Biggest Loser 9 Spring Challenge -- thread closing -- see new thread Part 2!

[seashell724]

Feeling very un-motiveted the past couple weeks so reading today has helped a lot. Thanks for sharing everyone!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

3/14 Sunday QOTD: Why is losing weight important to you? Do you have any methods for keeping these reasons in the forefront?

3/15 Monday QOTD: What (aside from eating!) do you to do deal with stress and/or over-scheduling?

Losing weight is important to me most importantly for my health, but I'm also a little vain and I really want my exterior to reflect the way I feel on the interior -- full of fun and ready to try new things! If I start to feel like it's not worth the effort, I just do that BMI calculation, and realize I have to get it down. I also made index cards with my top 10 reasons for losing weight. I try to remember to read them (actually, I really need to get back to that) daily.

When I am totally stressed, my body will literally just shut down, and I will have to sleep...but I bet you meant things we can do while we're conscious! I am a voracious reader, and I can lose myself in a book. Honestly, my best stress reliever is a run. I can think through my issue and come up with a plan while I'm moving along, and I always feel better than before I moved.

Maria

 

[tigger813]

Survived the day so far! DOn't have to pick up the package as DH came home to do some work and was here to get it! Yeah! Still have to take DD1 to dancing at 5 if it isn't canceled. But I can run to the grocery store to pick up a few things while she is there. The rain is lightening up and the wind is dying down so hopefully I will get to sleep tonight. I may have to get some Tylenol PM! Gave 2 massages and did my jobs at school today. Wish I could stay home and go to bed now but that's not in the cards.

Maybe I'll make some breakfast for supper early then that will be all done!

Time for my protein powder! Maybe that will give me some energy!

 

[lisah0711]

Happy Monday all!

Just a friendly reminder that the results for the last weigh in will be delayed a week while LuvBaloo is on a well deserved vacation. You should still PM your numbers as usual -- or if her box gets full, you can wait until she returns or PM them to me. Thanks!

I was going to post a before and after photo of myself. Not sure how to do it. Pjilla can you help?

Did you get that one figured out? If not, PM and I can help you. I would love to see some more inspiring before and after pics.

Took a day off from the computer yesterday. The spring forward time change is not my favorite. DS and I played the new Pokemon games for a long time yesterday. An interesting new feature is that they have "Pokemon walkers" now -- little pedometers that you can wear and make your Pokemon stronger while you walk around all day.

3/14 Sunday QOTD: Why is losing weight important to you? Do you have any methods for keeping these reasons in the forefront?

Losing weight is important to me because I am sick and tired of being fat. All the other reasons like being there for my family, taking care of myself, health reasons are all there, too, but I just don't want to be fat anymore, ever, period. My methods are just to keep chipping away at it, little by little every day. I'm on track to my goal for this challenge and my big goal being in ONE-derland by my 50th birthday in July. Thinking about that milestone birthday is a great motivator!

Welcome back, jbm02! And a big congratulations for being out of the 150's!

Just catching up here. This work thing is getting in the way of my DISing I just finished my C25K program. I am really proud of myself. I think it is the first time I have ever accomplished an exercise goal. I actually look forward to running. I reallly hate it while its happening but feel great afterwards I am almost to the 25 pound mark. 23.5 as of today. Yay! LOVE all the support you all have given me over the past weeks. It is nice to know you have friends out there helping you along the way. Keep up the hard work everyone. Now off to the grocery store and then the beach. Have a great day everyone.

Great job on finishing the C25K and being close to that 25 pound clippie!

Hope that you are feeling better soon, Graciesmom77!

Funny story... well, funny to me. I bought a couple dresses from Old Navy. I got them online. When they got here, I tried them on. One of the dresses is a size 16 and fit perfectly... except it is really short and really see-through. Well, I decided it was just too see-through for me so I stuck it back in the bag to take it back to the store. I went online to see what I could replace the dress with and that was when I realized the dress was not a dress... it is a swimsuit cover-up "tunic"!! I baa haa haa'd for an hour!

Well, at least you figured it out before you wore it to the grocery store!

Morning everyone! I cannot believe it is Monday again already. I hate starting the day tired.

