Ok I am finally doing it!

[Robyn Gough]

I am making the effort...finally to loose some weight.

I have issues that make it difficult for me to loose weight, I have PCOS and am on cortisone for auto-immune issues, and while having a family I have been putting loosing weight off. Well my youngest is now 4, so I really can't make excuses about that anymore...ok well I have been using trying to get to the bottom of my health issues an excuse... LOL

I AM trying to get to the bottom of my health issues, because they do prevent me from exercising much but I am hoping once I find the right medication I will be able to get started on that. I have been slowly trying to improve my eating habits. I am not a big eater but I DO eat the wrong foods. Those chocolate cravings are a killer! Especially peanut m & m's!

I have started a weightloss program under the supervision of dietitians and doctors and sports physiologists. It is expensive but it seems to be a really good and sensible program.

I have lost a little weight so far but have heaps more to go, I am not 20 anymore so am not expecting miracles and enjoy food too much to expect them, but I do need to shed a decent amount of pounds for my health.

Boy do I hate keeping a food diary tho! UGH!

I would love to hear from others who are trying to actively loose weight.

I would love to get a bit of support :hug: happening for us loosers! He he

[felynn]

I have a lot of weight to loose and love food. In fact I honestly think that the secret to a happy life is butter.

I am making an effort to get in shape and hopefully loose weight as a by product of fitness. I am making an effort to change my diet but I think I have eliminated as much of the "bad" stuff as I can at this point. (soda pop, chips, candy, fast food, drive thrus)

I can't help it I love bread... with butter of course and yeah chocolate :o but I am proud that I can eat just one square of chocolate now instead of the whole 100 g bar!

I've been keeping track of my fitness efforts on a blog. I keep a food journal and find it difficult as well.

If you're interested you can see my blog by clicking here (http://projectgetfitfatty.blogspot.com/)

I have already fallen off the fitness wagon once this year (and gained back a lot of what I lost) but I am determined to make this lifestyle change and I hope you will as well :hug:

[guitargirl]

I am also trying to get fit (and hopefully lose some weight, too!) My main downfall is Pepsi. I've been working on drinking more water instead, and trying to watch portion sizes. Also trying to get exercise in on a regular basis. I've done so much gardening lately that it hasn't been too hard. I also bought a Wii Fit, which I love to do! I haven't lost much weight yet, but I have lost a couple of inches off my waist!!! :yahoo:

I found a free website called SparkPeople that has online tracking tools for fitness and nutrition. That helps me keep on track, too.

[felynn]

My main downfall is Pepsi.

This was the hardest for me to give up. I still crave it. If it helps I do believe giving it up is what sparked a massive weight loss for me. It's the only thing that keeps me from running to the store and buying one right now :)

[webfrau]

I'll join the club. I joined sparkpeople.com and have been tracking my nutrition there. I was surprised at how unbalanced my diet was because I thought I was pretty good except for the naughty snacking. I found I wasn't eating anywhere near my protein requirements and have felt a lot better since improving that.

I've done pretty well so far. I've lost 6.5kg since the end of April. I haven't increased my exercise much which isn't very good but I suspect I will have to get to my goal which is only 3.5kg away. It felt very good to buy new jeans last week because the old ones were falling off!

[jemtred]

I also really need to lose weight -it just gradully creeps back everytime I lose some. I started a running program which was great but then I went back to work and didn't stick to it so I have been offit for 4 weeks and now I'm going away for 2 weeks. Its just excuses with me and portion sizes. My husband is a fantastic cook and loves to make great food and I love to eat it! Will check out the sparkpeople though to see what they can help with but willnot really be starting until August (3 family birthdays-including mine- and my 10th weddin aniversary!) Good luck one and all!!

[debilou]

I'll join your Club Robyn...

I had a doctor who put me on a medication 3 years ago... which made me gain a bunch of weight very quickly... I kept calling and saying something is wrong.. but he wouldn't listen...

I changed doctors - but the damage was done... Of course he took me off the medication... which I did NOT need in the first place... but I have about 40 pounds to lose.

This doctor recommended - the new one - since I haven't lost the weight on my own - said I should go on a medically supervised weight loss plan... but it was horrible.. 2 shakes a day and one tiny meal a day... and it started about 2 weeks before Christmas... And, you couldn't cheat AT all....

Well, I couldn't see getting thru Christmas like that.

So, on May 9th I signed up for NUTRI System...

And, I've lost 9.2 ( note the .2) very important hehe) pounds since then...

I should be exercising more...

But, at least I'm starting to lose weight...

So, if we encourage each other maybe we will!!

[debilou]

So, I need to lose 44 pounds

Lost 9.2

34.8 to go...

[Margie]

:yahoo: go! i used to love pop (coke, soda, whatever you call it) but really can't stand it now and am very happy with water. just eating LESS of everything is what amazed me. it didn't feel like dinner if my plate wasn't 100% covered, but now i'm used to it and feel so much better all around. i gained a bit back pigging out in australia and new zealand (i mean come on, pavlova?!) but it's coming back off now that i'm eating better.

[bendipez]

I'm gonna jump in here......
I used to be a nutrional counselor for NutriSystem (I know it doesn't look like it...I'm kinda bad about following my own advice )...so maybe these little tips will help....
First of all, don't get bogged down by what the scale says, remember muscle weighs more than fat....
Second , portion control...3oz is the size of a deck of playing cards (hey new idea for artscow motivational atc's ) 1 oz is the size of a dice....
Third, beer/wine alcohol really is like drinking a glass of crisco
Fourth, do not drink a bunch of water before you weigh yourself.....
Hope some of this helps....

[webfrau]

i gained a bit back pigging out in australia and new zealand (i mean come on, pavlova?!) but it's coming back off now that i'm eating better.

Now Margie you see what we have to constantly battle with. It's impossible not to put on weight in a country with pavlova!! ;):lol:

[webfrau]

Third, beer/wine alcohol really is like drinking a glass of cirsco

I've never been a big drinker but I did like to have some wine at the weekend. When I started this time I looked at the calories in a glass, a mere 3oz/100ml (and lets face it I don't know anybody that pours a glass that small! ) and decided I'd rather actually eat something than drink it. I've pretty much stopped drinking. I think I've had perhaps 3 or 4 glasses in 3 months and I measure each one. I can make a small glass last a long time and enjoy it just as much.

[felynn]

I've been reading nutrition labels a lot more now and find it really helpful but also a little frustrating because some of these things are pretty creative (imo)

For instance a bottle of ice tea. Like the kind you get out of a vending machine. One bottle is two servings so if you look at the calories and think oh thats ok I can fit that in you are wrong because it's actually double! I really hate that.

I looked at my husband's favorite frozen pizza (I hate frozen pizza) and did you know that a "personal" size pizza actually has 6 servings? So yeah no more frozen pizza for my poor hubby because that "personal" size pizza feeds 6 and is over his daily limit in calories.

I have approx 80 more lbs to loose. The Dr said I need to get closer to a normal weight range before we can actually set an end goal.

[scamptx]

I yo-yo, and I hate it. I have a problem with sugar. So! I am once again quitting the sugar train. I am a sugarholic--one bite, and I'm sunk. I envy folks who can eat a taste of cake and then turn their backs on it.

Today is day 21 with no sugar! :tup: I do acupuncture to help, and have increased my proteins.

I did this last year, and lost thirty pounds between February and July...then I went to California and splurged. (Let's blame it on Adobe! :lol:) More stress at home with moving my mother, and just not eating well at all.

I'm taking it one day at a time, but I'm motivated to feel healthier!

[felynn]

Thanks for the tip about sparkpeople.com I love all their tools n things this will make recording stuff so much easier!

I use 2 games on my Wii and various DvDs to workout so it's hard to keep track of my activity level sometimes. Now it should be much easier.

If you like the Wii Fit guitargirl you should check out "Gold's Gym Cardio Workout".
Lots of boxing and it uses the balance board for other activities. I love the Wii for the yoga, balance, and strength but I found the aerobic section a little lacking. Other than free step or free run they don't last long enough and free can be tedious if there isn't anything on TV ;)

[Robyn Gough]

I'll join your Club Robyn...

I had a doctor who put me on a medication 3 years ago... which made me gain a bunch of weight very quickly... I kept calling and saying something is wrong.. but he wouldn't listen...

I changed doctors - but the damage was done... Of course he took me off the medication... which I did NOT need in the first place... but I have about 40 pounds to lose.

This doctor recommended - the new one - since I haven't lost the weight on my own - said I should go on a medically supervised weight loss plan... but it was horrible.. 2 shakes a day and one tiny meal a day... and it started about 2 weeks before Christmas... And, you couldn't cheat AT all....

Well, I couldn't see getting thru Christmas like that.

So, on May 9th I signed up for NUTRI System...

And, I've lost 9.2 ( note the .2) very important hehe) pounds since then...

I should be exercising more...

But, at least I'm starting to lose weight...

So, if we encourage each other maybe we will!!

Yay! Well done! I agree! And well done on the weight loss! I have lost 2.7kg so far, which I think equates to nearly 6lbs. Although at my last weigh in at the dietitians I gained 400g, and we are also doing a challenge at work. At my last weigh in there I lost 1.7kg, I have no idea how I did that in the same fortnight I gained 400g! LOL We each put $50 in and whoever looses the most by a certain date which I forget in August gets the lot. Well I thought I would have no hope being on the cortisone etc, but so far I am either close to the lead or in the lead so I actually have a chance!

Now Margie you see what we have to constantly battle with. It's impossible not to put on weight in a country with pavlova!! ;):lol:

Yeah, that's my excuse too! He he. Actually I love bakery food and find that hard to do without. I love bread and pastries, so will probably miss that the most. I am still having bread, but not as much, and more wraps.

I've been reading nutrition labels a lot more now and find it really helpful but also a little frustrating because some of these things are pretty creative (imo)

For instance a bottle of ice tea. Like the kind you get out of a vending machine. One bottle is two servings so if you look at the calories and think oh thats ok I can fit that in you are wrong because it's actually double! I really hate that.

I looked at my husband's favorite frozen pizza (I hate frozen pizza) and did you know that a "personal" size pizza actually has 6 servings? So yeah no more frozen pizza for my poor hubby because that "personal" size pizza feeds 6 and is over his daily limit in calories.

I have approx 80 more lbs to loose. The Dr said I need to get closer to a normal weight range before we can actually set an end goal.

I probably need to loose about that much also.. I dont' want to loose too much as I think it will be impossible for me to maintain but I want to be at a reasonable healthy weight also. Quite honestly tho, I would be happy to be a size 16. Just to be able to buy clothes in regular clothing stores would be wonderful.

Thanks for the tip about sparkpeople.com I love all their tools n things this will make recording stuff so much easier!

I use 2 games on my Wii and various DvDs to workout so it's hard to keep track of my activity level sometimes. Now it should be much easier.

If you like the Wii Fit guitargirl you should check out "Gold's Gym Cardio Workout".
Lots of boxing and it uses the balance board for other activities. I love the Wii for the yoga, balance, and strength but I found the aerobic section a little lacking. Other than free step or free run they don't last long enough and free can be tedious if there isn't anything on TV ;)

I really need to start using the Wii more again. After I gained a bunch of weight on the cortisone I was to scared to get on it again because it keeps getting cranky at me, and you have to give it a reason, and cortisone is not listed as an option. ROFL

[Beachcomber]

I'm right there with you guys. I started walking 3 days a week last year and cutting down on my portions. I also joined Spark People last year and was doing well tracking my food on their site. I need to get back to tracking my food. I lost 5 lbs last year but I have since gained it back. :( Three weeks ago I started walk/jogging 3 days a week. I am watching my portions. Portion control is really hard for me. I love desserts!

[felynn]

I really need to start using the Wii more again. After I gained a bunch of weight on the cortisone I was to scared to get on it again because it keeps getting cranky at me, and you have to give it a reason, and cortisone is not listed as an option. ROFL

What I hate is when you step on and it goes "oh!" (like holy cow that hurt) instead of it's bright and cherry "Thank You!" When it asks me for a reason I just say I don't know because honestly I don't think it's any of its business. :p

My Mom recently started up on her Wii again and she told me she was mortified when it "yelled" at her for being away for 115 days :rofl:

Here's my spark page (http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp?id=FELYNRYL) if anyone wants to be my friend :)

[emandlivsmom]

WTG everyone...so motivational thanks for starting this thread. Count me in!!!

I joined Nutrisystem and waiting for my first shipment. I did it several years ago after my second child and found it to be a wonderful program, dropped 25 pounds and kept it off. But this past fall I went back to work full time, eating habits changed and exercise ceased to exist!!! I put on 12 pounds...not huge but can't seem to get it off! For some reason the financial committment to NS will make me stick to it.

So NS is 4 weeks long, and my husband and I registered for a 5k run in 6 weeks. I found in Runners World magazine a schedule to prepare for a 5k in 5 weeks. Hopefully between the two of them, happening at the same time, and it is summer time so no work, I can get these pounds off!!!!!!!

SEcretly hoping the Nutrisystem doesn't show up today as I have a picnic to go to tomorrow. hee hee

Thanks again for starting this thread...some online accountability is a good thing too!

[emandlivsmom]

Oh...the other thing that I am going to do is Jillian Michaels 30-day shread workout. It is a dvd (under 15 bucks) and it is 20 minutes every day. I have heard amazing things about it. I bought it and havent opened it yet. Little embarrassed about that...

[Betsyfru]

I'm jumping in here...My DH started reading about diet soda and how badit was for you, so he gave it up...and lost 15 pounds in a year! Without really doing anything else! Then he decided that he didn't want to be fat anymore this past winter and he started walking on our unused and lonesome trreadmill, and now he's lost over 60 more pounds! We do watch what we eat, and I've lost about 15 pounds as well (no more Diet Coke), but I'm such a slug that I don't exercise, hardly at all! And I need to lose at least 30 pounds, so I'm going to work at it a little harder and try to walk on the treadmill and use my Wii Fit and get rid of some more weight! He looks so skinny now that it puts me to shame!

[Betsyfru]

What I hate is when you step on and it goes "oh!" (like holy cow that hurt) instead of it's bright and cherry "Thank You!" When it asks me for a reason I just say I don't know because honestly I don't think it's any of its business. :p

My Mom recently started up on her Wii again and she told me she was mortified when it "yelled" at her for being away for 115 days :rofl:

Here's my spark page (http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp?id=FELYNRYL) if anyone wants to be my friend :)

OMG! I didn't read far enough to see this! I hate that OH! when I step on my Wii! And I haven't been on it for so long that I know it's going to yell at me, too! I guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet and just take it!

[debilou]

WTG everyone...so motivational thanks for starting this thread. Count me in!!!

I joined Nutrisystem and waiting for my first shipment. I did it several years ago after my second child and found it to be a wonderful program, dropped 25 pounds and kept it off. But this past fall I went back to work full time, eating habits changed and exercise ceased to exist!!! I put on 12 pounds...not huge but can't seem to get it off! For some reason the financial committment to NS will make me stick to it.

So NS is 4 weeks long, and my husband and I registered for a 5k run in 6 weeks. I found in Runners World magazine a schedule to prepare for a 5k in 5 weeks. Hopefully between the two of them, happening at the same time, and it is summer time so no work, I can get these pounds off!!!!!!!

SEcretly hoping the Nutrisystem doesn't show up today as I have a picnic to go to tomorrow. hee hee

Thanks again for starting this thread...some online accountability is a good thing too!

Jennifer, with your very first Nutrisystem order you will get a free exercise DVD...

It says it is a 2 mile Walk... Well, it's more than that... it starts out slow.. .but they pump it up and you get more than a regular 2 mile walk that you would say take around your neighborhood...

They add in side to sides... and other exercises with arm movements - nothing hard..

but, you get a work out.

there is a second part on toning.. I haven't done that part yet..

It takes about 40 minutes to complete... but they keep saying do as much or as little as you can do... don't OVER do it... if you have to stop stop... any exercise is better than none...

It really is a great dvd...

[Lynnie]

OK - I'm in - I'm about 50lbs overweight and looking forward to losing it all with you lovely people.

Now - this is a lot of collective weight here that we need to lose. It is a known fact that the weight of the entire world is constant and the weight we lose has to go somewhere, so our next motification is to pick someone who needs it (like anorexic models) and plan on donating it to them as we lose it!

[felynn]

Today is my weekly weigh in:drumroll:

.5 lbs

:party::annoyed:

[Muma]

OK I am jumping on the wagon here ....
I am so dissatisfied with myself that I wont even allow photos taken of me. Yeah try finding a page with me in it in my gallery that isn't from before I had Amy LOL. This is why I don't do Jeanet's wonderful challenge. :no:
I so want to loose the weight and joined SparkPeople but fell off the plan last year, tried to start up again around my birthday and that went hardly anywhere. My main problem is lack of exercise. Why? well I am very overweight and as soon as I start trying to do these exercise dvds I get out of breath so quick and can not continue. :yippee:
I also need to balance my food much better than I do and when I 1st went on sparke people I actually had trouble reaching my suggested calorie intake. I was HAVING to snack. :think:Luckily I don't like to drink soda in fact if I do the sodium content makes me so thirsty I hate it.

So what am I gonna do? :confused:
Well I will start here by saying that I need to loose 100lbs and that will put me under [by about 10-15lbs] what I was before I became pregnant. Now 100lbs sounds ALOT so I am going to break that down into 2 50lbs goals. :tup: I also know that this wont happen over night and it will take many months and I'll plan to loose between 2-2.5lbs a week.

I will start exercising but at a pace that I can maintain [its this unable to continue problem that gets me deflated]. Then slowly increase over time until I can keep pace with these DVDs :yippee:

I will start back on Sparkpeople.com so that I can keep an eye on what I am doing and we will see where all this leads now that I am in a great group of women who all want to do the same thing :D

Sorry about the length of this post, I have sat here crying several times over the past week or so. Thanks to everyone who has decided to be part of this thread, you all gave me the courage to actually sit down and take stock and boy what a lot of stock I have :lol: :rofl: :lol:. Now its time to let the extra go and get rid of this constant backache that I have.

[Robyn Gough]

OK - I'm in - I'm about 50lbs overweight and looking forward to losing it all with you lovely people.

Now - this is a lot of collective weight here that we need to lose. It is a known fact that the weight of the entire world is constant and the weight we lose has to go somewhere, so our next motification is to pick someone who needs it (like anorexic models) and plan on donating it to them as we lose it!

