Buddy Round-Up w/ daily check in...

[Kellgees]

Check In
Did not lose 7lbs but did lose 5lbs and I am in the 230s
Food:
Protein Shake w strawberries & a banana
yogurt & banana
1/2 cup brown rice grilled chicken & salsa
1 cup broccolli, cauliflower & mashed sweet potatoes
1 serving size of whole wheat corn chips
3 liters of water
Excercise
33 minutes Weight loss program on the elliptical
20 minutes of lower body strength training: squats, leg press, abducter, adducter, and hamstring kick out.
See you guys tomorrow. I weigh in Tuesday for my weight loss challenge. We have three more weeks. I WANT TO WIN SO BADLY!!! WINNER GETS ABOUT $500. Last time I came in 2nd.

[nichol]

To SHEss2004 and other social drinkers,

It can be hard to turn down alcohol when others are drinking as well. When we are having fun we sometimes don't even realize how much we are drinking. I used to be a bartender and it was hard for me not to drink behind the bar b/c my customers always wanted to buy me shots. So I came up w/several solutions b/c I didn't want to gain my weight back.

For beer drinkers: I would drink light beer of course. To keep from drinking so many beers I would order a shot or two. Tha way you can get a little buzz and sip on a beer or 2.
That way you won't feel as bloated.

Wine Drinkers: Wine can have as many calories as beer or alcohol. Wine stores have low calorie wines. I haven't seen very many at bars, unless it's a wine bar.

For Alcohol Drinkers: I drink a white liquor like gin, vodka, rum (NO MALIBU it has tons of sugar), or tequila (usually patron) on the rocks.
For flavor I get a liquor infused with a flavor, i.e. cherry infused vodka. If a flavored liquor is not an option squeeze lemon, lime, or orange in your drink.
I only added water or diet drinks to my liquor to prevent consuming too many empty calories.

For both: try alternating water b/w drinks to rehydrate & prevent consuming so much alcohol. That way you won't feel too much like crap the next day. Part of the reason for the headache hangove is b/c of dehydration.
I don't know a/b you guys, but I get buzzed a lot faster since I been on the phen. I guess its b/c I don't eat as much food as I used to. I hope this was helpful for everyone.

[nichol]

I read that some people are eating for convenience. I normall take snacks with me to work. If I absolutely have to get fast food or go out to eat I just order the healthiest thing possible. Right now I am addicted to salad. The thought of eating bad food repulses me. I have convinced myself that I have consumed enough bad food to last me a lifetime. lol. I have also found that salads are usally cheaper than most of the other items on the menu. If I have to choose something out of the vending machine, I just pour out some of the chips or cookies so that I don't eat a whole big bag of food. I also try to drink a glass or two of water before I order or buy something out of the vending machine. I feel a lot more full that way.

[nichol]

Didn't check in yesterday. Yesterday I had a pancake and eggs w/salsa. low fat nachos- baked tortilla chips, low fat cheese, low fat ground beef. Low fat ground beef really has to be seasoned. I have been using a lot of seasonings lately to make my food taste good. I never new I could eat so many things w/o adding cheese. Yes.......cheese and potatoes are my #1 weaknesses. I didn't workout yesterday but I will this evening. I am at 159 as of this morning. Have a great day everyone

[SHess2004]

Thanks for all the info Nichol. If I have a drink I usually have a flavored vodka with some caffine free, sugar free, calorie free diet shasta. Last weekend was just heck for me and I gave in to what was there. It is amazing how someone elses kids could drive you to drink lol. Another thing that I have learned while on my program is that seasoning is an invaluable resource. I season all my foods now and find that I use much less dressing and other fatty condiments. That is a whole whole bunch of saved calories.

So yesterday I did The Firm's Aerobic Body Shaping (55 min circuit training dvd). I've been doing The Firm for the past few weeks and for some reason I am sore today. I don't get it. For some exercises I upped the weight but only by one pound. Oh well I will press forward today and do Ultimate Calorie Blaster (45min). I'm getting back on track with eating as well. I need to start incoporating salads back into my diet again. Some how I got off track and gained 2 pounds. So I'm over being lazy. I have goals to meet and people to impress, and vacations to take.

Anyone up to taking a weekly challenge for the month of August? I know many of us tried the July challenge of losing 10lbs by August 1st. Maybe we should try a weekly or bi weekly challenge to make us work just a little bit harder. Let me know if anyone is interested.

