Hi
It’s the first day of summer. A new season. Time for a new journal. I decided to name my journal “Renee’s summer fun” because I plan on having fun this summer. I’m not going to let my weight control my summer and what I do and what I eat. I woke up this morning this morning and weighed 151 lbs. I sure some of it is bloat. My fingers are swollen and sore. I will not get on the scale for another week. No more of getting on the scale daily. Summer is a time for fun. There is plenty of healthy, fresh food available. All I have to do is get off my lazy fanny and get it. The days are longer, and there is plenty of time to exercise. I’m just too lazy to do it. So I’ve re looked at my goals, my plans. This is what I’ve decided.

Goals: My long term goal is still 118 lbs. It is my short-term goals that have changed. I’ve been trying to lose too much, too quickly. So I’ve broken it down into smaller doable goals. I’m only going for 5 lbs. a month. So here are my short term goals:

July 13: 143 lbs. this is my birthday. I’ll be 40 years old. I would like to start off the new decade right by eating healthy and exercising.
Labor Day: 138 lbs., the unofficial end of summer. My job ends right after this. I’ll need something to keep me going.
October 27: 133 My daughter’s birthday. She is going to be 11 years old. If I get to 133 I’ll finally be lower than I was when she was six weeks old.
November 27: 128 Thanksgiving. Another reason to give thanks.
Christmas: 123 It is a holy season and a season of eating. What better encouragement to eat healthily than almost at goal.
New Years: 118 GOAL what a better way to start the new year than to be at goal.

PLAN OF ACTION
It is time to start eating right and to exercise. I cannot use the heat as an excuse. I moved here from the beach. I am use to the heat.

So I’m going to keep my calories between 1500 and 1800 calories a day. I’m giving myself a range instead of a set amount because there will be some days that I will eat more. I’m going to eat more fruit and vegetables and less meats. I feel better in the summer when I do this. Not as sluggish. The doctor said this is because I have no gall bladder and cannot process meats as well.

I’m going to get at least 40 minutes of exercise in daily. This can be in the form of cardio, weight training or flexibility. I need to include all of the components into my plan. Flexibility exercises are just important. 40 minutes of day equals 280 minutes a week. For July that is 1240 minutes.

Doing this I hope will help me start losing this weight again and keep from swinging back and forth. My hubby says I’m obsessed with losing weight. Maybe I am. I’m also concerned about my health. Being over my optimal weight is hard on my health. I’m already at risk for breast cancer and diabetes. I don’t need to help other diseases and problems along by being overweight. So this is my new plan and goals. Hopefully, by the end of the summer I will be on target. Have a good day and a wonderful summer.

Renee:cheers:

Wow. A good solid plan with built-in flexibility and reasonable goals.

Hey wait.

I thought I was visiting ARFAIN's journal? hee hee

Seriously, girlfriend. This is awesome and I think very achievable. I will support you in any way I can, just say the word. I am a believer that fun must be included in weight loss life, or there would be no point in waking up in the morning. We are only given one time on this earth and we should make the most of it...eating well and exercising will give you the energy you need to really enjoy life. That's what I try to think about.

Your daughter's birthday is the same as mine. Did I know that?

:up: :up: :up: :up: :up:

5 thumbs ups because your new plan, arfain, sounds absolutely wonderful! Those are some terrific goals and they sound very achievable. Take a hold of summer and enjoy as many as those ripe, in season fruits and vegetables that you can. You're right... aerobics, weight training, and flexibility are all important and combined with eating right, you will have success.

Good look and I'm rooting for you!

Hello, Arfain! I enjoyed reading your summer plan. It is sensible and reasonable.

I personally don't think you sound obsessed with losing weight, BTW, just concerned about health and focused on a goal. :)

Good Morning,

It is the first full day of summer. Today is my son’s 9th birthday party. His birthday is tomorrow. So many challenges today. We are having a cookout in his honor. Ribs, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad and of course cake and ice cream. Home made cake not from a box. This morning I’ve got to start decorating the cake and start the potatoes and beans. I’ve also got to finish laundry and finish cleaning the house. Going to have a house full of people. At some point this morning I’m going to exercise, it will help me make it through the day without losing it.

I read some information this morning that I thought I would share. First,

A positive body image works. Scare tactics simply aren't a good idea.

Research tends to suggest that people will be more successful in the long term with weight loss if they take a holistic approach.

It is so true, if you have a poor body image you are going to fail. You have to love yourself before you make any progress. I’m just now getting to this point. It has always been a problem and I’ve failed in my attempts to lose weight. But now my attitude is changing, I see my body for what it can do not what its not. For example, I can walk a 5k, that is important to me. It overshadows the fact that I need to lose weight.

A total body approach, research also tends to suggest that a combination of approaches, (e.g., eating well, exercising and thinking "right") is more successful than just focusing on one strand at a time. Particularly useful, is having the right frame of mind. Mind set keeps you doing it, and exercise works as a mood enhancer."

So how do you get there. You get your head together and plan to eat well and exercise. And the exercise keeps your head together - so you eat well and exercise and well, you get it. Pretty soon, you're well on your way into that svelte suit.

Sounds simple enough. You plan your meals, and you exercise to keep yourself sane.

Here are the individual components broken down.


Mind set. Accept yourself as a valuable, beautiful person. Talk to friends, doctors and other health professionals to identify how you can improve your health and appearance.

Food. Lose those "bad" tags for food. Seek out healthy foods that will satisfy you, and be sure to keep track of what works by writing down everything you eat.

Exercise. Find an exercise you enjoy and you will more likely stick with it. Vary what you do: skip, swim, garden, vacuum, walk the dog - it all counts as exercise and helps you toward your goal.

You know it seems so simple. How hard can it be?

Anyway, I thought it was helpful to read. Yesterday was an ok day. I got my exercise yesterday in the form of shopping and cleaning. Still, haven’t finished cleaning. The floors need doing. You know the volcano has erupted in months and I’m still finding ash on the floor. Of course, it spits out ash even when its not actively erupting. It is always smoking and spewing a little. They tell me that is a good thing. Well, I’m off to start my day. Its going to be hot today and I would like to get as much done early as possible.

Chumlette, as always, thank you for stopping by and knowing thre right thing to say. Pretty cool you bday is the same as my daughters. I'll have to keep that in mind. And you are right, there has to be fun in our lives.

CCCluvbug - thanks for stopping by. I love summer because of the fresh fruit and veggies. And of course, the endest opportunities to exercise.

Qvictoria - I don't think I'm obsessive but his mother was overweight and never bothered with it so he assumes I would be the same way.


Have a good day.
Renee

Renee,

Looks like you have got a great plan going with reasonable goals.
You're going to get there.:super:

I wanna know how you did at your son's party. (I probably would have done bad....LOL) Everything sounds soooo good.

Deby

Well, how did it go? Man, girl, you throw a GREAT birthday party. I will have to show up for mine/your daughter's. hahaha But you won't need to bake a cake, just have frosting. hahahaha OMG. I'm terrible.

When do you leave? Next week, right? Or is it this week???

What's up for your day today??? That excerpt you posted was really interesting. I have terrible body image when I'm not in total denial that I'm fat. Sigh. I'm an enigma.

