good morning ladies!  i'm going to change up my work out routine again.  some of my dance classes are not that exercise intensive nor are they that fun for me so i want to replace them with other work outs.  i'm going to leave in 3 hours of dance for sure (2 hours of salsa, 1 hour of latin dance aerobics).  i am adding in more weights (lifting 20-30 lbs depending on the machines... that's the best my weak self can do!)  any other ideas for FUN exercise routines?  the elliptical is getting so boring now so i only want to do that 1-2 times a week, max.

going along with alibuch's request that we be merrier:  here's something cheerful that happened to me today:  i went through my stack of pants (size 24s).  Now, all my 24s have been fitting me for MONTHS but for 1 pair (worthington pants -- though other size 24 worthington pants fit totally fine).  i tried them on today and they were still snug but they fit, button, don't pop when i sit down, etc.  well, i was a little frustrated by that cuz i was like okay this is the same as when i was 287 in january when i started this all (21 lbs ago -- i weighed in at 266 yesterday!!)  initially frustated, since all of my other size 24s have been way too baggy, i thought about giving up for a split second.

Then i tried on this beautiful pair of size 22 PENDLETON pants (really nice designer) that my mother had bought me and given to me last november when i came home for thanksgiving thinking that was my size.  i remember trying them on that day and bursting into tears because they didn't even zip up, let alone button.  anyway, i tried THOSE on this morning.  THEY FIT LIKE A GLOVE!!!!!!!!!!  they fit perfectly.  excitedly, i then tried on all my size 22s.  most fit perfectly, 1 was snug but again, not button-popping. 

so, but for the fact that i have one freakish sized size 24, i think i can officially say i'm a size 22.  and, i started screaming, cheering, running around, hopping, skipping, i don't know what else haha.  for me, this is pretty much the best day to date in this process because i went from a 28/30 to a 24 pretty rapidly (within 3 months of my "initial" weight loss journey in the fall of 2006) but then was a size 24 and gave up during much of 2007 b/c of just HOW LONG the journey is PLUS all my work obligations.  i'm a size 22 now.  i think only plus-size girls understand how hard it is to lose a pant size at the bigger sizes (since its 3 inches on average, as opposed to when you get to smaller sizes and it's only 1/2 an inch to 1 inch) and can really understand this feeling.  but MAN.  i did not even know i was CAPABLE of hooping and hollering like that.  i seriously felt like i had won the lottery.  i'm still giddy and walking around with a ridiculously goofy smile on my face.

i will say though that i'm a little suspicious as to whether dance is really working for me weight loss wise.  jan, i went down 9 lbs.  feb i went down 7 lbs (had a 10 day vacation in there though.)  but for vacation week, i averaged at least 4 hours of elliptical a week, sometimes as much as 6 hours.  then came march and i began dance classes.  no weight loss until march 20th.  march 1st to the 15th i had done 15 hours of dance and had watched my calories but no weight loss.  then the week of march 16th, i only did 1 hour of dance cuz my mom was here and did 2 hours of elliptical.  and all of a sudden, i lost 3 lbs three days later and a week later, i'm down 5 lbs in total.  granted, i also ended my period on march 17th but still.  NO weight loss for almost 4 weeks (since end of 3rd week of feb) and then 5 down in a matter of days which just happen to be at the same time as 2 days of elliptical?  i don't know what to think.  plateau versus non-effective exercise?  it's the reason why i think that cutting back on the dance (but keeping in the ones i really love) and increasing elliptical, swimming, weights, and the other things you all suggested (like kickboxing!!) might do me some good.  what do you guys think?  am i over-analyzing?  (will post this message to my journal too in 2 installments for commentary.)

Hello Ladies!!

There has been so much activity on here since I was last on... wow. Not sure if I can get completely caught up... but I can definitely help with cheering things up in here!

I had such an AMAZING weekend!! First of all, the boy actually showed up. Not that that's amazing or exciting at all, but, the exciting part is that he said he could feel that I lost weight! Woohoo! I can't yet, so it was nice hearing him say that he noticed :). Also, I went to my parent's place for a few days and my mom said she thought she could see it in the way my pants were fitting. Woohoo again! God it just feels so much better to hear people say that they are noticing changes.. it is so motivating to keep on track (even though I ate like crazy all weekend, but we won't touch on that lol)
And then today, I got on the scale and I'm finally under 280! Yess! My first mini-goal is 270 so I can't wait to get there!  Then, when I was getting dressed for work today I decided to try on a shirt that used to pop open when I wore it, and now, it fits perfectly! No bottons popping or tummy sticking out :)
And then.. lol.. I got offered the job that I had the interview for the other day. :) I can't wait! So many good changes lately :)

watchme - I'm so happy that you are down a size... congrats!! :)

I haven't been able to read all the posts yet, but there was some mother talk. My mom and I are so close. I don't think I've ever been in a "fight" with her or anything where we haven't spoken for a long period of time. (Ok, sure, when I was about 10 I threatened to run away...)  She's also been nothing but supportive through this process... she even makes comments to other people like "Sonya's doing so well." Now that I think about it, it helps. :)

Hi girls!

Sorry I haven't been talking since Sat, busy busy busy again! I was supposed to have today off from work, but we are still shorthanded so here I am. I haven't had a full day off in like 5 weeks. Even though I had Friday afternoon off, the long hours are wearing on me a bit. It wouldn't be so bad, but I usually use my day off to get caught up on cleaning my house, do any tedious homework assignments I have that I can't knock out quickly, and stuff like that. Oh well. Extra money is always good I guess!

