Sarah- lost count of weeks :(

I didn't realize that I was forgetting my "diet" until I passed the scale today and couldn't remember the last time I weighed myself! It's crazy how adding a little to our family calendar can knock me off my focus. I have added duties at work and I just traded my me time for stress, I guess. I really don't like that I immediately trade my needs to rescue other people- including my family. Even though it is nice to serve others, I need to find the balance and stop sacrificing my physical and mental health to solve other people's problems. That may sound harsh, but I really get tired of finding myself in this situation time after time. I often think of the phrase, "If mamma ain't happy than nobody's happy." I know this is true and I also know that sometimes it feels like I am in charge of too much!
I must keep repeating, "Vitamins. Water. Sleep. Exercise." and to fill up my stommach with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and THEN a little chocolate :)

Hey girls...I mean Greata if you are the only one checking this. Ok so my weight has been fluctuating alsong with extreme stress, some post partu depression etc. On MOn I was at 175 and I read Greeata post and was inspired again. I was at 173 today and I am keeping going! I will post every four days. My goal is to have small goals. For this first 14 pounds I want to lopse 2 lbs every four days. AS long as I stick to my 1400 cal limit and bun off 700 thru exercise I will accomplish it. I am at 800 cals for today. I am really trying to be honest with myself about why I am eating, what is the driving force behind it and why I want to be thinner. I really just love the way thin feels. You just feel good when you get up in the morning. And from there it is downhill! ANyone out there?????CArrie

Day 2

This morning I was sitting in the library and I swear I could feel my stomach shrinking--withering away in my gut. I can tell I am changing the way my body reacts to food. I am curbing my need to eat out of boredom and emotional satisfaction. Things are going really well. The extreme restriction of calories causes fatigue, but its nothing too bad. Now, if I could only stay awake to finish my Shakespeare paper.

Winter semester of my freshman year I started visiting a sweet 87 year old woman we will call Marta. She went blind about five years ago and was forced to stop writing the personal histories of her family members. An accomplished writer, she was devastated by her new limitations. In March I began helping her write the life story of her great-grandmother; she would verbally draft the novel and I would record the dictations. Going over there was so fulfilling, so enriching for me and I looked forward to our visits every week. Well, one day I brought one of my friends with me. I have been interested in this guy for some time now, but we have remained only friends. Marta and her husband loved him. We had a great time together. Well, the next week I went over, expecting to continue with the manuscript. To my surprise Marta insisted on postponing work for a week so we could “sit and chat.” So we made our way to the couch where we sat down and she groped for my hand. Squeezing it tightly she inquired after the boy I had brought with me the week before. I explained that we weren’t dating but that I greatly admired him. She then proceeded to tell me that this is what she had feared. Apparently my well-meaning grandmother had spoken to her friend Marta and discussed the stalled nature of my relationship with this guy. According to her, the reason for the lack of progress with him was my weight. Hearing the words, “You are overweight” from a BLIND woman was jolting to say the least. I sat there in stunned silence as she zipped through the clinical causes of obesity, the proper way to lose weight and the irrational fear of exercise. “I want to let you in on a little secret dear. The thing that has kept me young and fit all these years is a daily routine of exercises that work EVERY MUSCLE IN MY BODY. I think you should come over every morning and do them with me.” She then stained to lift her sagging body out of the deep plush recesses of the couch. Upon standing she hobbled over to the middle of the floor, arms flailing in the air, searching blindly for unseen obstacles. Turning to face me she began squatting, knees trembling and cellulite thighs shaking. Gritting her teeth she flexed here arms up and down, curling her fingers in and out.

I watched her in silence, tears streaming down my face. When did I become the object of sympathy in my own service project? The humiliation was more than I could bare. I thanked her for her genuine concern, promised to be back again the following week and excused myself to go to class.

As I hurried back to campus I called my mother and recounted the morning’s events. I bawled and she listened. She has struggled right alongside me all these years. I don’t know who hurts more, an overweight child or their concerned parent. It’s difficult in that no matter what kind of exercise regiment or diet they impose upon you, they can’t solve the problem. It has to be YOU. They have to watch you suffer and hope you’ve one day had enough and decide to change.

So I cried and cried and told her I had had enough. I wanted to make this right. So we discussed possible solutions ( for the millionth time in my short nineteen years of life). We settled on Medifast. My dad had been doing it for about a month and saw great results. While it wasn’t the most suitable choice for a college student, I was desperate enough to commit to something that restrictive.

So here I am now. Day 1.

8:00 Chocolate shake

10:00 Carmel Nut bar

12:00 Chili

2:00 Chocolate bar

4:00 Chocolate shake

6:00 Baked chicken and veggies.

So, its okay. Is it less than enjoyable to scarf down two bites of soy nut bar drizzled in chalky chocolate? Sure. Do I feel less than sane when I want to gnaw on cardboard only fifteen minutes after eating my Medifast meal? Oh yeah. But is this doable? Yes. I feel that I can really do this. Unlike other programs I have tried before—actually—scratch that. I haven’t really “tried” other programs. The cruel fact of life is that these programs actually do work, when you follow them. My Star Wars-crazed brothers would remind me: “Do or do not. There is no try.” Who knew Yoda would be the myth-buster of our diet self-deceptions?

You either pay the price and get the results, or rake in the calories and watch the scale spike. Its that simple. I can do this; It won’t be easy but it will pay off. I am excited to see the results.
I will try to post everyday. I think it motivates me and it will be neat to look back on these posts one day. As for now, I should pack up my stuff and get ready to go. I have twenty minutes until I can go home, and the candy jar in the office is screaming my name. Don’t worry. I can make it. In twenty minutes I will be home drinking my chocolate shake. Life will be good again.

Sarah week 9

Feeling good this week with my sister's wedding over and the end of the school year almost here. Walk/ran a 5K with my oldest daughter Saturday and had a great time. She has running goals for the summer which will help me to stay on track as well. I've lost 4 pounds in this 9 weeks- too slow and not enough but I feel like I'm getting close to the active and healthy lifestyle I want. I keep forgetting vitamins and water and sleep. I think if I can do a great job this week on those, the exercise will be easier.

Carrie's update....

Hey ladies! Well I had a crappy weekend in term of eating. I sort of took the weekend off. I had a big hospital gala and just couldn't deny myself the unbelievable food that I didn't have to cook or pay for. ANd had some people over for brunch sunday...love brunch food. But I exercied through it - hard core and managed to keep any weight off. SO today I weighed in at 170.4 . So since starting this blog I have lost 19 lbs and since coming home from the hospital...25 lbs. I was able to fit into my size tens the other day...now fitting in and actually wearing them ---two differnt things. Hopefull in a couple of weeks I'll be able to wear them proudly. Going to stick to my plan.. 1200-1400 calories per day and exercise as I feel like it. 10 miles this past weekend and 4 this morning. I am in training for the wasatch back relay June 18th and I have a very hard legs apparently.....so I have got to keep going in that respect. Love you girls! Keeep it up! WE can do anything! I really want to be to my goal wieght by my 34th and never look back! I feel like I am on the right track now! Menatlly, physically , emotionally. How bout you?

Sarah week 8- skipped week 7

Skipped last week with stress from travel and preparations for my sister's wedding this weekend. Doing good on food choices but not on exercise. I have not been getting enough sleep, either, but I am doing really great at not eating late at night. If I can work the exercise and sleep back in, I'll be good to go. Got my hair done, which helps me with overall confidence.
Goals: treadmill 3x by next Tuesday
more sleep
more water

Melona update

This week despite it being my baby's 1st birthday, and making cake 2x (and another time today) I am back down to 193 as of this morning! No real change in measurements.