8-|

Hey Renee! :wave:

BREATH DEEPLY.... Feels fresh in here! :spring:

Your Plan sounds great! And thanks for taking the time to share and post "the Total Body approach" I enjoyed it! :up:

Hi
The party Sunday went wonderful. Everyone had a good time and enjoyed the food. My son liked all of his presents. Monday I woke up sicker than a dog to my stomach. Very painful. Needless to say I didn't eat very much all day. I did get 20 minutes of walking in so that was a good thing. Tuesday I was feeling a little better until I ate dinner and then I was sick all over again. Unfortunately, i spent most of the night in the potty. not a good thing.

Today has been pretty good. Haven't eaten a lot. not real hungry. The heat is getting to me.

My leave starts tomorrow at noon and then I can start getting a flight out of here. Unfortunately, there are any afternoon flights scheduled. Maybe something will come out, if not I will try on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I will get out of here at some point.

torrow I'm going to start a series of challenges aimed at motivating me and restarting my weight loss.

1. No sweets for 30 days. When I accomplish this I will reward myself with some lipstick.

2. I'm going to limit myself to one diet coke a day for 30 days. My reward for this will be a new dvd or video.

3. the big one, I'm going to exercise daily for at least 29 minutes for 21 days. the reward for this one is a new outfit.

chumlette: I will throw a huge party for my daughters bday, and I will keep you in mind. I will serve at least one healthy item and of course there will be frosting. I hope to leave this week.

Debi: I did ok at the party. I could have done better but I could have done worse. I was so busy playing hostess and its was so hot that I didn't feel like eating.

Maximum: thanks for stopping by especially since you are so busy with your Mom's visit.

have a wonderful day.

Renee

Oh Arfain, I will miss you! Will you be out of touch for all three weeks???

I hope you are feeling much better before you travel, b/c I know nothing's worse than travelling by air when your are sick in the stomach. Bleck.

I think your goals (and rewards) are fantastic and reasonable. Although I don't know about the no sweets on your birthday one. For me, that would be damn near impossible. But then again, you've lived in Italy for awhile now and perhaps you are a saint! hee hee No, I'm sure you can do it if you set your mind to it...

So, you will be turning 40 in the U.S.? I will deeply enjoy the 3 months you are older than me. And I will use those 3 months to ridicule you on your old age, of course. hee hee But I suppose I have to wait until the 13th, darn it.

Pffft.

I will miss you my friend!

Hi

Chumlette my Mom has a nice computer and dsn so I wont' be out of touch. I plan to eat alots of fruits and vegetables to make up for the lack of sweets. And no I'm not a saint, yet. But most of the Italians I know arent either.
Renee:D

HI RENEE :wave:

So will the kids be going with you to Atlanta? I would assume they are, But you never know. I sure hope you find a flight soon and can be on your way..... If we dont hear from you have a wonderful,, WONDERFUL time......

Hey how long of a flight is that?

I also like your goal-n-gift Idea... ;)

Oh good, I'm glad you will be online on your vacation!!!

What?

You aren't a saint???

Are you here in the States yet??? I miss reading your posts!!!

Hi
I made it. It was a long process. First on Wednesday night I was told by the air terminal that there were no flights out on Thursday. But I took my luggage with me anyways. there was one flight out and it was to Germany. So I signed up for it. Didn't get on it. It was full. So I went home. Friday I got to the air terminal at 7am. There was one flight to Germany and none to the states. When the time came I signed up for the flight. I got it. After I checked the luggage I was told it would be 2 hours so I went and got some food for us. We were eating and they announced we were loading. Instead of 2 hours it was 15 minutes so we inhaled our burgers. We got on this cargo plane. It didn't have the real seats, they were the canvas jump seats. The plane was very noisy and we had to wear earplugs. I didn't see my son the whole flight because the flight crew came and got him. He hung out with them the whole flight, they took him up to the cockpit and gave him a patch off of his uniform. We got to Rhamstein in Germany and their was not another flight out Friday so we stayed the night at the q. No restaurants so we walked to the 7 day store and got tv dinners, fruit, skim milk and bottled water.

Got up early the next day(Saturday) and got to the terminal at 7. There had been 2 flights scheduled to go to Charleston, SC but they both were canceled. That left Dover, DE. Long drive. So I'm hanging around the terminal and around 10:00 they announced a flight to New Orleans and NJ. I rushed down there and got on the list. I asked them when I would know if I got a spot. He tells me I had it and I should check my luggage in right away. Of course, I had left it upstairs with the kids in the playroom. So I run upstairs and grab the kids and the luggage and run to checkin. Stood in line for 20 minutes. When I checked in they asked me if I wanted to order a box lunch for us. Of course I did we would have gotten hungry. It was a 10 hour flight. It was suppose to be 9 but we ran into winds. Any ways, got us checked in and bought some water for the trip. You never know if they are going to provide any snacks and drinks on the flight. Oh, on Fridays flight, there was no restroom facilities. There was a bucket behind a curtain. So I held it the whole trip. We boarded the flight at 10:45 but because it had been delayed we didn't take off until almost 12. Ok, I had not had any diet coke because they didn't sell it. All they had was coke light and let me tell you it is gross. It was cold on the plane and the kids bundled up in the blankets I had with us. The flight was long and cold. Finally, got into New Orleans, none of us knew where we were landing. Before we took off I had called my dh and asked him to get up with one of the marines and have him pick us up. While, we were waiting to be cleared by customs one of the little low ranking navy guys gave me message. He had a look of terror on his face. It was from our friend - a Marine Major. I guess he must had given the guy a ear full. Anyways, he picked us and we spent the night with him and his wife. I rented a car on Sunday morning and drove to Atlanta, it was raining the whole trip. Later found out that there was a tropical storm sitting off the coast. Got here at around 8, dropped the car off at the airport and my dad picked us up and drove us to the airport. The whole family was waiting on us. We had a good time bonding and talking.

So today I went shopping and took a very long nap. Was doing great with my challenges until the second day in the air terminal and blew it.
Tomorrow I'm going to get on the treadmill and do some weight work. Have a great day.
REnee :D

Good Morning,

Well, thanks to Tropical Storm Bill we have rain lots of it. But I'm not going to let it dampen my plans. I'm going shopping again today. I got the printer yesterday, today I'm going for clothes and books. I'm eating well, there isn't any junk food in the house. Lots of fruit. I'm getting ready to go downstairs while all the kids are out eating breakfast with my dad and do some abs and arm work. Later after shopping I'm getting on the treadmill. I got on the scale this morning and it said 149.5. Of course that is with me dressed and after I've eaten. I hope by the end of the week it will read maybe 147. That would make me very happy but 148 would work also. Have a wonderful day.
Renee:D

Hi
Went shopping, never made it to workout but got about 3o minutes of walking in. Its been pouring all day and I'm exhausted. ATe ok today. Hopefully, tomorrow I will be able to exercise. We shall see. Not much else is going on. Going to the bookstore tonight or tomorrow. Have a good night.
Renee:)

Poor Arf. All jet lagged and rained on. Life here in these United States ain't as easy as it is fer you furiners. Pffft.

har dee har har

Exercise! Books! Fruit! What more can a girl ask for???

Good Morning,
Its still raining. Woke this morning to the horrible bloated feeling of my tom. :( This morning I'm getting on the treadmill while the kids are at breakfast. Then I'm going shopping again. I'm going to Borders, and Ross, and Media Play and Best Buy. Hummmm, did I leave anything out? anyways, I'm also at some point going to fit some ab and arms work in. Taking my daughter to get her hair cut and see my neice.
My brother is coming home today and the kids are real excited, they only got to see him for a couple of hours the other day. We are planning to go to the water park at some point this weekend. And to Stone Mountain to the laser show. Next week we are taking the kids to North Carolina to my cousins farm for the day. They can pet the animals there.

