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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Thanks Velvet for sharing your experience.  That is certainly an encouragement when I hear from people who are or who have been my size and knows what it is like to only be able to walk a few feet and have to rest or sit down,  and that with persistance have made it to the point of being able to walk further and further without pain and less shortness of breath.  So thank you for encouraging me.

Today,  I did not go outside,  but that was on purpose.  I was giving my legs a chance to heal and rebuild.  I did,  however,  fold clothes for 2 and a half hours and carry them to the bedroom and put them away.  So I got a lot of upper body exercise and indoor walking.  So I didn't just sit and do nothing.  Then I fixed a healthy lunch,  ate it,  and sat in my recliner and enjoyed a nice rest.

Tomorrow my plan is to get back outside and maybe walk even more than my 1200 steps.  I am going to shoot for 1400 or 1600 steps tomorrow.  That will probably take 6 times of walking tomorrow to do that.  I will pray and ask the Lord to give me wisdom about what to do and let Him lead me.

Sun,  just wondering how the party went.

COMPANY PARTY REPORT <--

Im just waking up!  I'd been a bit concerned to be overdressed with a recent email saying business casual but think that was an out for those not up to dressing up because while I was more 'evening wear', so was the rest of the restaurant and our group stepped it up too.

We had a prepped menu of four options - salmon, ribeye, chicken or beef tenderloin.  Allschool me wouldve ribeyed it, but I went tenderloin since Ive little op to afford it.  There was a salad and they had a dessert. I actually chose not to pass on it because they had creme brulee - another not avail at less expensive restaurants I go and havent eaten out in forever anyway.  No regrets on dessert - perhaps one of the best Ive ever had.  With the last bite, back on my diet for the night and onward.

The Limo was a trip. It was a party mobile easily fitting 13 of us. The group was a riot. Back at the restaurant at  10pm and didnt get home until 1pm. 

Pam, interesting how we become more aware of times we're not consciously 'exercising' when we can still take advantage of ops to move for those of us less active.  For me its not just burning calories but also keeping muscles from remaining stagnant.  After the limo, we were in the club - much standing and moving around so was thankful my muscles were stronger but not recently tired.  Feeling Im up for walking again tonight - dont usually Sat/Sun but throwing it in with my easing up prior to party.

Glad to hear about the effect youre already experiencing with your leg muscles in connection to your knees.  BTW I didnt make that up - I'd read about that for knees and maybe not for everyone but I experience the improvement on my knee arthritis. Not just walking but things I couldnt do before. At the recent dr it wasnt an ordeal using that little pull out step to get up on the exam table to sit. Going down steps - not the soreness because less pressure on my knees as my muscles support me. 

Sorry to hear you wont be home for Christmas Velvet but youve found a silver lining in it regarding the food scenario.  I share your experience starting small with what you can on walking. Funny how people would just tell me how I didnt have to exercise, I go just go walking.  I thought how they didnt understand that was a big deal but didnt consider that although theyre suggestion was too much, I could start and work up.  Like taking on the weight loss though when starting higher than others, their just a walk isnt my just a walk but didnt realize then that didnt mean I couldnt approach it from my perspective in a way that worked and I could build on.

Good eating all!

Glad to hear that you had a great time!

Sun,  I guess I was typing when you were leaving your last post,  so I just now saw it.  Yeah,  the walking must have been what was helping,  because yesterday I didn't do my 1200 steps outside and last night my knee kept locking up and it was so painful to try to bend it.  I am definitely going to walk today!

Well, I paid the price last night for not walking my 1200 steps yesterday. My knee locked up many times and it was very painful to get it moving again. So today I did my 1200 steps. Let me tell you - it was not fun. I did not enjoy it. But I am glad I did and am proud of myself for doing it. I have now gone 1.2 mile plus 64 feet over the last 5 days including today. Now I am in a lot of pain again! Well, that is OK, because God is letting me walk as much as I do. Thank you Lord!

Pam, did you imagine you could have accumulated so much distance? By keeping track this week you have a number to look back on as you progress over time either distance or time required to walk it.  I like what mnic said, even sore - I never find myself regretting in my walking exercise.  Here's hoping the locking up eases with your continued efforts!!

BTW knew eating that tenderloin last night I'd have to restart with the non meat but I'd not even gotten a sample yet so timing was right. In fact, checking with the Dr Monday. Ive read online the one reason for the test is to check for colon/intesting cancer which is something we discussed cuz its in my family. Didnt know ages at appointment but since learned my brother discovered them pre age 50 so me at 46, might ask if I should just go straight to the cancer exam. Hear its not much fun but neither is cancer. Plus I smoke and my brother doesnt.  

You are right Sun! I couldn't have imagined doing this much walking.  It is awesome!  Not fun,  but awesome! LOL  I'm thinking that a year from now when I am walking a couple of miles a day and I can encourage others in my boat like you all are encouraging me now, that will be so cool!  It is of course contingent on  my health staying as is or getting better. 

