Fresh Start Week 8

Hello Ladies.  This post is going to be short...I traveled this weekend and am tired but I wanted to make sure I had the thread set-up for very first thing tomorrow morning.  I will post the weekly goals tomorrow am.  So if you come post first thing check back in the afternoon!

Please keep in mind this week you need to post your weight and your measurements...more tomorrow am, I promise! 

Hope you all have a great week 7!

Wow! First to post! Completely unlike me! So, I got up and weighed myself...208.4. I was expecting a little bit more of a loss...but I guess it just shows me that I need to work out a little more. But I guess 0.8 pound loss is nothing to be upset over.  I stayed under my calories the whole week of the 2000, I think that I'm going to aim for the 1600 this week. Okay, for the measurements...

Bust (42.5) 43.25

Thighs (27.75) 28.5

Waist (37.5) 35.5

Hips (47) 45

Biceps (?) 13.5 (decided to add the biceps since I'm trying to tone them up!)

Strange, my waist and hips are slimming down...but my bust and thighs are getting bigger. Definitely need to kick up the cardio. Chat with you guys later.

Rach

I haven't done my measurements yet but my weight this morning was199. Down 3 pounds from last week. I guess the extra pound was water weight from not drinking enough in London. I went rollerblading 4 times last week (only fell once) and I had no more than 1400 cals. a day. I am really close to an overweight BMI instead of obese and that was my first major goal. Hopefully I'll be there next week.

Rach  A loss is a loss, so good job! Could the bigger thighs be muscle? I know Erin had that problem. As for the bust, no idea except maybe hormones? You did lose 2 inches of your waist and hips so that is very good! Are your pants falling down yet?

I have a job performance review tonight and I have been nervous all day. The funny thing is that I really do my job to the best of my abilities and I don't think they have anything to be dissatisfied with. But still I am thinking about all the little mistakes I made or that I should have done this or not done that. It drives me insane! Why do I get myself so worked up? I even ate 2 little pieces of chocolate because I am so stressed. I know it is stupid but I just can't help myself.

Weighed in this morning at 235 which is good.  I'm fine with not loosing.  Just glad not to gain.  I traveled with Liz this weekend and I think overall we did pretty good with our eating -- I consciously did not eat sometimes even when I felt very hungry -- but we had a slightly "emotional eating" night on Saturday night. 

Anyway, I've done okay with my eating yesterday and today.  Gone over my calories a bit but not much.  I will report back later!

Hey, everybody!  I'm down to 196, that's either a half pound or a pound, depending on last week, but I think it's ending a little fluctuation over the last two weeks, so I'm happy.  It's funny--I didn't remember that it was time to measure, but I measured my thigh this morning anyway because it looked thinner!  Alas, no change in the thighs.  Also no change in the bust, but I lost another 3/4 of an inch in my waist and a half inch in the hips.  I pulled up my post from the last time we measured to see what I was then and discovered that I had reported my thighs as 47!  They are big, but not that big!  It should have been a 27.

I'll be back tomorrow I hope--we are getting Gustav wind and my lights keep dimming, so I'm going to bed!

Well, i weighed in Yesterday (my Monday) and saw what i had expected - a signifigant gain.  I hadn't wieghed in for over two weeks, and in that time put on over 5 pound.  Current status is 201.8lb (about a 6 pound increase from my starting weight with the Fresh Start group!!!) Let's just say, I hit a rough patch and am now brushing myself off and getting back up and into it.  Far too much emotinal eating (all refined and fat layered carbs) and not enough movement.  Oh well, that may be why we called ourselves the Fresh Start group - I'm certainly needing one!

Fingers crossed that I have jnxed my metabolism into adapting to a 3000 calorie intake and will shed that extra weight quickly as i get back to a stricter mode. 

Dutch- Great weight loss!  That's great that you only fell once last week with the rollerblading!!  Rollerblading burns some serious calories, doesn't it? Great job!  I was thinking the same thing about my thighs getting bigger.  They do seem more firm, so we'll go with that there is more muscle!  I guess I just need to tone it now.  My pants are getting baggy as well.  My new pants that I just bought a couple of weeks ago are already getting loose.  I like that feeling!  How did your job performance go?

Shanny- That's great that you stayed at 235!  Where we you guys traveling?  A vacation sounds nice right now...

2babetterb- I hope you don't get too much from Gustav.  Sounds like it has already weakened, right?  Wasn't there another hurricane hitting down south as well.  (Shows you how well I've been watching the news!  I just catch a little bit when I'm in my patients' rooms!)  What state are you in again?  For some reason South Carolina keeps going through my head...

