Shake your money-maker

[Blonde with a Rose]

Hi and good morning Christine! I love reading your journal and I would love to read what Jan has to say as well. I find myself slowing down a little bit on my entries, mostly because I don't want to bore myself (or anyone else) or sound like a loon crying over the same thing day after day, and of course it's so much fun to report progress and not so much when I'm staying the same weight week after week. I've given up the scale for now and I'm following JUDDD faithfully in hope of eventually making progress. You'll get there too! Your body is trying to second guess your weight loss... "You wanna weight WHAT??? Are you sure??"

Dawn, (hijacking your thread again Christine) That pear in a bikini made me laugh so HARD!! I'm looking for a one piece with underwire that I can wear men's board shorts over. I love the water but hate the body in a swimsuit. Perhaps I was a whale in my former life.....

[ChristineCQ]

Blonde, I love reading your journal as well! Even if I don't have time to comments, I always read and love your thoughtful reflections! Giving up the scale is probably a good idea right now: Just focus on how you're feeling. That's where I am at the moment because I do think I'm in a period of stabilization. Losing 55 lbs in six months is a lot for a body to deal with, so I really need to just be patient and wait for the next phase to begin.

In all honesty, I think it HAS begun. I am feeling good, I know I'm losing weight, even if the scale isn't reflecting it right now. I can just feel it. So I am ok with this situation at the moment.

Busy, busy weekend ahead of us, and then I'm heading out of town on Tuesday, so I might not be back here for awhile. I wish you all a great weekend!!

[JK130]

happy Monday! it's a good day to...not eat

[easwann]

Christine! You are too funny! Between the rotting eggs and the
open letter to your a** you have had me in stitches!! Guess I am not going to get much housework done as I am only on page 4, but oh well! LOL Your journal is just too entertaining.

Have a great weekend.. Lizzie

Oh and btw, I am about an hour north of philly.. small world!

[ChristineCQ]

Glad you enjoyed the reading, Lizzie! Sorry it kept you from scrubbing toilets, though. Not really, though. Housework stinks!

Back from my trip, and it was great! I missed DH and DS, of course, but it was a worthwhile and productive trip. And the beach views didn't hurt, either!

Now, down to serious weight-loss business!!

[ChristineCQ]

Ok, I'm back with more time to put down my goals for the next three months.

First and foremost, I need to get back to the push-up challenge. My knee injury really derailed my gym plan last month!

Second, I need to really focus on water consumption. I purchased a snazzy new water bottle (not sure how many oz it is though), and I think I can plow through at least 3 of them per day.

Finally, I really want to complete the last leg of this journey by 5/31/11. That gives me roughly three months to lose 25. I really think I can do that. Two lbs/week? With focus, I think I can make it work.

So there we have it: Two behavioral goals (completely within my control) and one multi-influence dependent goal (not completely within my control). I think that's a good balance, and I want to be here on 5/31 saying GOAL MET.

[ChristineCQ]

Well, I've already lost my 2 lbs for the week.

Water weight, no doubt, but I'm adding it to my chart!

Had two good gym workouts so far this week; missed Zumba yesterday due to a meeting, but I hope to get there Saturday. I could conceivably go tonight, too. Hmmmm. We'll see.

Warmer weather means that I'll probably get back to swimming soon as well. I just can't do it when it's so cold outside; the idea of stripping down and getting into the pool is just......brr. No thanks.

[Princessdmw33]

Woohoo to your 2 pound loss. Now, hopefully it will take another one or two with it by the end of the week.

I had two good workouts this week also. We started Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and today will be day 3. I am doing it with my two nieces. My one niece is a few days ahead of us so she is one day 6, my other one is on day 2. I will do it when I get home from work. It is fast but HARD!!!!!

[Blonde with a Rose]

Originally Posted by Princessdmw33

Woohoo to your 2 pound loss. Now, hopefully it will take another one or two with it by the end of the week.

I had two good workouts this week also. We started Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and today will be day 3. I am doing it with my two nieces. My one niece is a few days ahead of us so she is one day 6, my other one is on day 2. I will do it when I get home from work. It is fast but HARD!!!!!

Congrats on meeting your goal for the week! Dawn good for you for starting a workout schedule. I, alas, have not...but I will!

[ChristineCQ]

Dawn, how's the shred going??? Blonde, I hope you are feeling better today!!

Today was ok for me. Planned to go to the gym but ended up having lunch with a friend instead. I did end up going to zumba last night, and I'll go again on Saturday. Then that's it for a week while my instructor goes away on a cruise (luckeeee!). I'm back to my "modified push-ups," doing 30 on Tuesday (20+10). I'm also up to 180 reps of the Callanetic ab work. I'd like to get up to 200 by the end of the month.

Didn't do so hot on the water. In fact, I'm thirsty right now, but I'm going to bed and I don't want to be getting up every hour! I'll try to pound some water in the morning, but I have a two-hour meeting; it makes me feel like a toddler when I need to get up in the middle of it to go to the bathroom. One would think that an adult could live two hours without having to use the bathroom. Not me......

