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

[grizbuzz]

We are shipping our Subaru to Switzerland. It's a $1,000 cheaper to ship from Long Beach than from Oakland. I decided just now that we are flying home from Long Beach on Jet Blue on Monday at 9am. I didn't want to take such an early flight home, but I must face the facts: I have to be home to pack up or we will not be ready to leave Friday.


Wish me luck tomorrow. I've got a gazillion things to do and somehow also need to pack up and hopefully leave by 5pm. I think we'll stay overnight in Lebec or something glorious like that and then get a bright and early start for DL on Friday morning.

I am so not ready for this. But I will get there!

 

[kelmac284]

Beth I know what you mean about the car thing. We had BOTH cars paid off when Shane was in Iraq and then he had his truck on non-op while he was over there and when he got back the stupid DMV wanted to charge us the entire year registration for only 2 months that we had to renew it so we figured we would just wait since he had a work truck. Well then a HUGE part of our tree that we had it parked under FELL on it and crushed it. Can you believe it? Flattened it like a pancake! And then the stupid insurance wouldn't total it but insisted on fixing it. It cost MORE to fix then to buy a whole new truck. STUPID. Plus he was out of a vehicle for ANOTHER 3 months while they rebuilt the stupid thing. Then after ALL that he decided to sell it and buy a new one! AHHHHH! So he goes and buys this HUGE F350 truck for 40,000 when we had a perfectly good almost brand new truck that was paid for! I was NOT pleased. That was in 06 and we STILL owe 15,000 on that stupid thing! My camry is paid for but I used to have an expedition and when gas was 5.00 a gallon I decided to get rid of it cuz it was 10 years old and it was costing me close to 100 bucks to fill that thing up every week. So I sold it (it was paid for too) and was lucky enough to get quite a bit for it even as old as it was cuz I had low miles on it and plus we had cash saved and I paid off the camry. Well we "thought" going down to a car would be ok but for our family of 5 it is just NOT a big enough vehicle. Going from having a mini van and then an expedition to a small passenger car is just tough. We can ONLY fit our own family in the car and then not all of our junk. So now I am seriously thinking of upgrading to a midsize SUV that still gets ok gas mileage but that is at least a LITTLE bigger.

But like you I don't want a car payment and even though my camry is paid for and not that old it has gotten all door dinged and scrated up (remember the lovely DIE that got scratched in it not once but TWICE) plus when I FIRST got it I backed into a boulder that was really low to the ground and I couldn't see it and scratched up the back bumper. So it has a lot of things that I think might knock the value down aesthetically. I was really hoping I could get at least 10,000 to put down on another vehicle but I doubt I could get that for my car now. So I feel your pain.

And Jen I LOVE your idea but A) I couldn't afford to go to a spa as much as I would LOVE it! and B) my family would probably fall apart if I wasn't around LOL. But I LOVE that idea. I just had my post op yesterday and eventhough I still don't feel that great my doc says I AM healing well so I guess it is just a long process. I thought I had some complications but he says that everything that I am seeing and feeling is all normal stuff so that is good I guess. All part of the healing process.

As far as all the weight loss peeps go, keep up the good work. I am sticking at 156 which is 1 lb over where I started back in March. I still can't really exercise cuz I am WAY too sore still but I am anxious for the day when I can because even though I am only 1 lb heavier than I was before my clothes are still on the tight side (pants mostly) so I think that my weight was distributed a bit differently when I gained it/lost it.

Of course I also have washed and dried a lot of my pants which didn't help. Some of them I think have shrunk a bit and when I was REALLY thin when I was sick in January and around 153 they seemed looser but now I need to work harder to get back in them!

Jen good luck with all your moving stuff. That has got to be tough moving overseas. I know just moving to another state was a pain in the butt. I can't even IMAGINE moving to another country. But it is exciting none the less!

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Kelly, of course you cannot exercise now! You must heal.

I'm just feeling a bit frustrated but hope that once I can exercise again, I'll make up lost ground. I am having lunch with some friends who I know have been losing weight, so it will be encouraging to eat with them. They picked a restaurant because of the salads!

Thinking of you, Jen. I know you will do it.

 

[kelmac284]

Oh yeah Donna I KNOW! LOL. Believe me I can still hardly walk LOL. But I really MISS exercising! I actually ENJOY it and how good it makes me feel. It sucks too cuz I had stopped for SO long and was JUST getting back into it before all this. I hate stopping and starting so much but what can you do.

