Treadmill Nirvana and other ramblings

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OK, I think the coast is clear http://livinglively.com/clipart/new3/sofa.gif

Journal, Take Two.

For those who don't know me, I'm a 41 single parent with a 4 1/2 yo son and 15 yo daughter. To date (Feb 10, 2005) I have lost almost 70 lbs as a WISHer, 48 of them since Sept 2004 with Weight Watchers.

I'm going to start off this journal with some of my old journal. I miss having it as a reference, plus it contains the definition of Treadmill Nirvana ;)

Here is a "snap shot" of how I work my plan day-to-day.

I pretty much start each day with the same breakfast (and NEVER NEVER EVER skip breakfast anymore!). Its a shake of soy milk, frozen berries and flax seed meal. It took me a little while to get used to, but now I love it and it feels great.

Monday through Friday I go to the gym without exception. I get really mad if something gets in the way of my gym workout. I do weights and cross-train on all the cardio machines.

I log all my food, even "bites" which have to be estimated. At home I weigh and measure my food to keep myself honest (its amazing how a cup of pasta can grow and grow and grow if its not measured). I try not to use my weekly flex points, but I do eat most of my APs (Activity Points). I generally earn 8-10 APs per day, only counting serious workouts. I don't count shopping, cleaning, etc. towards APs. On the weekends I try to get in at least one long distance run (6-8 miles) and try to be active as much as possible.


Sunny

December 17, 2004
Last night was a real challenge. I had that "I just want to eat and eat and eat" drive all evening. I picked at food and snacked, keeping track of my points but feeling very bad about it. I ended up eating all of my APs (10 earned at the gym) and going 5 points into my WFP (weekly flex points). I was so disappointed about it that I ended up doing 50 minutes of Pilates at 10PM. I'm not sure how to count APs for Pilates so I called it 3. I went to bed feeling much better psychologically and wonderful physically. I have to remember Pilates is a great relaxer in the evening and do it more often!

Today is my work holiday party. I know the food choices will be terrible for points. I'm a bit stressed over it already. I'm finding that I just want to eat more and more. I don't know if its just the holiday season or if I'm starting to slip into old mindsets. I still don't trust myself.

The scale was my friend this morning! I weighted 176.5 lbs. That's my best weight since 1997. Its not an official weigh in, but I do weigh every morning just to see the weekly trends. Monday is WI day.

Sunny

1:21 PM Just back from the holiday party. I think I did alright. I'm estimating about 10 points for lunch and about 10 points for desserts. Its off to the gym after work for a serious workout!



Dec 18, 2004 8:16 PM
UGHHHHH I need to take a minute and get my head on straight. First of all, I really over did it at the gym last night. I haven't quite got this "moderation" thing down yet (that will be my New Years Res). I stressed over eating high fat foods at the holiday party, mostly because I wasn't sure how to estimate them. So I burned and burned at the gym, to the tune of 1300 calories. Yikes I felt really wiped out and a bit nauseous for a couple of hours afterward.

This morning I weighed 175.5 lb on my Tanita scale. WOW! That was unexpected. I know its not real, I expect/hope for a WI of ~176 on Monday, but it was quite a fun shock. But now I am reaching for a few points here and there. No APs today and I am already 7 points into my WFP. I must stop NOW! I'm half tempted to do my Pilates tape after DS goes to bed. We'll see. I know part of my desire to eat is from stress from DD. My daughter is 15 and is one of the most dramatic teen agers I've yet to meet. Today was an all out blow out. So hoping for a better day tomorrow.

In 2002/2003 I gained somewhere around 60 pounds primarily as a result of my inability to deal with her problems. This year I am taking care of myself. I cannot destroy myself anymore. It certainly doesn't help her any. One of the things I have come to realize is the role bingeing plays in my emotional regulating. I've known for a long time that huge quantities of sugars/carbs causes a brain chemistry shift, providing a form of anesthesia. But what I've come to realize on top of that is the way bingeing takes the focus off the real problems. When I'm bingeing, front and foremost in my mind is "how am I going to stop this binge, how much weight will I gain, how will I get this weight off, how many calories have I consumed, what else will I eat, etc. etc. etc", the real problems take a BIG back seat. So without bingeing, I am forced to face the real problems right here, right now. Not fun! But it sure beats the price of a binge.

Well, I actually feel better after posting! I think I can stay out of the kitchen now. Woo Hoo

Dec 19, 2004
Today I weighed 177.5 lb. Up 2 pounds from yesterday's weight but that's no biggie. I knew that weight was a fluke. Just hope to be 176 or 176.5 tomorrow. No WW WI tomorrow. I do WW at work and we don't start up again until Jan 3rd. I might go to a local center and get weighed in. Haven't decided yet. DS is coloring Nascar coloring books. DD is still in bed. I'm sipping tea. All is good for the moment

Sunny

Dec 20, 2004
This is another UUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHHH day. I baked Oatmeal Scotchies yesterday and lost control. I ate a bunch of batter and two cooked cookies plus loads of crumbs (they all fell apart, I don't know why). I was mindful to estimate the points as they were going down... About 32 points in Scotchies. (that's 32 ontop of a full day's food). Oh bother. I did TaeBo twice and a Salsa Cardio tape but the scale was not amused. Today's morning Tanita weight was 179.5 lb. That's up .5 from last Monday, and up 4 lbs from my 'low sighting' on Saturday. I'm so mad at myself. I'm going to WI at a WW center tomorrow and that will be my official weight for this week and for my New Year's Challenge. I'm guzzling the water like crazy today. Hopefully, I will be able to report a loss, even a .2 lb would be ok

Note to self: Skip the baking next year! Everyone complains that there's too much food around the holidays anyway. They won't miss my batch. I still have ingredients for choc. chip cookies, fudge and rice crispie squares. I'll do some on Christmas Eve since that is a designated Flex Point Allowance day.

So today is Monday, the first day of my WW Week which includes Christmas. Hmmm, I better get serious. I know I won't be able to get in any meaningful workouts on Christmas day and probably not on Christmas Eve, either.

I read http://www.skinnydailypost.com today and that was really helpful. I need to keep this holiday eating stress in perspective. It will end soon!!!!!!

Sunny

Dec 21, 2004

I made it to the WW center for an official WI today. Down 2 lbs. YIPPEEE! TOM also arrived this morning so that probably is the cause of the wild fluctuations the past couple days. I didn't snack after dinner last night and didn't use my APs. I ran 6 miles in 64 minutes on the treadmill for my workout yesterday.

I have some sore spots from TaeBo. I haven't done TaeBo in years and then I did two sessions on Sunday. I'm not sure if its healthy muscle soreness or if I have minor strains. I will be a little more careful next time I do TaeBo. As for the Salsa Cardio dance-- I discovered I am TOTALLY uncoordinated. It was a total body mutiny-- arms, hips, legs, nobody was listening to me. I made sure the curtains were closed. It was quite a site.

My Christmas shopping is done. I just need to make a couple of food stops before Christmas. One to Whole Foods to get some great fruit and veggies and one to my regular grocery store to get Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas breakfast stuff. We'll be having CHristmas dinner at my parents. The menu doesn't sound real WW friendly so I may bring some 0 pt veggies with me.

There was a woman getting her "Hundred Pound" magnet at the WW meeting I attended today. That was really inspiring. She started her journey Jan 13 last year. Wow!

Sunny


Dec 23, 2004
Wow, time is flying now. Yesterday was too busy to post. Today was supposed to be a half day at work but DS has OT(occupational therapy) in the AM and I wouldn't have gotten in more than 2 hours at work so I just went to the gym instead! I had a great time. 25 minutes on the StairMaster, 30 minutes elliptical and ~4.5 miles on the treadmill. A total of 1200 calories burned, or 12 APs. This is in preparation for not being able to exercise the next two days.

But now I'm tired and I have LOTS to do!!! The house needs a "once over" and I do plan to do some of the baking I originally set out to do. I better rethink that and make sure I'm strong enough before any flour flies.

Well DS is having tv stress, so I better sign off for now!

Sunny

Dec 26, 2004

Christmas Eve: I got an early start to cleaning and baking. I baked choc. Chip cookies, rice crispy squares and pumpkin spice bread without any trouble. It was busy, fun day. I was worried I wouldn’t get any exercise in—HA that’s a laugh, I was moving briskly all day. I ended the day OP with about just 8 flex points left for Christmas day but I wasn’t worried.

Christmas Day:
We had a wonderful morning opening gifts. I just ate ½ a grapefruit because there wasn’t time to stop for a shake (DS was in high gear and needed CONSTANT attention with his new toys). I got an unexpected chance to go for a run before heading down to my parents. It was WONDERFUL! I ran 6 miles in 62 minutes. The trip to my parents was great and I started out really careful with my food choices. I got another chance to sneak out for a quick run (2 miles) I was psyched. Then around 6PM I made the decision to go OFF PLAN. I just decided I wanted to eat without worry of how many points and just did it. At first I enjoyed the food but by the time I went to bed I felt really sick.

The Day After:
I got up this morning feeling awful and before I could formulate a plan, popped a cookie in my mouth! Today has been completely off plan. Physically I feel like crap. But somehow I think I needed this little break from strict OP eating???? I hope I’m not deluding myself. I plan to be totally OP tomorrow which is the start of a new WW week for me. I will go to the local WW center for WI on Tuesday regardless of how I feel.

Today I rented “Super Size Me”. It was a real eye opener and just the kind of motivator I needed in the midst of my cookie/chocolate binge. I highly recommend it if you haven’t seen it.

I got the FIRM 3 in 1 series for Christmas! I don’t know if I will brave a session today, but definitely tomorrow if not!!!! I can’t wait to join the WISH Firmies

Sunny

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Dec 27, 2004 The Aftermath

Well I feel like crap today. I weighed myself on my Tanita this morning and I'm up 4 pounds since Christmas day I know its probably only 1 lb of real gain but UUUGGGHHHHH. Today's plan:

1) Eat target points-- no more, no less. Write every bite
2) Snow Shovelling
3) The Firm workout (I won't eat my APs today)
4) 1 gallon of water
5) 6 zero point veggies
6) More exercise anyway I can get it

At least today is the beginning of a new WW week for me which helps psychologically.

Yesterday was awful (eating wise). I not only ate cookies, chocolate etc. all day, I drank NO water, ate NO veggies or fruits and had virtually no fiber and didn't move my bod on bit. Talk about Dr. Jekly and Mr. Hide!!!!!!! An interesting thing happened, too. I went to a Chinese takeout (why not I was on a binge). I saw my reflection in the window and it shocked me. In the midst of my binge I was suddenly 240 lbs again, but the person I saw in the window was thin and fit. It really struck me how messed up my mind can get in binge mode. I don't want to do it again. I'm going to come up with some notes to tuck away for next Christmas to try to help me not fall into this again. I did so great with Thanksgiving, I guess I was a bit cocky. Never again!

Sunny


Hi Everyone, Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.

Today is much better. I am down one of the four pounds, better than nothing. I almost stuck to my plan yesterday. I got the water in, did Firm, TaeBo, snow shovelling. I ate 4 zero point veggies but I went over on points. So far the overage comes out of my weekly flex points so I'm not off track yet, but yesterday was the first day of the week!!!!! DS is home with me today so I'm not going to the Woburn center WW for WI, but I will be able to go to another center tomorrow (hopefully). Even if its a gain, I want to get my official WW WI this week.

Its a strange thing, I look forward to this time so much, the holidays and the time off from work and yet I find myself really wishing to get back into my normal routine. January/February are usually my worst months for feeling "blue" and eating out of boredom/depression so I am really glad I will be in a WW session this year for those months. 2005 should be the year I reach goal

Sunny


December 30, 2004
2 of the 4 pounds are gone now. Yesterday was a totally ON PLAN day with mega exercise. I feel sooooo much better. I'm hoping the last two pounds drop before the New Year's Challenge is over but I'm not going to stress over it. I have the basement set up as a gym/activity room now. We have a punching bag (DD's Christmas present), a stability ball, a trampoline (which only DS can use due to the low ceiling) and DS has his toy punching bag. Its quite cold down there so it will keep us motivated to MOVE while down there! I'm hoping to get a tv/DVD so I can bring my TaeBo and FIRM workouts down there.

Notes for Next Christmas:
No baking period.
Carefully planned holiday treats instead of stockpiling chocolate
Preplanned activities for the week after (I was a slug and didn't do anything fun with DD/DS this time).
Preplanned child care for the day after Christmas so I can get right back to the gym. That makes all the difference for me to keep on track.
Read and re-read the notes I put in my food journals to remind myself how awful it feels to be out of control.

If I think of more, I'll add them later

Sunny
__________________


Well today is New Year's Eve and all but .5 lb are gone. I will be reporting in my final results for the New Year's Challenge after this post. I ended with a 6 pound loss, putting me at 6/8/2. I knew I set my goal too high, but I'm not bummed at missing it, 6 is an unbelievable loss over the holidays for me! I don't believe I have ever lost weight over the holidays before

I feel soooooooo much better being back on plan. I wrote myself a letter to remind myself how terrible it feels to be out of control. I will read it frequenty!

I don't have any plans for today/tonight. I've never been a New Year's Eve party person, usually order chinese, rent movies and pig out on left over Christmas goodies. Not this year! No Chinese, no goodies (they've all been removed from the house already). I may settle in for the extended version of Return of the King. Maybe try to watch it on my stability ball LOL

Anyhoo, I feel good and optimistic today. I can't wait until WW starts up again at work on Monday. I felt lost this week!

Sunny


Happy New Year January 1, 2005

I am soooooooo excited this morning. I am down the .5 of Christmas plus ONE MORE! I weighed 174.5 on my Tanita scale this morning. This means I get to do a New Year's Clippie dance. Yeah ME

I didn't end up watching ROTK but I did watch TV on my stability ball. That actually is a workout. I'm going to do it more often. Sometimes I would just sit and balance, others I would do a bit of rolling around

Today I will be brining Joshua (DS) down to my parents for a visit. I will do TaeBo before going down just in case I don't get another chance to exercise today.

I am doing Lisa's "Lose 5 in January" challenge so I will call my starting point 174.5. That means I should end January no higher than 169.5. Wow that would be the first time in the 160s since motherhood (~16 years). How exciting.

I just want to mention how wonderful it felt to wake up feeling thin on New Year's Day. I woke up and realized my torso felt "compact" not bloated and oozing over the bed like many, many years past. Remember this Sunny! Don't fall in that trap again

Sunny

January 3, 2005

I have to post quickly. I am at work. One of my NYR is to be more diligent at work.

I was doing great New Years Day. I did TaeBo ate a super low point lunch and headed to my parents house for a visit. My Mom made chilli, pizza and nachos for dinner. In a split second I decided I was going to "eat my fill". So the day ended way off plan. But THEN I got up yesterday feeling lousy (hmmm, I wonder why?) and continued eating. I did no exercise at all yesterday and ate like a pig. So I wrote myself another letter and started fresh again today. I'm not even going to report the water blip on the scale this morning

Today was supposed to be our first WW at Work meeting this session but it turned out to be a registration session instead. In antipication of having to get on the scale I skipped lunch and went to the gym and sweated out as much water as I could before WI. We did get to do unofficial WI so I found out I was down 3 lbs since my last WW WI on Dec 20th. So the sweating trick worked. That's the first time I played games with my WW WI. I will be good from now on

Better run, I'll try to be back this evening

Sunny


Hi Everyone!

I'm on plan and that is good. I have been dealing with some pretty big stress with my daughter. Two days ago we had a really tough time and I felt that old feeling of "I've got to eat mounds of food" but I didn't give into it. Instead I did two sets of Tae Bo after putting DS to bed. This type of stress is what caused be to balloon over 60lbs in 2003. Its a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. My daughter needs a lot of help but no one can help her until she wants it. But I have to somehow hold onto my own well being and not fall back into destructive patterns. I have to admit I have an underlying sense of "want" that has been around since our blowout on Tuesday. I just want food, I just want to eat. I just WANT PERIOD! But I won't give in!!!!!

Yesterday's workout was blahh. I did alot and earned 8 aps (burned 800 calories) but I was begrudging the process the whole time! I'm not worried though, I have been at this exercise thing long enough to know its ebbs and flows. Just when you think you can't do it again, there's a major break through in strengh, speed and/or endurance. So I'm looking forward to the peak

On a positive note. DS (Joshua, 4 yo) and I have been watching our one hour of tv per day on our bouncy balls! He got one of those bouncy balls with handles for Christmas and I have a stability ball. So we watch "Fairy Odd Parents" and "Sponge Bob" on our balls now. Its not a workout but it keeps your muscles engaged the whole time. Most of the time I just sit, but occasionally I'll do some crunches or just roll around a bit Every little bit helps!!!!!

Sunny
__________________

Thanks everyone

Sharon: I actually started my gym membership in April 2001 and have gone pretty consistently ever since. That was about 9 months after my son was born, I was desparately out of shape (I had 8 weeks of bed rest before delivery). I started with about 20 minutes walking on the treadmill at ~3.0 mph. After a few weeks I got real brave and climbed up on one of those elliptical trainers. It was instant love I quickly became addicted and worked harder and longer. After many months I decided to cross train and do some weights. My love/hate relationship with the treadmill has been steady eversince My guess would be that it was a solid year before I actually tried running on the treadmill and even then it was only 4.5mph. It really has been a gradual process to get to where I am now.

Thanks for the hugs and compliments. That'll keep me going all day

Now I am contemplating sneaking out of work early to get to the gym. The snow/sleet/ice is getting bad. I'm afraid if I wait too long the daycare might call and say their closing early and I'll miss my workout.

Sunny
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Ok, January 7, 2005
Is it the January/February Blues? I am having a horrible time with wanting to devour mass quantities of food. I know I always have the worst time in the January/Feb months. Its dark when I get up, its dark when I leave work. Its cold, all the fun of the holidays is over, blah blah blah. I know I usually comfort myself through these months with food. Not gonna do it!

Last night I created a thought tool. Its not all that profound, but it really struck me. It goes like this: I am instantly back in my 240 lb body with all the discomforts that it held. The full memory of being that weight and feeling hopeless has returned. Then I am given 2 choices: 1) remain in the body and eat with abandonment-- no rules, no limits. or 2) return to my current fit body and fight tooth and nail to stave off the Hungry Horrors. Well the choice is obvious and immediate! But I don't live in that thought experiment. I live in a place where I think I can scheme little compromises. "well, if I eat with abandoment just this weekend and then formulate a torture treadmill routine on Monday-Friday maybe I could get away with it...." Its these schemes that will break me, not the holidays! These schemes can pop up any day, any week, with or without fanfare.