[Princessdmw33]

Thanks for asking. Today will be Day 5 of Level 1 of the Shred. I am struggling with jumping jacks and butt kicks but I think that has a lot to do with doing it on the carpeting in my room. My sneakers "stick" to the carpeting creating resistance. There is no place else for me to go in my house where I have privacy. I modify them by running in place or jumping. I also hate my fat jiggling when I jump. It is such an uncomfortable feeling.

Typically I am won't get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom but I did last night at 3:30 because TOM is visiting. Well that just caused me to be up for hours not being able to go back to sleep because my mind starts working overtime and I cannot shut down no matter what I tried. I tried counting back from 300 by 3's and would get distracted doing that. So frustrating. I ended up getting a headache and now have one. Fun day.

Push ups are torture aren't they. I hope someday that I can do better doing them modified and to be able to do them not modified.

You are still doing great!

[JK130]

happy friday, ladies!

[Blonde with a Rose]

Originally Posted by jkaay

happy friday, ladies!

Happy Friday to you, Jan!!!

Dawn, way to go! I'll bet push-ups are torture!! I wouldn't know.

Christine, I'm feeling a bit better, thank you. No money this week though, cause no worky no money. What a crap concept. Today is an UD, I've been housebound for days on end, so I may have to take myself out to lunch.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

[ChristineCQ]

Hope you went out for lunch, Blonde! Dawn, hope your headache is feeling better. Also, have you thought about a mat or a board for the carpet issue? Jan, have a wonderful weekend!

Posted for record-keeping: Today's pic, 183.4. Suit, size 12, and too big.

[Princessdmw33]

Looking good even though I had to use my magnifying glass to see it

I ended up doing it with no sneakers on and it worked out pretty good, all but the lunges. I had a hard time keeping my balance. I am afraid that I messed with my tendon in my foot that had finally stopped hurting daily so I may not be able to continue doing it without sneakers.

[JK130]

Originally Posted by ChristineCQ

Posted for record-keeping: Today's pic, 183.4. Suit, size 12, and too big.

for too big clothing!!! you look lovely in that teeny tiny pic

[ChristineCQ]

LOL! Sorry for the pic size. I can't figure out how to make it any bigger.

Dawn, you probably need to put your sneakers back on. It sounds like you need support for that injury; I know you don't want to mess around with that!

181.3 today. I feel like I'm back in "the zone." I was definitely out of the zone in January and February, but I think it was the right thing to do. I strongly believe in the mind/body connection, and I think my body needed a bit of time to recalibrate. So even though I ended up back at 186, I think it was a necessary step in my long-term success.

It's amazing what a difference five pounds can make at this stage. The difference between, say, 234 and 214 is not nearly as much for me as the difference between 186 and 181. I'm probably the only one who notices such a change, but I notice it in a big way. It's that paper-towel analogy! Taking sheets off a large roll doesn't matter much, but taking them off a smaller roll does. I set 175 as a goal for myself for the end of March, and I'd really like to be there or lower by then!

Oh, also: Really good news on the fitness competition. I had my weigh-in this week, and although I was technically 2 oz. heavier than I was when I weighed in in January, ALL of my other numbers improved! Impedance, body fat %, lean muscle mass, BMR, BMI.....it was exciting to see that comparison! I'll post the specifics at the end of the competition in the event you're a numbers geek (I'm looking at you, Charlie! ).

Have a great Saturday!!

[Blonde with a Rose]

Wow! Awesome report on the competition!

I know what you mean about "adjusting" and taking time to let your body adapt. I was just saying that my body has changed a lot without much of a scale change. Weird but wonderful! Your picture reminds me of......Mary Poppins. Don't ask me why, that's just what I thought when I saw it! Cute! BTW Dawn~ Thanks for the magnifying glass idea!

Hey Jan!

[ChristineCQ]

Thanks, Blonde! I'm looking forward to the next weigh-in. I like seeing the numbers change!

181 today, so I definitely hit my goal for the week. Being back in "the zone" is great, and it's a mental thing for me. I always say that if I can master the mental game, I can lose weight. It's good to be back in the game!

Watched "Fathead" last night, which was alternately funny and sad. The sad part is how much people believe in things that aren't good for them simply because their government says so (meanwhile, people love to mouth off about how much they don't trust their government. Orly? But you're willing to subscribe to the food pyramid, which came from........where, my friends? YOUR GOVERNMENT). Anyway, good interviews with the Eades and a confirmation that LC life is the way to go (the "subject" of the experiment kept his carbs below 100g/day and lost 12 pounds in a month). It's worth checking out on Netflix instant download, particularly if you're home on a damp, rainy Sunday like I am!

