200+ Sheddin' the Stuffin

Holy cow, I last posted yesterday afternoon and I still feel soooooo far behind! Okay, let's see how well I can do catching up here.


Julie, Let's GO BLUUUUUUUUUUEESSS!!!! :drinker: My parents are both from St. Louis and I lived in St. Charles/St. Peters in elementary school. We moved to New Hampshire for my junior high and then the DC area for my high school, but just a couple of months after I graduated high school my parents moved back to the St. Louis area while I stayed in the DC area. They live in Wright City now and my sister lives in Hazelwood. As far as I'm concerned, Imo's pizza is the best pizza in the world. Okay, maybe not in the WORLD, but it's very, very good! My parents just came to visit me and brought me a big block of Provel cheese since apparently you can only buy it in the St. Louis area. It's been so good on my breakfast egg sandwiches!


WHEW! I don't know if I got everyone, but this is so long that I actually had to write this in two shifts, so I think I should sign off for now! to you all!

I work in Hazelwood at Boeing. How small of a world is that?? AND I LOVEEEEEE imos pizza... it's the best... then there is also a place in florissant called pierronies - it is amazing - so when you come out to see yourfamily, check it out .. its off 270 and elizabeth washington avenue...

Happy Friday ladies!


Julie, whereabouts in Illinois are you originally from? My parents and my sister live in the Champaign-Urbana area, and my parents used to live on the southwest side of Chicago.

Okay, I think I got caught up, and just in time because I have to go fix a water heater problem for a customer.

Hi
I am from Jerseyville IL.. Which is about 5 hours south of CHicago.. 1 hour North of St. Louis. Winter months are crazy here...
Good luck

I found a spinning class at the gym on the other side of town, woohoo!! That should count for extra since I hunted down the class, shouldn't it? :laugh: Anyway, it was great!! The 40 minutes flew by, I burned about 400 calories, and since I had the padded pants this time I *think* everything is okay "down there." It wasn't excruciating to sit on the seat like last time, anyway. I'll definitely be taking another one of those classes. I think I might be able to drag Tim to one too...he likes mountain biking, so....okay, it's not at all the same, but it's a bike!

Lacey, I'm crossing my fingers for you that you get to keep the 3 pound loss. Heck, you've kept it for so long that you should get to keep it even if the scale is up on weigh-in day! Those scales are evil, especially on weigh-in days.

Victoria, Pumpkin Chunkin and breweries sounds awesome! Got pictures of the pumpkin stuff?

Julie, crazy that you work in Hazelwood! Definitely a small world. I'll have to ask my family if they've ever been they've ever been to Pierronies and make sure I go there when I visit. Whenever I visit them it's like a tour of all my favorite places to eat in St. Louis that they don't have out here...it's BAD. But delicious.


Now I'm going to try to get some grocery shopping done at a store that's not too far from the WVU football stadium and the game starts at noon....oh boy! Maybe I should wait to head out until after the game starts...

Karen - I don't live anywhere near somewhere that has a diaper service, because I live in the middle of nowhere. I enjoy laundry, though; I've got a ton of all-in-one diapers because I figure the easier it is, the better, even if it's a bit pricier. I hope all your testing goes well!

Pam - Awesome about the jeans; I can't wait to be in a size 16 again!

Lacey - Fortunately cloth diapers have an amazing re-sell value, and we'll use them for however many kids we have (2 or 3 is the plan). The biggest motivation for cloth, honestly, is that it's cheaper overall than disposables. Gah, some of them are SO cute though! Definitely being cautious about buying anything else in too much quantity, though. So, so glad I can buy things on clearance and shove them in my storage unit until we'll need them.

Julie - I know it's quite cliche to remind people, but if you're losing inches but still gaining weight, don't worry so much; muscle does weigh more than fat, and that can throw the scale a bit wonky.

It's supposed to snow today; 2-4 inches by tonight. Then, it's in the 40s for the next 9 days, so I guess it'll be short lived. Still kind of excited, really, about the snow. Eating a KitKat for breakfast this morning was a pretty bad fail....

Sorry I haven't checked in all day, I've mostly been not home. Check in for Friday: 2741 cals burned/ 1776 cals eaten/ 965 cal deficit.

