As recommended, I will keep an online diary on the forums here. I have already started one in a little notebook by my bed as well so I can reflect upon it and use it as a tool in my weightloss efforts. I will also likely keep it informal as that is a more realistic approach for me, for now anyway.

Ate healthy breakfast of Raisin Bran, 1% milk & cantelope. Went out for early dinner at Ruby Tuesday where I think I did very well: Salad bar (general veggies/minimal dressing), BBQ chicken breast(only ate half), mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. Later in the evening took the kids and dog for 30 min walk.

Sunday stats-
Eating
Exercise
Water
Multivitamin
Attitude

Mini Goal: 10lbs by 10/01
Weekly Goal: exercise 30 min 3x this week

Had a great day-motivated and excited for this weightloss journey.Breakfast was a lite english muffin with peanut butter, grapes and coffee. Lunch was a garden salad with the left over chicken from the night before. And dinner was a 93% lean burger on wheat bread, baked french fries, green beans and side salad. Dessert was a Slim A Bear ice cream sandwhich. My only disappointment was that I snitched some of the french fries, so I ate more like a portion a and half, instead of one regular portion. Exercise and portion control are my weak areas. The good news is I did get a bit of exercise today. I mowed the lawn and did other yard work for a total of about an hour and half, and then in the afternoon I walked up to school and back (probably 1 1/2 miles round trip).
On a side note, I took some pictures of myself in a bathing suit- REALITY CHECK! I have been in denial for too long. I also took measurements:
size = 14
chest = 43 inches
waist = 35 inches
hip = 45 1/2 inches
thigh = 25 inches
arm = 13
The scale records weight and % body fat = 180lbs/39.1 % body fat

Monday stats-
Eating
Exercise
Water
Multivitamin
Attitude

Remaning Focuses! Eating healthy : Breakfast was raising bran, 1% milk, and a weightwatchers yogurt. Lunch was a turkey and cheese sandwhich on a lite roll, bran crackers and cantelope. 94% ff popcorn for a snack and dinner was left over spaghetti whole wehat pasta (all in moderate portions).

I also got some exercise in walking up to school and back.

I dont seem to crave anything, even didnt bother with a after dinner snakc/dessert. I cleaned off all the junk on the Nordik Trak, wiped it down and took some steel wool to the flywheel so NO EXCUSES not to get on it and burn some calories! Also, been focused on drinking my water bottle (34 oz).

Tues stats-
Eating
Exercise
Water
Multivitamin
Attitude

Hi Yarmiah, looks like you're doing great. I love seeing all those smiley faces. Good luck with today!

I DID IT! I got off my duff at 6:20 am and got on the Nordik Trak for 30 minutes. I am proud that I did get up, as I am have been more tired than usual anyway from the increase in exercise since the beginning of the week, but like the title of this diary says : No More Excuses!
I was a little disappointed that while making the lunches for the next day, I snitched a piece of turkey meat and ONE cheeze-it. I know calorie wise, that is not so bad, but as far as trying to break bad habits it was not a great thing to do. I did, however, count the "points" for it. I am doing an at-home-version of Weight Watchers. I had gone to WW in the past and have all the tools and am using that as a guidline in my weightloss.
Breakfast-mini wholewheat bagel with lite cr.cheese, milk, watermelon
Lunch- WW frozen entree, watermelon
Snacks- rice cake(s), apple w/peanut butter
Dinner- 2 small slices of cheese pizza

Wed stats:
Eating
Exercise
Water
Multivitamin
Attitude

Hi Yarmiah.
Came to check out your diary, We are in the same team for the Halloween Challenge. Go Caspers Countdown Team!!!
I have a NordicTrack treadmill and I try to use it every morning at 5.30 for 45 minutes. Well, not always happens. Sometimes my lazy butt keeps me in bed, then I make up for it in the afternoon.
Your food sounds good and your exercise schedule sounds good also!!
Talk to you later!!
Hajni

ETA: your goal weight is pretty similar to mine too. LOL

Hey there Yarmiah, thanks for stopping by and saying hi!
This ought to be fun!!!!

