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

[cardenas5usa]

Well, so far today I have had some scrambled eggs/beaters with a sprinkle of cheese and mushrooms and ham. Chai tea, and just now a chunk of smoked salmon. I don't feel that hungry but I can't stop thinking about my buffalo chicken wraps with blue cheese, I'll have one of those later on. Then again, I haven't been able to get that top sirloin from last night out of my head either, fudge!! Whole chickens are on sale so I think I'll go make a trip to the store and buy up a couple, throw one in the crock for tonight, better get on that, it is already getting late in the afternoon to be starting a crockpot.

Okay, here are some pics from yesterday, Maya took the one, lol, now I look pale! Ash

[Stelakate]

OK, this day is winding down, thank god. I am so tired and Stela is finally down for the night. Barely ate today. The egg whites and salsa. Few cups of coffee (cant help it-they get me through!) and some chicken and salad.
I love diet cherry vanilla dr. pepper, it's like a dessert..that helps.
I figure if I can cut my portions down to less than half of what I used to eat I will lose, no matter what.

Exercise was hard, pilates is something you either stick w/ or dont. Going too long makes it really painful....note to self: DONT LET IT BE TOO LONG AGAIN!

Ash, you look SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO small. WOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWW! I can't believe it. You are a doll! How great, you have done, in really, not a long bit of time. Makes me so happy for YOU and so depressed for ME. Life goes on. Ready for the scale tomorrow. I dream of jogging a lot. Makes me think it's meant to be. That is a very inspiring thing.
T- how can you feel gloomy in the 80 degree Ca weather?!?! I envy that for sure! Enjoy it this weekend. You know swimming is one of the best exercises and easiest on your body. Do you swim laps at all? Girl, you wouldn't get my ass out of that pool. LOVE IT!
As for me, I start tanning tomorrow and I can't wait. I need it bad. Real bad.
Ash, as for color at least your skin isn't blotchy. I get asked OFTEN (mostly by patients, with no manners!) 'why are your cheeks so red? Do you have rosecia?' NO I DON'T -but being rude never get's old, thanks a lot.
Irritating.
Love the pic, is that Maya in the background of the bathroom? So cute, little sneaker.
Off I go to dreamland, and if I am lucky, we'll hang out there.
Toodles.
Can we say over 40 POUNDS LOST Miss Ashley?? I can FEEL it!!!!!!!!

[cardenas5usa]

Well, just finished a 50 minute cardio, I was stressing about something and instead of letting it get the best of me, I exercised it away! It really does work! For dinner, I didn't get to the store in time to make my roasted chicken for dinner, so I have it chillin in the frige till I find a good recipe, then I'll throw it in the crock so it'll be ready for the morning. Anyhow, I just had chicken breast on a salad with some tomato and balsamic vinagrette, it hit the spot.

So Jina, I have been thinking, do you like to sit down and eat quantity, that is so how I started, or do you like eating smaller meals more often? Just thinking so I could get some ideas out to ya.

T I hear ya on the drinking the wine instead of eating the other stuff, but to pass up the wine seems like a bigger step, ya know what I mean, anyhow, good job!

Check ya tomarrow girls!! Can't wait to see our numbers, although I feel really bloaty so, I may not be down another chunk?! Ash

[Stelakate]

I love that we are totally typing at the same time, in different time zones. Awwwe....wish I could visit w/ ya's for real!

I am all about quantity but so much talk about smaller portions and eating 6 mini meals a day have me wondering...I have never tried that approach. Mostly, because I am a hog, I just save up and then over do it.

How is that working out for me? Um...yah, not so much! I watch Kate eat little bits of EVERYTHING in the WORLD and she still loses. I know if I could psyche myself into believing I had gastric bypass I would lose. I visited a bit in the main lobby...I rarely do that, cuz I am just obsessed w/ you two and want to spend all my free minutes w/ you girls, but there are so many success stories out there. It does inspire me...until I get hungry again.
It's amazing how weight will age a person. Ashley you look like a teenager in that new pic, as opposed to the other, just by the slimness of it. Not that you looked OLD before, but it's amazing how weight will weigh you down, literally. I was also checking out your legs....what is left of them. WOW. Compared to before, you are super slim, lady bug!
Report early to us tomorrow if you can, I am always DYING to hear your #'s.
Guess you aren't on anymore...will talk tomorrow.
Do either of you know how to get to a chat area for us to visit? We could have a meeting night once/twice a week for an hour/or half hr. wouldnt that be fun!!?

