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