Need to Lose 100 LBS -Robins Thread !

@laurie--You know I'm interested in that run! Keep me posted on the details!

@robin--thank you so much for the kind words! In answer to your question, I don't necessarily feel the need to lose the 20 lbs so much as I know my body fat % isn't where I would like it to be. Ideally, if I could lose 10 lbs of fat and convert 10 lbs to muscle, I would do that. However, that's even harder than merely losing 20 lbs of fat. I also agree that I'm more concerned with continuing to put better nutrition in my body. I still eat way too much junk when it's available. You've definitely given me something to think about regarding my true goals. Sorry to hear about you step-mother--hugs to you.

@lori--I'm much better at organizing my goals than I am at completing them. I'm sorry about the continued stress regarding your son. I have no children, so no sage advice for you--just hugs and good vibes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once again, I'm short on time for personals. Still have 12 outlines to grade.

AFM--Good news regarding my shoulder. Last week my PT did some sort of adjustment on my shoulder and I think I'm finally on the mend. No more neck or back pain, and my shoulder pain is diminished as well. Today at my PT session, I had a much better range of motion and strength, so hoping this continues.

More good news. I found out that my 5th class next year will be Public Speaking. It is a one semester elective open to grades 10-12. I've never taught it, but a colleague already forwarded me the entire curriculum, so I probably won't have to do much in terms of creating lessons for the class. Of course, I will have to go through her units and learn the curriculum, but I used to run the Speech Team, so I'm at least familiar with the skill objectives. I'm actually really excited about this new prep--oh, and did I mention no papers to grade?

Thursday Truth:
Ate like a beast yesterday--coffee cake, munchkins, chips, ugh! Today was better but certainly not perfect.

March Challenge:
At or under calories 5/7 days every week and at or under as a weekly average.
Week 1: At/under calories 4/7 (but one day I was only over by 7 calories) UNDER FOR WK

All-in strength challenge=core work 3 x/week; PT 1-2 x/week; run 3 x/week:
Week 1: 1/3 core; PT DONE; 1/3 runs (sick most of week though)
Week 2: x/3 core; PT DONE; x/3 runs
Week 3: x/3 core; PT; x/3 runs
Week 4: x/3 core; PT; x/3 runs
8k at end of month (not sure what day) in 55 minutes (Thanksgiving 8k = 56:49, NYE 8k = 57:47, 1/25 = 55:41; 2/28=55:15)

Grading Goals:
1. 40/64 BNW journal reflections
2. 3/64 AP essays
3. 7/16 AP analysis activities
4. 48/60 JRP outlines

Exercise Goals: (week 2)
Sun--rest day
Mon--walk gunner DONE
Tues--walk gunner DONE + gym NOT DONE
Wed--meeting
Thurs--PT DONE + gym ??? NOT DONE
Fri--rest day
Sat--walk gunner + gym

2015 mantra "Just 15 minutes"

I got so busy watching the end of Prison Break last night that I forgot to post. No fast food yesterday, but again too much munching on bread. Ughh... still feeling the time change, and I wonder why it's still lingering into Thursday.

Well, it's official. DHs company filed Chapter 11. Supposedly there are multiple bidders to buy the business when they emerge from bankruptcy in 120 days. No telling what effect this will have on the short or long term other than as a long term employee (33 years), his pension took a 250-300k hit. So much for the many dollars we contributed. Just glad his 401k is untouchable by the idiots who mismanaged the company and caused this mess.

Not going to let the stress of all this sideline my weight loss. That would just add to the misery and I refuse to let this bump in the road impact me in ways I can control.

Have a good day everyone!

Oof. If anybody's looking for a fresh leg workout, I recommend going to the park and climbing up the slides. The kids and I were doing that yesterday, and my legs are sooooore today!

It's an easy day at the middle school - they're watching Hop in Spanish with English subtitles. I brought my laptop and am getting some of my own work done. So far the only "glitch" is that this teacher has first lunch, so I ate my salad at 10:45AM. I'm going to be starving by the time we leave at 3:10!

@kah68 - Glad you're feeling good today. I hope you can avoid surgery for a while longer.

@lives2travel - Sorry to hear about DH's company, but I applaud you for realizing that you are still in control of your diet and fitness.

