Motivation

Anyone in this grouping looking to drop from 140 to 130's.  We can all use support.  Today I am focusing on all the food groups.  Exercise would be good, but I won't be able to since I am working from 9 to 10:30.  A Super long day.  I hope I can stay focused, when I pass the fast food chaines on my travels today.

in Motivation, I'm going to organize a more extensive, thought out program, but, just to gauge initial interest-

I have a great pair of Old navy Size 10 jeans. (Bought this summer, dark wash,  reg. length, low waisted, new skinny fit (tapered leg, but not sausage tight), look so great with cute ballet flats, heels, or skimmers) They don't fit me anymore, yay! But they've hardly been worn...

I'm sure alot of you are in the same boat, with losing weight and outgrowing your clothes, or having too small clothes lying around you don't want to stare at either.

So I think we should organize a community clothing swap! I haven't worked out the particulars yet, such as, how do we want to deal w/ shipping charges?

Who's intersted and what are your suggestions?

And, most importantly, any size 10 trendy ladies out there!!!??? these jeans need a home!

Last time i lost weight, i kept around my old clothes. b/c those clothes were so comfortable, and im big on donating to good will, but i cringed about wasting the money from new-ish, still insyle, just loose clothes. Guess what? Those fit great when i started to gain a bit back, and then i waited until those were too tight before i had to get serious and realize i had a problem. What if i could have caught it when my new size 6's felt tight? This time I'm burning my bridges! (or britches, so to speak)

And be proud of me- my new pairs of size 8 jeans just arrived in the mail yesturday! And in a couple months, I'll be giving those away too!!! (BTW- Target's Mossimo Premium Denim for women (even, not odd sizes) Bootcuts are awesome! last night out, got big compliments and girl thought they were Express). The Straight Leg style though is kinda mommy...loose through seat and thigh and highish waist. I'm rockin' them at work though...

Hey! I'm new to the group today (just found it). I have just started clocking in below the 150 mark this past week, and I'm pretty excited.  I started exercising 3X a week in October, changed my diet in December, and am now down to 148-149 from 165 since October (and all but 5 lbs of that since December). 

My ultimate goal is to get down to 125 lbs by July (i'm 5'5" and 22 y/0).  I've never been really skinny and never made a real effort to lose weight efficiently and healthily, and I'm so glad that it's working!  I'm getting really close to my high school weight and size, and I can't wait until I get past that!

Right now, I watch my diet and generally consume 1300-1600 cals a day on pretty healthy foods (lots of salads and fruits).  I exercise 6-7 days a week, 4X cardio and 3X strength, and I am SOOOO proud of myself.  Even if no one else could tell (but some of them can--I've gotten a few compliments!!!), I wouldn't care because I feel so much better about myself! My main focus for right now is making sure I get enough fiber--apparently I'm about 10 g short per day despite the huge salad I always eat for lunch!  But I'm also in the Feb exercise challenge for 1500 minutes (kind of daunting...) and the Feb Fab Abs challenge (not so daunting!).

kiigan-you sound like you're doing awesome! the feeling of pride is the best, definitely. Upping FIBER intake is a goal of mine also! I would suggest beans. So easy (and cheap!!) when you use the cans.

• Sprinkle black beans on your salad. soo good. or chickpeas.
• Add white beans to soups. or lentils
• im constantly making hummus style dips now w/ white beans or chickpeas. raw garlic, pepper, and whatever i feel like, such as cilantro or sundried tomatoes. I leave out the load of olive oil of traditional hummus and instead add water to thin it, or some low cal dressing, or olive juice. yummy w/ celery sticks or whatever.
• black beans are awesome added to chili, on tacos, in salsa w/ corn.
• and some high bran cereal like all bran mixed w/ whatever you usually have for breakfast is a quick, high fiber add. gives some crunch to yogurt too.

intersting/surprising thing i  learned from looking up foods here at calorie-count- avocados have lots of fiber! who knew? one half has 8grams!

Avocado? Really! Sweet! I LOVE guacamole :)  That's a good idea to put some beans on my salad, too.  I'll give that a shot, I think.  I'm also a fan of hummus (I'm prolly gonna make some for the SuperBowl so I have something healthier to eat!!!)

hbbroadbent--

I think your idea is awesome! I wonder if the website would support it? Might be something to ask about!

I gave all my clothes to good will too--It is a really great organization--but that would be so cool to swap clothes with people here so we don't go broke updating our wardrobes during transition phases!

WTG Girl!

Dee

I like the idea behind the clothing swap - getting rid of your bigger clothes so you dont slip easily back into your old size.  I am concerned about letting weight slip back on....   BUT just yesterday I got rid of all my old bigger sized clothing to good will.  In the past year, I have given away over 6 garbage bags of clothing (to my cousin, sister in law, co workers) and 2 winter jackets.  This last time I got rid of all my bigger sizes - now I have nothing to fall back on!  It feels good to no longer have that 'safety net'.

This week has been really bad for me.  I only worked out two times even though I vow each day to work out when I get home from work.  I have been drinking water, but not consistently enough.  I have been snacking each and every night....  I am so dissapointed in myself.  While I am not packing the pounds back on (yet) I feel lethargic and mad at myself but yet I havent found something to kick my butt into gear... 

aww, don't be so hard on yourself! you've already worked out 2 times this week, not zero!

personall, i have to go straight to the gym after work or i'll just tell myself i'm going to go, then get caught up/too comfy at home.

if you have to go home first, here's a tip i use on the weekends to increase my odds of actually going to the gym instead of telling myself ill go- as soon as i get up, (in your case, when you get home) I put on my gym gear. including gym shoes. then i go about whatever i'm procrastinating with. but since i'm already in my gym clothes, most times i will go. (bonus help if your gym gear is something that will be kind of cold bumming around the house in, like a tank or shorts)

I am being hard on myself because of the bad eating habits I am slipping into and now not working out...  I just cannot get motivated right now.  I am even eating some chocolate someone brought into work as we speak!  Ahh!!  :(

My 'gym' is in my home so I really have no excuse to not workout.  I can work out in front of the Tivo and dont even have to leave the comfort of the house.  I think maybe if I get home and put on shorts that may motivate me to workout, only because it is super freezing here (minus 43 celicus with the wind chill)... not shorts weather!

