New You - January 2007

I was thinking of joining Curves, and was wondering if anyone else here had any experience and/or opinions about them? Also, how much does it typically cost? I think there's a one-month no obligation running right now. I need to lose 50 pounds. Yup, you read that right: 50 pounds. Would Curves be right for me or do I need something more intense?

I walked a mile yesterday. Was very, very sore. I am having foot and joint problems & I know it's from being overweight. People are shocked to know my weight; they say I carry it well, but I feel each and every pound, let me tell ya! I have a community center less than 1/2 mile from me where I can work out on a few weight machines (not a huge selection, but enough for me), treadmills & bicycles. Also, I have Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home DVDs. And, my digital cable has several programs on it I can do, one that I'm interested in is Beginning Tai Chi.

So, that's it. Lose 50 pounds. At 2 pounds per week average, that's 25 weeks. Roughly the end of June. I CAN do this! It was quick coming on, but the pounds will be sloooowwww coming off.

Who's with me this year? Anyone else need to be a "New You"????

Vonnie

Clairee: The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.

"Steel Magnolias"

I would like to lose about the same amount of weight as you Vonnie - and I'd like to do it by my 40th birthday next January. I have problems with my knees and ongoing tendonitis in one foot - not necessarily caused by my weight but certainly aggravated by it. I also had a lot more energy when I was smaller - though I was also 10 years younger!! Not sure how much is weight and how much is age

Whilst not actually dieting, I have been eating a healthier diet for the last few weeks and also not overeating (no second helpings!! ). I even lost a few pounds over Christmas. I want to set a few goals for this year, I'll be back when I have thought about it some more.

I was thinking of restarting this form too! I have the same goal as you ladies. I need to lose more than that in the long run, but that would be a great start and at least get me to a weight that would be acceptable health-wise. But that's what I'd like to do before Christmas 2007.

My main goal is to exercise -- had the alarm set and the clothes ready last night, but DD3 was up most of the night with a burning fever, so when we both had the chance to fall asleep at 7 am, I took it!

Vonnie, I think if you are not already a habitual exerciser Curves would be a good start. Will they give you at least one trial day?

Shaun
www.homeschoolblogger.com/shaunms

My whole family!!!

Here is our current program:

WALK! We're going for 15 min at our target heart rate (plus necessary warm up or cool down time) 4 times this week. We're lumps: it's a start!

WATER!Drink lots! DD16 and I are going for 64+ oz of non-caffeinated fluids a day...I've already cut down on my coffee/diet coke consumption!

WATCH what we eat and
WRITE it down! Food logging for DD16 and I happening at My Food Diary. I like it!

Our first goal date is Valentine's Day and we will celebrate with an overnight at a hotel with an indoor pool/jacuzi/mini golf, etc.

I'm going to continue my trans-fat ban...I've gotten rid of all of it except for the random baked goods/packaged foods. I'm going to start questioning restaurants/take-out places, too. I've ALSO kicked trans fats out of the recipes I use with my students. It costs a bit more (replacing margarine with butter) but I think it's important...as I have time to just choose different recipes it will be no difference. My other priority is to continue discussing with my students WHY we're making the changes!

For the record: Last Thursday (December 28, 2006) I weighed 158.

(I like weighing on Thursdays because it gets me thinking about eating plans for the week-end and gives me a few days of recovery if I splurged the week-end before! )

There! The grim reality and the goals.

Love to all!
Lenora

post coming soon!

We don't have any bathroom scales, and I don't really want to get any, so I'm not going to have specific weight goals. All I can say is that my trousers and my stomach are not happy companions at the moment. When they are, I'll consider that part of my job done

With all my current stresses and strains I've been eating too much and too often having a glass of wine or two in the evening. Now, realistically I know that's not going to change in the next few days. However, New House, New You! That's the rule for me. When we've moved, that's my moment.

Now I almost have my PhD done I want to get back to pilates again. I did it for several years and loved it, but haven't had time recently to practice or go to classes. That one of the first things I want to find in Edinburgh. Other than that exercise is going to be walking, swimming and running around after DD2.5

Happy New You!