Have fun at lunch with your friends!

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Oh yeah Donna I KNOW! LOL. Believe me I can still hardly walk LOL. But I really MISS exercising! I actually ENJOY it and how good it makes me feel. It sucks too cuz I had stopped for SO long and was JUST getting back into it before all this. I hate stopping and starting so much but what can you do.

Have fun at lunch with your friends!

Isn't it amazing we've gotten to a place where we really enjoy and miss exercising? Who knew??

I hate the stopping and starting part too. Maybe I'll ask about that in a separate thread here, to get some tips.

Lunch was great - I saw two friends, sisters, who I haven't seen in a year. They've each gone down from like a size 16 to a size 6/8!! They did it on Jenny Craig. I did that a few years ago and now I'm seriously thinking of doing it again to get rid of the last 15 lb. (I've lost like 23 by food journaling and exercise over a year and a half).

But they paid a lot more than I did. I remember paying like $30 to join and then paying for food. She quoted something like 10x that much. Was she talking about both of them? She said 1/2 of the money was given back to them once they reached a certain number. What do you think of that?

 

[kelmac284]

I am glad you had a nice lunch! That is amazing about your friends as well! I was about a 16 when I started my journey as well WAY back in 01 after I had Shelby. And I slowly worked myself down and now I wear a 10 but I have gone up and down MANY times in between. BUT I have done it ALL on my own by just watching what I eat and exercising. I personally believe that special diets are tough because when you finally DO go off them it is really hard to maintain. But that is just my own personal belief. I have just found that watching WHAT and how much I eat of normal every day foods and exercising works for me personally but I know that doesn't for everyone so to each his own. I know some need more regiment then that and that's cool too.

I just don't want to spend the money but that's me.

If you think it would work for you then I say go for it. I know it does work for a lot of people!

 

[bigskyernurse]

Hi all,

Popped in to check on everyone and WOW so much has happened. So proud of everyone for progress made. Miss you all...life has just been pretty crazy for me the past few months and I've had to cut back to the basics to manage my time better, so unfortunately, reading the DIS was one of the things I cut out.

Still having issues with my back, need another MRI....still benched from exercise and miss the treadmill sooo much!! Was a great stress reliever for me. But I have to be careful, very careful with my back because you can't really be much of a nurse without one. So I'm just taking it one day at a time. Paul hasn't had any problems since he got out of the hospital so that is good. Work is insane.

Depressed that I am not in DL...was supposed to run the 5k today and really really wanted to achieve that goal. Shooting for next year..

Good news is I've maintained. Hit a plateau so its harder now, especially without the exercise. I've been in the 170's forever it seems. But I've been fluctuating between 65 and 70 lbs lost so I try to focus on that. And I am comfortably in size mediums and 12's so when I think back to the size 22 I started with I am happy with where I am. My goal is between 155 and 160 so I'm not giving up!! Just at a snails pace now.

I have 2 quick trips to DL this month, one with my 3-year old (Emma) and one with my 12-year old (Jake). Using my free nights at GCH thanks to DVC!! Looking forward to that. Really need a few days away. Will be "budget" trips as money is tight but hey....you can't go wrong being at DL and staying at GCH right?? Totally worth brown bagging food in a backpack..lol.

Miss you all and hope you are all going great. Don't give up!!! It is sooo worth it!!!!

Amy

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Hi all,

Still having issues with my back, need another MRI....still benched from exercise and miss the treadmill sooo much!! Was a great stress reliever for me. But I have to be careful, very careful with my back because you can't really be much of a nurse without one. So I'm just taking it one day at a time. Paul hasn't had any problems since he got out of the hospital so that is good. Work is insane.

Depressed that I am not in DL...was supposed to run the 5k today and really really wanted to achieve that goal. Shooting for next year..

Good news is I've maintained. Hit a plateau so its harder now, especially without the exercise. I've been in the 170's forever it seems. But I've been fluctuating between 65 and 70 lbs lost so I try to focus on that. And I am comfortably in size mediums and 12's so when I think back to the size 22 I started with I am happy with where I am. My goal is between 155 and 160 so I'm not giving up!! Just at a snails pace now.

Amy

Amy it is so good to see you here! That is awful about your back. You are such an inspiration. You and I are about the same place with the same goal - so it's awfully close (and yet so far, huh?). I am considering something different to shake it up. I've been with the same trainer/nutritionist for a year and a half and losing very very slowly. I've had a setback this past week being sick with a virus but I'm better now.

