Pixies Power 2009

[FlirtWithMe]

I came across an old thread today called Pixies Power (http://www.pixies-place.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27124) and was inspired reading through it, especially by Loulabelle's fantastic weight loss in the beginning of last year http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/bowdown.gif January is a time when many of us will be looking to lose weight, start something or give up something, so I figured now would be a good time to start a new thread for 2009. Lil's final post on the original thread was a great one to end such a thread on so I didn't want to tag to the end of that :p

Here's what Lilith wrote in her original thread:

I'd like to create a small corner here for those of us who need support in our efforts to change our lifestyle meaning things like habits (such as smoking or even financial spending), dietary changes, or exercise. I'm envisioning a place to brag about accomplishments (no matter how small) or bitch about failures, to cheer each other on to making better choices, to offer each other insight and encouragment. I think it would be a great place to report or keep a running record of daily, weekly, monthly, goals and what good choices you are making.

I found this site www.tickerfactory.com that has tickers to keep track of your goals and achievements. I'm sure there are other places too with behavior modification tools.

This would also be the place to discuss tactics you have found useful to help you to make those choices, as well as feelings about how the choices you are making are impacting your life. Feel free to blog here, record keep, celebrate or whine.If you would like to join in, post right here and we'll see what we can achieve together :nod:

[FlirtWithMe]

My goal is to lose my excess weight, and there's a good bit to go. I'll keep it simple - eat less crap, exercise more. Sounds so easy when written like that but we all know it's not :huh:

I plan on posting here my good days, bad days and days in between, and probably most important, I need to post what exercise I'm doing, as this is my major weak area. That, and chocolate :rolleyes:

I will take photos of myself on Monday morning, and measure various parts of me, then every 10lbs lost I'll take photos and measurements again so I will begin to see a smaller me both in pictures and numbers.

Deep breath. Here we go...

[Lilith]

I'm still working on my goals. I'm a wreck :p I have so many areas I wanted to improve upon but I need to hone in on just a couple in order to not overwhelm myself and ensure failure.

[dicksbro]

I lost close to 30 pounds towards the end of 2007 ... and now, I've been struggling just to keep that off. Cold weather hasn't helped with my walking and I haven't been getting up early enough to take advantage of the hallway at our parish hall (which a year ago I used as an indoor place to walk). Still working on it and hopeful this year I can shed some more. I'd like to drop another 20 or 30 pounds but it's going to take a lot of work.

[osuche]

I'm going to join the group, although I may not be able to report in daily - life has been a bit complicated recently and it's kept me away from Pixies. However, I'll post every time I log in....and I am always available via email if you want to chat/exchange ideas.

I have two goals for the year - lose 20 lbs. and focus on making myself happy. They're really inter-related....I eat when I am stressed or unhappy. I need to come up with some criteria for the happiness thing -- but I think the biggest issue is working on my romantic life. :)

Good luck to everyone as you start your new regimens!

I am going to the gym again today -- I went yesterday also -- and I am going to work on eating more veggies. I've also switched from regular tea to green tea. I'm also going to log every calorie (like I used to) on www.fitday.com

[Aqua]

According to Wii Fit (Wii Fat? :p ) I am overweight. I really don't think so, and the general consensus is that the Wii is on crack. I'm just under 6' and 187 lbs. I would like to lose about seven of those, however, so I will join in with my progress.

[Lilith]

One thing I have decided is to control waste. The first place I have to tackle that is in my closet. I buy too much and don't like/wear enough of what is there to keep it and justify the $$ spent. For now I buy nothing unless I try it on and LOVE it. I am also going to purge my closet of everything that does not fit me well.

[FlirtWithMe]

I'm also going to log every calorie (like I used to) on www.fitday.comThis looks like a very useful tool, and I joined yesterday after finding a link you'd posted on the original Pixies Power thread, so thank you for that :) I don't think I will be logging all my food on there but the sections I'm planning to use are Activities, Weight, Weight Goal, Journal(??), Moods, Body, Stats, Calendar, Reports. I love seeing stats of my weight loss so I think the FitDay tools will suit me well :thumb:

I am also going to purge my closet of everything that does not fit me well.I have done this recently and it feels so much better than having it sit around, unused. I figure by the time I fit back into those clothes I will want to splurge on some new ones :nod:


:line: Good Luck, Pixies! :line:

[FlirtWithMe]

I'm planning on following a walking plan I just found. It starts out at 20 mins each day, half of which is warming up and down, so nothing too shocking to start with. It works up gradually over the twelve weeks to 45 mins including warm up/down.

The 12-Week Walking Plan can be downloaded here as a pdf document (http://www.readersdigest.com.au/images/au/healthsmartwalkingbooklet.pdf).

Would anyone like to join me?

:)

[Coaster]

ok... i need to lose about 15lbs.... so I'll join in!

[txgrneyes]

I'm in.

I just want to feel and look sexy in bed...so how ever much weight I need to take off then so be it.

and I will need all the encouragement I can get.


Flirtwithme that is a great plan...I am starting it on Monday. My daughter is too. She wants to get in shape so she can feel better about the uniform she needs to wear on the field when she is on the color gaurd during football season.

So I will be posting both our progress.

Wish us luck...and good luck to all joining in.

Nat

[FlirtWithMe]

Great to see more people joining in, I'm feeling positive about the support we can give to each other :thumbs: I was chatting with a friend earlier and got some great tips, and he's happy for me to share them on this thread. I hope some of you find them useful :)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slow Grind's Tips:
(and if anyone's seen pics of this guy's body, you'll see he knows what he's talking about) ;)

1) Have something to distract you during the solo exercise - music, TV etc

2) Try to have a friend to exercise with you when you can

3) Tell a trusted friend about your goal and plan, and have them check up on you, encourage you, keep you going

4) Your goal is to improve your health over a certain period of time and that involves exercise and eating right. Don't worry about the number [on the scale], it's the process that counts - a 40lb loss from a 50lbs goal should not be seen as a failure

5) Be realistic, don't be too hard on yourself, and don't try to do too much, too soon. Think about the long-term goal and less about the day to day
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(((Thank You SG)))

I have an ipod so I'll listen and walk; I can occasionally exercise with a friend; one or two trusted friends (and anyone who reads this) know my plan, and I know they'll give me encouragement, in addition to the support shared on this thread; I will try to see any reduction in weight as a success, but need to see that I don't get complacent half-way. I do have a goal weight and time in mind, but I won't give up if it takes longer; and finally, I will force myself to stick to the walking plan and not think I can do more from the outset. Realistically I know that if I start on Week 12 of the plan, without working up to it, I'll be good for a week or so and then I'll crash and burn and not be fit for anything. I need to avoid that.

Nat, nice to hear that your daughter is joining in with you, it's a real support having someone so close to lean on during the good days and bad :thumb:

[Lilith]

I just cleaned out my lingerie, panty, bra and sock drawers. It's amazing the crazy shit that I had that I may not have worn. Some I simply bought for pics :p

Last night I had spaghetti, and fresh baked bread, two no-nos for diabetics. I stuck to one piece of the bread and only put 1/2 of the amount of pasta that I wanted on my plate. I ate a big nice salad first. I was full enough and was pleasantly surprised this morning with a FBG of 110. Go me.

FWM- what time of day are you walking? I am struggling to figure out where to fit it in my day.

[FlirtWithMe]

I just cleaned out my lingerie, panty, bra and sock drawers. It's amazing the crazy shit that I had that I may not have worn. Some I simply bought for pics :p*whispers* I have some I bought just for pics, too, I'm glad I'm not the only one :p :o

FWM- what time of day are you walking? I am struggling to figure out where to fit it in my day.My plan is to walk in the evenings before I sit down with the laptop on my knee. I figure if I have time enough alone to sit here with the laptop looking at porn, I have time enough to walk first, so my goal is no porn until AFTER I've walked :p

Well done for resisting more pasta and bread than you wanted last night :thumb: It is far to easy to eat too large a portion of both, especially freshly baked bread. I love eating, which is part of my problem, but as long as I can fill up on something, I can usually feel satisfied, so salads and cooked veggies will be increased here, too :nod:

[1nutworld]

since my diet I was on went by the wayside...OH about 21 days in....I'll join too.
or at least give it an effort.

[osuche]

I am Aqua's exact weight but only 5'9" -- a women's size 12 or 14 depending on the cut. I want to to be 165 lbs....which I think will put me at an 8 or 10. ( I generally don't disclose my weight, so this is a leap of faith to keep me honest in my weight loss!)