I haven't exactly been keeping track of my points, but I have been eating less. I know that if I really keep track (meaning writing EVERYTHING down) I can lose the weight. In addition to that I know I really need to get the right amount of sleep and exercise. I don't know why it has been so hard for me to go to sleep since we have moved, but I have to change something or I am going to have some serious problems.

Marianne, I wish your MIL a speedy recovery! Hope all goes well there.
Carrie, good job on your weight loss!
Good luck ladies. Hope all goes well this week.

My goals:
Heating up in AZ... more water intake
Exercise 3x
at least 7 hours of sleep each night

-Melona

Wait before I post, who had open heart surgery? I did not follow that. Ok so last WEdnesday I had a breakthough. I realized that no matter how much I was excercising if I am not honest with myself about my caloric intake I am not gain to lose this weight. So right then and there I decided...it is 12oo calories a day. So for the last 5 days I've done it. I stared at 176 that day and this morning....I was 172. I exercised twice. I want to exercise 4 times a wekk to keep from getting flabby and to stay fit but I don't want to go overboard because something has changed in my body since the last baby and when I exercise too much I get ravenously hungry. I read and article that my friend sent me that clearly states ...you cannot lose wight with exercise alone...it take cutting back and eating the right foods. So that is what I am doing girls and I am on my way.....More later....I'll weigh in again next sunday and give you the update.

CARRIE

Where is everyone?

I'm missing your stories of trail and triumph.

This is it, the week I take control of my body again. Some hunger beast who is also very lazy has been camped out in my body. He has until tonight at midnight EST to get out! I love to start fresh on a Monday.

This past week my sisters MIL had open heart surgery. If you know anyone who has gone through this type of surgery before you know how hard it is. I love this women and feel she has so much more love and life to live. Her Dr. told her this is a temporary fix. He also advised her the true fix was her diet and how often she exercised. I really don't want to see this in my future. We are all so young still. I really want to feel more joy in eating good food and living a more active life.
So I am wishing you all a clean slate and fresh start.

I would LOVE to hear from ALL of you. Lets make a BIG push before summer hits!

lots of love,

Marianne

UGH!!!! Doing terrible

Well, it seems that I am in the same boat. Only for me it hasn't just been one weekend, but two entire weeks!! With spring break, then Easter and then my birthday the next week, I completely fell off the band wagon. Then to top off the festivities, I came down w/ a serious sinus infection and was completely sick all last week. No keeping track of points, late night snacking every night and sweets all the time!!!! Add to that this week, weather is getting hot down here & I have lost all desire to move, let alone exercise! I was down to 192 at the beginning of Spring break week, but now, I'm back up to 196.
YIKES! I so need to get back down to a manageable size.

Commitments:
Drink LOTS of water
Keep track of points
Pray for help!

Help.. I really suck lately...(Carrie)

Oh good gravy...I am really dissapointed in myself lately but I promised I wouldn't post until I got on the band wagon again. I got back up to 177 but this monday will be better. I was snowed in at my parents cabin with all the easter candy you can think, two favorite sisters and a lot of old memories to talk about====weight gain

. I am exercising 90 min a day these days and staying under 1600 cals. I am supposed to have family pics in 8 weeks and I refuse to do it unless I look good. So people I have 17 to lose. I can do it I have already lost 17 total.

Sarah week 6

I'm really happy that I am doing so much better with desserts and exercise. I have a long way to go to reach my goal of healthy eating and regular exercise but I am celebrating the small steps I am accomplishing. I now need a new hair style and highlights to rejoin the land of the cute and well-groomed and my postpartum days will be history! Just in time for my sister's wedding May 1st. Scale said down 1/2 a pound and I'll take it!

167.5 lbs.
Vitamins, sleep, water, exercise!

Ok ladies- So spring break and easter-- I am definately tkaing the week ff. See you next monday! Carrie

Sarah Week 5

I had to wait to log on until I finished my treadmill time so I could report that I had done it. I didn't exercise 3 days last week and it was hard to start up again yesterday but I'm 2 for 2 now :) and will keep going. I agree about the toys in the baskets this year rather than a lot of candy- for all of our sakes! I'll have to get a little creative. The baby would go nuts over candy, anyway, so jewelry or trinkets or something similar will help me not to be surrounded by temptation. No weight change but not discouraged- I feel stronger. 5k in 5 weeks, so even if I'm walking a lot of it, I'm really excited to be a part of a race with my daughter.
Goals: More water! Exercise every day! Only one day for any dessert (kind of the weight watchers way, which works well for me)

Hi ladies- Finally!!!! I have got over the plateau! I weighed 175 today much to my relief as I harly ate anythin from thurday on. I was seriously busier than I've ever been. WIth 2 wedding shoots and an engagement and a bridal shoot in 3 days. And taking care of my 4 kids. I'll never do that aagain. UUUGGGHHHH. So I really want to concentrate on my water consumption. I get so busy I forget to dring and I know it is hindering my fat metabolism. I am going to exercise everyday and keep my calorie intake low as I have realized I can keep weight off with exercise but I cannot take it off. I have to really eat less or I just stay the same. Love you girls. Keep up the good work!

Carrie

It's 3 days later and no change-- but I didn't expect one.  I do feel that my momentum is in the right direction.  My goal this week is to eat no sugar.  I know myself too well to let myself have a bit from my kids Easter baskets.  I end up eating more than they.  I haven't bought candy for them yet, and I think the easter bunny is going to come with coloring books and tiny toys this year anyway.  They'll need a token package of candy, but I think that's it.  Good luck ladies.  I hope we're all able to resist the chocolate onslaught this weekend will bring.

Shelley

Shelley's Update

Hello Ladies,

I'm not gone-- I've just been a sick; everyone in my family has.  Bummer.  Oh how I wished when I stepped on the scale this morning that my sickness would have contributed to weight loss.  It didn't.  But at least it didn't contribute to weight gain either.  I'm still at 144.  I'm not feeling too bad about it because I didn't pay attention to what I ate, nor did I exercise one lick.

So even though my week is 1/2 over, my goal is to get back on the wagon and make the next 3 days really count.  I'm going to track my points, drink lots of water and do some moderate exercising for the next 3 days.

I'm so inspired by you all.  I leave for Hawaii in 4 weeks.  I really wanted to have my weight gone by then, but I think that 14 pounds in 4 weeks isn't really possible.  Part of me just wanted to give up, but I look at you guys (especially not eating German chocolate cake sitting on the counter) and I think that maybe I can do that too.  I'm readjusting my goal to 7 pounds.  I think that's totally doable in 4 weeks.

I'll be back on Monday to report the next 3 days.

Shelley

Sarah week 4

This week was just OK for me. I was traveling and awake/asleep odd hours and it was difficult to track my calorie intake. I was not out of control with sweets but we ate out almost every meal so who knows what nutrition, etc. was going on! I kept up with exercise but the scale says no weight change. I feel pretty good, though, so I'll take it :)

168 lbs.
need more water
need to remember vitamins
keep up with treadmill everyday

Marianne's Week

Another great week! Even with my husbands home made German chocolate birthday cake sitting on the counter for THREE days, and my neighbor delivering hand dipped coconut and peanut butter chocolate Easter eggs. I stayed STRONG! Yes, I could have eaten one piece of cake or one chocolate covered egg but I know I wouldn't or couldn't stop with just one. I feel so much better about myself for keeping on track with my goals. I hope you are having success too.

