it. But I am trying to stay out of it cause who needs the stress? Any ways the approval came through for a girl on my caseload and no one can take that away from me. I worked really hard for her and she is moving into one of our places this week. So hurray! All that counts is I made some happiness in her life and that is what its all about helping others. Forget the other junk! Well I have preplanned my meal today again. That seems to be helping and counting cals. I hope to see the scale lower on friday even a little would be nice. I also increased my water and flavored water daily. I tried a yogurt which is wonderful taste like eatting pie. Key Lime Pie by Yoplait light 100 cals. They also have cherry cheese cake at 100 cals. I feel like I am cheating when I have it. Oh but not me! Nikki the bands are the same as what Marie explained. I want to get some too. They aren't real expensive and just something different to try. Every little change helps. We all get so routined sometimes we need to shake things up. Well have a good day girls and be good friday is only 2 days a way. As much as I hate the scale it does make me more accoutable and I surely must need that cause clothes and inches alone don't cut it.

Marie you might of eaten something salty? Or who knows could just be from the heat your body is fighting to hold onto some water? You should be fine and you too Nikki as you both sound like your intakes are low. Nikki becareful not to eat too little cals as that can also send your metabolism into a swing in the wrong direction feeling straved. Oh our bodies are so tricky nothings easy always a struggle or puzzle. Good luck all.

Morning Ladies-

Marie - I know what you mean. I won't let it get me down. I left my scale at my boyfriends since I will be back there Friday. I now regret that I will prob weigh myself on the other house scale between now and then.

cac- I haven't had salt I 've just been eating little which made me lose fri and sat then i ate lot Sunday <alot being 3 meals and some candy> Monday I had rice at 11 am thats it. Yesterday I had a hotdog , watermelon, steak and potatoes and some cheese.

Go you on your loss ! We are getting the rain today again. I had a cute little skirt and tank out to wear. Now, I have to figure out what to wear cause it is down pouring .

Nikki

I was so disappointed today. I decided to try to go back to one of my light workouts on Fittv. I discovered cable vision in NY dropped fittv from their programming :O

So I found another station that offers an hour of Denise Austin every morning. I did her light and fit workout which combines yoga and light aerobics. I feel so much better having done that. I am here to tell you all I am going to do a denise Austin workout 3 x's a week to start. I need to be accountable !!! I'm looking forward to 1/2 an hourt a day of working on me again. I stopped the 1/2 hour a day workouts when I broke my ankle in January and last week I finally got the OK to go back to full normal activity


BTW... I am taking my July 17 ticker off. I am going to create a new goal for myself to be 155 by then and I am putting a ticker up for 15 lbs by September.



Nikki

Carol - Way to go with the 1.5 lbs. loss!

Marie, Nikki & Freda - I'm in the same boat as you guys and have gained 2 lbs. since last Friday . I've also been on plan and exercising, so I'm going to blame it on the hot weather. My rings are very tight (in fact I can't wear my engagement ring which was very loose before). Let's hope the darned scales move in the right direction on Friday. I won't change my ticker till then.

I hate being a slave to the evil scale , but I know that when I stop weighing regularly I start going down the slippery slope of denial and weight gain.

Hi everyone!!!!

Well, I sneaked a peak at the scale this am and it was down a pound. Nothing like a yo-yo. Then I decided to get a new scale and give mine to my DS's GF since it was int their bathroom and not convenient to weight (there was a plus to that). So I bought a new helath meter that does .2 pounds and I just weighed myself on the old scale then on the new scale. Eeks, the new scale weighs 3 pounds heavier. Tried it a couple times and it wa insistent. So I added 3 pounds to all of my weigh ins since April 25th when I wtarted the challenge with Nikki. Yuck!!!! I think the worse part is readjusting my thinking to what I weigh. I know I don't weigh "more" but I don't like the higher number. I was almosted tempted to give the new scale to DS's GF and keep the friendlier one...

Today wasn't so hot and my shoes weren't uncomfy at the end of the day. So maybe that other .5 pound will go away. I can wish, right?

Nikki, don't switch scales unless it's permanent. Note slight depression I wrote above.

Penpal, my rings, including the loose one was a little tight the last few days. I haven't checked today, but I swear it's the weather. All and all, we're all doing good and staying on top of the problem.

I bought 2 pairs of shorts and a capri in a smaller size and tis a bummer, but 1 shorts and the capris aren't comfy. They "fit" but I like loose. So I'm going to return them. Hopefully by next spring/summer I'll need a smaller size then those and it seems silly to hold onto them if I might fit in them in the winter.
Carol, good job on the placement. I'm proud of you. When I read the line about the people going back to their old ways made me laugh. Our two problem people quit so for now it's very pleasant at work. Just me and the remaining technician. And he was at a site all day and was sick the previous 2 days. So I was alone. Not many office politics when working by myself.
Well, that's it. Work is hectic but at least the day flies by.

