Posts by elaughter

Dutch_girl - thanks for checking on me.  I did get in my work-out last night after I got Aiden (my son) to bed and I totally rocked my work-out.  My running assignment was to run 1 minute / walk 1 minute, alternating 10 times (so I would have ran 10 mins and walked 10 mins) well I totally kicked butt and ran 2 minutes / walked 1 minute x 10 sets (for a total of 20 minutes of running and 10 minutes of walking - well actually 20 including a 5 min warm-up and a 5 min cool-down.  

Enough patting myself on the back and time to get ready for tonight's strength training work-out.  

Great job everyone - remember to check in tom or Thurs with an update on how you are doing reaching your goals this week.  

No loss for me this week but I did maintian.  Really I cannot be (and will not waste time) be upset since I really did not focus and work hard last week.  So on to this week! 

Current 187.4

http://caloriecount.about.com/fresh-start-gro up-week-closed-ft114540

Hope all is well ladies...here is the week 10 thread!

Hey all! 

Few things...

1) I screwed up on counting our weeks left...we have 4 weeks left not 3 (shanny being my BF felt comfy enough to point this out to me).  Obviously, I was doing simple math (12-9 = 3) and not the complicated kind of math where I would have counted out the actual weeks (week 9, 10, 11, 12).  Brilliant, I know!

2) For all of you who are thanking me for the posts, you are welcome but please KNOW that I thank you all for sticking with me, allowing me to write out my thoughts and struggles in the form of our goals and for giving me a reason outside of myself to keep trying week after week.  I have to say I know you all would be supportive but I never want to weigh-in Monday am and have not worked hard because I do not want to let you ladies down - so really thank you!

3) As you have seem we have a new member!  Welcome.  And today I had another lady email me and ask me if she could join our group as well.  Since we have lost about 4 members or so I think we have room for 1 or 2 more.  I always want to keep the group around 10 as that is one of the main things ALL of us wanted (a small group), so I will keep an eye on the number of members but as of now we have a little room! 

4) Speaking of lost members...I hope we have not lost Jella!  I will email her.  Please note that I have been been emailing our lost sheep.  I did the first couple of weeks but honestly I just don't have the time to track down other people (I have a hard enough time keeping up with myself, my purse, my keys and oh yeah, my son!).  Also, I was part of a group where if I do not post by Monday pm I had an email...sometimes life gets in the way and people need a day! (can you tell is annoyed me) 

Would one of you be willing to send a freindly email to members that have not posted by Wed (and have not told us they will be out of town)?  I do not want to make people feel bad if they just simply want to drop out of this group but it may be helpful to let them know we miss them...

5) I have not been focusing or on point this week.  I have gotten out of some of my awesome habits...today is Wed and I have 5 days to get the rest of this week right.  I want to make myself and you ladies proud and I want to be able to report another loss next week!  Just writing this has already helped! 

6) Rach - which C25K program do you use?  I looked for one on itunes and could not found one I liked.  I wish they had one that allowed you to put in your own tunes - music is a HUGE motavator for me to pick-up the speed on the treadmill!

Hope you all are being healthy!

Time to weigh in & I am happy to report I have lost 1 pound down to 187.4!  I am not sure how this happened (started my period Saturday and the week before it always insane!)...but I am taking it and running with it! 

More later tonight...I will come back and post my exercise...see I am putting it out there now so it has to happen tonight (I missed my morning session)! 

Ladies, first let me apologize for not being on top of things this week.  I have had some major personal drama which thankfully, seemly has past for the time being and I am here now! 

So things are a little off track thanks to me and again I am sorry for that! 

Without further ado, the weekly goals...

Food: This week let's think about the nutritional content of our foods past just the calories.  Last week I suggested that each of you pay attention to your body and how various things you eat effected you, now apply your observations from last week and remove or cut back on something.  Sodium kills me...it raises my blood pressure and it makes me retain water.  This week I am going to watch my sodium intake.

Exercise:  Did you try something new last week?  If so share it with the group, if not that is okay...look up an exercise or exercise tip online and share with the group (before Sunday).