Howdy YARMIAH,
Wow early bird,congrats on hitting that norditrack in the AM hours!Also I saw you walk your dog and kids is this at the same time because I tried it ndit was HARD I do have a stroller tho to and 3 kids walking I mean running and goofing off.Anyway your doing gr8 gl in the challange,Tammy

Had another good day today. I got up early and walked the dog, but only got in 20 minutes as I had to get back before hubby left for work. I'm TOTALLY commited- I used to stop at the local ice cream treat shop and get a no fat gelati, but now have limited myself to ONCE a week. This is very tuff as everyone in my office likes to go to "The COW". I ate well today as well:
Breakfast :mini whole wheat bagl w/ lite cream cheese, watermelon
Snack : mini rice cakes
Lunch : 2 slices Wheat Bread w/ turkey & cheese, bran crackers, and WW yogurt
Snack: chocolate rice cake
Dinner: Taco salad:veggies, 93% lean beef, 2% cheese, reduced fat sour cream
Dessert: ff chocolate pudding with lite cool whip


I'm very excited to start the upcoming Halloween Challange!

Thursday stats-
Eating
Exercise
Water
Multivitamin
Attitude

Oh- Niapage . . as far as walking the dog goes, my kids are older (ages 7 and 11) and they usually walk behind me and the dog. I also keep the dog on a short lead as to avoid as many tangle up as possible. I don't think I could attempt it if my kids were in a stroller. 8)

WOW! Ok, ok . . . my routine has been to post my dairy the next day and record the day before . . but I'm too excited to wait till tomorrow to say . . I LOST 4+ lbs!, and still have one more day technically to count as a whole week. I had to weigh in today as the Halloween Challenge started to day and needed a beginning weight. I'm convinced the exercise is key, as I have gotten some form of exercise in everyday this week. I did get up again and do 30 min on the Nordik trak. Oh yeah, I was tired, but as the diary sez . . No More Excuses- so I got my lazy but out of bed and did it! Looks like I'll be buying anotehr water bottle to get in my 88oz of water for WEEK 1 Bonus for Halloween CHallenge!

Breakfast: WW yogurt, lite english muffin w/ PB
Snack: banana
Lunch: Salad with lite dressing, baon bits, croutons
Snack : low cal gelati (my weekly treat, used to be daily treat hee hee
Dinner: whole wheat past w/ spaghettis suace made wtih 93% lean beef
Dessert: mini rice cakes (the Kettle Korn ones are delish!

Friday stats-
Eating
Exercise
Water
Multivitamin
Attitude:

Congrats Yarmiah on your weight loss!!!
I agree that exercise makes a huge difference!! When I skip a week without it I usually don't lose even when I watch my food.
You are off to a great start for the Halloween Challenge!!!
I am lucky during the week, my office is the "ultimate Health club". Nobody eats any junk food and there is no junk food around at all!! It tremendously helps. I lost weight back in 2002 and then switched jobs where we ate bagels every morning and there were always donuts (every single day), I gained back the lbs before I could say ouch... LOL
I try to drink all my water before 6 pm, or I have to spend the night in the bathroom...LOL
Have a great weekend!!!
Go CASPERS,
Hajni

That's awesome weight loss! Woohoo! You're doing great and have some great willpower walking by a treat shop. Have a great day!

ONE WEEK DOWN! Oh yeah! And not nearly as tough as I anticipated . . on the contrary, pretty motivated and excited, thanx to this forum and the challenge I'm signed up for. I was REALLY proud of myself for not being tempted by the Dunkin Donuts bags that the boss brought in to work. Instead, I ate my regular breakfast and stayed focused.

Breakfast- mini what bagel w/PB
Snack - mini rice cakes
Lunch - Wendy's Chix BLT salad, with 1/2 packet of lite dressing
Snack - rice cake
Dinner -Grilled turkey tenderloin and baked french fries.
Snack - Slim a Bear ice cream
(I should have eaten more diary and fruit today)

Sat stats-
Eating
Exercise
Water
Multivitamin
Attitude:

Congrats on saying no to the donuts!!!
Stay focused, just keep thinking about your goal and how happy you will feel when you reach it. That's what keeps me going!!
You are doing good on your first week!!
Have a good night.
Hajni

I like your no excuses motto--same as my own..lol. Great job and congrats on the 4lbs! I think if you keep up your determination you'll do just fine.