On the 13th is my birthday, the big 40. It would be nice if I could start off the next decade of my life a little bit lighter. Oh well, we shall see.

Have a wonderful day.
Renee:D

Hells Bells, New American.

Did you have to bring TOM with you? Ack. Horrible. At least you weren't PMSing on the cargo plane. That could have been ugly.

What are you going to do today??? What are you going to do for the 4th? What are you going to do about world peace?

Happy 4th of July!!! What are your plans today?

How is your trip coming along? Are you stocking up on stuff to take back to Sicily with you? Are you exercising? Are you having fun? How is your eating?

Just wanting to catch up, girlfriend! Miss you!

Darn it. Can't have your journal creeping over to page 4, now can I??? Are you back yet? I'm dying to hear all about your adventures!

Hooray! You're home! AND it's almost your birthday...ha ha YOU will be 40 before meeeee!

Hi
Ate not so wonderful today but got in a lot of walking. We drove up to Chattanooga, TN. It’s was a 2-hour drive. We went to the Tennessee Aquarium. The description for the aquarium is: On the banks of the Tennessee River, in the heart of downtown lies the Tennessee Aquarium. Journey through the world’s largest freshwater aquarium on an odyssey into the natural habitats of more than 9000 creatures that swim, fly and crawl. Discover the mysterious world of Seahorses: Beyond Imagination, the aquariums newest gallery. Com see for yourself why the aquarium was names the “South’s Favorite Aquarium” by Southern Living readers. It was cool. I really enjoyed it. The kids got to touch fish, they thought it was great. I liked the seahorses – they’re so little, there were baby ones, that were tiny. There were a lot of turtles some that were bizarre looking. Some of the fish looked prehistoric. The exhibits were broken down into different rivers, lakes and types of waters. There was the Mississippi Delta complete with snakes and alligators, the Tennessee River and lakes around Tennessee. It had rivers from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Canada, Australia and the US. Fro each one it had the habitat and different species of wild life.
After we left the aquarium we went to the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater to see “Wonders of the Sea”. It was in 3 D at times it seemed as the fish were coming at you and swimming around your head. There were kids reaching out trying to catch the fish.
I never knew there was so much to do around Chattanooga. We will have to go back when we have more time.
I admit I hate horrible today. For breakfast we ate at the Waffle House. I won’t say what I had but it wasn’t low fat or healthy. For lunch we ate at a Mexican restaurant across from the aquarium. It was lousy. Everything was too salty. I had never eaten at a Mexican restaurant were the food was so salty. It was gross; I must have drunk 2 liters of water during lunch.
I went for a long walk this evening with my Mom and kids so I got a lot of exercise today. Tomorrow we are celebrating my birthday, the big 40. In the morning I’m taking the kids hiking early before it gets hot. I’m also going to Borders and buying some books to take home. We start trying to get a flight out on Wednesday. So we shall see.

Have a good day.
Renee
:D

In just TWO more hours, you will be FORTY...hahahahaha!!!! And I will still be THIRTY-NINE!!!!! hahahahaha

I love aquariums. I love seahorses.

I didn't know Chattanooga was such a hoppin' place. I'll have to put it on my list now.

Congrats on exercising, even after WAFFLE HOUSE for breakie.

Enjoy the carrot cake and homemade ice cream. I want a full report.

Happy Birthday to You!
Antiques sure aren't new.
Not that you are an old lady,
But I'm younger than you!!!

Hope you have a great day, my friend!
:bd :balloons: :tongue:arty: :cake:

Hi
Thank you Chumlette for the birthday wishes. Remember you will be 40 in a couple of months. Oh, what I got planned for you.:D
I'm trying to fly out tomorrow. I've spent the evening trying to shove everything into 2 suitcases. I didn't realize I had bought some much stuff. Its not going to fit. So what did I buy? A new printer for one thing. Its still in the box, I'll take it as luggage. We are along two pieces per person and I only have 2 pieces total, that will make 3. I got parts for the truck, (can't get them at home), books, lots of books, the bookstore at home stinks, school supplies, they were on sale, and at home they always run out. Clothes, I got clothes and shoes, and more books, and some videos and exercise bands. And games for the game boys. Buy 2 and get 1 free. And cleanser and moisturizer and conditioner for my hair. And more books. Went to the book store 4 times. I couldn't help myself. They are just for me. I got the kids lots of books, kids need to read. Its good for them.

I've been so unmotivated the last month. I keep trying to restart, I'll go strong for a few days and bomb out. Its so depressng. Anyways I got 3 books that I hope will help. They are: Perfectly Fit by Selene Yeager. Its to help me design the right plan for me. I also got The Spirited Walker by Carolyn Scott Kortge. It is about fitness walking for clarity, balance and spiritual connection. And I got The Dieter's Prayer Book by Heather Harpham Kopp. I need all the help I can get. Maybe they will help. I've felt as a part of me has been missing. I haven't been to church much since we got to Italy, I've neglected the spiritual side. It kept me grounded for years and then I let it go and I need to get it back. I don't feel balanced or whole. I've said it before, its not just about losing weight, you have to include everything to succeed. I hoping this will help, it can't hurt. I plan on starting to read these books on the plane. The first flight is around 9 -12 hours long and then the second one is 4 - 5 hours long. I don't know how long I will be sitting in the airport. It will give me something to do and think about.

Went for a walk this evening. The whole family went, my Mom, my Dad, me and the kids. It is rare to get my dad out there walking. So it was nice. Walked for 45 minutes. Got alot done today. Hopefully, all will go well tomorrow at the airport. Have a wonderful night.
Renee :D

Good Morning,
My flight has been canceled so I'm going to be in Atlanta one more day. Going to get on the treadmill in a little bit and then have to run some errands. Hope to get some ab work in at some point today and maybe some work on my arms. Have a wonderful day.
Renee:D

Renee,

You know you are so right, I have also lost touch with the lord. Maybe thats my problem. I also feel like I have no ambition. I'm sure its doesnt help being prisoner in my house day in and day out. GEEEZ I'm pathetic. COming into your journal and whining.
lets turn this around.


:tongue:arty: Happy Belated Birthday........... Hope it was good. I love going to aquariums, we took the family to Monteray In San Francisco, theyh ave a pretty awesome tank there.... Did they have any Manetees at the one you went to . Cause if you happend to see one, picture one with shoulder length hiar and thats me...... LOL :rofl:

Enjoy your last day there. I bet your folks were jazzed to be with you and the kids.

Oh my. Max is a manatee and I am a whale. This is a journal for loving mammals.

Sigh.

I hope you have a safe trip.

I didn't know you were really religious, Arf. Interesting. I think some spirituality (though, honestly, not necessarily religion, at least for me) is definitely a good thing for feeling grateful for life and living in the moment. It's really easy to let the little things get in the way of being appreciative for what you've got. I think it's lovely to feel like you are part of a bigger picture, no matter what you believe. Feeling responsible for your part to play in the health of the world. Good for you.

I am giggling at all your purchases. I knew you would buy lots of stuff while you were here. hee I hope you remembered the BBQ sauce.

:hug:

Arf, you home yet? Or are you still on a plane flying to Sicily, via Australia or something bizarre?

