Fresh Start Week 4 (Group Closed)

Week 4...rounding out 1 month! 

Hello ladies!  Sorry but this post will be short...the day has gotten away from me and it is already a little past my bedtime (especially if I am going to keep up with my morning work-outs). 

I hope you are all ready to round out the first month of our new life style!  Kick it up this week and remember measurements will be posted in one week...

Review of past goals:

Food:

Week 1 – Tracking and recording all food – stay within your “eat meter” number.

Week 2 – WATER, WATER, WATER!

Week 3 - 5 Fruits/Veggies per day

Exercise:

Week 1 – Do something, anything at least 3 times this week

Week 2 – Add one more workout into your schedule (one more day or the equivalent in time)

Week 3 - Maintain

Mental:

Week 1 – List the top 5 reasons you really want to do this

Week 2 – List 3-5 reasons how you got here

Week 3 - Look back to your happy place and give yourself a visual (picture or clothing)

This week’s goals

Food:

Cut something that you KNOW you need to cut but have been allowing yourself because you make it fit into your daily calories...mine will be sodas! 

Exercise:

Really look at your work-out(s) routine and determine what you need to add - this will be very individual and will vary from simply getting in a work-out to adding in some strength training. 

Mental:

Revisit the past weeks' goals and make sure you are ADDing each week...after you have determined where you are, make a plan...use the SMART method discussed last week, or any other method that works for you but make a plan for how you will kick off month 2! 

Good luck to you all!  Looking forward to seeing those lower #s from you all!   

Lischae-I'm originally from Oregon...I can almost guess where you are by your job! :) Me, Albany originally.  Now we are in Nevada...what a difference but I still miss the northwest a lot!

Jella-I lost approx. .6 lbs last week. Not so good but I'm blaming PMS, cause my numbers were mostly good. It's also probably the quality of my food is not always the best. Oh and I love Splenda.

Erin-I try to do a lot of stretching (more like yoga poses) to lengthen my thigh and calf muscles as they have a tendency to bulk up pretty fast. I swear it works.

Also something new I have tried this week has been to take a Flaxseed Oil supplement. I read in a book that it can help you feel full and it's also rich in omegas so it's good for your heart and cardiovascular system so I'm tried it since Monday and I have been having no probs whatsoever keeping to my rule about not eating after 9pm. I've also not went over my low cal limit not even once this week. Not sure if it's mental or if it's actually working like it says it's supposed to. I guess I won't know till the weigh-in. :) Also, I totally scored an awesome skirt in my goal size (14) at Sam's Club and get this..it was less than $5! I love summer sales! Anywho...it's only about an inch from zipping up so I'm pretty excited. I might have to review my goal size to a smaller one if I'm that close to fitting it at my current weight. We'll just have to see.  Well, I'm off to log-land and hopefully bed soon enough.

I kind of did a late Week 3 goal, I brought out a pair of size 16 pants (Old Navy) that I had in my closet, I also have the same pair in a 14, don't know if I should aim high and bring them out instead (?) and a sweater that I bought (it's a large, but it fit kinda snug when I was thinner) and I put them up on my closet door.  I would love to get a cute teddy just to put up, but the kids go in and out of my room, and I dont wanna freak them out! LOL!!

Nilly!!!-Wow, you really do know my area!  I live in Salem but work in Dallas.  I'm originally from Vancouver Wa so if people tell me something about Monmouth or Independance, I'm like, can you show me that on a map?  I've lived here for about 3 years, before this we lived in Sheridan for a year.  Tiny little town but I liked it.   Nevada?  What brought you there?  And did you dance here in Oregon? 

I guess I'm going to have to pick up some Flaxseed Oil just to see if it works.  My hubs was working out for a while and has all these crazy supplements he's always telling me would be good for me, but I'm like, "Psshhaw"

Take care all,

Lisa

I just have to say that its beautiful outside here today (low 80s, not much humidity) and this is the slowest Friday afternoon EVER. It's 3:45 and the minutes are ticking by sooo slowly. I want to get out of work so I can go to the park and go running tonight! I think I'm going to start the couch to 5K program (finally, after talking about it for weeks, I got a new mp3 player so I can use the podcasts that tell you when to run and walk when you start the program).

Hey all!  I bought a new scale yesterday, my other one was to say the least, unreliable.  I could put it in 3 different spots and it would give me different measurements each time, so I had to go to the gym to weigh myself (which, when I think about it probably wasn't a bad idea) but I couldn't just hop outta bed then jump on the scale if you know what I mean.  This new scale is digital, and its' agreeing with me already!  My other scale would weigh me 5 lbs lighter, which was kind of disheartening because I knew the gym/dr scale would say something different.  On the way home from the store I had a little chat with the scale and told that it needs to give my weight heavier than the old scale, but not TOO heavy.  So I got it home and stepped on it, 220.0 just like I wanted!  So this morning I stepped on it just to see if it was still feeling agreeable, and it read 218.8... I feel like the wicked witch asking the mirror who is the fairest in all the land... hahaha.