Zillah

I tried pilates on DVD once and after about 10 minutes of it I thought I was dying!! It is an awesome workout.

Home with a sick DD today, so not exactly staying on track with my water, etc. Hard to do that when you are at doctor's office.

BUT, I did weigh this morning & Hey, Hey! I've lost 2 pounds since Monday. I used to always read that you should weigh once a week. Now I'm reading to weigh once a day so you can make adjustments to what you're doing & not waste a week. Makes sense, I guess. I'm just happy to have lost. Probably a lot of water, though.

Curves. I called and talked to an ever-so-perky gal on the phone . She wouldn't give me prices or plans or tell me much about it at all. 'Cause "You'll find all of that out when you come in for your complimentary tour and body assessment". I'll bet she answered 4-5 questions with that phrase. Lord help me! I go Monday afternoon, but I'm none too sure that it is right for me. I absolutely will not sign a contract. I want just month-to-month or whatever because if it's a) not for me or b) not enough to help my "New You" goals, I'm not gonna waste money for a year on it.

Well, need to run. DD is asleep; poor baby is so sick.

Talk later.

Vonnie

Clairee: The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.

"Steel Magnolias"

Nice to know I'm not the only person who doesn't own any bathroom scales. There again weight isn't my particular problem. I got plenty of others though. I picked up some probiotic capsules the other day since most of these probiotic drinks seem to taste disgusting and I never get round to eating the yoghurt I buy until the bacteria has turned rather unfriendly!

I had a doctor's appointment a week before Chrstmas and it turns out I may have borderline hypothyroidism which combined with my dreadful anaemia is doing a grand job of sapping my energy. I have spoken to the doctor about an alternative to oral iron tablets though and apparently infusions are better tolerated so that might be an option. Not fun but better than what happens when I try to take full strength iron tablets. My Crohns is pretty minimal at the moment thank heavens, so why I'm still so badly anaemic I don't know and nor did the doctor ("oh it might be your periods" - bullshit!).

I'm really not sure what my goals are at all for 2007. I do know I want to get back to being a full-time SAHM. I hate working! I need my workload to be down to only supervisory, big picture stuff by the end of this year or my own health and my sanity and the kids may not get through it too well. I've tried it and I hate it! So really my steps to achieving that are to do with getting in good staff and making sure they are reliable, both for admin and for DH's sales staff. The current situation is just disastrous.

Only when I've been able to reduce my workload significantly will I really be able to concentrate on other things. In the meantime health stuff is mostly a matter of survival.

Kerri.

Nope, just taking care of a sicky child. DD7 is soooo sick. Tested neg for flu and strep, doesn't have ear infection. Just a nasty virus that keeps her fever up mornings and evenings and all night. She has a lot of phlegm so her tummy is upset too. Poor baby.

Kerri, I know what you mean about workload. That was one reason I quit my job of 13 years in October. It was just too much. I woke up one Monday and said "enough". I quit without another job lined up -- which I do not suggest to anyone, by the way. Fortunately, I got another job 9 days later and really didn't start looking until 7 days later. My job now is much less pressured. Of course there are issues - aren't there always? But, it's much more manageable for me and my life right now.

Another life change I've made is a pleasant one -- a hobby. I've never really pursued anything fun for myself. DH has done fitness stuff & golf, DD plays all kinds of ball, but nothing for Mom. So, I started beading. I LOVE it! It is therapeutic to me. It's uniquely my own within my circle. But, I do have at least two other people who want to do it, too. That's OK, it's still my hobby.

So, I weighed Thursday when I was home all day with sicky DD and I had lost 2 pounds. Haven't weighed since. Probably should this morning before I dress to go to craft time in a bit. I probably have maintained or possibly lost one more. I can really feel it in my clothes. Craft time will be a challenge because there will be lots of fatty b'fast/brunch foods. I can do it! I can do it!

OK, I'm gonna breeze on now. Gotta go get dressed and ready to go bead. Love ya!

Vonnie

Clairee: The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.

"Steel Magnolias"

I'm getting a slow start to my Saturday. Yawn!

My father had a heart attack Wednesday evening. He also has pneumonia. He's been moved out of ICU (last night) and is on the road to recovery, thank goodness.