Ooooh I LOVE that idea!!! :rofl:

Today is my weekly weigh in:drumroll:

.5 lbs

:party::annoyed:

YAY! Way to go!!! :applause:

OK I am jumping on the wagon here ....
I am so dissatisfied with myself that I wont even allow photos taken of me. Yeah try finding a page with me in it in my gallery that isn't from before I had Amy LOL. This is why I don't do Jeanet's wonderful challenge. :no:
I so want to loose the weight and joined SparkPeople but fell off the plan last year, tried to start up again around my birthday and that went hardly anywhere. My main problem is lack of exercise. Why? well I am very overweight and as soon as I start trying to do these exercise dvds I get out of breath so quick and can not continue. :yippee:
I also need to balance my food much better than I do and when I 1st went on sparke people I actually had trouble reaching my suggested calorie intake. I was HAVING to snack. :think:Luckily I don't like to drink soda in fact if I do the sodium content makes me so thirsty I hate it.

So what am I gonna do? :confused:
Well I will start here by saying that I need to loose 100lbs and that will put me under [by about 10-15lbs] what I was before I became pregnant. Now 100lbs sounds ALOT so I am going to break that down into 2 50lbs goals. :tup: I also know that this wont happen over night and it will take many months and I'll plan to loose between 2-2.5lbs a week.

I will start exercising but at a pace that I can maintain [its this unable to continue problem that gets me deflated]. Then slowly increase over time until I can keep pace with these DVDs :yippee:

I will start back on Sparkpeople.com so that I can keep an eye on what I am doing and we will see where all this leads now that I am in a great group of women who all want to do the same thing :D

Sorry about the length of this post, I have sat here crying several times over the past week or so. Thanks to everyone who has decided to be part of this thread, you all gave me the courage to actually sit down and take stock and boy what a lot of stock I have :lol: :rofl: :lol:. Now its time to let the extra go and get rid of this constant backache that I have.

BIG HUGS!! :hug: We can do this together! ;-) I have at least 80lbs to loose and really need to loose more than that, but for now am not thinking about that bit. LOL I hate photos being taken of myself also. I just don't think of myself as being as big as I look on photos.. guess I am in a bit of denial! LOL

I have a dietitian appointment on Monday so will have to weigh in then. Fingers crossed I loose weight instead of gain this time! I have been good all week but weekends are tough. Although I don't follow her diet as strictly as I should. She dropped me down to 1000 calories and I am sooo hungry on that small an amount. I have been allowing myself the decaf skinny mocha on milk that my hubbie makes so well at night time. It doesn't fit into my calorie plan but otherwise I start snacking because I crave sweets and I don't have much milk in my morning cereal so I figure it isn't too much of a divergence.

I had better get my food diary done, I haven't done it AGAIN.. I really need to get into the habit. I am thinking of getting the Calorie King software as I am more likely do it on the computer than writing it in a book.

[emandlivsmom]

You can do it Muma!!! It is soooo difficult to get into an exercise routine...is there anyone you can "team" up with to go for short walks 3 or 4 times a week? Set a reasonable goal for yourself, some of those exercise videos are soooo hard and it is so discouraging.

If you want to be "cyber exercise buddies" let me know. It is hard for me to get up and exercise when my alarm goes off at 5:30...I want to roll over and keep sleeping! But checking in with someone to say yes, I did it today, may help!

[HeatherH]

Well, I'm jumping on this, too! Can you believe that 1 year ago I was totally BUFF! At my goal weight and in shape! It's amazing what 12 months of eating whatever I want and cutting my workout routine in half can do. What can I say, I love good food and wine:)I've packed on 15 pounds which may not sound like much, but on a 5'1" frame, it's more like 30. I'm so mad at myself for letting this happen. This is just the motivation I need to get my butt in gear!

[Muma]

BIG HUGS!! :hug: We can do this together! ;-) I have at least 80lbs to loose and really need to loose more than that, but for now am not thinking about that bit. LOL I hate photos being taken of myself also. I just don't think of myself as being as big as I look on photos.. guess I am in a bit of denial! LOL

I have a dietitian appointment on Monday so will have to weigh in then. Fingers crossed I loose weight instead of gain this time! I have been good all week but weekends are tough. Although I don't follow her diet as strictly as I should. She dropped me down to 1000 calories and I am sooo hungry on that small an amount. I have been allowing myself the decaf skinny mocha on milk that my hubbie makes so well at night time. It doesn't fit into my calorie plan but otherwise I start snacking because I crave sweets and I don't have much milk in my morning cereal so I figure it isn't too much of a divergence.

I had better get my food diary done, I haven't done it AGAIN.. I really need to get into the habit. I am thinking of getting the Calorie King software as I am more likely do it on the computer than writing it in a book.

:hug: Thanks so much I WILL do this :D

I checked into SparkPeople again - username is MumaSue
My main goals are


To loose 50lb by Jan 1st 2010 [thats 2lb a week]
To consume between 1450-1800 a day [thats the amount they gave me]
Burn 1040 calories a week


I also had to pick three Fast Break Goals and these were


Drink 8 cups of water a day [I am so bad at doing this]
Do 15 mins of exercise while watching tv. [watching tv will keep my mind off the exercise LOL]
Write in a journal every day. [That way I keep track of myself]


You can do it Muma!!! It is soooo difficult to get into an exercise routine...is there anyone you can "team" up with to go for short walks 3 or 4 times a week? Set a reasonable goal for yourself, some of those exercise videos are soooo hard and it is so discouraging.

If you want to be "cyber exercise buddies" let me know. It is hard for me to get up and exercise when my alarm goes off at 5:30...I want to roll over and keep sleeping! But checking in with someone to say yes, I did it today, may help!

Oh I am so up for this one. :tup: :yahoo: :tup:

[scamptx]

I mentioned that I do acupuncture to help...

My acupuncturist says that with acupuncture there's a certain percentage of weight loss success, and with a support group there's a certain percentage of success, but the two together have an even higher success rate. (Wish I could remember the exact figures!)

I'm so glad we're here supporting each other!

[webfrau]

Muma - you can do this - baby steps! Some exercise is better than no exercise so just start with what you can manage and work from there.

[felynn]

Why? well I am very overweight and as soon as I start trying to do these exercise dvds I get out of breath so quick and can not continue.

I have the same problem. All exercise DvDs make me feel like a dancing hippo (but not as graceful as the ones in Fantasia) Here's a few things I do to cope with this problem.

If you live in an area that isn't too hot (or if you're used to the heat) go walking. This is what my Mom does she walks everyday and she loves it. She used to be a letter carrier so she's used to it. I can't stand the heat in my area for about 3/4 of the year (it makes me faint) so I can't do this

While doing a DvD go at your own pace. Never mind how much all the people are bouncing around (including the "beginner" person) just go slow or only lift your knees halfway. Push yourself but pace yourself. You need to feel the workout but you need to go at a pace where you can keep going for at least 20 mins. I often find it helpful to watch a DvD before I start working with a DvD if I know what's coming I know when to start slowing down or when I'll have to start doing bum kicks.

If it's stepping don't use a step for the first week or two.

If you need to skip part of the workout go ahead and skip it but be sure to do the warm up and cool down portions

If you get "tangled up" just keep moving as best you can.

Remember that the important thing is to keep moving so you can just run in place, do small hops, or bum kicks etc until you feel able to try again.

I think for the first month I mostly used my DvDs to time myself. I still refuse to do any of that kind of stuff in front of an audience.

Keep water on hand and drink it. Not to cold though.

It gets easier. The more strength and stamina you build the more efficient your body becomes and pretty soon you'll be keeping up with the beginner gal. Then before you know it you'll be able to keep up with the instructor.

[felynn]

I had better get my food diary done, I haven't done it AGAIN.. I really need to get into the habit. I am thinking of getting the Calorie King software as I am more likely do it on the computer than writing it in a book.

There's free one available at SparkPeople.

I am really bad about keeping a food diary too and even when I do I always want to cheat: forget some foods, record whole wheat instead of white etc.

[guitargirl]

If you like the Wii Fit guitargirl you should check out "Gold's Gym Cardio Workout".
Lots of boxing and it uses the balance board for other activities. I love the Wii for the yoga, balance, and strength but I found the aerobic section a little lacking. Other than free step or free run they don't last long enough and free can be tedious if there isn't anything on TV ;)

I will have to check that out! I LOVE the boxing on the Wii Fit (although it is starting to get too easy). My husband laughs at me when I am doing the step aerobics (I've been moving my arms around like jumping jacks to make it harder.) I guess it's just not his thing! :D

[guitargirl]

What I hate is when you step on and it goes "oh!" (like holy cow that hurt) instead of it's bright and cherry "Thank You!"

Oh, I hate that too!! It makes me want to smack the TV screen!! :lol:

[bendipez]

Here are a few more tips (figure if I post them to help others I might even take my own advice lolol ).......
Do Not skip breakfast, actually make this your biggest meal, nice lunch and very small dinner...do not skip meals otherwise you will be hungrier and eat more...
Get a cheap step pedometer....while 10,000 steps seems like a lot they do add up...
Park further away and take stairs if possible
and the main thing...DO NOT BEAT YOURSELF UP .....it took a while to put on the pounds it takes time to take them off...you are doing this for you not what someone else wants....

[felynn]

and the main thing...DO NOT BEAT YOURSELF UP .....it took a while to put on the pounds it takes time to take them off...you are doing this for you not what someone else wants....

This is so important to remember! Well said

[Muma]

I will make myself a promise ..... every time I feel like beating myself up I will come here and say why. :D .... now that should stop me from doing it so often.

[felynn]

I will have to check that out! I LOVE the boxing on the Wii Fit (although it is starting to get too easy). My husband laughs at me when I am doing the step aerobics (I've been moving my arms around like jumping jacks to make it harder.) I guess it's just not his thing! :D

My husband used to laugh at me too until I made him do it.

Now don't get me wrong he is 100% proud of me and supports me in every way. I do look like a complete git while I am trying to keep in step with the other Miis.

What I love about the gold's gym boxing is that while there is footwork involved you don't get marked on it. I can do perfect punches or I can do perfect footwork I can't do them both at the same time.

Oddly enough I can pat my head and rub my tummy at the same time though.

[jemtred]

Wii fit sounds like great fun! I will put it on my list for when I go back to civilisation next July - I may be able to afford it then as well!
It's so nice to check in with other people and to know you're not the only one. I am going to join sparkpeople now but I will not be able to do very much as I am going on holiday for 2 weeks. My aim will be to put on as little as possible! With the fab cooking hubby and the foodie friends I will have to be careful of portion sizes and make a plan fo r my return.
I need to lose 13kg (29 pounds) but would want to lose 17 (37 pounds). I am quite happy at 13kg lighter but loved being 17kg lighter so I am going for the first goal and then aiming for the biggie.
Lynnie - I know a whole range of people I can give my excess pounds too and they are the ones who are dead skinny but say "Oh no Jemma, You're not fat!" When I was thin (after major surgery!) people kept telling me I was too thin even though I was at the top end of my ideal height/weight thingy. Its always the thin ones!
Muma (and everyone else) I am sure we can do this together! Baby steps for me too. I will check back in when I get off holiday and god luck to everyone.

[emandlivsmom]

Jennifer, with your very first Nutrisystem order you will get a free exercise DVD...

It says it is a 2 mile Walk... Well, it's more than that... it starts out slow.. .but they pump it up and you get more than a regular 2 mile walk that you would say take around your neighborhood...

They add in side to sides... and other exercises with arm movements - nothing hard..

but, you get a work out.

there is a second part on toning.. I haven't done that part yet..

It takes about 40 minutes to complete... but they keep saying do as much or as little as you can do... don't OVER do it... if you have to stop stop... any exercise is better than none...

It really is a great dvd...

I didn't know that...thanks for the info. It must be a new thing as I didn't get one last time I did. Looking forward to dropping this weight!

[guitargirl]

My husband used to laugh at me too until I made him do it.

Now don't get me wrong he is 100% proud of me and supports me in every way. I do look like a complete git while I am trying to keep in step with the other Miis.



I have a feeling I do look pretty silly doing that. I'm glad there's no mirror in the room! :rofl: (I'd probably be laughing at me too then!)

[emandlivsmom]

ok...ran/walked for 30 minutes again today...yeah for me!! Time for a piece of apple pie to reward myself!












just kidding.

[scamptx]

LOL--Jennifer, you had me going there for a moment!

I wanted to share this bit that I got this morning from First Ourselves (a site with inspiration for those of us with sugar issues) that I thought applied so well to anyone:

In the 1970s, yoga teacher Joel Kramer coined the concept of “playing the edge.” What is the edge? The edge is where you brush up against your physical and mental limits in a yoga pose. I play my edge when I push my body in the gym.

The key to playing your edge is detachment. Instead of resisting your edge, fighting against the discomfort, you breathe, and then push your edge a bit deeper:- adding another set of weights, trying a new exercise, or attempting a challenging workout. As you push yourself forward, out of your comfort zone, you meet up against another edge. Then you deepen that edge. And on and on and on.

As you play your edges, you expand your idea of what’s possible. I played my edge last week when I popped up into a headstand without using a wall for support.

And I also played my edge when I was feeling anxious, fearful and lonely one evening after dinner, and instead of reaching for food, I sat with my desire to eat without acting on it.

What are your edges? How can you play them? The next time you feel like you have to eat that bite of cake or cookie, can you play your edge, breathe, and see if you can sit with the discomfort of craving without imbibing?

When someone criticizes your eating habits, or mocks your desire to give up sugar, can you play your edge, responding with a sincere, “I love the way I eat. It works for my body.” And let go of any judgment, self-consciousness, or need to compare yourself to them?

As you play your edges, you find your desire to eat sugar fading. You recognize that you have incredible strength, the ability to ignore the pull of your monkey mind, demanding its next sugar hit. You learn that you can persevere; that you can endure; that your successes do outweigh your failures.

And as you play your edges with sugar and in the gym, you expand that space to play your edges with your very life. Life itself becomes an opportunity to leap out of your comfort zone.

Staying sugar free is my hero’s journey. It’s how I play my edge. It’s how I travel the path of the warrior, embracing my sugar abstinence as a spiritual practice.

No one ever said that following your true calling would be easy. Playing the edge, while sounding lighthearted, may be anything but. The ancient myths and stories are full of heroes who went through many trials and hardships before they arrived at their final destination; before they completed their destiny. (Notice the similarity between those words:- Destiny; destination?) The warrior’s way is by its essential nature a challenge. It’s very difficulty is what refines and hones us, what softens our rough edges.

I like the thought of playing my edges, and of just sitting with the feeling and moving through it on to the next step, rather than battling the feeling...

[Muma]

Wow Scamp ..... that was a powerful post and very inspirational.
Thank you very much.

I must admit that I am feeling a little hungry on these past 2 days but at the same time I am not even reaching my lower limit on the calories suggested for me. The only goal I did reach was the fat content which proves I am not eating a balanced and healthy diet. So its time for me to look for some decent food LOL.
I have done a little exercise over the last 2 days but I pulled a muscle in my hip on Saturday by slipping on a toy Amy left on the floor. So the exercise has been very gentle. My hip is feeling much better but I will still leave it a few days to make sure it doesn't pop again. Now because of that I have been working on my upper body with a little strength training, even then I can still feel this hip letting me know its there.

[felynn]

Great post Scamp. Thank you

It's been so hot here it gets to 85 - 90 inside even with the AC on in the afternoons. I have been exercising in the mornings but the heat makes me basically just lie around in the afternoons and evening. So even though I have been doing the work I feel like a sloth :)

I'm having some trouble keeping up with my calories too Muma. I got a couple cookbooks from the library so I am hoping they will help me find some healthy things to make. Especially in the snack and lunch areas.

[Betsyfru]

I am inspired by what's going on here in this thread & in your lives! I have been trying to walk on the treadmill a little bit every day since I last posted, and will continue to do so, hopefully adding time each day until I can build up some whatever it's called to be able to go for longer periods of time so it will do some good!

[Muma]

I am inspired by what's going on here in this thread & in your lives! I have been trying to walk on the treadmill a little bit every day since I last posted, and will continue to do so, hopefully adding time each day until I can build up some whatever it's called to be able to go for longer periods of time so it will do some good!

This thread is very inspiring ..... think its stamina and or endurance that you need to build up for that Betsy, you and me both.

This SparkPeople site is very good. Even if you join and don't use their meal and diet plan the exercise demonstrations and basic exercise info I got from one eamil this morning is so worth it. I now know all about frequency, intensity and for how long as far as aerobic exercise is concerned.

[felynn]

Look what I found at SparkPeople

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/weightlossws_profile.asp

Its a worksheet for creating visual motivation. Now they just want photos on the fridge with captions but I think we can do better than that!

Anyone up to making a visual motivation layout? I challenge you! :D

Of course I prolly won't be able to get to it until tomorrow lol

[emandlivsmom]

Wow Scamp ..... that was a powerful post and very inspirational.
Thank you very much.

I must admit that I am feeling a little hungry on these past 2 days but at the same time I am not even reaching my lower limit on the calories suggested for me. The only goal I did reach was the fat content which proves I am not eating a balanced and healthy diet. So its time for me to look for some decent food LOL.
I have done a little exercise over the last 2 days but I pulled a muscle in my hip on Saturday by slipping on a toy Amy left on the floor. So the exercise has been very gentle. My hip is feeling much better but I will still leave it a few days to make sure it doesn't pop again. Now because of that I have been working on my upper body with a little strength training, even then I can still feel this hip letting me know its there.


Sounds like you are heading in the right direction Muma....keep working at it! Sorry to hear about your hip, praying for a quick recovery so you can keep on going! And gentle exercise is better than no exercise. WTG!

Be careful about eating less than the recommended daily calories...I can't remember what happens physically to your body but I do remember that your body needs "x" number of calories a day and if you don't provide your body with enough there is a negative affect on weight loss. Maybe someone can expand on that...

Regardless...great start to your comittment! Can't wait to hear more!!!!

[emandlivsmom]

I mentioned that I do acupuncture to help...

My acupuncturist says that with acupuncture there's a certain percentage of weight loss success, and with a support group there's a certain percentage of success, but the two together have an even higher success rate. (Wish I could remember the exact figures!)

I'm so glad we're here supporting each other!

I'm curious to find out more about this...wonder if insurance covers any of it? Anyone?????

[emandlivsmom]

I didn't know that...thanks for the info. It must be a new thing as I didn't get one last time I did. Looking forward to dropping this weight!

My food arrived today and so did the video. I will have to remember it when it is rainy (which seems to be the norm in NY these days) or way too humid to be outside run-walking.

My daughter left her PB&J sandwich on the counter and it was killing me to walk by and not sneak a bite!!! LOL

That is another tip for everyone...make a commitment to yourselves NOT to eat the last bite of your kids mac and cheese, or the crust off their sandwiches, or whatever...it is amazing how many calories we consume by "not wasting" our children's food!



sorry about all the posts...I don't know how everyone comments on several comments in one post.

