Club Ocotillo ~ Team #1 ~ 01/16/05 - 01/22/05

[1Life2Live]

Club Ocotillo


Sorry that I did not get you all started with this before now but here you all go.

I did post something to the last thread from last week and will not copy and paste it here. I will let this start out as a fresh week!

[1Life2Live]

Morning Club Ocotillo! Where is everyone? What is this sort of a tit for tat? Okay!

~ Menu ~
B~ LC Yogurt
L~ Salad
D~ Chicken Tenders and Salad
~ Water ~
200oz
~ Exercise ~
200 Crunches
Dancing for 20 minutes

My day is pretty calm today. Just cleaning house and doing laundry. I do need to go to my Aunt's to pick up my son. Meeting my Mom there at 1:00pm to get him. I really need to make some phone calles today as well. Hopefully the people I need to contact will be available and not closed due to the holiday.

I will stop back in later and hope to see that others have posted. You all are doing wonderful and I am proud of you all. Keep it up Ocotillo's.

[northnstar]

Tammy woman, I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooo HAPPY to see that YOU didn't leave us! (

It's so wonderful to know that you're continuing with 'us' as a team member. I'm so proud of you!

Hey, that's okay if you want to step down from being team leader, I for one would NEVER be able to take on the responsibilities of being leader with me being a wife and mother.
(This where I wish I had Sweets cheering Smilies to dance around on this post)

[northnstar]

Got my back adjusted for the third time. Went to my individual workout, came home, now reading and responding to the thread.

B-2 egg omelette with onions and bellpeppers
S-raw sunflower seeds
L-fruit medley smoothie with half n half
S-none
D-chili with no beans and no sugar added T.paste
S-SF jello

water at least 128 oz and up

[northnstar]

Wendy, you can post anything thats bothering you right here. We all need to work through not only the physical but, also the emotional side, right?
You sound so much better then yesterday
Look up, things will ONLY get better~

[too much too long]

Tammy, you are back. Awesome....okay back to our original team then. COOL. I am happy you are still gonna be with us. That is just awesome. Hey, if anyone didn't notice, we aren't doing too shabby in the standings I might add. And heck.....I am in second place in the individual standings.....toot, toot, tooting my own horn Thank You. Well, busy today as I am back in school so my postings will be quiet until the evenings and anytime on weekends.

Ally, where the heck are you girly girl??? You turned me on to the Subway wraps. Mmmm. Yes, very tasty indeed plus I only ate half the wheat tortilla wrap for a total of 10 gms of carbs. I am making meatloaf as I speak and sipping on a Miller Lite. Oh yeah, don't worry, I am very much in line with the carbs. Water fine, exercise today is my day off. Legs need some rest.

Okay guys.....nothing too crazy to report so see ya for now. Where is Sweets and Ally though??? Hey ladies, get off the treadmill and post a little somethin somethin.

[northnstar]

brb

[northnstar]

I was just getting our girl Ally set-up. Hope you get here.
I'll BBL tomorrow to reply to your postings from the other thread Ally. I need to run for now!

ciao~

[1Life2Live]

Shawn, thank you for the welcome back but dear, I never said I was leaving only thinking of not being the captain.

Just doing laundry and relaxing today. I still need to do my crunches and I think I will ask DH to help me do them.

On plan and saying there.

Talk to you all later. Take care.

[Ally Boo]

LOL thinking we were still on the other thread....... here is what I posted....

Yall....I need some help. I just excercised 30 minutes, because I've set myself a mini goal. I am very goal oriented, and I've found this to be an extra boost for me. I'm not looking at it as just what am I going to do this whole year.....but a "What am I going to do for these next two weeks?"

The only thing that is bothering me is my dreams. The last time I did Atkins. I had a dream like this, but I've dreamed like this for the past 3 nights. One night it was about reeces pieces cookes.....another night it was a huge 2 layer cake that I ate all by myself, and another one was something similar. It bothers me. I mean, I know I've been addicted to these things, and that it's probably a healthy thing that I have these dreams.....but in my dreams, I think to myself, well I can make this for NYDH, and then I find myself eating it all, and letting myself down big time. It's like I don't have control in my dreams.

But, the fact is, I do have control, that's why I'm having these dreams. It's weird, and I need some encouragement guys. I have kept with the program, but I haven't been as motivated this past week, and I want to change that. That's what yall are here for, right? So, I just thought I'd let yall know what I was going through.

