Cindy so close so close LOL...I can't wait to see that post of 199. Well I weighed 164 this morning. UGH 5 lbs gained....it has been a really rough week for me plan wise, no gym, no healthy eating. But I so am ready to eat better I just HATE eating bad it just makes me not feel good in general. I'm hoping to get a grocery list together tonight and hopefully hitting the gym and store tomorrow. The first game tomorrow isn't until 12:45 so I should have enough time to hit the gym.

The baseball game was a bust and that was SOOO irritating. Have you ever been so mad at a situation and felt helpless? My husband's boss screwed up saying both guys could have Thursday off. That wasn't really the problem as he planned on watching the store for the day. Except HIS boss said he HAD to go to a meeting. Well the other guy he gave off was out of town so that only left my husband to go into work. So we missed the game that we paid over 100 bucks to go see. SUPPOSEDLY his boss is going to reiumburse him for the tickets but I'm not feeling very positive about that as he seems to be waiting for us to find other tickets, I've looked at every possible situation and we just can not make any other games. I REFUSE to take the boys out of school, yesterday was a half day and I was ok with taking them out for that but I don't want to send the message it is ok to miss school for a baseball game. SIGH

Well here is to a great weekend!

LOL...All I can do is laugh!!! I couldn't squeak out that last .2 lbs today! Oh well, as hubby told me...at least it's a pound lost. After the mentally challenging week I have had, I guess I should be happy right?

Colleen, I hope you're doing better...I'm thinking about ya!

~Cindy

Well I'm afraid to say I didn't get on as planned this week. For whatever reason I'm feeling totally lost, very strange feeling. I have faith though and I'm doing my best to work at getting back on plan. We have a baseball game tonight (provided they didn't close the fields due to weather) and I have the day off tomorrow as we will be going to a spring training game.

I just need some me time to reflect on what I want to do. I think I have just been thinking too much about what to eat and whether to go to the gym in the morning or afternoon and I'm getting no where with these discussions inside of my head.

Just wanted to post a quick update. It isn't always roses but I'm still plugging along and it is on my mind that I need to motivate myself to make some decisions and stick with them

~Colleen

Yep I'm re-evaluating things and I've decided it is time for a change. The weekends are kicking my butt, I want to not worry about food and enjoy my family so I'm compromising and changing my WOE. I know I've been talking about it for a while well today is the day.

I again ate what I wanted for three solid days, which is so on like me. I still managed to get to the gym for 35 minutes today and instead of watching TV I read "Body for Life". I've talked about getting it out before but this time I did. I really enjoyed eating the way he suggest, I've always felt it was a well balanced diet.

I'm still sticking with my workout though. I just can't wrap my head around doing one exercise for a muscle group. My husband really wants me to stick with his routine so I believe I'm going to do so. I'm contemplating switching to mornings, the only problem with this is I wouldn't have the time to do the strength training and cardio like I have been. But Ericka has been whining at the gym at night and again I need to spend time homework wise with the boys and now we have soccer practice on Friday, possibly baseball practice on Monday night and one baseball game a week, so my nights are becoming full.

I will keep you updated on my choices. Don't look for a loss from me AGAIN this week SIGH. But at least I'm not giving up!

~Colleen

Ok...the weather is getting a bit more favorable here...and I am seriously jonesing for spring! How many more weeks until spring? So, with that said...I give you this week's challenge.

Week EIGHT 2/24:
Talk a walk on your lunch break!

I know I will be :) All that fresh air yesterday while sledding really did wonders! I can't wait to get outside and walk!
~ Cindy

Well I didn't make to the gym this weekend...but we have the perfect weather for sledding! And let me tell ya, a dozen or so times up and down that hill was some GREAT cardio! My behind is a little sore today...but it's all good :)

Here are some pics... (click to enlarge)

...that I wasn't going to weigh in, but I did anyway! At hubby's request...hmmm more like demand LOL...I stayed off the scale this week and just concentrated on getting back to my routine. I think I probably stress myself out with those stinkin' numbers and I am so close to that under 200 mark...I'm a little OCD!

Well I am down a bit and considering where I was at the beginning of this week, I'm pretty proud of myself. So...no more peeking during the week for me. Friday's only to jump on the scale.

