My older son was never too bad.  He would have the occasional issue, but they were pretty few and far between (lucky me, I know!)  My daughter isn't too bad, but she does have a tendency to scream in the worst way (like fingermails on a chalkboard) when things don't go her way (which is often with two brothers).  But my younger son, holy cow!!  He is what the terrible twos were all about.  I have seriously wondered it there are really exorcists around because I NEED one!!!  I just don't know what to do about him and I truly hope he outgrows it soon.  When he is not having one of his spells (which is unfortunately not real often) he is the sweetest little boy you could meet.  I just really want my sweet (ornery) little boy back.  I know he is there somewhere!

lynnhaslost - my boys do keep my very busy.  I get up at 5am to get my workout in because other wise it won't happen.  The 8 and 5 year old are very active anyway - always playing outside - but they are also in every sport imaginable - soccer, basketball, wrestling, baseball, swimming.  They have really taken to my wanting to get healthy and doing a great job themselves making healthier food choices.

I understand all of you who have husbands who need to eat better.  Mine actually started running a couple weeks ago, but still thinks he can eat whatever he wants.  His dad is diabetic and has high blood pressure, so it's something my hubby needs to watch out for.  I'm hoping the exercise will motivate him to eat better.  It does for me.  This morning was really hard to get up cuz I was so tired, but I know I always feel better after I get going.  I have started telling myself that exercise is not just so I can lose weight now, but something I need to do the rest of my life to stay healthy.  When I look at it that way, it's makes it a little easier to get up.

Good thread.  I just turned 30 and it forced me to look at things differently, specifically my health.  Looking forward to comparing notes with fellow 30-somethings!

I turned 34 in March.  I've been on CC for a bit over a year now.  I lost 30 lbs in the first 6 months and have kept it off which put me back around the weight I was when I graduated from high school only the inches are distributed differently.  Honestly, I feel like I'm in my twenties these days.  I have as much or more energy and the experiences in life to enjoy it.

Ladies, don't you just love being in your 30s?!  I am really enjoying it, I am a lot more confident and less worried about what everybody else thinks of me, just... different.  It has really amazed me and I'm loving every minute!

mjthomas96, yay on your husband starting to run!  I haven't quite been able to motivate my hubby to exercise, but he's not overweight or a couch potato either, so I guess he's doing okay.  He is quite supportive of my efforts though, so that helps.

I have gotten my 13 yo DD to exercise with me, since she's getting a bit older she's not as active as a younger child anymore, so having another way to get some exercise is great for her, plus she loves the time spent with me.  I prefer to exercise at home, so we have a couple of exercise DVDs we follow along with.

What is everyone else doing for exercise?

ok I'm game.  I am in my late 30's, wait that can't be possible!   I still think I am in my 20's most of the time. 

Here's the stats:  37.5  5'7" and currently 151.5  My goal is 138.  I started here in Sept 2007 weighing in at 172.5.   I visited regularly until Dec when it just got too cold outside to exercise anymore, yeah I know it's just an excuse.  Anyway I back at it again and plan to reach my goal weight and stay there this time.  I too am one of the yo-yo weight gainers/losers.

Funny thing is, that when I start to exercise regularly and count calories my BF seems to lose weight faster and with less effort than I do.   Just so unfair, like the commercial.    

Good luck to everyone!  Have a great day!

Hi everyone! I am 5'4" and will be 32 in a few months. I had lost 30lbs by April of last year, got down to between 130-135 and have been trying to lose the last stubborn pounds of left-over fat (haha) since March. I joined CC to help with my efforts since I've been stuck at the same weight for months. I've since gotten down to 126lbs. Will keep at the slow pace of losing weight until I'm slim and trim, however many (or hopefully not that many) pounds that is - 5 more, or 10.

I've also amped up my workouts since joining a great new gym and that I've gotten my boyfriend on board as well. We go to the gym together and it definitely helps that we keep each other in check.

I circuit-train 60-90 mins Monday, Wednesday, Saturday.

45 mins of cardio only on Thursday and Sunday. 45 min Spinning class Tuesdays, sometimes followed by 30 mins of lap swimming.

Fridays are OFF days.

I maintain at about 1500 kcals. I eat between 1600-1800 kcals daily. Saturday is a cheat day where I eat between 2000-2500 kcals, splurge a little and go out for dinner and have a nice cocktail.

I enjoy being in my 30s; I finally feel comfortable in my own skin and I have more energy than I've ever had since.. well... I was 12. LOL. My favorite accomplishment from my weight loss is that I am no longer embarrassed to wear shorts and a tank top in public! My thighs and upper arms are finally seeing the light of day in over 14 years! Woohoo!

Hah! I get to have the 30th posting in the 30s group!

I'm actually bending the rules a little bit - I'll be 30 in September. By total coincidence my target weight is expected to be reached around my birthday. Can I still join?