@cblue315 - Bless your heart. *hug*

Check in for today:

1. At or under calories 6/7 days every week and at or under as a weekly average.
Week 2 - 5/7days
Week 1 - 6/7 days

2. Walk at least 6 times per week, at least 3 miles each walk.
Week 2 - 6/7 days
Week 1 - 5/7 days

3. Note daily calories and miles in calendar and weight on Thursday morning.
Week 2 - 6/7 days
Week 1 - 7/7 days

4. Check in here every day if only to read the posts and keep current on the thread.
Week 2 - 6/7 days
Week 1 - 7/7 days

2015 Mantras:

Live like someone left the gate open (Live Joyously)
Persevere

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't posted for awhile I got the hubby back off to work for two months yesterday and my son doesn't come home for another month so its just me and my daughter for the next month. Probably be mostly just me and the animals since she has a boyfriend now and spends a lot of her time outside of work with him. Yesterday was a really bad no good horrible food day. It was also the first day I haven't logged since the middle of January. The hubby and I got into a pretty bad argument on Tuesday night and even though we worked it out and got back on the same page Wednesday that was his last day home so the residual little bits of yucky feelings made the day less and so I was a lot more bummed and moody yesterday when he left then I usually am. I woke up this morning though and the sun was shining and it was beautiful out so I shook off the bad mood and got back on track. I have got to remember to check calorie counts before I eat. My mom and I went grocery shopping today after I purged all the junk food from the house and we were out until one and I was starving so I picked up some Chinese bbq pork from the deli. It has ALOT more calories then I figured but of course I didn't know until I ate and then logged. Thank goodness for my long walk today, lol.

@holly I am so sorry to hear about your job. You are taking it very well and should be super proud of yourself. I know this is just going to lead you to something better.
@Robin yeah for finding a Dr that actually listens they are becoming an almost extinct species in todays world
@lives2travel sorry to hear about dh job. Sounds like you guys were doing everything right to be able to enloy your retirement and to have part of that yanked out from under you through no fault of your is pretty messed up.
@tlh0407 sounds like you handled the situation with your daughter just right. In a way its kind of good she is trying these things younger since it gives you a chance to reinforce the idea of the consequences to these behaviors while it is still relatively harmless.
@kah sorry to hear about your Achilles. That was what put me down for so long last summer. The dr told me at my weight it would be really easy now to reinjure it so anytime I start feeling twinges in that area I break out the ankle brace and put it back on for a couple of days. I really don't want a repeat performance of last year.

Well I had more personals but the dogs went spazzy and in the process of getting them calmed down my old timers set in and I forgot So on that note everyone have a great day and remember you are all wonderful

Oops, had a lot written and somehow lost it all. Just wanted to share that this has been a horrible, terrible, awful week for me ... but is getting better now.

I had horrible cravings and huge hunger all week. I didn't know what was causing it ... could have been the beans in my 16-bean vegetable soup, or the pre-packaged cold breakfast cereal instead of my usual hot porridge, or having fruit in the house again after a week or so of not having any fruit or milk in the house (althought I did have dairy products that I ate instead). Or was it something about the Ides of March coming soon and the full moon that passed by recently? Lord only knows, and thank God that I'm feeling back on track again today. Made porridge for breakfast!.

Hey everyone, I got that tire replaced! Turns out I had a blow-out in the sidewall of the tire and the road-hazard insurance I'd purchased along with the tires paid for more than half the cost of getting the exact same new tire installed on my car. The spare is now safely back in the trunk where it belongs. I think the heavy snow and ice shards in our driveways and parking lots, or the pot holes that I could not avoid, might have been the culprit to blow out a tire that only had 16,000 miles on it (rated for 80K life expectancy).

There have been quite a few new posters in the past week or so ... and I wanted to take a moment to offer my own welcome. Everyone has made great efforts to welcome the newlings. ... Welcome @steelwill7us, @tryinliz, @sineanbroc, @KMHtime, @Fattychique, @laindia85, @pgroni, @armaines420, @2ledbetter, all who've joined us in these first days of March ... sorry If I missed saying hello to anyone, and hope you all get to know us and let us get to know you.

Follow-through
Niki

PS ... Friday Fitness ... I did exercises in bed today for my legs and back. Felt really good.
PPS .... I've been keeping up with the posts, Everyone, and will talk to you soon.

Yes, @skinnyjeanzbound‌, that is totally the aunt's job! My SILs (well, one is an ex-SIL now) let me get away with a lot since I'm pretty much the kids' second mother. I try to respect the important boundaries, though.

