*Bringing "Sexy Back" Motivation Club*

I want to start a group of motivating girls that have the intention of bringing nothing but their sexy back... I would love to motivate, work towards, congratulate, get tough love and throw pity parties whenever deemed necassary... Anyone want to join me?? I do belong to other groups with other wonderful women but those challenges seem to be ending and people are dwindling... anyone want to stick through it with me, until we get our sexy back??  

Special note: There are no weigh in days, no challenges, no scales, you are own challenge, whether you want to use measurements, scales or even a pair of jeans to measure your success, welcome, if you want to gain weight welcome, if you want to lose welcome, if you want to build up some curves welcome... we are all here to give one another positive reinforcements... 

Okay ladies. Today, I am going to do something to make me feel better about myself. First, I made us get back on schedule by getting up at 7am, working out and being showered and dressed before the darn afternoon. I don't usually wear jewelry and make-up but today I am doing it. (And I must say I don't look half bad.) It doesn't have to be a special occasion to make yourself look good. Right? I might even do my nails. They're looking kind of ragged. Who knows? Maybe at nap time we can have some mommy daddy time!! Oh and I lost 1/2 inch on my waist since last week so that was definately something to get dressed up about and celebrate.

Hope everyone is doing okay today. Stay focused on whatever goal you have and you'll get there!!

I was not feeling good yesterday to a monthly girl problem, so I was kinda upset I didn't get any workout in. But this morning I woke up early and went for a jog. I am kinda discouraged because i have not lost any weight this week but maybe I should do what you said and measure myself instead:) I  need to stop my obsession with the scale before I through it out the window:)

Good luck girls!!!

carlyn - You go girl! I get in a funk a lot, being a mommy of a 9-month old and 4 year old. Sometimes, just "dressing" the part makes you "feel" the part! Congrats on the inches lost! That is definitely something to celebrate!

tynersgirl - I know exactly how you feel about being discouraged. I was SO good yesterday and so proud of myself for resisting the temptation to snack on junk all day and only ate 1/2 of my spegetti last night (and I love that stuff!) and I was really hoping to see a loss this morning (even if it's just water weight I'll take it) or at least have maintained my weight, but the stupid scale went up a pound! I hate that scale! I too thinking my TOM is coming so I am trying really hard not to get discouraged as well. That's actually why I am here typing right now. I don't want to be stuck in the office today eating my boring lunch so I've been so tempted to go out and eat something I know I shouldn't. I'm so glad I have some place to go to where I can remind myself (1) why I am doing this and (2) that I CAN DO THIS! I am also obsessed with the scale - I won't even go into detail how obsesses I am about it because you will all think I need to be committed. But for me, it started out as a way to control my weight and make sure I wasn't going overboard. Now it's become my stupid little mood reader - weight goes down = happy mood. weight goes up = bad mood. I have to stop letting it dictate my feelings!!!

Raeana- You're doing a great Job this week! Be empowered by your own will power and discipline. Finish the week out following your goal and treat yourself to something nice (non food related) a movie, a soak in the tub, pedicure, time to yourself, time with a friend, sleeping in, buy a book, read a book. you deserve it.

tynersgirl- maybe it would be good to throw your scale out the window? just look to see if anyone is in the street first.

Holly- Feel good about who your are because you are not your sister. you are you and no one else is you. (SUPER CLICHE) This is what i believe: you cannot compare your weaknesses to others strengths. That's like trying to compare apples to oranges. I can't compare myself to my neighbor who's taller than me, more athletic, smarter in sciences, and what not (like i have done my entire life). But I can notice that, yeah i may not be as good at those things as her, but i'll be happy for her successes and also my own: a position in my sorority, a major that i love, my hair is blonder, I was better at soccer than she was, whatever. We are each individual people, and hope you are happy to be you, you shouldn't want to be anyone else. I hope that made sense. Other than that, you might have to get a little creative when you go back home. It's always hard to adapt your current regimine to a new environment. try new ways of working out, different times of the day, or enviting pepole to join you so that you're not alone. Also, maybe take the cooking into your own hands? Offer to cook for people so that that way, you're controlling your diet, while tricking others into thinking you're just being nice and making dinner.

I think everyone here should take a moment to also think about a phenomenon called the violation of abstinence. This is when a people breaks one of their rules, and feel like all is lost. This is often why we find it so hard to stay on a diet. We slip up one bit and be get so down on ourselves and say "aw, f--- it," and stop all together. Well, just because you have a larger serving than normal, a rich dessert, or you didn't work out one day, these things will not ruin your entire efforts. remember, 1lb of weight is a calorie deficit of 3500 during the week. So if you have a smaller calorie deficit, but still a deficit, you will lose weight, but just a little bit slower. Everyone should be happy with their progess even when you slip a little.

