Working on Weight Loss and getting Lean!

[Creativebeth]

Good morning Ladies! The holiday is rapidly approaching! Yikes! I still have alot of presents to wrap, but the shopping is done!

Jackie: Sorry you got all the rain, but I think I would have taken rain over the snow we got! It was alot of work to dig out......and then you miss out on how pretty it is! Snow came way to early this year!

Connie: My dh found me a used TM for only $200! It only had 80 miles on it! I think it's a few years old, so the owner didn't use it very much at all. At this point, I put on close to 600 miles on it! But, it has programs for intervels and hills......it's awesome! My old TM was not really made for running (though I did), and it was very inaccurate with speed.......I know for sure I was running faster than it said on the read out.....so mileage would be off too. My 'new' TM is smooth! Hence, why I love my TM running now! I spent 5 years on the old one.......so it seems like a piece of cake running on this one!

How is the injury coming? Did you need the cortisone shot?

Cindy: All the baking and holiday preparations take a toll on the exercise motivation. I am trying to hang in there, getting my miles in, but it's hard! So much to do! I actually didn't get up today to run........I am exhausted! I am hoping to get on the TM tonight.....I hope it works!

Maria: Great job on the workouts.....though it's sad that your Dad didn't make it! At least you made the best of the situation. You really are in a groove. I think 2010 will bring you much success! I wouldn't get to worried about your family not noticing the weight loss. I think they did, but didn't bring it up for their own selfish reason. You aren't doing this for them anyway.....this is all about you, baby! I am proud of all the work you have done this year, and look how much speedier you are!

***on a side note.....my father didn't notice my weight loss (in my 20's) until I lost 90 pounds! AND, I was living at home at the time! He saw me every day.....but after all said and done, he looks at me and says "you look different, did you lose some weight?" When I said "yes Dad, 90 pounds" he said "well you look good!" It took me 9 months to lose the weight....and he NEVER noticed!****

So, Leaners, and new year is approaching. We all have posted some great goals for the New Year. I am feeling really positive that we will meet our goals in 2010! We just need to get out of 2009 without eating too many treats!

Beth

 

[bunnyfoo]

Good morning everyone! Not much of import to report today. Skipped my 5 miler last night - it was waaay too cold but did manage to brave the mall instead So at least my shopping is done! I also managed to pick up a couple pairs of shorts for the 1/2 January. I was hoping to find a running skirt but they are no where to be found. The store I saw them in last week said they had sent them back. Oh well... The shorts are a little bit snug so I'll definitely have to watch my eating (and exercising over the next week and a bit). I figured they would also get me into the gym tonight since I want to try running in them before the race.

Maria - Way to get those miles in! I need some of that motivation to keep going!

Beth - Your story about your dad reminds me of my mom. While my weight loss wasn't as dramatic, I think it's only been in the last month that she noticed. And I think it's because I was getting rid of some of my clothes. Good luck with your present wrapping tonight

Cindy - My motivation has dropped off a little too. It's the cold - my first thoughts are to make a mug of hot chocolate and watch TV. Then it gets hard to schedule in running - the mornings are dark, the evenings are dark but then there are dinners, parties to go to. Hang in there

Jackie - Mmmm... donuts... Yeah, I wouldn't last very long with that. Congrats on the 1/2 pound loss! I think any loss at this time of year is fantastic

Alright, it's back to work time Chat later!

 

[Steffwalks]

Good morning friends!

Beth - Thanks for your insights on the TM. I don't love mine, but maybe that will change with time. I will be going at things very differently this next year and will be needing to learn to enjoy it! -- Congrats on having the shopping done and things coming to together for Christmas and the New Year.

Maria - I think our daddy's see the little girl in us when they look at us. Only occassionally does the bright light of day peep in for just a second, to reveal to them that we are full grown! I think it's lovely in so many ways!

Jackie - Put $5 in that jar, girl! You took a rest day when you needed it. You did speed work! You ran a mile! And you backed away from the goodies! AND you lost half a pound!!! All things worthy of celebration.