Lacey: Enjoy your time with your parents. I have upped my protein at breakfast and have noticed a significant decrease in appetite because of it. I eat an egg scrambled with 6Tbsp egg whites and a piece of Ezekiel bread, my coffee and my protein shake every morning and I don't even think about eating again until around 1pm. I'm so sorry that your dad got fired. I hope he finds something local soon.

Jessi: I absolutely HATE doing laundry. I hate it with a blind passion that I can't completely explain.

annasgyal: Great walk today!

Pam: It should TOTALLY count for bonus points! I think I have another meal for you. I'll have to post the recipe later but we had a cheesy potato veggie soup with cheddar onion biscuits and it was freaking fabulous!!! (Every time I make something new that is tasty, I think of you!)

Julie: Good job making yourself accountable, that's what we're here for.

Victoria: I hope you have pics of your Pumpkin adventure!!!

Karen: I SO hope you aren't having problems with your heart. When's your cardiology appointment?

Sarah: Yay for smaller boobs (I guess, I kinda want bigger ones but since you're happy, I'm happy for you)

Today I thought we were done with soccer until the Spring soccer season but - alas, no. Gabe's season ended but the Stuttgart Select soccer team has asked him to join, which should keep him kicking soccer balls through the rest of the year. I'm so glad that he loves soccer and is really quite awesome at it, but the selfish part of me was kind of looking forward to not carting him all over everywhere for soccer practices and games. I did my P90X Legs & Back workout with The Hubbs and then played Dance Central 2 till I was sweaty with Gabe. It's funny, the first couple of times I tried to get The Kid to play the game with me, he said it wasn't any fun and he felt stupid doing it. After tonight, he has changed his tune. Sometimes, I think the kid takes himself way to seriously (especially for an 8 year old).

I'm way behind, so please forgive me if my comments no longer make sense to anything you gals remember talking about, but I feel like I need to catch up with what you're all doing :-)

Kendal: Your story about the 5 week announcement is super funny! I love when mine says I'll lose some crazy amount of weight in 5 weeks. I usually put a comment in my diary talking about LIES! Girlie, don't kill yourself with that overtime...money is nice, but it's not worth your mental health! Besides, cuddle time makes everything feel better!

Lacey: I keep telling myself I need to go out dancing, and then I still sit home. I used to go to Salsa night at least once a month, if not twice, and now I haven't been since almost 2 years ago...really sad! You are right about the whole coordination thing for the games and/or aerobics classes. I can dance my *kitten* off to some latin music, especially with a great partner, but I all of the sudden lose my right foot when I have to do some choreographed stuff. Every time you mention Ideeli, I keep thinking about looking, but I am so scared to buy clothes on the internet because I never return things in real life, so I highly doubt I wouldn't waste money if something doesn't fit. Besides, being between sizes all the time makes it even harder. Maybe when I get down some more. Sorry to hear about your dad's accident, but I'm glad he's ok!

Nava: I keep seeing those advertisements for McRib everywhere, and I've seen them every year, but I can't see what the appeal is. Honestly, they look and sound pretty nasty to me. Please enlighten me on the appeal because I would so rather that McDonald's bring back their hot fudge brownie sundaes...Now, THOSE, I can get into :-D

Hosanna: I'm thrilled for you that Mr. Man is finding his libido. It's really depressing to sleep next to a man every day/night and only be touched once in a great while.

Jessi: I'm glad your body got itself back in order! As much as we ladies hate TOM, it's no fun when he doesn't come around without a legitimate reason. I'm sitting here thinking about your whole circumcision conversation and trying to figure out how a conversation like that even starts. I'm all about telling people to mind their own business or just ignoring them completely.

Hallie: Keep focused on that school work; we will still be here after exams are done!

Annette: Are you really looking at food/exercise choices for after New Years already??? I can't even figure out what I'm going to eat two days from now O_O

Keshia: I'm an everyday weigher too, and I used to only log on my "official" day. Then I started joining so many challenges that I couldn't keep track of the official day anymore because they were all different. Now I log all losses and only log gains when they stick for an entire week (thankfully that hasn't happened). The key is to not let the scale determine your happiness, so if the weighing starts stressing you out, then stop.

