Need to Lose 100 LBS -Robins Thread !

Lauriek70

Gwen-Congrats on meeting your goal of getting to the gym this week.

Kaye- Yeah for getting a walk in today.


12/22 to 12/28
Sunday- Swim DONE
Monday- Trainer workout DONE
Tuesday- Gym DONE
Wednesday- Christmas no workout DONE
Thursday- Gym DONE
Friday-Climbing DONE
Saturday- Swim DONE

12/29 to Jan. 4
Sunday-Swim or gym- cardio
Monday-Trainer
Tuesday- Trainer
Wednesday- REST Happy NEW YEAR, 2014!!!
Thursday- gym- cardio
Friday- climbing
Saturday-water aerobics and swim

aimeemarie150

I'm being super lazy right now and doing a blanket post.

half marathon is the bomb diggity.

so is a 12k hike.

if you worked out today...woo hoo!
if not, slap yourself on the wrist and go tomorrow.

weigh in for me tomorrow. I'm super nervous because I haven't really lost for a few weeks. anxious to see what the measurements are. ah well. nothing I can do now.

starting to wonder if I have a pinched nerve in my arm. my right hand goes numb an awful lot. considering making an appt for this.

2 miles each 13.15. I'm improving. I was at 15 minutes a few months ago. AND I didn't hurt myself.

Anxious to see how busy the gym gets over the next month.

If you're a n00b here, hi. add me if you like. I'm here almost daily anymore. these people rock. lean on them. the end.

skinnyjeanzbound

@alupinsk--awesome time on your 2 miles! Yes, the gym will get crowded for a few weeks. I know it's annoying to some people. I try to be kind and help out the newlings. I remember how intimidating it was to join the gym, and even though I know many of them will disappear by Feb, I don't want my behavior to in any way contribute to their decision to give up.

Speaking of being nice at the gym. Yesterday I lifted and there was a guy in the free weights section lifting as well. We are both regulars in that section and work around each other often, but have never had occasion to speak. When I finished lifting, I completed my 30 minutes on the elliptical and was wiping off the machine when he came over to talk to me. He told me my grip was a bit narrow on my bench press and I would work my chest more if I widened my grip a bit. I thanked him and said I would give it a go next time. I thought it was nice of him to offer advice.

@laurie--yes, we clearly have this maintenance thing down--too bad we aren't at our goal weights! :laugh: As much as I joke, I do think the "practice" will help us maintain in the long run. Now just to get to that point...:grumble: Part of why I want to lose more weight is that I know it will allow me to increase my running pace--I'm still planning to do that T2T 5k in NYC next September. I've been checking the website regularly--they have posted a couple of other 2014 locations, but the NYC race isn't posted yet. :ohwell:

NaomiGibbins

My first post on this thread..for Saturday my thing to celebrate this week is...stcking to my plan over Christmas/Boxing day. I did go over calorie goal on Christmas day (pecan pie!), but over the week I am below goal. Skipped the cream several times! I made some great food choices.

My January goal is to keep making good food choices.

I haven't told anyone else my plan to lose weight, when my DH notices I'll know I've achieved something!

Have a lovely Saturday everyone,
Naomi.

just realised it's Sunday, have a lovely Sunday everyone. LOL.

klaraapache91

Thanks for the welcome guys!

And yes Laurie intend to take it easy today gentle walk for an hour should stretch me out a bit so I don't get stiff before my PT session tomorrow! Lol

And skinny jeanz I'm not a massive fan of the protein shakes either, I snack on seeds, sunflower seeds and pepitas are my favourites to boost protein. I also love roasted broad beans although that's more of an acquired taste apparently

skinnyjeanzbound

@klara--thanks for the suggestions. I sunflower seeds, but never think to buy them--I will have to add them to my shopping list. Have never tried broad beans, so I will look into those as well.

