7 Day Motivational Thread Starting 7/18
 

Here's to the start of a fresh new week! Up and at 'em! Any takers? :D

I'll start...

Goals remain pretty much unchanged as they seem to work well for me. Hope to stay more focused and disciplined (With the exception of Tuesday which will be a minor cheat day for me.)

This Week's Goals:

*Keep calories under 1200
*Keep BMI under 20.
*Walk daily, no excuses.
*Eat, at a minimum, 4 fruits and veggies a day.
*Limit bread to 2 servings of 45 calorie variety.
*Take multi-vitamin, flaxseed oil and vitamin e daily.
*Drink, drink, drink!
*Be more patient during heat wave... remember: EVERYONE'S HOT!!!

I've been off the air for a few days, between vacation and computer acting up at home. I'm back for the week tho, and gotta get motivated! Hope all of you are enjoying the summer.

Fitness goals:
>1400 calories per day
minimum 3 bottles of water
cut down on carbs
outside activity each day
1 soda per day
eat from freezer

Non-fitness goals
Clean/shampoo BF truck
clean out half of closet
trust more/question less

Welllll, good morning Motivators! :D

I'm back from a WONDERFUL vacation. BF and I visited the Tampa Aquarium, an old WWII Merchant Marine ship, and we went to a GREAT Red Sox game (they won! It was awesome!!) and all in all had a fun time not thinking about anything responsible! I feel really invigorated.

Here's us at the game (please ignore my yellow-ish skin, the lighting was terrible at Tropicana Field. I promise I was well!)

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...rai/RedSox.jpg

As for my diet -- well, I'd give myself a "C" for the vacation. I ate stadium food, to be sure, but I didn't go crazy-overboard and I didn't have a lot of beers. BF and I also did a LOT of walking around and being active, and I actually don't feel really bloated or anything today, so I'm taking that as a good sign.

I'm happy to be back to goals, though. I want this motivational feeling I have to last. So let's get 'em guys!! I was going back over the old thread and I want to thank everyone for the AWESOME birthday wishes!! You make my heart feel two sizes too big :) Also, seems like it was a stressful week for a lot of people! My heart and hugs are going out to you. Just remember to take it one day at a time if you must!!

I'm tweaking my goals a little and going back to some "old" goals that had served me well in the past, particularly for exercise. The 30DS helps and is always on the menu for days I can't make it to the gym, but it gives me too much excuse to go "meh" if I'm tired and just skip it. Making myself go to the gym is good for me, and I really want to get back on the focused track I was on before.

Weekly Goals:

Food, Exercise, and Lifestyle Goals:

1) Achieve a 7,000 calorie deficit
2) Average intake between 1100 and 1300 calories. No single day over 1450.
3) Average a 40/30/30 on macros
4) 96 oz. of water daily
5) Do not take off two days in a row from exercising.
6) Total of 2 Lunches out and 1 Dinner out, maximum
7) Get to bed by 11:30 each night

Other Life Stuff:
1) 5 Hours of sewing this week
2) Make an effort on my appearance every day
3) Try one new recipe (Maybe Mike's jambalaya if we get a recipe?! That thing looked GOOD!!!!)
4) Hair appointment
5) Check in here every day, including weekends!!!

Happy Monday everyone!!

~Terri

I'm back for another week of fun and frolic. I like that goal above of eating from the freezer. I think I'll do that this week as well. There may be a few things to toss out!

Exercise daily and keep below 1500 calories are my biggies. Y times 3 should be doable this week, sailing lesson X 2, bike, kayak. The bay is warm enough for swimming unless the wind changes so that may be a change up exercise. Summer is so short.

My goal -- to be in a lower weight decade (the 160's ) before next monday. Funny how good that drop to a new decade feels. Mary

Terri, it looks like y'all had fun.

I'm in for the week. I'll have to think of some realistic goals that I can stick with b/c I've been crashing and burning lately.

On the run with chores on which to catch up and will post replies later, but welcome back Terri and Ashlie! :D OMG, Terri, you look SO HAPPY and relaxed in that pic!

