The chat thread is the place to talk about your triumphs, struggles, day-to-day issues, and to well, chat. You can post your WI numbers, losses, and g-d forbid gains here but please post those numbers on the "results" thread if you would like me to track your numbers.

Hi Everyone (I posted this on result thread by accident) -

Sorry that I have not been around much. So much of what each of you wrote on the last thread could have been me. I am not happy with where I am with this challenge but you also made me realize that I am in a much better place than last year. Yes, I wish I had the metabolism of my husband, yes, I wish I did not comfort myself with food but I am me and I will keep at it and do the best I can. I have kept up with my exercise, running and my new swim lessons but my eating is all over. The barbeque's and parties seem to be endless. I am trying not to throw all caution to the wind this weekend - neighbor's 50th b-day party; 4th of July party; sister and family visiting. I do have the Beck book and think I will get it out again and review. It is a great book. I also bought the hungrygirl book. You should look at hungrygirl.com website. It has some great receipes. Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th. - Vickie

Sue- your body probably just needs to rebalance itself out before you start losing again. It happened to me the entire month of April & May. It does suck, but remember that you are making progress even if it doesn't show on the scale. Yeesh, 7hrs in a stuck in a car? I could never do that. My tolerance is maxed out at 3-4 hrs before I can't take it anymore. LMAO...nasty potato salad? thankfully I don't like mayo nor potatoes. For me it is stay away from the nasty margaritas! I actually asked my JCC if I could replace a JC meal with a margarita. She said it wasn't the healthiest of replacements, but I could. lol...hmm would it be worth it?

Vicki- I am so w/ you. These bbq's and parties are non-stop, but that's life huh? Hopefully all the extra running around and outdoor activities make up for some of these splurges.

Happy 4th of July everyone! Hopefully I won't veer too far off plan this long weekend.

Chris

Oh Chris, you had me lmao with the marguerita. I know it's not the healthiest of replacements but it's a more exciting exchange. Thing is for me that once the marguerita is on board, my inhibitions are down and then I go for other foods.

We'll be away this weekend and planning to go to a bbq . . . with the same people as earlier in the summer. Remember the chicken, burger, steak, peas, corn, rice, apple sauce, fried chicken wrapped in fried dough, not a free non-starch vegetable in sight party? I had eaten a salad before going to take the edge off but then was tempted by not such great choices. So, this time, I'm planning to bring some crudite, salad, and veggies to grill on the bbq. I've been testing the limits with an extra tasti delight or skinny cow ice cream here or there but I don't want to completely blow it on nonsense.

Vickie, glad to hear from you. I think we are all wishing to be further along in the challenge than we are.

Sue, glad you are feeling better and getting to do your running and workouts. You will break out of the maintain rut soon. I see the maintain up until this point as a good thing. You held your weight despite being sick and no workouts. It'll change for you soon . . .

Got to run. Hello to all . . .

Chris - LOL - I agree; skip the meal and have the margaritia but alas that is what got me into this. I have two tips for you. I make my homemade margaritia's with splenda and no one ever knows the difference and just last weekend I tried this margarita from the hungrygirl book - 115 calories for a margarita. It was a little tart; some splenda might help but still I had my margarita and it did not cost me 600 calories (and you can have some food with it

6 oz diet lemon-lime soda (I used Sprite Zero)
1 1/2 oz tequilia
1 packet (two 5-cal servings) sugar-free lemonade drink mix (use just half if too sweet)
2 Tablespoons lime juice
5 to 8 ice cubes or 1 cup crushed ice or put in blender and blend until smooth

No fat, 2g carbs, <.5g sugar, and only 115 calories

Sue - Hope the car ride went okay and you don't have permanent neck injury from turning around in the car

Happy 4th of July and Be Safe!

well I have very exciting news.

On my scale at home nude in the morning I am in the the 180's That is so motivational for me. Once I get dressed I am back in the 190's.

I had some huge stuff dumped on me over the past two weeks. That I dealt with it by either exercising, going for a walk, being creative , cleaning, versus sitting down and doing the comfort food face stuffing was huge for me. Absolutely huge. Still not sure how to deal with stuff, I may have to go talk to someone, I am just so pleased I have learned enough healthy stuff to get me thorugh this. KWIM?

How did you know I was a tequila lover. LOL

Hi everyone,

Well I finally lost 2 of the 3 lbs that I gained on vacation last month. With this rib thing, and my foot, I haven't been able to exercise at all, so that pretty much blows both of my goals for this challenge! (maintain and 3 workouts per week). I console myself by the fact that I'm still below goal weight, and did get back on plan and lose the 2 lbs.