So I am trying to reframe my mind to live in the 2 choice reality. That doesn't mean I can't splurge. But splurges need to be planned and still remain in control. What I just can't go back to is mindless, endless consumption. IT IS NOT AN OPTION!

Okay, so I'm white-knuckling it today. The Hungry Horrors are howling but I will not bend or break Yesterday's workout was blah, too. But I did it! Snow shoveling in the morning, snow shoveling in the evening and the gym inbetween. I pretty much threw a temper tantrum inside my head about having to workout. But I worked out. Guess the peak is still a ways off...

Oh, and I am up 1.5 lbs this morning. I know its water but geesh, I'm holding off the monster, the scale should applaud me!!!!! But then again, I woke up with a big zit this morning so maybe its all hormonal

(a little dramatic? well, hey, I'm in a battle here!!!!)

Sunny


January 9, 2005
I've been so excited all day to hear about our WISH Walkers (and a little disappointed I'm not one of them). Today has been pretty good. Its been a tough weekend. The garage door opener broke Friday night. The garage is the main way we entry/exit the house, especially in the snow and ice. So we are climbing under a 3 foot opening for the moment. At first I was "psyched" to get all the extra exercise from the snow, but enough is enough. I was out there again today chipping ice and cleaning up. But I have to say, it is quite an abs workout. I never realized that before I had abs!!! In fact, I used to end up with severe back pain from shovelling. So I'll count that as a great NSV. Alls quiet on the Teen front, so that's good. I'm really considering doing FLORE (WW CORE but count points as if on FLEX). I just know the sugar and flour is getting to me. It makes me mad, but if CORE foods will settle my hungry horrors then that's what I'll need to do.

I fixed some loose tiles in the bathroom this weekend and made a mess. It took me a couple of hours of heavy scraping to get the gunk back off of them. I was tempted to add it to my exercise mintues but I won't I did the FIRM legs, hips (I can't remember the name of it) and TaeBo Basic I (Get Ripped). Plus the shovelling and a little extra cardio thrown in here and there...

I signed up for a "Get Fit" team at work. We are having a campus wide fitness challenge running Jan 9- March something (12 weeks). We form teams of 6-8 and report our weekly minutes. I don't know yet if there are weekly, monthly or just one big prize but it should be motivating anyway.

Guess that's it for now. I just can't wait to hear back from the WISH Walkers!

Sunny


Jan 11, 2004
YAHOO I hit the peak!!!

http://www.livinglively.com/clipart/treadmill.gif TREADMILL NIRVANA
I'm going to try to attempt to put in words what Treadmill Nirvana feels like I start out fully aware of my surroundings, people talking, machines pounding in asynchronous rythms, music in the background, 6 tvs on the wall in front of me, mostly tuned to news channels. I set my course to manual, time to 30 minutes (I've been pushing with 60 minute runs, today I'll settle for 30). Enter my weight (8 pounds light so I feel confident the calorie burn is not exagerated) and off I go. At first I am aware of the sound of my feet pounding the tread, I adjust my posture, get my headphones chord situated. Soon I realize I'm thoroghly enjoying myself. My shoulders are back, chest high, abs tight. TIGHT! My legs feel like well oiled machines doing their thing without any input from me. They just move. The movement is fluid and free and effortless. I feel invinsible, I could do this forever. I have no cares no worries. I am not aware of anything in my life for this moment. No stresses, no anger, frustration. NOTHING! I'm no longer aware of the room, the people, tvs, sounds. My eyes are fixed on a little spec on the green floor. They've been parked there for 10, 15, 20 minutes who knows. Who cares. In my peripheral vision I can see green sneakers cycling. They are lime green. That makes me smile. I suppose they are attached to a person, it is of little consequence to me. The music in my headphones is the only thing my mind registers. It is fantastic. I don't remember it sounding so good before. Every song pumps me up more than the one before. SOmeone walks between me and my spec and I am jolted back to reality for a minute. Darn! All of the sudden I realize I am getting tired and I am tempted to look at the time. No don't look yet! Make it last alittle longer before you start the "30 second mind games". Alas, I've come to the 30 second mind games. I don't exactly know what it is I bargain, but somehow I bargain to make it another 30 seconds. I glimpse at the time again, phew, made it! 30 seconds more... until the machine kicks into cool down.

That baby, is Treadmill Nirvana

That is what keeps me coming back when the workouts are blah and every thing in my being screams "I DON'T WANT TO WORK OUT TODAY"

I also did elliptical for 20 minutes and StairMaster for 20. When I noticed the StairMaster logo I remembered Teresa's "Stairs-to-hell machine" and that made me smile for several seconds before the ache in my quads brought me back.

Oh, and I did 30 minutes upper body weights and abs at lunchtime. Two trips to the gym-- maybe I'll do that a couple times a week. It gave me time to rest between weightlifting and cardio.

Sunny


January 12, 2005
Good MOrning all,

Boy was it hard to get up this morning. Dark, gray, cold and more snow. Now its raining. I stayed off the scale this morning. It is pretty scary but I thought I would try at least one morning of not weighing. I swear I want to eat more just because I didn't get on the scale. Weird.

Yesterday was a good day. I stayed OP and got a 52 minute workout at the gym at lunchtime. That is really pushing my lunchhour but I wasn't able to go after work. I am thinking about doing a "two trip" day today. Go for weights at lunch and then cardio after work. We'll see.

Nothing else to report at the moment Looking forward to Spring

Sunny


Well I made it for a second trip to the gym today. I did 20 minutes rowing (I really don't like that), 30 minutes recomb. bike with a good magazine (I don't work as hard when reading but its fun) and 20 minutes elliptical. I also drank a EAS low carb drink right afterwards. I've been getting too hungry between leaving the gym, picking up DS and getting home to make dinner. The EAS works well. Its 2 points and 15 g of protein plus lots of minerals, etc.

The garage door is still broken. With the snow in front of the house it is dangerous for us to walk out and around so we keep climbing under. It must look quite amusing to see us head out inthe morning with lunchboxes, gym bag, tea cup, etc. crawling out of the tiny space. Oh well, it will take time and money. I have neither. DS thinks its fun. DD is not amused.

Well off to

Sunny


January 14, 2004
Gulp, what have I done? I not only joined the Stay Off The Scale Challenge, I started it! That means I'm the leader and have to set a good example. Or course I'm being a bit of a wuss and holding onto one mid-week WI in addition to my Monday WW WI. Baby steps off the scale....

Yesterday was good. Food was OP, workout was: 20 minutes Stair@#%*@Master, 35 minutes treadmill (ran at 6.2 mph woo hoo) and 10 minutes elliptical. But the weekend is here and that's my biggest challenge. I really have to commend all the SAHM who stay OP all week long. When I'm home and have access to the kitchen I really struggle. I haven't switched over to CORE but I have been tracking my points both as Flex and Core and find that I am eating 50% of my points from core foods. That seems to make a big difference in my ability to stay away from the sweets. I still have a little but it appears to be in control for now.

The garage door is still busted but I finally got smart and removed a little spring that was not allowing the door to go more than about 2 1/2 feet up. Now it still gets caught on something but it opens to a good 3, maybe 3 1/2 feet. It feels like luxury only hunching down that far after the full squat we've been doing the past week.

Well that's it for now. Have a fantastic Friday everyone!

Sunny

[plutosmyfav]

January 16, 2005

Hi Everyone

Jay-nee my gym is at work, its a 2 minute walk across the parking lot! So I sometimes go at lunchtime and eat my lunch at my desk, or go afterwork and then pick up my son (the daycare is part of my work also, but down the road a mile). OR, sometimes I do both! I take for granite how fortunate I am sometimes.

Teresa-- I have another tip for weekend exercising. I started doing this a few months back. Wear weights while doing chores! I have 2 1/2 lb wrist weights and adjustable upto 5 lb ankle weights. I haven't used the ankle ones too much yet, but when I first started using the wrist ones I could hardly use my arms. Now I hardly notice if I have them on. I'll wear them to do laundry, dusting, vaccuuming, etc. just not the wet stuff. I've even worn them grocery shopping under a big sweat shirt! Again, its the "every little bit helps" stuff that adds up.

Garage Door Update: I took all the parts out of the box, cleaned up the garage enough that you can move around in thre and begun assembly. I have the rail, trolly and motor unit all together, just one final step on attaching the belt to a belt/bolt/spring thingy on the trolly and it'll be ready to attach to the door and the ceiling. Dad and bro are planning to come out tomorrow for that part.

I ended up snacking alot last night and used up my flex points. Today's my last day of the WW week so I should be okay. I ended up doing TaeBo Get Ripped Basic I and II last night after Joshua went to bed. So far today I've done the Firm Total Muscle Shaping. Snows on its way so shoveling might be how I round out my workout today!!!

Sunny


January 19, 2005Hi Everyone,

I only have a minute to post. I'll get back to reading journals later today (I hope!).

I stayed home sick yesterday and haven't exercised for two days in a row. I feel like crap. Plus Monday brought TOM and bad eating. Blah.

But the good news is my Dad and brother helped me get the garage door opener installed on Sunday so we are living in luxury now!!!!!

It was really hard to stay off the scale yesterday and today. I want to know what kind of damage I did eating on Monday. But I didn't get on it. If I could get as consistent and disciplined about my eating as I am with exercising I'd have this thing beat. But the food continues to be my downfall. I'll be really lucky if I lose any weight for January, never mind the 5 lbs I challenged for in Zera's 5 in January Challenge. Poor me I can hear the whine in my voice. Yuck! A good workout should get me back on track...

Sunny



January 19, 2005

Well, just as I figured, a couple of great workouts today and I feel back in the game. I wrote myself yet another letter Reminding myself that bingeing never, ever, ever makes me happy.

Okay, so first stop at the gym was upper body weigths and abs. Then on a whim I decided to throw in some intense lunges. Sure, why not, its an upper body day, the legs aren't warmed up, go for it. I pulled something in my left glute. OOOOOUUCH. But that didn't stop me from returning after work for cardio.

5.66 miles on the treadmill, not nirvana but pretty darn close once I stopped noticing the pain.
30 minutes on the elliptical.

For food I've had 4 zero pt veggies and 4 fruits. Yahoo. What a difference it makes in my appetite. I ate much better today. After reading Melanie's new journal I decided I really need to enforce the no night-time eating policy, too. Others have listed it in there goals and I've managed to sidestep the issue but the fact of the matter is, most of my damage happens after 8PM. So 8 PM is my cut off for now. Yikes I'm scared, tonight will be the first night of the new plan

I made a "creamed cauliflower" tonight. I boiled the cauliflower until it was mashable, then added some ff margarine and ff half and half, salt and pepper. It was pretty good. I need to come up with some more ways to make veggies tastey.

Enough for now, Night all

Sunny

PS, I need to come up with a systematic way to read through the journals. If I've missed yours, please know it was an accident! I never can get through them all in one sitting and then they get all shuffled as others post Then I get confused!


January 20, 2005Well I made it through my first "no eating after 8" day and I feel great! I had trouble sleeping since I am used to knocking myself out with carbs but the bod WILL adjust.

Today was easy to stay off the scale. Yipee. TOmorrow i get my wimpy "mid week" WI.

I brought a huge salad, some of the left over creamed cauliflower, a boca burger, grapes and an orange for lunch. Total 6 pts.

I am working on a plan/schedule for the weekend. I know if i can make it through the weekend without a slip I will see results on my Monday WW WI. I think I'll do a two-trip gym plan today

Its cold. It snowed. I shoveled. Blah.

Sunny

January 20, 2005
I did some investigating. Here is what I discovered: I have had 10 bad days over the past 30 days! That's 33% OFF PLAN. No wonder I don't have any results to report for the January 5 lb challenge yet!

My WW honeymoon ended Dec 19th. That was the first day I went off plan since joining WW Sept 13, 2004. Its been a big battle ever since.



Date: Pts, APs Earned, Notes
12/19 Sunday 71 8

12/25 Saturday 80 9 Christmas, started eating ‘off plan’ 6PM
12/26 Sunday ??? 0 Out of control all day
12/28 Tuesday ??? 0 Out of control all day, vacation day

1/1 Saturday 70 4 New Years Day, started eating ‘off plan’ 6PM
1 /2 Sunday ??? 0 out of control all day

1/8 Saturday 120 0

1/16 Sunday 70 5 started eating off plan at 8PM
1/17 Monday 120 0 MLKJ Holiday, home all day


So what can I gather from this? All my eating takes place on "home" days such as weekends and hollidays/vacation days. Out of control days follow a decision to eat "off plan" late in the day. Each time I did that, my intention was to just enjoy a meal and a dessert and get back on track the next day. It hasn't worked THREE TIMES IN A ROW!!!!!!! I'm still working on my weekend strategy...

Stay tuned

Sunny

January 21, 2005
Ok, I have a bit a of plan for the weekend. I am going to pick up some wonderful fruit and vegetables tonight. It is currently 0 deg with a –18 deg F wind chill. The weekend is supposed to be worse. So getting outdoors is probably NOT going to happen. Exercise will be videos and playing with Joshua.

I am going to allow myself to use my flex points (20 on Sat, 5 on Sun IF I want to) plus I will probably eat my APs. Maybe I'll put together a menu before today is done. Exercise doesn't have to be intense, just make sure I'm moving the bod.

I have made a template for checking in two hour windows. I may not actually check in every two hours but I will record pertinent information when I do check in like what I’ve eaten and what exercise I’ve done. This should hold me accountable for the whole weekend. I will edit this post through out the weekend and then post my Monday WI. Let’s hope this gets me through!!!! Subzero weather is NOT helping!!!!

I'm also going to add an "On Plan" counting clippie. I need to get into the double digits on back-to-back OP eating again.



Saturday:
4 fruits
4 vegetables
20 flex points optional
100 minutes of exercise

6:00 Boy am I glad I formulated a plan yesterday! Woke up to NO POWER, I started packing for evacuating for the day (the house got down to 50 deg F really fast) but just about the time I was ready to start making calls to "invite my family over" the power came back on. It has me a bit spooked since it is -8 deg and not expected to get above 10 deg today. Such a start to the day could have been a license to eat
Anyway, Breakfast was a 3pt Egg Beater and onion, pepper omlet and 1 pt of fresh pineapple and fresh watermellon. I am STUFFED for 4 points! Sidenote: A blizzard is on the way, snow is a major binge trigger for me. It all started years ago because Dx plows. He'd be gone during snow storms which left me lonely and gave me "open season" to stuff my face without being seen. I still get that instant impulse to eat when it snows. I will NOT give in
8:00 exercised from 9 to 10: TaeBo and Firm Fat Blasting Cardio. I'm going to call that 5 APs.
10:00
12:00 Well the power went out again around 11:00 and back on in 10 minutes. Looks like it could be a rough storm. I had lunch at 11:45. A large garden salad with seseame tofu and a bowl of flavored oatmeal (total 8 pts). Joshua is sick. All the more reason I hope we don't have to go looking for shelter in subzero weather I have had all my required veggies for the day but I know I will eat more with dinner. I feel great!
2:00 Just finished putting together Joshua's Rokenbok. What a great toy. I got him the starter set and the recycle center for Christmas. We put aside the recycle center and forgot about it! So today we put it together. By far the best toys I've bought, bar none!!!! I had a 1 pt hot chocolate while assembling Holding strong!!!!!! Snows on its way, looks like its in Worcester already.
4:00 Well once again WISH came through! I was really starting to faulter. I ate some unplanned spaghetti (4 pts). A (planned) Amy's frozen vegetable pie (2pts) and some dark chocolate (5 pts). I had such strong "keep going" urges, but I stopped by some journals before checking in here and "voila" the urges have passed. Amazing! I know I'm not out of the woods. When I say Jan/Feb are my worst months, I should specify "jan/feb SNOW STORMS" are my worst ever times. I have fought the urge to jump in the car and go "stock" up for the storm. I don't mean water, batteries, I mean donuts, ice cream , you know, the REAL storm staples. But alas, its blizzard conditions now and I am stuck in a house filled with fruit and vegetables How can this be? 5:15PM Holding (pretty) Steady! Thanks WISHers for being there
6:00
8:00I can't believe I've made it to 9:26PM without incident!!! I strapped on my ankle weights and wrist weights and made up my own step aerobics with weights for 30 minutes while Joshua played xbox. It wasn't the same caliber as the Firm, but it got me sweaty So that brings my exercise to 90 minutes for today. Sonya called and needed a ride home. I was urked, but gladly went to get her rather than a friend possibly driving her in the storm. It was actually fun, the roads were empty except for the plows, the snow is so beautiful. Its only 13 deg so the snow is extremely sparkly and light. I started some shoveling when we got home. Its like shoveling Splenda Light as a feather. Could hardly call it exercise! I will probably go back out in an hour for some more. Almost seems silly since its falling so fast, but I try to keep up with it.
10:00 more shoveling, very hungry. Ended up having pizza and cake with Sonya. It broke my "no eating after 8" rule but still on plan. I used all my APs and my Flex points. No wiggle room tomorrow.
midnight to wake Slept lousy. Kind of scared about power.


January 22, 2005
Speaking of subzero weather... we woke up to NO POWER this morning! I was really scared because I left my gas tank on about 1/8 tank and I wasn't sure I'd be able to start the van if we needed to evacuate. It is -8 deg F. The house got down to 50 deg before the power came back on. Now there's a blizzard on the way....


Okay, I'm going to check in on my Weekend Accountability Post now

Stay Warm!

Sunny

January 23, 2005In a hurry, just want to post some snow pics!

http://www.livinglively.com/clipart/snow1.jpg

http://www.livinglively.com/clipart/snow2.jpg

http://www.livinglively.com/clipart/snow3.jpg

http://www.livinglively.com/clipart/snow4.jpg

See those piles? Those are MY piles! I think they are 20 Activity Point Piles

And boy do I have a lot more to do!!!!!

TG the power didn't go out last night. There's no way we would have gotten out to anywhere!

