Trying to lose 10 lbs. forever club

I am interested in finding others who have been struggling for a long time with losing the "last 10 lbs". .  I've been battling to lose 10 lbs for many years.  Actually, I've lost 10 in the last year but I needed to lose 20 a year ago (not just 10). 

I run, bike and swim now and have been participating in running 5k's and triathlons.  I have firmed up but would like to wear a size 8 comfortably.  I may want to go on to a size 6 next.


I think that if I had some friends with the same goals, then I would stay motivated.  Maybe we can share ideas and recipes. 

Let me know if you are out there and interested.

Hello everyone!

This is my lunch break at school.  I am hoping to take a few minutes everyday and check in.  Yes, we are all back on the wagon now.  I really do miss my leisurely schedule.  I enjoy teaching, but I am here from 7 - 3:15, then my daughter has physical therapy at 3:30- 4:45, then I hope to hit a BodyAttack class at 5:15.  I won't get home until 6:40 so I put chicken in the crockpot and put together a salad for dinner.  I think it just takes a little extra planning on my part and I don't always want to do it.

New Year's Eve was wonderful, but probably the worst I have done all holiday.  We have a group of friends that we travel with and they are all so much fun.  This one woman makes the most amazing homemade macaroni and cheese.  I didn't even record how much I ate.  I figured I had at least 2 cups of macaroni and cheese alone.  I guess everyone has their weakness.

Ohio: spend as long in Florida as you can!  In PA we are not supposed to make it out of the 20's today.

Tando: I love your resolutions.  Mine is just to treat myself well everyday. Eat right and make the time for my exercise.  Sometimes it feels very selfish, but I know it makes me a better mom, wife, daughter....

CC: You are in my thoughts.  Take good care of yourself.

Well, TTYL

di

Hi everybody! Well it is my first day with no kids in the house and my last day of freedom before classes start for me...I am trying to be really good about calorie intake. I exercised this morning with my Denise Austin tape. I got a stability ball and gave that a try, that was kinda funny. Trying to keep that thing stable sometimes can be tricky...lol.

I have been trying to stay busy cleaning the bathroom and some other things around here.

As far as my weight goes, I put on a couple pounds, but according to my family I needed to. So I am back up to goal, I had actually went under and had set a new goal. Still was a healthy one though. Well I am still trying to stay at goal now and try to get my eating habits back under control. My sugar addiction is baaaack! After eating all those christmas cookies it is hard to stop...

As far as issues at home, well they really aren't any better. One day at a time I guess. The kids are doing well and otherwise everything else is going ok. I just need to be able to focus on my studies and not concern myself with anything other than that and my kids...and I will be fine...if you get my drift...

Don't worry ladies, I am fine. I am a survivor this is my 2nd marriage. I don't know if I will make it through this one or not, but time will only tell. I just want to get my degree...

TTFN

Happy New Year everyone,

I'm nearly back on the wagon.  I had a great treadmill workout today and I think I'm within calorie limits.  The first thing I cut out is sweets. It seems that if I touch just a little, I have a hard time stopping.

Cc1170: Hang in there.  It is important that you finish your courses and get your life back.  For two years, I've been part of a phone recovery group and the ladies report each week 1) What have you done for self-care this week (even a soak in the tub counts 2) What did you do for Spiritual self-care 3) What do you like about yourself? 

I've seen ladies go from co-dependence to getting their lives back.  It's awesome to see. I know you can do it too.  Know that you'll be in my prayers.

Ohio: Are you in the Villages? I hope you enjoy the rest of your time here.

I'm still working on my goals for the New Year.  I gave up on New Year's resolutions because I usually don't keep them.  Goals seem to work better for me (I'm not quite sure what the difference is between a goal and a resolution). 

Goodnight.

It is 9pm and I am at about 1200+ calories for the day and I have done some exercise so I am feeling pretty good about goals. I am sipping hot tea and winding down before bed. I think I will pick up my philosophy book before bed and that should be the thing that puts me right to sleep...lol.

Glad to get back to schedule. Thanks for all of your encouragement. I can really use it right now and it is greatly appreciated! I am listening. Trust me!

Unfortunately I don't have a circle of friends at home like I do online, I would love to have a group of women I could talk to like this. I have one friend left from high school, and the rest are other kids moms. We chat whild the kids are doing their things, but we really don't get together outside of that.

I think it would be really nice to have a little group of friends you could count on...after my first divorce friends seemed to scatter and then I never seemed to gain ones like I had when I was younger. Since I have been a stay at home mom mostly for the last 10 years, I haven't really made any real bonds with any other women. I could probably use that. Most women are so busy with their families they don't have time for much else though. Know what I mean?