[sweets]

Just a quick HI HI HI to my lovely teammates! I'll post more tomorrow
I promise!!! The night got away from me here!!!
I do have more to post pertaining to my MEGA long post the other day!
It's good to see everyone over here!!!!

[1Life2Live]

Hey Ally, glad to see you found us. As for your dreams, Are you focusing on the foods that you can't have during your awake time? Is it consuming your thougths? Usually for me, if I am consumed by something then I most likely will dream of it. Have you tried to focus on something other than dreaming about the sweets before you get into bed? Maybe relaxing in a nice hot bath then getting your feet rubbed will help. Not sure but I hope that it will pass. You are a very strong person and this is something that you will over come. Just be strong and stick with your convictions.

[too much too long]

Hey everyone! WOW is it cold here! Whew - low single digits boy. I think winter is here in high gear.

Ally, you may have lost some motivation but do not, I repeat DO NOT lose your FOCUS. When you focus on something, it stays in the forefront of your mind almost all throughout the day (24 hours). We have been participating in all aspects of this challenge for 18 days now, officially so we are still in the early stages of our "mindset recalculation". Sure, in body, we are staying with the program right? I say this because you haven't said that you cheated - maybe just not motivated - what....lacking in exercise maybe. We have years of HABITS that need to be broken. Just like smoking, it takes a specific focus to obtain success in breaking that - and any habit. Unfortunately TIME is the only real solution that will take you further and further away from the cravings, the food addiction, etc... It is truly a day-by-day approach to our goal - health, appearance, confidence, etc. It begins with dedication. It HAPPENS with a very calculated approach - for some - heck, just a few days and for others it make take a few months to break really tough habits. For me, late night pizza was my biggest downfall. The satisfaction was so temporary and WHY I chose to consume such a large amount of very unhealthy food was a temporary happiness that I will pay for for the remainder of 2005. My goal weight will be just so emotionally fulfilling for me. Bigtime. I feel better, I will continue to look better, my blood chemistry will get better - blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. THOSE are where your FOCUS needs to be. NOT on food - anymore. Dig deep and ask yourself why you need to redirect your habits, create new ones, and just get mad. Sometimes you just have to get mad to get anything done. Answer why you joined this challenge and list the benefits you expect from it. Remind yourself. Whenever anyone has something on their minds, they obsess about it - sure, it shows up in dreams. I could tell you stories of my former habits and how I let them CONTROL ME for much too long. Not anymore. I had to get mad to make the progress I am making. YOU get mad too.....enough is enough dang it! Make the conscious effort, understand the tremendous dividends those decisions will make, and begin creating much more effective ways in your life. Your habits can easily be changed - it just takes focus. Before January 1, 2005, I could count on ONE hand how many salads I've eaten in my life. Now, every other day I am eating one. Exercise has been totally lax in the past few years and now, wow, now it is a main component of my life. This is a journey, we will work through this together okay. You are a great person with only one bad hang up - food. It is the same hang up we all share. THAT is why we are here in this challenge. We will get there. Day by day okay. The dreams will subside as time moves on. Time is the best healer. It may be a cliche but it really is. As Team Ocotillo, let's walk the timeline together.

[sweets]

Hello everyone!!

What a long week this has been and it is ONLY Tuesday!!! That can't possibly be right!!! I feel like it must be Thursday night..... C'est la vie!

Ally....chin up little camper!!! I had dreams like that the first time I did Atkins. For me I realized it was a fear of failure and of old habits trying to regain control over me. I refer to my cravings now as "evil carb demons" ......as a humorous note to myself more than anything else.

I have those weak, low motivation moments....were it just doesn't seem worth it or I feel like I can't possibly accomplish the COLOSSAL task of losing this weight!!! I am sure all of us have felt that way at one time or another. I am a firm believer in "mind over matter" ...our minds are such powerful tools that really can be a powerful tool in helping us through tough times.

In fact when I had those issues to deal with on Sunday....I had to talk and think myself around the urges to go and eat a ton of carbs. It was not easy and it made me feel sick...not to mention a bit looney!! But it was what I needed to do to get through that moment. Did that make it all go away....heck NO!!!! In fact yesterday and today at work ....I declined going to lunch with coworkers in the food courts because I didn't trust myself yet to not go there and be tempted by the EASY, BAD, SWEET things that are everywhere you look. And the smells....don't forget the smells........I would have caved after Sunday which even though it's more in the back of my mind...it did weaken my resolve somewhat and until I have that built back up again I refuse to put myself into a situation that is just setting me up to fail at this point.