@naomi--when I started MFP I didn't tell many people either. A couple of colleagues knew b/c they are the ones who told me about the site, but I just waited for others to notice. I also had to tell my husband b/c he does most of the cooking in our household and his forte is "comfort foods." I didn't make him change anything he was doing, but I let him know that I wouldn't go over my calorie allowance, so he wasn't allowed to push second helpings or have hurt feelings if I didn't eat everything he prepared. It was difficult for him b/c he views cooking and cleaning as taking care of me and showing he loves me. However, he was supportive and got used to it. He makes a point of keeping track of ingredients so I can enter his recipes in MFP, and even makes lower calorie substitutions when possible. He also "warns" me ahead of time if he's going to make something really high-calorie, so I can budget my calories or go for a run to earn some exercise calories. Anyways, I absolutely understand your decision to keep your weight loss plan to yourself--a lot of "advice articles" claim you should do the opposite b/c if everyone knows then you will feel accountable. On the contrary, I have always found there are people who sabotage my efforts--whether on purpose or by accident--with their constant scrutiny of what I choose to eat. It worked really well for me to keep my plans to myself, and I hope it works out for you too.

AFM--I finished those analysis activities, so all that's left now are the essays. :grumble: I also have to go through my students' annotations, but those are in their novels at school and I have no intention of lugging home 50+ copies of The Scarlet Letter. Those will wait until I get back to school.

Grading goals:
1. 1/72 AP essays
2. x/26 Scarlet Letter essays
3. 11/11 "Lottery" analysis activities DONE
4. x/52 Scarlet Letter annotations

Exercise goals:
Mon--walk gunner NOT DONE
Tues--walk gunner DONE + gym (lift and HIIT) DONE
Wed--walk gunner NOT DONE
Thurs--walk gunner DONE + gym (cardio) NOT DONE (shoveled instead)
Fri--walk gunner DONE + gym (lift and HIIT) DONE
Sat--walk gunner DONE + gym (cardio) NOT DONE (but went extra long with gunner)
Sun--walk gunner + gym (lift and HIIT)

Exercise & Weight:
Bench press = 85
Dead lift = 90
Squat = 90
Overhead press = 55
Upright row = 60

Overhead tricep extension = 25 (dumbbell)
Bicep curl = 15 (dumbbell)
Lat pull down = 100
Tricep pull down = 90

terraskye

bump for tomorrow

michellewalker8866

Hello I'm new to this. My success this week is that even though I didnt get to work out this week as much as I wanted. I watched what I ate and I started my workout again. In the pass I would just say forget it and then I would get depressed. So my success this week is even with the holiday im still moving forward with me getting healthy.

Taratruex

@Skinnyjeanzbound- I have a couple runs in mind for this year. I was thinking about completing another half. The shamrockin half is going to be of course near st patricks day. My aunt would like me to run it with her and she has already signed up.

Thanks for the warm welcome. You all rock!

NaomiGibbins

Thank you all for your warm welcome, and for your understanding about my keeping this quiet. I have found in the past that once I let people know I go back to my old habits.

I see that on Sunday's we are meant to say something about ourselves. I'm 41 and have been overweight since I was about 7. Mum says she doesn't know why, but I just started to eat and wouldn't stop. I've got 3 kids and have been married to their dad for almost 19 years. Got lost somewhere in the mix a long time ago, and am doing my best to find my way out. Somewhere in here is me!

I'm really loving keeping a food diary - that's how I found this sight, and I'm really glad I did.

jtconst

Good morning friends. Welcome to all the new people I see on here. I will do a quick share since there are so many new faces. My name is Tammy and I am a 41 year old wife and mother of 3 grown kids (though 2 still to live at home). I have been overweight ever since the onset of puberty and then three pregnancies took it to another level and then prolonged health problems shot it into the stratosphere. I started this journey a little over a year ago and have lost about 70 pounds. I say about because the last few months have been a dance with ten pound that wants to come and go. I am fortunate in I dont have to work outside the home though I have been looking for a part time job off and on. I am also the proud owner of three furbabies who's antics bring constant humour into my life. Last night i was playing fetch with my 4 month old puppy down our hallway for about a half hour. When he started to act tired I got on the computer and a few minutes later feeling him laying down by me feet I looked down and he had fallen asleep with the ball still partly in his mouth:bigsmile: My doggies are my biggest exercise advocates since if they dont get their walk they tend to make me very sorry by the end of the day. overall it is much easier to just drag out the motivation to go for the walk:laugh:

Well now that I have had a "short" share I guess I better find something productive to start the day with. Have a great one everybody and enjoy whats left of the weekend.:flowerforyou: :drinker:

kearneyweard

Hello, everyone!!