I know I've shared that I lost my Dad in September. Every song at church yesterday really set me off, a really emotional day. No exercise, but today is a running day. Sundays mean BIG lunch at Mom's, usually around 2, and generally no, or little dinner. I have been trying really hard not to OVEREAT, but I do eat more during that meal than any other during the week. Sometimes I'll grab an apple, etc, later in the afternoon, but for the last 3 Sundays, I've had a 1-2 lb. loss over night. I wish I could translate that same strategy to my other days of the week, with a bigger lunch than dinner. I am just not to that point in my lunch packing yet!

flipflopmom. I am sorry for your loss. There is just no timetable for grieving but I can tell you that someday it will be easier to live with even though you will always miss your Dad.

I was wondering if you could do the big lunch, little dinner thing on Saturdays, too? Maybe your body needs a few more calories to lose the weight and that is why you have a big loss after Sunday, even though you feel like you eat a lot for lunch. The nice thing about those TOM gains is that they do go away rather quickly. Keep up the good work!

I guess the method I have, is that no matter how long it takes, every little step toward a healthier me, is going to make me a healthier mom, and I will never give up on this journey. Heck, I'm even starting to run!!

You are doing so well on your C25K program, Kathy!

We survived the storm without losing any of our trees. We lost power for a bit so instead of staying home in the dark I went out and bought a new kitchen table. Overall I think I had a really good weekend food wise. I woke up Saturday and said enough is enough. I wrote everything down and stayed within my points. Yesterday I was faced with a fire department parade with heros and burgers and then on to my mom's for dinner. We had the traditional corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and irish soda bread. I still stayed within my points. I also read an earlier post (sorry I don't remember who it was) that the BL member walked 11,000 steps, so I went and bought a pedometer. At bedtime last night I was at 10,950 so I walked around my bedroom till I hit 11,000. Hopefully I can do that today also. I think its do able.

Wow! Great job! That is donac who is logging all those steps on her pedometer.

3/15 Monday QOTD: What (aside from eating!) do you to do deal with stress and/or over-scheduling?

I like to read to relax or play the piano. I have to really concentrate on the piano so it takes my mind off everything else. I try to really think before saying "yes" to anything and not be afraid to say "no" if it's not something that I really would like to do. It's hard but it can be done.

I bought Pride and Prejudice today - wasn't it on this thread people talked about it and the BBC production? I'm going to read it and then watch it. I'm looking forward to it! It was in the clearance section at Barnes, had to go to get dd Fang, the final book in Maximum Ride that came out today.

Hope that you are feeling better soon, jenn.

Did you get the Kiera Knightley Pride and Prejudice or the Colin Firth one? I love the Colin Firth one -- it has 6 parts I think. I love all of Jane Austen's books. They are very entertaining and I love the dialogue. Let us know how you like it!

Feeling very un-motiveted the past couple weeks so reading today has helped a lot. Thanks for sharing everyone!

This is the place to come for motivation!

Losing weight is important to me most importantly for my health, but I'm also a little vain and I really want my exterior to reflect the way I feel on the interior -- full of fun and ready to try new things! If I start to feel like it's not worth the effort, I just do that BMI calculation, and realize I have to get it down. I also made index cards with my top 10 reasons for losing weight. I try to remember to read them (actually, I really need to get back to that) daily.

This is a great idea, Maria!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[Graciesmom77]

I saw that a few people were talking about Amy's foods and how expensive they were and I thought I would tell you what I did. I e mailed the company, told them I liked the foods and asked them if they could send me some coupons and they did. They sent a little booklet and a few loose coupons. They were pretty good ones too, like 55 and 75 cents off and if you go to a store that doubles them thats even better!

 

[jennz]

Hope that you are feeling better soon, jenn.

Did you get the Kiera Knightley Pride and Prejudice or the Colin Firth one? I love the Colin Firth one -- it has 6 parts I think. I love all of Jane Austen's books. They are very entertaining and I love the dialogue. Let us know how you like it!

Thanks Lisa - feeling MUCH better - picked dd and a friend up for school and we did our c25k (made the friend to it too) at the park, I told them if I threw up we'd be done for the day. Well not only did I NOT throw up I actually started feeling better! I can't figure this body out. I could easily have slept this afternoon, now I don't feel sick at all am ready to finish my cleaning.

Tigger - there's another sleep aid by tylenol (I'm pretty sure it's Tylenol) and it's called Simply Sleep. I've taken that and it works for me and I'm not groggy and grouchy the next day like I was when I took the Tylenol PM. FWIW.

Maiziezoe - told dd and her friend about dress actually being a swimsuit...they think you're hysterical!

 

[maiziezoe]

Thanks Lisa - feeling MUCH better - picked dd and a friend up for school and we did our c25k (made the friend to it too) at the park, I told them if I threw up we'd be done for the day. Well not only did I NOT throw up I actually started feeling better! I can't figure this body out. I could easily have slept this afternoon, now I don't feel sick at all am ready to finish my cleaning.

