Finally got rid of that half pound!! I hope this is the start of another decline!! Thank you all fo Diet Diaries free support

stacdawn - Friday Mar 31, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 149.0

Finally got rid of that half pound!! I hope this is the start of another decline!! Thank you all for your thoughts and comments!! Danygirl, I do lift weights, but, just for my arms. I know there are a lot of pros when it comes to weight training but, it's something I have a hard time sticking to. My husband and I like to work out together so when he comes home we're going to try to make more time to do that. I've asked him to be my personal trainer :-) that way I won't have to THINK so much and I'll just do what he tells me :-) Muggg, I'm sure I'm getting enough calories. I'm not to good at recording my daily food in take. But, somedays I record and I eat the same foods as I usually do and I'm usually around 1,500 a day. I don't want to go to low. I know if you go to low it really slows the metabolism!! And mine is slow enough!! I try to eat healthy and I want to have a diet that I know I will be able to live with. I think exercise is the key, deffinately NOT starvation. I think in the past that is how I've lost weight and then as soon as I get to my goal weight and start eating normally again the weight comes back faster than lightning!! Well, thanks again, ALL of you!!! Hope you all have a GREAT day!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment left by jenny on 03/31/2000:
Way to go, another half-pound gone! Let's be strong this weekend...

Comment left by muggg on 03/31/2000:
Thank goodness!!! That sure was a stubborn half pound! I think you said something important when you said "eating normally" again. What is normal for us and normal for a thin person is two different things. We need to change our diet to something we can continue for a lifetime or it will come back.

I just can't seem to snack for one day and then eat normal again... I am out of control when it comes to junk food! I guess I am just a food-aholic!

I am glad that you saw a loss and hope you see more really soon!

Comment left by danygirl on 04/01/2000:
See,slowly but surely we are loosing the damn weight! GOOD JOB!

stacdawn - Friday Mar 31, 2000

Weight: 0.0

stacdawn - Thursday Mar 30, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 149.5

I am getting SO frustrated!! I have gone to the gym Mon, Tues, and Wed., and will be going again today. I've been doing 40 minutes on the stairmaster and another 40 minutes on the bike, drinking SOOOO much water and watching my diet carefully and I got on the stupid scale this morning and it STILL says 149.5!!! If that doesn't make you feel like giving up NOTHING will!!!!! This can't be a plateau, I haven't lost enough to hit a plateau!! What more can I do???? I've even been trying to get my 5 servings of fruits and veggies in everyday. Watching the high salt foods too!! And lets not forget about the caffiene, only two cups of coffee in the morning and thats it for that. But, then I drink 3 of those 1 liter (1.05qt) bottles of water. Sometimes more!! This really makes me feel like skipping the gym today, I mean why bother!! But, I'll go. And while I'm huffing and puffing and sweating like a little piggy (Actually pigs don't sweat, wonder why people say that) I'll be picturing the scale lighting up 125!!!!! :-) Hope you all have had a better morning that me!!!

Comment left by danygirl on 03/30/2000:
Have you tried weightlifting yet? (I sound like a broken record) It really helps you burn an extra 500 cals a day ( or so)Since you spent about an hour and a half at the gym,well,try spending twenty minutes,every other day,working your major muscle groups,to failure,which means you can't do another rep.Hang in there and good luck.We both need it,but we have to keep doing this,think of our goals! I have the same stubborn pounds as you...

Comment left by jenny on 03/30/2000:
We are two little peas in a pod! I am having the same problem (but at a higher weight!) It is extremely frustrating to give it your all and see nothing! How can this be??? All we can do it keep trying. I bet all your working-out is adding muscle, which negates your loss on the scale. I know you'll see results if you keep it up! Try on a smaller pair of pants and see if they fit better week-to-week. And remember...more muscle = more calorie-burning body mass.

Comment left by Quack on 03/30/2000:
We have all been there done that, it is so so frustrating and discouraging and this is the point where alot of people would stop and say forget it! Look how slowly people poop out with dieting cause it is HARD WORK. My Mom use to always tell me just cause the scales don't show a loss, IT WILL, be patient, sometimes it takes a week to show, but it will hang in there. My girlfrind did nto want to go to Weight Watchers without me cause she did not feel like she did well, but she forced herself and just prepared herself for a gain, and she did go and was down 3 pounds! So hang in there. ALso why not keep a food journal, at the end of the week looking it over you may find something in there that is the culprit. Just dont give up, the rewards are too great. nd

Comment left by muggg on 03/30/2000:
From one slow loser to another... I can sympathize. A couple of ideas. How low cal are you doing? If the body doesn't have enough calories to burn efficiently.. it will make do with less and less!

Idea number two... We need some fats to burn calories. It is the most efficient fuel we have for burning calories. All of our low-fat food has Americans craving nutrients and even though we eat more to make up for what we are missing... we are starving!!!

Extra point... when your metabolism has slowed down for whatever reason, it may take several weeks or even months for it to kick in at a higher speed. I have to admit that the last time I dieted successfully, by the end of the diet, I was amazed to be eating 1600 calories and still losing 1/2 pound per week!

