That's cool, Soon. Of course, you also have motivation for something in June, don't you???

As for me, I've dropped 3 lbs. since beginning this challenge - ya hoo! I think Soon was right, 3rd time's the charm. I did cut out coffee completely and cut back on my iced tea consumption. I'm also down to very few low-carb candies (Russell Stover) per week - only when I REALLY have a sweet craving.

Continued success to all...

CarbsBeGon - Those sugar-free candies can be a killer. On my previous attempt with Atkins, I found those, and before long I was eating LOTS of them. Not good! This time around I'm like you and keeping those to a minimum.

GNCLCGirl - (that's a hard name to type!) That's excellent about the exercise. It's such a critical part to making this WOL work. I just wish it was easier to make myself WANT to do it. You know that the Woosh Fairy will show up sooner or later. Or at least, her cousin the Slowly-But-Surely Troll will show up!

Soon - A sleeveless dress in October?? Brrrrrr ... Or is this in a warm part of the country? (It's hard to think that ANYPLACE is warm right now.)

NoWonder - HEY! Stop goofing off and get down to business! You know you'll be happier and feel better if you do.

For me, I've been slacking in the exercise department and very inconsistent with drinking the water. I was going to walk from my class to the commuter lot (just under a mile), but it's too darn cold. The wind chill is between -10 to -15 degrees (real temp is +5) and the whole walk would have been into the wind. Yup, time to take the bus! No dog walks either.

OK, I'm gonna promise myself right now that I will do some sort of workout tape when I get home. There, I even said it out loud. Now, if I could just get rid of these munchies, I'd be all set.

Thanks,
I do have to change my name because i no longer work for GNC any longer, Ill come up with a good one, Ill let you know what it is
I did work again today.

Hi all,

Just popping in to say hi real quick and hope everyone is well. The scale was going up for me, but now I'm back on Induction and hoping to see less poundage by the weekend. Everyone have a great one!

Finally a much needed friday! But that also means check-in day...

I weighed in at 255 today, down a lb. Not exactly exciting, but I'll take it. As for my mini-goal of hitting the gym 3x last week, I did pull it off. Now the trick is to keep it going.

The wind chill was -23 here this morning, so I hope everyone is keeping warm wherever you are.

Good luck everyone!

--nw

Zora - Nothing like a little induction to reset your body AND your eating habits. It's terrific that you didn't quit when the scale went up, but instead did the hard thing and went back on induction. Give yourself a big pat on the back for that!!!

nowonder - You're right, one pound isn't exciting, but it's a heck of a lot better than 0! And congrats on meeting the mini-goal! It's tough getting out in this weather, isn't it?

I wasn't quite so successful with my mini-goals this week. I met most but not all of them. Let's see, I wanted to have at least 5 salads during the week. Did that (surpassed). I wanted to drink water instead of soda before work (yes) and after work (didn't quite make this). Wednesday I was kind of quesy-ish and the thought of putting water in my stomach was not very comforting. Soda was much better. For some reason, I had soda last nite, too. Oh, yeah,because of the headache. Are these just excuses????? I'll have to think about that. Exercise, I met the aerobic goal, but didn't do any weights. So for next week, I will keep the same goals.

On the scale, I'm down another 2 pounds (Yippee!!) from last sunday (6# total).
Overall, I'd say it was a good week, but not a great week.

BTW, I've finally set up a journal if anyone's interested.

Checking in at 195.3 still. Been a bit of a stressful time emotionally so haven't been as good as I should... However it does feel still like some inches are buggering off

Friday check in........
I am in a holding pattern at 193 - same as last week. But I think I can safely blame this on nature.... damn TOM! At least I hope that's all it is and not the 1 Atkins Endulge bar and 1 Atkins shake I had during the week.
We'll see what happens next week!
Congrats to the losers!!!!!!

I've found another reason to not like Valentines Day this year...... other than the fact that I am dateless, now the little "Valentine conversation hearts" are out!!!! AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!! I LOVE those!!!!!! It's going to be really hard to not eat any!!! That's going to have to be a long term goal for this challenge as well as the weight loss.

Cheers,
Gypsy

Nowonder – Congrats on the pound – like Grendel said – it’s a lot better than zero – you’re doing great!!! Keep up the great work with the goals – you must feel so accomplished for it.

Grendel – YAY for you – two pounds – woo hoo, we’re the same this week! It sounds like you’re doing well with starting to get water into you – next time you have a craving for a soda, just make it mandatory that you drink a 1/2 glass of water first, then drink your soda. See if that will help add in the extra water you’re missing. And maybe it will eventually make you feel like your thirst for a soda is gone. Keep up the great work!!!

Sin – I hope everything calms down emotionally. *hugs from across the pond* You’re still doing an amazing job sweetie!!! I’m so proud of how far you’ve come.

