Day Fifteen....

This weekend wasn't so good for me. Weekends never are. But it's Monday and my resolve is back. I'm finally feeling sore from that walk Saturday. I guess it took a few days for my muscles to realize what happened. I don't have to work today so I'm going to make sure I walk and enjoy the weather.

I need to go grocery shopping and get some fruit in the house. Mike also bought some chocolate marshmallow ice cream (he must've had it hidden in the freezer downstairs) but it's up here now (saw the remnants of the wrapper this morning) so that will be a feat to resist!

How did the rest of you do over the weekend? Any weight lost? I'm trying to keep it straight on the side bar so if I mess up -let me know. I don't have anything yet for Eryn, Rachel or Debbie. And Mary...when you weigh in (after you pee) I'll get rid of the +lbs because you hadn't officially started yet right? Just let me know what to put there.

If Pam was doing this with us she'd already have lost 14 pounds!

Last night on "I Can Make You Thin" the guy said.....(I'm paraphrasing here because I can't remember his words exactly) If it's measured - it will get done. What he was referring to was wearing a pedometer. He said if you are actually measuring your steps - you'll automatically walk more. He also said the difference between fat people and thin people is about 2000 daily steps. I have several pedometers here. I'm going to start wearing one today. I'll try to round up the extras I have and bring them Sunday for anyone who wants one.

He said to measure your normal steps the first day. Then try to keep adding more each day till you reach 10,000 steps a day. You'll automatically find yourself taking the stairs, parking farther away, walking to a co-worker's office instead of sending an e-mail.... I wonder how many steps that walk we took was! And I bet Paula, if you wore a pedometer on the cruise you'd be amazed at the walking you did! You'd probably beat us all!

Okay...I'm off to start my week! Going to make some oatmeal & raisins and a second cup of coffee.

Go for it this week! Aim to drop TWO pounds!

Day Fourteen!

It's been two weeks ladies! I don't' have losses to post for some of you in the side bar (mainly because you haven't sent them to me). There have been losses, right?

Yesterday at Paula's we weighed in. We had all our clothes on so it wasn't truly accurate. But at least it was a starting point. We "assigned" weights to those of you who weren't there (hee hee). I weighed the most (of course...like that would surprise anyone!)

We talked a lot about our goals...shared tips for healthy meals and decided that we definitely want to all go swim suit shopping together. We are going to strut our "stuff'" on the 4th at Keuka! I'll be far from my goal weight but I intend to have lost enough to wear a swim suit again! No more hiding my arse like the pic above!

I actually don't feel too sore considering we walked 7 1/2 miles. I think working out on my Gazelle got me primed . So I have this awesome morning and then I go and blow it by eating too much the rest of the day. But today's a new day so I'm just moving on not letting myself get into the "I blew it so I may as well quit" mentality - which was my downfall for years.

Debbie & Steve stopped by my house while we were walking...Hey Deb - you should've joined us! Sorry I missed you guys!

So...look or those fat & skinny pics (I only have mine & Nicky's so far). Get out and walk today and eat some fruit! (Nicky brought her baggie of carrots, grapes & cucumbers with her on the walk) she's serious about this! Go Nicky!

Day Thirteen....

So today's the day for our big walk and it's freaking 37 degrees right now! But it's supposed to go up to 59 so maybe it'll warm up quickly (it's on 7:30 right now...)

Nicky sent her fat/skinny pics to me. I'm going to try to play around and see how I can crop them before I put the on the site. BTW Nicky...your "fat" pic isn't all that bad! You don't really look fat to me!

I'm assuming Mary & Andy are having fun at the Casino and will take us all out with their winnings when they return!

Susie mentioned the carb thing.....thank goodness that craze is over! I know lo-carb diets "melted" the weight off - but so unhealthy! And who could stick to that anyway? I'm just trying to eat what I want - make healthier choices - but just eat LESS! Mom told me that years ago. She said her OBGYN (Bruce) told her - eat as you normally would - just cut it in half and you'll lose weight. We're just used to such big portions these days! I remember when I first got married and started filling my plate up to match what Pat had on his. I never used to eat that much. And it became a habit. I swear - the small plate thing is helping me immensely. That and slowing down. (You know us Grant's - we're speed eaters!) Paula can vouch for that...I think Michael is the fastest of us all!)

Oh - and those southwest salads at Wegman's? Didn't know about that! I was totally bummed when McDonald's stopped selling theirs! It was awesome! I'll have to check it out!

Last thing - check out the latest link on the side bar - Hungry Girl. It's an awesome site full of great info!

And I'm going to start sending a reminder each day about the site. Some of you have gone AWOL! And Debbie - let us know how WW is going!

Day Twelve...

Are some of you losing steam? Haven't seen as much activity comment wise. I don't know about you guys, but seeing all your comments makes me want to try even harder so I'm not the biggest slug at the wedding. When I don't see comments I think....ahhh...they're not really trying today....guess i can slack off too!

