Chrisite~ That sounds like fun!

I ate WAY bad yesterday and didn't work out! I had a cookie, a small slice of chocolate cake, wine, and chocolate dipped strawberries with DH!!!! MUST work it off today! Darn Valentine's Day...

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Ok, finally got to work out today! 25 minutes on the elliptical and 15 minutes on the bike. Then I did some stregnth training.

I'm down .6 today. UNBELIEVABLE, since I only worked out once this week and yesterday was Valentines. (need I say more!) Anyways, so that makes me at a total of 7.2 since the begining of Jan. I'm getting there........SLOWLY but surely.

Christie- GL with the running group.

Jenna- Don't feel bad about yesterday, I'm sure everyone had some V-Day treats! BTW, I love your new sig!

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Christie- a running group sounds great! I have tried to run with friends several times but they want to talk and I CAN NOT run and talk?? I have to concetrate and get in a zone. I put on my Ipod and GO!

Speaking of dh had the afternoon off so we got back from lunch and I put Riles down for a nap and went for a four mile jog. Felt great. It is only about 60 so not as warm as I would have liked but felt great. Now I am catching up and cooling down. DH and I plan to do weights a little later.

Jenna- don't feel bad about the treats...I had a MOPS meeting yesterday and we had a chocolate fountain so you can IMAGINE. We had strawberries, bananas, pound cake, marshmallows and all kinds of yummies to dip. So needless to say I had my share of treats also. Man was it WORTH it!

Heather- great way to go on the 7 pounds!! That is awesome! I think about biggest loser and a guy losing 86 pounds in 7 weeks...Can you imagine??? Gosh!

Sweetpea- I am glad you are grabbiing a bite for breakfast now. That will help I bet and keep up the good work! Don't run if it hurts your ankles...Do you have a water aerobics class that you could take? Maybe to take some of the weight off the ankles? I bet that is making running tough.

Bina- way to go on the 2lbs! Keep up the good work momma and don't worry about those extra 10 lbs. You can lose that!

Okay gotta get Riles she is awake and NOT happy.

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Heather ~ A pound a week average is actually really good. After my initial 'plummet' with my weight, since my metabolism/eating habits changed in October, 1lb a week is what my body normally did for weeks, without exercise or anything. It's a good, solid pace to loose.

Re: Breakfast. I think changing what I had for breakfast and having it every day without fail has been a big key for me. I have (as many of you know) a 12oz Carnation instant breakfast powder/1% milk shake and three slices of whole wheat toast with real butter, and sometimes a piece of fruit, unsweetened applesause cup, or 1oz of cheddar cheese (three of those little cracker sized slices). I eat it all quickly, not FAST, but within 10-15 minutes at work, and make sure that signal reaches my brain that I am good and FULL, so I don't think about food again for a while. I had to change my way of doing things, cause the small meals thing that is good for so many people is terrible for me. It just made me want to eat all day, and then I got sick of food, and then I ate nothing and then junk.

I think the keys to my changed metabolism have been:
1. Eating a good, large (for me) breakfast (leads me to have larger meals and not graze or snack)
2. Upping good fluids (gatorade and water, 64oz every day, plus some 1 or 2% milk)
3. Switching to whole grains
4. Eatting a cup or so of lightly steamed (frozen) green veggies with dinner every night -- between that and my regular protein/meat, I have no room left for white starchy carbs at night. ( Bonus: keeps me VERY regular; I 'go' first thing in the morning, about twelve hours after dinner, like clockwork -- I know it's kinda funny, but not cleaning out your gut affects how you feel, and your weight, you know?)

Obviously, cutting out fast food and soda cut down on calories and fats, but I don't buy low-fat anything except for milk, and I just switched to organic on that a few days ago. If I use sugar, its real sugar. I use real butter. I buy regular deli meats and regular cheese. Regular chocolate pudding cups (they are so much more satisfying than the low-fat kind!) for the occasional snack. I have a little 'treat' now and then, and it switches. It was the pudding cups for a while. For the past few weeks, it has been those Hostess chocolate cupcakes (only one, and not more than a few a week).

At lunch I have a sandwich, either deli meat and cheese, or tuna salad made with miracle whip, sometimes a Subway sandwich, and once or twice a week a frozen lunch, and then some 'add ons' like fruit or cheese or whatever else to fill me up; and sometimes leftovers from dinner.