Anyway...love the motivation felynn from that sparkpeople. Sounds like a scrapbook page in the making!

Betsyfru...great job on the treadmill. Baby steps...


OK...do you think we can introduce ourselves with our real names? It would be nice to chat with everyone on a more personal level and I feel like I don't know everyone's names.

My name is Jennifer...I see Muma is Sue and Betsyfru is Betsy. hee hee Felynn...is that your real name? Webfrau? Guitargirl is Lisa...who else is out there?????? Or maybe you would prefer being called by your screen name, thats ok too!

OK..I'm done.

For now. (O:

[guitargirl]

I agree this thread is very inspiring!! I was starting to get kind of frustrated because I haven't lost any weight since I started exercising regularly in May. In fact, I've hardly done any aerobic exercise this month because of that. Maybe that visual motivation would help me, since what I really want is to be healthy enough to not get tired or out of breath when doing regular stuff. I have been getting better at that - I can now spend 2 or 3 hours gardening before I get tired when a couple of months ago an hour was pushing it.

[Muma]

Yep I'm Sue and your name will be easy to remember as its my mothers names to :D

I am not doing very good when I stay under my minimum amount of calories as Jennifer suggests because the body goes into survival mode which stores and keeps hold of as much fat as it can. This comes in handy when there are famines about [which is the original intention] but not very good for us ladies who want to loose weight. So I need to work out my calories and balance my carbs, protein and fat at the same time .... oh boy this is gonna be fun :lol: I might have to resort to snacking on lots of fruit and veg. They have calories ....... :think:

I was thinking the same thing about the motivation page .... make it a LO. Now I am in two minds whether to put a current photo of me on it. I am hovering slightly towards yes and then at certain stages take more photos and watch the difference appear. But boy that is gonna take some courage for me because I really do not like the way I look right now.

Who else finds it tough to drink 8 glasses of water a day? I have started to head that way and I'm certainly not getting there atm. I will say this though, when I feel hungry I drink and its amazing how much that helps.

Ok of the ramble box :rofl:

[felynn]

I'm Laura :D

Felynn is my gamer persona.

[Muma]

sorry about all the posts...I don't know how everyone comments on several comments in one post.

Instead of clicking the quote icon click the one next to it that looks like sheet of paper, quotation marks and a plus. It will turn orange. Do that on all the posts you want to comment on then when you are done click the "post reply" button and all those posts you want to quote will be there :D

[emandlivsmom]

OK...my 4 year old is encouraging me to get off the computer and do my 20 minute dvd workout so here I go.......


Did the video and my 4 yo dd joined me, in her princess costume, stopping every few minutes to flex her muscles and tell me they are going to be big "like daddy's". She is so stinkin' cute!

[Muma]

I just stopped myself from finishing my daughters chicken sandwich ..... wooooohoooo
Sorry just had to add that in here LOL .... thanks Jennifer.

[emandlivsmom]

Instead of clicking the quote icon click the one next to it that looks like sheet of paper, quotation marks and a plus. It will turn orange. Do that on all the posts you want to comment on then when you are done click the "post reply" button and all those posts you want to quote will be there :D

That is like magic! Thank you!!!

I'm Laura :D

Felynn is my gamer persona.

Nice to know your name Laura...I have seen you around a lot. :wave:

Yep I'm Sue and your name will be easy to remember as its my mothers names to :D

I am not doing very good when I stay under my minimum amount of calories as Jennifer suggests because the body goes into survival mode which stores and keeps hold of as much fat as it can. This comes in handy when there are famines about [which is the original intention] but not very good for us ladies who want to loose weight. So I need to work out my calories and balance my carbs, protein and fat at the same time .... oh boy this is gonna be fun :lol: I might have to resort to snacking on lots of fruit and veg. They have calories ....... :think:

I was thinking the same thing about the motivation page .... make it a LO. Now I am in two minds whether to put a current photo of me on it. I am hovering slightly towards yes and then at certain stages take more photos and watch the difference appear. But boy that is gonna take some courage for me because I really do not like the way I look right now.

Who else finds it tough to drink 8 glasses of water a day? I have started to head that way and I'm certainly not getting there atm. I will say this though, when I feel hungry I drink and its amazing how much that helps.

Ok of the ramble box :rofl:

Thanks for the reminder about water...I don't think I have had any all day so I just drank a few glasses. Need to get in 5 more before bed...I am going to be up all night! :lol:

I agree this thread is very inspiring!! I was starting to get kind of frustrated because I haven't lost any weight since I started exercising regularly in May. In fact, I've hardly done any aerobic exercise this month because of that. Maybe that visual motivation would help me, since what I really want is to be healthy enough to not get tired or out of breath when doing regular stuff. I have been getting better at that - I can now spend 2 or 3 hours gardening before I get tired when a couple of months ago an hour was pushing it.

Hi Lisa...I remember all your advice from when I first started scrapping, nice to "see" you again. I notice a big difference in my level of play with my kids...it is much easier to keep up with them when I have been exercising...otherwise they leave me in the dust!

I just stopped myself from finishing my daughters chicken sandwich ..... wooooohoooo
Sorry just had to add that in here LOL .... thanks Jennifer.

WTG Sue!!!! :tup:

It is always so tempting and I find that once I take one bite, it is easy to justify the next time and then the next...I HAVE to say no altogether when it comes to that.

[scamptx]

I'm curious to find out more about this...wonder if insurance covers any of it? Anyone?????

Some insurance will cover acupuncture, unfortunately mine doesn't. However, the place where I go is wonderful and does a sliding scale "clinic" one day a week. It's not the same as going to a private appointment where you lay on the table, but I have gotten so much out of it that I started going once a month for a private appointment.

A woman at work had smoked for twenty years--she went to an acupuncturist to help her quit. She hasn't had a cigarette in over a year and a half.

And I do go by Scamp on the boards, and actually at crops as well! :D

[guitargirl]

Who else finds it tough to drink 8 glasses of water a day? I have started to head that way and I'm certainly not getting there atm. I will say this though, when I feel hungry I drink and its amazing how much that helps.

I am still not there with 8 glasses of water a day. I used to drink no water at all, so I'm working my way up. I'm consistent about drinking at least 2 every day, usually more. I don't think I've made it all the way to 8 yet! I usually drink bottled water (our tap water tastes disgusting!) and 1 bottle is 2 glasses (roughly), so that helps a lot!

[Betsyfru]

Well, after adjusting the treadmill into a more level position and plugging in my earphones, I walked for 16 minutes today, starting out at 2.2 mph and gradually going up to 3.2 mph, then back for a cooldown the last minute. Yes, it is endurance and stamina that I need to build! I plan to add time each day.

[scamptx]

I'm drinking more water at work--my office buddy brought a Brita pitcher that we take turns filling up. Now that the water is right by my desk it's easier to remind myself to drink it.

However--I have a Brita pitcher at home, and do I get up as often to fill my glass? :no: :no: What's up with that??

[Betsyfru]

Noo, I don't drink near enough water! I may drink 1 bottle if I'm lucky...along with a large coffee in the am, and a 16 oz bottle of diet snapple peach iced tea over ice...Not good...

[diturpin]

OK...count me in! I just joined Sparks and Felynn is already my friend! :) I need to lose about 85 pounds but a few more wouldn't hurt either. I'm in no rush as long as I can see downward progress. It has taken me 25 years to get here so if it takes me a year or so to get it off, I'm happy. I had been losing a few pounds in anticipation of my yearly physical. I figured at my age and weight my cholesterol would be high, but, NO, it was still below the limit. That should be good news but I think it gave me the green light to go back to my poor eating habits. So now, with help from you guys, I want to get back on track. My weakness is Diet Dr. Pepper. I know I need to give them up and that is one of my goals. Drinking water is no problem for me. That is all I drink at home unless I make tea. DD Savannah loves water and hubby doesn't drink enough so by eliminating all other options, we have learned to drink more water. I must say though, it goes down better ice cold and with a straw.

My screen name is DiTurpin but my name is Diane. I've met Scamp and knew her real name at one time but she really is Scamp...nothing fits her quite so well! Hello, to GuitarGirl Lisa!!! Glad we'll be doing this together. Maybe we can report back at the next crop!

Gotta go walk the dog while I'm motivated. It will be good for me and her!

[emandlivsmom]

Some insurance will cover acupuncture, unfortunately mine doesn't. However, the place where I go is wonderful and does a sliding scale "clinic" one day a week. It's not the same as going to a private appointment where you lay on the table, but I have gotten so much out of it that I started going once a month for a private appointment.

A woman at work had smoked for twenty years--she went to an acupuncturist to help her quit. She hasn't had a cigarette in over a year and a half.

And I do go by Scamp on the boards, and actually at crops as well! :D

Well than Scamp it is! :wave: I will have to call my insurance company...kinda curious if they pay for any, and if they did, I would give it a go!

I am still not there with 8 glasses of water a day. I used to drink no water at all, so I'm working my way up. I'm consistent about drinking at least 2 every day, usually more. I don't think I've made it all the way to 8 yet! I usually drink bottled water (our tap water tastes disgusting!) and 1 bottle is 2 glasses (roughly), so that helps a lot!

I love water and so does the rest of my family (now milk is another story!) but I get so busy I forget. Has anyone tried Crystal Lite? They make little pouches that go in your water bottle. When I have them...I drink half, get a nice sweet drink...fill the bottle up the rest of the way so it is a bit diluted, drink half, fill back up, etc...eventually I feel like I am drinking flavored water. I have a diet coke addiction that this helps me to get through.

Well, after adjusting the treadmill into a more level position and plugging in my earphones, I walked for 16 minutes today, starting out at 2.2 mph and gradually going up to 3.2 mph, then back for a cooldown the last minute. Yes, it is endurance and stamina that I need to build! I plan to add time each day.

WTG Betsy!!! That is fantastic!!! Keep it up!

OK...count me in! I just joined Sparks and Felynn is already my friend! :) I need to lose about 85 pounds but a few more wouldn't hurt either. I'm in no rush as long as I can see downward progress. It has taken me 25 years to get here so if it takes me a year or so to get it off, I'm happy. I had been losing a few pounds in anticipation of my yearly physical. I figured at my age and weight my cholesterol would be high, but, NO, it was still below the limit. That should be good news but I think it gave me the green light to go back to my poor eating habits. So now, with help from you guys, I want to get back on track. My weakness is Diet Dr. Pepper. I know I need to give them up and that is one of my goals. Drinking water is no problem for me. That is all I drink at home unless I make tea. DD Savannah loves water and hubby doesn't drink enough so by eliminating all other options, we have learned to drink more water. I must say though, it goes down better ice cold and with a straw.




My screen name is DiTurpin but my name is Diane. I've met Scamp and knew her real name at one time but she really is Scamp...nothing fits her quite so well! Hello, to GuitarGirl Lisa!!! Glad we'll be doing this together. Maybe we can report back at the next crop!

Gotta go walk the dog while I'm motivated. It will be good for me and her!

Welcome Diturpin! Glad you're joining the party!:tup:

What crop are you talking about?

[diturpin]

Jennifer - I met Lisa and Scamp at the KY/OH crop. I met Scamp last year and Lisa this year, along with Margie, Tina, Elizabeth, KYBumpkin, and several others. Last year we had about 12-15 at the crop and this year we only had 4. We had a blast both times, but the small group was really special.

[scamptx]

I was there in spirit--they just couldn't see me. After all, if the small group was really special I must have been in attendance! ;)

[diturpin]

I was there in spirit--they just couldn't see me. After all, if the small group was really special I must have been in attendance! ;)

Yes, you were...especially on our photowalk and dinner at Chandlers (I think that was the name of the restaurant).

[emandlivsmom]

SOunds like fun...wish there were crops around here. What month do you do it in? It would be fun to have a "Mom's away" weekend. aaahhhh....that sounds so nice. Especially since my 2 dds were off the wall tonight. You would have thought I fed them sugar by the spoonful!

[Muma]

OK...count me in! I just joined Sparks and Felynn is already my friend! :) I need to lose about 85 pounds but a few more wouldn't hurt either. I'm in no rush as long as I can see downward progress. It has taken me 25 years to get here so if it takes me a year or so to get it off, I'm happy. I had been losing a few pounds in anticipation of my yearly physical. I figured at my age and weight my cholesterol would be high, but, NO, it was still below the limit. That should be good news but I think it gave me the green light to go back to my poor eating habits. So now, with help from you guys, I want to get back on track. My weakness is Diet Dr. Pepper. I know I need to give them up and that is one of my goals. Drinking water is no problem for me. That is all I drink at home unless I make tea. DD Savannah loves water and hubby doesn't drink enough so by eliminating all other options, we have learned to drink more water. I must say though, it goes down better ice cold and with a straw.

My screen name is DiTurpin but my name is Diane. I've met Scamp and knew her real name at one time but she really is Scamp...nothing fits her quite so well! Hello, to GuitarGirl Lisa!!! Glad we'll be doing this together. Maybe we can report back at the next crop!

Gotta go walk the dog while I'm motivated. It will be good for me and her!

Just added you as a friend on SparkPeople and sent you a welcome gift :D

[diturpin]

SOunds like fun...wish there were crops around here. What month do you do it in? It would be fun to have a "Mom's away" weekend. aaahhhh....that sounds so nice. Especially since my 2 dds were off the wall tonight. You would have thought I fed them sugar by the spoonful!

Last year we did the crop in April and this year we did a poll and set if for June. I think/hope next year we are going to go back to April! KYBumpkin sets it up along with help from Tina. It is in Maysville, KY which is off the beaten path. It's a quaint little town with tons of history ranging from early pioneering to the underground railroad to Rosemary Clooney's birthplace. There is a lot to do and see which keeps a curious soul like me easily entertained.

[diturpin]

Just added you as a friend on SparkPeople and sent you a welcome gift :D

Thanky Muma! I added you as a friend too! But those Sparky's are really competing in my inbox with DSP. So far it's every other one. The grannies are going to get a run for their money with the sparkers. Do we get exercise points for typing??? I seem to do alot of that...

[Muma]

ROFL .... exercise points for typing would be awesome .....
I tend to do a daily update for the grannies

Just found this weight loss simulator http://www.prevention.com/mvm/main.html
and think I may use this on my motivation page. Maybe in a few weeks I'll pluck up the courage and show myself LOL. But this simulator is fun.

[felynn]

Glad to see everyone joining in :D

Today I checked my nutrition report before I made dinner to help me decide what to make. The calories were off the chart but everything else was way to low and I couldn't figure it out.

Then I noticed I had 2 cups of sugar this morning with my tea :lol:

[felynn]

Muma (and everyone else ;) ) when you've lost a significant amount of weight you'll wish you had "before" photos. My cousin has transformed dramatically but I was the only one in the family who noticed because I hadn't seen her in a year. My jaw dropped when I saw her and I was blown away screaming and cheering for her. She started crying because it was the first time anyone "noticed" even though they all knew she had lost a ton and had been congratulating her along the way. She's lost 80 lbs still has 50 more to loose.

It's really motivating to look at before photos and see how far you come especially if you still have quite a bit to loose. It can be disheartening to loose tons of weight but still be "fat" comparing the new you to the old can keep you from giving up in frustration.

You don't have to share them but you'll thank yourself for doing it.

[Muma]

Glad to see everyone joining in :D

Today I checked my nutrition report before I made dinner to help me decide what to make. The calories were off the chart but everything else was way to low and I couldn't figure it out.

Then I noticed I had 2 cups of sugar this morning with my tea :lol:

:rofl: that is too funny.
Saying that though ... a friend of mine was trying to diet and the doc had put him on a 900 calorie diet [yep thats half of my 5 year olds max intake] but he wasn't loosing any weight. DH went and spoke to him because he was getting pretty annoyed by it all and guess what he discovered. He was drinking coolaide that was make up as directed with 2 cups of sugar, so there was about 1550 calories even before he started to eat.

Talking of a 900 calorie diet, isn't that way too low and cause him to go into survival mode??

[emandlivsmom]

Muma (and everyone else ;) ) when you've lost a significant amount of weight you'll wish you had "before" photos. My cousin has transformed dramatically but I was the only one in the family who noticed because I hadn't seen her in a year. My jaw dropped when I saw her and I was blown away screaming and cheering for her. She started crying because it was the first time anyone "noticed" even though they all knew she had lost a ton and had been congratulating her along the way. She's lost 80 lbs still has 50 more to loose.

It's really motivating to look at before photos and see how far you come especially if you still have quite a bit to loose. It can be disheartening to loose tons of weight but still be "fat" comparing the new you to the old can keep you from giving up in frustration.

You don't have to share them but you'll thank yourself for doing it.


I agree, before pictures are great! They are horrible to look at but rewarding to see in the end. The way your clothes fit is another great way to realize the efforts you put in. I want to take measurements as well...don't think I will be putting those in my inspiration page! LOL
:rofl: that is too funny.
Saying that though ... a friend of mine was trying to diet and the doc had put him on a 900 calorie diet [yep thats half of my 5 year olds max intake] but he wasn't loosing any weight. DH went and spoke to him because he was getting pretty annoyed by it all and guess what he discovered. He was drinking coolaide that was make up as directed with 2 cups of sugar, so there was about 1550 calories even before he started to eat.

Talking of a 900 calorie diet, isn't that way too low and cause him to go into survival mode??

900 seems WAY to low! What Doc would suggest that!?!?!?!?



I joined sparkpeople and signed up for them to send me recipes each day. Todays looks yummy...although I won't be able to try them until I finish my Nutrisystem food...which tastes really good BTW! Guess I will create a recipe folder to copy them into.

[scamptx]

Muma (and everyone else ;) ) when you've lost a significant amount of weight you'll wish you had "before" photos. My cousin has transformed dramatically but I was the only one in the family who noticed because I hadn't seen her in a year. My jaw dropped when I saw her and I was blown away screaming and cheering for her. She started crying because it was the first time anyone "noticed" even though they all knew she had lost a ton and had been congratulating her along the way. She's lost 80 lbs still has 50 more to loose.

It's really motivating to look at before photos and see how far you come especially if you still have quite a bit to loose. It can be disheartening to loose tons of weight but still be "fat" comparing the new you to the old can keep you from giving up in frustration.

You don't have to share them but you'll thank yourself for doing it.

My "realistic" inspiration photo was taken a few years ago at my niece's wedding. I was prolly in the best shape I'd been in as a "mature" adult. I was rowing, eating healthy, walking--so not only was the weight off, but I was strong. My "unrealistic" photo is from when I was in my twenties and doing Adkins and smoking--thin but not going to be that way again!)

With my dad's decline, and other family issues, I stopped rowing, and started eating. (You all know the drill!)

