Hi. I've been lurking and posting somewhat. But decided to register and become a full fledge member.
A little about me: I use to be real heavy, well for me. I wore a size 20. I lost about 30 pounds in less then a year, went to a size 14-16. Then I was out of work. After starting another job I lost another 15 pounds, went to a size 10-12. Last year I gained some back. I'm at 190. I had stopped exercising...here's the long story...I was doing 30 minutes in the morning, then from my parking stop to work was a ten minute walk one way. I started taking my dog to dog training and practicing 5 nights a week. A 91 pounds German shepherd who's an Alpha is soooo hard. I lost 5 pounds in a month (which was okay, I had gained 5 because this new job has a wonderful large cafeteria, don't eat there as often any more). So I gave up the morning exercising. Then I changed jobs where I didn't have to walk so far, hardly at all. Then my dog got easier to walk, he found out that I was the Alpha leader. Then my job got more stressful and the food went down.
Well since the end of last year I've changed jobs, much better boss and work environment. I've started exercising in the mornings again, somewhat. I was sick for most of February.
Last night as I was writing in my journal after I had a bowl of ice cream, I realized I had to do something. Something more. I was real down on myself and then some sort of spark lit and I had a new determination. This morning I woke up and was able to have the desire to exercise. It felt good. Haven't exercised in over a week, maybe two.
I don't have a lot to lose, my pants are very tight, but I can zip them up. The size 12 anyway. Hopefully I can get to where I want to be. I haven't had the physical strength that I use to have when I exercised and I would love to have that back.
We'll I'll end for now.

This morning wasn't my best. Wasn't feeling up to exercising. I was just too tired. Still too tired. :( Maybe if it's a nice day or even if it's not I'll go for a walk. Maybe take the stairs. I'm on the 5th floor and it's a lot to go up them. I was going to take a nap at lunch, but this probably would be better.

In my handwritten journal I've been trying to write something positive about myself because I have a hard time with liking myself (much like Kim said in the Women's World article I read last night).

Yesterday I did real good with food. No ice cream at night!! First time in a long time. I got me one of those subway subs, I was running around and decided to get a foot long, brought half for lunch today. Maybe that filled me up. I did better with water. I always drink water when I exercise, which I did yesterday and drank a bunch after lunch.

Oh, my weight is actually 170 not 190. I thought that was wrong. I didn't weigh myself this morning, but last night as I wrote it down I looked back and it was 169 before, so it couldn't have shot up to 190 in 2 days! I thought that was high. I've been up to 200 (before I lost the weight) and was a bit confused, but trusted my memory...I didn't write it down right after like I have to start doing.
Not much to do today at work so I'll probably be posting today. :)

I really enjoy reading other's posts. It is so nice.

April Fools? That was a big difference. Was someone messing with your scale? Well, it got you motivated at least. That is half the battle right there.

April fools is right. :)

Yesterday I did pretty good in eating. I took the stairs here twice. I can't go all the way up 5 flights without stopping 2 or 3 times, but it's a start. I think I'll start taking the stairs for exercise, it's easier to do then get up in the morning and I can do weight training/toning in the evening.

We've had rain here for four days, or at least threats of rain. This mornig the sun started to come out, but it's gone. That gets depressing. It smells nice out there because it clears up the air, but I would prefer both (sun and clean air).

Our dog had puppies a week and a half ago (she had 10, one died, the others are healthy). This morning I had to recue two from under the blanket. They were winning and wanted out. They are all white (we have White German shepherds) and so cute and cuddly. The mama doesn't like anyone near them. She's very protective. This is her second liter, the first she only had 4, she was young. So with this second liter she's more willing to leave them, but when she comes upstairs she's listening for them. Sometimes she'll go check on them and then come back if they're okay.

When it clears up I might take our male dog out for walks like I did last year. He enjoys it a lot, feels more free.

That's about it for now.

Okay. Yesterday wasn't too good. Had ice cream last night. But It had been three days since I had some the last time. And I had only half of what I usually have. My dad buys the stuff. He likes it. He's skinny and can eat all he wants. :( I can't. But at least it was only a small bowl and I hadn't had any for a while. Maybe I can wait longer this time. Don't know why I wanted ice cream. I usually figure it out a couple days later if it's emotional eating. But at least I wondered why (I think after I had the ice cream).

I took the stairs here twice. It is really a workout. I don't work with the public or too close to people, so it's okay if I sweat a little. I do have some deorderant here, when I go walking I get sweaty. So I decided to bring some. We've been having rainy/windy days this entire week (very little sun) so going outside isn't possible, at least for a long period of time. Plus the stairs isn't too bad.

Made out my shopping list for tonight. Got some ideas from other posts. Have to try a few things. I get pretty lazy when it comes to preparing meals. I'm not a good cook. And I seem to eat the same thing every day. That's why slim fast bars work for me. Don't need to think about it too much. I don't have the bars for lunch every day, but most of the time. I do have them for breakfast every day. I don't have time for cereal. I can eat these while getting ready for work.

I won't be posting during the weekend as I'm only on line at work. One day I may get a new computer, but right now it's not a priority in my life. My old computer works fine and I have internet access here at work and I have time.

That's about it for now.

I thought my weekend went bad (had ice cream). But when I weighed myself today I was 167.0. I'm not sure what my weight was on April 1 (see the journal entrys). But I do know at one time it was 168.5. I've been careful with what I've been eating. More fruits and veggies, too. Also the exercise has to help. Friday I didn't do any. I was too tired. I need to pace myself with my exercise. I haven't exercised regularly for a long time. Maybe I'll just take the stairs once a day and start from there. Twice seems to be too much for me.

Also over the weekend I didn't write anything positive about myself like I had been doing for about two weeks. And I didn't have any gratitude lists. I was just lazy. :(

Today's a new day. :)

In the DDD=DS gratitude journal, I wrote that I'm grateful for my dog Dallas. I use to train him and take him for walks. That helped in keeping my weight down. But last year my previous job was so stressful that went on the back burner. I really need to walk him, as our female dog Liberty just had puppies and they're getting all the attention. I gave him some last night, just rubbing his belly. Very relaxing for both of us. Maybe once the weather gets better. I know, maybe's aren't the best thing to say.

Yesterday I ate pretty well and took the 5 flights of stairs. Today I forgot my slim fast bar and trying to decide what to have for lunch. I use to have an extra one here at work, but don't anymore. Maybe I should just bring an entire box. There is a store nearby that might sale them. Maybe I could walk there and pick one up if it's not raining.

Woke up too late and was in such a rush, didn't weight myself. But that's okay. I really should just weigh myself once in a while.

My positive thought towards myself yesterday was: I have people and animals that love me. I am a loveable person.
I thought that was a good one. I like writing something positive about myself. I can usually think of ONE thing. If I can't I'll just copy one from a previous day, one that I believe.

Well that's about it. I'm really enjoying DT and all the posts. I also like the fact that there are a variety of diets, non diets and dieters.

Not much to write about today. Doing pretty good. Weighed myself this morning, same. Which is good. No gain.

Tomorrow will be tough. Going to lunch with friends, then dinner with my grandma. Maybe it'll be my free day. Never planned one of those, but maybe once in a while I need one and deserve one. Not sure where I'm going to be eating, but this will be a good challenge for me.

Glad a lot of people are doing good. I enjoy reading successes, makes me have hope for myself.

Yesterday my postive thought wasn't too believable, but maybe one day I'll believe in it.

For lunch yesterday I had a sub, not from subway, but it was turkey, also baked lays. Turned out good.

[ 04-11-2001: Message edited by: Debbi ]

This morning I decided how I'm going to handle today. If my friends and I go out for a big lunch, I'll eat a little saying that I'll just have something small because I'm having dinner with my grandma and don't want to fill up. I'm going to suggest soup since it's snowing right now and probably won't stop by lunch or it'll still be on the ground somewhat so soup will sound nice. When I see my grandma I can say I had a big lunch (bigger then usual) and be too full to eat too much. My grandma always has more then enough for company.

Yesterday I didn't get to any of my positives (gratitudes, and positive thought).

This morning weighed 166.5. Maybe I should start posting in the weigh ins. I just never had.

I figure if I'm going to lose at least 1 pound a week the half pound had to be around today (or yesterday). I like seeing that. I'm down 2 lbs in 1 1/2 weeks. That's actually good. And not too much and not too slow. I hadn't added it up before. Just lost .5 lbs here, 1 lb there, and .5 lbs this morning. I'm going to keep a running total from now on.

Giving myself two stars (one for each pound). * *

Oh, I won't be posting until Monday as I'm taking tomorrow off and don't have the internet at home. Will have a lot of reading to catch up on. I really enjoy reading the posts.

Have a good weekend everyone! :rose:

[ 04-12-2001: Message edited by: Debbi ]

Yesterday I was just so busy at work, my computer had upgrades and wouldn't take them, so that had to be fixed, then I had my usual Monday work to do. I did get here for a little while and even stayed after work to read but didn't get a chance to post.

Haven't weighed myself as it's that time of the month. But don't know if it would be good after this anyway. Friday night I ate so much! PMS. Tried to do better during the weekend. Last night I also ate too much. Even though I took my German shepherd out for a walk and came home sweating, that's no excuse. I seem to eat a lot at night and don't know why. I thought about that Saturday. Still don't know why. Maybe I'm bored, out of habit.... I know why I like ice cream so much: my mom and I use to share time together eating ice cream. My mom passed away almost 10 years ago. We spent time doing other things, but food is such a big thing in my life (and hers) that it's easy to fall back to.

We'll I'm back on track today. I have too much to do tonight to eat too much, so that's a help. :) Won't weigh myself until Monday. That'll be a safe time.
:rose:

[ 04-17-2001: Message edited by: Debbi ]

I did it. I finished my dinner a little after 6 pm and didn't eat anything until 2:30 am, and that was just one fig newton. I had to let my dogs out and they were on the table...you know the rest. But I didn't eat anything until I went to sleep. So that's progress.

I took the stairs yesterday, too. I've been doing that almost everyday. Thursday of last week, I didn't. Too tired. When I took Friday off for vacation, I really slept a lot. I guess my body needed it. But it was a nice day, just a vacation day. Saturday was a cleaning out day.

Today has been pretty good. My breakfast bar, orange juice, and now an apple. I've have my ff yoguart after. My eating at work is pretty good. It's just at home. I think I'll try for the 6 pm thing again tonight. It was sooooo hard last night. I really wanted to eat. And all the food looked so good. I thought, I could have another banana, they're good for me and low in calories. But I had one and didn't need another. And if I didn't need that banana then the sweets were out of the question.

So I'm going to give myself a rose for a job well done.

:rose:

Ok. Even though I shouldn't have I stepped on the scale. Same. Which is good considering my eating this week hasn't been that good. Except the last two days I've been good. Last night I had dinner, sub and lf chips, yogurt and one twinkee and a banana and then nothing after. I thought that was pretty good considering I usually add a bowl of ice cream and maybe something else. I didn't get a chance to eat until after 6pm but quit after that. That was enough, but sometimes my mind doesn't listen to my body and I eat more then my body needs and I end up stuffed.

