I'm in too! I'll start with 20 lbs, which puts me in top bracket of healthy weight. My eating habits aren't too bad, but we eat out/take out too often, and of course, those "occasional" chocolates/cookies/ice cream. My problem is I don't exercise, I really need to find a way to go to the gym or wii fit or anything!

MaryK: (OT I know) Did you get the Stop Staring swimsuit for your cruise? You're lucky your husband is in on being active too. If I suggest stairs to my man he balks. He comes home with candy or chips and plonks it in front of me - it definitely tests my willpower. He is getting better though, he came out for a walk with me last night, even if it did turn into a walk to the doughnut shop for him. Lucky I don't like doughnuts!

Another tip that I read on Livestrong.com and has stood me in good stead. Don't drink your calories. A large latte with a sugar is 180 calories. A glass (1.5 cups) of OJ is 140! Considering a normal, moderately active woman has 1800 calories per day, those drinks add up. I learned to love plain black coffee, so I prefer to drink that and water, and eat my calories instead.

Leah, I didn't get the Stop Staring suit because I have two perfectly good brand new Lands End suits on hand! (That, and the stretch marks on my tummy!) It was tempting, though!

My hubby is naturally slim and also likes to have not-so-healthy foods on hand, so it's been challenging over the years, but since I had 85% of my stomach removed, it's been a lot easier to resist! And fortunately he is game for things like taking the stairs on the cruise ship, even if he doesn't darken the door of the gym at home!

I'm in too.... another weight loss surgery person checkin in (lapBand)
I'm 2 years out and had lost a total of 77 lbs, I've since gained back around 10..... so I'd love to get that back off + 10 more

#1
me just 2 weeks before surgery / at my smallest about 6 months ago

Cloud9 and Teri, sounds great!

Wow, Teri, your weight loss is really impressive. Congrats!

I didn't know we had so many runners among us! Glad to have company I'll be cheering everyone on.

you can put me down for 10 pounds.
I need to focus on my eating habits... drinking more water, eating high fiber meals and laying off the junk.
I'm considering working up to a marathon next November. I figure I can divide the year in 3 parts and do a 10 K in April, a half marathon around July or August and then see how I feel about doing the full marathon in November.

Count me in as well please!

I am yet again setting ymself a targe of 5kg, but what I'd like even more is to tone up (especially my midsection). My pants and dresses are definitely tighter than they were this time last year even!

I have recently signed up for outdoor group training sessions - aiming for 2 per week. I'd love to do at least one jog and one swimming session on top of that as well. Jogging I've been ok at, but I haven't been to the pool in months!!!

oooh Healthy Habits - that does sound good

I think my plan for this week is to:

a) play with the wii fit some more and learn more about the options it has.
b) find all my exercise clothes
c) plan my calendar for next week and schedule in at least 2 proper work out sessions (treadmill or wii). I plan to add in 1 extra work out each week (more if I feel like it, but this as a minimum).

Already I have been grocery shopping and stocked up on much healthier food! (I am still going to finish off all the christmas snacks though - I refuse to waste food LOL)

I'm really enjoying reading about everyone's plans - one day I want to join you running ladies so hopefully you'll all inspire me

Mary have a fabulous time on the cruise!!!

Just have to give a shout out that I'll be lurking on your thread. I'm always looking for new healthy hints and conversation. And I know any support I could get has helped my slow steady progress to a healthier me so I absolutely want to support all of you in your journey.

Healthy Habits sounds great, and good to make this week (week minus 1) the planning week! I like your list, and I have added get a new notebook to record everything in, and treat myself to some new training shoes....looking forward to it, girls! Mary K and Teri - congrats!

So QueenMum and Tam are on the list as well. We're building up quite the group!

So what is everyone doing to get themselves geared up to start next week?

I've told my husband that if he wants to snack on chocolates and sweets he needs to be considerate and do so at work. I told him I'm tossing all the Christmas candy on Friday so he needs to get his fill before then.

I'm walking down to the Farmers Markets right now with my nanna trolley - gonna fill it up with a whole lot of crunchy green things. I'm going to cut up a lot of vegies and leave them in the fridge so I can nosh on something healthy between meals.

I'm hesitantly joining. I do have more weight that I would like to loose (most of you know that I've lost over 60 pounds in the last two years and managed to keep it off for the most part), but right now I am focusing on my health and still figuring out what that means for me. The holidays were pretty hairy for my Fibromyalgia (symptoms react to stress), and I need to get back to feeling decent. I've been doing Yoga three times a week, and I would like to start swimming at the gym (which absolutely terrifies me for some reason) and also daily meditation, so those are the goals that I am working toward.

