Rogues and Alternatives, Week of 12/26

[Trishagrrl]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Paula -- I will check Dillard's -- thanks for the tip!

Fredericks carries a 32 dd/32 F and they actually make some nice bras... but 32 is the smallest they go.

There are a couple of sites that carry bras in every conceivable size, so I think I will just splurge and get a couple of nice ones at goal.

If I may recommend big girl bras, they have a GREAT selection with some great bras (both large and small size). I can't find bras at any department store because of my cup size and have ordered from them for years.

[tay65]

Hi! I'm down another .7! So still need a pound to get to my 189 even. Doing a fat fast today. I wonder if it will work for me.

[tay65]

Happy Birthday Mini!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by bkm

Such a lot of posts! Happy Birthday, Minimo - and congrats to the rest of you, whether losing, maintaining, or even (oops) up a tad (but only temporarily!).

I was 137# this morning - seems that I have to pretty much do CDs non-stop - when does maintenance kick in for real? It seems that if I only have my coffee in the morning and misto in the afternoon, then I can eat a reasonable meal for dinner ... however, this morning I ate some Greek yogurt (with coconut, etc.) for breakfast, will see if I maintain this weight ...

I went shopping yesterday - all my underclothes are too big! and it's surprising just how much they cost! Anyway, I tried on a skort, size 6 - it fit nicely - didn't buy it, it wasn't what I wanted (color, style) but still, it was a good feeling! At the start of my HCG process, my waist was 28" (now 26.5") and my hips were 39" (now 37.5") - a lot of belly went with that!!!! I'm happy about the inches off! I've started some crunches and a few other calisthenics, maybe I can get the rest of this flab off my belly-area

I'm sorry you're struggling, Bonnie. Many people do. I know you've give us a list of what you eat but can you do it again? Something has to be wrong. Maybe those drinks (forget what they are; start with an M?) are complicating things for you. How many calories are you eating? I'd love to hear more details so we can offer help. Doing one CD after another does nothing but create dispare. I'm glad your belly is shrinking! I know that is your problem area.

Originally Posted by minimonkey

I'm kinda surprised about the band size loss, too -- it may even out when I gain some back muscle, but my back tends to get definition, but not size, when I lift.

But... I am wearing my size 30 bras on the tightest hook, and they are starting to slip around even at that.

My whole bone structure is really very narrow and my bones are very fine.

Looks like you'll need to start wearing those bras on top of your sweaters on a regular basis! What the heck. You might start a new craze. I can't imagine being so tiny. A stiff breeze might take you away! Hang onto something. We don't want to lose you!

Originally Posted by Trishagrrl

Thanks for the welcome Cheryl! I have 4 boys. My oldest, who I homeschool, is 7 and my super duper helper. My second son is 3, and he is my melancholy man who has definitely been my most challenging. The babies are 7 months and a total delight. They are the happiest my laid back babies I've had.

I haven't talked to my dr apt hcg because I don't currently have a general doctor, just one that I see periodically for my thyroid. I'm not really worried about hhcg passing into the breastmilk since many women breastfeed while pregnant and produce WAY more hcg than what we take while doing this diet.

I did hhcg when my second son was a year old and I was working on weaning him, and was able to lose close to 40 pounds. I had a bit more I wanted to lose, but was pretty comfortable where I was. This time, I'm trying to do hhcg while I'm still exclusively breastfeeding and I think that's why my losses have been less and I'm having so much trouble stabilizing. Any time I've breastfed, no diet has resulted in weight loss besides hcg. In fact, even with my first and second when I was on a very low carb diet while breastfeeding I continued to gain weight. It's very discouraging to weigh more while breastfeeding than I did while pregnant! I try to keep it in perspective though, knowing this is a short time in my life.

I understand the melancholy boy. I tend toward that end of the spectrum myself. It's like having your own person internal storm. You get so caught-up with the internal environment that you can't get "outside" of yourself and live like other people.

So tell me about the two babies! How are they different?

WTG on losing nearly 40 lbs with HCG! That's so strange how you can't lose weight while breastfeeding (other than with hcg.) I guess it's our body's way of making sure that "life goes on." I'm sorry you are discouraged about how slowly things come off.

Originally Posted by tay65

Hi! I'm down another .7! So still need a pound to get to my 189 even. Doing a fat fast today. I wonder if it will work for me.

Enjoy your fat fast. I've yet to try one of those. Without coconut oil, I'm not sure what I'd be able to eat. Maybe sauteed avocados?

[minimonkey]

Thanks for the recommendation, Trish -- I will definitely take a look at that site

Good luck with the fat fast Tay -- hope it works for you as well as it does for me!

I'm having a lovely birthday so far -- no stress, lots of love, and it doesn't get better than that!

