College...enough said

Hello ladies! Sorry I haven't been so active on here this past week has been crazy! My momma had surgery on her foot on Thursday and then I moved back into school on Friday. It was rough. I am now settled back into school and that means I need to start looking at the open hours at the gym...

I am looking forward to it but I know I am way out if shape and that worries me. I will need your support ladies. I used to be able to go 25 minutes running on the treadmill but I know for sure that is not going to happen anytime soon haha. Baby steps. I also might join my schools Crew Team again but I'm not sure.

I hope all is well with you lovely ladies. I know school starts on Monday for me and that means a whole new routine. I say try a new form of exercising haha challenge of the month? Anyways hope all is well and keep up the hard work!

Question what kind and how many weights do you need to do the Shred? Thank you

As always thanks for the advice. The hiking is nothing too overexerting (spelling??) my heart is pumping but I think I need to step it up... I might have to try the weights. Starting cardio classes again today. Hoping to make three days a week. The jeans trick is a good idea. thank you Sammy.

Christine...It can't rain all the time. 5 in the morning stinks but you're doing it. You go girl!

Christine...I hope you didn't get completely rained out in Boston. I know they cancelled the Mariners and Sox game due to the downpour. It has been nice here in WA so I have gotten out there and walked or hiked everyday. My scale is not moving though!! GGRRRRR!! What the heck am I doing wrong? Any advice...Sammy Christine???

Kids last day of summer vacation.

Today is it; the final day of summer vacation. I got up early, did a little school work, ate a little, shredded with Jillian, ate the rest of a really yummy breakfast (see below), read more and more online about 'eating exercise calories' (definitely need to do this) and my metabolism.
Breakfast: 1 piece Fiber One Multi-grain toast w/2 tsp. natural chunky peanut butter
1/3 cup Dannon Non-fat plain yogurt mixed with
1/4 cup The Greek Gods Honey yogurt mixed with
1 cup strawberries, halved

Soooooooooo delish! Also froze 4 bags of 1/2 cup strawberries for future smoothie making!

So today the kiddos want me to take them to Boston. It's cold and rainy! Blech. I guess I could track miles walked around the city and search for some organic foods, but I doubt that's what they kids are hoping for!

I saw you....walkin' in the rain...

Yup, that was me today! Waling in cold, windy rain! Honestly driven today by wanting more of my book rather than a deep rooted desire to exercise! Can you imagine? Anyway, I did my walk right after my 30 day Shred. This is not ideal because I won't be able to keep this schedule starting Thursday, and back to back really impedes my ability to push my time on the walk.

I'm trying hard to make sense of all of the calorie counting vs. exercising. I'm so discouraged because although I'm losing inches, the pounds keep fluctuating. I'm back up three again for a net loss thus far of 5 in 20 days. I feel like some of my clothes are fitting better but I'm still feeling a bit discouraged. I'm skipping the rest of chapter 3 of Master your Metabolism as I am overwhelmed by how much environmental toxins have been attacking my hormones!

I just need answers now! I am going on to "How this plan works" to check it out. Not too sure how much 'organic' I can do though. We shall see. I am not giving up on this and may even get an elliptical as the weather and time issues are bound to stop me if I don't have a clear backup staring me down!

Thanks for the wise words ladies. I am happy to report that after the last post I walked everyday exept yesterday. I am pretty happy with myself.

Time for ourselves...

OMG! Christine! Can I just say Jane Eyre is my favorite book!!! I just finished reading it for the first time last night and let me tell you it is the best!!! I was so excited when I found out you were reading it! I love love love this book. I wish I had read it earlier.

Also when you discussed how taking time for ourselves is important, I agree! It wasn't until recently did I realize that I kept giving giving giving and I wasn't really taking time for myself. Now I just have to figure how to do this without neglecting my other priorities. Any ideas?

Good Golly Miss Molly!

Okay, so here's the deal. You had a bad day(s). You're not motivated to move. You live on guilt.

I've lived (and still do) in all of those places. I have a lot of other things going on, like a forced career change by my employers and focusing on all of this serves several purposes. It makes me take an honest, albeit scary, look at myself. It is making me value myself even when others don't. My own mother (whom I love dearly) told me I "used to be so pretty when I wasn't so chunky!" Normally, I'd use that kind of junk as an excuse to forget about it "my own mother doesn't love me" crap. I'm just so tired of others having control of my life that I've decided to take it back for once! I told Mom that I really have not a care in the world what she or anyone else thinks about my body. Mine is the only opinion I choose to care about!