This week's goals pretty much same as usual:

Log everything, even if I have to guess
Calorie limit 1600
Calorie deficit 900 per day
Carbs less fiber limit 25g
Sat fat limit 12% of total calories
Dietary cholesterol limit 300g
Track grams of protein

Fish oil and vitamin D

Artificial sweetener limit 2 packets per day
Sugar free candy limit 2 pieces per day

Water 64 oz.
Exercise 5 days

Hmm, let me see, some good goals...

1.) 1550 calories/day
2.) Gym 4 times
3.) Active on non-gym days
4.) At least 64 oz. of water/day

Other:
1.) Start thinking about packing
2.) Open bank account in PA
3.) Come up with plan for staying on track while moving

Not too long before I head off to PA to start grad school - lots to do, lots to do!

Terri, glad you had a good time on vacation!

1. Maintain a positive attitude
2. Eat enough calories to keep my energy up (aiming for 1400-1600) because I haven't been very hungry lately and went one day where I only ate 1000 calories, going most of the day with only around 400 and feeling lethargic
3. Don't let co-workers make me feel bad about myself

That's it

Not off to a great start this week...my mindset sucks because I got on the scale this morning to face the consequences of my choices last week :(. My bathing suit comfort weight is getting farther instead of closer and I know it's all my doing, so I feel kind of helpless.

I took my son to lunch today and made what I thought was a good choice, but turns out it wasn't great, so I'm behind the 8-ball with calories already. But I will control what I can. I still have a choice as to how the rest of the day goes. I've already done 45 minutes on the stationary bike this morning and plan to run tonight. Going forward, I'm going to make it better. I can do this, but I need to stay focused.

Back to the basic goals (again):

1. Stay under 1300 calories.
2. Drink 64 oz. water daily.
3. 25 grams fiber daily.
4. Exercise 7 times this week (3 runs).
5. 5 fruits and veggies daily.

6. Get hair cut off!
7. Get basement closet cleaned out.
8. Get second opinion from orthodontist.

Hope everyone has a good week!

Hey Cassie,

You've had a lot of stressful jobs to muddle through lately. It's completely understandable that they have left you feeling a little off kilter. Your goals look great, and vacation is almost here. Look at where you were a year and a half ago with food and fitness and be proud of all that you have accomplished. Girl, if I can wear my bikini, you can, too!! ;)

How was the pie???? Still looking for my virtual fork... lol

Mike, glad you got your Blast. Mmmm, your jambalaya looked delicious! How'd you learn to cook? Self-taught?

Cassie, your strawberry pie pic looks like a work of art! Great that you got a lot of work done, enjoyed the scrapbooking, and came in good on your food, even with that yummy looking pie. Congrats to ya! I just saw your post about the scale. Maybe it'll fall off quickly if you stay focused. I hate that when I think I made a good choice at a restaurant and then get home and find out it was a mistake. But at least when it's really a well-intended error, it's more easy for me to forgive myself. Hope you can, too. I know you can do this! We'll all be rooting you on.

Rubystars, that would scare me away from shrimp, too--undercooked. I love shrimp, but even frozen is really pricey here in Ohio, so I very seldom have it.

Hope, best wishes with DD. Reminds me so much of my daughter when she was younger... good for you for not dancing around her feelings. My DD didn't have brains at 22, either. It was more like 30, but guess what--she now has the same rules for her two teenage daughters as DH and I had when she was their age--only back then she thought we were horribly overprotective and unreasonably strict. Aw, I hope you can get away for a couple days--that would be so nice.

Joanna, how long will you be gone--to grad school, I mean. When are you leaving? Are you returning to Illinois after, or permanently relocating? You've probably posted it and I either missed it or forgot? What's your major?

Jjeand, I just ordered new bras today--know what size I need in my favorite cheap Playtex style and was able to order them online. LOL on DD pushups--I guess some women really like showing them off--but couldn't that poke someone's eye out? LOL

Mary, I cracked up over your "that we all live through it till they get a brain." Truer words were never spoken. Wow, an unfair muzzle order--that sucks! Ooh, you're so close to that 160's decade. I'm rootin' for ya!

Terri, I just love that pic of you and bf. You look so happy together! Hey, a C for food on vacation is fantastic. Congrats to ya on all the walking, too! Also, kudos on getting right back to goals so quickly. You go, girl!