So far I have done nothing but go up by 2 lbs - which makes no sense as I've done 3 straight days at the gym and ate moderately for 2 of the 3. Go figure.

I have found that my weight "lags" my actual performance by about a week. A week of being good will translate into lower weight on day 8 or 9. Anyone else have a similar experience?

/me crosses fingers that next week will be better.

[Lilith]

I did 3 months of kick boxing and gained weight, osuche. They say changes in muscle tone/mass look like weight gain in the beginning.

I am focusing on my stomach area for excercise currently. Worked the ab lounger thingy 2 days so far and will do it tonight when I get home.

It's my first day back and it will be a day where I am running 7am-7pm. I'm going to try to stay chilled and keep the stress to a minimum.

[FlirtWithMe]

I am Aqua's exact weight but only 5'9"I am a few inches shorter and several pounds heavier. I might post my weight here when I've shed a few pounds :o I have just over 50lbs to lose to rid myself of the past five years' weight gain and, according to my BMI, I will then *just* fall into the top end of the 'healthy' weight range. My current BMI is 33.39 :banghead:

Good luck for next week, osuche. Exercise and muscle tone will definitely have an impact on weight. 1lb of muscle takes up less space than 1lb of fat, so extra pounds might be coupled with smaller measurements.

If anyone hasn't yet taken body measurements, I would definitely recommend doing this and repeating every few weeks or every few pounds lost. It's great to see the difference on paper after a few weeks, and even if the scale hasn't moved much you'll no doubt see a difference in measurements, which is a real boost :nod: I've followed the Body Measurement table on FitDay and measured neck, bicep, forearm, chest, waist, hips thigh and calf.

I've also taken photographs of the scale, showing my starting weight :yikes: and of myself, front, back and sides, wearing only underwear :yikes: :yikes: I'll do this every ten pounds or so that I lose. Hopefully after a few weeks I'll see a difference.

My first day went well. It almost didn't. I was very motivated before I started, then awoke in the morning wondering if I should just wait another day before starting. Convinced myself that if I did that, in reality I would actually be throwing away another week (since all diets can only begin on a Monday :p ). At certain points during the day, I was crawling the walls, wanting to eat all the 'bad' foods I could lay my hands on. I would liken it to craving a cigarette when trying to quit smoking. Not a nice feeling at all, but I pulled my way through it and realised if I do that, get through the other side each time I feel like that, I will feel much better than if I give in and sneak in a whole load of crap food part-way through the afternoon.

In the end, my first day was good. I ate healthily, ate smaller portions and, most importantly, I started my 12 week walking plan. I only needed to walk for 20 mins and I did that. So I think all in all, the first day was a success and I am ready to tackle Tuesday :thumb:

I am focusing on my stomach area for excercise currently. Worked the ab lounger thingy 2 days so far and will do it tonight when I get home.Is that one of those roller bar thingys to help with sit-ups? If it is, I have one of those :nod: I'm going to start that next week, after a week of walking. How many are you doing each night?

How did Monday go for the rest of you?

[Lilith]

Monday sucked. I was at workshops all day. I was back at work falling into bad habits. I woke up and started fresh today.

The ab lounger is this http://www.bikudo.com/photo_stock/916749.jpg

It's just a simple way to do sit ups instead of the floor. I have a really bad back so it is the best way for me to be able to focus on my stomach and not my back muscles. I do 50 crunches several times throughout the day. When I had a large tumor removed a couple of years ago I was left with a 13 inch abdominal incision that has to be dealt with as well when it come to sit ups.

[Coaster]

OK........ First of all... no one has mentioned the fact that you should consult with your doctor before any real diet/fitness program. I hope you do at least pick up the phone and chat with your doctor and/or nutritionist.

For those of you that can't be bothered to roll off your Lazy Boy or overstuffed sofa's to walk to your doctor, I've brought the doctor to you! Remember his words when you need to relieve some of your daily stress and feel like slipping back your old EASY mode of stuffing your face! OK... read on and enjoy!

I love this Doctor


Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! .... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:

'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO, What a Ride'
AND.....

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION

Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

:D :thumbs:

[Lilith]

Had a much better day. Got a cuppa coffee around lunch time for a nice change and that helped keep me going. I also had my favorite smoothie for an afternoon snack. People are noticing the changes in me. They can see I feel better and that I am much more positive.

[FlirtWithMe]

Coaster, thanks for the tips :p and the laugh, I needed it :boobs:

Lilith that ab lounger looks great! Mine is a more simple model, one that goes on the floor but the same kind of idea, helping to keep the right position when doing sit-ups. Glad you've had a better day today :thumb:

Today was easier for me, much more so than yesterday. Food I've eaten today has been healthy, I've not craved sweet things so much, and I walked further in the same amount of time. I am a little concerned about my ankles and achilles tendon as I tend to hold my left ankle a little stiffly on the treadmill, and I've had problems with my achilles tendon my right leg in the past. I got a twinge today before I walked but it settled and didn't hurt whilst I was walking. Hopefully if I stretch then it shouldn't cause me to have to stop.

I feel like I've past the hurdle of the first couple of days, and now I'm looking forward to weighing myself on Monday to see how I'm doing :)

1nutworld, good to see you :wave:

[txgrneyes]

Well, just thought I would give an update.

It has been a bit slow starting to get the walking plan going. We have been fighting some kind of stomach bug here. My daughter had it first, then me, and now her again. Thank goodness my son has not had it. But our appetite is not that great so maybe we are loosing some weight not in a good way though. I our health is a bit more important than the scale or inches at this point.

Oh well, tommorrow is another day. I will start it then. Still cleaning my house from the illness...and that is a work out in itself.

Talk later....

Nat

[FlirtWithMe]

I hope the bug leaves you all soon, Nat. That is one thing I really dread, stomach bugs are no fun at all, especially when they hop back and forth between family members http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sick001.gif

I have had a good day again today, eating healthy food and completing day 3 of my walking plan. I roasted a chicken today and removed and discarded the skin as soon as it came out of the oven so I wasn't tempted to eat it. Much as I love chicken skin, I can't afford the calories :rolleyes: I have some leftover chicken I plan to mix with risoni and some vegetables to make a large salad and eat it over the next couple of days.

So far, so good :thumb:

[FlirtWithMe]

Posting quickly now as I'm craving sugar in the form of cakes and chocolate :banghead: I am about to start today's walk and hope that once I'm finished the craving will be gone. I feel better just writing it down :thumb:

I hope everyone is doing well, and Nat, I hope you and your family are feeling somewhat better today :)

[FlirtWithMe]

I completed Day Four of the walking plan :line:

It's only 20 minutes each day this week so not a lot, but it fixed my craving :thumbs:

[txgrneyes]

Yes we are better...sore but better. We all went back to school and work today. Still havent started the walk plan but we are working on recovery at this point.

I am going to kick start everything this weekend by cleaning the yard...brush and all. Cutting some trees back and just general yard work.

As far as the eating. doing good. we are cutting back, drinking more water, no sodas...except today it was really good too. I only had 1 cup, 3 oz to be exact. for the last two days lived on saltine crackers and sprite. So I thought I one cup wouldn't hurt.

Oh well....sexy here I come.

Nat.

[FlirtWithMe]

Glad to hear you're feeling better! Good idea to recover completely before starting the plan :nod: Have fun clearing the yard, that's great exercise :thumb:

[osuche]

Glad everyone is positive and making progress. Very cool! FWM, I like that you actually wrote down a plan and are committing to it (mine is just in my head). Lil, I am thrilled people can see your changes already :)

I went to the gym 5 of the past 7 days, and walked for an hour each day that I didn't go to the gym. I've also been trying to work in some house cleaning daily to increase the additional calorie burn. Yesterday I scrubbed the bathrooms - today I plan to vacuum.

I've been eating somewhat smaller portions. I got a salad instead of a burger on Wednesday, and today I ordered cole slaw instead of fries. I'm trying to leave at least a little food on my plate for every meal. And I wanted to snack tonight, so I had carrots and hummus. Hummus is still high calorie, but at least it's good for you.

I've been doing "average" cario but LOTS of extra weights...and my muscles have been sore. I think I'll reward myself tonight with a bath.

So far, I am down 1 lb.

