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Hiker
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 31 July 2008 10:49 am |
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Good morning guys. How goes the weight loss battle?
Bert, I think your school should get some of the engineering students out there to remeasure, I think you're being cheated  . Do you bike ride at all? Being a college area I would think you have some great bike paths? Where I live in central MA it is really hilly so I mainly stick to bike paths which for us are old railroad beds that have been converted....they are nice and flat. I tell Frank that for me #%@&! is going to be 90 degrees and humid and I will be forced to ride a bike up hill and just as I crest one hill, yup...there will be another one and on and on. Now that is incentive for me to be a better person  .
Anne, how's it going with those grandchildren? Pretty soon you'll be rid of the parents and then you can really spoil those little one!
Have a great day.
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pbf4326e
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 31 July 2008 12:35 pm |
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Mornin'
Fran, here's a link showing our campus. No bike trails at our campus though. Being a community college, we don't have the sprawling campuses that the university does. We have 6 campuses around the county but smaller space for each on. I don't have a bike anyway, other than the stationary bike in the house. My kids left thier bikes in our shed and I'm thinking of getting them refurbished and keeping them for Mary Ellen and myself.
The link shows the overall campus and the measured trail. I may take a drive around myself to see.
Http://www1.cpcc.edu/bewell/Walking/Harris
Anne, spoil those kids as much as you can and then give them back.
Weight loss is looking good for the week so far but I'll wait until Monday to let you know. I still have 4 days until then to work on it.
Have a great day, spicey ones.
Bert
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Hiker
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 31 July 2008 02:25 pm |
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Bert, it looks like a nice campus, it's nice to have a more intimate campus if you ask me, especially when you're 18 or 19,
I use my car odometer to measure my walks all the time, it gives me a sense of security. It really doesn't matter but I like to know what I walk. Actaully today I was ambitious and I walked 1.5 miles and jogged for a half mile. I spread the half mile out in tenth of a mile increments and spread them through out the walk. It didn't make a lot of difference time wise, I probably walked slower trying to catch my breath but it was good to get the HR up  .
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pbf4326e
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 31 July 2008 02:28 pm |
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Hey,
Any activity is good. It doesn't matter how you spread it out. Good for you!!
I did 10 min. on the bike today to warm up and then did strenght training. If I can get the time later, I'll walk again. I have a meeting at one of the other campuses at 11:00 so I have to get going.
Later, Spicer.
B
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Posted: 1 August 2008 04:28 am |
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Greetings Spice Cadets,
Sorry it's so late - Grandchildren, you know!
Bert, I can't wait till you reach your goal either!
You two are talking alot about exercise. I used to be a big runner - 7 minute miles - but I can definitely say that a 10 minute mile is a jog - or possibly really good speed walking for a very tall person. For me at 5'8", it is certainly a jog! You go, Bert!
I have been doing well on the exercise end. Mostly cross trainer as usual but I have been pushing myself. Today I was not able to do it though as we left early in the am for a day trip and when we got back I had to start in on making dinner.
Eating has not been bad, but not perfect either. I have not been writing everything down which does not work as well for me. Tomorrow the parents are leaving and I think we may be left with just our grandson. Our granddaughter, who is 5, is having second thoughts about Mommy and Daddy leaving without her and I can understand that. Anyway, I think I should have a bit more time to spend on the weight loss stuff.
Time for bed!
Anne
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Hiker
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 1 August 2008 10:49 am |
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Good morning Spicey Ones, don't you just love our name, you can play with it so much. Thanks Bert.
If a 10 minute mile is a jog for you at 5'8" imagine me w/ my short little legs at 5'3" . I guess I'll stick w/ my 17 minute mile and once in awhile go for a 15 minute mile.
Anne, either way you are going to have a nice time next week. It would be nice to have them both but it would also be nice to have some alone time with your grandson. With my 2 nephews, ages 2 and 4 sometimes I have them both, sometimes just the oldest. I'm not sure Ben, the younger one will ever want alone time, it's different for second children...they never had alone time so they don't seem to enjoy it as much. Anyway, it will be nice either way.
For me this week end is a Bruce Springstein concert and a PawSox/SWB Yankee game. Those are AAA teams for the Red Sox/Yankees. It is the game those of us who can't get tickets to Red Sox games have to settle for. It is a good time and is almost as big a rivalry as the "big guys". We are staying overnight in RI so it will be a week end trip which will present food challenges but I think I will be alright, the baseball game may be a challenge but I'll take my protein bars with me  .
Have a good week end guys.
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pbf4326e
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 1 August 2008 01:03 pm |
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Hi ladies,
I'm going to have to drive the area they say is a mile. I'm 5'9" but I'm not jogging. I am walking at a very fast pace though and taking strides that are longer than a stroll. I'll see and get back with you.
Also, I have that recipe I told you about, the crustless tomato-ricotta pie. I'll get it to you later today. It's pretty good and very easy (Fran  )
Have a great weekend!
Bert
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pbf4326e
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 1 August 2008 03:43 pm |
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Hey gals,
Me again. Here's that recipe.
Crustless Tomatoe-Ricotta-Pie (Good Housekeeping August '08)
1 Container (15 oz.) part skim ricotta cheese
4 large eggs
1/4 cp. freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp coarse black pepper
1/4 cp. low-fat (1%) milk (we used skim)
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cp. loolsely packed fresh basil leaves, chopped.
