Actually wrote this yesterday, but decided to go ahead and start a journal since I need all the help I can get.:D


Monday! Monday, I'll start on Monday. I thought that was last Monday? I thought that was weeks ago Monday? Wasn't it a few years ago Monday? I actually think I start over again just about every Monday. Sometimes I'm serious and sometimes I'm really not. I'm getting to the point that I even doubt myself now.

"Oh really? You are going on a diet? How long will this one last? A day? A week? Certainly not more than a month.... Isn't 6 weeks or so your max? Do you even know what it feels like to lose 30 pounds?"

Hmmm.... 30 at one time? I know I've lost hundreds and hundreds of pounds. I lose 20 then gain them back, lose another 20 and gain them back...etc. Literally hundreds.

Time to get serious (again). It's really hard for me to even take myself serious so I really can't expect anyone else to.

All I can do is say - - I'll try. I promise I'll try. I will never give up trying... I will probably, literally die trying, but I'm thinking that's better than not trying at all.

Well things are going well. It's been two days and I'm still hanging in there. I picked up my Son from daycamp yesterday and asked him if he wanted to take a walk. His daycamp is close to some nice walking paths (a few I've never even been on before). He's only 7 - so I wasn't sure how far he'd want to go. We'll walk as far as you want and then come back I told him. I figured we'd go down the trail a bit and then turn around and head out. He surprised me. I surprised myself. We took a trail 1.5 miles long and walked the entire thing. It was such a pleasant walk - just strolling along talking with my Son about different things. I think we both enjoyed it. He mentioned that he wished the path was paved because next time he'd like to bring his bike - and he asked me if we could go walking every day when I pick him up! Well, that was a heck of a start to an "active" lifestyle I'm trying to work up to. So today when I picked him up I had his bike in the back of the SUV. We headed over to a part of the trails that had cement sidewalks and a marked one mile route. He had a blast riding back and forth in front of me and around me as I walked the mile. Yay! Good for me! LOL

Then tonight I was on veggie duty. I stocked up on good healthy food this weekend, but my problem is I buy all this stuff and then let it rot in the fridge - it's too much of a hassle during my busy mornings to prep anything. So tonight I did veggie duty. I prepped cucumbers, carrots, celery and broccoli - I washed lettuce, spinach, cilantro and basil. I simmered a nice pot of veggie soup - throwing a bit of this and that in the pot as I chopped, cleaned and prepped. I boiled some nice whole wheat rotini and made a bowl of low-fat broccoli/pasta salad. My fridge is now stocked with nice fresh "ready to eat" meals and munchies.

I've drank all my water that last few days and stayed perfectly on plan. I got a little exercise in and I have a food plan for the week. I'm on my way!

Wow ... exercising with your son AND eating healthy foods! You go girl!!! What a great start.

You have a wonderful plan there my dear. Just think how much closer those walks will make you and your son. Plus the vegetables are wonderful for you, and now they are all prepped and ready to eat. Good for you.

You can do it, I know you can.

Have a wonderful day.

Ohhhh Sunny...as I am reading your day two update I am actually sitting here beaming with pride and nodding my head at you! I am so happy that you accomplished that, that you took that walk TWO DAYS in a row and that you prepped all those veggies.

We sound so so so very much alike. I could be writting the words in your journal. I look forward to doing this journey together Sunny. We've popped in and out of each others journal over the year...lets stay IN and be each others backbone!!

HUGS
Shan

Congrats! Sounds like you're off to a great start. It sounds like you've got the determination to do it this time and stick with it - especially with such a good exercise buddy as your son. :)

Hey Sunny,

Glad you started a journal now we can cheer you on.

Those trails sound really nice, and you even get choices, wow. That is great that your son likes to go on them with you. Keep up the good work.

Congrats on the new journal and the new start! Just wanted to say hi sunny I'm suny! Nice to meet you. Wish you much success. You can do it.:D

Wow! Thank you Eball, Wendy, Shan, Alice, Nancy and Suny!! You guys are incredible! Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. How can I fail with a team like you cheering me on! I hope I can be just as much of a cheerleader for all of you!

Wendy - yup having the veggies all prepped and ready really does make it easy to use them rather than have them rot. Tonite I spent some time doing the same for fruit and melons...washing, cutting and chopping....ready to go!

Shan - We are very much alike and I'd love to be your backbone and to have your help as well. I've failed so many times.... I need people to help keep me strong when I'm feeling weak. Thanks for the offer! :D

Eball, Nancy & Alice - yup my little buddy rocks! He's very patient with me and will ride circles around me if he's on his bike - but he keeps me moving that's for sure. "Mom push me on the swing - come on - it's good exercise!!"8-| Today, However, he was on a field trip and got home late sooooooooo guess what? I went by myself! Yup, went and walked the mile trail on my own listening to my ipod. Checking out the birds and squirrels and enjoying myself. So mark me down for 3 in a row! Wahoo!

Suny - nice to meet you too! Nice name! Thanks for stopping by.

Today was another good day - I was able to stay on plan so I'm proud of myself for that. I know it's a drop in the bucket - but you have start filling your bucket somewhere. Thank you all for helping me stay strong! :o

Congrats on the drop in the bucket before long your bucket will be over flowing with big results!

HUGE congratulations on getting out there and walking even without your little buddy. Sometimes that is even better, give you some time to yourself. I enjoy those times.

Keep up the great work and have a great day.

WOOHOO Now thats an accomplishment! Awesome Job Sunny...one day will lead to another and another. You must be smiling ear to ear!!!!

hugs
shan

Another good day. Yay me! I did well on food today, I probably could have drank more water. I was so dang busy at work today that I never seemed to sip! But I'm still trying to work some in before I head to bed.

Note to self: When you buy that wonderful Ezekial 4:9 sprouted grain bread with no preservatives - put it in the freezer. Geez, I forget how soon things go bad without preservatives! I was in the mood for something a bit sweet this morning so I had decided on a piece of toast with a bit of peanut butter and sugar-free jam. I reached into the bag for a slice of bread and the piece I pulled out was COVERED in mold....so soon???? Sheesh, I only went shopping a few days ago....ummm...well Sunday I guess. So 3/4 of the loaf went into the trash.X-( Well I ended up having two pieces of wasa rye crackers with the PB & J instead. It did the trick! :laugh: I love that 4:9 bread though and will still buy it again - - guess it will go straight from the shopping bag to the freezer!

This evening I fixed a little smoothie - a bit of Lite OJ, skim milk, a few icecubes, a couple strawberries and 1/2 banana. Little Sonny watched me with great interest as I poured it into my glass. "You want to try it?" - "No way!" - "Not even a little taste? It has strawberries in it!" (Sonny loves strawberries!) So he came over and took a sip....."mmmmm that is good! Can you pour me a whole cup of it?" I was thrilled because although he'll usually try anything once - he'll usually stop at just a taste. So I split my smoothie - which is probably a good thing - I probably didn't need all of it anyway, but I think Sonny ended up with more than mommy did! 8-|
DH came into the kitchen and I asked him if he wanted a sip. He took one sip and said "Mmm - - it's good, but it needs some sugar!" What???? Well at least I didn't have to split my treat again! :D

Sonny and I went to the park with the mile trail again this afternoon and I got my walk in while he rode circles around me.

All in all a good day and I'll take them as they come...always wondering how long it will be before I blow it again....failure always seems to be one meal away...but for now I'm riding the wave of success while I can!:laugh:

Ride that wave Sunny....keep telling yourself that you will NOT fail and see what happens. I too, always wait for the time to come when I blow it...ive decided to stop waiting for it and just enjoy that it isnt here yet!!

Sounds like you had a great night!! Have a fantastic weekend :)

Shan

If you expect yourself to go back to unhealthy eating, you will. Just keep telling yourself, I will not go back, I will not go back. I can do this, and you will. I know it is hard, but it is doable also. And I know you can do it.

By the way, that smoothie actually sounds pretty good. although I don't like OJ, so not sure about that.

Have a great day today.

Monday! Monday, I'll start on Monday. I thought that was last Monday? I thought that was weeks ago Monday? Wasn't it a few years ago Monday? I actually think I start over again just about every Monday. Sometimes I'm serious and sometimes I'm really not. I'm getting to the point that I even doubt myself now.