Well, have a good night ladies...and a great day!

It is 9pm and I am at about 1200+ calories for the day and I have done some exercise so I am feeling pretty good about goals. I am sipping hot tea and winding down before bed. I think I will pick up my philosophy book before bed and that should be the thing that puts me right to sleep...lol.

Glad to get back to schedule. Thanks for all of your encouragement. I can really use it right now and it is greatly appreciated! I am listening. Trust me!

Unfortunately I don't have a circle of friends at home like I do online, I would love to have a group of women I could talk to like this. I have one friend left from high school, and the rest are other kids moms. We chat whild the kids are doing their things, but we really don't get together outside of that.

I think it would be really nice to have a little group of friends you could count on...after my first divorce friends seemed to scatter and then I never seemed to gain ones like I had when I was younger. Since I have been a stay at home mom mostly for the last 10 years, I haven't really made any real bonds with any other women. I could probably use that. Most women are so busy with their families they don't have time for much else though. Know what I mean?

Well, have a good night ladies...and a great day!

Ohio45: Crack me up, why don't you!Here I am at the computer trying to stay away from that 2nd glass of champaign in front of the fireplace.  Maybe I should reward myself for a productive day. . . sounds like a winner to me.

Thanks for the advice ladies. I have just been so consumed with my life, my children and my husband and family that I didn't make time for friends. Now I wish I had. I am going to need to do that now...trust me.

I have an awesome mac n cheese recipe my friend makes! It really is the best I have ever had and it's easy to make.

You just take butter and melt it in a saucepan, sautee finely chopped onion and sautee it in the butter until onion is transparent. You then mix in flour and mix well. Begin to add milk and shredded cheddar cheese (freshly or storebought). You are making the sauce. Season with salt and pepper lightly. You can really make as much or little as you like and as thick and cheesy as you like.

I start with one stick of butter and about 1/2 of a small onion. You really don't even know the onion is in it. You take the cooked noodles and pour them into a buttered pyrex dish and pour the cheese sauce over top. Stir somewhat and bake at 350 in oven til bubbly and slightly browning. It is really good trust me. You just need to kinda play with the quantities of the ingredients, I have made this many times and don't really know exactly how much of everything I use.

I know this recipe isn't specific, but it is good; trust me! My husband loves it!

Well I did pretty good today until I started eating chocolate chips out of the bag and couldn't stop.  I don't know how many I ate and don't want to. I just estimated. I know what you mean about the sugar addiction Tando, I can't stop...it is sooo hard to break.

I know I can do it. TTOM is coming and I know I am PMSing now which is a bad eating time for me anyhow. I eat according to how I am feeling, emotionally and physically and I have very little willpower during that time...

I am going to try to stay busy. I have a lot of studying to do, we just got back to classes and we are headed into midterms. I have midterms next week. I have a lot of reading and studying to do.

Well I gotta run, it sounds like my dau is making a river in the bathroom. I think she has got every towel out of the closet trying to clean up the mess she made with the bath water...

Gotta run!

Have a good one!

I mananaged to stop after the 2nd glass of champagne.  It was tempting to go back for more but it is not worth the set back. 

I'm at 1550 calories which is my limit for the day.  Didn't exercise or weigh today. 

Tomorrow I will weigh-in and go for a run on the treadmill at the gym.  I'm not crazy about running on a treadmill but I'm a wimp when it comes to cold weather. 

I've been reading a book called Love Hunger and I'm wondering if I am a compulsive eater.  I know I got stressed-out this afternoon over something.  It was then that I started going for the extra champagne. I had to really stop and think about why I felt I needed it. It seems like it will be an interesting book.

cc1170-some of my closest friendships have been formed with workout partners.  Your schedule sounds so busy, but maybe you could fit in exercising with a friend.

Also, the Mac & Cheese measurements should be 2 TBSP of Butter to 2 TBSP of Flour and Milk to Desired Thickness.  So, if you use 1 stick of butter, you will need 8 TBSP of Flour.  Does that sound right to you? 

Tando- It is so encouraging that you are 2 lbs. away from your goal.  What is your greatest tip for staying on track?

Have a nice evening.

 

Tonia- the butter sounds about right. I make about a 9x13 dish full with that much butter starting out, so you you could def use less and make less, regardless, it's yummy. I never eat it tho' that's how good it is! It is one of my off limit foods! lol! I usually take it to family functions and such. That book you are reading sounds good, I might need to pick that up...