Things are pretty good in my life right now. Nothing bad nothing real exciting happening at the moment. Of course that could change. But I'll take it as it is right now.

A lady in our office came in yesterday with her third baby she just had and she is still skinny. Some people are just like that. She is so nice I'll forgive her for that. :) I have no children, but I gain weight so easy I'll have to be careful if and when that happpens.

Taking the stairs is getting easier for me. Maybe I'll have to go up more flights and then come back down to the 5th floor. The other building that we have some offices in has 26 floors. That would be a real test. A guy here said he use to run up those stairs. Right now I'm working on the five though. That's my goal. To go up them without getting out of breath. I still have to stop. Usually when I do I stretch my calf muscle. I get tense in there.

I know. I need to work on eating more veggies. I usually have some at night. But they're just not my favorite. I try to add pasta or ff butter or something with them. It helps. Maybe I should look at ThinLynn's journal some more and get ideas from her. She does so good with her eating habits. It puts me to shame, that's why I don't post mine. :( But I do pretty good during the day. Yesterday I had my bar for breakfast, orange juice, and an apple. For snack ff yogart. Lunch, bar and half a bag of regular chips (the size that comes out of a vending machine). AFternoon snack, a small fruit bowl (only 50 cal and no fat), and a chocolate chip rice cake. That's not too bad.

I've decided that maybe I'll try eating something different for lunch. Getting tired of the bars. I still love them for breakfast. Today I brought a sub. I made two last night. Don't think I'll do the sub thing, as I like more variety. But that will work when I can't think of anything else. Maybe I'll just do the low fat, low calorie thing. That worked last time.

Yesterday I realized that I could walk to Subway. It's not too far. I could do that for lunch. I might tomorrow, as I get paid then, depending on the weather. Maybe I'll bring some bars to work just in case there's some reason I can't get lunch or forget mine. The Blimpies across the street doesn't have low fat sandwiches. They have turkey available, but that's about it. Or veggie lovers which isn't for me.

This is long enough for today.

4/20/01
Not a good morning so far. Well it's better then I thought it was. I am so tired and something came up here at work and I just thought it was going to get worse, but actually it turned out okay. I worked myself up into a frenzy. I do that sometimes. Especially when I'm tired and my brain has slowed down because i'm tired. I have a candy bowl that I keep up (employees give me a couple of dollars every month and I buy the candy). I bought some easter candy that was on sale. Those Cadbury eggs. I was feeling so bad, imagining myself taking the bowl and holding it and not letting anyone else eat any but me! 8-| That's my first thought when I get emotional. Eat. I was ready to give up entirely on everything. Well not everything. My boss was nice. He came out asking for me to order something and at first thought I had allergies (barely do) and then asked if I was okay, I was,I was feeling better. Then he said if I needed to talk let him know.

I've been taking deep breathes and feel better. But now I feel bad about how I much I got worked up over nothing. Luckily the voice mail I left was an okay one. I was ready to yell at an employee. I was upset, but I calmed down. I still wish I could erase the voice mail as I was wrong, but it's not bad and I can explain it. Actually I'm going to leave an urgent message which will be played first. There I sent it. I even laughed at my mistake. I feel better.

Last night I had one of those cadbury eggs (they're the small ones) after I had dinner. I was so tempted to eat something. After I put it in my mouth I realized I didn't want to really do this. I ate it. Then decided no more. I didn't have any more before I went to sleep. But then when my dogs wanted out again, I had a twinkee and 3 more eggs. My stomach was all upset. It's not use to that much sugar in the middle of the night. I had to take tums twice, once before I fell asleep and once when I woke up again. I may have learned my lesson. Maybe I didn't eat enough during the day. I don't know.

Anyway I do feel better now. Writing down my frustrations help. Got some things to do here at work and then I'll probably be back reading posts.

Didn't eat too well during the weekend. But I didn't do much either. However, I did keep my 21 day challenge. I didn't have anything after dinner and dessert on Sunday night. But I ate sweets during the day. That's my downfall.

I was thinking of starting to do more exercises, like taking my dog out for a walk at night, but tonight is grocery shopping tomorrow I have to cook a meal and then bring it to a church get togehter. If I'm not too tired after grocery shopping I will take my dog out. Last time I took him out I came home sweating. If I stick to my list and don't linger and brouse then I get out and don't feel so tired after shopping.

4-24-01

167. Gained .5 lbs over the week. But that's not too bad figuring it was that time of the month and I pigged out over the weekend early in the day since I wasn't eating at night. Maybe that was why. I've stopped doing that. Yesterday I did real well with eating. No exercise. I'm going to try to start taking the stairs twice a day. I just don't have the energy after work to exercise. Maybe somedays I'll be able to take my dog out, but not today. Tonights my potluck with the women from my church. It doesn't start until 7 so I'll just eat a reasonable portion and then stop. Try not to eat too much fatty foods. It's more of a sample night. What I'm bringing isn't that low calorie, not hardly at all, but I don't eat it very often and it's about all I know how to cook. I'm a horrible cook so I avoid it.

I've been eating subs that I've been making. I eat them for lunch. I like bread so this works out nice. Decided to have one last night too. They're easy to make and something I can "cook". :) A few days ago I put a veggie burger in one. It worked out nice. I just cut the burger in half. I've been trying different things.

We'll back at it.

:)

Well done, Debbie. I can see you are really trying with your eating and exercise. Just keep it up and you will be seeing big results...small ones that accumulate are the best kind of weight losses.

4-25-01

167. Thanks Artsy. I am working on it. Last night I had a bigger dinner then I should have, but I was tired and hungry. Didn't make it to my church potluck. I only took the stairs once. I was going to in the afternoon but when I discovered I had to get too many office supplies from the supply room, I had to take the elevator. The bags where too heavy.

I'm really want to achieve this because I liked the way I was before. I didn't even realized I had gained weight until late last year. Just not exercising and my job being so stressful, I had no clue. Isn't that pretty bad. I had tried to exercise to get rid of the stress from the job, but just couldn't. At the end of the year I took control instead of letting my boss take control. He was a control freak. We we're suppose to be a team, but he was the leader and pretty much what he said went. Glad I'm not there. My new boss is the boss, but he's pretty flexible and he actually smiles and laughs.

I subscribe to Dog Fancy mazagine and was reading it last night and laughing. There was a post on another board about learning from our animals about diet and exercise and this magazine had an article devoted having healthy dogs. It even had 2 "success stories" of dogs who had lost weight. ;) I remember when we first got our female and she was 8 weeks old. She hadn't had her first shots and so we didn't let her outside too much. When we took her to the vet, the vet said she needed to go on a diet! I wasn't too worried and just shook my head. I knew that once she got outside and played with out other dog she would be fine. She is. Some of her puppies are getting fat, but they're only 5 weeks old and are starting to walk and run around. Plus they're too cute.

That's about it for now.

[ 04-25-2001: Message edited by: Debbi ]

4-26-01

Took the stairs twice yesterday. Once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Not too hard. Might try that again today. Just have to see how the day goes. Last night I ate dinner later because I went shopping, so my dinner lasted longer and it was easier not to eat at after dinner :) . Of course going out to see the puppies and feeding them took some of my time. I also played with our bigger dogs. I didn't do any exercising, just sort of threw things and let them run around and get exercise in. They need their exercise, too.

Everything else is going good. No major disasters in my life, so my eating is pretty good. Still eat some sweets, cutting back, though. Having home made subs for lunch. Eating a variety of things for dinner. Eating fruit. Drinking water. Still drinking colas. That's a hard one to give up. Don't know if I really want to. Maybe one day. I did give up the caffeine ones years ago. When I first started dieting I gave up them up, they were the ones with the calories. But I switched to caffeine free colas with calories. Couldn't go right to the diet stuff. So that was an improvement.

A guy at work has just left to get donuts. What to do. He asked what kind I like. :laugh: I said, any kind. As if there's one I don't like. Well there might be but I can't think of any. Actually I haven't had a donut for a long time. Some are just too sweet for me. When they've had some in here for meetings I've tried to be away from the office and they disappear before I get a chance to eat any. Works out good. Have no where to go this morning... :( Maybe I'll be nice and eat half and hide the other half in the garbage. I've done that with food that's too fattening. The other day I wanted chips with my sub and the vending machine only has so many choices. I picked something that was low in fat but high in calories. Threw some in the garbage. Did that with a muffin before. Couldn't believe the calories and fat in there! I had forgot my breakfast. It was a chocolate chocolate chip one. Cut it in half and had the hardest time throwing it away. I'm much better at throwing away food now. Don't need to clean my plate anymore. *

Well that's about it. Really enjoying DT. This is a really nice site.

Good work...throwing out the food is hard! You might try opening a chain called "Slam Dunkin' Donuts". I tend to not eat everything on my plate when I am eating out. When there are people to talk to, I tend to talk and I don't have time to eat everything before they are picking up the plates! At home I just try to dish out smaller servings of the higher calorie food and eat lots of fruit and vegetables.

4-27-01

167.5. Threw out half the donut yesterday. They bought them for secretary's day and other things to celebrate (I'm a secretary). So I had to take one. It was good. Chocolate on the top, cream in the center. I wrapped it up so it couldn't be seen in the trash. At lunch I went to get my yogurt out of the fridge and it wasn't there. Not sure if someone took it or where it's at. Forgot to check my car. If I have a funny smell I'll remember! Today I have it in my plastic bag in the frige with my sub. Anyway, yesterday at lunch I needed something more and was a bit upset, so I went to the vending machine. Got a twist cereal bar instead of anything that might be worse. Less then 150 calories and less then 4 grams of fat. (about 140 cal, 3.5 fat, can't remember exactly). So it worked out okay.

My weight has gone up, still down 1 lb from the begging, but don't like the 1 lb weight gain. I've changed my 21 day challenge to include late night snacking, but only healthy foods. Eat too much otherwise, usually hudge dinner, and not necessarily good stuff for me. I've also added 3 days of exercise to my challenge. My ice cream one is going still. Haven't given up. My dad bought a pie. He was eating a pie and ice cream last night. Offered me some. I said no, I'm fine. I still hadn't ate dinner. A couple from my church came to visit and I had to clean. The left about 7 pm and then I was able to eat dinner. My dad must have ate earlier, before I got home.

I'm going to start my exercise challenge tomorrow. I like to exercise to Denise Austin. She has a faily easy one that I know I can do. I also have a tape of some older ones she's done. I'll do one of those tomorrow. They're only 30 minutes with 15 minutes of aerobics and 15 minutes of toning. I like toning better then aerobics, so this works for me. I know I can do 30 minutes. If it's longer, it just doesn't appeal to me. I'll work up to more days after this challenge is over.