Sunny

Sunday Jan 23rd Check In

Sunday:
4 fruits
4 vegetables
0 flex points No Wiggle Room!
100 minutes of exercise

6:00 Slept until 7:00AM. Back really hurts from shoveling last night
8:00 Wow! Major blizzard. Shoveling for 75 minutes, hardly made a dent! Lite Nouriche, pineapple and watermellon for breakfast (4 pts)
10:00 Loading pics online for friends and family . Thinking of getting in the car and driving to let the snow fall off somewhere other than on my property
12:00 Another 90 minutes of shovel and my back is really feeling it. Just took two Advil. No lunch yet, not hungry! I've got to get Joshua out in the snow, he's been in the house with Sonya the whole time i've been shoveling. Poor kid
2:00 Lunch was a Smart Ones 5pt plus part of a muffin (5 pts to be safe) and an orange (1 pt). No veggies yet today. Dinner will have to be mega salad. Joshua and I got out and played in the snow. He had a blast searching for and digging out trucks in the snow. Our own little archeology dig. Gonna get Sonya out of the house now... She's more of a "take a drive" sorta gal. Probably stop for coffee. Doing good so far... 180 minutes of exercise so far whooo hooo
4:00
6:00
8:00
10:00
midnight to wake

January 24, 2005Thanks everyone.

Just a quick update for now. I am in a very bad mood and don't trust what I might write! Sunday ended badly, MOnday started badly. After over 2 hours to get Joshua to school and me to work, I am parked in east osh kosh, trudged through the snow without boots (that's due to the two hour commute part) and I finally get into work only to learn WW is cancelled for today due to the snow. UUUGGGGGHHHH. We didn't have it last Monday due to the MLKJ holiday. So another week before an official WI.

My car is sounding like the Titanic when it broke in two-- weird metal sounds. My back is in bad shape. I tried to be careful but its really sore. I am in a very bad, bad, bad mood.

Sorry to be so negative.

Sunny


January 25, 2005
Thanks everyone for such kind words!

My back is much better today. I am much better today!!! I was able to get to a local WW center last night and get my WI. I lost .6 lbs. Not earth shattering but in the right direction! It puts me just a hair above what my tickertape still claims

Well now its Tuesday and I am optimistic again. I can now agree with you that the weekend was progress. I think if we didn't have the blizzard I probably would have made it through. I think I was feeling the "somebody needs to take care of me" syndrome and so I took care of myself with food

I have been so busy I haven't read anyone's journal since Sunday. I hope to get by real soon.

Oh, and it looks like we're going to be blessed with a little more snow tomorrow

Sunny

January 26, 2005

Good morning. And its a snowy morning here in Massachusetts. Its beautiful. Driving was treacherous this morning. TOo bad I used all my vacation in October to go to WDW, or I'd be home in my slippers right now

Yesterday I did upperbody weights and abs at lunchtime. Later I came down with a migraine, but refused to take my Zomig until after my cardio workout 'cause it knocks the energy out of me. I went to the gym, dreading my workout-- literally had tears in my eyes. My intention was to leisurely peddle on a recumbent bike but last minute I decided to get on the treadmill. Well, much to my surprise... Treadmill Nirvana!!!! I ran 7.0 miles in 74 minutes (7.7 miles total with cool down). My migraine vanished, I felt wonderful. Of course the migraine came back with a vengeance afterward but I took my Zomig and was fine. I did a little more shoveling last night after to clear out the front a bit. No night-time snacking, food was OP.

I woke up today to more snow. Its amazing how we have lowered our standards around here. I didn't bother to shovel the ~3 inches, just trudge through it. Got to Joshua's daycare and found the same thing! Its kind of gotten to the point of "why bother?". My only confession for this post is that I got on the scale this morning But I was happy to see the number . I'll have to go 'fess up on the "Stay off the Scale" thread.

I guess that's it for now.

Just noticed this one on the smilies menu! Its so cute I just had to use it

Sunny

January 27, 2005

Good morning WISHers!

Gail—Yes I know I was very, very bad!!!! But today is a new day Now I will be good, I promise!

Mel—Thanks! My new “fast” pace is 6.2 mph (9 min 40 sec mile). I am starting to press for 6.4 mph but “fast” is only for short distances! I hope to someday be able to run long distances at a 9 minute mile pace.

Teresa—Look who’s talking! 2 ½ hours of snoeshoing deserves 3 bows!!!!

Beth—I used to just survive with migraines. I have had a prescription for Zomig for about a year now. I can force myself to function for a while with one now because I know the Zomig will knock it out completely. Used to be I’d clear out my day when I felt one coming on. I’m a little irked that it took several years of begging and pleading with my dr to get a script. Mine are hormonal. I get them every month. I used to lose anywhere from 1 to 7 days a month due to migraines. Its funny, they don't seem to hit as hard now. I think the tensing up with dread causes them to get worse. Now I am confident I don't have to suffer, but I don't go ANYWHERE without knowing I have a pill with me!

Doreen—don’t feel bad! I am having more and more difficulty getting to everyone’s journal. There should be no pressure, when you have a chance to stop by and say “hi”, great! When you don’t, I’ll stop by when I get a chance

Sherri—Long distances on the treadmill are very hard. It gets soooooo boring if you aren’t “in the zone”! I listen to music, but it’s a real chore to keep my mix interesting. Music is key!

Wilderness—THanks!!!

Terry—You have the best smilies!!!! That one is definitely a keeper!

Snow update: It stopped! I actually drove on some black streets today. What a treat to feel the full traction between my tires and the road!!!! Most streets are still snow packed but it is very sunny today, albeit 7 deg F. Funny how the body adapts. Its not windy today and 7 deg actually feels, well, comfortable!

Treadmill Nirvana: I think everyone can experience it in some form of exercise. Not everyone gets a runners high, some people are more likely to get “in the zone” cycling, or on the elliptical. Just keep at it. Unfortuneatly, its not something you can “make happen” (or at least I haven’t figured out how), it just seems to happen once in a while. Once it does… you’re hooked!!!!

So far today I am feeling very good and very positive. The weekend is quickly approaching… This one will be more successful than last one. I am DETERMINED!!!!!

Oh, BTW, an update on my GetFit Challenge: We are all a littled miffed that there appears to be a couple of students claiming an AVERAGE of 5 hours of exercise per DAY!!! We think they must be hitting the slopes and just counting the entire time. ANyway, with the skewing, I was ranked 85 of 1248 participants last week and 78 of 1248 participants this week. The ranking is based strictly on minutes exercised not on intensity/quality. Its pretty fun! At large, we are a group of over-achievers and highly competitive. We'll probably exercise ourselves into the grave with this competition!!!!!

Sunny


January 27, 2005
Thanks, guys

Tonight was speed training. I did 6.75 miles in 80 minutes. 30 minutes continuous at 6.2 mph then slow pace and 90 second and 2 minute prints at 6.4 mph and 6.6 mph. No nirvana, but sprinting has a way of passing the time really quickly.

I have to say, I am really enjoying the "smilie explosion" lately

Foods OP, I feel great

Sunny

[plutosmyfav]

OK, now I'm all caught up, but I have no more time to post "current affairs" :rolleyes:

The Titanic sounding vehicle is no more. I found out last week that it needed over $2,000 in repairs. So I ditched it and now I am the proud new debtor of a 2005 Rav4, 4x4. See if that snow can stop me now http://www.livinglively.com/clipart/car-smiley-003.gif (actually its snowing as I speak).

Exercise is going great. I did a 6 miles in 60 minutes treadie run yesterday. Today was mostly concentrating on weights and then some recumbent bike and StairMaster. I've been doing alot of TaeBo lately and really feeling results. :banana: I just love Billy Bankshttp://www.livinglively.com/clipart/blinkingblush.gif

Foods on and off. I had a bad eating day last Saturday and then again on Tuesday :rolleyes: Saturday was the day I bought the car. Dx and I spent 11:00AM to 4:30PM at the dealer. Stress and way too hungry set me up for a binge, but luckily Sunday was right back on track. THEN, Tuesday was a sick day. Sick days always end up being eating days, too. Luckily, I don't take too many ::yes::

I have to share the computer with DS. He's waiting to play his hot wheels game, so posting is over for now!!!!!

Sunny

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sunny! I love your smilie in the first post! Too cute!

You know what I found out? I love TaeBo too! I've been checking the videos out of the library every once in awhile and it is a great workout! :cool1:

Great job with your exercise and the Treadmill Nirvana! :teeth:

Have a great Friday! :cheer2:

[geetey]

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome Home, Sunny!! I have missed your posts! It's about darn time you got back in here. :teeth:

I can't wait to hear all about your new ride! I hope it handles the snow like a dream!!

[Strings]

:sunny: days are here again....

WELCOME BACK!! I've missed you. I know you have been around, but you really can't have a dialogue without your journal.


Congrats on the new car. As usual you are the exercise queen. Keep it up. Someday, I want to be just like you! :rotfl2:

Have a great weekend, and keep us posted.

Beth

[plutosmyfav]

Hello All

Just back from the gym. I did a leisurely run at 5.2 mph for 40 minutes. What a joy! I haven't done an easy workout for a long time. I'll be back after work for some serious calorie burn ;)

TOM arrived today and today is an official allowable WI :rolleyes: Of course my weight was up but I'm not stressing over it. Monday is the final day of the Stay Off the Scale Challenge, I think I can make it!

Breakfast was Kashi cereal with skim milk and a banana.
Lunch is going to be Smart Ones Lasagna, a red pepper and watermellon.
Dinner is up for grabs as of now.

I need to start working on the "no eating after __ PM" rule again :rolleyes: That one's a real killer for me.

TTFN
Sunny

[jay-nee]

So glad to see your journal is up and running again. I missed you Sunny - ALOT!

I hate having to worry about Big Brother... it's just annoying...

[plutosmyfav]

Hi :earboy2:

I have been digging through my old laptop and discovered some "before" photos I took last January (2004). Wow! I don't remember being there, but I don't want to ever take for granite where I am now. So, I am posting my Jan '04 Before pictures with some current (Feb '05) "Current" pics. I am just under 30 lbs from goal.

January 2004 ~240 lbs.
http://www.livinglively.com/images/journey/January04.jpg http://www.livinglively.com/images/journey/100_2230.jpg

February 2005 ~172 lbs.
http://www.livinglively.com/images/journey/feb13_2.jpghttp://www.livinglively.com/images/journey/feb13_3.jpg

That's all for now :wave:

Sunny

[jay-nee]

You look great! You have worked so hard!

Your kids must be so proud of you! I know mine say stuff all the time to me!

Keep up your great work and remember those before pix! ;)

[CarolA]

WOW!

Great results.

[MelanieC]

Wow Sunny- You look fantastic!!!!!!!!

Keep up the great work. I just read through all of your past posts. One thing to remember now that your getting closer to goal. You may want to start experimenting with eating more of your Flex points (or WPA's). I try to use most of mine, although I'm having to teach myself this again this time around. Last time I got to goal keeping my Target points at 22 (should have been 20) and eating ALL of my AP's and most of my flex points each week.

I firmly believe that by teaching our bodies to loose while eating more will keep your metabolism burning at the highest rate possible. If you work out as much as you do, and don't push your body to loose while eating as much as possible, when you go on maintenance, your body will want you to eat a lower set of points to maintain. By pushing it a little higher, you will maximize the amount you can eat and still maintain. It's a learning game though and everyone is different. I find if I don't eat all my flex I stall a little. When I eat my flex points, I find my weight does well. Especially when I have varying days of points. Some days are higher and then some are lower, varied throughout the week. I try not to just split my points out throughout the week (except that is good for confusing your body once in a while). I'll have 2 or 3 low days roughly around my target and then I'll have a few days where I really pump it up closer to 30. It keeps your body guessing.

You may be ok though, because I notice that your AP's are higher. I tend to figure mine based on moderate (not high) intensity and I only base it on my base exercise (not warm up or cool down). On weight days (or FIRM days), I usually knock off time on the tape for warm up and cool down and base it on how I intense the work out felt.

Keep up the fantastic work. You are doing great and look terrific.

[toystoryduo]

Wow Sunny!

You look great!!! You should be very proud of all of the hard work that you have put into this weight loss journey. You are doing an awesome job! :cheer2:

[keenercam]

Wow, Sunny! :sunny: You look great! You must be so proud of all your hard work. What an amazing difference a year has made.
I am really enjoying your journal -- you have a great sense of humor and your treadmill nirvana observation is soo on target!
Congratulations! :teeth:

[sharoncity]

Welcome back Sunny!!!! I have really missed your posts over here in the journals! So wonderful to have you back! :grouphug:

The pics are absolutely amazing! You should be very proud of yourself for taking charge of your life and health and "just doing it!" Keep up the good work - you are SO worth it!

How are the weekends going? I know it was tuff for a while. Any easier yet? I *think* I am doing better there, but the scale hasn't really agreed with me. :guilty:

Have a wonderful Monday!!

TTFN- Sharon :sunny:

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

:banana: :Pinkbounc Yippee! Sunny is back!! We missed you!

Gail

[plutosmyfav]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the warm welcome backs:)

Today was a great treadmill run. 5.3 miles in 50 minutes. I had planned on going back after work but DD was having boyfriend trouble so I spent the afternoon with her. It was nice to spend time with her, she doesn't "require" my presence much anymore :rolleyes:

Sharon-- weekends continue to be my hardest part, but I am steadily losing at a slow rate so I'll take it. I just keep working on a better plan. Some day...

Mel-- I totally agree with you about not going too low on food. In fact, I am supposed to be at 22 pts now but it felt too hard so I am doing 24 points, plus I eat my APs and I have been eating my flex. I just have a very hearty appetitie :rolleyes: I can't wait for Spring to get outside and MOVE. The gym is great, videos are great but I really miss the outdoors. Plus my appetite does go down a bit in the nice weather.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone :love:

Sunny

[Tera]

Hey Sunny....

It's so great to see you back and I LOVE the before and after pictures :banana: You are such an inspiration to the rest of us that have so much weight to lose.

Hope you had a great Valentine's Day!!

[Nanabug02]

Hi, Sunny!!

All I can say is that you are an inspiration! You look great!

Congratulations on all your hard work! :bounce:

[Tasha+Scott]

Hi, Sunny! Wow, your journal is so entertaining. Loved the pics of the snow. I am not a snow person but since I don't think I have seen that much snow since I was 3 those were some great pics!

And wow on your before and after photos! You have come a long way baby! Keep up the amazing work! :sunny:

[jay-nee]

What's up? I have a question for you...about flab... How did your body bounce back while you were losing at 1st? Did you notice the jiggles and things just firmed up over time? I am almost 40 and I'm just wondering if I have any elasticity left.

So, tell all... I have started using the Bowflex again to firm things up, but I'm really wondering about the loose skin...

Talk about getting personal, eh? You just look so good and tight, so I figured you'd know... Plus, I think you and I are in the same age range too... ;)

[plutosmyfav]

Hi Jay-nee,

Well I guess the photos don't tell all... I have very loose skin, especially my lower abdomen. I don't think a bikini is ever going to be in my future! And if I hold my arms out and wave them, I have (small) bat wings. :rolleyes: I've done lots of internet searching about the subject. What I've learned (I don't know how accurate any of it is):

elasticity is determined by age, ethnic background, heredity, healthy living (for instance smoking decreases skin elasticity), the amount of fat you had to lose
Hydration is key for good skin elasticity-- Drink you water!!!!!
Muscle binds to skin, so building muscle while losing weight should help hold the skin in place
You should allow one full year after losing weight for your skin to recover as much as it can.


Basically, I don't like what I've found in my research. If your skins loose after a year you are basically stuck. But I still have quite a way to get to goal before I can even start counting my year! I'm a firm believer (pun intended) that muscle training/toning is key in getting the best out of your skin that is possible.

But the good news for you is your didn't start off with a whole lot of weight to lose so you'll probably be fine! I don't think you are "too old" either! (I'm 41). So rest easy! I'll bet your skin shapes up just fine :goodvibes


On another note: I went to a vascular surgeon today about my varicose veins. I have disgusting "ropey" veins in my legs. I've been afraid insurance wouldn't cover their removal but the apt went well today and he seems to think I should have them removed. I go back for an ultrasound to pinpoint when vein system is involved on March 18. As it is now, I can't imagine wearing shorts this summer :sad2: I hope this goes through.

So far today I've gotten in 40 minutes of brisk walking and will hit the gym afterwork.

Sunny

[sarahsmom73]

Sunny!!! I am such an idiot!!! It has taken me this long to find you!!! Glad you are back! :sunny:

[swilphil]

Your pictures are great. I think I could use some treadmill nirvana. I was trying to decide if I wanted to go to step aerobics class or just run on the treadmill. I think I'll have to do the treadmill.

[jay-nee]

Very interesting... hmmm...

You are so amazing. You do so much more than the average bear. I am so impressed with the amount of research you have done on this...

Well, girl, I hope you are right about my situation. I talked with my Mom about it last night and she said that because I lost my weight so fast, my body will need a bit of time to recover. I am hoping so. I have added the Bowflex into my workout routine, so I am hoping that will help to firm me up in no time.

Sunny, as always, keep up your awesome work! You are an inspiration to me every day! ;)

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sunny!

That is some great information about loose skin that you posted! I have a problem with the very loose skin on my stomach. I haven't lost all of the weight I want to yet, so there is still hope it will tighten up! Yeah! :cool1:

You are doing a great job! How is the night time eating going? That is something I definitely need to work on myself and will be one of my March goals.

It's great having you post again! :teeth:

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

Hey Sunny...I know exactly what you mean. When I went from 280 to 169 in less than a year...I still had the lower abdomen, and flaps...I did my research too and didn't like what I read. I did read that it could take up to 7 years for the lower abdomen...it was so depressing. But here I am again...I liked myself much better at 169 w/a fat lower abdomen and the flaps :goodvibes

Loved the before and after pics! You look great. Keep it up...you'll get there.

Gail

[Strings]

Hi Sunny,

Your pictures are amazing. You look fabulous girl. I hope things are well for you.

So, I have to reach goal, wait 1-7 years for my belly skin to firm up? Ugh. Oh well, I am the one who gained the weight, I need to live with the consequences.

Have a fabulous day,
Beth

[sarahsmom73]

Happy Thursday Sunny!~ :sunny:

[jay-nee]

Hope things are good with you... Keep up your amazing work! :sunny:

[plutosmyfav]

Hi All :flower:

Thanks for the great encouragement :)

I have been super busy so I won't be getting to journals again today:(

Just a quick update:

I've had a couple of great runs lately. I think today will be speed training. I am still struggling with the late night snacking. Not only does it slow my weightloss but it makes me soooooo groggy in the morning. I just can't get out of bed these days. Poor kids. I hit snooze over and over and then its like we're practicing a fire drill to get out of the house. Too much rushing. Springs almost here... that will help, too.

