Quzzdragon's Weight-Loss
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Haven't been on here in a while. Happy belated birthday. On the size changes you've really did a great job. Strut your stuff on the cruise !!!!
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I know i've missed you but have an awesome cruise and relax and enjoy0
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HELLO!!!!! I've miss you guys. My scale missed MFP too
I had a TON of fun on this cruise and walked SO much. My Garmin said I reached my "goal" everyday - usually by noon. The ship was just so big you can't help but walk a ton and the excursions were all fairly energetic. So...
The bad news: I'm up 6 pounds. Not nearly as bad as I thought it'd be, but I'm back over 160 again. Back on track as of today and moving forward. I know I can make it.
The so-so news: we went to the gym... once.
The other bad news: I got a minor sinus infection (part of the reason we only went to the gym once) while on the ship and I'm still fighting off the remnants. Not nearly as bad as it could have been, I still went on my excursions (and I didn't get it until after my favorite excursion) but I took a lot of naps. So... I guess that makes it a good vacation
The good news: we had a blast. We swam with a sea lion and got a kiss! SO MUCH FUN. Worth every penny and I can't wait to do it again sometime. It was at a small aquarium-type park called Coral World in St. Thomas and I HIGHLY recommend you go if you're in the area. Not a big park, only there for three hours or so, but enough to see everything and get a wet fishy kiss
They also had a huge under-water viewing area for the aquarium and a section where you can snorkel or use an under-water diving helmet. Lots of bang for the buck. Next day I got the sinus infection, but we did a driving tour of Tortola and it was fairly boring and didn't require a lot of effort on my part, so I could relax. If your "tour" includes showing us were the local trash incinerator and water desalination plants are, your town is too boring to charge for the tour. Sorry. The beach was beautiful and definitely the best part of that trip. I had to ease into the ocean since I was feverish, but once I was in the water was clear and lovely. The last day we were in Nassau and we did the "Atlantis Aquadventure." Let me tell you - skip it. It was terrible. The tour is so poorly organized and the park is so poorly laid out, that it was two hours in the hot sun before we even got to go down any water slides. Then, the operator of one of the slides must not have been paying attention and told another lady to go down too soon, and she hit my poor sister in the butt so hard she has a HUGE bruise. Terrible. Anyway - skip it if you ever go. Beautiful, but not worth the money.
All in all and awesome trip. Did some fresh-food shopping already but taking it easy so we can return to work healthy. I hope everyone had a great week!0 -
Glad you had a good time and got some rest!
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Quzz don't even look at the 6 pounds as a bad thing. It is a side effect of going on a cruise. There is just too much good food and good drinks to not indulge for the week holiday. I learned the same thing in April for my holidays and while it stresses me out to have lost a month of losing, it was so worth it. For me personally I am never naturally going to be thin and fit and I am always going to gain weight fast but by living a Healy life most of the time it will afford luxuries like the cruise you just went on. You know what needs to be done to lose, now work hard and get back under 160 and closer to your goal again.
I'm willing to bet that most of that weight falls off quickly just by drinking a ton of water and flushing out your system. I bet you will be surprised.0 -
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm surprised (happily) how quickly my body is adjusting to the lower-calorie intake already. I was worried that since it was used to so many calories I'd be hungry all the time, but I'm just a little munchy. Having pre-made breakfasts ready for me really helps - thank goodness I made so many right before the trip.
Hubby and I looked at each other last night and realized we had to pack lunches - almost forgot! So used to just walking to the café. Lovely salad for lunch and lots of water today to get on track like you said, @50extra . Thanks for the encouragement. Like you said - I definitely am not made about the gain - I was worried it'd be worse! But I'm definitely ready to work towards getting below 160.
Office was still standing when I returned. First job I've had where I had more snail-mail than emails when I returned haha! Already mostly caught up and will definitely be all set by tomorrow.