I have read through this thread and I am loving how supportive and positive everyone is so I would like to join! =]

Since it is Sunday I will share a little about me:

My name is Kingsley and I live in Texas. I am 26 years old and I have been with my husband since I was 14 (he was 16 - total of 12 years together) and we have been married for almost 8 years (in April). I work full-time and go to school part-time. I have been working on my degree (Accounting) for what seems like FOREVER but I'm not really in any hurry. I did that thing were I flunked out my first year, quit school, worked full-time for about 4 or 5 years, and then decided to go back. I'd like to get done by the time I'm 30 but I'll just have to wait and see. =]

I have been morbidly obese for most of my life and I always thought that I would just lose the weight "one day". But of course, one day was never today. I first tried to lose weight in 2008 and I lost about 50 lbs, hit a horrible plateau, and gave up. Then I gained back those 50 lbs, plus 25 extra, and stayed around that weight until this year.

I was diagnosed with PCOS (which doesn't affect any child-bearing plans because my husband and I don't want kids) and this year a routine blood test showed elevated liver enzymes, indicating liver damage. I have visited a specialist and he told me that he suspected I had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (but refused to do a liver biopsy) and recommended I lose weight slowly, about 1-2 lbs a week, and to come back in to see if the liver enzymes have improved. It's incredibly scary not knowing exactly what is wrong. I am a bit of a google-chondriac and I immediately worry about having cirrhosis of the liver and dying.

I have to force myself not to think about it, otherwise I will be useless the entire day. Whatever's meant to happen will happen. I can appreciate the fact that I am now motivated more than ever to lose weight but I sure hope that whatever I "have" that it is reversible. Only time will tell though...

Well enough of that depressing talk, on to the positive! =] I have been eating less and moving more for a little over a month and a half and I have lost 17 lbs so far. I am totally an exercise novice compared to a lot in this forum and on MFP but I am really proud of how far I've come so far. When I first started exercising (primarily walking) I could only last 1/8 of a mile. The second week I increased to 1/4 mile, the fourth week I increased to 1/2 mile, and just this week I increased to 3/4 of a mile. One of my major goals is to get to 1 mile and although I always thought it was impossible, the last few weeks have proven it will soon be possible!

Here are my weight loss goals:
1ST WEIGHT LOSS GOAL: 25 lbs (ONLY 8 LBS AWAY!!!!! =])
2ND WEIGHT LOSS GOAL: 50 lbs
3RD WEIGHT LOSS GOAL: 75 lbs
4TH WEIGHT LOSS GOAL: 100 lbs
5TH WEIGHT LOSS GOAL: 125 lbs
6TH WEIGHT LOSS GOAL: 150 lbs
7TH WEIGHT LOSS GOAL: 175 lbs

Since I am trying to lose it slowly I am sure it might take a couple or few years but I didn't put the weight on overnight, so it'll not come off overnight. I have a problem being impatient sometimes so I have to remind myself of that! =]

I look forward to getting to know you all better and to offering support!!!

skinnyjeanzbound

Hi everyone!

Sunday Share:
Since there are so many newlings, I'll introduce myself. I'm Karen, 44 yo married with one fur-baby, Gunner, an 8 yo boxer/shepherd mix. I teach HS English which is why you'll see me post my "grading goals"--I'm a checklist person and it helps keep me motivated to see what I need to do and to be able to check it off the list once I'm done.

I've been on this site since march 2011, and found robin's original thread in july 2011. This group has helped me along through so many difficult times I can't even begin to recount them all. I started running in june 2011 and though I'm not the fastest, I really enjoy it. I also started lifting heavy recently (I think sept?) which is doing wonders for my muscle tone. In addition, I like to vary the types of cardio I do--for some reason I get really bored if I do the same thing day after day--so I mix in the elliptical, stationary bike, and arc trainer in addition to the running. Gunner also keeps me on my toes b/c he loves his daily walks.

