Working on Weight Loss and getting Lean!

[rubato]

Wow, we certainly are in a slump right now aren't we? I am right there with you all. I'm embracing it though. I deserve a little time to just let myself go, and I'm going to take it. Of course, Friday is the official start to swimsuit season, but, at least this year, we don't own a boat!


Jackie: I'm sorry work is going to so bad right now. When will the other 2 be back? There's nothing like doubling your work load to make a girl eat!

Beth: Please don't apologize for how you feel right now. I'm sure with being in pain, the marathon looming, baseball and all the cleaning, it seems very overwhelming right now. I am sure you will love visiting San Diego. Have you ever been? I know how out of shape a house can get. I emptied my son's room for painting and was shocked at how much c**p he had in there. Plus, the dirt and dirty clothes. Yuck! I cannot imagine how difficult it is to cook every night with that schedule you have. We have practice 3 nights a week and one game. But, the practices are from 6:30 to 8, so we can eat before. To be gone from before 5 to the end of the night would be horrible. Hang in there. The lessons your family will learn from this will be worth it!

Cindy: The relay does sound like fun. I've never run at night either, and don't think I could. I have so many things wrong with my body that a fall because of a missed crack in the road could really mess me up. But, a fun adventure. Wow, 31 hours! I've never done more than 24 straight, and I was MUCH younger.

Maria: Is today any better? Honey, we have all been there! Many times. It is so hard to lead the healthy lifestyle. But, it's worth it. I think about 4 or 5 of us are struggling right now, but we need to stick together.

Manda: Good job rebounding after your bad weekend. I am jealous that you ran yesterday. I have been so unmotivated, I haven't run since Sunday.
I completely understand why you don't want your sister to join. There is something very refreshing and honest about putting your feelings out there to people you don't know. I can write what I really am feeling to you guys, and you won't judge me. But, my friends and family would.

Vicky: Darryl sounds like a big baby! Really! I hope he is held accountable for not doing what he is supposed to be doing.

I do take my dog with me. He would walk all day if I let him. He can also run about 3 miles and he loves swimming. My son on the other hand, will barely run a mile with me without complaining!

Yes, I ate the whole pie!The really sad part is I do this to myself about once a month. I don't even want to know how many calories are in an entire coconut cream pie. The boots are black and brown. Boring, I know, but they'll go with everything. I wanted this pair that was brown and turquoise, but my feet are a bit wide, and they didn't fit! I'm hoping to test them out this Saturday.

AFM: Well, as stated above, I am being really bad. I'm eating a lot and not exercising. But, oh well. Even if I take the entire week off, it's not that bad. I'm close to the lowest weight I've been in years, and I can definitely run faster and farther than ever.

I am interested in trying again. I know that I didn't completely stick to the challenge. I had bad days in there and had non exercise days as well. I think, maybe after Beth's marathon, we should try something again. What do you guys think?

Tandy

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Afternoon, Lean and Lovely Ones!

I'm feeling better today. I'm taking a planned sick day tomorrow, so I can work on getting it back together. I'm writing down everything I need to do (critical!), and also getting the house ready. I'm not quite sure how this happened, but it is going to be a busy Memorial Day weekend. Doesn't that just sound wrong?

DS has his Spring Show at school Friday afternoon, and then we have his check-up. The Celtics may play (I really hope not, that would mean they lose tonight), Friday night. Saturday morning we have a follow-up appointment for elderly kitty. My dh has decided he doesn't want to give him the IV anymore. I understand, it is traumatic for the entire family. I'm hoping he'll be ok with getting it once a week at the vet. I know that probably sounds crazy to most of you, but honestly, we'd rather do it at this point. Well, I say that until I find out how much it will cost...and if that's even enough to do any good. Worf the cat is 17, that's 84 in human years. I'm trying to be very pragmatic about it all, but Worf literally was my firstborn...but I also don't want him to be uncomfortable. This is going to sound awful, but I think it would be better for everyone if we came home one day and found he'd passed. My dh is not going to sink a small fortune into care for a 17 yr. old cat, and my head knows he's right. My heart...is going to have to break. I don't think he's quite there yet, but I do suspect he's got a year or less left without a lot of medical intervention. Sorry for the TMI...

Anyway, after that I foolishly agreed to let ds have a friend for a sleepover. Why is this foolish? My dh is running a Half Sunday morning, so I'm going to have to be the parent on duty. Not too stressful for 12 yr. olds, but I really don't want to stay up that late! DS wants to go to Rollerworld in the afternoon, so I will be able to sit in the near dark and watch the skating. Not exactly my idea of a fun time. It's too dark to even read...and the tweens are everywhere

I plan to spend Monday relaxing. I really hope we have a nice day, I'd love to spend it on the swing in the backyard with a book. We have a conscious plan to cook healthy for the holiday. It's just as easy to grill salmon/bbq chicken and veggies as hamburgers and hotdogs.

Tandy -- I have definitely been in "let myself go" mode for a week or so. I am planning a rebound. Our vacation will start on August 27th (I'm thisclose to getting dh to agree), so I'm starting tomorrow. That's three months (give or take a little), and I am going to board the plane lighter, no matter how hungry I get...or that's what I'm telling myself now. I think the key is not to let myself get that hungry, I'm going to experiment until I find enough calories to avoid that and just enough so I can lose.