Amy, thanks for your encouragement with my Y exercise. :) Aw, I've got almonds in the freezer and forgot about making my own almond meal--it really is a whole lot cheaper than buying it. I can get whole, unsalted almonds for $4.99 a pound. Ooh, congrats to you and girls on all the awards! Enjoy that camper! Kudos for doing well on food at the fair! Best wishes on the portion control.

Quinn, I don't think there's any veggie DH and I don't like, either. Great that your FIL keeps you supplied. :) I can understand your DH not wanting to grow veggies now. I think that's why my Mom, who had to quit school at 16 to help on the farm, never canned anything once she left home--had her fill of it. Ooh, nothing like fresh eggs. My sister and I used to gather eggs for Grandma--so much more flavorful right out o' the coop. Yeah, I want to give a few chickens a try, too--but on my gas grill. LOL

Mern,

I learned from my mom. The jambalaya wasn't entirely from scratch, also I've done that before. I've always loved to cook and everyone seems to enjoy my cooking so it works out well.

Mike, wow, that's great that you learned to cook from your Mom. Well, not everything has to be entirely from scratch--sometimes it's just plain not necessary, and sometimes it's nice to treat ourselves to some extra convenience. :) Nice that you can treat others to your delicious dishes!

Hey Mern, I'm going to be doing a PhD. program in astrophysics out at Penn State, should take me about 6 years. So, I consider it a permanent relocation :) I'm not originally from Illinois, been here just over 5 years - worked for awhile, did my undergrad (finally.) I've had a pretty nomadic life - before Illinois I lived in Alaska, British Columbia, Minnesota, New Zealand and the list goes on! I just look at this as yet another step along the way :)

I'm really excited about getting to the point where my clothes are too big for me - that will be a first! I won't even care if bras are the first to go!

Also, I think I finally got my blood sugars under control (knock on wood)! I'm needing way less insulin now than I used to need, so I'm considering that the first big plus of this journey. Also, I'm now taking in fewer calories since I'm not constantly fixing low blood sugars! Thanks for the encouragment.

Cassie, keep your head up! My day has sucked as well. I can't seem to get in a few good days of eating before I go off the deep end.


My confession...

I have been having a bad struggle lately with food. At one point I had this under control, now I just give in with the littlest pressure. Many times I cause the pressure. Y'all know how I am with the "food porn", well it's really like that. I start thinking about smells (like the smell of peanut butter), textures (like the crust of the cobbler), temperatures (like an ice cold blast hitting my tongue) , sounds (like a big piece of meat sizzling on the grill) and it's game over. I have become my own worst enemy with this. I think about and crave food, bad food all day. I really don't know how to get past this. I eat when I'm not even hungry, but it seems like I'm hungry most all the time.

The highs and lows with food are like a manic depressive with life. I swear the other day when I went to Sonic for a blast my mouth was watering on the ride. I pull up to order and a rush comes over me, I'm smiling from ear to ear, you can hear it in my voice. My palms get clammy as I wait (impatiently) for them to make it. I devour it as if I'm afraid that someone's going to take it from me. Before I know it, it's gone. I'm not satisfied, and now I start to wonder why in the hell I just did that! I really don't know what's happening or how to get past this. I haven't been depressed, other than after I gorge.

The thing that gets me is that for the past 2 years I've been in control of my food. My head was strong, my will was strong. Now food controls me. The part of me that wants to resist is slowly fading away. I really fear that I need to get a handle on this asap, I just don't know how.

Mike, I'm very obese, and admittedly from overeating, and eating whatever I wanted, and in unlimited quantities, but I don't have any experience with displaying outward signs of compulsion such as sweaty palms, and devouring food so quickly. Others may be able to lend you more insight and advice. Best I can think of is that some real counseling may be in order, or perhaps a local chapter of Overeaters Anonymous. I hope you can get a handle on this quickly. Big hug to ya!

Joanna, wow, how impressive! Another step along the way for the well-educated world traveller! My hat is off to you! Did you get a grant to continue your studies? I'm guessing Penn State must be prestigeous place to complete your PhD. Do you have a career goal? Like maybe NASA? Congrats on your weight loss and on getting your blood sugars under control. You surely worked hard on both of those!

