A "beginner smoker" ??? Those advanced smokers have got it nailed... no coughing or anything like that...

LOVE...LOVE...LOVE my Bob Revolution. Your child can ride in one usually up to 50 lbs!

I have twins... so needed something durable, and light weight.

If you're going jog/run, you really should have a front wheel that locks. Hitting a curb with speed (like a drive way bump) could easily flip any jogger. HOWEVER, having a front wheel that unlocks for walking is HUGE.

It's about the best jogger out there... try craigs list, and also mothers' groups in your area... best ever place to buy quality use items!

Interesting post... I'm a Cab girl myself. And with regard to the cabs I like... well, it would be A LOT cheaper to skip to ice cream... (I live in the wine country) You might try some of the 2 buck chuck at trader joes... I think they are making a red... and Fat Bastard is a yummy cheapo... try to ignore the name... it's good! If you live near a cost plus, they are good about getting good tasting wine on the cheap (ask the wine guy in the store, they are USUALLY quite educated).... a bad aftertaste is generally indicative of a crap wine... which is probably what a person might be drinking if drinking daily...(hope that doesn't sound to snobby)

You might try a really awesome yogurt, plain, and add a tsp of low sugar jam... get some probiotics, and some creamy texture as well... Generally ice cream cravings are for the sweet and creamy texture... no??? If it's chocolate, maybe try a few squares of 70%+ cocoa chocolate squares. (lots of antioxidants there)

Good luck!!!

On what and how long did you train? If you're going to race on pavement, you need to train on pavement...Speaking from experience... I trained on trails for 12 weeks for the Honolulu Marathon (the trails were gorgeous... ) All of this is walking btw... and my body was TRASHED after the marathon. My speed dropped dramatically, I was icing my hips and thighs by mile 16... the pain was intense... I actually got my first blisters on my feet within a few miles of the race... a HUGE lesson for me...

Given that you were running... and that this was the first time on pavement... you basically removed your shocks... and easily strained something beyond normal muscle fatigue. I would just want to make sure that nothing is torn. Talk with a Dr. If you have swelling, ice might help... If nothing is torn, I'd be all over hot soaks, and massage, and rest 'till the PAIN is gone. Mild stretching between now and then...

I can honestly say that it was breaking rule #1 that started me on the way to hell... back in the 80's when I was actually quite fit... but switching from a life of dance classes 5 days a week to working all the time. I didn't realize how much weight I was gaining until it was too late... and it really has been downhill from there... and OMG... stretch pants are coming back in... They are BAD news!!!

Sad that she doesn't know that she IS HURTING her daughter. Skewing her understanding of "healthy eating"... and likely leaving her an orphan when she drops from a heart attack, or other organ failure.

Amazing that she's making enough $$ to support her grocery bill... she's messed up, I'm sure with the way she associates love and comfort with food, mean step mom with starving, and "other women".... but who the hell are these men paying to watch her eat???

Is it possible that you're upping things too fast too soon?

I know that mentally, I'm capable of a lot more, I've DONE more in the past... and then I go for it, and either hit the wall 'cause I really wasn't ready, or I hurt myself (usually the latest thing) Ect... (or you know, I'm haning around 2 snotty little noses that wipe their gack or sneeze on me, or breath in my face all night...)

My competitive nature is what I'm having to keep in check this time around, I'm mostly sick of having to break from workouts to heal... drives me insane! (short drive lately!)

Wow... to watch a melt down other than my 4 y/o's... oh weight...I mean wait... what if it's my own melt down... yeah... could not broadcast that... LOL...

Well... we may actually have to... as MAYBE one of my children has celiac or an intolerance... and MOMMY IS NOT COOKING 2 meals times 3 or 4 everynight...

Actually, I don't really eat a lot of grains (I'm allergic to wheat anyway... it would do me good not to eat ANY)

I just downloaded this book to my kindle for PC (free by the way... kindle for pc... not the book) and started reading...

Now, neither of my children are big meat eaters... but OMG... one eats way more fruits and veges than the other, and even naturally steers from a lot of grains... you can see a difference HUGELY... they are twins... (not identical) so it's actually quite an interesting experiment in our house. The other craves sugar with a vengeance. His weight is perfect... but that craving has me worried!!!! I suspect getting him off of crap carbs as I call them could have a major impact on him...

Hey Justa... Wondering how this is going for you?

I was just getting into working out when you posted back in August... got sick... and OMG, IT'S MARCH!

Do you still feel awesome on this??? Thanks...

A little tip...

