Relax and Chat Cafe!

I was beginning to worry about you, Helen. Sorry to hear you are feeling down. I'm sure it will pass soon. Just keep thinking about your wonderful bike trip.

Cathy has closed this thread and opened a new chat thread at www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/team_mes
sa
geboard_thread.asp?board=0x34227x345R>09636 so move over there and join us.

Hi everyone!

I hope you are all well and sparkling with the goodness of life... Now that's a lovely thought. However, I have been feeling a little down through no reason other than feeling that way.

I had a lovely birthday and wrote a blog about my birthday treat which was the 50 mile bike challenge I had set myself. It was awesome. It's got some pics on there too if you're interested.

Anyway, better dash. I have dinner to make for my kids now they are back from school. Hugs x

Hi Helen, Hi Char, Hi Everyone peeking in!
I am starting a new Relax and Chat Cafe for us as this one has gotten really long. It is really hard for some to load the page when the thread gets too long.

So come visit in the New Relax and Chat Cafe!

Hi Ladies.

Cathy and Char thank you for my well wishes.

Char, congratulations for going out for a walk when strength training wasn't an option. And huge congratulations for eating sensibly. That's the hardest thing for me at the moment but I keep trying.

The half marathon was brilliant and I wrote a blog about my achievement. I knocked off 14 minutes from my last months half marathon. I couldn't believe it. However, my knee is sore so I'll be relaxing off running until it feels stronger.

Have a beautiful day.

Didn't get to strength training. Back still bothering me too much. Did get in a 35 min walk with husband oldest son and the dogs. Ate good today, too. Made ranch turkey burgers on the grill for dinner with carrots and sugar snap peas on the side.

Helen: Enjoy your marathon!

Cathy: You have a great day, too!

Skipping my strength training today. My upper back is really bothering me. Will do tomorrow whether it is acting up or not. Ate pretty good today. Will need to start tracking again soon. I did lose 1.2 lbs.

Helen, I am wishing you well with your half marathon! I hope you have beautiful weather and just feel great throughout.

Hope you had a great day today Char!

Hugs, Cathy

Thanks Ladies!!!

I decided to change my weight tracker after all...I don't seem to be motivated. It's almost as if my mind is somehow trying to trick my body into jusifying why I am eating the wrong foods which I seem to have lost the power to refuse.

So I have created a daily chart to log my calories and the deficit to help keep me on track. I seem to need a visual reminder. I hope it works.

Tomorrow is my half marathon, which I am quite nervous about. I have to get up at 7.30am just to get there on time.

I hope you have both had a fun filled day.

Hugs x

Helen, your run thru the woods sounds great! I love walking in the woods. It is so peaceful and relaxing. And glad you love your bike.

Ate better today, not perfect, but good. It was leftovers for dinner tonight so I had cucumber slices and baby carrots with cilantro hummus I made yesterday (yummmm!) and some leftover brown rice. Just got back from a walk with husband and the dogs and have done half my lower body strength training. Will finish the rest when I am done here.

Helen I am so glad that you are well and that you figured out why the 3 pound gain. I know you will take if off as you are so dedicated to your fitness!

The bike sounds amazing! How wonderful that you could afford a good bike and that you have so much fun riding. You will certainly get to your goal weight with your running and biking. Way to go!

Your birthday is one day after my daughters...she will be six!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs, Cathy

Hi Cathy, thank you for your sweet words and I'm so pleased you are able to find the peace to spend time exercising and having fun. I'm glad you are enjoying the ellipical trainer too, it sounds good fun!...

and Char, it's lovely to have you back. Thank you for your encouraging words. I'm so sorry you have been experiencing pains, it's not fun but I'm glad you are still able to work out.

My problem was TOM and it passed thank goodness and I am 3lbs heavier because of it. I haven't bothered to change my tracker as I am determined to get rid of it in the next two weeks so I can continue with my plan.

I have a half marathon coming up on Sunday which I am really looking forward to. I've never done it before but you run through the forest... I'm hopefully going to enjoy that one.

I have also done something else rather exciting and daring. I have actually bought myself a proper racing bike ... it was reduced by £150 and I was able to afford it.

I was so nervous about getting on one as I haven't been on a bike outside my house for 3 years now. lol! I recently did 30 miles on an exercise bike but that was it. Anyway, I left the house and travelled out of the city into the countryside. I mananged to bike 20 miles in 100 minutes. I was so excited. It felt soooo exciting, breath taking and wonderful to feel the breeze of the air against my face. The day was beautiful as a day could become. Not too hot, the sun was shining and there were some fluffy white clouds ouverhead. It was glorious. I felt as if I had entered heaven ...

The countyside was alive with colours and I wanted to keep stopping to breath in the delightful andscape. I couldn't get enough of it and I'm sure, had it not been for my husband and children waiting at home for me, I may have continued for another 20 miles.

As it was, I was so grateful to have had that experience. The reason I bought the bike was because on the 6th June, it's my birthday, and I have signed up to bike 50 miles in my county. It's going to be great fun and I have a friend to bike with so we can keep each other company!

There will be many of us biking about.

Anyway, my dear friends, have a beautiful weekend. We are forecast rain today but that's not going to stop me going out for a walk to the city with my daughter.

Hugs and love xxx

Thanks Char, I agree that changing up our exercise is so very important.

I am so glad that you did the ST...sounds like you have things under control now and that is great! We all get off track and just need to get back on as soon as we are aware. Sounds like you did just that. Way to go.

Hope your plans for dinner went well.

