Need a motivating buddy to lose 50 pounds with by April 2007

[Stelakate]

Hiya! SO far no bad food and she isn't even wanting indian today! That saves me a zillion cal and carbs cuz I LOVE naan (bread!)!!!!
I will say no matter how much you pay for a bra getting the right fit is KEY! Nothing makes you look better in clothes (and a size smaller) than having the right fit and proper support to keep the girls where they should be. Just went through this w/ Rebecca and once she got the right fit, she looks at least a size if not 2 smaller.

Well, sinuses are bothering me, feeling raw. Have to run to Target and Walmart (I HATE walmart!!!!!) so I will check in later lovelies!

T- to your baby too!
Would love new smileys Ash!
SDD, J, G

[cardenas5usa]

Well, I got to the mall at 9:15 and the stores didn't open till 10, so I made the most of it and walked the mall for those 45 minutes, I was sweating!! hehe, probably not the best before going to go try on a ton of bras I wasn't going to buy, LOL, oh well

Well, I did manage to find 5 more bras, and a jeans jacket, all for under 34 bucks! Yeah, I am set for the next year in the under garmet dept. Well I got home in about 2 hours and E was a little bent outta shape that I took sooo long, huh?? Whats that about? He was the one that volunteered to stay while I went. I know he is stressing cause his brothers (the one that just went back, and his younger brother) want to come back to the US, and he is having a huge conscience attack about saying no, money wise. Oh well, he'll get over it.

After that I took the kids to Ruby Tuesday's for lunch! I had a chicken bbq sandwich minus half the bun. I did eat some fries, but they were super good and when I figured them into Fitday, I am still within a safe range. It is a new restaurant here and it looks out onto a big pond with big fountains, so after we ate we made two run/walk/skip laps around it. We then did some more shopping, I gotta move extra today to get rid of those extra carbs. So far I'm up to 11,493 steps. I am going to do another 10 minutes of running and then E got a new workout DVD, ab and arms. I am going to try that before he gets home, then I will do whatever exercise he chooses for tonight. Wow, that seems like a lot, but I need it today.

Miss Jina, good that you didn't have to be tempted by those naan, they are addicting, "once you pop you just can't stop," type of thing,lol. Hope your sinus prob clears up fast, sinus headaches are horrid. Sending get well vibes your way!

Well girls, have a good rest of the day! Ash

[carbjunkie]

Checking in real quick...get together with friends going well but I have had some bad cheats that I didn't even want to eat...but ate um anyway. Thank you J for such a sweet note on my baby's bday...Heres what I've had today..

B - 2 hb eggs no yolk
L - small turkey patty w/mustard
D - 2 slices cheese pizza and choc chip ice cream...i know i know! please don't be disappointed.

update in more detail in the morning..goodnite girls

[carbjunkie]

Good morning...it's Monday and I feel good...ready to tackle the week. Where were you girls last night? I know I was bad..but I needed to make a point to myself. If I feel deprived..I want to eat it..if I don't..then I can easily pass it up. I didn't even want that second slice and I ate it anyway..see? I have to work on that..my issue. I did everything in my power yesterday to stay away from feeling hungry and I did so that was a plus for me too. Also, I'm proud I didn't have one sip of alcohol the entire weekend..HARD especially at football time. Anyway, I can't wait to hear how you girls both did. Here's what I plan to eat today.

B - 1/2 cup oatmeal 8 almonds 1/2 grapefruit
L - turkey cooked w/fresh tomato, garlic n zucchini
D - cod w/ broccoli n brown rice

[Stelakate]

The weekend was busy all around. Did really well until after running errands yesterday Kate picked chinese food and I had lo-mein and that was way to high in everything including sodium! OH well. Sinus issue is now full blown infection and I am RAW and very uncomfortable, w/ fatigue and sleep deprivation to boot.
Not going to stop me. I have had 2 coffee and not hungry for breakfast but need to eat an egg. Going to salad bar, will have to be careful watching carbs....they are so hidden in those salad bars!

Jogging. I will muster the strength - damn I am so tired!

T-I know what you mean w/ eating when not even hungry. It's a problem but sounds like avoiding the alcohol was a huge saver for your plan. Awesome girl!
Ash-you are a deal finding fool! E, getting irritated about you being gone so long? Well, we all know you deserve to be on your own at times, w/o anyone including the kids.
Ruby Tuesday has a kick ass salad bar, I love it.
Not too much to report, will check in later. Have you two been to Target lately? They have some new collections (we collect buddha and goddess art) and they are really nice. Can see some serious shopping spree in my near future!

[cardenas5usa]

Checking in before I get busy with today, E's day off and not sure where we are going, maybe to the beach, ya just never know with him.

T, good job on staying away from the alcohol, that is a huge step for you , so bravo!!!