Oh by the way, yesterday was my weigh in at the docs and I gained 2 dang blasted pounds. I was my own worst enemy last week. Gaining really makes you appreciate any lose that you have even if it is only .5 lbs.

Until next time.

[QueenofdaHylls]

Oh my!!! I need to tell you guys what has been going on. I had the b-12l/ipo/b-6 inj Sat. Now I was told then and I have been told several times in the past to drink plenty of water. I KNOW, I KNOW!!!! here is my CONFESSION: I havent drank nothing but 2 bottles or less daily. WELL...............back to the injection. I got it and 30 minutes later was driving down the highway singing Living on a prayer at the top of my lungs. LOL Then, I went home cleaned my house from top to bottom. Learned a new dance from my daughter, played basketball with my sons, made passionate love with my husband, wash and set my hair etc. Well the next day I still was feeling energized which was great. Well.....that night about 2:00am I awoke feeling as if someone was sticking my sides with hot irons and needles. OMG! It was the worst pain ever. I immediately ran to the kitchen and drank two cups of water and would you believe the pain stopped? From that moment on I realized the importance of drinking water! I will make sure I get no less than 5 bottles of water qd. That is a pain that I never want to feel again. MORAL OF STORY- Please drink water especially if u decide to get the injections. GOOD NEWS- I weigh in at 171pds @11:30. Take care all. UNTIL...................................

[nichol]

I am up for the weekly challenge. I weigh myself every single day. I know, it's a problem. lol. I can't help myself. That would be nice to do. I wouldn't feel so overwhelmed about my final goal. I didn't work out today. I helped a friend move all day long. That has to count for something. lol.

[SHess2004]

Hey Queen I've been thinking about get the B12/B6/Lipo injections, will you let me know how it goes for you? I'm hoping it will help increase my weight loss but I don't want to waste my money if it won't?

Ok so I'll think up a weekly challenge for those of us who are interested.

Today I am sick and thank goodness it is my rest day from exercise. I have ADHD so it is near impossible to get me to sit still and rest even if I am dead sick. But I am going to try today because my hubby and kids can not get sick. School is about to start and my hubby just started a new job. I will have a challenge up here tomorrow.

Sorry I have scattered thinking right now. As far as food is going today I really do not have an appetite. I'm trying but since my nose is stuff up and I can't smell anything I have no desire to eat.

Keep up the great work. I need to take another dayquil. Bye bye

[SHess2004]

Oh I forgot! On Moday I weighed in at the clinic at 163lbs. That was a 2lb gain. Today I weighed myself and I'm at 158lbs. Woohoo! I'm in the 150s! Oh my gosh I want to lose 10 - 15lbs by Sept. 11th. We have a family trip with my brother in law and sis in law. I'm just sick of her always boasting about how much weight she has lost.

[Kellgees]

Oh I forgot! On Moday I weighed in at the clinic at 163lbs. That was a 2lb gain. Today I weighed myself and I'm at 158lbs. Woohoo! I'm in the 150s! Oh my gosh I want to lose 10 - 15lbs by Sept. 11th. We have a family trip with my brother in law and sis in law. I'm just sick of her always boasting about how much weight she has lost.

GOOD JOB!!!! You can do 10lbs for your trip.

[nichol]

Good job everyone that met their goals!! To those who think they have not, you will get there. Also take into consideration gaining muscle mass.

I have been having a hard time eating. I am not mentally hungry, but my stomach growls, usually at the most inconvenient times. I have only been drinking lots of fluids because of the cotton mouth. Today I ate a serving of low fat tortillas, a granola bar, diet coke and peanut butter and crackers and a small can of tuna. I have only been eating once or twice a day. I take food with me to work, but I don't eat it. I spend all my time working and organizing things. Last year I stopped losing weight because I wasn't taking in enough calories. I made myself eat more and I started losing. I was taking phentermine.

If any of you slow down on weight loss you may have to take in a couple hundred more calories. Question: Are any of you a lot more focused and motivated than normal. All I want to do is workout. When I go to work I am so focused and energetic. The instructions say inform the doctor if you start feeling euphoric. . . . . . Who the hell is gonna do that?!!? lol Until next time.