I've lost about 60 lbs, but have been stalled out in maintenance mode for about a year and a half. 2014 is my year to get serious about my nutrition again so I can lose the last 30-40 lbs. I have a vacation planned in June to Punta Cana for a friend's wedding and I would like to lose about 20 more lbs by then. I will be in a bathing suit in front of a bunch of people I work with and would like to feel more confident.

Welcome to a wonderful thread--please know that if we can do it, you can too. Yes, it takes dedication and patience, but we can all reach our goals.

kah68

Bump :flowerforyou:

grandmakaye44

Why to do we automatically turn to food for comfort? I learned this morning that two young men from our community were killed in a car accident last night. Their parents and grandparents are my friends. I taught them in church when they were yourng. They have both just recently returned from their church missions. And of course, I am looking for anything and everything to shove in my mouth!
Welcome to the new ones. This is a great place to get support. I have found many friends and much encouragement here since I joined MFP in Sep. 2012.
About me: At 69 I am the oldest member of the group. My life pretty much revolves around my family which includes my husband of 48 years, 7 children with spouses, 14 grandchildren (#15 due in January), a step granddaughter and her 2 children, and my daughter's 3 foster sons.
I have been overweight most of my life, and gained and lost the same weight over and over again. I am getting too old for that nonsense and am determined to keep it off this time. My formula is pretty simple. Log everything, stay within calorie goals, and exercise. Walking is my exercise of choice. I don't have any gadgets or gym membership. No food is off limits as long as it fits my calorie goals. I don't worry about macros, either. The holidays have been hard this year, but come January 1st, I'm going to get really serious about this again. I want to lose about 25# more.
Onward and downward. Kaye

Morgori

Greetings

Nicole that is me, hope you find your fitbit.

Kelley - Hope you feel better!
A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book. ~Irish Proverb

3M- Nice to hear from you again.

Today is Mrs. Morgori’s birthday , hope I can resist the chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting from the best bakery in Vegas.




“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tom

MyM0wM0w

Kaye-what a tragic loss for family and friends to have to wonderful you g people taken.

Mr. M - happiest birthday to Mrs. M.

A little about me on sharing Sunday since I' ve been MIA for a while.

I'm Kris, an almost 41 year old divorcee living in the beautiful pacific northwest. I've been overweight since middle school…hit obese in college … and crept to morbidly obese since. I had a stroke almost two years ago that revealed a lovely diagnosis of Fibromuacular Dysplasia, which makes my kidneys not function that great and gives me lovely things like high blood pressure and gout flares often.

I live with my two sweet boys(cats) and work for a temp company contracting to larger cooporations.

klaraapache91

Sunday sharing for me too.

Hi my name is meg, I'm a 22y/o Australian, just returned from 8 years living abroad. I am currently working full time as well as studying my bachelors in applied sciences, majoring in bio and minor in chem ^_^ I was never huge as a kid, however I did gain weight in my beginning teenage years but spent most of my teenage years at a healthy weight. I started gaining weight 4 years ago and it got a lot worse about 2 years ago when my horse was sadly put to sleep, and most of my physical activity stopped as I, at that time, had no desire to ride anymore. My best friend is a PT and she recently convinced me to join her gym and regularly kicks my *kitten*.

karenleona

/bump (and I'm still alive and kicking....sort of)

Greetings all. I' m back, after a major depressive episode and am now in the tailend of a major gout flare(from 'shame on me eating' during the depression.

To make it more fun the temp job i got wasnt just a long commute. It was also a living hell of suspicious paranoid people, terrible mamagement, and a single secretary who held the entire company hostage with her permanent PMS. Thankfully my third week there Hp email me and THEY WANT ME BACK! I have another 2 year contract with them starting January 6th.

So glad the holidays are over and behind me!

Missed you all lots, and I've peeked in regularly to follow everyones progress/struggles.

