femmemusicale Member

Thank you for sharing your story, and for your work as a teacher.

Starting at 229 lbs

Have you thought about setting up some non-food/non-drink related rewards for when you reach your goals? That might help, so that you can celebrate the accomplishment, but not in a food way. In fact, that was what really helped me most last year. For me, I chose "experience" rewards: flying lesson, horseback riding lesson,…

freaking out

I just commented on your news post, but didn't see this. Thanks for sharing! I'm definitely an emotional eater, and sometimes I don't realize that is what is going on until after the fact. But, every time I realize it, I think it helps me get better at catching it sooner. Great tips here! I'm going to try the activity list…

Hi teams! I'm Noelle, and I'm not on a team this month, but I might sneak into the group from time to time to say hello and steal some of the exercises. Jackie's a GREAT captain (as you returners know and newbies will soon learn), and the groups are always full of wonderful folks with lots of support and good ideas. So,…

I haven't been able to check in every day, but have been using about 3/4 of the workouts (those that are strength based) on my non-biking and non-running days. I really liked having them all laid out early, and then I just plopped them into my week, as needed. Thanks for all you did for us this month, Jackie! And, way to…

Hal Higdon's 10K program. It just maps out a plan for you, and I like that (although I can't speak for the program since I haven't actually started yet!).

Just a few more days in July - whoo hoo! (Although it has gone by FAST!) I'm still biking, but I also signed up for a 5K and (gasp!) a 10K in early October. So, starting this Sunday, I'll begin the 10K running program. Wish me luck! July 2011 Goals SW: 211 GW: 205 CW: 204 (actually down a little more, but I'm still not…

Howdy, all! The weather is finally less brutal here, so I'm happy to be back on my bike. I had a little setback in the form of a pulled butt muscle (that is a fun one to try to explain to people - haha!), but am feeling about 80% now. With one week left to go, I'm getting close to my 250-mile bike goal, and have maintained…

I think I'm finally ready to update my weight to 205. That's super exciting for me! Getting close to my next big goal. I still have to decide on a reward for it, though. This past weekend, I went camping and biking with my roommate. We biked over 100 miles in two days - 65 the first day and the rest today. It was a…

You're walking an hour a day - that's fantastic! Just keep it up, and you'll be headed in the right direction! :) If you decide you want a little more challenge (but don't necessarily want to do more time or walk faster), you could try holding a one or two pound hand weight in each arm while you walk (or switch arms part…

Happy Anniversary! (And I love the new profile pic, too!) And...you met your mileage goal - big week for you - CONGRATS!!!

Still working on biking, and got another 25 miles in this week so far - whoo! But also hoping to continue adding in other activities, since biking is such a seasonal, weather-dependent exercise. Today, for example, I rode in to work (25 minutes), will ride to the pool after work (25 minutes), then swim for 60 minutes, then…

Sorry to hear about your grumps, but glad to see that you pounded down some pavement instead of pounding down some calories! ;-p One of my favorite quotes is that the "cure for everything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." I love that. For me, it is totally true - any of those three and I'm back on track pretty…

I have the same problem. I usually find that if I try for a "small" snack (a 100-calorie pack or something light and carby), it just acts like a trigger and I end up eating way more than I planned. Instead, I try to go for something more dense, but not too calorie-laden. One of my favorites is Fage greek yogurt with some…

So, I mentioned before that I'm focusing more on cardio and on riding than on other workouts. I'm playing softball 2-3 nights per week, trying to walk during lunch at work, and then riding my bike as much as possible - whether for errands or for pleasure. Today, I rode 9 miles to get to a two-hour softball practice, which…

I do this, too, but only with certainly people in my life who understand (my sister is one). I'm so grateful to them for letting me multitask by walking and talking on the phone at the same time, even if I do get a little out of breath like Cheryl said. Plus, the time goes more quickly if I am talking to someone else. You…

Hi there! I'm Noelle. Like most people here, I've been battling weight my entire life, even being 300+ lbs for a while. Now, after a lot of work, I'm closer to 200, but haven't been able to get below that barrier. The closest I got was around 202 in Feb, but have been struggling up and down since then. I've recently…

Welcome, Jeremy! I feel your pain about going up and down. I've been fighting the same 10 pounds for the last 4 months. Lose it, gain it, lose it, gain it. Currently just trying to focus on being consistent and taking one day at a time. Hang in there and you'll get to your goal!

I'm in Minneapolis, but not from here originally. Although, after living here for 5.5 years, I may have to give up and finally start calling myself a Minnesotan! NAH! ;-p

Welcome to MFP! Sorry to hear about the high cholesterol report, but congratulations on making such a good choice to try and lower it naturally with diet and exercise. I haven't struggled with cholesterol personally, but one of my MFP "friends" who has been here a while doing the same thing just got a report that if she…

Also got dumped. Two days before my bithday...which is a week before Christmas. After 2.5 years, too. He told me that he "kind of knew" this was coming for a while, but didn't want to hurt my feelings, but thought that it would be best if he didn't confuse me over the holidays by getting me gifts. So...you get that, right?…

Hi Ladies! Weigh-in today: 234. Considering that I went up a little bit earlier in the month, I'm very happy with my final October weight, and I hope to keep going into November, December, and beyond. My goals for the rest of 2011: 1. Do 1 AOK each week - Good for the heart! 2. Dance, since, be silly at least once each…

So, Sherri did her 5K in great time! I made my required weight for my flight (239 fully outfitted, 235 w/out) and flew this morning! It...was...awesome!!! :-D Anyone else do something special? Here's your chance to share the news! I fell off the edge of the world last night after 4 straight hours of moving boxes and…

Happy Friday!!! :) I did my challenge exercises over lunch today, since I'll be moving furniture and boxes again after work tonight. I completed Plan B, plus 50 crunches and 50 jumping jacks from Plan C. Just working on calories and water for the evening now, and will try to check in before I pass out tonight. Since we're…

Challenges met, plus moving today and tomorrow - so that should make for plenty of extra exercise (unless I hurt my back...which is a distinct possibility at this point). Water levels will be met and probably over for the first time since I'm pretty thirsty from the moving. As for calories, since I counted the moving for…

ok - I'm the early bird this morning. Had a 5:30 am workout class, so I did my challenge exercises too. I'm good for the day for plan B, plus the 50 jumping jacks and crunches from plan C. I have 13 hours of work ahead of me, so I had to get it done now! Will work hard on water and cals, but am planned for a lunch out with…

Checking in for today - good on cal and water, plus plan B exercises (including the 50 jumping jacks and crunches). Go, team, go! Noelle

Jackie - you and I could have a LONG chat about this topic! And, I totally feel your pain. I think my SO is a little nervous about my focus on "me" instead of on "him" and of the changes I'm making. So, he doesn't like it when I work out or walk on the treadmill instead of sitting on the couch and watching TV with him.…