Hang in there... it will happen.

stacdawn - Monday Mar 27, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 149.5

Well this week I HAVE to get my butt in gear!!! I'm so close to the half way point and I am not near my goal!! I thought I would have lost atleast 12 pounds by now and have lost 8.5. I know thats not to far off but, it is off!! I thought I had made my goal low so I wouldn't be disappointed if I didn't lose more. I had 15 in my head. I e-mailed my hubby and he wants to turn our garage into a home gym when he gets home!! I'm excited about that. We're going to carpet it and get a machine and some more weights. We have a bench and some weights now, but not enough for him. We're going to keep an eye on the paper for good used machines. We like to work out together but don't really get the chance to go to the gym together. My daughters 10 and I told her what we're going to do and she's excited too. Hopefully seeing her parents working out will be an inspiration to her to exercise, be strong and stay healthy. Then maybe she won't have such a hard time with weight as she gets older. I wish my Mother would have taught me those things when I was growing up. In stead she let me diet when I was 10. I was actually anorexic at the age of 16. I was wearing a size half!!! I don't ever want to see my daughter go through that! She's a little heavy now (I would NEVER tell her that) and I know she's going to have a hard time as she gets older if she doesn't get interseted in exercising and eating HEALTHY. Having a poor self image is the worse thing in the world. Well, I've rambled on long enough!! Hope you all have a GREAT day!!!

Comment left by OhAnn on 03/27/2000:
I know your feelings about your daughter. My children are both overweight...most of it gained in the last three years (going through the divorce). But I don't feel that children should diet. I encourage them to be active and get outside as much as possible.

Don't be discouraged about the weight...it will happen.

Comment left by Quack on 03/27/2000:
I know how you feel but don't get discouraged you will do well you may just have to adjust a couple of things in your diet. Like do you drink more than one diet soda a day? That really makes you hold on to the water, or do you have a healthy snack after 7 at night or eat dinner later, that slows weight down a little. If you keep a food and exercise journal you will be able to really track your habits and make adjustments. I think 10 is the chubby stage for girls and boys, that was the year my daughter was alittle round, but then they shoot past that. The best thing we ever did was not have TV as the kids were growing up and we still don't have it and they are very active athletic outdoor kids, I think not having television really helped in that area. But your doing real well dont get down you will continue to drop weight and get into shape!

Comment left by jenny on 03/27/2000:
Isn't it amazing the mistakes our mothers made? My dad used to tell me I was fat, and when I look at pictures, I WASN'T! As if it isn't enough to have to fight genetics. That's great about your home gym!

Comment left by muggg on 03/27/2000:
you are so fortunate to have a hubby that will exercise... mine refers to the 2 block walk to the neighborhood bar as a "marathon". But he used to drive the two blocks! He probably won't exercise until his doctor tells him it is a matter of life and death.. but, I haven't given up on him. We started bicycling this spring. I have high hopes!

I had a fourth grade teacher who had me convinced that I was fat.. the pictures don't show it. But it still did a lot of damage to the self esteem! She was quite obese. Who knows what she was feeling at the time.

I'm glad you have a healthy goal and are passing on that knowledge to your little girl. Your daughter is lucky to have such a wise mother!!

Comment left by danygirl on 03/28/2000:
till this day my Mother makes comments on my weight,so I am glad that you are such a supportive parent-you have the right idea,and later on your daughter will thank you.I am glad you got over your anorexia,that must have been awful.Thank God your daughter won't go through the same thing!

stacdawn - Sunday Mar 26, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 149.5

My scale is just refusing to go under 149.5!!! Maybe it just doesn't go any lower than that. :-) I went out looking at exercise machines last night. Thank you all for your comments!! At first I looked at the treadmills, I would need to get one of the longer ones in case I want to run, and a really good one. They are so BIG!! I know they all fold up but I need to figure out where I would put one. Also the really good one's were all around $1,000. I hate to spend that much when my husbands gone. The guilt would be overwhelming. :-) They didn't have ANY stairmasters. The salesman said I would need to go somewhere where they sell equipment to gyms for one of those. He also said, which I have a hard time believeing, that I would have to spend $4,000 for one!!! That can't be true!! Then, I looked at a bike that looked really good and was really thinking about getting it, but, he told me him and another guy had just finished putting it together and it was a real pain! He showed me the instructions, there was like a million pieces and I said HA! there's no way I could put that thing together by myself!! If thats what I end up getting it will have to wait for my dear sweet husband to come home and put it together. I'd have to leave the house or supply him with plenty of beer to keep the cursing down to a minimum. LOL!! So....I will continue to look around and watch the paper for people who are tired of looking at theirs. Thanks again everyone!! Hope you all are enjoying your weekend!!!

Comment left by muggg on 03/26/2000:
Great idea to look for used ones. Just having one assembled would be worth alot! I think I would like one.. but no room in this house!

Hang in there.. that scale will move... sometimes it seems very stubborn before a big jump!

Comment left by jenny on 03/26/2000:
My mom has a treadmill and it is so great. She and her husband use it all the time. If I had the space (and $$) I'd have one in two seconds! I'm with you on the bike, I could never assemble one of those babies!

