300+ Countdown to Jan 1, 2009 !

   T O T A L   L O S T   I N   2 0 0 8 :   9 9 3 . 9  L B S   

       LINK to *NEW* Jan 2009 / Jan 2010 Thread 

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      We share a long journey.
      January 1, 2009 is coming ... IS HERE ! 
      What progress we'll make ... WE'VE MADE !
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~ THE 2008 300+ COUNTDOWN CLUB ~
      Counting down to JAN 1, 2009!
 1. Post your 1st of month weigh in.
 2. Check your updated number below.
 3. Let me know of any corrections.

.......................... GROUP WEIGHT LOSS ..........................
SW: 320.0   JAN 1st 2009 185.0     Lost  135.0  bigbrett22
SW: 340.0   JAN 1st 2009 173.0     Lost  167.0  danielle_20077
SW: 343.0   JAN 1st 2009 275.0     Lost    68.0  denise07
SW: 326.0   JAN 1st 2009 280.0     Lost    38.0  freethrowtommy 
SW: 354.0   JAN 1st 2009 328.0     Lost    26.0  humorpam
SW: 329.0   JAN 1st 2009 295.0     Lost    34.0  korali
SW: 329.0   JAN 1st 2009 221.0     Lost  108.0  laurabow
SW: 370.0   JAN 1st 2009 286.0     Lost    84.0  mnic
SW: 442.2   JAN 1st 2009 392.0     Lost    50.2  mwiowa
SW: 325.0   JAN 1st 2009 267.0     Lost    58.0  punkrockriot
SW: 315.0   JAN 1st 2009 226.0     Lost  100.0  renaer14
SW: 317.0   JAN 1st 2009 311.0     Lost      6.0  shnitzel (tracy)
SW: 465.0   JAN 1st 2009 220.8     Lost  244.0  sun123
SW: 385.0   JAN 1st 2009 336.8     Lost    52.0  sunnyone24
SW: 305.0   JAN 1st 2009 234.5     Lost    70.5  Tina_4792
SW: 367.0   JAN 1st 2009 299.0     Lost    69.4  topeze
SW: 576.0   JAN 1st 2009 447.0     Lost  129.0  velvetkiss 
SW: 325.0   JAN 1st 2009 255.0     Lost    70.0  watchmeshine82
SW: 355.0   JAN 1st 2009 287.0     Lost    68.0  wobbley
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Hey everyone .. sorry Im late, just finnihsed my last day of classes yesterday, and Ive been so busy that i never had a chance to weigh in here for the group.

This mornings weigh in was at 287.0 ... considering that my lowest was 285... Im  not very Happy.

I started SB on monday, I dont know how i have lasted this long, with no bread, pasta, potatoes, or fruit. The only 2 things that are really tough is the no fruit, and no bread. Everything else I think i could live with. I really dont know if this is going to work for me, I will have to give it time, just like any other eating plan i guess. I need to focus on getting more water, as I am retaining like crazy =(

I cant believe that its December !! the year has just flown by, its almost Christmas time already, exams start next week, so i will be cramming all this week and next as usual.

Hope everyone is well =)

Suctober weightloss stall had me 5 lbs behind schedule by Halloween.  Yay November allowed me to catch up but today's Thursday weighin of above average 3lbs bumped me 1.6 lbs ahead of sched. No room there to get comfy but ready to build on that or at least maintain it for any upcoming plateau.

So 236.4 today and realizing though we're in December, we still have a FULL (count them) four weeks before Jan 1st. 

Aw Korali, I know you didnt make it back to your low but youre not only so close but still came in with a nice loss for Nov from where you'd bumped up to.   a nice. BTW if the phase1 is a hassle, you may want to jump to phase2 before letting it go since the starches and fruits return.  Phase1 is a nice push for weight loss but its not THE diet and the first few days like your on are the tougheswt - well, were for me. Good luck with studying!

Pam, fell asleep before walking again last night (literally at my desk) so 6am popped up and went out. Hoping the some soreness has worn off and if you can keep at yesterdays level, adjust to whatever works for you because you will find yourself building on it either way. 

