Hi everybody! I just joined the board and I'm a newbie as well. This thread seems like a great place to start.
Name: Janet aka Sparkie
I'm a single mom of an 11 y-o boy. I've had problems with my weight all my life but, after quitting smoking last year (May 1) I put on 30 EXTRA pounds. Not a good thing, that. But, I figure since I was able to quit smoking I should also be able to lose weight. Its all about willpower, right?
Age: 34
Height: 5'8"
Starting weight: 222
Current weight: 202
Goal: 150 (we'll see how that looks anyway)
Pounds lost so far 20
Still to go: 52
Exercise Routine: Lots and lots of walking, pilates 3x a week. I'm also signing up for a swimming class and I'm scoping out a bike. Gym membership is way out of my price range.
Food Routine: I'm sort of following WW. I'm trying to eat healthy foods - lots of veggies and fruit, etc. A big thing for me is portion control. I have a tendency to stuff myself.
Water: Yes, and my skin loves me for it. It's never looked better.
Biggest Weakness: Laziness and procrastination. Ugh!
Biggest strength: Determination and a wise-@ss sense of humor.
What I am doing for support: I'm mostly cheering myself on. I need more support - that's why I'm here!
Whee! It's nice to meet everyone here - I hope I can get to know you all - as well as get and GIVE support to ya! Get well wishes to all who need it and may the motiviation fairy wack us all upside the head with her wand today!
Hi all! Welcome to Sparkie and Dance. Both of you sound like you all are on the yellow brick road to the weight loss meca. Keep up the good work. Hey, if either of you have some extra enegry to spare send some of it my way c/o the big ole hills of SE KY. Angel I hope that the rest has done you some good and you are back in commission really soon. Beth I work for a company that owns 8 IGA's and are in the process of obtaining #9. Yesterday was my first day back full time and it went very well. Did not experience any pain so that was a plus. Got my exercise in yesterday(work) and done extremely well with my eating. The way it is shaping up today if I don't get my sorry backside motivated and get off of the puter I wont get anything done at all today. I guess that I better go and see why the bathrooms hollerin at me. Guess that it is dying to get cleaned. May each and everyone of you have a wonderful day.
Man we are really growing! This is great! I am having a really tough day to day. I don't know what is wrong with me. Do any of you ever just wake up feeling crabby and depressed? Its not even TOM. I don't know what has gotten into me. I did exercise today though and my eating has not been bad. Which before on a day like today I would have just ate myself silly!
It probably has a lot to do with the upcoming war. The whole thing is depressing. Or any of you immediately affected by this. I am not thank god. But my dh was in Desert Storm. Well sort of. They called him up, he had to leave college, and while he was training in Germany it ended. I don't know a lot about politics but why did they end the Gulf War before obviously the objective was accomplished????? Okay enough about that.
Angel I am sorry to hear you are feeling so bad! Glad you are getting the much needed rest!
Well I am going to run for the day ladies. I hope you all are having a great day!
Beth
hey,girls!!
I just got back from the gym,I'm having a great day so far.I'm a little sad for what the country is facing right now,I really hope we don't go to war,but just know we probably will.
Angel:hope you get better,and drink a lot of water,my uncle who is a doctor,alwalys tell's us to drink a lot,because it kills all the viruses.well hope you get well,your friend,Winnie.
to the new members:I'm so happy,we have more girls joining every day.So welcome!!!!!!
Beth:I so happy your still here,and wanted to say hi.Take care!!!
Winnie
WOW!!!!! I go away for 20 hours and look what I miss!!!!!!
WELCOME EVERYONE!!!!!!!! We love crowds here
So I went to bed early last night but unfortuantly woke up at 3am and was awake for about 1 1/2 hours.... then when I finally get back to sleep the alarm went off.... UGH!!!!!!
I didnt go to the gym today... thought I should rest... I do feel better today than yesterday even with the drizzling rain..... Only a few more days to go... I hope it is over soon....
Went today and found my daughters shoes for the wedding along with her bra.... she is 14 and wearing a 34C... .I told her she is just doomed to have her mommas big boobs.... So she is all set.... she will look beautiful for the wedding... her and my son are walking me down the isle and then she is singing for me during the wedding.... she is singing "Over the Rainbow", "Amazing Grace" - a capella, and "There you are" the song done by Martina McBride.... I listen to her practice everynight so that maybe by the time the day arrives I wont sob my eyes out.... it hasnt worked so far....
I really need to get back to the gym.... I think I will wait out tomorrow though so that maybe I wont relapse...
Anyway, It sounds like everyoen is doing great and it is so great to see everyone.... now you just need to promise to stay with us.... even on the bad days..... that is what we are here for....
I think the impending war has everybody in a funk. I had to answer questions from my kids tonight on whether or not we are in danger here in NC. Talk about a tough thing to explain!! I think the conversation scared me more than it scared them...
Angel - I agree with the suggestion to drink lots of water. I always get over colds and other crud faster when I drink as much as I can stand!
On a positive note, I just finished a weight training routine that I came up with from bits and pieces of all the 'ideal workout' articles in the fitness magazines. If you have never tried it before, working out with dumbbells is THE BOMB! It requires no expensive equipment and not a lot of time, but it really makes you feel great. The best thing is that when you work out with weights you build more muscle and therefore burn more calories. If you are really good, that means you lose weight faster. For me, it means I can just eat a little more and still lose some weight! For those of us (like me!) who are 40 and over it also helps with keeping your bones healthy.
Sorry you are not feeling well... how exciting about your wedding!
Yes, much the wisest to give yourself the time to get over the crud before you try to push too hard. You'll be back up and getting in shape again in no time!!