[minimonkey]

Cheryl -- seriously, about the bras! Hey, I've always been a trendsetter... why not?

I actually just ordered three new ones -- they are returnable if they don't fit... but I got a nice sale price on one, and the others were reasonable by comparison. 28 dd and 28 e do exist, and I did find some nice ones... but I better not get any smaller or I really will have trouble! 28 is the smallest band size I was able to find even in the specialty shops. At this point, I don't think I COULD lose any more in the band size though.. I am pretty much down to my ribs (which are visible, but not in a sickly looking way).

I am off to buy myself a couple of birthday treats! There is a weird little shop in the neighborhood with cute hats, scarves, and legwarmers... they are pretty cheap... and that is my gift to me!

[CherylB]

Time to start doing bench presses with gusto! Use them or lose them! LMAO! "Just say NO" to ribs! I hope you find some cool, quirky stuff on your b-day shopping spree. (((HUGS)))

[star a.d.]

cheryl - vegas! my nephew is getting married. hopefully I'll be able to afford to go. not to be a grinch about it, but destination weddings suck.

[minimonkey]

Star -- I agree with you about destination weddings, but Vegas could be a lot of fun, if you are into things that are SERIOUSLY corny!

Cheryl -- shopping trip successful, fun items have been acquired!! Yay!

Oh, and about the ribs... I don't mind them being somewhat visible, though I do look forward to building up some muscle again. The visible ribs are inevitable at goal with my body type ... I'm okay with that.

I'm starting to really like how I look in clothes -- what a nice feeling

[minimonkey]

Cheryl, re the fat fast: Nuts (macadamia is recommended by Dr. Atkins) , nut butters, cream cheese, avocado, full fat yogurt, sour cream.... the list goes on and on.... I just happen to prefer to eat a lot of my calories from coconut oil, but that is by no means a necessity....

[CherylB]

Oh, wow! Star, I used to live in Vegas and that's where I was living when I got married. The only members of my family who could make it were my Mom and her hubby who were living there at the time, and my best friend and her husband who flew in from Alabama. Then in the years since then, two of my nephews got married there and almost none of us could go. Hard feelings, but you know what? The more things change, the more they stay the same. I really hope you can make it!

Who is it that does plates for a living? Is it Gremom? I forgot. Anyway, does she do more than plates? I'm wondering if she does decorating on things like tin or something more durable than ceramic plates. I may have a job order for you!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Cheryl, re the fat fast: Nuts (macadamia is recommended by Dr. Atkins) , nut butters, cream cheese, avocado, full fat yogurt, sour cream.... the list goes on and on.... I just happen to prefer to eat a lot of my calories from coconut oil, but that is by no means a necessity....

I can hang with those.

[minimonkey]

Ladies: One more holiday to navigate, and we are scott free for dieting again! I still don't know if I will splurge on NYE and have one drink, or not... but I kinda doubt it. I might have one sip or so.

I had big but legal birthday treats today -- 2 servings of sugar free jello with sweetened Fage 0 and Walden Farms chocolate... YUM! I had a light protein/fat lunch .. total calorie count was somewhere in the 1000-1200 range, which is just fine. I got to feel like I had a birthday indulgence, and still not be wildly off plan

I don't think I will have too much dieting left to do, come the new year, but it'll sure be nice not to have to dodge goodies and potential social events right and left.

[Gremom]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mini!!!! Looks like you have had a great day so far.

You all have been busy today. I have been busy here at home. I took down all the Christmas decorations, exercised, did more laundry, cleaned the kitchen, our bedroom and the foyer. Feels so rewarding to be productive!!

Hexa, yes, I totally want to look better than the bride, but she is absolutely beautiful!! Really, my brother outdid himself with this girl! She is great! Love her! But, I do want to look my absolute best and I am going to do it!!

The adoption is going fine. We are waiting for our homestudy to get approved and then we will fill out our USCIS info, get FBI fingerprinted and then get on the waitlist. I hope to be waitlisted by the end of Feb. And then we wait to be matched. I am thinking at least 6 months. We will apply for grants and do more fundraising while we wait. I just really want to meet my son. Hard to explain how much I miss someone I don't even know!

Cheryl, looks like you are going to be busy on with the horses. I still am quite jealous and think it is going to be very rewarding for you! Can't wait to hear about your next day!

I hope you all have a great night! Will be busy tomorrow running errands, but I will check in for sure! You guys are my cyber family!!

[minimonkey]

Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes -- it really has been a lovely day.

Gremom -- so exciting about the adoption!!!!

Sending out lots of love and hugs to all of you lovely ladies!

[HexaTheAmazon]

Do you know when a person is body building does cellulite lay on top of the muscle until the muscle is built? I don't know if I asked this question correctly My thighs are starting to stand up but I can see cellulite on top of them.

