hey girls. I'm back from Da'd house. What a weird girlfriend he has. And she eats all day long,a nd is rail thin. He never makes comments like he did to me... not to her, oh no. Erks me.

Great new look for the website, huh? Threw me for a loop at first! Kinda different, don't you think? Did you guys iknow it was gonna change like this?

Well, I managed not to screw up too bad last night. I took my walk before dinner, picked chicken, and then went over Dad's place around 7pm. Had a piece of pizza, munche don chips and salsa... not a big deal. Not real yinto shrimp, so that wasn't har dto resist. Drank a couple drinks. Hard to stay awake until midnight, but made it. Glad it's over, and we can get this challenge going... i want normalcy back!

Hey I'm in. I followed that Red Hot Mamma all the way here from Babeville.
Happy New Year!!!!!
I'll be back again tommorrow to post my goals and plans for the month. This is a great challenge for right now, I'm so excited!!
later
-W-

Hello to everyone this morning. It feels like a Monday to me. I worked all last weekend so Monday was my Firday. Talk about screwing things up for me. I kept asking Joe what day it was. AT least I only have to wrok today and tomorrow and then I will be off for 2 days!!!!!

I have a feeling that I will be very busy over the next few weeks. Everyone always has new years resolutions to lose weight and being here in the gym we aim to please! At least I hope that we are busy.

I was going to get up this morning to workout but I couldn't sleep last night so needless to say I didn't wake up in time. I couldn't count on Joe b/c he left at 4 this morning to head to Texas for work.

How did you all do today?
 

I did good. I just got done cleaning my house from top to bottom. Candi has tapeworm and GROSS!!!!! I had to clean everything for my own sanity. LOL Poor dog. I bought her from one of the best Keeshond breeders in the U.S. and she has been wormed twice since I have had her. A few times before I got her. Poor baby but it grosses me out so bad.

Well, off to do some more elliptical machine. YeeHaa!!!

Checking in. Christmas pictures came out crappy. I never get good ones it seems. And, I'm supposed to have prize winning shots for my scrapbooking party Saturday. Oh well , can't be perfect. Did god with food, since I'm dirt poor today, and forogt to grab something for the office. So, I ended up with micro popcorn, and mooching half an aweful sandwich. Ick. Home now, and cant wait for CSI. Love that show!

Took a walk tonight. It sucks walking in winter. It's cold out, and gets so dark so early. And, hubby subbed at school today, so he's too tired to walk wiht me. I sear one of these days i'm gonna get jumped. I never feel safe. Someday, im getting a treadmill. Mark my words.

Musicgal Reporting In as Requested
 

Hi everyone. It's Jan. 3 and I'm reporting in as requested. I weighed in this morn at 139lbs.(I lost 3 lbs. since Wed.!) and by month's end I'm hoping to be 135 or under. I know I lose weight very slowly and I would like to lose a total of 15 lbs. and keep them off for good...however long it takes. I missed my morning spin class because of kiddies having a school delay (we got snow but only a little) but hope to do something aerobic later as well as yoga or pilates too. Good luck everyone!

Hello all. I hate to say it but I am back up to 165. I am going to keep trudging along though. I have a trip to San DIego and Mardi Gras to look forward to and I will be wearing my cute hip huger pants this year!!!! I spent my money on those things and I have only worn them once. This year people will notice me not my friend!!! Can you hear the self help words there?

I guess I did ok last night. I ate a bowl of some sort of mexican beanc soup one of my members brought in for me. It was awesome, I am eating the left overs for lunch. After dinner I went and installed a computer game my brother gave me. I played that stupid thing from 6:30 - 10. I couldn't stop. The good thing was it kept me from eating. I had a few gobbstoppers (4) but I lost interst in them. Unfourtunatly all I did was play the game. I didn't even take down the Christmas stuff like I wanted to do. Oh well, it will give me something to do tomorrow whne Joe is taking down the outside lights. That is going to be funny too. I was worried when he put them up but I think it will be comical when they come down. I am sure he will have a few choice words to say.