So, here's where my drive is coming from. I have learned over the years, that I LOVE to learn! So I'm treating this like research. I've downloaded several cool apps to my iPhone to track calories and exercise. I've settled on one (My Fitness Pal) as I couldn't keep up w/logging in 3 different places! So I record every shred of food that goes in and every exercise calorie burned.

When I started the daily walking, I used my Nike+ system to track my time, mileage and caloric burn. This thing is definitely worth the investment if you like to see the numbers like I do! At the same time I listened to my favorite dance songs for really fast, strong beats to keep my moving - even enjoying the walks! After 10 days, I downloaded an audio book version of a novel I've always wished I'd read (Jane Eyre) and I love it! That is making my daily walk totally awesome. Everyday I'm dying to know what's going to happen next so I have to walk. In fact, the last 4 walks have been my longest route (2.85 miles) just so I could listen longer!

At first I felt selfish using all of that time on me but you know what? Not anymore! Every other minute of my day goes to my kids and family or to my job so screw it! I'm taking some time back for me.

As for the guilt; I'm an Irish-Catholic, youngest of 9, girl. I know all about guilt. It's where I grew up! I've recently discovered though that it's a big fat (pun intended) waste of my time! And your too. You give, give , give to others so why not give a little attention to yourself Molly? You so deserve it! I won't lie and say this is easy. The first 3-5 days of daily walking were really rough. But I know this about myself: it's got to be all or nothing. That's the way I function. I refuse to let it fall to nothing so I have to go everyday. And truly now, I'm enjoying it! And you can too! I won't go for a leisurely walk though, I mapped out 8 different length routes and walk each one as hard and fast as I can. (That way I can track improvement and it feels great!)

You can do this and will be glad you did. Start today! Go out and walk for 20 minutes and take the first and last 5 easy. Push hard for the middle and listen to something you love! Then report back! I'll check in tonight!

Good luck!

PS. I think we should all try to check in daily incase one of us needs the others. I'm sorry I've not checked in for a couple of days. I won't let that happen again! :)

Alright her it comes Miss Molly!

Molly! Don’t give up hope! It’s okay to go a little crazy once or twice.  You can’t dwell on it though just accept it and move on if you keep beating yourself up then it’s just going to end up badly. I should know I have done this before.  When you say you did nothing yesterday think of the reasons why you didn’t.  Your job is to discover those reasons and fix them so that you can do your workout. My question Molly is what do you do for you fitness routine?

You mention hiking a lot and I think that’s great but is that the only way you find yourself working out? If so maybe you are getting bored of your workout routine. I say switch It up and try running,  swimming, bike riding, walking a block or two, and maybe try a workout video. Workout videos are kind of my guilty pleasure lol.

Let’s face it working out is hard but you want to lose weight right and unfortunately we have to deal with it. We have to tell ourselves if I want change then I have to make it happen. I have to get up off my butt and get moving or else I am going to gain more weight and more health problems! Don’t forget that even the smallest things count and even though you didn’t workout you still watched your food intake that day. SO you should be proud of yourself because that is an accomplishment! You can do this Molly!

This is where the guilt trip comes in



Well my motivation is faltering here ladies. I did absolutely nothing yesterday. I didn't over eat at any meal but I did have a handful of sourpatch kids after dinner. I have these emergency response cards( Check out the Beck Diet Solution book=interesting) that I am supposed to read when I need a reminder but I forget about them and it all goes out the window :(

Christine you are so diligent. How do you keep up the motivation? I can do ok with the eating its the exercise that I lose it on. I know I'll feel better if I do it but I just can't seem to keep the routine going.

Help me ladies!!

It's been a long weekend!

Hello ladies! Welcome back Miss Molly glad to hear your vacation went well. Also Christine keep up the good work you are literally walking circles around me :).

Sorry I am responding so late my birthday was on Friday so my day has been devoted to getting ready back to school. These next two weeks are going to be bonkers. I start school on the 27th and my mother is having foot surgery on the 26th. SO I am living in a mad house as of right now. On top of that I start classes on the 30th and I don't have any of my books yet and I am not happy with me schedule. I am stressing big time!!! \

So much to do so little time but the good news is I haven't been eating like a crazy woman. Granted on my birthday I had a few extra servings but so far I have kept my promise of listening to my body. I'm trying not to clean my plate anymore and I am trying to eat slower so I can get fuller faster and it's helping a lot. I'm trying to make better choices when I am out and about and it's working. I don't dare look at the scale but I fear I may have gained a bit more weight but I will keep you posted on that.