Lost three more pounds!

weight 174

Marianne

Sarah week 3

I had a better week. Walking for 12 hours straight at Disney Saturday helped! Treadmill is easier and I look forward to it. I had some sort of treat 3 days this week but overall, not too bad. I am feeling like it is easier to manage what I eat now that I know I'm slowly loosing weight and feeling successful. I need to work on managing stress better and getting enough sleep and water. Not eating at night is so hard for me, but I am doing better. I'm doing much better about taking multi-vitamins, probiotics, and drinking carrot juice every day. I feel like it's helping my overall digestion and health.

Goals this week: exercise every day, drink 64 oz water, minimum sugar, plenty of sleep

Melona's update

Congratulations on your progress ladies! FANTASTIC! Carrie, don't worry, we all have bad weeks now and again.... and frankly, sometimes we need them :). You are doing terrific! Don't let it get you down.

My feelings about this week can be summed up in 2 words. WOO HOO! I am down another 3 pounds. I actually stepped on and off the scale 3x this morning because I thought it must be wrong. Exercising wasn't great last week and this week for sure won't be great since I twisted my ankle falling off of 3 in heels on Friday night.

At this rate, I know I can make it down to pre-pregnancy weight of 185 by my birthday!

Goals this week:
Continue w/ points tracking
Exercise as much as twisted ankle will allow
In bed by midnight every night (my SIL & I finished all the seasons of Buffy last week)

Keep it up!

-Melona

woops ---that websiste is carrieeltonphotography.com

Carrie Update

I don't think I could have a worse weekend. LEts just say baby shower, wedding dinner, wedding reception and baby blessing after party......uuuuuggggggghhhhhh. I am cannot weigh myself this morning for my own well being. Congratulation Mars !!!!! SO awesome I am so proud of you. I did log 30 miles last but I undid that all by me weekend. But I am starting fresh today. I am going to be 167 by April 15th. That is my goal and I am going to accomplish it. Mark my words.....I have 30 days and nothing can stop me, not cinnamon rolls (baby shower), not honey roasted peanuts (baby blessing), not chocolate and caramel covered marshmallows (wedding), or even cadbury mini eggs (baby blessing)......Hey before I make it public, go check out my new wesite and give me any suggestions you have....love you girls, have a great week. And congrats on maintaineing your awesome weight Lindy!

Lindy's update

Marianne: That is awesome!  You are seriously inspiring!!

Well, I feel like a bit of a loser. I'm still at 165lbs.  I'll eat really well for a couple of days, then totally succumb to treats, then eat well, then succumb, and so on and so forth. I'm trying, I really am! I'm just not being very successful.  But, I'm not going to give up, so here's to a better week for moi.

Hope you're all doing well!
Lindy

Happy to Report

AWESOME week! Best yet!
OK so I still have a LONG way to go but this was the first week in a very long time that I haven't had some sort of break down and consumed 5,000 calories in one sitting. Yes, I was challenged this week. I spent the weekend visiting old friends in NYC. Besides all the yummy food they had for our family it was a road trip. I made it in and out of the gas stations empty handed. That's right, no Coke or candy.

You know when your jeans are to tight and they have creases across the back of your thigh, well the creases are gone. I also had to tighten my belt a notch! I'm so excited that I can see and feel the changes from all the hard work.

Another big milestone I've lost over 10 pounds since our first week.

Lost 3lbs
Weight 177lbs

Hope you are all feeling a difference too,

Marianne

Sarah report on week 2

Had a good week- down 1 pound. I wasn't as enthusiastic about the treadmill. I get sidetracked and distracted easily if people need me- sick baby- stressed kids- went out of town for the weekend and left the baby for the first time plus she was still sickly. I did get on the treadmill every day but 2 days was just for 5 minutes or so. I feel fine about saving the treats for the weekend and keeping those to a minimum. Need to drink more water and work a little harder on the walk/jogging. Carrie- you are amazing with your exercise.

167 pounds
No eating after 8:30
Very little sugar or white carbs

Shelley's Week 5

I had a fine week.  The 2 pounds I gained last week are going + 1 more pound.  I need to fit in a bit more exercise this week.  (Tony was gone last week on business, so I had a hard time getting away from my kiddos; but really that's an excuse).  I used to enjoy exercising, but I don't like it anymore-- it hurts!  I guess that shows just how much I do need to get into shape so that it feels good again.  But oh-- it seems like such a long way to get there.

Weight:  144
Waist:  35.5

Goals this week:
Exercise 5x (for at least 20 minutes)

Finally something good

Well, I finally have something good to post. I did really well w/ keeping track of my points this past week. I exercised 4x and even got out and jump roped w/ the kids (just to warn you, if you've given birth vaginally to 4 children, going potty before you jump rope & making sure you have clean undies in your drawer is probably a good idea). I got sick at the end of the week, and so did my little 2 year old, so I lost steam & didn't keep track on Saturday night or Sunday, BUT my end result this week is a loss!

Weight: 197
Waist: 46"
Thigh: 24"

Yeah me!

Goals this week:
Keep up counting points
Exercise 5x for 30 min
Drink lots and lots of water!

-Melona

Marianne's Week

It's Monday morning and I have a bad case of the Monday blues and Spring fever. I think I may attempt to leave my house with both babies (two year old in diapers still baby to me) and go to the park. I never leave the house and my 7 month old has never seen the sun. The two little boys both have croup and have been up all night coughing. I'm guessing some fresh air will do them and me some good? I have tried so hard to keep them healthy this winter and this is the millionth time they have been sick! I though it was time to take a new approach. LEAVE MY HOUSE!

I would count my week as a success! Except for that one day I hid in the closet and ate a bag of cadbury mini eggs. Oh, I am such a sucker for those little babies and the fact I can only purchase them once a year makes me want them all the more.

My goal this week is not to eat cadbury mini eggs and not to gain any weight. I like to make realistic goals.

I lost 4lbs
weight 180 (darn the 180's)

Another week of nothing

Marianne, I'm with you in the avoidance category! You know that saying, "If you do what you've always done, you going to get what you've always got". Well, I think I've been testing that for the last two weeks. Seriously NO motivation at all. Result: 2 lbs weight gain.

SO, this week, new goal: DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT! I've really been avoiding keeping track of calories or points. Then for some reason, yesterday, something just clicked. I started keeping track of points. I even got my husband to start keeping track for him today!

This week, same goals as last week and adding staying w/ in my points limits. Good luck ladies! You are all such an inspirations to me. Thanks for your stories and encouragement.

Weight: 200 lbs.

-Melona

Marianne's Week

Oh boy, I have been avoiding posting about my week.
I have many good, well let me upgrade that to excellent reasons for my inability to show any self control. First my husband was out of town on business. WHY ON EARTH his work schedule prevents me from accomplishing my goals is a mystery, but I use this excuse ALL THE TIME!
Second reason for my PATHETICNESS ( I know this is not a word but really there is no word to describe me) my kids were home for FIVE days strait because school was canceled. Well I LOVE when my kids are home unexpectedly from school (seriously) and so I turn it into a unofficial holiday. I celebrated our unofficial holiday with all kinds of baked goods. No need to list, just imagine all the goodies from the whole month of December crammed into five days.
Yup, that about sums up my week.

I gained 2lbs back. I did manage to workout about three times thus saving me from total self destruction.

