HLSG: Week of 8/12/2001

[AZLorena]

Okay everyone....time to check in! Get yourself typing. I want to hear how everyone is doing!

My week was pretty good. Challenging...but I did reach another one of my weight loss goals.

This was the first week back at school for the teachers. We had lots of meeting and time to fix up our classrooms. There was a lot of eating out going on because as you all know, elementary teachers rarely have more than a half an hour or 40 minutes for lunch. I did well with eating out. I made some meal exchanges. We went to Sweet Tomatoes once or twice, so I made that my "big" meal for the day and ate a light dinner later. I also discovered a really great chinese restaurant near school called CHINA LITE. Half of their menu is made without oil. Anyway, so I don't feel like I splurged with lunches this week. I kept on track.

The major challenge this week was exercise. The first couple of weeks back are soooooo exhausting. I come home either ready for a nap....or ready to just veg out. I am fighting the urge. I did exersize 4 days.

I lost 2 lbs this week. Maybe a little more. I only weigh myself when I go to the gym, and I only went once this week. I walked outside the rest of the time. Anyway, DH pulled down some bags of clothing out of the attic. Stuff I haven't worn in a couple of years. A lot of it fits now which is really exciting.

This week I will continue to fight the exhaustion. I hope to be down another couple of lbs by next week. Stranger things have happened.

[funnybone]

Well, I am back from Hawaii and am happy to report that we had a GREAT time! The Hilton Hawaiin Village is THE BEST place to stay!!! We've been to the island twice before, and this was our first time staying there - and are we glad we did. Lots of shops, restaurants, pools, ocean - all are there on the premises - no need to leave really!

Although we did not participate in any formal exercise program, we did a lot of walking and swimming. We ate well - included lots of fruits and vegetables and did not over-indulge. At times it was difficult to find a place to eat because our kids are picky and we have to look at the kids menu PRIOR to entering. I did not gain ANY weight, so that was great news.

I started my TaeBo again yesterday. I plan to do the "21 day challenge" (doing the workout for 21 days in a row) to get back into it. I don't foresee any disruptions within the next 3 weeks, so it is a good time to try it. It was not easy doing it again after almost 2 weeks off, but I did it. It felt good to work up a sweat again!

[GayeC]

I was on vacation last week also and am happy to report that I did not gain any weight! I ate reasonably well (although we did go out for ice cream twice -- hey, it's vacation!) but primarily was able to maintain my weight because we did a great deal of biking and walking. Edisto Beach, SC is a good place for biking with kids because a bike trail circles about 2/3 of the island. As a matter of fact, both times that we went for ice cream we rode our bikes (6 miles round trip!).

This week I am back to attempting to lose weight -- I have 5 or 6 pounds to go before reaching my goal. I am staying on a 1500 calorie diet, writing down everything I eat, drinking lots of water (BevP -- I'm listening to you!), and doing some sort of exercise every day. I hope to reach my goal soon because I am really, really tired of working on weight loss! Gaye

[lindrusso]

Congrats to you two, Lorena and funnybone! Lorena - I don't work, but I find any change in routine to be hard to handle! The kids go back to school next week, so once again, I'll be trying to adjust my routine and not fall off track. I think it's awesome that you worked out 4 times the first week! funnybone - Glad you enjoyed Hawaii. My hubby and I honeymooned there and would love to go back some day. However, we were not as lucky Bosunswife during our Army tour to get stationed there :) .

Last week was much better for me in the exercise department. Food was pretty decent. We had a big BBQ on Saturday with lots of veggies, so I didn't do too badly. It's the leftover cheesecake tarts that are killing me. Actually, the cheesecake filling is from CL, so maybe it's not too bad after all. I completely believe in indulging good food (light or not), but when you are faced with so many leftovers, the indulging goes on much longer than just one day! And I even gave half of them to one of our guests to take home!

One thing that REALLY needs to change for me is the alcohol!! I swear this summer has just been one big party. It's been fun, don't get me wrong, but I don't think I've ever drank this much!! So, time to tone that down a bit - getting back into the school routine will certainly help.

Have a great week everyone!