Hubby is interested in finding a local gym, so I'm researching my options this week. For now it's still cool enough we could just go outside to run/walk etc., but soon the heat will scare us indoors. Maybe I can try running before that.0 -
Welcome back @Quzzdragon12 that cruise sounds awesome. Shame about the bugs but it doesn't seem to have slowed you down too much. As 50 said don't be too concerned about the gain. It will come off in no time and you seem very committed to making it happen so that is half the battle. 160 will come around again before you know what hit you.0
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So glad you had fun on cruise. Don't you hate not feeling up to par when traveling. I loved St Thomas when we were cruising. I thought 6lbs sound pretty good especially with the "All you can eat" with cruising. Welcome back !!!!0
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Had one of those crazy hectic awful mornings, but it seems to have turned around (knock on wood!). I've been fasting since after dinner last night to get blood work done today (just routine check-up kinda blood work) so I didn't have breakfast. I packed one of my mini-quiches planning on eating it at work. Hubby put my coffee in a thermos for me to take and I planned on bringing my daily vitamins and some pseudophed since I'm still fighting this headcold. Well... I forgot the coffee and the pills at home. I had the address of the lab in my phone's GPS, but my brain (still coffee-deprived and sleepy) turned like I was going to work. I finally made it to the lab and they took me pretty quickly, but the phlebotomist used a large needle, had to wiggle it to find the vein, then my vein collapsed. So she had to stick me AGAIN. I requested a butterfly needle that time 'cuz that's crazy. She couldn't find the vein. She tried one more time before I finally asked for a new tech. She stuck me once and finished up the tubes. 4 needle sticks and two HUGE bruises later, I was finally on my way to work (and breakfast). Got to work, put my quiche in the microwave. Our microwave at home is ancient and SUPER weak - which I forgot. So a minute later I came back to a burnt disgusting quiche.
The turn around being that I needed to run to BJ's for work supplies anyway, so I ran home first (only 15 minutes) and got another quiche and my morning pills. Got the shopping done, put away, and back to my desk. Finally feeling like my day has evened out.
Sinus pressure is making me grumpy in the evenings and not feeling like working out at all. Trying to take a page from @Kell2912 's book and just do it anyway. My knees were hurting yesterday too - I think it's the weather, but also probably doesn't help that I fell off the PT exercise bandwagon for a while. Back to it. One more day until the weekend!0 -
Way to go you for sticking with things. Shame about not feeling so well though. Hopefully the weekend has been good to you and you have had a good rest.0
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Thanks Kell - I was bad this weekend, but it was a nice rest and I do feel MUCH better
We joined the local Planet Fitness (gym)! I figure the only way I'll go is if I have someone to go with and keep me accountable, and hubby feels the same. So we joined and worked out, then were bad during the weekend. Oh well. Planning on going at least 3 times per week. Hubby's goal is to build more muscle and slim down a bit (though that's mostly happening through eating habits) and I'm still working on my goals. Obviously I want to lose weight, but mostly that happens through calorie intake management. I don't want to get "buff" per say, but toning would be good. Probably means some weight machine work, though I'm hoping I can meet with a trainer to set realistic goals.
Just when we thought the job front was quiet - Hubby got a new job offer. His current job is so poorly administrated and understaffed, he's miserable, so he took the new job. Helps that it's also offering an extra $8k per year. So that's happy news he starts in 2 weeks! Luckily it's in the building next door to his current job so we won't have to change locations or schedules. Woo!
Otherwise quiet on our front. I've been looking longingly at houses, so maybe I can poke hubby into starting our hunt early. 0 -
Yay for joining the gym. Don't be scared about going near the weight machines, they wont make you into a hulk and a little extra muscle will help you increase your metabolism for losing weight.
Nice news about the new job for hubby. The extra 8k a year will certainly help the house hunting coffers as well.0 -
Well, I'm back down 7 pounds - I think it's just the snap-back from the cruise weight. SUPER excited about that. MFP projects if I can stick to my nutrition goals I can lose another 7 before the 4th of July - let's see if I can!
Speaking of the 4th, I'm going to be in charge of organizing it. My mother-in-law hosts it (she's got a pool - woo!), but hates organizing events, and I love it. So I'll start that soon. Yay! My Aunt used to host it, but she got diagnosed with ALS 2 years ago and is going downhill pretty quickly. She's in a wheelchair and needs a feeding tube, can't really talk, and her hands are almost 100% useless (so typing on her tablet to communicate is hard now too). Anyway, getting away from downer-land, I'm excited for the 4th. I've got all sorts of cute patriotic ideas for foods.
Anyway - hope those in the states are enjoying their long weekend!0 -
I love how you guys go all out for 4th July. It's so big that even in some parts of Aus people celebrate it. I remember going to a 4th July part one year and it was the best party i've been too. Hope you have an awesome time.
Sorry to hear about your Aunt. ALS is is the pits0 -
4th of July celebrations in Aus? Really? I'd have never thought that. I'll be sure to tell my family - they'll get a kick out of it.