OK. I know you are home now. I know you have time on your hands, b/c you said that you have "nothing to do now but exercise." Pffft. And come to your DT journal.

I miss you!

Hi
I'm home. I'm fat. I gained weight. All I have to do is look at food and I gain. :tomato: I feel gross. I've already packed my lunch and snacks for tomorrow. I've got my exercise planned, my clothes set out. Now all I have to do is get up in the morning. fat chance. I'm still working but only 20 hours. I'm done by 11:30. After work, I'm going to eat a light lunch and then walk on the track, run some errands, go to the gym and workout and then go to the pool until 4 when the kids have to be picked up. At some point I need to swing by the hospital and take my test results from the cardiologist in. But I dont' feel like going. I also need to reschedule by mammagram since I was sitting in an airport in Germany when I was suppose to be at the drs. BLAH, double blah!!!.
The heat is really getting to me. We hooked up the ac in the living room. keeping the doors closed, even with it running and the fan on its still 80 degrees in here. but it is 90 in the rest of the house. Not good sleeping weather. Kinda kills the motivation. Drains you. The temperature in Germany was perfect. Around 80. Wonderful. I can handle that. My fingers are even swollen it is so hot. Drinking alot of water. Fixed a frozen mixed drink in hopes of cooling off. It didn't but it did make me not care as much. Ok, enough whining. Tomorrow I start back exercising. I'm starting my daily prayer book tomorrow, I started it but ended up having to mail all my books but one home from Germany to lower the weight of my luggage. I was limited to 30 pounds carryon and checked. mailed 4 boxes. They beat me home.

oh well, such is life. have a good day.
Renee

chumlette, yes I'm back, I am planning some day trips to keep myself busy.:D

Hi
Yes, I’m back. No, I haven’t been posting. I’ve been very busy and feeling down. It’s been hot and it is getting to me. I’ve gained weight instead of losing it and it is getting to me.

My trip home was long, it took me 7 days to get home. 2 days in Charleston and 5 days in Germany. The weather was wonderful, my hotel was great, in fact the kitchen was nicer than mine at home.

I’ve tried eating healthy since I got home but my heart hasn’t been in it. I’m ready for my job to end. I have 24 more days working. My hours went back up to 30. I was ready for the shorter hours.

I started exercising again yesterday. It is ahrd to get the motivation to exercise when it is 95 degrees inside. You get sweaty just watching tv. Not sleeping because of the heat. Its so hot the air conditioner doesn’t work. BLAH!!!!

Well, enough complaining. It could be worse. Take care and have a great day.
Renee:lift:

Gosh, Arf, it seems like a lot of us are down at the moment. Must be the summer blahs or the heat or something. I'm sorry you too are blue. It sucks.

I can't believe it took you SEVEN days to get home. My ordeal of seven hours wasn't anything by comparison, huh?

Don't you like your job anymore? Or are the hours too much for you with the kids at home? What happens when it is over? Will you look for another?

Maybe you should not "diet" per se, right now. Just try to eat healthfully and exercise. You've always been a good exerciser, much more consistent than me. Let that work to your advantage now that you are a little less motivated.

What's up with the cardiac testing? You ok???

I think if I had to sit around with no AC, I would be perpetually grumpy. Last night, it was cool out here, so I slept w/o it, just the fan. I woke up in a sweat on the couch (loud, annoying, disgusting coughing by yours truly keeps DLIP awake at night if I sleep in well-ventilated, cool, comfortable bedroom...pffft) and feel dirty and only slept a few hours. So, you KNOW I am a baby about being hot.

And if you feel like complaining, this is the place to do it, girlfriend. Not only do you have company in your whining, but we love you anyway. hee hee

And here is the rest of your company. :D

They should have BIGGEST WHINER OF THE WEEK. A "CT" (COMPLAINING TALKERS) I could head it! LOL...... Ahhhhh I love it...

Arfain, I have TOTAL faith that you will get back on roll with working out. It seems like once you get started you do well. You always do. And your desire to eat better will come with the workouts.

I too know how you feel with this heat, its been triple digits here. Psh, you would think I could at least sweat some of this weight off. Take Care my dear...... Oh and hurry up we have navels to pierce.......

Hi
I'm still here. I've just been so tired. Its that tom thing going on. yesterday I slept until 1 and today until 10. then we went to the pool today. Friday there was a horrible storm with 2 tornados. One going right down the flight line across the street from my office. yesterday there was another bad storm and all the streets are flooded. We ahve no water because the town well is low because of all the summer people. I exercised today. Worked my abs.

Chum and Max, thanks for visiting me. We will ahve to lose this weight so we can get our belly buttons pierced. My hubby would like for me to do it now. But it would get lost in the fat if I did. i will talk more tomorrow. now I'm going to bed. have to be up early torrow for work. but the good thing is I only have to work a short day.

Have a good oen.
Renee:D

Good Morning
Well, yesterday I weighed in 3 lbs lighter than last week. I didn’t get as much exercise in last week as I wanted because of stuff going on. This week should be better. I did get exercise in yesterday. I also ate very well yesterday. I’m still real tired and am not sleeping well as night. I hoping when my tom ends that will improve. I also hope my mood will improve. I’ve been moody and it is driving my husband insane. That is not a bad thing at times. Slept a lot over the weekend. Sunday we went to the pool and had a good time. I was very self conscoious of my body in a bathing suit. Especially since there were women there who were very shapely and thin. Very depressing. I’ve decided to post my measurements at the beginning of each month. Maybe that will be a better indicator of my changes. I’m also going to post what I want to accomplish each month. That way I have something to work toward. So each month I’m going to have goals. I’ve been floundering for the past 6 months. I’ve made no progress and it is getting to me. I’ve got to see some progress or I will just give up. So I figured if I had some no weight goals: inches lost, fitness type goals it would help. By meeting those, the weight will come off in time and I will feel better about myself. So here goes:

As of August 1:
Weight:----152
Bust:-------38.5
Waist:-----31.5
Abs:----------36
Thighs:---22.75
Hips:-----38.75
Buns:-----40.25
Calfs:--------14
Upper Arms:-11.75

Goals:
1. To exercise 3x a week this month
2. To get in 1500 minutes of exercise
3. To do 5 pushups.
4. Run 1 mile with out walking
5. Finish one of my online classes.

Ok, that is what I got planned for the month. So far this week I have exercised one day. I have around 72 minutes in for the month. But if I exercise I will get it in. Every day I try and do pushups. They are very sloppy looking. The kids laugh at me when I’m doing them so I try and do them when they are not around.

Well, that is about it for right now. Have a good day.

Chumlette and Maximum, as always thank you for stopping by. Chumlette, I can't remember if I answered the question on the cardio testing. I have a couple of heart problems. Been there my whole life. I know how to live with them and deal with them. They are no big deal. But I am suppose to go to the cardiologist every year and have a echo every other year. I choose to skip a couple of years. Didn't feel like dealign with the dr. I'm not having any problems so why go. anyways, the dr here wigged out and ordered me to go. So I went . No change. I know the drill. Blah, blah blah. So that is done for another year or two. Unless of course the dr wiggs again next year. We shall see.
Ok, when are we planning to get our belly buttons pierced? At what weight?

Renee

:D

Ok, I am on the measurement deal with you. I will do that today. I was in the store the other day and seen the cutest belly button ring..... It made me think of you guys. So Going to do it no matter what, Even if I never show it, I'm still going to do it. YEah reward myself with pain... LOL......