1/2 cp. loosely packed mint leaves, chopped. (Not a big fan so we omitted. Used more basil)
1 lb ripe tomatoes (3 med.) thinly sliced
1. preheat oven to 375 F. In large bowl, whisk ricotta, eggs, romano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, until blended.
2. In measuring cup, stir milk, and cornstarch until smooth; whisk into cheese mixture, stit in basil and mint.
3. Pour mixture into nonstick 10" skillet with oven safe handle. Arrange tomatoes on top, overlapping slices if necessary. Bake 35-40 min or until lightly browned and set around edge and center is puffed. Let stand 5 min before serving.
Each serving (makes 6): about 190 calories, 15 grms protein, 10 g carbs, 10g total fat (5 sat.) 2 g fiber, 165 mg cholesterol, 380 mg sodium.
That's all it is.
Enjoy!
Bert
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Posted: 3 August 2008 04:17 am |
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Hello, Spicey ones!
Your tomato ricotta pie sounds good, Bert. I was all excited until I got to almost the end and it said "puff". Puff? Have you ever tried cooking at altitude?? I laugh when I see those boxes with alternate directions for altitude and then say 2500 feet. What about 8000 feet? Don't we count? Oh well, I am used to eating things that should puff but don't - it still tastes good! I agree that mint sounds a little weird in this recipe - although I don't have anything against it in general.
Well, we have the two grandkids with us. The five year old decided that she wanted to stay after all and has done really well being away from Mom & Dad.
I love being with these kids; at the same time, I wonder how parents do it 24 hours a day, every day. I am amazed! I do not get anything else done at all (they are in bed now). And how a single parent would manage is totally beyond my comprehension.
Fran, it sounds like you have another big weekend planned! Have a great time!
Anne
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Hiker
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Posted: 4 August 2008 11:10 am |
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Good morning Spice Cadets. Hope everyone had a good week end.?.
I did better than I thought over the week end, actually I did better than if I had been at home. I think I was so concerned with going overboard I went underboard(?), I only had 900 calories on Saturday and 1100 on Sunday. The Springstein concert was great, delayed an hour and a half because of rain but great once it got started. The PawSox game was also a lot of fun, they lost but we had a good time. As far as food goes I was amazed at what I didn't eat! Usually at those things I would have a sausage sandwich when I got there and then later maybe some nachos with cheese and if I got bored maybe an ice cream. Instead I didn't have anything at the concert, I ate first and at the game I "indulged" in a frozen lemonade and treated myself to half a quesadilla when I got home. The amazing thing is I really wasn't hungry...OK, when the girl sitting next to me was eating a hot dog it really was tempting but I resisted. Having a couple of protein bars in my bag helped, I didn't eat them but I knew if I was really hungry I had something.
Bert--This is for Anne--you can read it if you want but don't blame me. If you ever want to sneak food into anywhere I have found if you put it in the zippered part of your pocket book or bag and put a few Tampax on top....the checkers, who are usually male will not look beyond seeing Tampax--they are terrified of them . Really, it's like poison the them for some reason. I don't have any of them around anymore but I got a couple from a younger friend and it worked like a charm!
Ok Bert you can safely read again.
So we're off to another week and I hope it's a great one for you both, you are SO close. If you wouldn't mind could you either do it this week or wait until the week after next so I can be here when you do? What, you think that is asking too much ??
Onward and downward Spicers!
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pbf4326e
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 4 August 2008 12:42 pm |
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Hello Spice goddesses,
Fran, you crack me up. There yet, is another advantage women have over men. What a great idea. #%@&!, I may get a few from my daughter and put them in my fanny pack the next time I'm at an event. If you think guys are horrified when they see you with them, wait until they get a load of me.
Fran, you did very well over the weekend. I'm very proud of you. Way to go!! Where are you next week? You may have mentioned it but I forgot.
I had a good weekend over all. I was down more weight than I expected on Sunday morning but we went out to eat Sunday evening and I think the water hung on. I didn't have any alcohol, water only. I didn't have any of the bread and olive oil but asked if they could steam some asparagus and zuchinni a put some marinara sauce on it. It was great but I suspect more salt than I would have used. I also had a big salad with grilled scallops and shrimp. The salt shaker they had was one of those sea salt ones you have to grind. Quite a bit comes out. Long story short, I'm down 2 lbs. on the week for a weigh in of 192, 2 lbs from the goal!!! I'll try to hit it this week.
Anne, we were too busy being parents to remember how tough it was. We've been on "vacation" from kids for a while and I think that's why it's so tough. The good news is that we can stand back and have the fun now.
Let's stay tough this week and stay strong.
Maybe I need to move to the hight altitudes so I won't puff up again.
Later, spicemeisters
Bert
Last edited on 4 August 2008 12:43 pm by pbf4326e
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Hiker
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 4 August 2008 01:05 pm |
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Bert, you did fantastic eating out and sticking to your diet! I swear when I go out to eat I now think...what would Bert order? I am so here cheering you on for those last 2.2 lbs!
You had me ROFL with your response. You are right, see if you daughter will give you a couple, or then again...I wonder if condoms would have the same effect? It wouldn't be as funny though, can you imagine the looks?.
