Working my way back...

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:52:54 EST

Just a quick update...

I have gained. Not sure just how much, but it's not good. Spark is still essential to me. I can and have before lost weight without the Spark, but why try at this point? Spark makes it easier. Take the easy road when you can. It's not a crime, right? Why do I feel like I have to make it harder on myself?

Not exercising has made me exhausted. I feel drained all the time. Exercise is essential, too. More than anything, I believe.

Wow! Long time, no blog!

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:42:33 EST

Hi, friends! I'm back from spring break. Gosh, it was great to be home with my family. One small drawback to being home after so long away is that everyone wanted to go out. I went out to eat just about every day that I was gone. Everything from Starbucks to Senior Gringo's, Big Boy to Carlos O'Kelly's. I did not make good choices at all, and when I got back here, my weight was about 6 pounds over what it was when I left. I got it back down a couple, but not enough. One of my teams is doing a...

Still no exercise

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:16:17 EST

Okay, wanna hear my excuse for not working out the past few days? Ready?

I was sledding. By myself. I had just finished doing some strength training, and I wanted to head right into some fun cardio. It was before the big snowstorm hit here, but there was already a dusting of snow outside. The first time down was great. The second time (not noticing that there really was not enough snow in the track for another go), I got a good running start. I jumped belly down on the tube....

I am choosing not to exercise today.

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:27:27 EST

My body hurts. I had been doing WATP for quite a while as my main form of cardio. Well, the other night, I lifted some pretty heavy weights for my strength training. I was feeling a little sore yesterday, but I felt strong. I chose to do Tae Bo as my cardio last night. It felt so good to do it. It has been a long time since I've tried anything really challenging. When I was done, every part of my clothing was wet with sweat. Fabulous, right? WELL! Today, everything hurts. I guess b...

Bloggety blog...

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:57:35 EST

I am within my calories today! I cleaned out my fridge, and there are no leftovers in there at all. I have apples, lettuce, and bananas to eat. I have been going a little crazy on the peanut butter lately. I think I have eaten almost an entire large jar of Jif in the past week mostly all on my own. About a cup of that was from yesterday, I'm sure. I used a couple of apples as the peanut butter's mode of transportation from dish to mouth. I think I was trying to trick myself into thinki...

Oy! ZZZZzzzz!

Fri, 9 Jan 2009 23:25:05 EST

I am super-tired today. I was called in to work, and that is a good thing. I haven't worked since Christmas break. It's just that I got that call at 6am, and I didn't really get to sleep until well after midnight. I am one who NEEDS more than the regular 8 hours of sleep. So, right now, at 11pm, I am dragging bigtime.

So, sleepiness makes my eating worse than usual. Since I have had a struggle in that area anyways lately, today was exceptionally bad. Ugh. The good news is ...

Today...

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 23:59:13 EST

I am really sore from the past two days of good, hard working out. I decided to take it a little easy on myself today. I only did two miles from my WATP. I didn't wear my ankle or wrist weights, because I want to give my muscles a chance to recover. I am proud of myself for doing something when I felt like doing nothing, regardless. Now... just need to get this eating thing on track! Gotta keep on trying! I can't even begin to figure out how to track my homemade pizza with home-canned ...

Let's do this!

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 14:35:42 EST

Okay, so my eating is still out of whack, but I am really working on it. It will help once I get a chance to go to the grocery store, fer sher! I am still existing on what is left over from the break and what Harold had in the house when we got back. I could still make better choices within those limits, but I haven't. So, bare with me as I re-train my tastebuds to like what is good for me again. (I still hate pop. I took a sip of Mom's while we were at a restaurant, and it was yukky!) ...

Back from Christmas break with a gain...

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 15:46:10 EST

Well, I am back in old West Virginia from my Christmas with the family. I did find time to exercise a total of two times while I was there, which was good. I mostly read books, visited with family and ate. I ate alot! I had been hovering between 172 and 178 all through December, and as of this morning, I am at 177.6. That's okay. I'll take that as my 2009 starting point. I am ready to go and get the rest of this weight off for good. So, are you with me?!