What I don't know can't hurt me, right?

~ Cindy

First off YEAH CINDY I see you posted a loss this week after being discouraged WTG!!

I am posting a one pound gain. But I think overall with three pig out days that is not to shabby. Monday morning I weighed 164.5 and today I weigh 160. That darn 160's they are just holding on for dear life. All I have to say is GOOD BYE to them because it is only down from here, since I got my pig out last weekend it will be a while before that comes up again so I should only see the scale go down from here.

I only manged 35 minutes on the cross trainer yesterday as my baby girl was whining too much at the kids care and they called me in. I didn't feel like dealing with it so I just took her home, I was a little bummed because I was very motivated during my exercising. Friday's I don't make it to the gym because of my son's soccer practice. I tried to get up and go this morning but in order to do that I have to wake up at 4:45 and I just COULDN'T do it. I do need to start getting up around 5:30 or so and getting in some morning exercise to jump start my metabolism I'm sure that would help.

~Colleen

Ok I TOTALLy forgot I would post pictures from the zoo. I know totally unrelated to weight loss LOL but hey it is my life right?

Ok...I know this is a little late...but what did you all think of this week's episode???

*sign* As much as I wanted to believe in him...I think Paul was the right choice to boot off...He obviously didn't stay on track when he went home. And whoa...Dan and Roger!!! Early weigh in and they both hit HOME RUNS!!! Amazing...I kinda wished they would have weighed them in at the "real" weigh in just to see what a difference a day makes...know what I mean?

Ok here come the rant...
What is UP with the families and their extravagant "spreads" of food to welcome home their "Biggest Losers"???  My family would NEVER have doughnuts and danish...ok family let's go out for CHICKEN WINGS !?! WHAT!?!?!?! Oh and while we're here let's have some dessert too?? What is that all about??...real supportive if you ask me! I know that they will have to face these challenges eventually, but geesh it's NOT over yet and they still want to stay in the game. Good for Mark, throwing out all the brownies and crap...LOVED IT!

Anyone care to share their thoughts?

~Cindy

Since I posted about my car the other day I thought I would update that I did get a new one. After 5 hours and a very long day I was reluctant to go to the gym. But knowing I may not be able to go Friday and possibly Saturday I thought to myself you gotta go. Well I had an AWESOME workout I felt very strong and motivated. 

Treadmill warm up: 20 calories burned (5 minutes)

Shoulder Work:
Machine Dumbbell Press: 20lbs/15reps, 30lbs/12reps, 35lbs/10reps, 40lbs/8reps
Upright Rows: 10lbs/15reps, 12lbs/12reps, 15lbs/10reps
Side Laterals: 10lbs/15reps, 12lbs/12reps, 15lbs/10reps
Reverse Peck Deck: 30lbs/15reps, 40lbs/12reps, 50lbs/10reps

I did my Rows and Side Laterals standing on that (I have no idea what it is called) that half rounded thing that is suppose to make you have to balance while you do work (Bob said good for core work)

Lots of Ab Work

45 minutes on the cross trainer for 380 calories burned.

Here's Pics of my new car:

So I didn't get to the gym today but I have a super good excuse (trust me I wish I didn't). The engine in my car has a hole in it. Yep, was driving home on the turnpike doing 75-80 started hearing a loud noise by the time I got off the turnpike it was so loud I called my husband so he could hear and then my engine started smoking.

Husband had to come to get the car seat in my car to go back and pick up my baby girl while I waited for the tow truck. We were able to take it to a shop he worked at and they found the hole in the engine, which of course made all my oil spill out which is why it was smoking. We don't know why the rod punctured the engine but well needless to say I didn't make it to the gym.

So now I'm going to have to call in tomorrow so we can go car hunting. What sucks is I had one year left on the car but the price to pay to get it fixed I would prefer to put down on something new then to fix it and worry that something else would happen.

More then likely I will end up with a used car as our credit was good two years ago but has gotten rough since having my daughter so we get stuck in that get what you get. I'm excited if I can get something bigger my Saturn is so small with three kids. But bummed because we were going to pay it off and do this next year hoping we wouldn't be upside down.

~Colleen

I wanted to post here instead of in the comments for all to see.