I have to get to the gym today.  The last couple of mornings I've been riding my bike.  The bike seat is really uncomfortable and my butt hurts, so needless to say, the bike and I are breaking up for now.    Next week I won't have to worry so much about workouts, since I'm working again.  I don't know if I've mentioned it before but I've taken up sewing.  I have made some outfits for my girls, but I think it's one of the things that has been helping me from being bored.  

I have to remind myself that weigh in is on MONDAY and the choices I make today are going to show then... talk about pressure!  LOL

Erin- Couch to 5K?  Wow girl!  Jogging is one of those things that I always hated doing and now I envy people who actually do it... great job!  What do you do for work?   

TJ- I had read what you wrote before, I thought it was fine!  I got kinda pissed that your family was treating your gma like that.  To not know she would talk once she was up in her w/c?  Unbelievable!  Not to mention their accomodations for you... geez!  I was looking back on your past posts... you travel a lot... and I balk about going to the store!  LOL!!

Have a great weekend,

Take care all...

Lisa

G'day everybody!!!  A busy week for me - i've been lurking and reading posts but haven't had the time to reply.

TJ - i read your original post before you editted out most of the gory details.  I fully understand how angry you must be feeling.  Not only does it sound like your uncle and his family are not taking good care of your grandmother, it sounds like they are also taking advantage of her.  That they were so dishonest with you and treated you so poorly is inexcusable.  I was so glad to hear that your grandmother is in a nursing home now and that you are in a cleaner situation where you can enjoy some time with your family.  I hope the rest of your holiday is more pleasant!

erin - couch to 5K program - awsome!  I did it everyday for April but then had to give up because of shin splints.  Seems that these boots are made for walking - not running!  But, i really enjoyed it and felt so proud of myself as I gradually increased my running intervals.  Good luck with it!

lis - I'd put up both jeans if I was you - a mini goal doesn't hurt!  I'm putting up a red dress that I bought.  It fits me now but I won't wear it out till I have lost more weight!  I am also putting up a pair of size 14 shorts that I bought - I hope to wear them at Christmas (height of summer here).

Nilly - 0.6 is not too bad - especially at the time of your cycle.  Well done on sticking to all the limits this week... I have been really careful with my calorie intake until yesterday!  We had a workng bee at school with a shared lunch afterwards....yum!  Then in the evening, we went to a 50th birthday party.  They have a real outdoor pizza oven out in their yard under some ancient fig trees... also had a massive roast pit with roasted pork, lamb, beef, fish, potatoes, pumpkin plus lots of veggies... pastas made by real italians...home made breads... I avoided the pizzas and breads and just went for protein and veges as I'd eaten lots of carb-heavy foods at lunch (more Italian baking)... No idea of the calorie intake for the day.  Oh well, very strict day today. 

babe - what is the south beach diet?

My birthday is tomorrow - I am thinking of getting an exercise machine for the many times when it is raining or I am ina a hurry and I can't go for a walk...

Hi ya'll!  Yes, I am from the south...North Carolina.  I live and work in Charlotte, NC as a domestic (or family law) paralegal.  Yes, I help people get divorced and fight for their kids and yes and I have very mixed emotions about what I do for a living...although I work for an attorney who only takes cases where people  are working towards resolution without fighting it out in court but there is still plenty of heart break to go around. 

Okay, so I have to tell you all I am so sorry that I have not been better about posting this week.  You ladies and the posts have been on my mind but I just have not "made" the time to post.  I will be better next week!  I have however taken taken the time to read all of the posts and want to say CONGRATS to everyone, for those who have lost - great job, if you have not lost but you are still trying great for you too (that is an uphill battle in and of itself!).

So i will start with my confessions for the week...the bad, I did not give up soda (yet), I truly tried and had the best of intensions but this week was the worst possible week to try...started my period Friday and now I know why I eat my weight in carbs. and choc. this week!  (By the way I do not have completely regular periods so I am always surprised!) Now for the good news, I totally rocked the water this week, drinking at least 4 bottles a day (my goal) and worked out 4 times so far (and have another work-out scheduled for today)! 

Not really looking forward to weigh-in tom and measurement because I know I have not given 100% this past 4 weeks...but I have enlisted my ex (we have a kid so we are friends) who is a personal trainer to help me and he has set-up a 90 day program for me and I know he will stay on top of me...he has been my wake-up call for the past two weeks to make sure I get out of bed for my morning work-outs.  So I am looking forward to the next 90 days and the transformation I am sure to see!

Now for responses...

Jella:  How was a week without sugar?  HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope your day was special! 

Nilla:  Hope your late night eating was easy to give up!  Neg self talk is a problem for many of us...keep your head up and maybe it would help to make keep a list of the things you like about yourself or nice things people have said to you, keep it with you for easy reference to counter that neg talk! Congrats on the new SMALLER skirt - I love bargin shopping too!