Mental:  List week we made a list of all the things we have accomplished, this week let's make a list of 3 things we would still like to accomplish and set a time limit for each...I would like to exercise 5 times a week, since I have already started working out I am giving myself only 3 weeks to build up to this goal.  This will help you focus on the last few things you need to do for your healthy lifestyle and will help me with setting the group goals!

Ladies, thank you for being understanding about me being slack with posting the goals this week...life happens and boy did it this weekend!

Also, I would like to thank (and give credit to Dutch Girl for suggesting much of this week's goals which I tweaked slightly but the ideas where all you, thank you!)

Funny you gals posted about heart rate monitors today.  Iwas just emailing Shanny earlier today about how much I wanted one.  I was even online researching them before I logged on here.  During my research I found a ton of sites saying how FAR OFF machines can be at telling your calories burned (that they over estimate).  I was going to try to hold off but I think I will shop around and try to get one in the next week or so...now knowing my treadmill is a LIAR I am worried that I have not been doing as well as I thought (and hoped!).  I figured it could not be right since it only asks age and not weight or sex but I was hoping for the best!

Just wanted to come by and post my new weight...189.6...only a loss of .8 but got me into the 180s and I am HAPPY about that! 

This week I plan on either trying the couch to 5K program or trying some yoga moves.  I am already walking / jogging but it might be nice to have a program to follow...in the past I have not completed any programs I started but maybe having it in my ears will help. 

Hope you all have a great week! 

http://caloriecount.about.com/forums/post/112 369.html

Here it is!

So I have been soda free for a whole week and I am so proud of myself!  Two more weeks to an actual habit but so far so good.

I worked out on Monday.  Missed my work out on Tuesday (not for lack on wanting on my part but life got in the way and I got home too late).  And missed my morning work out yesterday (still a result from my late night) BUT I got off my butt at 10:00 last night and completed my Tuesday work out last night!  I just kept thinking about my goals and realized skipping work outs is not going to get me there and I actually got up and did something about it!

As for this weeks goals, I have not tried a new food yet but I will (thinking about asparagus).  So far I am still on schedule to meet my work out goals.  As for mental I have avioded my co-workers treats - in order to do this I have been weighing how many calories the item is vs. how much I want it / how good it is.  The other day someone brought in lemon bars (one of my favorites prepared correctly) but I took one bite and literally throw it all away (including the bite in my mouth) - they were NOT good and I was not going to WASTE 200 calories on something that was not GREAT (btw they were store bought so I was not hurting anyone's feelings).  I hope I do not jinx myself but I really have been actually thinking about how many calories are in something before I eat it and that has helped me stay in my calories range and turn down certain foods.

Yesterday I got my first "you look like you have lost weight" since starting this (again) and it was great!  I am not one who gets offended by this statement, instead I take it as a compliment on my hard work! 

I hope each of you are doing well.  I will be back later the finish reading posts! 

http://caloriecount.about.com/forums/post/111 525.html

Here is the link for Week 6!  Hope you are all well! 

So, I am back...supposed to be working but here I am posting! 

First CONGRATS on all the pounds and inches dropped!

Now responses:

2b - I think you are right not to cut out those 70-100 calorie snacks (especially if they keep you on track).  My problem with soda is I have a 150 - 450 calorie per day habit...on a good day I will only have one but on a bad day 3!  Not only is the soda taking up a ton of calories that I should be using for healthy food but soda is TERRIBLE for you!  Also, to be honest soda often pushes me over my daily calorie allowance.  In the past I have given soda up and it was great...the times I really wanted one I had one but I found those times were few and far between and that I could only drink 1/2 of a soda because they had become too sweet for me...also, for me it is not an addiction to the caffeine because I actually prefer non-caffeine sodas but it is a habit and the fact that I like the taste...as you can tell I am frustrated with myself that I have not given up this really bad habit!  But I will, this week! Anyway, good job on the water! Good job on your inches lost!  

Jella - I like you check list and I think I will adopt this practice - thanks for the great ideas always!

Dutch - wow, great job saying no to the pastried and making it to the gym during travel!

Shanny - now that school has ended maybe you will have more energy to focus on this...let me know if it is time for tough love in the form of daily emails!  Just get your mind set on it and I know you can do it! 

