Morning everyone,
The sun is shining again in London. It's May Day today, so I might not get to post later on if we get sent home from work. Last year there were some riots going on nearby, but hopefully there won't be too much violence going on today. Then again, if I get to go home early BF and I can work on our back yard. We have found 2 tables so far (we can't afford garden furniture so we've taken to salvaging it from the streets, ie when people chuck things out!). We're hoping someone gets rid of some nice chairs now!!
Kierie - I think you mentioned meeting up in 2003. I'm totally up for that. Perhaps we should start a new email list of people interested? Count me in. I think you already have my email. Who wants to be in charge of organising it?
Jess - well done setting up a new challenge. Do you want me to PM you my email address? I'm hoping to get back into exercising after being ill. I haven't been for over 2 weeks now. But my balance is almost back to normal! I'm also going to start running. (Once my teeth and head stop throbbing from sinusitis).
Hello Cristina - welcome to the 20-somethings group! I wish we had a workout facility at work. It takes such a big chunk out of the day to go to the gym at lunchtime. Speaking of which, I'm going to go to legs, bums and tums in a bit. My first class since I've been ill. Wish me luck - I hope I can last the whole class!!
JenL - hope Emma feels better soon. My niece Eilidh got a nasty chest infection, I think the whole world has some kind of bug right now. I sympathise with having rubbish neighbours. Our last ones were dreadful. Hopefully our new ones will be OK. They are a bit noisy (wooden floors should be banned except on the ground floor of buildings!) but nearer our age so hopefully we'll see more of them in summer cos we share a garden.
Lori - you're right about getting rid of old baggy clothes. You won't need to wear them again, chuck them out!
Winter - you can bake and not eat the cookies/brownies?! I wish I could!!! I run very slowly as well. But I want to get down to 10-minute miles. And maybe even a bit faster, but one step at a time!
JenK - that's cool you're thinking of doing a marathon. You're doing really well with the running. I only do my annual 5k - but hey - it's better than nothing!
Becky - work on that motivation. Think how you want to look on your big day and get counting those points!
Lexxy - take up that other gym membership. If it's free you might as well. And they might do some cool classes that your other gym doesn't. Plus if it's nearer you could use it at weekends. Go on - you've got nothing to lose (except pounds).
Right, better go. Hello to everyone I missed. Hope to speak to you all later, but if not - have a nice day!!
Kirsty

Hey girls,

I'm feeling very motivated and re-committed today I think this challenge is going to be great for all of us. I'm going to have 2 gyms at my disposal for the next few months, so no excuses!

Kirsty - What's with the violence on May Day? It's not really a big holiday here (is it even a holiday here?). I feel your pain with your teeth hurting when you run. That happened to me a few weeks ago, badly enough that I went to the dentist - and she indeed told me it was probably from my sinuses as opposed to my teeth. Speaking of, I had to get a tooth crowned yesterday I am a big baby when it comes to that stuff.

Winter - I agree with what Jen said about the running. I think once you can comfortably run the distance you want, then try to do some speedwork. When I first started - and even now - my pace really wasn't my concern. I think I started at an average of a 13 min mile, including the 1 min walking breaks in there. Taking out the walking breaks I now probably average a 10 min mile, but I can't sustain that for more than a couple miles. For my 10 mile race my pace was an 11 min mile - and I took walking breaks as I needed them. Some people would rather have a slower overall pace and not take any walking breaks - which is fine too. I have trouble sometimes pacing myself during races , so I tend to run at a fast pace for a few mins, walk for a min, then run again. I think as you train you will find what is comfortable for you. Just don't worry about comparing your speed/distance to anyone else.

Jen - a friend of mine is running the Chicago marathon. Are you people nuts?? Seriously though, if you want to do it, go for it. It is a huge commitment, but it's also a huge accomplishment that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Cristina - Hi and welcome

Ok, I have been totally slacking at work lately - better go get some serious stuff done (I'm sure I'll be checking back in like 20 mins )

Good morning ladies!!

Kirsty ~ Your class today sounds like fun. I live in a small town so we don't have many aerobics classes at our disposal. If we did, I would be there!! I would love to take a kickboxing class, thought that would be empowering!!! I hope you are finally over your illness.

Lexxy ~ I too am very excited about the challenge. I did really well on the last one, and I know a big part of my weight loss, was the support I get from the challenge and this board. That is great that you have two gyms to go to. No excuses now!!!!

Hi to everyone else out there about to post or is in lurking land!!!

Well, I had WI this morning, and lost another 2 pounds!! Down to 139!!!! I feel sooooo awesome!!!! I don't know what is so different now as apose to months ago when I was trying to go to meetings, and would only lose 1/4 - 1/2 pounds a week. I think it is the regular exercise, that and I really watch what I put in my mouth, and rarely have screw up days. So, I have 4 pounds to go to get to my personal goal.