Tigger - there's another sleep aid by tylenol (I'm pretty sure it's Tylenol) and it's called Simply Sleep. I've taken that and it works for me and I'm not groggy and grouchy the next day like I was when I took the Tylenol PM. FWIW.

Maiziezoe - told dd and her friend about dress actually being a swimsuit...they think you're hysterical!

So glad you are feeling better!! I almost always feel better after I work out!

Oh, I bought a calorie counter watch thingy over the weekend. Yesterday (I was really active all day) I burned 1200+. Today, I haven't been as active, I burned 468 so far. I don't know how accurate it is though.

 

[maiziezoe]

Good afternoon!!

Who has two thumbs and joined LifeTime Fitness today? This chick! Me!! It's a huge step for me because I hated to leave the house when I was heavier and now I have joined a gym. I can't wait to start tomorrow!!

In other exciting news.... I hit my 30 pound mark this morning. I've lost a total of 30.3 pounds since Christmas Day.


3/15 Monday QOTD: What (aside from eating!) do you to do deal with stress and/or over-scheduling?

Well, stress is a flare trigger for my Lupus, so I have spent many years learning how to have little to no stress in my life. But, when things to get stressful, I take a hot shower. Like, really hot. Scalding... and long. And I drink blueberry green tea. I don't drink the tea in the shower. I drink it after the shower.

 

[cclovesdis]

Sorry I've been so MIA lately. I've been so busy lately and I can't explain why. I have been getting in exercise, so that's been a positive. Unfortunately, I've been so hungry and eating that I'm gaining weight. Everyday I try to get back on track, and I've been so unsuccessful. I keep trying, which is good. Hoping tomorrow is a better day!

QOTD: I like to go to the gym when I'm feeling stressed. I don't do that enough though.

 

[donac]

We survived the storm without losing any of our trees. We lost power for a bit so instead of staying home in the dark I went out and bought a new kitchen table. Overall I think I had a really good weekend food wise. I woke up Saturday and said enough is enough. I wrote everything down and stayed within my points. Yesterday I was faced with a fire department parade with heros and burgers and then on to my mom's for dinner. We had the traditional corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and irish soda bread. I still stayed within my points. I also read an earlier post (sorry I don't remember who it was) that the BL member walked 11,000 steps, so I went and bought a pedometer. At bedtime last night I was at 10,950 so I walked around my bedroom till I hit 11,000. Hopefully I can do that today also. I think its do able.

Congrats on buying a pedometer. Today was the first day since Dec that I did not have it in my pocket. It felt strange not to check it a couple times during the day. I have walked over 350 miles since Jan 1st. I made a spreadsheet to keep track of how many steps I so a day and have a average for the month.

I feel a cold coming on and I have a busy day tomorrow so I may just go to bed and read. Tv tonight is just reruns so it doesn't matter.

Glad to hear that most people made it through the storm okay. We didn't have much flooding here but north of here did. We were lucky not to have lost power and no trees even though a lot went down around here. I went past the ocean last night and the waves were very high. I think it finally stopped raining and the wind is a lot calmer.

Last night dh and I went to 2 different events. I got home about 10. BY the time we exchanged stories about our evenings it was almost 11. We got to sleep but when it started to rain again dh got up to check the basement. Then the cat started to cry so it was not a great night to sleep.

I am losing weight for my health. I have seen what my mom has gone through and I don't want to go throught the same thing.

I am doing this with only your help. I don't want to make a big deal about this. It is my struggle.

Have a great evening everyone. Stay safe.

 

[flipflopmom]

Looking back and missing my mom, I'm happy I was able to be there for her as much as I was. I know many of her health issues were lifestyle related, and I don't want to have those problems.
So sorry you're having a rough time. It is so hard to lose a parent, and those emotional days will come at times that you least expect it. Don't be too hard on yourself, and give yourself the time you need to grieve. I put on 15 pounds over last summer after I lost my mom in june, and in the past 7 months, have been up and down and essentially maintained, and for this time in my life, I'm ok with that. It is so hard. We're always here to listen.

Have a great day!

Thanks. It's such a journey, and I am the only daughter, 15 years later than my brothers, so I am SUCH a Daddy's girl.

Sorry yesterday was such a rough day for you.

