Josette

Congrats and we're so happy to have you back. The baby is beautiful! You're so blessed!

bumping back up. Thanks for the words of encouragement everyone. You're great! I've finally started working out. I started water aerobics last week and I started using my new fitness ball with "fitness ball for dummies" workout dvd. That thing worked my legs like you don't even know!!! I'm still having a horrible time with eating sweats. I've been depressed and trying to stay away but it's hard!

Ok everyone. I've been hiding from you all because I'm incredibly depressed. I've been having a hard time with my marriage recently and just find that I want to isolate myself from everyone and everything. I had lost down to 353 and now I'm back to 357 and very disappointed in myself. I've been doing water aerobics and started doing a fitness ball routine that lasts an hour (I could hardly walk for 2 days after doing it the first time) but I'm still eating very bad things. Last night I came home and ate potatoe chips and dip, then sugar wafer cookies, then a hershey bar. I am hating myself and I feel like I don't deserve to be here among the rest of you. You're all amazing. I'm so sorry.

Hello everyone. I would love to get a group of michigan bandsters to meet and exchange notes. I'm outside of Lansing.

Subject: Warning New Scam We should all take this seriously. I don't how many of you shop at Sam's Club or costco, but this may be useful to know. I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. This happened to me and it could happen to you!! Here's how the scam works: Two seriously good-looking 30 year-old well-built guys come over to your car as you are packing your shopping in the trunk. They both are shirtless and start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their highly defined chest muscles and rock-hard abs exposed. It's impossible not to look. When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to another Sam's Club or Costco. You agree and they get in the back seat. On the way, they start talking dirty about what they want to do to you. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and begins kissing your neck and begs you to pull over so he can make love to you!! While this is going on the other guy steals your purse!! I had my purse stolen last Tuesday, Wednesday, twice on Thursday, again on Saturday, and also yesterday and most likely tomorrow. I'm running out of purses....

Not unusual at all. We have two dogs and a cat and this is the list of names German Shepard named Liberty - Libby, Skibby, Skibby boo, Boo, Mama, Princess, pumpkin, moose, big girl, Liberty Lou, Skib. Shepard Lab mix named Mason - Macy, Spacy, dingaling, stupid, cow, Big boy. Cat named L'Roar - L' Kitty Roar, big big kitty, fritty kitty, kitty boo, fritters My mom's dog is a lab named Rollee: rolls, biggie bear, biggie, Rollee Deberg, Berg, boon, bongorno.

I love you guys. You're the best. I just am tired of all the disappointment I get from family and friends. They ask how much I've lost and then look at me like I'm the weight loss reject because I haven't dropped 100 pounds in 6 months. I wish I had never told a soul!

You look amazing Jamie! I have a confession to make. I've been staying away from the group because I'm very discouraged at my current weight loss. I had lost to 40 pounds down and as of this morning I was back to 36 down. It's driving me crazy. I just started going to water aerobics so I'm finally getting steady exercise three days a week but I'm still very discouraged and wish I was posting 60 and 70 pounds down at this point. A friend of mine did the optifast diet starting in October and has lost more then me in less time. I need to pull my head out of my butt and strap down I guess. You girls are all doing great!

Ok. We don't like you anymore! hehehe. Just kidding! It's freezing here in Michigan too. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! Tonight I plan to do my fitness ball and get in my 25 crunches. I did those at the gym yesterday. Feels GREAT! Thanks so much meme!

Ok so I was curious what everyone looks like. Would any of you be interested in posting a picture of what you look like? Here's mine. hehe This was taken on our 2nd anniversary Dec 18th on the steps of our state capitol near where we were married on 12-18-04

:cheer2: Always Remember… 1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for. 2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way. 3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you. 4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you. 5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep. 6. You mean the world to someone. 7. You are special and unique. 8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you. 9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it. 10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look. 11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

I also will meet the challenge. I have two new dvds for exercise using my fitness ball so I'll be doing one of those tonight. Have a great night everyone!

I don't know. I looked and looked and it was NO WHERE to be found!!! I had lasagna for lunch and a banana for snack and a couple chocolate chip Cookies and two bottles of Water. I'm going to my first water arobics class in about 30 min. I can't wait! :clap2:

My scale doesn't seem to be moving at all. I had hoped to be in the 340's by now but I'm still in the 350's. I'm getting discouraged. All I've had today is water. Ive had one bottle so far.

MMMmmmm... snacks! I saw in Shape magazine an advertisement for http://www.stacyssnacks.com/ They're baked pita, bagel or soy chips in all different flavors. I'm gonna go get some for when I feel snacky. You can have 11 chips for about 140 calories and 3 grams protien. YUMMO!