I want this. For me. I have spent so much of the past 12 years of my life doing what ex wanted.....what my family wanted...what HIS family wanted....and I lost site of myself. I turned to food for comfort.....which should have never even been an option. I was dealing with things that I had no clue how to handle and I retreated into a shell and ate endlessly. I have been so strong in other parts of my life to get through...and in doing that I forgot to be strong for ME....for being healthy and for handling my stress in ways other than eating.

It won't be an easy journey for any of us.....but we have each other and we have to set our minds that this is it. THIS is the time we succeed. THIS is the time we all get to those goals we set for ourselves. AND it sure helps me to know that I don't have to try and do it alone.

I think we need to communicate with each other more on this thread....talk about the issues we are having that make our struggles with losing this weight hard on certain days. I am not saying pour your life out.....but share those moments when you are at your weakest, at your highest......I for one WANT to know!!! I try to post very openly when I run into something good or bad on this journey.......and sometimes it's really hard to just blurt it all out for thousands to read. But I feel better once I do.....and most of the time I am not alone in going through that moment....others share that they have felt that way as well. And from that there is some piece of inner strength in ME that grows stronger in knowing that I am not alone.

Everyone have a wonderful night and drink your water!!!!

[Ally Boo]

You know what I think it is? I am REALLY bummed that I got on the scale and weighed 10 lbs more than I thought I was starting out at. That is what REALLY depressed me. I just felt like all that work I did was for nothing man, and you know, I really HONESTLY guessed the best I could at what I weighed...seriously. That's what has me sad.

I was reading the Atkins book last night, and it was talking about those cravings and those things that you think are just so important. So, I did it *cringe* I ate chocolate. I did...I'm sorry. And you know what? I felt like ****!!!!! I said, OMG I hate feeling this way, that's why I got on Atkins to begin with. I got so tired of feeling so high on sugar. I mean, I was falling asleep at work, my medicine isn't helping me stay awake, but it hurts to sit all day too, I thought it'd be a quick fix...it was alright. A quick poisionous fix. I did take Dr. Atkins' advise, and counted the carbs. Enough for 3 days. So, I've learned my lesson, and I don't want to feel like that EVER again. I get way too much satisfaction from eating healthy, good foods to let myself get in that horrid cycle again.

Please forgive me team, but that's what happened, and I assure you, I'm not gonna do it again.

[sweets]

No worries chicky.....you LEARNED SOMETHING....that it makes you feel BAD!!!! That's a good thing! Don't be too hard on yourself. Just go on sweety!!!

[1Life2Live]

Hi Everyone!

Things are going okay around here. Just found out that the house we were trying to get, we did not qualify for. This was a total eye opener for us. The whole home buying thing along with other family things has really had me in a balled up mess.

Now to fix the problems that are holding us back from buying a home. Also even if we did qualify, the home would not qualify. Something to do with the title and the conventional loan that the seller is wanting it to be funded under. Oh well, it just was not the home for my family. Still upsetting thou. But the bad credit that I thought that we had was not that bad, we just have a few things to clean up and then this summer we will be a bit more stable. DH will have been at the new job for more than a month and the credit will be even better. OH I am so HAPPY for INCOME TAX time to be here. We will be getting a good chunck of change back and that will help out.

Enough of my rambling. I don't even know if what I just typed makes any sense. Oh well, it is just my thought that I needed to get down.

Off to fix a Tuna Noodle Cassaroll for my family and a Tuna Salad for myself.

Hey Lizzy Baby, how was the warm weather for you today? I had the doors and some of the windows open today! I love the smell of the fresh warm air. Made it feel like Spring! I can't wait for this Spring and Summer to get here! I want my own HOME SO BAD!

Okay now I am out of this place.

