Hi Jasmine!~Hi everyone! For those here that I haven't met, my name is Jeni, I started this new healthy living lifestyle Aug 14, 2006. I have my slip ups like everyone, but I have managed to lose 23 pounds since I started. I have a wonderful husband and two young children, Makenna is 3, Tommy is one.
1. My starting weight was 187 in Aug; although my highest weight was 199 (October 2002) My current weight is 164.
2. I spend most of my exercise time on my exercise bike, I try for 30 minutes per day. I also try to strength train for about 20 minutes per day and stretch another 10. I try to do something every day, but my average is 40-50 minutes per day (although I do have at least one 80 minute day per week.
3. I am a calorie counter. I calorie cycle and try to have my daily average at 1430 (although I have been waivering this past week!)
I love challenges and I love the support that I get with all the ladies here!

Hey guys,

I noticed your thread and figured I would join. I'm Jordan and struggling to lose weight. I've always been big for my age. Heck, when I was in 3rd grade a kindergartener thought I was a teacher. In 5th grade I reached 160lbs and I was 5'5'', size 12/14. I was living in germany at the time and when I went back to the states I lived with my grandma for the summer and gained 20-30lbs in 2 months(she makes really fatting food). I really didnt think anything was wrong with me until 6th grade when everyone was smaller then me. From 6th grade I became depressed about everything and finally the summer before 9th grade I weighted myself at 225(and I'm 5'7'' now). I finally decided to do something about it then. I didnt really do anything for the first couple months, I was just doing my gym class and that was it. Around May this year I got down to 200, and then I went to the states to visit my mom/sister. When I went back they had junk food everywhere. At first I was able to avoid it but then my mom wanted to take me to all these restaurant that they dont have in germany. In July I went back up to 210 in only 5 weeks. My step mom push me and by the time school started( 1 month later) I dropped 10lbs. Since August I've gone down to 188 and now Im struggling to get lower. My goal is 130-125 by August of next year, but Im hoping by my 16th birthday I can get to 140.(May) Yeah, so this is getting pretty long so I'll put all my info now..

1. Today-188
2. I try to do as much in the week as I can take, but with school I tend to get lazy. I going to the gym on the weekends and walk every couple days..
3. I use fitday, and I've actually been trying to increase my calorie intake because I only eat -1300 a day. Im never hungry.


Sorry this is so long. I get carried away when I write.

Hun.e.B:

Oh wow! I hope you can get it next weekend. Well today is a new day so you can get back on track! Have fun with the homework!

Thanx hun! I really want to ring in the new year at 200 or 199 but I tell myself not to be obsessed with it. If I come up a little over then that is okay! Congrats on winning! That is awesome! As far as moving, we want to move up there near the beginning of next year. We are waiting til after x~mas then are going to go down and try to file something with the courts. When Jan hits it will be 1 year with no contact whatsoever from my ex to our kids! What a jerk. The kids all want to move as well and are happy they have a step dad who actually spends time with them. My ex was an otr driver so was never really around much anyhow. Unfortunately since social security is paying $500.00 a month for child support for the kids we can't file abandonment charges. So we have to petition the court and ask for permission to move. *sigh* Keep your fingers crossed everyone! Since he has not bothered to be a part of their lives yet is elgible for calls, letters and to pick them up every other weekend and never does, not even a visit! Then why should we be stuck here!!

jcatron243:

I am so glad you joined us sweetie! I missed ya in my last challenge! I think you are doing great! And if you started at 199 then I think you should put your beginning weight as that.

Leygh:

Well first I wanted to welcome you hun! Second I read all you had to say and don't ever worry about being too longwinded here! Some of us are the same way!

What I did want to tell you is to not set your goal too low. (Please forgive me if I sound bossy.) From what I have heard and go by as a general rule of thumb is this: For every 5 feet = 100 pounds. For every inch after is 5-10 pounds depending on bone structure. So at your heighth, 135-170 would be a safe goal. 10 less is not that big of a deal I guess. I know Glory on the board is like 127 and 5'7 and I know she is healthy. But just don't stress yourself out over it. At my heighth 120-140 is good for me and I really want to get to 135. I have been at 160 before and was pretty comfy and healthy so if I can just get to that again(I know I can) I will be happy. As for 1300 a day, I know they say safely no lower than 1300 so at least you are doing that. I know some women are doing 1400-1600 and losing. Some women a little more. Every ones bodies are different. Sometimes you have to eat more to lose more too.