Sun,  I was confused by your second paragraph.  Are you going for a test on Monday? If so,  what kind of test are you having,  and what does that have to do with the meat?  Maybe you had already said this in a prior post and I missed it.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  My husband,  this year,  at age 54,  had a colonoscopy and it turned out that he had at least one polyp removed and it was pre-cancerous.  I just praise the Lord that it was detected in time.  His mother died of colon cancer at age 50.  So,  if you have any history of that,  it is very important that you be getting that checked.  Not trying to be bossy,  just being a mother hen.  After all,  I am older than you. LOL.

Last week, I was sent home from the dr with a test to get three samples so they can check if Im passing blood.  Two problems. The first that you have to avoid fish, meat, chicken, etc.  I stopped eating them end of week and immediately found I was hungrier plus I can replace with carbs because it triggers binging cuz im insulin resistance (not an excuse but dont want the hunger cravings). Second problem is I dont go the bathroom but every 3-4 days so it would take 10-12 days for the samples.

Dr says the colonoscopy usually starts age 50 and wanted to know what age my sibling had his.  Today I learned a 2nd also had them before 50 while other two siblings never tested.  Therefore, Im just going to request the colonoscopy. Thinking most woud rather start with the test but I'd just like to get it over in a dr visit than this long testing and with my family history also think its best. 

I understand polyps arent uncommon but my family has a history of dying from cancer.  That must have been a relief to know they caught your hubbys timely.  Im hoping to avoid a risky delay if I have them.

Looking forward to the walk tonight  I love hearing your thoughts about looking back.  Ive felt you'll be walking distance in the future too and glad to know you do as well. I think this will be a significant point for you to remember and look back on.

Well I caved =( 5.5days with no carbs, led to a carby weekend. somehow i managed to lose no weight during the 5 days that i ate no carbs.

Oh well Ive decided to start phase 2 tomorrow, as I am finding it very difficult with no carbs at all.

I need for this to work, Im getting very discouraged, but at the same time I know i cant give up. I am also very stressed this week,  exams start on tuesday, 5 in total. Im sure that has something to do with it =)

~k

Sun,  I would do the same thing that you are wanting to do.  Just do the darn colonoscopy and get it over with Doc!  You're right that polyps are not uncommon,  but a lot of people have benign polyps,  but some people like my husband have precancerous polyps.  So,  yes,  it is indeed a good thing for you to be checked out.

I went to the YMCA with Glen and used the track there.  I walked another .8 mile at the YMCA,  for a total of 1.1 miles today. YAY!!!!  Don't get me wrong.  I didn't do it all at one time.  I had to stop after every lap and sit down for about 30 seconds before I could go on.  Sometimes I sat down for a minute or two.  I may be sore tomorrow. 

I cannot imagine going day after day with no carbs at all.  I focus on only carbs in veggies and some fruits,  but very seldom have potatoes,  bread,  rice,  or pasta,  and when I do. I eat the whole grain.  The problem is,  I want to eat too much of it,  so it is better for me to just do without it,  which is normally no problem at all.

Pam -  Good job on the walking!  Your doing so good!

Sun - I am glad your party went well and I agree if you have not had the food choices in awhile and it is something you dont eat often then it is ok to indulge.

This has been such a nice relaxing weekend.  It has been very cold here in Oregon lately and it is normally not this cold here.  I actually had to go buy a light winter jacket it has been so cold.

Food is going ok this weekend and I have been getting more walking in by going out alittle more to run errands.

Sun, sounds like the party went well.  You have to post the party picture of yourself!  Hehe, and maybe you have but I didn't look.

Mnic, I know what you mean about the stomach area.  They always say first place you gain is the last you lose.  But, I gained my stomach about last and it's still there.  So, I don't know.  I think it just does what it wants.  And if it was in your bum instead, you'd be unhappy with that too.  I know I would!

Pam, you're doing so fantastic!!  i think the same way as you, though.  I like to think ahead on how much more I'll be able to do in a year from now.  I know I'm in such better shape than when I started, but I know I'll be even better later.  Glad to hear that the walking is helping your knee.  Just make sure not to push too hard.  Overdoing it will really slow down how much you do. 

Korali, 5 days is still a lot of non-carbs.  Maybe the 2nd phase will work out much better.  But, I'm going to guess that enough of it is the school stress making it harder to pull through.