Jackie -- I can't believe you have the same situation as last summer, that is unbelievable! I know we can get back on track, we just have to find the train.

Beth -- I'll say it again, you are my hero! We generally cook dinner Sun-Thurs., and we're both home most evenings. I can't imagine doing it and getting home that late. And you are doing something great for your boys, not giving them junk to eat every night. It is hard when everyone else is eating it. We limit ds to once a week, which is actually probably more than he should have...

Cindy -- These late nights are killing me! I can't get my butt up and work out, and then it's 91 at lunch -- I can't believe you ran in this. You are a warrior woman! The Relay sounds great, dh is interested in doing something like that.

Vicky --DH is running a 5M and ds has a birthday party the 5th, but I am committed to figuring something out so we can meet up! Send me a PM, and we'll figure it out.

Manda -- You are doing great. Never hesitate to put yourself first. I know that just sounds wrong, but you have to do it sometimes. I admit it, I am really glad to have my Tuesdays back, too. I'm still processing the Lost finale. I liked it up until almost the final moment, and then I loved Vincent laying down next to Jack.

Jeanne-- I can't wait to see the photos from your Big Fat Greek Wedding! I know it will be the Best!

Ok, guys, I am ready for a reboot. I agree it would be great to start a new BL after Beth recovers from her marathon, if that sounds good to her. I hope to have everything completely figured out for me and online by June 1, since tomorrow is my "get it together" day. Let's all have a fresh start!

Maria

 

[deekaypee]

Slink, slink, slink. Notice I don't say slinky, as in slim, just slink.

I'm gonna try to catch up with everyone eventually, but for now I'll just make do with some random comments and an attempt to post regularly.

Beth: Good luck on your marathon! Even though you're going through a rough time, feeling overwhelmed, in pain, etc., I want you to know how much I admire you. Even if I haven't been posting, sometimes it's just the thought of the strong women here like you that get me to move at all. And I really, truly believe you're going to have a great time at your marathon.

Maria: I've only read spottily, but it sounds to me like your "off-track" is still pretty on! P.S. Hershey's Kisses from PA is better than putting fries on salad, which they do here in Pgh (even if it's so not in the spirit of the assignment). I've been having frumpy days myself, but when I look at your planning, your mileage, your pace, etc., I just think wow.

Jackie: Oh, you've done so many good things in the challenge. I'm most impressed with how you've experimented with foods and chosen much healthier ones overall!

Manda: I understand not wanting to share WISH with other people, and had the same hesitations with DOOD. (No advice, just empathy.) And big kudos for getting through a WO, not matter what time of day.

Tandy: Great attitude about off weeks and acknowledging how far you've come. I may not eat an entire coconut cream pie, but that's because I don't like coconut. Apple, though, is another story. I wish I had your level-headedness about it.

Vicky: Darryl IS a big baby, like Tandy said. Fire him. If he's supposed to be buff on the screen, I want to see buff! In fact, you should replace him with...you! Tell him to "man up" or I'll go over there & offer him unvarnished commentary on my viewer expectations.

Cindy: I'm with you with the weight gain, but unlike you, I've not been making positive steps. Congrats on going to WW and tackling things head on. You've had a lot of physical challenges that contributed to things, and I think you should look at all the good things you've done during the challenge period. Including, but not limited to, Boston & the relay. (Of course, it's easier for me to say this than for you to feel it, but sincere kudos nonetheless.)

I know I'm missing people, and I'm sorry. I'll try to catch up.

Now, the updates, and do I mean up! I'm back up to 135, everything I lost. I've totally left the BL challenge. Or lost, as you prefer.

The schedule, motivation, mojo, whatever, has fallen aside now that DOOD is home and underfoot. (For one more week only, though, before he's out of town for a month & I can live a monkish existence – which still sounds like more fun than a nunnery. )

I can't blame him entirely, though, as I've been in training for a new position in one of my freelance jobs. (Note I'm not going to call it a promotion, even though it involves a new title and more exposure, as it's not accompanied by a raise.) Anyway, woo hoo for that even though it's messed with my head, schedule, and body recently. Hopefully it will pad my wallet as much as my posterior.

It's a pattern of mine, when one part of my life gets buy I tend to get so focused on that that I ignore everything else. So, the combination of new work responsibilities with the upheaval that comes post-semester threw me for a loop. Very self-destructive of me to avoid my support system and friends, as it creates a cycle of guilt and avoidance. I need to work on that.

Anyway, I've been running but not focused on anything else. The scale shows it, so I've got work to do for the rest of May, into June, etc. Bear with me as I work on this life-home-job-relationship balance thing.

 

[mandac]

Maria: Big Hugs! I know how you feel, except I am not strong enough to post on those days (remember my disappearance for a month – yep, that was a big meltdown). I hope you feel better tomorrow. We are cheering for you.

Cindy: I am with you with the high weight. I hit my high last Monday. I am down about 2 pounds now – I think – I hate the scale, my weight changes so much! Your Relay sounds like so much fun. I know a bunch of people that do the Ragnar here every year. I am a little too slow (and a little too much of a walker) to join the group. Maybe someday I will put myself out there. They always seem to have so much fun!

Beth: I would love it if we did another Biggest Loser Challenge. I was in hiding during the start of this one and never really joined. But I read the results of the other girls and it sounded like everyone learned a lot. San Diego sounds nice right now…you will have so much fun.