"Oh really? You are going on a diet? How long will this one last? A day? A week? Certainly not more than a month.... Isn't 6 weeks or so your max? Do you even know what it feels like to lose 30 pounds?"

Hmmm.... 30 at one time? I know I've lost hundreds and hundreds of pounds. I lose 20 then gain them back, lose another 20 and gain them back...etc. Literally hundreds.

Time to get serious (again). It's really hard for me to even take myself serious so I really can't expect anyone else to.

All I can do is say - - I'll try. I promise I'll try. I will never give up trying... I will probably, literally die trying, but I'm thinking that's better than not trying at all.

I just loved your first post. Are you a writer? or comedian? You are very funny and wrote what I would be will to bet most people who have weight issues could relate. I am so glad you have a new journal. I can't wait to read more!

Sheri

Hi Everyone!
Oh I understand what you are saying Shan and Wendy. I know your both right, but Wendy you've seen me bouncing in and out over the past few years. I can tell myself I'm going to do it right this time as much as I want. I can say I won't fail, I can say I won't go back to eating wrong, I can say I'm going to really do it this time - - but in the end I have a hard time believing it in my heart. OF COURSE I want to lose this weight, but I don't TRUST myself to follow through. I've let myself down so many times in the past. I mean, heck, if my friend constantly let me down, made promise after promise that things would change and then let me down again and again...it's really hard to believe them the next time they ask you to give them a chance. So you are cautious and guarded and maybe you make them prove theirselves first. Prove they are serious - prove that they will do what they said... So I can't really ask any less of myself. It's HARD to believe in myself. It's HARD to trust that maybe this week is the start of something great....maybe this week will turn into next week and next week will soon lead to a month or two. Will I last that long? Will I still be doing well 6 weeks from now (that seems to be my "good eating" limit)? Will this really be the time I succeed and REALLY make it happen? Will I really go all the way? I honestly can't answer that.... because I honestly don't know and it's still too early to really trust that side of me that says "I can do this!!"

So for now I'm taking it day by day...rejoicing in each successful day and hoping like crazy that I'll make it through the next one. One day at a time.

The scary part now? It's the weekend - - reckless, wild, unplanned and free...unstructured weekends have always been a big stumbling block for me....I'm really going to try my best and I guess at this point that is about all I can ask of myself.

Sheri - You are too funny. I'm not a writer or a comedian - - just trying to be as honest as I can about where I am and how I got here. I'm sure you are right though - I'm probably not the only "Monday Do-Over" person on the boards, but it sure helps to hear from others who can relate. Thanks for stopping by my new journal!

Today was good for me too - nice way to round out the week. I didn't walk right after work, ran around and did some errands. Probably going to do a lot of walking tomorrow, but still felt a bit guilty for skipping today. Then as we passed by the trails DH says "you want to jump out here and do your walk?" - - - Hmmmm....I guess I could - then I wouldn't feel so bad about missing a day ALREADY! He had something else to do, so he and Sonny dumped me off and I did my walking today afterall! That made me feel pretty good. And of course I'll probably still get a ton of walking in tomorrow - I'll have to wear my pedometer though since it won't be a marked course but zoo/wild animal park walking! So exercise won't be a problem it's all that junk food I'll have to watch out for!

Yeah for getting in that walk great job! :D

Half the weekend if gone and so far so good! We went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park today and my pedometer showed about 3.5 miles. Seems like much more than that though, but I guess that's because there are lots hills on the path - lots of up and down walking.... I didn't eat any junk food either - it was hot so drinking water was no problem at all! So now I HAVE to do good tomorrow so I can round out my week with a perfect 7! Then it's time for week 2 to begin! One step at a time, one meal at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time.........

Seems so easy....:laugh: (yeah right)

Congrats on the walking and no junk food! That's amazing. Keep at it.

Great job on getting your walk in. Glad your hubby is supportive of you, it helps. I feel like you do, its baby steps, take one meal at a time, one day at a time and so on and you will be fine. I know its easier said than done but where theres a will theres a way. Your doing wonderful.

Thx Suny and Angel for your support this weekend. I'm proud to say I've done well. Went for a walk this afternoon (1 1/2 miles) by myself - just listening to my ipod and taking in the view around me. Stopping to pick up other people's trash and stuff..why do people do that any way??? You have a nice meadow, beautiful trees, birds and butterflies and people just toss their junk off the side of the path.....dang that's a pet peeze of mine!

But I had a good day food-wise. That makes SEVEN perfect food days - not a BITE of any junk food or refined sugar snacks. Three perfectly healthy meals each and every day. Everything that passed through these lips was HEALTHY! Not only that, but SEVEN perfect days of activity too! I walked at least 1 mile every day this past week! I drank my water each day too! So needless to say I'm thrilled with my week! I'm thrilled with my start and I'm hoping I can try and develop some habits.

Soooo...I've decided not to weigh in tomorrow. I don't want to know - - well I do, but I don't. I don't want it to be all about the numbers this time. I don't want my moods and my week to be tied to the numbers on the scale - - for now. So I'm going to work on habits...eating 3 good healthy meals each day, drinking 6-8 glasses of water each day and getting some activity into my days. I'm going to do this for the first month at least and then maybe I'll weigh in. I think a month will give me a good start to some new habits. What do they say about habits? It takes like 21 days to form a new habit? I want new habits. I want healthy habits to develop. When I'm constantly watching that number bounce up and down - - my emotions get the best of me. I get frustrated when I've had a good week and the loss isn't as much as I had hoped for, I get frustrated when I work hard and the numbers don't show it.... I sabotage myself.....so it's really better not knowing. For now... Not that I wouldn't want to know....it's been a great week and I've been severely tempted to step on the scale. My eyes are constantly drawn to it and I'm constantly THINKING I should just check...so I picked the scale up a few days ago and stuck it in the closet of our spare room. So much for that. I plan to leave the dang thing there for another 3 weeks and just continue happily on my way.

So as much as I hate that starting weight number - I guess I'm going to have to live with it in my stats for awhile. I have more important things to think about. Now where is that bottle of water anyway??

great job on 7 days of perfect eating and exercising!
Keep it up!
hugs bell :)

Sunny, you are doing wonderful on your new healthy living plan!! I don't blame you for not wanting to get on the scale. I too am one who did not get on the scale because it can be upsetting to me. I have just recently decided to track calories and to get on the scale once every week or two. After reading a little about calories and lbs, it appears that at long as I stay within a certain calorie range, I WILL lose weight. :shrug: So far so good. You just do what works for you. You know yourself better than anyone else.

I have heard that the San Diego Zoo is just beautiful! I would love to see it one day!

Sheri

Congrats on 7 perfect days! You are making life style changes and that is the key to this crazy weight game. You are doing just wonderful!

Wow!!! Seven excellent days!!! Good for you!!!

7 days is great!!! I'm so proud of you!

Thanks Bell, Sheri, Suny, Nancy and Alice! You guys are so supportive!

Well, I missed my first walk last night - - we had so much that needed to get done, we were running errands until after dark and I didn't want to go to the trails after dark...they aren't lighted. So I skipped it.

I can't wait to get my treadmill fixed then I won't have an excuse like that. The dang thing is still under warranty - I just need to make the call and sit on hold for awhile and arrange for someone to come out. Anyway, I still haven't strayed from my food plan and that is going really well. I don't feel too bad about missing one day of walking because I plan to get right back to it this afternoon. I'm not going to let one missed day lead to another one. I need to keep this booty moving!

I had such good success last week, I basically did the same thing this week. Bought all my nice fruits and veggies and prepped them all in advance. I made a big pot of veggie soup (super thick and chunky, but all veggie) and prepped veggies to throw in a stir fry. I have everything "handy" now and convenient. That made a world of difference last week when I was rushed and needed to throw something together real quick. For now - - whatever works!!

:cheer: What an amazing week you've had...no, let me correct that...what an amazing week you've given yourself and created for youself!!!

The first entry sounds so much like me, and I'm sure alot of others, it is so nice to see that someone else feels the same way. Even though we all know that others feel like us, still makes a differance to read/talk about it doesn't it! lol

You are doing such a great job and setting such a great example for you boy! Way to go preparing the veggies/fruit so there are no excuses!

