Disneyland Divas working out, getting healthy, and looking fine in '09!!

[grizbuzz]

I had a decent loss at my weigh in last night....Hoping for another couple next week...I weigh in the night before I leave for Disneyland!

Sarah

CONGRATS!!!

I had to give up my swim club membership today.
I'm gonna miss that place. Transferred our membership over to my neighbor who will get some great use out of it, so it's all good. I just don't like leaving these things that I love.

Packing is insanely overwhelming. DH and I got into a wicked argument last night over sippy cups...as you can see tension is running high now. We shipped 8 boxes over by air mail today: our bed, linens, kitchen items, a computer and our toiletries. Tomorrow movers come to put countless boxes into storage and then transport people come to slow ship another 15 or so boxes to Switzerland. Tonight is our last night in this house for two years. Wow. Crazy. No time to get sentimental. Must go back and pack.

I picked up our visas at the swiss consultate today. Also had a job interview with for a marketing position with eBay in Zurich. How cool is that? Send pixie dust...

I haven't exercised and eating has been awful. I did get a strength training program that requires nothing but a flexiband plus a marathon running training program that I will start once I get to Switzerland. This week is, unfortunately, toast.

Later divas....
Yodelayhehoo!
-Jen

 

[sahbushka]

Wow! I can't believe it is actually happening for you! I can't wait to hear about all your great adventures! It will be great once you get there and get settled!

Sarah

 

[grizbuzz]

Hello from Switzerland!

We have made it to Baden and are stating two nites in a hotel. Tomorrow we go to Ikea to buy furniture and then will move to apartment

Food here so bad: chocolate, sausages, potatoes smothered in oil and cheese, beer. I have so fallen off the wagon. In a few days you all must kick my rear in gear. For now I am in recover from jet lag mode

How is everone?

 

[kelmac284]

Yay Jen! This is so exciting! Yes the food in Europe is VERY heavy! But my solution...walk everywhere!! I know that having a vehicle over there is very expensive and most people use a lot of public transit or walk./ride bikes everywhere. So I would do that to start. But I am sure after you are there longer you will find stuff that isn't too bad but it is DEF not healthy california that's for sure!

I am so going to look forward to hearing all your adventures and seeing all your pics! You guys are going to have a GREAT adventure. I hope you travel a LOT while you are there! You really need to go to Germany and France while you are there. SO beautiful and so close. You can drive to the other countries in a few days. Germany has all the castles that are fabulous and of course so does france. And Switzerland has the alps of course and the matterhorn as you have seen. You are going to have so much fun!

Jealous!!

 

[sahbushka]

So glad you made it there safely! I used to work at Ikea...I wonder if it is any different in Europe? I hope you are enjoying the food because in a couple days it will be back on that wagon for you! The last thing you want to bring back as a souvenier from your adventure is extra weight!

Sarah

 

[sahbushka]

So I just bought a twix bar (don't worry, I have the points for it). I am stressed about dd being home sick and our trip just 2 days away and I have found that the smell of the chocolate was just as satisfying as the taste of it. Huh, something to remember.

Sarah

 

[kelmac284]

((hugs)) sara! Hopefully she will be all better by the time you guys leave!!

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Sorry guys, I've been at d23 expo and then dealing with stuff. I find that if I'm bummed, I will eat. Had to deal with some emotional disappointments this week (what is the definition of friend anyway?) and ate things I normally don't eat.

Sarah, did you know they make a lower calorie Twix? Comes in a small box (so you have to hide it for special treats). I really hope your dd is fine and I'll see you this Saturday.

Jen, I am sooo happy you are really still here online with us. I remember when I was there many years ago, what really surprised me was how all their salads were pickled! I couldn't find the kind of salads we like, with lettuce, etc. Maybe things have changed...?

Do you have a time frame for how long you'll be there?

Anyway, I am up 2-3 lb from my lowest recent low. I did train yesterday and am feelin' it. Had my healthy salad just now and am going to fit in a fast cardio.

 

[grizbuzz]

So glad you made it there safely! I used to work at Ikea...I wonder if it is any different in Europe? I hope you are enjoying the food because in a couple days it will be back on that wagon for you! The last thing you want to bring back as a souvenier from your adventure is extra weight!