Musicgal you are doing to right thing by taking it slow.

Chris don't you hate it when pictures don't come out right. I have lots of those.

Angie did you get on chat last night? Sorry if you did I couldn't make myself stop the game.

Lidian and Miss Washu how are you two doing today?

Hi Kempyd! What a great trip that sounds like - when are you going? Actually I find that a trip in the near future really motivates me to get going - I'll bet you are going to look super in the hip-huggers! What color are they? Are they bellbottoms? What will you wear with them? (Can you tell I love clothes?:) )...

Musicgal, congrats on the 3 lbs - you are doing a fabulous job! I would love to be 139!:) I am hovering around 145 and have been for a few weeks, so I really have to get serious about moving on down!

Sometimes I think even with one's best efforts the body likes to stay at a certain weight for awhile, just to settle in, and then is ready to release more weight. (At least that is what I am telling myself today!)

And to everyone else, how's it going? How are you doing?

Love, Lidian:)

Today is Weigh Day, and I"m at 160 lbs. I have been trying to get more exercise in... would you believe that my family members are actually telling me I look "too Thin"? Imagine that? What a total turn around... used to be, hey porky, and are you rally gonna eat that? Now... don't get me started on it!!!

So, I'm setting myself up for a 10 pound loss this month, and I hope I can stay motivated. I've been riding the bike through my usualy walking route, since I"m not feeling very safe lately. Walked once, and then rode twice more. So that's improvement for me. Threw out any remnants of Christmas, and New Years food, so I'm healthy fooding it. NO big temptations here at home. I'm on my way!

kempy: don't hate yourself because of 165. it's a number, and you're capable of reaching whatever goal you have. We're starting with something manageable here. Looking forward to tht trip will be so good for you... seeing your goal will be fabulous!

Musicgal: Good Lordy girl! Can't imagine being 139.. I think I was like 12 yrs old at that weight. You go girl... and have you ever been heavier than that, or have you generally had 10 pounds difference more or less? You can meet your goal, because you've already set yourself up for more exercise... love pilates!

Lidian: whadda ya talking about? You're in the 40's yourself... do you ahve a pic you can put on here... we're trying to get the faces intou our brains, easier to talk to someone hwo's not faceless. AngieME has the ability to resize pics.. how's that for an advertisement angie?! (she's gonna kill me)

Still waiting for our other girls to weigh in. don't be scared...

We are heading to San Diego for a convention for my husband. (NACE, don't ask it is a really indepth thing he does) We go every year so I really look forward to the free trip. We just have to pay for my airfare. Plus, his mom live in CA so we will be able to see hear while we are there.

As far as the pants go the are a denim pair from Old Navy (stretch) and if it is warm enough this year I will proaply wear a tank with is. Also that will depend on if I lose enough weight to do it. The tank will show off my new tatoo so I can't wait for that.

I am going to weigh in tomorrow because I have to weigh in on Saturdays for the other challenge I have been doing. I am sure there is a loss since I upped my exercise to an hour this week to help counter the effects of last week.

We are supposed to get a big snowstorm tonight. Jay is crossing his fingers. not me.

Lidian send me a pm and I will give you my email if you want to send me a pic and I will resize it for you and send it back if you want to. It is no trouble to do.

My starting weight for this challenge was 175 pounds so I am hoping to see my jeans on me by the end of the month.

Kempy, you and Joe travel quite a bit don't you? It sounds like fun to see alot of different places.I seriously don't think I could get on a plane though.

We get to travel through his job. I can tag along as long as we pay for my ticket. I am not very fond of flying but I do it all the while white knuckling the seat. Do think Joe doesn't have fun with that. Any time there is a noise he scares me by asking what it that?, is that normal? I really don't find that very amuzing.