It is a shame about the 5K but you have next year. And it's great you'll get a little break at DL soon. And the brown bagging it of course means you'll eat healthy food, which is the hidden benefit!

I am glad you had a nice lunch! That is amazing about your friends as well! I was about a 16 when I started my journey as well WAY back in 01 after I had Shelby. And I slowly worked myself down and now I wear a 10 but I have gone up and down MANY times in between. BUT I have done it ALL on my own by just watching what I eat and exercising. I personally believe that special diets are tough because when you finally DO go off them it is really hard to maintain. But that is just my own personal belief. I have just found that watching WHAT and how much I eat of normal every day foods and exercising works for me personally but I know that doesn't for everyone so to each his own. I know some need more regiment then that and that's cool too.

I just don't want to spend the money but that's me.

If you think it would work for you then I say go for it. I know it does work for a lot of people!

Kelly, I had no idea you went from a size 16 to today! That is wonderful. I agree with you that maintenance is the hardest part of any special eating program. It's always better if you can do it with normal food, but I need a shake up. I'm also not going to do it unless it is what I paid before (like $30 or under). She said, get this, that most of her lunches were Subway. That makes three of my friends who have said that.

Everyone enjoy the end of summer!

Donna

 

[grizbuzz]

Hi Ladies!

Checking in from the GCH. I finished the DL half marathon today! Was up at 4:20am to be at the start line before 6am and then my coral was off and going by about 6:20. Completed the race in 2 hours 36 minutes. Not fast, but I did run the whole way. Met some WISHers here, too, but missed our DL Divas (I wore my tinkerbell diva shirt in honor of the divas ). After the race I spent the day in the park, then went swimming and then went back to the park. It's a little after 10pm now and I am ready for bed.

More later...just wanted to let those of you not on Facebook know I made it!

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Hi Ladies!

Checking in from the GCH. I finished the DL half marathon today! Was up at 4:20am to be at the start line before 6am and then my coral was off and going by about 6:20. Completed the race in 2 hours 36 minutes. Not fast, but I did run the whole way. Met some WISHers here, too, but missed our DL Divas (I wore my tinkerbell diva shirt in honor of the divas ). After the race I spent the day in the park, then went swimming and then went back to the park. It's a little after 10pm now and I am ready for bed.

More later...just wanted to let those of you not on Facebook know I made it!

Jen, I'm so glad you checked in! I've been looking for your report.
I was at a film fest but thought of you. Congratulations!!!!! What a feat!!! Can't believe you didn't just want to lie in bed after running for 2 hours and 36 minutes!!!!

 

[kelmac284]

Congrats Jen!! Sounds like a fun day all the way round!

 

[sahbushka]

Hi Ladies!

Checking in from the GCH. I finished the DL half marathon today! Was up at 4:20am to be at the start line before 6am and then my coral was off and going by about 6:20. Completed the race in 2 hours 36 minutes. Not fast, but I did run the whole way. Met some WISHers here, too, but missed our DL Divas (I wore my tinkerbell diva shirt in honor of the divas ). After the race I spent the day in the park, then went swimming and then went back to the park. It's a little after 10pm now and I am ready for bed.

More later...just wanted to let those of you not on Facebook know I made it!

WTG!!!! So proud of you! What an accomplishment! Sounds like you had a great day!

Sarah

 

[sahbushka]

Hi ladies....so a few of my big tests are coming up. The first one is a "how far have I come" test. I started losing weight after I came back from a mothers day trip to Reno. It was a miracle that I was able to get the seat belt to buckle and it was a huge struggle to make it happen. I have lost 40 pounds since then and I am really anxious to see how that seat belt fits now. I am nervous that there won't be much difference. It is the same airline that I flew before so I imagine the seatbelts will be the same.

The second big test is the "can I make good choices in Disneyland" test. We are there for 5 nights and I know I will be eating a lot more and less healthy food than normal. I am hoping that the splurging I will do will be tempered with my better habits and my desire to lose the weight. I expect to have a gain, I just am hoping I can avoid going "hog wild" so to speak.

Hope you are all having a great day! Don't forget to drink that water!