[Stelakate]

This was well liked in the main lobby, it's available at Trader Joes....have you tried?
TJ's Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip
2 carbs

[Stelakate]

Much ado about nothing. Today I weighed in at 255 pounds. That is technically 9 down since we all met in NOVEMBER! That is 6 pounds up since, what, 3 wks ago? That is a miserable thing to see...but I am so seriously tired of this, it's on now. I have a total of 50 DAYS until I land in North Carolina. I have 50 chances to make it work and every reason to do right by it.

When I think of Ashley doing so fantastic, and going beyond what she even said she would thus far, I just cant help but think...that could, would, should be me. After all, I dont spend days jogging my extra large ass off and skipping goodies and going to bed hungry to end up at SQUARE ONE YET AGAIN!

WHAT GIVES? Last night Kate sat at the computer w/ me after our messaging Ash and looked through all the before and afters in the forum. I can feel myself in these people. REAL people, really trying and struggling, but actually made it. I have a built in before and after right here at my disposal, everyday, and I still cant get it together.
OK, I am thinking I can make the difference this time. I am still jogging that 5K in a couple months, I am still going to look fab. (not fat) in NC, so today is my day, RIGHT?!?!? RIGHT! T-lets get it together. Come on. It's way over time to get it right.
Ok, off I go.
Love ya -me
On an up note, my new jeans are very flattering and I tanned this morning. I am really trying to put the pieces together.

[carbjunkie]

Weighed in at a miserable 259..up 2 lbs and behind about 10 I'd say since Jan 2nd. Anyway, I am bitter and really trying hard to snap out of it. I like you Jina am always going hungry and I'm still at the same weight. Obviously, we haven't learned from Ashley that exercise is the key. Ash has been working her butt off (literally) and it shows. Ashley..you look great..even the pants you're wearing now are too big! You go sexy! You SO deserve it!

You are so sweet Jina..it's so cute how you value me and Ash as friends even though we have never even met. That makes me feel real good
I am willing to meet up for a little convo here and there in the chat room so just let me know when and where to show up

I'm scared about the weekend guys...it is so beautiful here..friends calling me to come lay by the pool..all I think of is alcohol and maybe some bad food. Jeannie is coming and she likes to eat healthy so that helps me to stay on track but I'm still worried that I won't make it through cheat free. Why I am doing this to myself I don't know. I should be saying without a doubt..like Jina..I WILL do better. I will try my damndest not to let u girls down.

Heres what I ate today (it was so hard cuz I didn't want to eat it)

B - 2 hb eggs no yolks 1 slice ez bread cherry tomatoes
L - prob out w/hubby will have fish n greens
D - turkey cutlet w/veggies (doesn't that sound tempting?)

Your lately feeling very negative friend,

Teresa

[cardenas5usa]

Well, sorry to dissapoint ya guys, but I am only down a messly pound! 174.6, I felt it though, so no big surprise, I usually don't feel bloaty, but this week, when I kept sockin' away the water and not peeing that much it was my first clue. But, hey it is a pound down, I gotta go weigh with cloths on and see if I can find something light enough to squeek by and get that shirt today,lol!

Jina, 6 pounds up, darn, but your inches were down...okay I know it is frustrating, and I soo feel ya on that it is crunch time now, you have been working so hard and passing up all those goodies. This is your time, RIGHT! Do you have a food scale? It really helps me, not by limiting the amount of food, but by actually letting me eat more. When I didn't have one, I would always error (hmm doesn't look right) on the lighter side of food, now with my food scale, I am always surprised how much food I get to eat, oz wise. Just keep going, you will do it!

T, how ya doing? Up 2 pounds, darn for you too, rough week for us! TOM maybe? Well, we just have to push through this! Thanx for the compliments, I just need to get E to take a more flattering picture now, maybe when I am smiling,lol! Maya is so impacient! :-)

love, me

[carbjunkie]

Yes I have tried the spinach/artichoke dip at trader joes. I love TJ I shop there alot. They have other great pestos and dips too. My kids love the regular spinach dip. I am a huge artichoke fan. While I was on the bike this morning I was talking to Jeannie and she asked how u girls were doing? She likes to read the posts..she weighs 143 and is struggling to get to 135 ha! We say to each other when we've been bad, "I need lashings" LOL. She was telling me this morning that she's been so bad..and it's been so hard..even though she's my skinny friend I feel like she knows my struggle.