I was hoping to get out and do some walking so that DS could ride his bike today, but that's not going to happen, unfortunately. Maybe we'll hit the (indoor!) pool this afternoon. I don't know. I did make it to Zumba yesterday, did my ab series and push-ups as well, so today is technically a rest day.

But I hate resting.

[ChristineCQ]

Feel like I ate a ton today:

B: 3 eggs, 1 T salsa, 1T sour cream, shredded jack, 2 slices bacon, protein shake
L: None
D: thin-sliced roast beef, broccoli/cauliflower mix (a cup, maybe?), salad
S: pepperoni and cheese chips
S2!: HWC with vanilla wpp

I bet that's about 2 million calories, right there. TWO MILLION CALORIES OF DELICIOUSNESS, THOUGH!

[ChristineCQ]

181 again today, which is fine with me. I spoke with my friend, a health and wellness specialist, about my goals, and she called them "rather lofty." I said that I'm looking to hit 160 by 5/31; she did the math and thinks it probably won't happen (she's not begin negative; we are good friends so we're perfectly honest with one another, and this opinion is a reflection of her training in calories in/calories out. We disagree on many points regarding fitness and nutrition ). But I reminded her that in order to progress, I really need to set the bar high. I am motivated by what appears to be impossible, but quite honestly, I don't think 20 lbs over the course of the next 10 weeks or so is impossible. I think it's quite possible, even though I'm getting closer to a healthy weight and the losses might slow considerably.

And even if I don't make it, I'll be sitting here then with an arse that's smaller than what it is today, so I will claim victory one way or another.

[Blonde with a Rose]

I love your honesty and I love that you set the bar high! It seems perfectly reasonable to me that 20lbs in 10 weeks is doable. 2lbs a week average. Go girl!

[Princessdmw33]

Just stopping in to say and miss you guys!

[ChristineCQ]

Hi Dawn! Thanks for starting the new thread!

Does anyone do any HIIT? I did one session tonight on the bike: Basically, it was five minutes of warm-up, then 60 seconds of high intensity all-out furious pedaling for a minute, then 60 seconds of regular pedaling, then 60 of high-intensity, etc. for ten minutes. Then a five-minute cool-down. I spoke with my friend the health and wellness expert, and she highly recommends this type of workout. I wonder what kind of success others have seen with it. Everything I've read so far seems positive.

[Princessdmw33]

Oh that was Blonde that started! I just linked.

As far as HIIT I heard a lot of good things about it. I do know that there is a thread on here about it if you look on the exercise board.

[ChristineCQ]

180.2 today

Last time I slipped down into the 170s (January), I could feel myself burning out and knew I needed a break. I'm glad I listened and took some time to recalibrate. It meant that I put on six pounds (mostly water, given that it has come off in a week!), but most importantly, it meant that I could rest my brain. When I'm at this full-force, I think about it A LOT. I plan A LOT. I research A LOT. And after six months, it really took its toll (similar to what happens to people who are involved in intense projects at work or school for an extended period of time). So for about six weeks, I stopped thinking and stopped the hard-core planning and stopped reading this site for an hour every night and every morning.

And what happened?

I ate mostly on plan, just naturally. I was clearly OFF plan for part of the time, but not in an unhealthy, extreme way. I wouldn't have lost any weight doing what I was doing, but I wouldn't have gained any (real) weight, either.

It was good to see that I can do this without being as attentive as I was for six months. I can maintain.

But now it's time to do the last leg of this race-that-has-no-real-finish. I really need to push through the next three months and get to where I need to be.

Fortunately, my head is back in the game, as I think, plan, read, and research. I'm grateful to have that luxury, and I hope it pays off in spades come June.

[JK130]

you GO, girl! running, not walking, towards a well planned goal!

and, you are so right, it's the mental part that trips me up too...sigh...oh well, WHEN we figure it out completely, we can join the slim, rich and famous (i'm wearing a sparkly little black dress to the adoration book signing, how about you?)

[ChristineCQ]

Originally Posted by jkaay

you GO, girl! running, not walking, towards a well planned goal!

and, you are so right, it's the mental part that trips me up too...sigh...oh well, WHEN we figure it out completely, we can join the slim, rich and famous (i'm wearing a sparkly little black dress to the adoration book signing, how about you?)

Now let's not get crazy, Jan. You know how I feel about running. Can we settle for "power walking"?

Sparkly LBD is perfect for you!!! And as for me, well.....I have no fashion sense, so I'd need someone to hand me something and say, "Put this on."

Let's just hope it doesn't look like this:

[JK130]

i don't actually own that dress yet for you, how about power red? cause we are strong ladies, ya know!

[ChristineCQ]

Originally Posted by jkaay

i don't actually own that dress yet for you, how about power red? cause we are strong ladies, ya know!

Well, you need to get shopping, lady! I know you're dress-phobic, but I think that by next New Year's Eve (or our big book-signing, whichever comes first ) you should be ready to rock out in your sparkles!