I know I was a bit stressed this month cause my cals were roughly the same as last month, in fact at times they were a little lower. (1625 average as compared to 1750 average of last month) plus I was walking an average of 23 minutes more a day! But I was barely losing 1.5 a week as compared to 2.5 a week like last month. I even had less "bad meals" than last month! This is actually what I was going to write earlier and lost it. On friday after recommitting to my x~mas goal, I did 1714 cals that day, 1819 cals saturday and instead of walking the 90 minutes or more like I had been doing for this month, I only did 60 the 23rd, 24th and 25th, I MADE sure I got my water though and that I am getting enough calcium and voila! I lost 1.5 as of today since friday! SO basically 1.5 pounds in2 days instead of 1.5 in one week! So it wasn't helping me cutting the cals and exercising more! In fact I think it was making my body hold the fat cause I was exerting myself more! *sigh*

So, this is my new plan. 1700 average calories for the day, my 60 minutes of brisk walking for sure, if I happen to get more in I will keep track of it and log it but I will chalk it off to just being active and not actually "trying" to do it. Like if I'm at 60 already and saying, hey go do another 30-60. If I am already at 60 and I happen to need to walk somewhere downtown or out here I will do it but not cause I am pushing myself to do more. Maybe I will have to lower my cals when I get under 200, but not today.

Now don't get me wrong anyone, I actually wouldn't mind doing 1400 cals a day and there are days when I have to strive to add more cals in! But If it is not helping me lose any faster and is actually slowing the boat then why do it! A great way I have found to add healthy cals and healthy fats is nuts! Low salted nuts!

I did start my 8 minute abs thursday nite and did defo feel them working! I did them last nite again. I did my pilates on thursday and want to do that again tonite and the abs again tonite. So that is something I am trying to work in my routine for the week as well. I really think they are helping especially to shale things up!

Anyhow have a great losing day everyone! I need to run and do chores! Today is my red meat and potato day. Yummmm!!!

Jasmine that would be so great if we both can reach 199 by new years

Jasmine:
You are so right about training our bodies. Without restricting ourselves, we can still lose weight. It might take longer, but atleast it's a reasonable adjustment for our bodies, and our cravings still get a little on the side. It's like everyone in our bodies is happY!
And congrats on getting back down to where you were before TG, and then some!

Melissa:
I think that your goals look fabulous! And definitely attainable.
M.I.A. means "Missing In Action." It's a military term, used when a soldier is unaccounted for on the battle field. I guess I should have used A.W.O.L. (away without leave, although it could've been a battle field at my mom's!).

Jenabelle:
Welcome to our group! I'm all about the portion control myself!

Loveandlaughalways:
Welcome! I love your username. Two of the key ingredients to life! Your boys sound like great little guys! You have set up some great goals. I especially like #3. I look at my support as my safety net. And having others that are trying to reach similar goals makes it more likely to be motivated!! If we can do it, you can do it! And if you can do it, we can do it!
Ouch about the foot breaking! I'm not a doctor, but I don't think you weigh so much that your weight would cause you to break your foot. I think it is definitely a good idea to get your bone density checked out, and maybe talk to your doctor about taking a Calcium w/ Magnesium suppliment to strengthen your bones!

Losing4another:
Welcome! And way to go on TG! You managed to maintain, and that is super AWESOME!!! With the sugar, that is pretty common I'm finding. For example, if I eat empty calories, that will trigger a full day of bingeing on empty calories. So for the most part, I stay away from empty calories! I think I can find some good recipes for holiday treats that don't use white sugar, but rather splenda! I will be more than happy to share!

JasonsLea:
So glad you came to join us! We were definitely missing you while you were away from the comp!

Stopeating:
Way to go on maintaining over TG!!! I helped my mom decorate her house over the weekend, and DF and I are decorating tomorrow. YAY!
Congratulations on your son graduating this year! And wheelchair basketball, he must be in great shape! And way to go on the steps!!!!!! He sounds so inspiring! He must be a great role model for you! I know that when I see someone facing adversity in life, chin up, and face in to the wind, it makes me want to be better, and do better by my own self. I think he sounds absolutely amazing!! I bet he's handsome, too

Jeni:
Congratulations on the loss thus far!! And little toddlers, I love kids! I can't wait to hopefully have some of my own someday! Lord knows DF and I have planned so much, we should be about ready, LOL. From names to discipline, to rules, etc. It's great!
Your goals look great! Actually, really similar to mine!

Jordan:
Welcome to the group! You're gonna love it here!
You'll notice a couple of us are notorious for long posts, myself especially! (I swear, I get it from Jasmine! LOL)
You have come so far already, and a huge KUDOS to you for deciding to do something with your health so early on!
You're saying that you seem to be struggling to lose now. Could this be caused by a plateau? Basically, our bodies get used to the "rhythm" that we're in, and sometimes making some small changes will get you losing again. For example, a change to your exercise plan/types of exercises, calorie intake, etc. Good luck Some of the ladies here have hit plateau's and might have some advice for ya.

--
Woo! Okay, caught up! Will post a separate post about my weekend. Bleh is what I have to say!