[FlirtWithMe]

Sounds like you're doing great, osuche :thumbs:

I've found that if I write down my goals here, I feel more accountable, and however tough it is I'm more likely to stick with it than risk http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing015.gif if I fail :o If previous attempts are anything to go by I will likely hit a wall a few weeks in and risk jacking it in completely. If I can get past that by posting here, I should be good for another few weeks.

Hummus, I lurve hummus! I try to make my own so I can use the minimum amount of oil without it being too dry, usually adding sun-dried tomatoes, and leaving out the tahini.

I haven't walked yet today but should get time to do that within the next two hours. I'll post here when I'm done :wave:

[FlirtWithMe]

Day Five of the Walking Plan complete :thumb:

There doesn't seem to be a Saturday or Sunday on the plan http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/ponder.gif I feel I should do something at the weekend because if I don't I know I'll be sluggish come Monday. I shall continue with 20 minutes Saturday and the same Sunday, then move on to Week Two of the plan on Monday :nod:

Have a great weekend :wave:

[FlirtWithMe]

Day Six went really well :thumbs:

I'm really enjoying the walking plan :nod: The walking is getting easier each day, and it's suiting me to walk everyday rather than every other day as I have in the past.

My food choices have been healthy today, and where the f and I've had no cravings for sugary things :line:

It's going well so far :D

How is everyone else doing?

[Lilith]

I'm going through some stuff since the Dr changed my diabetes meds. My sugars are higher again so that makes me hungrier. I've been doing ok. I am still using the ab thingy.

I gave in to a StarBucks craving today but got the small size and splenda.

[Coaster]

I've dropped 3lbs... Had 1/2 my usual serving of oatmeal, honey and dried cranberries for breakfast. Then vegetable soup for lunch. For dinner we had venison steaks (about 4oz) and drizzled some onions caramelized in olive oil, green beans we had frozen and potatoes cooked in frypan in olive oil and herbs from Mrs Coaster's garden...... all very yummy!

Then I found the 7 chocolate cherries I had gotten for Christmas........

[Lilith]

I took Veg Head to the local Co-op and I bought a treat for after healthy dinners,
http://www.kopaliorganics.com/files/images/Kopaliadditionalphoto1small.jpg

[rabbit]

I've been doing "average" cario but LOTS of extra weights...and my muscles have been sore. I think I'll reward myself tonight with a bath.

So far, I am down 1 lb.

Excellent work here. And I am the same as you...results usually trail by a week to 10 days. Sucks, I know.

I am determined to get back to where I was, conditioning wise, 10 years ago. I'm off to a good start. Current weight is 178, down from 183 on January 1. Tomorrow is cardio day...3 miles on treadmill at 6.3 - 7.0 mph. Mebbe some upper body if I am up to it (still sore from yesterday...my tits feel like they are gonna fall off.)

Ah well...

[osuche]

...my tits feel like they are gonna fall off.)

Ah well...


That was me on Thursday! I forgot and did chest press two days in a row, and I swear to God I thought they were going to explode. I typically wear sexy demi bras...and instead that day I chose the biggest, tightest bra I could find in a sad attempt to keep my chest muscles immobilized! :p

I'll lend it to 'ya if you want to try it. :D ;)

I slipped yesterday. I had a late breakfast, skipped lunch, then found Burger King around 4 pm. I restrained myself to 1 Jr. burger with no mayo....then I made it to an 8 pm party and gorged on chips and guacamole.

At least I hiked for an hour....that helped. This morning I woke up feeling too full and greasy, though -- not a good sign.

Today will be better. I have a workout planned, and also about 4 hours of dancing tonight is on the agenda.

I regained the 1 lb, but I think it's water weight. I am swiftly approaching the PMS zone. :(

[FlirtWithMe]

Coaster, I would be inclined, especially now when the weather is so cold and you're out shoveling snow, to eat a normal portion of oatmeal for breakfast :nod: I firmly believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day so if it were me, I would eat something substantial and then maybe have a lighter evening meal instead (the meal you described with the venison sounds delish) :) Well done for losing 3lbs already, I'm impressed :cheerlead

Lilith, I hope your sugars settle with the new meds soon. Great that you're continuing with the ab thingy :thumb: I have gone as far as moving the ab roller to the room where I'll be using it but not done more than that. Last week I wrote I would start to use it week 2, so I guess that's today. I will start after my walk today, when I'm nicely loosened up.

The choc bananas look delish, but I can't succumb to such things so early on as I will likely then go off the rails :banghead:

rabbit, are you running the three miles on the treadmill? I'm walking at 4.5mph and I'm not sure how much faster I can go without flying off the end, so I'm guessing you're running! Well done for losing 5lbs so far, that's great :thumb:

osuche, it sounds like you do a whole lot of exercise, so I wouldn't worry too much about a handful of chips and a burger. The hiking most likely cancelled them out, not to mention four hours of dancing (hope you had a good time!) :)

txgrneyes I hope things are going well for you :wave:

Who else was there? dicksbro, Aqua and 1nutworld, check in when you can, I know you're busy :nod:

Day Seven went really well for me, and I am at the stage where I look forward to walking. I'm loving the slow build-up and I am finding it easier just after one week, so I think the walking plan is a good one for me. I add five minutes of fast walking today so I expect today to be tougher than yesterday but by this time next week I will hopefully find it a breeze, ready for the next increase.

It's weighing time for me today. I shall be back later with the results :yikes:

[FlirtWithMe]

...just look at my smiling face as everything finally falls into place :D http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/260_emoticon.gif :D

OK that's enough singing from me :p

I weighed myself and the result of my first week is 6.5lbs lost http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sport035.gif :line: http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/woot.gif

I know it is TOO MUCH to lose over a long period of time, and I am only likely to lose a small amount each week from now, but what a boost for the first week :faint: :cheerlead :thumbs:

[dm383]

...

I weighed myself and the result of my first week is 6.5lbs lost http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sport035.gif :line: http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/woot.gif

I know it is TOO MUCH to lose over a long period of time, and I am only likely to lose a small amount each week from now, but what a boost for the first week :faint: :cheerlead :thumbs:

Gaunyersel, sweetie! Well done you! :D

[texguy6213]

can we see the photographic proof FWM? preferably with as little clothing as possible? nekkie weight pics!! :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

[Navarre]

...just look at my smiling face as everything finally falls into place :D http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/260_emoticon.gif :D

OK that's enough singing from me :p

I weighed myself and the result of my first week is 6.5lbs lost http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sport035.gif :line: http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/woot.gif

I know it is TOO MUCH to lose over a long period of time, and I am only likely to lose a small amount each week from now, but what a boost for the first week :faint: :cheerlead :thumbs:

Congrats!!!

[Coaster]

EXCELLENT JOB Flirt!!!! You should be able to lose almost as much this week then it will slow to a more manageable amount each week!

That's OVER 10% of your goal!!!!!!!!!!!!! :line: :thumbs:

Keep it up as you keep us up!!! :D

[FlirtWithMe]

DM, Moran taing, sweetie :kisser:

texguy, I'm taking snapshots every few pounds I lose but I think I'd be doing you a BIG favour by keeping them to myself as they ain't pretty :yikes: :p Keep talking and I might show you the final pic :boobs:

Navarre and Coaster, thank you both, I'm still beaming :D

Yesterday was a good day and I'm really happy how it's going so far, as I think is noticeable in my last post :p Today is going really well, too. I found the increase of five minutes on my Walking Plan to be more of a trial than I expected, but I did it, trying to focus more on the music blasting out of my ipod than on the walking, that helped a lot.

I noticed on the plan sheet that it says to take two days rest from exercise. Of course, I read that AFTER I'd walked both Saturday and Sunday :rolleyes: I will still walk next weekend but maybe go back to last week's plan for those two days. I think two whole days of rest and I'll lose my momentum.

I'm walking at 4.5mph^^^ I was wrong when I typed this. The speed I am walking at is 4mph. 4.5mph would surely break me into a jog.

I have started doing sit-ups using the ab roller, as I wrote that I would in my last post. I did 150 in total, 6 sets of 25 reps. 50 'normal' ones (front) and 50 to each side. I don't know if that's enough but I will continue with that this week and start to increase next week :eek:

I hope things are going well for the rest of you :wave:

[Lilith]

Flirt With Me- Do you work outside the home? I struggle to stick to my lunch plans when presented with alternate choices.