Sun, even when you aren't on schedule, you still kick butt!  I still can't imagine having lost all the weight you have already.  I'm sure I'll be there some day, but you keep at it no matter what.

Korali, hang in there!  If you can just remind yourself that it's really only a few more days (I'd be dying already!), you'll do great!

Pam, that's awesome!  Just make sure that sore is not more than sore.  To keep going on sore is fine, but sometimes we overdo it.  Hehe, I'm sore today too.  And with walking, just add a little bit at a time.  I walk very rarely.  I started adding bursts of jogging into my walking.  It's in a park and I'd go from the lightpost that I'm at to 2 lightposts after that.  Well, I went walking this week after not doing that for a bit, I can go 4 lightposts now.  While it's not the world's biggest difference, I could totally tell the difference in myself and my stamina.  And it's twice what I was able to do before.  A few weeks from now, what you can then will be so much more.  But you're doing it now, so that's what counts! 

Oh, sun, I had posted before but guess you missed (or i didn't clarify).  For Dec. 1st, I'm weighing in at 297.6.  Hehe, although this morning was 296.2, and I lifted yesterday.  Day after weights, I'm always heavier, I think.  So hoping I'm less than that.  I'm totally in the kick of needing to stay on track.  I definitely want to lose my 10.6 lbs and I WILL do it this month, even if I have to do cardio every day.  I refuse to let my body not cooperate.

Ang, you're going to see the 20*'s so soon.  And then it's just a few lbs from a one in front!!

Oh, and my Jan weigh in will be on Jan 3rd.  I'm flying back in from out of town on Jan 1st, then driving til we get back.  So, it'll mess up my system a bit.  I might wait a day or two after, if there is any water retention or anything from the holidays.  I think I'm going to struggle to eat right when I'm at my parent's house for a week with all the good foods around!!

Ok, back to work for me.

I am going to be hopeful and aim for Jan 1st with 280!! IF I make it it will be a 70lbs loss. Time will tell.

Liza,  that is really good that you have increased from 2 to 4 lightposts,  but that seems like a huge increase all at once.  Be careful.

Well,  just wanted to let you all know that I did 1200 steps again today,  and again it took 4 times to finally get all those steps in,  but I did it.  I have to tell you that today was harder than yesterday.  The last two stretches of walking,  I thought my left leg particularly was going to give out before I got back to my bench.  I thought about doing it twice,  resting in between the two,  and then going in the house for a few hours and doing the other two times later,  but I also knew myself well enough to know that if I put it off till later,  I probably would be so sore that I would talk myself right out of doing it.  So I stayed outside until I got all of it done.

For my eating today,  I have had an apple,  5 oz of Roasted boneless skinless chicken breast,  and 2 1/2 cups of broccoli,  roasted with a little olive oil.  I saved another breast and another 2 1/2 cups of broccoli for later on.  I will probable also have a few almonds or some fruit later too.  I think that is pretty healthy eating.  I was determined that if I am gonna work this hard,  making my body this much more uncomfortable than it already is,  then I am not going to eat unhealthy where the exercise is not doing any good.

Pam, I'd say take tomorrow off.  And then go again on Saturday, when your body has started to heal and you feel a bit better.  Sometimes when I've gotten worn out a bit, taking time off and letting my body catch up allows me to feel so much better the next time, I go faster, farther, or longer, depending on what I'm doing.  And that definitely sounds healthy.  Is that enough, though?  That just doesn't sound like a lot of calories.  And if you're starting to walk, you'll build muscle, so the protein is super important.

And I did go from 2 to 3 lightposts first the last few times I walked.  It's so much easier in the cold weather because I really don't have to worry about my asthma much.  I felt a little sore today, but a good sore.

Thanks Liza for your suggestion.  It is probably a good idea.  I am just concerned that if I don't go walking tomorrow,  It will be harder to make myself walk on Saturday.  So,  I will have to decide tomorrow.  But if I can walk,  I may go,  just not as far as I have the last two days.  I'll let you all know what I ended up doing.

Wobbley, good wishes with the 280 - if you dont make it, bet you'll come as close as your body will allow for you to make you 70 lb point :D. 