I'll have to think about what weight I will be....... I'm pondering..... I hope your mood gets better. I'm sure the weather doesnt help..... Ok I am off to do measurements... EEK.....

Hi
Well, all I can say is thank God it is Friday. Wednesday and Thursday I was in training. and let me tell you it bored be to tears. I had trouble staying awake during the training. tuesday I walked on the track at the school. it must ahve been 100 degrees out there. I lasted 22 minutes before I was covered with sweat. Wednesday I didn't get out of class until almost 4 and then had to go into the office. After work went to the grocery store, picked the kids up and went home and collapsed. It was another hot day. thursday was more of the same. Today I ahd to take my son to the doctor during the middle of the day. He has ear infections in both ears. It was so bad that he was crying. that was fun. but he did go back to daycare afterwards. They were going to see Rugrats go wild at the theater and didn't want to miss it. It was another hot day. I came home and had several drinks.
Tomorrow i will exercise before we go to the pool.
The next 2 weeks should be interesting. My hubby is going to be gone. I plan on the kids and I eating healthy, lots of exercise and time at the pool. On the 23rd and 25th there is a big festival in Motta. Its 200 years old and this year is extra special because the cathedral is open for the first time in 10 years. Also this year Americans are marching in the parades for the first time. Of course they are little girls. My daughter is going to be in it. they are wearing period costumes and are so excited. It will be the first time I've attempted to go to one of the festivals on my wn with out my hubby. Not much else is happening. I've been eating good. Planning my snacks and taking cut veggies to work iwth me.
Have a good weekend.
Renee:D

Hi
It is Saturday. I made it through another day without going crazy with the food. It could be that I have almost no junk in the house. Driving my hubby nuts. He likes his sweets. Did some lite weight lifting while waiting on everyone to finish their showers so I could do laundry. Did all of this laundry and then could finish drying it in my dryer. It ran out of gas. I have everything having on the clothes line. It will probably still be wet tomorrow. Kept busy most of the day. Went shopping, got a pair of capris in size 10. they actually looked pretty good. My ***** didn't look the size of a house. Got 2 nice tops, one in a small. Its late here and I would like to go to sleep but it seems like all of the Italians are having parties and playing loud music. You would think they would at least play the same stuff. Tomorrow we are going to the pool for the afternoon. I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to swim for a while and just chill for the rest of the time. have a great weekend.
Renee:D

Hi
made it through another weekend with out going nuts. didn't do a whole lot today. i did exercise. Drank alot of water. We didn't make it to the pool. My son is still not feeling real good. Made a german chocolate cake and didn't even eat any of it. right proud of myself. spent alot of my time working on the old computer trying to fix it so the kids could use it. No luck. I'm going to take into work and let one of the guys fix it. I don't want the kids to use my new one. found out that I should have my dsl by the end of the month. And because I am doing it this month the are not charging me a hook up fee. Saves me about 135 euro. Having dsl will save me about $200 a month. And will be alot faster than dial up also. Not much else is happening. have a busy week planned with my hubby leaving to go out of town for 2 weeks. have a good week.
Renee:D

Wow.

Size 10 is very impressive. I think your ass would look no larger than a Barbie house at the most. hee hee hee You are so funny. Were you excited about the smaller size?

Are you still feeling a little blue? You must not be, if you left that German Chocolate Cake alone. Although, I must admit, I would have no problem leaving that frosting alone. I'm am picky about my frosting. hahaha

Btw, tell your DH he can eat his sweets at the office. Pffft.

Just checking in on you my dear.....

Size 10 WOWZA........ I have a Plethera of size 10 jeans in my closet......

Hey Arf, If you don't mind will you PM me your Address, I have something for you........

Hi
sorry its been so long. I didn't realize I haven't posted. This week has been so busy. I've done real good this week. I've eaten good and gotten some exercise. Wednesday I even exercised before work. It is real hot again today. Its Assumption Day for the Italians. A big holiday. I think they are all at the beach. I went to the pool for a while this afternoon. It felt good just to lay there and not worry about anything. I'm going to take the kids tomorrow. We are playing bunco tomorrow night. My hubby is in the states and its just me and the kids. It felt good to be able to get into a 10. Yes, chumlette I'm feeling better. Hard to believe that I pasted up the cake. Everyone said it was good. It looked good. I'm holding off for something special. Just don't know what it will be. Im going to exercise later tonight. Right now the kids are watching tv. I'm getting ready to fix dinner.

Maximum, I will pm my address.

chumlette, my back side is still a large tub of lard.

Take care.
Renee:D

Hi
Wow I'm posting twice in one day. MOst be bored or lonely with hubby gone. Was a good day. dod alot better with my eating now that I'm worrying about it as much. Drank lots of water, it is very hot here. I exercised tonight.

8 min abs
8 min arms
8 min legs
8 min buns
8 min stretching.

Feeling pretty good about myself right now. Tomorrow I'm going to exercise first thing in the morning before it gets too hot. The kids and I are going to the pool on base most of the afternoon. We have bunco tomorrow night. I thought we would go down and walk on the tracka and then go to the pool . We would stay there until it was time to get ready, we can take showers at the gym. should be fun. Sunday we will probably go to the pool again. Its too hot to do a whole lot. I've got to do some house work at some point. I worked on the kitchen after dinner. Even mopped and waxed the floor. I guess tomorrow I will finish up. Have a good weekend
renee
:D

Hi
Good God it is hot tonight. It must be 98 degrees in the house. And no wind tonight. Aide from the heat it was a good day. I did 88 minutes of exercise today. 58 of interval training and 30 minutes of walking. I spent 2 hours at the pool. dont' count that because what little swimming I didn was very slow and relaxed. Mostly just laid around and relax. Ate wonderful today. Drank tons of water. I will probably spend most of the night in the potty. Just wanted to stop by and saay hi before going to bed. I;m having trouble keeping my eyes open. Have a great day.
Renee:D

Hi
Another hot day. Spent the afternoon at the pool. I actually swam some. Not much and it was a leisure swim, nothing hard. Ok, I wear a 2 piece to the pool. Today I dive in the 9 ft end and my top comes down. Leaving me exposed to the world. Lucky for me, I was facing down and very deep. No one saw my boobs. I would hate to scare anyone with these droopy things. Before we went I exercised. I’m going to try and exercise everyday this week. See how it goes and how I feel. Other than my boobs flopping out it has been a good day. I ate good and drank lots of water. Don’t want to get dehydrated or anything like that. Had a good dinner. Got upset while cooking dinner. My microwave quit working. I try not to use my stove much to keep the heat down. You know, 95 degrees instead of 105 degrees. But it wouldn’t work. It comes on but doesn’t heat up. I guess I’m going to have to call housing. My ac doesn’t work. The fan they issued us doesn’t work, the medicine cabinet they gave us feel apart and now the microwave. Not to mention the washing machine sometimes in the middle of the wash will just stop. After a couple of hours it usually comes back on but it is a pain.
This weekend has gone by fast. Tomorrow is Monday and I have meetings scheduled most of the day. I’m not very excited. I would rather stay at home and be hot than sit in the office hot. But after work I’m going to the gym and then the pool.
One of these days I’m going to take a picture of my belly button. And post it. Then we can see how far I come with it. And when I loss 10 or 15 pounds I’ll post when I get my belly button pierced. Have a good week.
Renee:D

Hi
Made it through another day. My weight is up today but I think it is bloat. My feet are swollen and I could barely get my shoes on. It is about 90 degrees in the house. Tomorrow is suppose to be hotter. Oh well. Fall will be here before you know it and then it will be cooler. We have been in Sicily almost a year now. Do I like any better? It depends on the day and time. Sometimes I don’t mind it but other times I hate it. We may go to Spain next. I would like Germany or Japan but will be happy with Spain. My spanish is a lot better than my Italian. And it will be more useful for the kids to know spanish.

