Yooohoooo....Cleda.....where are you?
Are you OK?
Missing you here in MTM land!
Kristen

Hey Kris! Thanx for checking on me ....
I’m hanging in there.

Olive Garden was a success for me (but that just means I did NOT order something Alfredo! lol)
I had one breadstick and was better than usual.

Today I have some challenges and not quite sure how I will handle them. Perhaps not the right frame of mind to go into the day with.

I thought of you on Wed. as I dug out the rollerblades and used them for a bit!

Onward we march.
Cleda

Good for you! What are your eating challenges going to be today? Have you done your exercise for today? Doug and I just got back from the trail at the park. I did 75 minutes, so that feels good. We have a picnic this evening. I’m going to have one “adult beverage,” no bun on whatever my meat turns out to be, and then pick at veggies and fruit. I’m sure there will be dessert and I’ll choose wisely. But I worked out today, so as long as I eat reasonably, I should be OK.

I haven’t dug my rollerblades out yet. I still haven’t been totally cleared by my surgeon to do so, and if I would fall, the risks are high. I am also wary of being the “fat lady on the rollerblades” so that plays head games as well. I see my surgeon on July 21 and hopefully I’ll get the word that my bones in my neck are fully fused. If so, then I don’t have to worry so much about literally breaking my neck.

Good luck with your day. I’m rooting for you!
Kristen

LIfe sure does have a way of getting in the way, doesn’t it???

I had a summer cold (posted in the 100 days of exercise!)
I took 12 days off from working out and I’m feeling better.

Started a night class which is one night a week for the next 6 weeks.  It’s very useful and lends itself to both of my jobs, so I think it’s time and money well spent.

I’m trying to get caught up on the podcasts.  This will take some time. I’m in the week of July 6th.

Back to the treadmill and journaling and no longer “feeding the cold”! (which didn’t really help!).

I want to continue on the journey. So in addition to reading, I’m back to posting! (Yeah me!)

That’s it for now.
Cleda

PS .. Kris: I read you’re using a Bowflex now? Did you have a follow up at the surgeon earlier than expected???  Congrats on the “gently used” bowflex! Sounds like you’re enjoying it!

EEEeee gads! Where does the time go? 

Well, who knows where I’m at on the 100 day challenge.
I did not finish July out too well!!!!

But, I am back and working at it.

I’m using the Vitabot software (is there a special place to post, forum, etc. or am I just blind to it --- possible, I get zoned in on only one thing!) .... It’s interesting.

I have to be honest, the jury is still out on it for me, although I think I’m liking it.
There is a learning curve to it (as there is with all the calorie counting software.)
I do like that it breaks down the vitamins and minerals though.
So although a calorie is a calorie is a calorie, it gives me more of an idea of where the calories come from.
I wish there were more charts and graphs.  But if wishes were horses then beggars would ride!

I am experimenting with the calories.
I usually do well on a program for about 2-3 weeks and then BAM! I’m out of control, eat everything in every cupboard and just end up going down a path of self-sabatoge. All started with a binge because I’m too ravenous to control it any more.

I plugged in the stuff and it gives me a calorie range of 2000 to 2500, which is HIGHER than I’ve ever dared to eat before (when on program!) for fear of weighing 500 lbs. I am a big gal and active (sounds contradictory, I know!) ....

Sooooooooo I am trying the higher calorie range to see what happens. If I can lose 1-2 lbs. a week doing this, I’ll be thrilled.  If I need to adjust it at the end of a month I’ll do so. The trick is to stay true to the software and actually follow through. 

Consistency is key and at that amount of calories, I do believe I can stay consistent! (and have no room to whine about not enough to eat!)

Cleda

Haven’t posted in a long while. But I read the forum.
And listen to MTM on the Ipod, when I can.
Usually when I’m working out on the bike or the treadmill!!!!

I have a new goal ... for my journey. After struggling for a few years and ending up at my all time high.
I am in no rush and have figured out that I want to be at my goal in a little over 2 years. I think that’s reasonable and helps me to stay focused, make it a lifestyle change and keep it off this time. Look out world! I’m going to conquer. 

Luckily for me, I have continued to exercise through the whole weight gain thing. . .so I am a step ahead of many people in that respect.  It can only get easier and I can only get faster as the pounds come off.

