Another one bites the dust.

Well another pound has been shed from my body. YEAH 140's here I come. This week I will be trying to walk atleast 3 times a week. Maybe more weight will come off. I do not feel deprieved because I can eat whatever just on a smaller scale and as long as I do not go over in points I am good.

Walking, Sit-ups, and the Wii

It's been about a week since I last took a walk. That's the longest I've gone without a walk in, I don't know, almost two months, not counting the time when I was sick with a bad cold and probably took time off. I'm wondering what the lack of vigorous walking has done for my weight.

We bought a second-hand Wii as a birthday/Christmas gift to us all, and it's fun! Tennis is probably the best calorie-burning workout so far, or boxing. Baseball, especially the homerun derbies, are a workout for the arms, something I also need. My upper arms and thighs are the last place I lose weight. My breasts - those are the first thing to disappear, and often the only thing. Playing on the Wii is not real, actual, full-on exercise, but it's a great alternative to sitting on the couch, watching TV and eating, and encourages more interaction with the family, and thought. You can't eat or space out much while you're on the Wii.

My goal for this upcoming week is to do 40 sit-ups a day - 20 in the morning and 20 in the evening. I went past the bathroom mirror while I was giving T a piggyback ride and noticed that my tummy still clearly isn't flat.

I must crack the whip and drive myself to perfection, or die trying, right?!? No. I want to look my best and be all hot and svelte and cocky and all, "Yeah, that's me." Why not? Gotta have some goals, and only one life to live!

I've been eating hard candy, but haven't had egg nog all month, and I love the stuff. I've been too busy eating Paul's birthday cakes. ; P

Like I alluded to, I don't know what weight I'm at this week.

YEAH!!!!

So I joined weight watchers a week ago and just with the eating plan I lost 3 lbs. I have never lost weight so quickly. I am starting to walk this week in hopes to encourage more weight loss. This is the first time I feel like I can do it.

It has been way too long since I posted anything...

Sorry, guys didn't mean to ditch you... Ok so here's an update.
Week to week my weight has fluctuated from a "low" of 284 to earlier this week I weighed myself and it said 292! Ahhh!!!! Well the obvious reason is I didn't work out for a week and a half. But holy cow! 8 lbs!!!!
I can't seem to keep weight off. I'm starting to wonder if the infertility treatments are causing it to be more difficult to loose weight. I haven't been eating very well or drinking my water. I'm a stress eater and right now, there is so much stress it would take up an entire afternoon to talk about it all! No wonder I can't get pregnant! Stress, weight, infertility, will it ever end?!?!
So today to try to get myself back on track, I went to the gym and burned 668 calories or an hour on the elliptical. Maybe that will erase that Frosty I ate today... I joined Weight Watchers a long time ago but have been too ashamed of my eating habits to even admit it to myself.
Any way that's where I'm at...
love you guys, sorry it has been so long since I posted something or encouraged you on your journeys.

Moving furniture

So a really good exercise to move heavy furniture all by yourself. I am cleaning a room a day this week to get ready for some friends coming over this weekend. I re-arranged our room all by myself, what a workout. My weight is about the same. Which means I am not gaining :) but I am akso not losing :( One day it will all come together.

For the first time since my children were born...

I bought a BELT! Since even before my children were born, my waist had been growing, growing, growing over the years. I kept buying bigger pants, hoping I could climb back down through all the sizes someday. After the birth of my second child, my waist has gradually, gradually shrunk and I have been returning to slimmer pants. It's been a slow process that's taken over three years. The entire time, I've tried to be far more active than I was during my years at a desk job.

Well, for the first time in at least five years, I've had to buy - A BELT!

I'm delighted!

I weigh about 135 and need a belt. Siiiggghhh.

Halloweens over

So I have eaten hardly any candy from my kids buckets. Of course it was in the car for the first few days. My weight has stayed the same but that is better than gaining. I am thinking of joining weight watchers in my quest to lose weight. My mom and aunts are doing it and they are losing weight. Well till next time.

I'm So STOKED!