I worked out today for 82 minutes. I did step aerobics, weight training and stretching. I do believe I’m on a roll with exercise. Not if the inches and weight will come of. Even if it doesn’t I’m feeling better now I’m exercising again. I know I feel better when I exercise but I seem to forget it at times. Its like duh!, move that big, fat body and you will feel better. So anyways I’m exercising. I’m not only sweating from the heat but from exercise. That should count for something.

I’m eating good. Its like I’m exercising, I don’t feel like eating way too much junk. I have my moments, just not as often. I’ve drank a lot of water today. I was thirsty all day. Must be the heat.

I think if I keep the exercise up I will show a weight lost. I know I will show a loss in inches. I just have to be patient. Patience, the magic word. The one thing I’m not.

Have a wonderful day.
Renee:ex:

Hi
Made it through another day. I didn't kill anyone, I didn't hit anyone, didn't even curse anyone out. I did think about it a couple of times. It was one of those days, it was one of the hottest days yet and everyone was short tempered and legathic. Trying to get anything done was next to impossible. but I did exercise.
30 minutes boot camp
18 minutes stretching
48 minutes weight training

86 minutes total. I've exercised for 5 days straight. I'm right proud of myself. Tomorrow I'm going to try and walk for 1 hour. It depends on how hot it is. I got a nice comment today. I was up in the office I use to work at and one of the guys asked me if I had been working out. Said he could tell, and I was looking good. Made me feel great.

Still eatign good, its too hot to eat much so I'm eating alot of fruit and cold veggies. Drinking large amounts of water. Spending large amounts of time in the potty because of the water. Looking forward to the weekend. There is a big festival in town. My daughter is in the parade. Got her costume yesterday. the girls are so excited. Its the first time in the parades 200 year history that Americans have been invited to participate. The parade is 3 hours long. I will be walking the along side the parade route so I can keep up with the group. so that is 3 hours of walking on Saturday. Great exercise, a good portion of it is uphill.

Well, that is about it for today. have a great week.
Renee:D

I do believe YOU ARE on a roll with exercise. Very impressive. I'm sorry I've not been around much lately, but I've been a WILD-EYED LUNATIC. Oh well. Can't be helped, I guess.

I just wanted to stop in and tell you THANKS for all your support and friendship this past year or so. (Has it been even longer than that? Ack!)

OMG. I just read the entry about your "boobs flopping out." hahahahahahahahah Guess you haven't been to any of the nude beaches yet in Italy. If you'd see some of those 80 year old ladies going topless, you wouldn't feel so bad. hahaha

Have a good day, my friend.

WOW... What how nice a compliment coming from a man.... Thats great. Whats Boot Camp?

Make sure and take some pictures on a Saturday, and post them for us. How neat will that be. I havent gotten to sending you mail yet but hopefully I'll do that by this weekend.

I think I am going to measure myself every Monday, just to see how long it takes to lose a inch, and where I lose it quicker. I am also going to buy some of those disposable cameras and Have mY daughter take 1 picture a week in the same out fit. A outfit that is ridiculously small on me right now.. LOL.......... Should be fun.

Take care hope its cooler Saturday for you....

Hi
Still hot here. This weekend it is suppose to be cooler - 93 degrees. Wednesday I did step aerobics again and worked my arms and abs. Are real good, it was too hot to really eat. I fell asleep at 9 but woke up and midnight and 2am. the locals are really partying it up right now.
Yesterday I didn't eat wonderful. Burger King for lunch and dinner at the theater. I took the kids to see Pirates of the Caribbean. Funny movie. After work I went to the gym and did 30 minutes on the cross trainer. Worked up a big sweat. Afterwards, I put on my swim suit and walked out to the pool and swan for a while to cool off.

That is the highlites of my life. Last night I fell asleep around 9:30 only to be woken up at 4 by the phone. My hubby forgot I had to work today and called to say hi.

Chumlette and Maximum, thanks for stopping by.

Chumlette, no I haven't been to a topless beach. But from what the kids tell me, the Italians take it off at the family beaches also. The kids know because they saw their first topless woman at the family beach with daycare. I haven't been to the beach. Maybe labor day. And my boobs having out was not pretty.

Maximum, I'm going to take lots of pictures and I will post them. It should be a culture experienc. I was taking my picture monthly with the digital but quit. I need to start back.

Take care.

Renee:D

Well lets see those monthly pics woman.

I would think it would be shocking to a child to see some womans Chee chees hanging for the world to see, if they were not raised around it. I think mine would hurt to hang if not restrained. You know after having babies mine look like socks with rocks.

Does't it fell good to sweat?

So what did you have at Burger King? Does there soda taste differant there? Or was that on base?

Hi
Friday I didn't exercise. I fell asleep putting my socks on. I know that is weak. I was tire and couldn't keep my eyes open anyways. My brilliant husband called me at 4am to tell about the steak dinner he had just had. Of course, I never really got back to sleep. I ate ok yesterday. for dinner I made texmex turkey. It was good, my daughter didn't like it but my son did. I told her before dinner she wouldn't like it but it was too bad because it was supper. I know I'm mean. But I get tire of her complaining about meals. It doesn't matter what I fix there is something she doesn't like.
Oh, well.

Max, maybe one day I will post the pictures but not the ones in the swim suit. They are gross. I will have to find something else to wear. It was shocking for the kids to see the woman but I think they were curious also. I have to have mine restrained also. It is very uncomfortable for them to be loose. I think they are floppy but my hubby tells me he has seen much worse.

It does feel good to sweat. At bk I had a whopper jr and small onion rings. The fountain drinks do taste very different. My kids will only drink the can stuff. diet coke only comes in cans. The bk is on base but it is run by Italians. Out in town they don't have dt coke only coke lite. It is gross, disgusting. I would rather go without than drink it.

that is about it for now. I will post a picture of two later. Definitely, one after tonights festival.

Have a good day.
Renee:lift:

Wow, September 1 already and I am nowhere near meeting my goal. Why? Because I eat like crap and do not exercise like I should. I will go through stages were I exercise real good and then I quit. I’m just plan lazy at times. Right now I’m at the highest weight in a year. That is depressing. I need to find what works for me right now. What worked before isn’t working anymore.
I’ve made some goals for September - nothing grand or exciting. At the beginning of each month I’m going to sit down and look back at what worked that month and what didn’t, at where I’ve been and where I’m going. The last few months I’ve stepped back from diettalk because of lack of time. Its time to come back to diettalk. I need the support and motivation I receive here. I don’t get it from my family except my Mom. I don’t receive it from my friends who although they talk about losing weight continue to eat unhealthy and don’t exercise. So I’m back. My goals for the month like I said are simple:
1. Lose 4 lbs
2. Exercise a minimum of three times a week for a minium of 30 minutes.
3. Drink 2 liters of water a day.
4. Cut back to 3 diet cokes a day.