Jella- I'm sure soon as you get into your strict routine most of the weight will come off.  It happens to us all.

Okay, my hubby has told me if I meet one of my weight loss goals (to lose 20 pounds a couple of weeks before Christmas...which is only losing 1.5 pounds a week), he'll take some family pics with me...NO COMPLAINTS.  This has given me further motivation, plus I'm tired of the double chin in our pictures. So last night after the hospital bought us some pizza for it being the holiday, I was doing lunges around the office and some jumping jacks.  I'm determined I looked like a complete ass...but at least I was working by myself!  I'm going to get those family pictures!!!  Well...time for the exercise...talk to you guys later!

Rach9898 - I'm sorry to report that Liz and I didn't get to take a vacation.  We went to see her mother who lives in Winston-Salem, NC (about an hour from us in Charlotte, NC).  We just hung out there and helped her mom do some stuff around the house.  As I mentioned, we worked hard to eat well most of the time but Saturday night, we just let go.  I ended up drinking some wine (such a waste of calories in my book) and I ate two bacon & cheese sandwiches instead of just one.  But we allowed ourselves to stray only that one night. 

I still haven't remembered to get Liz to do my measurements for me.  If only my dog could do it . . .

Well, I'm sorry that it took me into the middle of the night to post but I was sleeping! (remember I work graveyard Sunday night)  Anyway, it's been a lot bit of an emotional day.  I've simultaneously felt like laughing, crying, throwing up and running away today.  Pee stick was negative.  Felt a roller coaster of emotions about that.  The irony of today was that about 3 hours after the pee test, I started my period.  Isn't that a b___!?  As expected, once again, no loss or gain this week, holding steady at 203.  I didn't remember it was measurement time again so will do that ASAP.  House is dark with sleeping kids right now or I'd do it now.  I feel terrible about being so close to the 100's and not getting there.  I've been plateau'd for a few weeks now and its very very frustrating.  I feel so fed up with dieting but I know that's it's a temporary feeling.  I just feel helpless sometimes when I'm still doing everything that's expected of me and it yields no results.  I'm quite the spoiled child when it comes to goalsetting.  I've been pretty successful throughout my life with setting goals and achieving most that I've set out to do.  It's only every once in a while that something slips by me, so close I can taste it and I stamp my foot like a brat and whine about why, me.  Fact of life and I'm much too honest to lie to you all. :)  As also predicted, you guys have been my life-line this last week and probably this week as well.  If I didn't have you guys to talk to, I'd have eaten that half gallon of ice cream and polished off the Doritos and had 3 hot dogs by now.  :)  Ahhh the great emotional eat.  Remember when we could do all of that and be blissfully unaware.  I'm glad unawareness will never be a part of my makeup when it comes to food again but as with all loss, I can't help but miss it a little.  Boy, aren't I a wee bit melancholy this morning...must be my pain meds! LOL  Well, ladies...I don't wanna bring anyone down so will go for now.  Be back later with measurements.

Oh by the way, lest you think I've forgotten I'm not the only one in the room, I'm most proud to be a part of this group.  Your successes this week are an inspiration to me.  Jella and I are starting fresh together this week!  Also, Rach, very exciting about the family pics.  I have to twist my hubby's arm about once every 3 years for mine and he complains the whole way.  Our last one was last November so maybe 2009, I can be at my goal weight and send out a great Xmas card. :)  You will look great, I know it.  BTW, I exercise all the time at work and I'm sure the surveillance guys love me! hehe  2BAbe....be careful with all that storming.  I wanna say congrats on the loss this week.  I'd be stoked to be where you are.  Shanny...very nice job, you go girl!  Dutch, the only reason I do not rollerblade is because I cannot go without falling!!  Last time I skated, I was trying to skate while pushing a stroller while my 7 yr old was still a baby! I hit a bump in the sidewalk, went sprawling and almost sent my newborn sailing into traffic.  Never again!!!  But kudos to you finding something you can stick with!

I was wondering if everyone felt comfortable saying where they are (geographical location).  I've figured out some of you based on your posts, and I  know a few of you are somewhere far away from me because your night is my day, but I would just like to know how far this group is traveling! I apologize if this has already been stated (maybe in our first week - I can't remember).