[SHess2004]

Weekly Challenge!!! Sorry I didn't get this weeks challenge up yesterday. So lets start our challenges on Mondays and end on Sundays. This weeks challenge is to take 10,000 steps every day! According to the U.S. Surgeon General we should be taking 10,000 steps a day so I figure that should be our first challenge. If you don't have a pedometer you can pick up a decent one for $1. At the end of every day we will log how many steps we have taken. By Sunday night we should have walked 70,000 steps. This will be a challenge for most of us, I know it will be a challenge for me.

Check In: Yesterday I did The Firm's Super Charged Sculpting and today I did The Firm's Ultimate Calorie Blaster. I am starting really see the inches melt of my hips and thighs. I notice how firm my body is getting. I can see definition in my arms and legs. It is a great feeling. It pushes me to work harder. I am going to get some heavier weights tonight because I am no longer challenged by the weights I currently have. Tomorrow is my rest day which is good because I have a garage sale again tomorrow.

Food wise I am back on track. I am starting to experiment with more foods so I do not grow board and eat junk food. I have found some things that I really like that I never would have tried before.

Well I'm off to get some more garage items together. Have a great night and great weekend.

[nichol]

I know how you feel when it comes to getting tired of the same thing. Here are some of my favorites: Baked Cheetos
celery and peanut butter
toast with ff butter, cinnamon, honey and banana. sometimes pb
root beer float : L f yogurt and diet root beer
boca burgers
G2 gatorade
baked french fries
100 calorie pack cookies
Lf melted dark chocolate and fruit
Lf melted dark chocolate w/pb & crackers
dry cereal
smoothies

I have also been experimenting with several different types of seasonings. I am addicted to Italian seasoning, and lemon pepper, and cayenne pepper. I try to season my meats overnight or just before I leave for work so it will be really tasty.

I hope that was helpful.

[SHess2004]

Tomorrow we start our challenge. I set my pedometer today and I've been wearing it around. While at my yard sale this morning I decided instead of sitting there going through the Sunday ads I woud read the ads while walking laps around my friends yard. Before leaving her house this morning I took a little over 1800 steps. This just goes to show how making a small change can really add up. Here's another idea: Instead of just standing walk in place or take a few steps foward and then a few steps back. If you have the time while doing house work put one thing away at a time. I bet you will be amazed at how many steps you can add to your day.

So yesterday I did really well with my diet. Although I did have one light Corona. But I was very proud of myself and stopped at just one. At my last offical weigh in I was up 2lbs at 163lbs. After weighing myself yesterday morning I now weigh 157lbs. I have dropped a total of 6lbs this week and my offical weigh in day is Monday! This just proves that taking a few days off and gaining back a couple of pounds will really help to spur your weight loss for the next week. I have been averaging a loss of 3lbs a week (which I have tried very hard to surpass each week) and this week I lost the 2lbs that I gained plus an additional 4lbs. Every 4 to 5 weeks I am going to let loose for a few days to shake up my body.

I know others have said to do this before but I think many of us get into a groove with our weight loss and become fearful of trying something that will make us gain weight, even if we lose it the next week. I think this is especially true since many of us have been gaining weight for so many years without being able to lose. It is obviously a psychological delima. Last week after gaining 2lbs I felt a bit defeated and really thought a lot about whether I would be able to lose all my weight and get to my goal. I am now rejuvinated, encouraged, and more determined than before. I know what to expect next time and will welcome back the 2lbs.

For those of you have been reducing your calories for several weeks or longer and are experiencing a slow down I highly recommend "letting loose" for a few days. I'm sure this will spur your weight loss again.

[nichol]

Tomorrow we start our challenge. I set my pedometer today and I've been wearing it around. While at my yard sale this morning I decided instead of sitting there going through the Sunday ads I woud read the ads while walking laps around my friends yard. Before leaving her house this morning I took a little over 1800 steps. This just goes to show how making a small change can really add up. Here's another idea: Instead of just standing walk in place or take a few steps foward and then a few steps back. If you have the time while doing house work put one thing away at a time. I bet you will be amazed at how many steps you can add to your day.

So yesterday I did really well with my diet. Although I did have one light Corona. But I was very proud of myself and stopped at just one. At my last offical weigh in I was up 2lbs at 163lbs. After weighing myself yesterday morning I now weigh 157lbs. I have dropped a total of 6lbs this week and my offical weigh in day is Monday! This just proves that taking a few days off and gaining back a couple of pounds will really help to spur your weight loss for the next week. I have been averaging a loss of 3lbs a week (which I have tried very hard to surpass each week) and this week I lost the 2lbs that I gained plus an additional 4lbs. Every 4 to 5 weeks I am going to let loose for a few days to shake up my body.