So... I chopped off most of my hair last week and I LOVE IT! I used a bit of gel in it today and I've been getting compliments left right and center from work folks. It's super short. Bring on the summer heat! (but seriously, if it could be a cooler summer that'd be awesome).
Another crazy weekend planned with a Baby Shower for a friend and my sister's birthday and hubby starting a new job Monday. At some point I need to go shopping for new dress pants. Even Hubby said "take those pants off, they look terrible on you! They're hanging off your butt!" Which is awesome... and a pain. So those pants are in the "hopefully donate" pile. Not sure how long I should wait after weight loss to donate, so I'm holding off for a little while. Still need some new pants that do fit haha. Everyone keeps saying "Oh, it's time to bring out the summer wardrobe" but... I don't have that many clothes that I have two sets of clothing. Just one, and now half of those don't fit. Hoping Goodwill can help a girl out.
Anyway - have a fantastic weekend everyone!0 -
I've heard good things about good will and just thrift stores in general for replacement wardrobe to save money! I hope you luck out there! It does sound like you're going to be a busy girl this weekend, I hope you enjoy it and have fun!
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always a good dilemma to have to go and buy new clothes cause the other ones are too big. Hope the goodwill comes through
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So happy that you need new clothes it means you've been successful!!!!!!!!0
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Thanks everyone! My "shopping fairy" (aka my sister) is coming down this weekend and we're going to get me dress pants and new bras. Mine fit, but they're all at least 5 years old and they're starting to not hold the ladies right, so it's time for new. I'm glad my size hasn't change (so is hubby ) but need some fresh ones. Figured out that NONE of my dress pants fit now. So I'm wearing lots of dresses and skirts. Even those are eh looking now. Yay! weigh-in on Saturday before shopping. My goal/hope is I'll be within 10 pounds of my goal so I can buy a bunch of clothes without worrying. If it's more than 10 pounds I really should wait for a large shopping spree. Possibly in the outlets in PA where there's no sales tax on clothes.
Tried spaghetti squash the other night and loved it! I was wary at first, but I found a recipe with ricotta cheese, basil, and garlic and it was fantastic! Hubby hates zucchini, but even he loved it too! He said, "this is squash? but... it tastes good!" haha! Going to try to find some more ripe ones and use it more. Between that and the kelp noodles, I've got some lower calorie options for my noodle dishes.
Pool opens today!!!! SO excited. I thought our apartment pool would be closed this year because they're building a new one, but nope - they're open! Got a 10-pack of visitor passes since my sister visits often. Hopefully that will also entice other friends and family to visit too! We love hosting people, so pool is a nice cherry on top. Between pool and gym, I'm hoping to get more regular exercise.
My phone is on the fritz and the back keeps popping off, so I'm shopping around for a new one. Preferably one from this decade. I'm trying to find one that will sync with my Garmin, too. I'm thinking about Metro PCS because their music streaming doesn't count against data usage which is perfect for me since I stream music every day all day at work.
I've been having a lot of fun finding recipes and playing with them. I actually brought my recipe binder in to work today to organize it in my free time. Yay play time I want to make a section of "go-to meals" for the days when I haven't planned anything and probably have the ingredients at home.
Enough random thoughts for now. Sorry for the ramble. Hope everyone is having a great week!0 -
Definitely sounds like you're in need of new clothes! I'm pretty sure my boobs are going to change a little bit as I continue to lose weight but I'm okay with it because well what can you do? haha good luck on your weigh in, Saturday will be here before you know it!!
I am not a fan of spaghetti squash but maybe we just didn't use the right recipe. I've never tried kelp noodles. I'm glad you found something you both enjoy!
That's awesome that the pool is still open!!
Good luck on finding a new phone!
haha that's an awesome use of free time!! Sounds like a good plan! It's nice to always feel prepared!
I like random thoughts and rambles so I'm a fan. haha Hope you're having a great week as well! I look forward to your next update/ramble =P
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I love the idea of a meal/recipe binder. Organization is key on our weight release journey!!!0
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Today's our 2-year anniversary!
Celebrating with tasty Thai food - yumm! I gave hubby a Game of Thrones polo (he so he can wear it to work) and some Star Wars boxers and he loves them. He gave me Civilization: Beyond Earth which is the next in a video game series that we're both obsessed with - but this one has cute aliens! Really good anniversary so far, and it isn't even half way over!