Something else I need to work on is my self confidence. Saturday we went to Fontana Bianca - Fontana Beach. I was embarrassed to take off my cover up. No confidence in myself. Everywhere was European women who were comfortable with themselves, confident no matter their shape or size. Not all of them where in great shape, but a lot where thin and shapely. We are talking hugely pregnant women in throng bikinis. Grandma’s with jell-O boobs. Fat men in speedos. I really need to work on my self confidence.

The beach was great. Beautiful, the kind of beach in movies. I jumped off of high rocks into crystal clear water. Scared me silly but I did it.

Attached is the promised picture of my daughter in her costume for the festival.

Have a wonderful month.
Renee

Hi

Tuesday wasn’t a bad day. It was hot during the day but cooled off so it was good sleeping weather. I will not lie and say I ate well yesterday because I didn’t. It was the first day of school and I was stressed over it. But it went well. The kids got good teachers. It should be a good year.

Exercise – I got a whopping 22 minutes in. I did work my abs. They are my trouble spot and need some help.

I’ve started back on my online classes. I’m taking one called Committing to Self. It’s basically about you have to take care of yourself before you can properly take care of someone else or do a good job. It talks about the mechanics of proper eating and exercise, leisure time – down time is a must. I am learning a lot. One of the things that stuck me as interesting is: Sugar, caffeine and alcohol are substances that can be classified stimulants, depressants or refined chemicals, but no matter what you call them, they have a profound effect on your health. When you look at it that way it gives extra reasons to cut back on sugar and caffeine. They are addictive; maybe that is why I’m having such a hard time giving them up. Perhaps if I look at them as a dangerous drug I will have an easier time of it.

Something else that stuck me was: The most important factor in effective exercise is being consistent. It doesn’t say you have to exercise for long amounts of time but just do it consistently. If all you can manage is 15 minutes daily then do it. I think I have this attitude if I can’t do at least 30 minutes a day I’m wasting my time. 15 minutes won’t help me lose a bunch of weight but it will get my body moving and that is what is important.

The class has given me things to think about and consider. I’m going to do some more tonight maybe tomorrow I’ll have something else to think about.

Have a wonderful day. It is Wednesday, hump day.

Renee
:D

HEy Girl. Sorry I am laxadazil in mailing you.... Sheez I tell you. Hey I love that you sharing what you are learning. I like info like that! I wonder when this heat will let up. Probably will be a butt freezin winter. Take care chicklette....

Here's to a healthy rest of the week!:lift:

Hi
It is Friday. And I have nothing planned for the weekend. Maybe we will go up to Etna hiking. We haven’t been up since the eruption. It would interesting to see the new lava streams and such. It is calling for cooler temperatures and I think the water will be too cold to swim.

I’ve done better this week with my eating. I’ve done a little planning, making sure I’ve packed a snack for the morning and one for the afternoon. I’m still eating my favorite foods just in moderation. I’m working on drinking my water; I just haven’t felt like it. But I am doing better. Got to do better with my exercise. Yesterday I just got 18 minutes in. Not good. This morning I was going to do 10 minutes before I got ready for work but my hubby overslept and I had to take the kids to the bus. Threw me late. I’ve started added it back into my lifestyle. Things I use to do but got away from. Like parking my car at one spot on base and walking everywhere. The construction makes it hard but I’m getting better. In a way it’s easier than trying to detour around closed streets and finding a parking spot. I’m using the stairs again. Tuesday I walked up 5 flights of stairs 3 times.

Something I’m doing is right because I’m down 1 pound. I’ve decided to move my weigh ins to Fridays. So today I officially weighed in at 154 lbs.

Something else I learned in class – Ultimately, fitness is not an activity that is separate from the rest of your life; its part of who you are, how you act, and what you believe. To achieve your goals in life you must be empowered. You must believe that you can reach the targets you set for yourself. Part of being able to do this is giving yourself health and well being that allows you to feel good about yourself, so that you can focus on what you have chosen to do.

I think we are all guilty of not believing in ourselves at times. I know that is my biggest problem. I have no self-confidence. I don’t really believe that I will lose the weight. That is something I am working on.

The class also talked about 3 approaches to fitness
1. Empowerment through fitness
2. Breaking a sweat
3. Slow but steady

The most time was spent on empowerment. The benefits of empowerment are:
1. A fit healthier body
2. Great stress coping ability
3. Sound sleep
4. Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke
5. Increased energy
6. Better performance at work and sports
7. Improved flexibility
8. Lengthened life span
9. Improved self esteem
10. Greater self-confidence

It went on to say a by-product of all of this is weight loss if needed. That it didn’t take much, just start exercising. Just some things to think about.

Well, that is all for now. Have a good day.

Maximum, thank you for stopping by. I'm glad you enjoy my postings on what I'm learning. I'm almost finished with this class and trying to decide what to take next. The one on Self Confidence or the one on Setting and Meeting your Goals. They both sound like something I could use. Did you see the picture of my daughter. If you go back a couple posts you will see the link.
Enjoy your weekend. YOU ARE DOING WONDERFUL!!!

Renee

Oh what a georgeous costume so bright and vivid, But does the brightness come from the costume or the litte cutie inside it. How cute is she? and her big smile! I bet that was really neat to watch. Everytime my kids are in anything I get a knot in my throat. And I think to myself YOUR SO DUMB... lol....

Renee... Again I have to thank you so much for your posts on what you have learned. I hung on every word, I even printed it out to read over and over. It really does hit home.

You know I think you should just rip them there clothes off of you. Be Freee........! Let the Sun shine!

You know I'm sure the heat doesnt help with wanting to be physically active. But remember YOU LOVE TO WORKOUT....! You DO!

Hi Maximum
thanks for stopping by. I'll admit I'm right proud of my daughter, she is a cutie. The festival was soemthing to see the costume where unbelievable. I'm the same way about my kids.

I'm glad you enjoy the post. Next week I'll post some more information.

the heat has let up some at least for a couople of days. It was cold last night - in the 60's. great sleeping weather. I do like exercising but havent had much time. Next week will be better. I've wrote it in on my schedule and will do it. Have a good weekend.
Renee:D

:coach: HUP 2 3 4 or is it HUB 2 3 4... EITHER WAY LETS SEE THOSE MINUTES My esentric (sp?) PAL.........

You don't want me catchin up with ya now do ya.......
:o

Yes, I know. I've been evilly absent. But I'm back. (I think.)

I must ask. WHERE HAS YOUR HUSBAND "SEEN WORSE?" Is he a mammography technician? A Playboy photographer? A military brassiere specialist?

8-|

I think it is good that you are renewing your efforts. I'm trying that too...

Missed you!

Hi
Made it through the weekend without gaining any weight. Not a whole lot of exercise besides housework. Lots of that. I’ve eaten real well yesterday and today. I planned my lunch and my snacks so I haven’t had the urge to go to the snack machine and get junk. I was hungry at one point but I was too busy to walk across the street to the air terminal for a snack. Yesterday I got 40 minutes of exercise. 16 minutes of walking(I walked to the post office and the library from the exchange), 8 minutes of abs, 8 minutes of arms and 8 minutes of stretching.

I tried 2 new fruits this weekend. Two I would never had tried it I had stayed in the States. One was the prickly pear, it is the fruit off of a cactus. I didn’t know they had fruit. I have tons of them in the yard. The other is a fig. The only fig I had ever had was in a fig newton. Silly me was expecting it to taste like that. Not only was it not brown it didn’t taste like them. But it was good, sweet.