Hugs to everyone, Cathy

Cathy: I'm sure this will help. If for no other reason than it is something different for your body so it will need to work more because you are using muscles differently than you were.

Got my upper body strength training done today. Food, on the other hand, has not been good today. Ate the wrong things earlier. Have a healthy dinner planned so am set for the day. I WILL stick to my plans for the rest of the day.

Good Morning Ladies!

Char! It is so good to have you back! Way to go for choosing to work on not feeling that pain. I have the same thing...when I don't work out my feet hurt and my back. It's amazing how the physical exercise can relieve the pain.

And thanks for your support regarding my son. He is beyond belief. He doesn't want to do school because he has convinced himself he "isn't good at it." That works for him because he doesn't want to do the work. Even though he has Asperger he is quite cognitive and high functioning and very manipulative. He can charm people with his amazing language skills...and they buy it.
This son will be 17 and though my heart breaks I will be just letting go. I can't make him grow up or choose to be responsible. I am so done. I've done all I can. Now it is up to him. I am tired of all his abuse and attitude. It is affect everyone in the house and that is not good. I resent it! The Aspie goes so far as to try to coerce the younger ones not to believe what we teach them. He calls that "brainwashing." He used to believe it all, but now he is just doing anything to be arbitrary, and tear me down. Enough said. Sorry. I am just beside myself.

Helen, you are a wonderful sweet woman and so strong! We all have off days or weeks. And I know you...you are going to pick up the pieces and keep moving on. You will start logging on and tracking your food. You will focus on those goals and work towards achieving them. None of us can be "on" all the time. It's just not possible, but if we hit it a lot of the time and then most of the time, I think we will all succeed.

Hang in there!! We are here with you walking side by side helping you back on track. You are so worth it!


I am very happy to be working out again. I was doing minimal workouts as I was just so down, so defeated with just about everything. Two things I know for sure...I will never give up and I never want to go back to where I was. Therefore I had to do something. After weeks of doing research on workouts, how you get effective fat burning, calorie intake, diet etc. I came to the conclusion that I wasn't in a fat burning zone, but a cal burning zone which was only putting me into more of a survival/starvation mode. That might just be why I wasn't losing.

I love my treadmill, but it is really hard on the joints when you really start walking fast or jogging. I would speed walk and interval train for 60 minutes, do cardio boxing etc. etc. I would sweat like a pig and eat within my cal zone, but nothing was happening. So I did two things...I got a heart rate monitor that tracks my calories/speed/distance/heart rate etc. and then it downloads that info onto my computer. The HRM will help me get into a fat burning zone. It is great. And my hubby bought me an elliptical. He felt so badly that I have been working at it so hard and getting nowhere on the scale. In doing so much research the elliptical was a great way to get a workout without hurting my joints. (We have a history of arthritis, bad knees, etc in the family.)

So for example, today I worked out for 30 minutes on the elliptical and was in my target heart rate zone for almost 18 of those minutes. That is the info that I need to get results! And let me tell you that machine give quite a workout!! I love it!

I cleared out the entire garage (we never use it for cars anyway) and that is my getaway place and exercise area. It doesn't have heat or air, but I don't care. It's my space. I did make a space for the kids for when I need to keep an eye on them, it's snug for us but it works great!

My workouts are for life, so I needed to do something that I could do for life and get and stay fit. I really believe this will work. It has been three and a half years since I started this journey and I am only halfway to my weight loss goal. I hope this jumpstarts the weight loss again.

I will end this message as it is getting really long...sorry!

You are wonderful! Hugs, Cathy


Edited by: CATHYG7 at: 5/28/2010 (08:26)

Cathy: sorry you are having such a rough time at home

Helen: Stay focused!!!

I haven't been on SP for awhile but plan on getting back to it as of right now. Will do my best to post something everyday. Right now focusing on getting back into healthy eating and need to start doing strength training again. All the places that had stopped (or almost stopped hurting) - hip, shoulder, back - have started again because I stopped.

Only going to participate in this team for now. Once I am done with my classes (should be this fall - yeah!) then I may go back to my other challenge team.

Char

Edited by: CMEEHERNANDEZ at: 5/27/2010 (21:44)

Dear cathy,

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation with your sons. It can't be nice having them treat you the way they do. And since they live with you, it's hard to escape it. I'll keep you in my thoughts Cathy.

It's so hard to let other things distract us. I have hardly logged on to SP all week and when I have I've not been able to stick to my food plan. I'm eating everything in sight without a care in the world. I feel stressed and down too this week. It must be TOM but it doesn't make it any easier.

However, if you are making a special effort to lose weight and focus on goals I too, will do that and we can pull each other out of our slump that we have found ourselves.

Your ellipitcal machine sounds like fun and will be much better on your knees. Then there'll be no stopping you. You can exercise to your hearts content.

Anyway, my sweet friend, I know one of my goals.

To refocus on my goals. Lol!

Hugs and love and have a beautiful day. I'll check in on you later. x

Thanks so much dear sweet Helen!

I have done so much soul searching and been so down. But I don't do well staying there!! I am such an optimist that it just feels so uncomfortable being so down!

My sons haven't been nice to me, but especially my teen, he is cruel. That has really brought me down.
In fact it made me really angry to think that a child I gave birth to and have given so much of myself to is so awful. I can't change that, but i can change me! And that is what I have been trying to do. Now I need to ignore the distractions!!

Thanks so much for sharing your goals. I am going to make up a list of goals today and then post them here as well. Then we can keep each other on track if that is okay.