Enjoy your walk today!!

Hi Mikey! Thanks for stopping by. I'm proud to say another Monday went by and I didn't even have to start over! :o

I did get right back to walking after I missed, in fact - I pushed myself to do 2 miles to make up for the one I missed the day before!:D

The fourth was nice - we hosted a BBQ here at the house and had some friends over to eat, swim and do fireworks. I did a great job, no chips, no dips, no cheesecake (one of my favs!) I did enjoy a BBQ hotdog and a scoop of beans though which is not on my "normal" food plan - but it was a holiday and I knew I'd get right back on plan this morning. So I guess you could say my "perfect" streak has ended, but I don't feel bad about that at all (even though I'm usually an all or nothing perfectionist type of person). Obviously, that didn't work for me in the past - - the attitude of "Well, since I've already blown it today with these BBQ beans, I might as well eat the chips, dip and cheesecake too - which means I've blown my perfect streak of days - so I might as well stay off plan for the rest of the week and start again on MONDAY!" :laugh::laugh: Yup, that's me - that's the me I'm trying hard to change.

So I had my beans and didn't cave into going ahead with all the other junk I could have added to totally blow the entire day.....So for me that feels like a win! I was a success yesterday! I beat the holiday and have not given myself any reason to have to start over on MONDAY! :D

Today, I was totally back on plan foodwise and very proud of myself. I also went over and walked 1.5 miles on my own again today when it cooled down.

I'm really hoping these "habits" I'm trying to develop will stick!

What a a great job! Getting back with a plan is hard.. I know. I think you are doing terrific. Holidays are always hard because everything seems to be centered around FOOD! Ugh. I liked your idea of having the veggies already cut up for the stir fry and ready to go. Good plan.

I am so incredibly proud of you. Stopping at just the beans is a huge accomplishment. I have that all or nothing mentality and I know how incredibly hard it is to change. You did absolutely wonderfully. I think you can still credit yourself with a great day. Maybe not perfect, but who needs perfect?

Have a fantastic weekend.

Hello! Great job with the food. I used to in the past be the same way. If i cheated then i cheated the whole day because i felt i already blew it but now if i slip i just pick myself up and keep going the right way. You should be proud of yourself, its a major step forward.

Hey sunny,

Good work!!! And I think you made great choices at the BBQ. Beans are much healthier than chips etc. They are a good source of fibre and protein. So, I wouln't even say your broke your streak, lol.

Keep up the good work.

Thanks Eball, Wendy and Angel for your encouragement.

I'm getting antsy about the scale again. I'm thinking it will be two weeks on Monday and I really am curious about what that d#mn scale says! But I keep trying to tell myself that this isn't only about the weight. WHO CARES what the the d#mn scale says. I've had lots of success already. I've had so many great days, I'm still very full of motivation, my attitude is still positive, I haven't had any really tough days (knock on wood) yet, I've been really great about walking (I think I've walked 10 days out of the last 12), I've been great about drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water a day and have rarely treated myself with a diet soda during the past few weeks. Oh and I can already tell my pants are getting looser around the waist (no, I'm not imagining it!)

Success can be measured in so many different ways. I have been successful. I've had almost two very successful weeks. What difference would knowing the actual pounds lost make? Why is that d#mn scale calling to me from the guest room closet..."use me" -- "check me"- - "see how you've done" :lil:

So what's the big deal really? Why not just get the d#mn thing out and do a quick check? :-/

Fear... I'm afraid I'll be disappointed with whatever the number shows. What would I be happy with? It's only been two weeks...what if I'm down "one pound" would that me enough? No. Two pounds, three? Maybe four? How much of a loss would I need to see in order to deem these last two weeks a success? I'm not sure, but what if it's not enough. Then I'm feeling like a failure again - - despite all the success I've had in the other areas....I fail myself again :down:

So I THINK about weighing myself all the time, but I'm afraid to actually do it. I like feeling successful. I like feeling like I might really be able to move forward this time. I like measuring success in all these other different ways. I'm not ready for failure yet.... So for now, the scale stays in the closet and I'll have to just "wonder" what it may reveal to me someday. Will I be ready in two more weeks? That was my plan, but now I'm not so sure... :sigh:

Hi Sunnygal
Have been reading your journal and I think your doing great, you have really good ideas and to include your family is another great thing, it means you get special time with your son, I expect that he will appreciate these times when hes older.
I think that not getting on the scale is a brilliant idea, you will know weather you have lost weight or not through the tightness of clothes and the way you feel about your body, its often better that way, I find it is stressfull when you weigh yourself, you go through the motions of have I or havent I lost weight? it makes you feel bad about yourself and that isnt what dieting is all about, its about making changes to your life and sticking to them, and if you stray it doesnt matter you just get back to it again the next day. Its all about will power and the wanting to do it, and I think your doing really good and i have faith that you will stay on track.
Well done, and best of luck
Elecrazy :)

Hi Sunny! what a wonderful job you are doing. Don't worry about the scale! You will know when it is good for you to get on the scale. I just put mine back in the closet because I was getting on it several times a day. Way to go on the 4th! You should be so proud of your accomplishments.

Sheri

Hi Sunny maybe you need to try and measure yourself so that when the scales don't move as much as you like you'll still see your progress. I do that and it really helps also I keep one outfit that I can't fit into yet but can get into it a bit and then try it on every couple of weeks to see how much better it fits. Some times the scales don't reflect the work I've done but it sure helps to be fitting into a smaller size. Just a thought I am sure you probaly have already had just hate to see you beat yourself up over the scale. You can and will reach your goals! Hang in there.

Elecrazy - thanks for stopping by and thanks so much for your encouragement!

Sheri - That's what I've done previous go-rounds! :( Weigh myself everytime I made a trip into the bathroom. I can't do that this time....

Suny, Well - I didn't measure ALL OVER myself but I did take a waist and belly measurement :o I figure I can maybe see some difference that way too - - later on, I haven't taken another measurement yet though....waiting a bit more to try that too, but I agree - that is another way to measure success without relying on the scale numbers. I definately can't wait to fit into a smaller size. :)

My weekend went well. Walked both yesterday and today. Today I took my "aggressive" mutt on the trails with me. I feel bad sometimes that I go for walks and my poor old doggie sits at home. I know he would LOVE to go with me. The problem is - he is a pound mutt, cute as all get out - but can't stand other dogs and gets pretty loud and aggressive around them. So passing people walking on the trails with other dogs can be tricky - I'm so hesitant to do it, but I figure if I don't get him out there and around other dogs more often, he will never learn how to behave. So no ipod today - - just me and "Buddy". He as SOOO excited to see the leash come out. He barked like crazy as the first few dogs pass - he lunged a few times, but I gave a few hard yanks on the choke chain I had slipped on him before we left. Thank goodness there weren't too many dogs on the path we chose - - but still enough to give me a work-out holding him back and I always get so embarrassed and feel like I have to explain to people. "He doesn't care for other dogs much, but we are working with him to teach him some manners - we adopted him from the pound" Most people are okay, but I think some get a little annoyed by his behavior. But I get annoyed with people who don't have leashes on their dogs - - because they will come running right up to us and then I have to try and keep control! I must say that by the time we were on our way back to the house Buddy was wiped out (he's not use to long walks either!) Two big Afgans (unleashed) came running up to him and he stopped, and they sniffed, he growled....they backed away. He didn't bark, he didn't lunge....so I guess that was improvement. So maybe I'll vary my routine a bit - sometimes with the kid, sometimes with the mutt and sometimes with the ipod! :laugh:

I used to hate going to the grocery store - now I don't seem to mind it quite so much, I ALMOST look forward to picking things out for my week. I went to the store today - selected all my new produce and whole grains for the week. Prepped all the veggies and fruits right when I got home. Made a big pot of veggie soup.... I think preparation has been a huge factor in my success these past few weeks. I like having things ready and available. I mean, if I'm hungry and I open the fridge and find a bowl filled with peeled baby carrots, crunchy clean celery and some crunchy radishes....it makes it nice. If you open the fridge and find a bag of carrots and a head of lettuce....I'm not so apt to take the time to prep them at that specific moment in time... even with fruit....if I open the fridge to a bowl of cut up melon pieces - I'm more likely to grab a few of those than if I open the fridge and find a big huge melon sitting in there. Prepping them right away has helped me waste less too - - cause I don't have to toss a lot of unprepped veggies away when they turn to mushy bags of water in my fridge. So far anyway....... :laugh:

Eating this weekend was great and I'm proud to be saying that I'm starting week number three tomorrow (not starting over ). Actually continuing on creating new habits. Yay!

