Hi everyone! I've just updated my stats on the spreadsheet so I will no longer be posting them here in the common room, just updating daily on the spreadsheet. I'll post my weight here though, just so I can share my weight loss with everyone - well, I hope it's a loss!

I have next week off of sixth form as it's half term. I think it's the same as what American's call spring break. It's just a week off really, haha. It's definitely a much needed week off and I'm really excited about the 2 day break I'm having with my best friends. It'll be nice just to get away from everything! I'll miss you all when I'm gone though, obviously

Ugh, my step dad is such a pain in the rear end.

Nikki, thanks for explaining the house to Alaska. I've also taken your idea of changing my font colour to avoid confusion, perhaps we should all do this?

i'm totally sabotaging my weight loss efforts by eating when i come straight home after work!! it's so frustrating but i have to come home early once a week to catch up on house work. i don't know what to do. does anyone have any suggestions? i lost weight in awhile i've just been maintaining.

This may be way more info than you are looking for, I've have this problem too...only mine occurs at the end of the day at the dreaded witching hour of 4pm and 5pm. I am always willing to share my experiences, and always hopeful one can benefit from my experiences. Are you sabotaging because of food cravings? I sabotage out of a combination of craving sugar, sodium, anxiety and boredom. I have developed strategies, that I use as I need them (most days usually).
1. If you can, identify with why you are overeating when you get home in the evenings...getting to the root of the cause can be very beneficial. Warning... It may be a lot harder than it sounds!
2. If you are going to overeat at least stock up some "safe" foods to eat. My favorites include fruits, peanut butter, sugar free chocolate pudding, hot chocolate, anything with mint in it, and my newest finds cracker chips from special K and sugar free gum, and eat as much as you need to eat. At least these foods won't completely wreck you efforts, while you search and develop strategies against the root cause.
3. Diversionary activities--I have found many times I can work through cravings, but I need to be distracted. A good book, a movie, reading the posts on MFP, calling a friend, going for a walk, taking a shower, brush your teeth---you get the point!
4. Try exercising hard before you get home. Nothing takes my appetite away faster than a truly hard workout where I am slightly sick to my stomach afterwards...plus it is an awesome calorie burn
4. Try to have a protein snack before going home. If you avoid the sugar, it may decrease both your appetite and the rebound effect sugar can cause to want you to have more.

*** I've also taken your idea of changing my font colour to avoid confusion, perhaps we should all do this?

I just changed my font colors to be cool! Te-he-he-he!!

Hi loves! Hope you all are doing great!!

Hi All,

I vanished for a while there! I guess that means I’ve been busy and doing all kinds of stuff.

My yesterday (Wednesday) was a little crazy. I met my friend in the morning and helped her through her workout. We did 6 x 800 meters at 10 minute per mile pace. Then, showered up at the gym and went to work. Ate a ton at work, because I needed to get food in early so I did not get sick for my EVENING workout. After work, I went back to the track to run with the Wednesday night group. And wow, that was a tough workout. My group ran 6 x 600 meters aiming to go through at 2:21. For us Americans, that’s about 6:15-6:20 min/mile pace. The first few felt good, but as I fatigued, they got tough. The last few were a little slow and I really did not want to do them, but having the group there really helped a lot. At the end of the day, I was over on my calorie goal, so I’m happy about that. I’ve been making efforts to make sure I get everything in - and doing these two per day workouts can make it tricky - just from a logistical standpoint.

I was feeling good all day, a little tired (slept like poo on Tuesday night). During my second track workout, My nose was running like crazy - I kept having to spit out lots of snot. Super gross - but it happens sometimes. By the time I got home, my head was fully stuffed up. I went to bed feeling like I would wake up majorly sick. My fiance even slept in the spare bed because I looked so miserable. I’m not as stuffy today, but tired. I might go work a portion of my shift today. I’m drinking lots of green tea. I’ll stop by the grocery store later and get some juice too.

Glad it’s my planned day off from exercise today.

I’ve also been struggling with my own NEWT challenge! I guess I thought I eat more fruit and veggies than I really do. I’ve been upping it though with a little effort, I’m getting more in. Again, I can’t wait until Summer!

Dani - maybe get something pre-made for when you get home? Sort of like packing a lunch, but not. Eating is important, you can’t just NOT eat! But, if you made up a salad or something in advance with a portion limit already in place, you might have some luck?

Alaska, welcome! Hope you find a lot here to like. Tell us a bit about yourself. Do you live in Alaska? How much are you wanting to loose? Have kids? What kinds of exercise do you prefer? What are your goals?