I have spent many days just taking a break, researching, thinking etc. I did finally settle on a Garmin and it is amazing!! It doesn't have GPS, but I do most my workouts in my garage! And I can't afford the more expensive versions. I got a Forerunner FR 60 and it is just so great! I love being able to track all the data and wirelessly load it on my computer to analyze. I can see where I am missing that "fat burn" and maybe staying in the cal burn zone. The Garmin is awesome! And i think it gives me an added challenge as i was trying to keep up more to match my goal or beat it!

Just like you did with your race and just kept moving forward and you passed some of the "faster" people!! That is amazing!

My hubby has felt so badly for me and I have found that he is really there when i struggle. Though he was out of town all week on business, he checked in frequently to see how I was. When he got back he went with me to check out an elliptical machine.
I love the treadmill and will continue to use it, but am having problems with I run (which isn't much yet) with my joints (knees and hips) So I can't use it as my main form of exercise. The elliptical doesn't put the stress on your joints. So it is a great workout that really burns the fat!!

It was so hard to decide what to do as they do cost, but in the end we decided that i needed to do something. So Wednesday my elliptical will be delivered and set up. I can't wait!

We can't afford a club membership, and that is okay. And with the kids home and all their special needs, i need to be here all the time. Having a home Gym that we have slowly built over many years (my treadmill is going on 8 years old!) is so rewarding!

Yesterday we spent cleaning out the garage and making it mostly for my working out. I have a little more to do today and it is very hot and humid so it will be a challenge for me with my bronchitis/asthma that only acts up in the heat. But I will do a little at a time and keep on.

Thanks so much for your support and encouragement! You are so very sweet and I am so thankful for you!!

Hugs! Cathy

Dear cathy,

I really feel for you ... your story sounds exactly like mine. Trying hard to lose weight and seeing no change on the scales. It's sad and frustrating.

But whatever you do, don't comfort eat. Keep on track.

I have only recently started losing weight.

The things I have done differently are:

1. Eat wheat free - so no more bloating for me.
2. Practice Tae Bo 2-3 times a week.
3. Run 2-3 times a week.
4. Track my food religiously - and I mean everything.
5. Record my fitness every day too.
6. Then I visit the report section of SP to calculate my daily calorie deficit.
7. I copy and paste this information onto my nutrition page and every day for a week I calculate my deficit and try to aim for a 3,500 calorie loss to lose that 1 lb! (It's quite addictive though).

So please do not give up Cathy! Your fitness levels are definitely improving and if your body is holding onto water then that's no fun and you'll not see a weight loss next week but then you may see a couple of pounds come off next week.

Log ALL your food and make sure you aim to get within the right range. My problem was I was not recording those little extra snacks and as soon as I did I realised where I was going wrong. I had some kind of amnesia when it came to eating treats!

Have you thought about visiting the doctor to ask for advice?

You have come such a long way and by increasing your exercising you are surely to see a loss next week. please don't give up and keep going strong.

Hugs x

Helen,

You are so sweet! Thank you so much for your constant encouragement.

Unfortunately the scale didn't report a loss. I am so down and frustrated. I tracked my food, I really watched what I ate, I said no to bad foods, I exercised almost daily and took a break one day when my body just felt tired.

I don't know what else I am supposed to do. I drink tons of water as well. I do feel swelling and see it in my hands today and wonder if being the car so much yesterday (my daughters Dr. appt) didn't help. And I know when we work out our muscles retain water. I worked out in the afternoon yesterday.

Over the past 11 days I have done 9 5K's! And I've done my Cardio Boxing several days.

What do you think?

I just feel so down. I worked so hard and was really counting on at least a pound weight loss.

I have been looking into getting a Body Bugg which measures Calories in and out and is supposed to be a minimum of 80 percent accurate, and got really good reviews. But I feel like it is just another tool and won't solve the issue of my lack of weight loss. And it is pricey...200 dollars!

I won't quit, but I am quite discouraged. I need to get this weight off, I want to.

Sorry I don't have a better report.

I hope you are doing very well today and that your schooling is a source of pleasure and not stress.
You are such an inspiration to me and I am so thankful for you!

Hugs, Cathy

I've got my fingers crossed for you Cathy! I hope you have lost weight after all your hard work.

As for walking 15 minute miles. ... I can't even do that! lol! I'm a runner not a walker. I used to years ago but when I'm walking on the paths I tend to go quite slowly. So I am in awe of you and your accomplishments now!

Let me know how you got on today.

By the weigh (like the pun?) I tend to get on the scales first thing in the morning before breakkast and wearing very little. I like to think that helps move it somehow
:-)

Hi Helen,

Way to go on your accomplishments with running!! Doesn't it feel so wonderful when we meet a goal?

You are doing so amazing and I am ever proud!! YOU are such an inspiration to me! Thanks!!

And how awesome that you have lost so much weight over the weeks! That has to feel so good! WooHoo!

I set a goal for my 5K yesterday. I wanted to do it in 48 minutes and I did it in 46!! That is the first time I did 15 minute miles! I am not quite a runner as of yet, just an interval jogger! And that's okay!
We had an early appt. over an hour away for my daughter (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and then had a nice healthy lunch with my hubby at a restaurant that is right by his work. They have this huge salad bar that is wonderful with lots of fresh and healthy choices...then Fat Free Yogurt for desert! It was wonderful. I was so tired coming home I was falling asleep at the wheel!
So I decided to rest for a bit and then I did my 5k. I was just so pleased that i didn't give into the temptation to just do nothing. I took it a little easier today, and it just felt so good to finish.