Nikki, I'm about ready to join you on the readjustment. Since I'm basically plateau'ed for 2 weeks, I don't think the remaining 4 pounds for the July goal will happen. Maybe mini goals aren't good but then again, they got my on track. Hmmm, I don't know what I should do, so I'll just coast and be a diet angel.

Well, that's about it. Talk with you tomorrow.
Marie

Oh Penny how I agree with you about the scale. I do the same thing and its only put me back to start all over again which isn't much fun. But I am trying hard.
Nikki I hope things go better for you on friday hang in there girl. I have a tape from Denise but bought it at a garage sale and haven't used it. I think a trip to the gym for me today after work. I am taking my stuff with me this a.m.
I do think the hot humid weather isn't helping any of us on the scale day. To bad it didn't melt a little fat off this body.
Yesterday I had a shorter day at work and a couple of people were out. It was a peaceful day. Today I will be out of the office a bit as I need to do a discharge at the hospital and go see how my person I am placing is adjusting. I am really looking forward to seeing some positive changes in this persons life. I hope it all goes well. It was hard work but rewarding knowing someone really needed your services.
Marie don't give up yet on your mini goals I haven't been able to reach mine but I think their a good way to keep us focused. I have set mine for 5lbs. for 7/21 I am hoping to beat it since some of it was wt. put back on. Dang! Oh how frustrating that is. But better to do something about it early on than to let it creep up on us. Your scale might be a better one in the long run but I can understand feeling upset. My friend went to the doctors his scale was 4lbs. higher than hers at home. She also wasn't happy. I guess numbers here and there on these things just aren't reading the same. So don't get to discouraged hang in there you have come along way. In your own mind you know your a few lbs. lighter.
Last night I was feeling pretty good about my days intakes. But the girls and I went to the casino for a few hours. I was up but then played and lost only 10.00. Oh we had some fun. At any rate we had a raspberry latte I ordered mine with skim milk. I took a sip she put in too much syrup I went back had some poured out and more coffee put in. The girl acted like I pulled her hair or something. Hah hah! But I didn't want to mess up my whole days intakes. Then I got home the hubby had made popcorn I ate two handfuls and put he rest out of my reach. His popcorn is loaded! Dang those skinny guys who can eat anything and not gain! NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At any rate with my whole day of intakes I was around 1550 a bit higher than I wanted but mostly good choices. Today I am shooting for around 1300 to 1400 but not above to make up for my few ooops!
Have a great day. I have had 2 days with fish for dinner, 1 salmon, 1 shrimp cocktail. Tonight is a grilled chicken night. My choices are at least feeling healthier.

Hello Ladies-

I was shocked whn I got on the scale today. It says I am up to about 161 I am seriously aashamed of that number. I am hoping that it is just the salt I had yesterday and the fact that I should have my TOM saturday or sunday. Yesterday I was on the go to doctors all day and kind of depressed at what was going on so for lunch I grabbed a small french fries and dinner was a WW meal with desert being apple pie which I split with mom.

I think I might have figured out what is going on. I was looking at denise austins website and it said according to my heinght and weight I should be eating 1400-1600 calories a day to lose. I barely ever get that many calories in. When I do they are from junk. Maybe I need to adjust to eating 6 small meals a day. I am thinking of joining her website since I like her so much. I remember years ago when I needed to tone my legs I did her workouts 3-4 times a day and it worked. I am waiting now to try to do her aerobics segment which comes on in 10 minutes.

Hope you are all doing better then me
Nikki

Hi Everyone,

Guess I have to agree with all of you, the scales are the DEVIL! But a necessary evil! They help keep us on tract but can drive you crazy if you watch them too closely. Everyones weight is going to vary from day to day. You just have to make sure it's just a fluxation and not a permanent gain! I am doing ok. Trying to eat healthy and getting my exercise in. I think most of us know when we're doing the wrong thing and try to get back on tract as soon as possible. I eat healthy 80% of the time and 20% I have things that are maybe not so great but make life (and eating) fun. Balance in everything!

cacsmc, I love fish too and try to have it often. For health and because I enjoy it. I think that is the real key. Eat the food you love just watch portions. That spray for salads is wonderful! I use it all the time now.

Nikki, I have some of the bands that I bought at a garage sale (great place to pick up exercise equipment). And they are a nice change. The ones I got were by Denese Austin. I got one of her tapes also. I use them occasionally. I really like my freeweights. But regular exercise is a must. Also I glad you are going to follow her advice about the amount of calories you're eating.

Marie, I like my clothes very confortable too, LOOSE! Good thing I work in scrubs, it's the closest thing you can get to PJ'S. I think some of the weight gain is water too! MY hands are swollen so bad they hurt last night.

Penpal, Just keep doing what you'e doing. I blame the weight gain (at least a little of it) on the weather too. If your hands are swollen you know there is water there. I try not to be a slave to the scale. I know when i'm messing up. I just work hard to get back to where I should be.