QOTD: My mom's death has been motivating for me to lose weight...actually my coping afterwards. I got so inactive and unhealthy...I'm glad I was able to see it and start moving again. My mom and I tried to lose weight for years, and she was so unhappy with her weight...I don't want to be me. I don't want to be literally weighed down with unhappiness and think
"If I only lost weight I could..."

Thanks for the Sometimes, usually TOM, which unfortunately coincides with the date of Daddy's death, it seems like more than I can bear. I try really hard not to get back to the serious depression I was in in the fall, but somedays it seems hard to pull out. Also sorry for your grief, too.

Good afternoon!!


In other exciting news.... I hit my 30 pound mark this morning. I've lost a total of 30.3 pounds since Christmas Day.


I don't drink the tea in the shower. I drink it after the shower.

I needed that laugh! Congrats on the 30 pounds!


I just finished my run for the day, I think it was the first time I've ran 25 minutes in my life. Although, I'm not entirely sure everyone would agree that it was running, more like wogging (too fast for a walk, not quite a jog).

For those more seasoned runners, do your legs EVER stop hurting? I'm working on the breathing, and it's doing much better, but my hamstrings and calves are tired from the get go?


Today's QOTD: It depends on why I am stressed at that particular moment. Teaching, working on Master's Degree, driving oldest DD to gymnastics 45 minutes away 3 times a week, raising a 3 year old, and trying to keep a house clean, on top of conquering a new lifestyle, and dealing with grief, I'm always stressed! If it's over the house, I try to declutter one area. If it's my classes, I'll work on something that is due. If it's just life stress, I either Disboards, or cuddle with my girls. A loong bath works wonders on the rare occasions I get one!

 

[tigger813]

QOTD: Working out has helped me when stressed. I have also enjoyed putting my IPOD on and dancing around the kitchen. I may have to try out the Walk It Out game at some point.

I am crashing quite fast tonight. DH and I had a salad and two spicy chicken egg rolls for supper. Girls are getting ready for bed and will head there in the next half hour and then I will be following them shortly thereafter. My poor DH! I've been neglecting him with not sleeping at night and going to bed early.

Time to go get my jammies on! Wish me luck! I didn't get any Tylenol so hopefully with the wind dying down I will be able to sleep. I have a busy day tomorrow with a meeting and errands and then communion class for DD1.

Is it the weekend yet?

 

[Graciesmom77]

3/15 Monday QOTD: What (aside from eating!) do you to do deal with stress and/or over-scheduling?

My favorite way to de stress is read. I love to read and I am a super fast reader so I am always reading something new. There is nothing like getting lost in someone else's story for awhile to make me forget about my own!

I have always ate to my emotions, so I am glad to hear about some other ideas. I have never tried blueberry tea though it sounds yummy! And I love a long bath, though my kids have some terrible disease thats makes them have to go to the potty "SOOOO Bad!!!!", when I am in the tub. I sure wish there was a cure......

 

[my3princes]

Monday's QOTD: My stress relief is sleep. If I'm feeling stressed I take a nap. I always wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the next project. Feeling tired seems to make the problems seem larger than they are and results in more stress.

 

[princessbride6205]

Congrats on buying a pedometer. Today was the first day since Dec that I did not have it in my pocket. It felt strange not to check it a couple times during the day. I have walked over 350 miles since Jan 1st. I made a spreadsheet to keep track of how many steps I so a day and have a average for the month.

Glad to hear that most people made it through the storm okay. We didn't have much flooding here but north of here did. We were lucky not to have lost power and no trees even though a lot went down around here. I went past the ocean last night and the waves were very high. I think it finally stopped raining and the wind is a lot calmer.

Wow, congrats on 350+ miles!

My uncle owns a grocery store in northern NJ - they have 8 inches of water inside tonight. I wish I was local to help out, yesterday they had 25 friends and family come over and move everything from the bottom 2 shelves, load the cold stuff onto refrigerated trucks, etc.

I'm changed some settings in my calorie goal with the hopes of getting the scale to move after weeks of maintains (and tiny gains and losses). Basically just changing my general activity level to reflect that I sit at a desk job all day. Today was the first day of more restricted calories than I'm used to. I do allow myself to eat some of my activity cals, but I only did strength/core training tonight so it wasn't nearly as many calories burned as a cardio day. I'm still taking it a little easy, slowly working back up to my running again. I don't think this will be too restrictive once I'm exercising my usual amount, getting in walks on my lunch at work, etc.