Well you are doing so well and I am so glad we can share our experiences and victories together along with our challenges! We are doing it!!

Tomorrow I weigh in and I am really hoping for a 1-2 pound loss. I know I've worked hard so now it is out of my hands.

Have a wonderful rest tonight!! Hugs, Cathy

Edited by: CATHYG7 at: 5/13/2010 (18:01)

Dear Cathy,

Thank you so much for your support, it means so much to me. You are such a sweet and generous person.

I counted my weight loss and discovered I had lost 7 lbs in 5 weeks. I'm so pleased with this.

My race was awesome too. I had another PB and started off faster than ever. I saw a 6.50 minute mile on my garmen for a short while before seeing 7.30 minute miles and settled into that pace for the first couple of miles. Time was 39.28! That was my goal to see 39 on the clock.

I got home late though. The friends that took me wanted to eat fish and chips so I waited for them and do you know what? I wasn't even tempted to have one. They looked awful. All soggy and greasy. In fact they looked no different to normal chips but I was obviously feeling much healthier and making better choices.

Good luck on getting in your exercise. Your body will love you for that! I sometimes find I can't sleep well if I haven't done enough exercise too. Strange that!

You are on the right path to losing Cathy.

Hugs and love x

Helen,

Way to go on your biking! That is awesome!!

And congrats on the 3 pound loss!!
I am so proud of you!! Even with the chocolate, you still watched the calories and that is awesome. This is all a progression...a path we are on that takes a lifetime. You are doing fantastic!!

Tisha we miss you!!

Well, I am off to get my 5K in this morning. I didn't get my usual exercise in yesterday and didn't sleep well. I am determined today!!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Hugs, Cathy

athy, I just love dreams that are empowering and the idea that you were running is so wonderful - despite tje interruptions.

It's great to have goals and I have mine daily. Last week was a terrible week for eating and ate far too many chocolate things. However, the magical and strange thing is I did tons of exercise and I have discovered I have lost 3 lbs this week. GULP! I always made sure I had a deficit every day, even if it was just 100 calories.

I biked for 114 minutes yesterday (on a stationary bike) and maanged 30 miles. That's the second time I've biked that amount and I only do it when I am watching a film. So instead of just sitting and watching I keep moving.

Anyway, my sweet friend. I really missed you when you weren't about and I'm so pleased you are back. Thank you so much for my goodie.

Hugs and love x

Helen you are such a beautiful lady inside and out!
Thanks for your wonderful encouragement and support!

Would you believe I dreamed that I was on my treadmill somewhere I didn't recognize and trying to run and doing great, but I kept getting interrupted? That is just so funny as that is my life!! LOL

Way to go on your running! That is so awesome!!
You are really doing it! You are consistent with running and setting goals to be faster. I can imagine how good that feels every time you run and when you cross that finish line! You are amazing and such an inspiration to me and many others!

As for the overeating...at least you realize why you are doing it and that you need to change the pattern. That is a huge step towards victory and overcoming!

I am taking a mini break today as I have a bit of a cold and need to rest the body. I will do Walk It Out which is really fun with my kids and just walking with the Wii. I did 2 miles yesterday which isn't my usual 5K, but that's okay. I did my Cardio Boxing as well and just felt drained. I honored the body. And I had over 14,000 steps as we had dog training as well last night. Not at all a disappointing day.

Thanks again for your constant support. It really means so much!!

Hugs, Cathy

Cathy, this is so great! You are doing an amazing job and fooling your body in the process. Way to go and keep up the good work. Nothing but good will come of this. As for your 2lb weight loss. Keep going strong. My fingers are crossed for you.

I'm not sure if I will be losing anything this week. My diet has been appalling but I'm reacting to the stress of a final essay, presentation and an assessment coming up, so I know why it's happening.I just have to find another way of coping with it.

I did an 11 mile run last Thursday - tons of gardening at the weekend, a 5.5 mile run last night and I have a 5 mile race o Wednesday which I'm really looking forward to. I might do some Tae Bo this afternoon to keep me ticking over.

The thing about running is I am gradually getting faster and I'm so pleased with that! It's my latest goal. I can run the distance comfortably so now I'd like to get quicker.

Have a beautiful day Cathy. Hugs and love x

Dear Helen,

Thanks for your sweet wishes! Way to go on your progress!! WooHoo!!
I still need to lose 40-50 pounds, but at least I am halfway there!
We are doing it!!
I did 6 5K's this week!! It just kept rolling into another day and I kept going! I might take today off, or not. I don't know. I have been listening to my body to see what it wants to do! LOL
I have been doing some ST again but not too much as my wrists give me trouble. But I won't give up. I just take it slow and when my arms are bothering me (tendonitis) I back down on the weights.

Helen, it is wonderful that you got back to your program and are doing so well!

I am really enjoying the 5K's I feel like I am accomplishing something rather than just getting through the workout. Getting through that first mile is key.

I have been changing up the intensity and incline along with speed and doing my exercise at a different time each day to keep my body fooled.

Now I really want to see a loss for this week. I am working for 2 pounds off this week.

I hope everyone else is doing well. I really miss all of you!!

Helen have a beautiful day!! When are you going running again?

Hugs, Cathy

Dear cathy,

WELL DONE on getting back to your lowest weight. I have another lb to lose and I will be at my lowest weight on here too. I can't believe i was eating mindlessly and put it back on.