So, the newest plan (as of this morning) is to enforce a pre-eating journalling exercise. If I'm going to eat late at night, or anytime that I'm not really hungry, I have to first write in my journal how I'm feeling, what it is I really want and then ask myself if the food is going to be a good substitue. I expect I'll still eat, but maybe this will help turn me around in time.. who knows. My biggest problem with the late night stuff is that the carbs help put me to sleep. I've always had trouble falling alseep. I hate laying awake wishing I was asleep :confused3

I have decided I am making "life-long" progress because I no longer "start and stop" my diet. This has been one continuous journey since Sept 2004. Its full of peaks and valleys and hum-drum flatlands,but its all one journey. I'm hoping to figure out how to stay on the peaks a little longer and out of the valleys alittle more often! ;)

Sunny

[sharoncity]

I have decided I am making "life-long" progress because I no longer "start and stop" my diet. This has been one continuous journey since Sept 2004. Its full of peaks and valleys and hum-drum flatlands,but its all one journey. I'm hoping to figure out how to stay on the peaks a little longer and out of the valleys alittle more often! ;)

How true that is Sunny! I have found that it is now second nature for me to order the salad at the fast food restaurants and not the fries! And I talked myself out of ice cream last week-end too! That is major progress for me. And it isn't all that hard any more.

The late night eating - seriously, if you can get through the first few nights, it does get easier. I rarely snack at night anymore. Again, it has just become a habit, just as the original eating was a habit. Maybe get some tylenol PM to help for the first couple of nights sleep? I am sure once your body adjusts, you'll do fine. :cool1:

You are making amazing progress Sunny. Just keep going - you will reach your goal! And we are here to support you the whole way!! :grouphug:

TTFN- Sharon :sunny:

[Strings]

Hi Sunny,

Great job with the running. I find that it is much more difficult for me to not snack at night in the winter. I have no problem in the summer. It is coming. Hang in there. Your idea of journaling before eating is a great one.

Have a great day,
Beth

[sarahsmom73]

TGIF Sunny! :sunny:

[wilderness01]

Hey Sunny,

I didn't realize you were back! The new title of the journal threw me. Hope all is well with you. Have a nice weekend. :flower:

[toystoryduo]

Sunny,

I love the idea of doing a pre-eating journal! What a great way to try and focus on the whys of eating when not hungry. I may need to "borrow" your idea as well. I am still eating after 8:00 p.m.

You are doing a great job with your exercise! Keep up the good work! :cheer2:

Have a great weekend! :cool1:

[Blueeyes101817]

SUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!! ive missed you, glad that you came back to us :) i LOVE the smile in the first post..glad things are going well with you!

[plutosmyfav]

Good Morning :)

Seems life is busier these days. I don't get much chance to post to my journal, let alone visit others.

Yesterday I took DS to a birthday party. I ate 2 small slices of pizza and half of a very small piece of carrot cake. I was pleased with how I handled the situation. But it amazes me how much "self talk" has to go on in my head to maintain control.

Friday I did a 6.0 mile run in 58 minutes (6.2 mph continuous), along with lower body weights and abs. Saturday I did cardio-kickboxing. Today I was really hoping to do an outdoor run (I haven't run outdoors since Christmas day) but the high today is suppose to be 22 with a wind chill that feels like 7. So looks like that's out. I am soooooooooo tired of the cold/winter weather. Snows in the forecast for Monday :cold: Blah, Blah and more Blah.

There will be no WW WI on Monday due to the holiday. Mondays have way too many interuptions for my WW at Work. Maybe I'll go to the local center.

Sunny

[sarahsmom73]

Great job on the work out! I am proud of you! :cheer2: I completely understand about self talk... Like I said in my journal, the 7:30 cut off is huge for me!

Hope you have a great Monday! :flower:

[Blueeyes101817]

sunny--great job on the workout-i am very proud!keep it up :)have a great day

[sharoncity]

Sunny - question for you. Do you eat your activity points or flex points? I am really trying to get things jump started and I don't want to eat too many points to negatively effect my out come. I get 24 points per day. This past week I used 9.5 activity points (of 18 earned) and 9 flex points. Does that seem reasonable? Or am I eating too many points to see good results? Thanks for your input!

Hope everything is going well for you. I know how busy it can get! :rolleyes: But as long as you are doing well, don't worry about us! :flower:

TTFN- Sharon :sunny:

[Tera]

Hey Sunny - I love reading about your runs, especially since I've just started myself. I'm definitely not where you are, but yesterday I did 4.5 miles in 60 minutes. Not too shabby for a beginner. I hope to be up to 5 miles soon and then go from there. It's something different for my body, so I'm hoping this will help with some toning. Keep up the great work and inspiring me to do more.

Sharon - I don't know how your doing your activity points, but your not suppose to carry them over. If you don't use them one day, that's it, you lose them. To help jump start things, I alternate, using AP's one or two days, then just my daily points (22). I very rarely use my flex points and sometimes I'll even start my day with 20 points just to keep my body thinking. I splurged alittle this past Friday and someone had mentioned maybe that's what my body needed to keep my motabolism on it's toes and still lost 2.8 this past week :teeth:

[lmhall2000]

Sunny!!! Just found your journal!!!! It's WONDERFUL! And look at how far you've come and stayed committed...and it's comforting to know that I'm not the only one who has mental arguments on whether or not to eat that next piece of pizza or should I have a piece of cake....I hope those battles end once we hit goal! :) Your exercise really inspires me...I'm just now getting back into the swing with a commitment to 6 days a week..but my cardio is nowhere near what it should be....You are doing such a GREAT job and these journals really inspire so many of us...thanks for keeping it up and I hope things thaw out for you up there!!! You've got to show off that fit and healthy body! I love your workout clothes!!! :)
Tara

[Strings]

Hi Sunny,

Your workouts are awesome. I really think that 60% of weightloss is mental. We all have those mental conversations. Sometimes, I keep control, sometimes I don't. I think that this will be a lifelong struggle for me. You did a great job at the party.

Have a great day,
Beth

[plutosmyfav]

Good morning.

I am barely functioning today. DS's school has had a stomach bug circulating for the past two weeks. He finally brought it home to us for the long weekend :rolleyes: He was sick Friday/Saturday, then I got it Monday and DD got it Tuesday. Dx came and got DS and brought him to school yesterday. I couldn't even make it down the stairs, let alone drive. DD and I laid in bed all day, dying of thirst but neither of us could make it down the stairs. When Dx brought DS home he brought us up juice and popsicles. What a day!

I brought my gym bag with me today but if I go at all it will be for a slow walk on the treadmill. I am still very weak.


Sharon: I think Teresa answered your question much better than I could right now. I have been eating all my APs and my flex for the past few weeks. My weightloss has slowed way down. I'm not happy with myself at all. If this journey was just about exercise I'd have it beat, but alas, the stupid food matters, too. My intention (as it has been for weeks now) is to eat about half my APs and not use my flex.

Teresa: You're off to a great start! With all your other training, you'll be picking up speed and endurance in a flash. I look forward to hearing your progress :)

Tara: Thanks! I guess we are not alone with the pizza self-talk!!!! Unfortunately, I don't think any of it will go away at goal :confused3 I think we just get stronger with our inner voices :)

Beth: Hi! Yes I believe this will be a life-long struggle for me, too. I can remember waaaayyyyyy back in my 20s coming to the realization that even if I lose all my excess weight, I will never be a *thin* person. I know I will always be counting and planning and battling inside my head, no matter what size my body is.

But, after this weekend, I am very grateful for my health ::yes:: so I'll stop complaining about my 'inner voices'!!!!

Sunny

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sunny,

I'm sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. These "bugs" that are going around this year seem stronger than in years past. I hope that everyone starts feeling better soon! Take it easy today if you can! :grouphug:

[pettyone]

Sunny--

I hope that you are feeling better soon...

I just wanted to say :cheer2: !! I was looking at your stats & your accomplishments are phenomenal!! WTG!!

[sarahsmom73]

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Oh Sunny! Feel better soon! I'd take care of you if I could! :grouphug:

[Tera]

Hey Sunny - I'm sorry you and your family aren't feeling well. We're not dealing with the stomach part, but Katie had strep/cold last week and was kind enough to pass it on to me :rolleyes:

Try and take it easy at the gym for a few days until you get your strength back. I'm trying not to push myself too hard, but feel guilty if I'm not doing something. I'm sure you'll be back at it in no time, inspiring me :teeth:

Have a good one! :sunny:

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

Get better soon Sunny! :sunny:

[Strings]

:grouphug: Sunny,

I'm sorry to hear that you are ill. Be sure to get plenty of fluids and rest. Please be good to yourself. I am sending major :wizard: :wizard: :wizard: for you.

Take care,
Beth

[plutosmyfav]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes! I feel fantastic! Its amazing how the body heals itself.

The good thing about the bug is I have returned to healthier eating and much smaller quantities. Hope I can keep that going!

I hurt my knee today. I pushed for speed and should have back off. I did 5 miles on the treadmill. The first 25 minutes were at 6.5 mph. :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: I then went down to 5.4, back up to 5.8, 6.0 and 6.2 etc. I felt the twinge in my left knee (my weaker knee) and I kept pushing. Bad Sunnyhttp://www.livinglively.com/clipart/No_No_smilie__.gif. I have a knee brace somewhere around here ('cause I've done this before :rolleyes: ) but I can't find it. I'll be really mad at myself if I can't do cardio tomorrow. Plus tomorrow should be a lower body weights day. We'll see.

Snows here. Blah.

I also just found out our town does there afterschool program by lottery. DS starts kindergarten next fall and its only a half day. So now I'm all in a panic over what to do if we don't get the lottery. I've based my financial plan (if you can call it that) on this last year of expensive private daycarehttp://www.livinglively.com/clipart/banghead.gif But beyond the financial aspect of it, I have really started to feel the emotions of my little guy going to that big scary public school with the big scary school kids! I want him to be little for a long time. I'm not ready for this!!!!

Sunny

[Blueeyes101817]

hi sunny--glad you are feeling better, but be careful on that treadmill!!
hope your son "wins" the lottery!!

[sarahsmom73]

Oh Sunny!!! Please take care of that knee!!! That, my dear is not a request, it's an order! :rotfl2: (I know you are thinking "who does she think she is!!!")

Good luck with the lottery! I hope you get it! :wizard:

[jay-nee]

with the lottery!

Glad to hear that your family got over that bug. It did not sound fun at all. It's so hard when you have little ones and everyone gets everything. bummer But, if it helps with the eating plan, take it, right? :)

Gotta love those left knees, that's my problem all the time. Since I've been biking almost each day, it's been feeling so much better. It has made all the difference in the world. I'm sure losing the weight hasn't hurt either. ;) Take care of it and find that brace.

My "little" ones are now 11 and 14, it is a scary world out there. I miss some things about my kids being true little ones, but I am enjoying this stage too. We can do so many more things together now. And, they are just so cool. But, thankfully, my kids are in no hurry to grow up fast (hmmm, wonder where they got that from...). And, I'm thrilled with that!

Enjoy your Friday! :flower: :flower:

[pettyone]

But beyond the financial aspect of it, I have really started to feel the emotions of my little guy going to that big scary public school with the big scary school kids! I want him to be little for a long time. I'm not ready for this!!!!
Sunny

AAAARRRGHHHH!! Is this what I have to look forward to when DD goes to kindergarten?? If I start now, by Fall '06, I should be in a quite a frenzy...

:wizard: For the lottery...

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

Hey Sunny...be careful with that knee..but I'm sure you know what you are doing! Afterall...you are the exercise queen!!! :goodvibes

Good luck with the lottery...it stinks that it works that way.

Have a great weekend! Let's do a go away snow and bring on spring dance! :cool1: :banana: :Pinkbounc :cool1: :banana:

[sarahsmom73]

I'm not ready to send DD to Kindergarten and I'm a teacher!!!!!! :confused3

[Blueeyes101817]

hope your feeling better!!! have a great weekend

[plutosmyfav]

Feb 26, Saturday

Yesterday was great. I did 50 minutes of upperbody weights and abs at lunchtime and avoided using my knee. I left work a couple hours early and went to Applebee's with DD and DM. Then DM offered to take DS for a sleepover so DD and I could go shopping. That was really nice. We spent most of our time in junior stores since we were mostly just shopping for DD. I was bored so I tried on a slinky black halter dress (size L in a jrs) and it fit! Not only did it fit, but from the hem up it looked GOOD! I was amazed that I actually like my shoulders now :cool1: BUT from the hem down OMG! My legs look like tree trunks! I haven't really looked at them all winter (I never wear dresses). They are huge. Very muscular but not sexy in the least :rolleyes: A trip through the shoe store recomfirmed my observation. I saw a great pair of boots marked way down so I tried them. They were only mid-calve height and I couldn't zip them over my calf. Maybe I've spent too much time on the stairs-from-h*&@ll :rotfl2:

I bought a new iPod shuffle (my Sony minidisc player started acting up). So I loaded it up and exercised around the house for an hour, then DD and I watched "Little Black Book". We were bored with it, but it was nice to spend time together.

I woke up today thinking my knee was all better and since DS was at Grammy's I headed to the gym with my new iPod. I ran 6.2 miles in 60 minutes (6.2 mph continuous), then walked for a total of 7.0 miles and 10 minutes elliptical. The cardio room is upstairs. As soon as I hit the stairs to go back down I realized my knee is NOT OKAY :( (So back to baby-ing it). But food has been totally OP since the stomach bug. I'm looking forward to a good WI on Monday. Last Monday was a holiday so we didn't have WW. On Friday I got an email saying our leader had to resign and we will be getting a new leader. I don't like change!!!! But I'll deal :)

The knee says no TaeBo this weekend :( So I might bounce around on DS mini-trampoline and do Pilates. I'm still working on my fitness challenge at work. I have been averaging just about 600 minutes of exercise per week. That's a lot more than I did before the challenge started.

I started using FitDay but I don't know if I'll stick with it. Its so much work putting all my different foods in. I figure after a week or two I should have all my standards in. I'm curious so see how my fat/carb/prot/fiber works out. I like all the reports and things you can see with it so I'll give it a good try.

Sunny

[jay-nee]

Sunny, too bad about the knee, boy, can I relate.

Glad to hear that eating has been OP since the stomach bug, anything that will help, eh?

600 minutes a week, you're a demon! Way to go! Those are truly amazing totals!

Keep up the great work, sounds like you and DD had a great day together, isn't that nice when things click a bit... I love that!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

[sarahsmom73]

OMG Sunny!!! You are my exercize idol!!!!! :cool1: Keep it up!!! Take good care of that knee! Rest it so you don't hurt it worse! :flower:

[wilderness01]

Take care of that knee. I really have a hard time with change too but I'm sure it will be ok. Have a good Sunday. :flower:

[plutosmyfav]

Monday, Feb 28th

I'm just back from WW WI-- (drum roll,please)... I got my 50lb magnet :banana: :banana: :banana: I am so excited!!!!! I also get my 70 lb WISH clippie today :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

Unfortunately, I am still .2 lbs from the 160s. I'm not complaining, though!!!! :earboy2:

I had a good run today. Five miles in 48 minutes. So far so good on the knee today. I was careful yesterday and only jumped on DS's mini-trampoline for exercise. I really have sympathy for people with knee trouble (Jay-nee!!!!!). My Mom is facing knee surgery soon. My Grandmother had knee trouble, too. Yikes!

Sunny

[lulu201]

Hey, Sunny! Sounds like you're doing great!! Congratulations on your magnet and your WISH clippie. WAY TO GO! :cheer2:

Erin

[Strings]

:jumping1: CONGRATS SUNNY!!! :jumping1:

:worship: :worship: :worship: You are an exercise Goddess, who needs to baby her knee.

Congrats on getting the 50 pound magnet and 70 pound clippie. I know that the 160's will be there next week.

Take care,
Beth

[Tera]

:cool1: :cool1: WEIGH to go Sunny!! :cool1: :cool1:

70 pounds is sooooo awesome! You must feel so great about yourself :goodvibes I hope to get that 50 pound magnet in another couple of weeks (9.4 pounds)

Have an awesome day!!!! :sunny: :sunny:

[sarahsmom73]

AWESOME JOB SUNNY! :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

[toystoryduo]

Sunny,

You are doing a fantastic job! Congratulations on the 50 lb. magnet and the 70 pound clippie! I am so proud of you Sunny! :sunny:

Please be careful and baby that knee if necessary. :grouphug: Have a great week!

[Nanabug02]

Congrats on the WW 50 pound magnet!!! :thewave:

That's awesome! You are such an inspiration!

Keep it up! :cheer2:

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

Way to go Sunny on the 50 lb magnet!!! You are an exercise queen!! :banana: :cheer2: You'll be in those 160's in no time...and I bet you'll be out of them even faster! You're doing great!!

Take care of that knee!

Gail

[jay-nee]

Glad to hear that babying your knee is working for you.

BTW, I can do some standing biking now! I do 10-25 second intervals about 10-15 times in a 30 minute session. That's how good my knee is now. It's still not stable side-to-side but, I can get up from my desk now and know that it's not going to give out on me. I love my bike! :flower:

I really wanted to go snowboarding with DS this year, but money-wise not sure yet... Might be able to in a couple of weeks, we'll see. It's so expensive. (plus, I'm scared I might hurt my knee, but I really want to take him...hmmmm).

I gotta tell you how impressed I am with your weight loss. You are so amazing! You just keep going and going. We ought to call you the energizer bunny (EB for short!). Whatever you are doing WORKS, can you bottle it? :teeth: You'd make a million girl! ;)

Keep it up, you are a role model for us all in this journey! :grouphug:

[pettyone]

Monday, Feb 28th

I'm just back from WW WI-- (drum roll,please)... I got my 50lb magnet :banana: :banana: :banana: I am so excited!!!!! I also get my 70 lb WISH clippie today :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

Sunny

:thewave: :thewave: :thewave:
:thewave: :thewave: :thewave:

I'm so tickled for you!! That is such awesome news! You rock!!

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sunny! :sunny:

How are you doing today? I hope you are having a wonderful week! Take care! :grouphug:

[Strings]

Hi Sunny,

So what was on the exercise schedule today? I hope you had a great day, and that the knee is feeling ok.

