Anyone in their late 20s?!

I'm a dieting veteran.... up and down the same 20lbs since highschool! I've always lost it on Weight Watchers...but I wanted to try something new. So, here I am. I'm looking to start a group of late 20- early 30 year olds who are interested in losing weight and getting healthy. I'm 5' 9" 160lbs.  I'm looking for others that have about 20-30lbs to lose.  Hopefully there's some people out there!!

Happy New Year!

Wow, you guys totally rock!

You're right, keeping track of every last thing really makes you stop and think twice about what exactly you're doing.

Way to go everyone! 

I joined this group in January of 2008 and haven't be on in ages. Thought i'd come back for some motivated and support!! 

I hope everyone is doing well!

welcome caramelb8 and optimator88!

We're a fun group and pretty supportive of each other....I hope you find this helpful.  The site as a whole is pretty great. 

Awesome vg!  I was sick last week, so no gym for me.  But, I've gone 2x this week - 20 min of cardio and yoga class on Tuesday and then kickboxing last night.  We're off tomorrow for spring break day (as employees we don't get the whole week, but a 3 day weekend is pretty nice, regardless!)...I think I'm going to try to go and put some time in on the elliptical.  I'm meeting my gym buddy on Saturday, so even if I loose my motivation for tomorrow, I'll still get my 3x in this week. 

I totally agree with the idea of keeping tabs (ie. writing down) everything...it made me realize how much I was taking in and how little I was working off!  If you can maintain that for a chunk of time you'll be able to do less writing and still keep the "journal" in your mind.  I think that's how I was able to keep off what I've lost so far. 

Paying attention is a key factor.  Have a great weekend everybody!

I'm glad this group is up and going again!

I have plans to be in the gym tonight (if we're not snowed in).  Yesterday I felt like I ate really well so I'm trying to keep it up today.

VP, you are really committed to exercise! I'm so impressed!!

I ended up skipping the gym on my day off...spent it running errands instead (DMV, Walmart, County offices, taxes...lots of fun, really...I think I would have rather gone to the gym!).  But I did go on Saturday last week. 

I'm glad I got my 3 days in 'cause I've missed 2 out of 3 so far this week!  I hope to meet my gym buddy on Saturday so I get one workout in!  Work has been nuts, the time change totally threw my sleep schedule off (as usual), and AF arrived a day early, so my motivation and will power are in the toilet.   

Hopefully I can pick back up again this weekend and next week.  If I'm gonna loose those last 5 lbs, I'm gonna have to work for it, right?! 

Keep on pushin' VG!

I hope everyone had a good week! 

I hear you VP! When I first started this i was doing really well watching my calories. Now I'm back to running around between work, school, kids and appts which means I'm back to eating fast food! Then you know what came so that really messed everything up! I'm hoping my will power will be back soon so I can start back up! I also can't wait til it gets warm. I don't get a lot of time to excersice because of my schedule, so my friend and i are going to start walking at the track as soon as it gets warm. That way the kids can run around and waste energy while I'm exercising!

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Oh that dratted time change.  It was like 3 days of feeling totally drained of energy, part of why I had an awful week this week.  Work was just ridiculous Monday - Thursday. But things are looking up!

Caramel, you just totally reminded me that there's an indoor track near my office - I should bring my runners to work on Monday and go at lunch!  If your weekend's not too busy maybe you can cook some healthy meals to eat next week.

I feel off to a good start this weekend - oatmeal for breakfast, and then I walked out to the Farmer's Market and bought a big pile of veggies (and walked home carrying them - that was good exercise!)

Today I'm going to cook a few big meals we can eat for the next few days. On the menu is: sweet potato-carrot-lentil soup, chickpea curry and rice with yogurt, big salad with lots of baby greens, mock mashed potatoes (mostly turnips and cauliflower), a big batch of tomato sauce with fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and zucchini.

How were your weekends???

Mine was pretty good...finally hit the gym Saturday morning...body pump..kinda evil, but excellent for toning!  Stopped at the store and picked up some last minute items for dinner Saturday night...we had salad, baked potatoes and steak that dh fixed on the grill (yes...he grilled in the rain!)  Our friends supplied dessert...hot fudge cake - totally sinful and WAY yummy!  Sunday dh and I hung around the house.  It wasn't all that productive, although I did end up cleaning a bit before our friends arrived, but it was a nice change from the hectic week. 