Have a good day ya'all, Freda

Marie - Congrats on the 1 lb. loss. Who's to say which scale is correct - the new one or the old one? I'd go with the lower number! I'm ashamed to say, but about 10 lbs. ago we bought a new scale and it was always 2 lbs. higher, so I went back to my old 'friendlier' scale because it was depressing me too much. How silly, really, to get all upset about 2 rotten pounds, but it's so hard to lose 1 lousy pound so I was mad to think it put me up 2 lbs. for no reason!!!

Carol - I hope you reach your mini-goal. I've just scrapped my birthday challenge for August as I think it's a bit unlikely I'll reach it. I'm beginning to think that mini-goals are a bit counter-productive for me as I get very anxious about meeting them and usually they are way too optimistic and I set myself up for failure. I'll have to either set very low goals or stop doing them.

Nikki - Have you considered trying a few more calories in order to start losing again? It worked for me once when I tried it - the only thing is that I tended to get "calorie creep" and gradually ended up have 100-200 calories too much, which started me gaining again . It's so hard to find the right amount that is enough to sustain our bodies without going into 'starvation mode' but at the same time losing weight steadily. I think the aerobics you mentioned might help. I've been meaning to increase my aerobic exercise but keep finding excuses (like my recent shin splints). I think aerobics burns far more calories than weight lifting, which is what I mainly do for exercise at Curves. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you soon get in the losing groove again!

Freda - I like your attitude about eating right 80% of the time. We all need a little 'wiggle room' in our diets to eat something off-plan now and then.

I've been doing a lot of 'social eating' lately, which is bad news as I tend to eat more when I'm around other people. I went to a tea yesterday for a lady from a local nursing home where they have a 'forget-me-not' program for residents to grant them a wish. She had always wanted to go to England, so some friends & I did a British tea for her and showed her lots of picture books, etc. She was really thrilled and I'm so glad we did it, but of course I ate WAY too much! Then today we had friends over for lunch, ditto. Saturday we are going to a garden party fund raiser and Sunday some friends are coming down from Washingon State and want to invite us for lunch. I think I'm going to need a lot of willpower and I'm not looking forward to stepping on the scale tomorrow.

Good luck everybody!

Penny - I have a hard toime eating more. I am going to work on it I think but then I wind up gaining. I did my aerobics 2 days in a row and did 25 laps today too. I am hoping the increase in exercise helps.

Nikki

Hi everyone, sounds like we're all trying hard even though we struggle. Just an FYI, I weighed this morning on the new (and old) scale. Yesterday was cooler and I didn't swim (I'll get back to why I mention that). So I get on the new scale and it says I'm down .2 pounds from what the old scale said the previous morning. Yeah!!! So I go mosey to the old scale and it's still 3 pounds lighter so many water weights went away. Basically since the 1.5 gain on Tuesday, I lost about 4.5 pounds. Definitely there's something with the hot weather causing the flucuation. Probably doesn't hurt that TOM is starting to go away. But mostly the weather. Now the swimming note. Last year when I was trying to lose weight (to no avail since my meds wouldn't let me), I noticed that if I swam the day before weigh in, there would be no weight loss or there'd be a weight gain. Don't swim, lose a little. I noticed the trend so I stopped swimming for the day before weigh in. The scale was much more normal. Fast forward to this year and the pattern starts again. Swim, heavier, no swim, lighter. So what's up with that??? Am I absorbing the water weight? That's the only thing I can come up with. There's a definite pattern when I look at my Lifeform database over the last two years. So Nikki, I know you swim - what do you think???

So anyway, I was happy this morning but I hadn't gotten out of bed to exercise. What difference in my mood at work. I was testier until I realized my irritation was because of not exercising. So I exercised at work (the joy of no one in my office at the moment). WATP for 3 miles and I was cheery and helpful. Basically the moral of my story is I have to exercise before work. I'm not very nice without it.

Nikki, so sorry about the mean scale. I know that fries themselves add water weight since they're a starch. Add the salt and it's a double whammy. Then add the hot weather, you're looking at the devil scale. You KNOW you didn't gain fat so don't sweat it (just sweat the salt, he, he, he ). You know you're doing what's good for you and joining the Denise site might be a great move. Just don't leave us here.

Carol, you're making some good food choices and if the lady didn't like that you had her re-do your coffee, then she's not very good at her job. Customer service is important. I hope your new placement is doing good.

Penpal, social eating is hard. Actually I have trouble at any point when I'm away from home (except work since I plan it at home). Vacations are my biggest downfalls, long weekends next and out to eat a very distant 3rd. At least there's starting to be options are restaurant for the diet conscious. Good choices can most of the time be found.

Freda, those scales are necessary, aren't they. My experiment of not weighing for 6 months is almost eradicated. The 17 pounds are basically gone as of this morning. Took 2 months to undo.

Nikki, without a doubt, aim your calories between 1400 and 1600. Much lower with your activity is a problem. Good luck on tomorrow's weigh in. But I see you mentioned swimming laps so if you don't, think of my goofy theory.

Marie