I am so excited!!! Nic and I are gonna find a high school we can use the track to run on. I will start with short sprints! I could never run as a child, due to my asthma, so am super pumped. I figure is safe to try now.

So I will be busy and still gonna call 24 hour Fitness, I went thru my paycheck and I can do it!

So glad I took this workout break. Allowing me to slow down and re evaluate alot of things and not just my workouts. Like being obsessive over housework, putting makeup on, not allowing my self to just be lazy if I want. I did that last nite, and you know? It felt good. I tend to run around like a maniac most of the time. I even cancelled on going to the movies again this Friday, I need some time at home to chill and do home things at my own pace, make sense?

Any ways, I have to give a shout out to My tribe. Anj, Nancy and Nic for encouraging me to to take this break ( and yes I can be stubborn) and Tracey and Lori for their support.

Love ALL my buddies, and thanks for the comments, and to let you know I talked to my very dear friend, and it all worked out perfect

Oh and lol, we had  crazy hair day at work, lol. I won the prize. My hair is stricking out all over my head,  and I rode the bus that way!

Ok learning alot today, and thanks to Nancy, I agree that I need some training in my workouts. DVDs are great, but not enough. Sooo, I looked up 24 hour Fitness and they have a $29.99 monthly special, so gonna see if I can do that this week when I get paid. I want to learn good form and how to work on my problem areas, and I don’t want anymore injuries.

Thanks, Nancy and all who encouraged me on this!!

Ok next thing. I have never been very good at standing up for myself. But yesterday and today really being tested, and it came from a close friend. I know this person means well, and trying to take it with a grain of salt, and not lose my temper. Sooo, I am learning to speak out and take critiscm wisely( I hope).

Still hard, ’cause I prob need to confront this person, and I want to do it in love. Cause I do love this person ALOT.

Soooo, I just pray I can do that and not lose my temper. I can’t stand to hurt anyone, sometimes to my own  detriment. But I think this has to do with learning to love myself, too.

Also, learning to love myself is another reason I want to join the Fitness Center, ’cause I am worth it

Love you guys~!!

Doing ok today. Foot still very sore.

But REALLY concentrating on my caloric intake since I am not working out this week. My body really feels it, but at the same time, I am trying to get rested up. Did not do so good on sleep last nite, I am not sure what kept waking me up.

But still a good day

Ok I have seen alot of people complaining about slow weight loss, slow is better!

I found this article and wanted to post it. Hope it helps!!

How Safe Is Quick Weight Loss?

You might want to drop extra weight as fast as possible, but the most long-lasting loss often comes at a slow, and safe, pace.

By Madeline Vann, MPH

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

Print Email

Tempted by the fad diet that promises 15 or even 30 pounds of weight loss in the first month? While it would be lovely if excess weight could safely melt away (ideally before bikini season), quick weight loss is unlikely, and prolonged extreme weight loss is not safe.

Weight Loss: Understanding That First Drop

“We usually recommend about a half a pound to two pounds a week, which is a lot less than what these fad diets promise,” says Emily Banes, RD, clinical dietitian at the Houston Northwest Medical Center.

Banes acknowledges that some people may experience quick weight loss in the early stages of a new diet, but says it is important to be realistic about what to expect over the long haul. “If you have a lot to lose and you start on a diet and lose more than two pounds a week, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but know it’s going to slow down,” warns Banes, adding that some of the initial weight loss probably is water weight.

Even Banes’ patients who have had lap-band or gastric bypass surgery and lose weight dramatically at first will eventually slow down to what feels like a crawl, but is actually a healthy rate of weight loss. Banes says she would worry about a person’s rate of weight loss if they continued to lose five to 10 pounds (or more) a week.

Weight Loss: Safe Strategies, Best Strategies

While not everyone, including Banes, focuses on counting calories, doing the math can help guide you to a safer weight loss. Generally, experts recommend trimming 500 to 1,000 calories from your daily intake by eating less and exercising more.