Comment left by hotgirl22 on 03/26/2000:
Used equipment is a pretty good way to go in my opinion. The bike I have was one that happened to be sitting on the curb waiting for trash pick-up. I asked the people who owned it if it was really trash and they said that they didn't use it much so decided to get rid of it. It's not much but it gets the job done and, hey, what can you expect for free?!

Comment left by OhAnn on 03/27/2000:
A really good option for exercise equipment is second hand. Look in your paper classified section to see what might be available. You can also look on Ebay...but then you have the shipping to consider. Good luck.

stacdawn - Saturday Mar 25, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 149.5

I have a question for everyone. I'm thinking about purchasing some type of cardio machine and I don't know if I should get a treadmill, stairmaster or bike. Can any one give me some advice on this? I seem to be able to only get to the gym maybe 4 times a week because I can't go when my daughters home and she HATES to go anywhere so I usually go do errands one of my week day's so.....I thought if I could just get my own cardio machine, which is what I do at the gym anyway, I'd be set. I have a weight bench and free weights at home also. I like running, except I've been having a little knee problems, and I like the stairmaster and bike too. Suggestions???? Thanks all!!!! Hope you're all having a terrific weekend!!!

Comment left by jenny on 03/25/2000:
Sorry, I don't have a machine to my name. All I do is walk. Not real helpful, I realize! Maybe you wouldn't have the knee trouble if you walked instead of ran, and your daughter might like to walk with you!

Comment left by Chubbie2 on 03/25/2000:
I have a treadmill,a bike,a cardio glide thingy, and all the weight business, and dang I am still not skinny. LOL I hate the cardio glide, the bike and treadmill are by far my favorite. If you make me pick....I'd say the treadmill. I like the versatility of it. You can run or walk, mine has an incline feature, and pre-set program for speed/fat burning/incline. You can program it, or do your own thing. It is a large one, but it folds up. If I can give you one word of advice, buy the best one you can afford. I started out with a cheap one, and that was a disaster. I have a Pro-Form and I am really thrilled with it. I would really like one of those elliptical things. If you have a regular bike, you can buy a stationary stand for it and use it in the house or rollers, but they are really hard to train on(rollers). My hubby uses these in the winter to train, but I have taken to using it also. I have a bike computer and it tells me everything I need to know. It is a good alternative to a bulky machine and like me(Air Force) you move often so with a stand it is easy to move. This is only my humble opinion...:O)

Comment left by muggg on 03/25/2000:
I too, have no exercise equipment. But of all the exercises I ever did, weight lifting was by far the best. It was pure joy for me. When I started I could only lift the bar for most exercises.. but soon could add weights. The neat thing about weights is that you see rapid toning and strength because every week you are ready to add just a few more pounds. I seem to have some asthma .. so I don't have the endurance to do running and aerobics. Weight training with 30 seconds between sets was just right.

A wonderful book to check into was written in 1984 by Rachel McLish. It is called FLEX APPEAL. It gives a detailed account of all of the equipment available ( at that time ) and how to do the exercises correctly and for the most benefit. She also gave a lot of information about nutrition and the importance of water. I did some checking and the book is out of print. They have one copy at Barnes & Noble (bn.com) but they want $40 for it. It is a paperback about 8 x 10 and I would reccomend trying to find it in a used bookstore. It is invaluable. I loaned my copy to someone and never got it back.

I am going to start weight training again this fall. I will be doing some pretty hefty exercise this summer ( gardening ) and don't want to pay for a health club membership until the winter months.

Good luck on your purchase. I just remembered you can review products at epinion.com.

P.S. Free weights are my favorite because of the balance you must learn to use them.

Muggg

Comment left by Quack on 03/26/2000:
Well here's my little ol 2 cents, i agree about not running, I just started having a knee problem too, and the running is not good, walking is, but if you would like to get something at home I would LOVE a stairclimber when I did join a gym that was why I loved them, it works on the ol butt and quads and really burns, it takes me longer to get a sweat up on a treadmill but on the stairclimber you feel it right away. The problem is the price, you want a good one like at a gym and no one ever sells one in the paper, their are like 50 nordic tracs in there but never a stairclimber they are like 1500 bucks but if you could ever find one used that would be awesome, I found one refurbished and it was $1200.00 so I went to 2nd best, the trusty treadmill. Well let us know what you get, bye for now!

stacdawn - Thursday Mar 23, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 149.5

Thank you all for your great support. Muggg, I hope you're right!! danygirl, I did tell him about the first 5 pounds that I lost but I'm not going to mention anymore to him. And Quack, LOL!! I think that is so funny!! I might have to tell him that. At least if I tell him that he won't be disappointed when he see's me!! :-) I'm afraid my weight losing day's are on hold for a week!! UGH!! Infact this isn't even a good day to go NEAR the scale!! And unfortunately I never feel like going to the gym when my tummy hurts :-( BUT, I'll just work EXTRA hard next week. I got two good day's in at the gym this week, I knew what was coming so I had two hour long cardio sessions. I had to go to the hospital last week because of chest pains and they ran a bunch of tests on me, turns out I've been experiencing anxiety attacks. Just wondering if anyone else on here has had these? It's so scarey!! The more I stress the more I have them and the more I would have them the more I would stress. Vicious circle. It's hard being home alone with a child and not knowing anyone in the area. We just moved here 2 weeks before my husband left. My daughter has lot's of friends but I haven't met to many people. Well, enough on this!! Hope everyone has a great day!!!!