Ok well enough ranting. I wish you lovely ladies a great friday and come back and see me

[cardenas5usa]

Jina here is a day's menu of what I talked about
Menu Ideas:

Breakfast: Protein breakfast
1 Dannon CarbControl yogurt
1 Hard boiled egg
3 oz 95% burger
1 oz cheese of your choice

Lunch: Chili and salad
1 cup of my Turkey Chili
2 cups of lettuce with 5 oz *cooked* seasoned chicken breast (=to about 6.5-7 oz raw chicken)
2 Tablespoons 0 carb dressing

Snack: Buffalo chicken wrap
1 mission LC (4 net carb) tortilla
2.5 oz cooked chicken breast
1 romaine lettuce leave
1 T blue cheese crumbles
splashes of tabasco/buffalo sauce

Dinner: Fajitas
3 oz cooked meat of choice (I figured cals on chicken breat to ease of cooking)
2 1/8" slices onion and
1/3 Lg bell pepper and
2 mushrooms sauteed together with pam spray and a little water
2 Lg lettuce leaves to use as tortillas
2 T Light sour cream
1 Dannon Carb Control yogurt (could be snack for later)

All this adds up to 1300 calories, 40 carbs -11 fibers = 29 carbs, 61g fats, and 144g proteins

[cardenas5usa]

So to make all your chicken, I would get a whole pack of breasts, rub with a very little olive oil, salt, pepper, and whatever else you like, and bake till almost done, then broil to get a nice golden color, let cool, and store in a ziplock for use durring the week.

Same with burger patties, make em all up, cook, cool, and store to use. Grab and go food.

Of course the HB eggs too, even you could slice up your cheese ahead of time, or just buy string cheeses. Your lettuce, I always buy a 3 pack of romaine hearts, that are washed, that way, I pull one out, take a leave off, or just slice across with a bread knife for the perfect salad. just some ideas! :-)Ash

[Stelakate]

Ashley, CoNgRaTs! That means you have lost 40 pounds, did you get the shirt from curves? That is 2 of my sweet Stelas and girl, I can only carry her heavy butt for about 10 minutes before it starts hurting. Imagine one on each side...all day everyday. PEOPLE we are talking about, you have lost little people.
BRAVO! Amazing girl!
T- well, we knew it would be ugly. I thought the whole drive home (all ten minutes, but still) about what we need to do. You and I are going to have to just F'in BUCK UP! This boo-hoo, oh poor me pity BS is just that! BS! I cant think of one good reason to stay fat. Not one single reason.
I can however, think of about a zillion to be thinner, healthier, etc. It goes beyond our internal issues, we have to deal w/ them in other ways because they will ALWAYS be there. Listen, if you kick serious no-cheat ass through the week and want wine w/ Jeannie (love that she reads, btw!), OK-but be sensible. It isn't going to stall you one or two tiny times a week.

We know this. We know this...did I mention we KNOW THIS? Lets do it. 2 pounds up? That will be 5 pounds off by next Friday. Can you forgo the scale until then? TRY IT for one week.
Ok, enough advice from the loser-iest of them all, but come on. I for one, and damn tired of Ashley being the only one getting anywhere. I am embarrassed people read this blog and go, oh why would that one girl stay w/ those two slugs?
NO MORE SISTER FRIEND!
Step up the exercise, you can do it and so can I. This 1/2 hr jog thing aint s**t and I know it. It has to be more, like, EVERYDAY for at least an hour, broken up however.
I am trying your meal plan Ashley and cant thank you enough for taking the time to write it all down, it's not like you dont already take care of everyone already, and add to it-me and I feel just awful. Thanks, it means a ton and I WONT LET YOU DOWN! Either of you.
Those size 18's will fit by the end of the month. They might look insane but god-dammit, they will be buttoned.