Doing pretty good here.  I meant to work out a little bit more this past week, but wound up feeling really sick Friday night, so no walking.  Which also means I didn't trust my Sat morning weigh in completely (all time low!) since I hadn't eaten anything after I started feeling sick, so not as much food in me to increase the weight.  And then yesterday, I was lazy.  But today, I did my walking and lifting.  I feel spent!!  I upped my weights, accidentally.  I'd bought a dumbell weight set and started using them today, the same weights added to it.  Apparently, the bars themselves and the clips that hold it on total about 3-4 lbs.  So, instead of 15, it was almost 19.  Was wondering why I was pushing to do my set of 10!!  But, getting closer to my Jan 3rd goal.  A little nervous about being at my parents house for that Christmas week.  Hoping I can still make smart decisions and maintain my exercise program to some extent.  We'll see.  Plenty of time until then.

Hmmm.... I thought that the first place you gain is the first place you lose.

I think it typically is.  But, I think my body is revolting against losing and trying to make me look weird in the process.  My bottoms tend to be a size larger than my tops, but as I've lost, my tops have gotten smaller in proportion to my bottoms.  So, I'm so very pear shaped right now instead of just a little.  And I know I've lost in my stomach, but I think that I've lost my chest faster than my tummy, so I notice it more.  If that makes sense.  But yes, that's what everyone says.  I just don't remember my chest being this small since I was way smaller.

Hi ALL

I am a newbie to this site and have been reading all your comments for a few weeks now. mnic you so don't want the weight to be in your bottom. I carry all my weight in my thighs and bottom and it is an agony on the back carrying that weight around.

I wish I lost where I gained first, but every body is different so I just adjust to what mine does, since I have no control over how or what it does so to speak.  I tend to be a person who loses alot at once and then nothing and loses again and then nothing, why I dont know but my body seems to adjust to weight loss that way.

Hope everyone is having a good day! 

Hi Everyone!      I had a long weekend so I didn't get on line that much over the weekend.  It was fun reading that some of you said something to my posting. I really love this group because you guys are always keeping up with one another.   Sun- I've seen your pictures and you really look good, but I know what your talking about when you said your skinny from the waist up. We took pictures at Thanksgiving and in them they looked like I lost my belly which isn't the case.  But today I decided to get out the old tape measurer and I was so excited (yes, excited) that I was able to touch the two ends when I measured my biggest part of me. I lost my bottom it's flat, but the front part is still there. But since I can get the tape around me I will be able to check and see if any changes happens. :-)     Good Luck topeze on your Jan 3 goal.  I know you'll get there. And Pam that is a good ideal about going to the Y to walk. I've been thinking about going to the Y and seeing if I could work out on some equipment. One time I went over there and no one was using any of it. I kept saying after I got under 3-0-0 I would get up enough nerve to do it but I still haven't. Welcome Tubzuks, I know you will love being part of this group.

Wow, I cant remember last time I went an entire day without a CC post but guessing that would be 'yesterday'.  I did stopped at the dr office to advise the nurse receptionist I wont be doing the test and left a message with another dr to sched the colonoscopy.  Feeling better being proactive and what a pleasure to eat meat again! Chicken to be exact.  So funny - I was such a carbaholic before and coudve gone a week or two without meat. Now I learned for me its what keeps my hunger at bay, not that I eat a lot but once daily and with other protein.

Mnic, thats so cool about the tape.  My winter coat was like that and it was cape-like but it still didnt 'meet'.  Now youve can work down from them touching with measurable progress. 

Velvet, Im a loss shifter too although for the longest time I predictably zigzaged week to week.  Good loss, where's the loss, good loss, etc. It was a member on SB thread that noticed it as a pattern but its passed.  Sounds like your body 'settles' after a loss. I'd have guessed in OR so north, it would be much colder.

Liza, the disappearing boobs - I know them well and also, first to go. Thank god fo push up bras! Not for cleavage but literally for pushing up whats left. 

What an excellent idead Pam with the Y and that distance is just adding up! Im the same with those carbs you mentioned which is why SB has been such a blessing with my blood sugar issues. Getting my bloodwork early Jan and assuming Im no closer to diabetes and just insulin resistance still.

Sounds like a rough day today for you Koralli! Thinking leaving school will be a relief its behind you but good luck with your exams!

Its been raining so I plan to do the walk I'd have done tonight in the morn. Hard to believe walking since October Ive not been rained out yet. Guess TX is having a dry month but w/o the walking, wouldnt have noticed.

Didnt walk last night.  Freeze came in with hail which happens with temp switches and the mornings walk had been quite reasonable. Today though the high is 40s which is an extreme here in TX.  Meeting a friend for lunch at the mall. Second mall trip since running into one at Thanksgiving to pickup something but this will probably be actual mall walking. Will see how that goes as something new to me.

Called about tickets for Februarys exhibit at Univ of AL.  They werent on sale until Jan but good thing I noted to call early.  Theyve already got a list going so sending off my check today since it involves arranging unrefundable travel arrangements.  Checked the campus its on. The hotel and the two campus buildings are all 1/2 mile or less from each other.  Thats half my exercise walk so thankful for that.