Elycia-- Oh yeah Turbo Jam is alot of fun, just takes alot of patience and coordination.. My little one looks at me like I have gone bonkers..LOL

BlueSparkie--- We're glad to have ya here.. It does take alot to stop making excuses, but the first step is realizing that you do need to change.. You are on the right path and the ladies here are wonderful. This is a very supportative group.

Gale-- Congrats on the 2.5 lbs.. its a move in the right direction.

I have a feeling this week and next week I will not do too good.. TOM is here and I already feel it. Plus my little one has not been sleeping too well, he is teething, therefore I have tried to adjust my sleeping schedule to his and its just not working to well. Here lately it seems like I sleep most of my weekend away, since thats usually when I get a break. So its not going to be a good week.

Hi, ladies!!

I hope the day is going well for all of you—if not, so be it, you’ll live.
Sahm… don’t listen to anything TOM has to "say", focus on what you need instead. Above all, don’t worry about being perfect; if you’ve already decided this is going to be a tough two-week period, well then make the best of it. Just concentrate on making small changes and let it be a teeny step forward as opposed to a huge stumbling block. Then come back here and tell us how you did it.

Yay, Elycia, my fellow Body Pump enthusiast!! I must confess that I’ve been deliberately avoiding the scale for fear of mistaking muscle for fat… Blah. Come to think of it, I’d much rather judge my progress by how my clothes fit and whether or not I can see my abs. (I can’t see them either, by the way. There’s a stubborn, thick layer of absolute fat hovering over them. )

Aleecia, if it makes you feel any better, I'm going to have to drag myself out of bed tomorrow morning at 4:30 just to barely make it to my Body Pump class on time...

Welcome, Bluesparkie!!! Grad school is my goal for next year-- I can't wait. What are you studying, if I may ask?

Cheers to all!!

elizabeth

Hey there! Hope that everyone had a great day. My day was another busy one. I tell ya, the day is over before I know it. I keep ending up getting my workout in 9:00 at night. I hate that, but I guess better late than never. Tonight I did Express Total Body Shaping. It was okay, not my favorite. I have been wearing my new HRM which is nice. It counts calories, time and keeps a record of what I do. It's a nice little incentive toy. Each 5% goal that I reach is a new little gadget or thing for myself. I am real close to reaching my 2nd 5% and I plan to buy myself a new pair of crosstrainers.

It's so good to see you guys today. Hi Bluesparkle. Glad to see you come out of lurkdom to join us. I certainly understand things gettting in the way, but you've made a very positive step by joining our checkin. It can be a real encouraging place. Definitely lift those weights. The way I see it, I don't want to lose weight and have the same shape, essentially a smaller version of my fat self. I want to redefine my shape and look strong and toned when I get to goal. I look foward to hearing more from you and about your goals.

Hi Angel. Allright! You are rockin'. 5:00 a.m. Now that's motivation! You know, I think the morning is the best time to workout. For one, like you said, it makes you feel better the rest of the day because that is time that you are investing in yourself and it boosts endorphins. Secondly, if you do it first thing in the morning, its out of the way. You don't have to worry about being tired later or forgetting about your workout. Great job! You know, I am so happy to see that you are a workout at home person. There are alot of people that feel that in order to get a true workout, you have to go to a gym or workout outside, but I tell ya, I have gotten great results currently and in the past working out at home and I LOVE IT! I don't have to worry about when I workout or how I look. It's great!

SAHM, I completely agree with Elizabeth. TOM can be a tough time, but you've got to try your very best not to succumb to the temptations or let the hardships get to you. Lord knows when I first got started, it was soooo hard. I actually got a awful headaches 3 or 4 days in a row. I think it was some type of withdrawal from pop or something, but it was terrible. But I said to myself "I am not going to mess up" and you know what, I didn't. Then there were the days where I felt like I was working soooo hard and then I'd get on the scale and it wouldn't budge. It actually went up! I was so upset and so tempted to go and eat something just to make myself feel better, but something inside me said that I couldn't and I didn't. Long and short of it is, you have got to try to wrap your mind around the whole concept of losing weight and all that it entails. It is going to take alot of committment and alot of work, but remember you are worth it and your body will thank you for doing it. Just do the best you can and check in for support anytime you like. That's what we are here for.