Mike,

Were you having trouble before your back injury? It's really common for people with spinal injuries to gain weight partially due to lessened activity but mostly due to the emotional stress and anxiety that that sort of injury produces not to mention some depression. Not only the extreme pain causes stress, but then your mind starts saying, "Will I need surgery?" "Will I be able to work?" "Will I get better?" It's one of the most stressful injuries that you can have. Even after the pain goes away, you've gone through something kind of scary.

Give yourself a pass, and then tell yourself that being healthy is the best way to heal and move on.

I know that you have a great deal of dedication within you... dig deep... it's right there under the surface! Like I said to Cassie, look where you were one and a half to two years ago! Be proud of all that you've accomplished and don't give that up for anything.

I know you can get back on track. Now about that jambalaya recipe... ;)

... and what is the difference between jambalaya and gumbo?????

Thanks ladies! This did start when I started having back issues. I don't know how I missed that.

Gumbo is a soup on top of a little rice, jambalaya is mainly rice. That was actually a zatarains (brand) mix that I doctored up with my own spices, rotel, etc. You probably can't get it in your neck of the woods. If you want I can ship you a couple boxes.

This Week's Goals:

*Keep calories under 1200 995 (can't eat when it's hot)
*Keep BMI under 20. Y
*Walk daily, no excuses. 3 miles
*Eat, at a minimum, 4 fruits and veggies a day. N
*Limit bread to 2 servings of 45 calorie variety. None
*Take multi-vitamin, flaxseed oil and vitamin e daily. Y
*Drink, drink, drink! Y
*Be more patient during heat wave... remember: EVERYONE'S HOT!!! Yes, much improved. ;)

Report card for Monday
 

I have a major announcement, Everyone. In less than 3 weeks I will be leaving Canada and flying to England where I will be working for 3 months, until the end of October. I am pretty excited and I just saw some pictures of the "flat" I'll be living in and it's super swanky and modern. It's also a very short walk to an affordable gym. I'll be a 20-minute walk from work and I'm close to a park where I can maintain my running. I know it will be harder to stay on track in a brand new city but I am determined to do it. Of course you all won't miss me because the great thing about this virtual group of amazing ladies and Mike is that I will of course be bringing my laptop and you may not even notice I'm across the pond!


My goals:

1. Eat 1100-1400 calories per day. YES 1141
2. Over 30% protein. YES 43%
3. 8-10 glasses of water per day. YES
4. Take my multivitamin. YES
5. Stay away from sugar! DID IT!
6. Achieve a 7000 calorie deficit! M: -1414
7. Exercise 5 hours. M: 1 HOUR

Other goals:

1. Work on friend's wedding video.
2. Finish hemming curtains.
3. Water the flowers.
4. Go through the mail.
5. Purchase suitcase.


Terri! SO GLAD to hear that you had a great time with your BF on your weekend getaway! You were really MISSED!!!! I love the picture. You and the sweetie look super happy. Those are some nice looking goals too! That 7000 calorie-deficit is a bold one but I like it so I hope you don't mind if I steal it! ;)

Cassie, I bet you look sensational in a bathing suit already but if you want to go down a few pounds to feel even better, then I KNOW that you've got this! Get yourself some B Complex supplements and your focus will be sharper than ever. They work for me! Hope you are having a great run tonight!

Mern, great looking goals!

Joanna, so cool that you are doing a PHD in astrophysics! Glad to hear that you are needing less insulin and I am sure that you'll feel those clothes getting baggy in no time! Keep up the amazing job!

Quinn, we're having some crazy hot weather too! Good job on the goals in this sweltering inferno.

Mike, boy do I understand. I struggled myself for 3 months this Spring. All I can tell you is that you have to know that this too shall pass. It ebbs and flows. Try easing yourself back into the state of control that you had by avoiding grains for breakfast. That always helps me and then another tool, would be for you to journal your feelings first thing in the morning every morning for a while. Just write without thinking too much and without caring about the quality of your writing, just get it down on the page. Make it a sort of brain drain and end it with a commitment to yourself in writing. These are little tricks that work for me... and always always keep the faith!