[vstowe]

Hi, everyone! I am kinda butting in here but I just found this message board and I am already addictive. Is this a weight loss group? I can always use encouragement in this area. Don't mean to pry but let me know if I can join in.

[KValley]

vstowe Welcome! This group is incredibly supportive, inclusive, and encouraging. I know you will get great feedback and find tremendous motivation.

Lorena Congrats to you on reaching your week's goals. You are so inspiring. And Gaye and funnybone DH and I leave Friday for a few days holiday- thank you for being examples that it is possible NOT to gain weight on vacation. Like Alysha, I get anxious when faced with a change to my diet/exercise routine. We plan on plenty of hiking and will definitely bring our running shoes, but all those delicious restaurants and the B & B's will be tempting!

My mindful eating plan went pretty well. Saturday night I crashed- we went to my DB and SIL's for dinner, they had take-out Chinese and I way over-ate. I didn't even want to go to dinner, because I knew this would happen- isn't that nuts?

Exercise-wise, things went fine. THe heat here kicked in on Wednesday, so my cardio has been done mostly at the gym, with the exception of a couple of early morning runs and an early morning hike. I skipped kickboxing on Thursday- no air conditioning in the studio and it was just too hot. I have discovered that by 7 pm it is cooler outside than in our house (no a/c), so I have taken to going on long (5 mile) walks- walking until dark, when things inside are bearable again.

I just finished making a spreadsheet of exercises I can do on the road once my business travel season starts- my "Road Warrior Exercise Log"- similar to the training log I keep at the gym, but resistance exercises for which I don't need weights- just the exercise tube and/or my body weight. I am hoping that having this training log along when I travel will be another tool of motivation to keep me on track.

[jd]

Congratulations to the vacationers that didn't gain weight - what a great accomplishment!

Welcome, vstowe! Great to have you on board.

This week was good - maintained weight and exercised according to plan. I am really pumped that I am meeting with a personal trainer on Wednesday. I've been trying to find one for several months, but it appears that very few around here need the business as they don't return calls. I'm pleased with my phone discussions with this new one and hope that she will set me up on a program that will prevent injury and keep me motivated. My plan is to meet with her this week and then every 6-8 weeks to evaluate and revamp the program. I'll take any advice you have on working with a trainer.

Keep up the great work everyone!

[AZLorena]

Congratulations to the vacationers for maintaining your program when you left your regular routine! That is a tough thing to do.

KValley.....I have to tell you that your comment has had me "beaming" all afternoon. Thanks for the warm fuzzy!

lindrusso....this transition back to the school year routine has definitely been tough. The kids started back today. My husband and I went out to Souper Salad for dinner and I was just about falling asleep on my salad plate. Needless to say, I didn't take my walk this evening. Oh well....I do allow myself two blow-off days a week. I guess this was one of them.

Here is an interesting thing that I have noticed about myself since I have started getting serious this summer. I do not like to eat out much anymore. I do have my few okay places like Souper Salad and Sweet Tomatoes.....but other than that, I don't like the lack of control over my food. When my DH's friends call and want to do something, we usually end up inviting them over for dinner. Its cheaper in the long run......and we know what goes into our food. I was thinking about this on the weekend when our friend made the comment that, "Lorena is going to have us all eating right whether we like it or not!" I felt good about that because my hubby's friends are rather "large" fellows. The one who made the comment is 400+lbs. The guys have told me that they really enjoy eating dinner at our house because they know the food is healthy....but it is not bland or boring. That made me feel really good.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling. I kind of use this thread as my journal. Its the best kind of journal, because you all give me feed back. Thanks for that. I can't even remember the last time I typed in my real journal.

[GayeC]

I have noticed the same thing about eating out. I really want to know what is in my food and how many calories it has, which is nearly impossible to know with restaurant food.

The comments by your DH's friends are great. I would be very honored. Your may have a positive effect on others' health just by going about your own healthy routine. What could be better? Gaye

[BevP]

Everyone sounds so positive and encouraging. I've loved reading them all. Congrats to all you vacationers.