Sarah

Ikea was pretty much the same. What was different was the easy transport to and from the store. I had to take a bus last minute to pick up the boys and found one immediately right outside the store. Public transportation never works like that in the US.

Now we have a TON of Ikea boxes that still need to be carried from our parking space to the house. I built chairs and a dining room table last night, so have a place to eat now.

Sorry guys, I've been at d23 expo and then dealing with stuff. I find that if I'm bummed, I will eat. Had to deal with some emotional disappointments this week (what is the definition of friend anyway?) and ate things I normally don't eat.

Sarah, did you know they make a lower calorie Twix? Comes in a small box (so you have to hide it for special treats). I really hope your dd is fine and I'll see you this Saturday.

Jen, I am sooo happy you are really still here online with us. I remember when I was there many years ago, what really surprised me was how all their salads were pickled! I couldn't find the kind of salads we like, with lettuce, etc. Maybe things have changed...?

Do you have a time frame for how long you'll be there?

Anyway, I am up 2-3 lb from my lowest recent low. I did train yesterday and am feelin' it. Had my healthy salad just now and am going to fit in a fast cardio.

My husband has a two year contract here in Switzerland.

I went running just a couple of kilometers yesterday. Felt good to get the blood flowing. Turns out that we live in a village just a couple blocks from farms and the river. Very bucolic and beautiful. Today I wanted to run, but it's raining and I was busy all day trying to find open wireless connection to get on to my work computer. Not to do work mind you, but to communicate with a recruiter. I'm trying to get a job now with eBay as a marketing manager for Europe. Wouldn't that be cool? Send pixie dust!

Healthy living is not going so well here. There are salads, but I haven't bought them. Everything is SO expensive here. Beyond words. We seem to be living off bread, cheese and sliced meat now. Oh, and chocolate. And I hate dealing with SO much second hand smoke. People smoke in restaurants and cafes. Yuck! Only good news is that we are walking everywhere. That's what happens when you don't have a car!

Later divas...
Jen

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Now we have a TON of Ikea boxes that still need to be carried from our parking space to the house. I built chairs and a dining room table last night, so have a place to eat now.

I went running just a couple of kilometers yesterday. Felt good to get the blood flowing. Turns out that we live in a village just a couple blocks from farms and the river. Very bucolic and beautiful. Today I wanted to run, but it's raining and I was busy all day trying to find open wireless connection to get on to my work computer. Not to do work mind you, but to communicate with a recruiter. I'm trying to get a job now with eBay as a marketing manager for Europe. Wouldn't that be cool? Send pixie dust!

Healthy living is not going so well here. There are salads, but I haven't bought them. Everything is SO expensive here. Beyond words. We seem to be living off bread, cheese and sliced meat now. Oh, and chocolate. And I hate dealing with SO much second hand smoke. People smoke in restaurants and cafes. Yuck! Only good news is that we are walking everywhere. That's what happens when you don't have a car!

Later divas...
Jen

Your setting sounds lovely! I've put together so many ikea pieces... In fact, I need a new shelf from them that's perfect for holding vinylmations. I hope they still make it.

I think the expense is partly our problem with the exchange rate now. Canada was like that this summer. Maybe you'll discover some markets, like farmer's markets where the prices will be better?

I'm so sorry to hear they are still smoking like crazy there. I had hoped they would've matched us with health concerns by now.

I got to meet Sarah in person! That was great, now we can picture each other when we read about our progress. Jen, wish you had been there. It was Dawn, Cheryl, Vicki, Christabel, Sarah, Linda and Bree. We ate at Cafe Orleans, sitting outside (it was very warm but pleasant there). I found if you order the side salad, you can also order a side of salmon, making a nice salad that's 1/3 less than their salmon salad (that has spinach and we're having a spinach scare now).

Still stuck with these two pounds so headed back to the gym today. Everyone have a good day!

 

[grizbuzz]

I got to meet Sarah in person! That was great, now we can picture each other when we read about our progress. Jen, wish you had been there. It was Dawn, Cheryl, Vicki, Christabel, Sarah, Linda and Bree. We ate at Cafe Orleans, sitting outside (it was very warm but pleasant there). I found if you order the side salad, you can also order a side of salmon, making a nice salad that's 1/3 less than their salmon salad (that has spinach and we're having a spinach scare now).