Comment left by jenny on 03/23/2000:
Poor baby, I feel for you. There's nothing worse than isolation. Hope you got some medication for the anxiety attacks! My baby's screaming, got to go~

Comment left by muggg on 03/23/2000:
I feel so bad for you dealing with the anxiety attacks. You need a big hug more than anything! I'm glad you went to the doctor and they were able to tell you what the problem was.

I haven't had that kind of anxiety attack, but can sympathize having had other symptoms. My stomach doesn't handle stress well at all. I have done so much better though than years past when I was in a very stressful situation ( translation - miserable marriage ). But all that is past and I don't have those problems anymore.

A few suggestions ... exercise enough to make you perspire. It doesn't have to be vigorous... but you do need to "break a sweat". Your body does get rid of toxins when you sweat. It is well known that depression responds favorably to physical exercise, so perhaps anxiety will too.

Drink that water to help flush any unbalanced foods from your system.... excess salt, sugar...nutrasweet, etc. With dieting, you may be changing the proportion of foods you are getting. Cafeine ( spelling? ) is known to cause the type of attack you describe. Watch consumption.

Re-evaluate your diet. Make sure it is well balanced with fruit, vegetables, meat, milk products... I see you are doing low cal.... are you getting enough calories?

Try doing yoga when your little one is asleep or well taken care of so you can really relax. It really works. Get a book or tape from the library. Another great place to get to know!

I was at work when I read your message and I can read diet diaries but can't make entries or comments. I felt so bad for you. I will be thinking of you and hope you feel much better soon! Muggg

Comment left by dvdmon on 03/24/2000:
Hey Stacdown, just to answer your question, I use the elliptical machine (also called cross-trainer) which is kind of like a stairmaster except that your legs go along an elliptical path which is supposed to be MUCH easier on your knees. At the same time there are pols that go in the opposite direction as your legs, kind of like you're skiing and the polls have contacts on them so that your pulse is constantly being measured. I've been doing only this machine pretty much for the last month or so 3-5 times per week, so after a while your body gets used to it and you can do higher and higher rpms and difficulty levels (thus more calories) at the same heart rate. The other thing is that I'm on this thing usually for at least an hour streight, so maybe this is more effective in building up a tolerance for it whereas if you are just doing a 30-minute workout for each machine it may take a lot longer for your body to get used to that. I also have been actually trying to push myself a little higher bit by bit. If you don't do this, you may not "know" that you can actually do a harder workout...

stacdawn - Wednesday Mar 22, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 149.5

HI EVERYONE!!!!! Sorry that I'm so bad at checking in. It seems the only time I get on anymore is to look for e-mail from my hubby and to write him. Things have been going pretty good with me. I'm finally out of the 150's, have been for SEVERAL day's now!! Every day it's been 149.5!!! I'd be happy just to see that .5 go away!!! But, I'm hopeful!! I'd like to get to 148 before April 3rd (half way point). That will be 10 lbs. down since hubby left. Then hopefully 10 more will go away during the last half of his deployment. I'll try my hardest anyway!!!! Hope everyone's been doing really good!!! Take care all!!!!

Comment left by muggg on 03/22/2000:
I know you're going to make that 148 ... no problem... you're doing great!

Comment left by danygirl on 03/23/2000:
I would like to see the look on your husband's face when he sees you although that I am sure that at any size he'd be thrilled to be with you again!

Comment left by Quack on 03/23/2000:
So glad to hear from you! I was going to email you but I (all of us) are so glad your doing well and wow! 149, you bet you will meet your goal and your doing it slow....good! It will stay off! It 's a tough road but sounds like your making it enjoyable. Hope you are keeping it a secret from your hubby. In fact why don't you tell him ..oh honey I have missed you so much I can't stop eating..darn...I have gained like 15 pounds.. NO IM KIDDING! of course. Take care!

stacdawn - Sunday Mar 12, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 150.0

Hello Everyone!!! Sorry I haven't been on for awhile. Just not a lot of new news :-) Yesterday I did go down another pound...finally. I don't think my legs and knees can handle the running to much anymore. I've been having a lot of problems. So, I was trying to just take healing breaks but this week I went back to the gym and have found a new enjoyable cardio work-out. I do 30 minutes on the stairmaster and then 30 minutes on the bike. Probably not as good as running 5 miles but better than being in pain all the time. I'm also trying to add a lot more fruits and veggies to my diet. After getting down to 151 I went back up to 152.5 and now here I am at 150 so I think this weeks changes have really made a difference. I hope so anyway!!! 16 more weeks!!! I'd love to lose atleast 16 pounds in that time. I won't be at the goal I had planned but considering hubby last seen me at 158 I don't think being at 134 will be to bad. My original goal for his home coming was 130. Well, hope you all have been doing good. I'll try to check in more this week!! :-) Take care!!!!

Comment left by danygirl on 03/12/2000:
We've missed you! Well,you are downsizing! A pound a week sounds entirely reasonable,and i bet if you are really good you can loose an extra 4 pounds.His eyes are going to pop out when he sees you! :)

Comment left by muggg on 03/18/2000:
I am glad you have found another exercise... running can be bad for some people. If it hurts....don't do it .. is a good safety measure! One pound per week would be a wonderful goal! That 4 pounds may surprise you and fall off anyway! Keep up the great work!