I know others have said to do this before but I think many of us get into a groove with our weight loss and become fearful of trying something that will make us gain weight, even if we lose it the next week. I think this is especially true since many of us have been gaining weight for so many years without being able to lose. It is obviously a psychological delima. Last week after gaining 2lbs I felt a bit defeated and really thought a lot about whether I would be able to lose all my weight and get to my goal. I am now rejuvinated, encouraged, and more determined than before. I know what to expect next time and will welcome back the 2lbs.

For those of you have been reducing your calories for several weeks or longer and are experiencing a slow down I highly recommend "letting loose" for a few days. I'm sure this will spur your weight loss again.

Hey Hot Mamas!!

I hope everyone had an awesome weekend. The weekends are my days to splurge. Although, I can't eat as much as I used too (yaaay!). Another changed that I've noticed is that I really didn't have the desire to pig out on junk food and alcohol. Usually I don't take Phentermine on the weekends, but I did this weekend. I didn't trust myself for some reason. Probably a mental thing.

Fri: Cereal. Granola Bar. A few bites of country fried steak, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. I had a root beer float for desert.
I really wanted to pig out on the comfort food because I hadn't had any in so long. I ate a few bites of each and I was full. I DID FINISH MY ROOT BEER FLOAT.

Sat: BABY SHOWER! I didn't want to be rude so I had 1meatball, 1 hot wing and 2 cubes of cheese. I immediately began helping keep the food trays full and clean. I had two glasses of wine and was really buzzing. All in All I had a great time. It feels good to be around good friends. I didn't eat earlier in the day because I didn't want to overeat.


Sun: I had 3 small baked lemon pepper wings and 1 cheese stick. Salad, 1/4 baked potato and a few bites of steak.
All weekend I had regular soda instead of diet. It was kinda too sweet.

[nichol]

I am excited about the challenge we are doing. 10,000 steps seems impossible, but I am going to try.

SHess, you are so right about giving your body a shock. With the exception of this weekend, I usually don't take phentermine on the weekends. I like to give my body a rest and I like the challenge. At first I was really hungry and I wanted to eat everything. Now I can't even tell that I missed a couple of days. That is good for me because when I stop taking phen I want to feel confident about keeping the weight off.

I took phentermine for a month or two last year and I kept the weight off. All of us phensters should do very well once we stop taking it. Our stomachs will be smaller. Our eating habits have changed for the better. Our lifestyles have changed for the better. WE CAN DO IT!

[SHess2004]

OUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE STARTS TODAY!!! Oh, I'm excited. I have my pedometer clipped to my shorts and I'm getting my steps in. I know that 10,000 steps seems impossible but it is not! It may be a bigger challenge for some of us but we can do it. Does everyone have their pedometer so they can do the challenge with Nicol and I? I think it is going to be very interesting to see how many of us complet the challenge and go above and beyond what the minimum is.

Check-In: I weighed in this morning at 156.5lbs. That is a total loss of 6.5lbs for the week! This may seem a little sappy but I almost feel like crying. ALMOST! I have never lost this much amount of weight in one week while on Phen-D. Even my first week, when you would expect to see a huge number, I only lost 6lbs. Also, I have not been at this weight in quiet a few years. 2004 is when I started gaining weight. I went from 130lbs to 160 between 2004 till April 2005. I stopped counting after that because I got pregnant. I've also had another victory with my clothing. I bought a pair of shorts at the begining of July for a trip we were taking. At the time they were a little snug in the waist but I bought them anyways because I knew I was going to be losing weight. Well I tried wearing them yesterday but they wouldn't stay up! I can now take those shorts off without unbuttoning them. I am excited! I can now also fit into all of my shirts that I shirts that I had to put away. My dear hubby started buying me really cute shirts (Roxy, Forum, Independent, etc) while I was pregnant with our 3rd child. I'm not sure exactly what was going through his mind besides being sweet. Although, I couldn't comprehend why he would get me babydoll shirts while my tummy looks like theres a beach ball inflating in it. It was the thought that counts. But now I get to finally wear shirts that I haven't even gotten to wear yet. WooHoo! <<<Shakin' her booty burning some calories. Ok, so enough of me. I swear with each pound I lose I get happier and a little more goofy. Thank goodness my family loves me that way lol. I am off. I have a full day ahead of me.