I have been losing at least 1 lb a week for the past 4 weeks every since I was interested in the report page and seeing the calorie deficit. It all makes sense to me looking at that!

I can't wait to get beyond the 145 lbs and then to 130's. It's been years since I weighed that amount.

We've got to keep our goals real and alive.

I'm so sorry to hear you have been really busy. I've thought so much of you. Congratulations on your 5k's too. That's no mean feat!

Is it mother's day there? If so, Happy Mothers Day to you dear friend. (It's not Mother's day here) Hugs x

Hi Helen and everyone!!

It is our busy rush day of therapies, etc. I did manage to do 4 5K's this week on the treadmill. I was really happy with that. I did ST and my Cardio Boxing on two of those days. I weighed myself this morning and I am back to my lowest weight here on Spark where I was a month ago...it has been so frustrating!!

I am eating healthy and will continue to workout. Hopefully next week I can report a loss. I would be happy with even a pound!!

It has been a stressful week, but I am choosing to take care of me and not drop the ball on my healthy living. I want to be able to take time for me no matter what chaos occurs. This has been a tough transition for me.

I hope all of you are very well and have a great rest of day!

Hugs, Cathy

Hi Cathy,

I hope you are okay. How is your Wii board fitness going?

I've been quite on track. I'm tracking all my food anyhow. I ate some chocolate today - a little bit more than I intended. Nevermind, it's not the end of the world.

I'm on shedule to losing another 1 lb this week.

The report section is brilliant. It tells you the deifcit for the day. It's genius. It helps me to focus on the numbers. It all makes sense.

Anyway Cathy, I hope the children are not working you too hard and that you are getting some 'me' time in. I hope you're not ill or anything. I look forward to hearing from you.

Missing you.

Love Helen x

Hi all!

It has been a good week with some little mishaps every now and then, but guess what Cathy ... I have lost 2 lbs according to the scale. I just hope I can keep it off.

Every time I lose two lbs I seem to put it on the following week just like that so fingers crossed it keeps going down.

The things I have changed are my intensity of my cardio. I am doing Tae Bo at least 3 times a week and running between 2-3 times. Strength training is done 3 times a week.

I am also tracking my food and fitness and going to the report section to see my deficit. It's very interesting. I have definitely been over eating.

Anyway, last night I went to college and I have only one more week to attend in order to finish the course for this year! I can't wait!!!!! It's amazing feeling.

I hope you're having a lovely day Cathy! Hugs x

Edited by: PIGLETSMALL at: 4/21/2010 (13:16)

Thanks Cathy,

I was in the right mind-set to eating well and I returned to work only to discover a lovely portion of cake on the table. I hardly looked at it until the teacher said "I bought it especially for people who are wheat free" ... OMG! I had to have a bit or two. Gulp!

Other than that I've done really well. lol!

How has your day been? Have you managed to avoid temptation?

I am hoping to do some Tae Bo later. I won't go running as it will give my legs a rest.

Take care sweetie. x

Edited by: PIGLETSMALL at: 4/19/2010 (11:55)

Helen!!

You did awesome for your half marathon!! I am so proud of you! And what a wonderful surprise that your mum and dad showed up! That had to be added motivation!

Way to go on your personal best as well!!

You really amaze me with all that you do! You do so inspire me!

I have been very careful about what I am eating and am working out. So I hope to see that pound loss as well. Keeping my fingers, toes and eyes crossed! LOL

I hope you have an amazing day today! You deserve it.

Hugs, Cathy

Hi Cathy!

It's a good choice to track your foods. I was definitely over eating and maintaining my weight due to some wrong food choices even though it didn't feel like it. I didn't eat too much yesterday, after my run I didn't feel hungry. But I made sure i drank my protein shake, had a banana straight after but I had to force it down.

The race was brilliant. I went on my own and drove 40 minutes to the event. I didn't see anyone I knew from my club so I got my number and returned to the car.

I received a message from my mum and dad who wished me good luck. And then to my surprise, I saw them walking towards the car. They hadn't told me they would be coming so it was a huge boost for me. I loved it. It made my day. They were both wearing their trainers too.

I
The day was beautiful. It was a gorgeous blue sky but will a chill to the air. However, when we started running it got so hot. I took some water around with me because that is how I train. Not many people did but I found myself constantly sipping it in the heat. It got really hot.

At the same time as I was running the half marathon which is one large lap, others were running it twice for a marathon but they started 2 hours before I did.

I maintained a great pace for the first half which was quite hilly, but in the second part I took a high energy gel and just found myself losing strength and energy. This was hard. And every time I saw a water station I threw water over my head and back to cool me down and filled my bottle up.

Many people were walking towards the end but I did that two years ago. This time I was determined not to walk at all and I didn't. I refused to.

As I came into the finish line another water station greeted me and I covered my head with water once more before I did my sprint finish overtaking a couple of people.

Finishing time was 2 hours and 8 minutes. This was my personal best by 3 minutes. I was really pleased. I told my mum and dad to look out for me at 2 hours 8 minutes. They couldn't believe I was spot on my time. Nor could I! lol!

I stayed to stretch out on the grass and sat with my mum and dad. It was great. However, one or two others had really suffered and collapsed at the end. It was sad.

But I think carrying the water around with me prevented me from suffering any ill effects.

Anyway Cathy! I think I may be on track to losing a pound this week. I hope you are too. Fingers crossed.

As for your son, I am so sorry to hear he is not appreciating you. They don't seem to at that age but when they get older his attitude will change again - for the better.

