Need to Lose 100 LBS -Robins Thread !

I'm adding a new goal for March: to strengthen my stomach muscles, so my lower back doesn't hurt.

Yesterday, I spent all day from early morning until late at night babysitting and carrying a toddler and babies around. (From 23 lbs to 11 lbs.) I didn't think it was that much , but by last night I was in pain...I'll be babysitting a fair bit for the next few months, so I have to strengthen my back! The 6 week old is colicky and required a lot of jiggling, carrying, swaying, rocking, bouncing, whatever you can think of to sooth her!

Good Morning.

It was so gorgeous here yesterday that I just couldn’t bring myself to workout inside a gym, the high was 88 and not a cloud in the sky so I opted for a run instead – then iced my Achilles for the rest of the night, apparently I have angered it.

@Karen~I recently started using the timer on my HRM to count my plank holds as well, felt like I needed an exact time so I had a baseline for building upon. Enjoy your “snow day” today and get some rest – sounds like a good day for you and Gunner to snuggle while you read a good book.
@Vicki~Glad your follow-up went well! Yep, by July I’ll be wanting to switch climates too!:
@Gorilla~Your engineering conference sounds fascinating! :laugh:
@Rachael~Sounds like you had a rough afternoon. Did you ever find your car keys? I hope your daughter feels better soon.
@Melancholy~One word - planks! They will help to strengthen your core, which will help alleviate back pain.

March Challenge~I did not get my planks done yesterday, but it wasn’t a lack of effort – my arms are so sore from working out with my trainer on Sunday that I just couldn’t hold them. I suppose I should give myself credit for attempting them though. I did get my water in though – 17 glasses yesterday!

thanks for the advice. I'm going to look into doing planks!

Monday check in -
Oncologist check up today - she said things were looking good but took tests anyway, back again in July unless she finds something funky. Cool thing is that she was impressed with the weight loss & how I'm going about it.... yay!

that's awesome!

Monday check in -
Oncologist check up today - she said things were looking good but took tests anyway, back again in July unless she finds something funky. Cool thing is that she was impressed with the weight loss & how I'm going about it.... yay!

that's awesome!

I second that!

Tuesday goal-- I'm going to finish reading "The Virgin Diet" and then write up a plan as to how and when I shall begin. (There is pea protein to order, chia seeds to find and purchase, etc...) I talked to my husband yesterday about starting this. (Whether I mean to or not, this affects him because I cook our main meal, and while I will still make things I can't have for him, I still won't be cooking "normal"). He thinks it may be a good idea because of my iron issues. (Maybe "food intolerance" is keeping iron from being absorbed by my body....).

@rachael – finding a routine can be all trial and error. But find what works for you. Right now, I’m alternating gym days (strength, elliptical) with running on my treadmill at home. This week, I’ll run 3 days, gym 4 days, next week run 4 days, gym 3 days. Once I build more distance to my running, I will have a rest day – just not sure what day that will be yet. Someday I will add a class or two on a gym day, but I’m just not ready for that yet. Zumba and spin class are most interesting to me.

@skinnyjeanz – enjoy your snow day. I heard that some areas are getting a lot today. Thankfully, it doesn’t sound like it’s heading into Canada this time. Glad you are getting some extra time to recover – and you didn’t even have to call in sick!

@helen – wow, the Virgin Diet sounds intense, hopefully you will find the answers you are seeking.

@susan – what are the odds you’d be sitting with your old boss? At least your leaving was amicable; it would have been horrible if things had gone badly when you gave your notice!

@kah – I can hardly wait for it to be nice enough to take my run outside. Still too much snow & ice here – but it’s supposed to be getting warmer the next few days and that should start the meltdown.

@Mel – that’s exactly why I’ve included the ab work and planks for my March goal. Strong abs = strong back. I just wish I didn’t hate sit ups so much. Did find an app on iTunes – 0 – 200 sit ups. Kind of like a C25K for sit-ups, lol. Found one for 0 – 100 push ups too. I can’t do either well – yet……

@ Holly – sounds like quite a mess of snow for your area. Hope it’s better going home.

@Gorilla – enjoy that conference.

@Laurie – yeesh, no heat in your classroom. Not sure where you are located, but it must have gotten quite chilly in there by the end of the day. Hope you either do or don’t get that snow – depends if you are hoping for a snow day or not.

I don’t have any new goals. So far, I’ve done my planks, sit ups and push ups on my run days at home.

March Challenges:
1. MUST add in some ab work and push ups at least 3x/week.
2. Keep on logging, posting and tracking.
3. I find “tooting my own horn” very hard to do. But I will make an effort to stop the negative self-talk when it starts.

Hi guys--just checking in. Finished cleaning the fish tank--what a miserable job! Nose still won't quit and DH won't let me help shovel b/c I'm sick. I'm not too sad about that.

Goals for today:
1. dishes DONE
2. clean fish tank DONE
3. x/18 Gatsby journals
4. laundry

Happy Tuesday! Hubs is at a work conference in Ohio until Thursday, so I'm feeling very lonesome. This is the first time we've been really apart since we were married. Just got home from work and having a hard time knowing he's sleeping somewhere else tonight

Goals for this week:
CLEAN THIS HOUSE (might take my mind off absent Hubby)
Drink water.
Read this book.