Anne, the reason God gives children to 20 and 30 year olds is that they have the energy, we don't. My nephews wear me out in a two days so I am sure you are getting ready for a nice quiet evening on the couch with a good book. Did your granddaughter end up staying or just your grandson?
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pbf4326e
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 4 August 2008 01:08 pm |
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HEY!! That's only 2 lbs., not 2.2. Please don't add to my fat butt.
Bert
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Hiker
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Posted: 4 August 2008 02:44 pm |
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I am so sorry....what a horrible thing to do  , I am so ashamed, I should be thrashed with a wet noodle. Remember, those fat butt days are behind you (pun intended).
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pbf4326e
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 4 August 2008 02:45 pm |
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| LOL!
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pbf4326e
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 4 August 2008 07:38 pm |
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Hi again,
I've got a quesion for the both of you. With all the communications we've had over the past months, I don't know when your "Ah HA!" moment was.
I told you about my back last summer and that I realized I couldn't protect my wife. That was mine. I also saw this today and the gal in the video also had an "AhHA! Moment.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26010406#26010406
Let me know.
Thanks,
Bert
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Posted: 5 August 2008 03:31 am |
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Good evening, Spicers,
It sounds like you both had a good weekend - congratulations! Oh, Bert, only 2 more lbs - wow!
As of today, I am still down a little over 35 lbs. My birthday is this coming weekend - 51 - and once that is over, I will set another goal. If the weather is good, we will go jeeping for the weekend - one of my favorite things to do!
I don't know if I had an ah-ha moment. I think I had more of a surrender moment. I desperately wanted to lose the weight and didn't seem to be making any headway - for years. I finally admitted that I could not do it via my own strength and asked God to give me what I needed to be successful. It was kind of the alcoholics anonymous approach to food.
Yes, both of the grandkids ended up staying. I never had any children so these come from my husband's first marriage. Therefore, I do not have the "hands on" experience that you two do. I think I do pretty well for a rookie, though.
It's late again and I'm going to try to get to bed so we can be up for a hike in the morning.
Anne
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Hiker
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 5 August 2008 10:59 am |
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Good morning Spicettes.
I'm like Ann, I didn't really have that one big ah ha moment. For me it was a lot of things, my size 16's getting too snug was huge, for me somehow size 18 is really bad, I've been there and was so depressed about my weight I didn't think I could get out but I was lucky and I did. Ann had God, Bert had his wife and I guess for me it was my grandmother, when I feel weak I remind myself " I am Adelaide's' granddaughter". she was an incredibly strong women, especially for her time and I was her baby, she adored me but.... she never let me slack....it was simple...I was a "Perry girl" (her family name) and we did not surrender, we did not quit...if we got knocked down we got back up fighting. I like to believe I have her spirit in me, I think I do and I am really glad. Of course it doesn't work out so well for those around us sometimes  , we can be a little hard to take at times.
Today was my official weigh in day and I was down 2.2 lbs! I am really glad I was a little over my 1.5 weekly goal since I will be on vacation next week. We are going to Bar Harbor, ME. IF Frank's leg is okay we will get a lot of hiking in but right now it does not look good and we will of course not be eating as well as we should. I have some plans in place I think will help me. I usually get a homemade blueberry pie the day we arrive and have a piece every day, this year I will pick one day and have a nice big piece at a restaurant. I am still going to go our favorite place for BBQ but I will make it only one day and I will TRY to watch my portions and of course there has to be a lobster day but my plan there is to use spray butter instead of dipping each piece in real butter. I think those are some compromises I can live with, if you have any other suggestions I would love to hear them. We will eat our breakfast at the cottage so that is easy, lunches may be a little harder. At home I eat 5 times a day, small "meals" such as a hard boiled egg, a chicken thigh or a yogurt. I try to avoid carbs, not entirely but I really like to keep them low, it seems to help me stay satisfied longer.
Sorry to go on about me so much
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pbf4326e
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 5 August 2008 12:49 pm |
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Good morning, Spiceanators!
It was fluid retention. Check your personal emails!!!!!!
Bert
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Hiker
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 5 August 2008 03:59 pm |
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| Bert, I sent you an email but I wanted to post here too.....Unbelievable what you have done. I think we should declare this Bert day on the Spice post! Congratulations! You are my inspiration.
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pbf4326e
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 5 August 2008 04:01 pm |
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Thanks, Fran!!!! I really appreciate it. (this is the three of us smiling!)
Bert
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Hiker
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 August 2008 10:48 am |
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Good morning guys. Bert, you must still be on a high after reachng that 100lb mark yesterday. I still can't believe it, what a huge accomplishment.
Not much going on for me today. Something weird happened though, I mentioned I had checked the box to get notifications when a post was put on this thread but I never received any. Last night I got 3 email notification all at 10:28, note there were no posts at 10:28. No big deal just sort of weird . Maybe I will start to get notification now.
Have a good day. Anne when are the little guys leaving? I bet you're getting ready for adult time?
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pbf4326e
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 August 2008 12:26 pm |
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Hi Fran and Anne,
I got on the scale this morning, like I do everyday, and I was still down 100. I'm so glad because I tend to fluctuate a lot. I'm hoping to get down 1 or 2 this week to give me that pad and then move toward getting that 34 waiste I want. When I hit that, whatever weight I'm at, that will be it and I'll start a maintenance program then. That's when the real, long term stuff starts. I'll report regularly on my weight anyway just so you gals will keep me accountable.