I'm doing well with my eating....not so great on the exercising.

I've signed up to use www.myfooddiary.com and really like it.

I had a nice post earlier last week, but it got flagged as spam and never showed up

I have MUCH stress coming with school: final exams, new students, my professional assessment (assessor from the state for my professional lisence) AND my assessment series with my principal...all in the next 4 weeks. I'f I'm not around much, that will be "what's up" with me. (The universe willing...that will be all that's up!)

Love to all,
Lenora

How did I ever have babies? Because getting up 2x a night with a sick toddler has totally turned our household upside down. (Well, it didn't help that DH had surgery the week before.)

Anyway, what I really want to commit to is a food journal and regular exercise. I've also started varying my breakfasts, just to get me to start paying more attention to what I eat rather than doing the same thing every day.

I will look at your food diary website, Lenora. Thanks for posting it. Hope your dad starts doing better. Scary stuff.

Shaun
www.homeschoolblogger.com/shaunms

To start with, I'd like to -

Go for a walk every day

Carry on with my recent change to wholemeal bread, rice and pasta. It took a while, but I eventually got used to it

Go to bed at a reasonable time, and get enough sleep. I have slipped back into my old habits of staying up until 2 in the morning again I will aim to be asleep by 12.

That's all I am committing to this week - I still have Christmas goodies to use up!

Honey.

and I think it does take a little while to be comfortable with the switch to wholegrain, but none of my lot likes white bread now (except special stuff). Taking a walk every day when it's wet or cold or windy outside is going to be some achievement - good luck with that. And try to figure out what triggers the late nights (eg. reading) and find ways to combat the triggers (eg. no books in the bedroom, alarms set to 15mins before bedtime).

I'm hoping to be aware of the brighter moments in my everyday. Like today, our main other member of office staff confessed that he struggles with phone calls ever since having a nervous breakdown a while back, and he tends to freeze up and forget what he wants to say. Well I know that feeling only too well, even without the excuse of a breakdown, so I suggested he write down prompts and even the first sentence if need be to get him through the worst of it. He came off the phone with a customer feeling really upbeat, and could clearly see the benefits of making notes beforehand. I think he also understood that having a few successful calls like that will gradually help him get past his terror of making a fool of himself (because he's actually been quite senior in a large company so he's not keen to make an idiot of himself). He's very self-conscious about the problems stemming from both his breakdown and an earlier car accident, but hopefully me having lots of strange quirks of my own (and memory problems) will help him through. Since he's also a family friend I can feel positive about being a help to him in his recovery.

I just want to be aware of those little rays of light in what is otherwise a monotonous and frustrating existence at the moment. I'm not aiming too high this year!

Kerri.

I'm back. Been a bit, but I've actually been trying to work on my goals rather than talk about them. Something I have a hard time doing. I hope you all are doing better at that than me. My main goal is also weight loss, and I'm doing pretty good. I've joined The Rice Diet Program and so far, so good. I personally felt it was a great approach for me, since it's pretty cheap (whole grains and fruits and veggies, can't get any more simple, can it?) there's no fee to sign up online, and I can email the diet to anyone rather than having to buy the book (or check yer local library).
My second goal is to actually stick to my house cleaning schedule. We're doing pretty good. Dishes have been kept done for a week now (clean as I cook...let's keep hoping!)

Felt good to state them! If I don't check back often, it's not that I've abandoned all hope, just busy with home and getting this DH of mine through his PhD!! Then, off to work on my MBA. Sheesh.

Good luck ladies!

I have lost 10 pounds in the last year - down to 149 from 159, BUT, I have not been on the scale much since Christmas and I have a feeling I am up a bit. I would really like to get down to 130, but would be happy with 140.

Jillian, this Rice Diet is interesting. Is the diet itself online? Couldn't find it on the site, maybe I missed it. I've done a number of things - Atkins, my own low carb plan, Weight Watchers, South Beach for awhile. My biggest thing is to avoid hunger - which means adding protein for me. Good lean proteins such as eggs, nuts, low fat cheeses and meats. Exercising daily is also very important for me. I've been trying to do 10 minutes before work plus a walk during the day. It is not much, but does help.