Last year, starting in Feb 2008, I started the acupuncture and no sugar, and dropped the weight. Had almost reached goal when I fell off the wagon, started gaining again, and got to as high a point as I have been. :(

So over the last couple of years I have some inspiration photos both high and low.

But today--:drumroll: celebrate with me here! :drumroll:-- I am ten pounds down from where I was four weeks ago! :party: :yippee: :party:

Thirty five more to go!

[guitargirl]

But today--:drumroll: celebrate with me here! :drumroll:-- I am ten pounds down from where I was four weeks ago! :party: :yippee: :party:

:yahoo: :yippee: :applause:

[emandlivsmom]

The key to playing your edge is detachment. Instead of resisting your edge, fighting against the discomfort, you breathe, and then push your edge a bit deeper:- adding another set of weights, trying a new exercise, or attempting a challenging workout. As you push yourself forward, out of your comfort zone, you meet up against another edge. Then you deepen that edge. And on and on and on.

OK...had to play my edge today! We went to a local amusement park today and the girls wanted ice cream. So, I sat there between them while they enjoyed every last bite of it. Boy did I have to breathe...

On another note...I had to get my season pass picture taken, head shot, and boy does my face look round! If that pict isn't motivation, I don't know what is! LOL

[Muma]

Oh I played my edge all the way round the grocery store today. DH says his blood sugar is rising again so he is going to join me on the healthy eating. We went out and passed by all the cakes, cookies, sweets etc etc and bought lots of fresh fruit and veg as well as chicken for me and Amy and Pork for DH as he is allergic to poultry. We will be cutting back the amount of grains he eats [bad for blood sugar] but I know what is causing him to go high again. All the soda he is drinking at work.

[webfrau]

WTG Scamp! Congratulations.

I only lost a miniscule 100g when I weighed in this week, I'm sure I can sneeze more than that!! :)
However, it was still a loss, not a gain and realistically I have done not one jot of exercise in the last week so I'm amazed at that. BUT more importantly it took me below 70kg, only just but still below. I can't remember the last time I was there.
I remember being 70kg in 1996 when we left for Europe, 6weeks and 5kg later we came home and I've not been back there since. So I am delighted.

[felynn]

We went shopping and stayed on the edges! We didn't buy a single solitary junk food.

But the biggest accomplishment for me is my husband and I both had spinach for breakfast and dinner today. I found some recipes which made it palatable for us. Normally I wouldn't serve anything twice in one day but i ripped up way more than i needed this morning. Hubby didn't complain though he though both were fab!

Now to conquer our disgust of broccoli!

[Muma]

But today--:drumroll: celebrate with me here! :drumroll:-- I am ten pounds down from where I was four weeks ago! :party: :yippee: :party:

Thirty five more to go!

WooooHoooooo WTG :tup: :yahoo: :tup:

Now to conquer our disgust of broccoli!

Put it into a fruit smoothie and you will never even know its there.

[webfrau]

I'd much rather eat broccoli than spinach. :) I love broccoli and you know it's one of the best veges you can eat nutrient-wise.

Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to eat things you don't like though.

[emandlivsmom]

We went shopping and stayed on the edges! We didn't buy a single solitary junk food.

But the biggest accomplishment for me is my husband and I both had spinach for breakfast and dinner today. I found some recipes which made it palatable for us. Normally I wouldn't serve anything twice in one day but i ripped up way more than i needed this morning. Hubby didn't complain though he though both were fab!

Now to conquer our disgust of broccoli!

I love love love spinach! I make it in egg whites scrambled for breakfast. Broccoli, now that is another story..I need it dripping with cheese or dip or something like that.

One of the veggies that nutrisystem said I can eat unlimited is zucchini. I steam it in the micro and eat it plain. Not sure if you can stomach that or not.



How is everyone doing? My legs were so tight this morning...I still went for a walk, not much running though. Hopefully tomorrow.

[scamptx]

I love broccoli! Another way to disguise it is to chop it up in a salad--most folks put in big hunks, but if you practically shave the little buds off they get all lost in the rest of the greens.

Yum, zucchini! I'll have to get some--I always forget about that one.

[guitargirl]

I was on the exercise bike for about 45 minutes yesterday, and did some weights for upper body at the same time. Today my arms are SORE! Especially my triceps! I can even feel it a little when I type! Ouch! :lol:

[diturpin]

Well, what a chatty bunch we've been today! I have eaten better today and I have walked a bit tonight. It was hot and humid here today so even the dog agreed to keep the walk short! LOL!

Love broccoli - it's one of the few green veggies my daughter will eat. We had a small garden patch with broccoli in the back yard but it's sadly all been devoured by us. The tomatoes and strawberries have been devoured by the slugs. I have zucchinni growing on the vine...several small little munchkins and summer squash blooming. Oh, and I picked my second banana pepper today and am saving it for my salad tomorrow. It's my first little garden in years and we are having so much fun with it. Mom's bringing me fresh green beans to can on Tuesday. Dad grows a huge garden and we usually get some of their leftovers.

Keep up the good work everyone!

[bendipez]

Ladies, remember it's not about the weight loss numbers it's about being healthy...
and taking control of your eating habits. Remember you are in control not the food !!!
That being said CONGRATS on all the weight loss...

[felynn]

My triceps are a joke. Bench dips kill me. I have teeny tiny little weights for triceps extension and they kill me too lol. They say to increase the weight once the exercise becomes easy. I often lay in a little puddle on my floor and wonder if this stuff is ever going to get easier.

I love yoga though I could do yoga all day. Pilates is also fun but I have one DvD (for abs) that even doing the modified versions I am sore all day the next day.

[emandlivsmom]

Ugh...today has been a trying day. Had to pack lunches for the girls and oh how I wanted to scoop out some peanut butter and spread it all over a healthy banana! LOL

And then when we were having lunch, the temptation to eat some of their chips, PB&J, etc. Breathe, breathe, ...

I made it through though, didn't taste ANY of it! Afraid if I slide a little I will justify it more often. <Breathing>

Didn't exercise today either...although I have a softball game tonight, but that doesn't really count for much. )O:

[webfrau]

I love yoga though I could do yoga all day. Pilates is also fun but I have one DvD (for abs) that even doing the modified versions I am sore all day the next day.

My pilates instructor would tell you that if you do it more often then you won't get sore!! She would suggest doing a small amount every day at least :rolleyes: Do you think I follow her advice?? There have been times after a pilates session where I literally had to roll out of bed to get out of it:yikes:

[scamptx]

I am being a real slacker on the exercise part. It's too darn hot to even breathe!

I need to get out early in the morning whilst it's still below 90F...but somehow my computer sidetracks me! :o

Today marks the end of week four with no sugar! :tup:

[emandlivsmom]

Nice job on 4 weeks with no sugar Scamp! Do you feel like the cravings have gone away?

I did no exercise today...took the day off, but ate well. I keep putting myself in these difficult positions to eat well! I am managing but it still is hard! Went to a bar with my softball team after our game tonight...lots of platters of fried food. I didn't touch a thing! And yes I am proud of myself! (O:

Anxious to step on the scale on Tuesday morning and see if I shed a couple pounds...can't believe I have only been doing this for 4 days!

[felynn]

Weigh in this week and no loss nadda. :( But no gain either so I guess that's a good thing

In other good news it has cooled off a lot here so I no longer feel like spending the day laying naked in front of the AC vent.

[Robyn Gough]

I had a weigh in last night. My body is so wierd. Last week I gained 100g, this week I lost 1.8kg. (about 4lbs I think) I have never lost that much in a week before but then I am not well at the moment either. My weight tends to go up and down a fair bit, I just need it to go down more than it goes up!

I haven't managed any excercise as I haven't been well enough.

It is so great to see how well everyone is doing. It is so inspiring.

[diturpin]

Great job everyone! Keep trying to eat healthy and do what exercise you can. I was doing pretty good til this morning. Someone swiped a doughnut under my nose and a took one. But I gave up any bread for lunch and raspberry filling is a fruit, right???

I don't weigh in until Wednesday. We'll see how I did then.

[emandlivsmom]

Weigh in this week and no loss nadda. :( But no gain either so I guess that's a good thing

In other good news it has cooled off a lot here so I no longer feel like spending the day laying naked in front of the AC vent.


It's funny but as I get older...no gain is a great thing! Glad it is cooling off for you...I just turned my AC on, it was a little warm in here. It has only been on one other time this whole summer! Where is our warm weather??!?!?!?!?

I had a weigh in last night. My body is so wierd. Last week I gained 100g, this week I lost 1.8kg. (about 4lbs I think) I have never lost that much in a week before but then I am not well at the moment either. My weight tends to go up and down a fair bit, I just need it to go down more than it goes up!

I haven't managed any excercise as I haven't been well enough.

It is so great to see how well everyone is doing. It is so inspiring.

Great job on the weight loss Robyn...I was wondering where you have been, didn't realize you weren't feeling well but glad you are feeling better.

Great job everyone! Keep trying to eat healthy and do what exercise you can. I was doing pretty good til this morning. Someone swiped a doughnut under my nose and a took one. But I gave up any bread for lunch and raspberry filling is a fruit, right???

I don't weigh in until Wednesday. We'll see how I did then.

Temptation is such a killer...it's easiest to keep it out of sight, that's for sure. I am feeling more comfortable around "the bad stuff"...it has been about a week since I have more or less cut out carbs and sugar and "the edge" doesn't feel as bad as it did last week. I sat at the deli with the girls and had a diet snapple while they chowed down on Salt and Vinegar chips (yum!) and a cookie. I didn't touch a thing! (SO proud of myself!!)

Gonna weigh in tomorrow...

[scamptx]

I am still sugar free, but I will tell you that this evening I was in a funk over feeling slighted and boy, was that a trigger! It would have been so easy for me to stop in at the store for a pint of Ben and Jerrys or Hagen Daz. Deep breaths! Big glass of water! Gotta read that post I posted...what did they call it?

The next time you feel like you have to eat that bite of cake or cookie, can you play your edge, breathe, and see if you can sit with the discomfort of craving without imbibing?

Ahhhh---Had to go back and find it...now to sit with this discomfort and move through it!

Anyone else here have emotional eating triggers? What do you do?

[Muma]

Well I have had a busy week ... not done a single page of scrapping for a week.
I weighed myself today and I put on 3lb ... LOL. Yes I am laughing because this always always happens. I start this routine, the diet, exercise etc etc and I ALWAYS put weight on.

This is what happens ..... I get very emotional and upset with myself then decide to go on a diet and sort myself out. I get very positive about loosing weight. Then after the 1st week even though I do the diet and exercise I end up putting on weight and this is the 1st time I have worked out why. All this starts about 7-10 days before I have monthly cycle. My hormones change and I get emotional, want to change myself so I then weigh myself. Over the week I have fluid retention and boy do I get fluid retention. I can put on 10lbs+. Of course this is all very disheartening when I weigh myself and I give up.

I WILL NOT give up this time. I have put on 3lb only when its usually 10+ and I have to keep this in perspective. This is my biggest edge that I have to break through and thought the best thing to do was get it down in black and white.

We'll see what happens next week.

[emandlivsmom]

way to make it through Scamp!! I don't notice emotional eating, but definately pms eating! That will be an interesting few days of playing the edge! LOL

hang in there Sue...you can do it! It can be so discouraging, but remember, you are doing it for you, to make yourself healthy, not for the numbers on the scale. I know, easy to say, I am trying to train myself to believe that as well. I am def one to weigh in, A LOT.


HAs anyone tried weight watchers onlline? I was speaking with a couple girlfriends over the weekend that are doing it and they love it. One has put on about 40 pounds over the past two years and has taken off 15 with the WW point system. They really like the accountability of logging in all their food and tallying their points. I may try it after this 4 weeks of nutrisystem are done. It is like 5 bucks a week or something like that.

[mariafer]

Thought I would jump right in... I am on WW by the way... about 16 weeks in but have only lost like 7 lbs...

Well I have had a busy week ... not done a single page of scrapping for a week.
I weighed myself today and I put on 3lb ... LOL. Yes I am laughing because this always always happens. I start this routine, the diet, exercise etc etc and I ALWAYS put weight on.

Well I am on weight watchers and last week was disheartening because two weeks ago I started really excersing... 5 times a week... and I put on weight (1.7 lbs to be exact) but I hadn't been extremely careful with my points so the next week I did it all right! and I lost 1.2 lbs... So I stayed after and talked to my leader and she reminded me that with excercise that usually happens to give it 3to 4 weeks after you increase your excercise to see results so maybe you have two things going for you also...


HAs anyone tried weight watchers onlline? I was speaking with a couple girlfriends over the weekend that are doing it and they love it. One has put on about 40 pounds over the past two years and has taken off 15 with the WW point system. They really like the accountability of logging in all their food and tallying their points. I may try it after this 4 weeks of nutrisystem are done. It is like 5 bucks a week or something like that.

I started recently and LOVE it. I had tried WW logging on paper but the computer looks stuff up for you and so it makes it sooo much easier. I don't get their forums so I stay mostly on spark people whenever I want to do any of that (although any extra time I have I usually spend it here)... I am thinking of starting a private blog just to vent though... anybody have a weight loss blog anywhere?

[Lynnie]

Anyone else here have emotional eating triggers? What do you do?

I have EVERYTHING eating triggers....


If I am bored I eat
If I am tired I eat
If I don't feel good I eat
If I am too hot I eat
If I am too cold I eat
If I am really sick I eat
If I am upset I eat


I don't think there is ANYTHING that puts me off my food...

[PQ]

Hey Robyn - do they have a ladies gym there called Inches Away. I go there, but I have dubbed it the "cripple gym" because almost anyone can do something there. I am immune system challenged (ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn's) and have been on steroids nonstop for the past 9 years. My days of walking like normal folks are over - limiting the amount of time I spend walking is the only way to keep the pain under control. It is pretty humbling.
At Inches Away they have 45 minutes of nonweight bearing weight lifting (you lie down on a table) and then 30 minutes of gentle aerobic exercise. (again, I have to do nonweight bearing aeobic). They do nutritional counseling, are VERY not pushy, and they do weekly weigh ins. I so hope they have one in your area!

[Muma]

I have EVERYTHING eating triggers....


If I am bored I eat
If I am tired I eat
If I don't feel good I eat
If I am too hot I eat
If I am too cold I eat
If I am really sick I eat
If I am upset I eat


I don't think there is ANYTHING that puts me off my food...

That sounds about right .......
I am still having trouble eating my min calories .... I must eat more fruit or veg during the day as snacks ...... Its gonna take me this 1st month just to get my eating habits right so I can loose weight. Ya know what though, talking about it on here really really helps.

[mariafer]

I have EVERYTHING eating triggers....


If I am bored I eat
If I am tired I eat
If I don't feel good I eat
If I am too hot I eat
If I am too cold I eat
If I am really sick I eat
If I am upset I eat


I don't think there is ANYTHING that puts me off my food...

I am like that too except you forgot...

If I am happy I eat
:love3:

[mariafer]

I had a bad day yesterday... not terrible but not great. I was real busy and I haven't gone grocery shopping so there isn't fruit or veggies and I ate out at lunch with the kids. I am going to try and make it a bad day not a bad week. I tend to do that. It is also my non excercise day for the week so that didn't help.

What do you do after you fall of the wagon? To keep it a short fall? I have a difficult time with that.

[scamptx]

I have a terrible time if I "fall off" and mostly end up blowing it for way too long. That's why all this dang weight crept back on. I get discouraged and then tell myself that I don't care, and make excuses, and WHAM! How'd I get so big around the middle again?! :shocked: :( :shocked:

I'm glad this thread is here--it's definitely helping me to check in and share and hear what's helping the rest of you! :hug:

[mariafer]

Where did everyone go?

Anyway it was weigh in day for me and sooo dissapointing! I gained .6 lbs and still don't know how. I excercised 6 days! for crying out loud and except for the one day I fell of the wagon (and not terribly either) I got back on and still I gained...

I feel like throwing the measly 5lbs I have lost and moving on but then I know it won't get better. So hoping for a better week and better mood so I can handle two kids.

Off I go to see who is chatting!

[scamptx]

One of the things I seem to remember reading is that when you're exercising, some of that fat is turning into muscle, so you don't show the weight loss as quickly. Hang in there!

I haven't lost any more, but haven't gained any this week. I'm going to pat myself on the back for that because it's been an exceptionally stressful week!

Looking forward to a better week next week!

[webfrau]

Hang in there mariafer. It's a longterm lifestyle you're aiming for, the short-term is a minor detail. I didn't even weigh in this week and I haven't food tracked for a couple of days either - just been too busy. Sigh.

[littlekiwi]

I definitely need to get back on track again - hopefully with more exercise my eating might get better, I can live in hope.

[emandlivsmom]

Hi everyone!! Just checking in...we went out of town on Friday and returned at lunch today. Boy was it HARD to watch what I was eating!!! But I did ok, I think. We will see what the scale says on Tuesday...2 weeks after I started nutrisystem.

Went and saw Dave Matthews Band in Hershey PA...awesome concert!! And then Saturday we hiked up Watkins Glen State Park gorges...800+ steps to the top. It was hard work!!!!!

Hope everyone has a good week of being healthy!!!!!

[Robyn Gough]

I haven't had another weigh in yet but was a tad excited yesterday when my clothes were looser on me. I had a top on that normally clings around my belly and it didn't cling! YAY! LOL

Just had to share! LOL

[Robyn Gough]

I haven't had another weigh in yet but was a tad excited yesterday when my clothes were looser on me. I had a top on that normally clings around my belly and it didn't cling! YAY! LOL

Just had to share! LOL

[emandlivsmom]

I haven't had another weigh in yet but was a tad excited yesterday when my clothes were looser on me. I had a top on that normally clings around my belly and it didn't cling! YAY! LOL

Just had to share! LOL

That is such an awesome feeling!! WTG Robyn!!! :tup: I am counting down the pounds until I can fit into my work clothes that I seemed to outgrow this winter.

I think this little guy should be our cheerleader when we check in and can say that we got some exercise for the day.:yippee:

:yippee:I just got back from a 20 minute run...:yippee:

[scamptx]

I know the feeling, Robyn! I have a couple of pairs of work pants that were just tight enough to be uncomfortable, and last week they weren't so snug in the thigh! I'm holding on to the little things!

[jemtred]

Hello, I am back from holiday and have to say that my goal of not putting on too much was not reached!!
Am in the middle of joining Sparkpeople which was quite scary as I am officially obese! Only just but its enough to scare me. I have to say that I weigh more than I look as I seem to pack it in very well. I have set my goals and one of them is to tell one person - that's you guys! I am also going to eat 2 fresh fruits/veg and track my calories burnt. Its very complicated and hope it doesn't take away from my limited dsp time!