Story time so since I am going back to school I obviously have to do some back to school shopping. I love to shop but the one thing I try to avoid shopping for is...bras. It is probably the worst experience ever!!! As I have mentioned before I carry my weight in my upper body. Meaning I have a wide and fat back and trust me finding a bra to fit my big back and small chest is no fun. I can't even tell you how many times I have broken down crying in the dressing room because that cute top/dress/bra/pants in the junior section doesn't fit me. Worst feeling ever and trying on those bras brought back all those memories. There were no tears but more of a slap to the face. Here I am a 19 year old girl and I have never one been able to try on something and say wow my body looks so good in this. Sure I have found things that have made me look slimmer but never once have I said "dang I look sexy. "

I have never experienced this and you best believe I am going to change that. Currently I am taking baby steps such as: eating tomatoes (this is huge trust me), ordering veggies and fruits, slowing down my eating, and saving part of my meal for later. However no cardio at all these past two weeks. I am so regretting it and I am definitely feeling it because I don't have any energy, but I know that I will be taking no prisoners once I get back to school. I will have access to the gym and a cafeteria filled with all kinds of healthy choices.

Funny thing is that every time I would find myself in the dressing room staring in the mirror crying because I hated the person looking back at me. I would always say "that I am going to change this and I am going to be skinnier next time I look for clothes." However this time as I looked in the mirror all I could think of was how I wasted so many years wishing that I looked different and never taking action. I though of all my successes and failures and as I left that dressing room with my 'okay' fitting bras in my hand. I though of only one thing. Time to get serious and take action.

Ladies Ladies Ladies...

I am back from vacation and feeling fat and rested. I read all of the posts and caught myself up on the happenings. Sammy welcome!! Wow it is almost as if we were meant to be we all have so much in common. My G-ma always tried to feed me too Sammy and I could never say no to gram so I would just eat it. I think that Christine gave you some good advice there. Christine try a massage for the back and leg soreness. It works trust me(did I tell you thats what I do for a living? I am a L.M.P) also, it is okay if you take a day off from walking. Just shoot for most days and the scale will move.

Speaking of scales moving I gained 6 pounds on vacation. I didn't get any hiking in because of the heat(in the 100s) and it was the height of rattle snake season. So I pretty much did no kind of exercising besides a few lake swims. So I guess it's back to the grindstone for me. I plan on getting in a hike this evening. It is about 70 degrees here on the WA Coast today. That is like extremely nice and hot for us!!! Funny huh? Most the time it rains. But after reading the posts and catching up I threw my walking shoes/clothes in my car and am going straight away after work. Good avice that was THANKS!!

*Miss Molly*

In what ways have you honored your promises to yourself?

That's the topic for the day. I think women have a tendency to have little problem keeping promises to everyone else but themselves. We go through our lives doing things for our family, our friends, our jobs and so on. It's little wonder that when we're tired or frustrated, we cut ourselves some slack an let ourselves off the hook! So now it's time to focus on keeping promises to ourselves.

I've promised to walk every day. I've been honoring that since August 3, 2010. Today is the day I may let that promise be altered a bit. I'm not breaking it, just offering myself a healthy compromise! A few days ago I started the 30 Day Shred circuit training. The goal is to do it for 30 days without fail. Today is a really hectic day with Sean's driving test at 7:30 am, repair guy coming between 10-2:00 pm, and then it's off to Foxboro w/Sean and Jordan to have dinner and see the Revs game to celebrate!

I managed to get the Shred in after the license test, but now I've got to wait around for repair guy. I was also informed by Dan that I was moaning all night because my quads hurt so much every time I shifted at all. (I don't remember any of that really though I do remember not sleeping much!)

So, in an effort to avoid hurting myself to the point of losing multiple days for recovery, I will not walk today. Although I will probably be walking around Patriot Place a bit!

This seems like a better way to handle my promises to myself and still feel happy and successful.

What about you? What promises are you proud to have kept to yourself this week?