Well, interested to see how everyone progresses!
Andrea

No, they don't post the diet itself online, but I joined the forums there to talk to the women doing it, and one of them (so very helpful, her name is Karen) sent me an email of the basics and a schedule of the things she eats. Very nice of her, and very helpful. PM me if you want it (she shares the info freely, as do the docs at the clinic).I do recommend reading the book (via library, at least) but the basic premise is that when we lower our sugar AND salt intake, our bodies are happier with less food, and we ditch cravings. I find I get quite full as long as I use whole grains where the diet says to eat a starch. But I've always done that anyway.
Anyway, it has worked for me thus far, and I think my mom's going to join me, so I'll have a buddy! My husband doesn't need to (grrr), but I don't envy how he lost his pounds! He was rather chubby, but went on an LDS mission (to Florida, but to the swap areas, I didn't even know existed in the US, shows how naive I was)and got strep and the flu (or so we think...something tummy related) at the same time. Dropped 40 lbs that month. Poor guy!

The house still seems in order. BUT, the under the bed organizers I bought don't fit under my bed!! I never thought that my bed would be too low, I just assumed it'd work. Now, I'm looking for a safe way to store these buggers.

Happy New Year to all!!!!

I have a sub. to WW online, which has a food/activity diary, so I am using that again. I think the interface has improved somewhat.

I think it helps -- for me I can say, hmmm, if I had not gotten that scone with my latte I'd be well within my goal for today, because I can see just how much of my food "budget" it takes up. And I like trading out my (minimal) activity points.

Shaun
www.homeschoolblogger.com/shaunms

How is everyone doing? Making progress? One thing to keep in mind: learning is progress! If you're taking some time to research food choices and/or exercise options..that is still progress toward a healthier New You!

I've lost 6 pounds since Dec. 28! (You gotta love that initial water loss!)

Bigger changes: breakfast every day within a hour to an hour-and-a-half of getting up, a minumum of 64 ounces of plain water daily, and 30 minutes of exercise 3-4 days a week. Those have actually been more challenging than just watching/logging what I eat.

I'm still not managing to get to bed any earlier, nor can I give up my caffiene completely, either. I'm down to between 6-10 cigarettes a day...but haven't attempted to go completely without. Boo.

That's my update!

Who's next?

Lenora

Oh, I like your ticker Lenora! Very cute. I think I said this before, but we have VERY similar goals! I did not realize you were a smoker! I won't offer you any advice since I've never struggled with that particular vice.

Shaun, I did WW online and really liked it. Good luck -

OK, I'm off since I'm not doing this officially - just my own kinda plan I guess -
Andrea

Last week the only one of my goals I achieved was the sticking to 'brown' bread, rice etc. I only went for one walk, and I didn't get to bed early once. THIS is why I shouldn't set myself goals...I have a complete lack of self discipline

look at the positive side of things, and sticking to brown rice and pasta isn't easy. Until you get to the point where you don't like the non-wholewheat types, as you mentioned recently with the pasta, it's hard graft all the way. Think what you've achieved already!

And one walk is better than none. Positive thinking is an art form!

It's funny Lenora, but I don't remember knowing you were a smoker either. I guess you just kept quiet when we were having a go at Hope! My cousin got some stick from us at Christmas - I realised he's the only smoker I know. I know quite a few ex-smokers, but he's the only living smoker I know!! Poor guy... it's hard to be a smoker when the tide is turning against smokers all over the world, one bar at a time.

I think the ticker's a brilliant idea, but don't always expect it to be going down. You know there come times when it goes up or just stubbornly sits in one place for ages doing nothing. Don't let that dishearten you is all I'm saying.

Kerri.

Hey, everyone! New to the site, found it while looking for support for changing to a healthy lifestyle. I've been working on my diet and exercise for about a year and was just looking for others who have gotten on and fallen off the wagon a few times and would like to support each other in these changes. From the looks of this thread, maybe there's a few here? Would love to hear from some of you. I've been the Curves route and a few others. Even had a ticker! Think this site looks really cool, I'm still splorin' it.

Yes, I'm still interested Mommyrat!! Welcome, by the way! This is a great site - I've been here since it's inception 8 years ago.