On the health/weight-loss front, I've been pretty bad. I definitely won't reach my goal for 4th of July, but at least I haven't gained any either. How can you tell what a good maintenance level for you is? Maybe this is it? Or maybe I've just been bad. After tonight's celebration food I'm going to try to kick it up and really stick to my goals for food. Maybe if I can get past this plateau I'll get back in the routine. I guess if I gain the weight back I'll know that this is where I should be for maintenance.
Made some more breakfast quiches last night - tomato and artichoke - yum! They turned out really well and will hopefully help me get back to healthy breakfasts for a healthy start to the day.
Sisters came over this weekend (both of them) and we spent 8 hours shopping. It was SO much fun and VERY productive. I wasn't within 10 pounds of my goal (11 - so close!), so I only got 2 pairs of pants, but they fit GREAT and were desperately needed. I also got some skirts (they're stretchy so I'm not worried about additional weight loss with them) and new bras. First time in a long time I've been excited about how the ladies look in their holster - it's a HUGE confidence booster.
Along with their visit I made a TON of food. Most of it was pretty healthy, it's just the quantity that's astonishing. We have so many leftovers in the fridge that I won't have to cook for a week. Happy and sad - I enjoy cooking. But this way I can be lazy and play more Civ
Not sleeping well probably hasn't helped with weight-loss. The government job that Hubby is hopeful about posted over the weekend and he applied. Now it's just a waiting game to see if he gets it. Makes him anxious and therefore me anxious and neither of us sleep. Fun times. Posting closes this Friday, so I really hope we hear something soon. Otherwise I'll have to learn to be an insomniac. This is just one of three postings they were promising too, so if he doesn't get this one we'll go through this whole song-and-dance again in another week or two. It really is a great opportunity (minimum $8k/yr raise plus government benefits/stability/etc.) and we both really hope he gets it. I'm just also looking forward to it being over, hehe.
So a couple of years ago my sister got us recipe making software called "Living Cookbook." You input the ingredients, the directions, any pictures, servings, etc. It makes a nutrition label similar to MFP but it also contains directions. It also has a nice, uniform, print-out version for each recipe. I started inputting my healthier recipes when I first started with MFP, but I really haven't had a lot of time recently. Ideally, I'd like to get my recipe binder updated with all of the same recipes, but all in the same format through living cookbook. I could also share them then with my sisters and mom, who also have the same software. I just found out that I might be able to install the software onto a flash drive and work on it in my spare time at work - WIN! Going to ask hubby to set that up tonight or tomorrow. I'll post a picture of a recipe example once I have it up and running.
Hope everyone is having a lovely week. Lots of little exciting things and big exciting things. 0 -
Happy Anniversary!! So glad it's turning out to be such a good day for you!!
I hope your husband gets the job, I'll keep my fingers crossed!
I've never heard of that software but it sounds awesome! Can't wait to see an example of it!
Hope you continue to have a good week and I look forward to your next update!0 -
Been a little while, but not a whole lot going on. Still in the midst of my plateau and trying to push through. Setting new mini-goals that I hope will help. For example: no munching on the snacks and candies provided by work. If I snack, it will only be the ones that I bring in so I can more easily control how much I eat. I bought some low calorie high fiber brownies and some fruit snacks to help on that front. Hopefully this weekend when I weigh in I'll see some movement.
Living Cookbook won't play off of a flash drive, so I've just brought my laptop in and I work on typing in the recipes in my free time. I'm REALLY excited to have my recipes in a uniform format and in a way that I can very easily share them. Hopefully you all can see this picture below of how they look. This is also one of my favorite recipes of all time - I really recommend you guys try it:
(I use Turkey Kielbasa for the "chicken sausage." Super tasty!
Yesterday was both an up and a down for me. I snacked a TON. I couldn't stop myself from grabbing every snack I saw and eating it. It was horrible. At the same time, according to my Garmin I took over 15,000 steps AND we went to the gym where I used the bike, level 10, hills, and (according to the bike) burned over 300 calories. I was so tired from all the walking that we didn't do any weights yesterday, but that's my first time biking at level 10 the whole time, so I was really proud of myself. Hoping I can keep the snacking to a minimum for the next few days and really hit my goal this weekend. Also going to try to hit the gym Tomorrow and get the cardio and weights in this time.