By the way, the mothers in this group are really inspiring. I couldn't imagine fitting all that stuff into one day. Keep up the good work!!!

cguari- That was so well said, girl!!! I break my rules all the time. But I learned a long time ago to just get back on the wagon when you fall off. That goes back to my drug and alcohol days. And I would much rather have a mishap with food than and the latter.

Raeana and tynersgirl- Don't let the scale determine anything. It is just a stupid number. I do the same thing. I weigh myself every morning. BUT I only really look at the weekly numbers and measurements. Because if I go from day to day fluctuations my b/f would probably kill me because I would be a raving bi-polar lunatic.

And by the way. I really like this thread. I like the fact that there are no challenges and no weigh ins. I think it is really neat to just vent, talk and encourage each other towards our goals.

Original Post by carlynj21:

cguari- That was so well said, girl!!! I break my rules all the time. But I learned a long time ago to just get back on the wagon when you fall off. That goes back to my drug and alcohol days. And I would much rather have a mishap with food than and the latter.

Raeana and tynersgirl- Don't let the scale determine anything. It is just a stupid number. I do the same thing. I weigh myself every morning. BUT I only really look at the weekly numbers and measurements. Because if I go from day to day fluctuations my b/f would probably kill me because I would be a raving bi-polar lunatic.

And by the way. I really like this thread. I like the fact that there are no challenges and no weigh ins. I think it is really neat to just vent, talk and encourage each other towards our goals.

 AGREED!! And  enjoy how everyone is taking the time to read and respond! hope this keeps up! 

Good Luck everyone!

Hey ladies, good day so far, I hope that you are having one too!  Thank goodness I'm not a scale junkie, I'm actually scared of it, because if it says I've gained, I have a breakdown! 

I WANT A SODA SOOOO BAD!!!  but I won't.....

Yeah I shouldn't be a scale junkie either:) I get in such a bad mood. But what can ya do right:) Stay strong on the soda:)

Wow this thread is going crazy!! So many replies I can't keep up with them. Thanks everyone for the welcome and l glad to see everyone embracing their sexy wholeheartedly! I think it makes a huge difference to dress up and do makeup and your hair and everything, I did all that today for a lunch I had and I felt so good about myself. It even stayed on through the gym! Hope everyone had the same great experience.

Keep it up ladies!

niquebud: I am a freaking scale maniac!! I weigh every morning, and good for me the last few days it has remained the same. Well except for this morning where I jumped up 3lbs but I know that's because of all the xmas party food I had at work.  Don't have a breakdown over the scale, if you feel better and know you're being healthy, the scale will eventually correlate.  You could always have a seltzer/club soda, it would give you the same carbonated feeling and maybe lessen the craving.

Dressing up really does make you feel better!!! Everyone have a sexy day!!

Well, I know that we shouldn't let the scale determine how we feel but I am going to have a wonderful freaking day. My original goal was 125 (before I got close and decided another 10 pounds would make me feel "safe" for maintenance) and today I woke up and weighed 125.6 pounds. Three times actually because the first time I didn't really want to believe it. I really think the adding of strength training has really paid off. It has been about 6 weeks now since I added it to the cardio that I was doing. Plus I have been eating more and I think that has helped me, too. Mentally and physically. So, ladies, goals CAN be met. And we can all do it satying focused.

Everyone have a wonderful day!!!

Good morning everyone!  I seriously can't keep up with you guys.  Well, I weighed myself again this morning and have had no change over the last 3 days.  I'm okay with it...

With me sometimes I won't lose anything for days at a time and then I'll lose 2-3 lbs overnight.  I have another 1.5 mile run planned this evening when Brent gets home.  Plus I had a really good deficit yesterday of 800+ calories (with 1200+ cals intake, don't worry).  I love it when the scale moves, but I feel better about myself even when it doesn't.  All in good time I guess.

Hope you guys have a great day.  I'll try to check in later.  And my nails could use some work too! 

Well this morning the I was down a pound so that made me feel a little better:) I have a good healthy day planned food wise so that is good, and I am going to do the P90X cardio tonight when I get home:)

Good luck today for everyone!!! Let's keep up the good work

Ugh! SOOOOOO....... I have a hangover! Remind me never to drink again! It's just so not worth it. I didn't drink a lot - just 2 glasses of wine, but that's enough to make me tipsy and obviously enough to give me a hangover considering the massive migraine I've had all morning. I like that I don't have to drink much to get a little tipsy, but I hate it when I don't know my limits. I love wine, but I know I have to stop at 1 glass otherwise I'll wake up with a migraine. So I have no idea why I thought 2 would be okay.

