*** Supportive Friends -- Looking to Release 50+ Pounds ***

OK... so, I am going to start by saying... I think - THINK - that I am finally "BACK." *big sigh of relief* I don't know how else to say that but to say that I think I might actually be back... back to myself, back to the plan, back on track, back to myself... did I mention back to being me?

Long story short? I went on a hiatus from "my plan" and what was working, went on vacation for almost 3 weeks, came back and ended up VERY sick, got put on a steroid and lost pretty much everything about ME. It was really, really hard to work out - and, much of that was probably because by the end? I had put on close to 40 or more pounds over a 30 day period of time. Which - was VERY directly related to the steroid. I mean, my weight was up from not follwing plan and being on vacation - but - it went from that weight up possibly close to 50 pounds... in 30 days time. My mood? Good grief. I found out later that people who go on some of these steroids are also placed on antidepressants and all I can say is that I can see why! My mood was all over the place. I thought that as soon as the meds were done that the effects would simply go away. But they didn't. I kept going to the gym and burning massive calories, most likely (OK, plain and simply) wasn't eating enough calories to counteract that... and I was tired, sluggish, crabby... all the things that I love about working out weren't happening. I even had a session with my trainer where she actually had to take weights OFF because I couldn't do anything. She said to stop concentrating on the scale and start concentrating on feeding my body like I knew how and to just plan that I wouldn't be back to where I was pre-illness until the end of February but that by the end of March she expected I would be back to my best level...

So a few weeks ago, I just concentrated on working out, the next week it was working out and drinking water, the following week (last week) was more about working out, wataer and supposedly nutrition. BUT I forgot how hard it is to detox off of crappy food and crappy habits... so this week? This week I am building out a plan for nutrition and workouts. I'm logging EVERYTHING. I'm going to ensure I am getting enough sleep. And, I am going to work on checking in here more often... I say it all the time, but? I do better when I have my "girls" around me... plus - we have some guys in here now, so, gotta check in with all of ya all... LOL.

So, why I think I am back? Because the last few workouts have provided me with that motivational high that you get at the end, my mood is soooooo much improved, and the scale has started working it's way back down... NOW - I know I need to NOT concentrate so much on the scale, but? I will have some focus there - It is NOT the measure of my success - but I hate that my ticker says what it says... once upon a time it said 115 pounds were gone... and they were never supposed to come back. So, I just wanna see it back to nearer what it should be. I expect that I may have a few weeks of incredible "losses" because I know that much of the "weight" that came on (that 50'ish pounds) is fluid. I can see it. I can feel it. So, I know that people can drop a ton of fluid quickly. Oh, and I stopped drinking pop/soda on Ash Wednesday - which means I am where I should be water wise - which usually leads to drops on the scale and - well - I'm seeing fluid leave... so hoping that will show up on the scale.

Ummm... so well, yeah, thats where I am at....

With that in mind - here is my plan for the week... figuring that will help hold me accountable to the plan.

Sunday: Go to the gym for at least 45 min of exercise (LCW for another challenge)
Monday: At least 30 min cardio, then Yoga Class for 1 hr 15 min followed by the Steam Room (my first real Yoga class)
Tuesday: At least 20 min cardio, then Personal Training (TRX, I believe), followed by the Steam Room
Wednesday: REST DAY - hosting an It Works! Party.
Thursday: At least 30 min cardio, then lifting
Friday: Goal of 60 min of cardio, followed by the Steam Room
Saturday: Morning Outdoor Walk/Jog (weather dependent), Afternoon: at least 20 min cardio, lifting, followed by Steam Room.

Goal: Minimum of 100 oz of water every day!


And, again, I posted a blog yesterday and posted the link in an earlier message... but, that's a big focus for me - which is why I am adding Yoga to my regular routine... EEK! I don't think I am going to be ANY good at Yoga and am a bit concerned about it... This body? Not really made for Yoga exactly. I'm pretty flexible, but with that added weight my balance is horrible and I can only be as flexible as my body allows - where "fat pockets" lie - I mean, well, yeah... Anyway... I'm a bit worried about that this week... but? I'm not going to let my inner fears interfere!

And Now - to Feedback... (here's hoping that the FIRST and SECOND don't make me sound too horrible! Eek!)


FIRST -- To any of you who are saying you wish to "JOIN" our group... there is no "joining" to do. Not really. This is an ongoing thread. The IMPORTANT PIECES are that you need to BE ACTIVE not only in YOUR OWN STORY but also SUPPORTING OTHERS. That's it. It's that simple. And, you'll be amazed by the support you get back... this is NOT a place for you to come and JUST GET support - YOU HAVE TO GIVE TO RECEIVE... but what you receive? Pretty amazing!