Rain: I'm super scared to do anything on the treadmill besides walk. I don't run much yet, but when I do, it's on the indoor track. I saw a guy the other day at the gym fall right off the end of the treadmill while running. He, luckily, stayed on his feet and jumped right back on, but I could so see me falling with my face hitting that treads...no thank you! Holy cow with the run from hell! I'm just super proud of you that you kept going after everything going wrong..You ROCK!

Annette and Amy: I LOVE card games. Have you two ever played canasta? Mom taught me that one when I was only 5 because no one likes to play against her since she always wins. We constantly argue with each other over playing CaNASTY instead of canasta...lol

Amy: A mediterranean cruise sounds absolutely amazing!!! And now that I've read the follow-up, I'm disappointed with you, although happy about the family visit, but yeah, bummer! I completely understand the selfish part of wanting soccer to be over, but the good thing is it will keep him busy, out of trouble, and healthy...there is no making up for those things :-)

Pam: I keep thinking about trying a spin class, but I'm really afraid I won't be able to keep up. I hear from others that it's pretty intense! I'm amazed at all the different things you try for exercise!

Sarah (WnT): Sometimes learning how to say no is one of the hardest lessons. The key to helping others is that you can't let it take away from you and yours! Find your focus, prioritize, including getting some hubby time, and decide who needs you the most. If others can't understand that, then **** 'em, if I may be so blunt! Ok, the bra size thing is absolutely AMAZING!!!

Karen: Welcome back!!! Congrats on the house, and boo on the weight and cholesterol! The great thing is that you know how to get it done because you've done it before! Good luck on getting the position!

Kiki: Trust the process and let the scale catch up. Whatever you do, don't stop because the health benefits far outweigh the drama the scale brings!

Megan: Yay for your loss!!!

Katheryne: In NJ, when I was growing up, we rarely had stay at home snow...here in NC, we have stay at home snowflakes. It's hilarious and aggravating at the same time!

For those who complained about the first payday of the month when bills are due...it is even worse when you only get paid once a month when the bills are due :-/

Work has been kicking my *kitten* this week! I can really tell that testing seasons are going to be the death of me. Not only do I have to analyze all the data, but I have to try and make my colleagues understand that they need to DO something with the data to make it useful. For some reason reteaching, while a buzzword, has little meaning in application.

So, one of my goals for this challenge is to walk that lake trail 3 times. Well, as of this morning, I have one under my belt, and my body is screaming at me for it. I thought the trail was only 5 miles because of my wrong turn last time, but it is actually a good 7.19 miles around the lake. I was fine until after mile 5 was up, then the body started complaining, and the complaints got louder and louder. Bad thing is, there's no stopping once you start and get that far; you have to make it back to your car, and there are no shortcuts. Interesting thing is that while my daughter and I were walking, the bf calls and now he wants me to walk it with him on Tuesday, if the weather holds up. I just hope my body stops aching by then so I can do it again. That would be two times down in the same week.

Now that I'm caught up, let's see if I can stay that way.

Amy: My speech was an informative topic about general college admission...Originally I was going to do the rivarly between UT-Austin Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies--I am slightly biased on that topic so my instructor changed my topic for me. While I was giving the speech the technology died on me. At least I have the "I went first so *kitten* happens" excuse. I freakin' LOVE the game UNO!

Keshia: What are you going to school for?

Nava: That is so great about London (sorry, I am a bit late on the cheers!)

Jessi: I would be happy about TOM if I was in your situation too.

Kendal: You'll be able to run a 5 minute mile with Mr. Reunion soon!

Sarah(wiggle): (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Karen: Welcome back! Good luck with work!

Bobbie: I am very thankful for you ladies always being here!

Kerry: I love your picture!

As for me.........................

I decided to look at my goals since week two of the challenge is almost done......

1.)Try completing week four on c25k.....no matter what I know you ladies will support me no matter how many times I have to do it. Haven't even tried it, urgh.
2.)One day during the week stay within my calories WITHOUT using my wristband. HECK YES!
3.)Water, water, water! HECK YES!
4.)Don't disappear.....even saying "hi" counts as not disappearing. You ladies be the judge of this one.
5.)Go one day without my "usual" suspects. Kind of, still working on it.
6.)Schoolllllllll get my butt in gear because finals will be here before I know it! Eh, is it summer yet?