Bad News: After I drank my 2 glasses of wine I also had an unplanned desert. It's not a big deal because I checked the calories and it was only 200, but I hate when I don't plan on having something and then do. That's another reason why I need to seriously cut back on any alcohol. I seem to get the "munchies" when I drink and then think it's okay when it's really not.

Good News: I ate SUPER healthy all day (other than the wine - which I had planned on 1 glass - and the small desert). Usually dinners are my downfall and I did awesome at dinner so I am really proud of myself for that. The wine and the extra treat came later when we met up with a few friends to exchange gifts before they head out of town for 2 weeks. The other GREAT news is that I am down to 138.4! I was 140.4 on Tuesday, then 141.4 yesterday and now 138.4. It seems a little odd, but it's true that weight fluctuates from day-to-day. I'm not taking it to heart, but I know I've been working pretty hard (at least on my eating) so I was expecting a loss yesterday, when I had actually gained. Side note: TOM started and I'm sure that's why I was a little heavier and also why I am down now.

Today is going to be hard because I usually have to eat a lot of carbs to help with the migraine, but I am going to do my best to stay away from them if I can. I had 6 saltine crackers with peanut butter this morning so that's already helping some without going crazy on the carbs. For lunch, I'm planning a HUGE salad and I can't wait!

Good luck to everyone today! We can do this!!!

OH MY GOODNESS! I AM SOOO PROUD OF ALL  MY LADIES! YOU GIRLS ROCK!

I had meetings all day yesterday and didn't get online until today, wow this thread is sizzling, and with nothing but purely sexy ladies give great advice and encouragement... I took time to read through everyone's post...Welcome Holly! 

Raena you are so honest and genuine with your emotions and I agree with you single mamma's do have to take care of themselves, happy mamma happy child, you know yesterday I had some white wine and I got a killer headache from it, only 2glasses, I think white wine makes me a little ill, and congrats on the weight loss! we are at the exact same goal level, and both on same cycle now! I just started TOM which is fantastic because I had NO bloating or serious mood swings, the working out makes a big difference.

Mandy - How the Cardio go w/P90x I really want to get a me a set but on budget now so have to wait for a sec, but soon hopefully :) at least your focused 

Smmuirhead - You've got a good attitude about the scale :) and congrats on the Run! I love running 

Carlyn - CONGRATS! on the Loss girly! wow, and yes it does feel good to put on a little make up and take care in ourselves in that way :) 

Girlfrighting - I agree with you Club soda is great alt for when you want some fizzy soda, and so low cal -- my stomach always expands though after... 

Karen - Yay! on going to the Gym! and staying focused with us

Niquebud - I'm a scale junkie in recovery right now, I realized how it was making me feel and how much I would get into a tailspin, so not good... did you take girlfightings advice, step away from the soda and try club soda?

Cguari - you give great advice! and I agree with you we all have slips here and there but eventually the progress will show :) are you a psych major? or lit? I love your writing style :) I love your quote "YOU CANNOT COMPARE YOUR WEAKNESSES TO OTHERS STRENGTHS"  > I want to put that up on my fridge, great encouragement for my daughter as well :) you freaking kick butt!

Holly - I am the eldest of 2 younger Skinny sisters... they have been slim there whole life, where I have been big, then skinny then big, yo yo-ing...so I understand where you are coming from, but a twin that must be harder, I agree w/Cguari she gave great great advice and focusing on yourself will give you better determination to get your goal done... although I do have to say that it slightly does give me a little motivation to work out a little harder, it's a tiny bit of sibling rivalry but in a positive way, as long as I"m focusing on my goal really and not looking better than them, just looking and feeling better for myself :) 

I'm so happy to have made the acquaintence of all of you lovely women, I have a strong group of women, so secure and honest... LOVE it, I think that every day I try to change a bad habit is a day for a new beginning for me. I'm embracing what I don't know and learning from my mistakes.... I felt so pretty yesterday with my hair and make up done, I had men staring at me for the first time in a long time :) but really I measure my self worth always from inside my own light, how I feel and how I treat myself, I know some days I don't do so well, I treat myself a badly, drink too much, smoke too much cigs, eat too much, stay up too late... but then I'm only human - as we all are, that's what makes us so beautiful - we measure our beauty from our spirit and our hearts not our looks and our possesions... so I'm continueing that through the new year, I'm excited about 2009 and by the end of month, I have a black dress that I want to wear that is sleevless! that little black dress is motivation for real! - like the Goddess herself Coco Chanel said -

" I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.”

I love that! it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny!  That is going to be my mantra for a while...