Jina, lo mein, mmm, that is some good eats, and hey, it is only your sweeties bday once a year. So it is great that you were able to splurge a little and then come back today and be full force, that is a major diet success right there!! Thumbs up!!

Now that I am closing in on my first goal, 170, I have been really stressed about reaching 160??!!? I think I am just worried about being able to maintain and find a happy medium. I feel like I am being totally irrational in my fear/stress. So I have come to the conclusion that when I get to the maintain stage I will eat in a low carb way but when it comes to special events I am not going to stress about em and just enjoy myself, at the same time, I have learned more self control with food already, so enjoying myself won't include stuffing myself until I feel like a stay puff marshmellow man. Does this sound like a good plan? Ug, I am feeling so not confident about maintaining.

I'll have to make a trip over to Target today and take a peak, E and I love all things asian influenced. I have a Thai Budda sitting in my front entrance to welcome us and all visitors. I should take a picture of my dresser in my room, you would love it. It is an antique very ornately carved teak dresser from Thailand. When I found it, I just knew I had to have it. I bargained for it and got it for just under 500 bucks. I love Target!! It is stylish and yet so affordable.

Yesterday, I was sooooooo hungry last night, but I resisted the temp to eat, cause I had already reached my calorie goal for the day. I was sure glad to wake up and eat!

Alright girls, I'll be back later this afteroon, have a super day! Ash

[carbjunkie]

You know the key to maintenance is exercise. If you maintain your dedication to exercise there is no way you'll regain that weight. It's what we all think about..regaining..but I've learned the hard way..with exercise it's SO much harder to gain back. You are right..keep low carbing..and be reasonable at special events and you'll make it. Keep up the good work..you are an inspiration.

T.

[Stelakate]

Hi girls!
No breakfast and lunch was one salad plate from the salad bar. I had 4 steamed hot wings (no skin) and 1/2 plate of ceasar salad w/ chicken, bacon and blue cheese crumbles. Delic! It was plenty of food. On my 5th glass of water (12 ounce glass) and we did abs, arms and get this: jogging..............I jogged (at one time, no break) for 20 MINUTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is unreal to me the stamina I have, even after a sh**ty eating day yesterday and feeling raw and crappy I did it!! That means tonight I only have to do 10 but will do 15 for good measure!
SO proud!
Ashley,
I feel you on the fear of maintaining. I also hugely (is that a word?) understand you pushing your goal further away once you are so near it. Do you think these two are related fears? I so many times have done so well and once I reach a huge portion of my goal I fall short and quit. I think there is a legitimate fear of being thin (for me). What then will I obsess about, how would I ever maintain the loss??? I will surely not stay thin, so why even get there in the first place? I envision my not fitting into "goal" clothes after a while, and creep back into a danger weight again....its a weird internal battle.
It also seems once close to goal, why not enjoy it? We seem (as a whole) to always push it...wanting to be thinner, or then find something else to not be satisfied w/.
All I really know is, you have the mind set to far surpass your goals. You are the kind of person that once you set your mind to something you do it even better than anyone thought it could be done.
It will always have to be a conscious choice for us. We battle w/ the devil ----the food devil. You have the power though, and I am not trying to be cheesy. I can feel you are going to keep this weight off. As active as you are, as much as you incorporate every possible opportunity into a game of exercise, Ashley - No worries!!!
I hope we are still talking years down the road. I will want to follow you where ever this journey of life takes you, takes us....together!

That being said. I would love to see your dresser. We study buddhism (loosely---by no means devout) and the power of the sculpture and ruins and beings of it. It's powerful. We have so many nice pieces.
Ok, should go. Talk soon.
In case I haven't said it lately-I am super proud you picked me to buddy with.

[Stelakate]

where oh where are my girls?

The night was great. We went to dinner and everyone ordered the same thing, battered chicken strips and fries....except ME---one 7oz steak and 1/2 cup green beans + a HUGE water w/ lots of lemon. I came home, changed clothes and went downstairs to jog again, went for 12 minutes.
My legs and KNEES are really sore tonight. We did a lot of leg lift things today after jogging and I can REALLY FEEL IT! I think they call them soccer kicks where your legs are straight out and you lift them over your head and contract your abs, double duty. Also those ballet kicks....very hard on me today. Need to increase the arm reps cuz the 5 pounders are getting to be too easy. I think 7 minutes or so of that is pretty good though...will add 3 more---I really want these arms shaped up!

Gonna keep a talley of my jog minutes this week. Since I will do more on some days I have a feeling.
JM (jog minutes): 32 (WOW - I can't believe that?!??!?!!!!!)
OK, off I go to snuggle w/ my girls.
Night.

[carbjunkie]

Good morning! wow..the bike seemed to be hard this morning. I quit after 30mins. I also lifted some weights and feel good. I think it's weird that one day it's a breeze and the next..it's hard!