Hi Sunnygal, I think its a great idea that you are preparing your veggies and putting them in the fridge, it does make life much easier and saves you alot of time, I think I may have to start doing that. I tend not to eat veggies much, although i eat lots of salad so I guess you do count that as veggies. Its all to do witht eh time factor and weather when you open the fridge door id you can be bothered to prepare a salad etc.
I use to have a dog who didnt like other dogs, but I never stopped taking her out with me cos it just wouldn't of been fair. I find that other people are quite rude if your dog is not as well behaved as there's and they get snotty about it, they dont have a right to be that way and you dont have to make excuses for your dog to other people, cos your dog is just being protective of you and that's a honrable trait to have in a dog.
I hope you have a great week :)

I hear you on not wanting to step on the scale out of fear. I wish I had the strength to hide the scale and not step on it for 2 weeks. I think you are doing great no matter what the scale says. We all know that the nasty scales lie anyways.

Have a great day.

You are doing great!!! Love the way you are prepping your food asap...good for you! bet dh is more likely to grab that healthy stuff that is already fixed too! Great idea on the scale..I need to do that. Would make me feel much better I think.

Keep up the great work!!!

Elecrazy - I just get so burned out on salads and I like such a variety that in order to have all the different veggies I'd like and all the different variations of salad - it would cost a fortune! There is no way I can eat the same kind of salad every day, so I'm hesitant to buy too many types of lettuce or spinach. But prepping other types of veggies seems to work great. I only buy what I think I'll eat and I buy whatever I'm in the mood for this week. There is such a nice variety of veggies out there - - I'm having a lot of fun and like I said, I think I enjoy going to the market more now that I ever did before. It's exciting to try new things each week! LOL
You are right about the dog - I know he is being protective, but he also needs to be disciplined. It's okay to bark and warn - -but the key is, he should STOP when I command him to stop and to quiet. I shouldn't have to pull and yank on his collar and repeated tell him to "Hush"....it gets me so aggravated! LOL

Wendy - Yes, the scale does lie! LOL I'm glad I'm not the only one with scale-phobia. I just feel I need to conscentrate more on developing some good habits for right now without the stress of the scale numbers. Once these habits are in place - then I'll pull the scale out and start using it as a tool to check progress - but for now - the d#mn thing can stay in the closet! :laugh:

Mikey - You are actually right about DH. He does seem to eat more of the prepped stuff. Well, he avoids the soups and stir frys or whatever I fix for my lunches - but he doesn't hesitate to pack cut up veggies, or melon in his lunches now. I never really thought about the impact on the rest of my family. I even pack my son's lunches different now. He loves certain fresh fruits and veggies and I used to always put the little cans of fruit or applesauce in his lunch. Now, he gets fresh cut melon, fresh peaches (cut w/no fuzzy peeling) or cherry tomatoes (which he was thrilled with the first time he found that in his lunch box!) He's a skinny little kid and while he doesn't need to lose any weight - eating a little healthier never hurt anyone right? Thanks for helping me take a look at that and see the impact my current good eating habits are having on the rest of the family. The past few weeks have really been "all about ME!" :laugh:

I've been having a great week #3. Walked both evenings. Yesterday, I about ran out of time. I told DH I would walk as quickly as I could. Left the dog and the kid home this time and turned some kickin' music on my ipod and took off. My fat little legs were pumping like crazy. Not even 1/4 of the way through - I'm dying....my calves are aching, my feet are aching....I turn the music up and keep on cranking. I'm thinking "Am I doing more harm than good? Should I continue on at this pace through the pain?" Well I did - - and by the halfway point the aches in my calves relaxed a bit and the feet started to feel a little better. On the way back, I slowed only slightly....and got home in record time. I really surprised myself (and I think the rest of my family when I fell through the door :laugh:) I was dripping wet - sweating like a pig, half dizzy and smiling with success!

Okay, so I don't plan to do that again right away tonight - - but I know I CAN do it. I know what I'm able to do. I had one of those "Biggest Loser" moments when they are pushed beyond what they ever thought was possible - and they survive and they can't believe they accomplished what they did. I was thrilled.... yup over something so small and stupid as pushing myself to what I thought was my limit -- and then beyond!

Sunny, Doesn't it feel good to sweat though!! I have found that I love it and really feel like I accomplished something!. You are doing awesome! What an inspiration!

My brothers dog is also a pound puppy. I think she was just scared when she would bark, not only at other dogs, but at men. I lived with my brother a couple of summers ago and started walking her for him every morning. I started bringing dog treats with me and when I saw she was getting focused on a person or dog, I would say, "no bark" and would immediately reward her with a treat. As we passed the person or dog, I would again say "no bark" and reward her again before she would even have a chance to get a bark out. After a few weeks, I would reward her after passing a person or dog without barking and then down to occasionally rewarding her after passing. She is much more social now. I think the reward just got her mind off of her being afraid. It became a positive for her to see another dog or person.

Enjoy your walks and keep sweating! :sweat:

Sheri

Great job on the walking and learning what works for you when shopping and preparing the foods. I like to fix everything when I get home from the store as well. I also empty boxes of grains, healthy cereals and dried legumes into tall glass storage containers that fit into my pantry. Makes it look better than a bunch of boxes too. I learned that for me I like being able to see all 20 varieties of legumes or grains. Good work girl keep it up.

GREAT JOB on that walk, you rock girl!!!

Hi Sheri - took the dog again the other night. Luckily only passed 2 dogs....still no better...maybe someday. :o

Suny & Wendy - Thanks so much for your encouragement!

Well, I've been reading a lot on "dieting" and "eating healthy" and a lot of sources seem to recommend taking a multi-vitamin, other sources say a Omega-3 fish oil caplet is a healthy thing to add to your day.

Well, I've tried.....it didn't go so well. I bought some Omega-3's and a women's one-a-day. I took them about a week ago with my breakfast. I'm sitting at the table halfway through my bran flakes and all of a sudden...I can't hold it down anymore! I as SO terribly nauseated and just felt everything coming back up again. :-& After ridding myself of everything I'd eaten including the vitamins...I felt fine (glad I'm not coming down with something). So, I gave it a rest....

This morning - I decided to try again. Took the pills during breakfast and halfway through my bowl of oatmeal....down the hall and into the bathroom again. So now I'm pretty sure it's the vitamins... they make me soooo nauseated.

How important are they? Do any of you take them? When? Do they make you sick? I just can't do it....I've been eating lots of veggies, fruits, lean proteins and whole grains... hopefully I'm getting enough nutrients through my newly improved diet because taking supplements is for the birds! :tongue:

Hi Sunny, I am sorry to hear about your vitamin issue. :( I take one-a-day maximum and have no problems. I have a friend though who has problems taking pills (any pills) and takes Centrum chewables. She said she fills like a kid who takes flintstones. :) It sounds like you are doing an awesome job on diet and exercise! :cheer:

Sheri

Doing well - I can't believe the 4th of July was more than a week ago already. That was the day of my last "indiscretion". Since then I've stuck to my food plan perfectly and I've walked 1.75 miles every single evening. My heel started hurting a bit so DH and I stopped at a Payless to look into some new tennies... Yes, I usually buy all my shoes at payless. I know they don't last, but then I don't feel bad about buying another pair within a month or two and throwing the old ones out. This time though- I just couldn't find anything that looked like a nice comfortable walking shoe, something that could cushion my heel a bit. Then I remembered there was a "real" athletic shoe store just two doors down. So we wandered over to take a look. Geez, I never knew brand name tennies could be so expensive! Heck, no wonder I always go to Payless! But I did find a really nice pair of Reebok's on sale - - specially made for walking with a nice thick cushiony heal. They were about $50 on sale and I think that's the most I've EVER paid for a pair of shoes! But I justified it to DH as being my walking reward....Heck it's been close to 3 weeks now and I've walked all but 2 of those evenings and I have no plan to stop anytime soon! So I think the "good" shoes were a "good" investment. DH made me promise to ONLY wear them when I go walking - - not allowed to wear them anywhere else. LOL That's fine by me - I guess maybe they will last longer that way. I must say - they feel GOOD - I can't believe what a difference they make in my stride, they are so soft and comfortable, like walking on air! They really absorb the impact on my heel. NOW I know why people spend a bit more money on the expensive shoes. :laugh:

On another note: a few months ago I had a business meeting in Chicago and had nothing to wear. I was busting out of every pair of slacks and jeans I had. Actually my jeans couldn't even be snapped. I HAD to go shopping. I hated going up a size :( but I was happy to get some new slacks, a pair of black jeans and a pair of blue jeans....oh and a few new tops! Well, recently my jeans have been sagging a bit and I'm always hitching them up. Now don't get me wrong - it's only been 2 1/2 weeks, it's not like they are falling around my ankles, but they are definately slipping a bit. So on a lark I went to the closet and pulled out my old jeans....They weren't so tight that zipping them up caused all my fat to roll out over the top of them. I was actually able to zip and snap them and they fit NICE! I tried another pair and....same thing! I'm so thrilled to have some of my former wardrobe back. It makes me wonder again just how much I've lost - but at this point I'm determined to stick it out until after week 4 is complete. I'm determined to work on HABITS right now and not worry about the numbers. Not that I'm not curious... but not as curious as I used to be. I KNOW I'm losing.... and right now, that's all I need to know.

Oh Sunny, that is fantastic. Smaller jeans are always a great feeling. Especially if it means that you now have more wearable clothes. I am so proud of you.

As for shoes, I buy most of our shoes at Walmart. We used to buy them all at Payless, but we haven't been able to find anything nice there in a while, so we usually end up at Walmart or Kmart. I have spent $50 on a pair of tennis shoes, maybe once in my life, and I actually like my $20 walmart shoes better, but I have very hard to fit feet since they are very wide. I haven't tried athletic stores in a long time though.

Have a wonderful day.

Hmmm...what's today?? Monday? Did you say Monday? Wait a minute..... I'm still here? This is the beginning of week number FOUR and I'm still here???!?! I'm still going strong. I'm still committed to my new healthy eating and exercise plan. I'm still committed to teaching myself GOOD habits and trying my best to reverse the bad ones.... Four weeks isn't so much you say. Four weeks isn't really that great. Yes, of course you are right. I will REALLY celebrate when I get to week seven....I don' t think I've ever really given my all to a plan for more than six weeks at a time - so if I'm still here for week seven....will that mean I'm really in it for the long haul this time? I have no idea.... I really don't. All I know is that today begins week number four.....and here I am.

don't You Dare Say 4 Weeks Isn't Much!! 4 Weeks Is Great! That Is A Month Of Healthy Eating And Exercise And Takes Alot Of Hard You! You Give Yourself The Credit You Deserve Young Lady!! You Are Doing Great!!!

I second what Mikey said. Don't you dare say only 4 weeks, that is 4 weeks of hard fought work on your part. You need to celebrate that.

You are doing great hon. Have a great day.

remember some of us would give alot to have 4 good weeks under our belt!! Don't sell yourself short. I realize that 6 is when you have stoped in the past so understand what you are saying about week 7, but you still need to give yourself credit for the 4weeks you have won!!!

Thanks Mikey and Wendy...

Mikey, I can't believe how often you do those 2 mile WATP programs. You are amazing!

Last night, it was dark before I got home. My son had a ballgame - I was going to walk around the park, but I would rather watch his game! LOL So I felt bad when I got home about missing my walk. I decided to check out the Exercise Channel on our "On-Demand" TV. They had Leslie's one mile walk. I asked my son if he wanted to do the program with me and he thought it sounded like a great idea. (DH was in the other room watching a ballgame on TV). So I told him since it was only a one mile program and I usually walk closer to two miles that maybe we would do it twice!

Okay, I have to say that Leslie's walking and my walking are not the same. Although, I do tend to walk pretty quickly when I'm outside and I do work up a sweat - it's much different doing it her way. I mean, outside I'm not doing kicks, or leg lifts, or moving my arms up and down over my head (I'd look pretty funny going down the trail moving like a rockette). So by the time she said 1/2 mile was over I was already dripping. When we were 3/4 of the way through it, I told my son that I changed my mind and that I definately wouldn't be able to do this thing twice in a row - - at least not now! So we finished it up. I felt good that even though it was dark and the trails were closed I didn't use that as an excuse not to get some activity in. My son loved it - he said we should do it every day. He wanted to do it in every morning. I told him, we don't have time in the mornings, our mornings are busy enough! So he says, "Well we should get up earlier and do this each day." Ummm.....no... I refuse to get up earlier just to exercise - I'm not a morning person and I sleep in as long as possible which is why we are always so dang rushed in the morning. But I was glad he liked it and now I know that I have my little exercise buddy that will not only walk with me, but also do the videos. Of course he was jumping up and down, adding extra steps, doing the lifts even way after she said you didn't have to anymore....he has so much more energy than I do! He leaves me in the dust and of course doesn't even break a sweat. I'm sure he would have had no problem doing the program over a second time....or a third....or a fourth....:laugh:

Good for you!!! You should be so proud of youself for still getting in exercise!

I love those taps b/c it I feel like I got a good workout but I'm not mentally exhausted from trying to keep up w/ fancy dance steps, plus they are still low impact and you can work as hard as you want..so days I'm not doing so well, I might not sit down in the sidesteps as much but I know I still got a good workout. That on-demand tv sounds cool!

btw, I think you made the right decision in watching ds's ball game. I have not missed one of my son's games or wrestling tournaments and I refuse too. They only have so many years of those and then they are gone so I'm gonna attend all of them that I can and be as involved as I can.

I have just boughten Leslie's book and was reading some of the moves she has you do and I totally agree, I would look awfully funny doing those things while walking outside. But my neighbor and I discussed it last night, and we just might do her walks when we can't walk outside. Now I wonder if the 1 mile will be plenty even though we usually walk 2 miles. I guess I will find out when I do the 1 mile DVD that came with the book.

As for the games, you should definitely watch. I watch almost all of my daughter's games, I only miss them for important things, and only then if I absolutely can't help it.

Have a wonderful day.

Sunny, you are doing so good. I too have some of Leslie's tapes. I did them a couple of years ago and really liked them. Reading your post motivated me to get in my cabinet and locate them. It would be a good thing to mix up my workout. I am so proud of how well you are doing. 4 weeks is a big accomplishment!!:1stprize:

Gosh I'm FAT! I'm having a FAT day. I know these days happen.... You know, those days where you just FEEL like a whale. I sat down in my chair after work and happened to catch my reflection in the glass of the stereo cabinet across from me....FAT... YOU ARE FAT. You have no neck! A big huge blob in an armchair. I was totally disgusted with myself.

I KNOW I've been doing a great job. I've been going strong for almost 4 weeks. I've been eating great and walking alot....but sometimes I feel like it's not enough. I've been watching that show on TV with Shaq and the overweight kids....and heck they sure push those kids. They push those kids to work out much harder than I work out. We all know that the people on Biggest Loser work out like crazy. They work out hard! I feel maybe I'm not doing enough. I'm not working hard enough - I'm not pushing myself enough. I went out tonight and walked 3 miles...to push myself a little beyond what I've been doing so far and it didn't seem to help. I still wasn't even happy with the three. I'm afraid that when I weigh in on Monday I'll be disappointed. I'm afraid that I'm going to fail again like I've failed so many times before. I'm afraid that whatever the scale says - - - it's not going to be enough. I can't MAKE this weight fall off fast enough. I'm sooo tired of being fat.....

Really, I don't know what will make me happy on Monday.... but today I feel like it's all for nothing...it's going to be such a drop in the bucket and is basically meaningless at this point. I'm just soooooo very discouraged.

I suppose though in order to lose 100 pounds - you have to start with the first 5 or 6... I suppose I'll never reach 170 if I don't first strive to hit 270. I suppose I'll never finish this race if I don't take the first few steps.