Yay for being talked down from the ledge haha

So first I am just going to say I am so jealous you got the Jillian Michaels routines!!! I have been wanting those desperately but I haven't bought them yet. Now you can tell me if you like them. I have done my research and I love love love Jillian. If you go on Amazon.com her movies have tons of reviews by all kinds of people. She is tough and I remember doing like 15 minutes of one of her videos and I was ready to hurl because I was't prepared at all for this great workout. So eat well, get enough sleep, and drink lots of water and you will do great.  She will literally kick your butt and you will love her for it! Let me know what you think! Also don't forget to stretch before and after.

Congrats on doing all of your school work ahead a time! This is called getting down and getting funky haha Great job!

So I thought I mentioned this haha I am actually studying to be a teacher! Currently I am thinking of starting in elementary but I hope to one day be a high school counselor. I am attending Chapman University as an Integrated Educational Studies major and a double minor in history and Latin American studies. I am loving their program so far it's Education but with a fancier name haha. It's great. Also I will probably be tutoring some kids in an after school program this coming school year so I am very excited to get some experience in.

No worries I am so happy you posted your response Christine! It was perfect. It was exactly what this blog is all about getting support when we need it most! I just hope I wasn't to crazy sounding haha

Have a great rest of the day!

Week 1 completed!

Let's start with a big thank you Sammy and I'm sorry for posting my 'Negative Nacny' mood last night! Not the best move ever! And speaking of moods, I couldn't sleep, my lover back is killing me and even though the scale didn't move, I'm still feeling cranky today. Actually, I'm cranky and weepy. WAIT A MINUTE! I know this pattern! Yuppers! There is an explanation for this moodiness! Don't think I need to go any further do I? :) Just realizing this makes me feel a little happier.

What really makes me happy is your post, Sammy! You are so smart! You are going to have quite a future ahead of you! You had some really good advice and are quite capable of talking me off the ledge! :) I will be searching for some fruity recipes this morning!

I have to learn how to work my new ideas of portion control into my cooking and altering recipe amounts to co-inside. For instance, I'm frustrated about the leftover salmon, but if I'd frozen the second piece either before or after cooking it wouldn't have gone to waste. Maybe that's what's going to dave me for school...if I pack a full serving of each meal in the freezer when I'm cooking these healthy meals, I'll always have good choices to take for lunch or dinner on the days I'll be staying late for meetings and rehearsals. That would be great!

***Now off my pity pot and back on track.***

I bought two Jillian Michaels DVDs yesterday. "No More Trouble Zones" and "30 Day Shred." Do you like her? Have you ever seen/done these? A few people have recommended the Shred one to me and I'm going to try it. I found them at Target for $8.58 and I can't wait to try it today.

I've also got to spend some time getting all of my vocabulary lists, quizzes, tests done for my classes for the year. I'm hoping to get them all done today and then I'll really feel like I've accomplished some of that crazy busy work that takes up so much time on the job.

Thanks again Sam! I am so glad that we've all found each other. BTW, what are you going to school for? I don't remember if you told me that already.
Have a great day! :)

Christine listen up!

Oh no!!! This calls for an emergency reality check...it will be good promise!
Okay so you have lost a couple pounds and you are doing a fantastic job. It may not seem like a lot but trust me you are on your way to those cute clothes you bought and held on to!  I know how you feel it is frustrating especially the first couple weeks when you start on your diet and exercise routine. Trust me I know it is way easier to grab the fast food, sweets, and snacks but what is that going to do? Yes it's easier but what is going to happen when you get side track and then before you know it you gain back the weight you lost? All those salads you ate and all that walking you did will go to waste.

As for the food going bad totally understand. It has happen to our family often and the solution is to think as this as trail and error. You bought 'x' amount of food and it was to much so buy less next time. It's okay if you run out of food because you can buy more. Also look for some recipes online that can help you get rid of some of the food you have that might go bad. Make a smoothie, put that salad in a tortilla wrap, but the bread in the fridge or find a recipe that you can use it with, and chop up the veggies and get creative!

So I know the number one thing you are worried about is school starting the best advice I can give is be prepared! Think of all the things you know will come up and will possibly hinder you in your weight loss goal and come up with solutions. You get hungry in between classes pack some almonds or trail mix. Pack your own lunch and don't necessarily deprive yourself of the food in the cafeteria. Make wise choices and work hard in your exercises if you chose something iffy that day. Pack your workout clothes in your car and walk right after work. So then you have the whole evening for correcting papers. I do this when I am in school I feel guilty if I don't go. If that isn't your ideal plan walk after dinner. Take the husband or children along. Everything will be okay you know what to expect so take action!  As you tell your students be prepared when you come to class!! haha....I couldn't resist ;)

Also think of what has happened so far in your journey. You have lost weight. you have more energy, you have spent more time with the family, and you are improving your lifestyle. So it is okay to feel upset and unhappy with the current situation but keep imagining yourself as the person you will be when you reach your goal weight imagine that feeling. Always think of the positives. A great quote that I always remember and helps get me off my butt is "nothing taste as good as skinny feels." I know silly, and though I have yet to feel it I believe it!!! So keep up the great work and don't let it get you down!