[minimonkey]

Hexa -- yes, cellulite is just a form of fat that is lumpy due to tight collagen fibers within the connective tissue layers and in the skin. So, it lays on top of the muscle -- and as you build muscle, the cellulite may look more noticeable for a while.

As you lose fat, that should disappear to some degree. If you didn't have cellulite before, it may disappear altogether.

Annoying, isn't it? But, you are building up your leg muscles -- hurray!!!!

[HexaTheAmazon]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Hexa -- yes, cellulite is just a form of fat that is lumpy due to tight collagen fibers within the connective tissue layers and in the skin. So, it lays on top of the muscle -- and as you build muscle, the cellulite may look more noticeable for a while.

As you lose fat, that should disappear to some degree. If you didn't have cellulite before, it may disappear altogether.

Annoying, isn't it? But, you are building up your leg muscles -- hurray!!!!

I didn't know what the heck was going on. The more I build the more cellulite I see (in the legs) Whew.. I was getting scared and yes it is very frustrating. I was able to bench press the olympic bar today but, could only do 4 good reps. Need to build up. Having trouble with left arm being a little weaker than right arm but all together everything is well. Trying to pick up my cardio with Capoira and dance classes. Maybe I will be in competition shape after all in another year.

[minimonkey]

Right on with the bench press -- very nice!!! Sounds like a great cardio routine, too -- I love dance!

I am definitely going to try to get in good cardio on the non-lifting days this time -- once I get in the hang of doing it, I do enjoy it.

We put off workouts for one more day -- roommate still has a terrible cough.... but heck or high water, we are starting the barre work tomorrow. I am really looking forward to it!!!

[HexaTheAmazon]

Originally Posted by minimonkey

Right on with the bench press -- very nice!!! Sounds like a great cardio routine, too -- I love dance!

I am definitely going to try to get in good cardio on the non-lifting days this time -- once I get in the hang of doing it, I do enjoy it.

We put off workouts for one more day -- roommate still has a terrible cough.... but heck or high water, we are starting the barre work tomorrow. I am really looking forward to it!!!

I am sorry that your roommate is still sick. I hope you enjoy every minute of your workout. You deserve it after such a long hiatus. Work it girl

[Violet_Dream]

Good Morning! R3VLCD33 and I'm down .2! I started TOM yesterday so I feel .

On a positive note, today is my interview with one of the foreclosure positions I applied for. I talked to my former manager (the one who hired me for this leadership in our old department) and he's not sure if he'll be able to keep his title as Collections Manager. He doesn't have anyone reporting under him and his 6-month project has come to an end. He's been with the company 14 years and said he's not concerned. I told him my plans and said it would pay more and I wouldn't be in leadership or this negative department I'm in where we've lost so many good people and our two managers are a couple of clowns. He said the only problem with getting out of leadership is if I ever want to get back into it, it may be more of a challenge. I said I have absolutely no plans to get back into it as I want the freedom of only being responsible for myself. I'll keep you all posted and he suggested that I be up front in the interview and let them know I have another one the following week - which I think is a great idea and I'll make sure I do that.

mini!

Congratulations to everyone and make it a great day!

[paulabob]

Good morning, no change to report today (that's fine in maintenance land). Hope everyone has a good day planned.

[DisneyPrincess]

Good morning.

Mini! sorry I'm a day late. I hope you had a wonderful day

I'm hanging in basically maintaining. I guess that I'm going to maintain until the 5th and then I'm going back on hHCG. Since it'll be less than 14 days I'm just calling it an interruption. I'm going strict p2 though this time in hopes to get this weight off. I'm sure I'm up on the scale a few pounds but know its water. My goal will be 107 by the 15th. Hopefully that's not too far fetched. I'll have to see when I get home and am on plan for a few days.

Going to go read up so I know what's going on

[Trishagrrl]

This is a treacherous week for me. I was going to try to get a few of my christmas pounds off before starting a new round next week, but with family in town and staying with us there are lots of homemade goodies and I'm not doing all of the cooking and we're eating out some. Seems like I start every day great and end with failure. Christmas totally derailed my low-carb way of eating.

Originally Posted by CherylB

I understand the melancholy boy. I tend toward that end of the spectrum myself. It's like having your own person internal storm. You get so caught-up with the internal environment that you can't get "outside" of yourself and live like other people.

So tell me about the two babies! How are they different?

WTG on losing nearly 40 lbs with HCG! That's so strange how you can't lose weight while breastfeeding (other than with hcg.) I guess it's our body's way of making sure that "life goes on." I'm sorry you are discouraged about how slowly things come off.

The babies really don't show much difference in personality at this point. I'm sure as they get older we'll see more differences. We just found out a little over a month ago that they're identical. The doctors in the hospital told us they were fraternal because they had their own sac's and placenta's... but they look so much alike that my mom decided she was paying for a genetic test. Sure enough, they're one of the rare identical sets of twins that have their own sac's and placenta's.