[ 04-27-2001: Message edited by: Debbi ]

4-30-01

166.5 Probably lost that weight from worry this weekend. Lost my driver's license and my social security card! Nothing tasted good and my stomach was too upset to eat. Usually it's the other way around, my stomach is so upset I eat everything in site! I did eat a lot of sweets, but not much else. I know, I know, not very healthy. This morning I was able to call places and found it's not going to be as tough as I thought. Still have to take the afternoon off from work.

I was thinking that maybe my body just weighs different at different times. I never really weighed myself regularly before and without a digital scale it was always tough to tell. So now I guess I'll find out. But I think this weekend was the reason.

Oh, I also walked on Friday at lunch, a little, up a hill. Then I looked for my license in my car, no luck. Saturday I spent over an hour washing and cleaning my car. Some exercise there. Tried to find my license. Didn't find it. Really cleaned out the inside of my car, though. Got rid of some dog hair.

Thought I'd be running aroun this morning so I didn't bring anything. Will probably stop at subway for lunch. Although I haven't had any red meat in a while. I'm craving it. Maybe I'll give in and have a regular hamburger and either small fries or no fries. I do have an apple here at my desk, I'll have that for my morning snack.

This weekend I almost gave in and ate junk at night, but then remembered my 21 day challenge and didn't want to. So I stopped myself. *

Thought I was going to be stressed at work, but several things have been delayed so I'm more relaxed. I'll finish what I need to today and beable to do the rest tomorrow. I am feeling so much better.

5-1-01

Had the hamburger and fries yesterday but it was later and I figured that counted for my lunch, afternoon break. I only had the regular hamburger and fries. Not much meat in the hamburger.

Was going to exercise this morning, but woke up about 2am and couldn't go to sleep for a long time. Real tired this morning. Couldn't get up. I can exercise tomorrow morning and Thursday morning to make it 3 days this week (for my 21 day challenge) then I can take it easy for a day and sleep in on Saturday and exercise that day (maybe if it's a good day, take my dog out for a walk).

Everything worked out okay yesterday. Wasn't as bad as I imagined it would be. Was able to get things done pretty quickly, not quickly enough to return to work, but I took it off as annual and was home earlier then I would have been and was able to relax a little.

these changes you are making with your challenge will have good results! keep it up!

Thanks Baylee and Theresa.

Didn't exercise this morning. Was a little depressed and thought, what's the point. I wasn't even going to write in here and then thought of a few points:

*When I was thinner I was happy.
*When I was exercising I felt stronger (physically, spiritually, emotionally, etc)
*When I exercised I had a more positive attitude about everything
*After I exercised I knew I had accomplished something
*When I was thinner and I exercised I felt better about myself, had more self confidence
*When I was thinner and I exercised I stood up taller
*When I was thinner and I exercised I felt better in clothing

I think I'll print that and post it on my bedroom wall to read and maybe add more as needed or change as needed. I wasn't real thin, but I was thinner then now, I figured because of exercise and I did look better and I felt better about myself.

I still haven't ate ice cream. Still not late night snacking (I'm usually snacking before, but not at night).

Now I just need to work on the exercise thing. I could go for a walk at lunch and wear my jacket, it's cold today. Then I won't have to restart my challenge, if I also exercise tomorrow. Hmmm. Let me think about it. The sun is shining right now (it's 10 am)....

I think I'll continue to come here to dt even if I don't accomplish my goals, it helps me see clearly and either rewrite them and start over or change them as needed.

Thanks Baylee.

Didn't exercise. Too wimply, it looked cold. Too tired this morning. I know, I know, excuses, excuses.

Eating a bagel slowly. One co worker brought some to work. Don't know how much I'll eat, probably very high in calories and fat, it's from a bagel shop. I think they boil them, but still... I didn't want to be rude, you know, and so I got one. Maybe I will throw away the other half. I don't like the bottom anyway. It's in the garbage, wraped up again. :) I put the strawberry spread on it. My favorite. I just put a thin topping on.

Puppies are doing good. I think my brothers brought them in for a while last night, I heard them whining while I was sleeping. They don't like to be picked up, and the mother doesn't like it either. My brother doesn't have to go to work until later today so he can stay up.

Work's going good. Have more filing then I've had in a long time to do. My boss is out of town for two days. I do have other managers I assist, too, so that keeps me busy.

Cloudy outside. Been trying to rain.

That's about it for now.

Doing better today. I wrote some things in my gratitude journal (and in DDD=DS's) and that made me feel better this morning.

I'm going to have a Slim Fast bar for lunch so I can ration my food because I'm going with my Aunts somewhere and then we got out to dinner. Last time she suggested hamburgers for next time (today). Maybe I'll suggest something else or have the chicken, hopefully grilled. We'll see. I should have enough calories left over that it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I'm also going to have snacks and I've had a bar for breakfast, so I am eating. I can't stop. Well.. ..I mean I can't stop for long periods of time.

Not much else.

:c( I didn't do very good on friday. In fact it was awlful. Had a very fattening snack, I was starved. Ate way too little by then. Didn't go out to eat, but it was late so I got a charbroiled bbq chicken sandwhich. With fries. It was after 8pm and I was starved. Didn't wait for the food to settle in and tell me I was full, but ate more. Sweets. Then Saturday wasn't too good. I didn't feel too good over the weekend. Don't know if I was just tired, it was the chicken, or ate too much on Friday and felt guilty.

Today at lunch I went for a walk. Had to walk to my bank. I was going to do what someone suggested, take a 10 minute walk today, add 1 minute and in a month it'll be 30 minutes. Well it took almost 10 minutes to get to the bank, not hard for me. But I didn't want to start off that long of a walk. Oh well. I was going to walk tomorrow to get my fan out of my car and if I walk around the building that should take 10 minutes or 11. I won't be able to walk everyday as I'm just starting out and HAVE to have rest days, but I'll do as many days as I can. It's nice enough outside that there aren't any excuses I could use right now. I'm healthy, I have tennis shoes (need to bring some clean socks), I can actually walk, etc.

Still doing my 21 day challenge because I haven't had any ice cream. I can wait until Friday. Actually that's a good day to end. Maybe I'll even wait until Saturday and enjoy a shake in the afternoon outside. We'll see.

That's about it.

Was going to post after lunch yesterday because I thought about going for a walk, but then had to take care of business lunch and I also had some (a little) but didn't get a chance to. I didn't walk either, it was too late. Today I did walk * . I walked down a street and around a building, which has a hill in the back of it, then back to my office. Approximately 18 minutes. Not bad. I could continue to do that. Maybe just 3 times a week.

I was reading Dansell's journal and about how to figure out how many calories to have and lose 1 lb a week and I've been counting them the past three days. I thought maybe I need that with my afternoon snacking going crazy. It has helped me stay in control. I have a little electronic palm thingy (it was only $99, okay that's a lot, but the cheapest around) that connects to my computer here at work and I can use Excel to add up my calories and what I have left and then I sinc it up with the palm thingy and I have it at home, too. It makes it easy. Last night I was within my calories and had 7 calories left over (I did have to guess on the lunch). Monday was too high. Today's going okay.

Was feeling a little depressed as I added up my calories today. Been doing this for four days now and not too good. Well the day before yesterday was. But anyway I need to rethink my eating. I was reading ThinLynn's and Baylee's journal and see what they have for meals and the calories. I'm feeling better now. I won't post in here what I've been eating. Not too bad but I like to keep it to myself because then I'll complete and who could win against ThinLynn???? And Baylee is doing sooo good, too. I'm not a good cook at all, so most of my meals are prepackaged of some sort or another (I've tried, sometimes it's edible, sometimes it's garbage). Anyway I have a few ideas.

hi debbi,
glad that you got some ideas from thin lynn and baylee's journals. they certainly are inspiring and full of ideas for great menus.
i know that sometimes it feels like the road is a tough one but the rewards at the end are worth it.
conitnued success to you.
hugs bell :)

i guess ive never felt like i was competing with anyone else here, just with myself. competing with myself is tough enough forget all the super people here. besides, we are all here to work together cause we all need each other and get something out of working it together. just keep at it. :)

Thanks for the posts. I needed those. I think I was feeling depressed because of pms. Saturday night was the worse, I ate like a pig. No I didn't feel too bad on Sunday when I figured out why (I had lost track of time). And this morning for my morning snack I had a very fattening snack. Not my usual snack, of course. But my body just needed it, at leat that's what it was telling me. I'm taking it easy today at work as my body feels achey, with a headache every now and then, and I feel bloated, but suprisingly don't look too bloated. I've taken something. Anyway, I do feel good about completing and succeeding in my 21 day challenge of no ice cream until Friday night. I'm not going to exercise today as I feel weak (not overly weak, just a tired body weak). Anyway, that snack was my last fatening think for today (hopefully). Actually I'm not even craving anything like that right now. So maybe it's out of my system until next month.

hi debbi!
you sound worn out my friend. why dont you go and have a long soak in the bath for that weak body. hope you arent overdoing things. there's nothing worse than PMS for cravings. hope its out of your system.
great job on beating your 21 day challenge. i am at day 13 of my exercise challenge.
hugs bell :)

hi debbi!
you sound worn out my friend. why dont you go and have a long soak in the bath for that weak body. hope you arent overdoing things. there's nothing worse than PMS for cravings. hope its out of your system.
great job on beating your 21 day challenge. i am at day 13 of my exercise challenge.
hugs bell :)

Thank Bell. I was at work, so a bath was out of the question for the day. But I did take a nap at lunch and that felt so good. I curled up on the soft chair (they don't have couches in the lounge). Unfortunately my cravings came back that evening. But today I feel better. No cravings! Of course my body doesn't feel as good. It's not bad, but a small headache earlier, gone now. I'm going to the mall across the street at lunch, so they'll be a little walking and that will be good. Maybe try a walk at lunch tomorrow.

Might as well admit it and get it over with. Last night I counted my calories and found after dinner I had some left over! I had a banana and still had some left over. So I had two cookies. Maybe I shouldn't have ahd those. Those led to more and then twinkees. :c( I don't know what my calorie count ended up to be. Don't know why I did that. Guess I'll just have to start over, right? Today's been fine, but we're probably going to have pizza for lunch and so I'll have a slice. Maybe I'll eat it slow. But my desk is in an open area. So it'll be hard. Maybe I'll use the true excuse of being tired and needing to lay down. Last night it rained on our puppies. They whined. So we let them in then shut them in a room (to keep them out of trouble and messing up the whole house, they're all over now). They whined in there. It's not as cruel as I wrote it. Really. It's a farily large room, blankets for them to sleep on. And only for a few hours. They're own little bedroom in the house. So I didn't get much sleep. Woke up tired with a big headache and of course my stomach was all upset. Still tired. I could do that.