Despite a cold that's getting worse, and despite the clutter in the house, I'm stoked on one account: MY WEIGHT!

Last week I walked an average of 2-4 (yes, 4) hours a day, almost every day. Yes, sounds crazy, but in the weather we were having - wonderful.

I've felt great energy-wise, ache and pain-free wise. And when I got on a scale, it said I weighed 130-135 pounds. (I weighed myself several times on two scales, and it averaged to 130-ish.) I'm not sure whether that's accurate or not, but I'll take it and run with it!!! I haven't weighed 135 since shortly after P and I were married!

My "Daphne" Halloween costume? It fit without looking ridiculous. Hooray!

Almost Halloween

I have a love-hate relationship with Halloween. I love dressing my kids up and letting them have fun, and say "Trick or Treat". But I hate the candy part of it. I end up eating all the good candy and throw the rest away. This year I vow not to eat ALL the candy. I will let the kids have a peice or two then donate it to the church :) These weeks just seem to fly by. But I am planning on getting a gym membership after I get my first paycheck from my new job. Maybe that will help me kick my butt into gear. Eating wise I have been pretty good. But I am having a problem drinking all my water and less pop. Well here is to a new week. I am going to see if renting new workout videos off of netflix will help, who knows? New things sometimes help.

Dazzling October Sunshine

The sunlight and crisp temperatures have been tinting the leaves in rich hues and scrubbing the blue sky clean. I haven't had any trouble the past couple of days in getting exercise. I walked for over two hours yesterday with T in the stroller, two hours the day before, and an hour and a half the day before that, I think. Did I mention I like to take walks? Not only do I get exercise while walking, but I don't get bored enough to eat. I figure I better get in as many as I can before the weather turns too cold or -eep- SNOWY? FREEZY?

EGGNOG SEASON looms before us. Eggnogg is one of my big downfalls. I drink it in my coffee from mid-October to mid-February (I stock up right before it's off shelves in January.) I adore it. I saw it in Safeway yesterday and have yet to buy any. But it will happen. I'll crumble with a big smile on my face.

We made a huge pot of chili at the end of last week and a pot of borscht earlier this week, so we've had some really healthy, warm food. Borscht is an acquired taste, but very healthy. It's made primarily of beets (I used canned) seasoned with dill, can be made with or without meat, and contains whatever other vegetables you like. I put potatoes, turnips, beans, carrots, and brown rice in mine.

I'd like to also recommend a pasta. Barilla makes a series of noodles in yellow boxes called "Barilla Plus." The pasta is made with eggs and legumes like chick peas and lentils, and whole grains. It's high in Omega-3's and fiber. A serving of this pasta contains almost as much protein as a serving of hamburger, and only slightly less than a serving of shrimp. The noodles have a denser, springier texture than most other noodles and are more flavorful - really yummy. These noodles ARE almost twice the price of generic white noodles, but they have WAY more nutrition and you don't have to serve them with meat to make them nourishing. I eat a bowl or two of Barilla Plus with my favorite cheese sprinkled on top and call it a meal. It's an easy way to add both protein and fiber into your diet without the hassle of preparing and cooking meat (which to me is a major pain.) I'm a lazy but healthy cook.

Poverty is a good weight-loss plan. No ice cream or pop this week except at a birthday party last Saturday, and hardly any candy. Can't afford it. I baked a batch of chocolate chip and flax-seed cookies (again hitting with the stealth Omega-3-fiber foods) and accidentally left them at my dad's house. I made pancakes (with ground flax and flour) and ate them with a pile of bacon and sausage. That was my big indulgence earlier this week.

Yesterday I weighed myself three times on a scale in a store and it averaged out to about 135-7. Don't know if it's true, but I'll gladly take it. If only my arms would tighten up and get buff. They make my breasts look smaller than they really are. I guess lifting a three-year old repeatedly every day isn't the same as lifting weights in the gym. The workout gods are unfair!

Another week gone.