I had to do this "check" to keep myself in line.....I was thinking too many times I make goals, forget about them, then look at the end of the challenge to see if any of my goals were completed w/o even thinking about 'em.

I can tell I've lost inches because I feel my hips. Why the h e l l didn't I measure myself when I started? I still haven't measured myself because I am scared too, and I forgot how to even though you ladies sent me a link a while back on how to do so.

I have a HUGE migraine.....deli meats with nitrate makes me SICK! BLAH!

Money problems suck, a lot. PM me if you want the entire rant.

I had a facial the other day, holy *kitten*, when they were using the extractor I had A LOT of blackheads in my nose! EWW!

Bobbie - Conversations about child care, especially parenting decisions like circumcision, seem to be amazingly abundant in my life. I blog a lot about things like that, because I seem to be the odd guy out a lot. What precisely do your colleauges think the point in analyzing data is , if it's not to analyze it? O.o Some people seem to lack common sense.

Sarah - Glad you had a good day! And holy crap I want a Darth Vader costume for $5. No. Joke. I'd gladly share my snow with you. Give it a month or two and I'll be sooooo sick of it. Your "cloth diapers are not for the faint of heart" surprises me - really, either way you're dealing with the same thing, and some people see the "omg there's poop in your washer!" but there is when you have a diaper explosion all over clothes, too. :P AWESOME job saving money on disposables, though! That's seriously very, very impressive. Also, gratz on the almost being to maintenance!

Hailie - HI!!!! I've missed you!!! Also, I've never had a facial, but I've used those Biore pore strips and eeeeeeew, blackheads on noses are so gross, and I always have a ton. WTF is an extractor?

Went outside a bit ago and had an awesome snowball fight with Nerd. It was great. However, I did it without gloves (I gave him mine to go over his because he's suuuuch a girl about the cold! :P) and in a dress and leggings, so I am FRO.ZEN.

Time for bed. So enjoying that extra hour of sleep. Only thing definitely on the agenda for tomorrow is a fashion show I have to go to for work. Hopefully that doesn't take too long; I don't really care for fashion. :P

Hey girls! I'm here, I'm alive, I'm just SUPER busy at the moment! Had a lovely time in town, my dress looks incredible! I got to spend some time getting to know some of isaacs friends and their girlfriends/wives a bit better. We had an amazing time relaxing at our hotel getaway, and life is friggin sweet!

I've not had much of a chance to catch up on any of your lives (sort) but I am thinking of you all.

Karen - no word on any houses yet! So happy for you finally being in yours!

Pam - didn't get four in a row, but as of this afternoon it's six out of seven... I am SO not used to this!


###### pass on weigh in this week! #####

Well i'm on night shift at the moment, so i thought i'd use a calm moment to try and catch up a little with everyone! I haven't done individual posts since page 10!!

Jessi - Not often this is said, but WOO for TOM!

Amy - Sorry about Loki - I WOULD take him if i could! I booked them in as soon as i got my reminder notice that they were due for their checkups... i can't stand the thought of one of my babies getting sick! Sorry to hear about the cruise :frown:

Ami - I can't wear heels. I'm a size 44, and i'm 5 foot 10... I'm taller than Isaac already, so even if i could ever find nice heels to fit there'd be no point wearing them, i'd tower over him! Also, i find that when i 'fail' at one of my c25k days, i just do it again tomorrow. Learning to run is a marathon, not a race - we need to take our time and pace ourselves!

Keshia - House hunting is quite fun... i like the idea that soon we'll have our VERY OWN corner of the world! It's getting harder and harder to get to that point these days, i feel like we're so lucky to be in a position where home ownership is possible! I weigh every day too, but only to track my sodium/water retention.

Kendal - I just figure that i don't care what anyone else is doing in the gym, so they're probably not paying any notice to me either. My trainer actually recommends running intervals, so if anyone questions it, i can be like "Emma said so!"

Megan - Hurrah for better food choices! AND for a loss! You are totally superwoman!

Pam - Hmm... S&M Cafe, eh...