Take care,
Beth

[sarahsmom73]

Haopy Tuesday Sunny! I hope you have a great day! :cool1:

[plutosmyfav]

March 2, 2005

March is off to a great start! Food is OP so far :teeth: There's been a few intrusions on my exercise schedule. Yesterday I did my lower body weights and abs at lunchtime but then couldn't get back to the gym after work. So I did a combination of dancing, kicks, mini-trampoline and punching bag for an hour last night. I signed up for 2500 minutes for the March Exercise Challenge so I better not slack off!!!!!

My knee is definitely not all better but its not getting worse. I can exercise without any pain. The only time I have pain is going downstairs, so I do the "side-step" down. No biggie.

I have $15 "Old Navy dollar" to spend by March 31. My goal is to buy a pair of size 10 jeans. My 12s are getting very loose, infact some I have had to retire. So I am hopeful I will be moving to a size 10 by the end of the month :banana:

Today my "Get Fit" team is going "letterboxing" at lunchtime. (also known as orienteering). It sounds fun but the snow is really deep and I don't have snow shoes. I guess that just means it will be more of a workout. Letterboxing: a letterbox is placed somewhere in the woods and you are given clues to find it. Once you find it, you leave your name in the log and use the enclosed stamp to stamp your log, proving you were there. I guess some boxes have stickers, etc. for the kids. This one should require about 2 miles of "wandering".

Sunny

[pettyone]

I have $15 "Old Navy dollar" to spend by March 31. My goal is to buy a pair of size 10 jeans. My 12s are getting very loose, infact some I have had to retire. So I am hopeful I will be moving to a size 10 by the end of the month :banana:


:wizard:

I feel some size 10, very hip Old Navy jeans in your immediate future!

Your exercise challenge goal for March is quite admirable...you go, Sunny!! I would be worn out if I did that! Wow!

[plutosmyfav]

Thanks, Tracy :)
If my knee doesn't settle down I might not make my March exercise goal :(

Today we did the letterboxing, or should I say trudged through deep snow for 40 minutes! It was actually quite fun but hard on my knee. I still went to the gym afterwork. I was only going to do upper body weights and abs, but the cardio machines were calling my name.... So I did 33 minutes recumbent bike and ran 20 minutes at 6.2 mph on the treadie. The knee definitely didn't like the run :rolleyes: I just don't know if I am causing damage or just prolonging the healing process. Its so hard to stay off it.

DD came home in tears. Her BF broke up with her. Then he called and asked to talk... Its so hard to see her so upset and watch the angst of teen relationships. I just hugged her and rubbed her back. I couldn't think of anything wise or profound to say. Ever feel ill-prepared for the biggest most important job of your life????? Yup, that's motherhoodhttp://www.livinglively.com/clipart/confused5.gif

Sunny

[sarahsmom73]

SUNNY!

You better take care of that knee or you will be out of commision!!! :wizard: Here's hoping it feels better soon!

Sorry to hear about DD.. Young love can be the pits! :sad2:

[Blueeyes101817]

be careful with your knee
!!! dont push it too much

o man, i remember when i broke up with my exboyfriend--we dated 2 years,,cry cry cry cry cry, and i broke up with him! so i feel bad for your daughter--it does get easier :)

[sarahsmom73]

How is DD doing Sunny? :grouphug: to you both!

Happy Friday! :flower:

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

Have a great weekend Sunny! :sunny: How's the knee?

[Tera]

Hey Sunny...

Sounds like you've been keeping yourself busy. Good job staying OP and atleast trying to get some good workouts in despite your injuired knee. Try and take it easy and let that get better.

You'd be proud of me... I did my first 5 miles in 60 minutes yesterday. I paying for it today (my legs are so sore) It amazes me that you can get in over 6 miles in an hour. Maybe one day I will :teeth:

Good luck getting into those size 10 pants soon. I can't wait to get into 12's myself and hopefully 10's in the future. Here's to smaller clothes :drinking1

[plutosmyfav]

March 5, Saturday

There just isn't enough time in the day! I feel like I have't been to the WISh journals forever.

DD is back with her BF :rolleyes: They are so dramatic.

My knee seems to finally be back to normal. I avoided the treadmill for the past two days :( but I've gotten in mega exercise minutes :Pinkbounc I've been doing a self-created routine of TaeBo moves, dancing, punching bag, weights, squats, lunges, push ups, etc. I CAN'T WAIT FOR NICE WEATHER AND SNOW FREE SIDEWALKS!!!!! I'm tired of exercising in the house.

Here's the big news... I fit into a size 10!!!!!!!! I just bought a pair of Levi 550 size 10 jeans and a pair of Lee size 10 shorts and a size 8 skirt! The skirt could not be worn out of the house yet, but the jeans actually could. They are tighter than I prefer but not skin tight. I figure in about 2 weeks they should be comfortable. I can't believe it. I doubt I will ever wear the skirt with my tree-trunk legs, but I just had to buy it since I could get my body in it :earboy2:

Yestereday DD and I had a lapse in healthy eating and ordered pizza at 11PM :rolleyes: But I've been super good today so I'm not going to stress over it. Actually, I had cake for lunch yesterday, too. BUT, I actually consider yesterday to be a very successful day because 1) I was home with sick DS and maintained control 2) I ate some junk without bingeing. I am usually an all or nothing type so this was a big accomplishment. I used all my flex and went over about 20 pts but I don't think I've ever ate cake for lunch without turning the rest of the day into a binge. We'll see what the scale has to say about it on Monday!!!!!

I hope to get to everyone's journal before the weekend is over. :goodvibes

Sunny

[Blueeyes101817]

sunny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congrats on the size 10!! im so proud! i bet you will fit into that size 8 skirt in NO TIME!!

[lulu201]

:banana: Doin' the Size 10 Boogie, just for you, Sunny! Congrats! :banana:

Erin

[Tera]

Hey Sunny - Great new on the size 10 pants!!!! I hope to be celebrating that same thing in a few more months. I am happy to say that my 14's are getting big and I bought size 12 shorts for this summer :sunny: I actually bought a size 10 dress for our cruise today too :cool1: We're getting there girlfriend :banana:

Continue taking it easy on that knee of yours.

[sarahsmom73]

WTG Sunny!~ :cheer2: Keep it up! You are doing great!!! :banana:

[sharoncity]

Sunny - Size 10???!!!! That is so awesome!!!!! Just look how far you have come! And wear that skirt with pride! You know how many women would LOVE to be able to even get in a size 8 skirt???? :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc including ME!!! :p I say wear it and be PROUD of yourself!

You are doing wonderful Sunny - keep up the good work!

TTFN- Sharon :sunny:

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

You're a 10 baby!!!! :cool1: :banana: :cheer2: :Pinkbounc :earseek:

That is so awesome!!!! Strut your stuff!!!

Gail

[sarahsmom73]

Sounds like it is party time again!!!

:jumping1: :dancer: :rockband: :jumping1:

[jay-nee]

:wave: So glad to hear that the knee is feeling better. You had me worried...

Kids should be born with a manual in their hand. It's so hard when they start to have real problems in their life. Not sure what to say or if it's right... DM always says to do what you think it right at the moment and at least it's from the heart. The philosophy is good in theory. ;)

WOW! :earseek: Size 10's, I'm super impressed! You are doing the right things - keep up the amazing effort! You are an inspiration to us all! :cool1:

Happy Tuesday Sunny! :sunny:

[plutosmyfav]

Ahhhh, you guys are the best :grouphug: :cheer2: :grouphug: :cheer2:

Well, the bad news is:

1) My knee is not all better
2) I gained 2 lbs

:( I tried to run yesterday and had to stop after 15 minutes. It seems to only hurt on impact, so I was able to do recumbent bike, stair master, and elliptical without any trouble. But I don't get my "high" from those other activities!!!!

The good news is I got in 170 minutes of exercise yesterday! I did upper body weights/abs, all the machine I mentioned above and then late last night I got on the mini-trampoline and "jogged" for 30 minutes. The scale didn't smile on me again this morning, though. I'm trying not to let this 2 lb thing get to me because I know it is impossible that I added fat to my body this week. But it sure is frustrating.

Well, gotta run for now.

Sunny

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sunny!

I'm sorry to hear about your knee. I hope it starts feeling better soon! You are doing a great job with exercise even with a painful knee. That is so awesome Sunny! Keep up the good work! :cheer2:

[jay-nee]

baby that knee, it will pay off in the end... give it time to heal...

other than that keep working your butt off! You are doing soooooooo GREAT!
:banana:

[Strings]

:grouphug: Sunny,

You need to rest the knee. DO NOT even look at the treadmill for a week. I know that you miss your Nirvana, but you will keep stressing that knee by getting running too soon. Stick with the bike and elliptical for awhile. I am worried about you sweetie.

CONGRATS on the size 10! :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc You rock. Wear them with pride.

Won always jokes that we will pay for Katie's therapy since we are so clueless at raising her.

Take care of yourself,
Beth

[wilderness01]

Beth wrote:

CONGRATS on the size 10! You rock. Wear them with pride.

::yes::

Won always jokes that we will pay for Katie's therapy since we are so clueless at raising her.

:rotfl2: That is so funny. We say that too. I do wish kids came with an instruction booklet comprised of the do's and don'ts of what to say. Oh young love......I hope it is many, many years until we get there! You were shown the first lesson of not saying a word sometimes is the better route because they could be back together by the time you dot your i's and cross your t's.

Rest your knee girl or you will hurt it more. Have a good day. :goodvibes

[sarahsmom73]

If you don't rest that Knee we are all coming over to kick your butt!!! :cool1:

[plutosmyfav]

I've stayed off the treadmill for two days now (Tuesday and Wednesday). My knee doesn't hurt at all. I'm even going down stairs normally and not avoiding them. I will try to stay off the treadmill until next Monday, then try a gentle jog. Yesterday I logged 240 minutes of exercise :earseek: It started with snow shoveling :rolleyes: , recumbent bike at lunchitme, stairmaster and rowing after work and then "jogging" on DS's mini-trampoline until I was ready to drop. Tuesday ended in a binge :sad2: So I was trying to burn some extra calories.

Well, if the 2 lb gain was going to disappear on its own, I made sure it wouldn't with my Tuesday binge. I'm so mad at myself. I took my tickertape off instead of updating the bad news :sad2: If I'm lucky, I might have the stupid 2 lbs back off for Monday's WI and just be back to my Feb 28th weight. Its not looking good for the Lose 5 in March challenge. But I'm 50% of the way to my exercise challenge already so at least its not a total bust!!!!!!

Sunny

[sharoncity]

Hang in there Sunny!!!! I am sure once our weather turns more spring like, you will turn your eating/binging around. If you can manage to maintain for a few more weeks, then that will be enough, right?! :cool1: Spring will eventually show up in the Northeast and you will get a big boost - I am sure of it!! :flower:

I am glad your knee is feeling better. I think staying off the TM till Monday is an excellent idea. You are still doing incredible with your exercise, so it shouldn't be detrimental to your goal to baby that knee!

Have a good weekend. Go buy some pineapple and strawberries to have in the house when all this nasty snow is falling outside. It will make you think of warmer days!! :sunny: :sunny:

TTFN- Sharon

[sarahsmom73]

Rest that knee!!! It is hard to not eat when it is winter.. Not an excuse, but a reality I think!!!

Happy Friday! :sunny:

[Blueeyes101817]

hey sunny! i tend to eat more in winter, so i cant wait till its over--
hope you can rest your knee !!
have a great weekend

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sunny!

Winter has been taking its toll on a lot of us. I say, "Bring on Spring!" :sunny:

Have a great weekend! :flower:

[sarahsmom73]

:dancer: Come on Spring!!! :dancer: :dancer: Come on Spring!!! :dancer: :dancer: Come on Spring!!! :dancer: :dancer: Come on Spring!!! :dancer:

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

Way to go getting in all that exercise with a bum knee!! I'm joining Jen in the Spring Dance! :cool1: :banana: :rolleyes1 :jumping1: :rose: :dancer: :rockband: :music: Come on Spring!!!!

[plutosmyfav]

http://www.livinglively.com/clipart/RabbitBump.gifI'm loving the Spring Dance :rotfl2:

Oh its hard to keep up with my journal these days. Maybe because I've turned into an exercising MANIAC :rotfl:

Yesterday ended with 250 minutes. Here's how it went: 50 minutes lower body weights and abs at lunchtime. 90 minutes cardio after work. I know you'll be mad at me, BUT... I got on the treadmill. I didn't hurt my knee, honest!!!! I was going to run for an hour but I felt a slight twinge at 39:30 and stopped at 40 minutes for a total of 4 miles (6.0 mph). The funny thing is that I kept bumping the front of the treadmill because my body wanted to go faster! I then walked for the rest of the hour, followed up with elliptical and stair master. No knee pain, not even going down stairs. THEN, after everyone was settled, I watched tv bouncing on the mini-trampoline for another 90 minutes. I watched VH1 top 100 bodies. Wow, some of those nuts workout 5 to 7 hours a day, 6 days a week!!!!

So today I set up a boot camp schedule. Here's my goals:

100 pushups
100 squats
10 "Hundreds" (pilates 100 crunch moves)
100 minutes cardio

So far I've done 50 pushups, 50 squats, 1 set of Hundreds and 40 minutes cardio. Plus 90 minutes of back-breaking slush shoveling. The snow is white cement this time. In fact, I broke my shovel. This is funny, I was really upset. I've grown attached to that shovel. I estimate I have burned over 10 lbs of fat with that baby. DS and I headed to the hardware store for a new one. But in mid-March the store is filled with grass seed and garden tools :rotfl: There were only a few to choose from and I am not happy with the one I ended up with.

Food: Well, I am OP in a weird way. I have been eating tons of fruit and zero point veggies and having tons of gastro-distress. Major gas and lower abdominal "rumbling" that goes on for hours. I finally tried beano which takes care of those two symptoms but I still end up with sharp lower ab. pains. So I am trying very little veggies, high fiber whole grains, etc. today and have no trouble whatsoever. I've had a lot of simple carbs which feels like cheating but my points are in balance. I don't know what I will do if I can't eat major veggies. That's how I keep my points low. Its strange that it started all of the sudden about 3-4 weeks ago. I've been eating this way since September.

The scale still doesn't want to give me back my two pounds but the tape measure was nice. I am down a whole inch on my hips since Feb 10th. Since starting WW in Sept I have gone from 44/37/47/49 1/2 to 39/29/38/39 1/2 (Bust/Waist/Hips/widest just below hips). Its nice to think that all my "parts" are under 40" nowhttp://www.livinglively.com/clipart/heehee.gif

Oh, my GetFit team won the "Most Creative Exercise" contest for our "Letterboxing". We will each get a pocket radio. This GetFit challenge has definitely stepped up my exercise big time. I used to think going to the gym 5 times per week was more than enough. Now I am looking to add minutes every where I can.

That's all for now :)

:wizard: :wizard: :wizard: SPRING :wizard: :wizard: :wizard:

Sunny

Added Sunday morning: I made my boot camp goals!!! 100 pushups, 100 squats, 10 "hundreds" and 130 minutes cardio plus 90 minutes snow shoveling!

[sarahsmom73]

HOLY COW!!! You are an exerczing MAMA!!!! :cool1: I am so impressed!!!!

Keep up the spring dance! :dancer: :jumping1: :dancer: :jumping1: :dancer:

[jay-nee]

you sound more like an exercise addict! Not a bad thing to be addicted to, huh?

I am LOVING the sun today! :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny: * sunnies, for the 8, hopefully, sunny days 'til Spring!

I know what you mean about the shovel. We've broken 2 this year and one of them was my total fav! Not sure if we will be able to replace it so we are managing right now with 3 broken shovels (one from last year) and 2 horrible un-broken ones. ARGH! Like I said with DH not working, we are not replacing them until next year, so I am hoping for NO MORE SNOW!

Enjoy your day!

[wilderness01]

Wow that is alot of exercise! Your stats look great as well. Have a happy Sunday. :goodvibes

[Blueeyes101817]

you are doing soooo great!! you are exercising like crazy--i need to get some of your motivation!!!!!!!! good for u :)

[Tera]

Sunny - Geez woman... I'm exhausted just READING your posts :earseek: You are so amazing with your exercising... you should make a video ;) Keep up the great work and keep inspiring us :flower:

[sarahsmom73]

Happy Monday Sunny! I hope you have a wonderful day! :sunny:

[toystoryduo]

Wow Sunny! :earseek:

Your workouts are amazing!!! Congrats on being under 40 too! :Pinkbounc You are doing great! Have a wonderful Monday! :sunny:

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

You exercise fiend!!!! Way to go!!! You leave me in the dust.

Have a great week!

Gail

[plutosmyfav]

Hi All,

Just a quick post before putting DS to bed. Yesterday I continued the "boot camp" theme with:

100 squats
100 lunges
100 Brown House kicks (TaeBo)
100 front/back kicks (TaeBo)
10 "Hundreds" (Pilates)
100 crunches on the ball
45 minutes of cardio (I aimed for 100 minutes again but ran out of time).

It was sunny and beautiful yesterday, DS and I spent a couple hours outside. The snow is melting.... Yeah!

Today I got on the treadie again with no knee trouble. I did 5 miles in 47minutes (60 minutes total with warm up/cool down). WI was down 1.6 lbs but that still puts me .4 lbs UP from Feb 28th. Grrrr. I'm getting really concerned about my "digestive troubles" from veggies, fruits and whole grains. If I have to cut back on those I'm doomed. I might have to go see my dr. I really hope not. My Mom has IBS so I called her to compare notes and it doesn't sound quite the same. Dunno.

I went out with DD after work so no second trip to the gym. After I put DS to bed I *might* do TaeBo but I might just go to sleep. I'll kind of be glad when our GetFit challenge is over, I will settle down a bit then :goodvibes

Sunny

[Blueeyes101817]

your boot camp sounds awesome-i need to move in with you and get motivated!!!i hope you get some sleep!

[sarahsmom73]

Go Sunny! :cool1: Go, GO Go Sunny! :cool1: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

[plutosmyfav]

Hello :flower:

Today was great. I woke up to a whooosh! Down 4 lbs since yesterday :cool1: I'm not going to claim it on a ticker tape or anything just yet. I'll wait and see how it holds. Seems I'm always down the day AFTER WW WI :confused3

I did 50 minutes of upper body weights and abs at lunchtime. I stepped up my weights on several machines. The ones that stayed the same are 3 sets of 12 reps.