But so far- slack off, I have NOT! I'm down another pound Woohoo! I rode (would you call it rode?) my Gazelle yesterday morning before work and I pushed myself so I did break out in a sweat. I like the thing! It's easy on my knees and very quiet.

Last night I dreamt I was at some fat camp (like the Biggest Loser) and we had to do pull-ups. We were in the neighbor's back yard (on McGuire) and I did 25 pull-ups on the monkey bars! I was so proud! truth be told...I doubt I could even do one! But the feeling it gave me in the dream made me want to try! Can you believe I'm actually dreaming about EXERCISE??

I miss the days when we were younger and it was a given that Mary & I were always involved in something! Remember Mar? Aerobics (at so many different places), Jazzercise, that Woman's Health Club.... and Susie tagged along as she got older too. (Back when we first started caring about our weight...Susie was this disgustingly thin little teenager!)

If any of you have access to a scanner - here's' what I want you to do. Find a pic of you when you really were in good shape. E-mail it to me and I'll post it on the site. For motivation. If you want to send your worst pic too - I can post that along side it. Double motivation!

I'm going to try to do that sometime today. In the meantime...keep moving....keep going on those fruits & veggies (yay Nicky!) and don't forget the nuts and whole grains. Eat slo-o-o-o-wly and use a smaller plate. I'm not kidding yo - the slow trick is really making a difference here. I'm getting fuller much faster and am satisfied with much less. Don't forget the water too. Drink lots!

Happy Friday! See you all tomorrow morning!

Day Eleven.....

How's everybody doing? Last night I ate dinner at 5:30 instead of 8, 9 or even 10 with Mike as I usually do and told him this would now be the norm. I'm pretty convinced that my eating habits since I met him have a lot to do with the size I am now. (I've put on 30 pounds since we met!!!!)

I try to wait to eat with him and inevitably have a little SNACK to tide me over which turns into a full fledged meal or worse - a binge. Then I ear again when he comes home! Or...I eat my own meal at the normal time and he comes home and fixes something that smells way too good to pass up & I end up eating two dinners. NO MORE!

I've been telling myself for too long that when we move into the new house it will change. He'll be working right outside in the shop and I can call him in for dinner - or bring it out to him. But at a normal time! But it's been way too long waiting for the darn house to get finished and at this point I doubt we'll be in before summer. I can't wait any longer.

Last night I went to bed before he made his own meal so I wasn't tempted. Small victory for me!

I have a good recipe for a heart/diet healthy snack you can prepare in baggies and bring with you for car munchie attacks, or at your desk at work - bored attacks. 1/2 cup plain cheerios, 1/4 cup dried cranberries and 1/4 cup plain almonds. It satisfies the crunchy, sweet need and is very good for you. (I read it in the "You-On a Diet" book and it's very tasty and satisfying!)

Just so we're all on the same page - Saturday at Paula's house - 10:30. Hope it'll be warm and dry. And that hike next weekend sounds so cool! Thanks Nicky for the idea!!! One of the things I miss about Pat not being here is that we used to hike a lot. Mike's not a walker...or hiker. This will be well needed!

Don't forget to post you losses, log your exercise and pass along tips (and humor) that's always a plus! Also - I think you can check the box on the comment page for follow up comments to be e-mailed directly to you so you don't miss any. You have to check it each time you comment though and it will mail the follow up comments.

But still visit the site at least once a day to see the stats in the side bar and any new posts or pics. If you have anything you want me to post on the site - pictures, cartoons, etc - e-mail them to me and I'll out them on.

Happy Thursday!

Day Ten...

Ten days already guys! It's moving fast. I can only write a bit now - gotta go to work. I'll post more after school. in the meantime - let's get Saturday on the books!

Day nine....

It's another day closer to the Big Day! I think when all is said and done we should go out together shopping for a new dress to wear to the wedding. We can help Mary find a mother of the bride dress too. Nicky & Eryn (who all have theirs already - duh) can shop for something to wear to the rehearsal dinner! Or....We can wait till the END of June (lose even a little more) and all go out shopping for bikinis! Well...probably not bikinis (Charlotte Beach isn't ready for us yet) but at least new bathing suits.

I HATE shopping for a bathing suit more than I hate cleaning under the rim of my toilet. Those three way mirrors (which I'm convinced they got from the carnival outlet store) make my butt look like a football field. I come home feeling like crap - with no suit in hand and consequently only swim if it's SO hot I think I'm going to melt and no one is around.

This year - let's make one of our little goals to be a to all hang out at Keuka on the 4th this year - on the deck - in our swimsuits - without hiding under three towels and a pair of shorts.

Today is suppose to be really nice! Is anyone available to meet somewhere and walk? I get out of school at 2:15. If not...I'll walk myself - but I am GOING to walk!

Mary had a mini victory yesterday with that Panera bread spread at work. Don't know if I could've been that strong. Chocolate croissants? Gheesh!

Okay - gotta' run to work. Stay strong - eat slow - take the stairs - park farther away. it all adds up!