Weight 184

Lindy-week 3

Well, I had a disappointing week.
Have you ever felt like you wanted to hide from your kids in a closet with a box full of those pink and white frosted animal cookies?  Umm, yea, me neither . . . ha ha.


To make a long story short:
I'm still at 165. No gain. No loss.
Looking forward to a better week!


Mars, how did you do??

I had a good week. I did ok on eating and awesome on exercising. I rn 4 miles yesterday and speed walked 2. Right now I am trying to burn 1000 calories on the treadmill and if I can get it all in at one great---if it is in 4 different segments, great.

Here are my measurements:

Bust :40

Waist: 33.5

HIps: 42

thigh: 23.5

have to finish this later---baby needs to eat!

CArrrie

Sarah week 2

I had a great first week. I really didn't think I could find 15 min to get on the treadmill everyday but I made myself get on in the morning with a confused and irritated baby in the port a crib next to me watching cartoons. By day 3, she was used to it and even spent most of the 15-20 min watching me and being entertained by what I was doing. I saved reading a great new book (Hunger Games) for treadmill time, so that helped me look forward to getting on. I felt more motivated and empowered to say no to junk food and even though not eating after 8 pm is hard for me, I was able to do it. I did not exercise Sat or Sun and did eat treats on Saturday. This plan is doable for me right now and I'm excited about it! I feel like this little bit of structure is helping me all around feel better. So, I'm keeping the same goals for this week and next week I want to move to 20-30 min on the treadmill. Thanks for all of your motivating words!
weight: 168 lbs.- lost 2
waist:35- same
thigh:24-same

Shelley's Week

Well after having such an awesome week last week, I completely fell off of the wagon this week.  I ate everything I saw including fried food, a pan of rocky road brownies, and a half of a pan of lemon bars.  (But they were really good brownies and lemon bars!!)  Luckily I didn't completely flake on exercise, but I think I'd have had to run to the moon and back to work off everything that passed over my lips.  So I ended the week 2 pounds heavier than I started.  :(  

How is it that I can eat so healthy,  be so in control of my appetite, and feel like I could live that way forever (that was the first 3  weeks), and then I eat ONE thing that I shouldn't (ie:  rocky road brownie for breakfast) and that one thing turns into clearing the cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer of all junk food--all in one go?  What's the deal?  I don't think that I deprive myself; I've eaten "real" desserts a few days a week for the whole month.  And I don't have this list of "forbidden foods".  I'm allowed to eat whatever I want in moderation.  But something about that one brownie did me in.  It turned into the rest of the pan; which turned into the rest of my kitchen.  All was not lost after one brownie.  It was the 15,000 calories I ate afterwards that were the real problems!!

Oh well, all is still not lost.  I guess I'll go back to my carrot-cauliflower soup.  It is also really good.  Especially with a bit of fresh dill or a bit of red curry powder and a dollop of plain yogurt.  :)

So here's to a new week and and new month.  (Does anyone else just LOVE it when the 1st is on a Monday??)

Weight 147 lbs

Waist 36.5 "

help!!!! I keep sababtoging myself. I have been burning 100o in exercise then I go and eat 4 spoonfuls of cream cheese frosting. My husband has not been home before 8:30 all week. My house looks like a disorganization tornado went through it....uuuggggggghhhhh.......its so much easier to not eat at alll!!!!!! just go to bed carrie, tomorrow is a new day.....

Marianne's Week

I feel good about my week.
I feel GREAT about my first long run I did on Saturday!
My goal was to put in the miles and not think about how long it took me.
I think I have to be training for something BIG or I would have stopped running after the first 2 miles. But I had that little voice in my head telling me "just put in the miles and you will be ready for the race"
I also LOVE Lindy's idea to save some calories for a little desert at the end of the day. I'm usually an all or nothing kind of gal. I eat the whole desert or nothing! But for the first time in a long time I didn't feel guilty for eating desert. Thanks for the tip.

I lost 5lbs!
weight 182

Goal for this week is to break the 180's and never look back!

P.S. I am in desperate need of new tunes for my new i pod!!!
My old i pod accidentally went in the washer (note to self ALWAYS check ALL pockets!)
and our computer CRASHED!!! So I'm starting from scratch. I have been enjoying some of Lindys suggestions she posted on her blog but would LOVE to hear what tunes get you lady's moving. Don't be shy! Give it to me lady's, over the next six weeks my i pod will be my best friend.

Thanks,

Marianne

Melona week 2-

Well, Ladies, I am once again astounded by your self-control and commitment to be a better you! Keep up the good work!

So, I had a pretty good week this week mentally, but physically I sabotaged myself quite a bit. I just didn't feel like changing what I was doing. SO, I rebelled a little. Friday, I was feeling a little more motivated, but we celebrated our 10 year anniversary and what better way to celebrate than w/ good food!

SO, Grrr! Still no weight loss and still completely my fault! Well, mostly. I did have a visitor this morning, so maybe next week will be better.

I have really started analyzing my habits this week though. I have come up w/ a few things that I feel are really hindering my progress.

1. I have been neglecting the things in my life to keep myself spiritually fit.

2. I need more sleep. Staying up until 2 am every morning w/ my SIL to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer may be fun, but is not a necessity. I'm not 20 anymore & can't sleep until 10. I still have to get up at 7 and be Mom.

3. I am mentally exhausted, physically pooped and frankly, a little depressed since the move.

I feel that these 3 have really been impeding my progress to weight loss. Because of these things, I just don't have the will power or the even a great desire to keep my weekly commitments. I just don't care enough about myself lately. SO, I am starting a few new goals this week which I am hoping will help me to keep the other commitments I have made.

1. Daily scripture study and prayer... The Lord cares about all my righteous desires, I will go to him for help w/ to keep my weight loss commitments. I truly believe he wants me to be healthy.

2. Go to sleep by 12 am every night. (I will eventually scale this back to 10:30 or 11, but midnight seems a good place to start... Buffy may not be a necessity, but I really enjoy the time to bond w/ my SIL).

3. Take a shower EVERY DAY and get out of the house w/ or w/out the kids at least 3x this week (in addition to going to church).

4. Eat less, move more :)

what the what!!!!!!

I love Tina Fey and she always says this on 30 rock. Seriously, you guys are awesome! Shelly- 5 lbs in one week! I should say that soup must be your secret weapon! I am getting on that immediately! ANd Lindy, I know exactly how you feel. Last night I ate two big spoonfuls of peanut butter rolled in chocolate chips after holding a fussy Naomi for 2 hours...MY nerves were so frazzled and James had to do a school project so no help from him and the p and choclate were my only friends. So this morning...I ran an extra mile on the treadmill and it felt amazing. MY problem has always been food, not exercising. If I didn't have kids I would exercise 3, 4 hours a day. I love it to the point of unlhealthiness. Anyway- my suggestion to you Lindy. INvest in a treadmill. It is the best thing I ever did, or an elliptical and you can always have it there, if you eat a brownie you can just jump on it for 20 min- brownie into oblivion and your are more fit than ever. I have never been a fan of fake skinny. THat pretty much means someone who looks skinny but they are flabby. I have been that before and I much prefer eating enough food to fuel your body and being lean and musclely. NOt a word I know...I'm making up all sorts oof words today not to mention spellings. WELCOME SARAH! oh- everyone is inshapenow. You just sign in then leave your name so we know who you are. I am so glad you are here. So my son has become obsessed with my new scale. It is small and easily portable and he has dropped it anumber of times. ANyway- it gave me 3 different weight this morning so for now, until I can weigh at the gym I will post my measurements.

thigh 23 3/4

bust 40

AS you can see I left out waist because taking that measurement after I have a baby makes me shed actual tears...