I'm about 5'5" and I bounce between 141 and 145, day to day. I've been eating healthy and under 1300 cals every day for a month. Almost every day I do something active, like taking long brisk walks, riding my bike, going to the gym, or playing my big 'ol 30 pound behemoth of an accordion. (Trust me, you work up a sweat!)

I haven't truly lost a single pound. Some days I'm convinced I look better, but I think that my self-perception is flawed. My husband says I look great, and he keeps me going, but he's so wonderful he'd tell me I was sexy at 300 pounds!

We plan to have a baby in a year or two. On the one hand, I joke that at least a baby would justify all the weight gain, but on the other I'm afraid I'll never slim down again, just like my mother did. Or didn't, rather.

I'm glad to find this thread!

Hi, I'm another older one. I'm 37 for a few more months and I am 1/4 inch under 5' and currently weigh 150. I have 2 kids, my daughter is 12 and my son is 10. My husband and I are youth pastors...teens sure are fun!!

I have been dieting since Oct. 8th of last year. I have lost almost 39 pounds and I am in a very tough plateau. In the past 5 months I have only lost 11 lbs, despite continuing on with diet, and for around 2 months now I have been walking major amounts..10 miles at a time. My kids walk with me, and of course they have no weight issues.

My goal is to get down to 115 and that seems to be years away from me at the rate I am losing. I use to lose 2 lbs a week, now this. I am not sure what to blame, age seems to be my only thing that I see as going against me. I never thought it would slow down this bad. I guess being in my late 30's has matured me enough though because I still keep at it, dieting and exercising, praying that God will help melt these extra 35 lbs.

catbuckleychan: try upping your cals... I maintained at around 1400-1500, (my bmr) and then as soon as I upped them to 1700-1900 the weight just started to melt off and have since lost 7lbs since end of April. Although now I seem to be at a standstill, but I'm blaming water weight and hormones lol. My birthdays in September too!

I was 'lucky' with my daughter. She totally missed the terrible twos and I'm still waiting for it... god forbid she's anything like me when my hormones kicked in lol!

I just made a really delish salad I'd thought I'd share:

1/4 cup (about 60g) salmon and dill
bit of lettuce
1 tsp + 2tsps olive oil
1 cup dried pasta
2 tsp pine nuts
 

1. cook and drain pasta
2. break up salmon
3. mix in bowl/plate/whatever
4. toast pine nuts in 1 tsp oil
5. mix everything
6. top with salad and 2 tsp olive oil

I am 38 so on the tail end but I have absolutely LOVED my 30s. 

It's true - when I turned 30 I noticed things had changed - no more free ride!!  Then I had 2 babies.  When I turned 35 I noticed my body holding weight where I never had before.  For me that was the tummy and that lovely back fat.

But, guess what - through healthy eating and exercise - at 38, I am right back where I was at 29.  It is possible to turn back the clock!!  Added benefit of being a lot nicer to myself at 38 than I was at 28. 

I'm actually looking forward to 40 because my youngest will be in school and I will be done with my degree and starting back to work.  I feel like life is just getting started (again). 

This is such a great thread!- and growing so fast

Congrats to all of you who have lost so far! wow.. all doing so great!  smwhipple, 30 lbs in 6 months! fantastic! how did you do it?  coloradosunshine, which exercise dvd's do you use? i'm always looking to add to mine.. right now i have the firm transfirmation dvds, and gunnar peterson exercise ball and dvd (my kids love that big ball!), and I also have a gazelle that I use a few times a week- not with a dvd though.   sunnydog98, I know exactly what you mean about your man losing weight so easy! I feel like that too! Great job on over 20 lbs already though! lynnhaslost,wow! you have a great plan/ routine! Did/do you have a trainer at your gym? Do you do machines or free weights? and your cardio and yoga/pilates- do you take a class, or just do it on your own? There is a YMCA being built a few blocks away from my house - I dont think it opens until October, but I really want to get a family membership when its ready. macmattey, good for you! What weight did you start at? I cant wait until I am where you are!!  Catbuckleychan, what is your target weight? 4square, 39 lbs already- great! It sucks being stuck though! Have you tried upping your calories slightly, or zig zag diet (varying your cal intake day to day) Or trying some other types of exercise maybe? Those things can boost your metabolism.. sweetigem, thanks for the tips and recipe.. sounds pretty good, but i am not one much for fish- maybe i would substitute chicken or turkey..Where were you living before going to Wales?   juliedee good for you overcoming anorexia! Is your son severly autistic, or mildly? Thats tough.. are you married?  Stevis78 the only man in the house! Hope you dont feel too intimidated by all the estrogen here What are your stats, goals, etc? married? kids?   mjthomas96 wow, you are a busy lady.. I used to work a job that started at 6 am and I had a 45 min drive there.. I dont think i could do it again, I am so not an early morning person! Your kids are sure involved in alot of activities.. how do you find the time?   nboes, are his spells more like tantrums? Usually best to ignore him until the behavior stops.. leave him crying on the floor (if you're at home), or bring him to his bed and let him cry there..after you leave and he doesnt have an audience he will probably settle down.. my cousins boy used to have bad tantrums and she would pour water on him! he hated it and he would stop the melt down when he saw her coming with a cup..lol

Wow what a great response, so glad to have everyone.  Everyone's stories are so interesting. 