Doing good so far. But it's only 2:30 in the aftenoon. However, I think I'm back on track (if I was ever on track). I had soup for lunch with a slice of ww bread, and it wasn't enough. I went to the vending machine and choose Wheat Thins. They had 240 calories in the bag! I threw half out. Getting better at that. If I have my fruit bowl this after noon I'll still have 527 calories left for dinner. That'll be plenty. I have half the can of soup left or a Healthy Choice dinner. I bought quite a few the other night. And even with the HC dinner I'd still have calories left over. But I usually have a banana. And there are other fruits or veggies I can have. Last night I was in the middle of my calorie intake. I did what Dansell's dr. suggested. Took my current weight, multiplied it by 11, an that's the calories I need NOT to lose weight or gain weight. I subtracted 500 from it which would give me a 1 lb wieght loss a week. So yesterday I was in the middle there. Not too bad. There's a wide range, too. I'm going to start exercising, too. I think I'll exercise at home. I like the privacy. I do enjoy walks outside, but sometimes it's too hot and it's crowded downtown, where I work. Maybe if I clean the front room tonight so it'll be clean for my exercising tomorrow morning will count as exercise today? :) My dog wouldn't mind getting out so that's another option. I think I'll start another 21 day challenge on Monday for exercise. I like starting on Monday for that because then I have most of the day Saturday (usually) to make up my exercising if I need to.
Our puppies are ready to be sold. They turned 7 weeks last Sunday. Yesterday my brother got them their shots. They weigh on average 12lbs. I showed people here photos and they thought the white german shepherds we have were beautiful. They are.
That's about it for today. Boss is out of town so less to do. Trying to keep myself busy. :rose:

[ 05-17-2001: Message edited by: Debbi ]

Okay. I'm going to start today on a new plan. I'm going to start a new 21 day challenge. It won't sound like much to others, but for me it is. I binge eat too often and need to stay within a certain amount of calories or I'll never lose weight and even gain weight. Last night I was doing good until...I don't know, I just ate too much. I think part of it is that I associate TV with eating. I'm going to cut my tv time down. I have other things I'd like to do instead but I get so tired at the end of the day that it's just easy to sit in front of the tv. I don't have the internet at home, so no dt at home. But that might be a good thing, maybe I'd eat while I'm on the computer just as easy as I eat while I watch tv. I don't know.. Anyway, my exercising isn't going either, so that will be part of my 21 day challenge, but it won't be the major part. I need to work on my eating first, I think. I have a major problem with that. And it will be for only 21 days and then I can do one for exercise after. I know exercise is an important part of weight lose, but if I eat too much it isn't going to help any. It will help me stay healthy and I need that and that will hep me exercise. But if I eat the wrong foods I won't be healthy. So now I'm starting. Again. :)

Hey 21 days sounds good!!!! I am in!!! I will commit to 21 days on a food plan...1500 cal. ok???? lets do it together.........Shelagh

Hi goodtolaff welcome to dt. Go to the 21 Day Challenge and I posted it under there called 2nd challenge (it is for me). You are more then welcome to join me.

Had to start over my 21 day challenge today. Friday it was good until after dinner. I have good dinners, low fat/ low cal. But it's after dinner that's hard. Saturday was awlful. Ate, ate, ate. Sunday was better. Today will be better. So far good. Had to wake up at 3:30 to feed the puppies (they're for sale now, but none sold yet) so I'm tired and have a slight headache. We'll see how I feel at lunch, was thinking about going for a walk, but a nap would help, too. I really want to get this weight off. Thursday I bought some shirts and they were tight and they were a large, but they were suppose to be tight and that's why I went up a size. Wore one Friday and maybe that's why I did so bad over the weekend. Felt so fat on Friday. Fat Friday? ;) I don't like the way I feel. I feel tired, I feel fat, I feel hopeless sometimes. I want to feel healthier. I know I've said some of this before but I've changed. I'm ready for a change. The walk looks better then the nap. I want to have more energy and I did when I exercised before. So I think that's where I'm going to have to change.

Went for a walk. Just came back. Wanted to post in here real quick to make a note. Walked for 20 minutes, plus took the stairs down and back up. Going up was hard, stopped twice, the second time to stretch my legs out.
* *

Debbie...good work with the exercise yesterday. I know the after-dinner-snack thing is a killer. For me it is easier to substitute low-fat versions of food I like than to give the snacks up totally. In the evening if I have to eat it is fresh fruit, air popped popcorn (with no butter!), baked tortilla chips with salsa, etc. Since you like ice cream you could try sorbet or sherbet instead...it is very flavourful. Add some chopped fresh fruit and it gets a little healthier. Good luck to you in the days ahead.

Thanks Artsy for the reply. I've been trying to eat healthy at night. After I finished my 21 day challenge of no ice cream I bought some from a fast food place so I don't associate ice cream with freezer at home. So I'm not going to buy any low fat or sorbet or any kind. Just once in a while splurge and get a small shake. I don't go to fast food places very often and the place I prefer them from has a horrible parking lot, so I won't be going there very often.

My legs are sore from yesterday's exercise. Maybe it was the stairs. Or the hills I walked. My thighs feel it. When I walk I can feel it. So that's why my NEW challenge for exercise is only 3 days a week. My body's not use to exercising every day. At least not yet.

Today I'm going to lunch with two other single girls here at work. It'll be a bit later, so I'm going to put prezzles in the candy bowl at my desk (too far for my reach) to snack on if I get hungry. Last night I was going to go shopping and bring an apple today, but someone came and looked at our puppies. So far no one has bought any. They are cute, but run and hide when people come over. Anyway, I'll eat careful at lunch.

I didn't put the pretzels in the bowl yesterday. I had my breakfast, yogurt and a few hard candys to tide me over until lunch. Well I was starved. But didn't eat it all. We went to a place that does wraps. They were large. I had turkey, lettuce, veggies, mustard, oil and vinegar. That was it. No cheese, no mayo. Pretty good, huh? I took half home. Real good. We had to walk there, a few blocks and back, so that was good. It was fun.

Today I'm going to walk to a craft store, a few blocks, and back.

I exercised this morning. Half an hour. Denise Austin's fit and light show. Was tired after. I think I need to set my alarm clock ealier as I like the snooze button.

Last night I went shopping and bought some reduced fat ice cream. I had a small bowl. Also put some fat free whipping cream on it. That filled up the bowl and made it more sweet. It tasted so good. It really finishes my eating for the day. Maybe I should eat it earlier? ;) But then that would spoil it for the veggies and fruit I need to eat... Well see how I go with this. If I go overboard I won't be buying it again until I lose the weight and am on a regular exercise program.

Last night I ate early as I had friends coming over for a short visit. Well after they left I was so tempted to have more low fat ice cream and ff whipping cream (had a snall bowl ealier). I sat down and started a crochet project. Then I went outside with my brothers and we watched and played with the puppies. I went back in and then was still hungry and had one slice of wheat bread with honey on it. That was it. I did excellent I'd have to say. I kept thinking that if i have the lf ice cream then i will be mad at myself and probably never have any ever again. So I didn't have any.

Today I'm taking it easy. I'm not real tired, but getting up at 1:30 am to feed puppies and then give them attention to put them to sleep takes a little out of me. They're just too cute (and too loud at whining) to say no to.

I was thinking I'm doing the 21 day challenge, but not really doing it everyday, but that's okay. After 3 weeks of regular exercise it will be easier to stay on a regular exercise program. I think I'll do the morning exercising so it's a natural thing for me to get up and exercise and not put it off and maybe never do it. I've done that before and it's tooo easy to do again. Of course I do have those fall back plans (mall walking, etc.) if I need them.

So today I'm feeling good about myself. It's a nice feeling.
:rose:

Today I'm feeling good. Over the weekend I watched what I ate and counted my calories and did real good. We didn't have a big family get together, so that probably made it easier. I did have a small slice of pie with ff whipping cream, but had saved up some calories and didn't go over what I figured I need to gain weight. This mornig I weighed myself and I'm down to 165 (last week it was 167). That was so nice to see. I even exercised this morning. I didn't yesterday because my brothers and dad started tearing off the old floor in the kitchen and it's a mess with some things in the living room like our fridge. Do you know how weird it seems to have the fridge in the living room? Well I didn't think there was enough space, but this morning after the alarm went off I layed there thinking I could make a small area and do something. So I cleaned out an area and found it bigger then I expected and was able to exercise. So I get 3 stars today,
* one for eating good over the weekend,
* one for losing weight, and
* one for exercising this morning.

Everything else is going pretty good. As usual. Nothing real exciting happening, but no traumas right now either, so I can't complain and I'm not.

why wait until tomorrow what I could do today

[ 05-29-2001: Message edited by: Debbi ]

Well done Debbie...for using control, staying in your calorie limits and exercising. It's terrific that you lost 2 pounds last week. You are well on your way to your goal...how much have you lost since coming to diettalk? Just keep doing what you are doing because it is working.

Thanks Artsy for replying. I started at 168. I didn't lose much for the longest time I was here. I wasn't real focused then, not really thinking or paying attention to what I was eating or exercising. Now I'm focused and really ready.

Debbi,
I like your journal, Sounds like you are on the right track. :x I like your * thing! Just wanted to say hi and that I think your doing great! :peace: Jerry

Thanks Jerry. I needed that. Today has been one of those days I wonder why I got out of bed. This morning I was trying to feed the puppies but couldn't find the canned puppy food. Gave them some hard food, but they wanted the wet. Been trying to get them to eat try by mixing it lately, but they still prefer the wet. So they wined and I kept looking. Finally found it. From my other post here I mentioned how our kitchen is all messed up, the cabinet that hold the dog food and other things is in our hall. Not much room to look for items there. Anyway the wet food was somehwere different then where it usually is. Then it was too late to exercise (I did see in a post here that there's an 8 minue teabo, maybe I need a short video like that for days like this). So I crocheted for a little while. Then when I started to get up, my abs where hurting from yesterdays exercising. The muscle still feels it. Then I start to leave for work, close my bedroom door and realize I need shoes! I go to open the door and the knob is finaly broke (it's been giving me trouble for a while now). I took a deep breath and walked away. Put my things on a chair. Came back and finally got it open, the knob was still on there. Today at work I spill some of my yogurt on my skirt, wrist rest, edge of desk and carpet as I was reading the flavor. (should this be in the humor section? or is there a crying section?) I don't think this skirt is going to last. My boss is out so I'll probably be able to read everyones journal in full, not much to do, trying to make things to do for myself. Anyway that's about it. For now. A nap at lunch sounds so nice right now and it's only 10:30 here. By the way, I really liked this skirt, it's long so I can wear knee highs (cooler in the summer, have to wear something like that), it's stretches so I can take long steps and it's a fairly nutural color (beige/goldish tone). I bought it a few months ago, so maybe the store still has them. I was going to go shopping tonight (not for clothes) but will have to go home and change before then. :(

Thanks for the visit on my journal Debbi!! I am glad someone can get encouragement out of my endevours!!
As for the pita pizzas...if you are lucky, you can find whole wheat fat free pitas...I like the onion varieties. Spray both sides lightly with Pam spray. You can top the whole thing with 2 tbsp of jarred pizza sauce (look at the label) then cut up whatever veggies you want to add on it....I add fat free keilbasa or grilled chicken...on occasion, I add turkey pepperoni (95% fat free) then put it in the oven until done. Then top with fat free or reduced shredded cheese (about 1/4c will do)...return to broil a couple minutes.