Molly - sorry about the family stuff. At one point, when I was younger, BOTH my parents were with step-jerks. It sucks, but at this point, all you can really do is manage your reactions and attitude. As an adult you can make other choices - like how far away you live from them, how often you visit family... Until then, keep on doing the good things you can do! Enjoy your time with friends!

Bum - I see you went swimming the other day. Any incidents to report? And good for you for going to the gym yesterday! You make us proud. I struggle with upper body stuff too. I’ve been doing push ups now and then - and really need to include that more often.

Woo, I'm officially on half term! Technically I shouldn't finish school until 4pm tomorrow, but it's snowing like a maniac outside (by that, I mean there's like 3 inches of snow which is pathetic I know, but causes the entire country to almost collapse because clearly every year, we are unprepared for winter and every year the snow/cold weather/rain takes us by surprise. Britain, eh?) I live 30 miles from my school so I'm not going tomorrow as it's too far to travel with "so much snow" on the roads. I'm not complaining, I'm always up for a day off :laugh:

I am glad to know other countries do this too! Back in St. Louis they act like it is the deep-south and that they never expect snow. Not that I can drive it it!! LOL! I can bike in a few inches though! I am by no means used to Chicago snow (yet) I am glad I wasn't here last year when they got like 27"...There's always next winter. Sigh!

Yay for the Workout and enjoy the time off... or day or what not!!

Thanks for the explanation bumflapassassin. Does your week run Sunday through Saturday?

Happy Friday Hufflepuffs!

Another long week comes to a close..."mindless mandatory education" . I need to snag a laptop this morning, so I can multitask on long overdue procedure updates...I refuse to do on the weekend. I know... a great way to spend the "day off" Just irritating because I postponed it last Fri to get some clients into clinic...they never showed (and why I did not expect it, I still don't know) and now this is the last day for the training, so I have to go to work sigh...rant over

Amber...great workout. I just started some workouts with a group. I thought I would not enjoy because I am so slow, but I found that working out with a group pushed me to go farther. Feel better soon. It is going around this year...I hope you have the milder version of it

Molly...Great job on the exercise Enjoy every minute of "spring break" with your friends and the surrounding snow. The threat of snow shuts us down most times, spikes sales of alcohol, bread, junk food etc...and then it is like an extra day off because the threat rarely amounts to anything down here unless it is a true ice storm..

Jenn...Great to hear from you and glad you made it to the spreadsheet

Danielle...Would your sister be interested in healthier versions of pizza or Mexican you prepare in advance and share? I have had to develop a big set of blinders for all of the junk my husband eats. I have started eating dinner at work so I am not tempted by the fast food alley on the way home, and then again tempted with the junk he is eating. It is working so far. We are now just about completely separated where meals/snacks are concerned. I am hopeful one day we can come back together with both of us being healthy eaters overall (and he realizes I AM NOT shrinking his clothes in the dryer :laugh: ), but the more I "nag" the more likely I am to push him to unhealthy eating out of spite, so I will just occasionally hint and lead by example.

Alaska, welcome! Hope you find a lot here to like. Tell us a bit about yourself. Do you live in Alaska? How much are you wanting to loose? Have kids? What kinds of exercise do you prefer? What are your goals?

Thanks for the welcome! What a workout you had!! Hope you are feeling better today.

I chose this house because I like that everybody communicates and its not just posts on the wall. Everybody comments about each others activities and comments. I have already found a lot to like here.

I am married and a mom of 3 with 2 grandchildren. My oldest daughter is 27 and a special ed teacher (mother of my 3 year old grandson). My son is 24 and just got out of the marine corp. Going to college so he can return as a marine corp. pilot (father of my 2 year old granddaughter). My youngest is 18 and a senior in high school. She will be attending University of Texas in the fall. I live in Texas.

My screen name is Alaska '11 because I started my weight loss journey in order to lose weight as part of a contest between my sisters, mom and me. In 2010 we started planning a cruise to Alaska and wanted to be fit for some of the excursions. I won the contest and liked the way I felt so much that I decided to continue on my weight loss journey. I have lost 43 lbs. so far and have about another 35 or so to go.

I started with the Jillian Michaels 30 DS and a couple of her other DVD's. I liked them and they worked for me. I also started walking and eventually added in a little jogging. I have participated in a couple of 5K's (walking/jogging) and ended up winning medals in my age group (I'm 49). Now I attend a bootcamp 3x's a week and I LOVE it!! She has us doing strength and cardio and I really like the intervals. We burn about 500 - 800 calories in an hour. I have never really liked exercise although I played tennis in high school so I am amazed at how much I am enjoying the workouts.

