Hi all, I'm sitting at 213 and kicking myself for gaining back all those pounds I lost. but my stress level is nowhere near as high as it was so hopefully I can shed a few. I have to learn that I can't stop watchig what I eat for a minute or else I slide back way too far. I am dieting again and so far it is going well.

Get n' - I sypathize with the weekend eating. With the kids saying feed me and the dh saying when are you going to cook, I tend to eat more during the weekends. It is great that your son is helping you get to the gym. Way to go.

Markie - Didn't get a chance to say it before but welcome. I exercise less than most people here. Mostly walking, ok all walking, I need to start incorporating weights into a routine. I will get motivated, I will get motivated. The problem here is it is now cold and I live out in the country, so no gym, no pool, no anything. Congrats on your loss to date by the way.

40 - Kids will mess you up one way or another, my kids did the same thing this weekend, but it was burgers, then pizza, all in one day. I love my kids, I love my kids, I love my kids....

snow - That is a great plan to get through the holidays. And I really sympathize with the stress thing. I am so close to where you are and gearing up for a huge confrontation with my boss and supervisor today. Although in my plan for how things are going to go I am quitting if I don't see some changes and plan to tell them that. I have too much stress at home to be dealing with that much at work.

jcatron - where do you find the energy????? After work I can barely force myself to clean the house, never mind doing all of those hours plus working. Wow!!!!! You are an inspiration.

sojourner - wow, you are doing absolutely fantastic, keep up the good work.

dolly - great to see you back!!!

So let me tell you about the unexpected surprise life brought me yesterday. I went grocery shopping (I dread this...this coming from someone who worked in a grocery store for 10 years and it was her life...seriously) and saw one of my old employees. She was a great person to work with and she told me that she became a massage therapist and she wanted to say thank you for being a great boss before. She gave me five free passes for an hour long massage...also as way to help her advertise. How lucky could I be!!!!!!!!!!!! I go for my first massage today after work and then have on schedule every other week until after New Year's. I'm telling ya you never know what wonderful things life is going to bring ya!

Made it to the gym today and headed to the elliptical and then did my upper body weights. I had to take the weight off a bit because my arms were struggling. I guess a week off reallly does effect your muscles. So I prepared myself today and brought lunch and dinner with me to work. After work I go for my massage, but will be done at 7pm and I will be starving so I made a wrap to eat on the way there along with some carrots and cucumbers. Then I going over to my grandmother's for cake and ice cream...okay just a small piece of cake and ice cream if its not too cold outside.

40: Take a break if your body is telling you, the last thing you want to do injure yourself even worse. What kind of exercising are you doing? I also have a knee that gives me problems every now and then, but lately I haven't had any. I am knocking wood right now.

Get n Healthy: That's great that your son is wanting to go the gym. You are a great role model in teaching him to lead a healthy life style. I can so relate to hating the ellipitical, I hated it this morning...I just wanted it to be over. It came and went...tomorrow back to the treadmill.

Sno: When you need to take a break, take a break from work. At my former job sometimes it was too much as well and I would take a few mental health days. Jobs today can be so stressful, and they effect you 24 hours a day, not just 9 to 5 hours. It is good that you have recognized this and have decided to take care of yourself. I hope you tooth got better as well.

markieposter: Way to go on that 2-mile walk! I have tried to make exercise a habit or ritual for me. Every morning mon-fri at 5am I am out the door and to the gym. It took me a long time (about 2 months) to full adjust, but now I wake up knowing that it is part of my day. By the way I chose the mornings because I would only make it to the gym about 50% of the time in the evening...so much to do and so little time.

card: Don't be so hard on yourself, we have all done the same thing before and probably more than once. The great thing is that your recognize this and have not given up. You are back on track and that is the important thing. I am with you always having to watch you eat. I have to plan plan plan or I will eat eat eat everything in sight because I just can't see to be satisfied. When I plan I know how much I am going to eat and know that that is enough.