The best part...

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:16:27 EST

The best part about removing 70 pounds of fat from my body is this. I just spent some time outside with my daughter.

I went out with the intention of making Harmony come inside. She has been out there on and off all day. Her face is beet red, and it was just getting dark. Steven was out with her for quite a while. Then, Bryan went out with her for a very long time. She was still not done being in the snow, and I ...

Ticker moved, ticker moved, ticker moved!

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:06:24 EST

After three straight weigh ins of 176.4, my ticker finally slid on down to 175! That means I have lost 70 pounds with SparkPeople! Thank you, my friends, for all of the encouragement! Thank you, SparkPeople Powers That Be, for all the tools and the place to congregate, congratulate, and commiserate!

Now, just 40 or 50 more pounds to goal and I will really celebrate! It just doesn't seem too far away, now. Even if it takes me a year to get there, I WILL get there!

Who put the glue on my ticker?! LOL

Sun, 9 Nov 2008 17:48:00 EST

Grrrr..r..r.r..r.r.rrrrr... My ticker is stuck. Again. It is my own fault, I know. Halloween candy. Letting it all go when the sisters-in-law were in from the south. Hubby's birthday is tomorrow, so we had cake yesterday. And leftovers today. Gotta stop this pretty darn quick or the ticker will get unstuck and go UP.

Good news is, I am still tracking. (Embarrassing, but I still put all that junk in my tracker.) I am still working out. I have still been strength training...

Thank The Stars I'm Not On A Diet

Sun, 2 Nov 2008 10:26:47 EST

Okay, TUESDAYS, I should have listened to you. Yes, I needed to tell myself that Halloween candy is poison! I needed to remind myself that I can't seem to stop at one or two or ten when it comes to any form of candy except for dark chocolate. You know what? No one handed out dark chocolate Friday night. I sat on the couch yesterday watching the 7 hour Ghost Hunters Live I had recorded from Halloween night and ate tons of candy from the kids' bags. There were at least four Reese's Cups, ...

I'm not gone! I'm still here!

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:15:22 EST

What is up with me, people? I am here. I just can't seem to blog.

So, let's see... Today, I was up four pounds from where I was on Friday morning. Lucky that Friday is my weigh-in day, and not today, right? I know that I had some rotten eating over the weekend. My sisters-in-law are here from the south, and that doesn't happen very often, so I just kind of let go. Have you ever had pineapple pie? Let me tell you it is yum! I must get the recipe from my husband's mother. ...

Time to start at square one

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 17:37:57 EST

I am stalled. My weight loss has slowed and now stopped. I know it is too early to call this a plateau, but I don't want to wait for it to be a several-month long plateau before I do something about it. These last 10 pounds have been a struggle to take off. I don't want to get frustrated with the slow progress and end up quitting. SO... Here's what I'm going to do. I am starting all over in the Spark Stages. I am going to treat it just as I did in the beginning. As Dr. Phil says, I'm ...

I'm okay

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:27:44 EST

Well, let's see. I survived the struggle. I don't know what that was all about, but I'm back. Maybe I had to put myself through that, because it was feeling too easy. I don't know. I do realize now that I am freakin starvin when I work. I don't know why, it's not like my job is physical or anything. I get up early. I sit behind a desk. I answer phones. I smile a lot. I talk to bus drivers or teenagers or principals or little kids or teachers. (I also talk to irate parents who for ...

Having a tough time right now

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 14:49:30 EST

You know, I thought I'd overcome stress eating. I was wrong. Although I didn't do as much damage as I could have, I found myself reaching for and shoveling the food today in a moment of aggravation. My shoulder feels out of whack, my ankle is hurting really bad, and my oldest son won't give me a moment's peace. I want to eat everything in sight right now. It is frustrating and makes me want to cry. I have lost over 60 pounds and I have almost that much more to go. I cannot afford to ta...

Yesterday...