Hugs and love x

Helen,


You ran your half marathon!!
You amaze me with all that you do!
I am so proud of you!

I am tired and just bummed about staying the same the last 2 weeks on the scale. But I know that tracking will really help...I just need to do it!

I did well with food yesterday so that is a good start.

I am planning on getting on my treadmill today...that always feels good and is a good escape from my one older sons mean spirit lately. He can be so cruel and unfair.

I hope you have a wonderful day today!!

Hugs, Cathy

Hi Cathy!

No, I've not heard of the body bugg but I might have to look that up!

I'm seriously tracking my food and fitness (for the past 3 days) and hope to achieve a deficit of 3,500 calories this week.

On a coupe of days it wasn't very good but I've made up for it on another. lol! It's all about being consisitent though.

I went out for a meal yesterday and had a prawn salad with minimal dressing and a few chips. My mum said the portions were small and for that I was grateful and explained to her it was probably the reccommended daily intake. lol!

No dessert but then as we got home I had some ice cream. Ooops! But it was so nice I had another one. Opps! I wouldn't have done this if I wasn't running the half marathon today! :-)I'm hoping to burn off some calories todays. The sun is shining and it is beautiful and hot.

Well, I better go and sort my nutrition out for yesterday.

Have a beautiful day Cathy! The body needs a rest every so often so don't feel guilty for having a day off every now and then.

Hugs and love x

Hello sweet friend!

I have seen that show and it is awful! I know it is hard to quit eating so much and eat healthy, but you have to make a choice. Being Super Obese is so awful in every way!

I know i should have worked out today, but was really busy with the kids therapies and I was so bummed....
Another week of no change on the scale. i worked out hard!!

But I didn't actually count my calories, I watched carefully and ate sensibly. obviously not enough!

So now this week I am committing to tracking my food intake and working out 5 out of seven days with every other day being a 1.5 to 2 hour workout with more intensity. I will watch my carbs and see what happens!

I hope you got a lot done on your paper! And I hope you have a great time with your parents!

Do you know anything about the Body Bugg? Does it work? They wear them on the Biggest Loser (not sure if you get that show in UK) and it calculates your calories burned and calories eaten. There is a computer program that goes with it as well as you having to track your food.

Hugs to you dear friend and all our other missing friends! Cathy

Edited by: CATHYG7 at: 4/16/2010 (19:25)

Hi Cathy,

Yes to see a deficit was good. lol! At long last!

I found myself watching a programme about these people who weighed up to 45 lbs. It was awful! I felt so sorry for them. They couldn't even get off the bed. They were eating about 33,ooo calories aday and were completely hooked on food. I couldn't understand why their family and friends kept feeding them so much.

One man kept saying he would do anything for his wife if he could - yet at the same time he did nothing for her and she was running about after him. Getting his food and cleaning him. It seemed so unfair!

The funny thing is, she totally adored her husband. Loved him to bits. Unfortunately he died in the end.

Anyway, I've done no exercise today. I've been writing my essay for about 7 hours which is way too long. The kids have been out and about with their friends and as I've got my parents coming over tomorrow I am trying to tidy up.

I'm hoping to do some Pilates later. That will be relaxing after being on the computer for most of the day.

What exercises have you done today?

Take care sweetie.x

Helen, way to go on setting a very reasonable goal! I know you can do it!! I will work on 2 pounds by the end of the month with you!! We can do this together!!

I am glad you had the 250 deficit...that is a great start! Way to go!

i hope everyone is doing well!! I miss you!!

Hugs, Cathy

Good morning Cathy!

The book is available as an e-book but costs a lot of money. The paperback version is different and will probably only contain a fraction of what the e-book does but for a fraction of the cost too. I'll let you know if it's any good.

I started my day off with 50 minutes of tae bo! This is good. Time for a shower and to plan my meals for the day!

I worked out I had a deficit of 250 calories yesterday. Not so good. I'm aiming for at least 500 today.

I've set myself a goal to lose 2 lbs by the end of the month.

Do you have a weight loss goal this month?

Have a beautiful day. x

Hi Helen!

I just got through with an intense weight training/cardio and then Wii Cardio Boxing session. I plan to go on the treadmill next and do some interval training. I do so love my treadmill.

Yesterday I did a lighter workout after the 2 hours the day before. I don't want to hurt myself either! you are very wise Helen to listen to your body!

I am sorry to hear about your neighbor! That is so sad. You are a good friend to go to the funeral. That is so emotionally draining!

I hope that you get over your time of the month soon! That is not fun! And it makes sense that you have the chocolate cravings especially with the added stress.

The book sounds great. Let me know how it is....sounds like a good read for me as well.

Good for you on doing your exercise tonight! WooHoo!

You are amazing with all the exercise and training you do! You are such an inspiration!!

Gotta go get my treadmill workout in!!

Hugs! Cathy

Wow! Cathy! 2 hours exercising. That's amazing!

I didn't go running yesterday. I still felt a pain in my leg from Sunday's run and don't wish to create an injury just before my half marathon that I have been training so dedicately towards. It's nothing serious but I'm aware it could be if I don't listen to my body.

Today I went to my neighbours funeral. It was very emotional but so beautifully done. My friend who lost her husband had her mother do read most of the service, but she had another vicar to take over when things got a little emotional.

My eating is terrible today. Chocolate chocolate chocolate. Blah! I've also got my period though and it's been really heavy for the past 8 days. It might have something to do with it. I hope it ends soon. I'm due to give blood at the end of the month and I want something left to give. lol!