Seriously, I am inspired by all of you...Lindy I would like to also say....you rock for maintaining your very low weight. In a lot of ways, that is harder than losing weight. My suggestion? Don't worry about the food part, just put in 15- 20 more minutes of super sweat inducing exercise and you will see a lb drop off each week just from that. YOu dont even have to go anywhere just do jumping jack, puhups, sit-ups, as fast as you can for 15 min before bedtime and you will see it come off gradually. Easier said than done especially when you are so tired from the day but one thing I have learned is that if you can get in at lease 20 minutes right when you get up and at least 20 min right before bed it makes a huge difference.

Lindy's Update--Week 3

Well, this week was not too great for me. I gained a pound, so I'm back to 165. I'm not really surprised. I only worked out twice and I ate far too many treats. Here's my problem--at the end of a long day dealing with a very demanding 21 month old and a precocious 4 year old, and cleaning the house and changing diapers, I feel like I deserve a brownie, or a girl scout cookie or 4. I totally get that I'm eating for emotional reasons. I'm really not all that hungry but sometimes the only thing I have to look forward to at night is something yummy to eat. That probably sounds really pathetic, but it's true for me right now. I can eat really well at breakfast, lunch and dinner, but then after dinner I want my chocolate, dang it!  So, this is something I'm really going to have to work on this week. It probably is better if I just eat no sugar at all this week. Do you think I could do it? Any tips?
You are all doing so well and it's very inspiring.

Carrie, your will power is mighty impressive. What do you do to keep yourself motivated? Especially with four babies at home?  I don't know how you do it!

Lindy

Sarah- Day 1

So I read everyone's posts and I feel up to speed. I live in Florida and I have 3 daughters ages 12, 8, and 1 (today!). I work from home and so I am sitting a lot at the computer. I don't exercise at all right now. I really enjoy running even though I'm not great at it and I want to be able to run our local 15K next year (it is in 2 wks). I seem to always carry about 10 extra pounds around and I decided to lose the weight before I went through another pregnancy. I joined Weight Watchers in April 2008 and lost 11 lbs. I was at 150 lbs. when I started my pregnancy and I felt great. I've decided that is the weight I look and feel most comfortable at and that I am realistically able to maintain. So, here are my starting stats and goals.
weight: 170 lbs
waitst: 34 in
thigh: 25 in- glad you suggested this measurement

goals this week:
not to eat after 8 pm-SO hard for me (I now do 8:30 since I go to bed at 11:30, but I want to work toward no eating after 7 and be asleep by 10:30)
walk on treadmill 15 min each day
no junk food, including chocolate- I will allow myself a treat on Saturday only

That is what I feel I can accomplish this week. Here I go!

Just joining in

Hi, everyone.
I am Carrie's cousin, Sarah. I told her that I wanted to join your group at the end of January and it has taken me this long to follow her instructions to log on! I'm not sure I did it correctly because it looks like Carrie is In Shape Now. Tell me if I'm supposed to do something differently. Anyway, today is my daughter's first birthday and I am absolutely out of excuses and ready to lose the baby weight. Let me post this and catch up on all of your posts to figure out what and how to give my info. I look forward to getting to know all of you!

Shelley's Week 3

I had a great week.  I ran 9.4 miles and lost 5 pounds.  Yeah!!  I actually found that it was much harder to drink a gallon of water every day than I thought; I got better as the week went on, but it definitely takes effort.  But I think that it helped me feel satisfied much more throughout the day.  Also, I've been eating this:

Carrot and Cauliflower Soup
1 head of cauliflower
3 carrots
1 stalk of celery, including any leaves
1 onion
4-6 cups chicken broth


Cut all the vegetables to 1" pieces.  Pour the chicken broth over-- this should just cover the vegetables.  If not, add a bit more chicken broth or water.  Simmer until the cauliflower is soft (30 minutes) and puree.  Season with salt and pepper.  

Yum.  I think it was the secret to my success this week.  So simple and delicious and satisfying and warm.  Plus for me, it's 0-points.  It's been so cold here, I've really needed something that is warm and comforting.

Carrie-- I'm wowed by your master cleanse.  You say you feel energized-- but I think I would feel absolutely famished.  Good for you.

Melona--thank you for your idea of short term goals.  It definitely is easier mentally for me to wrap my mind around doing something smaller.

Marianne, welcome.  I'm totally impressed that you are going to run a 1/2 marathon in 6 weeks now.  Maybe I'll do one someday-- but maybe not!

Lindy, congrats on you weight loss.  Every pound counts.  Well done.

And for what it's worth, this is what I've been doing to fit exercise in; it's taken a few weeks to get the kinks out, but I was able to exercise 5x this week:  My husband and I rotate nights to put the kids to bed.  On the nights that he's in charge, I leave at 7:30 (when the bedtime rituals begin) and exercise for 45 minutes or an hour.  On the nights that I'm on, I put the kids to bed and then when he gets home at around 8:30, I'll go for 20 minutes.  Then we each get an hour on Saturday morning-- we are just going to rotate who gets up earlier.  Right now I'm running, walking and doing yoga.  I'm only able to run about 2 miles at a time now-- the rest is walking, but I hope to improve that to eventually be able to run the entire 45-60 minutes.

My stats:
Weight:  145
Waist:  36"

My goals for this week:
No eating after 7pm
Run 10 miles
Drink a gallon of water everyday
(They are the same goals-- I didn't quite hit them this week, so I'm going at them again).

Also, has anyone tried Jillian Michaels 30-day Shred?  Because I'm in Japan, I'm limited to what I can get by way of exercise programs, but that one is available on Apple TV.  I wanted some feedback before I commit.

Marianne's Introduction

O.K. So I’m a little behind the eight ball but after reading your stories I am feeling motivated and inspired.
I love this idea of my own little community to report my ups and downs on the journey we have all embarked on to uncover that hot and rocking body we all posses.
I am wife to the one and mother to four boys, happily raising my family in Pennsylvania. I grew up with Carrie and love her positive energy!
I would describe myself as a sturdy woman! Great child barring hips kind of gal. I gave up the delusions of going down a size sometime in my early twenty’s. I have been a proud size 12 for a good 15 years. Through the barring of my first two boys, and taking up Marathon running I managed to stay true to my size twelve frame. After a big move from the bustling metropolis of New York City to the country side of Pennsylvania then giving birth to two little baby boys in under two years has rocked my body. My size 12 clothing is resting peacefully in my closet waiting for loves first kiss to wake them from their sleepy slumber.
I have the opposite problem a women with an eating disorder has when it comes to body image, I look in the mirror and say “Boy, lucky I carry my weight well”
My very rude awakening came when I stepped on my boys wii fit over the holidays and it showed me as a very plump figure registering in the obese range. YIKES!!! Yes, I knew none of my clothes fit but I did have a robust little 5 month old baby to show for that. Let me be honest with you, my new little community, I was pushing 200lbs five months after I gave birth. I weight 172 the week after he was born. Let’s review; I had gained over 20lbs after my baby was born!
What are my personal goals?
TO FIT INTO MY OWN CLOTHING!!!
I LOVE running and yoga! So to push me along in my journey I have registered to run a half marathon in seven weeks from this coming Saturday(can you say CRAZY!) through Amish country, should be very pretty. Since a BIG excuse of mine is I can’t make it to the gym with two little ones (I have some of the same issues Lindy is having) I also ordered a power yoga DVD I’ll let you all know how I like it when it arrives in 3 to 5 business days.
Thank you all for sharing your strategies and success’s, I have really loved how real everyone is keeping it. It is SO great to know I’m not the only one “having my cake and eating it too” keep them coming!
My height 5’7
Weight as of today 187lbs (that was harder to type than I thought it would be, I almost fudged it a little)

Lindy-Week 2

Well I am very impressed and motivated by all of your successes! You guys are like weight loss rock stars or something!
This was a crazy week for me: I got a nasty, nasty cold. I ate way too much Valentine's Day candy, and when I dropped off Willem (age 2) at the gym day care he got so hysterical that he vomited all over and they called me back to pick him up after 10 minutes.
So, despite some major challenges, I did manage to lose 1 lb.