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:48:40 EST

Yesterday, I did not feel like doing cardio. I wanted to do other stuff. I got the leaves out of the pool. I made mini Mexican pizzas. I watched some Oprah (olympic episode), and I got caught up on my As the World Turns. Jack and Carly kissed! I cried and replayed it four times. I relate to Carly. She is so imperfect, and she loves passionately. Sometimes she does the wrong thing for the right reasons. Jack used to love her in spite of it all. When he left her the last time, I was ...

Two days in a row! I KNOW!

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:47:06 EST

I am working in the Transportation Department this week. Their secretary is on vacation. I just love that job. The boss is wonderful, the bus drivers are a hoot, and the job just makes me smile. If I had my choice in all the county of where to work, this just might be the one.

I was told by one of the bus aides today that I look like I'd been losing weight. Considering I haven't worked there since January... well, yeah, I have lost some since then, huh? LOL! Then my MIL told...

September goals, a little late

Tue, 9 Sep 2008 11:36:08 EST

Emily Challenged Us... here is my answer to that challenge.

Stefipop's Super September Goals:

1. Continued Consistency in Exercising
~ I am currently doing cardio at least 6 days a week and ST at least 3 days.

2. Laundry
~ I need to do at least one load a day in order to avoid being buried.

3. Chocolate Issues
~ I am very much about indulging in the things you love, but this has gotten out of hand. I need to limit the chocolate ...

My not so Fabulous Friday

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 21:40:58 EST

I really want to be in a good mood. I swear, I wake up every morning trying to be a source of joy!

No one wanted to go to school today. Everyone was grouchy. I put the kids on the bus, and the boys were fighting. I laughed and told the bus driver they were all his, now. He's so sweet, he said, "I'll take it from here. I'll keep them apart. Now you can go rest." So I did. Went back to bed for a little while. It was warm here today, and since I did not get called in to wo...

It's been a while...

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:02:27 EST

So, I procrastinated, and my mom lied to me (trying to surprise me - it worked), and came way early, and my house was not in order. So, the beautiful future sister-in-law of mine got to see my house for the first time in a great mess. It could have been worse. It has been worse, frequently. I guess, though, she got to see the real me. In all my non-organized, messy glory. Love me or hate me, that's who I am.

I went on a vacation. No husband, no kids, just me with my Spark Fr...

Procrastination...

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:31:53 EST

I don't want to clean my house. I hate cleaning. My family will be here tomorrow evening, and I need to at least get the laundry done. Clean bathrooms would be a plus, too. I probably should get some groceries at some point. I need to plan to cook some food, plan menus, make a list. Yeah, so why am I on here, you ask? Well, I'm procrastinating. Yeah, I've always been really good, I mean a PRO, at one thing. Procrastination. Funny thing... I have spent all day on my beautiful daughte...

Making It Easier

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:42:41 EST

I guess I blog a lot about my bike. It is a source of inspiration for me. That's funny, considering I didn't ride a bike for 16 or more years. Anyways...

I was riding my bike around that oval path I've talked about before. I rode and rode and rode, and you know what? I didn't stop until I had 30 minutes of consecutive riding done. I only stopped because my legs felt like jelly. Many times I have stopped because my butt was in agony. That seat that came with the bike is not ...

I fall down, go BOOM!

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:12:39 EST

Ouch. Seriously. Yeah. I am still not so good on my new bike. No, I don't wear a helmet or elbow pads or knee pads or full body armor. All of which would have been nice accessories this evening.

So, the story... at 9:10, the ole hub asked if I was gonna ride my bike. I was like, "Tonight? Are you serious? No way!!" He seemed kind of distraught at that answer. Okay, so maybe he thinks I don't use the fitness tool that he bought for me enough. I do only use it in very shor...

Thanks for making me Done Girl of the Day!

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:23:22 EST

Last night at around 10pm, I was down. I have felt ravenously hungry for a couple of days. My nutrition has been pretty out of whack. Usually within range, but nutrient-wise lacking. I am PMSing. I was finding it hard to get my workouts done. I blogged about it. That's not normal for me. I usually blog happy things. I want to be like that. A source of positivity. So, I blogged my grouchiness anyways. I felt a little better about things after I got them out. I worked out (yes, that late). I go...

