Posts by agdotto63

START     April 16-18: 140.2
Week 1.   April 23-25: 138.6
Week 2.   Ap30/May2: 137.2
Week 3.   May   7 - 9:  136.4
Week 4.   May 14-16:  137.6
Week 5.   May 21-23:  135.4
Week 6.   May 28-30:  136.2

UGH!!  I haven't checked in for a while because I haven't had time and because I feel like I'm always whining.  Last week was a crazy roller coaster for me!  Sunday, I hit my first mini-goal of 135!  So excited!  Monday, I wasn't feeling well and didn't eat much so Tuesday the scale said 134.  I knew that one wouldn't stick.  But Tuesday-Friday, I had crazy days at work.  I taught back-to-back classes so I was in class 8-5 every day with no breaks except a 45 minute lunch that I used most of to get stuff ready for class or go to meetings.  I ate fast-food for lunch most of the week because it fit into my schedule.  On top of actually being in class, I had prep time before and after so I was usually at work 7:30-6:30 + my 30 minute drive each way.  I was exhausted both mentally and physically all week.  I was running low-grade fevers a few nights and no motivation to move at all.  I slept practically all day Saturday to recover.  And I was not happy to see 136.2 on the scale this morning  Yesterday I was at 135.4, same as last week, which I could live with.  But going up is never fun!

Sorry guys, I haven't been much of a Schmoozer in this group.  But please know how much reading your stories and successes have inspired me.  I've had a really rough couple of weeks, but I know today is a new day.  And my lunch bag is full of yummy fruits and vegetables to counteract all of the damage I did with McDonald's and Sonic last week.  I just wish it didn't feel like I was constantly starting over.

Cathy, I think it's great you gave the weights a try!  I love doing free weights but am so intimidated by the people that work out in the free weights section that I don't usually do them.  I have a membership at the YMCA and it seems like it's always men using the free weights and I feel out of place.  I'm not such a fan of the machines because I'm only five-foot and they never seem to fit me.  So I usually only get in a weights workout on Sundays when I meet with my trainer.  Maybe I should take a lesson from you and fight the intimidation and use the free weights.  I pay the same membership as they do, I shouldn't be deterred by the fact that they can all lift at lease double what I can.  Who cares?  Thanks for giving me some perspective. 

I don't know if it's okay or not.  But I usually have one day a week when I eat 900 or 1000 calories.  Not because I necessarily mean to, but I get busy and forget to eat the rest of my calories.  Or I'm exhausted and end up falling asleep before I eat them.  Or, I just cannot stand the thought of putting anything else in my mouth that day.   

(SW) 140.8

(CW) 136.6

(GW) 123

It started to move down again!

Oooohh.  This one was hard for me.  I don't really cook much.  But after reading some of these recipes, I think I'm gonna have to try.  I'm always looking for things I can make ahead and have on hand.  Maybe baking some muffins to grab as a quick breakfast in the morning will be better for me than the granola bars or baggies of cereal that I usually eat.  I did think of this crockpot recipe that I made a few weeks ago.  It's yummy and freezes well, which is a must for me!

Creole Black Beans (from the Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly cookbook)

• 3/4 lean smoked sausage, sliced in 1/4" pieces and browned
• 3 15oz cans black beans, drained
• 1.5 cups chopped onions
• 1.5 cups chopped green bell peppers
• 1.5 cups chopped celery
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1.5 tsp dried oregano
• 1.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• 3 bay leaves
• 8oz can tomato sauce
• 1 cup water

Combine all ingredientes in slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.  Remove bay leaves before serving.

The book says it serves 6-8 with 250 calories and 11g fiber per serving.  I wasn't strictly counting calories when I fixed it so I haven't entered all the ingredients to find out what the numbers actually are.  Obviously they're different depending on if you divide into 6 servings vs 8.

I served it over brown rice (additional fiber).  It was a little spicy and perfect for a chilly evening.

I FINALLY found the measuring tape so i could do this week's challenge!  I don't think I've ever measured myself before, so I have no idea how accurate these measurements are.  But, I guess if I'm the one measuring at the end, it should still show the difference even if they are inaccurate right??

