<p>Wow, lots of great progess made here!</p>
<p>One thing I did yesterday was to clean out my closet. It feels so good. I highly recommend it. Why do we hang on to clothes we know we’re never going to wear again? Good grief, they’re 30 years old and horribly out of fashion, even if I could get into them. Plus I got rid of my fattest clothes, which I hope to never wear again.</p>
<p>The scale isn’t dropping, but it’s that time of the month. Will try not to get discouraged.</p>
<p>Because of the bedbug problem and the need to exterminate the house, we had to empty all closets and drawers and the attic! Everything we own is in my art studio. The silver lining to this huge pain in the a$$ issue is that we have emptied the house of everything but furniture and one bin of clothes for each of us (the pest people have to come back two more times).</p>
<p>I told my H that nothing and I mean nothing is going back in the house unless we really LOVE it or really NEED it.</p>
<p>BCEagle,
The only problem with 80’s clothes is, well…they look like 80’s clothes! :)</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>I don’t think that’s a problem for guys - especially working in engineering.</p>
<p>I am finally getting my exercise program going, but not for a good reason. A very dear friend and neighbor has had a nuclear bomb go off in her life, and she needs to walk and talk. So an hour two nights ago, 45minutes at a more brisk pace today, probably quite a few more late night walks in the future. I’ve also started doing the starter core exercises from a website I found through an idad link, while reading the newest Colwyn book, in preparation for starting his program, which I find quite appealing. Most of what I’ve read so far makes a lot of sense to me.</p>
<p>BCEagle- You said it, not me! :). (re: the clothes and engineering)</p>
<p>NYMom,
You must be a good friend. Walking with your friend is good for both of you and very cathartic for her. I have one friend who, when she calls and says “let’s go for a walk”, I know something is wrong and she needs to talk. The only problem is that she is a runner and walks so fast, I am forced to listen and not reply as I can hardly catch my breath!</p>
<p>I lost 30 lb in the last 18 months but have only lost 2 lbs in the last 4 months. I am thankful that I have not gained any weight back. I have added back in some carbs and I know that has stopped the weight loss. I am at a nice weight and people are noticing.If I stay at this weight I would be content but I would be happy to lose about 10 more. I know it can happen if I go back to keeping track of what I am eating.
I am not even close to my wedding weight. I will never get there and I shouldn’t. When I look back at photos of myself during that time period I look anorexic. Until children I was one of those annoying people who ate a ton of unhealthy food and still weighed 100 lbs. My Mom was the same way. In early pictures she was stick thin. My her 40’s she had put on a large amount of weight all in her stomach. I vowed it would not happen to me. Guess what? It did.
NYMomof2- can you share the link to the core exercises and the book you are reading?</p>
<p>mom60, these are the exercises:</p>
<p>[Sciatica</a> and low back pain exercise videos-Evidence based sciatica, low back pain, and disc herniation exercises for chronic pain relief. - Videos of exercises for sciatica, low back pain relief.](<a href=“http://fixyourownback.com/Videos-of-exercises-for-sciatica,-low-back-pain-relief.html]Sciatica”>http://fixyourownback.com/Videos-of-exercises-for-sciatica,-low-back-pain-relief.html)</p>
<p>and this is the book I am reading, recommended by idad and others on the other thread:</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> The New Rules of Lifting for Abs: A Myth-Busting Fitness Plan for Men and Women Who Want a Strong Core and a Pain-Free Back (9781583334133): Lou Schuler, Alwyn Cosgrove: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/New-Rules-Lifting-Abs-Myth-Busting/dp/1583334130/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310936808&sr=8-1]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/New-Rules-Lifting-Abs-Myth-Busting/dp/1583334130/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310936808&sr=8-1)</p>
<p>There’s a video on the Amazon page that gives you an idea of the program.</p>
<p>mom60,
It sounds like you have a healthy attitude toward your weight loss! Congratulations on losing so much! I hope you know that most of us, if not all of us, were kidding about the wedding dress thing. I weighed under 100 pounds when I got married. If I weighed that now, my skin would be hanging like an elephant, bagging around my ankles and elbows like loose panty hose! LOL. Not a good look and not very healthy either.</p>
<p>If you want something cheap and excuse proof, here’s a simple 10 minute workout that keeps back problems in check. Honestly - how can anyone say they don’t have 10 minutes?</p>
<p>[Pilates</a> Abs - ExerciseTV Store](<a href=“http://www.exercisetv.tv/store/p-1646-pilates-abs.aspx]Pilates”>http://www.exercisetv.tv/store/p-1646-pilates-abs.aspx)</p>
<p>Had a weekend away in Chicago and did my share of splurging but skirt is still loose this morning so I think I can “recover” pretty quickly. </p>
<p>I notice that while it is fun to splurge a little, I notice that I have my limits. Good thing!</p>
<p>That is one thing that I have noticed lately. Even when I was on vacation or I’m at a cookout, I really don’t WANT to eat all of those carbs available. Having limits is a little new for me! lol.</p>
<p>I had a wonderful dip at a party the other day and it was pretty healthy but tasted like heaven. So easy, too!</p>
<p>One small tub of crumbled Feta Cheese
One small tub of FRESH Salsa (like the one at Trader Joe’s in the refrigerated section).
One avocado, chopped
2-3 tablespoons of lime juice.</p>
<p>Just mix it up! Delicious! The fresh salsa is key. It’s not so good with the stuff from a jar.</p>
<p>Yum that sounds good! What did you use to dip with?</p>
<p>Well, we were at a party so there were nacho chips with it but I made it yesterday for company and I used whole wheat crackers and baby carrots for me :)</p>
<p>Swimming also does help with back problem. I have been having some kind of back pain lately and went swimming this weekend and the problem seems to go away. I almost have my bikini body back;).</p>
<p>I am very proud that I did not gain any weight over the wedding weekend. Oh, my heavens! Instead of a traditional cake, my stepdaughter had tiers of cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes. Unbelievable. I had one (salted caramel, which sounds awful but was just amazing) and then stepped away from the display.</p>
<p>Wow! Bikini body! God love ya! I can’t even imagine wearing a bikini without someone calling the cellulite police.</p>
<p>EPTR, I must admit I did not have my glasses on. :D</p>
<p>I never wore a bikini in HS, and I sure as hell wouldn’t do it now. And you’re welcome. ;)</p>
<p>worknprogress, I believe that the salted caramel cupcake was wonderful. Trader Joe’s used to sell (or maybe still sells?) sea salt caramels, and they are the best thing in the world. Not in my eating plan these days, I think that eating candy would make me sick.</p>