Vertical Chest Press now 100 lbs! (3 sets of 8 reps and I was maxed out)
Pec Dec now 90 lbs (2 sets of 8 reps, last set back to 80 lb)
Back Pull-down 80 lbs (not an increase)
Vertical Row 80 lbs (not an increase)
Shoulder press 70 lbs (3 sets of 8 and maxed out)
dumbell curls 20 lbs (not an increase)
Chin Assist 100 lbs (stayed the same)
Tricept Pull-down 50 lbs (3 sets of 10)
Long Pull 80 lbs (stayed the same)
Dumbell overhead lifts 15 lbs (stayed the same)
crunch machine 30 lbs (2 sets of 20, then down to 20 lbs for a set of 60)
vertical leg lifts (3 sets: 15, 18, 12)
hyper-extension sides and back (stayed the same)
tricept over head 30 lbs (stayed the same)

I can't wait to see if I'm sore tomorrow :earboy2: I haven't "upped" my weights for a long time.

Then after work was 45 minutes on the treadmill. Nothing too inspiring, but I did manage two spans of 7 minutes at 6.5 mph, the rest mostly 6.2 mph. And last, 30 minutes on the recumbent bike. ZERO knee pain :banana: Don't know if I'll do anything else tonight :rotfl2:

Food is good. I did nachos for dinner and over ate about 5 points but I can use flex for them. Cheese adds up sooooo quickly! I used the new Fat Free Doritoes (90 cal per oz) and they were quite good. I've also been on a sugar free jello kick. I have to cut back on my fat-free cool whip, though :rolleyes: It seems to grow and grow with each serving.

Two people asked me how much more weight I've lost. Funny thing is I've hardly lost any weight for about a month so I'm assuming the exercise is fooling 'em :goodvibes.

I'm contemplating getting a dr's note for WW to have a goal above their official range (they allow this). I'm sure my dr would write one. I also plan to get my body fat percent read at the gym. I'm just not brave enough yet to do it. Maybe 10 more lbs. I don't want to get discouraged with a high number!

Guess that's it for now. DOn't know if i'll get to journals tonight. Hope you all are doing well :flower:

Sunny

[Strings]

HI Sunny!

I am so glad to hear that the knee is feeling better. You are an exercise machine!! I can't believe all the hours you are putting in. The tape measure proves it though. Congrats on those measurements. You have come a LONG way.

Keep up the hard work,
Beth

[Blueeyes101817]

sunny--you are doing so awesome!! youre seriously an exercise machine --go sunny go!!

[sarahsmom73]

Sunny! You are my exercize Idol! :cheer2:

[Strings]

Hi Sunny,
Just dropping by to say hi.
have a good one,
Beth

[Rachie0507]

What a fun journal to read. Thanks!! You are awesome with all that exercise--WOW!!!

[plutosmyfav]

Today is going well. I have logged 140 minutes of exercise. My all out push last week earned me a ranking of 19 out of ~1200 participants on our GetFit challenge. Yippee :cool1:

Today was lower body weights. I stepped up the glute isolator and my squat weights but that's all. Arms aren't a bit sore. Strange. Digestive "issues" continue to be a problem. I have to get through a series of IEP meetings for both kids, kids dr apts, etc. before I find the time to see my dr. But when I do go, I think I am going to request to set my WW goal to 155. That would put me at a BMI of .25 which is the top of the "normal" range. Way back before the dawn of time... I mean before motherhood, I had dieted down to 140 lbs and I was wearing a size 6. So now, add all the muscle and I just don't see myself getting to 145. We'll see.

I had a good run on the treadie. I set out to do 60 minutes at 6.2 mph but developed a terrible side cramp around 48 minutes (5 miles) so cut the run short. But after walking a bit I did two tiny sprints at 6.7 mph. One for 3 minutes and one for 90 seconds. I can't wait to make that "my" pace! Then 20 minutes on the recumbent bike at a snails pace (just enough energy to qualify as exercise minutes).


Food's OP but I'm using more fruits and than veggies do to my tummy troubles. The 4 lb whoosh held again this morning! I'm still not convinced, though.

Good night,

Sunny

[sarahsmom73]

Happy Thursday Sunny! Hope you have a great day O Majesty the work out queen! :wizard:

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

Hope you had a chance to see your doctor about your tummy.

Between you and Tera...I don't know who exercises more!! You're both my idols :cheer2:

Happy St. Patty's Day!

[toystoryduo]

Sunny,

Your workouts continue to amaze me!! You are doing such a great job! Keep up the good work! :cheer2:

I hope you're able to see the doctor soon. Tummy troubles are not fun!

Have a wonderful Thursday! :sunny:

[sharoncity]

Sunny - You are absolutely amazing with your exercise!!! :banana: WTG!!

I hope you can find the time to get to your doctor soon. It doesn't seem to make much sense that you suddenly have problems with the fruit and veggies after almost 6 months....??? :confused3 We gotta get that cleared up before the summer season when everything is fresh and yummy!!! :teeth:

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and let's pray that we don't see any of that horrid white stuff!!!!! :sad2: :cold:

TTFN- Sharon :sunny:

[keenercam]

Sunny -- You are amazing on your workouts! :dancer: I am incredibly impressed :worship: and absolutely inspired! Now, if someone would just do something about the 24 hours in a day and the need for sleep, I just might be able to take action in response to your inspiration! :rotfl2:

You are doing so great! Congratulations! Thank you so much for support and inspiration you provide. :cheer2:

[sarahsmom73]

Happy Friday Sunny! :flower: Hope you have a wonderful day! :cool1:

[Blueeyes101817]

you are doing so great....congrats at being 19!! have a greaet weekend

[plutosmyfav]

I started the "Walking to Disney" challenge last night! Now I am totally psyched about this. I looked up the directions and total miles from my front door to the Poly-- 1235.88 miles. I stayed on the treadmill last night for 95 minutes, earning 8.87 miles towards my run. (Actually I'm running to Disney). I'm only going to count running towards my distance, not bike, elliptical, etc. I am going to put $2 per mile in my money market account so that when I arrive virtually, I'll have enough money to go really! So I am currently on Rt 128 (I-95), I should make it to the Mass Pike tonight at the gym :rotfl2: Oh this is just the sort of thing I needed to motivate me :rotfl:

Happy Friday Everyone!!!!!!

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

That challenge sounds so cool! I think I'm going to check it out!!

Enjoy that run! And what a way to save some money too!!

Gail

[Strings]

That is a cool idea. I may have to check it out too. Keep up the great work.

Enjoy the weekend,
Beth

[plutosmyfav]

I am so psyched about this running to disney. I stayed on the treadie for 100 minutes tonight! I did 9.65 miles in 100 minutes, mostly running 6.0 mph but some slower as I got exhausted. I also did 20 minutes elliptical.

So I am now well on my way down the Pike (the Mass Pike that is). Did you see Goodwill Hunting? That final driving scene is the Mass Pike, that's where I am running for the next couple of weeks :rotfl2:

I now owe the bank $38 dollars :goodvibes

Sunny

[Tasha+Scott]

Hi, Sunny! I hope you do well with your new challenge! And I hope you have a great weekend! :)

[plutosmyfav]

Hello,

I go to run outdoors yesterday :cool1: We also took DS to Horn Pond and walked around. DS and I ran a fair bit of it and then when he peetered out, I carried him piggy back. It was a good reminder as he weighs the same amount as I have lost with WW since Sept (~50 lbs). I'm glad I'm not carrying all the weight anymore!

I also did boot camp again:

Squats 100
Lunges 100
ball crunches 100
reverse curls 100
Hundred 100
Round House kicks 100
front/back kicks 100
pushups 100
Roll ups (crunches) 100

I did TaeBo at 10 PM. DD and I went out to eat and I ordered Top Sirloin with baked potatoe and butternut squash. I ate half of my meat, 3/4 of the potate and most of the squash. I figured it was about 14 points from Dotti's website listing. That is a successful restaurant trip for me! I didn't inhale the whole thing!!!!!

Well, I better get my but in gear and get off to church!

Happy Spring Everyone :jumping1:

Sunny

[Blueeyes101817]

you are doing great!! i did crunches, squats, lunges the other day babysitting and i am sore--i love it :) have a great rest of the weekend!!!!

[plutosmyfav]

That's great, Jen!!!! I think it is key to learn how to squeeze exercise in with our regular schedules.

Yesterday I didn't do any formal exercise, but I cleaned out the garage which took almost 3 hours and then went straight to BJs, then straight into laundry and house cleaning so I stayed "active". I bought two more pairs of size 10 pants but I think they are still a bit too snug for my liking. I'm trying a chicken taco soup crock pot recipe today. Hopefully it will turn out good. I want to do more crock-pot meals since I am so hungry and tired by the time I get home from work.

Happy Monday :flower: I'll be back to post my WW WI later ;)

Sunny

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sunny!

You are doing such a fabulous job with your workouts! (And yes, cleaning the garage counts as a workout. ;) ) Keep up the good work! :cheer2:

Please let us know how the chicken taco soup turns out. If you like it, can you post the recipe?

Have a great day! :flower:

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

Woo Hoo Sunny...buying those size 10's :cheer2: It's just so nice to buy off the rack I bet!!! Please let us know about that soup. Sounds different...and I love anything that goes in a crock pot...that way I know what I'm having for dinner.

Hope your WI went well! Have a great day!

Gail

[Tera]

Hey Sunny - You amaze me every time I ready your journal. Working out at 10:00pm? How do you keep modivated that late at night? I just want to sit on my butt, watching the news.

Keep up the great work and inspiring us to work harder :sunny:

[sarahsmom73]

WHOOO HOOOO Sunny! I am sooooooooo proud of you! :cool1: Keep up the awesome work and take a bow! You deserve it! :goodvibes

[kris1973]

Wow your excersise freak lol.....keep up the great work. You got me tired just reading it. Can't wait to see 50lbs off me, that would be so so cool

Kristin

[pettyone]

I bought two more pairs of size 10 pants but I think they are still a bit too snug for my liking.

Those pants won't be snug for long with the amount of hard work that you're doing!!!

:cheer2: Go Sunny!! :cheer2:

[plutosmyfav]

Hello,

I avoided posting yesterday because I was really depressed. I had my WW WI and was only down .2 lbs. Remember the 4 lb whoosh I posted last TUesday? Well it held clear through Sat. Sun I was up 2 lbs and stayed there for Monday. But that still should have been a 2 lb loss. I went to the gym an hour before WI and the gym scale showed a 2 lb loss, too. I was so, so discouraged. But I am more positive today. I am wearing my size 10 jeans and for the first time, a size 36C bra :p. If this keeps up, maybe I will make it into the Guiness Book of World Records for being the first 170 lb woman to wear a size 8 :rotfl2:

The WI gave me a bad attitude and I really wimped out at the gym after work. But I did go! I think once our GetFit challenge is over (march 31) I will taper off a little bit. I am starting to feel burned out. Luckily, the snow is finally melting and I can get outdoors to exercise. That should be a big boost.

The soup recipe:

1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs cut in little pieces
1 lb. frozen corn
1 can (14 1/2 oz) mexian style stewed tomatoes undrained
28 oz fat free chicken broth
3/4 cup uncooked brown rice
1 pkg. taco seasoning

throw the first 4 ingredients int he crock pot for 8 hours on low. Add the rice and taco seasoning and cook another 40-50 minutes on high.

makes 6 servings of 1 1/2 cups: 270 calories, 3 gram fiber, 4 g fat

Very filling and tastey. I added some frozen peas to lower the calories per serving a bit.

Sunny

[sharoncity]

:hug: for you Sunny!How utterly discouraging! I think we need to schedule a scale bashing party for you!! :badpc: Just leave it out on the front porch and I'll stop by to kick it to kingdom come!!!! :cool1:

But, the important thing is how you look and feel. You are wearing smaller sizes, so you are doing something right! Just stick with it, the scale is bound to cooperate eventually! :rolleyes:

Enjoy the beautiful spring like weather today. Apparently it is the only nice day we are going to see this week! :sad2:

TTFN- Sharon :flower:

[Strings]

Sunny,

Look at the taco seasoning packet. Most are loaded with soduim AND MSG! You are retaining water from the soup. Your next weighin should show the Whoosh.

You are doing an amazing job. Keep it up and the 160's will be here soon. Remember how much you are lifting and think of all that muscle you have. You are one Buff Babe, and don't forget it.

Take care,
Beth

[plutosmyfav]

:rotfl2: Sharon, I'll stick it out on the porch now!!!!!

Beth, I didn't think of the sodium. Plus, TOM arrived today. Its quite irregular so I wasn't even thinking of it. Too bad I scarfed down three donuts in dismay before it arrived. I can count them as flex points, but its awfully scarey to use flex points on Tuesday when my week ends on Sunday :scared1:

I went to my consultation after the vascular ultrasounds. My left leg is very bad (as veins go) so that one will be done first. They said they'd call with an apt probably late April. It will be done by "Closure" where they put a catheter in the main vein and heat it to seal it (yuck). The right leg isn't a candidate for that procedure and will be done with "snipping and tying" the individual bad veins. The first procedure should put me off my feet just one day and then take it easy for a few days. The second will be more. I'm nervous about it all. Plus, I waited over an hour for my apt and that ate away my gym time. Thus the unexpected donuts on the way to pick up DS.

So far today I haven't done any exercise. I'm wearing the right clothes, but I don't see myself getting into gear before the nights out. Tomorrow's a new day...

Sunny

[wilderness01]

Sunny,

What is up with your veins? Did I miss it? Do you have bad spider veins as well? Hope your procedures go well. Take care.

[sarahsmom73]

I am in for the scale bash!!! :cool1:

You are building lots of lean muscle Sunny!!! I bet you that is what it is!!! You are such an inspiration to us all! Keep your chin up Girlie! :grouphug: :grouphug:

[plutosmyfav]

Sunny,

What is up with your veins? Did I miss it? Do you have bad spider veins as well? Hope your procedures go well. Take care.

Hi Wilderness,

No, I don't have any spider veins, just some big ugly ropey varicose veins. My Mom (and basically all the women on my Mom's side) have terrible varicose veins and she also has had clotting problems. So between the actual health risk and the sheer ugliness of them, I went for a consultation and had an ultrasound done. I just wish I understood the risks of having the procedure versus leaving them be a little better. But I really hate how my legs look so I really do want to have them removed.

Sunny

[kris1973]

You should do what makes you feel good about your veins. If your really scared you can put it off or just steam ahead. Wish I could give you some better advise but I have not had it done. But I am sure when I shed all this weight I will have to address it. Keep up the good work.

Kristin

[plutosmyfav]

Just back from the gym... I'm dangerous!!!! I did upperbody weights today. Last week I upped my weights on several machines by 10 lbs. Today, I got confused and set the pec deck to 100 lbs (should have been 90 lb). I was so angry at how difficult it was, but I was determined to do my reps. Then I realized it was too heavy :rotfl2: But since I did one set, I figured I could do 2... I did the 3rd set at 90lbs. I pushed on all the machines as hard as I could. By the time I hit the locker room I was wondering if I'd be able to change my clothes, my arms were spaghetti. Now I am sitting here with a deep, relaxing burn in my shoulders and back. Aaahhhh, that's what its all about :goodvibes I think I'll make 100 lbs my norm for the pec deck :p

Yesterday ended up being a zero exercise day, so I really hope nothing gets in the way of my second trip to the gym today :wizard:

Yesterday's food was a mess, too. Its ok since I used flex points, but with Easter being on Sunday and Sunday being the last day of my WW week this really wasn't a good idea to mess up on Tuesday :rolleyes:

Sunny

[pearlieq]

Wow! Congrats to you for pushing yourself at the gym today! Isn't that rubber arms feeling great? :bounce:

I hope you have a great Easter!

[plutosmyfav]

Thanks, Perl

I hope you have a great Easter, too :flower:

I had a great run after work. 7 miles in 67 minutes, but a total of 8.5 miles in 85 minutes. I started the run at 6.5 mph for 40 minutes, then to 6.4, then 6.3 etc. down to 5.5 mph at the end. I did a lot of stretching afterward which makes a huge difference for stiffness. My run to Disney is nearing Connecticut :cool1:

I also think I solved my gastric problems :rolleyes: Beano alone wasn't quite enough, but cutting out carbonated drinks seems to do the trick. I'm still living on Beano (which is harmless but EXPENSIVE). If I can go many days without trouble I might try to cut back on the Beano. What a relief. But I was really enjoying some fruit flavored, splenda sweetened sparkling water form BJs. Maybe I can have small amounts without food. No more guzzlilng 16 oz with meals :sad2: But I'm very happy to not be suffering those symptoms ::yes::


Sunny

[toystoryduo]

Hey Sunny!

You are doing such a great job! Don't you just love the running/walking to Disney idea? :goodvibes It is really helping to motivate me even though the weather hasn't cooperated for me to walk/run yet. (We don't have a treadmill either.) I figure I will either walk/run my way to Disney or exercise my way to Disney. Either way, it's a win-win, right? :teeth:

Have a great day tomorrow! :sunny:

[sarahsmom73]

Sunny.. Oh Workout Queen! :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship: can I have you autograph! :rotfl2:

Just kidding! You are doing so AWESOME!

[plutosmyfav]

Hey Sunny!

You are doing such a great job! Don't you just love the running/walking to Disney idea? :goodvibes It is really helping to motivate me even though the weather hasn't cooperated for me to walk/run yet. (We don't have a treadmill either.) I figure I will either walk/run my way to Disney or exercise my way to Disney. Either way, it's a win-win, right? :teeth:

Have a great day tomorrow! :sunny:


Absolutely! Tracy, aren't you the one with the nifty exercise to Disney miles formula? I think that's a great idea ::yes::

[kris1973]

Holy cow thats alot of running. I would need a hip replacement if I went that far. How far did you start out at in the beginning and how did you move it up to that much? Have a great one.

Kristin

[plutosmyfav]

Kristin,

I started walking about 4 years ago. After my second pregnancy (2000) I had gained alot of weight from 8 weeks of bedrest. When I first started walking again I could barely do 30 minutes at 3.0 mph (1.5 miles). After about 6 months or so I was upto 10 and 20 minute jogs at 4.5 mph and long walks (~5 miles or so). It just keeps creeping up! :goodvibes


3/24/05

So far today I've done lower body weights. I hope to get some more Disney miles in afterwork :Pinkbounc I can't wait to cross the state line!