Chewy, you won't regret starting to swim. I love it, and I always feel so relaxed and happy afterwards. Doing other exercise can sometimes wind me up for a while afterwards, but swimming just makes me float around on a bubble.

Leah I'm trying to psych myself up to go do some laps in about an hour. Your post has helped! I haven't been to the pool in over 6 months now so I'm a bit scared. I was doing 1400m then, but think I'll be lucky to do 400 now hehe!!

Does it count as planning if I have eaten the last of the ice cream, custard, fruit cake, spiced capsicum dip, crackers and jelly???? ROFL

The only treat foods left are some savoury biscuits (Shapes for the Aussies - LOVE 'EM!), and my cheese that I eat with my wine - cheese is a massive treat for me as I have dairy issues!

Yes, I'm making sure there's none left in my house by next week, and I'm not wasting the food, but I think this means I might have to be super good for a looooong time!!

I'm in! I lost about 40 pounds a few years ago and have been trying to lose the last 10 ever since. I seem to be stuck at my current weight.

I am trying to motivate myself to go to the gym tonight. I have been feeling under the weather lately.

I am seriously considering joining a gym when I get back to Seattle. Looking over some of my vacation photos I'm a bit more appley than I'd like.
Also I'm hoping I didn't gain too much weight down here.

Here's a little inspiration for you: this is from the NY Times blog about fitness and exercise research. It discusses some recent studies that suggest that after getting in shape, you can maintain fitness even with less exercise.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/.....e-it-easy/

I'm in. I love the idea and need all the motivation I can get! I hope to do a half marathon this year as well (my first). I'll most likely be a lurker, but will contribute to conversations as time permits.

Medusa, may I please join? I'm currently bigger than I've ever been and terribly depressed about it. We're talking triple-digit weight loss. I undid all the progress I made last year and feel like a huge failure right now, so some support would be most welcome. And I promise not to be this much of a downer on the checkin threads.

Hi, girls, happiness encompasses a lot more than the number on the scales, so lets focus on healthy habits as a package - nourishment, activity, healthy thinking.... Weight loss and fitness goals, health and strength and wellbeing are all part of this package. Of course, I am speaking to myself here....

Anna, FWIW, I'm glad I splurged a little and chose the gym that was not only close to school but also a bit ritzy: nice spa-like change area and showers and yummy coffee shop downstairs - I look forward to those aspects of my gym visit as much as the good feeling I have after working out!

Looking forward to this journey with you, All!

Michelle - it will be a privilege to be on this thread alongside you. So sorry that you've been down.

well, ladies if you read a few posts above, my goal was to make it to the gym last night but i was feeling to under the weather and did not go. alas, i went to bed early, woke up refreshed (and early) and am now on my way to the gym for an early morning workout! i hope this motivates someone else!

Go Melllls!! Great that you feel energised after a good sleep!

Leah you successfully motivated me to go to the pool today. I swam 1km, with frequent rest stops. First time is always the hardest though, right? Don't know what I was so worried about though - it was loooooovely to be back!!

this is a great thread. consider me in.

I would love to join in - but probably not until about June when I expect I will want to really get serious about shifting any weight still hanging on post-partum!

Can I BTW second the swimming as a fantastic exercise. I have always loved to swim and have both taught and coached adults and children. Once you have established a stroke rhythm it is very relaxing and if you are swimming freestyle or backstroke it is very good for creating lean muscule mass.

I would recommend investing in a good crossback one piece, good googles and a cap (helps to prevent hair damage and keeps the pool cleaner).

Michelle, I'm 100% where you are right now. And my mom (gently & kindly-intentioned) commented about it today too. Shot to the ego. But I need to make major changes.

To get started, I am signing up for an online Weight Watchers membership. Right now they are running a promotion where the signup fee is waived if you pay for 3 months up front. I contemplated doing an in person WW membership, because my mom did this successfully years ago, but really am not keen on the idea of the meetings. I think that the online tools will actually be more helpful with my accountability than physically meeting in person.

I'd love to start swimming again but am not a strong swimmer, and have a lot of trouble with my eyes burning (even while wearing good goggles.) I also tend to panic when my head is underwater - a throwback to my disastrous swim lessons where my head was pushed & held under the water. If I can get a kickboard to bring to the gym, I'd be much happier.