We've got fresh salad for dinner all this week, so I'm hoping I can use this to kick start some better eating!  (Although, my mom is heading this way this weekend, so I'm envisioning lots of wine consumption and maybe some not so good for you treats.)

VG, the mock mashed sounds really yummy!  Might have to find me a recipe and try that one out! 

Caramel, your idea for the walking sounds like a good one!  The added benefit is that the kids are exercising (without knowing it) and will probably sleep better at night!

My weekend was OK, besides the nachos on Saturday night (it seemed like a special occasion).  Last night, all I wanted to do was EAT.   I felt like I just couldn't get enough although now looking back at it, I really didn't overeat (over the course of the day I had 1 serving of oatmeal, 1 cup of pasta with veggies, green salad with goat cheese and balsamic vinegar, a bowl of homemade soup, two slices of bread and butter, a small handful of taco chips and a bowl of Kashi Go Lean cereal).

Today I made the mistake of skipping breakfast so by 10am when the butter tarts arrived at work I said "don't mind if I do!"  But I restrained myself a little, I only had half.  Lunch was more homemade soup, more bread, some avocado sushi and some grapes - really really filling, but by coffee break time I was craving cookies (I had some gum instead but it was REALLY hard!).  On my way home for supper, I think I'm going to make a bit of pasta with veggies and a green salad and pack the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

I'm not gaining any weight, but I feel like my clothes are getting tighter, especially around my waist ...

So I spent 90 minutes in the gym last night and now my pants are less tight.

WEIRD coincidence. Very weird.

vg...sounds like water retention.  I'd bet that somehow you just got off your normal.  Another alternative (happens to me monthly) is that you're somewhere around ttom.  I have learned that I can swing as much as 5 lbs and get VERY squishy around my middle, in particular, just before, during and afterwards.  But, that's just my $0.02.  Awesome with the 90min, btw!

As for me...hmmm...I missed yoga and my Tuesday 30 min cardio blast this week b/c we had a lab dinner instead.  I don't feel like I over did it quantity-wise, but I made bar cookies (LOTS of sugar) and another girl brought cheesecake and a fruit tart.  I, of course, had to sample all 3.  I probably didn't need any of them.  Oh well. 

I went to kickboxing last night and had a blast.  GREAT class.  Oh, and I jumped on the scale just to keep track (it had been a few weeks)...my 125 last time wasn't a fluke!  It actually said I'd lost a lb from last time!  It has given me a jolt of motivation to keep pushing and that I can get down to 120ish so I can float between 120 and 125 instead of 125-130.  I am comfortable between 120 and 130 - probably a great weight for me, but when I push the 130 mark I get nervous that 140 isn't far away.

This weekend, Mom is coming to visit, and we're going to hang out.  I've planned a dinner with my landlords and her for Saturday...the weekend goal is to not over do it.  I'm going to take Mom with me as a guest to the gym Saturday morning so I don't end up skipping my 2nd workout this week...hmmm..maybe I'll do something at home tonight if I beat dh home from work.  I could probably use the extra exercise - especially after this week of meetings and sitting on my butt!

(Wow!  That post got long!    Sorry!  Too much caffeine today!)

VG, you are doing sooooooo well! So good for you, I would also feel AMAZING if that 120 was actually in sight!  Remind your mom to bring her workout gear - don't want to miss the gym!

I have gained two lbs. Yuck. I am really feeling what you mean about going over 130 - it seems like once I hit the "3s" I am only a few days away from the "4s"!  Anyway, hopefully this is a fluke (I shouldn't be weighing this often). I am off work today and it's sunny so I'm going for a bike ride and tomorrow a fitness class. Have a great weekend folks!

Ok, so I made it to the gym last night but only had time for 12 minutes of cardio before yoga.  I weighed myself on the digital scale in the women's locker room and it said 124.  One of the ladies asked me how accurate the scale was...so after my 12 minutes of cardio I weighed again on the doctor type scale in the main area...it said 139....which is right????

I'm inclined to believe the non-digital scale.  But...My clothes certainly don't feel like they did when I was ~140!  Can there be that big of a difference weighing before and after 12 minutes on the elliptical???

There is no way you could have gained 15lbs in 12 minutes.  You could check the digital scale before and after, and the doctor scale before and after, and there might be a 3lb difference on each (ie, on the digital you were 124 before and 127 after, and on the doctor scale you were 136 before and 139 after) but they're probably both just callibrated differently.