I gotta tell you, I feel great!
Bert
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Hiker
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Posted: 6 August 2008 12:42 pm |
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| You can count on us....you start going up and we're going to be all over you! Just kidding, anyone who has worked this hard isn't going to throw it away. As you know there are fluctuations and then there are true gains. How often do you weigh yourself?
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pbf4326e
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 August 2008 12:51 pm |
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I weigh in daily. I have to because of the fluctuation and to make sure I'm not on the climb again.
I could think of worse things than the two of you all over me though.
I know; I'm bad
Bert
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Posted: 6 August 2008 02:43 pm |
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Hi, Spice Babies,
Good morning. Bert, I'll bet you do feel great!! 100 lbs!! Wow!!
And Fran, good for you too - down 2.2 lbs just before your vacation! When do you leave? It sounds like fun - especially the lobster part! I don't think dipping it in butter is that horrible as long as you don't dunk the whole thing! I find that just a little bit goes a long way with crab and lobster - so rich! Of course, Bert wants to roll himself in the butter - I remember that!
The grandkids just left 30 minutes ago. I am going to go back to work today but I really want to get the house cleaned back up too. I made the strategic decision just to sweep the floor (vs. wash it) before they came. It was a wise move - but now the washing definitely needs to take place.
My weight is still holding at just over 35 lbs lost. I am 1/2 lbs above the very lowest point but I don't think that is too bad considering over a week of not being strict with my diet. So Bert, we are at our goals together!!
Speaking of goals, after this weekend, I am going to start on the next 15 lbs and I think that will be it. After I read that you were going for a 34 inch waist, Bert, I wondered if I am focusing too much on a scale number. Some people have asked why a size 8 is not good enough. I guess it is, but I still want to lose more in my upper body. Unfortunately, I cannot target where it is going to come off and 15 lbs will also affect my lower body.
I think we should talk about some of the benefits of losing weight to keep us motivated - I think there are a bunch of them. One of the nice things for me is that there have been several instances lately when people have been surprised about my age. One was a 27 year old guy who was doing some work for us. We were talking about gas prices and I mentioned what they were when I started driving 34 years ago. He acted surprised and wanted to know how old I was. I told him and he said he would have guessed late 30's. Then later Ray told me that he also mentioned it to him later - that he could not believe I was 50 - and then teased him about robbing the cradle. Of course, I only wish it were true but sun exposure wrinkles tell the real story! Still, it is nice to hear!
How about you guys - some benefits?
Anne
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pbf4326e
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 August 2008 03:10 pm |
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Morning, Anne,
I guess for me, the 34 waist is my best measurement at this point in that my belly was the biggest part of me. The scale is a great measurement but there are many other factors. Continuing to lose will affect the waist more so and 34 is a good size for me. I'll lose more fat elsewhere but this will be the key. Any other body change will come from exercise at that point. I'd like to build my arms up more and sculp by thighs a bit too. No telling what my weight will be when I'm where I want to be there as muscle is heavier than fat. Abs are tough and if I still have some fat, it's gonna stay there as I don't want to go below a 34. I'll do what I can to firm those up but at 56 1/2, I know I won't have the bod I had in college. Waist size, yes. Deffinition, no. Time takes it's toll.
There are a bunch of benefits to this weight loss. I have a lot more energy for sure. My back hasn't given me any problems since I hurt it last summer. The real benefits are those you can't see. Let me share some numbers with you. These are my numbers from April 2007 and April 2008 when I had my annual physical.
Was Now
Cholesterol 219 188 (should be below 200)
HDL (good) 55 55 (should be over 35)
LDL (bad) 145 115 (should be below 130)
Sugar 99 81
Blood Press. I haven’t hadn't my meds since Easter as I ran out. BP is 126/84. The doctor took me off the meds.
My resting pulse is down from 72-75/min to 60/min. My heart doesn't have to work as hard. In April I was down 80 lbs so this is an additional 20. I suspect these numbers look even better.
I think I also have a greater confidence. I enjoy shopping for clothes more than I ever did (not that I really enjoy it) but I look better and there's more to choose from. My wife looks at me differently too. Not that she ever looked at me badly but there's, I don't know, a greater look of admiration maybe, at what I've accomplished. I'm very proud of her too. She's down 44 and only 6 to go for 50.
No one's tried to pick me up yet though. That would be the ultimate. LOL!!!
Have either of you been checking your other stats besides weight loss?
B
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Posted: 6 August 2008 04:32 pm |
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Those are impressive improvements, Bert! Health is certainly THE most important thing and it looks like you have avoided some real problems - that is fantastic!
I am especially interested in the blood pressure improvements. My husband takes blood pressure medication and I'd love for him to get off of it. He is not overweight though - well, maybe he could lose 10 lbs without getting too thin - but it is certainly not an issue for him. His mother also has had high blood pressure for years and she is a teeny tiny thing. I wish there was something he could do to get off the meds!
The reason I have not focused on these measurements for myself is because the doctor has proclaimed me incredibly healthy - even before I lost the weight. I should have the results from my last blood tests but I can't put my finger on them right now. I know my total cholesterol was about 135 with HDL around 70, my blood pressure is usually around 120 / 70. I don't really recall my resting heart rate but I am pretty aerobically fit.