[rabbit]

I'll lend it to 'ya if you want to try it. :D ;)

There's only ONE way I will accept it from you, and that's if you take it off in front me and hand it over. :brows:

I had another session at the gym yesterday but am resting today as I feel that I strained my right achilles tendon just slightly. Feels perfect right now, but it didn't this morning. Will hit it up again tomorrow, weather permitting.

and, yeah. I slipped too last night. Chocolate chip ice cream...two scoops...BEFORE BED. Dumb, but fucking wonderful! :p



rabbit, are you running the three miles on the treadmill? I'm walking at 4.5mph and I'm not sure how much faster I can go without flying off the end, so I'm guessing you're running! Well done for losing 5lbs so far, that's great :thumb:

Thanks!!! Stretching first, then the treadmill. First minute and a half is a walk at 4.2, just to loosen up, then I begin my run. Sounds like you are doing well too, FWM. Keep it up!!! :thumbs:

[FlirtWithMe]

Flirt With Me- Do you work outside the home? I struggle to stick to my lunch plans when presented with alternate choices.I do but not full-time. I am usually with one or both of my young children and when we go out for the day I prepare lunch and snacks for us all the night before and take it with us so I have a choice only of what I've taken with me. If I didn't pack my own lunch I would end up skipping it and piling in the chocolate later on :o

First minute and a half is a walk at 4.2, just to loosen up, then I begin my run. Sounds like you are doing well too, FWM. Keep it up!!! :thumbs:Thanks rabbit :D Your legs evidently work much faster than mine and you're in a lot better shape than I am if your warm-up speed is faster than my brisk walking speed :p I had to cover my eyes at your mention of chocolate chip ice cream!

Today nearly ended badly. Tiredness was getting the better of me and sleep nearly won over my walk but I dragged myself to the treadmill. It was tough, I felt yesterday's walk with every step and was tempted to slow down the pace but eventually I only had a minute or two left of the brisk walking so I stuck it out and ended up walking the same distance as yesterday :thumb:

Then I felt yesterday's sit-ups when I did 150 more :eek: I'd forgotten what next-day sit-ups feel like, it's been so long since I did them :p

Goal for tomorrow - walk earlier in the day (circumstances at home have temporarily changed meaning I should be able to do this now).

[FlirtWithMe]

I just found some information about 'Biggest Losers'. I have not seen the tv show, but found a great slideshow with 'before' and 'after' pics of the contestants. If you'd like to view it, find the link to 'Biggest losers: Before and after' on the Slideshow links to right of this page: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/28239000/. Unfortunately I can't do a direct link to the slideshow.

[txgrneyes]

Ok...well we me and my daughter are doing good with the eating thing. But I believe that is because we just still dont have any appitites. The exercise thing is not going as well. They adjusted my work schedule so my exercise schedule got blown to hell....thank boss.

I am trying to get plenty of rest and exercise which I have been told they go hand and hand.


OH well...tommorrow is another day to start again.

Way to go everybody.....i am so proud of you..... :thumbs:


nat

[FlirtWithMe]

It's very annoying when outside factors affect what we want and have planned to do :banghead: I hope you can find a way round it so you can schedule your exercise at a decent hour.

Sounds like the eating is going well, and even if your appetite returns with a vengeance, your stomach will most likely be smaller so you'll feel fuller with less food. Hopefully! That's the only up side to being sick like that!

Sickness has hit this household today :rolleyes2 I hope it will stay confined to my daughter but as these things usually sweep through families at a time, I am not holding out much hope. Fingers crossed if I get sick, it will be short-lived :eek: I wonder if all the extra cleaning and laundry count as exercise :rolleyes:

[FlirtWithMe]

Thankfully my daughter's sickness remained mainly with her. I didn't feel so good Thursday morning and thought I was going to throw up but it didn't develop into anything and we all seem fully recovered today :thumb:

The Walking Plan nearly floored me earlier in the week :yikes: but by Thursday's walk I wasn't finding it too bad. I have to add another 5 minutes to the brisk walking part for Week Three and that will be tough but if this week is anything to go by it should be easier by Thursday. I was thinking about repeating Week Two but looking at the plan I see that Weeks Five and Six remain the same as Week Four so I'll grit my teeth for the next two weeks and hopefully settle into some kind of rhythm in Weeks Four to Six. At the weekend I don't want to NOT exercise so I'll do a longer walk at a slower pace rather than resting completely.

I have done 150 sit-ups with the ab roller every day this week. I feel I could do more now so I will increase on Monday.

Nothing different to report on food. Eating smaller portions, not eaten anything I shouldn't, it's going really well. No chocolate/candy/alcohol for nearly two weeks!

I have been drinking nettle tea, it's said to reduce cravings and be generally good for you. I make up a pan of it in the morning with two nettle tea bags and two fruit tea bags and drink it throughout the day, warm or cold. If you haven't tried nettle tea, I would recommend it, I really think it helps fight cravings :nod:

How are the rest of you doing? What are you snacking on? Anyone found any 'wonder foods' we should all know about?

[lovemelongtime]

Ok I will also join in I need to loose weight... I want to be able to fit into a bikini and look good in it

[FlirtWithMe]

Ok I will also join in I need to loose weight... I want to be able to fit into a bikini and look good in itHey lovemelongtime, welcome to Pixies, happy to have you join this thread :wave:

[lovemelongtime]

Thankyou very much FWM

[FlirtWithMe]

The more the merrier! Good luck with your weight loss :)

Updating quickly to say I did Friday's walk. Found that if I cover the figures on the treadmill so I can't see the time on the brisk part of my walk, I can judge how long I've walked by music. I kept telling myself I have to listen to two more songs before looking at the time, then extended this to another two and another two and so on and so forth until I felt there must only be a two or three minutes left. This method worked really well as I didn't look at the clock until a few seconds after it was time to start my five mins cool-down :thumb: It made a big difference psychologically.

Sit-ups using the ab roller felt really easy today, so instead of 6 sets of 25 reps, I did 3 sets of 50 reps, and will increase this from Monday.

Food: not eaten enough today but the whole day was kinda pissy. I'm sure I'll make up for it tomorrow.

[Lilith]

I always had to cover the display when I worked on machines at the gym too. That is part of why I'm working to make more opportunities for excercise in my daily routine.

I have done ok this week. I lost a couple pounds and my sugars are starting to come down again. I did get a hold of some crack this week, aka conversation hearts. One night my sugars were 281 after a high carb low protein dinner that I followed up with a small handful of those hearts. It scared me. That is the way my #s used to be all the time and I don't want to go back to that place. So I am trying to be more conscious. Bigger meals with carbs earlier in the day when I still am energetic enough to burn them off. The great news is that I do not eat after dinner at all anymore. Not a snack not even a bite.

I worked 4, 12 hour days this week so ab lounging was not a priority. Next week will be easier.

[txgrneyes]

Just checking in....still doin good on the food intake...but like lilith I am working way to much to even fuction. So next week will be better....it has to be.

Nat.

[FlirtWithMe]

Lilith, great that you lost 2lbs AND aren't snacking in the evenings :thumb: Sounds like you and Nat have both had tough weeks at work - here's to a calmer week next week :)

Walked an hour on the treadmill on Saturday, at a slightly slower pace than I do when following the walking plan. I am going to try to do the same today. I might do it now, in fact, to get it out of the way. Very busy day for the rest of today so should burn some more calories.

Four sets of 50 sit-ups. The final set was a challenge, to say the least :yikes: I am going to increase this to 6 sets of 50 from Monday.

Weigh-in tomorrow.

[osuche]

Checking in....no real weight loss (still coping with water weight) but generally I've been better about eating healthy foods and exercising. I went hiking AND to the gym yesterday. Today is a hiking day too.

[FlirtWithMe]

The hiking sounds like fun, osuche!

Two weeks in and things are still going (surprisingly) well for me. I walked an hour on Sunday and then began Week Three of the Walking Plan yesterday (Mon). I was dreading it, truth be told, as I had to increase the 'brisk' part of the walk by another five minutes :yikes: I covered the display and listened to music, deciding I should listen to at least six songs before looking at the display. When I finally looked, I found I had walked 2 minutes too long and should have already started my cool-down walking at a much slower pace. That was a real boost as I'd told myself I still had a few minutes left before I start cooling down. Let's hope Tuesday's walk goes as easily.

After that I did 300 sit-ups - 6 sets of 50, and will continue with that everyday this week, along with the walking.