Carrie, the cleanse is intriguing--I might try it for a few days. My other question for you, Carrie, is how you are able to work out with all your kids around? I tried doing one of my P90x videos but Willem just kept crying for me to pick him up, or clung to my leg, etc. As you can tell, he is a major mama's boy! Also if anyone has any tips on helping him Willem get over his hatred of the gym day care, please pass them on!

My goal this week is to exercise 4x, drink more water, and try a day of cleansing.

Weight: 164

Keep up the hard work everyone!
--Lindy

Shelley's Week 2

So I delivered Valentine cookies to my neighbors and was able to salvage the week.  I exercised 4 times this week, ran 6 miles, and lost 2 pounds.  Yeah!  I would like to really work to exercise 5 days this week and run 10 miles this week.  (Carrie, I'm in awe of you-- 30 miles in one week.  Wow!)  Here are my short term goals-- by 3/14, I want to lose 10 pounds and be able to run 3 miles with no break.

Stats this week:
Weight 150
Waist 36"

My goals for the week:
no eating after 7pm
drink one gallon of water each day
run 10 miles

So I will just say a little bit about the cleanse- mostly what I modify. Now let me say that this cleanse is not easy. NOt easy at all. Especially your first time. This is my fourth time so it is not as hard for me. You can look up the basics of it on google and you will see that is is pretty drastic. It is 10 days of drinking pure organic lemon juice mixed with pure organic maple syrup and talking laxatives and cayenne pepper pills. Yes it is bit crazy but it works for me. I am on day 8 and from my new scale I have lost 11 lbs but a some of that is water weight and what was in my intestines. I will probably lose about 13-14 lbs but about 1/3 of that will come back. If I eat right after and I work out I can keep most of it off and my body becomes much more efficient losing weight. I do not do the salt flush and after the first 4 days I only take the laxatives in the morning becuase I am up with the baby at night and I don't want to be awakened by my bowels too! Also I don't drink the tea. I go to the good earth and get these tablets called Innerclean. I hate the tea. So if you have more questions let me know!

Hey girls! Great Melona ! I think that is a great idea. I try to just make weekly goals for myself like I am going to run 30 miles this weeks. Or I am going to lose 3 lbs. Then I don't feel so everwhelmed. Lindy , the cleanse is called the master cleanse and I am on the 8th day. I fell awesome. IT may not be for everyone but I love it. THese are the things it does for me:

resets my hunger signal

helps me realize that I really don't need to eat so much

gets all the toxins out of my body wich I believe helps me not crave sugar!

helps me get a jump start on my weight loss.

clears my head and makes me want to get my whole life in orde- yes I celan and organized my house from top to bottom this past weekend

cleans out my liver and helps it get ready to metabolize my stored fat ( i believe it can't do that unless it is clean)

it is called the master cleanse Lindy and I do make a couple of modifications so if you decide to do it I should tell you about those.

So this past week, although very hard and stressful because my husband was out of town, I feel like I accomplished a lot!

Stats: weight 179

thigh: 24

House: clean! (for a minute)

laundry: done! (for a minute)

husband: home!

children: clothed and happy (this second)

Week 2

Well ladies, self control was no where to be found this week! Hopefully it was because he was so busy at your houses he forgot to visit mine. ;) It was a pretty bad week... let's just say, I had my cake and ate it too, several times! That is the bad news.

Now for the good news. Despite my terrible week (I don't think there was one day where I didn't eat after 7, made cookies 3x and exercised maybe once), I did not gain any weight! Of course, none was lost, but I am very thankful that I maintained in inches and weight.

I have made a new goal for myself this week. I find that sometimes when I look at the end goal it can be a little discouraging. I have to lose 60 lbs! It's a little overwhelming. SO, I have made a short term goal. I would like to lose 15 lbs by my birthday in 7 weeks. I can do 15 lbs! My husband and I are planning a get away for that weekend (since this weekend for our 10 year anniversary will not be possible) and I'd like to be slimmed down enough to fit into some of the more attractive outfits I have in smaller sizes.

SO here are my goals this week:

Do not eat after 7 pm
Drink lots and lots of water
Eat less and move more

My challenge for each of you, is to set a short term goal w/ a reward at the end... new outfit, trip to the hair-dresser, special night out, whatever motivates you! If you reward yourself periodically, I find it's a little easier to keep it up.

Have a good week ladies!

-Melona

Hey ladies. I have had one heck of a week. WAit thats how I started my last entry. But I am so happy to report that Naomi is finally sleeping- I got her on Zantac. She had acid reflux the poor thing. I feel so bad for thinking she just had a bad attitude. Ok enough about that, just warning you, don't be alarmed by what I post tomorrow for my stats. I have been on a pretty rastic liver cleanse. I do it everytime after I have my baby, both to get my liver cleaned out so my body can better metabloixe my stored fat and so I can get a jump start on the weight loss. IT is not for everyone I know but I love it and I feel awesome. And it saved my from gaining 5 lbs this week (my husband was out of town, David had the stomach flu, Naomi wasn't sleeing etc ) And I was under a lot of stress . If I hadn't beein on the cleanse I would have eaten myself out of house and home! Ok see you tomorrow ladies. Oh ya- Greta and I are starting to train for a half marathon in OCT. If anyone wants to join us we are working up to running 3 miles over the net few weeks and then we will start a training program. Let us know if you want in! Carrie

Shelley's Week 1

Hi ,

Sorry I'm late in updating. As of Monday, I was down 3 pounds. Yeah! I exercised only 3 x-- so I need a bit of improvement there, but I did run 4.5 miles! My problem is that we made Valentine cookies for FHE on Monday night, and I'm having trouble staying away from them (it's already Wednesday here in Japan), so I fear I'm going to undo what I did. I guess it's time to take cookies to my neighbors!

Good job everyone!

Stats on Monday:

weight: 152

waist: 37"

Goals for the week:

no eating after 7pm

exercise 5x this week

Melona's Update- Week 1

It's funny how rarely I eat sweets on a normal basis and this week I have been craving them like crazy! The more I think, I can't have that... the more I crave it :) Ah, such is life.

Well, I am surprised that I actually did so well this week. I probably would have done better, but we had a family celebration this weekend and, of course, I ate way more than I should have. Also, I have been sick all this past week. Fighting an awful cough that makes it really hard to exercise w/out hacking up a lung! I really hate being sick.

But enough of my excuses. Onto the results. I am down 2 lbs this week and have lost an inch everywhere! I am feeling really encouraged by this and am excited to continue on with my new changes this week. I even convinced my husband to start keeping track with me!