I am not saying at all that these are not important for me - they are - I just have been blessed not to have to worry about anything in particular so far. But believe me, when health starts to slip, it very quickly would jump to #1 on the list. I have seen that happen so many times to people. You think other things are important until you lose your health. My grandmother died at 103 and never spent a day in the hospital; my dad is 90 and is very healthy as well (he never spent a day in the hospital either except to be with my mom). My parents, both 90, still live in the house I grew up in. I think I just have good genes!
Losing weight really does help with confidence, I agree. I don't feel so embarrassed anymore about how I look. When you feel better overall, confidence is higher.
Anne
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Hiker
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Posted: 6 August 2008 04:58 pm |
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So far I have been lucky, my numbers are usually pretty good. My last blood test my results were:
Cholesterol 183--HDL 63, LDL 105
My Hemoglobin A1c test must be different than Berts, my number is 5.9 which I am told his okay.
My blood pressure is always good it does go up with my weight but even then it tends to be low, last check it was something over 62--Actaullly sometimes it's too low and I feel faint but I don't worry about that.
My heart rate, at rest runs in the 90's--kind of high I know but no one seems to be concerned, I just had a stress test and I did fine on it.
Really helath wise my weight hasn't effected me yet, but I do know the higher my wieght went the worse those numbers were. I know by looking at my sister the diretion I could head in. She is 15 years older and she was always like me and laughed off weight issues but now she has high blood pressure, severe diabetes and heart issues. I feel bad but her health issues was really a wake up call for me which doesn't seem fair. I know it's dumb but I feel guilty that I learned by her mistakes. Unfortuanltey she is married to someone who insists on high calorie foods (even though he is at least 100 lbs overweight) and she feels she has to have them for him. Me....I just cook what I want, eat it or don't. See I can be such a B---- sometimes.
The best thing about loosing weight--I can cross my legs again without the top leg sliding off! That might seem like a small thing but when I first discovered I couldn't do it I was devasted. To me that meant I was definatly a "fat girl".
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pbf4326e
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Posted: 6 August 2008 05:13 pm |
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Well, ladies, based on your numbers, it just proves that women live longer than men.
All of the bad numbers were related to my weight. I have relatively good genes too with respect to longevity. Dad was 82 when he died. He had emphysema and died of cancer but he was still 82. I suspect had he not smoked like a chimney for most of his life, he would have lived longer. Mom will be 84 this month and she really doesn't or hasn't taken exceptional care of herself but better than dad did. Grand parents lived into the low 90s. Anne, your genes are size 8 and that's pretty good too
I think the biggest factor with respect to my blood pressure going down is the cardio exercise. That has a big bearing on it. Does Ray do a lot of cardio? It could be just a genetic thing with him.
Fran, don't feel guilty about learning from someone else's mistakes. Look at it this way; your sister can now learn from you. In general, with respect to health, most people learn from the mistakes of others. Doctors have researched and have learned what hurts people's health and that information is given to us so we won't make the same mistakes. It's just the way it is.
If your sister is serious about losing weight, she's just going to have to put her foot down and tell her husband she needs to do this or she'll die. I'm sure he loves her and doesn't want her to suffer health problems she could correct. I don't want to seem insensitive but too often we tend to make excuses for our own bad habits. I guess it's human nature. I gained way too much weight and I have no one to blame but myself.
What' a Hemoglobin A1c test?
B
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Hiker
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Posted: 6 August 2008 05:28 pm |
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My sister and her husband definitely enable one another, you are so right there.
the A1c number is a test for diabetes, I am sure you're doctor has done one. It is important because it tell you the average blood glucose level over the past 3 months. Normal is 4-6%, as you can see I just made it under the wire so I am really hoping to improve it. Since it was normal they won't check it for another year but I hope it's lower by then. I wouldn't be "sugar" level didn't equate back to this somehow.
I'm sure you are right about the cardio and you BP, it probably has helped all of your numbers but BP for sure .
I'm like you, at least on the female side....if the woman don't hit 90+ then everyone thinks they died young. Even my aunt who was a 3 pack a day smoker made it to 94 and my mother who had high blood pressure was 93. I don't know about the other side of my family but my father died young...I always say he didn't give me anything and he #%@&! well better not have given me lousy genes !
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Posted: 7 August 2008 02:20 am |
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Fran, I agree with Bert - no need to feel guilty about learning from your sister's mistakes. Sometimes we learn from good examples, sometimes from bad examples - the important thing is to learn!
Talk about enabling - studies show that you tend to look like the people you hang out with. If you hang out with overweight people (or people who engage in bad eating behavior), you tend to be overweight; the opposite is also true. So, I'm glad to be "hanging out" with you two who are concerned about your weight and being healthy. I can't tell you how much I value our little "circle" and our continuing communication on these issues - thank you very, very much to both of you!
Bert, you asked if Ray did much cardio. In the past, he certainly did; he was a long distance bike rider for many years. Since he started building the house 5 years ago, that has shifted, however. His work on the house can be pretty strenous and he gets pretty darn tired. His usual routine now is to walk a couple of miles in the am and do stretching exercises after that. It really is not aerobic enough but he has talked to his doctor about it and he (the doctor) feels that it is reasonable given everything else. I'm sure that he will increase his exercise once the house activities lighten up a bit - if that ever happens. He can usually push himself when he needs to - like when we ski, he is a speed maniac - but it is not his day to day thing.