Yesterday I felt just like you felt today. I feel like I am not going anywhere and I feel so fat and disgusting. However I read your post to me and it made me feel loads better. It made my day! I thank you for that. So keep it up Christine we can do it!

Today was not a good day.

By all accounts, it should have been a great day. I had a great, long walk. I had lunch with two of my favorite people and cooked a yummy dinner. I started the day down another pound. BUT...I feel cranky and fat and fed up with too much food going bad in the fridge, fed up with too many salads, fed up w/thinking about how I will keep all this up when school starts again.

I pray tomorrow is a better day.

This one's for Sammy!

I'm very proud of you and wish I'd had half of your guts when I was your age! Taking an honest look at ourselves and valuing yourself enough to do something is something that took my many years to get to! Don't ever stop! Here's the thing, when you're gonna be at Grandma's, don't deprive yourself of the experience. I'm picturing your G-ma as a wonderful, nurturing cook and missing out would be tough. Instead, plan your intake in preparation that day and maybe even the day before. Eat fewer calories and save them up for that big feast w/Granny! Of course after a reasonable helping, a "that was the best I've ever had! I can't believe how stuffed I am!" might just knock her off her urge to heap more on the plate!

Also, I think you're very smart to be looking at the big picture. I feel like at this point I have to make plans for the here and now AND plans to combat all of the obstacles that traditionally knock me down when I go back into work in two weeks.

I LOVE this!

My conclusion of this week is taking care of yourself is hard work! However once I understand my body I know I will treat it better and it will reflect inside and out.

I know that it's really hard w/out a gym and someone making those healthy food options for you, but the truth is that you won't have all that during summers AND when you're done with school! Better to get that obstacle out of your way now. I joined Curves thinking that I could make that work, but everyone there is over 70 and I will be quitting at the end of the month. (I only went three times but paid through the end of August) Instead, I'm walking and doing some core body exercises at home. This way I control it all. If I stop, I've got no one to blame but myself and I'm making myself look myself in the eye every day!


As for the scale (from my post) thanks! I am obsessed with seeing if my daily choices are actually right and working. After this first full week is done, I'm going to limit the weigh-in to once a week or maybe once every two weeks. I've used some on-line resourses to figure out how many calories I should eat to lose what I want to lose per week. I'm also tracking everything that goes in for at least the first three weeks until I get a better feel for portion size and good choices. And I'm adding in all of the exercise (duration of walks, mileage and calories burned) which in turn changes my daily caloric intake. When I stay under, I am seeing that weight coming off. I think some days I ate exactly the number of calories they reccomended and I'm still making progress.

Finally, I'm just gonna put this out there! Thank you! Today, I woke up with another pound gone and am so darn grumpy and tired of walking and on, and on, and on. I'd decided NOT to walk today and already came up with excuses. Then I saw your post and didn't feel so 'on my own' and you've inspired me to get off my duff and do what's hard! Thanks Sammy! You alone, saved my day!

What I have done this week

Hello Ladies! I hope all is well and that you are all 'working it out.'

So as you all know I'm going to be a sophomore in college this year and it's tough being the bigger girl on campus. (No fun especially when you go to school in the O.C.) So I went to school last year and after winter break I went back to school weighing 189 pounds. So I cracked down and when I came home for summer I weighed 173! The lowest I have ever been! However not having access to a gym and a cafeteria filled with healthy choices I gained back 8 pounds this summer. So as of right now I am having a hard time getting back into the swing of things, and all I can think is when I go back to school it will get better.
However I keep worrying about what is going to happens when I get back from school for thanksgiving, winter, and summer break. Will I end up gaining all the weight back again? Trust me ladies it's the most frustrating thing knowing I did all that hard work and it went down the drain because it was easier to just eat the burger and fries.

So this past week I have been studying they way I treat my body when I am home and see where I can make changes.