Still stuck with these two pounds so headed back to the gym today. Everyone have a good day!

Sounds like an awesome meet! And yummy idea on the salmon salad! I would have loved to have been there.

For some reason, I'm getting really good wireless Internet connection at home, so am taking advantage of it! My fitness goals this week: stop eating chocolate everyday (yummy, but it will catch up with me!), run more, do strength exercises with flexiband at home, continue walking (and walking and walking...we have no car yet) and eat more fruits and veggies. I've got to figure out shopping so I can get more healthy foods into the diet. Also, need to figure out less expensive options. We ate at Mc Donald's in Zurich yesterady (no mayo on the chicken sandwich and no fries, so not SO bad) and it was $40 for two kids meals and two adult meals. That's the cheapest option here...otherwise going out to dinner costs $80-$100 for really nothing special at all. And diet cokes at the store are $3.50. Must find job soon.

Take care ladies!

And KEEP MOVING!!!

 

[daisy_77]

Hi ladies!
I feel so out of the loop! I have not posted in forever but I think about you all A LOT!!

I have no idea what weight I started at officially when I first signed up but I have lost 40 pounds since I saw you all in February. I am not following WW or Atkins but I am eating low-carb, but healthy. Not fried butter meat and cheese. But lots of salads, low-fat dairy, lean meats and diet coke. And water of course.

I need to find the new diva thread. I am looking forward to seeing you all again in February!!

 

[kelmac284]

Congrats January! You are going to look like a whole new woman! I have been trying to lose 10 stupid pounds but with everything going on in my life I have actually gone up and then back to where I was but not down. It's SO frustrating but Worse case scenario I always usually start fresh after the first of the year. THat is usually when I can start anew. It gets SO hard this time of year with the holidays and such. Right now just maintaining where I am is hard enough LOL. Can't wait to see how amazing you look!

 

[sahbushka]

Hi ladies!
I feel so out of the loop! I have not posted in forever but I think about you all A LOT!!

I have no idea what weight I started at officially when I first signed up but I have lost 40 pounds since I saw you all in February. I am not following WW or Atkins but I am eating low-carb, but healthy. Not fried butter meat and cheese. But lots of salads, low-fat dairy, lean meats and diet coke. And water of course.

I need to find the new diva thread. I am looking forward to seeing you all again in February!!

Woo Hoo! Way to go January! I too have lost a bit over 40 since I saw you last! We are going to feel so much better in February when we see each other again. I just got back from Disneyland last night. I had a great trip and ate better than I did back in March. I think I probably still gained a few pounds but they will be off soon!

Glad to see you here!
Sarah

 

[sahbushka]

I got to meet Sarah in person! That was great, now we can picture each other when we read about our progress. Jen, wish you had been there. It was Dawn, Cheryl, Vicki, Christabel, Sarah, Linda and Bree. We ate at Cafe Orleans, sitting outside (it was very warm but pleasant there). I found if you order the side salad, you can also order a side of salmon, making a nice salad that's 1/3 less than their salmon salad (that has spinach and we're having a spinach scare now).

Still stuck with these two pounds so headed back to the gym today. Everyone have a good day!

It was so great meeting you! It is great to be able to picture you! I find out tonight if I gained any on the trip....I am pretty sure I gained at least a couple pounds but they will be off soon!

Sarah

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

My fitness goals this week: stop eating chocolate everyday (yummy, but it will catch up with me!), run more, do strength exercises with flexiband at home, continue walking (and walking and walking...we have no car yet) and eat more fruits and veggies. I've got to figure out shopping so I can get more healthy foods into the diet. Also, need to figure out less expensive options. We ate at Mc Donald's in Zurich yesterady (no mayo on the chicken sandwich and no fries, so not SO bad) and it was $40 for two kids meals and two adult meals. That's the cheapest option here...otherwise going out to dinner costs $80-$100 for really nothing special at all. And diet cokes at the store are $3.50. Must find job soon.

Take care ladies!

And KEEP MOVING!!!