I am at work and just had to pop on and send you a reply for that recipe. Enjoy!!

Keep up the good work!!
Angl
:rose:

Thanks Angl. I had read that in your journal ealier. :)
Last night I was starving before I went to sleep so I had one of my snack bars. Then I counted my calories. 1600 approximately. Way too much without any exercise yesterday and today. I should have counted them before. I left work without counting them and putting them on my electronic thingy. So of course I went over. I don't know why I was starving. I had plenty to eat. Maybe because I didn't have my lf ice cream. I've been having one spoon and then 2 spoonfuls of ff whipping cream, but I'm out of ff whipping cream, so I didn't have any. Usually the ice cream finishes up my meal. We'll I will be walking to lunch today with some ladies from work. Maybe I'll try to time it and see how long it takes. It won't be much exercise as we talked a lot last time we went to lunch and probably will again, you know, single girl talk. ;) We're all about the same age so it's real fun. ;) It's to the same place we went to last time, they have those wraps. I'll have the turkey again with lots of veggies and no cheese. I still don't know why I was so hungry last night. I don't think it was for food. Maybe one day I'll figure it out...

Hi Debbie!
Thanks so much for the post in my journal. That really helped me get my feet back on the ground. I've been going to the Y for six weeks now and to have gained all that weight back. Fuey!! It is the period I know it. Grrr........... :( Ah, well. That's life and that's how God made us lovely girls!! By the way, thanks also for the ASAP message in Christian Dieters. I responded to your post so you might want to take a look at it.

Remember any type of exercise, even walking to lunch with the girls, counts!! Don't beat yourself up too much. If you're hungry, you're hungry. So what?!? So ya gotta eat somethin', so eat it and enjoy it. It's your body's way of saying "FEED ME!! I'm not gettin' enough." ;) So you're doing okay, dear. What a great mechanism for God to stick in to our bodies to alert us of such a crisis. Hehe!

You're doing a wondrous job and keep on truckin'! And remember ASAP.

God bless,
JRL

Thanks JRL. It's just that in the past I thought I was hungry when it was really something else. I was usually feeling something and it wasn't hunger pains. So I was trying to see why I was hungry. But maybe I was just hungry and nothing else.

Yesterday I did good. I had the turkey wrap with veggies. I didn't finish the wrap end part where there's nothing left. If I go again I'll get less olives, they're not my favorite veggies. Neither are tomatoes, I usually avoid them, but want to eat heathy and when they're in something else I usually don't taste them and they didn't put too many in the wrap.

I exercised this morning! Had to put that in bold. I told myself I would change and do the stretching/warm up and then I could quit if I wanted. Well I was tired and go to the show late (Denise Austin's fit and light) and did only a little stretching, then she said the aerobic part would be kickboxing, and I thought I sweat on that, so I would do some of that. Well it was arms which made it somewhat easier. Then the toning segment was for the butt and I need one of those, so I did that, too. I just did my own streching in a chair as I was tired by then. I had woke up at 4:40 to feed the puppies and change and eat something (I was hungry) and drink my diet coke for the caffiene to wake me up. I took it slow after exercising. I did drink quite a bit of water, so that was good. About 24 ounces.

I need to buy some new clothes. My puppies have ripped one dress and one skirt and that yogurt stain probably won't come off. I have to wear dresses/skirts for work. So this should be fun. I'll probably get elastic waist ones or ones for belts. I would like some that show I have a waist as that is more flattering on me, always has been. So tomorrow is grocery shopping and clothing shopping day. That should be good exercise, right? I don't go to the mall, too expensive, but I'll probably go to a few stores. Maybe even try out walmart, which is kind of far, but not too bad I suppose. I like going clothes shopping by myself then I can go as quick or slow as I want and not have to worry about someone else, I usually go their speed and forget about taking care of me. But sometimes it's not bad and I prefer it. I think I need time to myself this weekend.

Have fun shopping for clothes...I like to visit Valu Village when I am out of town. I love to find a bargain and some of my best cloths come from there. Great job with the exercising. It is amazing how it becomes a habit and pretty soon you start enjoying it and missing it when you don't go. Hope you have a great weekend.

Hi Debbi, Considering all you've been through this past week,I'd say you're doing pretty darn good!Keep up the good work.I wish I were going clothes shopping.But,not till another 30 lbs. are off this old bod. Have a good weekend. Baylee

hi debbi!
you are doing really well my friend :)
i love the sound of those wraps. something that is filling i what i need so that i dont feel hungry half an hour after i have eaten.
i am someone that needs a snack after my dinner too. i bought some kiddie size icecream cones and have some low fat icecream. its my small indulgence for the day.keep up the great work. hope you bought some new clothes that laways makes me feel better!
hugs bell <IMG SRC="smilies/cool.gif" border="0">

Thanks Artsy, Baylee and Bell. I did find some clothes that fit very well. One has a tie on the back so that can be adjusted to fit me later on, too, although it fits real well right now. I also bought a swimming suit. I'm finally going to learn how to swim. It's a cute one, a one piece that's like a short short dress. I'll have to tack it down so it won't come up during class, but that's okay. I'm going to have to work on my upper body, though. I like the dress cause it hides all my cellulite which seems to be at the very top of my thighs. So it wasn't a disaster buying the swim suit. Besides I'll pretend that most everyone's concerned with learning to swim and how they look then with how I look! However, I am going to crochet a cover up.

Saturday was a good day. I changed the door knob on my bedroom door, the one that broke. I did it myself! I was so proud of my self. I was going to snack, again, at 11:00 am, but decided I would try to fix the door knob and it took me an hour. So I didn't have a second snack that day. I felt good about that. After lunch I went shopping. Took me about 2 hours and no snacks or junk while I was shopping. (Oh, my dad was at work and my brothers were still sleeping that's why I fixed the door knob myself).

I exercised this morning. I told myself, again, that I would just do a little and then could quit. Well I didn't quit. I just kept on going.

I've been eating good and feel good about how I'm doing.

I've decided on my weight loss accomplishment rewards. I'm going to get myself a charm bracelet. I've always wanted one. When I get down to my first 5 lb loss I'll buy the bracelet and then at each of the other 5 lb loss I'll get a charm. And then when I'm at my goal weight I'll get a charm every now and if I keep my goal weight. I don't have much to loose but that's okay. I think this will be a good idea, because everytime I look down or see my wrist I'll have a reminder of what I want for myself. Not just weight loss but also to feel good about myself, to like the way I look, to know I'm eating healthy, taking care of my body, etc., etc.

Had to get my doss of diet talk in today (I don't have internet access at home). We'll I've read a few posts, but I need to get back to work. I have time to read a few more, I think I'll get my yogurt.

Hi Debbi,
I'm glad you are doing so well on your program. You said you feel so good about doing so well on your program. That's when I get really motivated, when I'm doing good. I like your reward plan. That will be a nice reminder of your weight loss accomplishments. Keep up the good work!

Cindy

Debbi...you sound so focused and strong...keep going and pat yourself on the back for your commitment. I love the idea of the charm bracelet, and I'll bet its weighing down your arm by the end of the year.

Mertz, I do feel very motivated since I'm doing good.

Artsy, I don't have that much weight to lose. I'd had gained back about 18 pounds from a successful weight loss of 50 pounds. So I only have a few pounds to go. I do consider the 50 pounds a success because I kept it off for over a year and half. The only reason I gained was because I stopped doing my morning exercising, transferred to another job which was way to stressful and quit walking my dog (which was my exercise) and quit eating good foods, all because of the stressful job. Now my work situation has improved.

Today I weighed myself and I'm 163. Don't ask me how I lost 2lbs this week, but I did. I'm not going to ask why. So I get my charm bracelet. I saw one at ShopKo on sale. It had a heart on it. I don't know what the quality is, but I'll go look at it after work. Maybe the weight came off because last night I washed my car (not a lot of aerobic exercise, but some) instead of eating another dessert. It was still early so I thought I'll do my nails (I bought some of that 7 day nail polish) and eat grapes. I only had a few grapes, brought the rest to work today.

Anyway I am feeling so good. I had a nice little spring in my step this morning.
* *

Hi Debbi!

I can feel your happiness all the way in Texas! I love reading when people feel so motivated and are doing so well. It makes me want to do even that much better! Maybe it is contagious! ;)

I have really come to believe that it doesn't matter how much you have to lose compared to others because it still means something to you. Bravo! You will reach your goal in no time and the bracelet will be a beautiful symbol of your accomplishment!

I hope you have an amazing day and I will try to do the same.

Take care!

Hey Deb!
Thanks for stopping by my journal. ;)

Lately I've been really pissy and edgy, ready to pounce on anyone and everyone. It's absolutely horrid! Hopefully it will be gone in a few days. It's probably 'cause I have nothing to do at home since school let out, but I'll be starting classes in a few weeks again and that should calm me down. Sounds crazy but it's probably true.

Looked through your journal and you're doing great!! Wonderful control. 3 days of exercise a week is perfect and if you want to increase do it gradually.

Definitely do not follow my example. I'm very impatient with these things AND myself, so I tend to throw myself head long into it and go all out. We'll see how long that'll last. Betcha I'll be 210 lbs by next month and sittin' on my butt all day shovin' my face with cake. blegh!!! Disgusting thought. *sigh* :(

So how long have you had the 50 lbs off? How did you do it and maintain it thus far? I would love to learn from a pro. <IMG SRC="smilies/cool.gif" border="0">

I'll talk to you later!
JRL

hi debbi!
i love the idea of the charm bracelet. did you end up getting the bracelet?
maintaining a 50 pound loss is indeed and acheievement(from one who knows). its damn hard work and you ought to be congratulated.
you will be back at goal in no time and can help me out over at the goal board!
hugs bell :)

Hi 1luckystar, thanks for dropping by. I agree, it doesn't matter how much you have to lose.

JRL, HI. Yea, when I'm off work for a long time I can get that way, too. I think it's just boredom. Sometimes if I throw myself into a project that helps a lot. Do you have any crafts, yard work, house work that could keep you busy? I usually do something like that. Maybe volunteer work? You beter NOT be 210 lbs by next month sitting on your butt.... ;) I lost 30lbs one year, kept that off for about 8 months and lost another 20 after that. I kept that off by how I had changed my eating and exercising 5 days a week (I like exercising). Besides if I exercised I could indulge a little here and there while I maintained. Of course I've gained 18 back, and lost 5...but it happens.

Hi Bell. Yes I did get the bracelet. It looked good. Sterling silver, lifetime gaurentee, a heart charm all ready on it, and half price (only $20). The heart charm on it makes noise so I hear it and have a little reminder.

I exercised this morning. Wasn't going to because I didn't get a good night sleep, was restless and woke up for a while. Even had a slice of bread with peanut butter and honey on it (didn't finish all of it). Thought it would help me sleep. My stomach was all in knots and I took some tums which usually helps, but didn't. The snack didn't help too much. Today I'm a little tired, which makes me more emotional and it's probably pretty close to that TOM.

