Good morning, ladies! The weather here is till see-sawing with temps. This morning it was 51 when I came into work (7:45) and now it's down to 41! We may get some rain/snow mix later on today. The extreme changes are really wreaking havoc with my sinuses!

Tanya: I'm taking an oral antibiotic so maybe that's part of the problem. We'll see. I'm done taking it on Sunday so hopefully next Wednesday will be a better WI. It's frustrating when you mark everything down and you're really careful about your choices. I had a bad eating day yesterday and I'm chalking it up to being overtired. This is my first full week at work since Nov. 13th so I think I'm still catching up. As far as the weights go 8-12 reps with resistance sounds about right--I can ask my son (he's a fitness trainer) to be sure.

Lisa: Well at least your not OVER your goal even though it's a number you don't want to be at. Just think if you hadn't done any activity! The banquet was nice--they had a audio/visual presentation of each of the games with highlights/special effects and at the end of the highlights they had their rallies that they hold at the school prior to the games--it was a lot of fun to see them. The good was okay--they had a huge salad with cucumbers & tomatoes, rolls, broccoli with carrots & zucchini, red potato wedges, pasta with sauce & meatballs, and chicken. The chicken was the highlight--the broccoli was barely cooked and the potatoes weren't hot so I didn't eat them. I did have a piece of cake though.

Lori: I'm starting to feel better--you know you expect to be able to do all the things you did before and don't expect to get tired. This week was crazy with work, banquets, etc. and I'm hoping that next week will be quieter.

No major plans for the weekend (thank goodness) and I'm hoping to make some healthy lunches that I can freeze for during the week. I need to work on decluttering some things at home too.

Lori, Are there special shoes that you need to buy for jogging or is your PT person just saying "new shoes?" DH is a marathoner so we know a lot about shoes. I recommend you go to a store that does gait analysis. That way you'll know if you are a pronator or a supinator and if you need extra cushioning. Maybe your PT already knows that anyway!

I love my Total Gym. I belonged to a gym years ago and I found that it was easy for me to have an excuse not to go. It just wasn't convenient. I've had my Total Gym about 8 years and it's so easy to use. I didn't buy the top of the line one, more the middle grade.

Yes, we also have chocolate given to us as gifts. I'm trying to stay away from it. I brought some of it to the office.

Thanks everyone for the weightlifting tips. I met w/ a trainer today and he was helpful. The reason they suggest "25-30 reps of a lighter weight was because I want to loose a lot of weight, and muscle will burn calories all day". If I do a few sets of 8-12 of a higher weight then I will "gain muscle instead of tone up the muscle I have already and possibly bulk up". That is what people should do when they are closer to or at goal. I am not lifting anything heavy, whatever I can comfortably lift 25-30 times only feeling a slight burn. It's seems like more, but it's actually less of a struggle than lifting 5-10 more lbs less times. I am just doing what he's telling me, and judging by the looks of the other woman he works with, it works :) My mo however is trying to loose less weight and gain strength so the same trainer is having her do 2 reps of 8-12 w/ a slightly higher weight. I listened to what he said but honestly most of it was Spanish to me, lol.

GOOD NEWS!! I went to my 1st WW meeting since re-joining last week and I am down 4.8lbs!!! I know they say that loosing high amounts isn't the best, but I have a lot to loose and it's my first week so I am not worried. I know it's not reasonable or healthy to loose that much every week, but if the first few weeks are big numbers that's fine...right? Plus I am more motivated now than ever.

I did Freddie's class today and a 10min warm up before hand. I always thought the women who work out before the class were nuts, but it really helps and I am taking the class at my own pace. Everyone just does what they can, it's organized but not strict. There are also options, like if you have bad knees, or running isn't your thing. Freddie always gives a couple options to get a similar result. I love it. I had a bagel and light cream cheese and a coffee right after my meeting and it was SO GOOD. I have been limiting my coffee to when I really need it, which is hard w/ Jax waking up so early. I made a Boboli whole wheat pizza last night for dinner and a salad. The pizza wasn't my fav the first few times I bought it, but last nights was delicious. I put olive oil, tomato slices, fresh mozzarella and basil and just drizzles it w/ some home made sauce...mmmmmm. I had leftovers for lunch today it was so good. I am usually not a leftovers fan, like my DH who loves them?! Tonight I had a salad w/ chicken and light feta. I am going to try to limit my extra points more and more each week. Last week I used 28 between Fri and Wed, and avoided them Thurs, since it's the night before my WW meeting. Oh sorry I am rambling on. I am just so excited. I really could not have done this w/ out all of you support :)

Melissa, I hope you are feeling better soon. I know how much surgery and getting sick can effect your progress. It is frustrating, but rest and recovery are more important than weight loss. Just remember to put yourself first and listen to your body. What type of surgery did you have and what are you doing for work?

Lisa, Good for you for having the courage to get on the scale and Melissa is right... at least you are not over. I know that is frustrating to hear, because you have set a goal for yourself and you have worked so hard, but your determination has paid of before and it will again. How far from your goal would you like to be?

Lori, I also tend to graze if I am at home, so I try to keep busy. I'm sure that is hard when you need to work though. Is there any way you DH can take some of the sweets to work w/ him or hide them from you. Maybe you can treat yourself w/ one piece if you eat well all day or something? I have a huge sweet tooth and I would never be able to resist chocolate if it was available to me. Luckily, my dh who also loves sweets, likes different types and is also trying to loose some weight and lower his cholesterol.


Everyone,[/B] Thanks again so much for your support and advice this past week. It has paid off and I am very grateful to have found such a welcoming group.

Tanya: Great job on the weightloss! The first week back usually does generate a nice loss and you're right about not expecting that every week. I'm glad you were able to get some guidance from a trainer. I had a laproscopic hysterectomy on 11/14. I was able to keep my ovaries so to that end I'm not thrust into menopause! I have noticed that since I've been on the ampicillin my incision that was irritated is healing :D I'm learning patience and that I need to listen to my body. The weight loss will come in time.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Melissa, I am happy that your incision is healing. That is a very common procedure, but sometimes people hear that and think it means that will be back to themselves in no time... not true. I work in an OB/GYN office as a Medical Assistant and I am a nursing student. I LOVE it, it's very interesting and rewarding.

Have a good weekend Ladies!