Something I learned in class “people who expend 1500 calories a week on vigorous exercise have a 25% lower death rate. Those who expended 2500 calories a week had significantly longer lives Another reason to exercise.

More tidbits:

Mindset. Accept yourself as a valuable, beautiful person. Talk to friends, doctors and other health professionals to identify how you can improve your health and appearance.

Food. Lose those "bad" tags for food. Seek out healthy foods that will satisfy you, and be sure to keep track of what works by writing down everything you eat.

Exercise. Find an exercise you enjoy and you will more likely stick with it. Vary what you do: skip, swim, garden, vacuum, walk the dog - it all counts as exercise and helps you toward your goal.


It all comes down to loving yourself, eat healthy not restrictive and to exercise. What a tall order.

Maximum, I’m slowly working on my exercise. I’ve got it figured out that to meet my weight goal for the week I have to lose 1.66 pounds a week. That is 5810 calories. That is 830 calories a day. If I split it between cutting calories in my diet and increasing my exercise it shouldn’t be too bad. Cutting my diet really shouldn’t be that hard, all I need to do is cut out the sweets. Ok that is hard. Halloween candy is calling my name, candy corn and caramels. Vision of them dance through my head. If I just do the exercise it is doable. We shall see. You are ahead of me in exercise minutes but I will catch up so watch out.

Chumlette, long time. I don’t think I will go topless. My daughter at this point thinks its pretty gross right now(she is 10) . And very modest. She is proud of her shape or lack of one. We have had a long talk about it. She is very thin, hasn’t started developing yet. That was bothering her for a while until we talked about it. I pointed out that she was in great shape and healthy. That the doctor was very healthy with her weight and that the girls who already had boobs were a little bigger than her(fat wise). She is now ok with it. She knows that being healthy and active is good, she understands healthy eating. Next week she starts back to dance lessons - ballet and jazz. Dance has given her a healthy respect for her body. Because she knows what she can do when she takes care of herself. And Chumlette, there were some very very very large boobs on that beach. Take care and welcome back. And Chumlette, my hubby saw worse on his ex wife.

Have a good day.
Renee

WHOOKAY,, you are not eating only 800 calories a day are you???:( MMMM Nope. I am agaisnt this. X-( DID YOU HEAR ME!!!

I feel you breathing down my neck.........:eyes:

Hi
It is Thursday, September 11. I started my morning at a memorial service in remembence of September 11, 2001 attack. It was a solemn affair as to be expected. Thinking back to that day still has the power to move me to tears. The tears are for more than one reason. The memory of all that died is still strong, men, women and children who did nothing wrong but were in the wrong place. Guilty only by nationality and then they weren’t all Americans. The hatred I feel for the terrorist is still there, it has not grown less. Perphaps I should feel some guilt over the hatred but I don’t. I cry for the lives wasted on that day, especially for the children on the planes and for the ones who lost family. I cry because I am wasting my life by eating wrong, not exercising. September 11, 2001 brought home the fact that you don’t know what is going to happen and you should live life to the fullest.

But I still waste my life by not doing that. I continue with my bad habits and fear of failure and embarrassement over my weight. I don’t do things because I’m embarrassed to, afraid that I might fail or be laughed at. I’m going to continue my weight loss journal but I’m also going to start doing things. Going on the trips, the hikes. Buy the clothes I want, do the things I’ve dreamed of doing but was going to wait until I lost weight. I’ve got to start doing them now. There might not be a tomorrow. Hopefully, there won’t be another terrorist attack but you can drop dead from a stroke or heart attack without warning. You can get hit by a car crossing the street. Or in my case, Mt. Etna might decide to erupt again, causing a massive earthquake. You just don’t know.

Oh course, I still need lots of motivation and support. I can’t go on this journal without help from my friends. One of the things I plan on using is tracking my mileage – walking, running, cycling and on the cross training. I’m going to apply this to my TREK ACROSS EUROPE. Of course, I won’t be going anywhere but I’m going to track it on a map and spreadsheet. Maybe one of these days I will make it to some of my destinations. My start point will be Pedera, Sicily, Italy. My destination is Ramstein Air Base in Germany. I picked Ramstein because I have been there and loved the base. It is very pretty and the shopping was wonderful. I hope to visit there in the spring with the whole family. On my way there I will be going through Messina, Italy, Naples, Rome, Florence, and Milan, Italy. And then it is on to Bern, Switzerland. From there I will travel to Munich, Germany, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and finish up in Ramstein. It is a total of 1819 miles. It is going to take me a while. But it will be interesting. Along the way I will tell you about the towns I’m going through. Make it a little more interesting. Some fo the places I’ve been too as a child, some I’m planning to go to before we rotate out of Italy.

We shall see how far I get this year. All this movement should help me shed some pounds.

Maximum, this will be my chance to catch up with you in minutes of exercise. I keep my calories well above 800. I tried 800 years ago. I think I lasted one day. It is way to low for me and not healthy at all. And yes I feel you breathing down my neck.

That is all I have for today. I’m going to the gym today if only for 20 minutes. I get off work at 2, it takes me 15 minutes to get to the gym. I have a dance meeting at 3:30 and then another meeting at 4:15.

Take care and have a wonderful day.

Renee
:D

Hi

It is Friday, Friday. I didn't think it would ever get here. It was a long, gusy week. I didn't think it would ever end. Work was a real ***** this week. I'm so glad I only have just over 2 weeks left. I never liked politics and in thi job there is alot of it.

On my journey, yesterday I walked 1.5 miles and today I walked 1.5 miles. Today a good bit of it was up the stairs. I was out of breathe when I got to the top.

So I am 3 miles closer to my 1st goal. Next week promises to be a better week for eating and exercise. At least that is what I am planning on.

Tomorrow I'm going to the fall flea market, if weather is warm we are going to the pool. then tomorrow night we are going to the high school football game. It is really feeling like fall here. We are having to use blankets at night. the weather is so strange. I leave the house in the morning and it is cold, I get to the base and it is hot. I get home in the evening and it is cold. There is a 20 degree difference between the house and the base. I'm going to end up sick. I'm trying to remember to take my vitamins but I keep forgetting.

Wll, it is about my bedtime. And I am tire. Take care and have a good wekend.

Renee :D

Hi
It was a good weekend. Ate ok. Got a little exercise in. Saturday I walked all over the base. Its just easier to park the car and walk everywhere. Went swimming and froze my chichi's off. Went to a high school foot ball game and had a blast. Going to do it again next week. There are only 3 home games so we will go to all of them. Today I cleaned house, made a cake for a friend and went shopping. That about covers my weekend.

Renee

Funny how overweight you feel at 155, and yet I cant wait to get to 155. I like your idea of walking. It will be fun watching you do it. Remember you LOVE to workout. You do!

I know how you feel about reflecting on ourselves. I had watched a Show on Christopher Reeves, and how badly he wants for his legs to move, and here I am well and able, and wsting time. NOT ANYMORE..... LETS GET MOVING MY FRIEND

:wn :wn
:x

Hi
It’s time for a new journal. Please join me at my new one – Life goes on.

Maximum and Chumlette, thank you for your continuing support. I couldn’t do it without you.

Maximum, I’m short and small boned. 155 pounds is a lot on me. It makes me ache.

I will try and post an updated picture of myself in my new journal sometime this week.

Take care,
Renee

:D