Keep up the great work. Let's hear about your progress. And join us on our weekly challenges!

[QueenofdaHylls]

Hi all! Looks like I've been missing out. 10,000 steps sound like a great challenge. Well speaking of shaking things up that's exactly what I did this weekend. Today, I am back on track I have drank 1 liter of water so far. Just wanted fruit today because Phen has got me feeling like food is the enemy. I was so upset that I gained 1 pd over the weekend but I am ready to get it off and then some.
SHANNON- I dont feel like the inj was worth the $$. I mean I had so much energy in the beginning but honestly believed i peed the rest out. Literally. I dont think I will have another. I can say it gave me a boost of energy. Where can I get one of those whatchamacllits to calculate steps?
Hope everyone is doing well. Good job to all of you!! This is not easy but WE are not quitters. UNTIL..............

[SHess2004]

Queen- You can get a pedometer from Wal-Mart or Target (I'm sure one of those is every where in the country and easy to get to). It would be located in the "Sports" area with weights, bands, etc. They are pretty cheap. I always see them for around a dollar or two. There are fancy ones that you can get which have a memory and other details. Personally, I like basic. It gets the job done, easy to use, and a good value for the money. My mom had an expensive fancy pedometer before and she could never get the thing to count accurately. Go figure.

Check-In: I started my day with my pedometer on then when I went somewhere I put it in the car and forget to put it back on my shorts when I got out. So basically I didn't wear my pedometer for a majority of the day and didn't count steps lol. Although, I did make sure that I was doing little things to help add extra steps to my day. House cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry, etc. Tomorrow I will be more diligent about wearing my pedometer.

Ok I need to start cooking dinner. The troops are getting hungry.

[SHess2004]

Check-In: It is muggy and humid today in Sunny So Cal. Goodness I'm sweating to death upstairs and I'm trying not to turn on the A/C cause the cost gets out of control easily. Today is my rest day from exercise. Woohoo! I need it. I switched my rotation from exercise 2 days rest 1 to exercise 3 days rest 1. By the time I do my workout on the third day (which is only about a half hour long) I am struggling. I also ordered some new Firm videos to keep my rotation fresh and so my body doesn't get too accustomed to my current workout. Anyhow, I weighed myself this morning. I really need to stop that bad habit. I weigh myself every morning. If my new scale is to be trusted it says I'm down to 154.5lbs. Like I said, I'm not sure I can trust it. I guess we will see on Monday at my clinic.

Have any of you had the problem where you clinic scale reads differently from your home scale? Last Monday, at my clinic weigh in, my weight was 2 pounds heavier than what I weighed at home. I have two scales at home. One is fairly new and the other is brand new. The newest is digital and the other has a dial. Both scales read the same weight in the morning. Then I went to my clinic a few hours later and it reads heavier than my home scales. I have noticed over the course of going to my clinic that my clinic scale and my home scale never match up. I know your weight flexs throughout the day. But I highly doubt it would flex up 2 pounds in a matter of an hour or two. <<<Distrusts all scales now.

[nichol]

Hey guys! I haven''t checked in in a few days. We had a death in the family. I have been way off schedule. I definitely have not counted steps, but I will pick up next week. My weight is still the same. I'm not too happy about it, but better luck next week.

SHess, I noticed we are at the same weight and have the same weight loss goal.. It's going to be fun to see how things turn out.

[SHess2004]

Sorry to hear about your family Nichol, my condolences (I think I spelled that correctly).

Ugg I do not think I've lost anything significant this week. It is TOM and I am definetly bloated. I can totally see it in my tummy. I also drives me to sweets which I usually do not have a problem with. So needless to say I feel pretty blah right now. I have been working out per usual. I have also added some new videos into my rotation. Time for a little muscle confusion. Anyhow, I am getting back on track with eating properly and often. I really want to get down to 150lbs by Sept. 11th. Lower if that is possible. I really need to work harder at my eating habits again. I'm slacking!

I have also decided to repeat last weeks challenge of 10,000 steps a day. I'm not sure about the rest of you but I had problem remembering to put on my pedometer. So lets give last weeks challenge another go. My goal is to post my total steps taken every day. That way I will remember that I need to put my pedometer on first thing in the morning.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I hope to hear back soon from those of you who have been MIA for a while. Keep up the great work.