It sounds like something Jay would do to me too. LOL If he had nuts enough too. He knows I would beat him. HA HA

Angie, I don't have any scanner or anything so I can't send you a picture - if we DO get one, I sure will! But thank you very much for the offer - it's really nice of you!

Kempyd, I love Old Navy - they make the best stuff. I know someone who lives in San Diego (never been there) and they love it - in pics it looks really beautiful.

SvelteChicky, I get the exact same thing from my dad - for years, the looks, the horrid hints about my weight & doing something about it and now, when I am trying to stay on program - all I get is, do I want more this or that, and don't lose more etc etc. You just can't please some family members!:lol: So I will just have to please myself...

Take care everyone --


Lidian

hey,

The news just reported that we had a "super-pod" of Orcas in the bay today. Someone said that they saw a baby. That is so cool, I love living by the water!:D

So, starting weight is 180. I too am aiming for 10 lbs this month because of up-coming trips. The BF and I have were sposed to be going to Florida this month for a week. Well, because of finances it has been pushed back from Jan. to March. Just after that we are spending 3 weeks rafting down the Grand Canyon with my family.
BIG GOAL: I want to be as close to goal as possible when we go to Florida. I want to wear my old bikini and feel good in it. Not to mention just look so good that I keep the BF eyes from wandering. :devil: This means at least 25 lbs in 2 1/2 months. 10 weeks, 2.5 lbs per week CONSISTANTLY.
BIG PLANS: I got a coupon for 6 weeks at a gym for $10. Cool! I am going to take full advantage and be there 5 days a week. Two days for 1hr of cardio, Mon. & Fri., Step Class or otherwise. Two days for weight training, Tues. & Thurs., split between upper and lower body. Yoga 3 nights a week, and pilates on Saturday. With this exercise plan I am going to keep my calorie intake below 1500 like I have been doing in the past (pre holidays). After the 6 week deal at the gym I think that I will be jump-started enough to go back to doing my videos, free weights, and dancing and still stay active enough to keep losing.
I am so motivated right now, what I need is to keep this feeling until old habits are broken and new ones are formed. What's that, 3 weeks they say? So I am hanging the bikini on the wall, in the kitchen if the boys will let me :lol: :lol:, and putting my gym schedule and tracking cards beside the calender by the computer.

I'm rethinking the yoga right now. They are evening classes and I don't see so well at night so I don't really want to drive there.... Tommorrow will be my first experience with Pilates. I'm excited that you like it so much Svelte.

Haha, Mat hates flying. I wonder how much trouble I could get into if I did that. Maybe deserve a spanking :devil:

So, I'm doing great so far (first day). Check in tommorrow.
:grouphug:
-Washu-

oh, what's your tattoo Kempy? I love tats, have many.

I lost 2.5 pounds this week!!! Doing the extra 15 minutes each day worked to get rid of the evidence from last week, YEAH!!! Best part is I am only 3 pounds away from my halfway point.I have lost 34 pounds total so far.(this time)

Hi Miss Washu!

We finally got snow!!! Jay and the dogs are thrilled. Me not so much but as long as hubby is excited I am happy for him.

Congratulations Ange on your big loss so far.. you're so close... stay focused, and you'll be so proud. I know you've odne this before.. we all have, but you're so close, I can taste vistory, of course, victory is fat free... so you can pig out on it!!!

Kempy: Ive got a tattoo as well. It's on my right breast, it's a red rose. -- I feel like a biker babe sometmies when I wear a tank top. (flex)

MissWashu: Wow, what a plan you've put into place! I hope you've given yourself maybe one day of no working out? I can't tell... take care of yourself,a nd taht means, let one day go to remove all those toxins you're building up from the exercise. Someone just told me that.

Lidian: No Old Navy there? We're swimming in those striped shirts, and fleece comercials.. you can have 'em.

MusicGal: Are you okay? How's the challenge treating ya? We're all sounding motivated... this is good!!! Pump, Sweat, and Eat Healthy and hearty.....