I weighed myself and I've lost 4.5lbs this week :D :thumbs: making a total of 11lbs :faint: so I'm overjoyed! I expect to settle to 1 or 2lbs each week now, although I'm pre-menstrual so next week there's a chance I could lose much less :rolleyes:

I have taken new pictures of myself, front, back and to the sides and will continue to do this after each 10lbs lost. I have measured myself quickly and know I've lost several inches but will officially measure after four or five weeks.

Food-wise, I am not doing anything special, not following a plan or counting calories. I have cut out things I don't need, such as the bags of candy, bars of chocolate, alcohol etc, all of which used to disappear at a frightening rate. I am eating smaller portions, too, but never going hungry.

:line: Good Luck to all for Week Three :line:

[txgrneyes]

just checking in....seems like everyone is doin pretty good. Way to Go.


I am just getting started and back on track. again...work has been hell and sooooo tired when i get home. but it is a mental tired. but I am walking a bit and feeling better (just a little) the "me" time is helping my whole attitude. I dont feel like killing anyone because I am just to tired to bother. So I guess that is a plus.

My daughter is a bit discouraged...she is not seeing results just yet. So I am trying to be encouraging. AFter all she is 13 and can loose the weight so much easier than me. It will happen.


Just checking in....

[BIBI]

I am concentrating soley on being a non smoker....almost three months now and I have impressed myself LOL :wink:

[Lilith]

You've impressed me too. Great job BIBI

[BIBI]

thanks Lil.....

[Oldfart]

Damn fine.

[rabbit]

Well, I tried to go last Sunday but my achilles was just too sore and I had to quit after 2 tortured miles of my 3 mile run. So I stayed out of the gym this week to rest it. I will be back in tomorrow to see how it goes.

Bibi, I am VERY impressed! Keep it up, you can do it!!!!!

[FlirtWithMe]

Not been here for a while so thought I'd stop by.

txgrneyes - has your daughter measured herself? If she does this, it might help her if she sees the numbers going down on the measuring tape as well as on the scale :nod:

BIBI - congratulations on hitting 3 months :line: I'm on around 18 years now, bar a couple of packets of cigarettes smoked in 2000 :rolleyes: You're doing great, good luck for the next three months :thumb:

rabbit - how's it going with your achilles? Mine's held out so far since I've been walking - fingers crossed my luck will continue. I hope you're recovering.

osuche - I wrote earlier that I'd joined FitDay and I was completing the details on there but after a couple of weeks I decided it wasn't really the tool for me. I rediscovered another site I've used in the past, called extrapounds.com and I've transferred all my information there so will use that from now on. I'm still not recording what I eat but I am recording measurements, weight and activity. I started writing a blog on there, too, although how often I'll post to it remains to be seen :p The site is worth checking out. I think it's much easier to follow and better laid out that FitDay, just my personal opinion :)

I think I'm going to measure myself today, and it's weigh-in day today, too. I'll update later :wave: Things are going ok in general :)

[Lilith]

I had a week of really high BG and was surprised to lose 1.5 this week. 1.5 is my weekly weight loss goal because studies have shown that losing too fast usually means it will come back just as fast. If I can manage 1.5 weekly it will allow me to hit my March goal and hopefully my December one as well.

[Coaster]

Hey........... I LOVE reading what you all are accomplishing! Congrats to texas for beginning again.... it will become easier in time..... it truely becomes a mind game sometimes to talk yourself into walking 15 minutes when all you really want to do is curl up on the sofa watching football drink beer and eat chips & salsa! OOOPS sorry, I was discribing me!!!!

BiBi......... Great job with not smoking! That's even HARDER than trying to lose weight!

Oldfart..... everyone keeps saying that you're "Damn fine"! :D

Rabbit.... it is best to rest it..... but when it feels well enough.. walk a tad, don't run

FWM.... you've been doing GREAT girl! It is proven (and I've DONE it) that you lose more the first 4 weeks of a program and then it may only be 1-2 lbs a week after that... so don't be discouraged if that happens!

Lil.... GREAT JOB too! You may want to begin building up stamina and your cardio by cracking your whip! Alternate hands so you become ambidextrose at it and it works out both arms!:D Hmmmm...... I wonder who we can find for you to "work out " on? :wave: :kissass: :spank:

I'm stuck at my 179..... watching food imput (except those 2 margaritas a couple nights ago) very well for me. Been having salads, roast beef without bread, turkey.... oatmeal for breakfast and a lighter fare for dinner. My weakness because of odd working hours daily is finding time to exercise..... I NEED to improve that and wrap my mind around working out after a 12-15 hr work day! Any suggestions? (Besides quitting a job!)

[FlirtWithMe]

...studies have shown that losing too fast usually means it will come back just as fast.Oh I totally agree, and I am embarrassed to have many years of yo-yo dieting under my belt to prove the point. The pounds I have lost since beginning this year's attempt to lose weight are fully reflective of how much crap I was bingeing on before I started eating sensibly and exercising. It was a lot, and that crap helped my weight to remain high after I piled on the pounds during my last two pregnancies. If I cut out the crap the weight falls off. I started out as obese on 5th January, according to my BMI, and I am still obese, despite having lost 14.5 lbs since that time, so I have a long way to go, but I will get there. I am nearing the end of a more than five year continuous stint of pregnancies and/or breast feeding and I can feel that my eating habits are much easier to control now that I am not breast feeding as much (approx. once or twice each week). It takes a lot out of a person, both physically and mentally.

I don't want anyone reading this to think I might be starving myself in a bid to lose a lot of weight fast. I am not - if I did that, I would end up a smaller shell covered in a lot of sagging skin, and be more miserable with my body than I am at present.

I am not letting myself go hungry, just eating well and exercising more than I have in years. I fully expected to lose only a couple of pounds this week at most as the initial weight loss I saw has to level out at some point. My cravings for chocolate are very few and far between, and I can even walk past cakes and candy in the house now without wanting any, something that I would never have done prior to Jan 5th. That is a big thing for me, and walking past cakes and candy instead of devouring them reduces my calorie intake by literally thousands each week.

The exercising is helping tremendously, and however much of a struggle it has been, especially during the last three or four days, I am forcing myself to exercise everyday, however late in the day. I am determined to lose this, it is bloody hard work, but I am going to do it, and I am blown away happy with my progress so far. Every other attempt has failed, but I can't look at that, I would quit immediately. This time I WILL lose the weight, I WILL get to the weight I was prior to my last two pregnancies, and I WILL keep within a reasonable weight range once I am there. I have to.

I lost 3.5lbs this week :thumbs:
I have taken measurements and lost a total of 8 inches from my body so I'm pretty pleased about that, too!

FWM.... you've been doing GREAT girl! It is proven (and I've DONE it) that you lose more the first 4 weeks of a program and then it may only be 1-2 lbs a week after that... so don't be discouraged if that happens!Thanks hun :x: I am fully expecting to drop to the optimal rate of 1-2 lbs a week and I'm totally ok with that :nod: Thanks for all the encouragement you've shown me, it really helps a lot :)

My weakness because of odd working hours daily is finding time to exercise..... I NEED to improve that and wrap my mind around working out after a 12-15 hr work day! Any suggestions? (Besides quitting a job!)If you're at home and get drawn to Pixies to pass some time, turn off the computer, do some exercise, then return to Pixies for some post-training Smutting :p Seriously! It works for me, I won't settle down to play on Pixies in the evening until I've exercised. Or do some exercise while the dinner is cooking - just 20 minutes each day is a good start, and add 5 mins each week. Good luck - I know how difficult it is to get past a weight you're stuck at but you WILL do it, and I'm sure once you drop lower than 179 a few more pounds will follow suit and things will get easier :)

I hope everyone is having a great week so far - do check in and post to let us know how you're doing. Like Coaster, I enjoy reading how things are going for others - to congratulate achievements and encourage when things aren't going so well. Congrats on losing another 1.5 lbs, Lil!

:line: Good Luck In Whatever You're Trying To Achieve :line:

[Lilith]

Excellent news FWM! I remember being in the hormonal period of my life where making babies was my main goal. Now my goal is to make time to do what is right for me. Keep up the good work.

[rabbit]

Way to go FWM. Keep at it...PERSERVERENCE!!! And Lil, I am so glad you are being righteous with yourself. You deserve.

As for my achilles, all's well now there. Thanks all. My shins have been sore though...that and the achilles tells me that my running shoes are shot. I have a new pair that I will break in tomorrow. I paid my dues today but so wanted to bypass and go home. Am proud of myself that I didn't give in. Now I just want to fall down and go to bed but must help my 9 year old with his homework as soon as he is out of the shower. Ugh.