I'll start - Liz (elaughter) and I live in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

So the long weekend threw me off this week... but I'm back on track now! I'll have to weigh myself and do my measurements when I get home tonight, I didn't do it this morning because I didn't feel well... which is directly related to how badly I ate yesterday :( However, on the plus side, over the weekend I went biking twice :) I also think I did ok with my calories Sat and Sun, but totally blew it yesterday. I didn't really do anything active and ate whatever I felt like, which included a HUGE bowl of full fatty ice cream last night which made my stomach hurt badly a few hours later and hard to fall asleep. Consequently, I didn't go to the gym this morning and still don't feel great now. But at least I've learned my lesson... massive amounts of ice cream make my stomach upset so therefore I (hopefully) won't be tempted to try that again!

This will be a short week for me because on Friday I'm going away for the weekend to visit family in Pennslyvania. (I live in MD by the way Shanny). That should be a good weekend where I may not be able to know the exact calorie counts of my food, but we plan to do a lot of hiking and biking, so as long as I keep an eye on my serving sizes... and not overeat ice cream... I should be good.

Ok off to start work for the day. Hopefully this short week is quick :)

I'm in Las Vegas, USA

I'm in boring Indiana   How do you like North Carolina, Shanny?  My hubby and I were thinking of moving either there, South Carolina, or Georgia in a few years.  I just think it sounds beautiful.

I am in North Italy close to the city of Parma, it is an agricultural area so lots of farms. They make Parma ham (prosciutto) and Parmesan cheese here by the butt load. Also lots of salami but not the kind you eat in the States and mozzarella cheese. I can't eat any of it any more, not even because of the cals. but because I am so bored with it. I am not a fan of the Italian kitchen exception is the wonderful pizza they make here.

2babeYour lost inches are very impressive! I hope you are doing okay and not battling the elements too much.

JellaStarting fresh is always an option and a way better one than quitting. I am feeling very stressed this week and I have my period so all I want to do is go to the bakery and buy some cream-puffs. Luckily I only have to hang tough until 11.30 each day because the bakery closes at that time. I am feeling this way when my life is pretty normal so I think it is amazing that you are back here with us and willing to get going again when you are still dealing with your loss.  Good luck this week!

Rach Of course it is muscle just at the moment hiding under some fat so you just have to work hard and one day soon you will have thighs of steel to show off in your family x-mas picture! My job performance went great, I freaked myself out over nothing. They are very happy with me and how things are going and they are giving me an extra 5 days vacation. I am sure people will hate me for this but... I really didn't want any extra days at this time. I already had 24 days a year and I don't want to stay here during vacation time because it is very boring. So I always spent money on going someplace else and when I travel I want to eat different food so I lose money and gain weight. Not my favorite combo. I know these are luxury problems but still...

ShannyNot gaining is great. I agree with you on the empty cals. in alcohol, any drink for that matter. I prefer to eat my calories.  It is kind off funny that you are from Charlotte as I am currently reading a Kathy Reichs book and some of it is set in Charlotte. I have never been to NC, just Memphis,Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia. I loved Graceland and the Coca Cola museum.

NillyI can imagine the roller coaster ride and the fact that you are still a little bit unsettled. Feel free to stamp your foot or whine to me, I am a nanny and well used to spoiled children, but more importantly we are here to help and venting is a much better solution than eating. I was thinking that maybe you could try changing your exercise, give your body a surprise to get the weight loss going again? By the way, your rollerblading with your son story really made me laugh, I could just picture it and totally understand you not wanting to repeat that.

So you live in Sin city, must be hot most off the time. I loved Vegas when I visited even after I got carded and thrown out of a casino (I was 17). Sadly that is about as wild as I got.

ErinSome lessons are painful and it sounds as if your ice cream was one of those. I had the same experience with these cherry liqueur bonbons. I had been craving them for weeks so finally gave in and ate 3. I got so nauseous that I never want to eat them again.