Man havew I been behind. I got a cold and my head is just not working. I started my new jon so I am trying to set up office and get things done. I also stayed up till 1:00 to help Joe finish his paper. This 28 year old body can not handle that anymore. I jumped on the scale and it is about a pound lower. YEAH!!!! Still trying to keep up on the exercise and water drinking. Not doing to well. But I bought whole wheat bread and flour and I am trying to eat better, Although having cookies and ice cream is not good.

progress

So the scale hasn't moved but I'm improving in other ways. I exercise for an hour 3 times a week. Yesterday I made it for 20 minutes on the elliptical. WOOHOO!!!! Yay, for me! This is in is a complete victory for me. When I first got on a couple weeks ago, I couldn't last for more than 5 minutes. My eating has not been so good which is why the scale hasn't moved. What can I say, I'm a sucker for ice cream. Today I did much better than I have all week. And last night I made a Mexican salad with an organic salsa for the dressing and chicken and some black beans and some cheese. It was great! And Tony actually ate it... Now to get him to stop drinking soda... Then I won't have to have it in the house calling my name. Water intake hasn't been so great either. Somebody wanna light a fire under me. I thought I was doing pretty good until I started writing this! I'm terrible, if a skinny person we're ready this, they would be disgusted. Ugh!

Keeping Track

For the record:

The day before yesterday - Wednesday - I finally reached the water intake goal. I drank around 64 oz. of water that day. And I did at least 20 minutes of vigorous exercise as I pushed a stroller up a steep hill. I've been doing stretching and dancing as I take care of things around the house. I don't know if they've been exacty 15 consecutive minutes, but at least the exercise is kinda working its way in there.

How are you two?

Anyone else out there want to join in?

In the Same Boat

I'm in the same boat with you, Dorothy. For me, the boat's been a cruise ship with an all-you-can-eat buffet. We had company all weekend, and today and tomorrow, too. It's been so much fun. But healthy eating and exercise attempts? Can I have a do-over? Cake, cookies, chocolate, ice cream, Doritos, pop, Chinese food, pancakes, French fries, pasta binges...

I got on a scale yesterday, but I'm sure it was broken or grossly inaccurate. The first time I got on, it said I weighed the same thing I did in college. When I got on a moment later, it was a much closer, more normal weight for me: 147. But considering this scale, it could have been as much as ten pounds off, so I'm taking that reading with a pinch of salt and a gallon of ice cream. Noooo - just kidding. Wednesday, or even tomorrow afternoon, it should be back to the usual "routine."

Last note: I eat whole grain bread most of the time, very little meat (only once every few days, or trace amounts), and whole grain or vegetable mixed pasta. My usual drink for the day, besides water, is home-brewed coffee with a dollop of 2%, no sugar. Peanut butter, eggs, black beans, and organic buffalo serve as the majority of my protein, and although PB and eggs are high in fat, that fat is high in Omega-3's, so are rather healthy.

My downfall: ice cream and baked goods.

Week 3

Challenge this week is to exercise atleast 15 minutes a day. We can do it ladies.

Tip: eating whole wheats is better for you and you get more nutrients. Slowly transition your pasta.

Good luck this week ladies.

Where did the week go?

Man this week went by fast. I really did not workout and I did not eat all that great. I tried to drink my water and less pop but it just did not happen. I need to kick my butt into gear, because my fav. purple jacket is too small I cannot zip it over my belly. Very sad. It fit me just 6 months ago. Maybe this week will be better.

Challenge 2

OK Ladies last week was to drink 64ozs of water. If you can read through your pee you are perfectly hydrated. Keep up the water drinking. This week cut your soda drinking in half. Or whatever drink that is bad for you. This will help you stay hydrated and drink more water plus not get those calories. Read the label on what you drink to see if it is really all that great. Tea is good for, but try to cut back on sugar.

Tip of the week:
Cleaning your house is a great way to exercise. Put on some music and dance while you clean. :) Get two things done at once.

Add your fav. yummy healthy reciepe for us to enjoy. And if you have a good challenge let me know. Maybe we can rotate who comes up with challenges. Tell me what you think. Have a great week!!