Muggg

Comment left by Quack on 03/19/2000:
I am so glad you are doing good, stay with us, I thought you may have gotten discouraged but obviously not you are losing! GOod girl. Post soon!

stacdawn - Monday Feb 28, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 151.0

Woo~Hoo!!!!! Doing the happy dance!! :-) Didn't really do any type of exercising this weekend. Just watched what I ate. I was planning on going to the gym 5 times this week but, my knees are hurting from running and I have a tummy ache :-( you ladies understand. It's hard to be motivated to go to the gym when your back and tummy is killing you. So instead of 25 miles this week I was thinking...I think I'll just continue to aim for 15 and maybe do 20, atleast until my legs and knees get more use to the running. I can see that the 15 miles is really working anyway. It has given my metabolism a real boost. Hope you all have a great week!!!!

Comment left by Quack on 02/28/2000:
Hey your on track and from here on it will be steady losing you seem to really have your routine down, that is great!

Comment left by Chubbie2 on 02/28/2000:
25 miles??? My legs are killing me just reading about it! LOL Congrats on the weight loss!!!! Keep it up, bikini season is almost upon us-yikes! :O)

Comment left by christine on 02/28/2000:
Doing the happy dance with you. Congratulations! Keep up the good work. Don't overdo the exercise or you will hurt and have to slow down anyway. 15 miles is really good!

stacdawn - Saturday Feb 26, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 152.0

Down another. I weigh every morning and I step on the scale 3 times. Two times it said 152 and one time it said 151.5!!! I am so happy!!! This is the week where I ALWAYS go up a couple, I'm so surprised I am going down. I wasn't going to write because I'm so sure it will go up, but decided to write while I'm happy and NOT whinning :-) Hope you all are having a great weekend!!!!

Comment left by danygirl on 02/27/2000:
Well,that is awesome because in that week I usually gain 3-5 pounds,so good for you!

stacdawn - Thursday Feb 24, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 153.0

YES!!! Down another!!! Actually the low number was 152.5 but, 153 showed up more. Maybe I'm in between right now. I guess the 5 miles is starting to work. I threw out the leftover birthday cake. There's still a few donuts in there but I'm doing good at staying away from them. Wish my daughter and her friends would finish them up!!! I won't be able to go to the gym tomorrow, Sat., or Sun. But, I think 15 miles in a week is okay. But, after this week I'm aiming for 25 miles. I've started doing an AB workout every day too. My stomach is so sore!! But, it's a good sore :-) Well, hope you all have a great day!! And THANK YOU to ALL!!!! You all are so great!!!!

Comment left by Quack on 02/24/2000:
That is the best news! Keep it up!

Comment left by danygirl on 02/24/2000:
I'm telling you,you are going to make your goal!!

Comment left by judyl on 02/24/2000:
Thanks for your comment on my diary. Sorry about the abbreviation...yes, it is On Program. I hate to say I'm still on my diet. Keep up the good work, too. Regards, Judyl

stacdawn - Wednesday Feb 23, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 154.0

Okay, I went up a pound. But, I'm not worried about it this time. I ate awful for like 3 days in a row, so I was expecting a much higher gain. Plus, it's my water retention time of the month :-) so like I said, I thought it would be much worse. I went and did my 5 miles yesterday and am getting ready to head out to the gym right now. I'm hoping to have this pound gone by Friday. I've got to get real serious now....only 131 days to go!!! Getting closed to the half way point and I'm not even near half way to my goal!!!

Comment left by Quack on 02/23/2000:
Hey I was just thinking about you I am glad your doing good, we all fall off the food wagon but if we get back on that is what counts, but your exercising and that is awesome. You will meet your goal!

Comment left by christine on 02/23/2000:
Fantastic that you are keeping up with the exercise. Forget the last three days. Tomorrow gives you another chance to be sucessful! Have a good day,

stacdawn - Thursday Feb 17, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 153.0

Okay how do I scream with joy on here??? Check out that number!! When I first stepped on the scale this morning it said 152.5, so I stepped on it again, well sctually about 5 more times and it was a steady 153. So maybe I'm close to going down another .5!!!! Yippee!! Bad news is my daughter's having a slumber party tomorrow night so today and tomorrow I will have to skip my exercise so I can clean house, bake and hang decorations. Then it's the weekend and she's off from school Monday. I don't know anyone well enough around here to ask them to watch her, she's 10 and thinks she's old enough to stay home alone...I think not, so I guess I won't be able to exercise till TUESDAY!!! I hope the pounds don't creep back!! But, after this whole party thing I will be doing my 5 miles Monday through Friday. THANK YOU ALL, for all of you GREAT motivating support!! All of you are so nice :-) Have a wonderful day!!!

Comment left by Quack on 02/17/2000:
SEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!Have faith in your metabolism if we do our job it will do theres. Congrats!

Comment left by danygirl on 02/17/2000:
I told you so!! Besides loosing this weight,you will also make your goal!!