Jen, I've lived in foriegn countries and McD's is the worst way to go. It will be very expensive compared to what we are used to. You have to eat like the Europeans do - they shop daily and cook fresh food.

Do some searching (maybe meetup.com?) to find an ex-pat group of foriegners living in Switzerland. Maybe they won't be in your city but maybe in a nearby city. Sometimes they do a little newsletter, it could be on the internet. They often have good tips about how to live well in a new place. Sometimes there are food co-ops where you get your veggies cheaper... At the very least, you need to befriend a local, maybe another mom at your kid's school, who can help you.

Hi ladies!
I feel so out of the loop! I have not posted in forever but I think about you all A LOT!!

I have no idea what weight I started at officially when I first signed up but I have lost 40 pounds since I saw you all in February. I am not following WW or Atkins but I am eating low-carb, but healthy. Not fried butter meat and cheese. But lots of salads, low-fat dairy, lean meats and diet coke. And water of course.

I need to find the new diva thread. I am looking forward to seeing you all again in February!!

January, that is GREAT NEWS!!! Wow!

Congrats January! You are going to look like a whole new woman! I have been trying to lose 10 stupid pounds but with everything going on in my life I have actually gone up and then back to where I was but not down. It's SO frustrating but Worse case scenario I always usually start fresh after the first of the year. THat is usually when I can start anew. It gets SO hard this time of year with the holidays and such. Right now just maintaining where I am is hard enough LOL. Can't wait to see how amazing you look!

Kelly, maintaining is not a bad thing in my book. That said, I would be thrilled if I could lose ten pounds (and I'm probably 20 from my final goal) so I know what you're going through. Let's not think of this as the holidays - let's count that as Thanksgiving and then Christmas, okay? Because if we give ourselves permission to call this (Sept) the holidays, then we'll be sunk for the rest of the year, kwim?

It was so great meeting you! It is great to be able to picture you! I find out tonight if I gained any on the trip....I am pretty sure I gained at least a couple pounds but they will be off soon!

Sarah

It was toooo short!!! Are you coming back for Oct or not until Feb?? I agree, pounds that are put on quickly, like on a trip, do some off fast! But maybe the scale won't be as bad as you think!

I made it to the gym again, 47 min on the cross trainer. I found out that my skin is better because I'm getting so much oxygen to it... boy, another reason to exercise.

 

[grizbuzz]

Hi ladies!
I feel so out of the loop! I have not posted in forever but I think about you all A LOT!!

I have no idea what weight I started at officially when I first signed up but I have lost 40 pounds since I saw you all in February. I am not following WW or Atkins but I am eating low-carb, but healthy. Not fried butter meat and cheese. But lots of salads, low-fat dairy, lean meats and diet coke. And water of course.

I need to find the new diva thread. I am looking forward to seeing you all again in February!!

CONGRATS JANUARY!!!
YOU ROCK!!!
That is so so so awesome. We are very very proud of you for such an accomplishment. And it sounds like you have good eating pretty much ingrained at this point. Just wondering, are you exercising too?

I went running for 45 minutes yesterday. My knee is really bothering me today, so I am not going to run. Kids and I will climb up the hill (a gazillion stairs) in Baden to see the castle, if they are behaving. If not, bus ride home 'cause Mom just doesn't have the energy to chase them around. I did the climb this morning to check it out. Lots of stairs.

My DH is definitely losing weight here. We don't have a scale, but his pants are all falling off and it looks like he's down a size. I don't think I've lost weight, nor seemingly the kids. I think all this walking is good for him.

I've got to get used to this new shopping stuff. It is like you say Donna, you buy your food for the day each day. I totally believe in all the things that you must do here...buy only the food you need each day, bring your own bags, pay for each bag of garbage you produce (like $1.30 for a small 1.5 liter bag), compost, recycle all cardboard and bottles (you have to take them yourself to a center which we haven't found yet), take the bus, walk. It's all good and good for the environment, but it does take some getting used to as we get so used to convenience in the US. Plus, food is so cheap in the States compared to Europe. Anyway, I'm adjusting and figuring it out step by step, trying not to get too frustrated with myself, as we have only been here about a week and a half.

