I like off-center....off-color....off the wall (the album by the same name too).

I have been known to be a bit of the above. Today I'm wearing a wildly patterned scarf on my head and some crazy blublocker sunglasses a la the "Cawfee Tawk" lady on SNL....With the big hoop earrings I look quite a bit like Rhoda. And I didn't take those glasses off while in the store grocery shopping today.

I was so sore yesterday from my Sunday workout. I think I overdid it on the side crunches; my sides and lower back were killing me! I still went to the gym and only did strength training (still trying to mix it up and I never do only strength training), minus the side crunches, "swimming" move and back extensions. I'll pick that up again tomorrow when I do another full-body and cardio. I know that you're supposed to allow up to 72 hours between those workouts but in looking at my schedule this week, it was either every other day (Sun, Tues, Thurs), or only 2x this week and I didn't want to lose a day, so.....

Today I'm sneaking out of work at lunch to do a half hour of walk 2min/jog 1 min. When I do this again on Friday I hope to increase the jog portion by 15 sec. It's really hard for me to do any kind of running; it gets my heart rate up to about 90% of my maximum. I'm working on the breathing, because more than anything else, it's causing the most discomfort when I run.

I invested in a great pair of running shoes made by Brooks. I went to the local store called Runner's Alley and they were very thorough in examining the way I walk, run, what has bothered me when I run, looking at my old sneakers to see the wear pattern, etc., etc. I figure I've been going to the gym steadily for awhile now, so that's my reward, but also my motivator- I just laid out $95 bucks for these shoes so I'd better use them!!

As far as food goes, I've been a little hungry at night before bed lately. I wonder if this is due to the addition of regular strength training without increasing my calories? I don't know.

Hope Wednesday's finding everyone well!

hope you're having a great wednesday yourself

hooray for running shoes! You got the idea on the running... short intervals, increase slightly every few days. It will create a snowball effect. cant wait till i get back into jogging shape :/

Hello!!!
How funny that you and your bf are going to Europe this summer too!! I am praying that we can go. Do you think two weeks will be enough? I may want to stay forever lol...
We have alot in common. Especially about doubting ourselves. One thing you should know is that you are an intelligent women and your size does NOT make you who you are. I have a hard time with this too. You CAN find a new job, and you WILL if you really put yourself out there. I am trying to figure out what will make me happy in terms of career, and I believe I will find it, but that doesn't make the journey easy.
I think you have some really great realisitc goals. You have perseverance, and you have overcome alot. Overcoming your weight will be one more battle that you can put behind you. Let me know if you need to talk any time, and I am really looking forward to watching you make your life what you want it. After all, that is why we are all here, isn't it?

Britta- you are awesome! Thanks for the words of encouragement. It's great to have a new friend here- we do have a lot in common!

And no, two weeks will definitely not be enough, but it's all the time I could squeeze out of work.

Hope all's well at home. What you deal with day to day must certainly be making you a stronger person.

we all have alot in common. That's the great thing about WLF. You may find a couple of different people who could be your twin in certain aspects. I am very glad you found WLF.
Everything is alright here, and yes, everyday I am suprised at how strong I can be. But that's the same with everyone I think.

I feel great today! My workout was a breeze yesterday, so I know I need to bump up my jogging by 15 seconds now, which I'll do tomorrow.

Today I have full body strength training and 45 minutes of IT on the elliptical.

My sister's visiting this weekend, and Erik (my boyfriend) has the weekend off from work so I'll be away from the gym for two days. I hope that's okay as long as I'm watching what eat.

Drove down to Boston to see the Silversun Pickups, OK Go and Snow Patrol last night. Fun show! It makes me remember I'm not so old if I'm still going to concerts on "schoolnights"!

Lol I like snow patrol.
If you can walk anywhere instead of drive this weekend, it will be some good exercise Gotta get it in to stay motivated, ya know?

You're right. I am planning on taking my dogs to the beach this weekend, but I'll have to tell my sis to pick up the pace!

Maybe she'd do the Pilates video I have, too. Okay, you have me thinking now! I'm too much of an all or nothing kind of person with exercise sometimes!

which pilates do you have? I have the windsor pilates. I haven't used them recently, but I first got them like 5 years ago and they are so amazing! Now I am going to start up again! Thanks

It's a half hour Pilates for Weight Loss dvd. It's not great but there are three levels on one screen so you follow the one that's challenging for you. It's better than nothing, I suppose!

I am getting STRESSED OUT today. My landlord lives in Texas, and I've been trying to reach him for over 2 weeks now and he for some reason refuses to call my cell phone. He's left a message for me at home at like 10 am, when I'm at work! I've asked him repeatedly in voicemails to please call my cell, and to no avail. Now he's not returning my calls at all.

And he doesn't use email. He's a damn lawyer and he doesn't use email! To each his own, but why should I be busting my ass to reach him about things he needs to know about HIS house?? ARGHHHHH!!!!

I finally emailed his mother just now (she living willed the property to her kids- she used to be my landlady, also out of state)- yes, even she uses email in her 70's- to ask politely if there were other things going on or if it's a timing issue or what.

See, the bathroom needs to be gutted and rebuilt because the floor's rotting out (it's very crooked, and very squishy around the toilet) and I've taken the time to have contractors come to get estimates for the job- I've even used earned leave to do this- and now he won't return my calls. I live in a 200+ year old cape house and old houses need constant maintenance. It drives me insane because it's a great house that I've rented for 10 years, and he doesn't seem to give two shits about it. But you know I get a phone call if the rent is late!!

i'd withhold rent in order to get a call, but the money still goes to his mother. He just pays for repairs.

I'm at the point where I feel like withholding rent until she calls, and then tell her to take it up with her son.

i've spent plenty of my own meager income on this house over the years and I think it's so disrespectful that I have to deal with this.

The most pressing problem is that the floor is getting dangerous. Two of the contractors said they gave it two months, max, before someone falls through it.

and did I mention (yes, but I'll say it again) that my landlord is a lawyer? You'd think he'd understand the concept of liability!

Man have I got a lot to learn from you. I am very insecure about my body at this point. Sweat too much and feel ungainly compared to when I was slim. But the right partner could make all that go away. Teach me oh master.

Fear and doubt will go away. Pick up a copy of Zen in the Art of Archery. It is awesome. "You do not wait for fulfillment but brace yourself for failure". "Of this difficult road, do you wish to travel it?"

You ARE succeeding. Just give it some time. For me I really needed to see this third month. I have learned that I AM capable of losing it quickly. To me, four pounds a month is quick. They did not come off one per week, but accelerated toward the end of the month. I am starting to feel like a pro. Got my eating plan from Steve.

I decided that looking for loss over a month is a better approach than weekly so I keep a thirty day chart that I made up on my fridge. I am enjoying weighing myself daily as I am already in new territory and I want to see those little dips that foretell of days to come. I am going to change my ticker on the first of each month, I'm thinking of putting my lowest weight achieved for that month there. Afterall, that would be so encouraging to see.

But as M2M says, its all about finding what works for you.

I just know that if you stick around you will have no problem. This forum takes care of all my concerns.

Fondly, Kelly

(Fondle?)

You definately deserve better treatment! I dont know how to act in a situation like that, but it sounds like he is making it more stressful on everyone because he doesn't want to deal with it.
You can get through this! I just hope your floor doesn't cave in