Comment left by Chubbie2 on 02/17/2000:
I'm doing the "happy dance" for you! Congrats on the weight loss!

Comment left by kelly on 02/18/2000:
Enjoy the party. Losing is still a possibility. I'll think positive thoughts for you. Even if you can't exercise, if you eat right the absolute worse thing that will happen is you'll maintain. I know we don't like to maintain, but even that's success.

Comment left by tarbender on 02/18/2000:
There are lots of ways to get your exercise in and involve your daughter. If the weather is good, take a hike together, local park, city streets shopping, or mountain trail doesn't matter, just keep moving. Get some great music on the radio when the slumber party is going and get dancing. (Of course that could either give or kill the "cool mom" image). Good luck with the baking. Hope your not like me. I just have to sample everything. That can be pretty dangerous.

stacdawn - Wednesday Feb 16, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 154.0

Okay, I am feeling SOOOOOOOOO discouraged right now!!!!! I went and did my 5 mile run/walk both Monday and Tuesday and I got on the scale this morning and I was up a pound!!!! WHY??? I Almost didn't even bother to do my 5 miles this morning but I did. I've been drinking my water and watching what I eat so I just don't get it!!! I don't feel like I'm going to even get a little close to my goal before my husband get's home from his deployment!! I'm at the point of total frustration!!! :-( Hope you all are having a MUCH better day than I am!!! Sorry this was such a whiney update.

Comment left by danygirl on 02/16/2000:
You know how fluctuations go! Try measuring,too.Listen-you have some months before your hubby comes home-you WILL reach your goal!judt keep being good,and keep running!

Comment left by Quack on 02/16/2000:
Good lord have we not taught you ANYTHING??? da water..it's da water....not fat, really!!! Your doing so good, be proud, I wish I could run 5 minutes!! The scale was BAD! BAD SCALE!!

Comment left by kelly on 02/16/2000:
Don't you dare be discouraged! You're doing awesome! It's definitely got to be a temporary because you're doing everything right. I wouldn't be surprised if its gone tomorrow. Even if its not, we've got to remember that we're doing this for the long term results. However, I can empathize with your having a goal for when your hubby comes home. I am relatively new to diet diaries so I missed some things. What is your goal and when is hubby coming home? Anyway, keep up the 5 miles. I wish I would get off my lazy you know what and do even one mile!!!

Comment left by hope4power on 02/16/2000:
This day too shall pass. I'm trying to even start at being more active again. Keep up the great work and maybe give yourself some smaller goals to shoot towards with your husband coming home as the ultimate goal.

Comment left by Ellen on 02/16/2000:
Hi, Stuff like this just happens. You've been keeping up with your exercise and eating plan--no need to worry. Don't let this sidetrack you and forget the progress you've made so far. Best wishes to you.

stacdawn - Monday Feb 14, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 153.0

Good Morning all and Happy Valentines Day. Wish my hubby was here :-( Well, down another .5 pounds...woohoo!!Or if I would put down my TRUE feelings it would be more like Whoopie!! I never got around to dragging the step bench out. I was on the go Saturday from the time I got up until I went to bed. So needless to say yesterday I played couch potato all day. Oh well, today's another day. Hope you all have a great day and a terrific losing week!!!!

Comment left by Quack on 02/14/2000:
Wow do you know how awesome that is!! What an encouragement, keep it up!

Comment left by danygirl on 02/14/2000:
Congratulations on your weight loss! And just to let you know that I am thinking about you today because your man is away.How much longer till he comes back? Where is he stationed? Well-Happy Valentine's DAy!

stacdawn - Thursday Feb 10, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 153.5

Hi all!! I'm back. Thank you Quack for writing, I really needed that little push. Things have been going okay. I have lost 2 pounds since the last entry, but, feel like it's going extremely slow!! I have started walking around a lake thats near us. I've been going with a friend and we really walk fast. It's exactly 5 miles around. I think Monday I'll start going alone though and add some running to it. My new goal will be to be able to run the whole thing by the time my Hubby comes home. Maybe if I add the running the weight will start going down a little faster.My diet's been going fine. I really don't think I could eat less and still be eating healthy. I usually stay between 1200 and 1500 calories a day. I haven't really been doing any kind of exercise when my daughter's out of school, can't leave her alone yet, so I'm going to try to get my step bench out (actually getting the bench out is the easy part) and pop in a step aerobics tape on day's that I can't get out to walk/run. Well, hope everyone's doing great. I will not let so much time go before checking in with everyone again!! You are all great!!

Comment left by danygirl on 02/10/2000:
I was wondering where you went! Glad to have you back!!

Comment left by Quack on 02/11/2000:
I was so glad to see you back it made my day! You will keep figuring out things about yourself and what will help you to keep on the losing streak, but it sounds like you are doing great.

stacdawn - Monday Jan 31, 2000
(low cal.)
Weight: 155.5

Well, I wasn't even going to write because I'm feeling so disappointed in myself. I have been eating good and I've got my running up to 3 miles and still there's a gain!! I'm not sure what I should do. Maybe I should just quit eating!! I really am watching what I eat very carefully. This is just so depressing!!