Well, as you guys know I traveled to Southern Alberta (from Northern Alberta) to be with my mom while my step dad was in the hospital. He was having surgery on his back, and recently they discovered that he had had a major heart attack in the last 3 years. The back is taken care of, and I'm happy to report that he was discharged from the hospital today, and is back home safe and sound with my mom (who is very relieved). In about 3 weeks, he will have a post-op checkup, and they will do an ultrasound of his heart at that time, and start getting to work on that.

We were traveling from Bonnyville to Innisfail to see my mom (about a 7 hour drive). We had had a blizzard the previous few days, and weren't sure we'd make it out. However, we did. We didn't think the roads out would be that bad, but they were treacherous, with snow coming down the entire way. All ice! We made it safe and sound, but the snow followed us. Turns out there is an Arctic snap coming from up north, and temperatures all over Alberta (Canada) are in the minus. Right now it is -35C (-31F) with the wind chill factor.

Anyway, we were about 30 minutes outside of Red Deer when my BIL (soontobe) called, and asked us to meet them for dinner. We figured it would be somewhere along the tourist strip, but he wanted us to drive in to the city to meet them. When we finally found the place (both of us having only been to Red Deer a couple of times), it turned out to be a really fancy place. We had already been driving for about 7 hours, and were in sweats and hoodies. We decided to step in, tell them we were leaving, and head out. We left our niece with my BIL (her father), and headed the rest of the way home. Mom calls me and says she's heading over to the Legion for the meat draws, and that I should just meet her there. I had to change in to real clothes in the back of our suburban in some parking lot. By the time I got there, my mother was pretty well on her way to drunk. It was late, and the meat draws were over. She requested and dedicated the song Amanda (you know, "Amanda. Light of my life."), and wanted me to waltz with her. Unfortunately, I'm just not comfortable enough with my body to do that, so I said no. It went back and forth for a while, and finally she started crying, and said that I hurt her so badly. I, of course, just felt awful. Right then I knew that the weekend was going to be less than grand. When we got home, we watched some Scream Channel movies, and then headed to bed. The next day we decorated the house a bit, put up the tree etc, and then went back to the Legion for the Saturday night meat draw and horse races (wooden horses, they're great, I love them). Didn't win anything from that, but oh well. That night went a bit better, and we went to bed around 10pm. I couldn't sleep, and was up past 2:30. I woke up around 10am, we sat around and chit chatted, then Shaun was there around 1:30pm, and off we went. There were storm warnings all over the radio (we listen to talk radio all the time), but the roads were better. It was only snowing lightly, and some of the ice had cleared up (the graters were out over the weekend on the highways). Another 6 hour trip turned in to 8, and here I am home.

We never ended up having chinese food (thank goodness), but I did have a burger and a couple of onion rings, which would be the reason I couldn't sleep at all on Saturday night. Plus, she doesn't have filtered water, and I just can't choke the tap water of a small town down. It tastes like fluoride! So needless to say, since arriving home, I have downed almost 1500mL. SO THIRSTY!

Anyway. That's that. Glad to be home.

You know, I just hate how she doesn't respect my decisions about myself as an adult. She treats me like a child, and it's like every time I'm around her, I revert back to the 10 year old that jumped when she said so. She makes me feel little. I love her. Sooo much. I just. Ugh. I don't like myself when I'm around her. I'm so fake. It's bizarre.

This is a great support group. I am so happy I found all of you!!!

Stopeating, your son is such an inspiration. I told my 13 year old and he said "that is awesome" when you said you son was playing basketball and then actually walked 13 steps.

Losing4another Great job on the lose

Mia hope your baby feels better!!

Jasmine I have lost more posts on this site its unreal I always copy it and paste it if it disappears now. It seems to help!! Water is hard for me but once I found that my body holds water because it thinks i'm going to thirst to death if I don't drink it, I drink my 8-10 glasses per day. I have never "pee'd " so much in my life. I feel like i'm in it.

hun.e.b hope you feel better. What are you studying for?

Hi Jcat Good to see you here!!

Leygh keep up the good work. I have a goal of 135 and i'm only 5'4" so please listen to jasmine and try not to set such a low weight goal. Check out www.freedieting.com or one of the other sites for your height. I bet you'll be surprised at how much closer you are to a healthy goal than you thought for your height. But you can only know what goals are right for your body!! Keep up the great work!!

Martini you are so awesome to be able to say "no" when someone is pushing you. I am the opposite, I will do it just please someone, forgetting about how I feel about it. i don't like confrontation, it scares me. My mom always said you couldn't do anything about how the other person feels. not sure if that is right or not, but then she was never around when i was growing up; my dad raised me until I was 11 then I moved in with my mom (they were two states away) where she spent almost everyday at the bar. Thank God she has been sober now for 16 years or more. I don't think her family taught her much either growing up. Her father moved them every year and they never had roots in one place. Sometimes I get frustrated when I need advice from her and she has none to give. She did the best she could, I guess. My father on the otherhand has a wealth of knowledge but is like a military sargent when he gives it. LOL I tend to listen more to my father and go with the flow. probably part of the reason, i'm overweight. Long story short, it's okay to say "no."