Lisa - YAY 5 pounds, in Weight Watchers you would get a gold star :)!  Did you miss your cereal? BYT lol regrading your scale!  Great idea about making a list of foods - everytime my friends talk me into going out for lunch on the way back I always say why do you let me eat ____...perhaps I should take some responsiblity and make a list too! :)

Dutch - I want to tell you I think it is awesome that you stopped yourself from drinking that coffee b/c you did not know the calories!  That is so great and shows your growth and focus!  Good work!  Also, congrats on reaching the goals and loosing!

Erin - Girl, weekends are always so tough for me! I know you only mentioned one bad weekend but I struggle every weekend...without the structure of the work day, it makes it so much tougher!  Let me know how the 5K program goes (Rach was also doing this program)...I have started incorporatingsome jogging into my work-out also (walking one song then jogging one song). Also, I agree with Nilly re: using yoga or pilates to help lengthen the muscles in your thighs.  Not sure if you are familiar with the show Samantha Who but Sam's friend Andrea (cannot remember her name in real life) was just in Shape last month and discussed this same issue and she said she used pilates and even demonstated some moves in the magazine.   

Shanny - Did you give up sweet tea?  Don't forget to weigh tom am!

Rach - Hope you like your new job!  Congrats on your loss!  How are you doing on the 5K program - can you tell your progress?  As for strength training you could check out the exercise suggestions on this site or if you are interested I could email you the routine that my ex just made up for me...it was designed for at house use and all you need is one of those "ab" balls and a set of weights.  I too need to post my before picture...it is tough since I am use to deleting those unflattering pix...

TJ - So sorry about your trip and how things are going for you and your grandmother! Come home soon!

2b - Congrats for reaching a place where you have cut empty calories from your daily diet.  I agree that we should not deprive ourselves and if you really want something you should have it.  However, speaking for myself, I "treat" myself too often to the point that it is not a treat but just everyday!  The reason I suggested the goal was for those of us consuming empty calories (soda instead of a piece of fruit or veggies) to use our calories more wisely.  Every person is different and each person should do what works for them...sounds like you have found what works for you (and your dr) so I agree you should not change that! 

Hello everyone!  I feel terrible for barely posting this week!  I have no real excuse except for that I'm not used to working 5 days a week (I know, I know... everyone is probably feeling sorry for me right now! lol)  For the week, so proud of myself.  Brought my lunch everyday...but when I got home sometimes my choices weren't the best.  Isn't it usually the opposite?!  I made some awesome chicken chili last night though!  Yumm!  I think a comment was made that there may have been too much garlic in it...apparently you could smell it on my son's breath!  I love garlic!!  I haven't really been stepping on the scale too much this week...didn't want to see what it has to say.  I feel extremely bloated this week!  I'm not sure if my "special friend of the month" is coming up or what...maybe I can blame my crankiness on that as well!  lol  Now for the responses...

Tj- I can't believe what your family is doing!  Your poor grandma!!  It sounds like she would have been better off in a nursing home.

Nilly- I never heard of the Flaxseed Oil.  I'll have to try it.  Even if it doesn't help with making you feel full (which would be a definite bonus), isn't Omega supposed to help out with giving you a better memory?  I could definitely use that...

Lisa- lol about the teddy!  It would be a great goal though!  Who wouldn't love to look good in one again!?

eerominn- I'm glad you're going to start the couch to 5k program!!  It's a wonderful program and it's a great help!!

Jella- Happy Birthday!!!  An exercise machine would be a great b-day gift!  I still haven't gotten anything for myself for my b-day a week ago!  I received a sign-on bonus at the new job and I was thinking about getting an elliptical or a home gym.  No excuses to not exercise in the bad weather!

elaughter- maybe it'll be easier to give up the pop this next week without your period.  Good job with the water and exercise though!!  I'm about ready to start over the couch to 5k though.  I was slacking for awhile with it.  I would love to see the routine your ex had made with strength training.  I do have a ab ball somewhere in the eerie garage and the weights are probably out there somewhere too!! I agree with deleting the unflattering pics...I'm used to doing the same.  I think that's why there hasn't been too many pics with me in it the past few years...

Hey all... I just read everybodys' post...

Liz... I think it's awesome that your ex and you can get along in such a fashion that you are taking his workout advice!  The only thing I take from my ex is my son home at the end of every other weekend!  What if instead of completely cutting out the pop from your diet, (you say soda, I say pop, it's an ongoing argument in my house) you cut it down at first?  I know that it does have a lot of caffeine in it, and to go off cold turkey could result in headaches and such. 

Rach-just so you know, the after work time for me is ALWAYS the worst!  Thats when I need to have the most self control.  Good luck to you!

Take care all,

Lisa

PS... I just wanted to say that weighing in on Monday completely makes me accoutable over the weekend.  In the past I've been in groups that weigh in on Friday, which gives you enough time over the weekend to blow it, then start over again on Monday.  Which leaves you trying to burn off the weekends crap all damn week!!  For that, I have to thank you Liz... that was smart thinking!

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

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