[goddesslynne]

Ugh. I knew it was a mistake, but I did it anyway.

I worked out last night. LOL!! A friend wanted to treat me to a visit to her chi-chi gym (Equinox) and we went last night. I haven't exercised in a few months, and the combo of elliptical and heavy weights put the weight on me!! I'm up a pound again!! ACK!! This is not how I wanted to end the year!! I'm going backwards!!

[minimonkey]

Lynne -- I feel ya! I am up again today too, and I haven't even started the workouts yet!

This HAS to be PMS weight, though TOM hasn't started I haven't done anything to warrant a gain at all-- so it is frustrating.

I will be starting to work out tonight if all goes well -- and I am going to relax about the darn scale -- monthly fluctuations happen, exercise gains happen -- I need to learn to live with that.

I will be ringing in the new year on p2... but that is going to have to be fine.


Congrats on the drop, and GOOD LUCK with the interviews Violet!!!

[minimonkey]

It's a fat fast day for me today. Hoping TOM hurries up and shows its lovely face.

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by Violet_Dream

Good Morning! R3VLCD33 and I'm down .2! I started TOM yesterday so I feel .

On a positive note, today is my interview with one of the foreclosure positions I applied for. I talked to my former manager (the one who hired me for this leadership in our old department) and he's not sure if he'll be able to keep his title as Collections Manager. He doesn't have anyone reporting under him and his 6-month project has come to an end. He's been with the company 14 years and said he's not concerned. I told him my plans and said it would pay more and I wouldn't be in leadership or this negative department I'm in where we've lost so many good people and our two managers are a couple of clowns. He said the only problem with getting out of leadership is if I ever want to get back into it, it may be more of a challenge. I said I have absolutely no plans to get back into it as I want the freedom of only being responsible for myself. I'll keep you all posted and he suggested that I be up front in the interview and let them know I have another one the following week - which I think is a great idea and I'll make sure I do that.

mini!

Congratulations to everyone and make it a great day!

Good luck with your interview today! What your former manager said about it being harder to get back into management again after leaving your current position seems right-on. But it's likely that you'll never want to return, after having gotten a good taste for it (or was it a "bad taste"?) I hope you get the best job of the ones you are interviewing for. The one where you'll be the most content.

Originally Posted by Trishagrrl

This is a treacherous week for me. I was going to try to get a few of my christmas pounds off before starting a new round next week, but with family in town and staying with us there are lots of homemade goodies and I'm not doing all of the cooking and we're eating out some. Seems like I start every day great and end with failure. Christmas totally derailed my low-carb way of eating.

The babies really don't show much difference in personality at this point. I'm sure as they get older we'll see more differences. We just found out a little over a month ago that they're identical. The doctors in the hospital told us they were fraternal because they had their own sac's and placenta's... but they look so much alike that my mom decided she was paying for a genetic test. Sure enough, they're one of the rare identical sets of twins that have their own sac's and placenta's.

I hear that! Holidays and family functions are the things that complicate all my dieting efforts. I just don't feel like I'm really 100% part of it if I set myself apart in any way. It's all psychological, but that's what drives us to do what we do.

That's amazing about the babies! I wonder how rare that is. They really do look so much a like but in the picture they seem to have slight differences. Maybe it's just the way they are smiling. I think the Dr's should have done that test before your Mom went and had it done. What would we do without Mom's?

to everyone I didn't quote or comment on. I read everything so I know where you are at and I'm in your corner, today and everyday. Hugs to those who need them.

These are my last 3 days of "letting it all hang out." I'm not stuffing myself but I'm eating like a normal human being would. No guilt, no fear, no shame. No weight loss either! But that will come soon enough. I haven't regained much at all. I know it will be back off in a big hurry soon.

I hope everyone has their year ending on a happy note! 2012 is coming and we will make it an excellent year!

[tay65]

Fat fast was a SUCCESS!!!!! I'm down 2.1 today!!! Doing it again! I'm at a new low for hHCG weight. I have to get to 170 to get to my lowest weight since having my son 19 yrs ago! That sounds so bad.
Going to my parents so they can see my son before he leaves for training. Time is flying, but I know he'll be back in 16 weeks. Its then that I'll really be depressed. He said he going to get me a smart phone so we can video chat. I'll take it! LOL
Well, I better go eat. No time for personals, but I read everything. Have a good day ladies! BBL!

[star a.d.]

mini, cheryl, I hope i can make it to vegas...blah. it's just coming at a really, really bad time, financially speaking.

well, I'm STILL in my window! this makes me pretty pleased! I'm also having pretty intense chocolate cravings, thank you PMS, you JERK. should be here within a couple of days. happy new year, right? haha!