It is that time of year again where I need to kick it into gear! I will be honest - I weighed in this am at 154 - yikes!! I would like to lose 20 pounds. The lowest I've been in the last year is 148. I made a bit of a new start today and exercised 20 minutes after work. Trying to be good with my eating also. Not sure what my new plan will be - I've done Atkins, South beach, WW, Curves, my own exercise, walking. I know that moving needs to be part of it and also a lower carb, higher protein diet.

Lenora, Honey, Kerri, Shaun - join us!!

I'm stalled out at 147 lbs which is 11 pounds off since Dec. 28. My body seems to "like" 147! I actually hit 146 a couple of days week-before-last, and 145 just last week, but until the scale stays put for more than 3 days, I don't count it. I'm doing bad, bad, bad when it comes to exercising...and I really have no excues. Well, actually I have ALOT of excuses...just no good ones! My fibromyalgia has been in a major flare up for several weeks now. I know that moderate exercise is good therapy but I've been wallowing instead.

I can't guarantee a daily update...but I'll check in as often as I can!

Welcome Mommyrat! Thanks for giving us a jump-start!
Lenora

I tried curves and didnt like it much overall. I got a free trial but had to pay a big-ish (over one hundred dollars) lifetime member fee. Then it was only like 30 a month. The body assesment left me feeling pretty bad about myself way worse than when I went in. The support was there but the workout was way to repetative to hold my intrest for long. It was basically the same dozen or so machines with step pad thingies in between each. Like I mentioned they were very supportive but that was the only part I sorta liked and It at times left me feeling guilty or pushed. Just my 2 cents on curves. I do get free gyms on post as well as free areobics weight lifting belly dancing yoga...just about antything you can think of classes..compliments of the Army's dont let your wife get/stay fat program! yes there are pamplets to this effect but they say it nicer. I been looking for a reason to jump in. Maybe you ladies have room for one more? I hit a size 14 and Im not feeling so happy about it at 5'3".

I'll be writing about my cardiac rehab experience.

Lynn Siprelle, Editor

Well, I started about a year ago trying to eat better and take better care of myself. If I lost weight, that was just a plus. Last year I had a net loss of 10 lbs. which I figure is better than a net gain. At one time I had lost 16 lbs but I gained back some over the winter. I try to walk but it isn't easy since I live in a rural area and have young kids. I am currently starting a yoga DVD and am enjoying it. The stretching is nice and it does seem to calm and prepare me for the day. My experience with Curves was similar. It was just too repetative and then they made a seperate room for kids and expected me to put my 14 month old in there without supervision like to older kids. So I dropped there and went to a gym with child care. Liked it but my son started school and the gym was in the opposite direction so I never got over there after school started. That's when I picked up walking until the weather got too cold to take my then 2 year old with me. Now that he (now 3) is in preschool 2 days a week, that frees me up some time to start back. My main focus though has been my eating habits. As many of you will probably agree, we lead pretty active lives as moms and I realize that laundry isn't an aerobic activity, but it still is activity. So I feel like if I try to increase the active things my family does (i.e. pushing kids in swings, playing tag, soccer, etc.) that I take part in, hopefully my lifestyle will fall in to the healthy category.

Now that I've given my "brief" history, I'm curious. What did you guys have for dinner and then for breakfast this morning? Mine wouldn't have been too bad if it wasn't for the portion size, which is where I HAVE to change.

Thanks for the history - I agree on Curves - it was nice for awhile, but then became boring.

I was down a pound this am, thank goodness, that other number scared me!

Dinner: sweet and sour fish (fish fried in smart balance oil, so not great), whole wheast pasta, broccoli
Breakfast: hot tea, cheese stick, diet Coke, banana
Lunch: I am getting ready to eat soon - either lentil soup or salad from the salad bar at our school cafeteria

I plan to get at least 20 minutes of movement in after work.

Andrea

I had a spinach and cheese quesadilla last night for dinner, with salsa and sour cream. Then I had 2 bowls of yogurt burst Cheerios for breakfast. I love spinach!