3/15 Monday QOTD: What (aside from eating!) do you to do deal with stress and/or over-scheduling?
I've recently started taking a hot shower. Other than that, I enjoy TV and reading. When the weather is nice and the sun is shining, I love to take a walk outside - it helps more than anything else. (I really need to move to a warmer climate!)
One thing I noticed tonight is that I'm a lot less stressed when it's just DD and I. This is weird because half the time she is what's stressing me out! But DH is out of town with work for a few days, and I find that while it can be challenging, it usually works out. (This does not apply if he is gone every other week or working OT for weeks on end, like he was when she was a newborn!) I think it is for 2 reasons: I cut myself more slack and put less on my chore to do list and I don't waste all that energy I usually expend being annoyed that DH hasn't done something I asked him to do. This is funny but also true. For example, I find myself annoyed that I have to remind him multiple times to take out an overflowing trash can (which is one of his regular chores). If it's just me at home, I'll take it out myself without thinking too much about it. Can you tell we really struggle with the balance of home/life duties?
Anyway, stress relief is a weak area for me, I'd really like to get better at de-stressing. Lately, deep breaths just aren't cutting it. I know I need more sleep as a start, then identifying ways to decrease unnecessary stress, then working on stress relief that does not involve food.

 

[tigger813]

YEAH ME!!!!! I finally got a full night's sleep. I did wake up around 4:30 when I bumped into DH but I went back to sleep until 6 when the alarm went off! I feel so much better than I have in the last week! I'm still tired but I can get stuff done! I'll be running around all day so won't get back on until later. I hope to do the elliptical during the first hour of BL tonight and hopefully that will get me back on track with working out! If I have time I will do some Wii Fit today for fun! I slept without taking anything too!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[lisah0711]

I saw that a few people were talking about Amy's foods and how expensive they were and I thought I would tell you what I did. I e mailed the company, told them I liked the foods and asked them if they could send me some coupons and they did. They sent a little booklet and a few loose coupons. They were pretty good ones too, like 55 and 75 cents off and if you go to a store that doubles them thats even better!

This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing! What are your favorite Amy's frozen meals?

Thanks Lisa - feeling MUCH better - picked dd and a friend up for school and we did our c25k (made the friend to it too) at the park, I told them if I threw up we'd be done for the day. Well not only did I NOT throw up I actually started feeling better! I can't figure this body out. I could easily have slept this afternoon, now I don't feel sick at all am ready to finish my cleaning.

Glad that you are feeling better, jenn. But I can't help but wonder what DDs friend thought when you were saying "okay, we're going to run now, but if I throw up we will stop."

Sorry I've been so MIA lately. I've been so busy lately and I can't explain why. I have been getting in exercise, so that's been a positive. Unfortunately, I've been so hungry and eating that I'm gaining weight. Everyday I try to get back on track, and I've been so unsuccessful. I keep trying, which is good. Hoping tomorrow is a better day!

QOTD: I like to go to the gym when I'm feeling stressed. I don't do that enough though.

Way to get on working what comes up because something always will. The only time you will fail is if you give up and I know you won't do that! Weren't you the biggest loser just a couple of weeks ago? That sounds like success to me -- you can do it again!

I am doing this with only your help. I don't want to make a big deal about this. It is my struggle.

Hope that you are feeling better today, dona. You help us all so much with the COW. You know we are here to help you in return when you need it!

Today's QOTD: It depends on why I am stressed at that particular moment. Teaching, working on Master's Degree, driving oldest DD to gymnastics 45 minutes away 3 times a week, raising a 3 year old, and trying to keep a house clean, on top of conquering a new lifestyle, and dealing with grief, I'm always stressed! If it's over the house, I try to declutter one area. If it's my classes, I'll work on something that is due. If it's just life stress, I either Disboards, or cuddle with my girls. A loong bath works wonders on the rare occasions I get one!

Wow! You have a lot on your plate. Can you get some help with the housework or carpooling or something just to take a few things off the table every once in awhile? Even some deep breathing might be a place to start. Summer is coming!

3/15 Monday QOTD: What (aside from eating!) do you to do deal with stress and/or over-scheduling?

My favorite way to de stress is read. I love to read and I am a super fast reader so I am always reading something new. There is nothing like getting lost in someone else's story for awhile to make me forget about my own!

I have always ate to my emotions, so I am glad to hear about some other ideas. I have never tried blueberry tea though it sounds yummy! And I love a long bath, though my kids have some terrible disease thats makes them have to go to the potty "SOOOO Bad!!!!", when I am in the tub. I sure wish there was a cure......

Is the cure a second bathroom? I can so totally relate to no peace in the bathroom -- even the pets seem to end up in there!