[FlirtWithMe]

Thank you Lilith and rabbit :)

Good to hear that your achilles is better, rabbit :thumb:

[dm383]

FWM - you are doing awesomely well sweetie...... glad to hear you feel good about it, too. I feel a weirdly proud feeling about your progress!! :D

For myself, I've been (sort of) watching my diet and, more especially my alcohol intake, since november or so. Since then, I've lost just over a stone (18 pounds in Amerispeak!!) and feel sooo much better!

Yay me!

DM

[FlirtWithMe]

Thanks DM :x: I shall endeavour to continue making you proud :D

Well done to you for losing over nearly a stone and a half :thumbs: Keep up the good work, you're doing great :kisser:

[FlirtWithMe]

Well done to you for losing over nearly a stone and a half :thumbs:Over nearly??? :p OK, Well done to you for losing nearly a stone and a half is, of course, what I meant to write :nod:


I have just completed today's walk and sit-ups :thumb: I very, very nearly gave in :banghead: For the first time since starting this, I had to stop the treadmill for a few seconds to take a breather, I thought my body was going to explode :o My legs were walking as fast as they could and I just could not go a step further.

When I got back on, I reduced the speed back down from 4.23 mph to 4.1 mph, as it was last week, and it felt much, much better. I was walking on a steeper incline than last week, and to see that I keep at it and don't quit completely, I will continue on the reduced speed for a couple of weeks, increasing the incline when the program calls for higher intensity. I think that will count as higher intensity... The program talks about intensity in terms of speed but there really is only so fast I can go without flying off the end of the treadmill :p

rabbit, I am totally baffled by your warming up speed being faster than my brisk walking speed! I think I need to put rockets on my feet or something :p

I feel like I've let myself down by reducing the speed but it's either that, or quit completely in another day or two as it would just get too much.

I will maybe try to increase the speed slightly in another couple of weeks, but I think it's better to do the walk, albeit at a slightly slower speed, than to not do it at all. Interestingly, reducing the speed for half of the brisk part of the walk made very little difference to calories burned or distance travelled.

I just re-read that ^^^ and know that I've repeated myself several times! My brain hasn't recovered from the traumatic exercise session yet :p

I am continuing with 300 sit-ups and food is working out great!

Nearly at the end of Week Four, keep going Pixies :thumbs:

[osuche]

I have been watching neither my diet nor my exercise routine...and thus I've not been losing a damn thing. This week, I'll only manage to hit the gym 3 times...and add in a hike and a walk to the mix. It's not enough for me, as my body has grown used to much more activity over the years. :(

The basic problem is that work has been so damn hectic that I've been burning the candle at both ends and shorting myself on sleep and personal time. It needs to stop...but first I need to figure out how to make it stop. Sigh.

I am glad everyone else is doing well. I'll give an update when I am back on track.

[rabbit]

rabbit, I am totally baffled by your warming up speed being faster than my brisk walking speed! I think I need to put rockets on my feet or something :p

I feel like I've let myself down by reducing the speed but it's either that, or quit completely in another day or two as it would just get too much.


FWM ~ There's nothing wrong with reducing speed. I was running at 6.4 for two sessions straight, but haven't been able to work conistently at that speed now for the last three sessions. So I reduce and just keep moving rather than stop or quit. The REAL key is getting into the proper training and cardio zone...that's the sweet spot where you are burning fat most efficiently. IMO, this is the most important consideration.

As for the sit-ups, you can do WAY MORE than I can. I can do 50 lying flat before I have to quit.

Keep up the good work!!! :thumb:

osuche ~ Three times a week in the gym is pretty gosh darn good. Don't be so hard on yourself! ;)

[FlirtWithMe]

osuche ~ Three times a week in the gym is pretty gosh darn good. Don't be so hard on yourself!Yep, I second this! Osuche, you're going great, that's a lot of exercise :thumb:

Keep up the good work!!!Thank you rabbit :) I will continue as I have been and make sure I continue exercising (nearly) every day, without getting to the point where I feel I need to quit.

These past couple of days have been really tough and I've been doing my usual exercise on the treadmill as well going on long, long walks out and about and starting dance classes so today I've just about had it :rolleyes: I am giving myself a day off from the treadmill and won't allow myself to feel bad, since the walking program tells me to take weekends off anyway. I guess one day off in four weeks isn't going to be detrimental, and I did go for a long walk outside today and climbed some hills that felt like they were near vertical :p

I have a confession. I walked into a shop today fully intent on buying several bars of chocolate, and fully intent on eating them all in one sitting :o I walked around the shop several times and walked out of there buying bananas and a couple of other bits. No chocolate :thumb: This is a big thing for me. I still want the chocolate but have proved I can walk past it without buying, and that's what I need to continue doing. This is the stage where it starts getting tough for me, but already I'm doing better than on previous attempts, as I beat my craving in the shop. The problem is that I'm not yet seeing a chocolate-free future.

I lost 3.5 lbs this week, making a total of 18 lbs lost so far :thumb: Another 18 lbs and people might start to notice :p I am aiming to lose 2 lbs by next week, so I can take my next set of pics.

Have a great week everyone :wave:

[Bebi Dempster]

GOOD LUCK and CONGRATULATIONS to all who have achieved or are trying to achieve.

Think I might join in on the Pixies fun/Challenge.

I too want to drop the excess weight i have... which i'm working on thru lapbanding... (due to health reasons it's a must) for me - well peace of mind too.

I want to aslo make it a goal that every month I do something FOR ME, i'm always rushing around for other people and other peoples interest and have neglected to do something for me, be it have a coffee on my own at my favorite place, Or get my hair and nails done.

I also want to get my own place.. this is a goal by June 2009, a land somewhere nice rural and country style to get out of the city.

and i want to begin walking again with my dogs, just getting out somewhere nice and going for a walk, i miss that.

For now that's it but i'm sure more will crop up.

[dm383]

<snip>

I lost 3.5 lbs this week, making a total of 18 lbs lost so far :thumb: Another 18 lbs and people might start to notice :p I am aiming to lose 2 lbs by next week, so I can take my next set of pics.

Have a great week everyone :wave:

Well done sweetie - sadly, I managed to put that on - well, 3 pounds anyway. :(

I'm sure I'm not the only one who is praying for you to lose those 2 pounds..... purely for health reasons, of course!! ;) :D

DM

[FlirtWithMe]

I am giving myself a day off from the treadmill and won't allow myself to feel bad, since the walking program tells me to take weekends off anyway. I guess one day off in four weeks isn't going to be detrimental, and I did go for a long walk outside today and climbed some hills that felt like they were near verticalAfter writing that ^^^ on Monday, I got off my ass and on to the treadmill, so I didn't miss a day after all :thumb:

Yesterday I DID take a day off though. I felt I really needed it. I also ate a small amount of chocolate cake :o The taste wasn't worth the calories so I poured water on the rest of it to prevent me from eating more 'just because'. This morning I've woken up with the resolve to get back on the treadmill and eat healthy food, and I have my dancing class tonight so should burn a few more calories there. Usually after a setback like yesterday I would go buy a whole bunch of crap and eat the lot, so I'm making progress compared with previous attempts at losing weight.
Well done sweetie - sadly, I managed to put that on - well, 3 pounds anyway.It'll come off again easily enough :nod: Here DM, run after these :boobs: it'll help!
I'm sure I'm not the only one who is praying for you to lose those 2 pounds..... purely for health reasons, of course!!The pics after I lose another 2 lbs weren't going to be 'those' kind of pics, I am taking pics after every 10 lbs lost so I can see the difference in my size :p I kinda ran out of ideas for 'other' pics, so I haven't taken any for a while :rolleyes: If you can come up with some ideas for new pics I might be inspired to take some more :thumbs:

Good luck with all your goals, Bebi Dempster :line: Have you had the lapband surgery yet or is that something you're planning on? If you've had it, how long has it been there and how's it going? Is the lapband removed post-weight-loss or it it a permanent thing like gastric bypass surgery? So many questions, can you tell I have a high interest in these things, even though I probably would never have the surgery myself :o

Good luck for the rest of the week, ladies and gents :wave:

[rabbit]

I still want the chocolate but have proved I can walk past it without buying, and that's what I need to continue doing.