I think the reasons I've seen a weight loss is exercising, watching what I eat, drinking water and stop eating 2 hours before I go to bed. That's what I've been doing. And it's working so I'm going to keep it up. I think the idea of not eating 2 hours before bed to see a weight loss has helped me not snack at night, which helps a lot!

I've cut back on my diet coke. It's only because the gas station I use to get some from raised their price for refills. So now I bring cans to work. It's only about 8 ounces less, but it's a start. I guess I'll have to drink more water. ;)


why wait until tomorrow what I could do today

Hi Debs!
I had the same problem last night?. I think it was last night. Hmmm....maybe it was the night before. 8-} Everyday seems to get longer and longer and I'm going nuts over it. Haha!!


Anyway, I couldn't fall asleep until 1:30 AM or so 'cause I was hungry or something, so I got up and ate....dun, dun, dun...cereal!! Weird. We never have anything good (interpreted by others as bad and fatty 8-| ) in the house, so I gotta eat healthy. Hunh...interesting trick by my parents, isn't it? That usually satisfies me or sometimes a banana and warm milk. Then I fall fast asleep into my beddie-by dreams.

That "not eating 2 hours before bed" is a good idea. I try not to eat anything after dinner 6/7 PM, but it's hard to resist especially when your HUNGRY!! It's so hard sometimes. Ugh.

The boredom issue is true: I'm bored out of my mind! But I'll be starting classes in a couple weeks, so I should be back to normal soon. Using the computer (being HERE especially) and reading helps a lot. Don't eat and sit on my butt all day. My two favorites things to do!!

So small portions and exercise are key, huh? You've had a 37 lb loss overall, or is it 50 lbs? Wow, incredible. :)

That's enough blabbing from me, so I'll see ya later!
JRL :rose:

Hi, JRL. I get in all my calories before my two hours before bedtime. I've been counting my calories and so that helps. Last night I ate late and could feel it at night. Usually if I eat enough I'm not hungry at night, I've never really had a problem with that unless I don't eat enough during the day.

My favorite things are also to eat and sit on my butt. That's what got me in this trouble in the first place!

Oh I lost 30 pounds about 4 years ago, then 20 pounds a year after that, kept it off for a year and a half. That totaled 50. I gained 18 last year. I hope that makes sense.

I was thinking I need to find a project to keep me busy. Last night I didn't have anything to do and popped that 94% fat free popcorn and almost ate the entire bag. That upped my calories for the day. I like to crochet but haven't found anything in particular to keep me busy. I usually can crochet and watch TV and not eat. Then it makes tv seem more woth while, too, and not just mindless entertainment.

Work's going good. Busy today. Which is a good thing. My boss has been out most of the day and that usually gives me time on my hands.

Still wearing my charm bracelet. I found it's a little hard to put on (I'm big boned, so have big wrists) and so I just wear it all the time. It's sterling silver and so the water won't hurt it.

I don't know if its drinking water or what, but for the past few weeks my ring slips off easily. Less puffiness I guess? At one point it wouldn't even come off (just a fashion ring). I don't think I've lost that much weight. But I do not that losing weight does effect ring size, I went down 2 ring sizes.

[ 06-07-2001: Message edited by: Debbi ]

You're losing weight girl!! Duh!! Hehe! I think you really are if your rings slip off easily. That's a great sign for sure.

I guess I'm hungry at night because I'd gotten use to eating snacks at night. I'm adjusting that, but it's still a struggle.

You're doing a wonderful job, so keep it up. Talk to you later!

JRL :rose:

Hi, Debbi! This journal is looking good! You will be at goal in no time! Keep up the great work and good attitude!

Thanks JRL and Joni.

I exercised again today. I almost didn't, thought I had extra time and then looked at my alarm clock and realized it was 10 to five. So I thought, oh well, I just won't exercise today. Then I thought I could do an old show of Denise Austin's and start later (one that I taped). However, I made it in time. Don't ask me how, maybe determination? I fed my puppies, changed, and still made it. I was surprised. And proud of myself for actually doing it.

Yesterday my eating was better then the night before. Of course someone coming to look at the puppies and stayed for a while helped.

Well this week is going to be a slow week. It's that time of the month and yesterday morning I felt awlful. I stayed home from work and just slept. I had some pain in the morning and took some pills, but then it disappeared. Today I feel weak. I can barely focus and I have a lot of work to do today. Well there's some I can't do due to computer problems (not mine), so that helps in I don't have as much work to do. The lights above me are flickering and that's not helping matters. I've called maintenance and they said they'd send someone up to look at it. I knew better then to ask when. But it's not too bad. At lunch I'll be taking a long nap. I'm not tired, as I slept most of the weekend and yesterday, but just wore out all ready. Saturday I was so tired and just couldn't do very much. I felt so bad. Then Sunday afternoon I yelled at my brother and then later realized as I was angry, then depressed, then sad, then crying, then angry, then crying that it was pms. Knowing that it was pms helped a lot. Like last night I was hungry for sugar. I knew why. I did have something, I had some sugar on a hamburger bun. There was actually nothing esle sweet in the house! We'll I had somethings, my afternoon treats, but I didn't feel like having one of those. I have those sugary granola bars they sell in the cereal aisle, they're only 130 cal and about 5 grams of fat. Some are covered in chocolate and some have other things in them. I get the low fat ones. Well no weigh in this week. But that's okay. I may try later this week, but may just wait until next week.

Hey Debbi!

I just got off that TOM roller coaster! Thanks for stopping by my journal in my time of need, so here I am to return the favor. :rose:

Are you taking vitamins? Have you ever had your iron levels tested? I have a friend who would get really weak and tired around TOM and it was because she is anemic. Now she takes iron and her vitamins and is doing much better.

Seems like work has been tough for a lot of us lately. I am just trying to grin and bear it for now. Hopefully it will get better for all of us really soon! We have become so dependent on computers. But lord knows I will not give mine up, too addicted to DT!

Wait to weigh in. No harm done. Let us know how you are doing! And know that there are a lot of us here that care about you!

lucky *

Debbi...congrats on your effort and keeping such a good journal. I will keep my fingers crossed that you have a good weight loss this week. Do you have your first few charms picked out?

Hi Luckystar. I think you may be right. I wasn't as tired today as yesterday, but I haven't been taking my vitamins on a regular basis. Maybe an extra iron pill once a month would help.

Hi Artsy. I don't have any other charms picked out. I'm going to wait until the 5lb loss before I do that. Even if I have to wait for a while before I find one I like. I'm afraid I'd buy it or something else!

Today was a long day. I was in my bosses staff meeting to take notes and it lasted 5 hours! We had donuts and bagals and fruit juices and that's it. I had a half of a plain bagel and a sweet roll and a fruit juice. I decided I haven't had a real treat in over a month and so I was going to have one. It's after 3:00 and I'm eating lunch. I got a salad shaker from mcdonald's, it's the chicken one. I'll have to check the calories on the web. Had one before and can't remember what it was. I got the fat free dressing. Never tried this kind, and it's not bad I also decided to have the treat because I can't live on an eating plan that doesn't allow them once in a while. I've been pretty good during my TOM. Haven't overate or ate too much sweets (there was that sugar on bread, but that's about it that was over my calorie limit).

luckystar, I just took my vitamin. I have some here at my desk and some at home and I just forget. Have to make it a habit. I know I don't eat perfect and I know they help.

Well that's about it. I am feeling better now. This morning my stomach was all upset after eating that "food" in the meeting. I knew I'd need "real" food.

Hey Debbi,
I agree with you that healthy eating plans with room to have a few treats work best for most people. I am doing Jenny Craig and when I know I am going to have a stressful week or TOM is coming up, I make sure I pick a couple of menu plans that have JC Chocolate cake mix in them as a snack. You know, I have yet to actually taste the cake cooked I just savour the raw mixture with a cup of Trim milk...mmmmmmmmmmmm, disgusting I know but an awesome treat ;) ;) ;)
You look like you are doing great here. You know exactly why you regained the weight and you are systematically shedding it. Go girl!! I love the idea of a charm bracelet too - I may have to think about stealing that idea :o.
Take care :rose:

Hi Kellie. Thanks for stopping by.

I exercised today. I wasn't going to, even went back to bed and reset my alarm. But then the thought came to me "if you do what you've always done, you're going to get the same results you've always gotten" and I thought about the weight I've lost through exercise and eating right and thought, "those are the results I want." So I got up. Last night I bought Denise Austins power kickboxing video and her toning all over video. I did the kickboxing one today. Tomorrow I'll do some of the toning. I like the idea of doing a video, because I don't always make it in time for her show and one day when I missed the warm up I could feel it in my legs that day. Today was one of those late mornings. Since I'm just starting out with exercise (again) I'm going to do cardio 3 days a week and toning 2 days a week.

Last night I did good with my eating. I had a small dinner and some ff yogurt (100 cal). So that donut during the day shouldn't hurt me too much. I don't weigh in until Tuesday. I started on Tuesdays because of the Holiday we had last month (which was monday). I like it because it gives me Monday to exercise and burn off some fat and drink tons of water to get rid of that water weight gain (if there is any). Sunday's my rest day and I don't drink much water. Usually after church I end up taking a nap.

*

I was going to use the down thumb, but I guess the day isn't over with yet. It's just that I didn't exercise. I woke up at 3 am and couldn't get back to sleep. Then I fought with my brother about feeding the puppies because one was barking at my dad as he left for work (at 4:30 am) and woke them up. One nieghbor called about our dog barking one night (my brother had friends over and she's kept outside and barks). Anyway I was too upset to exercise. I know, lame excuse. Oh, he didn't want me to feed the pups because then they get all wild, but that's their feeding time and they're usually hungry by then (4:30 am). They had been up since 3. The mother dog was in the house and wanted out because she heard her puppies and thought someone/thing was going to hurt them. We've kept her in at night since the neighbor called about her barking.

I'm still on my eating plan. I posted in the pub about the dress I'm wearing today and how it fits (it didn't a few months ago) and how nice it feels. Anyway this has helped me stay away from some chocolate that's in a bowl on another ladies desk. Yesterday I was so tempted, but didn't have any. Her desk is on the way to the ladies room, the only way to avoid it is taking the loong way. Today with the dress fitting and room to spare, I'm not as tempted as I like this dress and want it to fit.

Okay, enough of my babbling.

Debbi you are so funny. Thanks for posting in my journal. I know what you mean about job stress and taking it out on ourselves by eating. Why do we do that when we know it will just make us feel even worse?

Anyway, I really love the charm bracelet idea. I'm thinking of getting one for myself, and getting a charm for every ten pounds I've lost and kept off. That would be five and a half charms so far. (Emphasize the "so far" part!)

Take care and keep up the good work!

:peace:

Hi Jimmi thanks for coming by for a visit. I don't know why we eat when we're stressed. Maybe to stuff in emotions with food instead of expressing them? I know I have that problem, expressing emotions that is. Of course I've gotten braver, maybe it's because of my weight loss over the years.