I am also NOT going to weigh myself every day! I will try just once a week but its so tempting.

Good luck to every one else too

[scamptx]

I'm resisting the urge to weigh myself too often, too, Jemma. Those daily fluctuations can make weight loss/gain like a roller coaster ride!

I'm loving the fact that my pants are a hair looser in the waist this week...a hair counts, right?? :lol:

[webfrau]

I tried to do my weekly weigh-in and the scales just said "Lo" - I suspect it's referring to the battery but I'll take it as a positive affirmation instead. :)

[Robyn Gough]

I tried to do my weekly weigh-in and the scales just said "Lo" - I suspect it's referring to the battery but I'll take it as a positive affirmation instead. :)

:rofl: LOL LOL sounds like a plan to me!

I had my first training session this morning. It was just a short session to work out my optimum heart rate. It was mostly just going over a starting weekly plan and then about 12mins of walking and finger pricks. I was freaking out about doing it because I have had a lot of joint pain from a flare up and cold weather but it didn't go too badly. Hopefully it will not hurt to much in the morning.

Now I just have to figure out how to fit in 10mins of walking 3 times a week between working full time, designing and getting kids to and from school and homeworked and fed and bathed etc.

I think I need to quit my day job so I can exercise more. :rofl: (shhh that is just what I will tell dh.. it will really be so I can design more!)

[bendipez]

Congrats to everyone on their progress...
Remember this is not about some arbitrary number but about feeling strong and healthy..
Remember muscle weighs more than fat and it's about choices that you make not anyone else....you are doing this for you and you are in control not the food. The food is only fuel to power your body....and your body is an amazing machine.....

[scamptx]

Shake those pom-poms Brenda! Love having the positive thoughts!

I wore pants today that were a size down from the ones that were a hair too big...they were tight, but not TOO tight. Yippee!

[bendipez]

Just an FYI about labels....look at the fat grams then multiply that number by 9...
that will be the calories that are pure fat.....
http://www.skinnycow.com/myproducts/sandwiches.php?myflavor=vanilla_chocolate
or
http://www.jambajuice.com/#/nutrition101/
which one is healthier.....so it's about knowledge and information...you can't make choiced without good information so read labels carefully

[jemtred]

Thanks for all the info Brenda. I am still trying to come to terms with Sparkpeople which is amazing but as my home internet is busted at the mo I don't really have the time to give it justice. I am due to exercise today so I will gor for a walk/run/walk/run/walk (5/10/5/10/5) later today. I was up to running for 30 mins but then life got in the way (I know what you mean Robyn)
Congrats Scamp on the clothes! A hair really does count!

[jemtred]

I am still getting my head around spark people - Its taking allday but that's what holidays are for right?
I managed my run yesterday and I'm going to tackle some pilates/strength training tonight when the kids are asleep.
According to the site I am on target with the nutrition and I'mabout to get to grips with the fitness pages. Do any other sparky people want to be friends? If so please tell me how so I can do it!!!

[Muma]

I am still getting my head around spark people - Its taking allday but that's what holidays are for right?
I managed my run yesterday and I'm going to tackle some pilates/strength training tonight when the kids are asleep.
According to the site I am on target with the nutrition and I'mabout to get to grips with the fitness pages. Do any other sparky people want to be friends? If so please tell me how so I can do it!!!

My user name is MumaSue on SparkPeople ... Go to the Community home page and scroll down to Visit Spark Pages. Put in at least 3 letters of the user name and see what comes up .... if you put in Muma you get 3 in the list.

I am going to weigh myself this weekend, it will be 2 weeks since my last and we'll see if I have lost any of that water I retained a little while back along with some weight :D

[Muma]

I received a free dvd that I ordered a few weeks ago today aimed at children and how to eat healthy etc. Amy loved it but I discovered "The Presidents Challenge" and have been looking at the site for a little while. Anyone else heard of or has done this before?

http://www.presidentschallenge.org/index.aspx

I am going to sign me and Amy up because you can get a progress table and its fun for the kids to see stars being put on their cards as they complete stages and I also understand that you can get certificates and medallions as well.
They also have groups and wondered if anyone is interested in starting a DSP group. Will have to read up a little more about the groups but thought it might be fun.

[Beachcomber]

This week I went back to the beginning and started cutting down my calories. I have been pretty cranky though. LOL My body is so not liking eating less calories. I started walk/jogging a few weeks ago but this week I have been so tired and no energy that I didn't get out and exercise this week. Next week I will start again with the walk/jog and hopefully feel more energetic and not so cranky. hehehe

[emandlivsmom]

I tried to do my weekly weigh-in and the scales just said "Lo" - I suspect it's referring to the battery but I'll take it as a positive affirmation instead. :)

That's hysterical!

:rofl: LOL LOL sounds like a plan to me!

I had my first training session this morning. It was just a short session to work out my optimum heart rate. It was mostly just going over a starting weekly plan and then about 12mins of walking and finger pricks. I was freaking out about doing it because I have had a lot of joint pain from a flare up and cold weather but it didn't go too badly. Hopefully it will not hurt to much in the morning.

Now I just have to figure out how to fit in 10mins of walking 3 times a week between working full time, designing and getting kids to and from school and homeworked and fed and bathed etc.

I think I need to quit my day job so I can exercise more. :rofl: (shhh that is just what I will tell dh.. it will really be so I can design more!)

Can you wake up 15 minutes early to get your exercise in? I have been waking at 5:15 so I can get out the door and home in time to shower and off to school. Some mornings it's hard...but mostly I love having it done and out of the way for the day.

Shake those pom-poms Brenda! Love having the positive thoughts!

I wore pants today that were a size down from the ones that were a hair too big...they were tight, but not TOO tight. Yippee!

WTG Scamp!!! Love it!!!!!

I received a free dvd that I ordered a few weeks ago today aimed at children and how to eat healthy etc. Amy loved it but I discovered "The Presidents Challenge" and have been looking at the site for a little while. Anyone else heard of or has done this before?

http://www.presidentschallenge.org/index.aspx

I am going to sign me and Amy up because you can get a progress table and its fun for the kids to see stars being put on their cards as they complete stages and I also understand that you can get certificates and medallions as well.
They also have groups and wondered if anyone is interested in starting a DSP group. Will have to read up a little more about the groups but thought it might be fun.

I will have to check that out for the girls and I...thanks for sharing!


So here is my update...I have been doing Nutrisystem for 2 weeks and 2 days (and counting!) and have lost 7 pounds. I am wearing a pair of pants that I wasn't able to fit in this spring so I am excited about my growing wardrobe that isn't costing me anything (besides the cost of NS food! LOL)

I am running more and walking less which I am pleased about...went three miles today. Still took me 35 minutes b/c my jog seems more like a fast walk. But, I'll get there.

AND...I went out to dinner last night for my anniversary, Mexican! Didn't eat the chips and salsa (not one!), had chicken fajita and refried beans, skipped the rice and the guac and sour cream, and felt plenty full. Even brought the second one home for leftovers tonight (for dh, not me).

Anyway, great job to everyone, keep up the good work.

[Muma]

Wow ... well done Jennifer, that's awesome :yippee::yahoo::yippee:

[jemtred]

It sounds like you are doing brilliantly Jennifer. Well done.
Good luck with the weekend weigh in Muma. I am going to weigh in on Wednesday. Its a nice midpoint between weekends! I am working on adding you as a friend on sparkpeople but, my word, my connection is slow today! I have earnt 100 sparkpoints but I'm not sure what they are for. Maybe they could translate into dsp vouchers. That would be worth losing for.
A weird thing happened yesterday as Iwas taking Jack to summer school - I saw a bus with your name on it. Muma! Here public transport is usually by minibus and they often have funky names like "God is Good" but I had never seen Muma before. Maybe its a sign that you're going places! One day I will remember to carry my camera and take photos of these strange things which I am sure only happen here in Malawi.

[Muma]

Wow ... now I find that really Bizarre in a funny kinda way ... wonder what it means? lol

Well I couldn't wait until Sunday to weigh in so I did it yesterday and I have lost 10lbs :yippee: :yahoo: :yippee: I know this will fluctuate as my monthly cycles come around as I can put on 10+lbs at that point. But yay ... its on the downwards slide.

I think the spark points are a way of encouraging you to continue the process and you can also give virtual gifts with spark points.

[emandlivsmom]

THanks Jemma and Sue...and...









WTG SUE!!!!!! That is awesome!!!!

[Muma]

Thank you ... I would guess that 1/3 of that was water but I aint complaining lol. It will slow down though.

[scamptx]

Jennifer, that's awesome success! You are an inspiration!

Robyn, I think you would get lots of exercise of all the right kinds if you quit your day job, and we'd be in the store spending more money!

The day a treadmill is invented that has a computer for scrapping attached to it with controls in the "handle bars" is the day I'll look at buying one...:rolleyes: Meanwhile, I'm using the stairs at work. Hate to say but it's like a sauna outside these days even in the early morning. I'll get lots of walking in whilst in CA I'm sure!

Sue :tup: :tup: to you on the loss!

[jemtred]

Nice one Sue! 10lbs is 10 no matter where it went from. One good thing about the early (35) menopause is no monthly cycles to worry about!
I went running again last night and boy was I on fire! I was burning around the school field (at least thats how it felt to me)! I am going to extend my time next week and do two 13 min runs with a 3 min walk in between each session. I hope to do that 3 times a week. Its easy now that its school hols - my probs will start in Sept when its back to school!
Good luck with the shifting of pounds everyone

[emandlivsmom]

Wow ... now I find that really Bizarre in a funny kinda way ... wonder what it means? lol

Well I couldn't wait until Sunday to weigh in so I did it yesterday and I have lost 10lbs :yippee: :yahoo: :yippee: I know this will fluctuate as my monthly cycles come around as I can put on 10+lbs at that point. But yay ... its on the downwards slide.

I think the spark points are a way of encouraging you to continue the process and you can also give virtual gifts with spark points.

Sue...have you spoken to your doctor about all the weight gain each month? It seems so excessive to me and I was wondering if there was any suggestions he/she might have to control it.

Even if it were drinking more water to flush your system or cutting out salt and salty foods or something like that.


I would need two different wardrobes...1 for 3 weeks out of the month and the next size up for 1 week out of the month! :)



Great job Jemma on the running! It feels so good when you can increase your run time and decrease your walk time doesn't it???

[jemtred]

Thanks Jennifer it felt great! I did some strength training and pilates on Sat and ached yesterday! Today its for the big run. And next week I plan to go for the long 20 min run and work up to 30 mins over the next few weeks.
Can't wait for it to warm up so I can start swimming again.

Hope everyone else had a healthy weekend. I didn't even have a glass of wine or a roast potato - stuck to the healthier jacket potato.

[Muma]

Sue...have you spoken to your doctor about all the weight gain each month? It seems so excessive to me and I was wondering if there was any suggestions he/she might have to control it.

No I haven't spoken to my doc about it ..... Its something I have "put up with" most of my life, even as a teenager I would put on a lot of weight each month. I have just got a huge bottle of calcium tabs with huge horse pill sized tablets and taking 2 of those a day. They also have vit D with them and apparently they help with the water gain and the excruciating pain I put up with each month. Lots of reports say that diuretics do not do much for menstruation water gain. Yes salt makes huge difference. If I don't eat much of it then I do find the weight gain is halved. Just discovered how much salt is in a tin of Toms so buying the low salt variety now. Salt is my BIG downfall to my healthy life style.

Hope everyone else had a healthy weekend. I didn't even have a glass of wine or a roast potato - stuck to the healthier jacket potato.

Oh jacket potatoes ..... Yummy. Used to microwave them but a few weeks ago I made the effort to bake them and will not microwave them again. They taste so much better.

[jemtred]

I micorwave them and then pop them in the oven for about 20 mins to crisp up the skin!
How is everybody doing?
I went running again with the extended times and that was fine! Going to strength train and pilates tonight. Have been within my limits all week on sparkpeople so I am quite happy. I add all the food to the tracker in the morning then its such a pain for me to change it as I don't have internet at home that have to stick to it!

[scamptx]

I'm running on overload with finishing up work projects, checking on Mom and trying to pack to catch the plane for California tomorrow, but am still sugar free! Dropped a pound, so the scales aren't overwhelmed with any major loss, but my clothes are feeling more comfortable.

My trip to California last year is when I blew it--I'm so glad we have this thread going because I know I'll feel accountable to not only myself but to you guys as well. Thanks for being here!

[Cheryl B.]

I have read this thread with much interest, and I applaud each one of you for wanting to make healthy changes in your life. I thought long and hard about sharing in this thread, because I KNOW that one person’s results don’t always apply to another. I don’t want anyone to think that I believe I have all the answers. I’m just learning myself. But I thought perhaps sharing my story might give someone else, at least, food for thought (pun intended).

I know what it’s like to be overweight. I have photos of me as a baby, and I was a chubby baby….no make that a fat baby. I grew up overweight. I married an absolutely wonderful man who loved who I was, not what dress size I wore. He was (ahem) chubby, too. We both put on weight through the years. And we lost weight, too. We have been on every diet imaginable, from starvation to grapefruit (that’s a really “fruity” diet). To more acceptable ones, like weight watchers. And you know what? They ALL worked. I’m thinking we lost thousands of pounds. But hunger and food cravings eventually drove us to quit and put back on all the weight we lost, and usually more. A few years ago, my husband found out he had diabetes. And it scared us to death. His mom has diabetes, along with every complication known. She came to us and said, “Don’t let happen to you what happened to me.” We had a choice to either continue eating all the same old foods, or to grow old together. We chose growing old.

So began a journey of learning. I took classes, and I read, read, read. I know you’re thinking, “I don’t have diabetes, so how does this apply to me?” Well, I’ll let the numbers speak. I went from size 24 down to size 10 (I lost 85 pounds), and my husband from size 4X down to large (he lost 110 pounds). It isn’t a “diabetic diet”, I learned to eat differently, in a way that we lost weight slowly, consistently, and (so far) maintain it for the past two years. Losing the weight was a slow process (two years), but best of all, my hubby’s blood sugars are now completely normal, and even mine have gone down. (Please always follow your doctor’s advice if you have diabetes.)

Is anyone interested in the rest of our story? I don’t want to hijack Robyn’s thread with a long story. But if it would be an encouragement to keep trying for a healthy life, I'd be willing to share.

[Muma]

Is anyone interested in the rest of our story? I don’t want to hijack Robyn’s thread with a long story. But if it would be an encouragement to keep trying for a healthy life, I'd be willing to share.

I most certainly am interested, anything to help or encourage on our journey.

My DH was diagnosed diabetic just after his mum died 5 years ago, 1 year later he was back to normal blood levels but slowly he feels the levels are creeping back up and I have decided enough is enough. We are not trying out any particular diet just starting to eat healthy. I think over the past 3 weeks we have eaten more fresh fruit and veg than we did in the past 3 months. We're starting to eat as we should be eating for the rest of our lives. I want to loose this weight and keep it off and I know it will take at least 12-18 months to get to where I want to get but hopefully it will stay off because of the lifestyle changes that we are making. Most of all I want to be here to see my amazing daughter grow to her full potential in what ever she wishes to do.

[Cheryl B.]

Thanks, Muma, for the encouragement to continue with our story. I guess I have never before put it down in writing, and that makes me a little nervous.

I started my story here (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showpost.php?p=717258&postcount=146).

PLEASE UNDERSTAND that this is our story. I am not a medical expert, I just want to share what worked for us. The first thing I learned was that we absolutely COULD NOT go on another diet. If I go ON a diet, then I can go OFF a diet. We had to make a determination that for the rest of our lives we would eat in a new way. That thought began to change the way we looked at food. Next I learned that it is carbohydrates that cause blood sugar to rise. Not just sugar, but all carbs. That’s sugar, grain products (flour), fruit, milk, even some veggies. The first thing I did was buy a book so I could figure out what foods did have carbs in it. We cleared out all white foods in the house. No white sugar, no white flour, no milk, no potatoes, no pasta, no bread. I’m not saying that never again would any of those pass through our lips, but those always caused my husband’s blood sugar to rise, and so they were history for us. (I have since found some low carb substitutes for some of these.) We couldn’t just completely eliminate carbs, though. Carbohydrates (glucose) are important for brain function, we had to figure out what the optimal amount was to control blood sugar. I have come to believe, for us, that blood sugar control equals weight control. There is a correlation between the carbs you eat (which convert to glucose in the blood) and weight. Glucose causes your pancreas to produce insulin to lower the excess glucose. If there is too much glucose much of the time, a pancreas gets tired, and one becomes insulin resistant. And since insulin is important in converting glucose to energy, if you’re resistant, glucose rises in your blood, causing a multitude of problems, including weight gain. (OK, too much medical talk, I’ll get on with our story.)

Next, I learned portion control. I was taught about the “diabetic plate”. Imagine a small 9-inch plate. (I bought a whole new set of smaller plates, by the way.) Divide the plate into fourths. One-fourth of your plate has a protein on it. One-fourth of the plate has carbs on it. And the other half is veggies. It was a most helpful visual for us to remember, and proportions we still use. I don’t count calories, and I don’t do low fat. We eat moderate protein, moderate fat, low carbs with as much fiber as possible. (When you count carbs, you subtract fiber grams from that number.) If I keep my carbs at the right level for me and I DON’T try to limit fat (moderate, but not low), I find I don’t have food cravings, and I am full between meals. For us, we eat about 100-120 gm. of carbs a day. 30 for breakfast, 30 for lunch, and 30-45 for dinner. Not as low as some eating plans advocate, but certainly not as high as others. It works for us.

The last piece of our puzzle was movement. Never just sit down after a meal, but move around for a while, even if it’s just doing dishes. Movement helps lower blood sugar. We try to walk a couple of times a week for about 30 minutes.

That’s the end of our story. Hope it’s an encouragement that even after years of trying and restarting again in the quest for a healthy life, keep on trying until you find what works for you. Ask questions, read, research. NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP! Choose to grow old.

[emandlivsmom]

Most of all I want to be here to see my amazing daughter grow to her full potential in what ever she wishes to do.

That is exactly what I was thinking when I was reading Cheryl's story. It is more than fitting into that size 10 pair of jeans (which will thrill me no matter what) but it is creating a healthy lifestyle so that I can play with my kids, and one day, play with my grandkids. I am also hoping that, once my nutrisystem food is gone (6 days and counting!) I will find healthy recipes and teach my kids how to eat healthy as well.

Love that sparks site sends me recipes...I have created a file for recipes and save all the ones that seem appetizing to me.

When is your trip Sue??

[Robyn Gough]

Great story Cheryl.

