Lose 10 by Christmas -- starting now!

I have been within 10 lbs of my original goal of 150 for at least a month. 

I got all the way down to 153, and then sodium and stress bumped it back to 159, 157 today.  

I would like a group of motivational girls to buddy up with who exercise, try to eat right, to work with on a challange to get to goal!!!!

I run with my dog and ride an exercise bike -- every day.   I was using a Bowflex religiously with fantastic results, but I broke up with my ex of 4+ years and it was his..... so any strength workout ideas would be helpful!  I drink at least 100 oz of water every day at work, more at home.  My ex sort of helped me into a drinking problem with his World Of Warcraft addiction, so I am trying not to drink much and just be social vs. what I was doing.....  I have no friends (except at work) who were not OUR friends, so I am struggling a little with boredom eating and long nights and weekends with nothing to do....  I live in one small town and teach in another, so there's not much to do for young singles...  

Anywho, hoping to find a kicking group of hot chicks to lose 10 lbs by Christmas.....    JOIN ME!!!  ( :

happy thanksgiving everyone!

Hi guys!!!!!!!!  I have been MIA for so long, I just read thru everyone's post's... Miami was amazing and the victoria secret show was amazing, you don't even look at the clothes you look at there bodies.. and man it was motivating to want to get toned and look sexy for myself, again... I did super good on thanksgiving, I had only one plate and kept portions small, so feel good about ... I had the flu last week and didn't drink any wine for ten days and had lots of wine last night so I made up the calories in that, I know tisk, tisk... but it's the holiday, I'm doing much better with the drinking now... 

My weight went down as well :) I've gotten down to 141 so I'm happy so far and hope that the trend stays' going down... so I'm in with you ladies for New Years even if I lose 5 pounds by New years I will be happy any weight loss is good one :) 

How's everyone's Thanksgiving :) ???????

hi ladies!!! 

hope you all find your way back with the post title change.    (crosses fingers)

LUCKY soraya!!!!     sounds like a blast and to be at 141 would make me ECSTATIC ---

my Turkey Day was good, we did ours on Sunday, so I am just bored now.   : :P 

i've been trying to cut out sugar from my diet lately. i came from a family full of diabetics, and if i dont cut out sugar, i'm pretty certain i'm in high risk of getting that disease too...

i weighed myself today at 11 am (just got up, haha) and i weighed 139.6 lbs. i just really have to watch what i eat, and not let the stress of final exams get to me. i find that when im stressed, i tend to go for the unhealthy food. anyone else feel the same way here?

YES, syzhu ---   not alone in the unhealthy food when stressed.   It's all pre=made, pre-packaged, easy to grab and overeat on.    I just try not have much on hand just because if I do, I will eat it.  

I'm trying to be so good ----   for what it is worth.   I really have to stop drinking.   I need to figure out better solutions for my morning workouts now that it is F-ing freezing and snowing now.   I need to get my leaves cleared up and my gutters cleaned.   I hate being a homeowner ---  mostly because it is not something I wanted to do (the ex did), it's hella expensive and time-consuming.    sigh.    I want to just sell it, but it needs SO MUCH work....      ) : 

Yes, to the unhealthy food when stressed- don't know why either as it makes me feel even worse.

Thanksgiving wasn't bad food wise, I def. ate less than in the past and think it was pretty well within limits. Exercise was eh, I did one good day....

Drinking has been a thumbs down! I was doing well but then had too much free time- got to get back on the wagon!! Self challenge- starting tomorrow (tonight is a wine and cheese obligation) no drinking (a glass at christmas dinner) until new years!

AND- I have to get back to journaling!!

AMEN< bella.  DItto on why I drink to excess, knowing full well the next day I will repeat to make myself feel better = yucky cycle AND it has totally F'd my sleeping up.   I had terrible insomnia the whole break and I know it is because of that..... 

I cannot promise NO drinking at all ...   BUT I will join you in attempting to do so....   I will try to not buy my own bottle, I will try to drink with friends vs. alone, and I will examine why I WANT a drink when I do.  

I have been so sick.   I only worked out 3 dyas of the last week, but in an effort to get back in the routine, I got up and jogged today and felt proud of that. 

PS EDIT:  I bet people would like it if I STOPPED journalling.  I do it so much and I try to be positive, but it is truly the only honest place I have,,,,  not enough close friends to talk to, I guess. 

oh, I hear you on the sleep thing- I wake up at all odd hour b/c of it- ugh! I am by myself these days so it makes it easy to get bored and there is nothing to hold me back from my vice! Boo on me.