As predicted earlier, I was soooooo hungry by the time school got out. A hunger headache was taking hold, and I still had to run a couple of errands, so I rationalized going through the drive-thru ("I'll have fast food today but not on Sunday"; "I haven't slipped up at all this week", etc.). BUT! I remembered that I have an 8-day streak of not eating fast food going and was loathe to break it, so I ran my errands, got my butt home, and made wraps out of the spicy shredded chicken I made in the slow cooker a couple of days ago. I also dragged myself to the gym for elliptical time, even though I wasn't in the mood at all. FTW! Treated myself to a movie I've been wanting to see - Austenland. SO GOOD! I need to buy it.

Good morning all.
My Saturday Success is that I made it through the week. We are all still alive and no one was seriously hurt. No Dr. visits.
That being said I am still crawling my way out of this emotional train wreck. I am still angry about a lot of things. I managed to go to the gym 6 of the 7 days and ate well for 3 days. I am way off on the water. Technically I have not been to the gym yet today, I am leaving in a few minutes and thought I would post now as I may not get time later.

You have all been so kind and thoughtful this week, I thank you from all my heart. I am taking some time for me today. Not sure exactly what I will do but, it will not involve family, I am determined it will be selfish.

I think most of the country is to have good weather today so I hope everyone here can enjoy a bit of it.

Love to all,
Lori

If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere. - Frank A. Clark

@amanda--I'm so sorry about everything your family is going through; that's just horrible. And to top that off with all of the frustrations at work and illness--ugh! All I can say is, you are strong and I know you will get through this. Your sister will need your love and strength, but make sure you continue to take care of yourself so you can better help her.

@lori--yes, you absolutely deserve some "me" time.

AFM--I got to sleep in a bit (8 am) which was nice. Now I'm catching up on some episodes of Grimm before I head out to walk gunner then go to the gym.

No fast food yesterday or today. Dinner of rice and stir fried veggies is currently being cooked for dinner. Today is Pi Day, and so of course I went to a geocaching event which had about 30 different pies to taste. Picked apple and had one big slice, but a group of us went for a good hike afterward. After that I went shopping for some spring clothes.. outdoorsy gear, since that's where I spend all my time. But I couldn't bring myself to buy any of the high priced, high quality hiking pants I really wanted. I kept thinking if I bought the size that fits now and I lose more weight, it will be a waste of money. Same with shirts and jackets (I really need a new rain coat) and they had half priced snow pants too. I couldn't bring myself to buy any of it. I settled on a light rain/wind resistant jacket I can wear with or without a hoodie. I have nothing between a winter coat and hoodie, so that will do. On the other hand I had no problem buying a few pairs of jeans from the second hand shop yesterday. At $10 a pair, they are much easier to part with when they become too loose, and I still wear them at that point for slopping around in the forest (geocaching).

Tomorrow I am going to an Ides of March event at East Side Mario's... only my FAVOURITE Italian restaurant (actually The Olive Garden is my real fav but they don't have any more here in Canada ) So I am going to eat whatever and however much I want. I don't eat there often, and I plan to reset my caloric plan and start logging again when I get my new Fitbit (a Charge HR) which should be here next week. I will be hiking with friends before the event, so I will have earned some of those calories before I eat them.

Sorry to hear some of you have had such a rough week! Here's hoping that next week will be better for all of us.

@barb--haha, that took me a minute. LOL

@tanya--I'm jealous of your hikes. Although I generally love living in Chicagoland (I'm a city mouse), I do wish there were better opportunities for true hiking nearby. Even the forest preserves and state parks within a reasonable distance are kind of boring--just very flat wooded or prairie trails. Although I hate running hills, I do like hiking rougher terrain. Regarding the clothes shopping--I'm the same way! I was so lucky that as my weight went down, I was able to shop in my own closet or use some hand-me-downs my sister gave me. I haven't had to buy a new pair of jeans or work slacks in 4 years. In the early stages I would go to Good Will to buy any summer clothes like capri pants or shorts. Last summer was the first time I actually bought a lot of new clothes for my trip to the DR. However, I still would like to lose a bit more and am on the fence about spending too much on any particular item. I realized just this week that my one par of black jeans (that my sister gave me) are getting pretty shabby. My first thought was "I can wait until Fall to replace them; maybe I'll be in a smaller size by then."