Hey there Elizabeth. So good to see ya. I know what you are talking about with the muscle thing. That is probably what was happening at the beginning when I couldn't get out of the 240's. Very frustrating times. Now I'm trying to get out of the 230's. So 4:30 a.m, eh. Again, that is some real committment. Tell us how you enjoyed that class. Sounds fun!

Well, I really better get going. I will see you guys tomorrow.

Ciao!

Elycia

Aleecia - I hope you're feeling better and are able to get back to your workouts. I always feel like I'm slipping up when I miss regularly scheduled exercise.

SAHMof1 - Don't worry, I'd probably look like a flopping fish if I tried to do Turbo Jam, too. The walking videos are quite easy though. I've done a couple of them, and it's nice to be able to follow a video easily from the first time. As for this coming week, I hope you're able to pull through with eating healthy. Sometimes I find it so hard to exercise (or do anything) when its TOM. I figured if I just keep eating how I should during that time, then I can at least maintain what I've lost. And, I hope your little one isn't feeling too bad!

Jennie - A three mile run is amazing! Good job for fitting it in when you find time. I admire all of you with kids. I can't imagine how hard this would be if I had kids to take care of as well.

Elycia - Your idea to lose your weight in percentages is great! I think the reason why I've never seriously tried to lose weight before is because I was too overwhelmed with how much I would have to lose. Then, when I really started to look at the numbers and break things down, I thought that this might just be do-able.

bluesparkie - Hi! Welcome! Glad to hear that you've decided to lurk no longer. I think the more of us here to talk to and motivate each other, then the better off we all are. And, hopefully this time next year we will all still be here and be much closer to our goals, if not at them.

Elizabeth - 4:30 am? Sheesh. You're braver than me. I'd cry if I had to get up that early. I'd mysteriously miss each morning workout that I had scheduled. I'm one of those people that likes to exercise after work. On the weekends, I'll usually do it around noon or so since I don't have to be anywhere.

I was flipping channels last night before I went to bed, and I happened upon a show about severely overweight teens. I felt so bad for the 17 year old boy they were following through the show. He was over 400 pounds and he seemed so miserable and unhappy. My brothers are a few years younger than me, and they've been overweight since they were teenagers as well. They never tell me about how hard it is, but I know that they had trouble in high school. All they do now is sit in my parents' house and play video games. They hate going out in public because they're so big; I would say at least 380, if not 400. I want to lose some weight so I can motivate them to start losing as well. I don't want them to end up having health problems because they never tried to eat healthy. My mother is no help because she buys them whatever food they want. I'm going home for Thanksgiving, so I want to have at least 20 to 25 pound gone from my starting weight so it is noticable. I want them to know that it can be done if they just commit to it.

Morning Girls,

Only got a second this morning. Its crazy busy at work this morning.
Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thursday

Another 5:00 am workout complete this morning. I almost feel a 100%. I think one more day and I can kick this cold.

Gale-I watched that same program last night. It was really sad. Did you see the end? He went from 406lbs down to 180lbs via gastric bypass surgery.
I hope you can help motivate your brothers too. Just know that you can't force people to lose weight. I think we all know that. I would just keep working on yourself and maybe that will be motivation enough for them to want and change. Good Luck.

Well I gotta run for now, I will try to check in a little later.

Hello everyone:

Just popping in real quick. I am eating a BBQ chicken pizza on a Boboli and it is soooo good. I am trying to eat more chicken and trying of think of different ways to incorporate it.

I got on the scale this morning and I am at a bit of a standstill. Still just sitting at 230. I am hoping that I move on. I wanted so badly to see 229 this morning, but alas, still sitting there. I notice something. It seems like every 10 lbs is a hurdle. It's as if my body is holding on and doesn't want me to get out of that weight range. Man, it fought me tooth and nail to get out of the 240's and now it's happening again. Hopefully by next week I can see a 220 number.

Angel, I am glad that you took a second to check in. Great job on getting that workout in, in spite of not feeling well. Allright Angel!

Gale, I didn't catch that show. Was that the Tyra show? My mother told me that she had a show recently about overweight kids and she helped them out. I don't really watch her show but the times that I have watched it, I thought that she really does try to help her guests. Some of those shows end without any resolution. Just seems like they are just putting the guests dirty laundry in the street more than anything. Well, my girls are my real motivation for making changes in my diet and weight. If I can at all help it, I don't want them to have to deal with weight issues because of a poor diet and inactivity.