Have either of you hear anything more about this site going away?
Anne
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Hiker
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Posted: 7 August 2008 10:26 am |
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HI guys.
Funny you should ask about the site, because I was just thinking about that this morning. No I haven't heard anything about it going away since the very first time, what back in June I think we all got emails. Wouldn't it be great if it stayed? I feel like this site has helped me so much and I am so glad that you two are on this journey with me. I see a lot of the threads are no where near as active as ours, some days I really don't have much to say but I think it's important we keep in touch and I love that we share things other than just weight issues. It is probably the best weight loss support I have ever had, thanks for being here.
One of my goals is to try and get Frank a little more active again, he really isn't bad about it but things just seem to keep happening. He loves bike riding and we were doing pretty well when he hurt his leg. He is good about walking with me although that is really not one of his favorite activities. In the winter we both love to snowshoe but that is something we can only do on the weekends so it's pretty much walk, or go to the gym and I absolutely hate, and I mean really hate the gym. Frank actually likes the gym but he won't go without me...I have no idea why it's not like we work out together once we're there but...we all have our little quirks. I have really tried to like the gym, I've tried classes, swimming, biking, all of the equipment, both weights and cardio I just can't seem to get into any of it. I think I just like to be outside. Anyway, I guess I'd better work on my attitude towards the gym a little  . Now walking, I could do that all day every day, I just love it, but again not at the gym. Bert, you are so good about working out, even when you don't want to, I will have to try and pick up more of your positive attitude.
Anne, now that the little ones are gone I hope you are relaxing a little (don't worry the mess will be there) and having some nice quiet grown up time. I think one of the best parts of having no kids is the quietness, some people find that lonely....me I love it. No TV's or stereos blasting, no constant activity....yup, I think I must be getting old and loving it!.
Have a great day spicers.
Last edited on 7 August 2008 10:27 am by Hiker
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pbf4326e
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Posted: 7 August 2008 12:41 pm |
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Hi guys,
I haven't seen anything more about the site going away either but at least we have each other's email address so if it's gone one morning, we can still stay in contact.
I really enjoy our group too. I'm with a couple of others but ours is different. I feel we've made a real connection and it's incredibly important to make the support for each other genuine. I too enjoy the fact that we talk about other stuff besides weight. Our lifestyles, family issues, work, etc, all contribute to how we react to food and exercise in one way or another and being able to have a sounding board and a place to vent is just what the doctor ordered. I feel that we've become very good friends and I hope this continues.
Anne, I'm not sure what the BP issues would be for Ray but it may be related to the stress of building the house too. That is a huge undertaking! I'm sure it's going to be beautiful when it's done but it's a lot of work. I get flustered when I have to replace a light fixture or the pump in a toilet tank. A house, no way. There are people who do that stuff for a living and who am I to deprive them of a living.
My team at work is taking me out for pizza tomorrow for lunch. It's the best pizza and I haven't had it for a long time. I'll have one piece, a salad and a diet pepsi. Mary Ellen and I are going out for Mexican to celebrate a friends B-day tomorrow night too. I'll have to be careful there. Fajitas is most likely where I'll go and try and watch the chips and beer.
Fran, I didn't work out this morning. I didn't sleep all that well and my stomach was bothering me for some reason. I'll get up in the morning though and "Git 'er done." I appreciate your support and encouragement on the exercise but I gotta tell you that I still hate it too. It's the results I like and that's what keeps me going.
Have a wonderful day, spicey ones.
I loves 'ya!
Bert
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Hiker
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Posted: 7 August 2008 02:29 pm |
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Sounds like you have a plan Bert, one slice or pizza (or even two) is really not bad and since you are going out for it don't take any home and you're golden. I'm glad you said what you did about excercise because so many people tell me "if you make yourself go to the gym for 3 months it will be a habit and you will like it....well I tried that and at the end of 3 months I hated even more!
I laughed about your home repair philosophy, in fact once when Frank was thinking of doing some plumbing repair himself I said " I don't want the plumber teaching our children and I don't want you messing with the pipes", hey we can't all do everything so stick to what you're good at I say.
That being said Anne, it is so great Ray can do that, you will get exactly what you both want and the money you will save is phenomenal. It is going to be so worth all you are both going through right now, soon you will have your dream home.
Last edited on 7 August 2008 02:30 pm by Hiker
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Posted: 7 August 2008 04:05 pm |
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Hi, Bert and Fran
Exercise?? Definitely necessary - not just or even primarily for losing weight but to maintain quality of life as we get older! I don't "like" to exercise - who wouldn't rather spend an extra hour or so sitting on the deck reading the paper? But I do like that it does make me feel better, stronger, more fit overall. I have been exercising regularly since I was 18 and I am glad that it is part of my lifestyle - that said, it is still a matter of discipline to get it done. I totally relate to the NIKE slogan - JUST DO IT!
Have either of you ever read or heard of the book Younger Next Year? It is written for the retirement or pre-retirement crowd about getting fit and staying healthy. In it, they say that you need to treat exercise like your job. We don't always feel like getting up in the morning and going to work - but we do it anyway - because it's not an option if we want to be able to have a place to live and food on the table. Exercise is the same way - it's not an option if we want to maintain our bodies and extend the quality of our lives as long as we can. It may seem like we don't have to worry about this now - but we do. So Fran, maybe you shouldn't expect to like it because I don't think that may people do. And if you do like walking, then that is a huge benefit for the times when you can get out and do that.