MY WEEK :(

Well this week was not good. I was sick for two days and then I started that wonderful time of the month. So I fell icky. I tried really hard to drink all my water did pretty good most days. I have neither gained nor lost weight. So that is good. I went for a walk today, not too far though. I have a job interview on wednesday and I keep thinking how all my clothes don't fit but i don't want to buy any cause I WILL lose weight. It is kind of kicking me in the butt. I measured out a mile path (1/2 mile one way). Next week I will do better.

Checking In Rather Listlessly

Took two long walks this week. One of 'em was four hours long, pushing a stroller, and going up some killer hills. May take another walk before dark today.

My appetite is still poor from getting over a cold, but the foods I have eaten are probably not weightloss-friendly. A lot of buttered popcorn, muffins, some plain tortilla chips. I mean I ate those foods as meals, not "in additional to." Whole wheat toast is good. I've tried to water myself, but never have matched the daily goal. I've been more in the 40 oz a day range. The first couple of days, I swear the water was making me nauseous when I drank it on an empty stomach before meals. I couldn't eat at all afterward. I think there's something bad in our water. We bought a filter last year and it broke in the first week. We returned it and never replaced it.

I weighed myself yesterday and am at 147 - up three pounds from last week, at least according to that scale. What's the deal? Maybe it's muscle gain. Maybe I need to start taking measurements instead of weighing myself. Is there such a thing as invisible muscle? Let me check ... no, I certainly haven't gained it in the cleavage area. I saw a female ultimate fighter on TV last night who weighed 144. I turned to my husband and smiled wanly, "Hey, if I were a fighter, I'd only be a pound or two off my peak fighting weight, right?"

Oh, well. Next week, here we come!

Breakthrough!!!!

I've lost 4 pounds after struggling for months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited!

Workouts I Want to Try Out

So I won't forget, and in case you want to take a look and try these:



I saw a commercial on FitTV for a new workout series and it sparked my interest. The program is called Shimmy, and it's a bellydancing workout. What more perfect show to mention on this blog? Air times are: 1 pm, 1:30 pm, 4 pm, 8 pm, 8:30 pm, 11 pm, and 11:30 pm. I'm not sure if this is every day.

I also want to try to catch Total Body Sculpt with Gilad. Gilad has been around for over 20 years, and although he's got a little of the old-school cheesy body-builder vibe, he's alright by me. His show is on at 6:30 am, 10:30 am, and 6:30 pm each day.

Week One Challenge!

OK Ladies here it goes. This weeks challenge is to drink 64ozs of water. That is the recommended amount. I buy water bottles that are 32ozs. and drink two of them. It helps me to know how much I have drank and what I still need to drink. It is also easier to travel with. Also try to drink 8-16ozs of water before each meal it will help you fill fuller and eat less.

Tip of the week:
Keep a food diary of what you eat in a day seeing what you eat will help you lose weight or see why you are having trouble. How many cookies did I have? :) That sort of thing. Try it.

Healthy recipe:
Home made chili
1 lb of your fav. lean meat.
3-4 cans of beans (any kind or a mixture)
2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 cup of at least two veges diced to pea size.
1 package of chili spices.
Tomato sauce

Brown 1 lb of meat, put strained meat in crock pot or large pot. Add beans, tomatoes, veges, and spices. Stir till mixed together. Add tomato sauce till consistency is to your liking. Put on low and cook all day. The longer the better it tastes. Stirring occasionally. Put over rice, chips or just with cheese on top. YUM YUM!! This feeds my family about 2-3 times over (depending on how much Joe eats).

If you have a healthy recipe please share it with us. I will try to put a new one up every week.

Let us know how your week went.

Number Three

Hi All. My name is Virginia. I'm 32 years old last time I checked, married to a wonderfully supportive and funny husband, and have two children: a five-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son. And, last time I checked (last month), I was 5' 3 1/2" and weighed somewhere between 135 and 145 pounds. I don't own a scale. I weigh myself in the housewares department of stores when no one is looking, or in other people's houses. Seriously.

