I am going so up and down with this weight loss. One day doing really well, then next day finds the old habits back again. I need to be more accountable, so will start tomorrow posting my food and excercise (or lack thereof). Need to whip myself into shape .. especially where my habits are concerned. :whip:

I think it will help a lot. A journal gives you a sense of accountability when you fail and a sense of pride when you succeed. Good luck!

good idea!! looking forward to reading it!!

I keep both an exercise journal and a food journal and I do think they are a key factor to staying consistent.
I really never knew how much I ate until I started writing down everything! It changed how I live basically! You never consider calories just tasting the food as you prepare it, but once I became aware of writing down everything that passes my lips, tasting stopped! Half the time I can't tell you what something is going to taste like until I sit down and eat it! My family just had to adjust to it! Not seasoned enough? Too bad! Not enough salt? Get over it! A food journal stops mindless snacking as well.
An exercise journal keeps me on track completely. I plan my workouts (anal personality) and I write down everything associated with the workouts so I can see my progress in fitness, not just weight loss. Looking back at day 1 I can see that then I could only exercise for 10 minutes, but today I average 90 minutes. It really keeps you motivated and honest with yourself.

So I think journaling will be a positive step for you, and finding a form of exercise you enjoy will make it fun for you rather than a task. :)

Donna

The journal's a great idea! It does give you that feeling that if you don't do the exercise, everyone will know about it. What an incentive that one is! :)

I look forward to reading your progress!

Thanks for your support everyone.

I can tell today is going to be a rough one. Too hormonal. Feel like screaming and crying, so I know I will have to very focused to end up not overeating. I am going to keep checking in here whenever I am not doing something. For now I am going to go clean up the kitchen (nothing cleaned since Friday night, so will take quite a while :() Supposed to be the teen kid's job, but they are being a wee bit lazy lately. MMMM where did I put that whip. :lol:

Having a lot of emotional problems, as found out from the doc this week that I am starting pre-menopause. Getting the hot flashes, and am moodier than my teen girls. A lot of frustration, as I am too young for this. I am not sleeping well, mostly due to the hot flashes, and that is not helping me emotionally either. Also have not energy for excercising when I am only sleeping 2-4 hours a night. Really feel like I am going to pieces, but I am going to do my best not to let it ruin my wieght loss plans.

Been good so far. Had good breakfast (soy bread, and banana), and lunch (crackers, carrots, turkey and yogurt). Washed part of the kitchen floor .. will do other half in 30 min or so, so it has chance to dry, and kids have chance to eat, (and make more dishes).

Finally going to get my new washer/dryer set installed today. Hubby just called the store, and they said he would be right over. Old one died; hubby tried to fix it, but the transmission was gone, so there was nothing he could do. So looking forward to clean clothes and sheets ... have not been very hygenic lately, as there is nothing to change into. So tonight it will be dozens of loads of laundry trying to get caught up again ... really nice since laundry is in the kitchen, and totally in the way. This has helped to cheer my mood up tremendously.

Ooooh, I feel for you hnyack! I can completely understand the 2-4 hrs of sleep. Hope you can get by this quickly. Did the doc give you anything for the hot flashes?

I'm excited for you about the washer/dryer. My dryer broke 2 weeks ago. I was able to go to a parts store and fix it for $12.74. It's silly, but that completely made my day.

Well, keep up the good work....and don't give up!!!

No my doc has not given anything for the flashes. SHe likes to go without meds most of the time, and since I hate taking pills, it works most of the time. I am thinking of trying some of the herbal remedies, but am not sure yet how to handle these anoyying daily things.

I have been doing very well. Have been doing most of my "jornalling: in the TOPS category. Meals are within calorie guidelines, and have only had the occaisional problem (like mom in law showing up with doughnuts as soon as she heard I had lost wieght on a diet.)

Water is getting better. Today I have had 12 glasses of water. SLoshing my way to the bathroom quite often.

The last week has been very good. I have lost 8.75 pounds this week, and a total of 13lb so far.

I have reduced my diet cola addiction from 6-8 cans a day, down to 1 or 2. I have upped my water from virtually none, to between 12-18 glasses a day. (I am using the half your weight, and drink that number in ounces formula ... so I should drink 140 ounces or 17.5 glasses a day.) Slosh my way through the day, but I find it is really keeping the cravings, munchies and other problems in check, and I feel more energized than when I was drinking so much caffiene.

I am making a point of excersising every day. When I try doing it 3 times a week, or 5 times a week, I always end up making excuses, and "taking the day off". This way there is no day off. Some days are swimming, others are just extra long walks. Swimming may be on hold if I can't get a new swim suit soon, as this one is getting a wee bit too loose in bust area, and I "flash" a bit if I am not careful. Some women may not like losng it there, but mine are so big, I will gladly lose over half of them. Mind you I'd rather it came off my butt first!

Tried on a pair of pants I bought before Christmas. Sweat pants with Angel written across the bum. I was in a rush, and they were really cheap, and in my size, so I picked them up. Tried them on at home, and was so upset they did not fit. Well last night I tried them on, and they fit ... still a bit tight to be decent to be seen in, and too risky of a split seam, but I can get them on and done up without holding my breath! A few more weeks, and I should be able to wear them.