Just wanted to post today because I may not be back until next Mon. I am going to my parents Frid morn. I know tommorrow I will be busy before work. I have TOPS and I am going to fill out an app. at a place. So I thought I better check in today.
I should say I am going out of town if our car cooperates. My dh just called and said it was making a funny noise. He is going to take it to the shop. That always means trouble. Please keep this in your thoughts and prayers ladies because we really can't afford this. We have to pay the construction guy this week and we are supposed to go on vac in a couple of weeks. We were already wondering where that money was going to come from? I know it would be easy just to scrap the vacation but my dh has not seen some of his family in over a year and they have not seen dd in two years. She was down there as a newborn. So if we can get there we have free room and board and most meals. So I hope for dh we can go.
You ladies that stay up late, how late do you let yourself eat? I have been so hungry (true hunger) the last couple of nights. I do well all day and I am almost tempted just to have something. That is the problem with my job. I get up around 7:30 and I am up until 12:00 because I work second. This leaves a lot of hours during the day to eat!
Wildmom how heavy of weights do you use. I really do want to start more of that. Do you think actually doing that once a day would be better than doing my two mile walking tape? I mean right now I usually do 4 miles but not at once. 2 miles twice a day. I could do just 2 miles and weights the other time. Just curious which you think burns more calories ect...
Well I am going to run for the day ladies hope all is well!
Beth
Well it has been a very long day for me.... I started working at 6:30 this morning and just got back from a trade show that I was in and it is 10:00pm..... it has rained all day... and I have been in and out of my car all day seeign customers... it will be a miracle if I dont end up with bronchitis.... UGH!!!!!
Beth - adding the weights would help you.... you would be building muscle that burns more calories and is smaller than fat... when you first start you may not lose wieght and may just gain alittle because muscle weighs more than fat... but your clothes will be loser and you will feel better.....
Thanks everybody for all the encouragement with this sickness... I do so want it to end soon....
Well I am off to bed ladies.... I am so tired.... I will talk more tomorrow.....
Losing - My advice would be to substitute the weights for part of the workout 3 days a week. You really should skip a day between the weight training sessions to give your muscles time to recuperate. Angel is right about the muscle weighing more than fat, although it is smaller and CERTAINLY looks better! When you first start weight training and substitute muscle for fat, you might gain a pound or two. The real benefit of weight training is that it speeds up your metabolism and you can see the effects of the muscle building within about 3-4 weeks. I would highly recommend it, especially if you are over 35 or 40 since that is when women typically start to lose muscle and their metabolism slows down. As for how much weight to start with, that really depends on you. I would start with 5 or 10 pounds, depending on your upper body strength. Just try them out in the store before you buy!!
Beth, I am one of the night owls, and night eating used to be a real problem for me. But now I eat a good healthful dinner and can hardly believe I just don't want much later... BUT there are times when I do, and I have learned to have an apple or piece of fruit -- any time I want it. Once you break the "junk" habit, the fruit really does satisfy.
And Janice... good advice about the strength training. Yes, it really does work, although I include the cardio in the benefits as to building muscles. I've been really working out for just over a month... and noticed last weekend how I am really starting to feel the muscles in my arms and legs... a great feeling!!
Ugh, ya'll, I had a bad day yesterday. I felt hungry and tired all day. I think it's because I forgot to take my vitamin in the morning. And, the pants-o-meter has not been being kind. I don't know what I'm doing wrong? My points have been averaging 23-25 a day and, according to fit-day, my calories have been staying between 1200 and 1600 a day. Maybe I need more water? More exercise? Anyway, I felt so crappy last night I didn't get my full walk in and I didn't do my pilates. And, today, it's raining.
Thanks for the info on the weights - I'm going to give it a go. Do any of you use the fitball or a swiss ball? I'm thinking of getting one today. I can use it with the weights.
Thanks for listening to my whining. I really need some sunshine!
Good Day all! I hope that everyone is doing their best to have a great positive day. Yesterday I was in a funk all day with war and all. It was when I finally got home from work and got to reflect I was somewhat better about it all. I know that doesn't sound too good but I have came to terms and I am making the best of it. Everyone is right about the weight training it does hlep. I do mine about 4 days a week. I get plenty of it in at work. LOL! By the time that you lift and tug at everything you have got in a good workout. Same with the walking. I think that I end up walking over 3 miles a day. Beth, hope that you all don't have anything too costly wrong with your car. Dh works on them so I get the labor done cheap, but it is gettin it done. So has anyone seen the scale move lately? I got on them today and I was so shocked. It went down 6lbs. I was tickled to death. Angel hope that you are feelin much better. Gotta go time to get ready for work. Here's to a BLESSED DAY to all
hey!
Well,I've been to the gym and that's good.I'm glad were all posting often.
Angel:hope youe feeling better!mix some honey with lime juice and drink it,It will help you.
well I have to go,just wanted to hi,I'll write some more later,till then.
Winnie
Okay just a quick hi! I am using the computer at the library while at work! My phone line at home is down. I am leaving tommorrow I think. My daughter seems to be getting sick. I think it is just a cold. I may go to my parents anyway. My husband is going to be painting all weekend.
Thanks for the advice on the weights ladies. I definately want to try it when I get more time! I was doing it for a couple of weeks and then just went back to walking.
I have some good news to report! I lost 3.75 this week! I am very happy with that. I just hope I can keep this up.
Hope you all have a great weekend and Angel feel better!
Sandy thanks for asking about the car. Dh said mysterious noise stopped! I hope that doesn't mean its going to break down on me tommorrow!