Shake it off, shake it up....for god sake T, let's just get it shaking. No more excuses. There aren't any good enough.
PS, I used to find it totally annoying that my sister who weighed about 135 before being pregnant was always trying to get those 'last 5-10 pds off' but I am compassionate about it, I have to be. So it's good you have Jeannie to help you, you help her too....
I have not been in the 170's Ash since 12th grade. What a dream, you are actually living my ultimate weight loss dream. How does it feel?
b. 1 string cheese, l. eggs and bacon (low sodium) sorry, it's all I had. D, chicken like you said Ash, w/ romaine lettuce salad....

[cardenas5usa]

Originally Posted by cardenas5usa

Jina here is a day's menu of what I talked about
Menu Ideas:

Breakfast: Protein breakfast
3 oz 95% burger

I ment to put lean after the percent. Haha, I was just skimming my post, and I started laughing out loud. What, is that 95% burger, and 5% BS!?!?!

Jina, I love your pep talk post, so motivating! Didn't get my shirt yet, couldn't find cloths that weighed half a pound.....LOL...for a breif second I thought about going commando and braless...and in a tank top, but I decided to have a little self respect and hold out till tomarrow. Cross my fingers! I like your math though, how did ya get 40 pounds? I think it's 37.6 pounds, but I am still celebratin' it. The 170's feel awesome, for a long time I thought I was a loss cause and had accepted that I was a chubby girl and there wasn't anything I could do to change it, it feels like a glorious dream to be here! Jina, keep dreaming it and it will become a reality! Much love girls, Ash

PS. glad you liked my suggestions, I will keep putting stuff together, but, you get the idea, just mix and match.

[cardenas5usa]

I am behind too guys, here is exactly, copy and paste what my fitday says:
Weight Goal Stats

Current Weight
Your weight is 174.6 lb as of 02/16/2007.

Weight Goal
Your goal is to weigh 160 lb by 03/15/2007

Goal Progress
You are currently 14.6 lb above the target weight.

The deadline for your goal is 27 days (3 weeks, 6 days) away.

To meet your goal you need to lose about 3.79 lb per week.

Crap, I gotta get some bigger numbers in here!

[carbjunkie]

Ok ok..didn't I tell you already Jeannie said we need "lashings?"

I have been committed and I have gone days wihout cheats and then a mess up like beer or cake but I've learned I can't do that. I promise I will do my best to stay focused and be accountable.

Ashley..your numbers are amazing..you will soon be at MY goal weight so that in and of itself is motivation.

Jina I will up my exercise to more walks at the park and weight lifting. Jeannie and I will walk the park tomorrow for an hour before we come home and swim so we are good to go for saturday!

I will be back later tonight to check in.

T.

[Stelakate]

I am here to report a breakthrough. I jogged for 39 MINUTES today, without stopping. It was not that hard, and I could have gone longer, but had a feeling I would hurt too bad to do it again so I didnt. Not an excuse, this much weight thromping down over and over is VERY hard on my knees/back.

There is an article that has changed my way of thinking, and it came at a perfect time. It's in the Your Good Life section of Good Housekeepings March edition.
Titled, "you say you want to change". It has already worked on my thinking this evening because my dinner plans of chicken were thrown out the window when sister and fam came over and Pete (BIL Chef) made french dip sandwiches.....YUM, I SAID YUMMMM!
I had it w/out bread and little cheese. Mostly juice and great, great roast beef and grilled onions. SO delic. Never strayed w/ the chocolates everyone else ate, or the after dinner coffee and cookies.

I want to type a lot of what it said so i will do that later, since Stela knows now is the perfect time to be needy.
As far as the 40 pounds I thought we were there Ash. My bad!!!!!!!!! I can plainly see in your avatar you have a couple more.....no prob by end of week!
I have been so scatter brained this week...hence, the asking T about her bday. Just been so all over the map this week. I am blaming hormones.
OK, gotta go - I swear time is so rare for myself around here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stelakate]

So, before posting the impt. bits I related to so much, I want to tell you it hit home for me especially because I (loosely) practice Buddhism. Not devout, in any way, but I believe they were on to something w/ their way of thinking, the meditations and peace part of things. How one thing is related to another---how you are affects how things become, etc. Ok, enough of that..

