Okay, decided to start a diary today. I already keep (pretty good) track of this stuff myself but thought it might help to have "someone" to be accountable to.
So just to update, I am getting married on the beach in June 2006 and my dress is anything but forgiving. I want (and need) to get my measurements down to 36-27-36 just to fit the dress (Right now they are 39-32-39). My goal as far as weight goes is around 135 because I know that's what I weighed when I measured 26-25-36. I'm 5'2 and have a muscular build (covered with a layer of fat) so I'll never be "skinny" by most standards but that's okay with me as long as everything looks good.
I started out in November weighing 168 and am currently 155. Although I definitely have some issues with food, my biggest problem is I weigh myself several times a day even though I know the readings won't be accurate... it is definitely an obsession (don't tell me to throw it out, cuz I can't!)!
As far as "diet" goes, I'm not following a strict diet, just trying to choose sensible foods and eat less of everything.
My exercise goals increase each week but this week my goal are as follows:

• 20 minutes of morning cardio
• weight training 5 days a week
• 10,000 steps a day

All that being said, here's how I've done so far:

SUNDAY- Rest day (12,061 steps taken)

MONDAY- 20 minutes AM cardio, Combo 1: Back-Chest-Legs 3x15-20 circuit (no rest) Lat Pulldown - Incline Dumbbell Press - Squats (shoulder width apart) (17,286 steps taken)

TUESDAY- 20 minutes AM cardio (Sore and DID NOT want to get up early this morning, but I did!), Combo 4: Abs 3x50 circuit (no rest) Seated V-Ups - Ball Crunches (10,263 steps taken)

Starting tomorrow, I will try to post a more detailed entry but this catches me up to now.

BTW- If I'm going to be honest, I must admit that I weighed myself three times today (154.4) and several times yesterday (lowest was 155). I started out on Sunday at 157.6... Okay, take it easy on me and thanks for reading my journal!

just want to say g'day and welcome, I am also 5'2 with a muscular build so i can understand never being skinny lol if i lost all of my fat i would still be obese if you look at BMI

do you take your squats ass to the grass or parallel ?

Hey girl way to go on starting a diary!! Glad you see you here.

Oh and we'll all be real nice to you. Just keep on steppin and there are no complaints here!! You are doing great!

Ha! Me too on the BMI! LOL! As far as the squats go, just parallel... don't want to hurt the knees!

Thanks NewLeaf! You're always so supportive and I know I'll have you to answer to if I start slacking!

WEDNESDAY
Got up this morning and did my 20 minutes of cardio and my weight training (combo 2).
Got on the scale. Weighed in at 151.8.
Feeling very positive but I have the munchies... trying to resist eating the entire contents of the pantry! LOL! I just keep thinking about the fact that I'm smaller than I've been in years (down from 168) and I don't want to screw that up so I'll work through the munchies... I only have five months until the wedding... plenty of time to look great if I work at it but not really enough time for slacking.

Got some old pictures back from Christmas 2004... man that's a real eye opener!

Glad to see you have started a diary.
I drink lots of water. And when you get the munchies try eatting cheerios or some other dry cereal.

Eatting right and drinking lots of water is the key to taking the weight off and keeping it off.

Thanks West,
I have been trying to drink water through out the day... I've been getting no less than 32 oz but I should probably up that a little. The cheerios is a great idea... another thing I do sometimes is I have ice cube trays that make really small cubes. I fill those with crystal light and munch on those.

Fiance and I went to the movies today and there is no way I'll pass up movie popcorn so my calorie and fat intake is shot to he** today but I'm okay... back on track in the morning. At least I worked out and took all my steps today.

Ya gotta have one cheat day!

Okay, haven't posted for a couple of days so now I'm playing catch up... First of all let me just say that my fiance (Josh) hid the scale yesterday and I feel like a crack addict going through withdrawl LOL!
BUT... just for the hell of it, I decided to try on a pair of pants that a couple of months ago, I couldn't even get one leg into and they went on! Too tight to wear in public but they went on! And they are a size 6! I am so excited (but dying to weigh myself ).
THURSDAY
Should have done 20 minutes of morning cardio and Combo 4 today (3x15-20 circuit (no rest) Ball Crunches, Leg Raises ) but I didn't therefore, my total steps were only 5,000 (half of what they should have been).
FRIDAY
Didn't get up to do my morning cardio (again), so I made up for it by walking around while waiting for my daughter's lesson to end. I am over my 10,000 steps for today and the day is not over (I will post my actual steps in the morning). However, I haven't done my weight training today (Combo 3: 3x15-20 circuit (no rest) Seated Dumbbell Curl, Cable Pressdown, Leg Press)... still time if I can guilt trip myself into it!
I ate okay today... not excellent but okay. In general, I feel good about today (but I still want to weigh myself! AAAAAAHHHH!!!). Thanks for looking!

Hey Paula, those britches don't look bad girl!! But if they are uncomfortable I wouldn't be prancing around in them either!! I've gotta try my "fat pants" on today too. Maybe after my gym trip! You're doing great!!

Saturday
Today is a rest day. I only took 4600 steps which, even though it's a rest day, should have still been higher. Oh well.
I'm going to weigh myself in the morning.

Sunday Weighed in at 153.
Today is a rest day as well but I have plenty of housework to do so I'm sure my steps will be up there. Also, I'm going to see if I can get one of my friends out of the house for a couple of hours (she just had a baby a week ago and is going through a little depression). I will post later.

Wow 2 more pounds down! Way to go! Sounds like you've got the stepping down!

i like the way you keep things in your diary that show the ups and downs, and the good and not so good things you do on a daily basis. I need to put in mine low days and why Im having them and what I did or do to keep from messing up. Looks like we are starting at near similiar weights. I was at my heighest just before Christmas at 166.

btw, in your goal picture you are built like a ...like a brick s***house! Dang girl, you go!

NewLeaf, thanks for always checking in on me... it makes me feel accountable!

Skinny Kate, thanks for the brick sh** house comment; made me LOL! And thanks for the compliment on the diary as well. It really does help to put it all down- it makes me more accountable for all my actions.

I don't have steps to post today because for the first time in about three weeks, I actually forgot to put my pedometer on first thing and then left the house without it. I also ate out with the fiance (at Chili's) and I didn't pick anything "guilt free"! Ha! BUT I did only eat half of my food which is a big step for me because I hate to waste money so I'm really good at convincing myself that if I leave food, I'm wasting money.

MY GOALS for this week are to increase my cardio by five minutes (25 minutes daily) and add 500 steps to my daily requirement (total 10,500). Also, to not miss any of my weight training workouts... Oh yeah and to fold my laundry as soon as it comes out of the dryer! LOL!

Hey Paula, somebodys gotta hold you accountable.

You're doing great! Hope you were able to cheer up your girlfriend..