Angie, congrats on you terrific loss! That is wonderful!:)

Miss Washu, that sounds like a great plan - and a great gym coupon too! I am going to go back to my tapes and weights and the treadmill on Monday when the house is free of interested spectators (kids!)...I have mostly the Firm tapes but may look into yoga and/or Pilates stuff - I can use all the toning I can get! That is cool about the orcas...my 6 yr old girl loves all marine creatures and would be thrilled!

Hi Kempyd, SvelteChicky & Musicgal! How's it going?

Talk to you later,

Lidian

Kempy this is for you
 

Wanna trade places? PLEASE:lol:

I laid down on the bed and actually got my size 12 jeans zipped.Now they are too tight to actually wear comfortably BUT.... last time I tried them on I couldn't zip em. It is amazing how while I was gaining the weight I hated the way I looked in them but now I am happy to back into them. 10 pounds tops and they are mine again!!!!!

Where is everyone today? I am bored. It is snowing still and Jay is out on the snowmobile.

Kempy, How was your brothers wedding? Fun I hope.

Chris, How was the scrapbooking party? Fun I hope.

checking in real quick... Pilates was neat, not really strenous but I'm sure I will feel my abs tommorrow.

Svelte - I've heard that too. Yes, I take Sunday off and Wednesday too if I don't do yoga. Water is sposed to help remove the toxins too.

Oh Angie, you're making me home sick. I grew up skiing and snowmobiling. I love it. However, I do remember how sick of the cold you get after 8 months of it.

I'll be back later.
-W-

Hey gals, I'm back from Vegas in a BIG way :( . Ready for the weigh-in? drum rolllll please..... 201 lbs. YIKES! I was down to 193 the Wednesday before my birthday (12/14/02)--so I gained whatever I lost in December + 1 lb. OK. Deep breath. I am getting back on track and I am re-losing this weight. Frustrating it is, but not impossible--I've done it several times, actually (haha). TOM is supposed to be making an appearance any day now, but I'm not making any excuses about water retention or anything...I ate like a pig for 3 weeks and that's that. God! I am glad to be back and be able to be my normal anal self and get back on a rigid healthy eating plan.

Anyway, Vegas during New Year's eve was lots of fun. Stayed at the Four Queens hotel downtown--nothing in the way of fabulous but it was a place to sleep and take a shower. Each time hubby and I go to Vegas we always say that we're gonna stay at a Strip hotel the "next time". So far we've only stayed on the Strip 2x and that was before the Bellagio/Alladin/Paris/The Venetian and all those other super-mega fabulouso hotels were even there. Since then we've always stayed downtown since we get these outrageous 4-5 day package deals (air/room/meals) for about $350 bucks. Rented a car and went driving around to all the area shopping malls and factory outlets. Walked the strip and visited some of the hotels there for a couple of days. Bought a whole new underwear wardrobe--gonna throw out all my old cotton granny panties and feel sexy about myself while losing this darn weight. I feel disgusted with myself for being so out of control these past weeks. The New Year is here and I need to do this for myself, my health, my sanity. This year is gonna be about ME!!!! :lol: I am sooooo tired. I need to take a nap. My flight got in a little after 11pm last night and I didn't get to bed until after 12:30 a.m. My son woke up at 6:30 a.m. and I just had to drag my big fat butt out of bed to be with him. Had to catch up on all the posts while I was gone.

Washu! Glad you followed. You are going to look and feel great in that bikini.

Ladies, Happy New Year to all of you and I will stop by later after I catch up on my sleep. Oh yeah, I am going to try and take a walk today. Baby steps ya know. Come Monday, i'm gonna kick some a** on this challenge thing--positive thinking is always good. :)

love ya!