Wednesday
 

hi all:

great to see all the lovely posts--sounds like we are all doing good now and getting over some hurdles.

would love to hear some thanksgiving plans from everyone!

I am going to keep track of my exercise since I really need to be consistent.

Sunday: Walk 30 min, 25 minutes stretching and calisthenics
Monday: Walk 30 minutes, 15 minutes stretching
Tuesday: Walk 30 minutes, 25 minutes stretching and calisthenics
Wednesday: Walk 30 minutes, 2 hours housework, stretch 15

I feel so blessed that I get to raise my kids and work in the evenings. I usually split up my workouts, because of the kids, so I do 30 minutes cardio, then maybe an hour later I do 20 minutes of weights, and when Tommy is napping I do 20 minute Pilates, I usually stretch for 10 minutes. I just think I get bored so I start working out. As for energy some days it varys. My 1 yo sleeps for 1.5 hours before waking up screaming, So I rarely get more than 5 hours of sleep at night, and Never is it continuous sleep. I did not get my 90 minutes in yesterday :( I only did 20; but then I realized I didn't change my ticker so I am over halfway to my November goal anyway.

Dolly YOU ARE SO LUCKY!!! I wish I could get some free massages sent my way! :)

For thanksgiving I plan On working out before dinner and going for a walk after dinner (this is my PLAN!) I will also feed my son off of my plate so I wont overeat anything. But I do plan on eating. I have to be able to stick to my healthy living for the rest of my life. If I don't give myself some special days, I know I will never follow through. (I also usually have 2 thanksgiving dinners one with DH's family one with mine)

Hi ladies. I'm really love reading how you're all doing it's quite the inspiration:carrot: especially when I sat at home last evening with my knee elevated feeling a little sorry for myself. I hate sitting around in the evenings doing nothing but watch TV or reading. I spend all day working with young children and i love them dearly but come quiting time i want to get out abit. My neighborhood has a great informal walking group and I have many gym buddies so I'm going to rest for the next 3 days and then get back to it. When I'm not active i eat so I'd better start knitting or something like that.

Card good luck with the work confrontation. Setting limits can be so hard but it's something we could all learn to do better. It takes alot of courage to say no and some times it's just easier to go with the flow but nobody should be loaded down with stress it just isn't good for you. I've yoyoed my weight for years and have to learn to be dilligent always as well or I'm never going to suceed so heres some:dust: for all who need it.

I love massage therapy Dollypie. The first time might hurt abit but once you get those muscle knots out it feels great. An epsoms salt bath after really helps and you sleep great after. I try and go about once a month and I think I'm about due. I had pysiotherapy last night on my MCL injured knee and it helped alot with getting back my range of motion so I'm hopeful I'll be back to normal soon.

Markie I've done water aerobics before and I'll be doing them consistantly in the next week or two as they are low impact. Yes the Leafs are pretty hot right now but I'm crossing my fingers for the rest of the season and we'll see what happens when they meet the Canes.

I have to admire your exercise schedule Jeni. It takes alot of perseverance to do things on your own. I've always tried to use the buddy system for exercising. I make a date and even if I don't feel like doing it I still do as I've already commited and I always feel great after.

Stacy good to hear someone else works out with there kids. My oldest daughter and I belong to the same gym and she often motivates me to go It's a great way for me to connect with her. So often we are at odds with each other as she stretches her wings and I worry about what she's doing. The gym is a neutral ground and we always seem to have good chats.
Those cysts don't sound like any fun and insuline resistance is a huge obstacle. My docter says I have something called metabolic syndrome which is much like insuline resistance. The reason I chose the GI diet is because of this. If I can follow it properly and eat the high fiber,protein meals frequently
After about a week I start to loose weigh relatively quickly. Any form of sugar sabatoges my will power so getting through the first week is always the key. Good luck with keeping to your exercise schedule.

Good to hear your maintaining your loss Snow. When I maintain weight loss consistantly for about a week it seems to reset my system and then it doesn't go up as easily when I cheat.

Well I must go and eat one of those high fiber /protein meals so by for now.