3/15 Monday QOTD: What (aside from eating!) do you to do deal with stress and/or over-scheduling?
I've recently started taking a hot shower. Other than that, I enjoy TV and reading. When the weather is nice and the sun is shining, I love to take a walk outside - it helps more than anything else. (I really need to move to a warmer climate!)
One thing I noticed tonight is that I'm a lot less stressed when it's just DD and I. This is weird because half the time she is what's stressing me out! But DH is out of town with work for a few days, and I find that while it can be challenging, it usually works out. (This does not apply if he is gone every other week or working OT for weeks on end, like he was when she was a newborn!) I think it is for 2 reasons: I cut myself more slack and put less on my chore to do list and I don't waste all that energy I usually expend being annoyed that DH hasn't done something I asked him to do. This is funny but also true. For example, I find myself annoyed that I have to remind him multiple times to take out an overflowing trash can (which is one of his regular chores). If it's just me at home, I'll take it out myself without thinking too much about it. Can you tell we really struggle with the balance of home/life duties?
Anyway, stress relief is a weak area for me, I'd really like to get better at de-stressing. Lately, deep breaths just aren't cutting it. I know I need more sleep as a start, then identifying ways to decrease unnecessary stress, then working on stress relief that does not involve food.

, princessbride6205. It is so hard to be the working Mom of a toddler. Someone ends up getting short shrift and that someone is usually Mom. It will get better as your daughter gets older because she won't need you so much. The DH home/life duties balance issue is a toughie. I think we struggle because we feel like we should be in the roles our parents were which isn't feasible since we are all working now. Keep up with the deep breathing -- it can't hurt!

YEAH ME!!!!! I finally got a full night's sleep. I did wake up around 4:30 when I bumped into DH but I went back to sleep until 6 when the alarm went off! I feel so much better than I have in the last week! I'm still tired but I can get stuff done! I'll be running around all day so won't get back on until later. I hope to do the elliptical during the first hour of BL tonight and hopefully that will get me back on track with working out! If I have time I will do some Wii Fit today for fun! I slept without taking anything too! Have a great day everyone!

Glad that you got some rest, Tracey, and are feeling better!

 

[pjlla]

I was going to post a before and after photo of myself. Not sure how to do it. Pjilla can you help?

Sorry that I disappeared for a few days right after you posted this question. Believe me, I am NOT one to be answering technical questions, but I'll try to help. I'm sure that "my way" is a bit convoluted, but it works for me. First of all the pictures have to be on a website like Photobucket or Shutterfly. After I start posting a reply here, I hop over to Shutterfly (in another window) and find the photo I want to post. I right click on the picture, click on "properties" and highlight and copy the photo properties (lots of letters and numbers so be sure to get all of it). Then I come back over here and paste it in my reply. Then I hit "submit". After I submit I have to go back in and "edit" my reply...... you need to change the "url" at the beginning and ending of each photo into "img". Be careful not to delete any quote marks or slashes. Re-submit and your photo should be in the post. HTH.

I've been MIA from the thread because of job stuff (I've been getting home about 9:00 every night the past two weeks.) It's been very hectic and I am ready for spring break this week! I managed to lose .6 this week, not a lot, BUT... I am officially down 10 lbs! I was so excited to add a new clippie to my sig!

I have missed seeing you here! Glad things are going well on the scale! It seems like you have found some new ways (other than eating) to deal with your stressful job!

3/14 Sunday QOTD: Why is losing weight important to you? Do you have any methods for these reasons in the forefront?

I really want to lose weight for many reasons, but being a healthy role model for my 3 daughters in #1. I don't want them growing up being teased or to feel like they aren't good enough. If I show them a healthy lifestyle, they will be much more inclined to live that way, and they deserve that.
Another reason is I would like to feel comfortable with my body. I am not as "romantic" as I would like to be with my husband because I am ashamed of the way I look. I want to feel confident.

It looks like this cold is turning into another yucky chest cold. I think I just coughed up a lung, but I really hope it passes today. I want to start exercising and its hard when you can't breathe.

I hope everyone had a great weeknd!

First I am so pleased that you want to be a healthy role model to your girls. I think that is SO important! Probably one of the MOST important reasons for wanting to lose weight.

Second.... FEEL BETTER SOON!

I tried to post last night and the boards went down, so hopefully I copied it right to re post this morning. Still wicked windy and rainy here in MA!