Weight: 198
Waist: 44"

Yeah for me! And congrats on your triumphs this past week Lindy and Carrie.

My commitments this week:

Keep up the no eating after 7
Exercise 5x @ 1/2 hour
Challenge for everyone: Keep hydrated! Water, water and more water ladies :)

-Melona

Lindy's Update--week 1

Go Carrie! A loss is a loss! Great job! How are you fitting so much exercise in with all of your little ones around? I tried doing my P90x video while Willem was awake--big mistake!

I'm still at 165. I really fell of the wagon this weekend. Even though I exercised, I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and ended up eating a ton of them. I guess I should be happy that I didn't GAIN anything. My goal this week is to not eat after 7pm. That's a really, really tough one for me, but I'm going to try it.

Take care and here's to having a great week!
Lindy

165lbs.
Waist: 34inches (yes, i carry all my weight in my mid-section. I'm total "apple"!)

Hey ladies- so the first week is always hard. I had a hard one. I am really mad at the scale this morning because it is registering that I only lost one pound. So I am going with my thigh measure ment instead. It was 1/2 inch smaller!

Weight: 188

Thigh: 24.5

-CArrie

I do know Lindys Dad and that is pretty funny. So ladies I am finding it very hard not to overeat when I am not getting enough sleep (due to my 2 month old) I find I try to compensate for extreme fatigue with more food. But I am trying my best and I do feel a couple pounds lighter than I did on SUnday. Well see on Monday! Remember we report our stats on Monday and it doens't matter what they are, I really think it helps to keep the mindset of what we are working towars. Who cares if you have a few setbacks, love yourself through all of them. Love yourself for eating 4 truffles ( I did that monday) Love yourself for working out. Love yourself for getting one load of laundry done or 4 if your were so lucky. Love yourself because you can do anything you want, including changing your body for the better. As I watch my body change a tiny bit each day I am amazed at houw resposive out bodies are. THey are perfect calculators. You can't trick them My son got his first calculator yesterday. I was teaching him how to use it. ANd I was thinking...no matter how many times I put in 4+3 it will never give me any answer but 7. Same with our bodies. Yes we all have different metabloism rates etc starting out but we actually can change those by what kind of fuel we put into our bodies and how efficiently we expend that fuel. When ever I think, I don't think I will be ever able to lose this weight I remember that show the biggest loser. Heck, if those people can be dropping that kind of weight ( yes they are exercising 4 hours a day and eating 1400 calories) but they are dropping 12 lbs a week! For all their hemming and hawing in the intro videos (It just is impossible for me to lose weight!) suddenly they realize that their bodies are exact calculators just like eeryone elses and if they are consistent and really work hard that calculator will give them the same result every time Less calories in- More calories burned= fitter healthier me! I t is comforting to know that it is impossible for my body to give me any other answer!

Lindy's intro

Hi girls,
I'm very happy to be starting this journey with you all! Carrie and I have been friends since high school and she has always inspired me with her resolve and discipline to get in shape!

I currently live in Georgia with my husband and my two boys ages 4 and 1 1/2. My husband and I both teach at Augusta State University. He is an English prof. and I teach basic composition part-time. What else? Hmmm, I really like to eat, read, take pictures, and blog here: Righteous Lou.

As my dad likes to say, "I come from a long line of fat a****!" If you knew my dad, you would know how funny that is. Anyway, as he so eloquently puts it, I do, indeed, have lots of heavy people in my family and I've struggled with my weight since I was in like 4th grade. I know that it will be lifetime challenge for me and I've come to terms with that (kind of). My weight has fluctuated between 150-160 since high school. But then I had two kids and like most of you gained a ton of weight with both pregnancies. I literally would gain like 2 lbs overnight even though I was vomiting 3x a day. I seriously was defying all the laws of physics. Anyway, I weighed over 200lbs with my second pregnancy but now (just a short 20 months later!) am down to 165lbs. My goal weight is 150lbs. I just started back at the gym a couple of weeks ago and I feel so much better when I exercise consistently (for me that's 4-5x a week). My biggest downfall is good food. A life without desserts is a life without living in my opinion! So, I'm just trying to eat really healthy and then save up 200-300 calories for a little dessert at the end of the day.
My stats:
height: 5"8
weight: 165
--Lindy

Woops Stacy!

Welcome Stacey! Great to have you!

Oh good gravy ladies. I have had a crazy few days. I had a good day Monday, got my exercise in and ate pretty well. THen TUesday, it was like everything in the universe was conspiring against me getting on the treadmill. Lets just say that we came was too close to oweing 33,000 in medcial bills. Luckily we dont...long long story. So my exercise consisted of powerwalking around wal-mart while enduring funny looks from the likes of Wal-mart patrons. (we had no milk, no bread, no fruit, no eggs,) I had to go last night because I vow never to take my 4 children under 5 anywhere together by myself. (exception: going to county health dept to get a birth certificate that would add youngest child to the insurance plan in the nick of time )Also I ate way too much, I was insanely stressed, and I really felt like I couldn't help. Had a great day today. Ran 4.5 miles. Well I should say I walked 4.5 miles in one hour and I ran 1.5 miles of it. I burned 750 calories. Yippee!!!! only 75000 cals to go. Just kidding. How is everyone doing? I am pretty much a prisoer in my own home these days so I find this pursuit invigorating!---Carrie

Stacy's Story

Hi my name is Stacy and I live in Southern California. I heard about his blog from my aunt Melona and thought it sounded great. I have struggled with weight my entire life but haven't really had major problems until after I had my children. I have two girls and before I got pregnant I was 170 and now I am 237. It is the highest weight I have ever been at. I went through a lot of emotional ups and downs with my relationship with their father and depression and other things has caused my weight to seen uncontrollable. I have left all those problems behind and am now started my journey to recovery. I have been going to the gym 6 or 7 days a week for the past month unfortunately I still havent lost any weight altering my diet more is my next step.

The only stats I have as of now are
Height 5'7'
Weight 237

My goals are to drink more water.
Not eat after 7.
Not eat my kids leftovers.
Stick to my workout regimen

Konnichiwa!

I'm Shelley. I grew up in southern Indiana, spent long enough living in Los Angeles to feel like a true California girl, and for the past 2 years I've called Tokyo, Japan home. I have a 4 year old, a 20-month old, and a 2-month old. Now I'm a bit squishy.

My goal is to get back into shape (I want to run a 10k this year) and back into my size 8 jeans. That means I have about 25 pounds to lose. I have had great success with Weight Watchers in the past-- both with losing weight and with keeping it off. I love the focus they put on eating fruits and vegetables as well as the flexibility of having no "forbidden" foods. It's all about moderation. So that's the program I'll be following. If anyone wants more info on that diet program, let me know. I've been doing it long enough, I consider myself a mini-expert:)

I love food! (That is probably self-evident by the fact that I'm a bit squishy.) I love finding recipes and cooking and then finding more recipes and cooking some more. I know from the past that a big part of my success has to do with not feeling deprived. For me that involves still being able to create and eat. I will be on the lookout for new recipes that fit into a more healthy eating plan. So please pass on any good, healthy recipes that you find and I'll do the same.

I definitely need to work out more; but honestly, I cannot even image working out 6 or 12 hours a week. How do you do it? How do you juggle your lives and your kids so that you can do that? I feel like if I get 30 minutes every other day, I'm lucky. I would like to improve that-- I actually really enjoy working out, but I just never seem to have the time. My saving grace is that I live in Tokyo-- which means I have to walk just about everywhere. But walking does not really get my heart a-pumpin' or leave me with that "I just worked out" feeling. This is definitely the area that I need the most improvement.