Here's to a better 2013

Damn, i HATE those depressive episodes!! Glad yours had ended!! :flowerforyou:
sorry to hear about the gout attack
Congrats on your two year contract!!!! :drinker: That is great news!

karenleona

Kaye- I am so sorry to hear of the loss of those 2 young people from your community. Difficult to get through. And i understand the need to eat everything that is not tied down.

goals for 2014
LOSE SOME POUNDS!!! perhaps 8 would be a good number. Have gained weight the past 1 1/2 years after 3 surgeries and WAY too much stress. Need to figure outhow to add more protein when my daughter (who does most of the cooking) is a vegetarian. I know i do not get much protein and occasionally use shakes but they are not 'real' food
Manage stress without eating. This is a tough one. Would probably benefit from counselling to deal with some issues from the past (ie divorce) but no money for it. Exercise often works for me but can't do much due to heart issue these past two months.
Get answers for health issues. Going for angiogram tomorrow so hopefully will have answers and a plan for my heart problem. It is seriously increasing my stress level by not knowing if i will be allowed to return to work and not being able to get much activity.
Talk to my doctor about my depression. Ooooh, this will be a hard one! I am already on meds but struggling these past few months.

My son, DIL and grandkids go home next week A bit of a rest and a return to my normal routine will be nice....for about a week :laugh: :laugh: then i want them back!!!
off for a cardiac echocardiogram today then a stop off at the gym...

JNettie73

Sunday share:
Just a quick pop in to say hello. I am extremely tired and it is a rainy/ gloomy day so I am not in the mood to do personals. I am completely exhausted today so I am just going to lay low and veg. I was going to do a Gilad workout but I don't have the energy for it. I decided I am going to start up with Gilad again tomorrow and redo this phase of the routine. I am going to increase the intensity of my workout by using my heavier weights. Hopefully I am not too sore this week!

Yesterday was a blast. I had a great time yesterday with our families. I was super super busy all day. It felt so good to finally sit down and relax after putting out desert for our guests. One of my friends drove down with her husband and kids for a visit later on during the evening. Since it was a long drive, they stayed the night. My friend and I were up half the night chatting away. I woke up this morning and made everyone waffles. They boys loved it! It was so nice to see them. I wish they didn't move 4 hours away, I loved when they only lived 20 minutes away from me.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

aimeemarie150

Sunday share for me: I went shopping today, and I had to go to the "average size" section instead of the plus sizes because they weren't the right sizes for me. I bought another pair of size 16 pants, and a couple pairs of 14s for when I lose another 20-30 pounds and won't have pants again. It makes me so sad to have to get rid of some of the clothes that I really loved when I was 70 pounds heavier.

I also have organized my jeans by size, not color because I can't wear all of them, and some are getting baggy, but /sigh. it's a good problem to have.

SeeLShrink

Hi everyone!

Well, I wasn't able to hit the gym today due to my schedule, but I did do yoga and went grocery shopping. It feels nice to have a fridge full of healthy food

Sunday - I wrote a blog entry today on my personal blog (which isn't that exciting, but if someone does want to check it out the url is: http://watchlaurengetfit.blogspot.com/), that outlined my goals for each month in 2014. I have a solid plan for hitting my weight loss goals in the new year and making it to goal weight at the end of it. I'm really excited to have it all planned out. All that's left is to implement it!

My mini goal for tomorrow is to absolutely make it to the gym. Gotta make it happen!

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday!

Lauren

Lauriek70

Three years ago today, I finally took control of my life and my weight. I had started 6 months earlier by joining a gym and walking the track and doing simple stuff but was not making progress. Then on December 29, 2010, I met with my first trainer and he deserves the credit for all the progress I made during the first year and a half. I learned how to change up the cardio routines by doing intervals, lifted weights and started learning proper form for different exercises. In addition, he also encouraged and told me to change my diet and with his support I was able lose 67 pounds over the next year and half but I am not done. Donny was the first person to call me obese to my face, told to give up milk and to eat more protein. The obese comment was the most difficult to hear since I never considered myself obese but in reality I was at 267 pounds. On this anniversary, I can now look back and be thankful for Donny brutal honesty and the fact that he made me take a long hard look at myself. I am also thankful that he was very supportive and there when I needed him. Yes, we had our ups and downs but in some ways I still miss him. Now, as the 3rd anniversary is here, I have a great trainer, Darcy, who is pushing me to new limits, providing different exercises including running, biking.