Anyway, I wanted to say that I'm gald I didn't put the down thumb. I had to go pick up a package for an employee (I don't have any important things to do right now, obviously) and decided to take the stairs down, then decided to take the stairs up. From the lower lobby (one below the main floor) to the 5th floor. Our building has so many guests that it can be a long wait for an elevator and sometimes they can be so crowded and stop at almost every floor, the stairs are just as fast if not faster.

So a star for me. *

[ 06-15-2001: Message edited by: Debbi ]

Today I exercised. I did Denise Austins kickboxing routine (20 min) and 8 min abs video. I'll be alternating with toning on the other days, but will skip the ab routine as I don't have enough time and do on the aerobic days. This morning I did a little jumping, but not much. I'm not up to it yet. I did sweat so that's a good thing.

Tomorrow's my weigh in day. I don't think it'll be much as I was on my period last week and didn't do much exercising or real well on my eating. I'm just hoping no gain. Probably not a worry since I wore some stretch jeans (except in the waist) that weren't tight in the waist, which they were a few months ago. It's nice having clothes starting to fit again. I have a little ways to go before they ALL fit me again. Some of my jeans are still tight in the waist but I can zip them up, and couldn't do that before even with holding my breath.

That's about all for today.

Alright Debbi...jeans that fit! It doesn't get any better for me than to be able to fit into clothes I haven't been able to wear for awhile. I have a couple of pair of jeans I can hardly wait to wear...they are just waiting for me to make goal. Keep up the good work, kiddo.

Hi Artsy, thanks for stopping by.

I did my toning exercise this morning, as I'm going to alternate. I thought it would be easy, but it wasn't. My body felt it. I haven't done muscle work for so long that my muscles aren't use to it. But that's okay, it's a good wake up call.

I did weigh myself this morning, but an old habit I have is getting on and off the scale several times (I had a bad one that gave me different weights). Well this one did the same thing! I was so frustrated! X-( I liked the first weight which said 162, but then it kept going up! X-( So I remembered I had one that I had bought a while ago to weigh our puppies (which didn't work, they were too light), so I used that one. It said 164. But it said it the 3 times I stepped on and off (and the scale turned off each time). So maybe I'll use that one from now on. I know it's just a number, but when the scale won't give you an accruate one, it's annoying. I'm not worried about the 164 as I know scales vary and these even did. So I'll just go from there. I'm not depressed or anything that it said more. I think DT has helped me with that. There's been so many posts and members with scale troubles and others finally coming to the conclusion that the number on the scale is just that, a number. But it's a fairly good measure of where I'm at right now. So I'll continue to use it along with how my clothes fit.

My coworker who was going to check on the swimming classes finally did, and they all ready started last week. The next class is in August. Since we want to take it together we'll wait until then. But that will be okay, I can get myself in shape by then. That would be a good goal, to be in shape, not necessarily skinny, by August. That gives me a month and a half. More then enough time, I think. Especially if I keep up these toning exercises!

Debbi

That's a good goal, Debbi. I remember before one of my goals was to be able to go to the pool and not have anybody give me a second look. Maybe I will go to the pool one of these nights, swim, work out with weights and have a sauna. I used to do that quite often before my hip injury started bothering me.

Hi Artsy. That sounds like a good exercise program, especially the sauna part! ;)

I exercised again today. Did the kickboxing and ab tape. I was tired and almost didn't but got my lazy butt out of bed and exercised. Dont' know why. I think I was too tired to think of not doing it. Plus I want this. I feel so much healthier and better after exercising. I may not feel more awake some days, but I feel better.

Going to lunch with some friends here at work. If we don't go, I'll just go to mcdonald's and get their chicken salad. I like it. But we probably will. Yesterday we were going to go, but then plans changed, as they do. When we go I'll get something light to eat. We haven't decided on where or anything, but that's okay. I can make healthy choices. Even if we ended up at a fast food restaurant, most have broiled chicken sandwhiches or salads.

Debbi

Hey Debbi!

I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you! The first one is for understanding about weight being a security blanket, the second is for pushing me to just go get my first reward, I got it! The third is for just being so open and a wonderful person with a big heart!

Great job on the exercise! I am not a morning exercise person, I prefer to do it at night. It always gives me a great feeling knowing I've ended the day well.

I also do the little scale dance! :laugh: Today was my weigh in and it is still the same as last week. You are right. It is not the number on the scale that determines our selfworth, we do! Easy for me to say and slowly learning to believe it too!

Take care!

HOORAY for you Debbi...those early morning workouts are tough but they are the most beneficial ones for you. Have you ever read "Make The Connection" by Oprah Winfrey? Early morning workouts are the cornerstone of that program and they sure worked for Oprah. Keep up the good work.

Hi 1luckystar. Thanks for your kind words, they are wonderful to hear. I don't think it matters when you exercise. I'm usually too tired to do it at night. However, when I first started exercising I did exercise right after work. I would have to immediately change and go for my walk or else I knew I wouldn't do it. I did the scale dance today, too. :laugh: I got on the other one and it said 162.5 twice. So I thought let me try the other one, maybe it was just my body that day giving me different readings. It said 161. A little bit of a difference.

Hi Artsy. I have read Make the Connection. I like the last chapter on the Daily Renewal. That's what I need to do every day. Somedays it's hard.

Today I exercised this morning. I did just the kickboxing aerobic tape. I was tired, but I still got a good workout. I sweated at any rate. And I could feel it.

At work this morning someone brought in donuts for a fellow employees birthday and so I got one and had half. I know, I like to please people too much. But I also wanted one and it was good. They must have been made fresh this morning. I brought a salad in for lunch today, so I'm going to be okay. I added a slice of ff cheese and a slice of lf sandwhich meat to it. I have ff salad dressing and 2 slices of wheat bread. That sounded like such a good lunch. Actually I was thinking it's almost a sandwhich! ;) I didn't have much of anything else to go on it. I need to do some grocery shopping. I was going to put some chicken on it, but decided I wanted something different. Oh, I did have my usual breakfast, so the donut wasn't my breakfast. Maybe an early snack? I could always eat lunch a little early.

Everything else is going fine. I may not be on dt much today, my boss gave me a pile of paper 2 feet high to file. Monday I'm going to get my car inspected and probably fixed. I thought of buying a new car because this one is getting old, but after talking it over with my dad I might just get it fixed, put some money away and then wait for a major mishap. I have monday off as I ask my boss and thought about getting a new car. So I'll have that day to get that done. I'll get my oil changed today after work. I got to a place that does it in 15 minutes. It costs more then some places, but they vacuum my front seats and floor, check the tires and fill them up as needed, add whiper fluid, check the windshield whipers. So I figure that's good. Plus they can do other minor maintenance as needed.

Well I have work

Hey Debbi.
I've been reading your journal for a while, and I wanted to congratulate you, because there's so much improvement. Have you thought about going back to the beginning and reading it, because you'll probably be surprised by how much you've changed.
Keep up the good work,
Chuckles

Hi Chuckles. Thanks for stopping by. I have changed somewhat. But this week isn't my best week so far. Monday I did get up and exercise early in the morning. I took the day off from work, but instead of choosing to sleep in I exercised. I had a day planned full of things to do. Then I couldn't do one of them. Get my car registered with the state. I had it inspected on Friday, on Sunday I changed purses (I had just finished crocheting one) and then on Monday I couldn't find the paperwork. I felt so mad at myself for losing it. I looked and looked. I called the shop and they said to bring in the title. Well guess what?? I couldn't find that either. X-( I had it in one place for the longest time. Maybe the last time I was organizing I thought there might be a better place for it. But for the life of me I can't figure where I could have put it. I heard once it's better not to have it in your car. So I had it in my room. Anyway I was feeling so depressed. I had to get out of the house at any rate just to get away from the situation and take control of my emotions. I wasn't hungry or even thought about food. That surprises me now. I went and got my hair trimmed. It needed it. The puppies were bitting the ends of my hair and the hot curling iron I use occasionally wasn't helping. Then I went shopping. I didn't buy any fattening foods. I just picked up what I had missed from before. Well I still haven't found the paperwork. Any of it. I called one place and it's first come first serve and I don't have to wait in line at the dmv. I still feel bad. I didn't exercise yesterday or today. I woke up but just didn't. My eating has been good, so that's a relief. I was going to call the place yesterday, but got busy at work (at least it kept my mind off my problems) and never did.

You know what? writing down my frustrations and feelings of inadequecy helps. That's why I've always liked journals. I've kept a paper one since I was in 8th grade. Not real consistant in writing in it, but I've had one. Anyway, it's been one of those weeks.

Oh, we did sell our second puppy last night. We have 7 left. We had to lower the price, but that's okay. They're 12 weeks old.

Don't you hate it when you can't find stuff? Bless your heart, you will find it and then you will laugh because you will remember why you put it there. It's funny how our mind plays tricks on us.

Thanks for stopping by my journal. You are such a sweetie! Writing it all down helps me too!

I know your week will get better or at least take comfort in the fact that it is half over! Get up and exercise...I will if you will!(pssst...I will today anyway, so that means you have too!LOL!)

Take care!

Thanks for your reply Lucky. I just called for the tempature it's 82. That's probably cool enough for a walk at lunch. That'll probably make me feel better. I called a coworker who might want to go, but she didn't answer and I was thinking that maybe I'd prefer to go by myself.

I'll give it try. Stay in the shade as much as possible and drink lots of water before and when I get back. I'll fill up my bottle with ice before I leave so it's cool when I return.

hi debbi :D im with you on the exercising.. ive tried to do it and my body won't cooperate ulness i do it later in the day. perhaps im lazy?? but it's what works for me. that swimming class sounds good. what exactly is it like swimming aerobics? my brother and i were thinking on somehing like that so let me know please. you aer doing super... and ummm i'll keep my fingers crossed that your poor car doesn't die on you. :P

Hi teresa. I actually prefer mornings. what I do is drink some diet cola with caffeine. Yes I like it and still drink it, though not as much as before. When that doesn't work I just exercise. I didn't have any Friday morning and still exercised, though slightly tired.

I didn't really walk at lunch. Decided to do some shopping at a craft store, about 3 blocks away. Then stopped off at the dollar store to buy things for our candy bowl. I get the fat free or low fat stuff, like low fat pretzels and hardly ever buy chocolate as I'd eat it all... or most of it. I bought some hot candy and I won't eat that, so I might buy them again, we'll see how the people like it.

The swimming classes will be learning to swim. But water areobics sounds nice, Bell in her journal always makes it sound nice.

Tired today as I haven't been sleeping well, worried about losing and not finding the paperwork. Went to bed early last night, but woke up way too early to make it even count. Oh well. Tonights another night and after I take care of my car I'll feel much better and beable to sleep.

Ohhh...I hate losing paperwork too. It is harder to find things at home than at work, but here are some suggestions...
1) in a related file? or shoebox?
2) in a safety deposit box?
3) with other valuables like your wedding licence, passport?
4) in a briefcase or suitcase?
5) with your old auto insurance documents?

