:eek:

My ex would always say he couldn't understand how people found the time to smoke that much in a day! Whoa, he's going to go crazy on the island!

Since I'm here . . . I have been walking a lot but work has been busy & I've been neglecting my little regimen. I'll be better!

Good job maddy ... that's exactly the right way to look at it ... little controlled (either in length of time or amount of consumption) splurges are necessary for any long term plan, so congrats on the great attitude.

Glad to have you back with us Steph ... work (for most of us) is necessary and can't always keep control because of the schedule that has to be kept, but sounds like you've been doing good with the walking!

Second trip to the actual grocery store tonight on the way home and kept to the things I had decided to buy in advance ... even bought me a little v-day treat ... a new small sauce pan they had on sale for $4, then I hit El Pollo Loco for my usual Friday night eats of large garden salad and chicken breast. So far today...doing great! :)

As they call them in the WW world I had a non-scale victory (NSV) this morning. When I threw my jeans on this morning and looped the belt through, I found I moved down a notch from yesterday. I also realized as I was driving home from the grocery store that I have been doing this new routine for about 6 weeks - no soda and no fast food

Yea maddy ... that's great!!! :D

OMG I miss El Pollo Loco :D

I bought the lowfat nutter butter cookie only paty packs. They look good and I bought these special K strawberry breakfast type snacks. I am fighting a battle over breakfast.

Lil, what is your battle with breakfast? Lack of time? Not fond of breakfast foods?

Not ready to eat that time of day and coffee is enough to make me feel right with the world :D

How late are you eating in the evening? I make it my goal not to eat my dinner after 8pm and find that I am ready to eat when I wake up, not starving, but breakfast is on my mind.

I've never been a breakfast person, mostly because I was never much of a morning person.

We eat around 6:30 and I try not to eat anything later than that.

Well, I have no good suggestions then. I've read that breakfast isn't just for typical breakfast foods and you should eat whatever you are hungry for so long as it's healthy. I have a routine and I follow it even on the weekends. Perhaps the special K bar with your coffee will help jump start your metabolism for the day.

I'm the same way. I end up eating part of my lunch shortly after I get to work, though. You're probably not able to eat at your desk, I'd guess?

I feel guilty for not eating breakfast but I just can't force myself to eat that early.

My students have lunch at 10:45. First lunch so that the rest of the school is not subjected to their bad asses. Sometimes I eat by myself at my desk but if they have not had any aggression or fighting I tell them I want to spend more time with them and I eat with them.

Down 2 this week but I am growing tired of the slow loss. I know it produces the longest lasting results but sheesh! I am officially down more than 15 and a happy camper about that.

I realize two pounds doesn't seem like a lot, Lil--maybe think of it as you lost 8 sticks of butter this week? :D

The thing I have tried to remember is that it took 37 years for me to get to where I am weight-wise today, and it'll take awhile to make some of that disappear. At my weigh-in Friday morning, I fluctuated between not losing any for the week and 0.5 lb. It was frustrating--but I haven't obsessed over it, because I realize that, while I DID stay within points last week, I ate more than I have, and my body just needs adjustment time. Since Friday, though, I've spent over an hour and a half on the treadmill and a solid hour plus swimming, and I'm hoping that, with continued focus, my results this Friday morning will be even more positive.

I understand your remarks wholly Lilith! I'm feeling the same way but use some of the positive talk IAKG mentions when it starts to get the best of me. I weighed in this morning and was pleasantly surprised to have a 2 lb loss. That's a total of 13 for me. I have another 13 to get to my first mini goal.

My treadmill is coming today and I hope that will help with some of my struggles. Right now I'm pretty much inactive, so this can only help in my weight loss goals.

I've lost nothing, but I'm headed for the Hut later this week....and if I am honest, I've been eating way too much (I'm averaging about 200-250 calories a day over what I want to eat to meet my goal). I think the only reason I'm maintaining my weight (even with water weight gain, which I am sure is kicking in) is because I've been working out like a fiend 5 days a week, and walking some those days where I don't work out.