• Taking my vitamins regularly
• Drinking enough water a day (great for skin and hair!)
• When I go out to eat I check the calorie chart provided by the restaurant (usually on the table) and make a decision. Some of the calories are horrific!!!
• Listening to my body and realizing when I am not hungry that I shouldn't eat because I'm bored or because it is convenient. 
• Use the internet! I have looked up some easy recipes to use, how much water should I be drinking, and so much more. It's fantastic! 
• Learning to say no! Example being when I go to my gram's house and she attacks me with food and saying no is like a 'maybe' so she keeps trying to convince you to eat. haha So I have to put my foot down and say that I am watching myself and it usually works. 
• I haven't been sleeping normally and it is killer on my mood and body. 

My conclusion of this week is taking care of yourself is hard work! However once I understand my body I know I will treat it better and it will reflect inside and out.

P.S
Made some homemade wraps and they were fantastic! Also made a new dessert that I love! Here's the grocery list!
Whole wheat wrap tortillas, chicken (canned or ready made I tried booth), roman lettuce, black beans, and tuna. Get creative!
For dessert I had pudding with granola. It was amazing :)

Keep it up chicas!
Sammy

It's the little things that count!

I learned that a long time ago and many times throughout my lifetime. At forty, I'm hoping to remember what I've forgotten! Yesterday was spent waiting for my niece to visit so rather than take off for my walk and miss her, I spent some time to work in the kitchen and house and do some baking. I miss the days when I used to always have fresh baked cookies on hand for the kids. I am going to make a point to continue to do those nice things for the family.

When we realized that she wasn't coming till the evening, we'd missed the chance to go mini-golfing as planned but Sean and Dad wanted to go down to the field and workout in the goal. I threw my sneaks on and joined them. I can't wait till I'm in better shape and can play soccer for a decent amount of time! Instead, I walked around the field and between that and the walk to and from the field, I managed to get another 2 miles in! I was so happy not to have missed a daily walk! It was a slow walk as I was on grass, but I kept it going.

This is what I mean, doing a little everyday is really paying off! I am so much more aware of what I'm doing to myself on a daily basis. I need to remain strong and committed from now till school starts so that by the time we're back at it, my daily needs are a priority!

The scale has moved!

This morning, I lay in bed not wanting to get up. I'd been having dreams, okay nightmares, about work. I woke up and thought that today I'd not get on the scale. I'm so anxious to see that what I'm doing isn't working, you know, so I can quit and give up. Somehow, I couldn't resist the urge to weigh in and I'd lost a few pounds! I'm so excited! The soreness from walking has subsided, I'm feeling in a much better mood these days (my 16 year old son has even noticed that!) and now the weight is slowly melting away!

I need this. I deserve this. i am enjoying this. Now if I could just decide which fitness tracker to stick with, I'll be all set! I'll save that story for a post later today.

Have a great day everyone and keep moving!

:)

What have you done so far?

Hi Ladies! I've been so excited for this and it's really helped me kick myself into gear. I've walked 4 days now and have been having a good time making healthier choices in the area of what I 'stuff my pie-hole' with! I am reminded that it is a cycle - the more I move, the better I feel both physically and emotionally. The better I feel, the more I crave yummy, healthy foods! Why would we ever stop this? If we can solve that than we're home free....

So I'm asking, what have you done this week? I got a new sensor for my Nike shoes and I love that every time I go out it records what I've accomplished. I know my distances and calorie burns are low but it's a start. I am a very analytical gal and so the more evidence/data I have the more in control I feel.

I downloaded an App called "Lose it!" Each day, I've been inputting my meals and exercise. Not everything is perfect as I can't find everything and sometimes get frustrated at having to add foods that they don't have but I figure if I do this for a month everything I eat should be in there eventually.

I worry about how I'll keep this going after school starts...teaching music makes planning time for me much harder but I'm hoping to be an addict by then!

Hello!

Name: Samantha Nick name or preferred name: Sam, Sammy, Samantha haha
Where in the world are you? Los Angeles, CA
Age: 18 Birthday: August 13 Height: 5'8"
Current weight: 180 Goal weight: 150 Highest weight: 197

Best physical attribute(s): My Long legs and hair! Of course my hair is a big ol' friz ball but I love the color and I love the curl/wave it has to it (when it's tamed) haha

Physical areas you want to change: Back and stomach. I am an apple shaped person. Meaning I carry my weight on my upper body and it just looks awkward on me. I have always had the bra bulge and anything with the zipper I don't even try on because of my body shape. I am going for  a defined back and a flat and toned tummy. I want to wear a strapless dress with pride dang it! 