This time is so different though. The average I am looking for (and will be satisified with ... really ....) is one pound a week.  It will go up and down, but I have to learn to be satisfied with 1 lb. a week. With being older ... this is how it has to be.  I agree with Scott, that weighing daily is crucial (for me!) I have a program that tracks it and gives me the trends. I also track my exercise in there.

I too, have been watching The Biggest Loser. I find it very interesting.  There was an article in a local newspaper with Jillian Michaels who does NOT believe that 10 or 20 mins. of exercise is enough each day if you want to LOSE weight!  Another source I read mentioned three 60 mins. cardio sessions and one 90 mins. cardio session per week to lose weight. (Hmmmmmmm sounds like the LSB to me!) I guess we all know this????  I’m going to do this for the balance of October (I took the first week off - lucky for me it’s a 5 week month!) because I did the Seagull Century (bike ride - 100 miles) yesterday.

So, my goals for October are:

1.  lose 4 lbs.
2. Cardio: do 270 mins. per week
3. kettlebells: 3x a week (Sorry Scott! I know you aren’t big on them, but I love them and they serve me well! Then again, I also do traditional weight training, so this is just mixing it up for me!!!!)
4. Read a chapter a day in a small motivational book I have
5. Plan
6. Try to be more active in the SMSM forum.  (I am an avid reader, but don’t post too often!)

I did the Seagull Century yesterday and was pleased with our overall time. Riding time was 6 hours and 10 mins. I slowed my friends down, but they stuck with me and treated it as a “training ride” for them! This is an annual century bike ride out of Salisbury University in MD and I try to do it every year. It’s a flat century. But it is 100 miles nonetheless.  and there are HEADWINDS at times. YUCK! But It gives me something to train towards and a great reason to get together with exercise friends!

Cleda

Those are really great goals for October, Cleda! And congratulations on the century ride! That is something that only a few can do, well done.

Bree

One week down and three to go.

I think .... (she says hopefully!) ... I’ve felt the click.
Or at least I’m working at it. And it will happen!

I started on 9/15/08 to get some of this weight off.
So I can go into (what I call ~ and probably shouldn’t due to the connection my brain makes) OPEN EATING SEASON with a few pounds off and be able to be successful through the holidays. Open eating season starts 10/31 and lasts through till 1/1/09.

How do I define SUCCESSFUL? At different times in my life it means different things. For 2008? It means continue to drop an average of 1 lb. a week. (I sure wish it would be 2 ... but I have to be satisfied with 1!) So, some challenges I faced this week:

1. Home made jam at the office and the offer of having it on crackers with brie ... Ummmm no thanx. I passed.
2. A patient brought in Dove Chocolate for us to try (yes - I work in a dental office --- what can I say? even patients know we like chocolate!) .... I did have 4 of the mint ones (passed on the raspberry ones. . .) I wanted to try them. YUM. But that’s all I had and counted them in my daily points!
3. Tiredness from working and getting the workout schedule on track
4. Trying to squeeze in all the LSB cardio to make the week a success to set myself up for the remainder of the month

What I achieved:

a.  ONLY having 4 pieces of Dove Chocolate
b.  Getting in 5 cardio sessions this week
c.  Staying focused
d.  Dropping a couple of pounds

So, week # 1 ... of my 4 weeks of October .... SUCCESSFUL! YEAH ME!!!!!!!! 

Today begins week # 02. Focus. Plan. Focus.

Will check in soon.
Cleda

Oh and as I reply to myself!!!!!!!

I also managed to download AND listen to MTM show On the scheduled day! WOW! I don’t know when that’s ever happened before.

And I was successful in listening to a lot of week # 01 on the SMSM program.

I admit, I didn’t get to all the Guided Motivations.

Cleda

Good job, Cleda!

I’m a bit confused on your open eating season. Do you plan to go all out and gain weight? Or are you simply preplanning and curbing the possibility for a heavier New Year than you’d like?

Bree

I’m sorry Bree .... it’s what I refer to as start eating in October (with Halloween Candy) and say “oh why bother?” and eat straight thru till New years. I don’t want this year, so I will AVOID it .....

I will plan and stay in control and LOSE weight through this time so I can look back and say “YEAH! I did it!” … I am a month on my way and I will be another 2.5 months on the way through my journey ....