Anyway, I ordered a book called "burn the fat, feed the muscle." It helped another one of my friends out and I'm hoping it might help me find the answers to my slow weight loss too.

I'll be biking and strength training again tonight.

I hope you have a happy Wii time Cathy!

Everyone else, I hope you are okay! We miss your company though.

Hugs x

Good Morning!

Helen, thanks for your wonderful encouragement! It really makes a difference when I have someone rooting me on!!

I am so glad your run went well and I don't blame you for taking the train. That was very wise! It sounds like you have found an eating plan that really works for you. I have a problem with wheat as well. I can eat some, but not things with whole wheat. I love millet and rice based foods. Have you ever had millet burgers? I will have to look up the recipe and post it for you...very good. It is one of my natural cooking cookbooks.

I am so proud of you for running and training and just giving yourself a break when needed! As for the chocolate, you and I both had our little binge of that this past week!! But I am over it. But you know, I think sometimes the body needs that kind of thing to get up back on track. We eat a bit, then we have trained ourselves to say, "wait, this isn't what I want to do" and then we are able to get back on track!!

I did about 2 hours of workout with Wii Gold's Gym Cardio Boxing, Walk It Out, and then the treadmill with intervals and incline. It felt so good!

Then we had our dog training last night, so with the added walking I had almost 19,000 steps in!

As for my son's birthday I did my best to make it fun and heartfelt. I hope he appreciates it. I just kept my chin up and acted as I always do. I am not going to change who I am just because he has changed so much.

I am sorry that you feel that distance with your daughter. I understand your pain. It is so hard when they feel they don't need us. They do, they just don't want to admit it. One day I hope our kids will gain that strength of realizing just how important their family is.

Well I hope you have an amazing day today! I plan on eating healthy, and getting some treadmill and Wii in. I really worked out a lot yesterday so I am going to cycle down today...more minimal workout to keep the body guessing.

Hugs to all, Cathy

Dear Cathy,

I feel fantastic! I am eating wheat free, gluten free and feel amazing. My bowels are moving every day without the use of tablets (instead of no movement for up to 5 days! Ecks!)

One type of porridge that I bought has rice and buckwheat and the other has rice adn millet flakes. They are tasty espeically with a chopped banana added to it as well.

The race went very well but I ached the next day. I ran 8.9 miles on Sunday in one direction and caught the train back to the car. I was glad to have gone with my friends as it ould have been a little lonely. There were only 70 people there and only 4 others from my running group.

My eating was going very well until last night. I dug into a bag of chocolate! Ooops! Oh well.

I'm so sorry to hear about your mum Cathy! That's awful. I will be thinking of you both. Keep healthy Cathy and keep exercising. It's doing you so much good for your body and mind. It'l keep you strong in the long run.

As for your son's birthday ... how did it go?

Hugs and love x

Helen,

I love oatmeal as well. And I use my rice cooker to make sometimes. The label for oatmeal on the rice cooker says "porridge" as well. That is what they call it in Japan too where the rice cooker was made. I hope the new porridge tastes great and really works for you.

Your Tae Bo sounds like my Wii Cardio Boxing! It is one sweaty workout!! I have been getting back on the treadmill and really increasing the incline. It feels so good!! I do it gradually up to a steep incline and then slowly back down...then I punch it up to a high incline for a few minutes and way back down....intervals.

I am planning on calorie cycling this week as I worked so hard on exercise last week and saw no results...very disappointing as it is so hard for me to lose weight as it is! So we shall see what this week brings!!

I have dipped into the chocolates the last two nights with the stress of my sons birthday, no movement on the scale and now learning that my mom who loves far away has an eye disorder that could render her blind.

I must keep forging ahead no matter what. I have to deal with life's challenges, but still have to take care of me...such a challenging balance!!

Hugs, Cathy

Dear Cathy,

Woo Hoo! 60 days on your wii! That's awesome. Way to go sweetie. I'm cheering for you.

And you said I inspired you (blush!) You inspire me more I believe.

I love running. It helps me to deal with stress and when my mind goes blank I know it's all gone. lol!

Today I am trying a new breakfast cereal. I love my oatmeal, which we call porridge, but it has gluten in it so I found an alternative one with rice and millet flakes. They keep getting stuck between my teeth though. lol!It's full of carbohydrate and has 7.8g of protein in it so that's not bad.

I am also planning on having a few grapes afterwards but it always takes me so long to finish the porridge.

Anyway, I'm planning on having a quiet day. I did some Tae Bo yesterday which helped my sore legs after running, certain moves felt uncomfortable so I just adapted them. I sweated like crazy though.

Anyway my dear friend.

Take care of yourself.

love and hugs x

Helen, THANKS!!
You are such a dear sweet woman and friend! Thanks so much for your encouragement!!

I agree with you so much!! I love the term "fueling our bodies!!" You are so right! We do need a new and healthy positive attitude about food and you are on the right track.

I look at food as a good thing that helps me work to my peak performance!!

I was so sad last night and restless and so decided to get on the treadmill. As I really pushed it to work through the stress it felt so good. I thought of you Helen training for your marathon and it just inspired me to keep going! It just felt so good!!!




Well i have to get moving...I finished my 60 day challenge on the Wii EA Active MORE!! WooHoo! Time for a shower and then off to shop with the kids.

Hugs my dear friends and encouragers!! Cathy

Dear Cathy,

I'm so sorry to hear about your oldest son. My oldest daughter will be twenty this year and she is like a stranger to me. Ever since she was younger she has said she doesn't need her parents. Because of this we hardly ever see her and when we do it's very odd and strange. We don't know her at all because she has never wanted us to.