CINDY I think you did an AMAZING job while out of town, I have to say probably better then I would have. Shoot you did better then I did this weekend LOL. The fact that while you were away you still exercised is a major notch in your dedication to a healthy lifestyle. Girl I think you are doing terrific. As for the weigh in by ALL MEANS do what you need to do that is what it is all about. This challenge is more about finding support and learning to change our life then anything else and I totally agree if you feel you need to not be online, or have a weekend like I did, not weigh yourself, etc. whatever you need to do to keep you going is an A in my book. (Speaking of which I forgot to take my photo on Friday anyway LOL).
 

I didn’t post this earlier but I actually gained 5.5 pounds over the weekend. Shocking what three days of eating junk can do. I’m sure much of that is water weight as I already lost 2.5 of it just from eating well yesterday. Like I said before the best part is I’m ok with it, and that is the most liberating feeling ever. Knowing that I can have a weekend pig out and it is not the end of the world is a huge thing to me. Just like most of us I use to fall into that depression that I eat something I wasn’t suppose to and it would spiral out of control from there.  It is a little hard sometimes to not feel guilty when you have committed to challenges as I’ve committed to three but as we talked before I’m not in this to see how fast we can lose weight, any gains or eating off doesn’t bother me a bit. What is more important to me is that we keep the spirits up, that we can recognize that it wasn’t a set back, it wasn’t something to feel guilty about it was just life, and we are allowed to enjoy the ride.

As for my day yesterday I stayed right on track, actually ate more calories then I usually do but I’m kinda doing a lower carb approach this week to get back on track. In doing that I ate more fat which of course increased my calories, the great thing is I did lose 2.5 pounds of the weight I gained over the weekend, I’m sure the majority of that was water I was retaining as I think I spent have of my day in the rest room LOL.

I made it to the gym as well, worked out my legs and abs. I kinda got tired while doing cardio so I admit I stopped after only 15 minutes but hey I was proud of myself for not backing out as I was tempted to just go home. In fact I even had to stop off at home because my little girl was sleeping and my husband was home from work and I thought it better to bring her home then try to take her to the gym. So I had all the outs to not go but I still went.

The great thing is hubby works early again today which means I don’t’ have to wait until 10 pm to watch BL we will be able to watch at 8.

~Colleen

Hope everyone had a nice weekend...

Mine was spent in Cleveland, Ohio at a dance convention that my daughter participates in with her dance studio. Her group did AWESOME! Both of their dances took first place and the weekend of dancing was a big success!

As for me...I left Friday on kind of a low. I was really disappointed about the gain last week, but was really trying not to let it affect me negatively. I know there will be ups and downs and I will just have to work through them...but I really felt I had a good week. Well, we decided to pack a cooler and grocery shop for the weekend instead of relying just on restaurants and fast food choices...which can be so expensive and unhealthy. I was really pleased with us as a family that we took this route and felt really good about it. BUT, our schedule was so messed up and our eating times were so random and varied...not what I'm used to anyway. We went out for a nice dinner on Friday and had pizza Saturday night...oh yeah, and I had a few beers over the weekend too...but nothing too crazy! Other than that, breakfasts were healthy cereals, protein bars, fruit and yogurts and I had lean turkey and ham for sandwiches for lunch, carrots and whole grain crackers...lots of waters...so overall, I think we did the best we could.

As for exercise...I went to the hotel health club Saturday morning and worked out for 40 minutes on their elliptical and treadmill and did some free weights too. Sunday I actually took a dance class! It was totally over my head, and I was completely intimidated, but my sister talked me into it (she is totally a better dance than I ever was) and I wasn't going to be a quitter! I haven't taken a class like this in nearly 18 years (1990 was my last convention) So that fact that I attempted it at all was quite an accomplishment in itself. At 277lbs. last year, there is NO WAY I would ever have even thought about trying to do this...so I am pretty proud of myself anyway. I couldn't do half the steps and I couldn't pick up the choreography either, but I wasn't dancing to impress anyone...it didn't matter...this time it was for ME!

Anticipating that I got a bit off-track this weekend I weighed myself this morning and I was 204.2...UGH! I figured as much...Looks like I have some work to do. I'm thinking of skipping the weigh in this week, if that's ok with you Colleen. I don't think I can lose 4 lbs. between now and Friday, and I don't want to damage my confidence any more than it has been. Two weigh in's at a plus isn't good for the self-esteem.