Good Monday morning!!! I for one and happy its monday I can make it my starting point. Back to basics for this chickie!! Too much holiday cheer I tell ya! I'm actually looking forward to getting into that gym and burning some calories and eating better today! I plan to hit it right after classes.

We are supposed to be getting this huge snow storm, Was supposed to be here this morning...I dont see it yet! So typical for here they always hype it up and then nothing. I guess we'll see as the day rolls on.

I've gotta make out my menus for the week, failing to plan is planning to fail! And I know me, if I dont have something in mind we'll do something not so healthy and fast.

Time to hit the showers and that means a peek at the scale this morning, see what the turkey damage is. I'm scared! LOL!!

I hope everyone has the best day today!! Happy Monday!!

~melissa

stopeating:

Sounds like fun!!!

That IS good news!

Have you tried measuring yourself?

Have you heard about the theory of eating just a little more so your body knows there is plenty of food? You may lose that way.

I am the same way! I hate feeling frumpy!!

miafluker

That would be awesome!!

martiniforme:

Thanx hun!!! I missed you girl!!! Also they say the body can really only lose 1-2 pounds a week of fat, anything else is water and or muscle.

I actually used splenda in my libby's pumpkin pie recipe this thanx giving, it was awesome! (I also used them in chocolate chip cookies a few months ago and NO ONE noticed a difference!)I am going to try to start making pumpkin pie every suinday for desert cause pumpkin is actually VERY good for you! It has a ton of vitamin A!! Vitamin A is very beneficial especially if you smoke. (Quite a few study's found that smokers who develop emphysema have severely depleted traces of vitamin a in their systems) My hubby smokes so I try to counter balance that with carrots and brocolli every nite, grapefruit is also great for smokers so I try to shove smoothies down his throat too. Blueberries are an excellent antioxidant! Apples and oranges are really good too and all 4 of them are on the superfoods list, actually pumpkin to. WHich reminds me, I want to get that book when I get the money. I would recommend all of you try to get it/borrow it as well!! Most of the foods on the list are foods that we eat often anyhow but it just reminds me when planning meals what to try to make sure I have frequently. Turkey is also one of them so we are going to be addig that in more often too.

The superfoods list with sidekicks (from Superfoods RX by Pratt - books 1 & 2)

That particular thread does not say why those foods are so healthy for you, but I know about all the fruit ones from the worlds healthiest foods page.

*snickers*

Did he know he had had one? I am glad to hear he is safe at home!!

WOW! That sounds really cold!!!

Awww honey! Well it sounds like a crazy weekend! I know what ya mean about the mom. My mom and I were close but my dad was a pain in the butt. He could say something so simple and cut you down to size for NO reason! Then later I would be thinking and would say to myself, you should of said this to him! etc. Good thing she doesn't live close!!!

Those little turkeys are so adorable! Mind if I steal a few?

loveandlaughalways:

Awww. We are glad you are here too!!

You know what I normally do is write it in a notepad cause when I am going thru a thread I grab the names and copy them and what I want to quote etc, then I paste it all in. BUT when I write about myself I am not quoting anything so I don't do that!

hahaha Yep! I know what ya mean! The other nite dh and I took a 60 minute walk to the liquor store and back and a few minutes before we left I went, we are 10 minutes out and I had to go again! I waited but I was worried and didn't drink much more on the trip or I thought I might have to find a place in the bushes!

I agree. Also what I think with some women who have a little to lose what might benefit them is toning up and adding some muscles. Kind of like they just have a few pounds to lose but they have alot of fat on them so they need to turn that around and get some muscles so they look sleeker. Make sense?

Hun.e.B:

Great plan! It is never to late to start over!

Snowmen!!!
Yep!!!

Good luck! Let us know how you do!!

Okay i will be back soon with my check in. I am trying to get the kids to finish showers and stuff for school!

I made a couple of images that you ladies can use for your signatures (if you want). I was definitely not tired last night, but am this morning!

All you have to do is either save the image to your image host, or use my image host below The images may be larger than the attachments.

H&HCC.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...splay/HHCC.gif

H&HCC2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...play/HHCC2.gif

H&HCC3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...play/HHCC3.gif

And dang, Jasmine! Do you have MSN?

maybe let me look!

Those sigs are awesome sweetie! That was so nice of you to make them for everyone!! You may want to resize the last two smaller though.

brb

it wont let me sign in! Do you have yahoo?

Haha, no, but I could. Give me a few minutes

okay


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