I was just thinking....if you can't put a real dollar in the jar, how about some fake money? You can't spend it, True. But you can reward yourself for good behavior and put away a small stash through the year to reward yourself with a new hairstyle or something! That way you can count your (fake) money and have an actual accounting of the GOOD decisions you have made. -- Just kind of refining the good choice jar idea!

Cindy - I can so identify with the motivation thing, taking a leave of absence this time of year. The brutal cold and conditions , possible injuries, and all the prep we ladies must do to make Christmas happen, it's a wonder we have our bags packed in time for Disney! Or we can think straight enough to notice its a new year!!

AFM - I went to the doctor. He is the best! We skipped the cortisone for now, probably have it when I go back on the fourth. He gave me some medication to take as needed. It really helps, but it kinda makes me nauseous. I have orders to cross train for the next two weeks and not run or walk. Since, it's taper, it's all good. I knew he would say that which is why I waited so long to see him! He also ordered a bunch of blood tests. He thinks there is some hidden condition that is causing me to be "off balance". I have been having an abnormal number of inflamations and injuries. He also says that my weight gain is abnormal and has suggested that I might be interested in a weight loss clinic that he and his partner are opening. It is using a weight loss program that has proven to be very successful in Italy, but uses no drugs. It's worth a shot!

We under blizzard warnings today and tomorrow. Since I live on the plains, there's no telling how this will all come out. We could have inches or feet of snow! One year, we had two feet of really dry snow and lots of wind and snow was piled up in places as high as a telephone pole. There was a snow bank on the road we lived on that was that high and 50 feet wide! So, I am going to go do my Christmas baking and fudge making and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

 

[rubato]

Hello everyone. I hope you are all ready for the holidays. As my 10 year old pointed out to me this morning, only 48 hours until he's finished opening all his presents!

Beth: Great job on your 40.5 mile week. I am inspired by your total mileage! Have you gotten dug out of the snow yet? We didn't get any here and I'm bummed!

Connie: How's the tendonitis? Did you get the cortisone yet? You are brave to do the Goofy with foot issues. But, I guess we all have something wrong. I have bum joins and my hip will just give out sometimes. I had a question about something you wrote about the dairy thing. I hadn't heard that lactose intolerant people could have food cooked with dairy. I have had my son avoid all dairy, raw or cooked. So, he can have food with dairy in it as long as it's cooked? Does the cooking process break down the lactaid somehow? Update: we posted at the same time. Good to hear you're staying off the foot for awhile. Funny about waiting to go to the doctor until the advise he was going to give you worked out for you! Love it! I hope you get to enjoy being snowed in.

Vicky: Congrats on your 11 and 5 mile runs! I completely agree that the fondue was countered by the 11 miles! That's about 1100 calories burned right? I hope the small shorts are motivation to finish your weight loss. It doesn't usually work that way for me. I just waste my money and have clothes that are too small. But, it works well for others!

Maria: Great job on all the exercise. It's good that you can look at your dad being delayed as a good thing!

Cindy: Don't worry. I'm sure you'll get back on track after the holiday craziness slows down a bit.

Jackie: We all have off times. I, too, have been reading instead of exercising. I have read at least 2 or 3 hours a day for the last 3 days. Whoops! It's also tough to get out there in the bad weather, when walking and running isn't even fun in good weather. I have people tell me all the time that they don't like running, so they couldn't do what I do. I always laugh. What makes people think I LIKE running? It hurts. It's time consuming and I don't like to sweat. But, I love that feeling afterwards! The "runners high"!

I have had a VERY off week. I have been super lazy this week. I walked 2 times with my friends. We walk about 4 miles in the dark mornings. But, it's been cold, so we haven't managed everyday. I ran 1 mile with my son. That's it! I was supposed to do another 9 miler this week, but I've decided to take the week off. I'm a few months ahead of schedule on my training, so I just want to take it easy.

The diet is not good. Since my son can't eat dairy, I felt it was my personal mission to eat all the ice cream and junk food in the house to get rid of it. Since I think I might be lactose intolerant also, you can imagine how good I'm feeling right now. Plus, we had family over 2 nights this week and I ate horribly. I also had a bit too much wine this week at those family gatherings. I'm just going to cut myself some slack for the next few days, and try to get back on track on the 26th. I don't think I'll even feel guilty!