Today though the road before me seems so long.....so very long.....

Mikey, I'm hanging onto your words today. Little did you know that as you said them to yourself, I was latching onto them and hanging on for dear life...I know that if I give up again and stop what I'm doing - I'll be even more depressed, so I need to press on and as you say Mikey "and as long as I continue to work on eating and continue w/ my exercise I'll be healthier and happier!!"

Today I guess my name is "Not so Sunny"

Okay young lady...I so understand where you are coming from!! Trust me! I've been there and will be there again. We get so proud of ourselves for how hard we are working and then we see a glimpse of ourselves and it's like "wooo that's me" and get discouraged. But DON'T DO THAT!!! You are doing great!!! As much as we dislike the fact it is true that it will only come off sloooooowly (muc slower than it came on if you ask me! lol). You have been my insperation to hide my scale and just concentrate on my exercise, my eating and how I feel.

Remember you were just telling us how much better your clothes are feeling!!

You are doing great no matter what the scale says. I say if the thought of the stepping on the scale is bothing you, then don't do it! There realy isnt any reason to step on it is there? You know you are doing good so why give that evil monster the chance ot upset you?

In fact, why don' you and I make a deal not to step on the scale until the 1st of september???

I would love to say more but I am already running late for work and I have to still get ready and grab some breakfast (that's my trigger point, if I don't eat before leaving here I'll clean out the candy section of the gas station across the street! :o)

:hug:

Sunny, we have all been there. Don't let it discourage you. You are doing so wonderfully, and I know you can keep it up. I know it comes off slowly, I really really do know how slowly it comes off. But it does come off, and it will continue to come off as long as you work at it. Don't give up. You are doing so great.

And I agree with Mikey, if the thought of getting on the scale bothers you, don't do it. I think you should make that deal with Mikey, stay off the scale for a while.

HUGE HUGS dear, you are doing incredible.

:D Hey Sunny we are all here to help! :D

Please don't give up! Please just stick with it.
Here's the best advice which I am sure you already know...

you didn't gain all the weight overnight so it won't come off overnight either.

It is a process of change and you are changing and making great efforts.

Just use this frustration with yourself to motivate you to really workout and
eat healthier. Use this moment as the moment you turn around and succeed
just for YOU. Why? Because YOU deserve to succeed and be happy with YOUrself.

Don't use this moment of disappointment to go back and fall off the wagon. Here grab our hands and hold on. We can do this together one step one pound at a time.

We are all here for you!

Keep on going for yourself and give yourself the life you want.

Thanks Mikey,Wendy and Suny, you guys are awesome...

Don't worry, I'm not even close to giving up. Even as frustrated and depressed as I was, I never strayed from plan. I really do want this to work and I'm so grateful for your support.

Well, I tried to analyze my feelings about this a bit. Trying to see why I'm so discouraged. I know I'm doing good....I feel like I'm doing all the right things and you are right Mikey, my clothes are fitting better (or maybe I'm fitting into them better!LOL) So what's the problem?

I don't think it's a fear or an anxiety about the scale itself or weighing in... I think my problem is actually the opposite, it's because I haven't allowed myself to weigh in. Although I don't think weighing in 2 or 3 times a day is a good thing...even once a day is too often - but I need some feedback!! I need the proof in those numbers on the scale...I need that evidence as proof that I'm on the right track. Without KNOWING exactly what is going on, it makes me fear the worst.... It's hard for me to put into words exactly. But I realized that the only way to relieve the stress and anxiety I was feeling was to go ahead and get the proof.....

So, I'm sorry Mikey - I can't take you up on the deal to not weigh in until Sept 1. I dug the scale out of closet this morning to put an end to all this "what will it say" stress I've been having. I needed to see what was actually happening and I didn't want to "wonder" about it for the next three days..... So not only will I not make it to Sept 1, I didn't even make it 4 weeks.... I made it 3 weeks and 4 days....:laugh:

But I'm happy again and at ease again. I feel better about how my healthy eating and increased activity plans have been working. I've gotten my confidence and motivation back......

I'm not going to count this mornings weigh-in as my "official" weigh in. I'm still going to wait until Monday to record anything. Anyway, so far, I've gotten rid of 11 (that's eleven) extra pounds! Now, I realize that I may gain a pound back before Monday or even lose another one, but at least for now I've put my mind at ease.

And now I can move forward.....

So happy for you and the 11 pounds gone!
You are doing wonderful! Keep it up!

Glad to hear that you weren't even close to giving up, that's the way I read it and I was worried bout you!

11lbs :beam: is awesome!!! woohooo!!!!! way to go!!!

So now that you've stepped on the scale did you hide it again? Wanna go from monday until september 1st w/ me?

Thanks guys! I can't wait to "officially" record it on Monday! :secret:

So now that you've stepped on the scale did you hide it again? Wanna go from monday until september 1st w/ me?

Your kidding right??:O I nearly give myself an anxiety attack over 4 weeks and you're asking me to go 6 ??:crazy:

I seriously don't think I can do that. However, I'm not going to keep the scale out. I don't want to be jumping on it every morning, or every time I go into the bathroom. :o I don't want to see those day to day fluctuations.....so I'm going to stick with dragging it out each Monday. A once a week weigh in should be okay for me - I need to know what's happening, I just don't need to know it every few hours! :laugh:

11 lbs!!!! that is wonderful! You have no reason to be discouraged! You should be very proud of your accomplishment! :flower:

11 pounds is awesome. I am scale obsessed as well. it helps keep me focused but sometimes its a bad thing because if i dont like what it says i get depressed. I dont count my official weigh in till fridays, only once a week it counts. Hang in there.

Just checking in on you to see how things are going
for you. So proud of you for the 11 pounds gone!
Remember they are gone for good!
Keep on keeping on.

I have finally recorded my loss. I'm so very proud of myself. Over the weekend I watched myself drop a few more pounds....I weighed several times Fri, Sat & Sun...I'm so obsessive! But it was nice to see the daily change. As of this morning I'm down 15 pounds! After I weighed a few times this morning (just to make sure you know) I picked the dang thing up and threw it back in the guest room closet. There is no reason to get on it everytime I go into the bathroom to take a pee! So that's it for me stepping on the scale this week.... :laugh:

Sunny - THAT IS FANTABULOUS!!!! I am so proud of you. 15 pounds is phenomenal!!!

Keep it up girl, have a great day.

:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:

CONGRATS

CONGRATS

CONGRATS

Congratulations on the weight loss, that's totally awesome.

:) Katherine

Thanks for the kudos everyone. I'm very happy with this past month! :)

I missed a few days walking this week due to Coyotes. Lately, I've seen Coyotes along the trails I use....I'm talking less then 20 feet or so away. They usually just stop what they are doing and watch me pass by. I, then, keep looking over my shoulder to make sure I'm not being followed and they are happily digging for gophers or groundhogs in the grass..... So although they don't bother me, they still kindof freak me out. The last time I walked by some there was another lady quite a ways behind me. She saw them and literally started running away and waving her arms and yelling at me. (I had my ipod on and didn't know what she was saying) So I take out the earphones and say "What?" and she yells from across the meadow "Aren't you afraid of them?" and I glanced at them (in between us now basically since I had already passed them) and yelled "No!" and then she shrugged and said "Well maybe they won't bite YOU!" and then turned and ran away. What the heck is that supposed to mean? Have they bitten someone else? I haven't heard any reports like that... Am I just being stupid and not using my head when I pass by them? I'm on a path and they are in the meadow that the path runs along side of. They don't growl or move towards me....they just watch and then get back to business when I pass - - but still, maybe I should be more careful.

So the next few nights I skipped - it was getting too "dusky" a bit too dark for my taste and where before I would probably have just gone anyway, the thought of the coyotes out there kindof creeped me out. I need to go walking earlier I guess, I've never seen them when I walk earlier, they only seem to be around when the sun is setting....thus I'm no longer walking as the sun is setting.

I know, I know - - I should do the WATP video....well I have an excuse for that too. The one I watched on TV (On-Demand) is no longer there, so I need DH to dig mine out of some box in the garage.

Oh well, that only happened twice, the other nights I've been walking and I walked again last night (a bit earlier) and no coyotes in sight....