If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't worry about the scale numbers too much  - you are fitting in smaller clothes!

I came down with a stomach flu this week which was not much fun ... no energy at all for a few days, along with the need to sped lots of time in the bathroom :( It sounds terrible, but I'm really hoping I can keep off the 2-3lbs I seem to have lost from being sick.  I was really motivated at the beginning of the week and doing some new workouts, so I would like to be back at that by Monday or Tuesday!

Thanks, VG.  I couldn't believe the difference in the numbers myself.  At first I was kinda ticked, but then I started to think about how my clothes were feeling and stuff like that and felt better. 

Sorry to hear about the stomach flu!  That's terrible!  Although, it is one way to drop a few lbs!    Hope you're feeling better. 

I actually took advantage of my motivation last night when I got home and went for a run.  I got all the way to the other end of the street (1.3 miles) without stopping or walking!  I ran much of the way back, too.  I was so pumped that I was actually able to do it that I managed to do a few other things before bed last night.  (Usually I'm on the couch from the time I get home 'till it's time for bed!)

Tonight is yoga night and tomorrow...kickboxing.  Next week AF will be here, so I'm hoping to keep things rolling now that the weather is nicer.  I also may have found a place to go riding!  I just have to call and show up!  I'm really excited about this possibility....it means I'll have something to get me out of the house and keep me active on the weekends!  Just another piece to keep the weight off and the muscle on...

Between the gym, gardening and riding, fresh fruits and veggies now that spring and summer are edging closer...bathing suit season here I come!!! 

Wow, bathing suit ready already!! Good for you! It's really great how going for a run or something can energize you to get all your other "little things" done afterward. I think the days being a bit longer helps too - I haven't felt like 8pm is bedtime as much lately.

I'm also really looking for opportunities to exercise in my spare time - it's amazing how once you get started it gets so exciting. I have been really good with food lately (apart from my boyfriend's triple-chocolate birthday cake that I did not budget for, but seriously enjoyed). I can really see a difference on my face just in a couple of weeks - my jawline and my cheekbones have definition!

That's awesome VG!  Don't kick yourself about the cake - there has to be a little wiggle room and forgiveness in a lifestyle change! 

As for the bathing suit...I'm not expecting to get a chance to wear it, really.  Just the idea of being able to fit into it and not look gross makes me happy!

I've been good this week so far with the exercise and eating (although I did eat 2 of my three layer cookies last night...the last two...).  I'm taking tonight off and watching the ER finale with DH.  I think we're going to be bad and get Mexican take out, so I'll have to watch my portions.  I've been more and more tired this week (and emotional thanks to a little PMS starting), but I am hoping I can do something tomorrow night and maybe go riding this weekend......my butt is S O R E from Tuesday's spin class, so I'm hesitant to spend the day on a horse right now!

Those scales at the gym... my gym buddy got on the 2 scales at the gym and the digital one (the one that said I was ~124) matched what her's said at home the day before...  The doctor's office-like one said she was way more than she actually is, so we're not going to believe that one...must need to be recalibrated.  So, this means...according to the digital scale last night I am at about 123.3! Only about 3 more lbs to go before I'm 2lbs away from the smallest I have ever been and where I want to be!  I know numbers on the scale are just numbers.  I'm REALLY happy with how I'm looking and feeling and fitting into my clothes.  It is SUCH a change from where I was just a year ago!  Yeah!

Wow, are you ever close VP! Must be amazing to think of how last spring felt vs. this spring.

I have been trying to run (I have always sucked at running).  On Sunday night I went for about 20 minutes, combining jogging on the dry spots, with walking walked on the ice. Last night I did the same route and it only took 15 minutes, because a lot of the ice had melted and I was running more. I didn't die! I'm pretty proud of myself.

Hi ladies!  Long time, huh?  It sounds like ur doing REALLY great.  One thing about taking some time off, is that I can come back and see your progess.  :)

I haven't lost any weight since I was last here, but I haven't gained either.  I've been pret-ty naught lately, so I went to the Farmer's Market and got really yummy veggies.  Have you guys had fresh garlic?   It looks like green onion but tastes oh-so-good. Just one day of fruits and veggies (and salmon and tofu) helped me lose my salt-induced water weight. Went from 150.5 to 147.5. 

I need to kick my butt in gear and pass the 145 mark.

Sara