Ash..I love Target..I visit that store every week. Although, I'm not big on the buddha stuff..I do like the stuff at Zgallerie (not sure you guys have that one) the store is cool..has great art but not big on the buddhist style.

J..I'm proud of you for picking the healthy meal at dinner..so hard when everyone else is ordering the same thing..and 32 mins of running..that's big for u!

Well ladies..wish you good choices today and I'll talk to you later.

B - ff yogurt, raspberries & slivered almonds
L - out w/hubby (prob fish)

[cardenas5usa]

Yeah, it's Tuesday! Sounds like you girls are doing great at the exercise. Jina 20 minutes!!! You are the Running Queen!! And all those other great toning exercises to boot!! You go girl.
T, even though the bike was hard you kept at it for 30 minutes, that is so GREAT!!! I dub you, The Bike Queen.
Okay and I'll be the Curves Queen, LOL!

Thank you guys for all the support! Yesterday was a good but weird day, emotion wise, think TOM is coming. I was just feeling like I would be able to lose, but then be lost once I got there. Today, thanx to you girls and a new day, I am sure I can do this! I am worthy!

Looks like good eats, all the way around! And Jina, cool beets, you didn't succumb to pressure, I know those chickens tenders looked good, kids had 'em at Ruby's, but you stuck with it. Yesterday, we had soup bowls again, no noodles, then after that, E took us to our favorite doughnut place, the kids all got one, so did E, when the lady asked what I wanted, I stood there, it felt like time froze while I thought about it, so tempting, but I declined.

I made it to Curves early this morning, and did cardio for 30 minutes last night and some ab work on my balence ball.
Running today, 10 minutes x 2, cardio 30 minutes, pilates hopefully

I think it would be fun for us all keep track of our exercise minutes each week/month. It would give us a goal to meet and beat each week/month. I am going to add up all my minutes for this month so far from fitday and post it.



, Ashley

[carbjunkie]

After bfast I went to the couch and cuddled up with my new book, "YOU on a diet." I'm not a big fan of diet books but I like Dr. Oz and I decided to buy it. I was reading a part that I thought you guys should hear.

You use food as a temporary fix to solve problems (I know we know this) and you seem to try and fill a void..we use food but while wanting to be thin so bad...we're terrified of being thin. Being fat gives us and excuse to fail, an excuse to be depressed, and excuse to eat that twix bar. So why do we do this to ourselves? You may do it because this thought process is a safe one and because fat serves as a literal and metaphorical protective layer that keeps you from interacting with reality. You don't have to play the game of life if you're constantly making excuses for living on the bench! "If only" you could lose weight..get into that bikini..hike with the family without huffing and puffing. While some people say that fat is a failure, the truth is that fat--for many of us--is a way of AVOIDING failure, because it's an excuse for never competing and engaging in life. Out of everything I have read..and I have read tons! this is the most enlightening thing I have ever heard.

I hope I made some sense in as little space as possible. Think deep girls..why are we afraid of being thin..or feeling like we don't deserve it? What is so scary about goal and what will happen to us when we get there?

just some thoughts....

your friend, T.

[cardenas5usa]

at costco, and various other stores at least half a dozen times. I have thought about buying it but, then I already have too many books, diet and non diet (book junky.) So, if you read and enlighten us on the good points, that would be great! The passage you posted does make sense and I can't even remember how many things I haven't done cause of my weight, cheereleading comes to mind first for some reason, in HS, I would have loved to do it, I always danced and did gymnastics at clubs, but was mortified to do them at school cause my weight. Well, that will soon be the past! I plan on signing up for salsa dance in a few months, when I can really rock a flirty dress.

Well, I tallied up my exercise minutes so far for this month: 1248 minutes, that is 20.8 hours, that's nuts! All those minutes add up to 7381 calories per Fitday, just shy of 5 pounds. I would have guessed they added up to more.

Okay, I am going to get real cloths on now and go to the park with the kids, later Ash

[Stelakate]

I agree w/ the minutes. Mostly for me to keep track of jogging, not so interested in the other stuff I do.

Just got back from the salad bar again today, w/ the Dr. It was good, so was the second plate of dessert. I piece mixed berry pie, a small scoop of pudding (choco. w/ whip cream) and a scoop of cheesecake.
Why, do you ask? I wanted it yesterday and passed. Today I just didn't. Feel full and yucky but I must say it was good and for now, I don't regret it. I might change my tune later, when exercising is hard as hell. T-I agree, one day its a breeze the next its hard. Weird.
Good food for thought on the Oz book T. I know I deserve to be thin, that is the even more bewildering thing about it. AND-I must say, I feel I am a full time player in the game of life. My issues are different. But can relate to some of that stuff. Always love food for thought! Thanks!
Ok, off I go. Have a good day girls.