My sister, mom, and 4 (that I know of) friends are on MFP now! Super excited.
Hubby and I went through our wardrobes and donated a box full of clothes, and put another box full of "almost fit" clothes away (both on the large and skinny end). Really felt nice cleaning up our closet and fitting into some older clothes that we grew out of.
Anyway. Hope everyone is having a lovely week and has exciting things planned for the weekend!
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That recipe looks great and I love the format!
Way to go on staying at level 10 on the bike!
That's awesome that some of your family and friends have come on here!
I hope you enjoy the rest of your week and blast through that plateau!
(If it's been 4-6 weeks, I know you've mentioned this plateau before but I can't remember how long it has been, but depending on how close to goal you are, you may need to be more accurate in your logging. Less you, smaller deficit means less room for error, Good luck!)0 -
I looked again at my tracking, and I think my problem isn't so much a plateau as it is I'm gaining and losing the same 4 pounds ever other week. I really need to hunker down and stick to my calorie goals EVERY day instead of goofing off every other week. Mostly it's the weekends that kick my butt. I visit family or friends or even having them over - I always eat or drink too much and go over. I've always been a social eater, so I guess I just have to be more strict about when people are over or when I'm out visiting.
Got a new phone - LOVE IT! I can actually use the MFP app on it AND it connects to my Garmin automatically. I'm hoping the ease of access helps me log when I'm away from home. I also have the cutest piglet (traditional A. A. Milne piglet) and Pooh background. So cute.
I've gotten over 60 recipes entered into my program. Whew! Can't wait to share them with my sisters and mom and get their recipes in return. And then MAKE ALL THE FOOD! Hehehe. So, my only problem with cooking is - I love it! I know it's more time and money smart to make larger batches of food and reheat blah blah blah, and I do some of that and take it for lunches. But I like cooking and trying new things so much that most nights I'd rather make something new than eat leftovers. Not all nights, but most. Weird problem, I know. But with my journey to lose weight I've discovered a passion for cooking that I never really knew I had before. I dream about new dishes to try, weird combinations, and a beautiful kitchen that I hope to one day own. I'm sure as I cook for a while the thrill will die down.
Fourth of July this weekend should be fun, but probably another struggle with food. Planning on bringing healthier desserts to tempt me away from the rich foods I expect will be there. Gotta run to the grocery store and find someplace to buy fireworks before Friday too. Busy busy busy.
Hope everyone is doing well and has fun plans for the weekend!0 -
@Quzzdragon12 You can do it! Let's kick July's *kitten*! =D (You already know I have the same problem with visiting family so I understand how that goes.)
I love Winnie the Pooh & Piglet too! When I was younger my entire room was Winnie the Pooh. I still have most the stuff but it's in storage.
Well finding that you enjoy cooking and have a passion for it is awesome! I wish that were happening to me. haha If it dies down, then you can start batch cooking for leftovers! At least you'll never get bored of having the same things over and over! I'm glad you're getting your recipes in! I'm still in awe of that program!
I'll be struggling with food this weekend as well (which I think I mentioned in my reply to you in my journal.) My mom already has the fireworks and I imagine we will be doing food on the grill so it shouldn't be too too bad as long as I don't overindulge but we will see. They are supposed to have a party as well so who knows what the others will bring if they decide to do so. I'll be practicing restraint and willpower that day. haha
I hope you enjoy the rest of your week and have a great weekend as well!
EDIT: I never realized how often I used the exclamation point. haha0 -
I also have a tendency to go over at family gatherings...the one thing I started doing was counting everything by number and then logging it accurately even if I go over plan...for me it's amazing how much less tempting chips are when you know you have already eaten 12 and are going to have to log 13+ if you keep munching! Totally a mental thing, I'm not usually eating them because I'm truly hungry, but just because they are there!0
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@WifiresGettingFit You're just excited - I love you see it! I usually overuse emoticons hehehe.
@tcunbeliever I know what you mean about eating because it's there. My mom loves to feed people (good 'ol German blood) and almost always has snacks out. Last time I visited I had to put the food on the opposite end of the table just to convince myself that I have to get up to get it adding another opportunity for me to rethink my poor decision.
We'll see how it goes this weekend. I've started eating all of my burgers in lettuce wraps instead of buns, and I'm providing the lettuce for this weekend, so that should help. Maybe others will join me in my lighter option. 0 -
@Quzzdragon12 haha yes, very excited!!! <--See? =P0
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