Jackie: Sorry work is beating you up. That is the only good thing about my job, I only do my job. If other people in my department are not here their work piles up and I only do mine. Sad thing is the same thing happens when I am gone. It is fine when my boss is gone because he doesn’t actually do anything (except micromanage everyone else). So no one has to do his work if he is gone. Actually, I think we all get more work done.

Tandy: Sorry you are having an off week. Congrats on still being at a low weight. It must feel good to see that all your work has paid off.

Debra: Glad to see you. It seems that everyone is in kind of a reset mode right now. I understand, especially with changes at work. I also love that you don’t call it a promotion since there isn’t a raise. My boss was trying to convince us all in staff meeting Monday that being appreciated is more important that being paid. I had to politely disagree. I know I am appreciated by what I get paid. I don’t care what my title is, I want to be able to pay my bills!

AFM: It was a beautiful day yesterday, so I hurried home from work and put in 4 miles. I was only scheduled for half an hour, but it was so nice outside the I just kept going. It felt great! It was a walking day – and I averaged about 14 minute miles, not my fastest time, but OK for just the beginning of my training.

Eating was OK. I had a meeting right after my walk yesterday, so I grabbed a banana and went out the door. So – I was REALLY hungry by the time I got back from that, but it was 9:30, so I didn’t know what to do. I had some soup and it seemed to be OK. I am just as worried about not eating enough as I am about over eating. I know if I only eat 900 calories one day I am going to want to make it up the next!

 

[rubato]

Good morning ladies. It is the last day of school and I am sad. My son will be in 5th grade next year. He's growing up so fast!

Manda: Good job on your walk. I love when I'm in a groove and surpass my expectations.
Yes, not eating enough is bad. But, schedules are so tough. It sounds like you handled it well. I hope you had a big breakfast today to make up for it.

Debra: Welcome Back!!! Great to see you here again. You do not have to slink in, we all have lapses. I'm sure I won't be on here as much this summer with my son bothering me all day.
It's great that you kept up your running. Sorry about the weight though. Of course, I look at 135 as my goal weight, so I'd love it, but we are all different. Great job on the new position even if there is no raise!

Maria: I'm so sorry about your cat. Mine died last year at the age of 20. She had a good, long life and wasn't really sick at all. She just wandered off one day and never came back. We knew that's how she would want it.
Yes, it is time to get it back together! We can do it! Your weekend does sound busy. Ours isn't. Sleepover tonight (mini grad. party since he's only graduating 4th grade), baseball game tomorrow, dinner at a friend's house on Saturday. I'm going to lay out, read, run, and no cleaning at all.

AFM: Well, still no air conditioning. Neither of us has caved in yet. I think my sleep is being seriously effected by how hot it is at night. But, it's just so nice to have all the windows open. We don't have any allergies, so we're fortunate.

I woke up today bound and determined to eat healthy. I'm getting ready to go for a 5miler, if I ever get off my butt! It's only a half day at school, so I need to get it going. Plus, it's just going to get hotter and hotter.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.
Tandy

 

[rubato]

I just had to update that my run KILLED me. It wasn't the run, but the heat. And, upon returning home, I turned on the AC!

 

[mandac]

Tandy: Glad that you were able to get your run in, sorry it was so hot. I am wishing it would warm up here, or at least stop raining for a while. It is supposed to get yucky again this weekend, with highs in the 50s and rain. My AC isn’t going to be on for a while.

As For Me: I was able to get out again last night. It was a run/walk day. My DH and I walked down to a trail by our house and then split up for a half hour. I ran and he did his thing. When I got back to the meeting place he was not in a good mood. I am not sure what happened to him, but he asked me to go and get the car and pick him up. So I hurried the ½ mile home and got the car. I think he tried too hard, considering he hasn’t done anything in quite a while

Eating was pretty good. I was able to hold back on dinner, which was pizza (DH cooked, so I won’t complain). Unfortunately what I didn’t eat, he did. He told me that if I am not going to eat as much I need to hide the leftovers right away. Nice that it is my fault that he ate too much, and my fault that he had a bad run, but that is OK. It is hard when you start from not having done anything, so I will give him a break – for a day at least.

The weather is going to take a turn for the worst today, too bad for all the people with weekend plans. I may have to do my 6 miles on the treadmill.

Hope everyone else is having a GREAT day!

 

[rubato]

Manda: You have a really good attitude about your husbands mood. I always forget what it's like to start something and how it beats you up. It's nice that he's trying. My husbands weight problem is completely my fault, by the way. If I cooked healthier meals, he wouldn't be fat. Or so he says. But, what he forgets is that when I do cook healthy, he scrounges until he finds crackers or chips and he eats the whole bag after dinner. And, he and my son don't understand when there is no dessert.

AFM: I'm going to have to run on the TM today. It's just going to be hot, plus my son has a friend over and I can't leave them both alone. I went to zumba last night and my teacher kicked my butt. She was calling it our last chance workout (BL term) because she was going to a pool party today and wanted to look good.

Have a great weekend ladies.
Tandy

 

[jeanneg]

Hello guys....very quick post.....next time you hear from me I will be a Mother-in-Law! Everything is done...time for fun.

The good news is that I achieved a new milestone this week. According to my Wii, I am no longer obese.... Of course, I expect I will cross back over after all the goodies this weekend, but only temporarily. There's another dress I have to get into 2 months from now!