Biggest weakness when it comes to doing what you need to do to be fit and healthy. (These could also be categorized as ‘excuses!’)
No time - In between classes, homework, clubs, sorority, social life, family and possibly 2 jobs...I put exercise on the back burner.

No energy- Most days I feel exhausted

Will power- For some reason I have a hard time getting up and going to the gym when I'm not being pushed. Once I get there I will do my thing but getting there is a struggle!

Burning out- I will go strong in my fitness routines and then I will hit a plateau or an obstacle and then my drive will fizzle out. 

What do you love to do for exercise?

Dancing! I am a dancing machine so anything with music and footwork would be my ideal workout.  However I don't have the time or money for classes so videos and the internet is my main source of dance workouts and routines. I love running on the treadmill, aerobics, and swimming. I am actually willing to try anything :)

What foods do you love to eat?
As my mother likes to say it I am a "carb-a-licious girl" haha So if I was served pasta, rice, and bread plus sweets I would be the happiest girl on the planet.

What’s your main reason for taking the ‘fitness’ plunge?

My family history is filled with high blood pressure, heart risks, and diabetes. I don't want to follow in those lovely family traditions. I want to live a healthy lifestyle so that I will live my life to it's full potential. I am 19 and I have so much to look forward to but my weight is literally 'weighing' me down. I just want to feel happy, confident, and proud of the way I look. I don't want to feel depressed because I can't fit into cute clothes, and I don't want my weight to dictate my life anymore. 

What would you like to get out of this group? What else do you want us to know about how to help you reach your personal goals?

I would like motivation, someone I can share my progress/success/failures with, and someone to kick me in the butt when I am not doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I would like support :)

I am also an emotional eater and the number one emotion that causes me to eat is stress. I get so stressed out it's terrible! Some days I feel so tense and cramped up because I am stressing out about something that by the end of the day I am emotionally and physically exhausted. That feeling is usually everyday and it's not fun. I could really use some tips when it comes to stress and consistency.

I am so happy to be a part of this! We can do this ladies :)

And here's my info. (Christine)

Name: Christine Nick name or preferred name: Christine :)
Where in the world are you? Sutton, MA - 1 hour from Boston, Providence and Hartford!
Age: 40 Birthday: October 1 Height: 5'8"
Current weight: 183 :( Goal weight: 140 :) Highest weight: 187!!!!

Best physical attribute(s): Long fingers! People used to tell me I should be a hand model! And I love my eyes - they're a really dark blue!

Physical areas you want to change: Stomach - flat and toned would be totally cool! Hips & thighs: 'thunder thighs' and 'good birthing bones' run in my family and I want them gone! Flabby conductor arms!

Biggest weakness when it comes to doing what you need to do to be fit and healthy. (These could also be categorized as ‘excuses!’)
No time (once school starts - three weeks from today)
Fear - of what, I'm not sure...perhaps we'll discover that along the way!

What do you love to do for exercise?
Who's idea was it to use the words 'love' and 'exercise' together? :) Okay so I do LIKE to walk and listen to books or music. I love feeling my body come alive even if it is in pain. And I love the time alone to think of something other than work! Oh, and I just joined Curves! Although I love the idea of using all of the circuit machines, I don't think I'll stick with it for various reasons.

What foods do you love to eat?
Oh, bread, cheese and wine (I know wine's not a food, but I do LOVE it!) I actually really love preparing fresh fruits and veggies in the summer when they're local but it takes a lot of effort to get me to actually get going in that arena!

What’s your main reason for taking the ‘fitness’ plunge?
I am tired of feeling tired and unhappy with myself. My stress level is through the roof lately and I know from past experience that moving makes me feel better emotionally AND physically.
I also really, really want to fit into all of the super cute clothes I hung on to when we moved last year. They're two sizes smaller than what I'm currently wearing. :(

What would you like to get out of this group? What else do you want us to know about how to help you reach your personal goals?
I know that no one can do this for me but sometimes, connecting with people who are not family or friends who know all about me and my flaws makes it easier! I want to be able to celebrate successes with others (no matter how small) and get a swift kick in the pity-pot when I need it! I also want to be able to do that for others.

Oh, and I'm an emotional eater AND spender. The sooner I get consistently healthy, the sooner I'll be financially healthy! :)

Welcome Miss Molly!