So no! I will not be participating in the “open eating season” this year.
It’s one holiday/season that will have to manage without me ....

I’m going into 2009 thinner than now and not having to start the new year with the ole “I’m going to lose weight” resolution!!!!

Cleda

Oh, thank God. I was really worried for a minute. So happy I misread your first post, and much happier I asked. We should get no hunting signs and put them on the fridge, we’d know what they meant.

Here’s to a skinny 2009!

Bree

Oh Bree! I absolutely LOL’d when I read your reply about putting the “no hunting” sign on the fridge.  It made my day! thank you. I might just have to get one of those (or no tresspassing) for the pantry!!!!  Perfect! 

AS for me? My treadmill belt broke.  I knew it was going. I have no complaints. I bought the treadmill 5 years ago and it (as well as my bicycle) are one of the most used pieces of equipment I own. Not to mention, I’m over the weight limit for it.  So, whatever happens, happens!  I noticed it was starting to go in towards the middle with a big crease. Mentioned to dh that it was going and during a budget meeting mentioned I needed to make room for a new belt or if that didn’t work a new treadmill! He’s the best. He agreed. He knows how important exercise is to my well-being!!!! 

Yesterday morning at minute #05 .... I watched (it was actually quite surreal) as the treadmill belt went in towards the crease and just slowly turned over and went in half!!!!  Since half the belt is narrower than my hip width and natural stance, I knew this was not going to work. Soooooo I hopped off and went onto the elliptical to finish up the last 55 mintues. I was NOT giving up my cardio workout cuz of the malfunction of a dumb machine!

Oh and btw? I ordered a new belt from treadmilldoctor.com this morning! YEAH ME!  Dh will put it back on and I’ll be ready to go. In the meantime, I have many choices and since today is GORGEOUS ... I plan to get outside on the bicycle for a good couple of hours (best laid plans of mice and men, last time I wanted to do this, my legs felt like lead and my handlebars loosened!) .....

So where am I on my journal? This week has been tough. The points were a little higher than I had hoped (although totally tracked) and way too much crap food sneaking in there. Time to rein in and change that .... So, I’m working on it. The weight is slowly coming off (which is the plan!) and I am making progress.

Tomorrow is the day I benchmark (weigh in) .... but I track it every day in a computer program that shows me trends. I am down for the month and on target to lose an average of 80 lbs. a year at the rate I"m going! I’ll take it, although will be satisfied with 52!!!!!  Whatever is down is down.

Last week I got in one total body workout (weights). And this week my goal is to up that to 2 weight workouts! 

Ok, babbling done for today. Must get to the massage therapist and then head out for a couple of hours on the bike and take in the fall foliage.

Oh yeah baby! Life is good! 
Cleda

Week # 02 was successful also! I’m moving right along.

Pleased to announce that my new treadmill belt came and dh installed i last night.  (That was SUPER fast service! just ordered it on Wed. and it arrived on Friday!!!! Go treadmilldoctor.com!) Guess I’m going to be doing the treadmill today! I can catch up on some shows and just do the LSB on there.

I have to do weights today also. But so far the week looks like his:

60 mins. on the Elliptical twice
2+ hours on the bike outside
66 mins. of step aerobics
1 upper body weight workout

So, I’ve gotten in my self-prescribed 3 sessions of 60 mins. of cardio and 1 session of 90 mins. cardio. today is just a gravy workout and fun stuff! Actually, it’s all fun stuff! (Working out is not my problem - although scheduling it can be.)

Josette mentioned that her eyes are even brighter ~ and I have to admit, somone said to me today that I have beautiful eyes and they had never noticed. Gotta love it. (only worked with him for 4 years now.) so yes! I think after being on track for a month it’s very possible that nutritious eating and working out can contribute to “sparkling” noticeable eyes!!!!! Amazing what endorphins can do!

Ok, off to work out before the day gets away from me.
Cleda

Oh and PS to myself ....
I’ve taken to stopping at the local apple orchard. They have pick your own apples or I can buy them right off the gift shop floor - which is usually what I do, since I’m always jam packed busy!!!!

but I have to say - these apples are totally positively absolutely OUT OF THIS WORLD!  And make the best snack. Long live the APPLE!

Cleda