Plus, we don't have our own washer and dryer. We have to get on the schedule to use the communal one downstairs. I used it once and the dryer doesn't really work, so you have to hang dry. All good and good for the environment, just more work. I'm trying to convince DH that we need to get a washer and dryer for our apartment, as it will make life a lot easier.

Well I'm going to try to carry down a room full of cardboard (from Ikea furniture boxes) to our storage room downstairs, so we can have some space to set up our real bed. Wow, it will be nice to sleep in a real bed soon.

Later ladies. Have a great day!

 

[kelmac284]

Oh no Donna I didn't mean I was counting NOW as the holidays LOL. I meant the holidays coming up LIKE Thanksgiving and Christmas. But it actually starts with Halloween. Esp this year with us going on the Dis trip. There is going to be all kinds of bad tempting treats at Disney and then with kids who trick or treat there will be tons of candy in my house again that is very tempting and it starts from there. First it is halloween candy then the christmas candy that they get in their stockings, then valentines and then easter. It is a long never ending supply LOL.

I do fairly well avoiding it but sometimes the temptation gets hard to resist!

But during Thanksgiving and then Christmas there are so many get togethers and parties and then Katy's birthday it is just food food food and no matter how good I try to be it is really hard. So that is why I usually start fresh after the new year and really kick butt!

But as soon as this weekend is over I am FINALLY feeling well enough to start exercising again. I have my 2nd follow up for my surgery today and I am sure my doc is going to say all is healing well so I am hoping to at LEAST get back on the exercise mill so that will account for something! Plus I miss it! So I am really looking forward to that!

Jen I SO know what you mean about the food in Europe. It is all so heavy and rich and EXPENSIVE! I am very interested to see that it is still like that and that they don't really have any "supermarkets" still 20 years later. When I was there in 83 my relatives had to do as you say. They went to the bakery for their bread and to the butcher for meat, the vegetable stand for their veggies etc etc. They only had those small apt size fridges in their house and bought like a half dozen eggs at a time. And in OUR society we are super sized LOL. We buy in bulk at costco. They wouldn't have room for any of that LOL. With us it is not just the convenience but we need a lot cuz there is 5 of us. It would be tough over there but I agree it IS better for the environment AND it gives you more of a reason to get out and about! What an experience you will have though! Enjoy!!

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Oh no Donna I didn't mean I was counting NOW as the holidays LOL. I meant the holidays coming up LIKE Thanksgiving and Christmas. But it actually starts with Halloween.

But as soon as this weekend is over I am FINALLY feeling well enough to start exercising again. I have my 2nd follow up for my surgery today and I am sure my doc is going to say all is healing well so I am hoping to at LEAST get back on the exercise mill so that will account for something! Plus I miss it! So I am really looking forward to that!

Jen I SO know what you mean about the food in Europe. It is all so heavy and rich and EXPENSIVE! I am very interested to see that it is still like that and that they don't really have any "supermarkets" still 20 years later. !!

Okay, good, just as long as you're not declaring Sept the start of holiday season! I am having such a hard time losing the two pounds I regained that I need to declare this getting in shape season.

And I had forgotten about your surgery and how you needed to heal before getting back to exercising (very important). I don't seem to be in that zone that I was in before where I was doing enough exercise and eating the right amount so I was shedding weight. The exercise is making me much hungrier.

Hi Jen! Yes, you need that washer and dryer with two kids. Here's another vote for it. You can resell it when you leave.

Wow, walking to the castle twice in one day - you're definitely getting your exercise. You have done a lot in a week in a half. I think you need to get in that bed and relax a little!

Well, here's to another smokey fire day. If you have clean air where you are, enjoy it today!

 

[sahbushka]

Hi all! I only gained .8! Woo Hoo! Less than one pound...I will take it! It was probably those pommes frites and pasteries. Totally worth it! I am back on track and doing just fine! DH made a new recipe last night which was good, not great, but good. Working a double today and tomorrow and then a bbq at my moms as my grandmother is going back down south for the winter. Summer went by so quickly...probably because I was always at work! LOL!

Anyway, to answer the question, I will not be there in October but will be in February so I will see ya'll then and hopefully you will see a lot less of me as my WW leader likes to say!

Later Gators and don't forget to drink your water...I am on bottle number 8 for the day!

Sarah