Here's Molly's entry info.


Name: Molly Rose Nick name or preferred name: molly's good

Where in the world are you? Washington State Pacific Ocean Coast

Age: 27 Birthday:Oct 6th Height: 5' 9"


Current weight: 178 lbs Goal weight: 158 lbs Highest weight: 200 lbs


Best physical attribute(s): I love my lower legs and also I like my neck/collar bone


Physical areas you want to change:
I have never had flat abs ever!! It is the family curse...5 siblings and all have bellies.


Biggest weakness when it comes to doing what you need to do to be fit and healthy. (These could also be categorized as ‘excuses!’)

My biggest weakness is having people around who try to push food on me. My partner of seven years is the worst. He is a small guy and can eat anything and not gain a pound. He just doesn't understand that I can't do that.

Also I am the type who's motivation dwindles over time.

What do you love to do for exercise?

I love to hike, jazzercise, and walk


What foods do you love to eat?

I am a bread lover, also I love cheese a little too much. If it's carbs I love it.

What’s your main reason for taking the ‘fitness’ plunge?

I just want to be happy with the way I look so that I can feel comfortable doing things like going to the lake in the summer. I also want to feel sexy again!!

What would you like to get out of this group? What else do you want us to know about how to help you reach your personal goals?

I would like to get motivation. I would like to have someone to talk to about the progress and setbacks I am having. I am the type that need a guilt trip once in a while.

They say misery loves company...

but I say, everyone loves company when they're doing anything that requires motivation! I have been working on getting into better, healthier habits. As a previously, self-diagnosed "starter," this is a problem! I love to start things and my own personal fitness is no exception. I've been down this road many times but this time feels different. I have taken a brutally honest look at myself and realize that if I don't change what I'm doing now (or rather what I'm not doing) then it will be too late! I need to feel healthier, happier and less stressed. NOW! So I began doing what I did all those years ago when I was taking much better care of myself.

I found a group of women across the country, all of whom have a thing or two in common. I've asked them if they'd like to form a sort of long-distance support system. Sometimes it's easier to work with people you don't really know than to count on family or friends- there's just too much history and emotional baggage there.

I've had 3 respond and am waiting to hear from 2 more. We will kick off our program today as I'll be emailing them a questionnaire so that we can all set and share our personal goals as well as let each other know just what kind of support we need! I can't wait!

Let the journey begin! :)

So...A new journey is beginning...

When Sean and Meag were little, I went back to AMC to get my degree in Music. I had no idea what I was really in for until I got there. Sure music what what I was most passionate about but until you're in the thick of it you have no idea that you will be leaning everything there is to know about ALL music! It was, in fact, the hardest thing I'd ever done.

Although the kids were now in school, I was overwhelmed with guilt and stress and work! When I was home, I had to balance being the mom I was accustomed to being with getting my homework and studying done. The stress was unbelievable.

I started walking taking better care of my health to help regulate that stress and to get myself into a better place, emotionally and physically. This career in music education has been no different in the areas of stress and business. It is so easy to become over committed and as a mom, that again leaves no time to do what I need to do for me.

That stops now.

The new situation with having to now take over the instrumental program in addition to what I'm already doing at the high school will be perhaps, a bigger challenge than getting my Masters at BU while working! I will be of no use to anyone if I am not better equipped to step up to all of the added stress and workload. And thus a new journey begins....

I hope to have the details posted later today or tomorrow so stay tuned.... This blog is about to morph into something besides the daily knitting lessons, although I hope they will forever remain a part of my journey!

Day 58 - Two months later....

So, it's been two months since I've written on my "daily" blog! I have been knitting - not everyday through June, but keeping it going through most of July. I have started a pair of socks for Dan that are a lovely grey, superwash Merino. They are a challenge in that I really wanted to do them in a new way. I decided to try magic loop knitting and am doing them two at a time. This really makes it seem to go faster - I know it's all an illusion, but I still enjoy watching them develop together! I also decided to do these socks toe-up since finding cuff down TAAT magic loop patterns was difficult.

So there it is, three new techniques in one project! I knew when starting these I could potentially fail. Thus far it's been easy. I will have to see when it comes time for the heel flap and gussets.

I still have Meag's lacey sweater to finish, Mom's afghan and Patty's tuscany shawl (not to mention many other WIPsS) but I am enjoying the peacefulness of simple sock patterns for now!