Food has been a struggle for me lately...class and my new job have been stressful, and it's been difficult for me to stop eating sweets especially. I've also been kind of depressed -- getting close to the anniversary of my father' death, and I always get a bit maudlin this time of year. [I have tears in my eyes as I type this.] To sum it up...been unhappy and stressed WAY too much, and not very successful.

I'd like to say that today is a new day, but right now I just feel exhausted. Maybe my outlook will improve in a few days.

(((osuche))) if there is anything I can do to help, let me know. On some level, I've been where you are. When you are ready you will do the right thing, but not until you are ready.

Congrats on the 2 pound loss Lil .... It's hard when it feels so slow in coming off .... this time of dieting for me feels like I'm not making nearly as fast of progress as I have done at other times when I've managed to stick to a diet for more than a couple of days ... the water weight doesn't seem to want to come off as it always has done in the past, but I know part of it is that I'm older and my body has gone through enough changes that the way I'm losing weight is different. And it's hard to struggle with the eating right every day when you don't feel like the rewards are coming at a rate that meets the sacrifices that you make ... but you've lost 15 pounds in about 6 weeks ... I think you said you want to lose 70 pounds with this time of healthy lifestyle changes ... you're moving in a positive direction AND you've accomplished more than 20% of your goal ... how great is that!!!!!

maddy ... yea for the 13 pounds total ... wonderful!!

IAKG great attitutde and congrats on the loss/maintaining that you've done as well!

Osuche .. way to stick with it ... I think we all seem to have trouble starting the week before that visit to the hut as most of us have mentioned it ... for me, I tend to have 20 days or so each month when it is easier to feel the difference and know I'm moving forward ... and about 10 when it is slow and frustrating and too many cravings hitting me on and off that don't seem to be as much of an issue during those other 20 days (not that I still don't want the things I have always over endulged in) ... anyway, if you are like me, if I managed to keep myself in control most of the time through the 10 or so days, then at the end of that time, I feel the results much better in the first couple days of the 20 good ones .... (man that took a lot of words to say something simple .. :) ) Hope you make it through this tough time, losing your father is a hard thing to go through ... I know! ((((Osuche))))

Me, at the moment I'm in the middle of my 20 days, so I've been doing quite well, making advances ... don't have a clue on the weight loss number still .. and won't for a long time to come, but other things happen to remind me that I'm making progress ... I had a good night for water weight loss that much I do know and am very happy about it ... also I have the day off for Lincoln's birthday and am enjoying a relaxed time. :)

My treadmill is here and now fully assembled - just assembling involved sweating! Now I think I need to rearrange my living room as it is HUGE!!! And it's height prevents me from seeing the tv currently. But for now, I'm going to hunt up my sneaks... some workout clothes and my iPod and I'm going for a walk :) I jumped on it for a minute and did a little jog for all of 30 seconds :)

We all have cycles in our lives where we are just tired of fighting for things. I'm tired of trying to get the kids to clean up after themselves. I'm tired of cooking. I'm damn tired of doing laundry all the time. And I'm tired of drinking decaf when I'm a friggin grown man that should be able to drink regular coffee when I want to! :mad:

But those days are tempered with days that are not so bad. Days when the kids don't piss & moan when I ask them to put their stuff away. Days when I enjoy cooking, and don't mind the couple of minutes laundry takes up. And days when decaf doesn't leave an aftertaste. Part of being a grown man is understanding that sometimes we need to do things we aren't thrilled doing. Not everything is an adventure that yields a huge and exciting cache of treasure. Since I gave up coffee, I don't feel worse. That in itself...when you look at it in a positive context...is a victory. I'm doing something that is healthier for me in the long run, and I don't feel any worse than I did when I was doing something unhealthy.

So the days you don't see results on the scales, even though you've been working hard, remember...you aren't worse off having eaten healthier and exercising for the past week.

(((((everyone)))))

I tell myself everyday that I am not dieting. This is a permanent change. This is how I have to fuel my body and need to find other things besides food to fuel my soul. I have people who love me who do that and a lot of boys depending on me to be there for them.