Chest  36.25

Waist  32

Belly  37

Hips  40

Upper Arm  13

Thigh  23.25

My motivation comes from many places.  The tiny me hiding inside that I often still think I am, even though I haven't been considered "tiny" for at least 10 years now.  The obesity and diabetes that attacks many of the women in my family, my mother included.  Realizing that I can never be in a healthy relationship until I'm truly happy with myself.  The outfits that I want to wear and look hot in.  The pictures that I see of myself and think "is that really me?  That can't be me.  I'm not that big."  But most of all, just wanting to be healthy. 

And here's this week's weigh in.

START     April 16-18: 140.2
Week 1.   April 23-25: 138.6
Week 2.   Ap30/May2:
Week 3.   May   7 - 9:
Week 4.   May 14-16:
Week 5.   May 21-23:
Week 6.   May 28-30:
Week 7.   June  4 - 6:
Week 8.   June 11-13:
Week 9.   June 18-20:
FINISH.   June 25-27:

Weigh in Time:

(SW) 140.8

(CW) 138.8

(GW) 123

I'm feeling pretty good about today's number.  I lost everything I gained last weekend plus some!

Same issue here.  Except I recently upped my calories to 1300 because I was tired all of the time and now I'm really having trouble.  There are many nights where I have to figure out some way to eat 800 calories for dinner!  I have to preplan my meals or I completely fail so I've started making sure to add more calories to my lunch so I don't have a huge number left at the end of the night.  I've also started eating 100 calories worth of sunflower seeds in the afternoon.  Light and healthy snack that gives me energy to hit the gym after work.  And if I do end up with tons of calories left, I find I can always force down a slice of peanut butter toast to add an extra 165 calories.  I just hate eating when I'm not hungry!

I just found out about the program yesterday.  I downloaded the podcasts onto my Blackberry last night and I plan on starting Day 1 tonight.  I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it.  I've never liked running, but I think it's because I'm so out of shape.  I've always enjoyed the thought of running.  Hopefully this program will get me to where I actually enjoy the running part!

Hi Melody!  We seem to be pretty similar so I added you as a friend. :-)

I love them!!!  I actually had them for a midmorning snack today.  I buy those and the fruity cheerios and put them in portioned baggies.  I always have a baggy in my purse in case I get hungry or am craving something sweet.

Name: Jamie
Age: 30
Height: 5'0"
Start Weight: 140
Goal Weight (by September 29): 133

1/9/08: 140
8/9/08: 140
15/9/08:
22/9/08:
29/9/08:

Total weight loss: 0

I was sick last week and did absolutely nothing to better myself.  But today is a new day

I definitely need some motivation.  Maybe a challenge is exactly the kick in the pants I need!  Thanks!

Name: Jamie
Age: 30
Height: 5'0"
Start Weight: 140
Goal Weight (by September 29): 133

1/9/08: 140
8/9/08:
15/9/08:
22/9/08:
29/9/08:

Total weight loss:

I'm 5'0" and I weighed 97 pounds when I was 17.  I don't have any pictures in digital form to show you, but I can tell you that I was told by more than one person (friends, their parents, school principal, family, etc...) that I needed to gain weight.  I never want to be quite that small again, but I've set an "ideal goal" for myself at 113.  I've also set a "realistic goal" of 123.  I'm not so concerned about the number, as to how I'll feel.  So I'm guessing I'll decide when I hit 123 if I want to lose any more.  I don't want to hit a goal that's impossible to maintain and I don't want to set a goal that I may never be able to reach either.  I just want to look good and feel good!  My highest was 183 and I'm down to 140 now.  This is usually where I plateau so wish me luck on breaking into the 130s this time! 

AS for not wanting to exercise, I'm completely there with you!!!  But, I've decided if I truly want to not just look good, but feel good as well, I've got to do it.  Of course, that's much easier said than done!  I'm a few days behind on my routine but I think writing this has given me the motivation to get my butt out of bed in the morning and do my time on the elliptical!  So thanks for that!  And good luck!