I haven't tried on my "small" shorts from last summer yet, I hope they look good (last year at this time I was at my lowest, 135). I am so glad I found the willpower to lose the extra 12-15 pounds, I know I would be so depressed right now thinking about squeezing my body into shorts and swimsuits that are 2 sizes too small.

Well, on a different note. My DD isn't feeling the best today, and I really expect the school to call me, so I don't know how much I will be around today. I am really making progress on my spring cleaning. Just have to go thru my kids' toys for the garage sale, and my work in the house will be done.

Still only see DH about once a week, we have one more month of this horrible shift, then he will be working days again.

We bought a suburban this week. We had a Yukon. It is huge! But DH thought that he needs the biggest and best. So, now I am driving a small bus.....

My mom flew to Phoenix today, my aunt died after a long sickness. She was one of my favorites. I feel terrible for my Uncle (he is also one of my favorites), his health isn't that great either, but has been the nursemaid for my aunt for quiet some time, I worry about the stress on him. It is a blessing that she died, a big burden off of him.

Work is starting to slow down. Classes end this week, and exams are next week, then campus will be dead. I usually take lots of time off in the summer to be with my kids and enjoy the outdoors, so I am looking forward to it.

Let's see, what else....well, really can't think of anything. Will check back often, no motivation to work today!

See ya!!

the may day protests are all anti-capitalists, anti-globalisation and environmental demos (reclaim the streets etc). i think it started cos may 1st was labour day and those are the people with poorest wages and most likely to lose jobs and suffer at hands of big corporations. there are lots of folk milling round central london blowing whistles and dressed like students (if you get my drift), some on bikes. last year they all got penned in at oxford circus by police for 6 hours at least so they couldn't do any damage cos the year before they started smashing windows in macdonalds and nike and so on. most of the demonstrators are peaceful and trying to make valid points but there are always the troublemakers....
anyhow.
tonya - 139!!! wow! well done! sorry to hear about your aunt.
lexxy - hooray on finding your motivation - booh on the crown.
right, back to work. looks like we won't have to go home early cos the streets are pretty peaceful right now.
kirsty

Hi everyone! Well, so far day one of my Swimsuit Season Challenge is going well. (Of course, it's only 8:45 in the a.m.).

I'm a little annoyed today because I have to take two computer-based training modules to learn stuff that I really shouldn't have to learn because I'll never use it... Oh well, nothing I can do about it.

I'd like to say that things are winding down as it gets closer to the end of the week, but they're really not. I do feel pretty accomplished because a lot of my packing is finished, which leaves cleaning left to be done. At work, I'm working my rear off trying to get some stuff finished before I switch to nights.

Depressingly, though, I had WI last night. I gained a pound! Good thing the Swimsuit Season Challenge starts today! I'm going to try (notice I said TRY) to eat right during this crazy time (with the move and the night shifts).

OK, now I have a couple of questions... First of all--is there anyone out there with a big chest? I'm a 40DD and when I exercise, my back hurts like you wouldn't believe about an hour later. I don't want to not do the aerobic exercise (which is what I think is hurting my back), but it's really painful. I wear two bras to work out in--an underwire with a sports bra and it keeps them from bouncing around when I'm running or stepping, but it apparently isn't working for my back. I hate taking Advil all the time for the pain, but it keeps getting worse. Of course, I keep thinking that by the time I reach my goal weight, they'll be smaller so I'm kind of holding off on looking into a breast reduction until then. Any suggestions in the meantime?

Also, do you guys think tha 140 is too low of a goal weight for me? I'm 5'7"... I think it sounds right but I'm afraid it'll be too hard to maintain. Should I go for the higher end of my weight range (which is 147) as my WW goal and then have 140 be a personal goal? That way, if I find that 140 is too hard to maintain, I'll have a little bit to work with... What do you guys think?

OK, I gotta get some work done...

Jess ~ I can't imagine the pain you are going thru with your chest (I am barely a B cup) but it must be miserable. I do work with a couple ladies that had breast reduction, and they said their doctors wouldn't even consider it, until they had lot a significant amount of weight. In the meantime, maybe you could focus on lighter impact workouts, like weight lifting, walking, yoga, etc. Just a thought. As far as a goal weight. I am also 5' 7" tall. Not petite, but not big boned either. My goal weight is 135. Last spring I did get done to 130, but my mom said I looked too thin, and I had a terrible time maintaining that weight. 135-140 is very maintainable for me. But, I do think that everyone is different, depends on your build and such. I would make a temporary goal of 145 or so, and see how you feel when you get there, and then adjust. Just remember, your not locked into a number on the scale, go with how you feel and what you can maintain, but I do understand the effectiveness of picking a number as a goal.