Comment left by Quack on 01/31/2000:
Oh my you have your running up to 3 miles! That is excellent, my word don't worry about the 1#, that will fall off, it's probably a pocket of water hiding out somewhere, unless you are totally blowing it the scales and a pound up or so should not be discouraging. It will show, sometimes it takes a week, just keep on what you are doing.

Comment left by danygirl on 01/31/2000:
Don't feel bad!You ARE going to loose it.But listen:How many calories are you eating a day?Are you eating a lot of carbs? Are you eating late at night?Even if you are watching what you eat,sometimes these things make your weight stay.Pasta and rice are lowfat and healthy foods,but they WILL make some people resistant to loosing weight.As soon as I cut them out of my diet,the weight started to fall off me.(of course I'm not talking about this weekend that I had-terrible)Eat vegs,fruit and lean protein.Hang in there!

Comment left by Quack on 02/10/2000:
Hey, how are you doing? We have not heard from you for awhile, I hope you did not get discouraged, if you did just start over, June is almost here! Hope everything is o.k.

stacdawn - Wednesday Jan 26, 2000
(low calorie)
Weight: 154.5

Okay down a half pound. Now if I could just get down more!! I'm up to running 30 minutes with out having to walk between to catch my breath and after I run I go to the treadmill and do 10 minutes. I'm trying to up my level on that too. I do the treadmill because I think I read somewhere that it works the opposite muscles in your legs that running does. Has anyone else heard that? Well anyway...hope you all have a great day!! :-)

Comment left by danygirl on 01/26/2000:
Once you start running like that,the weight will simply melt off,and quickly!I think the treadmill is good to elongate your muscles,but I'm not sure.I would run myself,but I got a scare one time when I was running 4 miles,and I was trying to up my speed,so I was going fast,all of a sudden,my heart started to beat a million beats a minute (it seemed like)and I could not catch my breath.It was scary.I'm only thirty so that shouln't have happened.So now I just do the elliptical trainer and the treadmill at the highest incline,and this burns a lot of calories,same as running.However if running feels good to you,you should always do it!!

Comment left by bethxoo on 01/26/2000:
hey that sounds like a good idea ,about useing the scale to get you out of bed i have a big problem with over sleeping and going to bed real late at night .

stacdawn - Tuesday Jan 25, 2000
(low calorie)
Weight: 155.0

Okay I'm not panicking about this weight gain. I've been really good with my diet and I've been exercising. There are maybe two different reasons for the gain. 1st one is my daughters friends were playing on my scale (she got in big time trouble) and when I would step on it, it would say 153 then I'd step off and back on and it would be 156!!! So needless to say I got rid of it!! It was brand new so I took it back to the store and exchanged it for the same exact one (it's a good scale) so now I'm 155...could it be because its a new scale OR that it's the "girlie thing" :-) You women know what I mean. Seriously PMSing here :-( (which is probably why my daughter got in so much trouble over the scale)(I REALLY miss my hubby!!) So, I'm thinking to just give it a week and I'm sure it will go away. It sure is depressing though!! Especially with the PMS!!! It makes me feel like the weight will never come off, no mater what I do!! Sorry to be such a whiner....just a whiney kind of a day for me. Hope everyone else has a great day!!

Comment left by danygirl on 01/25/2000:
I used to gain around 5 pounds every TOM,so you know it comes off.But I didn't this month,I think its because I am drinking so many liquids.Just keep up the good work!

Comment left by Quack on 01/25/2000:
Don't you even worry about it, just keep up your good eating and exercise and all good things will come. We womenfolk go up and down for various reasons. Watch during this time though your caffeine intake, whether it's soda or coffee, tea because it will really make your nerves snap and then we are taking it out on our kids and we don't want to do that. My kids let me know right away when I turn into Mrs-evil, and I always feel bad after. So stay cool, take your B-vitamins, you are doing super!

Comment left by bethxoo on 01/26/2000:
hi my name is beth .e-mail bavalos@hotmail.com when do you weigh yourself they say you can get the best results earlie in the moring after you go to the bathroom. and they say to wiegh your self at the same time everytime you do weigh your self .

stacdawn - Saturday Jan 22, 2000
(low calorie)
Weight: 153.5

Still the same today. But, I won't complain after a 2 lb. loss overnight :-) I went to the gym again yesterday and then my daughter and I went to the mall last night and ate in the food court. I had one slice of cheese pizza and a large diet coke. Usually I go for something like greasy chinese so I think I did really good. I HAD 33 lbs. to lose before my hubby returns and now 28.5. Sounds so much better! :-) I know I probably won't stop there. I'd like to get to 120 eventually but I thought 30 lbs. in 6 months was more reachable than 35. Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Comment left by bethxoo on 01/22/2000:
hi stacdawn thanks for the comments . i have found a good site to look at it is www.dietwatch.com it has a dairy also but this one counts the cal you eat aday it is a neat place and has nightly chat meetings . bethxoo

Comment left by danygirl on 01/22/2000:
My goal is 30 pounds in 6 months too,so lets go for it!!Bye,now.

stacdawn - Friday Jan 21, 2000
(low calorie)
Weight: 153.5

YEAHHH!!!!! Can you believe it??? I'm down 2 today!!! I drank lot's of water yesterday and ran my butt off on the treadmill for 30 minutes and then went over to the stairclimber and did 10 on that. I'm sure it was the water. Really made my day!!!