[QueenofdaHylls]

Hello all! I hope everyone is doing well.
Shannon-Thanx for the info.

Well, I have been trying to post all weekend and for some strange reason I have been unable to w/o being asked to sign in over and over again. Okay enough of the complaints. I have had quite a week my oldest son has been ill but, is doing much better now. AND ole' TOM showed up I have stilled managed to lose weight so I am thrilled. I haved held down my weight of 168pds all week. YEAH!!! I am finally in the 60's and loving it. My sister said to me "How much weight have you lost? you look skinny!!. I just smiled from ear to ear. The only ones that noticed before was hubby and kids. I am so happy! If I havent said this in a while thank you all for encouraging words. This forum has been my motivation and I hope I can be an encouragement to others. We WILL get to our goals one step at a time. Thanx for letting me go on and on...LOL. UNTIL............................

[SHess2004]

Congrats Queen! It is so exciting when others can tell you lost weight. I'm sure you love the compliments because I know I sure do. It gives my body a tingle and I smile from ear to ear. We all have been working so hard and it is great when others compliment you on your success.

Check-In: It is offical I am down to 154.5 lbs. Finally my clinic scale and my home scale read the same. This is a first times in the 8 weeks since I have been going to my clinic that the two scales match. So I forgot my pedometer again hah. Seriously, I'm such an airhead about changing my morning routine. I exercised today, it was great. I also got two more new workouts in the mail today. I can't wait to try them. (I love amazon com. I've ordered 5 new Firm dvds recently and the total price was under $10, not counting shipping. The lowest I paid for a new dvd was 74 cents. Who can pass up that deal? LOL!)

Since I am currently in the mid 150's I really want to get to 145 before our family outting in Sept. I can do it!

Keep up the great work ladies. Let's keep checking in.

[nichol]

It's so great to hear that everyone is doing so well. I must admit that I didn't think I was going to check in every week. I certainly didn't believe I would feel supported by people I will probably never see! It goes to show that anything is possible and we can't do everything alone. Just knowing that someone cares and One is not alone gives us more motivation.

Enough of the sentimental stuff. lol. I have been doing well w/my eating this week. I have been doing a little bit of exercise. I should probably do more. I have surprisingly lost 2lbs since I weighed myself last week. My official weigh in isn't until the 22nd. I can't help myself. If I see a scale, I have to step on it. lol. I hope everyone is enjoying their week.

[SHess2004]

Hey Everyone! How are you doing? Well I've been doing good. I've been on track for the past couple of days with my eating. I started to get the veggies back into my diet. I feel a lot better now that I am eating better. I notice that it really helps keep my mood balanced.

So today I really went for it in the exercise department. I did my long circuit training dvd (55 min) today and then added another 35 min dvd that focuses on the lower body. I do not know what I was thinking because goodness my legs burned. My natural problem area is my buns and thighs so I figure as long as I'm not hurting myself and I can walk the next day then I am going to keep going for it. Tomorrow I want to try one of my new cardio dvds and jiggle free abs.

I don't know if any one else feels this but can you believe the amount of weight you are losing? I keep thiking that my scale is messed up but it is apparently accurate. It is a bit hard to switch my thinking out of "I'm fat" mood. Anyone else having that problem?

[QueenofdaHylls]

Hello everyone!! Hope everyone is doing fine. Staying motivated and working it out!!

Nichol- Good job on your weight loss! Keep up the good work.

Shannon-Sometimes I cant believe it! I now understand that if you want something BAD enough you will hang in there for the long haul!! NOOOO....your scale is not messed up. Give yourself credit for every pound and inch that is gone. As much sweat as you have put into this journey you deserve credit and the some. Keep it up!

Check-in: Well my weight is still the same(168pds) but I am as happy as can be. Looking at the time that's left on my goal I see that time is running down. Got to keep moving so I can get where I want to be. Anniversary is coming fast. These last 8 pds I am gonna push it to the limit. And then I will set another goal since doc says 160 will only put me in the overweight group. BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! (LOL) Now ladies, I will need you more than ever!! Not gonna sweat it ......like Nike I will just do it!! Lets keep up the good work. UNTIL.....................