Nina

Did well eating today. I am really craving sweets this evening, but had a glass of fat free egg nog instead, probably still has too many calories but I need a treat. My boss didn't show up for work again today so I didn't get to have my big confrontation. I don't think i'll be able to have it until Friday now.

Dolly - congrats on the massages. What goes around comes around, you must have done something right lately.

Snow - luckily for me thanksgiving is over here. At my current weight who knows what would have happened. Good luck to all of you though.

jcatron - I still think you are amazing, I had to have a nap tonight before I could even do a minimal amount of housework.

40 - I wish i had a few buddies to exercise. There is no one around me. It might actually help me get motivated. I work in a day care so I know the feeling of just wanting to talk to a few adults. Luckily my dh loves to talk, I'm not saying it is necessarily a conversation because I don't have to give alot of responses but at least there is some adult content.

Good evening ladies ... I'm happy to say I've had another good day with the food, kept my calories around 1650 or so. I'm going back to eating Lean Cuisines for dinner part of the time; I had very good luck doing that when I was losing the 45 lbs. It satisfied my need for variety, but without too many calories. It's also helpful around the holidays to just microwave dinner! :D

Card, so sorry that you didn't get the whole business at work over with. It's stressful to keep thinking about what's ahead! :hug: I've never tried the fat-free egg nog, but must give it a try.

Nina, I hope your knee improves quickly for you. They're such tricky little devils! :devil: The main thing I've learned is NOT to take long walks on hard surfaces everyday. I walk on the grass now whenever possible. BTW, my Hurricanes bounced back and beat the New York Rangers tonight. (And those Sabres lost tonight ......... almost as good as us winning! :D ) Good luck to your guys against Boston tomorrow night!

Dolly, you lucky little devil!!! All those massages ... you must have been helping lots of elderly people across the street or something like that recently! :smug:

Okay, three days under my belt, and I'm surviving. Hope you're all having a good week, ladies! :grouphug:

Markie

good night all!
 

Had a super busy day today--got lots done for a change. worked on housework for two hours--had energy after taking my walk and actually got the floor really clean for the first time in a while. Feels really good. I also got some writing done. Had a good eating day too. around 1500 cals. The last few weeks I have been counting calories for 4 days eating what I want and then doing low carb atkins type induction for three days. It seems to be working--a different kind of cycling.

I think I did too much today because I am having trouble getting to sleep.
Tomorrow I see my new doctor and will bug her about what to do about my constant colds.

Still kinda worried about thanksgiving--want to keep losing and I know that in the past these holidays can really screw me up. I guess I will really partake of the will power dust and make sure that I get right back on plan after the feasting!

Dolly really scored huh! I have a friend who is pretty wealthy and takes me for massage with her sometimes. It is really awesome. I used to have a regular massage therapist but have not been able to afford going since being off of work. It really helps though--I need one now after all the toothaches my necks has been in knots.

Jeni your workout sounds great--and you are doing such a great job being around your kids--it makes such a difference!

Nina--glad you had some physiotherapy--sounds like just what your knee needed!

Card: keep it up I know you can do it--just keep trying and keep posting. Good luck with getting things clear with your boss--hope you dont have to wait too long--it always makes me nervous having to wait on stuff like that.

Markie; congrats on passing the three day mark! The lean cuisine idea sounds good tho it sounds hard. I know I had some in the fridge at work for when I couldnt get anything else and I must admit some of them were pretty bad. But good for portion control.

Okay--I am going to try to sleep again!

Hi ladies! We lost power yesterday for 7 hours!! After 2 hours we went to my dads. I didn't get a workout, but my calories were okay for the day.

I have really liked the Lean Cuisines that I have tried (I especially like the mushroom and spinich pizza) I always have mine with a salad! or some veggies. I have been having them for lunch!

Good afternoon all. I had a good day yesterday and I'm on track today as well. Quite the storm that hit the west coast. I grew up on Vancouver Island and still have lots of family there Jeni. Some of them were still without power this morning.
Card I'm the owner operator of a small daycare facility and still love it after 17 years. The older my kids get the more I appreciate small children and their uncomplicated approach to life. I run a full time day program and have a before and afterschool program as well. Some days I'm completely exhausted by 5:00 so can sympathize.