Comment left by danygirl on 01/21/2000:
that's awesome!See?You are on your way!!

stacdawn - Thursday Jan 20, 2000
(low calorie)
Weight: 155.5

AHHHHHHH!!!!! I couldn't believe my eye's this morning when I got on the scale!!! Please, let it be water!! But, with yesterday being my birthday I sort of ate more than usual. I didn't have any birthday cake but, I had a birthday eggroll homemade from my neighbor. YUM!! Also, I'm not sure if this happens to anyone else...when I start exercising after not doing it for awhile I feel like I'm starving all day after I'm done. It usually goes away if I keep up with my daily exercise. Guess I better make sure I turn yesterday into a habit!! NOT the eating part though!! :-) Never going to make my goal at this rate!!

Comment left by danygirl on 01/20/2000:
Happy belated birthday!!Please do NOT beat yourself up for eating on your birthday! Its once a year.You have 6 whole months to make your goal and you will make it! I slipped yesterday too,but it wasn't my birthday.I have no excuse but lack of willpower,but I am going right back on today.I have the same problem with exercise,I starve after(starve all day) but eating a low fat protein meal helps a little..

stacdawn - Wednesday Jan 19, 2000
(low calorie)
Weight: 154.5

Well, I did it!! I made it to the gym!! Now, if I can just turn this one day into a habit I'll be doing great!! :-) I ran 30 minutes on the treadmill. Well, actually between 5 and 10 minutes was probably walking. I'm going to work up to a continuos 30 minutes (or more) run. Two years ago I was running up to 6 miles....I'm so out of shape! :( Oh well, to late to whine about it, just got to do something about it now.

Comment left by danygirl on 01/19/2000:
You must miss your husband something awful on his deployments.July is 6 months away,so there is plenty of time to get into shape.Keep running!

Comment left by Quack on 01/19/2000:
Congratulations! Go for it, do you know how good your gonna feel and your husband seeing you will be icing on the cake, don't tell him. Being a housewife/Mom is one of the most important jobs on the planet, be proud!!

Comment left by Quack on 01/20/2000:
Hey, Congratualtions on the 19th!!!! Another year! This will be a good one.

stacdawn - Tuesday Jan 18, 2000
(low calorie)
Weight: 154.5

Well, I did it. I completely talked myself out of exercising today. BUT, I think I finally got the motivation to start!! See, my husband is in the Navy and is on a 6 month deployment. Thats why I really want to lose the weight before July 4th, thats his homecoming day. Today I talked to a friend of mine, whose husband is friends with my husband. Anyway, she said she had just gottten home from the gym. Well, I'm sure all you wifes out there can understand the sparks that went off in my head. I thought there's no way I'm going to be standing there on the peir when the ship comes home with her in her little mini skirt looking all sexy and me looking all frumpy!! I will deffinately be going to the gym in the morning. Infact, I went this afternoon to check it out. Just needed to share. Have a good day all!!

Comment left by gepetto on 01/19/2000:
Have you told your husband you're losing weight or are you going to surprise him? Good luck with the gym.

stacdawn - Tuesday Jan 18, 2000
(low calorie)
Weight: 154.5

Yea!! That half pound went away again. That just made my day:) I'm going to try to get myself outside today and go for a run. But, what I really want to do is go shopping :) Hope everyone wakes up to a loss!! Have a great day!!

Comment left by DFenik on 01/18/2000:
Why don't you walk around the mall. Window shop at lightening speed??? haha That sounds like fun. Glad to hear you had a loss.

stacdawn - Monday Jan 17, 2000
(low calorie)
Weight: 155.0

I'm not sure what I did wrong but, my first entry isn't on here. So...I'm 34 (will be 35 on the 19th) :( My weight started at 158 on Jan. 8, 2000. I would like to lose 30 more lbs. Hopefully most of that will be before July 4th. I'm not doing any special diet, just watching what I eat, so I guess that's actually a low calorie diet. I'm trying to exercise, but am very good at finding some excuse to "take the day off". Guess I need to find some motivation. I hope this will do it.

Comment left by gepetto on 01/18/2000:
I have tons of excuses not to exercise. Let me know if you need some new ones. Actually, I put a before picture on the fridge and that's pretty motivating.

stacdawn - Monday Jan 17, 2000
(low calorie)
Weight: 155.0

Well, yesterday I was 154.5 this morning I'm 155. Hopefully that half lb. will be gone in the morning. I can't believe that even bothers me...but it does. I went for a couple short runs last week. But, my husband is gone so it's hard to get out on the weekend. I don't know anyone in my neighborhood to leave my daughter with. We just moved here a month ago. But, I have been doing good with my dieting part of it.

stacdawn - Monday Jan 10, 2000
(low calorie)
Weight: 156.5

Well, this is it!! I can't take it any more! It's time to take control of my body and to stop letting food control me. I would like to lose 31.5 pounds. That is I want to weigh 125. Thats the magic number for me. I know I feel great between 120 and 125. I would love to lose this before July 4th. This site is a great motivator. I check in every single day. It's nice to see that I'm not alone in the "battle of the bulge" :)