I should have said what you did in your second paragraph, J- that is more likely, but I figure if I say NO, then I won't drink AS much with friends- it will be more on my mind.

Good job working out, but if you are sick, it is ok to let your body rest, it is asking for it! :)

And journaling is great J (and nobody has to read if they don't want) it is a great way to just say what you want and what you feel- I just internalize things WAY too much and have to learn to journal like you do... you use the tool very well, and I have read that it is good for you to journal!

I stopped journaling as well for almost a week :(.  But I am going to start journaling on doing Jillian's Shred and chopping my hair off and how all my insecurities are out and about.  It's funny how a little thing like hair can make a break a person...

How are you all?  I've missed you all!

Hello beautiful ladies! I just finished reading through everyone's post... first I gotta say! I am riding in the boat with you guys... Drinking, especially Wine has been my vice for a long long time now... JANAY same thing - I am alone now and drink when I'm bored and when I'm out with friends... I drank soooo much over the wknd that I literally threw up on sunday morning ugh!!! BUT this is the thing I started BIKRAM Yoga, it's sooo hot in there and I didn't think I would like it at all ... I did 3 classes so far and have noticed that a shift in wanting to smoke cigs and drink is starting to take place... I don't know how, but something is changing -- it's pretty intense class and it def. teaches focus and discipline, I can't even believe I like it! weird...

Nutellabella I'm going to try to limit my drinking for the whole month of December and see how it effects the weight loss and just plain how I feel... so I'm with you girl! ...

ANNULYJU - I LOVE JILLIAN - I can't ever find the Shred DVD bcuz it's always sold out! I do have the BL Cardio / Sculpt.. she kicks my ass!!!!! girly also don't be so hard on yourself, we all have insecurities, it's the working through them that makes us master ourselves....

I read the other day that WE are the writers of our own Movie and our script is changed and written and edited and tweeked daily, it's up to us to give it a Hollywood ending :) I know that my body is getting back in shape and I am feeling more secure in my body as it is taking shape, everything is a blessing and especially my breath -- xoxoxoxo ya'll ... Soraya  

sitting here crying, and reading your posts made me feel like I need some help. 

I am not holding up very well, with the being ill, feeling like I couldn't take care of myself or my pets, and realizing that if I do not get on it somehow, my house is going to fall apart.  It made me feel a little worhtless.   I am so broke.  I cannot buy food, let alone pay someone to fix my house, clean my gutters, finsih the damn inside projects so I can seel the damn thing and get out from under it. It's drowning me to stay here and pay this mortgage, but what else can I do if it is not ready to sell?  I know no one to be a roommate, don;t really want a stranger to live with me.    I wish I could just snap my fingers and either wake up somewhere or someone else. 

BUt I have no booze.   I guess that;s a small step.  

Janay sweetie you are not alone trust me I understand, the things that you are going through... I am a single parent who is out of work right now and am struggling to get food on the table so it is hard and has been hard for a long time now... the first thing girly is that you have to know that you are worth a million bucks even if you don't have that in your bank account, it really comes from inside and you must instead of snap fingers to make it better, is the snap out of your head to make it better -- it first starts from with in and when anxiety gets a hold of us it's hard to get pulled out of ... try to resist the temptation of falling deeper and grab that strength from inside of you and pull it out, dust yourself off and make a promise to yourself that you will get through this... it does get better, you just have to believe that it will and tap your inner and outer resources for everything. You can email me separately if you want but I just want you to know that you are NOT alone and that you have strength inside of you to achieve anything and get past any hurts... YOu must start with yourself, and if you want to cry, cry! pound the bed, scream, yell -- just get it out -- the KEY is after your done -- picking yourself up and breathing and knowing that you will be okay and that the universe WILL protect you, all you have to do is believe it and be as progressive as possible... look into all of your resources and tape into it... xoxoxoxoxo..Soraya (BELOW JUST CAME TO MY EMAIL FROM DAILY OM*** I THINK IT WAS THE UNIVERSES MESSAGE FOR YOU*** XO

December 1, 2008
Growing Pains
Initiations For Growth

Life is about growth, which is wonderful, though not always easy. Indeed, many of life’s lessons can be painful or difficult. Yet, such challenges are often the ones that present the most opportunity for spiritual growth. Initiations for growth come in many forms. In fact, we can view every challenge in life as an opportunity to learn and grow. While these disruptions in life are not easy, they are necessary. 

