Need to Lose 100 LBS -Robins Thread !

@sherrsuntha - that's an awesome swim/water workout. I used to have a 24HR Fitness membership and I spent a lot of time in the water area, but I don't have that membership anymore and because of the cancer treatment last year I'm supposed to be concentrating on gravity assisted workouts and staying out of the sun, so I'm not swimming this year yet.
@skinnyjeanzbound - we have lots of bunnies around my five acres, my Colonel spends lots of time chasing them. Not sure if he's caught any or not. Today he entertained himself chasing a frog around, it was so funny to watch!

Hi all. Sorry I disappeared a few months ago. Life got so busy with softball season and a bunch of other stuff that I pretty much only ever went online to check my emails and that was it. I miss checking in with everyone for the accountability and just to chat! I'm on summer vacation now, and just got back from 2 weeks at the beach. Now its time to focus on me and hopefully get myself back on track.

Hope everyone has been doing well. I am going to try my best to come back in here and post daily. Have a great Tuesday all!

Erin

I need to check in, just for the accountability. I'm doing terrible with my food choices and snacking. The stress is really getting to me. This afternoon DH's blood pressure was a little better, but back up tonight. He slept all morning, some of the afternoon and went to bed at 9:30 tonight so I know he isn't well.
Thank you for your words of love and concern, and your thoughts and prayers. I am trying to help plan Daddy's funeral over the phone as my sisters are all in UT. Nicole was a busy beaver and found 2 vacation rental homes that we can share to help cut down on the travel costs for the family. The funeral is on the opposite side of the state. Cardiologist says that DH is okay to travel, but I have to continue to keep a log of his blood pressure 2 or 3 times a day for awhile.
Congratulations to those who have made major milestones and goals recently. I must get back into the program!
Onward and downward. Kaye

@Kaye~I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your father, even though it wasn’t unexpected it’s still hard. Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

@Karen~Zoe bunnies and wishes she could catch one--she paces in front of the door or window when she sees one. Gunner is such a cutie (when he isn't acting on his hunting instinct and bringing you "presents").

@Laurie~Thoughts and prayers that your dad’s procedure goes well today. I hope you and your mom are able to find some balance and get some much needed rest soon.

AFM~I’ve been lurking a lot lately. I think of you all often, just not much to contribute. Work and life are unbelievably busy right now. Got out for a long bike ride in the heat on Sunday, I went earlier in the day but it was really humid and over 90 by 10:00—so hot my phone overheated towards the end of my ride. Jumped in the pool as soon as I got back—was not refreshing at all!

I've got to do something. I'm at my all time high around 245 with a goal of 139. I have mini goals of 199 and 169. I seem to start out well for a day or two then fall away and go back up and then some. I joined a challenge group and hope to fast track to 199 by mid October when I have a trip planned. The weight usually comes off the easiest in the first few months, so I'm hoping that happens now. I have a fitbit and am trying to get in at least 10,000 steps a day. I'm also trying to do fairly low carbs. Carbs seem to be my downfall when I'm working on my fitness goals.
This group seems to offer a lot of encouragement and support. I hope to add to that in addition to benefiting from it. I can't wait to read more of your posts.

@erin-- As a fellow teacher I totally understand what you mean. For years I had grad classes that I worked on all summer in addition to prepping for the next school year. I would also plan some projects at home to fill the rest of the time. Then 2 years ago it was the first time I had zero grad classes (I'm maxed out at Masters +60)--I thought I would get so much done. Boy was I wrong! I was so unproductive the past 2 summers. In fact, I even procrastinated with prepping for the next school year. This year I vowed to stay motivated to really get things done, making lists of everything I want to finish and sometimes schedules of when I will work on each. It's really helped me be a lot more productive.

@sparkling-- Welcome to the thread! I also started at about your weight and it took me just over a year to break into Onderland. Then it took another year to to get to my lowest weight of 182 which I've been hovering around for 2 years now. Even though the scale hasn't gone down for me in 2 years, I've gone down another clothing size due to changing my body composition through exercise. It sounds like you have a solid plan with the steps challenge and watching carbs. I get very "snacky" if I eat too many carbs--especially early in the day--so I also try to stick to higher protein choices.

@kelley-- Haha, I bet zoe wishes she could catch a bunny. Gunner cries like a baby when he sees one through the window or if he spots one while we're on a walk. However, they're usually smart enough to stay out of the yard. This one was young and clearly didn't know any better. How was the tip to Colorado? Did you see my post about the Shamrock Shuffle 8k in March? Any chance you can join us in Chicago?