-----------------------
10/24/02 Starting weight: 215 lbs
1/4/03 Current weight: 201 lbs.
Challenge goal: 191 (10 lbs to lose by 2/3/03)

So fun to have people over, and be a part of a business venture. Loved the party, and signed up, money and all, for this company. Creative Memories... it's great, and the Consultant I met is wonderful. She's great, and didnt pressure me at all. I love it. It's great to have something you like, and be paid for it. I alredy set up three more parties... woo hoo i'm on my way. I'd love snow.. of course, i'd like it more if it were monday morning, and we'd get snowed in. cocoa, watching the snow fall.. romantic thought.

Hey where is everyone???? I thought we were supposed to check in everyday? I am bored tonight and noone is around. Am I the only one without a life???!!! LOL:dizzy:

I"m here....

I didn't exercise today. I laid around, doing laundry,a nd watching TV and movies. Then, it started snowing really hard, so I watched that. Basically, I exercised my eyes all day long. We went out to Chinese, even in the bad weather. nothing stops us from eating out. Then, to make matters worse, went to grandma's for a nice roast beef and mashed potatoes dinner... almost died getting there, but again, nothing stops us! I shoveled the walkway, and pretended like it was my big exercise.

I have been so bored this weekend that I even did extra exercise yesterday.I already did 45 minutes today but I will do another 15 later.We got so much snow and Candi loves to burrow in it. She came inside this afternoon with so many snowballs stuck to her belly.

I'm so sick of snow! Last year, we barely even got cold weather, this year we're already maxed out on snow days at the schools. I still ***** that I need a treadmill. I sear I'd be a hardbody if I had one.

Man I didn't think the picture was that big... i look like the stay puff girl.

Hey guys. I think I have recovered from my brothers wedding now. Boy did I have a few to many. I am not supposed to drink and the meds. (Effexor) It goes right to my head. But hey, on the bright side I didn't eat much. lol

Angie is that your back yard? I am so jealouse. I had to rake my back yard but no snow out there. I was in shorts and still sweating.

I have two tatoos on is on my lower back of a red and yellow sun and the other is in the middle of my upper back and it is the eye of Ra. Hubby is supposed to get that one too.

Hey ladies. Just checking in before I go to bed. The scale says weird things. Today I am back down to 198 lbs. I must've been majorly retaining water or something. That's still 5 lbs up from what I lost so far--not good, but not as bad as I thought. This is my second day home from my trip and today I've really tried to stay on course. Did okay for the most part and got in my regular walk. Had to push my son in the stroller because there is no way I would make him walk that far...I was huffing and puffing pushing those 40 lbs up those hills. We're getting new carpet in the living and dining room area so we've also been ripping out the old one and moving all the furniture. That's a workout in itself. I can only imagine what kind of aches and pains I'll have in the morning.

Speaking of tattoos, I've got one of a skull with glowing yellow eyes clutching a rose in it's teeth on my left shoulder. I was 18 when I got it--now that I think about it, I wish I would've chosen a better picture. Oh well, I was young, rebellious and thought it was cool. Silly me! My sister and I got tatts at the same time. Her's is like a black widow spider on her left shoulder. She was my maid of honor at my wedding and we both had some shoulder-baring dressess. I have a picture of the both of us facing the priest and you can see both tatts on our backs. Kinda funny! Elegant dresses and up-dos, with spider/skull tattoos.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to Monday morning so I can get back into a routine. Check back w/you ladies tomorrow.

**Chris, you do not look like the Stay Puff girl. You look wonderful. I love the color of your hair.

Hair color is one of those things I can afford to change... sometimes monthly. Thanks. Sometimes I feel like the michelin man... i critique every inch in photos. Funny story: people now pick on my doggie, say she's chubby. I get so angry about that. She's a terrier,a d i walk her all the time. she's in great shape. I get so insulted by it, cause i'm the mom, and i feel like it's a dig on me. I hate comments about my little baby pupper.

Yeah, that is my back yard at the beginning of the storm. We ended up getting over a foot of snow that day. YUCK!! Can I pack it all up and ship it to you Kempy?