SECOND -- To those of you who have sent me Friend Requests? Many of them without a note or message attached... I'm pretty selective about who and when I put people on my Friend List... if you join us and stick around for a while, then I'll probably be happy to accept them. However, I am a big supporter of my friends on here - (at least usually, lol, sorry to Steph & Penny in particular, I kinda disappeared for a bit, but again? I'm back!) - and so I take that list pretty seriously. I'm not someone who cares to have a "big" friend list... I used to keep it to 25 or less. That's grown over time. But, please don't take offense... I am just one of those people who keeps her list relatively small...

THIRD -- OK, Now time for Individual Feedback... and some of it may be late - but better late than never, right?!?

Steph: I'm sooo sorry to hear that the flu has hit your home. Hope that all of you are better soon. Have I told you that I love that new(er) photo of Kenzie? She's so cute... You should be one proud mama! Now, on the relationship stuff - ugh! Sorry! Just know that a baby changes everything - and you are both learning new things about yourselves and each other. Don't take it all on you - there are reasons (legitimate ones) for why you have some frustrations... I just hope he's working as hard on those things as you are on yours... Sorry, but I tend to be a little protective of those I love! Also - how is your calendar looking for that real exercise? I'm doing my own pieces of that same type of thing - so we can sure help keep each other accountable! Here's hoping for more of your Hubby pitching in for that important time with Kenz while you can have some equally important YOU TIME.

Penny: Glad that the first weekend of Feb. with the BF went well and that clothes are fitting better - yay on the black jeans! That's always nice. I love that you are such a biker. I just can't get into it, most of the time. Part of me wants to be... but that doesn't include my butt and quads... ha! How about you? How has exercise outside of walking/cycling been going? And, what about the water? I'm going to try and cook up several meals for this week at a point this evening... hoping that keeps me on track and saves me money also! *sigh* The new taxes here in the US have absolutely KILLED my paycheck. I'm not organized enough to plan a week in advance, but I'm gonna try to gleen some of your mojo with prepping meals ahead... And? My *kitten*... all big old bunch of it... is back here! Thanks for threatening to come kick it. Sometimes I need that - as you well know. Ha!

ReNae: Where are you, where are you, where are you?? I need my ReNae back - telling us to keep it skinny and that it's Thirsty Thursday... I am just, simply, happy whenever I see a post from you! So, I hope that you find your way back to us -- you just were such a foundation of that original group.

Julie: As I texted you before, but will say it 100 times more? CONGRATS ON THE NEW BABE!! He's so cute... I hope that it's going well. How's Eve adjusting? Happy to be Wyatt's big sis still or has any of the natural jealousy and confusion crept in? Sleepless nights... would be hard. Back to finding a new kind of balance, huh?

pennsciteach: I like the different approach to your calories (Red Velvet Cupcake post) - because I agree, you CAN have those things. Food is meant to be enjoyed... we just need to do that reasonably. Also? I love that you are active on here... YAY! Bokwa sounds... interesting. Glad that you found something you enjoy - makes it much easier, doesn't it?!?

Brenda (MTGirl4Life): A fellow Montanan? WELCOME!! Yeah, Yeah, I know - you "live" in Washington... but I know that a Montanan's heart always stays with Montana. LOL.

Amanda (misspinkshort): Life can get in the way and we may disappear - but what I am glad to read is that you were still working your program/plan. Great job!! Remember that there is a VERY IMPORTANT role for Rest days and Recovery days... it's vital that you take both of those types of days to let your body recover and rebuild. No need to feel guilty - and make sure to plan those days in! That may help with the "motivation factor." You have to remember that it's OK to have days that you just don't want to do the "right things." It's part of what helps us grow... so one or two down days? Nothing to get overly concerned about... Additinally - if this was hitting right about 3 weeks later? That's probably because it's become that new reality. It takes 21 days to form a new habit, which is 3 weeks. Your body probably is wondering - is this what we are sticking with? Show it that it is!

hmayo86: Glad to see you in here regularly... whoop! Sorry, but when there are so many in and out? Well - I figure we should celebrate those of us who stick around! Ha! Also? Congrats on getting past that one stinkin' pound... I find that my body sometimes freaks out at a particular weight - then once I get past that I'll do well for awhile... then it'll freak out again... So, I'm celebrating that one pound for and with ya!


Welcome to the rest of you... hope that we have more people sticking around!

My goal also for the week? Check in to this thread at least 3 times for the week... this will count as one. What about the rest of you? What can you commit to - in order to help make this thread successful?!? I challenge each of you to check in at least 3 seperate days this week... I'm gonna do it - will you?!?