At least my son is feeling better. I think the dairy might be the culprit. He wants to have no limitations on Christmas day, so we'll see how bad he feels that night!

 

[Steffwalks]

Hey Rubato,

My kids were lactose intolerant and half of my grandkids, too!

Lactose intolerace just means that you don't have the enzymes it takes to break the lactaid down. When dairy is cooked, it is broken down and it is okay to eat. Things that are safe to eat:

Yogurt
frozen yogurt
cooked puddings
cream gravies
canned milk
Macaroi and cheese are generally safe, especially the baked ones!
Buttermilk

Watch food labels! If the milk and milk solids aren't cooked, it can be a gastronomic bomb! You will be surprised to discover how many things have them! But once you decide that dairy is the culprit, and if your son is over four years old, Lactase is a wonderful product. Your child can use it and still go to the birthday parties and have ice cream and cake just like everybody else!

If your son doesn't have a genuine allergy to dairy, life can be normal for everyone as long as you have lactase handy! And with age, his problems will decrease to a degree making limited dairy tolerable. If he has an allergy, like I do, Lactase isn't any help at all. I use dairy, I don't breathe!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Afternoon, Leanies!

My 5M yesterday turned into 3, I just didn't have 5 in me. Honestly, I was glad I did 3...I barely had time to take care of my tasks before my dad arrived.

I'm doing my incline walking as soon as I get home today, which hopefully will be sooner rather than later. I think I talked dh into leaving early, since we arrived early. He is such a workaholic, and when I get close to vacation, I am the opposite. DH and I made the final shopping list last night, so he's going to shop, hit the gym, and start wrapping my presents. I'm pretty sure the last one will end up being tomorrow night, but one can hope...

Rubato -- I had that week last week. I missed almost all of my in-week workouts. Every once in awhile, I just need a break. It's not deliberate, but one missed workout quickly becomes 3

Connie-- I'm sorry about the nausea, but glad you are getting some relief! And that snow storm...I hope you enjoy your fudge and watching it all fall!

Vicky -- Glad you're done at the mall, it's always a good feeling. I thought I was totally done, but I have to wrap one item my dad has for dh. It's a cd, so it's not exactly rocket science. I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies yesterday. They don't seem to be going over as well as I would hope. I think they're afraid they might have a drop of nutrition!

Beth -- Don't work your fingers to the bone with all that wrapping! We do have a few too many treats planned for Christmas day, but we also have some healthy options. I guess I'll be hangin' out by the shrimp ring!

Jackie -- I would look like the goodyear blimp with that much access to the Doublety Dunk! We stop there every Sunday after church, and I resist for 11 months. Then Advent comes, and I just don't... 6 hours on the couch reading sounds like an awesome treat! I just finished Steve Berry's The Paris Vendetta. I'm about to start U is for Undertow. I'm hoping I can read this one. The "T" was about elder abuse, and I just couldn't read it.

Cindy -- I hope you are done now and you can relax! It must be so magical in your house with the little ones! I miss those years, and I know you are enjoying every minute!

Debra -- I know you will have some alone-time, but I sincerely hope you won't be lonely -- make a cup of hot cocoa, settle in with a fabulous read or a funny holiday movie (buttery popcorn is essential, not optional -- adding a box of milkduds is at your discretion), and let everything go.

Manda, MM, Julie, Wendy -- I'm at you!

Everyone have an awesome Eve of Christmas Eve!

Maria

 

[MouseDogMom]

Maria - 3 miles is fine, especially at this time of year. Good for you for continuing to get it done. I just requested U is for Undertow, so it will probably be a while. My 6 hour jaunt last Saturday was with Echo in the Bone. Gotta say, I was very unhappy with Diana Gabaldon when I was through. What was she thinking?

Rubato - I totally agree with you. The entire time I'm running I wonder why. Then I get home and am so glad I did. Only in a very rare moment do I actually achieve the runners high while I'm running. I did Monday night at the track for just a couple of minutes - found myself in a zone and completely lost track of time. It was wonderful! What a good mom you are to rid the house of all the bad food!

Connie - Just wondering, can he give you the cortisone that close to Goofy? Maybe the blood tests will shed some light. And his weight loss program sounds intriguing!