Hope you're all having a great day and GO LEAF GO!!!
Nina

good day
 

Hello ladies, I am very hopeful about tomorrows weigh in. I have been a good girl all week. Got in three days at the gym, which is good enough for me post surgery. Today has great promise for being a good eating day, salmon, asperigus, roasted carrots, and beets for dinner. I already have myself mentally prepared for no splurge day tomorrow...it wont feel like a friday with me being on my diet, but i think i will be glad i didnt splurge in the long run, considering i am going to be out of town for :thanks1: next week. I do plan to take a cooler and eat healthy the whole way there and back...we usually stop at fast food while traveling...so that will be a change.

Nina- That is cool that you work out with you daughter. :swim: Water aerobics sounds great for your knee, as a weight bearing alternative. Sugar screws me up too, once i have a bite of it, forget it...i can eat anything not nailed down but if i keep my protiens in balance and limit carbs and avoid pure sugar....i really dont have cravings, which is a BOLD statement for me considering favorite foods are rolls, biscuits, cornbread, pasta....carboholic big time, but if i stop the cycle, i am fine.

Jeni-Bummer about losing power. We have had some aweful hard rain with tornados in my area too. Good idea about working out before dinner and after dinner. I think i will join you on that. My inlaws, where we are going to be has a beautiful neighborhood that is great for walking...so i think i will walk every morning, :running: big long walk with the kids and then long walk after dinner each night. Good idea.

Marki-I live on Lean Cuisine at work and as a quick, keep me in line lunch at home too. I love the seseme chicken a lot and any of their italian ones, like Jeni said, are GREAT with salads. How is day four shaping up? Good for you for getting three days in a row under your belt. :carrot:

Sno- Good for you for getting that walking in and some house cleaning too. :cp: I know what you mean about over doing it though. There is a happy medium that i have to stay at, if i work too hard or not enough i get restless leg REALLY bad.

Card- WTG on some ff eggnog...think of all you could have had, then you managed that craving to do minimal damage if any. Good job. :bravo:

Oh, small NSV to report. Last night the kids made micorwave popcorn and brought a bowl in for everyone. :corn: Everyone had some and enjoyed it, except me. I resisted and didnt have a single kernal. I have a rule NO EATING after dinner...none, nadda, zip....so i stuck to my rule...even though it smelled so good...i felt so strong after it was all gone that i didnt break my rule. And my blue jeans were loose today, last year at this time they were super tight (and these are the stretchy bluejeans)....they are so loose they will probably be retired. :dance:

Good afternoon girls ... :thanks1:

Day #4 is going very well, and now that our storm warnings and tornado watches have expired, I'm going to get in a long walk this afternoon. My weight was down by three lbs. today (since Monday) so I couldn't resist changing my ticker now. My official weigh-in is Monday .......... BUT I'm TOO happy! :D

At one time, I found most frozen diet entrees to be not very good, but I think Lean Cuisines & Weight Watcher's entrees, etc., have been VASTLY improved. Now, I'm a good cook, picky about my food in restaurants, yadda yadda .... but I CONFESS .... I find some of the Lean Cuisines really, really tasty. For example, the Santa Fe Beans & Rice, Asian PotStickers, Vegetable Eggroll, Sesame Chicken, Orange Chicken (and I could go on and on ... :p). But there are certain others ... if they were the only ones I'd tried, I would NOT be impressed. I like to upgrade their pizzas with a little fresh diced tomato, minced sweet onion, a little minced pepperoni (a little gives a lot of flavor), a little extra Parmesan, and they are much tastier that way, for very few added calories. If you add some veggies, a salad or fruit, maybe a slice of bread, you can have a good meal using LC's, I think. But I understand how you feel, Snow, as a good friend of mine doesn't care for them at all. :)

Stacy, good for you traveling with that cooler! I keep meaning to do that, never quite manage and then end up at Cracker Barrel! :( I'm going to try to be more like you next time!!!