I am not diabetic, but am insulin resistant, so I try and eat Low GI. I eat Basmati rice because I can't get the family to eat brown rice which is better, but Basmati is low GI. I try and balance any high GI carbs with protien to lower the GI level of the overall meal/snack. Mostly I try and avoid high GI food, not always successfully!

One thing I LOVE about low GI as there are some high sugar foods that are low GI, so they digest slower than highly processed carbs. Strawberry Jam for instance has lots of sugar (although that may be different in the US, but here there are lots of strawberries in it) but because of the strawberries in it, which are very low GI, Strawberry Jam is Low GI.

Would you believe Chocolate is Low GI! Of course, doesn't mean you can pig out on it, (all things in moderation) but because of the protien content it is low GI. My favourite treat Peanut M & M's is Low GI. But I have it as a treat, because just because it is Low GI doesn't mean is good for you. But it is better to pick a low GI treat than a high GI one.

Anyway, I had my weigh in yesterday and I maintained. I have lost 2kg so far overall which is about 4.4lbs. This is in 7 wks. It is going to be a long and slow journey me thinks! But at least I didn't gain, and better to loose slow and keep it off, than loose too fast and gain it all back again later on. Admittedly because of moving house, I had stopped recording my foods in my food diary and had had take out a little too often. So that probably didn't help!

Anyway, I had better get back to work!

Keep it up girls, you are doing great!

[jemtred]

Thanks so much for your story Cheryl. I agree with everything Muma/Sue said too.
The Spark thing is really all about a healthy lifestyle and I am hoping that my good habits will rub off on the rest of the family. The kids usually eat healthily its just the hubby I have to knock into shape (although physically he looks rallygood I hate to see what is in his arteries!) Fortuanately I love brown rice and pasta even though brown pasta is almost impossible to get hold of here. I do try to find wholemeal wherever I can.
Lost 3kg this week (6.5 pounds) so quite pleased. My 1st week is always best so I am sure it will slow down soon which is fine as this time it is staying off! I also have had a flare up on the ankle injusry so may have so slow down a bit on the running later. We shall see....

[emandlivsmom]

Great job on the weight loss Jemma!!

Funny thing...I have seen picts of me during the spring/beginning of summer and I see how round my face looks.

Well today I put a new lipstick on and couldn't find a mirror so I snapped a pict with my cell phone to check it out and I didn't know whose skinny face I was looking at!!

OK...maybe not skinny, but less round that is for sure!

[Muma]

Thank you very much Cheryl ... fantastic encouragement with your story and yes sparkpeople is all about eating right, not going on diets. Thats what I love about it and after a while people stop tracking what they eat because they have it down what a healthy meal consists of.

Awesome work Robyn and Jemma, yep I know you didn't loose Robyn but you also didn't gain that is great :D

I love seeing my face get thinner. Its the 1st place I loose weight and gives me encouragement .... awesome that you see a difference Jennifer because you know what that means :D

[jemtred]

Its sounds like everyone is still feeling positive which is great! I had been wondering how you were doing Robyn as this is your thread so its really good to hear you are OK.
I am a bit stuck because I need to do some cardio but my ankle injury didn't really enjoy my running although I did so I am hobbling! I need a replacement exercise but I have no equipiment, can barely walk and its too cold to swim. Anyone got any ideas?
I have considered taking THea out for a long buggy ride so I could lean on the buggy if it hurts too much. Surely pushing 10.5kg of chunky girl (+ buggy) must count!

[emandlivsmom]

Hi ladies!!! Soon my Nutrisystem food will expire and I will no longer be logging my exercise and food intake on their website but would like to continue in some way because I feel the accountability is important for me right now.

I was considering joing weight watchers but am thinking I would like to look more into Sparkspeople, or whatever it is called...

So for those that use it...what do you find useful and helpful? Would love to spend days searching through the site but that is not realistic...

Does anyone track their food and exercise here? Any pages that you are particularly drawn too??

Thanks so much! Keep working hard!

BTW...found a girlfriend that is starting out running as well and we are going to start running on Sundays together..."longer" runs. ha ha

[guitargirl]

I like getting SparkPeople's emails. That just reminds me every day that I need to eat healthy and exercise. I used to use the food and exercise trackers, but I keep forgetting to do it, so I just started tracking on my own.

I just got back from a 2 week vacation late Tuesday night. I was DREADING getting on the scales after that. So, I did it first thing when I got up today (before I could think about it too much! :D) and I actually LOST 2 pounds while on vacation. No idea how I did that! LOL Guess it must have been all that snorkeling! :rofl:

[emandlivsmom]

Nice job on making it through vacation Lisa! That is always a challenge and you lost weight!

[jemtred]

WOW Lisa, losing weight on holiday! AMazing - that's a trick I really need to learn as thats usually when it all falls apart for me and as a teacher I get a lot of vacation time.

Jennifer I find the nutrition tracker really helpful as it tells me my calories etc. for the day without me having to look anything up myself. It is also handy for good fitness ideas. I use it to keep myself accountable but at first it took ages to do but that may be because of my really slow internet connection. Another great thing about it is its FREE!!! its www.sparkpeople.com and if you join my user name is jemtred (same as here) so you can look me up and be my friend!

I did the big buggy push for 30mins last night and that really did work up a sweat. I will try to do the same every eve until my ankle eases and I can start running again.

[Blesha]

I thougt I would follow your progress here.

For me it's not so much about the weight loss, but about getting healthier. I need to take things very easy due to my body not coping well with excersices that are straining on the body, so I'm starting out very slowly.

Let's follow each other on the way to a healthier body. :)

[webfrau]

I was considering joing weight watchers but am thinking I would like to look more into Sparkspeople, or whatever it is called...

So for those that use it...what do you find useful and helpful? Would love to spend days searching through the site but that is not realistic...


I use the food and fitness tracker. I found the nutrition tracking particularly helpful, I found my diet wasn't as balanced as I thought. I was really low on protein consumption when I started.
I like the recipes and the ability to calculate the nutritional values from my own recipes - got some nasty surprises when I put some of our favourites through the system.

I haven't bothered with the forums etc I don't need any further online distractions.

I've taken a break for the last week or so as I got to the end of my first goal period, didn't quite make my goal weight but close. This week will be time to set a new set of goals and get back to it.

I bought a pilates magic ring this week to use at home - I know from experience at classes that these can produce extreme pain the next day - what was I thinking? :confused:

[Muma]

I to like sparkpeople because of the nutrition tracker. Its very interesting to see the ranges it suggests for calories, fat etc and to start with I was reaching my fat content, only just reaching my carb content and under on my calories. Very unbalanced. One thing I really like is that I can add foods. I just take the nutrition value from the pack.

Also love the exercise suggestions. You can start out real slow and build up.
I don't bother with the forums either.

[scamptx]

Reading what you are all saying about the healthy aspect of it--I totally agree. Many times when I've started the 'no sugar' regimen, I go to extremes--no sugar, no wheat, etc. etc. Because I have enough stress in my life right now, I'm trying to see the shades of grey, not the extremes of black and white. It's a good thing!

My two days with my cousin were absolutely wonderful! She and her husband eat a healthy diet and she's a marvelous cook. She's taken a carrot cake recipe and totally eliminated the sugar. It's incredible--a little slice toasted for breakfast was a real treat.

Last night I had my favorite--salmon. So far so good on this vacation.

Speaking of nutrition and "diet plans," did I tell you before why counting weight watcher points was a total zero for me nutritionally? I mean, if one can eat Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches instead of FOOD and still stay within the points range, why not? :lol: :lol:

[scamptx]

p.s. I've been doing a ton of walking! It's a delight to be in a climate where walking is refreshing rather than feeling like walking through a sauna in Texas!

[cats4jan]

A subject most can relate to - we're on post 164 in a month. :eek:

Been fighting this problem since I was 13 and I'm so tired of it ruling my life. I've tried every diet out there - they are all very good for losing the weight - it's just the little matter of keeping it off that is the hang-up. :annoyed:

The real answer is simple - eat less - move more. Do I follow that simple rule? Nope.

Waiting to get motivated - AGAIN.

[PQ]

I am still motivated!

[Muma]

A subject most can relate to - we're on post 164 in a month. :eek:

Been fighting this problem since I was 13 and I'm so tired of it ruling my life. I've tried every diet out there - they are all very good for losing the weight - it's just the little matter of keeping it off that is the hang-up. :annoyed:

The real answer is simple - eat less - move more. Do I follow that simple rule? Nope.

Waiting to get motivated - AGAIN.

I have struggled with weight ever since puberty and have gone on numerous diets over the 25-28 years since but nothing worked. Yep I lost weight for the 1st month and then nothing. I was constantly hungry especially when I was exercising right and eating became a chore. Its only now since reading articles in the Spark people site that I was not eating enough and I was going into survival mode. Which is bad for loosing weight LOL. The exercise on top would cause hunger as I used up what little energy I had.

Even when friends met their goals they would revert back to eating "normally" and the body starts thinking .... Oh cool, look at all this good stuff, I must store just in case another famine happens...... So the weight goes on and more than you had before because the body doesn't want to go through the same thing again.

This time I have decided to go the healthy eating route. Stick to the dietary amounts suggested for me and see how it goes. So far I have not been hungry and discovered hidden energy and lost some weight. Can't be bad :D I have also discovered that loosing weight does not necessarily mean eating less. Its all about eating more of the right things in the right proportions.

[emandlivsmom]

Come on Janice...you can do it! Get motivated! I have noticed at various times I get motivated and it only lasts for a short (short) time...I am hoping this lasts longer because I am trying to get into running a bit...no expensive equipment, no gym membership, and I don't have to get in my car and drive somewhere to do it.

Great job on vacation Scamp...must be nice to be getting out of the Tx heat for awhile. I remember back in 1988 going there to play in a softball tournament...they wouldn't let us play between 11 and 4 or something like that because it was too dangerous being soooo hot. And the pool water was not refreshing...it was like jumping into a gigantic bath tub! And then there is rochester...

[jemtred]

I have struggled with motivaton too this weekend. The hubby was ill so i had the sole charge of the kids and while I got in some kiddy games I didn't manage to do my walk so I don't feel I have done enough exercise this weekend - hopefully I can make up for it tonight with a longer buggy push! The ankle is feeling better (but not right) so exercise is on the agenda. I also made a batch of cookies! I only ate 3 (they were tiny) and the rest are for the kids.
I have just started puttin gin my own recipes for the tracking. I am trying to eat smaller portionsof the meat and pasta and really up my veggie intake. Fruit is great and easy to eat but I do struggle with the veg.
Its also my birthday on Monday but as I am the only person who bakes I think I can resist the urge to bake until my hungry, young oven-free friends return. They help me out by taking the rest of it home with them!
Good luck everyone and thanks forthe help wiht staying motivated.

[jemtred]

Everyone is very quiet - hopefully all too busy working out??
I survived the birthday unscathed and managed to lose another 0.5kg this week (1pound) which isn't a lot but I will take it happily! I have had to modify my strength routine as its killing the ankle but I have a new one now. The buggy push is still happening and I have persuaded my hubby to come too and bring Jack so they can do slow nature rambles while Thea and I march around at speed! All good fun.

Hope everyone is still feeling positive?

[webfrau]

I did one of my jog/walk interval training sessions yesterday. I do it while ds is at hockey practice round the school field. First time for about a month, I stopped for the school holidays and was slow to get back into it.

If anyone is interested I download PodRunner Intervals. I've never been a runner but I've started the "first day to 5K" plan and I can do the first session. I've never advanced beyond that because I've never managed to do it three times in a week. But once a week is better than nothing.
http://www.djsteveboy.com/intervals.html
I subscribe through itunes and there are lots of other similar programs available, this was just the first one I came across.

[Robyn Gough]

Hubby did a couch to 5k ipod plan and loved it so much started doing triathlons. He is a strong swimmer because he did a lot of swimming in high school so that doesn't scare him too much like it does most people. So he started swimming and riding as well and he is now hooked. He gets up at crazy hours to do his training and loves it. Wish I could get that enthused about exercise but I have never enjoyed it much.

At the moment I have been too sick to do much anyway. Everytime I start to feel better I have another flare up and just can't do it.

I had a weigh in on Tuesday and lost 500g (a bit over a pound). I am stuggling at the moment because I have been sick, and dh then feels bad for me so buys me sweet treats to make me feel better! LOL I knows exactly what I like when I am not feeling well but it isn't helping the weight loss!

So my motivation isn't that great at the moment and my parents are coming up this weekend and we are going to Sizzlers for dinner on Friday night. I normally eat fairly healthy there but find it difficult to resist the Chocolate Mousse! I will have to be extra good tomorrow to make up for it because I simply can't go to Sizzlers without having the Mousse!

[jemtred]

Oh Robyn sorry to hear you are feeling poorly again :hug: but congrats on the weight loss:yippee: 500g off is 500g less to lose which can only be a good thing. Good luck with the chocolate mousse - a little bit of sin can only be a good thing just don't have 2 servings!!!!

I did the couch to 5K program as well and loved it. Unfortunately I did my ankle in just as I got to 5K so I will have to go back a few weeks when its healed and work back up to the 5K. I am still going buggypushing everyday (except Thurs) to keep up some cardio exercise.

Good luck with the rest of the week and the weekend.

[webfrau]

Well I weighed in again yesterday and somehow found I'd lost another 1kg in the last 10 days. I thought it might be the other way round given the Chinese takeaway and the cookies I'd baked!! :)
This means I'm just 1kg off my goal weight now - somehow I think this last little bit will be the hardest. I'm actually in the healthy BMI range (if you believe in its validity) now for the first time in over 10 years.

[emandlivsmom]

Well I weighed in again yesterday and somehow found I'd lost another 1kg in the last 10 days. I thought it might be the other way round given the Chinese takeaway and the cookies I'd baked!! :)
This means I'm just 1kg off my goal weight now - somehow I think this last little bit will be the hardest. I'm actually in the healthy BMI range (if you believe in its validity) now for the first time in over 10 years.

That is sooo great! Congrats!!! I actually feel like I have stalled out this past week. My nutrisystem food ran out, I had a couple bbqs to go to, and only ran once so far this week. But, I didn't over eat or snack all day, just haven't done what it takes to lose weight.

I am looking forward to school to start so I can have more of a routine with eating and such....dieting in the summer is HARD!

[scamptx]

This means I'm just 1kg off my goal weight now - somehow I think this last little bit will be the hardest. I'm actually in the healthy BMI range (if you believe in its validity) now for the first time in over 10 years.

Congrats!!

It may be quiet because here in the states summer is winding down, kids are going back to school, and some of us are back from vacations...:worried:

I remained sugar free on the trip :tup: and have lost another pound. As much walking as I did I prolly would have lost more, but I was in California, and do you know how good clam chowder is??? And sour dough bread with butter??? But I managed to eat fairly healthily, and got in some veggies and fruit.

Arrived home to the sauna we call Texas last night, and the heat and humidity was awful. I'll be glad when the weather cools a bit so I feel like walking. Meanwhile, it's the stairs at work.

[webfrau]

welcome home Scamp. That sour dough bread would be a problem for me too - some things just cry out for butter. :)

[bendipez]

Hubby did a couch to 5k ipod plan and loved it so much started doing triathlons. He is a strong swimmer because he did a lot of swimming in high school so that doesn't scare him too much like it does most people. So he started swimming and riding as well and he is now hooked. He gets up at crazy hours to do his training and loves it. Wish I could get that enthused about exercise but I have never enjoyed it much.

At the moment I have been too sick to do much anyway. Everytime I start to feel better I have another flare up and just can't do it.

I had a weigh in on Tuesday and lost 500g (a bit over a pound). I am stuggling at the moment because I have been sick, and dh then feels bad for me so buys me sweet treats to make me feel better! LOL I knows exactly what I like when I am not feeling well but it isn't helping the weight loss!

So my motivation isn't that great at the moment and my parents are coming up this weekend and we are going to Sizzlers for dinner on Friday night. I normally eat fairly healthy there but find it difficult to resist the Chocolate Mousse! I will have to be extra good tomorrow to make up for it because I simply can't go to Sizzlers without having the Mousse!
Robin, you can have the mousse you just have to make a few minor tweaks at Sizzler's....no wine at dinner, water only, just vinegar on the salad and no cheese or croutons on the salad. Oh and no terriyaki anything and very small amount of butter on the side if needed. And savor the mousse, feel the texture of it and eat slowly....remember it takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to recognize that it is full.....

[jemtred]

Well done Scamp - its always holidays that are my downfall so when I count backwards I go "This is how light I was before I went to...."!! I maintain between holidays but never take the weight off! Congrats on losing it.
Jennifer - I so know wht you mean about a routine. It helps if you can only eat what you take with you not have temptationl lying around in the fridge.
Brenda - Thanks once again for your words of wisdom. They really help

[emandlivsmom]

The girls and I are leaving for family camp today...we will be back on Sunday evening. It is supposed to be a beautiful weekend here in NY. I am really looking forward to some quality time with my girls who have been driving me nuts lately! LOL

I went running this morning...I ran 3.1 miles with NO walking!!!!! yipee!!!! It took me 36 minutes to complete, but I'll take it! Makes me feel better about running a 5K in the fall. I know I can complete it now, hopefully a little faster than 36 minutes, but even so. I just want to do it with no walking.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!!!!

[scamptx]

Jennifer, I admire you for your running! I am in awe--for me to walk 3.1 miles in one set would be an accomplishment!

[jemtred]

Well done Jennifer - wish I could join you!

[emandlivsmom]

Ugh! What a horrible weekend of eating for me! I don't even DARE step on the scale! LOL The girls and I went to family camp from Friday night through lunch today. Camp food...not the healthiest! I didn't overdo it, but I didn't eat healthy either.

I decided I am not going to step on the scale until Wed or Thursday after I have gotten my eating back on track and have run a gazillion miles! LOL

[scamptx]

That sounds like a great idea! I seem to stay hungry when I'm at home on the weekend. Fortunately, there's not any junk food, but I feel like I could eat all day non-stop! Wonder if it's because I forget to drink my water...:think: :think:

[Muma]

Could easily be because you forgot to drink your water ... I always feel hungry when that happens

Well I got on the scale today .... been about 3-4 weeks since I last got on them [I sometimes feel very depressed if I dont loose what I want so dont get on the scale that often, esp when a monthly cycle comes around] .... and I have lost another 10lb. So thats 20lb since the start which I think was about 6 weeks ago. I am very surprised and honestly hope I dont carry on at this rate ... just slow down a tiny bit get from 3.3 lbs a week to 2lbs as I have heard if you loose more than 2.5lbs a week its too quick and hard to keep off. Saying that I have made serious healthy choices in my food where as before ..... well I dont really wanna go there lol.