I also started brushing my teeth and using mouthwash after dinner, which big time reduced snack cravings at night, cause the taste of things would be different (b/c of the mouthwash). And interestingly enough, after almost four months of doing that, I recognize now at night this sense of 'gee, I want to eat something' and can logically tell my self 'Naaaaah, not really, let's have some water'. (I also don't keep a bunch of junk around to taunt me at night...)

Kicking up the exercise hopefully is going to work for another 'push' and get some more weight off, because I have changed my eating habits about as much as will be considered 'not dieting' in my head. I've never considered myself to be dieting -- I actually eat quite a lot. I have filet mignon for dinner with A-1 sauce...two nights ago I marinated chicken breasts in italian dressing (regular), topped with parmesan cheese, and broiled them, with a big pile of spinach. Sometimes, I have shrimp cocktail. Or a good sized ground beef patty, mixed up with bbq sauce, A-1, s/p, garlis powder, beef seasonings, (I premix and form those and freeze them individually in zip lock bags). I'm eatting what I like. I don't miss the starches. Also, the toaster oven might help a little too, cause I can broil the meats on the racks and the excess grease drips into the pan below.

I'm totally babbling. Guess I needed some human contact. BTW, my sister was in the next building from the shootings at NIU in Dekalb yesterday. She's freaked beyond belief. But alive. So that's good.

Anyway, I wanted to point out that you never know when you are going to strike on the right combination for you. I'm a believer now about everyone's bodies being different. This is what is working for me, so don't beat yourself up if what works for someone else doesn't work for you. Try something else! Keep at it. Hell, I've been struggling with weight my whole life, and never really struck on anything that worked long-term. Until now.

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Hi ladies! It sounds like you are all doing great!

Well, I will have my post part. check up in 2 wks. so then I should be able to work out (if time would allow it!). I am not really expecting to get much done as far as working out goes but I need to start eating better and think I could use your help! I drink a LOT of pop and eat a LOT of sweets. I can NOT go without having a candy bar or 2 a day and I need to change that and thought I could use you guys as support. I would like to lose another 5 to 10 lbs but can't really "diet" until I stop bf but should try to eat healthier for Ashlyn and I both. I thought I could do the same thing I did while pg with a progression (but every month instead of every 2 wks.) to try to motivate myself and will *hopefully* see a positive change over time. I would like to get into my darn pre-preg pants dang it! My tummy is still so mushy.

here is my pg progression for an idea of what i'm talking about:
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...gression-7.jpg

here is my 1 month pp pic today (I just got done with a week of exams and 4 hrs a night of sleep so DON'T look at how aweful I look!):
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r...y/100_0170.jpg

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Wow, Kayla. If I could EVER look like you.... You look fantastic, but I totally understand wanting to get back into your clothes. Can't wait for more pics!

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Karen- Way to go on the run! I will let you know how tomorrows run goes as well as WW. It is in the morning. I think I lost again.. we shall see!

Step- Keep up the good work girl!

Kayla- You look awesome hun.. your tummy is already so tight! But, I understand wanting to be healthy. I give my self one diet soda in the morning (caff. free) and then drink water for the rest to the day (except a little wine, beer, cran. vodka... LOL) I gave up sweets for Lent so that has helped a bit too.

Jenna- Keep it up mama!

Heather- WTG on the work out and the loss. That's awesome!

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Ok, I did two miles on the treadmill tonight with the incline on 5! My quads are killing me, I can barely walk up the stairs. Hopefully that helped burn off some of those cookies I ate again today!

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Kayla YOU LOOK GREAT! I would not want yall to see my tummy...Anyone volunteering to take a pic after Kayla's post?? Some people just have GOOD genes!! as for eating better...I too need to do that. I don't do too awful bad BUT I do eat Chocolate and whatever else dessert crosses my path!

Jenna- way to go on the 2 miles! I love doing incline too. Great for the buns! Good job momma!

Christie can't wait to hear!! Good luck!

Going to try and run outside again today if the weather cooperates. Hopefully it will. I jsut love being outside! Looking so forward to Spring! Not so much Summer...dreading a bathing suit! We won't even start that talk.

Okay catch up with yall workout divas later!

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I am about to go work out to one of my FitTV workouts! Hopefully I can work out these next 3-4 days since Mon is a holiday! Time to also get rid of any V-day chocolates that are left.