Welcome vstoe. This is a support group for healthy living. We check in each week and help each other to either lose, tone, gain (I wish :D ), maintain... whatever we need. We encourage mindful, healthy eating and exercise.

Gaye - I know how you feel about wanting to quit "dieting" after you reach goal. You know once you get to goal it's not a quit thing but a relaxing of guidelines. You're making a lifestyle change so it's actually easy. Don't worry, I know you'll get there.

My own week was hot and sticky. Our gym is not air conditioned :( though the aerobics room has an ancient air conditioner that tries its best. Well it was way too hot and humid in there so I worked out at home. Besides I didn't like one of the subs teaching aerobics.

And...there was too much ice cream in my hot sticky world. But I stepped on the scale and it hadn't changed so I guess my calorie intake was alright. (Ice cream and a vitamin are a healthy dinner, right :p ) I find I'm liking the girl in the mirror though. I swear, yesterday, the mirror in the aerobics room was a skinny mirror. Loved it!!! I also got a compliment from one of the ladies in class!!

Water intake was almost enough. Couldn't quite keep up with the sweating unless I bumped down the air conditioner at home (and I'm too cheap to do that very often). So this week's goals are to drink up, go to aerobics, and eat smart.

[Sara Emily]

Greetings, everyone!

This past week was an exciting one for me, as Monday, DH and I officially started our membership at the gym! :) We went four days last week and did good, hard workouts each of those times. (One of my big goals was to really push myself harder in the exercise dept., and taking this step finally made that promise to myself of MANY months a reality!)

The toning machines are such a boon for me and, after doing the ones that constitute a whole body strengthening routine, I felt great. By Tuesday, late morning, my shoulders and upper arms were sore, but a hot bath with Epsom salts worked wonders, and I was fine after that.

Eating for the week was a whole different story! :( DH and I RARELY eat out when we are in town, as I love to cook so much and, like many of you mentioned, I enjoy knowing exactly what I'm getting! So, our meals at home were perfectly wonderful- delicious concoctions of fish, veggies, fruits, and grains! HOWEVER ...... it was a strange week and I wound up eating out about five meals, eating more than I wanted or needed each of those times. :(

I know all the advice that the magazines offer - When you eat out, if the restaurant is not especially geared to providing great, healthy choices, opt for things like steamed vegetables, baked chicken without sauces, etc. I don't know how it is with you, but I just can't bring myself to make those bland, boring old choices. I don't choose AWFUL things, but I want something interesting when I eat out and, preferably, something I don't or can't make at home. Consequently, I went "off the wagon" way too many times this past week, and eating this way makes me crave my nemesis, sweets, even more! (Does anyone else have this problem???)

Fortunately, weight is not an issue for me as I DO eat so much better MOST of the time and DO stay active, but I AM getting older, and I NEED to practice better control and "mindful eating" NOW!

So, it's week TWO at the gym and an IMPROVED eating plan this week! Thank goodness for brand new starts!!!!! :D

[BevP]

Originally posted by Sara Emily
I know all the advice that the magazines offer - When you eat out, if the restaurant is not especially geared to providing great, healthy choices, opt for things like steamed vegetables, baked chicken without sauces, etc. I don't know how it is with you, but I just can't bring myself to make those bland, boring old choices. I don't choose AWFUL things, but I want something interesting when I eat out and, preferably, something I don't or can't make at home. Consequently, I went "off the wagon" way too many times this past week, and eating this way makes me crave my nemesis, sweets, even more! (Does anyone else have this problem???)
[/B]

I'm glad I'm not the only one!!!! The last thing I want at a restaurant is boring flavorless food, which is all they seem to make healthy. I still don't understand why we, at home, can make wonderful, delicious, healthy foods and restaurants with their trained, professional cooks can't.

[MelissaAS]

Wow- everyone sounds really great. What a great place to come for inspiration...things are on track for me as well these days- back on the exercise wagon, which has made me a bit stiff but a good stiff, I know you know what I mean. Eating is not the healthiest, but portions are under control. I'm down another half pound, and while it's slow, I feel good about learning how to control my eating without obsessing OR feeling deprived.