Glad to be of help... PIA is my specialty! ;)

I actually can get Zatarains here, but thanks for the offer! If you know of someone with a great, old, family recipe for jambalaya, let me know. It's one of the few things that I've never tried in my life. I have a goal. (...well, actually two) One is to cook everything, at least once. The second, is to drive everything at least once... front end loaders, mail trucks, a semi, backhoe, forklift, plane, helecopter... you get the idea! ;)

Mike, it's great that quinn and Rose had some great ideas for you. Please don't be offended that I suggested counseling. I'd been to counseling for issues I needed help sorting through, and would do it again without hesitation if I couldn't get a handle on something myself.

Quinn and Rose, you two have such good heads on your shoulders! Sounds like good advice to me. :)

Rose! How wonderful that you'll be working in England for three months and have all those convenience at hand. I'm so glad you'll be able to stick with us and keep us informed. Whoa, you did a fantastic job today!

Joanna, I hope you'll have time to stick with us as well when you go to PA.

Rose - what fun! I'm so jealous! I spent 4 months in Ireland 6 years ago and loved it. I'm thinking of looking for a postdoc position in London when I'm done at Penn. Best of luck to you!

Mike - ugh, I totally empathize. I agree with Mern, though, that counseling can be really helpful if you find you can't get a grip before too long. Counseling was the number one thing that helped me get my diabetes under control, because I knew the root of my issues were mental/emotional, more so than anything else. I haven't been on here that long, but I know that you've been an inspiration to many people on these boards... I hope we can return the favor, and I have no doubt you'll get your head around whatever is going on right now.

Mern - thanks! Penn offered me a teaching assistantship with tuition waiver, but I applied for a fellowship with the National Science Foundation that I ended up winning, so I'll be living pretty easy for a grad student :) Career goal: get a job :) But seriously, maybe become a professor, perhaps stay a research scientist at a national lab or NASA (although they're kind of lacking financially right now :()I'm excited and a bit anxious, but I'm pretty determined to stick around on here since you all are so encouraging and inspiring!

Had a pretty good day:

1.) 1550 calories/day: Yes 1278
2.) Gym 4 times: 1
3.) Active on non-gym days: Yes
4.) At least 64 oz. of water/day: Yes

Other:
1.) Start thinking about packing: This is kind of a silly goal
2.) Open bank account in PA: Done
3.) Come up with plan for staying on track while moving

Rose, thanks for the advice. I hope this to shall pass SOON. ;)

Quinn, I'll see if I can find one. Most things that I make from scratch don't get measured. I try to eyeball a lot. A pinch here, dash there, scoop here, etc. I learned that from my mom. :)

Oh Mern, you didn't offend me! If you ever do, I'll let ya know but I just don't see that happening.

Just take out "thinking" and you've got yourself a solid goal.

Quick check in tonight...I have a headache and a lot on my mind. In addition to the stuff going on with the boy, I'm headed to the orthopedist, my mom had to undergo GI tests today (waiting on biopsies), and my preemie great-nephew is being admitted to the hospital for tests tomorrow and Wednesday. High school orientation is tomorrow and I'm scrapbooking baby pictures, so it's been kind of an emotional day. I really wish I could get back to work.

Mike, I totally, totally relate. I wish I could get a handle on what's eating me (no pun intended).

1. Stay under 1300 calories. Nope, but 2 unplanned restaurant meals; I'm definitely over
2. Drink 64 oz. water daily. Yes
3. 25 grams fiber daily. Yes
4. Exercise 7 times this week (3 runs). Stationary bike
5. 5 fruits and veggies daily. Yes

6. Get hair cut off!
7. Get basement closet cleaned out.
8. Get second opinion from orthodontist. Scheduled for Thursday

Hello everyone!

I am going to keep my goals short and simple for this week. Last week bombed.


Goals and Monday Report

1. Calorie deficit of 6000 853
2. Drink 3 L of water Yes
3. Stay away from the cheese Yes
4. Work on scatteredness A bit

Quinn, thank you for starting this! I love your Drink, drink, drink! goal, (although you probably mean water).

Ashlie, welcome back!

Terri, you look lovely in the pic! Looks like you had a great time! And a C is a passing grade! My best wishes with all your goals!

Mary, you will get to that new decade soon! Cheering for you!

Mern, here's to a new week! I am sure you are going to rock it again!