Snow, your diet plan sounds good ... one style for 4 days, another for 3. Keeps your body guessing that way ... AND you don't get bored!

Ladies, I'd best get to the post office to mail some boxes, then back for that long walk. You girls have an excellent day! :flow1:

Good Afternoon Ladies,

Okay the massage yesterday was so great! I felt so good, I think alot of my muscles were still tight after vacation, so I am back to feeling normal...until Sunday.

So okay ladies I am going to need some support to get through Sunday with an early Thanksgiving dinner. It will not just be the food, but very stressful which will want to make me overeat even more. My parents divorce two years ago b/c my father found a new girlfriend and then a new family (three daughters w/ a livein friend and three grandkids). Let's just say I have had a hard time adjusting and so has my brother. Well DH and I finally bought a house this year so I am having Thanksgiving at my house b/c I didn't want to be with the "girlfriends" family. So I talked to my Dad yesterday about Sunday and how many people were coming. He said just me and the "girlfriend" unless it is okay for all of her kids to come. Let just say that I am always the better person and want to make everyone happy and still have a relationship with my Dad unlike my brother. So know the "girlfriend and her 3 daughter + a friend and 3 grandkids are coming. I just don't know what to do sometimes. I know that my brother and his new wife will most likely be upset but not say anything and the "girlfriends" family make all of us uncomfortable. I know I should have told him NO in the first place, but I just give in. I am so confused and upset...know I have to feed 7 extra mouths that I don't even like. Needless to say the last thing I am worried about is how much I am eating... But hey it's Thanksgiving and I am going to try and be positive about this!!!!!

markieposter: Congratulations on the lose! Way to GO! That will be motivation to make it through the holidays!

Get n healthy: Great idea w/ the cooler. When I go to my inlaws I take fruit b/c they do not eat any. Just remember you have worked so hard with your loss and try and get in a few afternoon walks if possible.

40 before 40 and card: Can I just say that both of you are very special ladies to work with small children all day long! Now if only the parents didn't get in the way...hahaha

Snow: Tonight is my night for all that housework, mind coming to Texas to help?

Everyone have a healthy evening!

Markie I agree... I am quite picky about food and like high quality but I have found many of the Lean Cuisines to be quite good in a crunch. I especially like their "spa" line with whole grains. The other day I tried the Lemongrass Chicken which is a Thai-inspired dish and was really pleased. They are a lifesaver when I only have a few Weight Watcher points left for dinner... calorie and portion controlled. Gotta' love that! I also like to add some additional fresh veggies or lite cheese or seasoning to boost the flavor. We also have a few of the larger Lean Cuisine dinners that come in the bag and serve both me and my husband. Super easy when in a rush or just too tired to cook. Have you ever tried the "Amy's" line of organic, vegetarian frozen meals? They are SO good... but not necessarily low-fat or as low-calorie as Lean Cuisine. Delicious but expensive.

Thursday
 

Hi all:

well I guess I am learning that lean cuisine is better than I thought--maybe it was one of the old recipes. I just remember having a little piece of meat in gravy that didnt taste like anything and wondering if it was even food. But that lemongrass one sounds really good.

I am working on what to bring to the in-laws for thanksgiving--whether to make bread or just buy it--we'll see. Also I like to bring pie. And I am thinking about a potato side dish--I like to cook and it is nice to have the opportunity to bring something that I wouldnt normally eat and not have leftovers at home.

No Dolly-- I wont come to texas to help with housework--tho it sounds kinda fun to get outa town!

Sunday: Walk 30 min, 25 minutes stretching and calisthenics
Monday: Walk 30 minutes, 15 minutes stretching
Tuesday: Walk 30 minutes, 25 minutes stretching and calisthenics
Wednesday: Walk 30 minutes, 2 hours housework, stretch 15
Thurs: Walk 30 minutes stretch 15, 15 minutes calisthenics