South Beach Dieters......... Unite

[ZerasPride]

Good afternoon fellow SBDers!

I go for my final fitting for my ball gown for a reception I'm attending next Saturday night. I'm so excited. I never thought I could look elegant or even fit into a dress like the one I'm wearing. It all seems like a dream. I think if this was one year and 92 pounds ago, I might have begged off from attending this event but now I'm so looking forward to it! DH has his tux ordered with his vest and tie to match my ruby red gown and we're all set! I'll try to have lots of pics taken so I can post one or two for you guys to see.

MickeyMagic - the Firm website was asking for stories and photos of people that have had success with their program and I was sorely tempted to make a submission but I talked myself out of it. One of the ladies on the lcf board was picked to be in the Firm 4 infomercial and she said she had a blast! I guess I'm just content to shout it from the rooftops if the internet about how great these work outs are! I hope you can find your set and join us! You will love the results!!! I'm experiencing some problems with getting links to show up too. I can't get my ticker to show up at all, no matter what I do. When I accidently deleted my "onderland" clippie and tried to put it back, it won't show up either!!!! I can't explain it but I do miss my onderland clippie. I hope you find a way to post your 30 pound clippie and congratulations on earning it!!!! As far as the Firm being difficult when you start, just follow "Libby" in the back and don't use the weights until you get comfortable with the moves. I was doing Firm work outs at my heaviest weight of 282.5 pounds so I know you can do it!

Jerry - Phase 1 does seem to work magic! Congrats on the 8 pounds you've lost since coming back to the Beach. That's a great amount of weight to lose in such a short period of time. You know we are all pulling for you and so proud that you are staying away from the candy!

Shelia - I don't find the Firm to be hard on your back. Some of the routines on BSS1 body sculpt that call for heavy weights might be a bit straining but you won't start off with heavy weights to begin with. Also the leg presses might put a little strain on your back but you don't have use the whole 14 inch step until you are stronger. Just use the blue portion for the leg presses. The Firm is just great and you will see results if you are consistent with it.

 

[sm4987]

Hey, everybody. Just wanted to check in for what maybe my last time before we leave 2 days away and I'm still on these boards. We're leaving at 1:00 in the morning on Saturday (DH just keeps pushing up the time, first it was 3:00, then 2:00 now 1:00) One suitcase packed and that's my little girls Mine is packed minus a pair of pants that I had to have taken up. Now why doesn't it surprise me that the men in my house are not packed I am so excited because this is my graduatin present from my husband for finishing my master's degree. I chose a Christmas trip because I love it during this time and because last year I didn't get to the MVMCP. Not just that, but I'm going 58 pounds lighter than last Christmas and wow what a difference. I have lot's to be thankful for. So, if you don't hear from me, I'll be back on the 22nd. Taking the kids out of school next week and they don't even know it.

Keep up the great work everybody!!!!

 

[ZerasPride]

Sheree - have a great trip! You know your presence around here will be missed. Congrats on earning your Masters Degree, that is a big accomplishment along with your 58 pound loss! You do have a lot to celebrate.

 

[MickeyMagic]

Sheree - Congratulations!! You've been busy... losing weight and gaining a degree! Have a fun time in WDW.

Jerry - Wow you have some willpower.. First the freshly-baked cookies and now bowls of candy!! I'd doing a repeat Phase 1 also. I started the Monday after Thanksgiving, so I have a few more days to go. It is going well, but I miss my berries! Although, they aren't as good this time of year in Minnesota and they are pricey!!

Lisa - I found the box for The Firm out in the garage. I think it said it was a body sculpting and I think it came with 3 tapes. But, guess what -- the box is EMPTY!! I knew where the steps are (or whatever they're called), but I'll have to talk to my daughter to find out where the rest ended up. I know she was playing around with it a few months back. Have a great time at the reception. I'll bet you'll look stunning in your gown. Sounds like fun!!

Sheila -- maybe we can join Lisa, Sheree and the other "firmies" on their other thread -- let me know if you think you want to. I think I'm going to give it a try. I just have visions of not being able to move for a few days! I've been going to Curves 3 or 4 times a week, but I still don't feel like I'm 'in good shape.' Sure sounds like the Firm can do some good!!

Think I'll visit the tech board and ask about the clippie problems.

Sue

 

[JCJRSmith]

Sheree - a big Congratulations on fiinishing the Masters Degreee, and on the incredilbe weight loss. So, in what field did you attain your Masters?

 

[WeirdEyes]

Congrats Sheree!!!!! Have a great trip also.