E-MAIL yourself a list of contents (Put it in a folder that is not super obvious if your e-mail gets hacked. like Funny Jokes, subject: There was a Rabi, a Priest and the guy that has my wallet... make it up...LOL)

But list things like... B of A card, 800# for lost/stolen, Insurance #'s, and phone numbers. You could have been on a stellar vacation in Hawaii when this happened!!!) Reminder to self: Update said list!

DO NOT CARRY your Soc. Security Card... EVER!!!! (I'm related to an FBI agent that gave me the low down on how bad that can get... my card was in my wallet at the time.)

Also, consider (while you're at it) e-mailing yourself & a Significant Other, parent, sibling a just in case list of emergency #'s that you might need when out and about and you don't have your wallet on you or you're... My sister has, for example, a quick list of my insurance #'s, my kids pedi, my life policy # if DH and I both kick it at the same time an she's coping with my kids... horrifying crap like that!)

In the mean time... I know it sucks... try not to be so down about it...

I've had my Debit Card compromised, it was still in my purse (a restaurant person probably copied the numbers), and 1 week before I left on vacation they cleaned out my bank account (all my spending $$). It was a scramble!

Take Care...

wow... the story about the vest is painful just to read...

Amazing job... Keep it up!

Matt... aren't you in the SouthBay... don't they have kite surfers down there??? It's fun to watch... but looks way to scary for me... but I'm a crap swimmer... I envision catching some air... and flying out to great blue deep!

Yeah... I have some endo too... but not that bad... DANG!!!!

Mine has been removed once... although I was told that when my boys were delivered by C there was more... and some fibroids too... seriously how much room can a uterus make... 2 babies... fibroids... HELLO??? I'm not a warehouse!

LOL!

CXL your CARDS NOW!!!! The damage that person can do is amazing! And believe it or not, people return wallets and such with the idea that you will assume them to be a good guy/gal... and just can't wait to go shopping online with your card #, name, address, and CODES on the back of your card... Hope your soc. isn't in there... and it seems they even have your Phone #. which they confirmed by calling and not sharing info...

Also, put an alert with the credit bureaus.... that your cards have been stolen. Regardless if a person ever tries to use them, when someone (even you) tries to set up a credit account, they will be stalled, and prevented...)

I know there are plenty of people out there that would not steal your info... but con artists look/act just like those people...

Good luck!

Yeah... bust out a tape measure, try not to get too hung up on lbs. lost... And Justa is right... nutrition!!!!

If you were to make an even steven swap on fat and muscle, you should def. shrink... but not see it on the scale...

Kite Surfing looks like a blast... Hope you get back to it soon!!!

OH YES... it totally makes sense. I'm sitting here with 2 very loud laughing children... I want to pull out my hair... OH THE NOISE!!!! DAMN COLD WEATHER they won't go outside!

You need cardio to burn more quickly... and for heart health etc... And you need to build mass, to help burn up the fat. (there's a really good explanation about this somewhere.)

Good call on not starting something you no you can't succeed at...

Just keep reading it will all click... Best...

Lisa... BLESS YOU! You have been through a lot. Losing a baby hurts so bad... and you've really been put through the ringer on that!

I totally get you on the energy front... I have twins and they run me ragged. DH works ALL THE TIME... I consider myself a lucky single mom with a full paycheck. My kids will be 5 this month. One only started sleeping through the night when he was 4, and his sleep is still spotty at best. I have bags under my eyes that you could pack the house in. I'm always tired.

I'm not gonna talk sweets right now... sounds like you might have that under control???? I would log the real calories of the sweets that you do eat... to see what % of your caloric intake you ingest. You state 2 things that are a little bit conflicting... "I'm pretty decent with the sweet tooth right now." But if you cut them out "wowwie the results would be amazing." Now trust me... I'm NO SAINT when it comes to eating things I shouldn't... but if you think the results would be amazing, then I wonder if you've cut enough. I KNOW it's really hard. It's not my personal struggle, (mindless eating is!!!) I've watched it with DH. And it took a MAJOR push for him to make a change (although he did it over a vacation) he had also been denied life insurance because his blood sugars where indicating diabetes.... So, if he dies not only are we emotionally screwed, we potentially lose EVERYTHING! "mom, dad? Can I have my old room back, and put the kids in the guest room?" kind of screwed. It's no longer his option... and I feel the same way about myself. Although, I eye him from the corner knowing he knows I have a half a mil policy if I die... Just kidding... but I so want to be around for my kids... and I want to be healthy and fit WITH/FOR them! Ok... I guess I did address the sweets. You know in your heart where you're at...