Joanna, Astrophysics! Wow! About the packing I get the thinking about packing goal, I sometimes review things like that in my mind, but the sooner you get to the actual packing the better. And congrats on getting your blood sugar in control.

Rubystars, Stay positive!

jjeand, yey on the bra shoppings, seems to be all bras are push up now.

Cassie, hang in there, wishing you a better day tomorrow. You can do this! You did great today considering two meals out and you got your exercise in!

Mike, you have been under a lot of stress lately. I think you are more in control than you believe, you came here and wrote about it. Also, I think you don't always have to be in perfect behaviour, its not all or nothing, you can enjoy a blast without feeling you lose control. You will get a handle over it.

Rose, yey on the move! England so exciting! You will get the hang of it and stay on track for sure!

Hi All,

I am not going to post goals this week this week because I am going away for a couple of days.

Ahhhh, what the heck
1) don't go crazy with the food
2) try to walk

I'm gonna be with friends who love to eat. I'll let you know at the end of the week how it goes.

I just wanted to comment on a few posts and to send my regards to all.

Mike, besides the emotional component of what you are going through and the issues with the back, I want to also suggest that there is a glycemic or carbohydrate thing going on too. I have actually experienced a bunch of the reactions you have, including the mouth watering, the food obsession, etc. It can come from eating a lot of carbs. The more you eat, the more you want. Your body and therefore your mind starts to crave it. So the blizzards and even the jambalya, as well as all the stuff you've been going through combine to make it seem insurmountable. Plus you have spent your time being so disciplined to get where you are, it feels good to relax, to finally give yourself "a break." But in the end, you wind up feeling crappy, even if you're loving it while you're eating. My suggestion is simple: try to cut back on heavy sugars and lots of carbs. If you are too restrictive, though, it may backfire. So some fruit, even a slice or two of sugar free bread is OK but potatoes, rice, and certainly sugar, back away. See how you feel. I used to think of food CONSTANTLY but when I get the carbs under control, the obsessive and self destructive behavior goes away. Too much popcorn and sour candy and certainly chocolate at the movies (that's my thing) or elsewhere and it comes back. My two cents. Good luck! I won't even say you can do it because you have done it. We all hit bumps in the road. You know the difference in how you feel.

Rose, congrats, congrats, congrats!!!! How exciting!!!! You must keeep us updated!!!

Terri, you guys are cutie patooties. Your trip sounds like so much fun!!!

I am off in a few hours hours for a few days. I read DD's journal (Yes, yes I know) which she keeps leaving out and found that she read mine (funny, huh?). She thinks I hate her BF, disapprove of everything she does and can't wait to get away from her. I guess she didn't read the part that says I'm just tired of worrying about her and need a break. At least she said it was well written (how vain am I? Don't answer that!!!!)

In a few hours: the shore. Now: sleep.

Love to one and all,

Log everything, even if I have to guess YES
Calorie limit 1600 1564
Calorie deficit 900 per day938
Carbs less fiber limit 25g 27.3
Sat fat limit 12% of total calories 10%
Dietary cholesterol limit 300mg 204
Track grams of protein 108 or 30%

Fish oil and vitamin D YES
Five servings veggies/fruits FOUR

Artificial sweetener limit 2 packets per day YES
Sugar free candy limit 2 pieces per day YES

Water 64 oz. YES
Exercise 5 days YES

Cassie, wishing you a much better day today with way less stress. I'll certainly keep you and your family in my prayers. Enjoy your new haircut. Cassie, of course you know yourself better than we do, but is it possible that your dissatisfaction with your bikini bod is just due to life getting in the way? For instance, it seems like you are so often a victim of having to eat in restaurants--that's hard unless you have the opportunity to go online and check your food log and find the nutrition facts of the menu selections before you order. Maybe you're being too hard on yourself and the reason you can't get a handle on your problem is because it's just accidental? Mike, on the other hand is just nuts. Just kidding, Mike. LOL

MAIN80 best wishes this week.

Hope, happy shore days! Try to think only about having fun those couple days.

Mike, that was some great input yesterday by the others about your overindulgences that seem to be overwhelming you. Geez, lot of good analytical brains around here! Since it started around the time of your PITA as Quinn wondered, it very well COULD be related to that and more easy to get a handle on and correct. Might very well be physically rooted in the relationship between your treatment, stress, and carb/calorie cravings. I'm sure now my suggestion of counseling or Overeaters Anonymous was way premature. Lots of things suggested for you to try on your own. So whatcha gonna try to see if you can work your way out of this bump in the road?