Time to get into a NEW YEAR!!! What are our goals for this year??

Thanks for looking for me Avilla I appreciate it! Today I didn't get all my Water in :rose: but I did pretty good about not snacking. I had wheat toast for Breakfast... lean sliced turkey with cheese and wasabi sauce for lunch... a small potato, carrots and a half cup of roasted chicken for dinner and a half cup of ice cream for dessert. I know I need more water! and exercise!!!

very funny but the picture isn't very accurate. hehe

This easy 10 minute walking plan does more then get rid of sneaky pounds, it’s an amazing cure-all for common winter woes, including comfort-food cravings, blue moons and lowered immunity. We teamed up with indoor-walking pioneer Leslie Sansone to design a simple 10-minute, full body routine that you can do in a 10’ x 10’ space in the comfort of your own home. Repeat the sequence three times daily for the speediest slimdown. Step 1: March in Place (1 minute) Keep it relaxed at the beginning, aiming for a pace of roughly 120 steps per minute. (continue at this pace for steps 2-4.) Step 2: Side steps (1 minute) With your right foot, step to the right, and bring your left foot over to meet your right foot. Then step to the left and bring your right foot over to meet your left foot. “This lateral move is a great addition to a walking routine because it works the hip and thigh muscles in new directions” says Sansone. “That’s the key to superior toning.” Step 3: Alternating kicks (1 minute) Keeping your back straight, kick your left leg straight out, raising it no higher then the hip height. Alternate kicking your right and left leg repeatedly. “This activates more muscles in the front of the thighs then walking does” Sansone says. Step 4: Knee lifts (1 minute) Lift your left knee to just above waist level, pulling your navel in toward your spine. Do the same with your right knee; repeat. These standing crunches sculpt the stomach while toning the leg muscles. Step 5: Fast march and press (90 seconds) Repeat step 1, but increase your pace to 130 steps per minute and add this upper-body exercise: Raise and pump your arms above your head for 15 reps, then pump the arms in a downward motion at your sides for 15 reps. Step 6: Speedy side steps (90 seconds) Repeat step 2, adding this move: Raise your arms above your head when you step out and clap your hands together over your head when you step in. Step 7: Quick kick-and-reach (90 seconds) Repeat step 3, adding this upper-body move: when kicking your left leg, reach forward with your right arm; when kicking your right leg, reach forward with left arm. Step 8: Twist lifts (90 seconds) Repeat step 4, adding this move: As you bring your left knee up, touch it with your right hand; as you bring your right knee up, touch it with your left hand. “besides toning your thighs, this activates the oblique muscles in the waist and sculpts an hourglass” Sansone says.

I need to find a measuring tape. I didn't weigh myself this morning. I'm trying to get over my scale addiction

Likes: I am pretty I am like my mother I am sympathetic and compassionate I am loyal to others and a supportive friend I am tall I have a lot of friends I am a great person I keep a positive attitude I'm a total goofball! dislikes: -putting everyone else before myself and paying the price for it -being disappointed in myself often -wondering how I let myself get this bad instead of realizing I've been through more then most in my 31 years -letting depression suck me in!

For breakfast today I had a few thin slices of turkey breast from the deli and 2 slices of american cheese with a table spoon of wasabi mayo for taste. I've had one bottle of water so far. This weekend I got in a TON of exercise on saturday when I took my first trip to Ikea. It took us 4 hours to walk the store. My legs were sore from it on Sunday. Sunday I did my house cleaning and had friends over for dinner and cards. I made taco meat with extra lean beef and mixed fat free refried beans into the meat. Then mashed an avacado with no seasoning. I made it so everyone could have nacho's and I just put meat/bean mixture in a bowl with a table spoon of avacado, tblspoon of sour cream, table spoon of cheese and tblespoon of salsa. It was really good! How is everyone else doing???

Good luck Bandida. You'll do great and we can't wait to see you back!!!

Avilla... I hear ya girl!!! hahahahahaha Loosen the grip! I love my husband to pieces and bits but I just wish he had more ambition and motivation. He got it from his mom!

I Love love LOVE that. Lastnight we were up till 3am arguing because my hubby got laid off permenantly from Ford in September and his unemployement is running out and I don't feel he's looking very hard for a job. He was an inventory supervisor and now he's saying he'll just go get a part time job at Wendy's. How does a man settle for that. I don't understand it and I'm VERY frustrated! Ok.. I vented enough. I had a sugar free pudding for breakfast this morning. I've already had 17 oz of water.