Okay, it's time for me to start being honest to myself - and all of you about the use of my treadmill. I just got done with a 30 minute program that consisted of varying grades of incline up to 8% and varying speads up to 3.2 mph. According to the handy display I walked 1.4 miles and burned 205 calories in the process. It kicked my ass - but somehow I'm better for it. I'm cooling down as I type this and need to follow it up with some on the floor stretches.

My eating has been in check and I feel in control of food for the most part lately. I'm officially in the Hut and it really hasn't struck me with significant carb or sugar cravings.

I've also noticed (I am obsessed with the scale) that my weight seems to be fluctuating less as of late throughout the day. Previously I could see swings of up to 5 lbs throughout the day and now it seems to be settling down to about 1 lb.

Maddy, that's a pretty stiff workout for someone just getting back into being active. Make sure you don't overdo it or get burnt out mentally--you've made such wonderful progress thus far, I'd hate to see anything detract from it.

And Lil, you're absolutely right. Every one of us in this thread is attempting a lifestyle change with the hope of benefits immediately and to come. ((Everyone))

I know IAKG... trust me I know as I'm now slumped on the couch my heartrate finally back down to resting. It was far more agressive than I planned on it being. I think tomorrow will be a more leisurely stroll through the park. Thanks for keeping me in check... I don't need to get burned out :)

I must admit the adreniline flowing felt darn good.

Good job Maddy .... glad to hear you are enjoying the treadmill so far, that's wonderful. (and that you're remembering to set goals so you can last for a long time)

I did good again yesterday ... trying to keep the middle area of my calorie range as much as possible since in the next week or two we are likely to be having a special lunch treat at work .... takeout from a new bar-b-que place in town .... since my office is just me and the boss and she isn't a very social person, we don't do such things much ... which of course makes it a ton easier for me to stick with my eating plans, but I'm looking forward to a special treat for a change-up .... also something happening the last weekend of the month is a "Clue and Fondue" night with a group of people I associate with ... there will likely be 50-80 people attending and I want to be able to go and enjoy the whole event without feeling like I'm being out of control ... so I'm shaving back on my calories here and there (still staying in my range, but aiming for the mid to lower part of the range) in order to know that it will be ok to splurge a bit.

I ate a burger and chocolate, I was in heaven but now I just feel blah! Back on track manana.

I got chocolate from well-meaning co-workers today. In my efforts to be "good," I promptly put it away to bring home to my children. They were thrilled, and I was proud of myself for that.

That being said, they were evil--EVIL, I tell 'ya. Someone had a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts by the water cooler. I had to give in around 11ish. Of course, I also promptly wrote down the five points one glazed doughnut cost me. I am telling myself it was a treat. :D

Good job IAKG with the chocolate ... glad the kids enjoyed it! Don't know how you managed to wait that long for the Krispy Kreme ... the smell would drive me crazy! :)

Lil ..Glad you enjoyed the treat, hope you feel less blah tomorrow :) ....

I made it through another day ... even managed to keep my calorie count lower then I usually do ... mentioned my reasons in my last post ... I'm really starting to notice more of the positive differences in myself etc. I'm so grateful!!! :D

1 lb lower this morning (and this is the week of the Hut!) and thus a net loss of 5 lbs.

Strenuous workouts continue -- in case anyone is interested... I average 500-600 calories a workout (20 min weights, 5 stretching, 300 sit-ups, and 30-45 min of cardio (usually elliptical or bike or stairmaster)). My body feels a little tighter, but the best thing I notice is that I wake up sore (eg arthritis) much less often.

Depression still abounds...and it's been worse this week with Mr. Osuche gone. Sat at my desk and cried this morning; I was in early and thank God no one else was around. And that damn Nilsson song I posted this weekend has been haunting me... <sigh> Only managed to eat 1500 calories all day today ~~ didn't feel like doing more.

If you think it would help, I could set my treadmill up in back of yours and chase you through the park. :D

If you think it will keep me motivated, WI, I'm all for it.