I like having an exercise buddy. When I worked at an office, I had people who I ran with every day and that was really nice. Now I don't have any buddies and that makes it harder for me. I put a music dvd on and get on my cross trainer for 40-45 minutes daily at a good pace. Then every other day I add some weights. I also walk, hike, bike, ski as I get the free time - but those things I consider recreation with an exercise bonus.
Bert, I am surprised that you mentioned stress related to Ray's blood pressure. He is always using that as an excuse and it's hard for me to imagine stress being significant enough to elevate blood pressure into a too high range. Maybe I'm wrong about that. Regardless, any stress that he has is self-imposed because he only has to answer to himself. I have tried to get him to relax about things but he is driven, driven. I guess maybe that's the only way one person gets a house built. He's living his dream, though. He's an engineer with a very creative side - interesting combo - and the house reflects his talents well.
Have a great day! Good luck staying on course!
Anne
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Hiker
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Posted: 7 August 2008 04:15 pm |
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Anne, thanks for the tip, after I read your post I checked it out on Amazon and I think I will buy it, it sounds like something both Frank and I could benefit from...but exercise 6 days a week....if they don't count walking then I am in trouble.I don't know why it is I will walk miles, no problem and like you I hike and bike but only occasionally but i will be interested in what they have to say.
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pbf4326e
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Posted: 7 August 2008 04:21 pm |
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Fran, maybe you could alternate a little jog in with your walk. Maybe some ankle weights could add to the work out.
The book sounds interesting. I'll have to look into this. I'm in the middle of 4 books right now so I ought to finish those first. It drives Mary Ellen nuts that I do that.
B
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Posted: 7 August 2008 04:21 pm |
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| Don't worry, Fran - walking is definitely exercise!
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Hiker
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Posted: 7 August 2008 04:24 pm |
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| Bert, I only read one at a time but I have about 15 books right now on my talbe that I want to read. Loving to read can be a curse. I am just glad that I have a couple of book swap groups I belong to, saves a lot of money .
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pbf4326e
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Posted: 7 August 2008 04:30 pm |
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I like to keep a few going, depending on my many moods.
B
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Hiker
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Posted: 8 August 2008 11:14 am |
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Hey guys, I just wanted to pop in and say Hi before I take off. I'm not leaving until tomorrow but I have a lot of running around today and then I will be off line until the 17th.
Hope you both have a great week and keep each other strong. I'm sure I will have a lot of reading to catch up on when I get back.
See you both in a week, well a little more than a week.
Onward and downward fellow Spicers!
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pbf4326e
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Posted: 8 August 2008 01:32 pm |
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Fran,
Have a great time and be safe. Have a lobster for me!!
Bert
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Posted: 8 August 2008 10:20 pm |
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Sorry I missed you, Fran; have a great time!
Well, Bert, I guess it's just you and me for awhile! I am up a couple pounds from my low point - oops! I'm trying to get on it right away! I have done well today but we are visiting friends for dinner so that will be a challenge - but not impossible. I am trying to keep in mind how good you are at events. I'm also wearing a new pair of black jeans and maybe they will help to remind me too.
I worked out hard this morning - first I walked a couple miles, half of which was pretty steep up hill - that was a warm up. Then I really cranked on the cross trainer for 35 minutes. I actually got a headache during the workout and it hasn't gone away yet. Then I did weights. So about 1.5 hours overall. I hope it will help.
I made a very good dip / spread today that is pretty low in calories. I'll have to write down what I did and post it. Do you like cilantro? I love it!
More later, I need to finish getting ready to go.
Onward and downward!
Anne
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Posted: 11 August 2008 04:24 am |
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Hi, Bert,
I just thought I'd drop you a quick line. I hope you had a good weekend! Sat was my b-day and I had a really nice day. I struggled with staying on track all weekend - I am a little worried about getting on the scale. Today we had a very busy and exhausting day. By the time we came in for dinner, it was almost 7:30. I was so tired and just didn't feel like cooking much so I snacked which means I just kept going to the frig. Not good. Well, I'm just too tired to think about it right now. I do know that I have to get back on track tomorrow. I already said that last time and here I am.
My exerise today was bike riding - I thought of you. It was a grueling ride for me - only about 10 miles but steep uphill climbs that were really tough. I think that set the stage for being tired all day, really.
We have dry wallers starting in the house tomorrow (hopefully). I had to move my cross trainer out of the way and cover it so that it won't get ruined with all the dry wall dust. I wrapped it as well as I could in sheets and plastic. Now I won't be able to use it until they are done so that will be tough. I guess I'm going to have to walk mostly.
Talk to you tomorrow! I'm off to bed.
Anne
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pbf4326e
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Posted: 11 August 2008 12:37 pm |
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Hey Anne,
Happy Birthday!!! How many years young?
Friday was a wierd day for me. For some reason I wasn't firing on all cylindars.
I got up in the morning and worked out for 45 min on the bike and met my mens group for breakfast at 6:45 am. I went to work from there but for some reason, I was having trouble staying focused on things. I was mixing up days/dates, forgot my day planner in the other car, left my keys in the office when I went down to the car. Things like that.