 Erin - hope the 5k program is working well for you.  I have to tell you I think you have really done a wonderful job!  6.8 is AWESOME!  Good luck on your goals!  I hope to be in the 180s (even if that means 189) by next week!

Lisa - 7.4 pounds, you are my hero - averaging 2 pounds a week is my dream and you are close! Congrats on your loss!

Good luck to you all this week...I am going to work really hard and hope to report next week that I am in the 180s!

Hey all here is the new thread to kick off week 5!

http://caloriecount.about.com/forums/post/110 623.html

Hi all!  I am planning on reading all the posts and responding tonight...but in the meantime I wanted to go ahead and post, since I am already a day late.  At yesterday's weigh-in I was down 1.3 pounds for a total loss of 2.5 since we started.  While, it is not the 2 pounds per week I would love to average, I know where I go wrong each time I do (and believe me I am thankful for ANY loss)...I think (for me) I have to stop allowing myself to be de-railed SO easily, with the promise that I will do better the next meal or next week...it is part of my cycle...basically I think I need to be harder on myself.  I know they say don't dwell in past mess-ups but maybe I have taken that forgiviness a little too far...I forgive myself a little too easily which makes the "mistakes" more often...becasue why not.  I will obviously not become a negiative person and beat myself up but I think I need to be a little harder on myself! 

Anyway, I will be back on later...time to work.

So, I have really been enjoying reading this weeks' posts.  I feel like we have an awesome group of supportive and honest people here and I thank you all for participating in the group.  You are all so positive and motivating. 

I am enjoying posting more this week...I know it is only Tuesday but already I have this feeling of more accountability. 

So here is where I pat myself of the back...I am one of those people that if I go to a restaurant I order one of the worst things on the menu and consume enough calories for an entire week...but, today I actually went out to lunch with a friend that was visiting from out of town and ordered a SALAD!!!! Shanny will understand what I HUGE step this was for me since up until about 2 months ago I refused to eat ANY salad at ALL!  I also had water to drink (another first for me, I almost always get soda when I got out to eat). 

Doing pretty good on the fruits/veggies, getting at least 3 or 4 a day...just need that 1 more!  Water has been pretty good too, getting 3 bottles...just need that 1 more!  As for working-out I am planning to work-out (with a wake-up call) Mon (yes, I did), Wed and Friday and then one day this weekend.  I did not want to over shoot and plan for Mon-Fri and burn out!  I feel very positive this week and can only hope that turns into focus and drive which will lead to the loss of some of these very unwanted pounds! 

Now for responses...

DB - we will not let you fall off after your trip, that is what we are here for, we will be here when you get back ready to help in whatever way you need!  They say walking is great for everyone, especially people with joint problems, good luck with that switch.  

Dutch - congrats on the skirt - LOVE when that happens!  Also, way to go on identifying your craving and satisfying it without going over your calories.

Shanny - you are so silly, you are a great BFF...now as for the diet partner, well we need to talk, I am breaking up with you...just kidding, you are fine - you have to do this for you and on your own time table.  I know you have a ton on you and I am just glad you are still thinking about what you need to do and are interested in this, soon it will happen. Maybe it would help to think about what started this all, how you felt and how you want to feel...I often feel very motivated when I think I will show _________, I can do this and look hot again!  Especially when I am working out and I feel like I cannot make it one more minute...anger is a HUGE pushing force, for me anyway.

Erin - sounds like you are still doing awesome with the exercise, you always moativate me to get off my butt!  Sorry about your boss, I work for a guy like that...finds small things huge.  Keep up the hard work, I know it is paying off for you!

Jella - congrats on your weight loss thus far! I too like the SMART idea - very cool.  I am a big fan of what is really do-able!  I am going to make post-it notes with my SMART goals and post them on my fridge (for food), near my treadmill (for exercise) and on my bathroom mirror (for mental). 

2b - congrats on the 2 pounds! 100s here you come!

Rach - sounds like you are being very active, good for you, making time for yourself with 2 young ones must be hard but you are doing it and should pat yourself on the back! I am sorry for the very unnecessary, hurtful comment that was made to you...I often wonder what in the world people are thinking when they speak!   

Ginger - WOW, great job!  Thanks for the food suggestions. 

Okay - so time to go be a mom.