Chris, Your dog doesn't look overweight to me. Rebel used to be overweight(my fault totally) and we had to put him on a diet(It is pretty sad when you overfeed your dog so bad that HE gets sick!! LOL) He has lost a few pounds and is a skinny minny but he hasn't been sick since I stopped getting him his own burger on Saturdays. haha

Noelle,I fluctuate on my weight so bad too. It usually takes a few days for the bloat to go away and then I know what I did for damage on my pig outs. Strange how our bodies work isn't it?

Hey guys, just checking in for today. I wasn't able to workout this morning. I am watching my brothers dogs and cat so i had to head over there before work today. Of course I had on a white sweatshirt and they jumped on me. I was able to get most of it out. I don't know how my brother does it. I won't be able to workout tonight either. I am going to get my hair colored after work and I usually don't get home until 7. I am not even going to cook dinner tonight. I will just make myself a smoothie before I leave to have as my dinner.

Angie I wish that snow would last long enough to get it here.

Noell funny about the tattoo. I have thought about that before. What happens when I am an 80 year old woman I have this sun on my back. I prpobably won't have anyone seeing that low though. At least I don't think I am going to be a hot granny but you never know.

Chris I tear myself apart in pictures too. Don't worry about anything you look great.

Today is the first day in a long time, that I truly feel depressed. I want to drown myself in a large bowl of fettucini alfredo, and garlic bread. I want to watch movies til my eyes hurt. I want to end my day with a banana split, with all the bad stuff on top. And, I want to lay in bed, cry (can't usually do that), and for no reason, but because.

Are you PMSing? I know the Monday b4 I am supposed to start I feel the same way that you do. This sounds weird but sometimes if I have an upseting nightmare I will feel that way too. Is there anything that you can think of that would make you feel like this?

Chris, maybe you just need to get some exposure to sun or even artificial sunlight. Some people get Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the fall and winter months. (I just read an article online abut it). Something about the hormonal/emotional connection with exposure to the sun or lack thereof... hormones are a tricky thing. You could be PMS'ing like Kempy said or (forgive me for saying this) you could be PG--is that a possibility? I know I got real weepy and sensitive when I was PG, really unlike my normal grouchy self. Anyway, sometimes tears just have to get out and cleanse the soul. Hope you feel better soon--and the alfredo is only a temporary fix that may have long-term repercussions--don't do it!

I had an argument, via e-mail with my aunt in ohio. no one sent me a christmas card. My mother's family is there, all of them. 6 siblings and a slew of cousins. No one ever visits me, never has. Never geta burthday card. Never a phone call. I don't exist. So, today i asked my mother, via e-mail, why? she forwarded the letter to my aunt, who retorted with "it's all your fault'. I have a great relationship with my father's side, because all my life, they've pushed for us to be together, for vacations, holidays. Very big deal wo be together, no matter where we all lived. Ohio family, never really put forth the effort. So, she sent me an aweful e-mail, and then I sent one back, tryting to be respectful. Now a vein is throbbing in my neck.

I am really hurt by the whole ordeal. It was dreary all day, and te snow, which was slush by noon, is now being frozen.... and it's snowing again. I"m tired of this crap.

My mother and her are close, and I just don't know how "m supposed to deal wiht it.

I can totally relate to the family troubles. My family is in general okay but my inlaws are nuts!!! My hubby has 4 brothers and none of them speak to each other. We could never have a family reunion because of all the hatred. In out defense we put up with alot of crap to a point BUT....

If you have never been that close then I wouldn't really worry about it too much. It is their loss. I know you would like to have a close family but sometimes it just can't happen. You can feel better knowing that you at least tried.

I tend to get more depressed during the winter. I think it is the lack of natural sunlight like Noelle said. I really should buy one of those lamps.

Yeah, i also think it's because i'm getting too much sleep I am in a new job, and i'm working later in the day, leaving me to sleep in and feel groggy all morning... to omuch sleep can't be good for me.