Excellent! It's really all about "want to". There's nothing wrong with a nip once in a while. In fact, it's healthy! Moderation is the key. Hey, I ate a scoop of chocolate chip ice cream last night as a reward for working my ass of this week. But if I did that every day, all the pain and sacrifice would be for naught, and I don't want that to happen. I won't let that happen!


I lost 3.5 lbs this week, making a total of 18 lbs lost so far :thumb:

Wow! 18 lbs! Great accomplishment! Keep at it!!!!! :nana:

[rabbit]

GOOD LUCK and CONGRATULATIONS to all who have achieved or are trying to achieve.

Think I might join in on the Pixies fun/Challenge.

I too want to drop the excess weight i have... which i'm working on thru lapbanding... (due to health reasons it's a must) for me - well peace of mind too.

I want to aslo make it a goal that every month I do something FOR ME, i'm always rushing around for other people and other peoples interest and have neglected to do something for me, be it have a coffee on my own at my favorite place, Or get my hair and nails done.

I also want to get my own place.. this is a goal by June 2009, a land somewhere nice rural and country style to get out of the city.

and i want to begin walking again with my dogs, just getting out somewhere nice and going for a walk, i miss that.

For now that's it but i'm sure more will crop up.

Bebi. good luck with your goals!!!! :thumb:

[FlirtWithMe]

Excellent! It's really all about "want to". There's nothing wrong with a nip once in a while. In fact, it's healthy! Moderation is the key. Hey, I ate a scoop of chocolate chip ice cream last night as a reward for working my ass of this week. But if I did that every day, all the pain and sacrifice would be for naught, and I don't want that to happen. I won't let that happen!I hear ya.. I have had more chocolate cake since my last post (nicer choc cake than the other day!) but I am resolved to get back on track as of tomorrow. In the end today I gave myself the day off and didn't walk or do sit-ups. I am going to repeat last week's walking as I don't feel I did it properly this week. I think I only missed a day (not including today, but weekends are supposed to be rest days according to the plan anyway) but still. Even though I have eaten cake, I still don't feel the need to buy chocolate - not at the time of writing this, anyway. I have been REALLY close to it on more than one occasion.

This behavior is completely normal for me btw, and I knew I would hit this point, I just have to get through it and get my mind in the right state to continue. I like what you wrote about the pain and sacrifice being for nothing, rabbit, and you're right about the wanting. I guess I have to distinguish a little in my brain that wanting and needing are two completely separate things. I WILL do this, I have to :nod:

Wow! 18 lbs! Great accomplishment! Keep at it!!!!! :nana:Thank you :D

[txgrneyes]

Way to go everyone..... :thumbs:


Just checking in and letting everyone know i am still here. But I actually fell off the wagon and just gave up. But the attitude is better...Just ALOT of stress my way. I am starting over next week....with a better attitude.


My daughter on the other hand has lost the weight...she went from a size 18 to a size 14. She mainly laid off her soda intake and is drinking water. Not much else has changed in her daily intake....just smaller portions and no seconds. I am so proud of her.


Keep up the good work yall...I 'll keep ya posted.

[FlirtWithMe]

My daughter on the other hand has lost the weight...she went from a size 18 to a size 14. She mainly laid off her soda intake and is drinking water. Not much else has changed in her daily intake....just smaller portions and no seconds. I am so proud of her.Wow that's excellent news, very well done to your daughter, it sounds like she's doing great :line:

Good luck for you starting over, Nat :thumb: Check in and let us know how you're getting on. I usually find the first couple of days after a setback the worst and then the healthy me kicks in :nod:

Weighed myself today. Oh I guess I should admit to the atrocious weekend I had. I ate cake, I think I admitted to that in a previous post but I think I ate more since then :o Then I had two days of no exercise - me starting over yesterday didn't happen. I ate lots of white bread which I don't usually eat anyway, I'm a brown bread gal, got to be nice quality, wholesome etc but for some reason I chose white bread :shrug:

Then I ate some ice cream...

Then I ate chocolate :eek: In much less quantity than the old me would have eaten, but still... more than I should have.

This week, I managed to drop 2 lbs but although I am pleased to have reached a total weight loss so far of 20 lbs, I am not celebrating too hard as I am pretty sure my haywire eating habits of the last couple of days is gonna bite me on the ass next week :p

I'll be back on track from today with exercise, eating well and all that :nod: I have 33 lbs left to lose to reach this first goal I've set (53 lbs total), and that will take me to the top end of healthy on the BMI chart. Once I get to that weight I can re-think my goals, see if I think I am happy there or decide if I want to lose more.

:thumbs: Good Luck For This Week, Pixies, Whatever You Want To Achieve :thumbs:

[FlirtWithMe]

Well, I post here when I'm having good days, so bad days should be posted, too :rolleyes:

This week my resolve has totally gone to the dogs :banghead: I have been eating a whole load of crap food, and I haven't been walking either :o I fully expect it to be reflected when I weigh myself on Monday, and will try to do some damage control Friday-Sunday. If I stay the same weight, and don't gain any, by Monday, I shall be happy :nod: I am likely to gain, though :rolleyes:

It's a small setback. I shall be back on track and ready to tackle the next few pounds soon. When I lose a further 10 lbs (from last week's weight) I am going to treat myself to a meal in a restaurant, and will do this after each 10 lbs I lose from now on. Something to look forward to before tackling the next hurdle.

How is everyone else doing this week?

[Lilith]

I used to do that^^^ years ago but I realized that was still feeding into my food issues. The reward for being healthy for me should not be food. I do something nice for myself which is something I need to learn to do anyway.

[FlirtWithMe]

:nod: I've been doing it for nearly 20 years :yikes: I don't see this week's eating loads of crap as being a reward, it's just me being a pig and allowing the greedy part of my brain to rule what goes in my mouth :o

Strangely, the thought behind me going to a restaurant for a meal as a treat for losing the next 10 lbs wasn't the meal itself, I don't think I'd really given the food part of it much thought, it was more the act of going out, as it's such a rare occurrence! I may rethink, as you're right, it's maybe not a good thing to have food as a reward :rolleyes:

On a good note this week, I am continuing with my dancing classes and love going :line:

[Lilith]

Do you think the excercise you get from dancing feels better because it's more authentic? Less contrived exercise? That is how I am. If the exercise served a purpose like kick boxing then I enjoy it so much more. Maybe it has to do with learning while I do it.

[FlirtWithMe]

I've changed my reply on this several times :p I think I agree with you in a way. Not 100%.. I'll try to explain! I can't relate something I'm doing in jeans and a t-shirt as being exercise, but I love learning something I've never done before and love being able to keep up with the rest of the group who have all done a previous course and know way more than I do when it comes to steps and dances. In a way I am not counting the dancing as exercise, because it's something I do for enjoyment rather than the fitness/calorie burning potentialities. Exercise that I count is the walking on the treadmill, when I specifically get my walking clothes and shoes on and really go for it.

I do know totally where you're coming from with regards to the kick boxing and other types of exercise that serve a purpose vs going to the gym etc, but I think for losing weight purposes I need to have a 'contrived' form of exercise too, such as the walking on a treadmill, as it 'feels' more like exercise.

That might not make a whole deal of sense :o I think I'm agreeing with you, but also saying that I need a more specific form of exercise, too :nod: ...and in true FWM style, I have probably written that in more than one way several times above :p

[Lilith]

I get what you are saying and I think that what you may be saying is that it's important enough to you that you must be "working" on it. Going to the gym or using a treadmill is a conscious decision to do a specific thing for health.

[FlirtWithMe]

^^^ Short and perfectly put :nod: I never was any good at summarizing :p

[Coaster]

Help.. I fell off the wagon today... i had 5 Lindt choclate balls filled with something fucking good, liquid and alcoholic!!!!

[Lilith]

Oh this was the week from hell. My blood sugar is 394573498762038957439577.

I ate banana laffy taffy and tons of chocolate. I start fresh in the am. I know this is crazy but I think I am going to try running too.

[Coastie]

I think that because you don't consider it an exercise could make it even easier to do. By not thinking of it as an exercise it's a lot easier for you to do it and stick with it. That would be the best if you can have a hobby that also involves physical activity, helps to keep you motivated and it's harder to fall of the wagon. I think the best way to lose weight and keep it off is to make those livable small changes, versus trying to do anything drastic and sudden and ending up later falling off the wagon.