Pam, that is the point - you 'did it'. Boy I know about how it feels when you legs feel like they'll give out. Right now as Im set up, that has passed but when Alice would ask if it was getting easier I'd tell her that nope, always fighting the last stretch and then if finally kicked in and having it easier so have been doing better on my time.  Knowing how self aware you are and that you will pace yourself.

Decided last night to unbundle, clean up and get out of the house.  Went to 2 Walmarts in my 2nd new shoe, a low heel slide but dressier. Hoped they would be my more comfortable everyday shoe, not being as high but they ended up hurting much faster than my higher ones.  Huh? I decided to put off walking until this morning after getting home but this morning still have a sore limp and because Im wearing heels at the party tomorrow, Im passing today and tomorrow.  Will pickup if Sunday unless Im sore from the party heels Sunday.

Usually I'd think to myself - excuses! But I feel good about it becaue I want to enjoy the party and right now my walking around the house is weak.  At least when I go on my walk laps, any soreness quickly passes. Funny to think balancing the wearing of heels with my workouts but Ive little reason to wear heels often.  Half the party is at a restaurant, half a limo ride seeing lights.  Any in betweens though Im going to freeze my booty off with my winter coat because my dress is sleeveless.

Sun,  I think that is a really good idea to not walk today or tomorrow since you are going to want to be able to get around ok at your party.  Let us know how the party goes. 

My left leg is crying severely today,  so I think that the muscle needs a day of rest.  Unless someone tells me that I am making a mistake to rest a day,  I think that is what i will do.  I just need to be sure and try to walk tomorrow.

SW: 325.0  DEC 1st 268.5     Lost    56.5  punkrockriot

Hi group! I'm sorry I've been so absent lately.  I had a couple of rough months and have been back and forth between numerous plateaus.  Needless to say, I lost a lot of my drive for a bit, but I'm taking the rest of this month to evaluate what has and has not worked over the past year and hope to begin again strong in the new year. 

I do my best to keep up with the group, so thank you all for being here.  It really means a lot to me.  Thank you Sun for setting up this group and for organizing the 2009 group as well.  I'll see you all there!  Happy Holidays everyone.

Thanks punk and knowing how frustrating plateaus can be, happy for you that youve managed to lose with them still. Im all over that being self aware of what works for us as individuals.  We've all put in time and always good to self reflect to be conscious of whats in our favor personally for losing the weight.

It was funny to hear about your leg 'crying' because I have edema and one thing would be water blisters that if broken would actually 'weep' and you couldnt bandaid them because they would fill (even with a cotton ball) and stop sticking.  Thankfully, through weight loss, they arent nearly as full of water, the skin doesnt tear easily (which took forever to heal because the skin was saturated). The swelling is still quite extreme though and Im pursuing getting fitted for support stockings.  This dieting is spilling over into my life with things Ive postponed addressing healthwise. Many so tackling them one at a time but definitely focusing life as whole differently.

Being the begining for you Pam, your determining and setting a pace of time to walk.  Know you'll learn what your able to and I also have to balance. Sometimes I think what if I were to push for a third lap but know that it would affect my next days ability to walk. I do feel that as I gain even more tolerance of the two though that I can work towards a third.  Enjoying your walking updates!

Sun,  do you suffer from lymphedema?  I saw a man on TV that had that really bad and they talked about the oozing.  That must be miserable.  No,  I myself,  was talking about the muscles crying and screaming in pain.  I do have issues with water retention,  but I am on 2 diuretics that take care of it pretty well.  I am so thankful for that!

Hi guys, It sounds like everyone is doing so good. I'm really trying to stay on track and hopefully the scales will show it next week. Today I went and tried on a new blouse but I got depressed looking in that stupid mirror in the dressing room. How I wish my stomach would de-flate faster. :-)  It's still there! I know it has gone down because there is a lot of room between me and the steering wheel now. My doctor said that will be one of the last places you'll lose. I'm doing crunches after I do my walking but I still don't see any change. How I wish I would of had the body type that you put most of the weight on the backside. That way I wouldn't have to look at it all the time. :-)  I know I still have a long way to go so hopefully one of these days I will start seeing a change.  Sorry to sound so down, I guess it's just one of them days.