No time to read everything, but I noticed that Maria is feeling down and I wanted to send her a hug

I'll report back Tuesday and hopefully will have some photos.

Enjoy the holiday weekend, everyone!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Morning, Leanies!

I'll probably have to leave in the middle of this post to get to my ds's Spring Show at school, but here goes...

I ran 5M yesterday, and really started to work on my reboot. Staying home was a fabulous idea! I made my workout schedule for June/July, ordered new Bondibands, more coffee and tea for the Keurig, and a pair of ABF crocs (I'm giving them a try, 20% off & free shipping for Memorial Day weekend!). I did some housework, and went through a ton of papers.

This morning I popped up and ran 4M, and I had eggs (1 egg, 1 egg white, assorted peppers and a dash of cheese), and a berry smoothie for breakfast. I just had a Kashi TLC bar, and I will have hummus and veggies for lunch. I plan to make a salad at the grocery salad bar for dinner, unless I get a wild hair and have one of the ready to go WW entrees from the deli.

We have to do some shopping at Target and the grocery store to be ready for the sleepover tomorrow night. That is, after we take ds to his check-up after school. It's just one kid, but I don't keep chips in the house anymore, and I'm told we need Doritos, poptarts, etc. I will probably leave them to their own devices, but I will also have fresh fruit available. We also have to hurry home, so we can do some things around the house before the Celtics game. Plus, I have to get to bed early tonight, I am committed to doing my 9M tomorrow before we go to the vet.

Jeanne -- I am one of the rare ones who had a completely fabulous MIL, and I know you will be the same. Congratulations! And thanks for the hug!

Tandy -- Tomorrow is my last chance workout before I weigh in the first time for the Summer BL. I know I'll be up over last week, at this point I'm hoping for up less than 2 lbs...

Manda -- You have a great attitude about dh's response. I'm sorry I'm sure he's frustrated because it's new and it isn't as easy as you think it will be.

Debra -- Congrats on the work advancement! And fries on salad? Really? That doesn't even sound good to me It is great to see you posting again! You are sorely missed when you wander away

Everyone have a great night, and a great weekend! I would feel sorry for Vicky, but hey, she got to have a long weekend last week, and it was even her day on the Monday!

Off to the Spring Show!

Maria

 

[deekaypee]

Taking a little time to post, sneaking it in so that I can wish everyone an enjoyable Memorial Day!

Beth: I'm getting excited for your marathon, knowing you'll rock your race. I also hope you get to see some San Diego sights of the course! I'll be thinking of you. And add me to the list – I'll recommit to myself and a BL challenge.

Jackie: I guess I missed the work thing – skimming too quickly. Hugs for that. I know what it's like to hate your job or to find it stressful, or both. (It's definitely one of my triggers for eating.) It sounds like there's a lot of pressure on your regularly, let alone when there's emergencies like the appendectomy. I hope they appreciate you.

Maria: I KNOW I missed your post just prior to mine. Caught in the cross-posting & editing. I know you and DH will do what's best for Worfie when the time comes, even though it will be hard on both of you (and DS). Not doing the IV is probably good for the whole family, less traumatic and a way of letting go. When I say this, it sounds so clinical, and I don't want it to. My cats are my family, as is Worfie to you, and I can only imagine how difficult it's been to see him age. Good luck, and I'll be thinking of you with the vet tomorrow.

And in reading your second post, I just have to say Wow! You've really done a lot of good things for yourself (household, organization, planning for success) that are paying off! It really does sound like a healthy and productive reboot. Feel free to visit me any time! I love how your DS "needs" Doritos and Pop Tarts for a proper sleepover. And yet, it makes sense to me in a strange way. I know they'll have a great time. (P.S. Check out the 'Ohana thread for some news I know you'll love; I'm headed there next.)

Manda: Your boss sounds a lot like many of my former bosses. Very inspirational, all about titles and added responsibilities, and thank yous. Very little about beefed-up IRAs. I actually had a series of Despair calendars when I worked for my nemesis; a co-worker would order them every year in response to the powers that be!

Great job of going the planned distance and longer! No matter if it's a walk, run, XT or whatever day of exercise, added some time & distance when it's nice out is a wonderful way to stay motivated. Plus, it helps offset the days when we're crunched for time, it's too hot, etc.

As for the eating, of COURSE it's your fault with the leftovers? Isn't that why we have relationships, so we can hold other people accountable for our actions when it's convenient? Seriously, you're being very supportive of him, and I know your DH recognizes that.

Tandy: No air conditioning yet, aside from the post-run cool-down? (Absolutely necessary.) We caved this week, although we prefer to have the windows open, at about the time I start volunteering to sleep in the living room, by myself, on the floor, with no one (not even furry ones) touching me! Good job getting out for a 5 miler & feeling motivated, esp. in the heat. You're right, might as well buckle down as it's just the beginning of summer (and technically, not even that)! I wish I had your determination, as I fight with myself against cutting things short.

Jeanne: You rock, woman! Congratulations to you – and Mii! You both should be so proud of your mutual accomplishment!

AFM: Well, one last weekend before DOOD leaves for a month, and we're trying to pack everything in – movies, ball games, dinners – over Memorial Weekend. I think he feels pressured, more than me, to have his "summer break" early because July is filled with family & work trips, and perhaps August, too. I'm waiting to hear back on a last-minute trip or two for me in June, but it's easier to stick to WO and healthy diet without my partner in crime.