Joanna, you're off to a great start this week. Congrats on winning the fellowship! Wonderful! "Get a job" with that PhD to come. :D You are equally encouraging and inspiring. Glad to hear you plan to stick around with us.

HAPPY
BIRTHDAY,
QUINN!!!!!!

:DEnjoy your day :D

Joanna....will you be attending PSU in State College PA? I am not sure which location they study your programs. Main campus is in State College though. I just wondered, because that is only about 1hr & 15 min from where I live. If you ever need advice on finding something to do or where to go feel free to hit me up. You should be very proud of all that you have accomplished!

Here I am hoping to make it a better day today! The out-of-my-usual-plan food from yesterday is not sitting well in my stomach, so I will probably eat light today, which will be a good thing. Despite the discomfort, I'm going to get my butt to cardio this morning to get back on track. Thanks for the support, guys; I'm just really frustrated right now. I know exactly what to do; I just can't make myself do it. But, giving up is not allowed.

Mike, I had the opposite thought from Hope. Sometimes I think that the low carb diet causes a rebound. Unless there is diabetes or another condition, the body needs good carbs. I have the opposite experience from Hope; if my carbs are too low, I rebound into a carb binge. Just a thought; was it around the time you started low-carbing that your episodes happened? I hope you have a better day too...we seem to be in the same wavelength and it sucks!

Rose, congrats on your opportunity to spend three months abroad. I know you'll make the most of it and I'm glad you'll still be connected with us.

MAIN80, I really love your "scatteredness" goal! You'll do well this week; I know it!

Hope, have a wonderful time at the shore; total relaxation for you, I hope :)

Ashlie, welcome back! Hope the week is going well for you so far.

Mern, as always, glad you are here with your sage advice and voice of experience. You had a good goal day yesterday, Ellipti-Woman ;).

Terri, it's awesome to see you looking so happy and relaxed! I'm glad it was a great trip for you and hope that re-entry into reality does not suck!

Joanna, I know where you're coming from "thinking about packing." Hey, a goal's a goal, right! Good luck with your new endeavor. It takes time and effort but it is worth it.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Good morning all! I'm so excited, yesterday was a successful day for me, stayed on track and got some stuff done too! My DD took lil kids to softball practice with her ? so i went home and completely cleaned out my closet! Now everything in there is in style and fits. Its a great feeling. I also started on BF's truck, its a mess. I was scrubbing and sweating like crazy, had to have burned up a few calories. Candy melted in there, drinks spilled, yuk. Gonna finish it today in time for his return to town tomorrow nite!

Fitness goals:
>1400 calories per day yes
minimum 3 bottles of water yes
cut down on carbs yes
outside activity each day yes
1 soda per day no, had 2
eat from freezer yes

Non-fitness goals
Clean/shampoo BF truck started
clean out half of closet all of it done!
trust more/question less[/QUOTE] kinda!

Mike, I know how you feel on the obsession with food, I have the same cravings and feelings sometimes. I get something I want in my head and feel like I have to have it. Its a very out of control feeling. Once I start binging I cant stop. The only solution I have found is to plan my meals as much as I can, and log my food in the morning, so I feel like I have to stick to it. Good luck to you....hang in there.

Cassie, I know you are looking forward to your vacation. It will give you a whole new outlook on life when you return! Good luck, I bet you already look great in your swimsuit!

Hope, I have a friend who has a plaque on her wall, it says "raising teenagers is like nailing jello to a tree." I've been seeing it up there for years but didn't totally understand exactly what it meant until the past year or so!! Just know you are not alone, and you are doing the right thing. I snoop, stalk, check up on, question my teen daughter too, we have to!! Kudos on being such a great mom! Its exhausing sometimes!!!

I hope everyone has a great week!

ROFL hysterically! This is a priceless quote! And mine's been pretty easy so far!

I'm glad you had a great day, Ashlie! We had a huge softball tournament right down the road from us not too long ago and I thought of you. What's up with your daughter volunteering to take the younger ones? Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, I guess!