Hope this helps....I am sure the more weight you lose, the better your chest will feel, and the smaller it will get. Once you get to your goal weight, you may seriously want to consider a reduction if your chest is still large. The women I work with, since were very large even after they lost 50 pounds, and they said it was the best thing they ever did, and because it was causing them serious back problems, their insurance covered it.

Ok, done with my novel! Back to work!!

Good morning all.

This week is going to be much better than the weekend. Yesterday I did excellent, eating-wise. I didn't have a chance to workout, I was so busy running errands and finishing up the end-of-semester stuff, but today I'm going to try a new fat-burning yoga tape that I bought. That way when I go to Red Lobster over lunch I won't feel as guilty

I am so glad that I'm finally over the stress that was causing me to eat constantly. I couldn't stop myself! I think it was because I had so much studying to do, so I was in my apartment all weekend, with the refrigerator. When I'm busy doing things outside, I don't even think about food as much. So I'm going to try and stay busy

Kirsty -- this should be a good time of year for finding furniture outside, at least here it is. It's the end of the semester, so stuff is being thrown away & sold right and left so that people don't have to haul it back home. Yesterday I saw a TV by our dumpster! I caught myself thinking, hmmm... that would go good in my living room.... Then I noticed it was busted out. Darn.

Lexxy -- I am also feeling very remotivated. Eventually, I'd love to be able to run, but I'm always paranoid about shin splints. Just the thought of what they are... muscle pulling away from the bone.... gives me a mental picture that freaks me out. But I am going to work towards it. PRobably when I move back to my parents for the summer and don't have a gym to go to I'll start working on it.

Tonya -- congrats on the 2 pounds!

Jess -- thanks for setting up the challenge... I really needed one. I don't have a big chest either, so I can't help you there... Although the rest of me is big, my boobs stopped growing before the everything else did

Everyone else out there: HI!

BTW -- I think I'm also remotivated b/c I went shopping yesterday. I get this high from shopping, and although my credit card can't always take it, it's great! I was trying on dresses and they fit! It was so cool. I think I've lost about 2 sizes since I started in February, and I've had to add new things to my wardrobe. the jeans are the worst, because if they're too big, they fall off, but if they're too small, tehy look ridiculous. So I"m going through a lot of jeans. I just bought a new pair of khakis that are just a little bit tight, hopefully this is the reminder I need to keep myself in line!

Sorry about writing such a book -- I"m in a really good mood today. Have a great day everyone!

Jess, my friend is an H cup so she can sympathise with you. She wants to lose a bit of weight, and she is hoping that "starsky and hutch" will get smaller. so far, it seems to be coming off everywhere else first. always the way! she is on the NHS waiting list for a reduction, but is hoping she can lose a bit of weight first. her main problem is finding a sports bra to fit! i think if you are naturally well-endowed you always will be. but if you are considering getting a reduction you should be at a healthy weight for your height otherwise the risks from surgery/anesthetics are greater and doctors may refuse to perform treatment on you. def worth waiting till you've lost more weight. tonya's advice is pretty good. i'd def try yoga. you might find it improves your posture and that will also help your back pain.
i'd set a goal weight at the top end of the range for your height. that way you stop paying for meetings sooner! and then set a personal goal under the ww goal and you can keep your weight somewhere in between. it isn't natural to have a fixed number, it fluctuates by a few pounds over a day, not to mention monthly variations!
hi angie! this losing weight business can be expensive, but it's worth treating yourself to new clothes when you drop a size. it def keeps your motivation going.
ooh. we've just been sent an email telling us we can go home at 4.30pm today to avoid any may day riots (more likely to happen now the demonstrators have got a few beers inside them). nice one! i make it 4.30, so see you guys tomorrow,
kirsty

Angie - YUCK! I had never heard of that before. As far as I've been told, shin splints is a generalized term for any pain along the shins, but that it can be caused by different things. I'm the same way about shopping. It's going to be really dangerous for me once I'm all buff and can go into any store and be able to wear anything I want.

An H cup!! I can't even imagine. Jess, when I was at my highest weight last summer/fall I was a 40DD. I even still wear some of those bras since I've lost weight and haven't bought all new ones. Now I'd say I'm a 38D. I've always had some back problems, but I have pretty broad shoulders, so it hasn't been too bad on me. My posture is terrible though, so that doesn't help. I don't consciously notice it after I exercise. Does it hurt even if you do the eliptical machine or something like that? I agree that yoga/pilates could help with that since it will improve your posture. Maybe even a chiropractor could help while you are waiting to see if surgery is the right option. My mom actually offered to pay for breast reduction surgery for me in high school - I was like are you CRAZY I will only have surgery if it is a matter of life and death. By the way, Champion makes a really good sports bra that is the only kind I wear. Not sure on the style name, but it has semi-defined cups underneath a solid front. The back has a regular close and then a tab that snaps across. The straps are adjustable with velcro. I tend to buy my sports bras a bit smaller than my regular bras so that they are nice and snug. I've never done the 2 bra-at-a-time thing, but know people who do.