As for eating a little treat every now and then it won't hurt us. I ran 15 miles yesterday in some new trainers and they caused a little blister here and there but nothing too serious. They felt quite nice compared to some others that I have had.

I love the focus on FUELLING my body instead of using the terms healthy eating or diet. If I ask myself the question "what doesn my body need in order to recover from exercise?" and "what does it require in order to do exercise efficently?" that seems to be working for me. It's taking my mind away from the idea of losing weight to establishming a positive connection with food which it actually doing some good for my body and giving me a reason to think more about the food that I eat.

I feel more relaxed and at peace with myself. Through taking the break and time off gave me time to reconnect with what my body needs.

Have a beautiful day today my friend. As for your son, be yourself and keep smiling. Hugs and love x

Hi Helen!

Thanks so much for checking in! Our little team is way too quiet lately!!

I am so glad you are enjoying your holiday! I would say that if you are training for a marathon then the extra calories are probably going towards all that exercise. That is probably part of why you aren't seeing a gain.

Eating healthy is important, but restricting too much isn't good either. It's tough, but we each need to find our balance as to what works best for our own body.

I have found that my foundation of eating is healthy, but if I want that piece of chocolate I go ahead and eat it. If I keep trying to avoid all the "good stuff" I will always find another and probably eat that too. If I just eat sensibly and give myself a break and eat the goodie, then I am done and satisfied.

I am glad you are almost to the end of your studies! YAY! You sound so good and so positive! I am happy for you!!

Tisha, Char, I really hope you are doing well! I miss everyone, but we are all busy!

My oldest will be 21 on Saturday. Can't believe. We have always been so close, but the last 2 years have been horrible since a very sick and evil girlfriend who wants to control and have all of my son has taken him far away from who he used to be. I feel very sad and don't know how to celebrate a birthday that should be so joyous with a son who is a stranger.

Back to health...I am working out and mixing it up a lot. That really seems to be a key for me. I am also eating as healthy as I can to fuel my body. Hopefully I can get this body fat off this year for once and for all!!

Hugs to everyone, Cathy

Hi Everyone!

Just to confess I've been off the diet and having a fab time while I was at it. lol! I feel great. I haven't put on any extra weight so it makes it wonder what is going on after having been eating healthy and not losing any weight either.

I've been running and training for a half marathon coming up in a week and a half time. I'm going running with a friend later and hope to do 15 miles. Fingers crossed.

I also did another race last weekend and had a fabulous time there as well.

Studying is going really well too. Only one more presentation and essay to write and then there's the dissertation too.

I am currently on holiday at the moment and I am getting far too used to chilling out. At least I'm still making time for exercise.

I haven't done Tae Bo for ages but I'll do that tomorrow hopefully. I always think that in the holiday time I will do more but I never do, funny that!

Anyway, the weather is beautiful though not hot as yet.

I hope you are all okay!!

Cathy, I hope you are not working too hard. BTW one challenge I would be interested in, is one that helps me eat more healthily. That is my present downfall.

Love and hugs to you all. x

Big Hugs to everyone!!

I have been so busy with really getting my act together with eating healthy every day, one meal at a time! And I have been working out quite a bit but in a sensible manner.

Helen, I am so sorry to hear of such tragic losses! Your poor son and the poor boy who has suffered so much. I am so glad he is blessed with good grandparents.

So do we need a challenge? We could come up with one that works for everybody...whoever wants to. Let me know.

I am so glad you posted Helen, and am sorry I haven't in a while...what kind of a leader am I anyway? Oh yeah, a really busy one!!

Hugs to all, Cathy

Hi everyone!

I hope you are okay!

My eating has gone to pot! lol! But I haven't put on any more weight. Despite dieting I didn't lose any either.

Had a sad few days really. One involved my son's best friend, who arrived at school last Friday (with tears in his eyes as he said goodbye to everyone!) and announced he was leaving the school. Apparently his mum had taken an overdose on antidepressants and paracetamol. He's to go and live with his grandparents and start a new life somewhere else. I felt so sorry for this child who we have come to know. I also felt sorry for my son and couldn't stop imagining my own child having to suffer that and having no father, brothers or sisters to share his pain with. But the good thing is his grandparents are really kind and spoil him, unlike his mother who was only concerned with her latest boyfriends, pushing her son to the lowest bullet point on her list.

The second sad news occured today. My neighbour's husband died of cancer this morning, bless him. He's suffered for so long it was actually a release for them all. To see a loved one suffer is torturous. He was 66 years old, leaving behind an 18 year old son.

Anyway, all these thought provoking events certainly place my own problems in true prespective. Never take life for granted and life each day as it comes.

Hugs and love x

Sorry for not posting earlier.

Cathy, you are the ultimate super mum, home schooling your children and dealing with all their diverse needs. What a mum! Way to go sweetie. x

Char, get well soon.

As for my weight I have recently lost another 2 lbs so I am now 10 stone 9 lbs. (149lbs) This is the lowest I have been in months and I hope the scale keeps dropping.

I have been eating more on advice from a friend and that seems to be working. Instead of half a bowl of oats I am eating a much bigger protion to keep up with my intense workouts. I am no longer tired and can actually jump out of bed in the mornings.

I have been running 27 miles a week and doing 3 sessions of Tae Bo. (Boxing). It's very good and I am getting results where I want them. :-)

I hope everyone keeps well.

Have a positively wonderful week.

Hugs and love x