@erin-- I hear you! I'm also not a morning person. I usually wake up by 8 or 9 at the latest, but love to just lounge in my pj's. One thing that has helped is that I scheduled most of my PT appointments for the morning--usually around 10 or 11. That way I don't have to get up super early, but it forces me out of the house before noon. Also, I've been getting a lot of my cleaning done in the evening after my husband goes to bed. I've gotten almost the entire kitchen deep cleaned over the past 2 nights: cabinets washed down. table and chairs cleaned top to bottom, refrigerator cleaned out, spice rack and wine glass rack/glasses scrubbed. The only thing I have left in there is the baker's rack but I'm too tired to tackle that tonight.

Wednesday wish - That everyone reading this finds a reason to smile today.
Love to all,
Lori

Hm! My wish is that I will be able to do some traveling this summer and next, and to become stronger in my swimming.

Karen- The article you posted was very timely and it is what my trainer is having me do during our sessions right now. Monday was tempo runs based on distance, today was a recovery run easy run in the yellow zone for about 50 minutes. Friday I am suppose to do an endurance run at a faster pace than today and longer. So I will be running for about 1 hour. Great article and it does work.

Erin- Summers are hard for teachers because we do have more free time, when we are not taking classes or working. I prefer to get up and go to the gym to start my day. This gets me motivated to get up and start moving. I still put off other chores but a list does help. I also have days where my motivation is higher than normal and I accomplish more than normal.

ledbetter- Congrats on reaching that milestone, Awesome Accomplishment. Glad you are back.

Kaye- Hang in there, I know this time is not easy for you but I hope you can find peace and that your hubby handles the trip well.

Sparking- Welcome- Like Karen it took me about a year to reach One-derland and I started out about 268-270 lbs. It is very doable and a learning experience. The bottom line is you need to learn how to incorporate reality into the lifestyle change. I have also been stuck at my current weight for about 2 years now but my body is still changing and my fitness level has improved dramatically.

Update on my Dad, he went to rehab today. Hopefully, we are making progress and that he will be working on his walking again while his foot continues to heal. I don't want to jinx anything at this point.

Today, was a good workout day for me. It started with a slow, easy recovery run. Then this afternoon worked with my trainer on core strength and just strengthening different muscles groups. Came from from that and mowed the lawn until the mower ran out of gas. Made dinner and after dinner went out to finish the front yard. Now, I just need to get my brother yard finished at some point soon.

Tomorrow, I am going to paddle boarding with a friend so that should be fun. Have a great Thursday.

@tammy-- that's ridiculous!! It makes me furious when people are irresponsible dog owners! And how is it his road?? I hope in addition to calling animal control that you also call the police and report him. Let them know what happened and the man's response. Even if they agree that filing a police report won't matter b/c no one else saw it, they can monitor the area and cite him the next time they see his dogs "roaming" which I assume is illegal.

@laurie-- glad you liked the article. Have fun paddle-boarding.

@lori-- can't wait to see the picture of your new ride!!

@sherrsuntha-- What places are at the top of your travel list? I didn't really get to go anywhere this year after some pricier trips the last 2 years. One of my dream destinations is Iceland. I would also love to visit Australia and New Zealand some day.

@kelley-- That's great that you were able to surprise your parents. Glad you had fun. My DH and I are traveling to Michigan to visit some family in a couple of weeks and my parents are going the same weekend. My mom said "we can all ride together in my SUV" to which I quickly replied, "No, we will drive ourselves." I spent my whole childhood riding in the car for hours with my family and I HATED it. My parents would always bicker for the first hour or so (really, the only time they ever fought), then my dad would listen to news radio for the rest of the trip. Ugh. The Shamrock Shuffle is March 20th--hope you can join us!

Wednesday Wish:
My wish is that my DH gets the job he's currently pursuing. It's been 10 months that he's been out of work, and I can tell he's really getting bored. Plus, the extra money would be nice.

Tuesday Goals:
1. Clean baker's rack in kitchen
2. Pick up mulch from public works DONE; spread in garden beds STARTED
3. Finish flower pots in the yard DONE
4. Clean off dining room table
5. Drop off clothes to GW

July Goals:

Run another 8k (Thanksgiving 2014 8k = 56:49, NYE 2014 8k = 57:47, 1/25 = 55:41; 2/28=55:15, 3/29 = 59:15; 5/9 = 59:16; 6/22 = 59:10)

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

2015 Mantra = Just 15 minutes

@Tammy~Ugh, irresponsible pet owners drive me crazy! I’m so sorry the dog bit you and the dog’s owner behaved so badly—totally uncalled for. I’m glad animal control is paying them a visit, but like Karen suggested you might file a report with the police anyway just so he is on their radar—this guy doesn’t “own” the road!