Thinking back to where I was to where I am now, I am truly amazed. Three years ago, I never dreamed I would be able to do so many different things. Completed 2-5K's, a triathlon, ride my bike 20+ miles at one time, swim and rock climb on a regular basis. Overall, I am healthier, happier and my self confidence has improved. There are days when I can't believe all that I have accomplished and yet I wonder how much further I have to go.

I am Laurie, 43 years old, single and a middle school science teacher. To add to my story, I started this process when I turned 40, so I would not be sitting at home during the summer and was tired of not being active or afraid to do things because of my weight. It was time for me to start moving and to get active. This journey has been challenging in learning how to eat for health and to lose weight, improving my fitness level and finding ways to challenge myself. I stalled in the weight loss process after my brother's wedding in 2012 and I had the flu. Since that time, it has been an uphill process to lose the weight but my overall endurance has improved. During the past year and a half, I have battled the same 5-10 lbs but did not drop below my lowest weight of 195. This past week, the scale decided to move down again, now if I can keep it from moving back up. Now, it is time to work on the last 20-30 lbs of weight loss.

mitzi2013

Sunday Share: Hi, my name is Mitzi. I've been on MFP on and off for a few years. In 2011 I lost 52 pounds. By the end of the year I had already started gaining it back. Then last year I lost 30 pounds. I've gained back 16 of those. All in all I've kept off 27-30 pounds, give or take, depending on the time of day I weigh in and what I'm wearing. My biggest obstacle is staying motivated. I worked at a gym for almost 5 years and still couldn't keep myself motivated seeing all those hard working people every day. I've had trainers and work out partners. I've done just about every dvd workout you can imagine. There is pretty much nothing you can tell me about how to lose weight that I don't already know. I just eat.. and eat and eat. The worse I feel about eating the more I eat. Then I'm just to lethargic to exercise. I want to push through this I just haven't figured out what will give me that boost.

Lauriek70

Karen- I am also planning on the NYC T2T 5K next year, keep me posted on this run. In addition, I want to join you in Chicago for the Shamrock Shuffle 5K and the other 5K run that you do with BV. I don’t care if we walk them with BV as it is all apart of making memories with friends. I will run them with you if he doesn’t want to participate.

Michele- Welcome, you have a taken a very important first step.

Kaye- So sorry to hear about the loss of those young kids, it is a tragic situation. I understand your need to eat but I hope you can channel some of those feeling into a walk. I am wishing you peace while sending you prayers and hugs.

Tom- Lovely cake, wish Amy a Happy Birthday for me. Hope she has a great year.

Karen L- I hope you get all the answers you are seeking, especially with the heart issues.

Nettie- We also had a very rainy day today. Rest days are good for our bodies and we need them throughout the week to allow for muscle recovery.

Alupinsk- Great NS victory with the shopping today, enjoy the feeling of going down in size.

I did manage a light workout today, just an easy walk with some cycling thrown in so all is good.

skinnyangel2b

Well, I'm here and hope to stay with you fine people to be just as dedicated to myself as you have been per your successes! I plan and hope to get to health weigh (a lot) less by this time next year. Looking forward to NOT fitting into 2x sized clothing and feeling better about myself in the process.

Will be doing my weigh in tomorrow ya all! Gotta start somewhere! I cant wait until I can have the needle on a tracker go down and down! Lord, it will be a long road. Will need much support, I'm sorry to say..

Have a fabulous week my new friends!

SkinnyAngel2Be!:flowerforyou:

debbiezag

Truth: I posted once or twice in the previous thread, and while I've been reading everyone's posts almost daily, I haven't written any posts (although I admit to nodding or agreeing while reading). I don't know why its so difficult- either my kids need my full attention or I feel too shy to post what I have been feeling.