So, while I don't want to say I've resigned myself to an overeating weekend, let's just say that I'm going to call it good if I can eat healthy food. No fries on salads for me. I's not just an urban legend, Maria, although I've only had it once, when I first moved here & didn't know how to order things.

Anyway, I've been getting my little 3 -6 miles in (depending on the day), but in the last week there's been more walking than I'm comfortable with. The sudden swing in heat has played havoc with my breathing and HR. Dang my lung scarring anyway! I figure as soon as the weather stabilizes & I acclimate, I get get back to running more and then complaining about the sweat.

 

[mandac]

Tandy: Nice to know that husbands are the same. I don’t totally understand why it is always someone elses fault, but it is. I am on the TM today too, but that is because it is cold and rainy.

Jeanne: I have missed you! So happy you checked in. and CONGRATS on the weight loss! Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the fun.

Maria: Sounds like you had a busy day even on your day staying home, but a good busy day. And congrats on getting the miles in! Have fun on your run in the morning.

Debra: Have fun stuffing an entire summer into this weekend. Sounds like you will be busy – but will have fun.

AFM: I am so excited for the weekend. I don’t have anything planned, but I am just happy to not have to be at work for 3 days. I didn’t get any miles in yesterday because Thursdays are yard work day at my Grandparent’s house. Instead of running we cut down a dead tree and stacked the wood. I am totally counting that as crosstraining.

Eating was pretty good. I am going to have to splurge soon, there is a piece of peach pie in the fridge that my mom gave me on Tuesday. I haven’t saved enough calorie to the end of the day to have it yet. I almost had it for Breakfast today just to get it out of the way. I would hate to throw it out. So maybe tonight.

I am scheduled for 6 miles tomorrow. Sadly, they will be on the TM because it is supposed to be gross and rainy. I kept hoping it would be a nice sunny weekend, but the cold and rain has already come in. Yuck. I am ready for summer.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Afternoon, Lean Ones!

I finally have a minute to myself. DH took the boys rollerskating, so now I can relax and eat lunch. Yes, it is 3:30 EST, and I am just getting to lunch...

Yesterday afternoon went great -- DS did a fantastic job in the Spring Show. It was a series of parables acted by the 6th grade, with the younger grades singing songs in between. DS was the narrator for one of the vignettes, and he did a great job. His checkup was also uneventful, if you discount the fact that he is now 5'4 and 3/4s, and officially taller than mom. He's actually at the 93rd height percentile for his age, but the 50th percentile for weight, so he looks like a future Celtic -- if only he were that coordinated!

I did make a salad at the grocery store, unfortunately it was heavy on kalamata olives and mozzarella, so probably not the healthiest salad I could have made I ended up having two mojito-flavored wine coolers, which is really rare, I'm not much of a drinker. I was sound asleep by 9, they put me right out.

I did have time for my 9M before Worf's appointment, but it wasn't pretty. I stuck it out though! Worf is doing ok, we're going to bring him in for his IV once a week for the next three weeks, then they'll do blood work and see how he is. He really does well with having the fluids, but we realize this very well may be a month by month event.

I got home after his appt. and had an apple and a vitamuffin (my first food of the day), then I started on my version of a "Sue Clean". We have never had this boy over before, so I wanted his mom to know he wasn't wandering into Grey Gardens. You know I'm serious when I scrub the spray attachment at the kitchen sink...I didn't sit down again until a few minutes ago. Of course, they arrived and mom never left the car. Dad barely walked him to the front door. They didn't seem concerned at all, it was just drop and go. Me, I would have at least come into the house? And he came without a sleeping bag. We have extras (the kids generally sleep in the living room), I wonder if they thought we had a bed for him?

Anyway, dh took them and now I'm having an Apple Cranberry Chicken Lean Cuisine and catching up on the DIS. My Memorial Day Weekend book (what, doesn't everyone have one? ) is Jen Lancaster's My Fair Lazy, so I expect to sit down with that after I sit at the computer.

I did make some more food decisions about the coming week, based on the scary weight I saw this morning (I'm feeling a little better, since as I was cleaning TOM arrived). I'm dropping the smoothies every morning. They are yummy, but they don't seem to help me. I'm going back to a sugar-free vitamuffin, organic yogurt, and an apple every day. My new morning snack is 2 Wasa crackers with 2 wedges of laughing cow cheese, and I'm sticking with my lunch of hummus, veggies, and sugar-free jello pudding. My new afternoon snack is an orange and 2 Tbsp. of raw cashews. This is where I run into trouble. I am always starving when I get home, and I really think I need to eat something to destress -- so I'm going to have sugar-free jello. Only 10 calories, and I can even add a squirt of whipped cream if I'm feeling festive. I'll stick with smaller portions of the family dinner, and this week I have sugar-free fudge pops for a pre-bed dessert. I really hope this helps curb the excess eating.

Manda -- It is really nice to have a three-day weekend, isn't it?! I like that I don't feel like I have to cram everything together. Even with all we have going on, I know I still have Monday to relax

Debra -- I love that you have a nemesis! Wow, I think you must be having an incredible weekend -- it sounds like a great way to really connect before you have to be apart -- I hope every moment is magical!

Just cheering a bit because even though I couldn't stay awake to see it, my Celtics won! We are off to LA, Baby!