I'm here because in my semi-adult life, I have been on both sides of the weight spectrum. I've had to shop in the petite section and pick the smallest size I could find, and I've had to shop in the misses section and pick out the largest size I could find. I've experienced both extremes in a matter of a few years. My weight fluctuations (both up and down) have depended on a few factors: severe clinical anxiety and depression, anti-depression and anti-anxiety medications, pregnancy, changes in season, a sendentary desk job, moving to a new town, and a sweet tooth that gives in to boredom and stress-induced eating.

I love to walk all over, play with my children, and even do aerobic workouts in the privacy of my own four walls. I've tried Weight Watchers and liked it just fine. Unfortunately I misplaced the organizer with all the info and charts years ago, otherwise I'd use it again. Two things that absolutely drive me nuts: cooking and working out in public.

Since I quit my office job to be a full-time mother and writer, my mood and outlook on life have climbed steadily. I have more frequent and happier days and better endurance now than I thought I would ever see again. I empathize with weight gain frustrations though. I know what it feels like to not want to move, and hardly be able to. In any given season of hanging out with family and friends, I can eaily pack the weight right back on.

I've come so far from where I've been: 189 lbs fully pregnant, somewhere around 180 right after. Right now I'm almost satisfied with my weight. I don't feel big or ugly, just not my optimal. I'd like, if emotional and physical health allow, to look thin and toned (gasp!) and lose the rest of the desk job/anti-depressant/baby weight. It's the flab that jiggles and hangs out when my shirt shimmies up. It crawls out of my shirt and onto my arms and says "Tada! Here I am!" whenever I get my picture taken in short sleeves. It mocks me and tells me "You're approaching middle age! You don't deserve cute clothes! You're all washed up!" The trick now is maintaing the right habits to not only keep the weight off, but gain muscle. I'm fighting back against that taunting voice with a mean right hook. Or maybe just plodding along patiently on behalf of a healthy, energetic me. 'Cause it'll be fun.

Ok well, I guess I'm next...

I'm Amy, and I married to a wonderful man who loves me despite my obesity. Which is really quite amazing to me. I am 25 years old and wiegh 290.5 lbs as of last night. Which means so far I have lost 2 lbs. I am only 5'3 1/2" so any extra weight is really hard on my body. my feet swell every day so badly it looks like I just sprained both my ankles or something. I have permadent on my sholders because my breasts have gotten so large with all of my weight. Before I started working out I couldn't even walk up a flight of stairs and forget about running. My husband and I have been trying to have a baby for a while now and are having a lot of problems. My doctor said that those problems are most likely because of my weight and that if I want to have a healthy pregnancy then I should loose weight (duh!) so I am here for 2 reasons, I want to look amazing in a little black dress.... and I long to be a mommy. I know it will take me a long time to loose all of my weight but I am willing to do the work it requires. Now I just need people around me who care about me enough to cheer me on when I feel weak.

Who Am I?

Alrighty, I will start. I am Dorothy Bridger I am 28 years old with two wonderful boys. The reason I need to lose the weight. I have been married for almost seven years (since 2001). When we got married I was 110 lbs. and 5' 7" so very skinny since then I have gained 50 lbs. and though most people do not think I need to lose weight it is because I hide it well with my clothes. I would like to loss betwenn 30-35 lbs. I like the blog idea because then I have support of others losing weight. My husband is great but he has never had to lose a pound in his life. I want to be healthy, happy and wear a size 36 C bra size :) Here is to a healthier life with friends by my side.

Here we go

OK my weight loss friends, the blog is officially set up. This blog is set up to encourage each other and to support each other so we can become the skinny people we all know is inside us. First a few rules: 1) Honesty is essential!! no lying we can only help if truth is spoken. 2) Good clean language written only. 3) Only supportive, helpful comments allowed. No that the rules our set here is what the blog is for. It is here to help one another to loss weight. Telling what your weight is, does not have to be done but it can. Telling how much you lost or gained each week is important. Write how you feel each week, day, whenever. This is a place for honesty, love and support. Please feel free to tell friends so they can join. Please have your first blog be a little about yourself and your struggles. So we can all get to know each other so we know how best to support one another. Each week I will give a challege for the week. Once everyone is added I will put up the challenge.

Thanks Dorothy