I didnt eat dinner last night or lunch or breakfast yesterday! I had a small bowl of lucky charms at some random point before I passed out. I didnt eat breakfast today and had a wendys grilled chicken combo for lunch that I only ate about half of...I am not eating so well I realize....

Maybe we can do a thread similar to the flybaby one only we post what we ate the day before and what we did to exercize and then list what we plan to do that day. I was never able to post every day but I did post a few times a week and it helped me. I was giving myself recognition for what I had done and I was giving myself more motivation to do something. By listing specific things to do I at least had a plan. Beccause of the warm support I never felt like a failure if I didnt get it all done it was easier to say "it was a rough day Im going to try again tommorow. I dont know if this intrest any of you but I am certianly willing and I could use the motivation.
Well gtg its time to eat pretend plastic pie and donughts lovingly prepared by my dear children.

Sounds good Jen!

I ended up having the salad bar at work - very good and healthy! Came home and did my 20 minutes. Dinner was a frozen cheese lasagna with bread (I didn't eat the bread except for a bit), spinach salad, and steamed green beans/carrots. Also some wine. So I think I did ok today, not fantastic. I'm hoping to maintain or be down a pound in the am. If not, I know I will need to make some changes. Oh and I also had a piece of sprouted whole grain bread (no flour) with hummus after work. Yum.
Andrea

That I can do: soft tacos, mexican rice, refried beans for the family (I don't eat them)

Breakfast? That's a whole different issue. I have never been a morning eater. I know it's the most important meal of the day...yadda, yadda, yadda! I actualy bought a soy protien breakfast bar to have with my coffee on the way to school (9:30ish)...the bar is still in my purse. (Coffee was fab though!) I did eat a Kashi Honey Almond Flax bar about 11:30 am.

DH is out-of-town (that's normal) and the DDS and I went out for dinner tonight. I had a crock of onion soup au gratin with two pita triangles and three of DD16's onion rings.

OH! I weighed 146.5 this morning!

For the record...and the "newbies" and "welcome backies" (that's you Jenn ) I'm 41 and 5'2" and we're hiking/camping the north rim of the Grand Canyon right after school is out! Deposits are paid, plane tickets are bought...and I'd really like my thighs not to chafe in the heat!

My exercise today consisted of three trips to the thrid floor staff restroom (there is one on our floor, I'm just forcing myself to go upstairs) and 45 minutes of random wandering at Target after dinner. Neither of the girls had enough money for anything significant...but (without any input from me) the pooled their resources and bought a piece of software to share! We rushed to get home by 8:07 and danced around the living room to welcome Spring. I tried to convince them we needed to "frolic" in the front yard but they are not about to be that silly in public...and it's about 35 degrees out this evening, too. I'm thinking about buying a mini trampoline to keep here on the main floor. The treadmill is in our bedroom but I just HATE walking on it...I have the belly dance tapes but don't have a working vcr upstairs and I am not about to be that silly in public!

O-kay! I have papers to grade, so I must be off!

Be well, friends.

Lenora

I fixed spagetti for dinner last night. I prefer WG but DH has refused 100% so we compromise on the Barilla made with whole grain and flax seed. Sauce with ground meat and a little parm. Made a salad but wasn't in the mood which was unusual for me since I have been accused in the past of being a rabbit! DS was good at school yesterday so we made cookies when he got home. Ate 2 but didn't enjoy them. That's a whole 'nother post for me!

I think the listing idea is great. Just let me know where it is since I'm having a little difficulty finding my way around yet, as a newbie!

Lenora, I would never want to come across preachy, especially to some one who has been so welcoming and that is really a stranger, but I just want to caution you about keeping that close a tab on your weight unless you are under a doctor's care to do so. A friend's father is on dialysis and he must monitor his weight fairly closely and they don't even have him weighing in that often. Just out of curiousity, why do you feel the need to weigh in that often?