I hope Cindy, Vicky, Kim, Tandy, Beth and most of all Jeanne! -- are enjoying a fabulous weekend!

Maria

 

[bunnyfoo]

Hi ladies! Hope everyone is having a fantastic long weekend!

Maria - I get really hungry in between work and going home too - I usually try having half a Luna or Cliff bar (if I'm going to the gym) or a small apple. What are raw cashews like? I once bought uncooked almonds at the grocery - they were still in their shell Ah - Victoria Day! I love the idea that it's *my* day

Manda - How was your 6 miler? I will trade you the hot weather we've been having for something a little cooler. Actually, it's really my fault for getting out at the crack of noon to go running. Nothing like a little sun and humidity to make for a fun run! Can you freeze pie? I do that sometimes with desserts when we go out for dinner and they're included.

Debra - How can you not say you're slinky? Sounds like you have a fun weekend planned! What movie(s) did you end up seeing? I watched a DVD this weekend - go figure - it was Up in the Air. I don't think irony is the word I'm looking for ... I'm having the same problem with the heat - lots of walking and I don't even have an excuse - I'm just getting out waay too late in the day. I haven't heard of french fries on salad before, do the calories count if we load on the veggies?

Jeanne - Congrats on the new status for your Mii!! My DF is in the obese category too! He HATES the funny music and the silly head scratching when the game says "That's obese!". I think he's a touch away from the overweight category as well. Hope you're having a blast this weekend at the wedding! I can't wait to see the pictures!

Tandy - Love those kick butt workouts every once in a while! We caved on our AC about a week and half ago - allergies. It's hard to leave the windows open and the house just turns into a sauna otherwise. Did you get to wear your new cowboy boots this weekend? I'm the same way with colored shoes too - it's hard to buy things that aren't black or brown because it's hard to match them up unless it's a specific outfit.

Beth - I'd be up for another Biggest Loser challenge! And I can't thank-you enough for organizing the last one. I think that was the one that I've lost the most on. So for me I consider it a success How long are you staying in San Diego for after the race?

Cindy - The relay sounded like it was a lot of fun! I think it's great that you're going back to WW! Considering that you were training, I think you'll lose the 1.4 lbs in no time!

AFM - It has been a stressful week for me. I took Debra's advice - part of me is glad to have my training sessions back to myself.

Eating went well last week - I stuck with the no sugar, no white bread, fried foods... I lost 2.2 lbs which I really wasn't expecting because I hadn't been doing anything out of the ordinary... but I'll take it!

Picked up a dress for next weekend - actually DF suggested it. It was a strapless dress which I normally wouldn't have gone for in the past because I'm always trying to cover something up but it actually looked pretty good. The salesgirl suggested a shrug but I didn't think I needed it I have to keep my eating good this week though. I tried on a small and it was big but the extra small *just* fit. I'm not sure I can pull out another 2 lb loss since this was the second week but as long as I don't gain, I'll be happy.

Have a great night everyone! Enjoy the day off

 

[rubato]

Good morning ladies. I hope everyone had a wonderful extended weekend. We were certainly busy enough for having nothing to do. We had my son's friend over all day Friday and then, a baseball game Friday night. We went to a friend's house on Saturday for the whole day. Sunday was a family day. We watched racing and grilled pizzas outside. Then, yesterday, we went to our friend's house where we have a garden planted and I spent about 4 hours straight pulling weeds. Oh so fun! I managed to get a run or walk in every day even in the heat.


Vicky: Wow, an extra small! I am impressed girl! I will never see that size, but that's okay. I was just happy to get to the point where my running shorts or a small. They're a little tight right now, but I'll get back down there. I did not get to wear my boots. We're going this Saturday, so we'll see how comfy they are then. Sounds like you're doing great still. 2.2 lbs without trying is amazing! Good job!

Maria: Our son's sound about the same height, except mine has a lot of weight over yours! We're in the 95th percentile for height and weight! At least he's proportionate!You have a future basketball player, I have a future football player!
It sounds like you had a great weekend. It's good that you are getting yourself organized. Today's my big "startover" day. I had a BAD weekend footwise!
How is Worfie doing? Did the IV help?

Manda: Cutting and stacking wood totally counts as crosstraining! That is HARD work! Did you have the nice relaxing weekend you were hoping for? I can't believe your weather. Snow just a week or two ago. Yikes. Has it warmed up at all yet?

Debra: How was your weekend with DOOD? Did you get a whole summer's worth of stuff in? When does he leave?
So, what is this lung scarring? First I have heard about this? I have lung damage, but that's from my horrible 20 year habit that I quit 8 years ago. I was told it was irreversible, but I feel pretty good. I do wonder sometimes how much better running could feel if I hadn't been such an idiot!

Jeanne: Congrats to you and your Mii! What a milestone! Now, I am anxiously awaiting pics of this big, greek wedding!

Beth: I hope everything is okay. We miss you, but understand that you're busy!

AFM: Well, I think I ate enough for 10 this weekend. But, the good news is that the number on the scale can only go down from here. I ran, but the eating was nightmarish! I put the bathing suit on on Saturday and was pretty happy. I'm about to put it on again today and will not be happy. I gained 5 pounds this weekend! I am going back to the challenge eating today. Plus, I'm going to stay super busy now that my son is home for the summer. We are going for a run this morning, then, I'm going for my run. Then the pool, followed by the library and bowling. I have to catch for him so he can practice his pitching. Then, he has actual practice at 6:30. So, I won't have time to overeat! At least, that's my theory!