September Goals:Reflecting on Yesterday

1. Get into bed before 9.00 (at least 6 nights a week) Umm - good book - midnight was lights out, gotta be good for the next 6 nights!
2. Walk every morning (at least 6 mornings a week) missed it due to the need to sleep in an extra hour (also missed this morning - so I'll need to do something tonight!)
3. Do some ab/back strength exercises each day just stretches - actually a bit sore right now
4. Budget for 1200 cals a day (with one day a week being up to 2000) right on the money @ 1200
5. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day (limit 1 coffee) peed like a puppy all day!!!
6. Eat 2 serves of fruit only one
7. Have vegetables at two meals, at least 5 varieties Yep!  Heaps and heaps of veges - love how little calories they carry
8. Have 3 meals, 3 snacks every day (a meal must have a protien) Yep - though breakfast was missing a protien (had a english breakfast muffin instead of my usual oats)
9. Limit my carbs to 2 serves a day breakfast muffin plus some rice with my lunch
10. Think positive - reflect on the journey. Chatted with workmates about falling off the calorie wagon and they pointed out that i hadn't touched the chocolates we have in the staffroom (one of those school fundraisers full of Freddo Frogs, Cherry ripes etc) so shouldn't beat myself up too much.  They were right - I could have totally lost the plot and didn't.  By the way, those chocolates have been there all year (replenished often as i am surrounded by choc addicts) and i have never ever had one!!!

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!)

Despite my INSANE weekend which caused me to throw my hands up in the air and let go of all of my food issues (shanny was being nice saying I did not do too bad...I broke my 2 week no soda streak)...I still lost...1.2 pounds. I am now weighing in at 188.4 (as of Monday)!  Yay!  I will take my measurements and post them in the next day or so. 

So, I have some reading to do to catch-up with the post...but I will be around in the next couple of days...I have some recovery from my stress eating and I will need to really focus!

Height: 5' 2"
Current Weight: (175.4) 166.6

Waist: (35.5")  (35")  - 35" same as last weigh in

Bust: (42") (42") - 41" down 1"

Hips: (45") (44") - 43.5" down .5"

Thigh: (27.5") (26") -26" same

Arm: (14.25") (14") - 13.5" down .5"

not much change, but a little down is better than any up! And I have finally started noticing my clothes fitting a little better!

I love North Carolina.  I was born here and have never moved out of the state.  When people ask if I would ever move, I respond that I am open to it, but I am not looking to move because why move away from the state that everyone else moves to?    My family is all nearby and my best friends (Liz is one of them) are here.  I'm very happy in North Carolina and in Charlotte, specifically.  I definitely recommend it, rach9898.  And dutch_girl, Kathy Reichs is a North Carolina native, and yes, her stories are based mainly in North Carolina.  She actually is a professor at the University where I work - University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  I'm hoping to take one of her classes the next time it is offered (forensics). 

Now on to weight watching which is what this forum is all about . . . I have done very well with my eating today and I am under my eat meter!  Yay!

I measured this morning.

Height: 5'8"

Weight on Monday was 199.

Bust: 35", I wrote down my beginning bust size as 43 but that must have been a mistake because I am sure I didn't lose 8 ".

Waist :37" down from 38"

Hips: 45" down from 48", this I believe because I can see my saddlebags shrinking.

I sometimes feel a little bit hungry at night and I tell my stomach to go snack on the saddlebags because they are filled with years of chicken fingers, pies and chocolate. It is nice to know my stomach is so obedient.

I've definitely gotta work on my mental goals for this week and I'm sticking with the walking as a new form of exercise.  Keeping up with my water intake and also trying to lower my sodium and fat content.  My fats have been avg around 30% each month and I'd like to lower that number 5-8% this month.  I'm also finding ways to up my fiber and protein for digestive reasons as well as trying to fill up on things that are not so fluffy as the past few weeks.  I've been retaining a lot of water lately so working on correcting that. 

Mental Goal #1: I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and I deserve to be happy inside and out.  (Work on nice self-talk replacing negative self-talk)

Mental Goal #2: Exercise 6 days a week even if its just 10 min of isometrics or stretching but work up to 30 min a day 3 times a week at least of walking within the next 4 wks.

Mental Goal #3: Remember who I really am in all of this. I'm a strong woman with ideas and thoughts and abilities that have nothing to do with my weight or clothing size.  Realize that achieving my goals is more about living longer and healthier instead of cosmetic reasons that I've been so very focused on.

With that all said, on to measurements..not sure there's much change since I've only lost a lb since the last check but here goes: S=start M=1st measure C=current measure

Weight: (SW 208.2) MW 204.4 CW 203.8

Chest: (S 42) M 40.5 C 40

Bust: (S 45) M 45 C 45

Waist: (S 40) M 38 C 38.5

Hips: (S 49) M 46 C 47.5

Wrist: (7)NO CHANGE (this was to show my frame)

Neck: (S 15.5) M 15.25 C 15.25

Thigh: Right (S 25) M 23 C 23

       &nb sp;   Left (S 24.5) M 23 C 23

Pretty much as I expected.  Although I'm re-distributing it around it looks like. LOL