I'll be gone to Florida for 2 weeks and I'm not sure if we'll have internet access so I just wanted to say that if anyone decides to do another challenge after this one, please count me in! I'm sure I'll have my vacation weight to lose when I get back.

Happy 4th of July to you all!

Oscar -Congratulations! What a huge step!!! I must confess that I am still an emotional eater but getting better at it. Why are you standing on a scale with clothes on? Happy 4th of July to everyone - leaving for my party and I had a huge salad and ate my lunch late so I should not eat all the nasty potato salad

Hey gang! I hope you had a nice holiday weekend!

Well, the good news is that we survived the car rides. Thanks to portable DVD players and listening to the Chipmunks Christmas album about a billion times (!), the kids were well entertained. My husband and I were ready to be institutionalized, but that's another story.

We had a really nice weekend at the lake. Camping in a tent with the kids, bonfires, s'mores, fishing, canoeing...and spending time with family.

Here's the bad news...I was on a complete vacation from my common sense. I ate whatever and whenever I wanted, without even thinking! It was ridiculous. I don't know why being away from my routine needs to cause me to just go nuts. I can't even describe it as "I slipped". Heck, I didn't fall off the wagon, I threw myself over the edge! I need to keep reminding myself of the basics.

It's clearly an issue for me. I've been maintaining my weight +/- a few pounds for FAR too long, and I still have far to go. Yeah, I look and feel better than I did a year ago. But I'm not living up to my potential. I knew I would feel proud when I met my goal, and I am not there, nor do I feel proud.

So, (sigh), here I am. I will get through this - I will. Exercise-wise, I am getting there. I just need to get my mind in the right place.

Oscar - Oh my gosh - you must feel great! I can't believe how consistently focused and determined you've stayed - and it shows in your numbers. Good for you! I'm so impressed that you separated your feelings from your eating...Please teach me how

Linda - you did great knocking off 2 of those pounds so quickly. Have a great time in Florida!

Vickie - I should check out Hungry Girl...heard she has a book out that's supposed to be great. Maybe I can be reading instead of eating...

Chris - you are funny! I love margaritas too. But for me, in summer, it's all about my corona and lime .

Ready - how did you do with this weekend's challenges?

Okay girls - talk soon!

Sue

Sue -- Glad to see you survived the car ride. I love your honesty. We have all been in that position and that is why it is a life-time of learning. Remember progress not perfection is the motto. So pick yourself up and dust off and start writing all your food down. I have the HungryGirl book and I like it. I am a junk food junkie and I love her chapter on re-doing all the junk food. I made the butternut fires this weekend and loved them - just cut them really thin.

How did everyone else do over the long weekend? I had a big NSV this weekend. I have been bummed that my weight does not seem to be moving and I really wanted to wear this cute skort that I "know" only fits when I weigh less than 125 but I thought I would try it on anyway. Not only did it fit but I had to put a belt on because it was too big around the waist. This was proof that I really am accomplishing just want I want - Defying gravity - All that weight training has really been helping so alas loss of inches on the bottom without my top looking too skinny. I told my JCC on Monday that I am still going to try and be under 130 by next week - before this dang challenge is over Hope everyone is having a great day.

Vicki- Thank you so much for your margarita receipe!! It was a lifesaver this weekend! It was very good. And congrats on your NSV! Doesn't it feel awesome? Working out really works miracles. I found out weeks ago that I can already wear clothing sizes that I wore at 110-115 lbs. I would like to be at 125 sometime this month.

Sue- Glad you survived your long car ride. Best thing is to jump right back on the wagon. I actually was lucky this weekend b/c I have a few friends who also are on JC and they hung out w/ me this weekend. They were my support system and hopefully I was theirs. Of course we splurged, but we didn't go too far overboard. Then again, we'll see what happens tomorrow at my wi.

luv2clog- Hope you're healing well.

Oscar- oh what a great NSV! I am sorry you are having a rough patch, but exercise really is the best way to get through tough times. Many of times I've let out all my anger, frustrations, stress ect by working out. Yoga has been my lifesaver since I started my practice over 4 yrs ago. Keep you head up & remember things will eventually pan out and get better.

Well I took a vacation day on Thurs and usually I take a yoga class at 6:30 am then another class at 5:30pm, but I didn't want to split up my day on a day off, so I took class back to back. 6:30 am then 9:30 am. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I actually enjoyed it. Then 4th of July I took class at 7am before all the festivities started. Then again on Sat at 8am to detox. So I didn't skip a single workout all weekend!Woo hoo! Now hopefully I didn't overdo it w/ my splurges. I'll find out for sure tomorrow at wi.

Well gotta get back to work! Happy Tues everyone! Have a great week!

Chris