[SHess2004]

Hey Everyone! I haven't checked-in in a few days. Hope everyone is doing well. I am keeping up with my exercise. Some days I'm really surprised that I follow through with it. You know, we all have those days where you just don't want to do anything especially moving around a lot and get sweaty. But I keep thinking of how I want my body to look and my ultimate goal. That keeps me pushing through when I want to get lazy. I have been pretty good with my food lately although I need to start reinforcing my new habits. I need to get back to basics so to say. That is what I will be doing this coming week. I have one more week of my 10 week program and I am considering whether I should do a second round or not. I hope to be within 10-15 pounds of my goal weight by the end of my current program. I think I may start taking just a single dose a day of Phen-D to start getting myself acclimated for the transition. We will see how it goes. A lot depends on how much I have lost this past week. I have weigh in tomorrow at my clinic.

Keep up the great work ladies. We are reaching our goals one pound at a time. I plan on posting some progress pictures real soon. Would anyone else care to join me?

[SHess2004]

I need help! I need motivation! My weight loss really slowed down this week and I've been feeling very blob like. I am working out but I am not riding my bike as much as I was. Some days I do really well with my food then I feel like I am starving late at night. So I snack. And then other days I barely eat then blow it all at dinner. Like tonight I had some Mt. Dew, 1 1/2 chilli cheese dogs and some fries. What the F--- am I thinking.

Anyone have some encouraging words? Be harsh and upfront! I'm not the beat around the bush type of gal and I won't get my feelings hurt. I need a good knock in the head I guess. My hubby is losing weight with me right now and he has much more to lose than I can. So pounds are melting off of him and he has barely changed his eating habits and he hasn't started exercising yet. I guess I want to do the same and expect great results. I think for a while I am not going to be able to eat with my family. It's too tempting to have whatever. AAAAHHHHHGGGGG!!!!! I'm getting so close and I'm starting to screw up.

Ok, melt down over.

[QueenofdaHylls]

Shannon- Sorry to do this to ya hun but........(swinging bat at shannon's behind) GET YOUR ARSE UP AND GET MOVING!!! Now you know that is no way for you to behave. Shake that BLAH off and get your tail in gear!! You have not come this far to get lazy!!!! We are a bunch of GI JANES on this forum and we dont deal with that type of foolishness!!!!!!!!

(Clearing throat and straigtening clothes)

Now where was I.......Oh yeah.

Ladies, this week has been brutal because of the rain. I did get to see 167 on my scale this morning. It peeped in and ran out!! LOL I am going to get a hook and fish it and 160 out of that scale if it's the last thing I do. Havent been taking Phen all week so I have gave in a couple of times. Now that I have come to my senses I know I am only stalling myself. So this private is back on course Sarge. Ready to roll. I have got to lose this weight by 9-24(anniversary) hubby is taking me on a SPREE(shopping)!!!!! And I aint missing out on that for nothing. For all of you ladies reading there will be NO MAN(woman) LEFT BEHIND!!! Let's move it!!!!

BTW....pardon the military talk my brother is home on leave from the navy. And i am thrilled to have him home if only for awhile.

UNTIL..................................

[SHess2004]

LOL Queen! Thanks for smacking me in the arse and not the head.

So I am back to it. I am over the self pitty and pulled myself up by the bootstraps. Yesterday I ate very well. I am doing the same again today. I have weigh in on Monday and that is my last day on the program. I asked if I could do a second round and they said yes I would just have to wait 2 weeks before starting the 2nd round. I'm a little freaked out by that but I will make it through. I will continue with the proper eating and exercise. I always knew that someday I would not be taking Phen-D anymore but I'm not sure why I'm so freaked out about it right now. Probably because I had a hard time this past week with eating, I'm not at my goal weight, and I don't want to gain the weight back. When I do my 2nd round of the program I am going to add more "off Phen-D" days in during the week. I need my mind to understand that it wasn't just the pills that helped me lose the weight. Sometimes we get psychologically additced to something because we are getting favorable results while doing it. Even if that "thing" isn't the sole reason why we are getting favorable results. I'm at that place right now, or so it feels anyhow.

Right now I am thinking if I should work out today. I usually work out 2 or 3 days in a row then take a rest day. This week, thus far, I have worked out for 3 days straight. I feel like I need the extra workout though. So I may throw in a 30min blaster video. Quick, to the point, and get me sweating. I already went for a bike ride this morning with my toddler and then rode to the grocery store as well. I want to see a weight loss this week. I really want to be at 150 when I go into my clinic.