I'm in a mood

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:16:58 EST

Oooh, honey. I can tell it is PMS time. I am not due to start for another week, but I am already really angry, sad, hungry and lazy. I do not want to get off my butt. I do not want to eat healthy. I want to eat freakin everything. I made the mistake of not getting my chocolates. I always get some good Starbucks or Hershey's Cacao Reserve chocolates for such times as these. I did not get them at the grocery store because my stinkin husband was watching everything I put in the cart as i...

Wanna know something funny?

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:07:41 EST

When I was back home, and we were taking the pics on my page with my brothers & me... my brother looked at himself and said, "Wow, look at those knockers! I really have some big boobies! I need to lose some weight." That was from the blonde one, Bo-Bo (James). I know it was partially said in jest. But that old saying - Many a truth is said in jest. - it holds true. He works so hard on his body. He is so insecure because he is short. He tries to make up for it by gaining muscle - contr...

I think I've learned something!

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 15:44:18 EST

I'm back. If you didn't notice I was gone, you know now. I went home to the flatlands for a while. It was so nice. Family, food, fun! Mom's birthday, Dad's birthday, family dinner, 10th anniversary, etc. That's a lot to pack into a week, nay? I also packed in a 5-mile walk, two 3-mile walks, an hour of playground fun with the kids, and some seriously funny-looking water aerobics at the lake. (Those people at the lake had to think I was a nut, or that I had a mysterious disorder that w...

Why I'm DONE being the fat girl.

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:05:53 EST

One of our lovely DONE leaders recently went visiting pages, challenging us to tell why we are DONE.... this is what I came up with. Thought I'd share.

I am DONE resenting the skinny people just for how they look.
I am DONE admiring the skinny people just for how they look.
I am DONE because I like the energetic feeling of being fit.
I am DONE because plus sized clothes are just not as nice.
I am DONE because I want my kids to hug me with overlapping finger...

My New Weapon!

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:01:09 EST

We went to town today, and after having our fat laden Pizza Hut dinner (my weakness - not my choice)... Harold bought me a bike! Okay, Harold has not been very forthcoming with support or praise of any kind when it comes to my Spark Journey. He has not said one kind word about the 45 pounds that I have lost, the way I look, the change in my attitude, nothing! To his credit, he has never said a negative word about my weight gain, bouts with depression, the times I have spent a whole week in...

I HATE PIZZA!

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:11:12 EST

Okay, so that's not true. The truth is I must love you, Pizza, to give you so much power in my life. Honestly, I have to do something about this relationship. It has become very one-sided! I just seem to let you take control, and that is not a good thing for either of us. Pizza, My Dear, you are not bad. You have many good qualities. Admirable, even. In the right context, you can be an absolute healthy part of my life. It's just that I can not control myself when you are near. So, a...

Status On May Goals - Some June Goals, Too!

Fri, 30 May 2008 13:33:37 EST

Well, during this month, I wanted to...

~Lose 10 pounds!
Well, I lost 8. That is pretty darned close! After last weekend at home with the family, I was so out of my element and there was no rhyme or reason to the times we would eat, I was worried I would have my first gain. I may have only lost .4 this week, but that is a heck of a lot better than a gain any day. I had two weigh-ins with very small numbers this month... .2 and a .4. BUT - I had three really good weigh-in...

I did a BAAAAAD thing.... Seriously

Wed, 21 May 2008 12:33:13 EST

Okay. I know my blogs are usually uplifting and positive. That is totally intentional. I like to go back and read my blogs when I am down to remind myself of the fact that I can be happy and life can be grand. I KNOW I will not want to read this blog again later, but I need some help. Harmony is my issue. My beautiful daughter. She has a little belly, just a little one, but it's there. I know she very well could grow out of it. BUT. In her seven years, I have been a bad influence. ...