Well my goals for the upcoming month are to be more open and express what I am thinking. I feel like if I can express myself then maybe I won't feel so alone in the weight loss journey.

I have been pretty good about logging. I eat a lot of home cooked meals on the weekends, which is where its get so tricky for me to figure out the calorie content but I am doing my best and occasionally overestimating so I don't fall into the habit of cheating myself. I find that most of my desire to eat comes from stress, as do most people. My husband is a student that is constantly studying for exams- or least he should be and when I don't see him live up to his potential or when my guilt kicks in for asking him to spend time with me and the kids my body starts craving chips! Its just so frustrating when I see him wasting time and in doing so not utilizing that time to get ahead in his studies or spend time with family.

We had a family party this weekend so it was the first time since logging in the past 20 days that I went over my calorie limit or even ate back my exercise calories. I didn't realize how badly I had taken it until today. The past 2 days I felt like I shouldn't even bother watching my calorie intake or go on the scale because I went over once. I'm working really hard to realize that one day off is not a big deal and that I can get myself in shape without feeling guilty about one night of enjoying time with my friends and family.

@Robin I hope you are doing well. Sending positive thoughts your way.

@Kaye- I feel terrible about the loss of those young boys. Its very difficult to absorb those emotions when it hits close enough to home with able to have a true mourning period. I thinks thats where food plays a big role- to push off those feelings and fill that void.

skinnyjeanzbound

@laurie--I just did a quick search for shamrock shuffles in Chicagoland, and found the main Bank of America. However, that one is an 8k and I know Brian and I were talking about doing a 5k. I'll have to search some more and see what I can find. In addition, we usually do one in October, but it would fall right after the NYC race, so we will probably skip it this year. Brian expressed interest in going to NY as well, so hopefully that will all work out. I'll keep you posted on what I find for the spring.

@mitzi--welcome! I don't have any magic answer for you, but I know this group always helps me get through rough patches when I lack intrinsic motivation. Come back often, and I'm sure we can help you too!

@lauren--I love your goals!

@alupinsk--awesome shopping victory!! :drinker: I also organize my clothes by size--I wear the biggest sizes the most b/c I know I won't be able to wear them much longer. So my jeans are stacked with the 14s on top and the 12s that fit underneath. The 12s that are still a bit snug live at the bottom of the pile--just waiting for their turn! :laugh:

@nettie--glad you had fun at your party!

@karenleona--so glad your cardiac appts are finally here--I know you were frustrated to get bumped. Crossing my fingers for some good results. :flowerforyou:

@meg--where did you live abroad? That's so great that your best friend is a PT!!

@tom--tell Amy "Happy Birthday!!"-- I will be impressed if you resist the cake. I would run miles for chocolate cake!

@kaye--so sorry to hear about the tragedy in your community.

@kingsly--welcome!! :flowerforyou: We have a few members with PCOS, as well as others with carious health issues or injuries that inhibit weight loss. You will get a lot of support here!

AFM--I walked gunner earlier, but it was misting and then freezing all morning so the sidewalks were like a skating rink. I walked in the snow to avoid slipping, but we only went around the block. I also went to the gym and lifted, but I hurt my knee doing squats. Not sure what I did form-wise, but immediately upon completing my 3rd set, my knee started to hurt--to the point where I was limping. I stretched it out really good, and instead of running on the treadmill, I rode the stationary bike. However, tonight it's still bothering me. :grumble: I will rest it tomorrow (as much as possible while babysitting my niece).

I also tried really hard to meet my protein goal today. Including my exercise calories it is 161g, but I'm only at 103g. I have 143 cal remaining but I'm already over on fat and sodium. What kind of protein has zero fat? If any of you feel like looking at my diary and giving me tips on how to up the protein and lower the fat, please feel free. I think my diary is only open to my friends (which most of you are, but if not just shoot me a friend request).

Didn't do any grading today, but I did make my quinoa "mac" and cheese. I will take some to my sister's for her and her husband--they are always so busy it's hard for them to eat healthy. Whenever I'm going to babysit, I try to bring a healthy dish for them.