Sue, thanks for the invite. I'm still not sure about doing the firm. I suffer from degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, which affects my hips really bad. I can walk and my hips will kill me. I've tried doing other videos like The Firm and I can't do it. If it involves me lifting my legs high or doing cruches, I can't do it. I find that most of Leslie Sansone's workout videos are okay for my back. I use the stability ball for strength training and it doesn't bother my back at all. I might have to stick with that. Thanks!!

 

[ZerasPride]

I had a great fitting last night at the bridal shop. The dress looks really good on me. I just stood in the mirror and stared at this woman looking back at me. I almost can't get over how "normal" I feel and look. All my life I've been fat and this is the first time ever I feel like I can hold my head up (I know self-esteem should have nothing to do with your size for me it did) and attend this function on my hubby's arm and he'll be proud of me and most importantly, I'll be proud of myself!

Thanks you so much Dr. A and each of you for your support! SBD has really improved the quality of my life and the weight loss is just one of the many benefits I have received this past year!

 

[sm4987]

Thank you everybody My master's is in liberal arts. I wanted to concentrate my studies to compliment my Bachelors degree in communications. I am finally packed minus those small things. I just wanted to check in before I put up my laptop. I like using it much more than my desktop.

Well, I am reporting another loss!!! Go figure. After the thanksgiving challenge, I just figured that the weight was not going to come off. I had wanted to be 5 pounds under goal for just in case. Well I weighed in at 125 How about that. Just in time for my trip. I don't know what happened because I have really up those good carbs and then all of a sudden after a month and a half of a stand still, it's gone. Well I know my trip is really gonna be good now.

Lisa, I'm sure you are going to look wonderful in your dress. Post some pictures for us.

Keep it up everyone, and I will write when I get back

 

[WeirdEyes]

Lisa, I'm sooo happy for you! Please post a picture of you in your dress so we can see how beautiful you look.

 

[neverlandclub]

Congrats Sheree and have a great time. Send some of those "lost pounds vibes" my way. I am at a plateau. Just 6 lbs to goal and I can't get it off. Ugh. Well, I've got time.

I want to see that dress on you Lisa. Way to go, girlie! So happy for you.

I totally need to join the Firm group and get excercising again. I think that is why the weight isn't moving for me. And I need more water.

Have a great weekend all!

 

[ZerasPride]

I will be sure to post some pictures. I wish we had a digital camera but a coworker showed an advertisement for disposable digital cameras. You can even see the picture and decide if you want to keep it just like a real digital one. They aren't that expensive so I might pick one up. DH and/or I are notorious for having a finger in the way or catching a person with their mouth open or eyes closed which is so frustrating so having this digi disposal one should help.

You guys are so encouraging and I appreciate it so much!!!

Sheree - have fun and we'll see you when you get back!

Melissa - we would love to have you join us on the Firm thread. There is just nothing like a Firm work out! Oh boy don't get me started on the water. I could definitely do better in that area. And not eating late at night. We also seem to be eating dinner between 8 and 9:30 lately. That's way too late.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[thotfulspot]

Hello, Beachers!! I've been swamped, but in a good way, with Christmas plans and shopping, and I haven't been here like I wanted to be. But I'm back!

Thanksgiving was totally great! The Flourless Chocolate Cakes were such a hit that the kids were lining up for THIRDS while some adults hadn't even been served once. I ate a real portion, but only one, of the mashed potatoes and stuffing (made with whole wheat bread), and ate the turkey and gravy to my heart's content. I made sweet potatoes from the South Beach Cookbook, and I couldn't believe how much flavor they had, especially when I've never made anything that was simpler! (Cut sweet potatoes into wedges, roast, then sprinkle with red wine vinegar and chopped fresh tarragon. YUM!) I enjoyed everything I ate, particularly the cake and a couple of lemon cookies.

Best of all, I had a headache at the end of the evening, as a reminder not to eat that way every day. Funnily, I had bumped my forehead the day before, and the headache formed right behind the bruise. I kept automatically rubbing the spot, going 'Ow!', then doing the same silly thing 5 minutes later.

I ended up with 2 extra pounds after the weekend, and decided to go back to Phase 1 starting this past Monday. I'm finding it, if anything, even easier to stick to this time than my normal Phase 2 eating, and the 2 pounds are already gone! I'm going to stick to Phase 1 for at least a full week, and maybe a touch longer, as a preparation for the Christmas days.

I just caught up on the thread, and I'm pleased and stunned at all the new clippies!! Way to go, you lean mean Beachers!!

I'm seeing a lot of high spirits right now! Keep up the incredible work, you all!

Oh, and I looked into the Firm DVDs, but as there's a problem with compatible DVD regions, I picked up a Pilates DVD a couple of days ago. I haven't actually done anything with it yet , but I plan of getting started over the weekend.