Fitness goals:
Monday- c25k DONE
Tuesday- strength + planks (haven't started yet but will before bed)
Wednesday- c25k
Thursday- strength + planks
Friday- c25k
Saturday- free
Sunday- rest

Drojen- I live and work in Maryland so our weather varies daily. Yesterday, the temperature in my room was 59 degree and never made it above 60 degrees. That is just to cold for the kids and I to focus. Today, the heat was back on and the temperature was in the 80's to hot to stay focused but they did work very hard today. We opened the windows which helped. The outside temp was near 50 today. Tomorrow, we are suppose to get some snow.

I would love a snow day, but don't want to get my hopes up yet. Between the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean and the Mountains plus a pesky jet stream that forecast can change we get nothing or get dumped. They are saying 3-6 inches but it will also include rain and possible sleet- the ice is the worse. I am making my wish early and that is for a snow day.

Tuesday Goals-
My exercise plans for the week:
Saturday- Gym DONE
Sunday- Walk with Friend (gym was to busy) DONE
Monday- Gym DONE
Tuesday-REST Day- I was very tired today DONE- Did socialize with a different group of people
Wednesday- Gym or shoveling snow may meet with Trainer weather dependent
Thursday-Gym with trainer
Friday- Rock Climbing

March challenges
1. Water between 15-18 cups a day.
2. Add mobility exercises back into my routine for back and shoulders at least 3 x's a week
3. State the positives in my life, especially when I do better on a reoccurring activity.
4. Add 3 days of core work as well.


A fun positive today--Tonight I went out with a social group and one of the guys there I had met a few months ago. I really liked him but nothing happened. As we were talking tonight, he said something about how I should be mixing with all the other guys as young as I was (I did talk to many of them but nothing special.) He thinks I am younger than I actually am-he did not ask. Anyway, as I was preparing to leave, I had to ask him if he would go out with a girl if they came up to him and asked him out? His reply was I would need to think about it- I said that was my point exactly why push myself on a guy if they are not interested- his response- "playing hard to get",. Me- I am. Then I said I would like to go out with you but I will not beg or throw myself at you. Him- He thought that was interesting. He would think about it. I will see what happens. At least he did not blow me off.

Just read through the last 4 pages or so. Morgori, good for you, donating for St. Baldricks! For those under the weather, feel better soon! And reading everybody's posts about exercise routines (and rewarding yourself) got me thinking about moving my coffee table out of the middle of my living room again. And getting a pedi for meeting my goals. And maybe seeing if I can afford a personal trainer again, since that will -- for SURE -- get me going to the gym regularly.

This past weekend was my daughter's birthday (wretched calorie-wise, but a great time had by all anyway), and then we went up to Mt. Hood to visit the snow. (Apologies to those shoveling out driveways.... western Oregon tends not to get much, but it's only a 90-minute drive to go play in it.) I went tubing and woke up with sore everything yesterday. Just tells me how out of shape I am, but -- again -- it was great fun.

Toots, I hope your hubby is doing okay these days. I've been reading an annotated Pride & Prejudice and really enjoying it the last couple of days. Fascinating to read the notes that put the little details of the novel into historical context. I was struck, yesterday, by how appalled Jane Austen would be upon meeting me. I possess none of the traits considered fashionable or appropriate for a well-bred lady of the early 1800s, and many of the ones (significant education and fierce independence in particular) that would have been abhorrent. Amazing what a couple hundred years and a cultural revolution or two will do....

ETA: Kaye, where was that store? Gotta check that out!!

Wed Wish- To get on top of my game again.

@Laurie- I am not saying I want you to have a day or 2 off from work but can they make the kids go to school where there is no heat? I remember this man from the outing and it is funny your conversation. I wish you the best of luck.
@Jtconst- Hope you feel better soon
@EBaily- I think everyone in this group has been in your shoes at some point. Don't give up regardless of what the scale says you are on your way to a healthier you. Personally, the scale is evil for me ( has me feeling like you did) so I am trying measurements instead. Hang in there and just remember you are doing this to be a healthier you and eventually the scale will figure that out.

@ebailey710... congrats on the pound loss, send hubby away more often!
@Rachel - yes mixing the workouts is key... but most important is finding one that you enjoy and actually look forward to doing!
@Bohemian - awesome having the bike for trips like that! I have been thinking about getting my bike and riding it to and from the gym but the only way for me to get there is along a major highway and I do not really want to die like that.
@skinnyjeanzbo - hope you kick that cold quickly and the shoveling is not TOO bad for you! Although it is a great workout!
@Lauriek70 - guy sounds like a tool... his answer should have been pick you up Friday night...

So an update on my conference yesterday... well my co-worker forgot to mention to me that I was going to have to do a presentation on his project! It was one of the case studies of this system engineering report that has to be done. Not to bore you all to tears, the report we produced was horrible. My co-woker is an academic who likes to show off his Master from Yale, so it is impossible to comprehend. Good news... that frustration fueled my workout!