Food plan is going well, although I feel like I'm eating more this week then I have in the past month. Not that I mean "overeating" or even eating the wrong things - I'm still eating healthy smaller portions, but it just seems like more than before. Maybe my stomach is shrinking? Or maybe I really am eating more.....I need to be careful. I don't want to undo my loss and actually I'd like to add a pound or two to the number by next Monday..... Sometimes one pound sounds so measley... I mean, you deny yourself so many types of yummy bad for you foods, you start eating healthier and use portion control, you go walking or exercising to help burn calories and after doing that for a week - - you MIGHT lose a pound. Is it worth it? It almost seems like it's not. Maybe this is why I've failed so many times in the past. Losing weight is HARD....Losing weight is SLOW... it takes a lot of work all week long to get a very small reward...... BUT I remind myself constantly that all those little rewards add up. Where will I be a year from now? I can choose to give up and remain exactly where I am right now (or even bigger) as I have in the past or I can choose to work hard and collect all those tiny little rewards knowing that they will add up and that maybe by this time next year I will have lost 50 to 100 pounds....one pound and one week at a time.

Oh gosh, if I ever saw something like a Coyote I would scream so loud it could start another earthquake. Your one brave women, so walk anywhere near them. Well it sounds like they might just be grading their area, and since your just walking past it proberly is going to be okay. Yep your totally right, all the little awards and weight losses really do add up. Great job to ya.

hugs,

Katherine

Hi :wave:

sounds like the coyotes are pretty use to people walking around them - but truthfully yes I would change my path for walking lol but then I am scared of big dogs too :shrug:

keep that GREAT frame of mind and your eye on the final goal :up:

Well, I haven't seen the coyotes for several days now. However, the other day while I was walking a lady stopped to talk to me on the trail and asked me if I'd seen them that day. I told her "no" I hadn't seen them for several days actually and she said that she had just seen them earlier that afternoon... so apparantly they are still around. Well, as long as they don't bother me I certainly won't bother them! :laugh:

Weekend was okay, I think I'm getting a little to comfy with things and starting to slip a bit. I was regimented that first 4 weeks trying to stay right on plan - - then once I finished up that fourth one, it was like......Ahhhhh, I made it! Even though I have so far to go. Well today starts week number six. Nice! I drug the scale out this morning and it says I've lost another 2 pounds, so I guess this past week wasn't ALL bad - I haven't really eaten anything bad, just more generous with the portions of healthy food I guess - but I still lost. I was actually hoping for 3 this week - just to get me down into that new decade, but oh well. I'll have that to look forward to next week. Well better start working now (since I'm at work!) Have a great week everyone!

That's really great that you have run into any coyotoes. Sounds like you've got the right attitude. Don't brother them and they won't brother you either.
Way to go on the 2 pound loss that's wonderful.

hugs,
Katherine

CONGRATS! I am so happy for you getting rid of two more pounds!
Hey those coyotes would make me walk real fast LOL!
Have a great day and keep on going down!

Those coyotes would totally make me never walk that route again. I am terrified of them. That stems back to babysitting my cousin as a child and being the only one awake, and hearing them howl outside. Ewwww, I hate them.

GREAT JOB on losing another 2 pounds, you really are doing great. keep up all the hard work dear.

Have a great day.

WE have coyotes here too and I have seen them when I am walking late at night or really early in the morning... IN MY OWN NEIGHBORHOOD. They unnerve me a bit, but I keep walking. I have been TOLD that they will not attack people (unless really hungry).... but they will attack small dogs and cats, so I don't take my dogs with me. They should have plenty to eat around here, so I doubt if these are hungry AT ALL.

Sunny you are doing awesome! 17lbs! Way to go!:cheer:

Hey sunny hope you are ok!
Hope you have a blessed day!

Hey Suny I'm doing fine. The first week of the month is always hectic for me...being in accounting and planning. So many reports to do once a month ends...not only that, but I've been feeling a bit under the weather. Some kindof bronchial thing that just makes my chest/shoulders ache and a heck of a migraine. No excuses, but needless to say my walking the past few days has suffered. The good thing is that I've still stayed right on plan as far as eating goes. So I'm hoping things don't go awry for me on the scale this week. I'm not expecting the scale to move much, but I'm really hoping to see at least ONE pound on Monday...we'll see how the weekend progresses I guess.

Received a notice in the mail from the State of CA Department of Fish and Game: "In recent weeks we have had sightings of coyotes along the West XXXX XXXX Nature Trail....Upon investigation by authorities, they have determined that the recent coyote sightings do not pose a threat to participants using the Nature Trail." Anyway, there is a number there to call and report future sightings since apparantly they are tracking them now.... Well, since I haven't been out there the past few days - no recent sightings for me...

Well, it's late and I have a full day planned tomorrow - better get some sleep!

Hi Sunny,

Wow, you are doing great with staying on plan and losing those pounds, Good for you!!! Keep it up, you are doing a great thing for yourself.

Hi Sunny. I hope all is well. Hopefully work will slow down a little for you soon.

I have a funny story about coyotes that happened when I was 16 and lived on a farm. I pulled in from work one night and had to walk down a hill in the dark to get to the house. This walk was probably about 400 yards or so. As I was pulling into my parking spot I saw eyes staring at me from the woods. I knew it was probably coyotes because we saw them often, even during the daytime. On this night my mom had asked me to pick up some milk, eggs, and a couple of other things from the grocery store in town. As I opened my car door I remember taking a deep breath, grabbing both bags of groceries, slamming the car door and walking quickly down the hill. Almost immediately I heard something behind me and I took off running. What does a woman ALWAYS do on TV when being chased? She falls right? :) Well... I fell and the two bags of groceries went two different directions. I didn't miss a beat as I hit the ground and immediately jumped up and ran to the house leaving everything on the ground where I fell. I refused to go back outside, so my brothers had to go out and retrieve everything. Needless to say the milk exploded and the eggs all broke! Scary, but I am sure on tape it would have been pretty comical. I am always complaining when the woman falls in movies!!! "Oh...They always have to make the woman look weak!!!, get up!! run!!" :rofl:

Thanks Nancy- well starting week #7 and I'm still here!
Sheri - funny story. I always say the same. Why do the women always fall?? Get up!!! What's wrong with you....hmmmm maybe it's a stress thing. Maybe women really do fall all the time in those situation even in real life??? LOL It's a theory I don't want to put to the test though!

Well - This morning I pulled my weary body from bed. I haven't slept good lately - - everytime I lay flay my lungs seem to cave in and I'm wracked with violent coughs... Saturday night I was up past 3:30am - finally fell asleep in my office chair, sitting up for 5 or so hours (hey, it worked!) Anyway, I was able to sleep in bed last night - I just used a bunch of pillows to keep my head elevated. I slept pretty good.

Stumbled into the bathroom and onto the scale. Went back out, got my glasses, walked back in, got on the scale, got off the scale, got on the scale...... took a shower, dried off, got back on the scale...the numbers kept saying the same thing!! I expected to lose maybe one pound this week. Since I haven't been feeling so great - my walking program is lagging severely. I was shocked to see 3 pounds gone today! THREE POUNDS??? That means I hit the 20 pound mark today! Wahoo! Not only that, but I'm starting week number SEVEN and I haven't had to "restart" yet - - No, I'll start again on Monday comments have been heard lately....

You may think that because I'm sick, I haven't been eating - but that is definately not the case. But I've still been eating very healthy. I guess maybe I've gotten a little bit of exercise too if you consider playing with my son on his new Wii exercise. I've played so many games of bowling, tennis and golf with that kid the last few weeks. I know, I know...it's not as hard as "real" tennis or bowling - but I actually really enjoy it and really do work up a sweat so I'm apparantly getting some type of workout! I've heard Wii has a new program in development right now called the WiiFit. There is an exercise board that comes with it - lets you know if you are doing the exercises right - guides your exercise program and even weighs you and lets you know your weight, change and BMI numbers. Sounds interesting..... sooner than that however, I've heard that the Dance, Dance Revolution (DDR) program will be released for Wii NEXT MONTH! Supposed to be the first DDR to incorporate hand and arm movements into the dances since the Wii can monitor that with the wireless remotes. I may have to get that program - it could make exercise a lot of fun. I know I've really enjoyed bowling and even my hubby who is not a video gamer at ALL will join me and the boy in a game of bowling, tennis or golf. We have actually been turning the TV off this past week or so in order to play a game of tennis together. We've even started some family tournaments. So I guess for the future (starting tonight hopefully) I will get back into my walking -- but throw in some Wii moving too just for fun!