Amy starts school for the 1st time next week and its about a mile walk to the school. I am going to try walking every day so that will make 4 miles a day going there and back twice each day. Not sure how well I will cope to start with but we shall see :D

[emandlivsmom]

WOWZA Sue! That is fantastic!!! I am so jealous!!! So what was your overall goal as far as the pounds you are wanting to shed?

The reason I ask is because I found the first 75% of the weight I want to drop tends to fall of quickly then it slows down drastically for me. I wouldn't be too worried about the quick loss, I would be doing a happy dance!!!!!! The important thing is 1. you aren't starving yourself...you don't want your body to get used to too few calories, then when you eat a normal amount, you put weight on, and 2. You are making healthy choices and see it as a lifestyle change!!

I am sooo proud of you!!!

[scamptx]

Congratulations, MumaSue! The walking will really help--I'm sure that's why I didn't gain a bunch while in California. We did alot of walking, and some of it rather quickly! I can't wait till the weather here in Texas cools off enough to make it bearable--over 101 again today.

I have lost a grand total of 13 pounds...about 28 more to go!

[webfrau]

WTG Sue! Great work. That must be making you feel a bit more confident about the whole process. That's brilliant.

[jemtred]

Hey well done MumaSue that is really great news. It sounds like getting on the scale once amonth is a great idea for you too. I agree with Jennifer too that it tends to slow down after a while so I would treasure these pounds!
I am going to strap the ankle and start running again next week - wlaking is just too boring for me.

[Muma]

WOWZA Sue! That is fantastic!!! I am so jealous!!! So what was your overall goal as far as the pounds you are wanting to shed?

The reason I ask is because I found the first 75% of the weight I want to drop tends to fall of quickly then it slows down drastically for me. I wouldn't be too worried about the quick loss, I would be doing a happy dance!!!!!! The important thing is 1. you aren't starving yourself...you don't want your body to get used to too few calories, then when you eat a normal amount, you put weight on, and 2. You are making healthy choices and see it as a lifestyle change!!

I am sooo proud of you!!!

My overall goal is 100lb but I cut that in 2 and doing 2 lots of 50lb so I don't feel so overwhelmed. Now I can fluctuate between 280 and 310 [have done that for 3 years now] ..... oh good grief there we go, now ya'll know how much I weigh :o..... and I have just hit that 280 mark. So I think getting below that will start being the real test. I have given myself till new year to get down the 1st 50 .... 4 more months to loose 30lb. Think that is reasonable :D

[Cheryl B.]

Muma, you are doing great! It sounds like you are not just "dieting", but making healthy changes in the way you eat. It becomes easier as time goes on. The weight loss can be slow, but the cravings get less the better you feel about yourself. It's really motivating when you feel more healthy. I'm proud of you, too.

[emandlivsmom]

Sue...I think if you keep doing what you are doing you will continue to see the rapid weight loss. Eventually it will slow but you totally should be running with it and feel great about it!

The hardest part always seems to be making it a lifestyle change...I know I fight with this all the time (like not eating the chicken wings the other night, or the custard today with my children). Sometimes it ok to indulge, but most of the time I need to eat for health and not for pleasure. Ugh...that is not very exciting as I sit here and reread what I just wrote! LOL

Running is getting easier for me...something clicked within the past 10 days and it seems pretty easy for me to go out and jog 2 1/2 or 3 miles. Now, I jog at a snails pace but that will get better in time. Tomorrow morning I am shooting to run 4 miles...that will be my first time EVER!

[Muma]

Thanks everyone for all your encouragement .... you are all making this journey so much more fun. I truly have had a great time so far, even when those nightmare days come along. All I have to do is sit here and read a few posts and I am back feeling great again. I have tried diets ALL my life, even when I was a young teenager, and every single one failed. This life style change though is something entirely different and its keeping my interest as well as the families.


The hardest part always seems to be making it a lifestyle change...I know I fight with this all the time (like not eating the chicken wings the other night, or the custard today with my children). Sometimes it ok to indulge, but most of the time I need to eat for health and not for pleasure. Ugh...that is not very exciting as I sit here and reread what I just wrote! LOL

LOL ..... Now I thought just the same as you just over a month ago but I have lots of fun fixing and eating the food we are eating. My daughter would not eat ANY veg. None at all until we discovered that she loves raw veggies. Carrots, cauliflower, Broccoli, celery, cabbage .... you name it, if its raw she will eat it. So I sat down with her and I cut up dipping size pieces of many different veg. Got out my dipping plate and put in 3 different dips/sauces as well as cottage cheese. Put some apples and clementine pieces in the cottage cheese. All three of us could only eat half of what I prepared. Oh we also had a few tortilla chips in there to. I put half the veg in the fridge and used it in a soup the next day. But we had so much fun eating that meal. All being around our coffee table sitting on the floor with a bunch of pillows and having sword fights with our sticks of celery.

For my snacks yesterday Spark People suggested tangerines and popcorn. So DH got a few movies from the rental store and we sat with a bucket of popcorn. I had about 1/4, DD had about 1/4 and DH had the rest. I love yogurt on my muesli. I usually water it down with a few ounces of skimmed milk but I never used to do that and its still more healthy than what I used to eat and I much prefer what I am eating now.

I am still coming in well under my max range of calories [but also above the min], fats, protiens and carbs. I even eat chicken wings every now and again ... probably once a month. We usually buy the low carb dressings and the lite yogurts etc and I am still eating some of my fav foods but in smaller portions and adding in more veg and most of all .... at least 8 cups of water a day. Wow how much difference does that water make.

After that long winded post and a lot of waffle I have discovered that eating healthy does not always mean not eating for pleasure.

We need to start sharing our fun and still healthy meals and foods that we eat.

[emandlivsmom]

I thought the same thing about sharing recipes that are fast, easy and healthy. I made one, probably doesn't sound too good, but it was 2 cans of tuna, 1 can of white beans, 1 red onion chopped, and 1 red bell chopped(which my dd happens to like and she is NOT a veggie fan!). I split it into 4 servings, about 150 calories each, and even froze one to see if it was edible. It will be perfect for school lunches, along with my salad. I am thinking a little ff italian dressing might perk it up a bit, but still enjoyed it as it was.

I need 150 calorie lunch ideas...any suggestions?

[emandlivsmom]

And I need to grocery shop for these! Found it on nutrisystem or sparkspeople.

100 Calorie Cinnamon Pancakes!

I am known for my pancakes, so trust me on this one!

INGREDIENTS
Whole Wheat Flour, 1.25 cup
Baking Soda, 1 tsp
Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, 2 tbsp
Skim Milk, 1 cup
Eggbeaters, .5 cup
Vanilla extract, 1 tbsp
Cinnamon, 2 tbsp

DIRECTIONS
Mix flour, baking soda, and splenda in bowl. Mix milk, eggs, and vanilla in another bowl. Beat into dry mix roughly, so as to add more air to mix. Stir in cinnamon last. Serving size is 1/3 cup mix. Use PAM on skillet when cooking and sweeten with sugar free syrup and/or fruit!

Serving size, 1/3 cup, is one pancake.
Number of Servings: 8

[webfrau]

Good idea to share our recipes finds. There are lots of good ones on Sparkpeople.

I have to confess I won't make anything with "artificial" ingredients in it - Splenda for instance or egg beaters (whatever they may be - we can't get them anyway). I prefer to cook with REAL food. If I want sugar I'd rather have less of the real thing than chemicals. I just have a "thing" about that - I figure that your body knows better what to do with it. Nothing "diet" passes through our door. :)
(stepping off soapbox)

[scamptx]

I'm afraid that I'm the same with the artificial sweetners and such. I just have to do without. Now if only I'd cook...:love2:

[jemtred]

We can't get any "diet" foods here either but I do miss low fat yoghurt as I have an issue with getting enough calcium. I have started eating sardines and salad at lunch to get round that one.

[Cheryl B.]

There is a sweetner that is not an artificial chemical. It's called stevia and it is an herbal supplement that comes from the sunflower family. It is 300 times as sweet as sugar, and actually has health benefits. I can put about 1/16 tsp. in my morning coffee and it is delightfully sweet. It is the leading sweetner used in Japan (and has been for many years) with no health problems associated with it.

I agree about egg beaters, the real thing is much more delicious, and they are finding that the yolk has many health benefits. Guess that why eggs come with the white and the yolk. :)

[webfrau]

There is a sweetner that is not an artificial chemical. It's called stevia

I've read about that but never seen it for sale here, mind you I haven't looked very hard. It's probably available in health food shops somewhere at an exorbitant price.

I agree about egg beaters, the real thing is much more delicious, and they are finding that the yolk has many health benefits. Guess that why eggs come with the white and the yolk. :)

I remember being told in biochemistry class more than 20 years ago that there were some amino acids that could only be obtained from egg - I think they were in the yolk (wouldn't swear to that) and that if you beat the egg up they were no longer available - so it was important to eat your eggs boiled or fried too - not just scrambled. That's what I remember though I'm happy to be corrected if my forgettery is faulty :)

[jemtred]

I don't really use "diet" products as there are very few available here. I do miss fat free yoghurts though. We don't even have diet soda - not a problem for me as I hate soda and only really drink water (and wine of course!!!)

[Cheryl B.]

I've read about that but never seen it for sale here, mind you I haven't looked very hard. It's probably available in health food shops somewhere at an exorbitant price.

Stevia here in US costs about $5 for 1 ounce (28g). It doesn't sound like very much, but it lasts me for at least 3 months. You only use a very tiny amount. I don't know how the $5 would convert, but $5 here would buy 10 pounds (4.5kg) of sugar. Still, I think stevia is a good deal financially, but most of all, for me, for my health (as I absolutely love my coffee and tea nicely sweet and the amount of sugar I would use would not be healthy :). )

I don't really use "diet" products as there are very few available here. I do miss fat free yoghurts though.

Is there milk available that you could use to make your own yogurt? It's a fairly simple process and tastes delicious. Of course, you have to add your own fruit (and sweetner if you like). Or I like it plain over breakfast cereal.

[jemtred]

I too prefer my yoghurt plain and we can get that but it is whole milk though very tasty and I often have it on my oats. The only skimmed milk you can get is UHT - I am not sure if this will make nice yoghurt or not. I wanted to make low-fat cottage cheese too but I don't think that can be done with UHT. Please let me know if you know any different as I would gladly make some.

[scamptx]

Speaking of eggs--my brother-in-law is a great cook and a health nut. (and he's a good egg :D) He scrambles up eggs using 2-3 egg whites and one yolk. That way he gets the benefit of the yolk, lower cholesterol, and more protein. Clever, huh!

[Cheryl B.]

I too prefer my yoghurt plain and we can get that but it is whole milk though very tasty and I often have it on my oats. The only skimmed milk you can get is UHT - I am not sure if this will make nice yoghurt or not. I wanted to make low-fat cottage cheese too but I don't think that can be done with UHT. Please let me know if you know any different as I would gladly make some.

I don't know what UHT is? Not a term we use here. But, for me, I don't do "low fat". I don't eat sticks of butter, but I also don't go out of my way to pick low fat items. I know this goes against the wisdom of the last 25 years, but the more newer research I read, the more I am believing that it's carbohydrates that cause weight gain, not fat. So I strictly monitor every single carb that comes my way, but I believe a moderate fat diet provides satiety. I stay full longer. At least that's how it works for me. I do stay away from trans-fats. They are chemical fats that are unhealthy anyway. And I try to eat more mono-fats, such as olive oil. But I use real butter, not margarine, and 2% milk, not skim. By the way, my cholesterol test just came back and it's in the normal range, in case anyone wondered how this affected that in my life. This may not be the same for someone else, but it's what has worked for my husband and me.

All that said, I have in the past made yogurt with skim milk. It is not as "full" tasting, but it certainly is "doable". The process is the same. Heat milk to almost scalding. Allow to cool til just wrist warm, then add a couple of heaping tablespoons of yogurt with active culture, and let it sit, covered, for about 24 hours (the more it ages, the less carbs there are in it. I found that interesting.)

[Muma]

I have found the exact same thing with the fats ..... if I cut them out of my diet too much I get very hungry. Staying in the limit SparkPeople suggests has been perfect, I'm not hungry .. my range atm is 39-68g of fat per day. Usually get between 55-65g so I am at the top end but still within my range.

I to have 2% milk but I must check out this Stevia .... we use artificial sweetener

[Lynnie]

Good idea to share our recipes finds. There are lots of good ones on Sparkpeople.

I have to confess I won't make anything with "artificial" ingredients in it - Splenda for instance or egg beaters (whatever they may be - we can't get them anyway). I prefer to cook with REAL food. If I want sugar I'd rather have less of the real thing than chemicals. I just have a "thing" about that - I figure that your body knows better what to do with it. Nothing "diet" passes through our door. :)
(stepping off soapbox)

Well, I'm so-so on this. I use spenda in my coffee, but not in my tea. I use sugar when I'm baking. I user lower fat milk to drink, but whole milk in my tea.

But I DO use Weight Watcher cookbooks and I have to say I DROOL over the delicious meals I can cook. It is really possible to cook lower calorie and have the meals be amazing.

Of course, that COULD be that we just eat too much junk when I'm NOT watching my weight.

I'm sadly, about 50lbs overweight! and haven't moved from that spot for months.

Exercise seems to be the key incredient lacking. Oh - that and the resistance to chocolate drugs that I keep forgetting to take - OH WAIT! the doctor forgot to GIVE THOSE TO ME!!!!!!

[Robyn Gough]

I can't stand the taste of artificial sweeteners and I love my sweets, so I have to try and minimise how much I eat.

We used to have Stevia plants in a nursery I used to work at. I tasted one of the leaves and they were SO sweet. That might be another option, to keep them as a fresh herb instead of buying them however else they come.

On a side note, I ordered a new set of scales with my credit card points on Friday as our current set do not work properly. I got a fancy smancy set that measures body fat, water content, muscle & bone. It should be good for dh to measure his muscle. He does triathlons, and good for me to keep an eye on my fat and water levels as well as weight.

I have my first resistance training session on Wednesday morning. I am not looking forward to it as I have not done an ounce of walking since my first walking session because I have been too sick. My medications seem to be working better now tho so hopefully I will be able to start exercising more soon. Fingers Crossed!

We have also started a new weight loss challenge at work because the work scales have started working wonky giving a different weight every time so we had to start again. One of my work mates is bringing her own scales in each week for weigh in instead of using the work ones. We are each putting in $50 and the person who looses the most weight before our Christmas break wins the lot.

[Muma]

I have a question about these fancy scales .... how exactly does it measure body fat, water content, mucle and bone? Do you have to program the scales with measurements?

[Robyn Gough]

I have a question about these fancy scales .... how exactly does it measure body fat, water content, mucle and bone? Do you have to program the scales with measurements?

This is the one I have ordered.
http://www.tanitaaustralia.com.au/top/products/product_index/innerscan/BC-541.cms;jsessionid=02F2D75DBFB070CC3DF66EAAE2C4F77 A.tomcat

Here is what they say about how it works.

The key to the Tanita Body Fat Monitor is BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis.) The BIA method measures body composition by sending a very low, safe electrical signal through the body. The signal passes freely through the fluids contained in lean tissue, such as muscle and bone, but encounters difficulty passing through fat tissue. This difficulty, or resistance, is termed 'bioelectrical impedance', and is accurately measured by the Body Fat Monitor. When set against gender, height, age and weight, the Body Fat Monitor is able to calculate your body fat percentage.

From what I gather you have to enter your gender, height and age (which it remembers) and it works out the rest for you.

[Cheryl B.]

We used to have Stevia plants in a nursery I used to work at. I tasted one of the leaves and they were SO sweet. That might be another option, to keep them as a fresh herb instead of buying them however else they come.

I've never seen a stevia plant. The stevia I have is processed from the plant. It's in a small bottle and looks like a fine white powder. I only use a tiny, tiny spoonful in my coffee and tea. I'm not sure how leaves would work in coffee :) . It also comes in a liquid form and it only takes 2 drops to sweeten coffee. Over here you can buy stevia in grocery stores in packets, too. It's rapidly becoming popular because it's an all natural sweetner.

Best luck with the challenge at your work. It would be great to take home a bundle of money AND lose weight!

[Muma]

This is the one I have ordered.
http://www.tanitaaustralia.com.au/top/products/product_index/innerscan/BC-541.cms;jsessionid=02F2D75DBFB070CC3DF66EAAE2C4F77 A.tomcat

Here is what they say about how it works.

The key to the Tanita Body Fat Monitor is BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis.) The BIA method measures body composition by sending a very low, safe electrical signal through the body. The signal passes freely through the fluids contained in lean tissue, such as muscle and bone, but encounters difficulty passing through fat tissue. This difficulty, or resistance, is termed 'bioelectrical impedance', and is accurately measured by the Body Fat Monitor. When set against gender, height, age and weight, the Body Fat Monitor is able to calculate your body fat percentage.

From what I gather you have to enter your gender, height and age (which it remembers) and it works out the rest for you.

Wow ... now I am impressed. Might be asking for a set of these pretty soon LOL

[emandlivsmom]

HI ladies! just checking in to see how everyone is doing...I haven't been focussed much on losing weight, although I am still watching my calories and not overdoing it. I took off another pound and am 2 lbs away from my goal weight.

I am reconsidering my goal weight a little and am thinking it should be a little lower...not sure what the "ideal" weight for me is.

I am still running which I am starting to enjoy more and more. Maybe because it is getting easier. I ran 4.25 miles this morning...took me 45 minutes but I did it! LOL At least I know I will be able to finish my 5K when it is time.

Hope everyone is well!

[voniku]

I’ve just stumbled upon this thread – what great motivation. Cheers for you gals for setting and achieving these goals!! :applause: My downfall is that we don’t cook nearly enough. Get home late from work, noone feels like cooking, order a pizza. When I moved in with my hubby and we started getting our own groceries, it was fun – we could have toaster strudels for breakfast and fried foods and… who wants vegetables?!!! lol So I’m trying to eat more nutritional meals and less trans fat/fast food/etc.

For a long time now (much longer than I’d hoped), I have had some aches and stomach pains that after going to my doctor several times, we just can’t figure out. Tests keep coming back okay, except for higher cholesterol than a 24 year old should have. So in addition to wanting to eat healthy, I’m hoping the healthy eating makes me feel better too.