Today was munchie day at work - we all brought in some type of appetizer or dessert and pretty much grazed all day. In addition to the cake I took, I also took sliced apples, and tried to alternate apples with meatballs and cookies. I think I did moderately okay, at least until my boss brought in the peanut butter and dark chocolate pie...

But then I got home and DH said it was time to run... I was going to wait until tomorrow, but was good and went ahead and put on the running gear and went out and did 5 miles. This way I won't be able to blow it off tomorrow - it's done, and I feel good, and at least SOME of the calories I consumed today are negated!

Jackie

 

[Creativebeth]

Good Christmas eve morning! It is a day off for me today, but I was awake at 6AM anyway. I hate that. So, I got up to wrap gifts since everyone else is sleeping in. I only have a few left (in the bedroom) but I can't them since dh is still sleeping. The rest is wrapped. As the kids get older, there are less presents, but I spend more money......how is that? I know they will be disappointed with the number of presents, but there is one big ticket item in the pile. I broke down and got them their Wii.......though I swore I never would. I guess the fun will begin now with the high cost game situation!

I have already eaten 2 peanut butter blossoms.....ugh. I made them last night, but didn't feel good and didn't eat any last night. Now, I feel fine so I had to 'test' them (when is chocolate and peanut buttter no good?) Well, I tested and they are good. Darn it!

Maria: Good job on the 3 miles. Any miles are good miles. I myself skipped my workout yesterday for no reason other then being tired. I haven't done that for a very long time. I took off a day last week, but that was after a 10 miler. Yesterday was a total lazy day. I have to get it done today for sure, because you are right.....one day off leads to many more!

Connie: You will have to let us know how the weight loss program works! I am always interested! I hope the injury can hold up until after Disney!

Rubato: My family thinks I love to run......never really true. I like how I feel when I am done. They still don't believe me.....

Jackie: It must be nice to have your dh run with you! I will never know how that is.....my dh thinks I am crazy! (((((I don't know, maybe he's right!))))

AFM: I am still trying to make it to the New Year. I putting the weight loss idea off until then.....I would like to maintain my weight for a week!

Beth

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Morning, Leanies!

Just a very quick check-in -- I got up today and did my 5M! I am very proud of me. Of course, dh threatened to not make ice cream pie (peppermint stick ice cream with chocolate frosting) if I didn't do my workout...

I was also very pleasantly surprised when I got on the scale and was only 2 ounces more than last Saturday. If I don't go crazy over Christmas, I could actually see a loss this week. I'm so glad I got on -- I figured I'd gained a few lbs, so it was hopeless. Weight is a crazy thing! I am going to do my best to eat the goodies in moderation. We're going to my Italian neighbor's for awhile tonight, and that is a minefield of homemade goodness!

Just hoping to get through today and tomorrow, and then 9M on Saturday. That should keep me in check a bit!

Beth -- You have a good philosophy. It is a great time of the year to try to just maintain!

Jackie -- I know exactly what you mean about that book. I think she was making a placeholder for her big finale, and went a little out there with her filler stories. I was also not pleased.

Ok, I have to get dressed, get the laundry going (just 2 loads, and I won't have to do any until Sunday), and get the family working our traditional Christmas Eve puzzle. This year's theme is a nativity, I'm hoping all the dark "night" colored pieces weren't a bad choice...

Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night (and Day!)!

Maria

 

[Steffwalks]

Merry Christmas!!!

The blizzard arrived!

Someone (I am sorry I don't remember who) asked about stretch tubes. Mine are from Bodylastics. www.bodylastics.com It works!

Jackie - The shot my doc usually gives me isn't directly in the foot. It does the job without that horrible pain associated with it!

Everybody stay warm, be happy and have a safe holiday!

 

[rubato]

Just wanted to wish everyone a merry Christmas! I won't be checking in until Saturday, so I hope you all have a relaxed and enjoyable holiday. Saturday is the day I vow to get back on track. I think not stressing about it right now is a good idea. Plus, that gives me license to eat all the junk today and tomorrow so it won't be in the house on Saturday!

 

[Creativebeth]

Just a bump!

How was your Christmas everyone? I am glad it is over! Too many preparations!!!!