So although, I'm still coughing up a lung and feeling kind of yucky today - I'm also feeling super terrific! Twenty pounds gone - now that's a pretty good start in the right direction.

CONGRATS ON 20 POUNDS GONE FOR GOOD!!!

By the way I liked Sheri's story about running from the "yotes" that is southren
for coyotes! I always get mad in the movies the girls that get chased are usually blonde (I am blonde!) and ususally wearing high heels! I do love and I mean love high heels but you
don't wear them out in the wilderness like in the movies!

Anyways have a blessed week and keep on going down!
So proud for you and of you!:D

Sunny, I hope you are feeling better today.

I was awakened early Monay at around 1:00am in the morning to the sound of "the boy" retching in his bed. Not whimpering or crying...just gagging and puke noises. I went in to him and let me tell you - - the splash pattern of puke hitting the carpet from the top bunk is amazing. Not to gross anyone out, but I swear there were puke droplets across the entire room, on the dresser, the computer desk, the bottom bunk...etc. So he went and laid on the couch while I got out the buckets and carpet cleaner and went to work...here, there, over there, under this and on top of that.... by now he's in the bathroom with round number two. Poor little guy. I hate puking and I hate when he's doing it too - you feel so helpless. Just kindof stand there with a nice cool cloth in your hand waiting for it to stop. Then back to the couch for a bit while I continue scrubbing. It went on this way until about 6:00am. I sent emails to work letting everyone know I'd be working from home that day - but first while he was sleeping, I was going to try and get some sleep too and I did. DH got up and went to work and "the boy" was sleeping peacefully for the time being. At 8:00 the phone wakes me up - it's DH, he's sick and coming home... :::sigh::: Well thank goodness not chucking on his part yet. He came home and went straight to bed, "the boy" got up and laid on the couch for an hour or so and then he went back to bed too. They were both sick for much of Monday and Tuesday. Today I'm back in the office and trying to get caught up and things here....lots of work to do. So I better get to it. But I wanted to check in and to post my new Monday stats - - 1.5 pounds, although it's my lowest loss posted to date, I'll take it. I've had the bronchial thing going on the past few weeks and have been pretty lax about my walking. I've still been eating healthy though and that shows, but I need to get back to my walking. I felt really proud when I was doing that and I'm sure I was reaping the benefits. I did walk 1.75 miles on Monday evening and I'll try and get back out there tonite. Anyway, total now is 21.5 pounds....little by little this mountain will be moved!

Oh yuck, poor things. I hate that, I would have been right there with them both.

Great job on another 1.75 pounds. I am so proud of you.

And 21.5 total? That is fantastic.

Have a great day.

Congrats on going down again! Wonderful!
So sorry about the sick one!:(
Hope today is a better day.

Getting ready to go on vacation for awhile before school starts up again. I'm not sure if I'll take my laptop or not - - part of me wants to (for diettalk and email) the other part of me doesn't (to get way from work and emails regarding that). We are going to a resort - to hang out, chill and just relax and do nothing. Yes, I'll wear a swimsuit and hang out by the pool - it's the one time of the year I get over my embarrassment of being seen in public and just enjoy myself. I wear a coverup all the way down to the pool and then drop it right before getting in the water! LOL But we have a lot of fun, go every year with another family that we are close to and just have a great time. The trip usually involves a lot of eating too - - my Hubby and her Hubby have already been "fondly remembering" the buffets from last year and are really looking forward to hitting them again this year. I'm going to try SO HARD to stay on track - I plan to order off the menu and try to avoid the resort buffet. (I said I "plan" too) My girlfriend made a comment about the great SPA they have and the workout rooms that are available - and then said something like "not that we would ever use those!" She plans on making full use of the SPA of course. I mentioned that I may just tryout those exercise rooms this year - even if only to get on the treadmill (beats the 100+ degrees that it will be outside which will basically make my evening walks impossible). She was a bit surprised, but then just patronizingly (is that a word?) said "Well, good for you! You are doing great!" (Although I know on a person my size you can't even tell I've lost anything). Oh well.... I will go, I will enjoy myself and try like heck not to stray too far from plan. I will try like heck to get in some treadmill walking too... I'm not going to promise anything....Hmmm....I take that back....I promise to TRY my very best. I really want to continue losing. I want to see a loss even on a Monday after returning from vacation. I want to be successful both at home and away! Wish me luck and I'll see you around the 27th!

You can do it stay strong!
Have a wonderful time.

Hey there. Enjoy your vacation!! I think you will find that if you do exercise you will feel better and enjoy your vacation more, imho.

If I may, I'd like to point out that maybe when your friend made the comment "Well, good for you! You are doing great" she meant the fact that you are putting so much work into it and are staying motivated and wanting to exercise even on vacation!! Would you have ever said that before??

Enjoy yourself!!

I'm back! I'm happy to say I was very successful at staying on plan while I've been away. We ate out in restaurants 3 meals a day - everyday and it was tough sometimes to pick those salads, veggie platters and egg white omeletes.... but when I came home last week I was rewarded with a loss. Yay me!!

This past week has been total chaos - we were camping last weekend, it was my birthday on Wednesday and now I'm getting the kid ready to start school this week. We did go out to dinner for my birthday and I'll admit I didn't make the healthiest choices on that evening...and I topped it off with a slice of cheesecake. Well actually, I had a few bites of it because I was so stuffed by then - but I boxed it up and brought it home and ate the rest of the cheesecake for breakfast the next morning....I know, I know, not really a great breakfast... but, but, but it was my BIRTHDAY!! I can hear you all saying right now, "Well that's no excuse to go hog wild, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate your special day without sabotaging all that you've done for the past few months." I know that it true, but DANG it was good!!! Anyway, that's done with and I'm back on track again. I weighed in Monday morning and I'm down another 1.5 pounds!! Total now is 24! I'm thrilled with that an will continue to work hard this week. My "formal" exercise has been lacking the past few weeks too - so I need to kick start that too. Well, I just wanted to hurry and pop in here real quick. I plan to catch up on the journals over the next few days - hope you are all doing awesome!

Excellent job!!! woohooo!!! You should be so proud of yourself!!!

You really should be proud of yourself, that is a huge accomplishment to eat well while eating out that much. I don't think that I would have been able to.

As far as your birthday food, I say go for it. One day isn't going to kill you.

Congratulations again, and have a great day.

Today is my anniversary! Nineteen years today. We went out an had a nice dinner (very nice) and just spent some quality "couple" time.... a real date...dinner and a movie (one that wasn't rated G). I wore a dress for the first time in over a year. I felt wonderful! I feel successful. It's not often I feel so full of hope....sometimes I think that I really may be able to lose this weight this time around. This morning I broke the 250's! Happy Anniversary to me - another reason to celebrate.

I know I haven't been around much. Work is killing me and I've been working a lot from home in the evenings as well as going into the office during the days. Schools back on too and all those extra cirricular activities that my son is involved in. Just life I guess - - but I wanted everyone to know. I'm still here, I haven't given up. I'm still steadily dropping, still making progress and still checking in on everyone!

Time to go journal jumping!

Sunny,

Wow, broke the 250's what an awesome feeling. Hey, you 've got to update those stats, lol. You know, credit where credit is due!!! And you deserve to tell the world, or at least diettalk, lol. Keep up the terrific work AND thanks for the encouragement in my journal.

Oh sweetie, I've been missing you. So glad to see that you are still around, and still dropping. Congratulations on breaking the 250's, that is fantastic.

I hear you on the extra curricular activities, I know come spring, when volleyball and soccer start, we will be swamped once again.

Have a wonderful day.

:O you are rocking!!! wohoo!!! get those stats changed girl :coach:

Am so glad that you are doing good, even though you are so busy!!!

Be proud of yourself. You are amazing!

And 19 years..wow!!! I haven't even been married 1, can't imagine 19!!! :)