[too much too long]

Hey all,

Ally, I commend you for coming in here and talking about your willy wonka chocolate factory experience today. Hey, you never know who will read your post this saving someone else from that same thing you were tempted with. It takes guts to be honest so for that, I laud you. As for how you felt afterward is probably plenty of discipline you need to get right back where you need to be focused. I did this woe about 4 years ago with tremendous success then got kinda cocky, thinking I could eat anything I wanted and bang.....it ALL came back....and much more. I am glad to be getting the results I am getting and guess what, I read and benefit from all these posts. Funny thing.....I went to Subway almost everyday since you posted about getting a wrap there a few days ago. I really love those wraps. Today I got a turkey, bacon, cheese, and ranch wrap with a mound of lettuce, about 20 pickles, and 8 tomatoes. Oh yeah, it was a big one. I eat the first half of it along with the wheat tortilla then the rest with a fork thus less carbs. THANK YOU for posting that - see that HELPED me. It just opened my mind to another choice I had for food. Cool. Anyway, Yes, get right back on track and make a strong mental note on how sugar made you feel. It is just not worth it guys. Not at all.

The other night, I was craving pizza. Well, I think you all know by now that pizza was my "problem area" for the past few years. Sure I still love it but have not had any since the beginning. So the other night, I ordered a Papa Johns all meat pizza and ten wings......ate about half of the cheese and toppings and hot wings with ranch. It was spectacular. It really satisfied me in the biggest way. Someone please remind me how this is a sacrafice again? LOL Um, so it reminded me that I did NOT have that very heavy, loathing feeling that the dough normally did to me all up until the NEXT day until mid day. NO more sluggishness at all and I am eating like a king. This weekend I am planning another prime rib for myself. Yep, prime rib with mushrooms. It is only $15 for a 2lb roast. That is enough for 2 days so - very inexpensive. Anyway, I couldn't stay off the scale.....call it a cheat but heck, I was dying. DOWN 20lbs now kids!!! Let's hear it.

Liz, let's hear some stats.....drinking water, exercise, carbs, just regular everyday stuff.....I look forward to your post.

Tammy, give us a rundown with the same kind of stuff. I want information on water, exercise, carbs, etc..... I am happy to hear you are making progress in the "fiscal" department too. I hope you find your dream home. I look forward to your stats.

Sweets, you have opened up like a pretty little rose. I love it! The things you discuss and encourage others to discuss will assuredly help this group right along nicely. Thanks for being a contributor.

Okay guys, lets hear some factual things......I wanna hear it. Keep up....I am dropping weight (and inches too cuz I can tell in my clothes), drinking water, and exercising so let's share your trials and tribulations too. The facts please, the facts! LOL

[northnstar]

Here and exhausted! I've finally decided to visit my Internist tomorrow to get my neck checked. This pain doesn't feel like a pulled muscle, and it has not subsided with the many visits to the chiropractor. Now my lower back pain has decreased in pain by about 50-60%. I thought I was 'fixed', I had no lower backache when I was doing cardio today. So I decided to up my cardio and boom-bang, the back starts to ache once again. I'm so strapped for time during the day this week, so I'm not posting as much as I would like too.

I had my 8th workout today and I have 5 more training days left. We are going to do my reg. workout Friday then I'm going to train MTW and F next week to complete my sessions. Except that Tuesdays session with be made up of High Intensity Interval Training (cardio session only) I contacted Bally's and I go in this Friday after my workout. I talked to the manager of the branch that I'll attend and told him I have 100 plus pounds to lose and he was very receptive and made me feel completely comfortable. I'm feeling so pumped...can't wait for our weigh-in day.

As for my water I'm consistent with at least 128oz and up. My exercise will dramatically increase as my goal is to get to Bally's 5 days a week. For carbs, my goal for Jan. was 20 a day, but I find that I've needed to up that (low glycemic only) due to my workouts and I've needed to add in more fruits to see me through. My carbs are around 30 a day now. Still havn't completed my 2nd DD.

Tammy, yes todays weather was very nice. I even had my cars AC on, on the way home, how weird is that for the middle of winter? Everything happens and comes together when it's your time. Just you wait and see...can you imagine whats probably instore (homewise) for you and your family. I'm thinking it will be even more then you thought possible. Blessings come when you least expect them.

Shawn, you're at 20lbs already. The last time I did induction and stuck to it religiously for 9 weeks. I lost alot of weight and I was eating them rib-roast and rib-eye steak like there was NO tomorrow. LOL

Ally, Ditto with what Sweets and Shawn type. Oh, and yes to what Shawn wrote about being FOCUSED. I'm so determined to keep focused that I'm shoving everything on the side that even thinks it can stray me from goal. Be committed, everyday re-commit and get stronger.