Ramblings...

Sat, 10 May 2008 12:54:50 EST

Dr. Phil said something one day a long time ago that still comes back and gets me occasionally. (I just love Dr. Phil!) He said something about how you will be a year from now. About being bigger or smaller, and it's your choice. I can't remember exactly how he put it, but think about it. I started this thing in January. I was 246 pounds on New Year's Day. Next New Year's I will not be 246 pounds. I may not be at my goal, and that's okay, but I sure will be better than 246 pounds. I ...

May Goals

Mon, 5 May 2008 15:49:14 EST

Hey, it's Spring! It is time for a new start! I want this to be the most successful month yet for moving toward my goals!

During the lovely month of May, I would like to...

~Lose 10 pounds!
Yep, you read that right. 10 pounds. I want to be out of TWOterville for good by the end of May.
~Need new clothes!
This may not make any sense to you, but over the years with all the fluctuations in my weight, I have accumulated quite the range of sizes. I can wea...

I ROCK because...

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:06:48 EST

Okay, MommyDSuperSpy, your challenge is met here!

I am feelin it more now than I was the last time you told us to tell the world why we rock, so are you ready to be rocked?!

I rock because...
I just did a little 30 minute "The Biggest Loser ~ The Workout" I decided I was too fabulous for the low impact cardio option, so I went with high intensity cardio. About 15 minutes in, I thought I was gonna die, so I said to my kids *who were watching with bemused expression...

Goin to the Zoo!

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:32:42 EST

I am going to the zoo with both of my boys tomorrow! I am so excited! I know I will not be as out of breath as I was the last time we went somewhere similar. My feet will not hurt the way they did, and I will just be a more pleasant person to be around. I will also fit better on the bus seats. I may not have to turn sideways to get down the aisle, I will let you know! I think I'm more excited than they are!

My baby girl!

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:56:35 EST

Harmony's birthday party is today! I am so proud of my little beauty! Her birthday isn't until Wednesday, but having the party on the weekend is always a better plan. It will be small, just the hub's family, and that is good. Stressfull parties are not good for me at this stage of my weight loss. I wish some of my family could be here, but, alas, no such luck. Anyways, I will be busy today, cleaning and preparing for the festivities. It will probably last well into the night, with Cana...

I'm so excited!

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 17:19:43 EST

I have made a spreadsheet. It was fun. I love working with spreadsheets, but don't get much cause to do so these days. So, I decided to make one for my weight loss. In it, I have placed all my past weigh-ins. From now on, I have put goal weights of 2 pounds per week. I know, ambitious, but I wanted to see where I would be on what date if I stay on track. Before you start harping on me about plateus and setting myself up for failure, stop! I know that this is just a tool. I know that ...

What do you do when...

Wed, 2 Apr 2008 18:36:38 EST

What do you do when you can't eat all your calories for the day? I am full. It is nearing my cut off time. (I don't eat after 7pm.) I know, I know... I didn't eat breakfast, but I knew I was going back to bed after putting the kids on the bus. I slept for two more hours! Woohoo, am I a bum! So, anyways, I am a ways below my low cal range, and I didn't even eat all the food I logged. I only ate half the banana. I left about a third of the popcorn in the bag. I figure this lifestyle c...

A little scared... first real challenge

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:09:55 EST

Okay. This may not seem like a big deal for most, but I am going home next week. It's not the "Mom's Cooking" thing (yes, Mom, please still make my potato soup! PLEASE!), or even the being out of my routine thing (I'm taking my dvd's with me, and am totally willing to kick Dad out of the living room so I can work out!). The real challenge is that Mom only has dial-up internet! Uh-huh, I know! The horror! Not only that, but it is REALLY SLOOOOOOOW dial up! I faithfully get on this site...

STEFIPOP's SparkPeople Blog

Monthly Issues....

Silly little analogy

I bribed my daughter

I feel great!

Monday, Monday....

I was headed to bed....

I'm Baaa-aaacK!

The 5th of July