Have a wonderful day everyone!
Tandy

 

[deekaypee]

Getting in early today, before I settle into some serious work. I dropped DOOD off at the train station early this a.m. (before 5:00), got my run in & then went to the gym. DOOD's gone for a whole month so it'll give me a chance to reboot. Of course, I'm planning on visiting him, but I'll try not to let that interfere too much.

Manda: I can't believe you had a piece of pie sit in your fridge, tempting you, and you're able to wait until your calories balance out. That's willpower! How did your 6 miles go? I don't know how much I could move after stacking wood and yes, that most definitely counts as XT. Oh, and woo hoo for doing things for your grandparents.

Maria: Congrats to DS – I mean on his spring show, but he might be more likely to celebrate being taller than his mom! Good news about Worf, and I hope he continues to do well with the treatment.

I don't have sleepovers...anymore...even if I miss them...but I loved that you cleaned the house top-to-bottom. I do the same thing for the occasional visitors, the cat sitters who spend all of ten minutes in the house, etc.

And big congrats on your eating strategies. I like how you're switching things up, and that's my June plan too. You're eating such healthy foods – hummus, cheese, raw almonds, oranges. I'm blatantly going to steal your snackage.

Vicky: Congratulations on the XS strapless dress! You'll be/are a knockout, and people will want your arms rather than Michelle Obama's. What I love most about hearing about your dress-shopping trip is that you picked up something you wouldn't normally wear and feel comfortable & confident in it!

I've seen Up in the Air! Yeah, ironic for you to see. We actually didn't end up seeing any movies in the theater this weekend, although as watched (I rewatched) Laura on DVD and saw I Married a Monster from Outer Space. Instead, we went to the ToonSeum (a cartoon art museum), went out to eat (no fries), ran last-minute travel errands, etc. Btw, they put fries on/in everything here, including sandwiches.

P.S. Good for you for getting your PT training sessions back to yourself. You deserve the best, and weren't getting it with D. in the way.

Tandy: What a great, active weekend you had. I have to say that running & pulling weeds just has to be a great XT schedule. And 4 hours! Whew, that just tuckered me out. And that's on top of a busy weekend schedule, much busier than mine!

And it sounds like that's going to be the pace you set for the summer. Wowsa. I think there's something to be said for your theory about being too busy to overeat. I can see that happening! If I've got it right, you're running, running, pool, library ("rest period" ), bowling, catching/practice. That's my entire week's worth of exercise!

Lung scarring. No big deal, really, in the overall scope of things. Just a byproduct, apparently, of medical treatments I had a while back for cancer. (Doctors aren't quite sure if that's what caused it.) No big deal most of the time.

But CONGRATS to you for quitting a 20 year unhealthy habit – smoking I presume? That's super impressive and must have been so difficult.

AFM: Bad eating weekend, as you might imagine. Indian food, ice cream, chocolate, coffee shops, etc. Unlike Tandy, I've been too cowardly to step on the scale. I'll keep official weigh-ins on Friday.

Plans for the month's reboot, while in my single-status stage, are a Vicky-style eating: no refined sugar, white bread, or fried foods. The latter should be fairly easy for me, as I'm not a fan of fried veggies. The sugar just might kill me. But seriously, my sugar intake for the past month(?) has been out of control – I've been feeling it controls me, actually.

So later today, after I get some work done, it's a cupboard purge. I can't trust in my ability not to eat it so it's got to go. Day 1 of reboot is off to a good start with the early a.m. workouts, though. I'm going to try and keep the a.m. schedule going, though I'm by nature a night owl. (One of the gym attendants did a double-take this morning & said, "You're here early." Yeah. Don't I know it.) But it's too hot to run outside at my normal waking time.

 

[jeanneg]

OK guys...this is hot off the presses! (Please know that these are snapshots and not at all professional, but it's the best we have right now.)
At the church

My whole family

HIS WHOLE FAMILY!

My daughter, the maid of honor

My son and his fiance (the wedding to come!)

Right after the ceremony

Daughter Nikki and boyfriend Gino

At the reception

First dance

With Daddy

The cake

Good shot of the dress

Seven-tenths of the Wine and Dine Half-Marathon Relay Event!

The newest future daughter-in-law and my daughter's BF

The happy couple

 

[Creativebeth]

Good morning Lean Ladies! I am glad to see Debra posting today!!!! Missed you my friend!

Tandy: I would count any yard work as X-training, as I HATE yard work! I have some big looking weeds in my yard right now.....but I have been concentrating on my "Sue" Clean inside the house!

Debra: I am not sure I could go a whole month without my dh, but I would like to try sometime!!!! (only kidding!) This is a fantastic time to 'reboot' your eating! I get really down on my dh's need for a big dinner all the time (especially summer) I do so much better with a bigger lunch and smaller dinner, but my family is against the concept! I have been cleaning the house for so long.....I am so sick of it! I could have gotten the rest done yesterday, but I didn't do anything but cook meals and bake cookies. Now I am mad that I didn't get it done, but I couldn't face it yesterday.

Maria: I love that you are doing your version of the "Sue" clean!!!! That made me laugh.....if my sister only knew what was involved with getting ready for her this summer! I even took my drapes down to wash! Boy, they were filthy!