And what a workout! I thought workout A was hard. This workout B was damn near impossible. I actually could not complete my last sets of pushup-rows. Even just 12 pushups at that point my shoulders and core were so exausted they were a challenge. My shoulders and back are nice and tired today... tonight is a little arm work and then spin class. I hope the regular instructor is out again tonight and the bad @$$ girl is back.

Good Morning.

@Laurie~Interesting conversation with the guy at your gathering last night. If I ever ask anyone something and they say “I have to think about it,” that raises a flag. I’ve always been with the school of thought that if you need to think about something, the answer is no. I proud of you though, for taking that vulnerable step and asking him a question like that. I agree with Gorilla, his answer should have been, I’ll pick you up Friday night. I’m putting myself out there and trying the dating thing again, I gotta say at my age its terrifying!
@Shrinkrapt~I know personal training isn’t for everyone and not everyone can afford it, but honestly it is what works for me. I make a lot of sacrifices so that I can have one, but for me it has truly paid off. It definitely keeps me accountable, knowing I have to answer to him twice a week.
@ebailey~You definitely cannot let the scale dictate your journey. We are going to have up and downs and plateau’s – just be diligent and committed, trust me your body will catch up eventually. This is not easy and can be frustrating at times – so when the scale is being stubborn, remember to check measurements during those weeks like Holly suggested. While you may not have lost pounds, you may have increased your lean body mass, gained muscle, and lost inches – in my books those victories are greater than anything the scale has to say. So, kudos to you for your scale victory and pushing through that plateau. Keep it up! :flowerforyou:
@Karen~I think it’s so sweet the hubs wouldn’t let you help with the snow, you need to stay in where its warm and beat that nasty cold!
@Gorilla~Hope you get a sub in spin class again, enjoy! I’ve been doing my own workouts on the spin bikes (love working out in that room anyway – coolest spot in the club), but may do a formal spin class next week.

Wednesday Wish~That the next two days go by fast, I am so ready for my mini-vacay!

@Toots~How is your hubby? Has he recovered from his illness?

he's doing okay. his o2sat isn't completely normal but it's much better. he has to see a pulminologist to make sure that the disease didn't do any heart damage but since his lungs seem to have no permanent damage we're pretty confident that test will come back okay too.

Toots, I hope your hubby is doing okay these days.

I've been reading an annotated Pride & Prejudice and really enjoying it the last couple of days. Fascinating to read the notes that put the little details of the novel into historical context. I was struck, yesterday, by how appalled Jane Austen would be upon meeting me. I possess none of the traits considered fashionable or appropriate for a well-bred lady of the early 1800s, and many of the ones (significant education and fierce independence in particular) that would have been abhorrent. Amazing what a couple hundred years and a cultural revolution or two will do....

better, thanks. it's interesting how our opinions of 'must have' behaviors and skills is totally formed by society. i don't mean for an individual, but for the whole. no one cares any more about embroidery or painting or playing the piano. (or the improvement of our minds through extensive reading ) but today there are things that we consider of utmost importance that no other time period will remotely care about or would have had they known it was coming.

To all who are suffering from colds etc. – hang in there, the end of winter is near, I just know it is!

@Rachael – just remember, life happens and sometimes we have to skip a day – no beating yourself up if you miss a workout on your plan. Yesterday it sounds like you came up with a great alternative to the gym. Leslie is pretty good and certainly better than nothing! I have to go through my DVDs one of these days. I have the Zumba ones, but haven’t had the nerve to try them. I know I’m going to feel like I’ve got 5 left feet….

@Laurie – I agree with Holly – at what point do they close the school because the heat isn’t working? We had a school close here not too long ago for that reason. You can’t freeze everyone! Were you lucky enough to get your snow day?

@ebailey – glad to hear you didn’t quit. That scale is everyone’s enemy, LOL. I splurged on one that also does the fat, muscle, water & bone %. It’s fairly accurate – at least the fat % was pretty close to that calculated at the gym the other day. Don’t know how it does it. Anyway, my point is, I haven’t seen much movement this week on the scale either, but suddenly my muscle % is higher! That makes me more than happy. It’s about so much more than that pesky # on the scale.

@gorilla – make sure to “thank” your co-worker for not letting you know about doing his presentation. Honestly, a good kick in the shins might be a good “thank you” for him, LOL. Hope you get your temp. spin class girl.

@Kah & Laurie – good for you both for getting out there again. I can’t bring myself to do it. I’ve been alone for almost 16 yrs (not one date in that time, much less a relationship). I figure I’ll meet my soul mate in the retirement home one day. It’s terrifying at my age too – so much baggage out there (and it’s not just them, I’ve got plenty of my own I’m carting around, LOL)

Wednesday wish – that I can resist all the bad snacks folks bring in this week for birthdays. We have about 5 people in our office that have birthdays the next few days (plus my son’s 15th on Saturday). Thankfully, most people bring in a healthy option as well.
Also wishing for next week to get here quickly. I only work ½ days Monday – Wednesday and I’m off Thursday – Friday. I so need some time away from work!