The challenges the universe sends us can seem unbearable at times: a job we don’t want to spend another day at, a broken heart that feels as if it will never heal, or a long and painful illness. And then, there are the challenges that can be just as scary because we are being called to step up to the plate in ways that we may think we are not yet ready for: overcoming our fears in order to realize a lifelong dream, leaving behind a situation or people in our life that we may have outgrown, or moving across the world for our dream job or life partner. 

At such times, it can feel as if the world is testing us and that life is asking more of us than we think we can give. We may feel uncomfortable, frightened, and unsure of what to do. However, life isn’t so much going against us as it is encouraging us to grow. During these periods, we can grow stronger by putting one foot in front of the other, as we work through our challenges. We may be asked to let go of old safety measures, shift old patterns of behavior, or step into the abyss of the unknown. When we do rise to the occasion, we end up better off for having made that journey. Not only do we end up learning and growing, but we inevitably become more compassionate to the challenges of others and wiser in the ways of the world. Our faith in the universe also grows because, ultimately, we can’t help but realize how much we are supported and taken care of at all times. When we are in the midst of a growing period, it is not easy to see our reward, but it is there, waiting fo! r us to grow big enough to reach it.

soraya- I have tried Bikram Yoga before and really liked it (the studios near me are too expensive though)... I wonder if it is helping you release toxins, making your body want the icky stuff less...... maybe I will sit in some steam when I am bored and want to drink alone. Quitting smoking is the best thing I ever did for myself (now need to quit the drinking so much- why so many vices???) I wish you the best on that!!! I am hoping that by limiting drinking, I will see some weight loss and my skin won't look so dull...

J- hang in there sweetie... you have a lot on your plate, I can see why you would be overwhelmed.... I don't want you to wake up as someone else!! :)

I wish I could give you advice about the financial aspects of things, but I am useless there :( Would taking out a second loan on the house be an option or renting it out while you try to get it ready to sell? Of course you would have to rent a place too, but if you are able to get something cheaper and rent the house out for the monthly mortgage or more? I don't know, like I said, I am clueless...

No booze is a great step!! It only makes sadness (even though it doesn't seem like it at the time) I have to remind myself of that!

Cry and vent your feelings- you need it! Crying is a great way to release the negative energy.

A lady I work with is into the natural health stuff- her suggestion to people when feeling down : At the start of the day (or any time) sit, close your eyes breathe in deep invisioning positive in and exhale negative out- be careful not to fall asleep though... that is what I would end up doing

Oh, and A- tell about the hair! Is it super long now and how short will you go? How fun!

Thanks nutellabella... the Bikram a friend gave to me as a bday gift so I'm taking advantage of it fully until it runs out... so far 2 days of no smoking and no drinking gonna keep going until I can make it with you until the end of the year ...

Jaynay - How are you feeling today girly? We're all here for you... xo

soraya

agree annulyju!   new hair pic!  

hey soraya  ( :    it is good to know I am not alone.   I do ok for a couple of days if there's no booze in the house.  then I go and get some.  and everyone knows it's cheaper to buy it in bulk, so I get the cheaper, big bottle.  and then it's gone one day and I think really?    I promised myself I wouldn't get more this pay period.  I can drink with friends out of their stash, but that's it.   I have to buy Xmas, and Capt Morgan is cutting in to my cash.   SHEESH  - enough is enough.  I loved your writers of our own script thing and the long excerpt at the end.   BOTH fit perfectly and buoyed my spirits.    thanks!  ((S)) my mom was a tough ass single mom broad too  ( compliment!)  I appreciate the talking to in a manner of speaking.  how old is your kiddo?  and are there Bikram Yoga videos I could do? 

miss bella!!!    ( :   I like the visualizing technique.  I will try to do that.    even for 30 seconds between classes.  I die with the debt of another morgage, but I liked the idea one of my other cc girls said--market it as it.  even if I take a loss and have to get a loan to cover that.   I still think that would be cheaper, keep working on it while I am trying to sell, get the house real clean, fixe the mower/patch up the yard/dog damage, and clean out the garage, I wonder if it would sell.  it has fantastic potential and was NICE when we got it.  most of the things are normal house maintenance (gutters, leaves, the yard, a toilet that recently started running all the time and never filling???) that I have no idea about how to do, and a few DIY projwcts we started and never quite finisehd because are both like that --  finish the paint, wainscoating, baseboards, crown molding in the LR.  you know how it is --  have to remove stuff to paint if you are sometimes and we wanted to take the wainscoating out then found the wall on the addition was slightly bowed = have to leave it up and so only have half a room with it off the wall.   dang.    you know.   LOL --  I feel better today.   I got more sleep, and I got lots of good suggestions from my journal plea of sadness in weak moment.  thanks for being my friend, bells!!!   you rock  (((B)))