Sarah

 

[anut4disney]

Hi ladies....so a few of my big tests are coming up. The first one is a "how far have I come" test. I started losing weight after I came back from a mothers day trip to Reno. It was a miracle that I was able to get the seat belt to buckle and it was a huge struggle to make it happen. I have lost 40 pounds since then and I am really anxious to see how that seat belt fits now. I am nervous that there won't be much difference. It is the same airline that I flew before so I imagine the seatbelts will be the same.

The second big test is the "can I make good choices in Disneyland" test. We are there for 5 nights and I know I will be eating a lot more and less healthy food than normal. I am hoping that the splurging I will do will be tempered with my better habits and my desire to lose the weight. I expect to have a gain, I just am hoping I can avoid going "hog wild" so to speak.

Hope you are all having a great day! Don't forget to drink that water!

Sarah

Maybe all the walking that you do will help conter anything that you eat. Have a great time in Disneyland.

 

[kelmac284]

Sara if you lost THAT much weight I guarantee there is a difference!! Don't be so hard on yourself! I am sure you look amazing and we will all tell the difference when we see you!!!

Plus don't stress about Disney. If you have a snack and FEEL like choosing something healthy like a fruit plate versus an ice cream bar then go for it but if not then don't. There is NOTHING wrong with taking a week off break. I agree I wouldn't go NUTS and eat 10 times more food than normal but I bet you will find that your capacity is not nearly as much as what it used to be. I know that when I diet after time I can't eat NEARLY as much as I used to. And sure you might gain a lb or two or even 5 but guess what it will come RIGHT back off again as soon as you go back to your routine so don't let it stress you out.

I usually don't worry about my diet during the holidays or on trips because I don't want it "ruining" it. That doesn't mean I pig out but I eat what I WANT to eat and deal with it when I get home by going RIGHT back to my routine and I have always been able to get right back to where I was and still lose. So I am sure you will be the same.

Just sit back, relax and enjoy your trip and no worries!!

 

[disney-inspired]

Hi ladies....so a few of my big tests are coming up. The first one is a "how far have I come" test. I started losing weight after I came back from a mothers day trip to Reno. It was a miracle that I was able to get the seat belt to buckle and it was a huge struggle to make it happen. I have lost 40 pounds since then and I am really anxious to see how that seat belt fits now. I am nervous that there won't be much difference. It is the same airline that I flew before so I imagine the seatbelts will be the same.

The second big test is the "can I make good choices in Disneyland" test. We are there for 5 nights and I know I will be eating a lot more and less healthy food than normal. I am hoping that the splurging I will do will be tempered with my better habits and my desire to lose the weight. I expect to have a gain, I just am hoping I can avoid going "hog wild" so to speak.

Hope you are all having a great day! Don't forget to drink that water!

Sarah

Sarah you have accomplished so much and I'm SO proud of you I bet that seat belt will fit way more comfortably.

Sadly, I've gotten to the point where the movie theater seats are feeling snug. This isn't from eating unhealthy at school but from this past summer. I'm starting afresh tomorrow! My mom referred me to the Fat Belly Diet. She bought the cookbook at Costco and the food is AMAZING. I'm so excited to try this program because the food is meant to be filling and tasty (which it is!). I'm starting exercises on Thursday. The only bummer is I don't have a scale in my dorm gym (or at least I don't think so) so I'll be measuring my success by how my clothes fits me. Send me prayers for strength and endurance!

I hope to be 1 size smaller by mid October.

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Hi ladies....so a few of my big tests are coming up. The first one is a "how far have I come" test. I started losing weight after I came back from a mothers day trip to Reno. It was a miracle that I was able to get the seat belt to buckle and it was a huge struggle to make it happen. I have lost 40 pounds since then and I am really anxious to see how that seat belt fits now. I am nervous that there won't be much difference. It is the same airline that I flew before so I imagine the seatbelts will be the same.

The second big test is the "can I make good choices in Disneyland" test. We are there for 5 nights and I know I will be eating a lot more and less healthy food than normal. I am hoping that the splurging I will do will be tempered with my better habits and my desire to lose the weight. I expect to have a gain, I just am hoping I can avoid going "hog wild" so to speak.

Hope you are all having a great day! Don't forget to drink that water!

Sarah

Hi Sarah, I understand your concerns because I share them. I'm leaving for DL for 4 days and I'll be at the mercy of the Anaheim convention center selections. I do find that the walking helps balance out more food choices when at the parks, but inside the con center, I imagine I'll be doing less walking.