Either way kudos to you for having lost a lot already and sticking with it this far, the first month is the hardest, now it's starting to become habit. Yay you! :)

I have tried to cut back on my late night snacking I think that is what has really been hurting me. And I bought a Wii fit, I figured because of the hassle I went through to get it.. and at least a little bit of money spent on it I'm going to try and use that as one of many tools. At least until it gets nice outside and I can do something outside.

I've changed my reply on this several times :p I think I agree with you in a way. Not 100%.. I'll try to explain! I can't relate something I'm doing in jeans and a t-shirt as being exercise, but I love learning something I've never done before and love being able to keep up with the rest of the group who have all done a previous course and know way more than I do when it comes to steps and dances. In a way I am not counting the dancing as exercise, because it's something I do for enjoyment rather than the fitness/calorie burning potentialities. Exercise that I count is the walking on the treadmill, when I specifically get my walking clothes and shoes on and really go for it.

I do know totally where you're coming from with regards to the kick boxing and other types of exercise that serve a purpose vs going to the gym etc, but I think for losing weight purposes I need to have a 'contrived' form of exercise too, such as the walking on a treadmill, as it 'feels' more like exercise.

That might not make a whole deal of sense :o I think I'm agreeing with you, but also saying that I need a more specific form of exercise, too :nod: ...and in true FWM style, I have probably written that in more than one way several times above :p

[FlirtWithMe]

Help.. I fell off the wagon today... i had 5 Lindt choclate balls filled with something fucking good, liquid and alcoholic!!!!I'll see your alcoholic chocolate balls and raise you a few brownies :p

Lil, I don't know what banana laffy taffy is but it sounds divine!

I am going to be posting my weight-gain with an embarrassed look on my face on Monday :o In my defense I should point out that I have had a lot on my mind and this week is a difficult one for me.

Coastie, the first month was hard but re-starting after this diabolical week is going to be harder :banghead: I'll be fine after two or three days of exercise and eating well but Monday through Wednesday are going to be horrible :yikes: Good luck with your Wii Fit, I've heard they're a lot of fun!

[FlirtWithMe]

I gained 2 lbs :banghead:

...but that's not surprising AT ALL given the things I've been eating. It HAS been a bad week for me emotionally, but I can't keeping going off on a binge each time I feel less than happy.

I haven't got back to the treadmill and my eating has been out of control - attractive, eh?

My pledge to me is that TODAY is the new beginning. I will go on my treadmill each day from today, and I will knock the chocolate on the head, getting back to good eating habits of a couple of weeks ago. I will repeat the last week I did on my walking plan. That might have been week 5, I can't remember but I'll check.

I will post back here later when I've walked and for the next couple of days I'll post if I feel the need to eat unhealthy food.

My aim for Monday when I weigh myself is to either have remained the same or to have re-lost those 2 lbs I gained this week.

How is everyone else getting on?

[FlirtWithMe]

I've walked today, and done 300 sit-ups :thumb:

Feeling weak, wanting to say fuck-it and stay the weight I am :banghead: I'll be ok once I get through the next couple of days.

:rant:

[FlirtWithMe]

Feeling weak, wanting to say fuck-it and stay the weight I am :banghead:I ended up saying fuck-it after this.

I was going through a particularly rough time mentally a month ago, and losing weight was at the very bottom of my priorities. So I ate. and ate. and stopped exercising :rolleyes: That was followed by a bout of me being sick the last two weeks so excuses, excuses etc.

I think I've gained 5 lbs which, knowing how much of a glutton I have been, I am not too displeased about. I will re-start my walking plan tomorrow, and get back to not allowing myself computer time in the evening until I've walked. The 5 lbs should come back off easily if I cut out all the crap I've gone back to eating so I'm aiming to be back to my 20 lbs loss within three weeks. Then I can tackle the rest :rolleyes:

Anyone else climbing back on? Or doing really well? Or in need of support?

:)

[FlirtWithMe]

90 minutes later and I am still motivated :thumbs:

Today I am going to stock up on healthy food and some kind of support bandage for my knee as I seem to have twisted it at my dancing class :rolleyes:

My plan is to make smoothie for breakfast, soup for lunch and something light for dinner, with fruit in between. I'm not cutting out carbs but will make sure portions are small as it's all too easy to eat two portions or more of things like rice, pasta and potatoes.

I have a ticker somewhere and I have been taking pics of the scales when I weigh myself, and I have weighed myself each week even though I've been eating badly. I will update the ticker to make sure my 'bad' weeks are recorded as well as the 'good'.

I think today is the turning point of me getting back on track. I feel better about it than in previous weeks :thumb:

[Alias]

I posted in the old thread, i did not realise there was a new one. Haven't logged in for quite a while. I'm going to give another try with my weight loss. As i posted on the old thread, i have quite a deal to lose, the amount is embarrassing to me, so for now i'll keep that to myself. I'm hoping to get my life back, my health under control and definately my 'sexy' back! I will add a ticker once i've lost some, then it wont seem so bad :)

Thank you to FlirtWithMe for the invite into the new thread :)

[Lilith]

I've been just sort of holding on. I have not gained or lost. People keep telling me how it loooks like I'm losing but I'm not. It's just redistributing.

I had set a goal a month or 6 weeks ago to lose another 6 pounds by next Sunday when I am going on a cruise for Spring Break. It did not happen but it will still come off. I plan to finish the school much healthier than it began.

I'm trying to decide if I'm doing kickboxing again this summer or if I want to give Zumba a try.

[pinkFlames]

I've been just sort of holding on. I have not gained or lost. People keep telling me how it loooks like I'm losing but I'm not. It's just redistributing.


Weigh redistribution is a good sign. As you become fitter you should be building up muscle which weighs more than fat, so the scales won't be so accurate. It's better to go by inches in the long run.

[Alias]

I had my 1st weigh in today. I'm feeling rather proud of myself. I lost 2.5kg!

:line:

[FlirtWithMe]

I had my 1st weigh in today. I'm feeling rather proud of myself. I lost 2.5kg!:line: Wow, that's excellent, well done :nana:

[Lilith]

Great work Alias!

I went tothe Dr. this week and so far in 6 months I've lost 20 pounds. I have to lose 5 more to hit my first goal and it's been really slow lately. I've been busy and not putting my needs first at all.

[AngelicVampires]

I am gonna try and jump onto the weight loss boat. I started my diet today (I want to cry) but I want to look good for both bathing suit season and my wedding. *Crosses fingers* Here we go!

[osuche]

I fell off of the wagon big-time...but I am going to start again TODAY. I've been sick and depressed an dnot taking care of myself.

Did I mention that I am going to start again TODAY?

Good luck to everyone else too!

[AngelicVampires]

Don't worry...I REALLY fell off the wagon this weekend...damn fiance, lol. Anyway, back on track today!

[Alias]

I am still plodding along, i've now lost 7.1kg :D

I have had some weeks where the loss has been minimal, and the last 2 weeks have been a bit higher, but as i am losing i am still very pleased with how its going.

[Lilith]

Excellent. How have you been doing it? What is working for you?


I am at a stand still. I eat when I'm stressed. Food gives me pleasure and little else has lately so I turn to my old friend, the one killing me. I gained for a bit but am now back where I had gotten down to. I'm starting over. Every day is a new day to make better choices.

[dicksbro]

In large part because of surgeries ... I've dropped from 242 a year and a half ago to 198 the last time I weighed a couple of days ago. :) First time in years I've been below 200. Now, I'm determined to keep it off and even lose a bit more. I'd like to get down now to 180-185.

[Lilith]

I've dropped some too. I hit my Spring Break goal last week. 2 months late but better late than never.

[Wolf's Woof]

Have your sugars been at good levels lately Lilith? I've always heard that cinnamon helps to counteract sugar in the body so maybe you could talk to the doctor about that. I've even met people who've been able to drastically change their meds with just a little bit a cinnamon every day. Hope this helps and I'm planning to start my own weight loss postings here (I need to buy a scale first). Hope everyone is doing well and having fun doing it.

Oh and for a quick burst of energy, vitamin B-12 is one hell of a pick me up and is found in a mans semen. So, c'mon ladies and gents, it'll make you feel better. :p

Edit: almost forgot a few exercise related tips for those who are using weights or resistance bands:

1. Use your back, not your legs; the muscles in the back are the largest set in the human body

2. Hold your breath while you strain; the human body makes all the oxygen it needs in times of stress

3. Never use a spotter; knowing that if you can't lift that bar off your throat that no-one will is a great motivator

That's all I can think of now but I'll try to remember more for later.