Just a thought, but might your insurance company not have a copy in their files.

Congratulations for sticking with your plan even though you have a legitimate aggravation. Have a good weekend, too.

Thanks Artsy for your suggestions. I'll have to look in those places. It's probably right where I left it and I just missed it.

I got my car inspected last night and everything's okay. Today I'll go on the web and get it registered. I like that idea then I don't have to stand in line and wait for the sticker.

I exercised this morning. I think too hard. Well first I woke up 10 minutes early because I thought it was time to get up, so I shut off my alarm and noticed that I had 10 minutes left. So I got up. I crocheted me another necklece which took longer then I wanted. But I finished it. Then I started exercising late. I did the second kickboxing routine on the video and it was tough. I really did a lot though. I was sweating badly. I had to sit down for a while after. As I get ready for work I blow dry my hair and put on my makeup while I sitting on my bed, more comfortable, anyway this morning I had to lay down for a little while. So I was late getting to work. But my boss isn't a stickler on those things and he's been around when I've been here later because of that, so he know I make up the time. I'd feel too guilty not to. Don't think I'll be late again, the traffic is horrible at that time. So I'm tired.

Today seems like it'll be more relaxing here at work. I've been trying to get things done, but have to wait for a supervisors signature before I can go on and he's out of town until Monday. So that's on hold.

That's about it.

Your morning sounds like some of the dreams I have when everything is going in slow motion and the clock is ticking. Sounds like you didn't let it get to you though. Hey...did you know that perspiring freely when you work out is a sign of getting into shape? So congratulations...you are making progress with your fitness.

Thanks Artsy. I do need to get back into shape! I noticed after not exercising for a year that I have more flab. I remember Denise Austing use to say, muscle isn't stored, only fat is. Well she's right. The muscle disappears pretty quickly and I thought I was pretty firm! Now I'm getting rid of the excess fat!

I did about 30 minutes of toning today. Worked my entire body. I really concentrated on my abs because that's where I feel I need the most work. I also did my upper body pretty good as I'm going to be taking swiming lessing in August and I want to be fit for the swimming suit I have. I use 3lb weights. I started with 1 lbs years a go and moved up. They're still tough and I'll probably stay with them a long time. I don't want big muscles. I know women can't get them really big without the hlep of steroids or if they're bodies just made that way, and mine's not. But I just want to be lean. So I don't do too many repititions (as if I could!) and stretch the muscle out to lengthen it.

Oh my weight is 160.5. Doesn't that look nice? It's only a half a pound, but I like the 160 in there. Pretty soon it will be in the 150's. Then I'll feel sooo good. I need to do more exercising and watch my eating more to get there. But I know it won't happen over night and as I'm not perfect but persevering it will happen. I did areobics twice at 30 minutes this week and then this toning. Tomorrow I think I'll wash my car (needs it, it sort of rained this week). Then housework tomorrow, too. That will keep me busy and away from food and burn off calories.

Debbi

Well Saturday I felt the exercising I did on Friday. I don't think I streched enough afterwords.

This mornig I was tired and didn't feel like exercising, so I did Denise Austins Fit and Light show. It was pretty good.

My weekend went pretty good. Didn't overeat or binge. Tried to eat healthy.

Work will be slow later in the week as my boss is going to take vacation this week. I still have about a foot of paperwork to file (and make files for most). So that'll keep me busy.

Hi Debbi,

Glad to see that things are going well with you. Well, besides the ton of paperwork you've got to do..YUCK!

Keep that scale going in the right direction. Before you know it...and that is only .5 pound away, if I'm not mistaken...you will be in the 150's! WOOOHOOO!! :) Good going!!

I am going to cheer for you when you get into the 150s! I just got below 140 a couple of days ago. Knowing me I will yo-yo around a bit and I will just have to be patient until I stabilize. I went to the gym yesterday and worked off a few calories, and it was a good thing because we went to a 25th wedding anniversary party. I was pretty restrained though, so not too damaging. Have a great week Debbi.

Debbi...I went back to the front to read your post, and since I can do math, I figured out THAT YOU HAVE LOST 20 POUNDS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF APRIL!! You are so modest. I would be bragging my face off. You should post something under "Success" to help inspire everybody. WAY TO GO!

hi kamkam. Today I'm at 159.5. That does feel great.

Artsy I'm sorry, maybe I said it wrong. I lost 30 lbs a few years ago, and then about 20. I gained back 18 lbs last year to weigh 168. I hope that makes sense. Sometimes I don't. Even to myself. Well especially to myself. I'll say something to someone else and then I'll ask if that made sense cause it didn't to me. 8-} Most of the time it does make sense to someone else. go figure...

Anyway I'm doing good. Well Last night I had regular ice cream. I filled up the bowl but put about 1/3 of it down the drain. It actually wasn't that much better then the low fat version I've been buying. It was just vanilla, my favorite, no topping or anything with it. So it should have been fine. I didn't need the extra calories, but it was there and I was bored and tired and I haven't been feeling good for a few days (maybe it's the heat or the thought of the heat, it's been 100 or more since Saturday and suppose to be that high today). Anyway, I ate it. I admit it. Doubt I'll have it from that container again, as I didn't care for it. I haven't had real ice cream for so long and it was a disappointment. Go figure. 8-}

This morning I exercised again, so maybe I burned off a few of those calories from the ice cream. At least it didn't effect my weight on the scale any. It might tomorrow. I'll just drink lots of water like I did yesterday afternoon.

There are so many new journals that I'm just barely catching up with them! Plus I want to read the other ones, too! Don't have that much time. I like reading them.

Well that's about it for now.

Did you notice I'm almost down 10 lbs that means I can put a charm on my bracelet. I have one at home. I bought an ankle bracelet but it doesn't fit (I'm too big boned) and probably won't, so I'll use the charm that's on it. It's a small star. It'll remind me of 1LuckyStar (Karen) who gave me the idea of the rewards. And it'll be my lucky star too! *

great job gettin down 10 pounds. ..that is kinda ironic that ya didn't even want the ice cream. 8-} it must feel pretty fantastic to be in the 150's. :D

Hi Theresa. I'm almost down 10lbs. See Artsy I don't always make myself clear. I was talking as if I get to put the charm on, but not yet....One day I'll learn how to write, type, talk and all at the same time! That will help a lot with these posts!.. 8-} 8-}

Debbi...its not that you don't make yourself clear...I just don't read that carefully! Good thing I only claimed I could do math. Anyways, you have lost almost ten pounds, which is great. I think it is really interesting that when you tasted the ice cream that you haven't had for a long time you didn't really like it. I have had the same experience with chocolate. I had some chocolate last month and it seemed really fatty and not that compelling. I think that when I am in food stuffing frenzy I don't really taste what I am eating...I just think I like it. I am much more in tune with textures and flavours with my new diet. I just hope I stay in this head space!

Hi Debbi..I have been reading your journal. You are doing a great job. You will make that 10 pound loss soon. I have faith in you. You are also the first person I have ever seen who spells her name the same as me. <g> We Debbi's think alike. Take care and have a super week.

Debbi

Hi Artsy. I don't read very clear either that's why you'll see a lot fo edited posts for me. 8-|
Hi Debbi. I like spelling my name that way. I usually go by Deborah but on the web I like Debbi. Actually this has been a good experience for me. I've been overweight all my life until I was about 26 and when I was younger I went by Debbi. Now that I'm getting positive feedback with that name it helps a lot. I wasn't very popular as a kid and never fought back so I was easily teased. So now my wounds are healing. I wasn't really teased because of my weight execpt by my family, of course the looks from others I got wasn't helpful.

Today I weighed in at 159.0. Probably becuase I've been sick and on the 4th I hardly ate anything. I did a lot of organizing and thought I was just too busy, but in the evening when we had our main meal I ate very little. No one noticed as it was just our family until my brothers friends came over. Yesterday I stayed home from work because I was so sick, I did eat more, though. I drank more water then I usually do these past two days, so that was good. And I didn't snack at night real bad, so that was good too.

One of our puppies died. It was a female. She got real sick. We're not sure why. She was sick for only 2 days or so. She just wouldn't eat or play or anything. The others seem fine. We're still trying to sale them. We have 6 puppies left to sale. We have the ad in the paper starting tomorrow, again.

Work seems like it will be okay today. I still have that pile of paperwork to file (and type up labels) but that can wait. There's no rush on that. I'll probably get some of it done today. I didn't do much here Tuesday because I wasn't feeling well. I haven't been to the store because I've been sick. Well Monday I went other places after work and Tuesday I was sooo tired. Wednesday I just didn't feel like it and yesterday I was sick, as I said. I'll go tonight. I need healthy food. My dad doesn't buy very healthy food. Hardly any fruit or veggies. I'm starting to miss them! I think I'll get a salad from across the street. I really like those mcdonalds chicken salads. There isn't much veggies in them, but I like the chicken. I was going to take a nap in the afternoon, but sometimes I get too tired.

We'll I'll close for not, don't want to write a novel here. ;)

Not much to say. Been busy this weekend. Didn't exercise this morning. Just didn't feel like it. Wasn't sure why. Found out it was that time of the month. Somtimes I don't get PMS real bad. I use to NEVER get it and found out it was TOM when it was too late... opps... So PMS isn't so bad for me. And I don't get it real bad. One time I did and I yelled at my dad so I went in my room, just couldn't explain to him why and I don't know why... then I thought I was okay and left my room and yelled at my brother. Went back into my room. What a day that was! But being in my room was taking care of myself so it worked out good.

I thought I felt sluggish this morning because I didn't drink hardly any water this weekend, so I finally drank 3 cups in a row. I did feel a little better. I just get so tired the first day and I am tired. Think I'll just go home and take it easy.

Oh, our puppies had parvo. One was real sick and wouldn't eat, he'd drink but that's it. Was much better this morning, he ate a little. I even gave him (and our two adult dogs who where standing by because it's THEIR house, not his) a piece of my luncheon meat. The other puppies are doing good. The adult dogs are doing real good. Except they like to boss the puppy in the house around, as I said, it's THEIR house. They're both Alpha dogs. The males pretty good outside with the puppies.

For my chocolate today I had a slim fast meal on the go bar after lunch and a granola bar a little later. I had a slim fast bar for breakfast, but it just wasn't enough. I feel okay now.

That's about it.

Debbi...you are in the same head space as I am right now. I made myself go for a walk after supper, but I am tired and I may just go to bed early and sleep. That is a better option than whining and eating all evening, which I am perfectly capable of doing.

Hi Artsy. I can also whine and eat all evening long if I let myself. Last night I didn't.

Today I'm also tired. I'm feeling better now, but this morning I was sooo tired, barely made it out of the house and to work. I took a vitamin with lunch yesterday and so that should have helped, but I forgot that maybe I should take an iron pill, too. Sometimes that can help, I've heard. But I think there was enough iron in the vitamin.

One puppies better, another's sick.

Work is just filing today. Not much else. But that's okay. At least I'm not running around that would have wore me out completely.

Last night it rained