I just added 6.3 miles in 65 minutes to my Disney miles. I also did 20 minutes StairMaster. I didn't have time to stretch and I definitely feel it now! Food is OP :banana: That's my biggest challenge.

[Strings]

Hi Sunny,

I was on bedrest with Katie too. It really does pack on the pounds.

The walk to Disney seems to really have motivted you. I think it is great. You will always be a workout queen.

Take care,
Beth

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sunny!

I hope you and your family have a Happy Easter! :flower: Take care! :grouphug:

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

Wow Sunny!!! :cool1: You are putting in some exercise...gotta get rid of those donuts! :teeth: You are so amazing!! You just stay so positive. Enjoy your weekend and Easter!!

Gail

[sarahsmom73]

Happy Easter Sunny! :grouphug:

Like I said, you are my exercize idol! :cool1:

[Blueeyes101817]

hi sunny--hope you had a great day

[sarahsmom73]

Good morning O' Queen of the Workout!!!! I hope you have a great day! :cool1:

[plutosmyfav]

Hello :)

Easter was very nice. My mom started WW a couple of months ago and she served a totally WW-friendly dinner! I was delighted. I over indulged in Easter candy at home, though. My WW WI showed it, too. I was only down .6 lbs. At this rate is should take me, oh say, THREE YEARS to reach goal! But I guess as long as I'm not going up, I should be happy.

I am happy to announce I have crossed the state line! I am now in Connecticut on my Run to Disney :cool1: The weather has permitted a few outdoor runs, oooooh that is soooo nice. I am now on my way to the gym. Today is rainy and cold. But at least its not SNOW!!!!!!!!!

Happy Monday Everyone :flower:

Sunny

[sarahsmom73]

Suuny! You are doing so great!!! Congrats in making it into CT!!! That is awesome!!!! :cool1:

You ARE going to reach your goal! If you keep up the workouts, there is no way it will take you 3 years!

[Rachie0507]

I started walking about 4 years ago. After my second pregnancy (2000) I had gained alot of weight from 8 weeks of bedrest. When I first started walking again I could barely do 30 minutes at 3.0 mph (1.5 miles). After about 6 months or so I was upto 10 and 20 minute jogs at 4.5 mph and long walks (~5 miles or so). It just keeps creeping up!


What a great way to build endurance. You are always inspiring!!! Thanks you!

[toystoryduo]

Way to go Sunny!

You are well on your way to WDW! :Pinkbounc I'm still here in Ohio, but I am working on getting to West Virginia. :goodvibes

Keep up the good work and have a wonderful Tuesday! :flower:

[pearlieq]

Happy Tuesday!

That's so cool that you got a WW Easter dinner!

Hope you enjoy the great state of CT. Even if it takes 3 years to get where you want to be, they'll be some of the best 3 years of your life! You're doing great!!!

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

A WW easter dinner...sounds yummy!! So nice to know you could eat and not feel guilty!

Way to go with your running...you'll be in Disney in no time! Enjoy the scenery. :goodvibes

You are doing amazing with you weight loss..you're still going in the downward direction...and you look awesome! You'll get to your goal weight!

Have a great one!

Gail

[plutosmyfav]

Thanks everyone for such great encouragement :goodvibes

Today was great. Food is totally OP and I got in two workouts. Fifty minutes at lunchtime for killer upper body weights and abs and then 100 minutes afterwork for treadmill and stretching. I ran 8.61 miles in 92 minutes. Its hard to force myself to cross-train now that I am trying to rack up Disney miles! This is the last week of our GetFit challenge so I will definitely be tapering a little come next week!

My size 10 jeans are starting to feel a tiny bit loose :banana: Good thing that are plenty of rewards outside of that stupid scale :rotfl:

Sunny

[Blueeyes101817]

u are doing so great!!!!!! keep it up!!

[Strings]

Hi Sunny,

You are doing an amazing job. Your Disney run is progressing at an amazing rate. I know the scale isn't cooperating, but eventually it will. You WILL reach your goal, and inspire us all along the way.

Take care,
Beth

[sarahsmom73]

WOW Sunny! You are amazing!!! :cool1: I am so proud ofyou and your progress!!!

[wilderness01]

You are making great progress. I know I hate the scale as well. Your size 10's are starting to feeling loose? That is great!!!! Have a good day. :goodvibes

[toystoryduo]

Way to go Sunny!!!! :cool1: You are doing such an awesome job! :cheer2: Keep it up! :Pinkbounc

[sarahsmom73]

You are AMAZING!!!! :cool1:

[DoeWDW]

Hey, I finally made it here!! Hi Sunny! :wave2:

You are doing an amazing job with exercise - love the run to Disney idea! ::yes:: You've inspired me to get back into the gym AND to start increasing my weights. I've been taking it entirely too easy on myself - I know I can lift more.

Hang in there and watch that scale go down! I know it takes time but you're becoming so much healthier and I know all those workout minutes have GOT to be adding some serious muscle.

Hope you have a great day! :sunny:

[Strings]

Hi Sunny.

I hope your day is going well.
Take care,
Beth

[sarahsmom73]

Good morning Sunny!!! I hope you have a wonderful day!!! It's Friday!! :cool1:

[plutosmyfav]

Plateau Ponderings

Well, it is safe to say I won’t see a loss this week, or just another tiny one like the past five weeks. So, how’s my perspective?

Actually, its pretty good; up and down. I’ve done some “deep” thinking. One of my WW leaders posed the question: “what was your last straw? The one that brought you into WW? And what keeps you coming back, because you goals now will be different that your goals then”. Well, it took me a while to digest that. But I realize now that I have met all but one goal from my “last straw days” that brought me to WW. At 222 lbs my goals were:
Be able to move freely (I could run but I could barely tie my shoes)
Be able to get up off the couch (I used to do the ole ‘heave ho’ to get up
Be able to be active and play with my son (I used to lay on the couch and feel horribly guilty)
Be able to wear nice clothes, fun clothes that I bought because I like them

Now, going back to pre-WW days to my highest weight of 242 lbs I thought if I could only get down to 180-185 lbs I’d be happy.

Now present day:
I can and do, do all the things in my list. I am at 170 lbs and holding (that could be looked at as a positive thing!).
I am known by all who know me as a “fitness buff”, counted among the elite at my gym.
So many people have complemented me on my weight-loss and many have told me I am an inspiration. I must never stop counting my blessings.

So where does that leave me? Well, I said all but one of my original goals have been met. The real one that is left (aside from actually reaching goal) is making peace with food. I still have my binges. But I am learning to make peace with them, to somehow peacefully coexist. If there was one thing I could change right now it would be my love of food!

It seems that my new way of life supports a weight of 170 lbs. Maybe that’s where I should be. I am definitely not “thin” yet, but if being thin means living hungry and obsessed with my food then maybe I won’t make it. I dunno. Maybe its still to early to tell. Maybe I’ll keep losing at a snails pace and get there one day. I just don’t know where “there” is!

I guess if I had to really put into words what my current goals are, they would be:
Be as strong as I can
Run as long and fast as I can
Where a size 8
Tweak my food plan to provide the maximum energy throughout the day
Start participating in group fitness activities more (like run a half marathon)

I wish I could commit to the Disney half this year, but I just don’t know yet if I can swing it.

As for my exercise... well its going strong :cool1: I ended March waaaaay above goal on minutes. I'm nearing Hartford on my Disney run. I'm happy :)

Sunny

[toystoryduo]

Sunny,

WOW girl! :earseek: You certainly did make your March exercise challenge! Way to go Sunny! :cheer2: That's a lot of minutes!! :banana:

Thanks for sharing your thoughts today about your goals. You have given me a lot to think about. :hug:

Have a wonderful weekend! :flower:

[sarahsmom73]

You are truly an amazing woman Sunny! Thanks for providing us with so much strength and motivation! :cool1:

[Blueeyes101817]

Sunny--you hae been an exercising machine--i had no doubt you would make your goal--you are doing simply amazing, adn i do think you are an inspiration..i think everyone here is---If im down and really dont feel like working out, i come to my journal and someone has posted saying something nice or that they know i can do it--and i get up and DO IT--its great to have you guys!
hope you had a great weekend

[sarahsmom73]

Have a good one Sunny! :flower:

[Tera]

Hey Sunny - I can relate to a lot of the things you've said, especially the not knowing where "there" is. When will we be happy with ourselves? I know I haven't gotten there yet and probably won't until I lose another 20 pounds. I'm glad that after all your hard work, your getting to that point. Being "in shape" and healthy is so much more important than being "thin" You sound like your so happy with your body now and you should be. You've come such a long way from when you first joined WW.

[Blueeyes101817]

hope you enjoyed your sunday!!

[sarahsmom73]

Good mornign Sunny! I hope you had a great weekend and have an awesome Monday! :flower:

[plutosmyfav]

Happy Monday :flower:

It was tough getting out of bed with the time change. DD didn't make it. I let her sleep. We had a great weekend. A very major weekend, actually. I invited Dx to move back for on a "trial" basis. He is going to be living in the basement. He moved in this weekend. We've been discussing this and planning on it for about two months. It feels right. We told DS that Daddy needs to find a new apartment and he is staying with us for a while until he does. Hopefully, that way if it doesn't work out he won't be to confused and dissappointed. DD is happy with it and says it just feels "right", too.

On Saturday I went for a six mile run in the freezing rain :cold: I discovered running with an umbrella really isn't very much fun, but I'm glad I got the miles in :goodvibes . Yesterday was an hour of TaeBo and then a quick 3 mile run just before it got dark last night, not to mention umpteen trips up and down stairs and moving furniture. I love the extra daylight :sunny:

My Tanita scale says I'm down .5 lbs from last Monday. I don't have any expectations for WW WI except that I better not be UP!

I posted a "one year progress" comparison to the main WISH board. Here are the pics. The first is last April on mine and DS's impromtu trip to WDW. The second I took yesterday. With the weight not falling off I have to keep reminding myself I've come a long way!!! :goodvibes

Sunny

http://livinglively.com/images/april04.jpg http://livinglively.com/images/april05_side.jpg

[toystoryduo]

Wow Sunny! :earseek:

You look wonderful, girl! ::yes:: I am so proud of you for all that you have accomplished in the past year. :hug: Way to go Sunny! :banana:

Have a wonderful Monday! :flower:

[sharoncity]

Wow Sunny! That is a big change for you! I will keep you in my prayers that everything works out for you and Dx, as well as your family! :wizard: I truly hope it is a good thing for all of you.

Your pictures are truly amazing! The thing that I noticed right away are your arms!!! They are so toned and awesome looking! All that exercising is paying off BIG time for you!! :teeth: You look great all over, but the arms struck me because it is so hard to get them back to toned and firm. WTG!!!! :cheer2:

I'm sending :wizard: :wizard: :wizard: for a good weigh in today! Good luck! ;)

TTFN- Sharon :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

[pearlieq]

I really enjoyed reading your reflections on where you've come in the last year. You must be so proud of all of your accomplishments! Amazing! :cool1:

I know only you can decide where you're happy, but 170 looks darn good on you! :banana:

Good luck with whereever else your journey takes you! :wizard:

[plutosmyfav]

Oh thank you everyone :grouphug: You guys are the best!

Just a quick update. I was down a pound at WW WI! :banana: I am finally, f-i-n-a-l-l-y, FINALLY in the 160s :cool1: 169.0 to be precise :earboy2: The last time I saw the 160s was on my way up with my first pregnancy in 1989. I never returned :rolleyes1 Now the job this week will be to HOLD ON WITH ALL MY MIGHT! I don't want to slip back out, I'm barely in!

Sunny

[plutosmyfav]

Today has been great. Tanita scale is holding at 169. I did killer upper body weights and abs at lunchtime and then a 8.4 mile run in 84 minutes afterwork. I did 10 minutes at 6.7 mph (9 minute mile pace), plus 35 minutes at 6.5 and even 3 minutes at 7.0 mph. I'm psyched. Food is OP. I feel recharged having finally broken the 160s barrier. The daylight is great. DS is running outside to play when we get home at 6PM instead of running for the Xbox. Life is good :goodvibes

Sunny

[Blueeyes101817]

WOOHOOO--you are in the 160s!! I am so proud of you--you are seriously an exercise machine!

[Tera]

Sunny - WEIGH TO GO!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: You have been busting your butt so hard to get where you are and you deserve it. Keep up the great work and inspiring the rest of us to work harder.

[DoeWDW]

:flower: :Pinkbounc :flower: Sunny is in the 160s!!!! :flower: :Pinkbounc :flower:

Weigh to go, dear Sunny!! You've worked so darn hard and I'm so proud of you! Your exercise has made the biggest difference in your life!! Bravo!! :worship:

Best wishes for you and Dx and your family. I hope all works out for the best! :sunny:

[DisneyEnthusiastic]

Way to go Sunny!!! :banana: Your picture looks great!!!! You have come a long way! And your reflection is wonderful too!! Keep up the great work!!! And now a member of the 160's!!! WOO HOO!!! :cool1:

You are such a role model!

Gail

[wilderness01]

:banana: Way to go! :banana: You have worked hard and you deserve it. Have a great week. :goodvibes

[toystoryduo]

Way to go Sunny!!!! :cheer2:

[Strings]

:cool1: :cheer2: Congratulations Sunny! :cool1: :cheer2:
You made it to the 160's. You have worked so hard and consistantly,that you definatey deserve to be happy. Your pictures are awesome. You have come so far. Your reflections have made me think about where I want to be.

Thanks for the inspiration and support.

Take care,
Beth

[plutosmyfav]

Just a quick update. I am soooo busy.

Today I opted to not do upperbody weights at lunchtime and did a 30 minute run instead. The first 18 minutes were at a 9 minute mile pace (6.7 mph), then down to 6.5 mph, completing 3 miles in just a few seconds over 27 minutes. I'm confident I'll be running full runs at 6.7 mph soon. Then it will be on to 7.0 mph :cool1:

Foods totally OP, Still living in the 160s :flower: Hooray,

Spring is here! Its 60 deg out today. Yeah!

Sunny

[Tasha+Scott]

Hi, Sunny! Congrats on making it back to the 160s! :)

[sharoncity]

Sunny - I am SO happy you are in the 160's!! That is sooooo awesome! :banana: Keep up the good work, because it is DEFINITELY paying off for you. :cheer2:

Enjoy this beautiful spring weather, although tomorrow doesn't look too promising for us. How about you?

Have a wonderful Friday!! :cool1:

TTFN- Sharon :sunny:

[Strings]

Hey Sunny,

Your runs amaze me. Looking at 7mph is some incredible progress. Enjoy your 60 degrees.

Take care,
Beth

[pearlieq]

I am so impressed with your running! Congrats on making it to 7mph!!! That's awesome!

Kudos to you for making it to the 160's! That much be such a high!!!

Hope you have a great weekend! :cool1:

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sunny!

Stopping by to WISH you a wonderful weekend! :sunny: Keep up the good work! :teeth:

[plutosmyfav]

Hello,

Yesterday I did a 12 mile run! It was sooooo wonderful. I went slow, it took me 2 hours and 18 minutes with a ~8 minute potty/water break at the 8 mile mark. But what's really amazing is that I wasn't sore or exhausted afterward. Dx and I took DS to the play ground and ran around and played. A neat thing happened. There are parallel bars for walking across on your arms. Dx said, "I wonder if I could even get across that" and he tried and did. Then he said to DS, "I bet Mommy can't make it across". Well of course you know I had to try, and I did! It was very hard but I was PSYCHED I could do it. But we stayed active for the whole day and today I still have no soreness from the run. Yeah!

Food isn't so good. I had a slip Friday night but I convinced myself it was "carbo loading for the run" :rotfl2: But then last night ended with substantial snacking and I still have to get through today to end out my WW week. I am now over my points, having used all my flex. :mad: Why oh why can't I stop eating? :confused3 I've cleaned out all my size 12s from my wardrobe so there's no turning back!

Actually, I know part of what happened. I really can't eat most zero point veggies without great gastro-distress. Friday I had a red pepper and carrots, both of which I've learned I cannot eat. That left me bloated and uncomfortable for the rest of the day. Which, oddly enough, makes me want to eat. I can't seem to eat brocolli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, peppers. :mad: I seem to do alright with green beans, snow peas, zuchini and summer squash. But I really don't like having to limit my veggies like this. The Beano just isn't cutting it.

Well, its time for Mega Laundry. I didn't do anything productive yesterday, so today I have to buckle down :)

Sunny

[sarahsmom73]

Awesome job on the RUN!!! I am very proud of you!!! :cool1:

That is a bummer about the veggies! I couldn't live without peppers in my salad!

I hope you have an excellet Monday! :cool1:

[toystoryduo]

Way to go Sunny! That is an awesome run!!! :Pinkbounc

[pettyone]

Then he said to DS, "I bet Mommy can't make it across". Well of course you know I had to try, and I did!

Congrats on the run & on the monkey bars!! That is amazing! You're in great shape, Sunny!

The Beano just isn't cutting it.

Sorry it isn't working for you...it has done wonders for my Mom...now we can have dinner in peace without Mom "ripping good ones" in front of DD. :rotfl2:

[Blueeyes101817]

SUNNY!!!!! awesome on the run..i am sooo impressed! have a great week!

[sarahsmom73]

Good morning Sunny! Hope you have a great day! :flower:

[plutosmyfav]

Hi All,
Yesterday I ran 5 miles in 45 minutes. Yep, thats a 9 minute mile pace. It's mine!!!! Now I just have to work on getting upto that speed outdoors (the treadmill is easier). WI was the pits. I was up a pound, putting me back at 170 :sad2: So this is a new week... try, try again!

Sunny

[pearlieq]

Sorry about your bummer weigh in, but that's an awesome run! Good for you! :cool1:

Also, that is so cool about the monkey bars! I'm going to have to try that again someday too!

Have a great day! :sunny:

[plutosmyfav]

Blah, blah, blah.