WiggleSarah - Sorry you're so stressed out and busy and unappreciated!! :flowerforyou: Awesome to see you're making balance a priority! Also, no word on the house yet! AWESOME for shrinking boobies!!

Karen - Welcome back to the wagon! Now that the super-stressful house stuff is out of the way you can focus on your health again!

Crystal - Welcome BACK girlie!! I'd been wondering where you'd gone! We all have times where we go in the wrong direction, we just gotta own it and move on Glad you're back!

RainSarah - YAY for a loss and a getaway! Isaac and i had our night in the hotel and it was the best thing we've done in ages. we really needed it!!

Katheryne - It was like heaven! Then we started our Saturday with a 6:30am sauna and spa. Can you say luxury?? :happy:

Lacey - Sorry to hear about your dad :frown: that sucks, but at least he's ok!

Bobbie - I've never been as happy as i am right now, with Isaac having a libido! I can hardly keep up with him!! It's so awesome. I know it's probably a lot to do with his antidepressants, but i like to think that maybe i'm getting a little more attractive to him


OH MY GOD I"M CAUGHT UP!!!

It is now 11:50pm.
I don't finish work until 7am.
I'll be checking back to see if anyone has said anything for me to stay awake reading!


ETA - Also, sorry Karen, i thought it was you who asked about whether i had a house yet... i just kinda had a connection between you and houses... sorry if that confused you completely!!

Pam: how was the zumba class and, di you manage to get up for 6??? You go for onederland by Christmas xx And yeah - two sizes down and new jeans - you are doing sovery well :flowerforyou:

Katheryne: enjoy the thought of the flowers - he remembered which is amazing (I am with you on the $s though!!!!). Snow already - love it and all that but I need it to be new year before it comes else I get really fed up at how long winter is going to last.
Pleased to hear that Hubby liked your pizza!!!!!

Karen: welcome back - when do you get to move into your new house?? Best wishes for getting the new job xx

Sarah: welcome back - not a selfish b...h for saying no at times - you need to be able to look after you and yours to be able even considering looking after/helping others - and even then, that needs to be in moderation. Sorry about your chicken and hope the burn was not too bad. Also, prayers to your frined - hope they sorted the problem. Yeah for the new mesurements - you must be over the moon :drinker: Have you done banish fat / boost metablolism - if so do you have any feedback?

Ami: don't let the not so good choices outdo all of the good ones you have made - it is really difficult to get home at any time of night and then face cooking - at least you have identified a way to get round the issue - next week you will so have wednesday covered xx

Keshia: hope your guest lecturing goes/went well - very scary!!! Let me kow how you get on with six weeks - have to say I am enjoying it (and have stucj to it properly unlkie the shred)

Crystal: stay with it lady - and there is no failure in admitting to what is going on!! So, you gained last challenge, doesn't mean you can't kick the butt of this one. 35 days smoke free - that's like five whole weeks. Congrats lady you have this beat xx

Kiki: yeah for geting into the new eating regime - is it preventing the snacking you were doing - I would find it extremely easy to just enlarge the size of my lunch - break it down into bits and ignore the act that I was now eating more, not less, than when I started.

Jessi: good luck with the c25k - keep us up to date wtih how you do.

Amy: hope your headache's finally gone - sorry to hear about the cruise - but super exciting to have your mum and neice coming. Are your boys feeling better yet - I hope so as I too hate the whingey phase of them being poorly. Sorry for familiy issues raising their head but WELL DONE Lady - you bucked the candy and found a way to deal without eating (which never works anyhow) - wtg. Great to hear The Kid is doing so well with 'soccer' and that he is getting into the dvd with you - now to try and encourage mine.......

Lacey: thinking i may well try those pancakes - need to work out what chia seeds are though!! Sorry to hear about your dad - is he okay? :flowerforyou: - for being there for Amy xx Really great that your new eating is working out so well - here's to not feeling hungry :drinker:

Megan; yeah for the scale number - hope your Friday was as good as you thought it would be

Rain: the scale has moved -you are back on your way yeah xx Don't you just hate it when things interrupt what you are hoping to achieve - especially when you heve your mind focussed into a specific goal xx You are going to have the best weekend - congrats on five years and enjoy...........