Well, I better run. I have sooooooooooo much packing to do and I still have to workout. I am going to try hard to get it in before 9:00 like I have been. I don't have to work tomorrow, so perhaps I can get more done tomorrow.

Ciao!

Elycia

Whats up Elycia, How are a you? I hope you ladies don't mind if I join you. I have been doing this since August and last month i started going backwards. So I need someone to Kick me again. Elycia thats were you come in. I have to get my workouts back up to at 4 days a week and more if i can. My H has been working 12 hour shifts and i normally go to the gym. It is becoming a daycare issue lately with the baby. Elycia i may just have to start working out at home. And you know I hate that.

Hey Trish! Good to see ya. Girl, you know you can drop in any time you feel like it. Aww, man, sorry to hear that you are going backwards. Nobody wants that. Yeah, if your hubby is working 12 hour shifts, your only way to get workouts in is to either workout at home or pop baby in the stroller and go for a walk. We will have to talk and maybe we can make out a rotation for you. Just 1 week at a time. I love rotations because I know that it is something that I have scheduled to do and so I try my best to stick with it. Let me know what home workouts you have and I probably type one up for ya here.

No matter what, don't give up! I know that you really want this and while it is going to be some hard work, it will be worth it. So far, I have lost 20 lbs and while I am nowhere near my goal, it feels so good to know that I have lost it and that I worked for it. What is your motivation? My motivation is my little girls. I can't bear the thought of them seeing me stuff my face with fattening stuff all of the time and I certainly don't them eating it. So my daughters along with the fact that I just want to look better keep me on track. I know I will reach my health and fitness goals and if you wrap your mind around the idea of losing weight, you will too.

Again, drop in anytime and you can call me anytime. We don't have to be alone to lose this weight.

Well, ladies, I am going to get to cleaning and packing. I will see you guys tomorrow.

Elycia

HAPPY FRIDAY GIRLS

Can you tell I'm ready for a long weekend.

Hope everyone is doing well. I think overall I am pretty pleased with how this week has gone so far. I feel like I'm back on track again. It feels great. I'm actually excited about this again. Now if the scale would start moving I would be even happier.

Anyone have any great plans for the weekend? I am trying to get my house in order for a big Halloween bash that we are having. We have one every year for my husbands birthday. This year we decided to make it a theme party. We have chosen to do a Toga party. Should be lots of fun. I have a lot of cleaning to do though.

Trish-Glad you joined us! I am really enjoying everyone here in this group. Everyone has been very supportive. Good Luck to you!

Elycia - No, the program I was watching wasn't Tyra. It was a program on Discovery Health, I think. They were talking about the epidemic of obsese teenagers in the US. When I was a teen, I felt like I was the only one who was significantly overweight (not just 20 pounds). Apparently, that's not true. They're saying that millions of teens are overweight and in a few years could be a serious risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc. They followed a seventeen-year-old boy through a weight reduction surgery. He had a bit of trouble adjusting to the new lifestyle at first. He wouldn't take the vitamins he was given. He ate things that weren't so great for him, as well. However, by the end, he had lost over half of his body weight. About 60 or 70 pounds into it, they showed him walking down the street, and he was so happy to be able to walk without so much effort or discomfort. Apparently, his entire family was overweight. His mother had had surgery as well. His sister actually went the old fashioned way and watched her calories, ate smaller portions, and exercised.

Hi Trish! I can't imagine how difficult it is to deal with those 12 hour shifts. That's a long time to work. I always thought that a gym with a small daycare within would make loads of money. There are so many people out there that would like to go to the gym, but can't because they have children to care for.

Aleecia - The Halloween party sounds like fun! I'm not doing anything incredibly exciting this weekend. I'll probably spend most of my time walking and reading on my balcony. I like low-key weekends because I'd rather sleep in and relax that run around and do things. Plus, I love taking mid-morning walks because the air is still a bit crisp.

I almost took the day off work, but I have a few lingering issues here in the office, and I didn't want to let them sit around for the weekend. I've been up late the last two nights, so I'm beat.

Has anyone tried those sushi avacado rolls? I don't eat fish, so I've never had sushi before, but the whole foods markets (and some of the larger chains) have started to offer pre-packed trays of sushi. The avacado rolls have avacado wrapped in sticky rice and seaweed paper. I got some yesterday to snack on. They're only about 40 calories each, which isn't bad because I can never eat more than four at a time.

