T.H.E (Trying Hard Everyday) Team.. new thread :0)

Shawnalee...congrats on the move, you must be really excited now. I don't envy you the packing and unpacking though.

Lulubar..i'm in the uk so wasn't typing that early in the morning *lol* The hair looks great by the way, thanks for asking.

Maybe i need to plan a holiday it seem to be really motivating you all.

We need to write a book of funny stuff ya'll say -- ceremonial breast plate... OMG, you're gonna make me pee my pants laughing this hard.

Did Day 2 of shred yesterday and I truly can't believe how much stronger I have become. I had lung cancer seven years ago (no- not the kind from smoking -- rather the no-reason-for-this kind where God decides you're ready for another character-building opportunity) and had a lung removed. Cardio stuff is especially tough -- my pulmonologist reminds me that I went from an 8 cyinder engine to a 4 cylinder one so I shouldn't expect my body to perform the same way it did. Anyway, I'm in great health now, but it's really tough for me to figure out when I'm really doing the best I can when working out or when I'm just making excuses for not working hard.

Speaking of excuses, I just got home from a late night meeting and I just don't think I can make myself work out this late. Perhaps that's what hump day is for -- a midweek break.

Hope you all have a great evening.

Did Day 2 of shred yesterday and I truly can't believe how much stronger I have become. I had lung cancer seven years ago (no- not the kind from smoking -- rather the no-reason-for-this kind where God decides you're ready for another character-building opportunity) and had a lung removed. Cardio stuff is especially tough --

Thank you for sharing this Utahsis! WOW! You are doing shred?? I am BEYOND impressed! And what an amazing inspiration you are! Thank you, seriously!!!!

Lulubar, Me too! I look forward to reopening things and keeping what is important and will work well and not waste space. But yes, WORK! :-/

Sara, Welcome!
My biggest tip is.. set 2 goals for yourself each week, every week (for example: eat 5 fruits and veggies this week and workout 4 days or Eat within my alloted calories this week and get in 1 hour of strength this week) Just some ideas. Focus on them with all your might, :-D That and, be realistic! If you are realistic and are making changes you can do for LIFE, then you should be able to stick to it. Well rounded meals and enjoy them, mix it up and try new things! :-D Try a new recipe each week.

I plan EVERY dinner for the entire week every Sunday and each night I plan my meals for the next day and enter them into MFP (making adjustments the next evening as needed)
Boxing?! Awesome!! My man is working with a Boxing trainer right now and he loves it! I have considered getting into something NEW but I can't really afford it right now. Best of luck! Stick to it! You will kick some A!
These are things that I find help keep me a float. You will do great and you already are!! :-D

Sara...welcome, i used to do that with food, really good for a few weeks then awful for a few weeks. Since joining this site though i haven't been as bad. I haven't been perfect but when i've eaten rubbish one day i've not let it carry on. The next day i've got back on track.

I always think to myself this is a life choice not just a diet and i know i'm not going to spend the rest of my life without cakes or takeaways or chocolate etc I just have stop at one here and there like most people who aren't struggling with weight.

*THIS* is an attempt at posting on here!

Work is finally slowing down and i can actually got on the website to see what people are up too, i havent had time to read all the previous posts. It seems like we are chatty again though!

I joined a gym because i missed the grou classes. Right now, i am taking Zumba and "Metobolic Effect" i want to start taking TRX but the classes are offered while im still working.

I think i broke my plateau We shall see tommorrow at weigh in.

I stopped tracking my food. it was too stressful!

Hope every one is doing well!

Hello Friends!!!!

I have missed you all! I have had a very busy week like usual. I am an elected student leader of my college and university (the college and university are separate but on the same campus, thus there is one student association that represents all of the students, it is very unique). I am constantly in meetings and staying late almost every day to do things, but I really love it! It's because of this position though that I have gained so much weight this year, so I would like to get back to a more desirable weight before I leave at the end of April.

I will be heading off to a conference for university student leaders across my province (Ontario, Canada) to help develop documents that will be brought to the provincial government. I never thought that I would ever involve myself in politics but I did and I am surprisingly liking it. Anyway, this conference will be full of fatty foods so I will really need to watch what I eat. Any suggestions to make things easier? I was thinking of bringing me some dark bakers chocolate that I could eat for my desserts or something.

Exciting fact of the night: I have discovered that I am back to being disgusted by fast food (McDonalds). I got myself addicted to it again this year, and I walked past it today and smelt the grease, and for the first time in months, my salivary glands remained inactive. Very good, salivary glands! I had absolutely no desire for anything in there.

I am still feeling urges to eat ice cream and desserts, but instead, last night I made myself a simple smoothie: 1 banana, a handful of strawberries, and just enough milk to allow it to puree. It was like ice cream but healthy!
smoothie: 161 Cals; 24 g sugar vs
2 cookies: 140 cals; 10 g sugar vs
Ice cream: 140 cals; 13 g sugar
.....hmm what is better?

I would like to comment on a few of your posts. Unfortunately I have missed quite a bit of activity, so I will only address some of you, but I do read through everything that has been posted!

Sara from Vancouver!!!!!!!!! Welcome, my fellow Canadian!! We gotta stick together, eh? :P I am totally instant friending you, because you pretty much have the exact same stats as me: 5'4, same goals, university students, etc. Glad to see you on here. Good luck with the boxing. My goal is to be able to do some 5ks in the summer.

Vicki: Protip: if you ever have issues with the font size in your computer, just press 'ctrl' and the + or - signs to resize it. Don't feel bad, I even have trouble reading things on the the computer, I usually have to magnify it to at least 16 font, all of my friends make fun of me for it...

Blue: Hi Blue! I'm a newbie here, you sound like you have been around for a while. Nice to see everyone checking in from time to time. No stress about disappearing every now and then, everyone is busy.

Cheryl: Welcome to the group, tell us your story, we love story time *Gathers everyone in front of the MFP fireplace*

Missa, props to you and your busy life! I would say the smoothie wins. The sugar in the smoothie is NOT the same sugar as in the cookies or the ice cream. The sugar in the smoothie is a banana and strawberries. Therefore it has more beneficial nutriients than the others Also, if you use a nonfat plain greek yogurt with your fruit and you will get some additional protein too. But your milk works just fine. The less processed, always the better option
I have some calories left, maybe I will have a smoothie myself!

Utah, that is funny, I always want to blame something! It may just be basic core strength... and the more you do shred the better it will get so stick to it! You are doing great! :-D

Tomorrow I am subbing a half day in Elementary PE! haha I wonder what my activities will be! The part I am looking forward to is wearing more comfortable clothes than dress pants and a blouse hahah

So the plateau continues, I am wondering what I am doing wrong. BLECH! Lame o! Anyhow, J is hiding the scale from me so I stop thinking about it and just keep kicking my *kitten*! :-D