Saturday Success:
Well, I walked gunner and made it to the gym. I contemplated running outside, but I wanted to do core and weights, so the gym won. Once there, I wasn't really feeling the treadmill--a steady run was eluding me, so I decided to just do some speedwork with the intent to do the bike or elliptical afterwards.

While I was on the treadmill, 2 really annoying boys were horsing around--doing pull ups and them flexing for each other, talking and joking really obnoxiously. For some reason, I'm really sensitive to conversations going on around me when I'm trying to work out. Even normal conversation gets on my nerves, but this was just over the top stupid teen antics. I really wanted to tell them this was a gym not a playground, but instead I held my tongue and went into the hydro-massage room to escape them.

They were still at it when I came out, so I skipped the additional cardio. In retrospect, I should've just run outside.

Hubby made a really yummy dinner. Grilled chicken breast, sirloin, veggies, and pineapple all marinated in terriyaki along with brown rice. So delicious! After dinner I gave gunner a good brushing (he was in heaven!) then headed out to starbucks to grade which is where I am now. I won't make my overly ambitious goal of 20 essays, but I at least got through 5. Tomorrow will be completely devoted to grading.

ETA: I couldn't continue with the essays (lost my mojo), but I at least finished checking in the Gatsby motif charts.

March Challenge:
At or under calories 5/7 days every week and at or under as a weekly average.
Week 1: At/under calories 4/7 (but one day I was only over by 7 calories) UNDER FOR WK

All-in strength challenge=core work 3 x/week; PT 1-2 x/week; run 3 x/week:
Week 1: 1/3 core; PT DONE; 1/3 runs (sick most of week though)
Week 2: 1/3 core; PT DONE; 1/3 runs
Week 3: x/3 core; PT; x/3 runs
Week 4: x/3 core; PT; x/3 runs
8k at end of month (not sure what day) in 55 minutes (Thanksgiving 8k = 56:49, NYE 8k = 57:47, 1/25 = 55:41; 2/28=55:15)

Grading Goals:
1. 8/64 AP essays
2. 7/16 AP analysis activities
3. 60/60 Gatsby motif charts DONE
4. x/60 Gatsby tests

Exercise Goals: (week 3)
Sun--rest day
Mon--meeting
Tues--PT + walk gunner
Wed--meeting
Thurs--PT + walk gunner
Fri--rest day
Sat--walk gunner + gym

2015 mantra "Just 15 minutes"

Saturday Success: My fitness is on track for March. I was able to increase the weights/reps on all my exercises this week.

@Jenn…always easier when a loved one is in this with you.
@Mel…Good job on not breaking your streak!! Lots of inner conversations, but they all paid off in the end.
@Amanda…OMG! I’m so sorry about the week you are having…there aren’t even words. Just know I’ll be praying.
@Barb…  
@Tanya…I don’t care for Italian food but my husband loves it (he’s half Italian). His favorite is Johnny Carino’s. Luckily, my son thinks it’s the best thing in the world so they go there on their “date” nights. Works well because then I don’t have to go there.
@L2T…go girl!!!
@Karen…the boys at the gym. We have one guy who probably has never done a leg day in our gym that pretty much just stares at himself in the mirror and then checks around to see if anyone is watching. That supper makes me hungry…I wish my hubby would cook for me like that (to be fair he’s usually just waking up at supper time but still…)
@Laurie…glad your body adjusted and you are back under 200.

AFM…I’ve been running behind all day today but never late. I wanted to get up at 7:00 and shave before water aerobics. Instead I woke up at 7:30 and had to just do the “above water” shave. HA. Nobody gets that close and it wasn’t terrible so I don’t think anyone noticed. Then I wanted to leave at 8:00 to take my son for All State practice and we didn’t leave until at 8:15. He still made it in time, but I prefer a 10 minute window. Emma and I headed to the gym and she enjoyed playing with the little ones at the drop in daycare and I got a GREAT workout in the pool. There were only 7 of us today and she pushed us hard. My sis and I did an arm lifting workout Friday night and then quite a bit of the water class was devoted to arms….jello!!!

Then there was last minute dress pants shopping for Jacob as he had to wear black dress pants to the concert this afternoon. The concert was wonderful. I’m so proud of him. There were 398 kids that auditioned for Jr. High All-State Band and only 90 made it. He ended up with 2nd chair for Alto Sax. They sounded wonderful. We celebrated afterwards with my Mom at Dairy Queen and it put me over on calories (still just under maintenance so I’m okay with it).