And, since you were so gracious to be so open with your info, here's mine. I will be 30 next Tuesday, I am 5' 8.5" and weigh 186 lbs. I would like to lose about 20-25 lbs in total since that would put me at about a size 10 or 12. My main reason for weight loss is being able to enjoy my family more, but my secondary reason is I need to have a breast reduction and the extra skin removed from my abdomen after having my boys. After the 2 pregnancies and losing the weight from them, my skin never went back and I have a skin flap. Wow, that sounds nasty when you type it out! Might as well say I have gangreen! Anyway, I want to lose and keep off this weight over the next 18 months so I can schedule this surgery. Right now I'm a 38 DDD and very uncomfortable.

Such a week! The school year is officially 3/4 over...and I'm still breathing! DH is due home any minute (he's been gone since Tuesday) so this is just a fly-by post.

Mommyrat, you are right about my "over-monitoring" my weight right now...you also broached the subject in a tactful and sweet way and were not at all preachy! I'll expand on that soon..hopefully tomorrow if I get a minute.

I've had a good week with both my food and activity level!

More later!
Love to all,
Lenora

So, here's my "History"...and what I'm up to (or down to!!) We finally are all settled in here in Indiana. Got here in August '06, but with toddlers (2 of em) it seems to take longer...I just hung some pictures today. Whew. Anyhow, when we moved here I weighed 185, and wore a size 16. I took up running (I figured, new place, new lifestyle, can't hurt!) bought a treadmill to help rid my excuse making (i.e. "it's too cold, too dark, too hot, etc). Anyhow, this morning, weighed in at 164.4 (love digital scales!) and bought myself my FIRST EVER pair of size 10 pants. EVER. I never even got this low in high school. BMI ratio says if I make it down to 148 I'll be doing great, so 16 more pounds to go. Funny thing is, we want to have another baby (what?! with 2 toddlers, am I nuts? No, just want them close. Plus, is 4 years old really a toddler? ) So, I'm going to try to be good during this pregnancy. It'll do me good anyway, to lose it before hand. Plus, new findings say that as long as you've been running at least three months before conception, you can keep up the pace until the third trimester, thus aiding in keeping weight down, and making labor easier. My friend kept running and delivered 3 months ago, says it was MUCH easier than with the prior pregnancy where she stopped running when she found out she was having Allie.

Keep up the good work ladies! It is SO great to read your posts and see your successes.

This weekend was a blur! Thanks so much for posting that, Lenora, I was really worried when no one posted for a while that I had offended you. Glad to hear your week was good all around. Mine, not so much, but I'm optimistic about this week. Got the taxes finished and I'm about to go tackle the bathrooms. I want to discuss running with you Jilsty but I'll have to wait until after I clean the bathrooms. Posting longer will be my carrot to get it done! Hope everyone has a great day!

Hey Everyone -
I'm doing ok. Down to 151 this am so that felt good. Trying to move at least 20 minutes each day. That feels good! Also watching my diet of course. Trying to focus on healthy protein sources. I've also discovered that I have a thing for texture. I love crunchy things like crackers, nuts, etc. Need to find a low cal way to conquer that craving. I'm not doing any "system " or diet right now, just my own I guess.
Andrea

Andrea--for those "crunchy" moments, I find that a thin smear of peanut butter (REALLY thin) on a WASA whole grain cracker and a slice of fruit on top takes the cake! Apple, strawberry, or banana seem to work best.

Ask away on the running...I'm not the best at it yet, but it is definitely helping. hee hee

Wow! Look at us "go!" How fun to have this thread up-and-running again.

Jilsyt! Good for you! I wish I were more comitted to regular exercising but I just haven't made that jump yet. My DDS are 4.5 years apart and if we could have had a third "in the middle" we would have! (We started trying when DD#1 was about 14 months...took us a while to get #2!)

Mommyrat, No ofense at all. I am "at work" for the first time in...ummm.9 years, though, and time always gets out of hand! I am working with an online food diary (myfooddiary(dot)com) which I love...I have a rather "complicated" relationship with food and am really making an effort to eat well, including adequate amounts of good fats, proteins, complex carbs, vitamins and minerals, fiber...preferabley from whole, natural sources. For me right now this takes much effort, planning, and attention. I do weigh myself every day...always have. I don't "obsess" over it all day, though...only when checking in here or at the food diary forums. I'm actively losing weight right now, too. I have 10 pounds to lose before I reach the "healthy" range on the BMI scale. Since I started monitoring my food, I've averaged losing "just over" 1 pound a week. (13 pounds lost in 12 weeks) I chafe at what seems such a slow weightloss, but I also know that I'm doing it by eating well and within guidelines for my height and activity level.