A pound is the equivalent of 3,500 calories, so if you can cut 500 calories each day for a week, you should lose one pound. Researchers who analyzed data from 1,801 Minnesota dieters over a two-year period found that the more strategies dieters used, the more likely they were to be successful in losing weight at this pace. Strategies that lead to success include:

• Counting calories
• Increasing daily exercise (aim for 150 minutes a week or more)
• Cutting out sweets and snacks
• Reducing fat intake to less than 30 percent
• Increasing fruit and vegetables
• Decreasing portion sizes

The researchers noted that one crucial piece of information lacking from many diet strategies: persistence. Their conclusions support the fact that even though it will take a long time at the pound-per-week pace — longer than many people would like — with a slower approach you are more likely to develop the long-term healthy habits that will help keep the lost weight off.

Weight Loss: When the Rate Becomes Dangerous

If extreme weight loss means you are not getting enough nutrients — the fats, carbohydrates, and proteins needed for your body to function properly — you have entered the territory of unsafe weight loss. You may also be developing an eating disorder focused on your obsession with weight. Some of the warning signs that you may be losing too much weight are:

• Thinning hair
• Frequently becoming sick
• Feeling cold more often than usual
• Having fewer or no menstrual cycles

Disappointing though it may be, the reality is that slow and steady wins the weight-loss race. Take it easy and be patient — you will achieve your goal and, more importantly, maintain it.

Last Updated: 04/07/2009

This section created and produced exclusively by the editorial staff of EverydayHealth.com. © 2009 EverydayHealth.com; all rights reserved.

Well day 2 of not working out. And I already miss it badly. But good to let my foot heal, is very sore.

Thanks to all of you for the support of my blog yesterday. Wanted you all  to know my back ground.

What really led me to do the weight loss was being so tired of being sick, plain and simple. I had had enough.

And I want to say if someone like me can do this, I know you all can too. Have a wonderful day!

OK Buddys. Been wanting to do this for awhile. My story. Hold on is kinda long. Here goes.
I was a 3 month preemie. I was very sick at birth, and my mom and dad really had to fight to keep me. I had yellow jaundice at birth and collpased lung twice.
Then all kinds of respiratory problems during my early childhood. I had asthma, allergies, you name it. So I was very restricted on activity, and no running. I grew up in a world of books and movies, music, etc. But no physical activity. My mom tried to compensate by baking all kinds of treats and dad would spoil me rotten by buying me whatever I wanted. I was a spoiled brat, lol.
Then at about age 9, they found out i had scoliosis, my spine was going in an s shape. So that took 2 spinal fusions, one at 9 and one at age 10 . a full body cast for a year each time.
So, I was restricted from eating too much, because if I did, the cast wouldbe too tight.
Well when they took it off, was funny, I had started to go thru puberty!
Anyhow, once they took it off, I was able to eat, and made up for lost time.
My mom and dad were always chunky. Mom loved to bake, and dad loved to eat, lol.
But I was a shy timid, kid, not comfortable in my own skin and with people. So I hid in books and food.
Did this for years.
Then I got to high school. VERY shy and awkward, plus being overwieght.
But I did manage to make some good friends, and we walked all over, which helped.
Got introduced to alchohol. It became my friend. I found when I was buzzed I could overcome my shyness. So I drank my way thru high school and ate too.
I was most comfortable in front of the tv, or with a book, and something to munch on.
Well made it thru school.
Late got married at age 20 and about a year and a half later had Holly. Unfortunately me and her dad were a miss match. So more eating to comfort my self and more drinking, too.
I got real sick, had autoimmune pericarditis and that again restricted my activity.
had that for many years. and again, food was my comfort. Was on prednisone for 14 years for it. And that makes you hungry, too.
Ok, well Holly’s dad and I split up after about 11 years. So more drinking, eating and back to smoking.
Went thru a time of alot of different relationships, trying to find the perfect man, lol. Felt guilty for Holly not having a family.
More and more drinking. During all this, I was working full time, and trying to be superwoman.
Anyways 2 more failed marriages, and then i got introduced to meth, I felt like superwoman on it. I was addicted for over 10 years. I though5t it would help me lose weight, I could work out like a fiend, and thought I was doing great. Little did I know at that time how much I was hurting myself. I was in a relationship with a man in a wheelchair for 7 years. He turned abusive, and I finally had to get out. So I moved out, and I knew I had to clean up. So thru a good friend, I started going to NA meetings. I have now been clean for almost 4 years.
Ok all of this, makes me so grateful to be alive and healthy, and to be able to workout hard. Mom and dad were amazed at what I can do. So I never take my heath for granted. I am a survivor, and a grateful one.