My stats this week:

Weight 155

Waist 38"

My goals:

No eating after 7pm

Stick to the Weight Watchers plan

Record everything I eat

Exercise 30 minutes 5x this week (babysteps)

I'm excited to be part of this group. It's really good for me to be accountable to someone other than myself.

"That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved." -- C.S. Lewis

For me the first 2 weeks are always the hardest.

Melona's story

So, here's my story: Like most women, my weight has fluctuated up and down by 10 lbs or so since high school, but I never really had a problem losing it when I wanted or keeping it off when I wanted. That is, until I had children.

Before I had my oldest son almost 7 years ago, I was in the best physical shape of my life. I was 138 lbs a size 8, and looking and feeling fabulous! Then I got pregnant and my weight struggles really began. I gained 60 lbs! And I wasn't just sitting on the couch eating bon-bons. I was simply so sick all the time, all I could was work and sleep. I tried to keep up the exercise, but it just never worked out for me. Afterward I struggled with postpartum depression and never really felt motivated to get the weight off entirely. All my pregnancies have been pretty much the same (with different starting weights, gains and losses in between each) and I have accumulated 15 extra lbs from each of my 4 children.

SO, if you are doing the math, I am currently topped out at 200 lbs (on a 5' 5" frame). Mostly, I want to lose weight now so that I can really play with my kids. I want to be a healthy, fun mom, and right now, I'm not.

I have found that I do the best at weight loss when I have someone to do it with. Since we recently moved to AZ and the only person I know here is my pregnant sister-in-law, I am excited to have a forum to come and report my progress and get support. I am very excited about this blog and hopefully it will be what I need to really push me into losing weight. Best of luck to us all!

The stats I will be reporting on are thus:
Weight: 200 lbs.
Waist: 45.5 inches (YIKES!)
Thigh: 25 inches

My goals for now:
Eat smaller, healthier meals (and nothing after 7 pm).
Keep hydrated (lots of water)
Exercise 6 days a week... at least 2x a week w/ my kids.

-Melona
PS- Hopefully this makes sense, it's 2 am & I am drugged w/ nyquil :)

Welcome!

Hey Ladies!

This is your official welcome to this community. This is going to be awesome. WE begin officially tomorrow Monday Feb 1st! Can't get more perfect than that! I hope you will each take little time to tell a little bit about yourselves and provide any links to your personal blogs so we can see who you are. As of right now, we have possibly 3 members from Utah, 1 from California (going to BYU), one from Georgia, One from Japan! (from Indiana but living in Japan), one from Alaska, one from Vegas, one from FLorida. So tell us where you are from, who you are, and about your peronal hopes for getting in shape. Also I really think it is importantt to report some sort of progress marker and you really dont have to tell us what it is like the number 23--it could be anything but as long as you report on the same marker so that you know that hey, Monday I am going to have to measure again (whatever measurement that is). Also WE each need to challenge eachother to do something doable - like this week I challenge you each not to eat after 7:00. So what are your challenges for each of us?

Hey! So I am so excited about this! I really needed something to get me going, to keep me motivated week to week.

I too have struggled with my weight from a young age. I have hit rock bottom more than once, but I also have had great personal successes. While I wish I could say that I have maintained the goals I have reached in the past, that is simply not the case. But I guess that's okay. I can look back at the feats I've accomplished and know that I can do it again. Like Carrie, I want to be healthy for life and its great that we can all support each other. That will make it easier.

I think we can make this really fun! Let's do it!

Here are the commitments I am making to myself. Hold me to them!

-Exercise 6 days a week for at least one hour

-Follow the Body for Life eating plan (this is going to be hard!)

-Keep track of what I eat (I have a cool iPhone app that makes it easy)

-Give up sweets

-Stop eating at 7:00pm

Thanks for all the support ladies!

-Greta

Carrie's story

Hey Ladies! I roped my neice into being my fitness buddy and now all of you have expressed interest in being part of this group. So I thought this weekend we could just take a minute and share our stories (woes with getting and staying in shape) with eachother, then on monday we can start tracking our measurements and/or weight (whatever you prefer) to report on. I'll start.

Hey, I am Carrie. Since the summer after my junior year in high school I have struggled with my weight/ body image etc. I moved away from home and was depressed. I ate to fill my depression. I gained about 45 lbs in just a couple of years. I then over the next decade and a half fluctuated up and down depending upon how I felt about myself. But I never could get to a place I felt happy with. I eventually learned to be happy no matter what I weighed, but I still felt a desire to really be fit and thin. Then I after I had my third child, something clicked inside me. I started a blog just like this and although only a couple of women lasted the whole 12 weeks, we wanted to push ourselves I was able to lose about 40 lbs total, more importantly I got to 17 percent body fat, and a size 8/10 and I havne't felt that great in a long time. So I am back to that place where I need help and support and someone or someones to be accountable to. I want to get in shape again and stay in shape for the rest of my life. I am going to do the same program that I have had sucess with in the past....It's basically the body for life program. If you want we can all do the same program or we can all do different things and share the best things about each and see how we each do on different plans. I love to exercise and I thought I was already able to do 2 hours a day, but by c-section incision from 8 weeks ago is still pretty precarious so right now for the next week or so I am going to do an hour a day and increase as I can. I really believe that weight loss has to be a combination of both exercise and eating right. YOu can't keep it off unless you exercise through the beginning stages of weight loss but you can't get through the beginning stages and be sucessful at losing the weight in the first place without eating less, and eating right. So I have 6-7 small meals a day with a serving of good carbs and 1 serving of protein and as many veggies, raw or steamed as I want. I think the most important factor for me intaking off weight is to not eat after 7 pm. YOu wil feel so much beter and it will jump start your weight loss. SO this is my first challenge for each of you....no matter what program you chose, don't eat after 7 pm. What is your challenge for the rest of us? Drink a certain amount of water every day, take vitamins, etc? Think of something that we can all do together to increase our success!

So becaue I had all my stats taken yesterday at the gym by a professional I will post them now and start reporting my progress a week from monday

Starting weight 189

Body Fat % 27.2% -----uuuugggghhhhhhh

thigh (the measurement I want to track) 25 inches

So i can't wait to hear your strories.

Ok just took my stats..

oh boy I have a long way to go!

I am going to tack 2 things weight and thigh measurement. Also when i go to the gym tonight if I get up the courage I am going to have them test my body fat...so three things but only 2 weeklt and I'll chek my body fat every 4 weeks.

Satrting weight 190.8

Upper thigh 25 inches

Greta- I am going to eat on the body for life plan the way we did when you were here.

I am finally healed enought to get back on the 2 hr a day exercise program.. Going to stick to that until I drop the intitial weight then I will move to an hour a day. I am running a realy race--the wasatch back in june and I have the 14.2 mile leg lus a smaller leg over a 24 hour [perios so I am going to be sdoing a lot of running. I also want to do a lot of yoga and swimming. What so you think will be your exercise regimine? WE have got to switch it up and get more intense with exh week so that our bodies dont plateau. Exerise is the key to keeping it off! But eating right is the key to taking it off! I have to keep reminding myself of that becuase the eating thing is the hard thing for me....Got to go get on the treadmill!

Hey ladies...uggg that was a hassle but I finally got the blog crated and you guys can sign in and contibute. when I have minute today I will post my stats and goals

-Carrie