[Stelakate]

I had one plate of salad and 4 meatballs and the second plate was those desserts. Not 2 salad bar trips and then dessert. Still, way too much!

[cardenas5usa]

Yummy lunch, the desserts sound delish! Do you weigh the day after to see what the damage is? I always do, and for me, the 2nd day after is the worst! Not sure why that is? What ya eating for the rest of the day? I am trying to decide what's for dinner.

:-) Ash

[Stelakate]

Tuna for dinner. Did arms and squats today but have to do all my jogging minutes at home tonight. That will kick me, the end of the day I lose steam. I feel so full, don't know if I will eat tonight.

I am not weighing in all the time anymore. I do it on Fridays. It's too much of an addiction and I can't have that pressure. I need to realize my body will change in other ways when I am jogging and adding muscle to my body. The body frame is starting to change, little by little.

OK, not much help for the dinner menu Ashley! Have a good night! Check in later!

[carbjunkie]

Hey Ash..I weigh in the next morning to see damage too..I like to see what is the breaking point..usually not much. I didn't end up going to lunch w/hubby so I ate a boring no mayo tuna salad..boring..but I ate it.

J..yummy lunch. I know exactly how you feel..at least your being honest with yourself..and us. One step closer...

Today is Ryan's real bday so we will probably go out to dinner..not for sure but if we do..Japanese..it won't be hard..except the steam rice part..hence carbjunkie

I plan on getting on the treadmill in about 30mins and watch Ina Garten (barefoot contessa) I love her! I want her house in the hamptons!

later alligators

[carbjunkie]

Evening ladies..where are you? I'm peeking in real quick to let you know I wasn't very good at dinner. I had a salad w/ranch dressing (ok by atkins) but not by me and a cup of potato soup w/ a dinner roll...I know..I just wasn't in the mood for anything. I thought you both should know..my stomach feels bloated and uncomfortable. That little piece of bread really crashed hard. Live and learn Terese...stubborn..better choices next time.

Anyway, hope you girls ate good and exercised..see u in the morning.

T.

[cardenas5usa]

Well, the kids and I went for a SLOW walk around the neighborhood and just got back to have dinner. Chicken again! But, I did do something new. I processed mushrooms to minced, threw them and some garlic and a splash (1 little coffee half/half) of cream on some browned chix breast, and then let all the juices reduce a little. In the kids I threw in a spoon of PB, so it would be like mushroom pesto, theirs was SO GOOD, I could have eaten a whole bowl of theirs, but mine (in my own pan) I left the PB out, already had some earlier today. It was way delish! I am making it again for lunch tomarrow. Tomarrow I will try adding a tablespoon of white wine to the reduction, I am sure that will really be good!

I forgot to tell you girls, I am slowly starting my own personal chef business. My friend/neighbor has her own cleaning business, and has lots of wealthy clients, they are always asking is she caters as well as cleans. Well she was telling one of her clients about me and all the food I cook, she thinks I am the goddess of cooking (LOL, not even,) he was so interested that he asked if I would ever consider making him meals. I thought no problem, because E and I have always wanted to start our own food related business, so this is a good jumping off point. I typed up a menu of food he was interested in and he is so stoked!! Not even really fazed about my prices. So, if this goes well with him, my friend has a long list of clients looking for food services, so I may have a budding career ahead?!? I am anxiously excited, will keep ya posted.

Well good night girls, back to watching Pirates of the Caribbean 2, talk to ya in the am, Ash

[Stelakate]

Ashley, I am so excited for you!! I can totally see that about the two of you, and I am always drooling when I read your menu plans....as opposed to my "can of tuna"....again....LOL!
You will do fantastic, I just know it! Congrats! Making your job your passion....totally on my list of things to do. For now, it pays the bills and I guess----that's what I need to be doing.
T- I love Ina, and when I watch her I just can't help but want to cook all her delicious recipes...something about her makes them look SO GOOOOOOD! I also feel she is someone very comfortable w/ her weight. Just a vibe. The potato soup and bread, well...you admitted it. You worked out on bike and treadmill, right? What are your goals this week? Helps to put it down, believe me, if I hadn't told you girls I was going to do 30 min a day x 5 days....I wouldn't be doing that much! Last night was a challenge....I jogged for 15 minutes upstairs while Stela jumped in her jumper....she was restless so the 15 was it for me, I did try to tote her on my hip for a few extra minutes but 20 pounds added to an already hard jog = NO!
Dinner was chicken (already roasted from the grocery) and cottage cheese.
I am wearing a very tight very old pair of pants I never could wear before....it's nothing pretty to look at but they are on, buttoned and I am breathing as of yet.
Going to try that 3 day thing again...still feel so bloaty this week after TOM.
Ash- meant to say your exercise minutes are UNREAL! You amaze me!