SEASONAL DEPRESSION: LOW SUN = LOW VITAMIN D = DEPRESSED... or more depressed.

I lived in Portland Or for 3 years too long. I had to threaten divorce in order to move away from there. The lack of sun was killing me... turns out I might have been able to supplement, and been fine. But at least I'm back to CA... WOO HOO! Love it here!

Now you know I'm already exhausted... but I started taking D, and it was like I was a new person in a week. So much more energy, I didn't really know what to do, I'd been sitting on my ass so long. It's kind of confusing... like being overstimulated... only this is how EVERYONE ELSE feels... Holy CRAP!

Book Suggestions: I like WHERE DID ALL THE FAT GO... It's written by the Dr. that set up the diet for the biggest loser tv show. Only he does NOT advocate crazy stunts to have the biggest weightloss change. He's HARD CORE... no excuses. He refers to people that are extremely obese, which crazy schedules, and no $$ that find the time to do it... kind of a kick the butt type of motivator. Like the time I was skiing and kept crashing on this run and was getting all "I can't do this..." and this one legged skier glides to a stop next to me to offer help... Um... no thanks.I'll just take my pride and work my way down, thanks...

It sounds like you like to track food... but want it easy to a degree... I dislike WW for the main reason as someone stated above. They don't account for the quality of food that you eat. Otherwise a great program, I just think you CAN end up a skinny fat on their program... not so healthy either. For Tracking purposes I use a program called Diet Power. You track all your food, and nutrients and water, and exercise. (You can download for free and try for a month or so...pay later maybe $40.00 can't remember.) Also, lots of freebies on the web, I just don't have experience with those. Pick one that you can plug in a recipe... say your Baked chicken Somehow... break it into servings, and you log that meal and the # of servings... it does the math for you. You don't have to put in all the separate ingredients. The program I mention takes your weight, your height, activity level and gives you a calorie allotment. If you lose to fast, it adjusts calories up, too slow, it adjusts calories down. As it learns YOU, it becomes more personal. You can also "bank" calories for those nights out and occasional treats. Basically, you eating REAL food. You'll start to move to even healthier foods over time...

WORKOUTS... just start experimenting... I can't afford the gym + daycare for 2 crazies that end up fighting me the whole way and ruin my mood for the workout. I'm slowing building my own home gym. Treadmill, DVD's a few pc's of equip. I found an pilates Chair on e-bay and I LOVE IT, and I have a ballet bar for Bar method type workouts... and I have a wish list...

Things I like: Treadmil to awesome music. I'm not a runner, so I work the incline up at a slower pace. Keeps the heart rate up without joint pain, and does the trick.

DVD's: Kettlenetics (a dancer's version of a kettlebel workout... KETTLEBELL people hate it!), Jennifer Kries series of YIN YOGA (feels great, and helps with muscle recovery), Standing Energy (chi gong... that wakes up all those places that need to start working... feels great), Pilates, and jazz.... Recently acquired a Zumba DVD... OMG... so much fun.. I LOVE to dance... It's how I used to stay thin... may as well get back to that!

I WANT a punching bag, & a speed bag, (used to love taking cario boxing from an ex-Army Champ...) and a TRX suspension training system... appeals to me on a million levels!

I'm also really into the mind body connection. And have recently discovered a company called bBrain Sync... Check it out. Download the free 15 energizer... I can't tell you how refreshed I feel after that! AMAZING! I recently started with the subliminal Weightloss download (which if nothing else takes me into the greatest sleep ever... which I'll take!), and the Running Program to listen to while on the tread (got it last night, so will be trying today.)

Oh, and workout time: Right now, I dislike being interrupted. I try to hit my workout RIGHT AFTER I put my kids down... so right about 8pm. Not ideal, but better than NOTHING... So, I try to keep the house up during the day, dishes while the kids are in the bath.. run a load of laundry while I'm on the treadmil... and the rest can wait... (It's hard isn't it????)

Ok... that was just so much stuff to put out there... Just start exploring all types of exercises, FUN THINGS to do... and see how you can work them into your life(style)

You just need to find your groove... we're all different. When something appeals to you ... Check it out...

That sweet tooth can just be a killer. You almost have to go cold turkey. Things like diet soda are obviously a lot less in the calorie arena, but they are sweet, and they make you crave more sweets.

It might also be worth talking with a therapist to go over and learn how to cope with the heartbreaks of the last 15 months. That's very valid.

