Need to Lose 100 LBS -Robins Thread !

@Nettie~I can’t relate to TOM perils anymore, ablation will change your life! But from past experiences, it seems that extra weight during that time hung around for 3-5 days. You are doing everything right. Remember that you are exercising a lot and building muscle which weighs more than fat - one of the reasons it’s so important to take measurements. It also takes time for our bodies to catch up, so one day soon you’ll have a big loss. I know it’s hard, I get frustrated too – hang in there though, you got this! I can completely relate to the picture and self-image issues you’re having – I still hate having my picture taken and selfies look horrible. There are still so many imperfections I see, I think it’s one of the hardest things to overcome during and after weight loss (I think its a test to our mental and emotional prowess). :frown:

going for a walk in the cold!!

Thursday Truth: I ate WAY too much over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and did not log every bite and morsel. Hence, the reason I gained 6 lbs. I didn’t adjust my tracker because I knew I would get too depressed. Luckily, I got my calories under, been exercising like mad and those 6 lbs are off. Plus, I was able to post a 2 lb loss and the tracker is finally accurate going forward. Woo Hoo!!!

@ Lives2Travel – No matter what age our children are we will always be a mother and we will know our children are out in the world somewhere. I’m with you on the Christmas decorations. HATE the process, but LOVE the results.
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@ Pyro – I think your Wednesday wish is something many of us would second – no laundry and no calories in adult beverages. Yes, please!! Hope your daughter was OK when she got home.

@ Nettie – I’ve got a couple of friends whose kids have autism. We were swimming one summer and one of the boys is about 5 years older than my son, Cyrus. I’ve explained to Cyrus some of the reasons Charles does the things he does. Well, one time they were playing in the pool and Cyrus started to hang on his shoulders just for fun. Charles freaked out and grabbed Cyrus around the neck shouting “I’m going to kill you!” His mom and I immediately jumped to action. Cyrus knew Charles didn’t mean it, but we had to remind him again Charles doesn’t like sudden movements. It takes very special people who are called to work with our children with special needs. They are lucky to have you.

As far as TOM, don’t get me started. I’ve had to accept my weight loss is not steady. I lose big the first week after my cycle, which is right now. I will then lose or maintain 1 lbs over the next 2-3 weeks then the week prior or of my cycle I will gain 1-2. Over the past 4 months, I’ve lost an average of 6-8 lbs per month. This averages 1.5-2 lbs per week, but that’s not how it really nets out. Plus, I had some plateaus/maintaining in there too. This is why I try to not focus on the daily/weekly totals, but what I did for the month.

@ Kat5343 – Welcome!! I’m doing a 5K this Saturday too called the Great Santa Run here in Las Vegas. My son and I did it last year too with over 10,000 participants. We’ll walk most of it, but I’ll try to run some. It’s going to be chilly though so I need to prepare for that.

@ Lonnie – Welcome!! I’ve started to follow the Paleo/Primal eating method as well. I don’t follow it 100%, but try to come close. It seems to keep me full longer and the scale is slowly moving again. Good luck on your driving test!!! For someone who has been driving for 30 years it will become second nature before you know it.

@ Tina – Loved your story! I know it wasn’t probably a comfortable situation, but I love to hear when people step up. I know there are good people out there that far outweigh the evil. Hope your back starts to feel better.

@ Kaye – How old is your dad? It’s those little things they do that make us thankful. I’m so glad he’s hanging in there.

@ Laurie – What a wonderful tradition! I have never heard of the garden before, but it sounds like a wonderful memory. I know schools been busy as you wind down before the Christmas break. Plus, getting ready for Christmas throws everything in a loop. Are you climbing tomorrow night? I know you’ve missed the gym the past few nights, but go climb. It will get you back in the mood.

@ Nicole – I’m so happy for you. Your post sounds like you're really happy with the trainer, cheapo gym, etc. . . Good for you!!! I know you’ll do great on your finals. Once you have a break you can relax, enjoy the gym and just get yourself ready for the New Year! You’re doing AWESOME!!!

@ Kelly – Our high was only 29 this morning, which is chilly for Vegas. We’ll only get up in the high 30’s. I’m not complaining that’s for sure compared to our friends in North Dakota and all those other blistering states. Always better to be prepared though. Either way you’ll have good eats!!

@ Queen – Good job staying within your goals. This is part of the journey now you tackle eating cleaner. I’ve been focusing more on my macros and keeping those in line, which leans toward clean foods. Plus, my trainer has me eating more good fats, which is hard to accept too. I’ve been so focused on low fats, but for me right now that’s not what was working so we’re trying a different direction. You can do it!!!!

@ KarenLeona – You go girl!!! In the cold too??!! Good for you!