Anyhow, I hope you girls are doing better with weight loss than I am! I feel like I am just running in place. One week, I drop 3 lbs. The next week, I gained 2.5 even though I am in my range with a minimum 500 calorie deficit. Then I am down 3 lbs. Then up 2. Then down 2.5. Then up 1. So far, total I have only lost 3 lbs that I haven't yo-yoed! I don't get it. I think I am going to really have to find time to excercise vigourously. I am starting to get frustrated, but I refuse to give up like I have so many times before!

Anyhow....I will try to catch up soon!

dalmalama: Your mom sounds a lot like my husbands mom. She thinks that just because we don't have collection agencies hunting us down, that we are rich and we should be able to support her. His parents are really bad with money, so it's like my hubby & I are the parents with them too. Way to hold your ground though!

bootser: Well, I usually make up with my mom so quickly. Right now though, we aren't on speaking terms as of yesterday. Ugh. It makes me sick to fight with her, but I just do not want to talk to her right now. Oh well. We will make up sooner or later. My mom was always very controlling of me when I was younger. She has finally eased up some though! I wish you and your mom had a better relationship. It sucks that she left you out of the family. Thankfully though, you have a husband you can turn too!

hilwe85: Wow, I can't believe that your father woke you up to yell about your weight! That sucks, I am sorry for you! I was close to my dad when he was alive. I don't think that even now he would yell at me about my weight. I think he would try to help me if I wanted help, but otherwise would probably say nothing about it. My grandma is like your mom. She was very thin when she was young, and she seems to have the ideals that fat people are worthless. She always tells me that I am young enough that I should be able to wear a bikini and look great instead of always looking like a blob. Yeah, I just love Grandma! As a kid, whenever we went on a car trip we always stopped for drinks, chips, mcdonalds, you name it. When I have kids, I will give them apples in the car!

afternoon all!

okay, no more downers. question: i need a gown for a black tie event next month. what's a good store to look? my mom always makes my gowns, except the last one i got at the very last minute, and i hated it. so i need a better place to shop. i don't wanna ask my mother b/c she's a procrastinator. how can you buy accessories if you don't know what your dress is going to look like?

so, any ideas?

Congrats on dropping a size watchmeshine! Welcome welcome to all the new comers to the thread.

 I have so many different sizes in my closet , can y'all believe that up until this January when I decided enough was enough I still even had my old pregnancy pants!?!? I had to get rid of them when I realized I wore them more than my regular pants even though I hadn't been pregnant for two years!!

I like everyone else totally stuffed my face on Easter, but it's OK I hadn't done that in weeks. I am trying to eat vegetarian for breakfast and lunch and then a small portion of whatever "regular" dinner I make for my husband and daughter so thats helping me keep the calorie intake low while still eating pretty yummy.

 And I know this is all late but some one asked a question about body slimmers earlier and I was kind of embarrassed to ask but here goes  I always wanted one but I am scared to get one and that I wont be able to put it on by myself. The few that I have seen look like they require assistance to squeeze into.  And trust me me and my husband are very close but I don't think I could be like "hey Hun could you help me squeeze my rolls into this here sausage casing......." So any way are they pretty easy to get in and out of and what are the best kinds for us shaper newbies?

jessica, a lot of shapers are crazy tight, but some aren't. the most uncomfortable ones are the ones  that feel and look like pantyhose. they don't have almost any give, and if you plan on moving at all, you don't want to wear those. the best ones are a mix b/n lycra and spandex (i think. i 'm having a brain fart right now). they move with you and are as easy to put on/take off as underwear.

yeah, torrid's cool, but i'd like something a little more tailored, kinda like

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2983195/0~2376776~2374327~237433 1~6014150?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchty pe=&pbo=6014150&P=1

although not necessarily with those colors or pleats or whatever. but something fitted, long, and a little more sophisticated than torrid, but not matronly. that's a tall order for a big girl, huh!

edit: allydan, i JUST watched brigdet jones a couple days ago! so funny! 

Watchme: CONGRATS on dropping a size!!!!  Isn't that just one of the best feelings ever?

I had every intention of joining the Y yesterday, but didn't make it over b/c my hubby actually got the day off so we did fun things all day.  So I was going to go today, but my brother has called me for an emergency babysitting session for his kiddos, so it'll have to wait till tomorrow... but i'm so excited!  I really can't wait to try out the group classes!

I'm glad you all had a great weekend/easter (if you celebrated)

Here's to a healthy, productive and happy week!!!

Dalma: cute dress---have you ever tried Lane Bryant? I have occasionally seen dresses like that there before???

Soni: Doesn't it feel good for everyone telling you , you look so good--so nice!

Watchme: Congrats on the size 22!!!! Very exciting.

And a shout out to everybody else! Have a very good day and keep up the great work--your doing great ladies!!!

yeah, i've tried LB, but i don't know, maybe i'm being too picky. i want a real, official GOWN gown, and they don't really have what i'm looking for. this is a real swanky affair, and i wanna look as nice as i can.

dalmalama - I forget where you are in the US, but in Canada we have a store called Laura and they always have really nice dresses. If I was going to prom, I'd buy a dress there lol.
http://www.lauracanada.com/lauraplus/en/petiteplus/index.spy ?num=4

thanks, sonini. i just clicked on your link, and it looks like laura's only in canada.

i don't know, i guess in my mind i'm looking for some drop-dead gorgeous red-carpet-worthy dress. and i don't know where to find it!