I did end up taking Christmas off running.....just didn't have enough time to get enough time in the day to get it done!

I did get 5 miles in yesterday.....good thing too, since the eating is WAY overboard!

Beth

 

[dsnyfan21]

Hi Beth and all the Leaners!!

Holidays are always rough. I have stayed on my training program for the Half Marathons I have coming up in January. I had decided that between Thanksgiving and New Years time I would just try to maintain and that I have pretty much accomplished with the weight, so I am happy.

I do plan on checking in more when the new year happens as 2010 is the year I plan to loose the rest of the weight I need too!!!

-Tracy

 

[corinnak]

So THIS is where all the cool kids are hanging out! Is it okay if I just sit over here on the fringe and try to be cool by association?

I'm actually under my original "goal weight" but I still have some "leaning" to do. This stubborn midsection of mine. I would like to get a healthy waist to hip ratio someday, but my hips and booty shrink so much faster than my waist! Not fair.

I'm also training for the WDW Half in January. Just did 12 on the treadmill - my idea of the third circle of Hades, but I just try to zone out and think of England or the UK in Epcot at the very least.

Hope it's OK that I just....stopped in!

 

[Creativebeth]

Dsnyfan21 and Corrina! Nice of you to drop by.

Corrina: I don't know how 'cool' we are, but we're friendly! We like to have new 'faces' drop by anytime!

Good luck with the races coming up, and we'll be going strong with the New Year!

Beth

 

[MouseDogMom]

Corinna - Drop in anytime! We have a wide variety of goals around here - we're just trying to encourage each other to achieve whatever goals we might be striving for.

Tracy - Good job on maintaining through the holidays. I think we've all agreed that maintaining is a victory. I really wanted to drop that additional 5 pounds before WDW, but I don't think that goal is attainable anymore...

Connie - Then the shot sounds like a great idea. I particularly like the idea of no pain!

Beth - Running here wasn't an option Christmas Day, at least not outside. It didn't just rain, it poured. And poured. And poured some more. I made sure to put on the old shoes yesterday when I went out to run, since I knew the mud would be waiting.

I feel like I did pretty good this weekend. For reasons that I won't go into, we haven't actually eaten our Christmas dinner yet. Should have it in a couple of hours. But it's fairly okay. DD and DH decided a couple of years ago that turkey was okay at Thanksgiving, but not again at Christmas, and neither of them like ham, so I threw a couple of steaks on the grill and everyone was happy. A new tradition was begun. So we're having filet mignon, mashed potatoes, and salad. Very little prep, not much cleanup. Tomorrow morning I'll face the scales and see what they say.

Jackie

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Morning, Leanies!

Ok, so to bring you up to speed -- I did 5M Christmas Eve, took Christmas off, did my 9M Saturday, incline walking Sunday, and I'll have 4M to do when I get home from work today. I weighed exactly the same this Saturday as last, but I got that present no one wants from Mother Nature on Christmas Day, so I think it's gotta really be a loss. Oh! And I did the 9M in 108 minutes, so that was 12 min miles!

I remembered one of the downsides of Dad's visits is he keeps the basement guest suite toasty, not exactly good for a workout. I turn the heat off as soon as I get to the basement.

I'm only working 2 days this week. My stepmother arrives tomorrow (she spends Christmas with her family), so then I really will be at their mercy for my workouts. Let's just say she doesn't exactly rise early, so even with not going to work, there's no guarantee when I'll be starting my workouts.

DH came through with Wii Fit Plus and the Biggest Loser Wii games, so I'm looking forward to really getting into them after the WDW Half.

Jackie -- We started doing filet mignon for Christmas a couple of years ago, since we could never really agree on ham or turkey. This year we just punted and did a buffet of nibbles, it went really well and we were all happy, watching the Celtics. Glad you are getting to your Christmas dinner.

Corinna -- You will fit right in here, Cousin! So glad to see you! And we're not too cool for school, we're more like the Pep Squad!

Tracy, Beth, Rubato, Connie, Debra, Vicky, Manda, MM, Julie, Wendy --

I'm going out to lunch at Maggiano's with my office buddy today. I'm going to try to keep it to a dull roar. This is the lunch we've been planning since Oct. when the bane of our existence moved to another work place. So glad he's gone...