Today I am thankful for the fact that my family has not forgotten the true meaning/reason for Christmas. It's all to easy to get caught up in the commercialism of Christmas (and don't get me wrong, we enjoy those parts too). Our Christmas music encompasses both secular and non-secular songs (listening to Classic Christmas on my phone as I type), my kids are always asking for money to give to the bell ringers, they both enthusastically volunteered to be a part of the Christmas program at church and Jacob has volunteered to play for services both the weekend before Christmas as well as two services on Christmas Eve. My Christmas Eve has always begun with my Dad (and then my brother) reading the Christmas Story from the Bible and that is a tradition we plan to carry on.

@Kaye...I'm so glad to hear that your dad has been able to transition well to his new living arrangements.

@Laurie...I'm German but apparently it was a tradition that was never kept in our family. Sounds wonderful!

@Nace...good luck with finals.:flowerforyou:

@Karen...I was one of 7 in my graduating class. I would have loved to have the opportunity of AP classes when I was in school. As a teacher, it sounds like a very rewarding set of classes. And I hope legislators pull their heads out of their ..... before too much damage is done.

@Holly...My husband asked around at work and there is a group in a nearby town that will answer kid's Santa letters and send them a letter with the North Pole "stamp" on it. He's sending Emma's letter tomorrow. That should add at least another year of believing, right?

@Kelley...I'll take lots of inches of snow over two inches of ice. If you have to go out, be very careful!

@Nettie...No advise for TOM...I dont' remember who said it, but ablation made me a happier person every month. :laugh:

@Susan...glad those quick 6 pounds on were quick off too, plus an additional 2 pounds -- whoo hoo!!

AFM: I FINALLY SAW THE SCALE MOVE DOWN!!! I saw a slight gain from my Vegas trip, got back to normal. Then had a slight gain from Thanksgiving. Today, I am one pound down from a month ago and actually at the lowest I've been since starting MFP. Now to keep it going.

Tonight, Emma has her 2nd grade music program (the bonus is that it's also a Christmas program!!). She's very excited because she has a line during the play. I will also do my lifting tonight with my sis. The best part is that the Sound of Music Live is on tonight. I have the DVR set and so help me -- if my husband messes with it, I will smack 'im. :blushing: We should be good as I've only got the one program recording so he can watch whatever he wants (Saints are on tonight!).

Hope you all have a great Thursday!!
Tracy

My gratitude for today is for my home and neighborhood. As I grumbled through the Christmas decorating, it hit me that so many don't have homes to decorate. We bought this house 3 years ago and I love it as much as I did the day we closed. It's the perfect place for us and I'm also grateful for the great neighbors (and now friends) we've gained. This place had truly been a blessing in my life.

Nettie- My experience with TOM, I usually lose weight the week before about a 1 lb a day. The a day or two after it starts I gain the weight back plus a pound or two. Then it takes about a week or so to lose it again. Just remember that it is not a true weight gain it is water weight and your body will eventually get rid of it. Just keep doing what you are doing and stick with it, your body will catch up when it is ready.

Kelley and everyone else in the path of the winter storm- I hope you are staying safe, warm and you maintain power throughout the storm.

Susan- I am planning on climbing tomorrow night and you are right I will find my motivation again. I did make it to the gym tonight so it felt good to workout for a little while.

Karen- I hope the state figures out your pension system. I know MD is trying or has pushed the cost of the pension to the counties instead of the sate.

Welcome to all the new people- You have stumbled across the best kept secret on MFP. Come back and post often and you will get to know a great group of people.

The tree and garden are done and I will post pictures this weekend.

I am thankful for regaining a little extra time and how things just align to allow you to accomplished more than planned. Yesterday, I was able to get my hair trimmed (aka-the frizzes had to go) and it was suppose to be done today. Today, I went to the park to decorate the wagons for Saturday and they were already done. Needless, to say I was able to make it to the gym by 4:30 so I worked out for an hour. It felt great. I worked on my running form and I was amazed at the speed I was able to pick up. Tomorrow, it is rock climbing and Saturday will be busy day with the hay ride. I may wear my HRM monitor just to see how many calories I burn but then again I will be nibbling most of the morning.

Truth I felt very guilty about missing the gym 2 days in a row. I need to give myself to enjoy life and not feel guilty about missing a couple of nights. It actually gave my body a much needed rest and time to repair itself. Yes, my knees are bruised from climbing the last couple of weeks. I always manage to find something to bang my knee into or on.

Hi guys! Welcome to the newlings!! :flowerforyou:

@laurie--can't wait to see the pictures! I sometimes get the same way about missing my workouts. Today is a prime example--I skipped going to lift b/c I was tired and had a lot of grading. :ohwell: As far as the pensions go, it's really a mess. The state is trying to push it off on the school districts, but that just means the teachers end up paying the price. The only way the districts can absorb the cost is through lower wages and larger class sizes. The result is less quality teachers in the classrooms, and ultimately the students pay the price with a sub standard education. Also, with less extra-curriculars parents and their kids will end up paying more for college b/c their will be less opportunities for scholarships. This is all b/c the state "borrowed" nearly 50 billion $ from our fund and mismanaged it to the tune of another 50 billion. They want the teachers to pay it all back which is completely unfair b/c the entire population of IL benefited from the "loan" that makes up nearly half of the deficit. I keep telling my husband that if they take away my pension he should start packing b/c I will leave public education and go teach abroad. I'm sure I won't get rich doing that either, but at least I'll get to see the world.