The hardest part always seems to be making it a lifestyle change...I know I fight with this all the time (like not eating the chicken wings the other night, or the custard today with my children). Sometimes it ok to indulge, but most of the time I need to eat for health and not for pleasure. Ugh...that is not very exciting as I sit here and reread what I just wrote! LOL
It really is so hard not to eat for pleasure. I’ve been trying not to have anything after dinner like I normally would. But why do chocolate chip cookies and milkshakes have to taste so good??? :( If only food could just stop being so delicious! I have been successful for nine days now only eating things that have a nutitrional value and not eating after supper. Trying also to do pilates on a regular basis, but it’s so hard to get into it after a long day at work.

I have to confess I won't make anything with "artificial" ingredients in it - Splenda for instance or egg beaters (whatever they may be - we can't get them anyway). I prefer to cook with REAL food. If I want sugar I'd rather have less of the real thing than chemicals. I just have a "thing" about that - I figure that your body knows better what to do with it. Nothing "diet" passes through our door. :)
(stepping off soapbox)
I am definitely on the same page as you! I would rather have less of the real thing than diet. I never understood diet pop. I’d rather have water.

We have also started a new weight loss challenge at work because the work scales have started working wonky giving a different weight every time so we had to start again. One of my work mates is bringing her own scales in each week for weigh in instead of using the work ones. We are each putting in $50 and the person who looses the most weight before our Christmas break wins the lot.
That sounds like a great idea!

I received this in an email from a co-worker about eating fruit on an empty stomach and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts –

We all think eating fruit means just buying fruit, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat. What is the correct way of eating fruit?
DON’T EAT FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS!
FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil. So please eat your fruit on an empty stomach or before your meals! It's the fruit mixing with the putrefying other food that produces gas and makes you bloat!

Graying hair, balding, nervous outbursts, and dark circles under the eyes are all less likely if you take fruit on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruit -- like orange and lemon -- being acidic, because all fruit becomes alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruit, you have the secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from cans. Don't ever drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruit because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get the taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice.. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruit and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

Ooops... talked too much there. :o

[diturpin]

Voni -
I checked Snopes.com and that email seems to be false. While several "diet gurus" have put forth that claim, Snopes seems to think it is false. Fruit is fruit and while it digests quicker on an empty stomach, it does not "putrefy" when combined with other foods in the stomach. They do say that diabetics SHOULD eat fruit with food to reduce the speed of blood sugar entering their system.

Fruit is better than juice because of the fiber it contains.

[diturpin]

I've been plugging along but not really losing much weight. Need to get more exercise in. DH is going through the pre-diabetes stage and is trying to learn to control that. Definitely going to put a "life-style change" into action for us.

I'll look for the Stevia in our grocery. I haven't seen it but then I haven't looked very hard. We do drink diet sodas when we get them, but here lately we have all been opting for water.

[voniku]

Thanks Diane! I'm going to bookmark that website!

[scamptx]

For those of us who are sugar sensitive (whether diabetic or not) eating fruit as described in that email can spike the blood sugar and start those cravings right up! For the same reason, I rarely drink fruit juice, and when I do, I mix it with sparkling water. No sugar soda!

I've lost another whopping half a pound...:rolleyes:

[guitargirl]

I just survived my first (very exhausting!) week back with students! I did manage to avoid the "Pepsi for lunch" thing all week!!!!!! :yahoo: (I bought a chocolate milk from the school cafeteria each day.) I usually weigh-in on Saturdays, so I'll see in the morning if it made any difference!

[emandlivsmom]

Lisa...you are a teacher as well??? I am looking forward to getting back to work. It is so much easier to control my eating while at work. Avoiding the Pepsi machine is going to be a challenge for me. )O: I need to make a plan...

[guitargirl]

Yep, I teach 3rd grade. I will admit that I've been to the Pepsi machine after school twice this week, but I didn't drink any more of it when I got home either, so I've been able to cut down to 1 per day.

I'm enjoying being back at work, but NOT getting up in the morning! :lol:

[Muma]

Just survived a 1st week at school with Amy ..... its been her very 1st time at school and she is having a hard time with all the rules. Very bad today, started calling everyone a looser in gym class. She got that from a cartoon when visiting the next door neighbor yesterday. Some of these cartoons that are on these days are appalling.

I have plans in walking her to school and back each day but I have to work up to the mile there and back. Should be good for me once I get to a mile. I know that doesn't sound like much but its up a slight incline and I am that unfit. So maybe over 2-3 weeks I can get up that far. Its also been so humid and I have so much trouble in humidity ..... sometimes wish I was living in Cali where DH is from LOL.

[jemtred]

Glad to hear everyone is still feeling positive. I am a teacher too but I have been working so much these hols that the only difference next week will be that the kids will be in too. My school provides snacks at break - white bread sandwiches thickly spread with margarine! But I have persuaded them to give us some fruit too and I will just go to the staff room late when they unhealthy ones have all gone.
I have lost another 0.5kg (1 pound) so I am a quarter of the way there. The good news is that my tight jeans now fit comfortably and the ones that are a smaller size now fit tightly rather than not at all! I started running again and I also do some of the sparkpeople vids when I am bored with running.
I am even baking but managing to eat only a little piece and share the rest with everyone who I meet - my baking compulsion combined with "lifestyle change" is making me a lot of friends at the moment.
Muma Sue - good luck withthe walking I am sure you will get to your mile. It will give Amy a good start to the day too as I am sure I read somewhere that walking to school can enhance a child's performance - or hopefully she wil have more fun if she is only in kindergarten and hopefully no-one is worried about performance!!
Good luck for the weekend

[guitargirl]

I got on the Wii this morning and it told me I lost 2.5 pounds this week! :yahoo: Maybe having milk with lunch will work!

[omio]

Okay, everyone, I don't have time to read back through this really longgggg thread so hope this is a new topic. Promise not to hijack your thread--I was going to start a new one when I saw this so thought I would begin here.

I figure my computer is absolutely THE best carrot that could ever lead me to exercise. Fact is, I spend way too much time sitting at the computer and not enough time moving. Some of you know that I've been trying to put a treadmill desk/walking desk together based on the idea of Dr. Levine at the Mayo Clinic. (If you're not familiar, this is a great video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPjN07JyVjo )

There is a real treadmill desk on the market (if you have an extra $5,000 or so plus a giant room to spare) and there are tons of blogs by people who are jury-rigging their own setups at home. (Google treadmill desk, walking desk, or standing desk to find them.) I think it's an idea whose time has come and that home products will catch up but for right now....

I have a partial setup now--small treadmill with a separate new product that hooks onto the treadmill to hold a laptop. Obviously I can't do close work but I can do general things like gathering layers for a new LO or searching for just the right photo or reading posts in the DSP forum. :D

Since I really want to use my larger desktop computer, I emailed the owner of the small company that manufactures the piece that holds the laptop and asked what the future holds for new products. Just got a great email from him and he will have some new things for next year. Said he is all ears to any ideas I might have and would love to hear back. He asked a granny for an opinion...........:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: The poor guy has no idea what he is getting into, does he? :lol:

I realize this may have absolutely no interest for some of you, but I need to lose weight and spend more time off my butt (or else quit complaining about my back and neck). Plus I just feel and think and eat better when I'm exercising. But, oh, the lure of my lovely computer and all my buddies at DSP........ :love2:

So please PM me if you might be interested in something like this; if we have even a small group, I'll start a treadmill desk thread for ideas to share with this small manufacturer. (No financial interest here for me BTW--I just want to be able to do what I want to do.) And, if my experiment works and I actually lose a pound or so, I'll be straight back in this thread to brag. :D

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd290/omiof5/ATT00013.jpg

[Robyn Gough]

Okay, everyone, I don't have time to read back through this really longgggg thread so hope this is a new topic. Promise not to hijack your thread--I was going to start a new one when I saw this so thought I would begin here.

I figure my computer is absolutely THE best carrot that could ever lead me to exercise. Fact is, I spend way too much time sitting at the computer and not enough time moving. Some of you know that I've been trying to put a treadmill desk/walking desk together based on the idea of Dr. Levine at the Mayo Clinic. (If you're not familiar, this is a great video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPjN07JyVjo )



Oh wow, I LOVE the idea of that. Dh and I are looking at getting a treadmill in the not to distant future, I will have to look into this idea. If nothing else but being to pop my laptop on it to do some forum catching up would be great. I can't see myself designing on it tho!! :rofl: I think DH would like the idea too as he also gets glued to his laptop at times... although it doesn't stop him from exercising!! (Mr. 10hrs a week triathlon training!!)

[guitargirl]

I like that idea, too! We have a recumbent bike, and I've been thinking it would be nice to be able to use my laptop while I'm pedaling away!

I like your cartoon, Omio! :lol:

[omio]

...I can't see myself designing on it tho!! :rofl: I think DH would like the idea too as he also gets glued to his laptop at times... although it doesn't stop him from exercising!! (Mr. 10hrs a week triathlon training!!)

I was lucky enough to be at the Southern California Crop last Saturday and chanmansmom kept giving me a hard time about how I would manage the extractions I'm so fond of. :D

And if you and I weren't on different continents, I would wonder if we were married to the same man!! :think:

(http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/member.php?u=128587)

[Robyn Gough]

And if you and I weren't on different continents, I would wonder if we were married to the same man!! :think:

(http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/member.php?u=128587)

He he, I think I liked it better when he played golf, at least that was only once a week!!

[scamptx]

I am patiently waiting for Omio to perfect her treadmill computer set up so that when I get ready to do one, she will have done all the hard thinking...:D

Haven't stepped on the scales, but feel like I'm holding steady. I'll weigh in this weekend for a look at the truth.

The weather is cooling down a bit, but we're getting threatened with some much needed rain. (Do you think I can find enough excuses to make it through all the seasons without walking outside? :lol: ) However, I'm still doing the stairs at work!

[Robyn Gough]

I just had a weigh in at our work 'fatty' comp and I lost 700g (about a pound I think).

I have an appointment at the dietitian's this evening which I am not looking forward too as I haven't been in three weeks but at least I shouldn't have gained any weight!!! ;-)

Of course, my weight loss has nothing to do with actually trying to loose as I have been a bit slack in that department. It has more to do with the effect of my medications and auto immune illness on my gut! LOL Whichever way, as long as it stays off I am happy! LOL

[omio]

Unfortunately, scamp, I think that root canal tomorrow will help with the weight loss--tough way to do it, though.

Re the treadmill, I have it working for my laptop but I want something that lets me use the iMac with keyboard and mouse. But I'm gettin' there.

Guitargirl, I like the cartoon also -- even if it makes me wince with guilt to look at it.

[jemtred]

Omio - I can't even tell you what my husband said when I told him the treadmill plan!! He thinks I spend way too much time at the computer anyhow so I don't think its going to be happening here!
I managed to lose another smidge this week despite my first deviation from the plan. Will need to be stricter next week if I want to lose some more. Will try to think of all my lovely thin clothes in storage just waiting for me.

[SilverHealer]

What a great thread, you guys! Mind if I hop in? :)

I've been struggling with weight my entire life, ever since I was a toddler. I've been yo-yoing since I was 14 years old, but I was down to 134 pounds when I was 16, and that's the smallest I ever got. I remained at my ideal weight, 140, from around that time until I was 19, when I was dragged down in severe depression and an abusive relationship and gained about fifty pounds. The following year and into the next, I shed those 50 pounds!

But right now I'm sitting at 207 pounds at 5'6. I'm back on the lower-carb plan (not anything like the Atkins diet, but I have a strict limit on daily carb intake) that I succeeded on before, but I'm kind of discouraged because the scale hasn't budged in a week (though I did lose 3 pounds the first week). I hope next week says differently! I'm tracking everything that goes into my mouth, and drinking even more water than before and eating a bunch of veggies.

This time, I vow to not let myself go. I vow to continue eating healthy and exercising even when I'm back down to 140 pounds, and to keep getting on that scale every week so the weight doesn't creep back onto me again.

My goal is to be down to 175 by Christmas Day. I sure hope I can do it...!

I'm hoping this cold I have will go away soon so I can take my walks again! I was doing pretty good with them until I caught some dumb bug from my nephew! :(

[jemtred]

Please do join in Mary. The more the merrier!

[scamptx]

Finally got on the scale and lost another one pound. Sllllloooooww but steady wins the race, right?

Had a root canal yesterday, and it's still sensitive. Maybe I'll drop a few pounds as a side effect! :D :D

[jemtred]

OOWW for the root canal. Surely severe mouth pain has got to help?

[scamptx]

Dang--I'm ready for this pain to go away! I'm HUNGRY! I don't think it's supposed to hurt this long, and if it's still this sensitive Monday I'll go in.

But on the bright side...a couple more pounds off? I ate lunch yesterday while it was still dead enough not to bother me, and it was healthy--fish, rice and veggies. Last night, didn't feel like eating, but wasn't hungry either. Today, a piece of string cheese, mushing it with my tongue, and some no fat Fage yogurt.

I would like perhaps a baked potato for dinner? Soft, filling...I'm HUNGRY!

[tichwoli]

me jumping onto this thread too.

I used to weigh in at between 100 and 105 lbs. I am 5 feet exactly. That was 5 years ago.

Then I got married, restarted an extremely sendentary job and stopped playing tennis because the money situation got extreme and I could not afford it.

This year, my husband and I started working out at the end of January. At the peak just before we started, I weighed in at 140 lbs and started to lose some of this excess poundage. I gave up coke (normally drank 3 cans of regular a day), reduced the amount of sugar I put in my coffee and made sure to drink at least 2 bottles of water each day.

Now I am sitting at 124 lbs.

I do a water aerobics class 3 times a week and have managed to reduce my carb intake as well. For special occasions about once a month I do drink a 20 oz bottle of coke which now feels like a treat.

The only words of encouragement and wisdom that I have right not are keep the faith. If you are determined to lose the weight you will - just don't do it too quickly or you won't keep it off.

I need to lose another 10 - 15 lbs and will continue with my regime in order to do so.

Good luck to each and every one of you who are committed to living more healthy.

[omio]

My goal is to be down to 175 by Christmas Day. I sure hope I can do it...!

As someone who also struggles with depression, may I offer some unsolicited advice? Change your goal to something like, "I will eat only healthy food at least 5 days a week until Christmas."

Those number and date goals always beat me down--if anything, I gain a few pounds. Sorta like driving down the street looking at a pothole in the road and thinking, "I'm not going to hit that hole; I'm not going to hit that hole; I'm not going to......dang it!!!" :lol:

[omio]

Omio - I can't even tell you what my husband said when I told him the treadmill plan!! He thinks I spend way too much time at the computer anyhow so I don't think its going to be happening here!
I managed to lose another smidge this week despite my first deviation from the plan. Will need to be stricter next week if I want to lose some more. Will try to think of all my lovely thin clothes in storage just waiting for me.

That's what got me going on this. I'm not likely to reduce the amount of time I spend on the computer so instead of just sitting there..... :tup:

[omio]

I like that idea, too! We have a recumbent bike, and I've been thinking it would be nice to be able to use my laptop while I'm pedaling away!

I like your cartoon, Omio! :lol:

gg, I think the product I'm using can be put on a recumbent bike. It works great except that I genuinely hate using my laptop keyboard and touchpad. That's why I wrote to the owners asking for something that will work with a mouse. Heard back from the designer today and he's put me on a list of prototype testers -- I've always wanted to do something like that!! :yahoo: It's a small family run company, but still... :D I think a link is okay since it doesn't have anything to do with digi-scrapping; roduct is called SurfShelf (http://www.surfshelf.com/) .

[guitargirl]

That is really cool! However, it will not work on our bike - the console was really small to begin with AND it broke off the last time we moved! :o

[Robyn Gough]

Oooh I think I need that surf shelf, of course we need a treadmill first! LOL We do have an excercise bike but I hate it. LOL

[Robyn Gough]

How is everyone going with their weight loss? I lost 300g at my last weigh in so not so great but right now I am happy to loose anything! It is better than gaining!!!

I have to remember that the cortisone I am on is not helping things and having PCOS slows weightloss down as well. I really need to find time to excercise...not sure where to fit that in tho?? I tell myself I will go for a walk on the weekend and we go and have a dust storm! LOL

[emandlivsmom]

Hi ladies!!! I haven't been on dsp in awhile now that I am back to school. Just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing??????

It's getting cold here in NY and it is dark at 5:30 in the morning...feeling a little discouraged about the running. Not getting out as much as I had been in the summer time. BUT, I ran in my first 5K this morning and I am ready to suck it up and get back out there...bought some underarmour also to fight off the cold weather a little longer. Man am I a wimp!

Hope everyone is doing well!!!

[scamptx]

Hey, Jennifer! and all--I'm hanging in, haven't lost, but haven't gained.

Here in Texas the weather may finally be getting cool enough to tempt me to walk. It's October, folks, and it was still like walking out into a sauna as I left for work at 7 am last week. But yesterday, it was a cool and cloudy day!

I realized that I have lost a lot of upper body strength that I took for granted, so I've taken the baby step of placing my two 3 lb dumbbells by my computer so that when I'm reading the threads, I'll pick them up and use them. A little bit is better than none!

[jemtred]

I too have found the start of term makes it tricky to fit in the exercise. It's getting way too hot to run so I have taken to swimming, aqua aerobics and fitness videos under the fan! So far I have lost 8kg since the end of July so I am still on track - another 12 to go before next spring. I tend to do it in fits and starts!
Robyn - hope the treatment is working for you.
Jennifer - not sure what underamour is!! Sounds quite scary but hope it keeps you going
Scamp - good luck with the dumbells

[emandlivsmom]

I too have found the start of term makes it tricky to fit in the exercise. It's getting way too hot to run so I have taken to swimming, aqua aerobics and fitness videos under the fan! So far I have lost 8kg since the end of July so I am still on track - another 12 to go before next spring. I tend to do it in fits and starts!
Robyn - hope the treatment is working for you.
Jennifer - not sure what underamour is!! Sounds quite scary but hope it keeps you going
Scamp - good luck with the dumbells

WTG Jemtred! ANd LOL at the Under Armour comment!! :D Under Armour is a clothing line that keeps the wet away from your body...in the cold weather it is helpful so your body stays warm.

[webfrau]

Well I'm hopeless with excercise. I've had a month away from pilates for various reasons but started back last week with painful after effects! :)

I'm at goal weight and holding nicely at present without any major effort. Interestingly last week was the first time I've eaten out since I changed my diet. I ordered a fishburger and when it arrived it just looked so huge and I couldn't believe how much bread there was. I ate the fish, the salad about a quarter of the bun and half the fries and left the rest and I still felt uncomfortably full. I was surprised at just how much my eating habits have changed, I'd have eaten the lot without blinking earlier in the year.

[scamptx]

If I'm going to seriously drop the remaining weight instead of just maintaining, I need to make some portion control adjustments. I'm still sugar free, which for me was the big issue, but it's time to get serious about the next step...:(