I wont be able to work out today because I have plans for right after work until late.  I will set a goal for 60 min each Sat and Sun, and see how I do with that. 

joyrae--it's actually HARDER for me if i workout at home! there're so many things to distract me that i do a lot better if i go to the gym.  although that means i have to actually get there...

but i met with a trainer today, and she kicked my butt! but in the best way possible :) i'm feelin' good 'cuz now i've got a bunch of new exercises, and she gave me ideas about how to continue working towards my goals.  gotta do some abs after work though!

I havent posted here for a few days since I was weiging in at 150!  :(  Sigh...

Well I did my cardio yesterday and the day before.  It is hard working out at home in some ways - its easy to choose the couch over the bike.  But when its freezing out (like it has been lately) I dont want to go out unless I have to. 

I do have a free gym at work and think my friend is going to start joining me for workouts there after work.  It will be good to have a workout buddy.

Today I drank 1.5L of water so far, and will drink more water when I get home.  Tomorrow I want to be offically back in the 140 club... :)

Hi everyone - I've been really busy the past few days and haven't posted. Read everyone's postings though since last week. Sounds like there is a lot of motivation to get those jeans sizes down! 

I'm experiencing two things:
1) my clothes are fitting way better with the workouts I am doing. Since starting C-C.com I have only missed one day a week. It feels like I am getting smaller but the scale only says two pounds. Trying not to get discouraged about that part b/c my husband says he can really tell that the workouts are working. Just would be happier if the scale said a few pounds less!

2) I cheated unblievably badly today! I direct photo shoots and today and tomorrow's are in an upscale restaurant shooting amazing food dishes! Of course the chef tells us to "eat everything" after each set. I try to just limit it to small tastes - yeah right!!! So wish me luck for more willpower tomorrow. However I did workout at the gym tonight for 45 minutes. And the big news is I RAN on the treadmill for 15 minutes. Sounds lame? Well I never run!

but one day of cheating isn't gonna really hurt you :) sounds like you're working hard, and congrats on better-fitting clothes! yay!

Hi Kilgan - I glanced at your profile. You are so organized! As well as terribly motivated. Kudos to you! I have to admit to cheating again a little today - last day of this photo shoot. But instead of cheating with bread pudding and potatos gratin it was only one a rich chicken breast, some cronbread and spinach salad. Still the calories added up and I am way over. I hope to be back to "normal" again tomorrow.

Wearing a bathing suit next weekend when my hubby and I have a 4-day getaway to LA. AAAHHHHH!!!  Cross your fingers for me girls.

Kilgan - how tall are you? Just curious!

Hey all.  I am trying to get down in to the 130's but seem stuck right at 143.  I don't know if my body is capable to go down that low.  Oh well its good to read about some people with similar goals.  I am going to keep trying - I have been working out a lot lately.  Going to the gym and taking my dog for looong walks at the park.  I love it!

jennifer--

i'm 5'4.5" or 5'5". somewhere around there :)

ashmar--seems a lot of people hit plateaus, too.  but keep doing what you're doing and i'm sure your body will respond!

i'm still at the upper half of the 140s so all you guys in here that are so close to the brink are really motivating me to get down there and join you! hopefully i'll be able to join you in the 130/120 club in a few weeks!!!!! okay...maybe closer to a month... :)

Hi Kil - I noteiced your smoothie recipe on your profile - very close to mine!

Here's mine:

1/2 cup frozen mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
1 cup skim milk
1 small berry flavored Dannon yogurt
2 packets splend
dash vanilla
ice
Only 175 calories and it's large & filling!

I use the Magic Bullet to blend. I took out the protein powder b/c the skim milk and yogurt gave me tons of protein without the calories.

my eating has been TERRIBLE :( all in the second 1/2 of the day stil... A new Goal I set today is to work out everyday through the 19th. That will make 15 consecutive days of working out, including the weekends, which i usually blow off :)

ooh jennifer, im trying your smoothie recipe tomorrow!

i got a magic bullet at a shower and havent broken it out yet!

yeah, i pretty much hate my protein powder now, and worry about the calories anyway, so i'm v. excited to have your recipe.

and bonus- i have all the ingredients all ready! don't you love when that happens?

ps- blueberries in particular are supposed to be amazing for brain function.

Hi hbbroad... all of those berries are great anti-oxidants, high in vitamins, low in sugar and high in fiber. I saw a typo that I'm sure is clear to everyone -- "splend" is "splenda." Of course you could use any other sweetener. I like the smaller-sized yogurts. Only 40-45 calories and you get a nice sweet treat.

You'll love your bullet. Great little invention. I keep it very handy for smoothies.

Here's another bullet recipe I like that feels like I am indulging:
2 tsp. decaf instant coffee
1 tbsp cocoa powder
2 packets splenda
1/4 cup hot water
-mix to dissolve powders
-add
dash vanilla
1/2 cup low-fat, sugar-free vanilla ice cream
3/4 cup skim milk
ice

blend for a mocha treat. Calories depend upon brand of ice cream. Mine are usually around 190.