AND consider having your Dr. test your nutrition intake. Iron, VIT D etc. Being low in D for example can really bring ANY depression to a new all time low. It's very common in North America to be low because we just don't have the sun that is necessary to bring it up naturally.

And KNOW that as a woman with crazy hormones, it can be harder. You just have to tackle each component of your battle with acceptance of reality, a plan of attack.



I find just reading about others successes is extremely motivating. Makes me want to jump on the treadmil.


Hang in there... keep posting!!

Matt... I'm not a swimmer... but I'm married to one. I would recommend a training session or more for technique. I understand it can make a HUGE difference... with regard to energy expinditure.

Is your tri in a pool or open water? Temp? Wet suit or swim suit... Sounds like fun...good luck!!

HI Lisa...

I will tell you. My DH in Sept. weighed 311. He drank soda and ate a lot of sugary things. By his estimation he "didn't drink much, or eat much". He has a MAJOR sweet tooth.

Long story short, we went on an all inclusive Vacation.... EXCEPT soda had to be paid for. It was H20 or gross tea, or even more gross lemonaid that was free. Decided NOT to pay $3.00 a soda.

He lost about 20 lbs in ONE WEEK! Granted I'm sure a bit was water weight. But he was really able to break the soda habit. And he maintained the weight loss (his BP is AWESOME now...)


Without adding a BIT of working out (which he needs to add, but works lots of 6 day 11 hour workdays) He is currently down to as of yesterd 253. That's about 60 lbs in SODA and treats!

If NOTHING ELSE...Drop ALL the soda...

What are you doing for workout. And are you eating all those calories?



Ok, Ihear you on the food boredom factor. So, once you figure out an appropriate calorie intake... I would start a list of meals that you like assign them a # of calories, and rotate as you like with weight watchers.


Start with 5-6 300(or so) calorie meals Breakfast, lunch dinner. You don't have to stick with one meal for a month. That's just super easy for your DH... He doesn't needto be creative. He knows how much each meal is worth... You just need to make up MORE CHOICES...


Welcome!

PMS = Putting up with Men's Shit...

And Iris... OMG... I hear you... Crime Scene anyone? I swear there are times I should have put out the yellow tape...

I loved this movie... and speaking of confessions:

Almost Famous...

That urinal is what nightmares are made of...

Awesome job btw... looks like it was fun!

I read the title of the thread and immediately thought... Oh... I remember the days when I had a bad day and then went to the gym for a cardio boxing class... and I felt better....

LOL! Not the same "bad"... Seriously, don't beat yourself up over it. Personally, I think it's fine to indulge once in a while. I think it's more important to make it worth it. Don't bother with crappy ice cream or crappy cookies.

And then just put in some extra effort later! Or BEFORE... you can even plan to have an extra yummy!

Of course... as long as this doesn't become a daily habit...

Tylenol is like an m&m for me... useless.

I've been using Naproxin Sodium for 23 years now. It is best to take the 2nd you feel a twinge... just keeps the cramps off... However, if for whatever reason I can't get to it, I can take it at any time during the dreaded 5 days and it will kill the pain.

I don't "build up"... in fact it's so bad for your liver, that I really only take it as I need it. I started being stingy with it when my Dr. looked at me cross-eyed after I told him the pain was so bad I had taken a whole bottle or 24 or 36 in 2 days... (so yeah, building up can have it's benes.)... and the cramps were not touched.

I would disagree with the lowering your water intake. Blood loss just seems dehydrating to me. Granted I'm totally down with a glass of wine (or bottle) to get through it...

Sometimes I think the universe spared me labor pains of any kind do to how bad I get it month to month...

AWESOME!!!!

Just got my new treadmil hooked up... inspired to hit it before bed... Thanks for that!!!

You look amazing!

Victoria... YOu might find the DVD's by Jennifer Kries really interesting... Her Waking Energy, and Yin Yoga series gets into the muscles the way I'm sure you're used to... AWESOME...

Nice to run into someone that understands flexability in the way I do... I've been told my flex, is "average"... and wonder how the average person even walks upright feeling like this... I couldn't be more tight!!!

OMG... YOU ARE ME at your age... Only I didn't get fed up enough... and now I'm pushin' 40... and FED UP!

Don't let it go any further... because, it just gets worse... if you do... MUCH MUCH worse...

I was a dancer too... I do not recognize myself in a mirror... I see my body... it's appalling...

So here is what I cling to... I KNOW I have an amazing body under this... great legs... nice ass... So, I just need to uncover it! The End... I know what to do... You know what to do...

Let's DO IT!!! Get your nikes! (ok mine are adidas!)