Xo 

Soraya 

Soray - I had white wine too! I can usually drink about 2-3 glasses of red and be fine as long as I don't do it on an empty stomach, but the white wine really got to me. I'm taking a small break from working out because I started GAINING - I wasn't doing enough cardio. But, my friend and I are going to start back up the 1st week of January and I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks for being so positive and upbeat! I'm so glad you started this group. I've been a lerker for months and months, but never ever posted. I'm so glad I did though.  And we all have those days when we don't treat ourselves or our bodies well, but there's always tomorrow. We just have to keep on keepin' on! I'm also trying to lose weight to look good in a nice strapless dress - a wedding dress! My husband and I got married last year when I was pregnant with my daughter, but we didn't have a formal wedding/ceremony or anything. And I really want to do the whole dress and tux thing. We're wanting to keep it low-key since out finances are high with 2 kids, but I still want a little ceremony and of course a REAL honeymoon - white beaches, sand, bikini, the works and I need to look HOT! We're thinking sometime between April in May so that's not a lot of time. I just want to not only look beautiful but feel beautiful too. We really need this...

Check out "Run for a Reason" topic in The Lounge... didn't know where to put it.  Don't feel like you have to donate, but please send the link to everyone you know!

sm

Wow, this group is so much fun. I hope there are, as Raeana put it "lurkers," who are reading this and enjoying it, even if they don't post anything.

Soray- I'm glad you and everyone likes my advice. Sometimes when I say these things I'm a little worried I sound snobbish or like a smartass. I am a Psychology major right now. I'm actually interested in Health Psychology which is basically the study and/or clinical practice of the relation between health and behavior. Some questions in this field of study are: Why do people smoke when they know its bad for them?; How can a person's thinking affect their health behaviors and habits?; How does stress affect your health? It's all very fascinating. As for my writing style, it is basically a stream on consciousness. I have to revise a little so as not to sound too unfocused. Actually, anyone who knows me says that I sound exactly the way I write: Expressive and a wide vocabulary. By the way, I love and appreciate your devotion to this group. You read every person's message and always have something positive to say to them. Thank you, that's amazing.

Raeana- What good motivation! You must be really excited for the ceremony and everything. I'm glad you're not lurking anymore. I enjoy your posts. They're so honest and down to earth. I think it's great to the atmosphere of this group, we need someone like you. I hope your day went well with the hangover and all. Hopefully it didn't get the best of you, but from these posts, it sounds like you need a lot more than a little wine hangover to stop you in your tracks. Keep up the good work.

sm- It's good to hear the you feel good about your weight and progress even if it's not visible everyday. If you feel good everyday, that's good enough progress, right? Keep up the good work girl, you're on your way to sexy.

carlyn- It's great to hear you progess and feel good about yourself. It seriously makes me smile to read everyone's posts on a good day. You're doing great.

I just got home today and looked in my fridge. I have no idea what my mom eats when I'm away. Apparently, probiotic yogurt, lettuce, cereal, and ham. WHAT? Beside the barren refrigerator, my other concern is exercise. I want to continue my workout regimine, but It's hard since I've been so used to going to the gym at school. And it's not really easy to run outside when its 20 degrees. I also don't have access to a car right now to get anywehre. I guess I have to get creative now.

Honestly, I am worried about my weight over break. In the past whenever I've gone home my mother just buys me all my comfort foods and we get sent lots of cookies and some wide assortment of Godiva Chocolates (WHY DO THEY HAVE TO BE SO GOOD). I think i'll just tell my mom that i'll do all the cooking and grocery shopping for the next 3 weeks. That'll relieve some of her stress anyways.

I'm glad we are taking the time to feel good about ourselves and treat oursleves to something nice every once in a while. We all deserve it!

I hope everyone has a good weekend! You all are beautiful, strong, and sexy. You've had a great week! keep up the good work!!!!

Can people still join this group? I am definitely interested in some cooperative motivation. It sounds like I fit right in, starting at 140 and wanting to be at 125. I work out a few times a week but it's really my diet that I have trouble with, especially when there is wine in the picture! It's nice that you guys don't have weigh ins but are still supporting each other (and helping them keep accountable!) Let me know if there's room for another!

Feeling much better today, yesterday i did half an hour on a cross trainer and then i went swimming with my dad and did 60 lengths!!! the most ive ever done.......im also really excited because my boyfriend wants to buy some fancy pants make up for christmas so i feel good about myself.....just gotta figure out what to ask for, im not exactly a make up kinda girl!! also i found the most amazing boots yesterday and im going to treat myself to them....just as soon as i find them in the right size!!! Its not always about how much you weigh but about how you feel, today i feel skinnier just because ive exercised and im holding my head up high....

Hope everyone has a good day and is starting to feel festive ready for next week!!!