Ok, now I really have to start thinking about my goals for 2010, and get them in writing and on the DIS. I know I can do better than last year, I just seem to improve as I go -- slow and steady and all that!

Maria

 

[mandac]

Hi All!
I guess I took a Christmas break from this group, and from exercising. The last real exercise I did was 6 miles on the 19th. It nearly killed me. I was trying to find a good walk/run interval for me. I think I ran too much, and I was still suffering from a blood donation a couple days before.

Since then life has been fun, but I have not been doing what I should. I guess that is what new years resolutions are for. I am hoping to start back at the gym today. My treadmill gave up the ghost last week (I tried to fit some exercise in). So I don't know what I am going to do about that. Maybe my birthday coming up will include a new treadmill. Bummer.

I have another problem. The weather isn't too bad here, so I could go back outside, but the air quality is NASTY. I think Salt Lake City has the worst air quality in the nation right now. I am wondering how bad it is for me to go out and run in it. I hate to do long runs on the TM at the gym, or on the little track, but when I look out the window and see the murkey brown fog, I just don't think I should be out breathing in it. See - I am stuck!

I will have to swing back to catch up on all the posts since I was here last. BUt hope you all had a good Christmas and are ready for the new year!

 

[bunnyfoo]

Hi Leanies! I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas!

Jackie - Turkey is a lot of work! I'm always glad when we go to my aunt's house for dinner because it's always on the menu there. Actually, I've never quite figured it out. They usually make a turkey AND a roast beef. Too much cooking for me Sorry to hear about lack of weight loss - I'm in the same boat too. I think I managed to maintain (just).

Maria - WTG with the 12 m/m pace on the 9 miler! Awesome! You are really getting speedy! Hope your parents' visit doesn't cause too much stress. Let me know how you like the Wii games. I've heard good things about Wii Fit Plus.

Manda - Sorry to hear about your TM and the yucky air. I live in the burbs so I usually stick to residential streets so I'm a little clueless about air pollution. But the brown air does not sound good. Do you have some workout DVDs or free weights you can do? Jumping jacks, mountain climbers and burpees are all really great cardio exercises and really get my heart rate going.

Connie - Did you get the results back from your blood test? I hope it's nothing serious. I looked at your link and I have those elastics! They travel really well but doing the exercises on vacation is another story. I also use the elastics that are look like giant elastic bands. I put them around legs, just above my knees and do squats across the gym floor with them. It's suppose to be good for your hips/glutes.

Corina - WTG on getting in 12 miles on the TM! I have a hard time getting in 3 with my mind and eyes wandering all over!

rubato - I would have done the same thing with the ice cream and other tasty dairy treats.

Beth - How did your kids like the Wii? Were they surprised? I'm also the same way with running - love the feeling afterward but getting started and sometimes doing it, is another story. Did you end up getting new runners?

AFM - I've still been working out and getting my runs in. I did my 12 miler on Saturday and was lucky to get above freezing temperatures. But now that the 12 miler is done, I really will have to watch my food intake since I'm in taper week.

Went to the gym today and worked out. I managed to get DF in and he worked out with another trainer who wondered why we were razzing each other. I figured if I did, he'd never come back. Haha! Did some more deadlifting and managed to pull 115 lbs from the floor. We tried for 125 lbs but I only got that a couple inches from the ground. Maybe next time

I looked at my running logs from this month and it said I've got 86.14 miles down. I think I'm closer to 100 miles because I never remembered to add in the TM miles. Definitely not as impressive as Beth but this is one of my better mileage months.

Have a great day everyone!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Just checking in so you can check out the clever new clippie made by Cousin Corinna -- I'm lovin' the Springie feel! I am totally ready to feel the leanness, Ladies.

Unfortunately, it was 80 degrees in my basement, even after I turned the heat off. I felt nauseous after 1M, so cut my workout short. I'm hoping for better luck tomorrow...the big lunch I had didn't help. I did try to not do too badly, but I think everything just got to me, and I wasn't having a stellar day. As Scarlet O'Hara would say, "Tomorrow is Another Day."

Maria