I gained back about 5 lbs. of what I had lost since winning the contest in June. I decided to recommit to my weight loss journey on Jan. 2nd and have lost 10 lbs. and 5.5 inches from my waist and hips since then. I am working in 90 day increments and my first 90 day challenge is to lose a total of 30 lbs. by April 2nd so I have 20 left to go. Another goal is to attend all 3 days of bootcamp and add an additional workout 2 days a week (I'm struggling with that one). My sisters are planning a trip to Hawaii in Sept. and my ultimate goal is to be at my goal weight and swimsuit ready by the trip (if I am able to go).

I am looking forward to getting to know the people in Hufflepuff. I am typically very competitive and am hoping this will help me reach my goals. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this house.

Kathy

Molly- hope you have a great half term despite “all” the snow.

Amber- feel better soon. You’re advice has been super helpful.

Carolina-to get my sister to do anything I have to make her think it’s her idea. At this point I haven’t figured out how to get her to think eating healthy versions of our favorites is her idea. My sister is so stubborn, anything I say she interprets as a nag or a judgment statement. she says "she's too fat too function" whenever i try to talk to her about making some small change.

Bum-the one time I went into the steam room my skin started getting this burning sensation. I had to run out. thanks for the music suggestions. Haha ozomatli I used to be really into them in college, glad to know someone else likes them around here..como ves, como ves

Alaska- welcome welcome. where in texas are you from? my sister went to college in dallas so i've spent some time there.

Alaska- welcome welcome. where in texas are you from? my sister went to college in dallas so i've spent some time there.

I live near Corpus Christi.

OMG IS THE SELENA MUSEUM STILL THERE!?!?!? i went to her store in san antonio right before it was closed. techno cumbia love that song

Alaska- welcome welcome. where in texas are you from? my sister went to college in dallas so i've spent some time there.

I live near Corpus Christi.

OMG IS THE SELENA MUSEUM STILL THERE!?!?!? i went to her store in san antonio right before it was closed. techno cumbia love that song

Not 100% positive but I think it is. There are a lot of die hard Selena fans here. I cannot imagine it would close.

Hey Folks,

Well, I'm up a pound since last week! Yay! The bummer is that last week was a loss, so this weeks gain is actually getting me back to my starting point... But I'll take it.

I've not been on my A game this week due to that weird cold I had. Wednesday night I was stuffy. Thursday morning, I was not stuffy anymore, but just exhausted. Friday, I was fine. Today (Saturday) I decided to run again, but only made it a mile before I needed to be done.

So, not a ton of exercise for me this week. But my running partner will be here in the morning and we plan to take a run around the lake which is about 11 or so miles (20K) depending on which route we take. Hopefully I'll feel ok for it.

Congrats to those of you moving in the right direction this week. If the scale is not going your way, keep trying!

Queeda - you've been quiet. How are ya?

Nikki - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I baked and ate brownies in your honor. Even served 'em with ice cream.

Dani - did you take a look at any of the recipes I sent you? I hope you find something that inspires you!

Alaska - hope you had fun at your party and did not go too crazy!

If you don't hear back from me, it means I froze to death running out in this wicked cold tomorrow! I hope to come back with my fingers, toes and nose all attached!

I was thinking that the NEWTs are a bit low for most of us, considering that guidance is to eat at least 5 portions of fruit/veg daily...

Perhaps we could keep the same challenges with 10 bonus points at the end of the week if you improve on your score for this week?

What do others think to this?

p.s. thanks for the birthday wishes although my birthday is next week on Friday - I'm just preparing now because I know I'll be busy in the pub later in the week!

I was thinking that the NEWTs are a bit low for most of us, considering that guidance is to eat at least 5 portions of fruit/veg daily...

Perhaps we could keep the same challenges with 10 bonus points at the end of the week if you improve on your score for this week?

What do others think to this?

p.s. thanks for the birthday wishes although my birthday is next week on Friday - I'm just preparing now because I know I'll be busy in the pub later in the week!

I think that is a great idea!!

Since an official challenge isn't yet posted and I am away for 2 days as of tomorrow, I will work my OWLs/NEWTs out when the challenges are 'revealed' and I am home.

I'm putting my numbers on the spreadsheet but if we switch to other challenges I'll recalculate. Where is everyone?

I've hurt my foot so I'm going to be doing mainly swimming this week.

putting this here so I can easily find it later
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AkCoTRlaFXkodDZXZ2hZLUhlUEpKODdaSEhXR0FBWUE