Tomorrow, Emma and I head to the mall to sell Girl Scout cookies at a booth from 1:30 – 3:00. I’ve decided that church and that is all I’m going to do and am really going to just have a re-charge day at home. Track starts on Monday so it’ll be running around for Jacob again. I do love this life and my kids enjoying activities, but it does all go better if I get some days to just chill.

How’s my March stacking up?
Cardio – 3 times a week –2/2
Lifting - 2 times a week – 2/2
Water Goal – 5 days a week - 1/2
Calories – 6 days a week – 0/2 (missed it by a day this week)

Have a great night…I’m off to bed.

@kaye & barb--I'm so glad that I don't like to bake b/c I would sabotage myself. My husband likes to bake, but he doesn't much like sweets. However, lately he's gotten it into his head that he wants to make chocolate toffee. The first batch was really good and went to our neighbors. This last batch didn't turn out right in terms of consistency, so he didn't give it away (it actually looks pretty weird). However, it still tastes delicious, so I've been limiting myself.

@tracy--your shaving story made me laugh. When it gets warm and I wear shorts or capri length yoga pants to run, I have to consider whether or not I've shaved my legs when deciding whether to run outside or go to the gym. At the gym I'm sure to see people, so if I'm not freshly shaved, I just run outside. LOL

@laurie--glad your scale dropped back down, even with all of the eating out last week. The temps at my gym have also been less than ideal--warm and humid. It's still too cold for AC, but the gym gets really muggy and gross without any heat or AC running.

AFM--Last night I started to get nauseous and my head hurt, so I popped 2 aleve and went straight to bed even though it was still pretty early for me (11 pm). All I could think was, "I can't afford a migraine; I have way too much grading to do." I woke up this morning with a tiny headache and took 2 more aleve. Seems to have worked.

I walked gunner and am now finishing up at starbucks. I finished grading one class (my tiny class of 14) and am now going to the grocery store. After I drop the groceries at home and grab something to eat, I will head back out for more grading.

March Challenge:
At or under calories 5/7 days every week and at or under as a weekly average.
Week 1: At/under calories 4/7 (but one day I was only over by 7 calories) UNDER FOR WK
Week 2: At/under calories 5/7 OVER FOR WK

All-in strength challenge=core work 3 x/week; PT 1-2 x/week; run 3 x/week:
Week 1: 1/3 core; PT DONE; 1/3 runs (sick most of week though)
Week 2: 1/3 core; PT DONE; 1/3 runs
Week 3: x/3 core; PT; x/3 runs
Week 4: x/3 core; PT; x/3 runs
8k at end of month (not sure what day) in 55 minutes (Thanksgiving 8k = 56:49, NYE 8k = 57:47, 1/25 = 55:41; 2/28=55:15)

Grading Goals:
1. 14/64 AP essays
2. 7/16 AP analysis activities
3. 60/60 Gatsby motif charts DONE
4. x/60 Gatsby tests

Exercise Goals: (week 3)
Sun--walk gunner DONE
Mon--meeting
Tues--PT + walk gunner
Wed--meeting
Thurs--PT + walk gunner
Fri--rest day
Sat--walk gunner + gym

Hey gang! Hope you're having a restful and/or productive weekend.

@tlh0407 - I actually gasped when I read that you don't like Italian food. Like, how is that even possible?!?

@skinnyjeanzbound‌ - kick some grading butt, girl! And I'm with you in being a little envious of Tanya's hikes. Kansas isn't exactly known for its hiking trails. *le sigh*

AFM, my busy weekend is coming to a satisfactory close. I covered the St. Patrick's Day festivities for the newspaper yesterday and got a couple of great stories out of it all. Plus I was able to support my high school bestie when she shaved her head for pediatric cancer research (St. Baldrick's). Thanks to her, the local St. Baldrick's group raise more than they have any other year (she raised half on her own). She's a force of Nature.

Had a good night with the Munchkins last night, too, and got some color from being outside a lot. Maybe a bit too much color as I currently have very pink cheeks and a patch of bright pink on my chest, but I've been taking my Vitamin B, so it should turn into a tan soon.

Time to figure out what I'm having for supper and see if I can knock out the last bit of data entry I need to do before I can file taxes. Cheers!