@kaye--I hope your activity and calorie adjustments work out well. :flowerforyou:

@lives--I agree whole-heartedly! My DH complains about our house all the time--it's old and things always seem to be breaking. But I have to remind him that he's lucky to have a house.

@susan--I'm so glad this job is working out for you. As someone who loves my own job, I hate seeing people struggle in jobs they don't like. I would rather make less money doing something I love, than slave away at a horrible job or with terrible co-workers for all of the money in the world.

@tracy--I also lacked opportunity to take AP courses. Not b/c my school was small (it was about 2000 students), but b/c Chicago Public Schools didn't place an emphasis on AP when I was a student. I think there were only 2 AP courses offered and both were by the same teacher who took it upon himself to offer the curriculum within his larger classes.

@kelley--I was NOT one of those nerdy students. According to gorilla I was a stoner b/c I listened to Jane's Addiction. :laugh: Seriously though, I loved to read but otherwise I was not fond of school work.

Thursday Truth:
Ugh--another carbtastic day for me. A colleague brought snacks for her birthday today, and I ended up eating way too many snacks. So much so, that my breakfast and lunch I brought for today are both still sitting in the fridge waiting for tomorrow. :blushing:

I did get some grading done, so that's something. :ohwell:

Almost forgot my gratitude post! :noway: I'm grateful for my dad who has always been there for me. He worked hard as a public servant--in the US Navy for 42 years and also as a City of Chicago and State of IL employee once he went into the reserves. He taught me that if you work hard at something you enjoy doing, you will be relatively happy. He was right!

Grading goals:
1. 32/72 AP essays
2. 70/73 AP journals

Exercise goals:
Mon--walk gunner DONE
Tues--rest day (meeting)
Wed--walk gunner (shorter meeting) NOT DONE (too dark) BUT + gym (cardio) DONE
Thurs--walk gunner DONE + gym (lift and HIIT) NOT DONE
Fri--going to Christkindlmarkt after school
Sat--walk gunner + gym (lift and HIIT)
Sun--walk gunner + gym (cardio)

Exercise & Weight:
Bench press = 80
Dead lift = 85
Squat = 90
Overhead press = 55
Upright row = 50

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

Greetings from the frozen tundra!

Its been sleeting and freezing rain since last night, actually took me an hour to get home from work. This morning my alley is a sheet of ice and my boss called a little while ago saying he was staying home. I decided to wait until the sun came up, its really treacherous so I'm not risking the commute either - staying in the warmth of my house. Trains could have been an option but they are shut down too. Luckily this is Texas and this type of weather doesn't happen often or last long.

I'm thankful today that I have the warmth of my house, there are about 250k without power right now and its growing thanks to the ice accumulating on trees and power lines.

@Nettie~How awesome that you get to test the tablet with your students, that's great.

@Robin~Good luck with your mammogram today, hope you feel better.

@Tracy~So cute, how fun! :happy:

Exercise Goals:

Sunday~Gym, training session DONE!
Monday~Gym, cross trainer DONE!
Tuesday~Rest Day
Wednesday~Gym, training session DONE!
Thursday~Rest Day
Friday~Questionable right now
Saturday~Gym, running drills

Happy Frozen Friday to Most!!!

I am getting as much walking as possible in before I leave work because the temps are below zero for the weekend with windchill below zero only walking I will get done is from upstairs to downstairs in the house.

I am grateful today for the compassionate heart God gave me towards others and animals. I also love my puppy so much eventhough he is testing my nerves.

@Kah68- Hope is all okay with you and the storm. My friend that moved to TX said she has seen 3 car ports destroy cars today by falling on them.
@Robin- Best wishes on the doctor visit today
@Nettie- God bless the man who gave you the tablet I love hearing those stories. Glad the glasses worked out well. I am the opposite I look in the mirror big at current weight 254 love what I see. Last year at this time I was 245 and I hated what I looked like both weights are down from the 260 I started at.
@Ihall80031- Welcome I have been on and off the wagon since my joined date. I am around your weight close to age and a almost 18 yr old. I need to lose 100lbs per doctor that would still me at over weight but to me I would be skinny.
@Tlh0407- Love the idea your hubby found for the santa letter. I never taught my son to believe in Santa rather I taught him basically the true meaning of the holiday. I love the family tradition you talked about. Emma is so cute.
@Susan- I am glad your big life adventure in Vegas has worked out so well for you.
@Laurie- I am glad you took time to enjoy life and give your body a rest.