Happy Friday, Ladies! And thank you all so much for your welcomes and encouragement. I'm so relieved that this week is over, it's been an especially long one for me. I have a really hard time saying no to other people and so I tend to overcommit myself and then end up with no time to do the things that I care about. However, this weekend that is only partially true since I said no to everyone who wanted my time tomorrow so that I can go into Boston to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I'm so excited, it's going to be a super time and I get to spend time with my friends that I never get to see. After that, I have to be responsible and do work for school and take care of a bunch of errands, but tomorrow is MINE.

SAHM: I hope that your week ended up better and that you managed to get some good rest, even with TOM and teething (sounds like a tough combo).

Elizabeth: I'm working on getting my PhD in school psychology, only 17 million more years to go. Well, it certainly feels like that at least.

Elycia: Thanks for the weight lifting encouragement. Your Boboli pizza sounded so good that you seriously made me want to go make my own BBQ chicken pizza...

Aleecia: your toga party souds like a really fun time, I haven't been to one since I was in college but we always had a rocking good time.

Gale: I loove avocado rolls, but i really do enjoy sushi in (almost) any way that it comes. I'm a wierd one, I'll eat the bbq eel but not the tuna sashimi. It's awesome when you have a cold and can eat loads of wasabi to clean out your sinuses.

OK, that's all from me for now, I'm going to get back to work and make my way through the rest of the day so that I can have fun tomorrow. YAY!

HI, everyone!! I'm REALLY pressed for time right now, so this will be an ubber quick post! I just want to wish you all an awesome weekend!! (Welcome, Trish!)

I'll post again on Sunday...

cheers & stay tough!!

Hey ladies.. Hope you all are having a great weekend. This week went by pretty fast, even though its TOM and teething in this house. I have done really well. I am staying on plan and still working out. Dh has even stepped up to the plate to committed to doing this with me.

Gail-- I have seen that program and yes it is sad for a teenager to have to go through that. Its amazing what a problem obesity has become for our youth. I just hope that doctors aren't doing bad by following through with the bypass at such a young age.. Can a teenager really wrap their mind around the idea of such a drastic life change?

I hope this weekend finds you all losing and sticking to your goals..

Hi ladies:

Just popping in real quick. Another crazy day in our house. Whew! I tell ya, this move is going to be here before I know it and I still have so much work to do.

I was thinking, since this month's focus is resolve, why don't we do a 7 day challenge? About 1 month ago, I joined a seven day challenge and I thought that it was great! Basically, I challenged myself to do 3 things over the next seven days. Each day, I would check in and if I did good, that was great, but if I didn't my 7 days would have to start all over again. It really kept me accountable because 1) I didn't want to check in that I failed and 2) I didn't want to start all over again. What do you guys think of that? You guys game?

Okay, it doesn't have to be any specific number of items, but hopefully at least 2 things that you will try your best to stick to DAILY for at least 7 days. Okay, my things will be:

- drink at least 1 liter of water everyday (man, that can be a toughie)
- not miss a single day of my exercise rotation
- eat at least 3 apples per day.

Okay, those are my challenges for the next 7 days. I think I will get started on Monday because I have to go buy some apples. I hope that you guys will join me.

Well, I better get going. See you guys tomorrow. I am so glad to see everyone here trying hard. That is so encouraging.

Elycia

Hey Ladies,
man, I have had a rough couple of days. work has been nonstop, food has been OK, not good but not bad, I havn't had time to excersis, and my son has been having some discipline issues that have been pushing me to the edge. plus I thnk a lot of this had been intesified by PMS. not sure but I hope things aren't really as bad as they seem. I feel like I am about to lose my mind. I need to get a run in but I can't leave my son with my parents until I feel the behavior issues have been addressed. urghhhh....

Elycia, I like the idea of the challenge, so my 7 day challenge will be:
Plan my meals, not excuses for junk food that way
excersise 4 of the 7 days

Gail, I hope you can help to motivate your brothers. I didn't see that program but I was over weight as a teen and I know how hard it was.

Aleecia, have a fun haloween party, I love dressing up!

Blue sparkle, the rocky horror picture show sounds fun I used to watch that in high school. I'm glad lyou made time for your self to do the time warp!

hi to everyone else, I hope eveyone had a great weekend.
ttyl
Jennie