Tando- Great job making it thru the holidays and only 2 lbs to goal! Awesome!

Has anyone watched the documentary "sicko" from Michael Moore about Healthcare in America? If you haven't you should. It is eye-opening and very, very good!

That's it from me...good nite!

I love onion in my mac and cheese.  I've been putting a layer of mac, then little onion, then layer of mac and pour sauce over it, but will mix it in the sauce next time for better distribution.  thanks CC.

Scale down 2 oz.  Will be awhile before I get rid of the holiday weight.  Had a delicious flank steak last night, but marinated in a sauce with soy (lite) so doubt that did my water retention any good.

Making white pizza today, but will only have 2 pc and will eat mostly my cabbage soup.

Hello everyone,

It is just so hard to find time to read everyone's posts and respond.  I am doing well.  I went to the gym this morning and I had special k and strawberries for breakfast and fat free lentil soup for lunch.  I am taking my kids to Red Lobster for dinner because we got a gift card for Christmas.  My husband is at Army Reserves this weekend and he doesn't like seafood.  I was looking at the calories in the different entrees and I think I am going with the broiled flounder and broccoli.

Tando:  I know the feeling of wanting to go to bed instead of eating.  Sometimes a cup of tea helps, sometimes not.  You should be so proud of being so close to goal weight.(Maybe you made it back already).

cc: I have done the chocolate chip thing before and it feels so bad afterwards.  It isn't even real candy!  Good luck with your midterms.

Tonia: I hear you about the cold weather.  How cold has it been where you are?  In PA it has been hovering around 32.  I can handle 40 and above.  My training group will be starting up again soon.  We first will train for a 4.3 mile challenging run for ALS and then for a triatholon in June.

Well, gotta go,

di

Down on the scale this morning  I've managed to keep track of calories for the past 3 days which really works. 

Today I'm within my goals.  Had a great bike ride with some friends.  We rode for 5 miles and stopped at Barnes & Nobles for tea and rode another 5 back and was able to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Dievans -  it was down in the 30's the last few days with a high of 50.  Today it was back up to 60.  I can usually tolerate 50 or higher for outside exercise but I have a hard time getting out of bed when it drops below 50.  I've been living in Florida all of my life so I don't do cold well.  Like you, I'm looking forward to stepping up the routine to prepare for a couple of triathlons in season.  I was looking back over my weight trend and last year between my first and last triathlon the trend was a straight downward line.  That's not why I do the races but it is definitely a perk.

Tando: Thanks for the words of wisdom and telling me what has been working for you.  I love your positive attitude and the quotes that you always share.

Ohio- It's sad that you get to spend that face to face time with your daughter only one time per year,  but it sounds like the best thing for your waistline. :-)  I just know you will quickly drop the weight when you get back home.

Going for a run in the morning and my focus will be keeping my food log and keeping calories around the 1600 range.  I've got to cut back the wine to one reasonable glass.  I know the wine is making my liver sluggish and I hear the liver is the most important organ for fat burning. 

That's it for the evening. Take care and have a great Sunday.

Hello everyone,

I did not do as well as I would have liked at dinner last night.  I forgot about the cheddar biscuits! I had 2 and they are 160 calories each.  I had water with lemon and no dessert, but I still went over my 1300 calorie limit.  Oh well, we had a fun time.  Both of my kids were in a silly mood and we laughed through dinner.  I still feel full.  I had a cup of coffee this morning and I think I am going to eat a small bowl of cereal just to get my metabolism going.  A little bit later I will head to the gym for a killer spinning class.  I dread it a little, but once I am there, the instructor is very motivating and I find myself really pushing my limits.

Ohio: My daughter (age 17) loves IKEA.  Her room is full of purchases from that store.  She can take her babysitting money and buy quite a lot.  The nearest one to me is Philadelphia, about a 90 minute drive.  When do you head back home?  I know you are really going to miss your daughter, but getting back on track with your healthy eating plan will give you something to focus on. 

Tonia: My weight definitely went down when I was training.  I am really looking forward to the challenging work.  It probably won't be to comfortable to ride in PA at least for another 2 months.  Also, both of the races are going to be in the exact same venue, so I want to beat last year's times.  I figure one year older, one minute faster!

Tando: You are almost there!  I am envious, but I know you worked really hard and deserve to be at goal. Congratulations!  I certainly agree that it is so hard to take it off and so easy to put it on. But, I also think maintaining is equally as tough, maybe harder.  That is why I am where I am today.  Seven pounds over goal.  :(    I am not giving up though because I know the scale will just keep climbing unless I consciously count calories and exercise daily.

Time to go.

Di