My team took me out to lunch for pizza. I had a slice and a side salad with a diet pepsi. It was great. This was my celebration for hitting the 100 lb. mark. I told my boss I was not with it and decided to take a half day vacation and went home after lunch.
That evening we met some friends at a Mexican restaurant to celebrate a friends B-day and I was bad. Beer, chips and salsa, fajitas, tortillas, etc. I didn't want to get on the scale Saturday.
I met some of the guys in my group on Saturday am and we did a landscaping service project at some homes for the homeless. We were supposed to paint and I was prepared for that but not the landscaping. Needless to say I have broken blisters on my hands and my body ached the next day. I consider that my work out.
I hit the bike Sunday for an hour. I hit the scale this morning and I'm up a lb. No biggie. I expected as much.
Don't be afraid to get on the scale. Remember that what we're doing is a lifetime thing so if you have a celebration, like a B-day, enjoy yourself and get right back on that horse (in those sexy size 8 black jeans of course).
Today is my boss' B-day so we're going out to lunch again. AGHH!! She wants to have Chinese. I'll have to see if I can special order something without a heavey sauce. We'll see.
Oh, and by the way, I love cilantro.
Have a great day and stay strong.
Bert
Last edited on 11 August 2008 12:38 pm by pbf4326e
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Posted: 11 August 2008 05:55 pm |
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Hi, Bert,
I'm sorry to hear that your celebration day at work was a day when you weren't feeling your best. I have had those days before - actually more as I get older, unfortunately!! But I hope you had fun. And one lb over the whole weekend, especially with pizza and mexican is quite an accomplishment. That means you are not starving yourself - otherwise you would probably gain fast.
What does Mary Beth think of your new self??
I wasn't as bad as I feared this morning. I am up a pound as well, which puts me up 1.8 lbs from my lowest point - 34 lb loss. I think I can deal with that and my goal for this week is to be down below that "low point" by the end of the week.
Speaking of goals, I am setting my next goal at 10 more lbs. I was going to do 15 but over the weekend, we saw some friends and I told the woman that I wanted to lose another 15. Her opinion was that I did not need to lose any more weight and that I needed to see a photo of myself. Normally I would blow this off but it did make me think a bit. I never do think I am thin enough and my goal this time was to be healthy, not look like a pile of bones. I don't think 15 is out of line, but to get to 15, you have to get to 10 first anyway. So I don't think there is much harm in setting a goal for 10 and then reevaluating again. I know that the next 10 will be a huge challenge anyway! So, that is really 11 lbs from where I am now.
I think I mentioned that my cross trainer is put away while the drywall is being done. Well, the drywallers did not show up as they were supposed to this am - I KNEW that would happen!! I went for a walk instead - about 5 miles. It is good exercise but takes longer and doesn't feel quite as intense. I could have done that bike ride again but I don't know if I'm up for that.
I'm going to post the recipe with the cilantro on the recipe part of the site so look for it there if you are interested!
Have a great day! We have to try to put Fran eating lobster out of our minds!
Anne
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pbf4326e
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Posted: 11 August 2008 06:46 pm |
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Hi,
I don't know if Mary Beth is excited with the new me or not but my wife sure is. My wife's name is Mary Ellen. She's lost 47 lbs since we started a year ago and she's closing in on 50.
I can't tell you how many people I know that have said "Oh, you don't have to lose any more weight." Everyone's an expert on how I should look and feel. I'm not one of those folks that looks in a mirror and sees a blob but I am realistic. The "naked test" is the only real one and I say I have to lose a bit more. I'm not going to focus on the weight regarding this though. I'm at a 36 waist and I want to get to a 34. That's my goal. That's what I was in college. Once I hit that I'm going on maintenance regardless. I may fluctuate periodically and that's ok. As long as I maintain my 34 waist the rest should be proportionate. I may even gain a bit if I really hit the strength training hard. That will be fine too. Don't worry about what others say you should do. You know what's right for your body and your health.
Subcontractors. Ugh! I feel your pain.
I'll check out the recipe.
Have a wonderful afternoon and don't worry about the exercise. You'll find something to do. I'd recommend running but there's no air out there.
See 'ya, Spicy.
Bert
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Posted: 12 August 2008 01:29 am |
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Oops, sorry about the Mary Beth!! Well, I hope both of them like the new you! How does someone lose 47 lbs without exercising??? Can you tell I am jealous?
Things are pretty stressful right now between work and home; I am still struggling. I need to just quiet my mind and do some praying about this. That seems to be the only thing that works.
Anne
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pbf4326e
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Posted: 12 August 2008 12:25 pm |
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I know what you mean. It drives me nuts that she doesn't exercise. I am concerned though, that she's losing muscle tissue as well as fat. If it continues, she'll have to consume even less calories just to maintain. She knows she has to exercise and I'm hoping she'll start soon. Even 10 min. a day would be a good start.
I'm sorry things are so stressful for you, Anne. Life can really throw us curves and for some reason, they seem to come all at once. I don't know if you read the Bible or not but if you do, let me share a couple of verses with you that are favorites of mine.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 and Philippians 4: 6-7
These two have meant more to me over the past years than you know. I've relied on these promises so much and I still have to remind myself of them. Prayer is extremely powerful and I will pray for you too.
Hang in there, Anne. You're not alone.
Bert
P.S. I lost what I gained over the weekend. Back to 190 this morning.
Last edited on 12 August 2008 12:29 pm by pbf4326e
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