Losing weight is so important to me so that I can be healthy and as I age I do not want to be a burden to my son. I want to be a healthy and active mom, maybe grandma someday. In the summer of 2005 I peaked at 229 pounds. That summer my mom had a cardiac arrest after an allergic reaction. She had a rocky hospital course with complications from diabetes and copd, and had a really hard time, went to rehab for a few weeks, and did really well, and came home just in time to her new inlaw apartment that my sister had built to see her grandson born 3 days later on Aug 30. That summer was an emotional roller coaster, and it ended well, but in september I went back to ww and said I was never going to stop. I knew that I needed to lose weight, and keep it off. I did lose over 40 pounds over the next 2 years, and the next two years put some of that back on, but not all of it. The last 4 years of my mom's life were up and down, times she was in and out of the hospital, and that was stressful, trying to balance helping her with taking care of michael, and there were some trying times. I never want Michael to have the stress of worrying about me, and trying to take care of me and take care of his own family he might one day have. Looking back and missing my mom, I'm happy I was able to be there for her as much as I was. I know many of her health issues were lifestyle related, and I don't want to have those problems. I have 4 siblings, and we all helped out with my mom, and when she was in and out of the hospital, it was stressful. It was always someone's vacation, and you worried while you're away. Michael is an only child, and I don't want him to have to worry about me. I don't miss the worry, and know she is in a better place and one day I'll go there too. I guess the method I have, is that no matter how long it takes, every little step toward a healthier me, is going to make me a healthier mom, and I will never give up on this journey. Heck, I'm even starting to run!!

Thanks. We did ok, lots of rain and wind, but thankfully no loss of power, which would make my sump pump not work and I'd be in big trouble. If it ever were to happen, it would get me to clean out the basement. Hope everyone else is ok too. Pjlla's in souther NH and they got hit hard again, so I hope she's ok.

Thanks for sharing your story with us (about your Mom and her health struggles). And your right about how EVERY LITTLE STEP is important, as long as it is in the right direction to a healthier you!

Thanks for thinking of me in all this crazy weather. We have been just fine. We live on a mountain, so unless the gutters get clogged and overflow, we NEVER have water troubles around the house. But we certainly have plenty of water around us!

My gosh, I posted in such a hurry yesterday, my QOTD sounded a bit like...nonsense!!! I meant to say:

3/14 Sunday QOTD: Why is losing weight important to you? Do you have any methods for keeping these reasons in the forefront?



So today, given that I seem to be experiencing a little mayhem myself (painting scenery for a play, coaching BL, getting ready to travel, Kung Fu test on Thrsday plus all the usual stuff, and I definitely felt myself gravitating toward food this weekend when I started to get tired, Here is today's QOTD:

3/15 Monday QOTD: What (aside from eating!) do you to do deal with stress and/or over-scheduling?

Sundays QOTD: Well... I must admit that VANITY was my primary reason for wanting to lose weight. I was sick and tired of being the FAT lady.... I always felt like a slim, pretty person inside a fat ugly body. I wanted to outside to reflect the way I felt inside. But I also had just a few hints that my weight was starting to effect my health, like occasional heartburn that seemed to be getting MORE than occasional, as my weight crept up. I knew it was only inevitable before my weight started to effect other parts of my health.

I also didn't want to be an embarrassement to my kids... and the fact that I work in the school system means that many of the kids in town know me and know my kids. I was embarrassed to be social with other parents because I always felt like the fat one in the group. Same at church and with scrapbooking clubs. I didn't really get "involved" as much as I would like because I was embarrassed about my weight.

The fact that I can approach ALMOST ANY situation now with confidence and hold my head high is GREAT! I am meeting other DIS-ers for the first time the end of April at a scrapbooking convention here in NH and I am so excited! And I am no panicking because of my weight (my only panic now is because of my lack of artistic ability in hanging around with these other GREAT scrappers!).

TRULY I am not the type to judge others on their weight. I don't think I would EVER meet someone and think less of them if they were overweight. So I am not sure why I think that others thought less of me.... just many, many years of low self-esteem, I guess.


Monday's QOTD: I'm lucky that I am low stress person. I don't stress about a lot of things. Things that cause me "sick feeling in the pit of the stomach" stress are things like how we are going to pay for college, will DS work hard enough in school, the thought of DD (and eventually DS) getting her driver's license, and DS's ongoing food allergy/skin rash issues. Other than that I tend to be rather relaxed.