AFM: I have really not been doing to much. I took some days off of running, since I was so sore. Now, I feel better, but certainly not ready to run a marathon! I haven't stepped on the scale either.....I am sure it will be some BAD news. I am just hanging in there till this marathon is over. I fly out to San Diego on Friday and I will be running Sunday. I can't believe how fast that time went!

Beth

 

[rubato]

Beth: Great to hear from you. I'm SOOOOO glad you took some time off from running. Are you feeling any soreness anymore? The marathon CAN be walked, you know? I'm just saying, that, worst case scenario, you could walk part of it. I know you've been training FOREVER, but 26.2 can kick anybody's butt!
On the cleaning note, the drape thing is funny. About once every 2 years or so, I'll look at my drapes and freak out. That's how often I think of it!

Jeanne: BEAUTIFUL pictures! Your daughters are all gorgeous, and that dress is just beautiful! I love the blue and yellow also. It's funny. When I saw the pic of your family, I thought, WOW, that's a big family. Then, the next is of the groom's family!

Debra: You sound like you're going for gold this month! It'll be good for all of us. I think that I, too, will be adopting Vickys no sugar, no white bread rule for the month. If I can't have sugar, I couldn't possibly overeat.
Yes, I quit smoking 3 times, but the last time took. I quit the 2nd time because I was pregnant, and, the day I quit nursing, I lit one up. It was pathetic to be that addicted to something. But, now I have a permanent reminder, my lungs. I'm so sorry to hear that you had cancer. But, you are doing well, right? How long has it been?

AFM: Update: I'm done taking my son to the track and running myself. He was soooo cute. I had him sprinting in the straights and walking around the ends of the track. The first sprint, he acted like he was going to die. But, after the 8th (last) one, he asked if we could go run the bleachers! I haven't done that in about 10 years and it was a blast! Of course, they were little high school bleachers, so it wasn't too big a deal, but I'm just glad he was motivated to do more. (He really dislikes running). Now, it's off to the library and bowling! Have a great afternoon ladies!
Tandy

 

[bunnyfoo]

Hello ladies!

Jeannie - Thanks for sharing the wedding photos with us! I have to say, you have one good looking family there! You're looking fabulous as well (that's you in the blue dress right?). Professional photos are nice but I love candid family photos that people snap during weddings! Looks like it was a wonderful evening/day!

Beth - I think the rest from running will be good for your body and energize you for the marathon! Like Tandy said, you'll go out there and kick some serious butt! You've definitely put in the miles so I think you'll be burning up some pavement! And as for the scale, I say you shouldn't even worry about it until you get back. Enjoy yourself at the race and in San Diego. Any gained weight will come back off

Debra - Sounds like a fun weekend! The Toonseum sounds like something I'd definitely check out. Pixar is having an animation two day conference/seminar in Toronto in a couple of weeks. I wanted to go but it was $500. If I ever make it over to Japan, I'd love to check out the Ghibili muesuem too! Awesome way to kick off the first day of your reboot - early day at the gym and I'm flattered that you're going to try my no-sugar diet. You really become good at reading labels and you'll probably be surprised at how sweet some foods taste after you've been on a low/no sugar diet for a while. White bread almost tastes like dessert to me. I'd also suggest cutting out the sweetners too (if you can). It really helped me to cut my cravings for sweet things.

Tandy - Never say never With all the running you do along with the Zumba classes - you're going to shrink faster than you know it!! Four hours weeding! Wow! I've helped my mom out before and the 30 minutes I spent doing it wasn't easy. I told her someone should invent a little robot that patrols the garden pulling out weeds I love that DS suggested running the bleachers and that you had fun doing it too! That's tough exercise to do! I'll add my congrats on quitting smoking! Not an easy thing to do - I know there's a huge social aspect to smoking as well. Speaking of - have you seen the smoking two-year-old baby from Thailand? I saw it today on CNN and his mom said he smokes 40 cigarettes a day. That's really sad

AFM - Well, this being the only week in a long time where I'm absolutely not going to cheat (because of the dress) … one of the groups on our floor decides to have a huge going away party complete with Chinese food from one of my favourite restaurants. They ordered so much that they invited the rest of the floor to have lunch once they were done - that's how much food was leftover. But I decided that I was going to be tougher than a plate of fried noodles, white rice and spicy peanut chicken. It just wasn't worth it to me.

I had my training session yesterday and my PT showed me a few new body weight exercises. They were body weight so they're really easy to do while on the road or if you don't have access to a gym. We did two circuits of jump squats (10x), jumping lunges (10x each leg) and 30 seconds of jumping jacks. We also talked a little bit about water weight and how your body gets rid of water. One of the trainers at our gym was involved in a fitness competition and on the week before the show, she was fluctuating her water intake (so that she could get rid of water weight). So one day she'd be drinking 5-6L of water (over the course of a day, not all at once), the next she'd go back to a very minimal amount of water and then increase that amount the next day. He said by doing that your body continues to have high levels of the hormone that helps you get rid of water on the day when you're drinking minimal amounts so you continue to purge water. I guess it works the same way where if you have a "cheat" day on your diet, it keeps your metabolism guessing. I think that was a trick that some people used in the competition to help them lean out even more. Just thought it was interesting… Don't think I could ever drink 6L of anything!

Hope everyone is having a great day!!