Kendal: sorry you are feeling poorly - hope you better soon xx

Marie: enjoy your vacation and you will get scale moving when you return - blah attitude banished xx

Kerry: well done for geting back down. Glad you okay and hope next week is calmer for you.

'Anna': wtg on weight loss already and welcome xx

Julie: well done to 'owning up' - get into filling in the diary - that will make you accountable for your food intake!!!

Bobbie: reason I am thinking of first two weeks of new year is two fold: 1) am currently working on my 100 days goal - okay will be way off 100/100 for anyhting but it is keeping me thinking and 2) my birthday is two weeks on from New Year and my brain seems to take that as: well, no point in worrying about behaviour as birthdya around the corner when (in all probability) I will spend time with my mother and eat for England. Theref ore - while not looking at specifics (i.e menu planning) - do need to have some sort of 'plan' or it will go to pot (and that will mean literally as far as my stomach is concrened!!!).

Hallie: good going on catching up with your goals already - you are going to totally kick a% with this challenge

Sarah: I AM WITH YOU GIRLIE - need to get bakc on track with my 100 and what better way than to share. (ps does the 56 include today?????? )

Amy: keep it up. Get the tape measure out. You are working so hard lady the prize will be yours (oh not been on the diaries yet but I will!!!!!!)

As for me - up two lbs today - that'll teach me to eat so much (well hopefully). Daughter was supposed to be coming back at two - it's now 2.40 and no phone call - not that I am at all over protective and worrisome. Still following dvd and managed to run yesterday (pleased about that as had missed the last two weeks). Am going to try the butt kicking last 56 days of this year - don't think I will manage the weight loss Sarah hoping for but will be over excited if I manage to contain myself for 56 days......One day at a time though eh!!!!

Post is very long- but have caught up in one go.

Kristina: thinking of you and hoping you are well wiegh in this week +2 (feeling so fed up about it can;t be doing with working it out in lbs - hope that okay)

Vicotira: hope you have had a great break

Love to all xx

I just deleted about 20 "friends" off of Facebook...yay!

Hiya ladies. Food not so good today. Breakfast was okay but then my mom let Gracie pick where we ate for lunch- pizza. Sigh. I ate a salad but had one small piece and a regular size piece. And I've found that for some reason I've been hungry an hour to two hours ahead of when I should be hungry today. So not sure if its because of the weekend or because the protein shake I am drinking instead of the eggs isn't working for me or what. But I just ate a piece of cold pizza, hangs head in shame. I am going to need to down the water tonight in the hopes that I stay full and get the sodium out of my system since my official weigh in is tomorrow. God I hope I hold onto that 3 lbs loss. If not, I may start changing my weigh in to Fridays...but we will see what next week brings before I make that choice.

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>> 203.9 <<

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That's my Saturday weigh in.

Super tired tonight - went out last night and 'tied one on'. Then my daughter didn't feel like sleeping in like she normally does... and she's been super busy! Just got home from my parents for an afternoon/dinner visit and about to put her to bed.

Still not working out regularly - feet are still bothering me - going to have to do something about this...

I'm hoping tomorrow is quiet at work so I have a chance to actually reply to some posts and get to know this group better!

Well, it's been a fabulous weekend .. but not such a great one for the weight goals, I'm sure. Oh well, I'll weigh in tomorrow and see what the damage was. Went out with a couple friends on Friday and then the boy and I got to spend a whole day together on Saturday - that almost never happens since we are both usually holed up in the library studying. We didn't do anything special really - had brunch, ran some errands, went to the mall. It was just so nice to spend some quality time with him. Of course, now I'm really far behind on work and I'll be kicking myself in the butt all week trying to make up for the lost time - but it was well worth it!
Today has been much better - ate within my calorie goals and finally got back to the gym! Did some weights and the arc trainer. To tell you all the truth, I've been a bit scared to continue on with week 4 of C25K but tomorrow, the plan is to try day 2.
Also, I tried something new for dinner tonight - baked sweet potatoes topped with black bean salsa ... oh my. I would never have thought to pair them up but it was absolutely delicious! I am definitely going to be eating this more often!
Don't have time for individual responses now - hopefully will get a chance to catch up tomorrow!