When I am stressing I find that cleaning my house really helps. Having a messy house causes me DAILY STRESS (but it is that low, "I can handle it" kind of stress). I just can't think straight in a mess. I find that PMS also exacerbates the feeling of stress about a messy house. A few clean rooms definitely helps with stress!

Good afternoon!!

Who has two thumbs and joined LifeTime Fitness today? This chick! Me!! It's a huge step for me because I hated to leave the house when I was heavier and now I have joined a gym. I can't wait to start tomorrow!!

In other exciting news.... I hit my 30 pound mark this morning. I've lost a total of 30.3 pounds since Christmas Day.


3/15 Monday QOTD: What (aside from eating!) do you to do deal with stress and/or over-scheduling?

Well, stress is a flare trigger for my Lupus, so I have spent many years learning how to have little to no stress in my life. But, when things to get stressful, I take a hot shower. Like, really hot. Scalding... and long. And I drink blueberry green tea. I don't drink the tea in the shower. I drink it after the shower.

Thirty pounds since Christmas is an AMAZING accomplishment! Great job! I hope you enjoy your new gym membership.




Well... Happy Tuesday morning all! Sorry I haven't been around much. DD swam at Harvard on Sunday.... we left the house at 5 am and didn't get back until about 5pm. Then it was dinner, homework, housework, and Amazing Race with the family and off to bed.

She swam well... but not a personal best time in her event. But her relay team placed 9th (freestyle relay) and 11th (medley relay). This was at the YMCA New England Championships... so it was a big deal. And she DID get a new personal best time in her 50 yard freestyle that she swam during her leg of the medley relay!

We ate lunch out in Harvard Square with some other swim families. It was an Italian place with a menu that was heavy on pasta and such... so my healthiest choice was a salad. I paid $9.95 for about 1 C of arugula, 1 oz of goat cheese, a few walnut pieces and about a half a pear. Very tasty, but YIKES, those Boston prices! But at least I stayed on plan. Which was more than I could say for the remainder of my day!! Thin crust veggie pizza from Pizza Hut, sweet potato chips sad2: where is that head-banging smilie when you need it?), and a handful of cookies used ALL of my remaining Flex points for the week. I don't think I went OVER (unless I am grossly miscalculating the points in something I ate), but it wasn't pretty.

And now, between ovulation bloat and overeating on Sunday night, I have been suffering a bit with an unsettled tummy/intestinal tract since Monday morning. Pushing the water and tea and fiber in the hopes that it will help.

Sorry I didn't get over here yesterday AT ALL!

Anyone seen BernardandMissBianca lately? I know she has troubles with her basement flooding and I'm SURE that she has probably been battling that since Saturday. I'm going to go see if she has been around on the scrapping board.

BBL to talk more.............P

 

[mikamah]

Good morning. Only have a few minutes before work, but wanted to pop in.

I did week3, day on coudh to 5k, and it wasn't too bad. Corinna thanks for shaing how it went for you. I feel like each week I am ready to increase the running time, and I do it. 3 minutes 2 weeks ago seemed impossible, and today I did it, and honestly I don't think I was any more short of breath than I was at one minute. I'm really working on my breathing while I'm jogging, and slowing down if I'm too winded. I'm sure I could probably do a fast walk faster than I'm jogging. I am surprising myself every week.

qotd-stress relief, non food would be mindlessly surfing the dis, or watching a mindless tv show with michael. Sometimes if the house is a mess and cause of stress, I'll do a maniac cleaning spell, and that brings down the stress.

Princessbride- on being home alone with your daughter, I chuckled because I'm a single mom, and when my son was an infant, I had a friend who envied me because when her kids were little she had the added stress of her husband not helping, making her more frustrated, whereas I just knew all the work was mine, and there was less stress.

dona- hope you are feeling better.

Jenn- way to go on the c25k! It's amazing how exercise can make us feel better.

I'm off to work now. Have a great day.

 

[corinnak]

Good morning! There were some fantastic ideas for stress management yesterday, some of which had never occurred to me! Thanks so much to everyone who shared their tactics..


Enjoying the time we spend losing weight is crucial for many of us, because it often takes months or years to lose what we want to lose and it takes a lifetime of good habits to keep it off. Some of those changes are challenging and some are really enjoyable, but I believe the things that make staying on track enjoyable are the things that keep us on track long term. I believe the most crucial part of a weight loss plan is not how quickly it takes the weight off, but rather how livable it is in the long term.

3/16 Tuesday QOTD: What are some things you have enjoyed about the process of losing weight so far? Whether it be new favorite foods, attitudes, activities or something else, tell us what keeps you happy on your plan.