Yay, Andrea! It DOES feel good, doesn't it! I weighed in yesterday at 145! I'm pretty excited about that, too!

Must be off now!
Love to all!
Lenora

That's a great suggestion Jillian, I will try it. I've been having Reduced Fat Wheat Thins or Soy Crisps after work, but even those can get out of hand. I went for two walks today - dinner was grilled salmon, brown rice, and stir fry veggies with a sauce (yes, there was sugar in it, but at least I ate a lot of veggies).
You are doing great Lenora - I think you have found what works for you.
We should start a new thread soon.

Andrea

I am very excited about this ladies! I think all of you are doing a great job to modify your lifestyles to reach better health. I come from a background of bad eating habits and a bad relationship with food in general. I have never been a junk food fanatic, just poor portion control and emotional eating. Before I met my husband, I was very active and outdoorsy so it wasn't an issue. Unfortunately, my DH isn't an active type, more bookish and a computer geek. But, after 10 years, I've gotten him to be more active than he was. I have dealt with mild eating disorders in the past as well, so I have to be careful of the way I view food. I'm trying to get healthy without tearing up every shred of self esteem I have. But, any-who, on a lighter note, I am doing somewhat better with my food choices. Over the past week my sweet tooth has emerged and since it was TTOTM I endulged it. Now it's almost like I need a patch to stop the sweets!

So, Jilsty, were you already in fair shape before you started running? I ran track for a little while in HS and I have always enjoyed the physical exertion and "high" but I am in terrible shape right now. I was wondering how you started, like how long did you run at first or did you start walking and ramp up? Also, my boys are 2 1/2 yrs apart. This past fall, my youngest was the same age that my first was when he was born. (Does that make sense?) I thought, OMG what was I thinking having another one at this stage, but at the time, it was perfect and I LOVE having my boys close in age. Plus, I'm potty training the youngest and will have all that behind me. My BFF has waited 4 years between hers, which is great for her lifestyle, but I'm with you, I wanted mine closer together. So if you are thinking of another, I took the approach of grit your teeth and get through the toddler years all at once so you can enjoy the rest of the time with them all older together. Not that I didn't enjoy toddler time, it's just much more work than when their older!

Last night's dinner wasn't good, but I had to attend a very sad visitation for a 3 year old and was wiped out when I got home. We had fish sticks and tater tots with steamed carrots. (My 5 yr old's favorite meal!) I just didn't have it in me to cook. I only go to buy groceries twice a month and next trip is Friday so it is getting slim pickin's here! Tonight is church night so we will eat there but we're having baked ziti with salad and corn so maybe I can control myself. I love pasta so it won't be easy!

I'm excited too mommyrat (what is your real name, I can't call you rat!). I am that way with sweets too, so rarely have them except maybe some chocolate chips.

I'm going to start a new thread - see you there!

I'm LeAnne. Rat is my DH's nickname for me. I thought it was for my love of cheese but he says it's because I can be a rat sometimes. Either way it is an affectionate term! I use it in my usernames alot because it's not a commonly taken term.

Ok, someone tell me where the thread has been moved to! All it tells me is that the Spring 07 thread has been moved and I can't find it. HELP!

I havent been on much since the hubby has been home but I knew that would happen. Now we are settling into a routine. He has got me going to the gym. hes helping me find workouts that work the areas I am unhappy with. I have decided not to get a scale and to focus on improving the areas I dont like, mainly abs and thighs.
I have worked on getting healthy meals going not just for me but for the kids too. Last night we had ranch tuna pasta salad on a bed of lettuce and jello. tonight we are having white meat chicken stir fry with spring vegtables.

Sounds like you all are doing so good. I hope I fall in line with you.

Oh almost forgot to mention Im going in for yoga class tommorow and belly dance on fridays. The women seem nice and say its alot of fun. they seem to be my kind of girls. The kind of army wives who use deployment as time for self improvement rather than going out to party so it will be healthy mentally and physically.