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Kayla - you are looking great for one month after having a baby. I realized when I was BFing how bad I had started eating. When I was pg, and after she was born, I just always needed something quick and easy, and that I was hardly eating any veggies or fruits. It wasn't that I ate a lot of junk, just not healthy balanced meals. For me, I have had to plan out what I eat at different times each day, portion out everything for a week on Sat or Sun, and write the times I am supposed to eat them. Buying as much ready to go stuff as you can has really helped me. I buy the little bags of apple slices and string cheese. The sliced apples are a bit more expensive, but I know I will eat them, and otherwise, I'd be eating junk. I also buy bagged salad b/c heads of lettuce will spoil in my fridge. I eat the same snacks each day and the same times, but I have a couple of bkfast choices and a couple of lunch choices so I don't get too bored. As far as your candy bars, maybe buy the snack sized ones and keep them in your freezer so it will take you a while to eat one.

I only read this page and haven't been able to keep up - I'm sorry.
My scale finally moved again this week - only by 1/2 lb. But that's something. I worked out from 5-5:45am 3 mornings this week. I'll take today and tomorrow off though, after yesterday's visit to the ER. I ate a few sweets this week, but definately in moderation, and I learned something I never thought I could do - to stop eating even when there is still food on my plate. I finally realized when I am full. And I am adding another 5 lbs to my goal for a total of 19 - that means 16.5 to go. It will probably take me a long time, and as soon as I reach it, I'll get pg again, but then I wouldn't have as much to lose after I have another baby.

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Kelly~ I love your new siggie pics. I keep meaning to tell you that! Great job on getting up early to work out! I could never do that...I love my sleep far too much! I'm glad the scale moved down for you! Even a half pound is something!

Karen~ Let us know if you got to run outside today!

Bina~ Good job on working out, mama!

I'm going to do turbojam today. First I need to go work my at home job, though. Then clean the upstairs bathroom, then workout....so much to do today!

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hmmmmmmmmmm is 49 too cool to run outside? I REALLY want to do it outside. I can bundle up right?

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Karen ~ Burr that is cold to run in, but sure you can bundle up! I just wouldn't take the kiddies on this jog. It is rainy and cold here today, I am so ready for spring/summer so the whole family can hang out outside (no bathing suit here either)!

Kelly ~ We do the premade salad bags too. That is a good idea with the candy bars. My problem is I won't buy them, and I won't eat them if they aren't in the house. BUT...Ryan brings them home ALL the time (and he doesn't eat them) because I "deserve it" but I tell him OVER and OVER - DON'T BUY THEM! He does drink Dr. Pepper too though...I REALLY want to get off of that b/c I think the caffeine may bug Ashlyn. haha... I have definately realized it is HARD to get things done with an infant around. I don't know HOW you can get up that early and work out, hats off to you momma!

Jenna ~ Wow 2 miles with that kind of incline, I would DIE! Way to go!

Christie ~ Hope you had fun at the run. I was just thinking yesterday that I have not had a drink in almost a year and would kind of enjoy one (after test block everyone was going out for drinks). So, as much as I like bf that will be one of the things to look forward to!

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I have a couple of pair of jeans that fit but I have a muffin top, ewww. I told DH that I have no idea what I wore before pregnancy. I have a lot of jeans but I don't have ANY tops. I swear all the tops in my closet are maternity, or they are 5 years old and wayyy too little/out of style. I am so cheap I hate to go buy new stuff.

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Jenna- Way to go on the treadmill! That's awesome!

Kelly- Gosh that is early girl! Way to go!

Karen- How was your run?

Well girls I got up at 6:45 this morning and went to the park. I LOVED IT. They "teach" you to run just like I hoped! This was week 3 of a 10 week program so I missed the first 2 weeks. But, I didn't have any trouble doing todays intervals so I think it is fine that I missed. We walked 2 min. and then ran 1 min. in 10 cycles.. so 1/2 hour of excercise there plus warm up stretching and cool down stretching. When you finish the program you will have built up enough stamina to run for 30 minutes straight. I am so excited!

Then, I went to WW and I lost 1.6lbs this week. I am down 25 lbs. total since my 6 week appt. I am 155 now and only 5 lbs from my goal weight. The excercise is REALLY helping.

THEN, DH and I raked the flower beds in the front yard.. took almost an hour there. SO mama is DEAD tired!

Tomorrow, we are going hiking. Whew.. sorry for the long post!

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