Okay so I am needing a little protien help.  I have been checking my little analysis pie chart each day and my protien is always so low, might be making this plateau that I am at.  I have been checking out protien foods, but a lot also contain a lot of fat, some a lot of carbs.  I saw that tuna is mostly protein, but I can't live on tuna.  Maybe I need a supplement or maybe protein bars for snacks.  Not sure.  I thought I was eating well balanced, but cards are high and protein low.

Thanks

Oh should I keep a list of everyone at the start of this thread or is everyone okay witht he way it is going?

I hear ya! 34 just got harder than 33!

Ceclark77, are you eating enough dairy? skim milk, lowfat or fatfree yogurt, lowfat cottage cheese.. those are some of my favs.. good protein and calcium too! Also, you dont want to cut out fat completely! You still do need it .. maybe try nuts, soy products?

tracyaudette, good for you! I love hearing sucess stories and seeing before and after pics! Keeps me motivated to know that if others have done it, I can too! And congrats on finishing your degree! What type of work are you starting back to? I hope to go back to school this fall, but havent really narrowed it down yet as to 'what i wanna be when i grow up' I hope to have a degree and a new career by the time I am 40 too!

Hi!  Can I join? 

I'm Heather, 33 yo, SAHM to three, 6, 5 and 16 months.  Over the last 6 months I have lost 40 lbs bringing me to 117.  I am 5'1" and would like to maintain between 115 and 120.  So as of now, I am accomplishing my goal.  CC has helped me continue to maintain by giving me the knowledge and information that I am finding interesting, imperative and AWESOME!!!  

In February, I starting exercising for the first time in my life.  (Which also helps the maintenance).  I joined the local YMCA and go M, W, and F.  I do thirty minutes of strength training (loving my new muscles!!!) and between three and four miles of jogging (which I LOVE)!!!  In fact, I have been very involved with 5k's and more. (I did 8 miles three weeks ago).  They say everyone has a "knack" for something, I think I found mine.  Don't get me wrong, there are somedays that I am wondering WTF I am doing as I drag myself around the fitness track, but when it's all over, I FEEL PHENOMENAL!!!!

Being pregnant and/or breastfeeding for the last 7 years (seems like forever) really took it's toll on my body.  Although it will never be that same, I am enjoying finally doing something SOLEY for ME....(you Mom's understand).  I feel healthy, have the energy I need to be the best Mom I can and look great.  My husband is not complaining about that! 

So, I LOVE CC!!!  And would love to make some new friends that share this interest!  Great thread idea!!!!!   

wendyb27  I guess they would be considered tantrums.  I generally start by talking to him and trying to figure out if there is anything I can really do (sometimes if I do that quickly enough, we can avoid the meltdown).  Then if it is clear that this is not going to be one of those times, I do leave him.  He doesn't usually noticeably calm down while I am gone, but it does seem to help in the long run.  Then when I feel I have given him a little time to "reflect", I come back and try to talk again.  Usually by then he is ready to cuddle and calm down.  If not I leave again until it works.  I just wish that we didn't have to do this so often.  It has to be a stage though, I can take it (ha, ha)!

Hi everyone.  Nice to meet all of you.  I'm right in the middle, just turned 35 in April.  I can definitely say my 30s are so much better than my 20s.  I feel and look better and have more money in the bank!

My story goes like this:  I weighed 264 lbs. at my heaviest (I'm 5'6).  I have lost 57 lbs. through sheer determination and stubbornness.  I've tried every diet out there, but find that what works for me it just counting calories and watching my portions. 

I have been on a plateau for the last three months and am feeling pretty frustrated right now.  I so desperately want to see the 1s!  I'm so close but the scale is just not cooperating.  I eat very healthy Sunday-Saturday and have a cheat meal on Saturday.  I'm beginning to think I should increase my calories (I currently eat my BMR calories of 1650) and maybe I will see a loss again?  I exercise at least 6 days per week at a challenging level (two of those days with a personal trainer who pushes me really hard).  Last week I ran for 30 minutes non-stop for the very first time.  I was so proud of myself!  I really do enjoy exercising because it makes me feel strong.

I've been married for almost 12 years and have one 9 yo daughter who is the light of my life.   Her name is Presley, after the King, Elvis Presley.   She is smart, funny, compassionate and beautiful. 

I'm a pretty shy person and these boards allow me to express myself without feeling like I'm being judged.  We're all in the same boat here, just have different circumstances. 

I would welcome advice and motivation from any who would share.  Thanks!