*Snowflakes to Sunshine* Week #15 Discussion 4.15.11

Well, I gained 1 pound this week and with gaining the last couple of weeks I feel like I am sliding backwards. I can't pinpoint why other than Stress and lack of exercise - I changed up exercising and went for a couple of really great bike rides this week.

The stress is that I had to make the decision to take a different job that will eventually allow me to work at home - The problem: It is less money and hired for less hours. I'm nervous if we can afford the less money, but you can do anything you set your mind to, right?! Currently I drive one hour one way to work so 10 hours a week on the road and with the cost of gas it has got to be better than spending money in my gas tank, right?!!! - So today is my last day on my current job and I am sad - only because I have been here 8 years and have made some great friends.

I'm also stressed becuse I quit smoking this week - I am officially 3.5 days smokefree!!! - I'm proud of myself for that accomplishment alone as I have tried in the past and trust me - it is not easy, just like this eating healthier and exercising journey - all one step at a time!!!

so as far as gaining back a couple of pounds. I'm OK with that - I don't know how my routine is going to pan out as I start my new job next week with orientation, etc. and not sure if I can eat/drink at my desk or what kitchen facilities they even have for break/lunch. I will do my best to stay within my calories and get some form of exercise at least 4-5 days out of the week and see what happens.

I wish everyone a wonderful weekend and stay strong and focused - WE ARE WORTH IT!!!

Hey ladies, ok so I've been saying more than am onth now that I'm gonna get back to into the groove and I never id it. Plain and simple-I was being lazy. I was sitting imagining my life being better and filled with more joy because of me losing weight, and not actually doing anything about it. I've been through this journey before and lost 80 pounds with just changing a few simple things. I didn't count calories, but I stopped the bad snacks and switched to special k bars and yogurt with granola, one of those 2 things would also be my breakfast p5 days a week. I stopped drinking coke and drank diet, and then I exercised at least 4 nights a week. Before when I made these changes it didn't seem hard like it is now, it just seemed like it was normal and I just stuck with it, I didn't even think about it most days, like wow I would rather have a brownie than this yogurt, that thought didn't cross my mind.

And here's the only reason I can think of that made this so much easier for me last time around. Last time around I was a single mother with one child living with my dad and brother, and I had a full time job which I had to be to at 530 in the morning, that's why I had those things for breakfast because I had a very active job and didn't really have time to eat breakfast. I also had more of a life than I do now. That sounds horrible because now I have 2 kids, but it's true. I haven't had a job in over a year, I've been having such a hard time getting a job. And it sucks because I know that would help me with the weight because it is an active job so I would be a lot more active. My boyfriend is the one working right now and he's kind of a workaholic which can be a good thing but not if you wanna have any kind of social life. We only have the one vehicle so therefore I am stuck at home with the kids. And barely get to get out because he works such long hours. So I think the change in lifestyles is definitely a factor in this journey. And with all that said, I've realized and am willing to adit that I eat and don't exercise because I am bored. I don't have much of a life so I sit here and have to be doing something, like on the computer, I can't really stand just watching tv alone, I have to be doing something, which is usually eating while watching tv. Which is why I spend a lot more time on the computer and avoid the tv unless a show I am currently watching is on, because the computer keeps my mind and hands busy!

But with all that being said, I think I have finally found my motivation again! My boyfriend had no choice but to take 3 days off this past week so we actually had time to go out and shop and do things! We were out Friday, Sat, and Sunday all day and I loved it! Because of this I forgot to weigh myself at the end of last week. I weighed myself on Monday and was 341.4, then again on Tuesday which I made my official "come back" day, and I was 340.4, so a pound lost there somehow! I started exercising again on wednesday and have been pretty motivated in doing so, I even worked out again at the end of yesterday! I'm doing my taebo which I love and it worked for me before so I know it will work again. I have also been actually entering my calories in and have done pretty well. today I weighed in at 339.8, so since Monday I am down 1.6! not bad for my first official week back at it, I'll take it! I'm exited for this again and I haven't been that way in a couple months. So what I need to change is to stop being lazy, I'm here all day, with nowhere to go no one to see, there's no reason why I can't get AT LEAST 30 minutes of exercise in, as for the eating I need to find something to do to keep me occupied besides the computer, cuz I know sitting on here all day isn't too good either.

Hello ladies! I managed to lose a little from last week. Still not exactly where I was before I had that massive gain! :grumble: That's okay though. I have been doing some reading and I am changing up my diet for the next 2 weeks. I really think I will see some results from the change. I'm adding green tea with every meal as it is supposed to aid in digestion and kick your metabolism up a notch. I'm also tweaking a few other things as well. Now I just need to stick to my plans. I still plan on working out my usually 3-4 times a week.

Good morning, ladies!

I broke my plateau this week and landed a sweet 3lb loss and I'm down to 184. That number made me tear up. I can not wait to be under 180 - it has been years since I was there and I just want it so bad! I am so very glad that I didn't give up when the stress and chaos of life piled up on me. I'm so glad I had all of you to shoulder me through the rough patches.

Today is my first official day of unemployment and I'm obviously stressed out mentally and emotionally. We move in six weeks to a more expensive apartment that I no longer can afford and I have to call and tell my parents that I won't be able to come down for Easter because I just can't afford to drive that far. Everything will work out, I know. It is just stressful right now.

Physically I feel amazing. My body is limber from all the yoga. I feel strong from the 30DS. And I feel light from the healthy eating. The healthier aspects have become routine rather than a forced habit, so that is a great thing.

My struggle is exercise. I can find a million reasons not to do it - even though it feels amazing. I struggle with it every day.

My second struggle is diet. Oh, boy -- it is really really tough to type this.... I have been trying to live a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle for the last 3 years and for the most part I have been successful with only a few stumbling blocks. In those three years I have also developed some serious issues and most recently I began losing hair, experiencing chronic fatigue, and having incredible headaches. Turns out, my body just can't handle a veggie only diet. And I didn't have the balance needed to sustain it. I started to reintroduce meat into my diet the past week (chicken, turkey, eggs) and immediately felt better and starting losing weight.

I feel awful when I eat meat, it was an ethical decision for me to stop eating meat and to stop funding factory farming. So, I am trying to eat meat that is locally raised in my state or I buy it from a small farmer at the market and I look for organic. It is what it is and I'm sure I'll get over it. My diet is still 90% veggies and fruit and I don't do any dairy.

Wow - I feel better having gotten that out there.

I'm looking forward to a fantastic week filled with time for me to focus on working out more and hopefully the weather will cooperate and I can start the C25K program, too.

Have an amazing day!!!