You Say You Want to Change?
Great. Get ready to backslide. Everyone does. Here's how to forgive yourself, keep going, and succeed.
The first time we slip up, most of us become convinced we are hopeless, weak or unmotivated-which makes us feel even more stuck than we were before. Psychologist's call this abstinence-violation effect, a harsh- all or nothing attitude towards our behavior. The more we hold ourselves to this rigid standard, the more we then abuse ourselves with the very thing we've outlawed (FOOD)!! One way to resolve this way of thinking is to know sooner or later, somewhere along the way; you'll blow it. It's not because you are weak or undisciplined, just a temporary fallback into old ways-is an inevitable part of the change process. It simply goes with the territory.
Experts refer to this as an "instinctual drift," the tendency to slip back into old patterns.
The pathway to your old behavior still exsists in your brain. Scientists tell us that neurons that fire together, wire together-meaning they are likely to fire the same way the next time. Don't lose heart. Or brains can generate new cells and pathways. It takes mental preparation, self awareness, and lots of practice to create a pathway to the new behavior-six to nine months, say many brain scientists.
A philosopher historian said, "Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you are going to do now and do it!!"
On average cravings attack 4-7 times a day and last only seconds. We need strategies for those few seconds...
This echoes a crucial insight from Buddhism: Thoughts and feelings rise and then pass away. You don't have to act on them, you don't have to push them away. They simply arrive, and at some point they disappear.
As soon as you become aware of a strong sensation, rather than ignore or indulge it, pay more attention to it. The idea is to recognize what you are experiencing w/o trying to change it.
Follow these 4 steps: 1. assess the situation, 2. adjust what needs to be done, 3. admire yourself for being strong enough to start again, 4. act quickly to implement your new course of action.
When our emotional brain is in control, we ignore the consequences and end up suffering later-through weight gain. Remembering what will bring REAL happiness-eating the healthy food, rather than indulging in the french fries we're tempted to eat-is a technique to keep the thinking brain in charge. And that's where the happiness worth having exists.


I mean it. It makes so much sense. I have never thought of things like this. It gave me goose bumps. Please buy the magazine and read the entire article. I gave bits and pieces that struck me, but it's WAY longer then that. PLUS, 12 tips to keep you going.
Good night my sweet's. I love you both!

[cardenas5usa]

39 MINUTES!!!! You are smokin' my ass!! Good job! You are a running diva!! I know it is not easy pounding the pavement with this weight, so I am in awwwwwwwwwww!!!!!
I am so glad you did so well at dinner! And cool that you found a great article, that's all you needed, an ah ha moment! Sounds like yummy dip sandies, and chocolates, how torturous, but you got through!!!! Double thumbs WAY UP!

Well, just finished up dinner here, roasted one of the chickens I bought with a ton of herbs and spicy salt and orange zest, turned out real nice, big side of broc with lemon pepper, mmm, yum!

Well, I just noticed you slid a post in when I hit the post button, so I am going to read that!

[Stelakate]

You didn't change your ticker. That butterfly is just fluttering on down the line, LOVE'S IT!

SO funny about the 95% thing.
I can actually hear you laughing.
That chicken sounds great, and w/ orange-DAMN, I will def. try that!

[Stelakate]

rereading the old posts and it was Jan 7 when you last posted those jeans/arm pics. It's time again. That will really show your progress. I have actually been thinking of doing a bra/underwear thing, though scary as HELL I think it shows what clothes may sometimes hide. Just a thought. Wouldn't want many to see it....oh hell, who cares? Will look into it. I don't own a 2 piece bathing suit so that'd have to do.
Will try to muster the courage. Will at least think about it. Maybe.

[cardenas5usa]

I got it!! My elite member shirt! I made my goal of being the first to lose 20 pounds since January there. Marjorie (owner) asked me if I would bring in before and after pictures, this other ladie too, she is one of my inspirations! I had to almost turn around and make sure she wasn't talking to someone behind me when she asked if I'd bring in before and after pics....me.....???that has never happened in my life!! I almost started to cry! What a baby I am, but the fact that I am slaying the one beast I have in my life that has held me back, is so unbelieveable and crazy!

Great post yesterday about that article, I am going to the Library today to read it, it hit a lot of things that so make sense. And Jina, just to let you know, but I fullheartedly believe and practice the, 'be the change you want to see in the world' and is amazing to find another person so in tune and on the same page, I just love it!!! Okay, to all that being said, I had to practice those four steps you mentioned, I so BAD, and I mean BAD, wanted a Ben & Jerry's last night, for whatever reason, and the craving didn't go away, all night long, but I just kept thinking of the 4 steps