Speaking of which, have a great weekend, everyone!

 

[thotfulspot]

I almost forgot -- along with the 2 pounds, I also put on an inch on my waist and one on my hips. I felt bloated for the first time in many months. Four days later, the tape measure shows those inches (and a tetch more) gone, and I feel so much leaner! Yay!!

 

[JCJRSmith]

Good morning everyone. You may have noticed in your grocery shopping forays that Kraft Foods and the South Beach Diet have teamed up. They have a web site with some sample recipes and lists of Kraft items for each Phase of the diet, and a cookbook (I have heard this can be gotten for free at the grocery store if you buy 3 Kraft products, or you can get it by mail). The site is HERE

Enjoy - Phase 2 starts (again) tomorrow, and so far on Phase One Redux I have dropped 8.5 pounds. Not as much as I had hoped, but the last time I did this I was nearly 30 pounds heavier than I am now.

 

[johde]

Good Job Jerry. 8 1/2 pounds sounds fine for 2 weeks. Just stick with it as best you can and you will continue to lose weight.

I am leaning more towards phase one in my normal eating right now because our church is having several meals this month with loads of desserts. Tonight I am hosting the dessert portion of a progressive dinner where we tour peoples homes. I know I will have some desserts while there but will stick to small tastes of things and not whole pieces. We are also planning on going to two of the other houses so we can fill up on real food (sandwiches, and relish,cheese tray) before having desserts.

It must of been what I was wearing today because several people who hadn't mentioned my weight loss commented on how much I had lost. I am still not even 1/2 way to my goal so I have a long way to go. I would like to lose about 150lbs total so i am almost at the half way point. That will still leave me at 225lb which is OK in my book for a 6' 4" man. Everyone here has been such a big help with there support. I have been setting mini goals along the way to keep me motivated. My next big one is that hopefully by the first of the year or middle of January at the latest I will be under 300lb for the first time in many many years. I have 10lb left to go. Our weather has turned cold and wet so between that and getting ready for final exams which were last week and christmas, I haven't been getting my walking in like I had been. Hopefully tomorrow I can get out and do some walking. When I started I would get winded after 1 mile and the last time I went walking I did 6 miles.

 

[thotfulspot]

Jerry, woo hoo!! 8.5 pounds is terrific! Good on you!

Jeremy, incredible! It must make you feel GREAT to hear the compliments and know you've earned them! What a lot of progress, not only as seen in the scale, but also in your fitness level! I can't wait to cheer you on when you get to '2'derland! Hmm, maybe 'Tremendous Twos' is better? I'll have to think about this, but the important thing is, you're doing great, and so smart to plan your way through the minefields of the holiday season!

You go, boys!

 

[JCJRSmith]

Thanks for the kind words. It is nice to get back on track - I had dropped 40 then gained back almost 20 and now I have lost another 8.5. 224 is where I am right now - 190 is the goal.

Jeremy - where in Ohio are you located? I grew up the Cleveland area (born in Lyndhurst, raised in Solon) and still have lots of family there, and a daughter and granddaughter in Cincinnati.

 

[ZerasPride]

It sounds like everyone is doing great! I'm going to try to post a pic and see if it works. The first one is me when I first started at about 280 pounds and the second one is of me at Hilton Head two weeks ago where I had lost 92 pounds.

 

[johde]

Just got back from the tour and I did as good as could be expected. Had quite a bit of good food at the first three houses, relish trays and Cheeses and meats. By the time we got to our house I was not very hungry. I had three small cookies and 1/3 of a piece of cheese cake.

Jerry- I live in Mount Vernon just north of Columbus off I-71 on the way to Cleveland. I went to college up at Kent State and go to Geauga Lake occationally, so I know where about where Solon is.

Lisa - It's great to be able to put a face with the posts. You're looking Great. If I can get a good recent picture of myself I might post a before and "work in progress" picture of myself. I don't realize how much I've lost until I look at the "before" pictures from last summer.

thotfulspot - I to have been trying to decide what to call it. I was thinking of the "two-riffic twos"

 

[JCJRSmith]

Jerry- I live in Mount Vernon just north of Columbus off I-71 on the way to Cleveland. I went to college up at Kent State and go to Geauga Lake occationally, so I know where about where Solon is.

I worked at Geauga Lake during the summer of my senior year (1978). I worked on a scale, guessing ages, weights and birthdays. Best summer job I ever had. I lived close enough to Geauga Lake that it was a 20 minute bike ride to work. I also worked at Sea World (when it still WAS Sea World).

I know where Mt Vernon is as well