Gypsy – that damn TOM – who keeps inviting him to visit anyways?! hee hee (I have full faith that it’s because of your visitor, not your yummy treats.
I used to love those V-Day candy hearts – you should just take some pepto-bismo – hee hee – maybe the chalky taste will make you feel satisfied. haha

As for me:
Down to 212 – which is a 2 pound loss for this week – I was hoping for 3 (need that per week to make my goal), but I feel like a big whoosh is on its way *fingers crossed*. I also took my measurements – I’m down a little over 3 inches from last week – WOO HOO!!! hee hee – I love measuring myself – it’s so satisfying.
I did do the crunches/arm weights the other day, and then last night I went dancing (danced my booty off) – and tonight and Saturday I’m going dancing too. Sooo…I feel content in that I’m getting some exercise with those activities.

I have a portfolio due on Tuesday for school – eeps – a lot of work, so this weekend won’t be all fun and games – but at least I have Monday off, and I think I have time to take a nap today – YAY!!!! Ok all – Happy Friday to everyone!!!!

Soon - Congrats on the 2 lbs. That is great!!!! And I hope the whoosh fairy comes your way this week. But when you're done with her I want her fed exed to ME. I'll pay the delivery charge!
And that is hysterical about the hearts and pepto!!!! Very similar in a chalky sort of way. Wonder how many carbs in pepto! LOL!!!! I really do love those hearts!

Have a great weekend!
Cheers,
Gypsy

Hi all,

Confession time....I have really been struggling lately. I'm finding it extremely hard to stay on track. I've been doing this WOL for 9 months now, and it's more challenging now than ever. I don't think I have really lost any new poundage since before Christmas. I keep going up and down with the same 7 pounds. I dug out some new recipes to try, so maybe that will help me by having some variety. I want to lose this weight so badly. I took a full body shot of me last night. Ack... gonna post it in my gallery later today. I want to find an old picture of me around my highest weight and post that too. I avoided the camera so much back then that pics of me are few and far between, ya know?

So much has been going on in my life and I have been so stressed lately. I sometimes find myself crying (like now), and I wonder what I have done to deserve these things. I try and have a positive outlook on life, and I'm usually successful, but lately, EVERYTHINGS a struggle.

I know that if I didn't have this forum and all you wonderful people, that I would have been back up to 280 or more by now. I want to be at a normal weight so bad. What's normal? I don't know, but I want to be able to shop in ANY store and buy really cute clothes that I look GOOD in. I don't want my weight to be the first thing people notice when they look at me. I don't want people to judge me because of my weight. I want to love myself.
Ok, enough of the self-pity. I need a tissue.

Hi, Bren -
Here's my advice for what it's worth. First take 10 deep breaths and as you breathe each one out, say "relax". Whenever you feel like everything is coming apart, do this.

Next, remember you're not alone! We're all here to help and we understand the things you're going thru. With everyone's help, you can make it thru.

Then, look at what you say to yourself. For example, are you saying "I'm such a failure, I can't do anything anymore" or something like that? Look at it more closely and ask yourself if it's really true. I'm willing to bet that it isn't. OK, some things may not be going as easily as the used to, but you are still the capable person you were before Christmas. All those nasty things running thru your head are just helping to convince yourself that you can't do what you want to do. The more you say these things to yourself, the more true they become. You don't have to "happy talk" yourself to death, just be more realistic and NICER to yourself.

Next, are you taking on too much at the moment? I don't know what else is going on in your life, so I'll just stick to the LC stuff. For example, I see in your sig that you're also doing the 100 Day Challenge of being cheat free. Maybe you want to cut down on one of these challenges. Sounds like you have enough challenges going on in your life right now. This does NOT mean you are failing!!!!! It only means that your life is throwing you some curves so you are making adjustments. That isn't 'failure', that is SMART. We all need to do this sometimes. What we sign up for in one month may not be suitable a month later. The smart move is to make changes before it becomes a bigger problem.

If I had to choose, I would drop the Cheat Free challenge because every time you cheat, you give yourself another opportunity to beat yourself up. Don't do this to yourself ... you don't deserve it. During the most stressfull times, you need to SUPPORT yourself, not set yourself up for self-recriminations. If you stick with the Valentine's Day Challenge, change your goal to simply weighing the same and giving yourself a chance to reset your emotions. We all need a 'step back and reset' period now and then.

Hope at least a little of this helps. BIG HUGS! WE ALL UNDERSTAND.

I did a weight workout yesterday ... YEAH! Feels good (as I knew it would). Not too sore today, but tomorrow may be a different story. I also contacted a barn to set up riding lessons, and my first lesson is Wed evening. So that will count for one of my exercise sessions. I haven't been riding since August, and I'm hoping I don't feel it too badly in my legs.

Thank you Grendeldog for ALL your words of support, understanding, and encouragement. It REALLY means a LOT!

I'm doing better today. Still holding at 218, but that's much better than gaining. I am thinking about putting the scale away and only weighing in once a week. I get too frustrated and discouraged when it doesn't move.
I tried a new LC dish last night called Creamy Spinach Casserole. Not too bad. Having some of it for lunch today too along with a pork chop and some olives. So far so good. I'm taking one day at a time.

Hope everyone has a great Monday!