J- glad to hear your spirits are up a bit! I read your journal and I agree with a response that you shouldn't have to take it all on yourself- the boy should do somethings too, but I understand if that complicates things... ahhh life. As for the toilet- my mom's house had some minor problems that ended up being easy to fix and very little cost: here is something I found for you that will hopefully help: http://www.friendlyplumber.com/plumbing101/to ilet_tank_repairs.html

Tank Doesn't Fill, Water Still Runs
A running toilet may be caused by a defect in the lift wire, the flush ball or the flush valve.

Sometimes the lift wire & lift rod that raise & lower the flush ball become corroded or bent. Smooth the rough or corroded wire & rod w/ steel wool or replace w/ new parts.

If the guide arm for the lift rod is not correctly aligned, it will keep the flush ball from seating directly over the ball seat. Loosen the setscrew in the guide arm & move the guide back & forth until the ball drops directly over the ball seat. Tighten the setscrew.

If the lift wire, rod & guide are operating properly, a worn flush ball may be the problem. If the rubber flush ball has hardened or is out of shape, purchase a replacement ball & screw it onto the end of the lift rod. You may wish to purchase a flapper-type replacement for the tank ball. The flapper unit has a long life-span & quieter flush than the conventional flush ball. Follow manufacturer's installation instructions.

Often the ball seat becomes rough & uneven from corrosion. This prevents the flush ball from completely sealing the opening. After draining the tank, smooth the ball seat opening w/ steel wool.

PS YOU rock

Hello all!!!,  I will most certainly post pictures of the hair chop over the weekend.  From Wednesday night until last night, I think I cried about 4 times.  It's not that I don't like it, it's that I haven't had to deal with my hair for 8 years and it grew and I didn't worry about it.  Now that I've removed the braids and cut it short, I have to work with it and work it!  Oh well...

Janay, I can't read your journals, but based off of what I'm reading here, I was suggest posting up ads on a local campus or something and interview several people and rent out rooms.  I rented a room for a couple months my first year of college to save up for an apartment and the woman I was renting from was trying to buy a second house so she rented all the rooms in her house and only students lived there.  For a time she only did male then she allowed only females.  She told me it was a great way to get another source of income to get from her home.  I just thought I would throw that out there...hope it helps.

Still have not lost a single pound but I gain by just looking at food!!! 

Dear thigh fat, belly fat, arm fat and hip fat,       I'm soooo over you and your ****!

Have a great one ladies!!

thanks, bellla!  that's really helpful.  I bet I could use that site for other things too.,....   ( :   you rock. 

hey annu -- can you read them now?   good idea....  I just KNOW I would end up with some weirdo in my house if I advert for some random roommate....  and not be able to get them out.    *eye roll* and I know no one in the town where I live.   Just need it to be done with.  and I agree -- he should help. He offers to but never does anything.  you know boys.....   PICTURES!!!!!   and it will grow  ( ;   don;t be sad. 

Hi Ladies,

Where is everyone? How is it going for everyone? I am still in detox mode, no cigs or wine for me in 5 days, I did that when I was sick didn't have anything for 8 days so I'm gonna try to keep pushing it longer and longer until I am free and clear of those two vices... Wine I don't mind so much but I know that my liver needs a break... I could finish a bottle in one night and not even feel a buzz, that was a problem! I always hated the way I would feel the next day.. I would be like, why did you that to yourself!? I want to end 08' with new commitments to myself and I want to change patterns... I know a lot of the reason why I had gained all that weight was from the drinking... a bottle of wine can be near 1000 calories! just 4 of them is a pound! plus forget about the late night snacking when I'm buzzed... I really want to make a commitment... going cold turkey might help me, I've done it before, plus I know that I am doing something right for my body... I"m not getting any younger so why treat myself like as if I'm still 23 years old... my body is probably like really!? stop it... so I'm gonna make a commitment to myself to do it for myself...I know I"m not perfect so I am taking it day by day...

xo...Soraya