Workouts the past two days have been awful. I've done them, but not with a smile on my face. I've done the ole' temper tantrum across the parking lot, stomping along thinking to myself, "its not fair I have to do this everyday, I have to work so hard, how come other people don't have to work so hard..." :charac2: whine whine whine. The good news is I have slipped a few small bursts at 7.2 mph and 7.0 mph into my runs. I'll be moving up to 7.0 mph soon. :banana:

Back to the whining. Since I've been in burnout, pitty myself mode lately, I've done some pondering. Here's what I've come up with. Life's not fair, period. You do what you gotta do, period. Case in point:

My Dad discovered he had kidney failure just under 10 years ago. At the time they discovered it he was down to 30% kidney function. The first immediate action was to put him on a renal diet. We're talking STRICT, no fun, no cheating, do-this-to-survive diet. Next came peritaneal (sp?) dialysis (a catheter in the belly which HUGE bags of fluid are poured in, sloshed around and then drained). Not fun. Life Altering. Then came hemo-dialysis-- hose hooked up to his arm, blood drained and reinserted. Painful,not fun. This took 3 hours (4 1/2 hours with commute) three times per week. His whole life centered around his dialysis. Nothing ever "bumped" his dialysis, and no one every asked or hinted that maybe he was being selfish and could he just skip this one time to do x, y or z. Period!

Okay, so I'm making an analogy here. Is my weightloss life threatening and is the cure worth the time and effort? Yes and YES! (By the way he got a kidney in 2003 and is doing great). I need to re-evaluate my perspective, daily if necessary. My gym time isn't selfish or optional, its what I do to fight my obesity. The time and money it takes to plan, shop, prepare healthy food isn't optional either. Its necessity.

I think the slippery slope comes because I know if I miss my exercise, or eat poorly for a day or two or three, I'm not going to die. And somehow I can let a string of bad eating days flow together and not realize that it is going to add up and it is going to effect my health. Not on the same time-scale as my dad's dialysis but its really just as serious. My friend at work just found out she's pre-diabetic. She's never dieted in her life and now all of the sudden her health is at risk. This is real!

I just have to keep my perspective. Like I said, I have been going to the gym, I just haven't like it. But another thing I should mention. Never, not ONCE did my Dad ever complain about going to dialysis. I need to learn a lesson here :)

Philosopher Sunny signing out.

[sarahsmom73]

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: I completely understand the work thing! It get's really, really old, doesn't it?!!!

You are doing such a great thing for yourself! It is worth it! It is!

Keep your chin up girl! You are doing great! :cheer2:

[Tera]

Hey Sunny - First thing... BREATH :earseek: You sound like your over doing it a bit and it's catching up to you. The workouts you do are unbelievable and amazing, but maybe you need to take some time for yourself and reflect. Oh wait, I think you just did ;)

I HATE those people that don't need to exercise and eat right and still are thin. Of course, you and I are probably so much more healthy than they are and that's what counts. We have to do this for our children's sake, so they don't have to deal with obesity, diabetes or any of the other things that go with being fat and not eating right or exercising.

You are doing such a awesome job and you might just need to sit back and see what you have accomplished. We're all in the same boat (not sinking anymore pirate: ) and we'll have to stick together if we're going to succeed :goodvibes

[sharoncity]

I am SO there with you Sunny! This is a weigh of life. You no longer "diet". This is just the way it is for you ( and me and everyone else on this board). It sucks - BIG TIME! But, you will live healthier and happier for doing this. You have come Soooooo far. The burnout is understandable. Just don't let it take over and ruin all you have done. I feel that if I live a healthy lifestyle 85 - 90% of the time, that is good enough for me. I will enjoy some of the "forbidden fruits" occasionally. After all, life is for living. But I will no longer live to eat.

I think you need to go out and buy yourself an incredible outfit. An "I feel so good about me when I wear this" outfit. Maybe that will help banish the blahs! :cool1: Summer is coming and you will be wearing shorts. Do you realize how much better you are going to feel about yourself when you put on summer clothes this year???? :banana:

Take a day or two off from exercise if you have to, but don't let your mind games win this battle Sunny! The war HAS to be won by YOU!! :cheer2:

Have a great day! Enjoy the :sunny: !

TTFN- Sharon :flower:

[pearlieq]

That is a really good analogy about your dad. Glad to hear he's better, by the way!

I know what you mean about the "it's not fair" syndrome. I can be really hard to overcome. I agree that the workout is so critical--those natural endorphins make the world look so much better!

I think it's harder to have a weight problem than to have an disease or an addiction. No one expects alcoholics to go into a bar and have just one beer. We all recognize that as being much too hard, but we're supposed to eat just enough and then stop!

It's a struggle, every day, but the admirable thing is that we're willing to take it up and keep trying. Be proud of yourself for what you've accomplished!

[sarahsmom73]

Hey Sunny!!! TGIF! :cool1:

I hope you have a great day! :flower:

[plutosmyfav]

I'm so depressed today. I finally went to the dr yesterday for my "gastro-distress". The first thing she asked was "Do you use Splenda?". I live on the stuff. Its not clear yet if that is what's causing my problem but she said it is the most common cause of gas/bloat/cramps she's been seeing lately. So she did a bunch of tests to rule out something serious. I haven't gotten the results yet, but I really don't think its something serious. She also put me on an "total elimination diet". I am only supposed to eat rice and plain lean meats for three days. Then add only one food in per day, journalling every thing. She said it could be lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, etc. But I'm betting its the Splenda. Which is alittle odd to me since i've been using it for years, but she said you can develop a sensitivity at anytime. Part of me is really upset about it, since it has been my 'saving grace' for substituting low point foods for my old fattening ones. But I suppose I should be thankful if it turns out to be Splenda because that is a relatively small thing to give up. She said definitely no aspartame (Equal) either. :( I didn't think to ask about sweet 'n low, but its out for the next few days, too. I think I'll die with no "sweet" in my diet! No fruits either :(

I didn't get a chance to exercise yesterday between my dr apt and my DDs and another apt. I think that added to my feeling depressed. But I think the depresseion is actually bio-chemical and related to the severe "tummy" troubles I've had the past couple of days. I really hope this diet change is the answer and I can feel happy and normal again soon!

Sunny

[sharoncity]

:hug: for you Sunny! I am so sorry you are feeling poorly. And I know how difficult it will be to give up Splenda! :guilty: But I do feel confident that you will get through this and find another "avenue" for healthy living. I think a trip to the local library for a little research is in order!! The Splenda is an easy, quick fix, but I am sure there are other, more natural options. We just have to dig a little deeper to find them! ::yes::

Try to get outside today and soak up some of this :sunny: ! It will do wonders for your depressed feelings! One day at a time my friend! Go easy on yourself and just focus on the restricted diet for now. The rest will fall in place later. Just take care of yourself for today. And know that we are all here for you, to offer support or to vent your frustration. Whatever you need, we will supply it! :flower3:

Have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend! Can you believe this beautiful weather?! Spring has finally Sprung!! :banana:

TTFN- Sharon :sunny:

[pearlieq]

I'm so sorry you're feeling down. Hopefully eliminating the tummy culprit and getting your exercise will pick you back up soon.

I hope you feel better soon. Sending :wizard: your way!

[Blueeyes101817]

sorry you arent feeling well sunny--tummy troubles are never fun.....hope you feel better soon!

[toystoryduo]

Hope you feel better soon Sunny! :hug: Take care!

[sharoncity]

Sunny - just noticed your map on my thread. You just passed by my town!!! I am slightly north of Bridgeport!! You go girl! :moped:

How are you feeling? Any improvements with the tummy issues yet? I hope you are seeing some progress! Healing :wizard: for you either way!!!

Enjoy this beautiful weather and warm temps!!! :cool1:

TTFN - Sharon :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sunny!

Stopping by to say hello and to WISH you a wonderful Wednesday! :sunny: Take care!

[plutosmyfav]

Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement.

Here's the scoop: I have been on my elimination diet for 5 days and discovered I really, REALLY, can't eat vegetables. I haven't gotten the results for my tests from the dr yet so I don't know anything new. I tried eating 5 baby carrots on Sunday and was in pain for 4 hours. Everytime I venture out from my plain yogurt, brown rice and meat I suffer some discomfort. I'm eating half a piece of fruit twice a day right now and that is tolerable. This is all so strange. I haven't had any art. sweetners so I don't think they were the problem but I don't dare add them in at this point.

The good news: My dr wrote me a note for my WW goal to be 155-160. If I set my goal at 160 I'm only 8 pounds away :cool1: I think I might do that and then aim for 155 as my real goal. Lifetime here I come :moped:

Runnings been AWSOME! I did a 10 mile run on Monday. Monday was Patriot's Day here in Massachusetts. We celebrate the Revolutionary War, the shot heard round the world, that sort of thing. So I had the day off and ran on the bikepath right into Historic Lexington. Bad idea. I hit the center right as their parade was ending. I think I know what it feels like to run at the WDW marathon now! People everywhere. But it was still a wonderful run. My outdoor long distance pace is a solid 10 minute mile. But I've been doing 6.7 - 7.2 mph on the treadie :goodvibes

But i've been so busy I can hardly stop here to update, let alone make it to other journals. But I'm thinking of you :)

Sunny

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sunny!

Any news from your doctor yet? I'm sorry that the veggies are causing such a problem for you. I hope that your doctor can get to the bottom of this for you soon. :hug:

You are doing an amazing job with your exercise! :cheer2: 10 miles is so awesome!!! You are such an inspiration, Sunny! Keep up the good work! :cheer2:

Have a wonderful weekend! :sunny:

[jay-nee]

Sounds like you've had a really bad run of health lately... bummer...

I was reading through your journal of late and it does not sound like much fun in the tummy area. :-( Sorry...

Sounds like Dr has you on the right track though. As much as it is not fun, it will help to determine the issue(s). So stick to it - like I know you are!

Keep your chin up!

I'm doing pretty good lately. It's busy here (managing a large house, large yard, critters, etc - not to even mention work, kids, homeschooling, etc), but I'm really doing good. I hardly have "sad" moments now and the kids are doing alot, alot better! whew...

I haven't had a chance to exercise much lately, but it's ok, I've been OP with eating and I've been very active all day instead. Today I will try to get back on track - bike for 30 minutes and boflex for 20 minutes. Will try to stay on track for the week. Probably won't make my exercise goal for the month (1200 minutes) but that's ok too. I've already lost 4+ lbs this month anyway. A couple of days ago I was at 149 lbs! To break the 150 mark was very cool! I'd like to hover around 145-ish but I'll see when I get there how things look.

Oh, I've gotta tell you...as far as the jiggles...not much left in the triceps area at all. My legs are firming (slowly) and tummy is a bit slower than the legs, but I'll tell you, I'll take the arms alone! My shoulders look so good now! I can't wait to wear tank tops again (it hasn't really been warm enough lately). Just wanted to let you know --- we had talked about this...

So, take care of yourself! Literally! Hope the kiddos are doing well and everything else too. Keep your chin up about those tummy troubles, you'll figure it out soon! ;) I can't eat any artificial sweeteners at all - they trigger migranes for me. Not fun at all!

I'll stop in again soon....jay-nee :flower:

[plutosmyfav]

Thanks!

Jay-nee: I am stock piling tank tops this year :rotfl2: I think I'll be wearing them everyday that is above 60 degrees!!! Isn't it great to like your shoulders? I'm so happy you have made it to the 140s. Congratulations!!!!

Well the dumb dr office called on Friday but they called my home phone instead of my work phone. They left a message that they had information for me, which must mean my test results are back. But I have to wait until Monday to find out now. Friday I had a lot of tummy trouble, but TOM started on Wednesday so its hard to know which is which.

I went for a 10 mile run in the rain today. It was nice but a bit cold. On Friday I did some 7.5 mph (8 minute mile) bursts on the treadie. Its amazing to me to be able to run that fast, even if its only for a few minutes at a time.

Now we're all stuck in the houes on this rainy day. I have to think of something for the kids to do...


Sunny

[jay-nee]

keep up the great attitude, kiddo, it will see you through! You are doing so well! ;)

I actually bought some new "skinny" people shirts that I hope I can pull off this summer. I hope I wasn't being too ambitious! I'm down another 2 lbs today to 148.5! Honestly, I can't believe it, but I am so pleased at how I am looking/feeling! :teeth:

This weekend was yucky! The kids chilled (reading and playing gamecube too, plus we watched (and taped) La Nouba! So cool as we just saw this show last Sept for DS's Bday! Very, very cool, but not nearly as good as in person!

Well, gotta jet! Sending good luck your way for results that help to figure out your tummy troubles! Chin up!

[pearlieq]

I hope you feel better very soon and your Dr get to the bottom of your tummy troubles quickly!

Have a great Monday. Hope the :sunny: comes out for you!

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sunny~

Just wanted to stop by and see if you had any news from the doctor yet. Prayers are :wizard: are coming your way! :hug: Take care!

[wilderness01]

Here's hoping you're feeling better soon.:goodvibes

[Strings]

Hi Sunny,

I am so sorry to hear about the issues you have been having. The elimination diet is rough. We've done it a few times for Katie's allergies. I had asked Kate's allergist about Splenda. He seems to feel that it is the safest artifical sweetener. Make sure that you ae only using product with splenda because most other sugar alcohols can cuse major gi upset. I hope that the doctor ha some answers for you. BTW, your runs rock.

Feel better,
Beth

[Tera]

Sunny - I'm anxious to hear what your doctor says. I can't believe that veggies are affecting your stomach like this all of a sudden. I hope that's not what it is.

I bet you can't wait to get to lifetime. My highest is 145, but I'm shooting for 135 personnally. I'll go with the 145 so I can get to lifetime, but definitely keep working on the 130's. How tall are you again?

I hope you feel better soon and congratulations for sticking to your workouts despite how you feel.

[plutosmyfav]

Thanks everyone for your care and concern :flower:

The stool stample came back negative. I don't know what all they looked for but negative is good. I've put a little Splenda back in my diet and it doesn't seem to be a problem. I tried canned spinach last night. That was a no go. How in the world could canned spinach be a problem, the stuff is like slime. So far I have concluded that all vegetables cause trouble (cooked and raw). But fruits work fine, so I'm getting my 5 a day from fruits. It just makes it hard to keep the points down when you can't turn to zero pt veggies. Yesterday I ran for 40 minutes straight at 6.8 mph. I'm shooting for 7.5 mph now!

Tera: I'm 5' 6 1/2" tall. I'm seriously considering using my drs note to set my goal at 160 so I can get lifetime, but then hopefully someday get down to my original plan of 145. I don't know if WW frowns on going that much below your goal weight if it is still within your range. I hope they won't mind. I don't think 160 will put me comfortably into a size 8. That's where I want to end up. But I have to say, I am pretty happy where I am now. I think that is why I haven't been losing much these past couple of months. I've become complacent. But now with goal so close, I think I will get my butt in gear. Next week is the last week of my current WW at Work session. So, I think I might be able to hit goal and get through maintenance in the next session if I really try hard. A session is 13 weeks long and usually longer due to Monday holidays. I really should be able to do it.

Today is sunny and going to get near 70 deg. :sunny: I'm so happy I like my arms this Spring :goodvibes

May 12th is my "Closure" procedure on my left leg (varicose veins). I hope it takes care of the marbles in my calve. Yuck :rolleyes:

TTFN,
Sunny

[Tera]

Hey Sunny - Sorry to hear about the whole veggie fiasco. That is so weird :earboy2:

You've done such an amazing job and if you feel good about how you feel and look...go with it. I'm still not totally set on my final weight and will go by how I feel. I know what you mean about getting into those size 8's. I'm in the same boat. I'm thinking I need to do more toning to help with that.

Keep up with the great exercising!!!

[sharoncity]

Sunny, I am happy the tests came back negative. I am sorry that they haven't identified what your problem is though. :confused3 While it is not easy to skip the freebie veggies, at least by doing so you feel better. But I hope you are able to figure out a better solution soon.

Hmmmm..... the size 10 or size 8 debate. I was there a few years back. I was thrilled when I got into some 8s - just a mental victory, ya know?! But because of cuts and such, I didn't fit in every size 8. I was okay with that. I knew I looked good and I was in good health. Find where you are comfortable. Too skinny on a person who is not 20 something anymore doesn't look so good, ya know?? :rolleyes: You have to chose the weight that you feel comfortable at and where you feel you look your best. Charts and such are great for guidance, but you know you best, so trust your own judgement. :smooth:

Have a great "hump day" Sunny! :flower:

TTFN- Sharon :sunny:

[toystoryduo]

Hi Sunny!

I'm glad to hear that the tests came back negative! :Pinkbounc That is great news! I'm sorry that they haven't figured out what's going on with the veggies though. Have you always had a hard time eating veggies or did this happen just recently? Can you eat them cooked or does that cause the pain too? In any event, I am praying for you, Sunny. :hug:

You are doing such a fabulous job with your exercise. ::yes:: I know I say that all the time, but it's true! Keep up the good work and you'll be in WDW in no time! :teeth: (By the way.. I'm almost in West Virginia! :Pinkbounc )

Have a great day Sunny! Take good care of you! :grouphug:

[mking624]

Hi Sunny!! Just wanted to jump on in here and give ya some encouragement!! :flower:

I'm so glad to hear that your tests came back negative...that's always a good thing to celebrate about! :cool1: I'm sorry they haven't figured out what's going on though...hopefully soon!!

You're doing awesome with the exercize...keep it up girlfriend!! :goodvibes

[plutosmyfav]

Thanks everyone :grouphug:

The dr called today and said my liver count is slightly elevated, so they will retest on May 11th. I don't drink alcohol or take any meds (except zomig occasionally) so I don't know what to make of that. But I'm not going to worry over it.

Tracy, this veggie thing started somewhere around February and it appears to be all vegetables in all forms. I did have half a potatoe on Saturday without any trouble, but I think potatoes are more like a starch than a veggie. I tried canned spinach on Monday, that didn't work either :( I've done a ton of internet searchs and haven't found one thing that sounds like what I have. Its very weird.

Its dreary today and I'm tired. I think I will go real light at the gym. I did upper body weights and abs at lunchtime. I'm feeling blah but not depressed. Still looking forward to those "sleeveless" days ahead :goodvibes

Sunny

[Strings]

Hey Sunny,

I am so glad that they test results have been negative. I am just guessing about the liver function tests, but with all the weight you have lost, it may have slightly stressed your liver. When you lose fat, it gis filtered through the liver. Lose a large amount of weight in a shorter period of time, and it can stress the liver. It is nothing to be concerned about, per my gastroenterologist. Just a fyi, and I am not sure it applies to you. I hope you feel better.
Take care,
Beth