Sweets, absolutely right about posting IT here. We're each other supports post. Everyone has a different way of contributing and making Team Ocotillo move forward. Your struggles are my struggles too. And I see that we are learning that theres a whole heck of emotions that made 'US' this weight.

I hope that all my team members find peace and strength here.

[Ally Boo]

How did you get THAT much in one of those wraps???? LOL I went there again today too, thought of you. SOO yummy. My friend said, How are they gonna WRAP that, it's HUGE!!! But it was YUMMY!!! hehe

[sweets]

Hi everyone!

Good to see everyone posting on our thread today!!!!

Long day here...this week is just d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g!!! I can't believe there are still two full work days left. I have a nice quiet at home weekend planned.....well it's supposed to snow like crazy Friday night and all day Saturday....guess I'll stop and get more low carb goodies on the way home Friday!!!!

Liz I sure hope your back is better soon!!! Back pain is just one of the worst pains to have to deal with.

I have never tried one of those Subway wraps. I have heard a few people say that they are very small and rather pricey. I might have to try one since you both like them.

I have been acing water and carbs.....I worry a bit that I might not be eating enough food. We shall see. My little sticks are consistenly purple. I get about 30 minutes of exercise 5-6 times a week right now....but it's not strenous, mostly just walking. I want these ribs to get better as quickly as possible so I can start hitting that portion much harder.

I did notice that when I put my coat on and buttoned it tonight...it seemed very big on me. I don't so much remember it being that big.....hmmmm, let's hope that's a GOOD sign!!!

I really can't stress enough how crucial it is and how very much it helps everyone when we post a little more indepth......I could totally relate to Ally with her chocolate as I have done that a few times myself!

OK ....tomorrow is the day!!! I am going to have lunch with my coworkers. WISH ME LUCK!!!!!

Wendy

[1Life2Live]

Hi There Everyone

I have some good news! My mommy is going to pay for my gym membership. I tell you what, I have the best mom in the world. She is so supportive in my WOL changes. I can't wait to join. This gym is set up alot like Curves with the circuit. This place also has free weights, tread mills, and bikes. They also have the machine weights. I plan on doing my 30 minutes on the circuit and then 30 minutes on the Dread Mill or the bike.

Food is going goodand the exercise is as well. Getting in my water and trying to pick my spirits up.

So what is the story, why is this place so quiet?

I will write more later. Take care.

[too much too long]

Hey all,

Tammy, super great news on the gym membership. Yep, just go there and really get your money's worth! What are your stats up to this point though? Exercise, water, and carbs? It is important to post this. We all REALLY want to know - especially me. Accountability. You think it is quiet? - everyone has been posting daily and I don't see an issue with that considering our schedules are often so booked. Sweets was great at keeping me calm in the beginning in regards to the same "are we posting enough?" question. I am passing on what helped me.... A daily post is excellent as long as the post is "meaty" plus anything else that is sharable - anything at all. See what I mean Vern? LOL Including the essentials like water, exercise, and carbs should be the detailed daily or every other day max. Okay everyone!?! Please everyone, post on these. I do not want slacking...I want a commitment to yourself and this challenge. THAT is why we are here.....plus we can share cool things as well. I feel like I know this team pretty decent now. Cool.

Liz, man, back problems are a bear. Please do not injure yourself when exercising. Just do what you can but no matter what, the carbs and water cannot, ever be compromised. You have really been doing well and thanks for keeping the team in the loop on your stats. Give us an update if you would.

Ally, you crack me up. Wraps....lol. Yep they are yummy. I am on a wing kick now though. That is my favorite low carb food now for sure. I love em. Also let us know the stats and keep posting on the challenges you face in your life that may derail your objectives. Super supporters here.

Wendy, you MUST eat more. It is IMPERATIVE to weight loss. The less you eat, the slower your metabolism. That is 100% counterproductive so you may think you are helping yourself but you are doing the complete opposite. I strongly recommend that you keep up the exercise and water but the food intake MUST increase. Legal stuff of course right lol. Seriously, I force myself to eat like today...... I was not hungry at all and could have easily NOT eaten anything today. You gotta eat. There is no way around it. Your posts help me too so thank you for sharing your stories here with us.

Alrighty guys, my stats are very solid like the 20lbs of weight loss shows: Top points in water, 85 point range in exercise, top points in water and will not have any deductions, and will complete all the other metrics. I look forward to hearing your stuff the next posting you do. Have a great, productive day. Three weeks already. Time flies, and on this wol, results happen quick too.