Grading goals:
1. 1/72 AP essays
2. x/26 Scarlet Letter essays
3. x/52 Scarlet Letter annotations

Exercise goals:
Mon--walk gunner NOT DONE
Tues--walk gunner DONE + gym (lift and HIIT) DONE
Wed--walk gunner NOT DONE
Thurs--walk gunner DONE + gym (cardio) NOT DONE (shoveled instead)
Fri--walk gunner DONE + gym (lift and HIIT) DONE
Sat--walk gunner DONE + gym (cardio) NOT DONE (but went extra long with gunner)
Sun--walk gunner DONE + gym (lift and HIIT) DONE

Exercise & Weight:
Bench press = 85
Dead lift = 90
Squat = 90
Overhead press = 55
Upright row = 60

Overhead tricep extension = 25 (dumbbell)
Bicep curl = 15 (dumbbell)
Lat pull down = 100
Tricep pull down = 90

Taratruex

Sunday Sharing- Today was the first day of my new schedule at work. I will be working 4X10 with Tuesday, Friday and Saturday off. I will really be able to dedicate those days to staying active. I have rededicated myself and started logging all calories and working out on the 26th. I have decided to reactivate my Body Media account and wear the arm band. I stopped wearing this back in April and stopped losing weight. I did not realize this until I decided to look back at my weight loss and what I was doing differently. Basically I stopped caring about losing weight. I want to lose the last 60 lbs that I have left to go. My husband started a weight loss program and I think that this really sparked my interest. He is doing a program that is called Optifast. Essentially this is very similar to Medifast. He drinks shakes for every meal and is being monitored by a doctor. He has lost so much weight in a short period of time. They will be teaching him how to incorporate real foods back into his diet slowly. I am so proud of him but I secretly do not want to be left behind. I am picking back up partly because of that as well. Overall, I know that I need to lose the weight. I was so happy when people noticed that I was smaller. Those occurrences are few and far between now and I would like to have that feeling again.

Since there are so many new people, I figured it might be a good time to re-introduce myself. My name is Tara. I am married with no kids of my own. Although, I have two fur babies. Rusty is a miniature pinscher and Scooby is a fox terrier. I work full time and have been a member since Sept 2011. I was dedicated for the first year and lost about 70 lbs. I started at 254.00 and dropped to 185.00. I got comfortable and decided that I had lost enough weight. Slowly over the last year and a half I have crept up back to 212.00. I finally decided that I needed to take back control of my weight.

I have always been overweight as long as I can remember. I am smaller now, then I was in high school. I never really thought about what my weight would do to my health. I never weighed myself and didn't dwell on what I weighed. I never had a problem getting boyfriends and had plenty of friends. I met my husband and he did not mind my weight. When we got together, we both enjoyed going out to eat and we both gained weight. I had a friend who was thinking about losing weight and she asked me if I thought I would like to join her. I decided eh, what the heck? Got nothing to lose except weight right? She started and I did not, even though I told her I would. We did not see each other for a long while. I saw her a couple months later and she looked amazing! I thought, if i had just stuck with it and did this with her. I would be smaller. At that point I decided to try. I found MFP based on my friend. Around the same time, my husband and I were discussing the possibility of having children. My husband made a comment that hurt at the time. I know he was not trying to hurt my feelings, but nevertheless, I knew I had to change. My husband said, "Don't you think that it would be better for you and a baby to be smaller?" I was so upset at him. But, honestly, as much as I wanted to punch him, he was right. After deciding what I wanted to do and thinking deeply about why I gained weight, I decided to give it a shot. I still to this day, do not know why I gained weight, why i was overweight. The only thing that I can think of, is that I love the taste of food. I need to focus on portion sizes and healthier foods for me.

There are some goals that I would like to accomplish this year. I know that losing additional weight is very important to me. I have two huge events in July 2014. First is my 10 year reunion. Second, is my best friends wedding, in which I am matron of honor. I want to look BANGIN at both! I think that a soft goal for July would be to lose 40 lbs. Which would bring me to almost 170. I really hope I can achieve this. What do you think? Too extreme? That would be 28 weeks from now.