About the goal weight thing....I'm kind of in the same boat. Right now mine is 135, but that is totally an arbitrary number. I am about 5'10, so I know that will be hard for me to maintain - I would just like to get there once, you know What Tonya and Kirsty say make sense about finding a comfortable range. The number doesn't matter to me so much, as long as I can fit into a nice size 6-8.

I wish we had some riots over here so we could go home early Even when all those protestors raid Washington, we still don't get out of work I shouldn't complain though, I can pretty much make my own hours. Like today I am going to leave earlier than originally planned, so I can go to the gym and then practice with my kickball team at the Washington Monument. It's so nice outside - I wish we could be all sitting on a patio somewhere having a drink instead of in these cubicles pounding away on our keyboards. Ah well....

Hi All -

Hope that you are all having a good day today.

Tonya - sorry to hear about your aunt and I hope your daughter feels better. Doesn't spring cleaning give you such a sense of accomplishment?

Enjoy the new clothes Angie. Shopping for smaller sizes is one of the best parts about losing weight.

Hey Jess - don't really have any advice for you but am with everyone who suggested yoga. Strengthening, toning, stretching and relaxation all in one. Plus if you mention a trouble spot most yoga instructors will reccommend asanas that will help.

Well, I'm feeling like a sixteen year old school girl today. One of the guys that I met last Friday sent me an e-mail. Naturally, I am over analyzing every word for nuances and haven't yet figured out how I want to respond. Seems to me that this meeting people thing was easier when I was in college. Haven't had to do this in 5 or 6 years - was with someone for a long time and then took a dating hiatus - and I find that everything about meeting guys is making me nervous. Oh well, nothing time won't cure I suppose.

Later,

Winter

Hey everyone... My little girl had her 18 month check up today and checked out fine. Her rash is drying up too. She is finally eating again. She lost 2 pounds, which is a lot for a 25 pound kid!! She is back in daycare too!

As for me... Who would think that if you made no fat added granola, you would want to eat the whole batch. It was sooooo yummy! I can't stop eating it. Shame on me!!!!

Got my perm and am all curly. Can't wait to wash it!

I am behind with work since I have been gone so much the last couple of days! Gotta get to it!

Hi Everyone

I've been lurky lately - hard to actually get a chance to type because we're a little busy right now.

Jess - I like the swimsuit challenge. I bought a tanktini last summer but it was a 22 and now I'm in 16/18s so it's a very big. I can't wait to buy a new suit. Of course, my body size has changed a lot but my thighs appear to be the exact same as when I started. Maybe that should be my goal - thigh toning.

Also, the boobs thing - I was a 40DDD about a year ago and my back always hurt - 3 bras for aerobics!!! I found it made a difference what the straps were like - the bigger they were - the less I hurt - and they don't make many pretty ones that big. I'm a 38D now but I still wear 2 bras when I ride my horse (all that bouncing)

The fire alarm is going off - have a great day
KT

Hey everyone-I was just reading all of the posts and thinking "SHame onme" for agonizing over these last ten pounds for so long....all of you have made such tremendous achievements...Horesey Girl-you've lost what, like 65 pounds? So many of you have lost so much-you motivate me to keep going and lose these last ten...
As for the subjecy of WW goal weights-a few leaders have told me to set at the highest goal for my height b/c when you make it, you don't have to pay anymore! And why should WW get any more of your money???? Then, if you want to go lower, you can, but you have a cushion...just an idea!
I posted on the swimsuit challenge! 146 by July 4th! (At least!) I lose really slowly so I want to be realistic....

Hey everyone ... I've been trying to post all day and had such a time getting the site to load. Does anyone else ever have that problem? I have a very fast Internet connection at work, so I don't get it. Usually I have to hit reload again and again to get a thread to come up.

Anyway, all this talk about boobies. I used to be a 34 B-C before I gained weight. Now I'm a 38D, and I hate it. I hate buying bras because the big ones are usually so ugly. And if they're not ugly, they're so expensive. I bought a few at Victoria's Secret, but they stretched out so quickly I felt like I threw away money. Anyone have any solutions? Of course, I also tell myself I'm not going to buy a new bra because I'm going to lose weight. But that's not happening very quickly. I tell myself the same thing about clothes, and then end up wearing the same tire old things. Willpower, please! But I just started my period so it's not like that's happening today!

Well, I better go finish some work for the day and decide if I actually want to stay late to work on a bigger story that should have been done a month ago. I'm such a procrastinator!

Have a great night everyone!