I think the attitude of not wanting to go hog wild is good. I might allow myself never more than one off-menu treat a day, for example. Some of my tips - the fruit at the stands and the zero calorie water in blue or orange at the stand by the jungle cruise. I think it has electrolytes. I also bring single-use packets of protein powder (egg whites) that I mix in water for breakfast.

You lost 40 whole pounds, girl!!! You are awesome. I know that seat belt is going to fit differently now.

There is NOTHING wrong with taking a week off break. I agree I wouldn't go NUTS and eat 10 times more food than normal but I bet you will find that your capacity is not nearly as much as what it used to be. I know that when I diet after time I can't eat NEARLY as much as I used to. And sure you might gain a lb or two or even 5 but guess what it will come RIGHT back off again as soon as you go back to your routine so don't let it stress you out.

I agree 100% with Kelly. Sometimes, shaking it up a bit (eating more and exercising more by walking) will even make you lose more.

Sadly, I've gotten to the point where the movie theater seats are feeling snug. This isn't from eating unhealthy at school but from this past summer. I'm starting afresh tomorrow! My mom referred me to the Fat Belly Diet. She bought the cookbook at Costco and the food is AMAZING. I'm so excited to try this program because the food is meant to be filling and tasty (which it is!). I'm starting exercises on Thursday. The only bummer is I don't have a scale in my dorm gym (or at least I don't think so) so I'll be measuring my success by how my clothes fits me. Send me prayers for strength and endurance!

I hope to be 1 size smaller by mid October.

The diet sounds good. I know they are now saying that the fat around our tummies is the most dangerous indicator. I would be really surprised if you can't find a scale somewhere on campus. You can do this!

I had my first training in over a week. It felt so good to get the body moving again. We took it very easy, no serious cardio other than a light light warmup. I can't wait until I can really move.

Keep at it, everyone. Remember, it lifts your mood when you can exercise.

(I really hope Jen will be able to check in, once she's setted - I will miss her terribly)

 

[grizbuzz]

Don't worry Divas, I'll be checking in from Switzerland! You all will have to keep me on track while I'm there! Going through my closet and digging up all those winter clothes reminded me of how easy it is to gain weight when wearing baggy sweaters and living in cold weather. All of my winter clothes are like twelves and I'm an eight now and I really don't want to eat fondue and chocolate until I fit into those big clothes that completely hide my body again.

My eating has been just atrocious these past three days. Just awful. I think my "eat whatever you want you just ran a half marathon card" has expired.

And Sarah, just wanted to pass on some Disneyland eating tips. Go to Jamba juice and get enlightened (sugar free) smoothies! I love those. Fill up in the morning on good breakfasts like oatmeal and poached eggs -- high energy low fat stuff so you're not hungry when you go in the parks. Plan out your menus and treats before hand. Maybe give yourself one treat a day. If you make it a "free for all I'm on vacation," it's going to be really hard to get back into the groove of things when you get back home. If you count your points (more or less) and build in treats (you'll be walking alot and will earn them!) and find healthy, good for you food, it will be much easier to adjust when you get home. I didn't eat a lot of junk before the half marathon, because I just was afraid I wouldn't be able to run if I went hog wild. Had Jamba Juice (sugar free enlightened ones), chicken breast sandwiches with mustard (no mayo) and wraps. Treats that aren't so bad: cotton candy, dole whips (I don't think they're that bad, though I'm not really sure), pineapple spears, kebabs at that place across from Tarzans tree house, salads minimizing croutons and with fat free dressing, those frozen lemonade treats at the carts. Stay away from the muffins (=evil and just not worth the fat and calories), corn dogs, mickey bars, fully coated popcorn. Check the points on those before you go and decide which ones are worth the splurge to you and which ones just aren't. Be smart, enjoy some treats, walk your points away and HAVE FUN!!! Plan on getting yourself from non food Disney treats from stores, so you don't feel like you're missing out on spoiling yourself.

If you do pay attention and do just a little planning and paying attention to what you're putting in your mouth, I agree that you just may lose weight on the trip! Oh, and don't forget to drink your water!!!

Ok, I am going to have to get back to packing. So much to do and so little time...

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Jen, thank you so much for taking out precious time to give us these good tips. I know Sarah asked for them but I'm printing out a copy!!!! As I'm sure others will too.

I'm so glad you'll be here with us, once you settle. We need you.
(and we know you will not be lounging around eating fondue and chocolate - ). You'll be hiking with lederhosen and a walking stick! (okay, enough of Swiss stereotypes...)

 

[sahbushka]

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