I will be working my tail off between now and next week to get under 200...I promise...I just need to get back to my plan and schedule.

Here are a couple of group shots from the dancing this weekend...
My daughter is the farthest on the left in the back row in the purple suits and the farthest left in the white jackets :)

Thanks for listening!

Just a quick post as you see both Cindy and I were busy this weekend. I had an AWESOME weekend…Ok so I will start by saying I gave myself free reign. Yep eat whatever I want, and I was so busy I didn’t make it to the gym. BUT do you know what is different between NOW and a year ago? A year ago I would have felt SOOO guilty today that I would have said screw it and stopped at McDonald’s and say I will start tomorrow. I would have beat myself up SOO bad that it would take me months to get back to eating healthier. I’m so excited to say that, that is NO LONGER me. I can actually give myself the freedom to take a day (or in this case weekend) and jump right back on wagon like I never got off. This is the part I preach constantly about healthy lifestyle. I have actually changed how I eat, my habits, and thoughts regarding food. Yes of course I didn’t eat healthy at all this weekend as I splurged on Taco Bell, Outback Steakhouse, Soft Pretzels and more, but the MAJOR thing to see is that I don’t feel guilty today for doing it. I made the decision BEFORE the weekend that I needed a break. (I usually do this every once in a while). I needed a weekend of not counting calories and getting in all the junk food I wanted. I told myself however that Monday was a new day and sure enough I’m right back at it. I will admit the thought of the gym tonight is a little less appealing LOL but once I get going and working out it will be just fine.

So what did I do this weekend? Oh I just had a great family weekend. It started with my oldest son’s soccer game in which they played REMARKABLY and won 3-2 (but who’s keeping score-only the winning team ROFL). My mom, my nephew (he is almost 2), and my daughter watched the game. (My youngest son was at baseball practice). After the game we headed over to finish watching Nicky’s baseball practice. We then ran home to put together our bathing suits to join my mom and nephew at the pool. My CRAZY youngest son didn’t care that the pool was like a bowl of ice cubes so he stayed in the whole time we were there. My oldest son got in a few times but pretty much stuck to the hot tub. My mom, nephew, my daughter and I sat at the edge of the pool so they could splash as neither of them wanted to swim (WAY TOO COLD). After the pool we went back to mom’s and got ready for dinner. Once GREAT thing about my sister being a partner of Outback is that the dinner is always free. So we went down to celebrate a friends birthday. So that was 4 adults, 4 kids ages 10-5, and 2 kids under 2…it was quite the adventure.

Sunday we all went to the zoo and Ericka had a blast, it was the first time she had been since the age of 9 months and she seemed very excited at all the animals. I have some pics but they are at home. Will post them later.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and if for any reason you didn’t eat as planned DON’T SWEAT it just jump back on today. The key to a healthy living is to change your habits. If you want to eat off make the decision to do so before hand and don’t feel guilty that you did. I admit it SUCKS knowing I will be working of weight I already lost once this week but that is ok, as we always say this isn’t a race it is a way of life.
 

Hugs

~Colleen

Sorry this is a day late...I was out of town over the weekend.

Week SEVEN 2/17:
STRETCH, STRETCH, STRETCH!!! An important key to our success, that I'm sure most of us completely neglect.
The challenge this week is to get in your stretching BEFORE and AFTER your workouts!

I am soooo guilty of this and I really want to make an effort to change this part about my workout routine...I am so anxious to get going and get my cardio started, I don't want to waste precious minutes and burned calories stretching...but it is soooo important and I know that. I have been very lucky not to have seriously injured myself so far. I can't imagine not being able to workout due to injury and I don't want to even think what that would do to my efforts and my weight loss so far if I got hurt.

Don't take the chance...stretch, stretch, stretch!!!

Not a good weigh in this morning...I am about to post my first gain.

Not too sure what happened. I don't think my eating was too off. Maybe too much salt or something. Oh well...these last few pounds to get under 200 are going to be the toughest, I know that.

I am posting quickly as we are going away for the weekend.

Hoping for a better week...
~ Cindy