Just hold on to the thought about there being more room between you and the steering wheel.  So you are losing inches.  Just be patient and good to yourself. You are doing great!

Well, I wasn't going to walk today. I was going to rest my legs today and let them heal and rebuild, but by this evening, they were feeling a lot better, so I decided to go ahead and try to walk, knowing that I may not be able to go as far as I had the last couple of days. But I did it. I walked 1200 steps again today. It took 4 times to get it all in, but I did it. That is .3 mile plus 16 feet. It took 24 minutes of actual walking time. So far this week I have walked .9 mile plus 48 feet. I am really sore now, but I am glad that I did it.

Pam your doing so good!!!  I know you feel good after you go for your walk. I have a walking DVD, and the girl on it says you should be so proud of yourself that you made the time to do it, never would you say you wish you hadn't.  :-)  If you was anything like I was before I started this program, I didn't do anything. Now I've got myself walking and going places with more energy. And I know it will just get better.

I'm thinking that maybe even after a while,  I may be able to go to a store and not have to use a scooter.  WOW!  That would be something!

Wow Pam - your on fire! You really could have rested it out but you tried and then went all the way.  What an awesome start your off to.  As you continue, if you find yourself at a point where you feel strong enough to attempt a short store trip Walmarts are great - not only shopping carts for support but benches inside to take a break. Thats was one way I worked myself up and then to were I'd walk longer without a bench stop until no stops.  Just throwing something out there but for now, loving your spirit and your drive.

Mnic, funny how we can get accustomed to our achievements because we want new ones! Regarding the steering wheel, I would sometimes get embaressed getting in or out of the car because my stomach would accidently beep the horn.  My understanding is that exercises for certain body parts strengthen the muscles there but as far as weight loss, thats determined by your heredity and typically the first place you gain is the last you lose.  I feel like Im running out of places to lose above my waist. My face, arms and neck are getting super skinny, still have a stomach and butt/legs are still super sized. If you carry your weight in your waist, betting youve the leaner legs. 

Allowing a ridiculously long time to prepare for the party - hair, makeup, clothes.  Just want to feel best about myself because I know it will allow me to have a better time.  Will probably check in tonight.

Well,  Sun,  our walmart only has benches in the front of it,  so that wouldn't help me,  but thanks for the suggestion anyway.  It used to be that Hastings had a couple of chairs in the books department,  so if i wanted to go there,  I could because I could sit down if i needed to,  but they took the chairs away,  so I can't go unless I get my scooter out of my car.  That is a huge job,  as it is very heavy and has to be put together.  It is not too terrible on a good day,  but if I am feeling weak and in a lot of pain,  I don't like to mess with it.

I have found that the horrible pain that i had been experiencing in my knees before i started walking has improved immensley since I started walking.  I guess that is what my knee needed,  some stronger muscles to hold it in place.  I don't know,  but I will now swear it to anybody who has knee pain,  to get out and walk,  even if it is a short distance.  I had debilitating pain in my knee,  and I am sooooooo much better now.

I never had trouble with my stomach honking the horn,  but I did have trouble with my boobs honking the horn.  That is also embarrasing!  I have to have more room than usual for my stomach,  just to get my oxygen in and out.  I wear a portable oxygen around my waist,  so getting in and out of the driver's seat, (mostly out) is a challenge.

Wow Pam your doing so good.  I know how it is with the walking.  I have finally been able to walk more and usea  store scooter less and the small walks lead to the bigger and better things.  That I promise you.  I could barely make it 60 steps before I had to sit down and I couldnt breath, now I can walk a ways and not need to sit down but just catch my breath and your legs will eventually stop crying, when I started my right leg muscle was so bad that one day I actually could not walk to the car and had to have someone get a wheelchair and wheel me to the care, it was a horrible feeling but I kept walking and it went away and know no pain, so it will happen, just keep doing what your doing.

Schools is done next week and then a break till January!  I am also not going to be able to get home to Ohio for Christmas, so I will have a much better food holiday so that may help my weight loss.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.