Take good care all and keep it up!
Melissa

[Kristine]

I know it's almost the end of the week, but I have been out of town, and I'm just starting to get back into the swing of things. I spent 4 days in Philadelphia and did lots of walking (and sitting too unfortunately--my poor bum! :)), but didn't gain any weight. I'm not really aggressively trying to loose weight (though I wouldn't be upset if i lost 4-5 pounds), so I wasn't too worried during the trip.

I've recently starting power walking with a friend along the beach in the evenings, which is so nice right now, since the weather has been just beautiful! It's much more enjoyable than going to the gym. Of course, I've been doing my weights/conditioning at home too. Eating has been under control....I've finally gotten into a routine that I like and that works. So all in all, I've had a pretty good week. :)

[MKSquared]

I'd love another place where I could get a little encouragement. May I post my goals?

First and foremost, I'm looking to be healthy. The biggest hurdle to this is my current weight -- but it's going down. Yay! I lost again last week to bring my total lost to 11 pounds for the month. A little quick, perhaps, but it's still the very beginning. Give it time, and it will slow, I'm sure.

Second, I need to get back into enough shape to compete. I miss playing ice hockey desperately, but I'm too nervous to get back on the ice with guys when I'm not up to my own standards. Plus, I'm planning on doing a mini-triathalon with my mom next summer, and I'd like to be able to run the 5K part of it.

My triumph today? I completed 2 miles -- and I ran for 2 quarter-miles (not consecutive, though).

If you'll have me, I'd love to join in here!

[funnybone]

Originally posted by MKSquared
I'd love another place where I could get a little encouragement. May I post my goals?



EVERYONE is welcome. Thanks for joining in. We post weekly, so we expect to see you again next week!!

[Natasha]

MKSquared,

Could you tell us more about your ice hockey? Do you compete? I'm intrigued! :)

Thanks and welcome!
Natasha

[MKSquared]

Let me start by saying I never dreamed I'd be playing ice hockey -- I really didn't even ice skate when I was young. During my sophomore year in college, my roommate was really involved in the university's women's ice hockey club. I went to a game and thought, "I could do that."

So I did.

Hockey is so much fun !!! It's not all about hitting and checking; it's so much more important to be able to skate well. Shifts (the amount of time you're on the ice) are supposed to be close to two minutes of all-out-skating, so you do end up getting a good workout.

Playing on a co-ed team when you're the only woman (or one of just a few) is also a really great high. You've got to work at it, but the first time the guys really respect you is a great feeling. Plus, you end up with a network of "big brothers" who watch out for you. (I've had a goalie pick a fight with a guy who was a little overzealous in shoving me around.)

Women's hockey is also a great experience. When I played in college, we played other universities -- but we also played clubs that involved women in their 40's (maybe 50's? they all looked wonderful). It's a different game, to be sure. Much more emphasis on skating, and puck handling -- but there's still contact, don't get me wrong. If you're skating with your head down, you're simply begging to have someone stand you up!

[GayeC]

I hope you will enjoy this board and get lots of encouragement from it. I know I have.

I am fascinated by your discussion of playing ice hockey. I have heard that women's hockey is great because it is so much about skill and athleticism and so little about macho head- and stick-banging! I have never played a sport -- I am just a little too old (43) to have benefited from the emphasis on sports for girls (at least where I grew up -- it wasn't frowned on but no one really encouraged you). Anyway, I admire those who do play sports, especially those that are not traditional for women.
Gaye

[aggie94]

Originally posted by MKSquared
Plus, I'm planning on doing a mini-triathalon with my mom next summer, and I'd like to be able to run the 3K part of it.


Don't diminish your abilities by calling it a mini-triathlon! Is it swimming, cycling, and running? Then it's a tri! I've done triathlons before, and no matter what the the distances are (sprint, Olympic, Ironman), I assure you there's nothing mini about what you're doing! I mean, would you call a 5K a mini-run? ;)

[MKSquared]

Yeah .... Yeah! There isn't anything "mini" about that triathalon at all. :-)

All of a sudden, I feel so much more powerful! Woo!

Thanks. aggie94.

[aggie94]

No problem. :D