@Karen~Oy, the memories of childhood car trips. My mom mentioned the other day that my parents, along with my sister and her family, are meeting in Yosemite next summer to camp for a week and they’d like for me to join them—my response was “is there a hotel nearby?” There is no way a family of 7 can be comfortable in their RV for a week without someone completely losing it! I love my family and it’s a huge RV, but it’s still too close for comfort for me. I’m adding the Shamrock Shuffle to my calendar, I hope to make it. How is your shoulder and PT?

@Laurie~Glad to hear your dad has been moved to rehab, I hope he gets stronger every day and is home soon. Enjoy paddle boarding. That reminds me, when I was in CO we saw two guys on a double paddle board (attempting to) paddle down the rapids—cannot tell you how many times they fell and had to swim after their board. I think kayaking the rapids lost its edge so they needed a new thrill.

AFM~Life is just busy as usual and I have so many projects at home to work on before vacation (maybe I need to make a list like Karen ). I did learn last night that in a pinch magnesium can stop a migraine, I can’t take analgesics b/c of the rx I use on my Achilles so looked for an alternative and magnesium popped up—I know a couple of others here suffer from them, it really works.

Oh yeah Karen I meant to tell you Gunner is absolutely ADORABLE

Good evening all. Hope everyone had a great Thursday! I got two pretty good walks in today, so I was happy with myself. Now I just need to get my nutrition back on point. I've been having some sleep issues lately, I just can't seem to fall asleep at night. Then I end up sleeping in too much. I was up pretty early today though and was active so I'm hoping that will help out tonight!

Anyone have any big plans for the weekend? I'm heading to the beach again tomorrow and a softball game on Sunday, that's about it. It's NASCAR weekend here in NH, so I don't like traveling too far as the highways are pretty busy lol.

@laurie-- glad you had fun paddle boarding.

@erin-- Do you play in a league yourself or is the game for a team you coach? I remember that you coach during the school year. Either way, good luck! I have a few things going on this weekend: tomorrow DH and I are going to a friend's for dinner. Saturday, some work friend's are having their annual barbecue and washers tournament. Then Sunday, my sister, bil, and niece might be coming over so we can go to a place near my house called Lamb's Farm--it's got petting zoo's and they sell cats and dogs that you can play with. It is staffed by people with developmental disabilities and the money it makes goes to helping serve their needs.

@alex-- welcome! Congrats on your progress so far.

@tammy-- glad to hear the dog bite wasn't more serious. But a puncture is a concern--dog bites get infected quite easily. When my husband got bit breaking up the fight when the neighbor's dog attacked Gunner, the vet told him to get antibiotics asap. Also, will animal control check that the dog has had its rabies shots and inform you? Hope your DH gets home quickly and safely. Oh, and thanks--I think Gunner's pretty adorable, but I'm a bit biased.

@kelley-- Ha, so funny about the RV--I would feel the same way. My PT is going pretty well. Definately making some progress with range of motion and strength, but still a ways to go. I have a follow-up with my ortho on the 30th.

Thursday Truth:
The truth is I can't believe summer is already half over. I'm sooo not ready for school to start up again. Although I've been productive at home, I haven't really done much in the way of prepping my courses. Next Wed. I pick up my new work laptop-I've kind of been using that as a benchmark for when I really need to buckle down. I guess time's almost up.

Today I got most of the gardens done, but ran out of mulch. DH and I will get some more tomorrow or this weekend. I also cleaned the baker's rack tonight.

Tuesday Goals:
1. Clean baker's rack in kitchen DONE
2. Pick up mulch from public works DONE; spread in garden beds STARTED
3. Finish flower pots in the yard DONE
4. Clean off dining room table
5. Drop off clothes to GW

July Goals:

Run another 8k (Thanksgiving 2014 8k = 56:49, NYE 2014 8k = 57:47, 1/25 = 55:41; 2/28=55:15, 3/29 = 59:15; 5/9 = 59:16; 6/22 = 59:10)

Exercise Goals:
Sun--walk gunner DONE + gym DONE
Mon--rest day (donating blood) DONE
Tues--walk gunner DONE
Wed--walk gunner DONE + PT DONE
Thurs--walk gunner NOT DONE + gym NOT DONE
Fri--walk gunner + PT
Sat--walk gunner

2015 Mantra = Just 15 minutes