Hello. How are you all. Not feeling so great here. Found out advil pm makes me hungry just like when I used to smoke pot, ugh, had a binge last nite. The reason I took it was because I had an accident yesterday. Was coming home and my friend Linda and I walked in the door at the same time, and she tried to close it not realizing my foot was in the way. Sliced my little toe clean open, Bled like crazy. So we steristripped it closed, and bandaged it up. I can’t wear shoes to well, and  it is swollen, so no cardio today, and this week is my break from hard workouts, but will do my weight loss yoga today, as much as my foot permits. Supposed to do that barefoot.

But had fun yesterday, and Linda got her tat all reinked. I will try and down load the pic this week to show you all.

So how is everyone? Please pray this week goes well for me and I don’t gain a ton!

Sorry I was so rushed earlier. I had alot to do on break.

Anyways, having trouble with my 1200 calorie day to day. I am used to Friday being a cheat day(usually turned into a binge) and now I am not. So, I had my meals all planned, but the urge hits, so I hit the snack bar and got some trail mix. Not bad, not the worst I could have gotten, but still will prob put me over.

Then I went downstairs to get some lunch, and instead of heating up mine, I waned one of their sandwiches, but as lukc would have it (Or divine intervention) all they had were salads. So I got a chef salad with fat free ranch.

Keeping my fingers crossed can stay op all afternoon, narrowly exscaped getting a big rice pudding!! Wish me luck!

 have a great day!! Down another pound, so I am happy!!

How are you all? I need to get back to work quick so this will be short, Love you guys!

The FITNESS Dollar Menu: Budget-Friendly Groceries

By the editors of FITNESS magazine

Slides in this Workout:

• Oats
• Eggs
• Potatoes
• Apples
• Chickpeas
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Beets
• Whole-Grain Pasta
• Spinach

Extra Links:

• Money-Saving Meals: Healthy, Low-Cost Dinner Recipes
• Healthy Grocery Store Picks
• Grocery Store Shopping Tips

How are you all today? I am doing great, did my level 3 Jillian 30 day shred. Tough, but I love it.

So looking forward to my break next week. Anj told me to look at it as a reward, thanks, Lady! I am making plans to learn Tai chi with my extra time, and do some reading and spending time with Ted. Been too busy running around instead of being home with him.

I do need to slow down and have some me/us time. People sometimes think you have to keep a person busy who has had a loss, but what I really feel I need is some quiet home time. So this will be my last busy weekend for awhile. Not going into hibernation, but I just need some downtime on the weekends where I don’t have to go anywhere. Does that make sense?

Anyways, I found out my meds do help, I ran out for a couple of days, and boy did the emotions hit, big time last nite. I was walking the dog, and all of a sudden I was bawling and missing my mom like a big baby. I don’t think I have allowed my self to slow down enough to feel it, and I need to.

Anyways needed to get that out. Love you guys.

And a big shout out to my tribe for getting me out of the dumps this morning!

Happy Hump day!! How are you all?

Well at least today is not as bad as yesterday!

Well have made a decision: Been feeling tired and sore and worn out. So starting Monday am taking a week off from strenous workouts. Will keep my calories 1200-1500, and use the time to learn my tai chi, and relaxation yoga and catch up on my sleep, and reading, time with Ted, etc. I need the break, I think all of the last few months is finally catching up with me. So FINALLY taking Nancy and Anj’s advice( I am a stubborn old goat, lol) and doing this for me.

Doing good today, had an awesome dinner last nite, Boca burger on whole wheat bun, with cheese and spicy mustard, salad and fresh berries for dessert, yum!

So I am happy to say I can access Buddyslim from my cell phone! Not sure how much I can do on that, but I will play with it, lol.

Plus I can check my email too. Still fine tuning it, but I love it!

Well. better go check my msgs before break is over, love you guys!