((osuche))

I gave into a craving tonight I've had for a couple of weeks now--pizza. Two slices, and DAMN, they were good. It put me over points for the day by 5 or 6, but I still have enough flex points to more than cover that. I'm trying to think of it as a "treat" instead of "falling off the wagon," and I hope I'm successful.

I feel like finding a fist-full of gerber daisies and sending them your way, osuche. They always make me smile and I wish for you a smile to help change your mood.

fzzy, you are doing great! I'm impressed with your ability to understand your body and plan for what you have coming up in the future.

Lilith, I hope you enjoyed the burger - the Whopperette commercial, which I find obnoxious, has me craving a whopper. This weekend weather permitting I will grill up my own lean burger and have it on some wheat bread as a compromise.

I just got off the treadmill a bit ago. I picked an easier program tonight, but as the twenty minutes were winding down - the Beastie Boys came up in my iPod song shuffle and my feet just took off moving. I went another ten minutes and bumped the pace up to 3.5 mph.

I was tempted with chocolates today but knew deep down that I wouldn't stop with one piece so opted not to have any at all.

Good move maddy, cause I ate them til they disappeared. :(

Today I made some bad choices but I'm trying to get back on track. I'm just so busy and have no time for food planning.

Drank scotch with a co-worker tonight...now I need to go and eat something to sober up, because I have a conference call with my MBA team in 2 hours (9 pm PST) to compare homework answers.

I realized today that I have a lot to be grateful for, Pixie friends included. So I'll try and be a bit sunnier....sorry for the gloom. It's been a tough month, and I hope oyu don't mind my venting.

But tomorrow is another day ~~ and I am inspired by *all* of your accomplishments, as well as your positiveness! ((((IAKG)))) ((((Lil)))) ((((maddy)))) ((((fzzy)))) ((((WI))))

We love you osuche and are glad you feel comfortable enough with us not to hide it when you are feeling down ... I know I've vented here and there in this thread, just vented in my own way.

YEAH maddy .... wonderful that you are enjoying the treadmill ... the things cost enough, so it's good that it is getting the workout it's meant to! :)

IAKG glad you enjoyed your splurge ... sounds like you are being sensible in your splurges and your outlook .. congrats!!

Lil ... sending hugs ... I know how it is when it seems like everything is conspiring against you accomplishing your goal ... glad you are still working at it .. sorry things are so hectic at the moment, but then hectic is better than non-existent!! :D I only have to plan for myself from start to finish of every day ... know it must be much more difficult when you've got family to feed and kids at school to watch out for and almost all of them probably eating the foods that tempt you at some time or other ... sending hugs to all of you!!!

My day is going well again ... but as I said, I only have to plan for me, and spend my day at work only around the boss and the office cat, so I don't have to face too much in the way of temptation, but every night on my drive home, the fast food places keep calling my name ... so far I've managed to choose not to answer back. :)

Just about to head off to bed for the night ... reporting in that I made it through another night ... sometimes I feel like an alcoholic still in that phase where they go to a meeting everyday (or more) .. I need to be able to report in pretty much each night because I don't trust myself if I don't have to ... make sense to anyone else? Anyway, I made it through and am alway grateful for it!

Yogurt. It's saving my ass in the mornings right now. Typically it's not my favorite food but I'm trying desperately to get more calcium into my diet. Way lower fat than cheese and truly you could add some granola or something to spruce it up. I know someone who cuts up fruit in a bowl, adds some milk, and tops it with granola. Then she microwaves it for a minute and then plops yogurt on top. She says it feels decadent and bad for you but is good.

Oh and congrat fzzy for making it through another day.

maddy, you are gonna wear that treadmill out :D

osuche, you have had so many big transitions in the past year. Maybe you need to stand still for a minute and give yourself time to reorient.((hugs)) Scotch and depression are a bad mix. I advise popsicles instead. Something fun and silly with no purpose.

Mrs. WI enjoys chunks of pineapple with plain yogurt on top. I imagine it would be enjoyable with pretty much any fruit though. Plus, it's not just for breakfast! A small bowl saved her from attacking our daughter's Valentine booty.

How're the sugars doing? I've been meaning to ask. :)