Posts by happyjoyjoy

Recognize that no matter what happened you were brave enough to get yourself out of that bad situation and for that you are beautiful and strong.

I was in an abusive relationship for 10 years myself and have been out of it for 9 years.  I dealt with getting my confidence back by just taking things day by day.  One of the first things I did when I finally left the ex was to join the local gym.  It helped raise my self-esteem a lot.  It kept my depression at bay.  And, I made friends who were always happy to see me make it there consistently. 

Really, it does help to make friends or be around people who are positive.   And, time.  Getting over the negative things that were said to you takes time.  It sounds like you've made lots of progress. 

By the way, I also became a massage therapist and have been at it for 3 years now.  It's helped a lot to be able to offer a comforting touch to other people. You heal as you help heal other people's pain.

Good luck. 

I'm sorry to hear about the stores not being open in your area.  I live in California and the local Ralph's grocery store is open on Christmas day.    I'm thinking that maybe our Ralph's decided to stay open because they couldn't afford not to be open.  Happy Holidays.

Happy Birthday!  I say enjoy your day.  There's plenty of days to go back to your dieting routine.

Running.  If you don't already run, start with walking and building up to a jog and then jogging continuously for ten, twenty, thirty mins at least 3 days a week.  It helped me.  It's not something that can be done quickly but I think you can see some kind of results within your time frame. 

rnjt-You're right I have to reward myself for staying away from the buffets.  A dark chocolate candy bar!  Just one.  Promise.  So far no fast food and I've been working out since Monday. 

Keep up the good work staying with your goals!

I'm aiming not to go buckwild at the Las Vegas casino buffets, go lighter on the junk food, drink more water and maybe sneak 30 minute on the elliptical machine tomorrow so I can shave off a day from the workout schedule later on during the week.

My reward----I would love a massage!

It's great when someone sees your efforts especially if you have a hard time seeing it yourself.  A great motivator right?!

I picture the donuts I ate settling on my thighs and my arms.  That's what usually keeps me going.  That and the idea that I don't want to wake up one day, look at myself and say wow how did I become twenty pounds heavier overnight?  Oh, and whenever I hear a lady tell me when I was your age I used to be a 100 pounds without ever working out and eating whatever I wanted and then I hit forty and I woke up with an extra twenty pounds.  That's when I make a mental note to hit the gym so I don't have to tell that same story twenty years later. 

Original Post by wendyb27:

I started with CC the last day of April, and I have lost at least 20 lbs or better since the winter (I didnt have a scale then) I have dropped a few sizes in pants, and I notice a difference in my energy, and I have fell down quite a few times, but I get up and start going again.

Excellent!  Keep up the good work!

Hi everyone.  Hope everyone is doing well.  Oj & molasses.  I'm going to have to try that because I get sugar cravings everyday.  I'm just a big sugar junkie.  Bad!  Very bad.  I hope I still have teeth by my 40th birthday. 

Lulufit- Don't give up. When I lived in Washington state it nearly rained through every 4th of July, it was tough being stuck inside with the kids.  Maybe you can get a membership to a gym that has a day care facility so that you can work out indoors.  Or, you can try out different fitness DVD's. 

The sun will come out and you and the cuties can run amok in the park.  You'll all feel so much better.

I saw that show and I couldn't believe she said that either.  That's totally bad PR because not every one of her clients walking in is going to be a "twig."  She could be turning away some very wealthy clients who might just be above average in weight.  Her attitude was just very snotty.

I know you love your mom but this is one time you can tune her out.  If you love them jeans then wear 'em.  She might be just jealous that she can't rock them like you can.

I'm 37 and I probably shouldn't wear skinny jeans but just like you I LOVE them.  My hips are not the smallest but I wear them anyways because they make me feel good. Point here is to just wear them with confidence regardless of what other people say.

I love Shanonna's reply: I'd say give him no booty for a month and tell him that thick n chunky girls don't put out :P

People we love the most sometimes say things about our weight that can be touchy.  Yet, that can be the biggest motivator to get us in the right direction.  I say exercise consistently because that'll keep you toned as you drop weight.  Also, when you cut calories don't cut back too much too quickly.  Check out the tools section of this site to figure out how much you need to eat to lose.  I read about folks that cut down to 1200 calories, lose the weight quickly but then regain it quickly. 

Slow and steady weight loss can be frustrating but it'll be worth it.  Then you can say "in your face" to the hubby when you flaunt what your momma gave you!

I've learned never to run on an incline. Ever.

I don't get it, why not?

I think running on an incline actually built my calf muscles.  That's why I won't do it anymore.  Regular walking has helped me keep the muscle tone.  But every body is different and their calves may react differently to certain exercises.  I just tend to build bigger calves with running. 

I have a tape measure and I use it to measure my calves now and then.  With water weight it goes up half an inch.  With regular weight gain, a full inch up.  I truly envy girls with nice slim calves.