[SHess2004]

I think I'm at a plateau. I have not lost anything this week. I usually work out 2 or 3 days then take a day off. This week I worked out 4 days straight. And the scale hasn't budged. I've gotten back on track with eating. And yet the scale hasn't budged. I have had steady weight loss every week for the past 9 weeks. I'm bummed that I'm at a stand still right now. Now matter what I do, my scale won't go down. It really ****s because I wanted to be at 150 by the time my 10 week program ended. Right now I am stuck at 152.5lbs. I was really working hard towards getting to 145lbs by Sept. 11th for a family trip we have planned. I need to bust this plateau wide open. Now is the time to start carb cycling I think. I am going to re-read some chapters of Crack The Fat-Loss Code and get started with it tomorrow. I want to lose the 2 weeks that I have to take off from Phen-D.

Damn plateau! Friggen thing is depressing. It makes me feel how I used to feel when I tried losing weight and couldn't.

[nichol]

What's up Hot Mamas!

I hope all is well w/everyone. I have been doing great! I am down to 153lbs. I don't know if I will be able to lose 20lbs in the month of Sept. though. I will have reached my goal. I will have to be a "stickler" a/b what I eat and my exercising. I could probably step it up a little on the cardio. I really like to jog so maybe I can add an extra mile in .

SHess I read that you have hit a plateau. Maybe you could add an extra workout day. Try changing up and even stepping up your workouts to give your body a shock. You wrote that your eating habits are not consistent. I read somewhere that when we have cravings for food it could mean we are depriving our bodies of certain nutrients. If you ate a chili cheese dog, maybe your body was craving sodium and protein. The article read that if we crave a food to think a/b the nutrients in the food. Then choose a healthier alternative.

When I crave something I wait at least 15 min before I eat it. I usually forget a/b it. lol. Before I eat I usually drink a glass of water so I will feel full faster. I'm a slow eater so that's an advantage for me as well.

[SHess2004]

I wait before eating something that I know does not positively contribute to weight loss. I also drink a large glass of water just to make sure that I am hungry and not thirsty. That usually works for me. But I think you are right with craving foods because your body is deprived of certain nurtients. I think in making my foods very simple (such as organic salad and grilled chicken with some seasoning) and vigerously exercising that my body starts to become depleted of certain nutrients. I have been craving salty and sweet foods lately. I wonder if maybe I add a little extra salt or something if tthat would help.

So I weighed myself today and I am down to 150.5lbs. I took an extra day off from exercise and switched up my food. I'm really excited that the scale moved. I am going to try to lose 5lbs more by Sept. 11th. We will see. This next week I am going to focus on cardio and not so much on weight training. Maybe this big change in my normal exercise routine will confuse my body enough to let go of some more fat.

Keep up the great work ladies.

[SHess2004]

For the past few days I have gradually been coming off of Phen-D. I cut my doses down from 4 pills a day to 1. I also do not take my pill first thing in the morning. I only take it if I feel that need for some extra help. One side effect that I learned happens when stopping Phen-D is you feel like you are crashing. You know. No energy, etc. So that is how I was feeling today and decided to take a pill. I am doing good with my eating. I started my carb deplete day today. Which really ****s for me cause I'm a carb-a-holic. I've already really restricted my carbs thus far while losing weight but keeping it under 20 grams a day for 7 days is going to be a challenge. Like what would I eat for breakfast? Obviously not cereal or toast. I can't have a protein bar either because the carbs in that is like 18grams lol. I had to actually cook this morning, eggs and meat. It's the only thing that I figured I could get enough protein, very minimal carbs, and keep me feeling full for any length of time.

This week I am also going to focus more on cardio rather than alternating cardio and weight training. I got this yoga fat burning dvd that I am going to try out. Also, my super hubby got me 6 new firm dvds which should be coming any day now. I hope that by really changing my exercise routine this week and shaking up my carb intake that I can shed a good amount of weight. I would be happy with 3 lbs this week although I am going to work for 5lbs.

I've noticed that since I am getting close to my goal weight that my weight loss is much more difficult and has slowed way down. Almost to a depressingly slow rate where you want to quit. But I have bikinis to fit into in Dec. (ya I know but we are going to Florida).

Keep up the work. Keep checking in and let us know how you are doing.