Bellaryna's Journey

[Bellaryna]

Thanks everyone for popping in on me!

I think I would've dropped over in your fit for life class..lol! 2hrs!!
Nah you would have done GREAT!!! It's almost all strictly weight lifting. And really once you get going and get focused the time just flies.

Mmmm....Cracker Barrel.... We used to have one 15min from our house, but it went out of business. I have no idea why, b/c it was always busy. There is one 40min away, but we never go there. OH well, like you said, it certainly isn't very diet friendly--although they do make some really good salads.

I have been really disappointed the last few times that I have gone. Both times were for breakfast and I thought for sure (at least on the 1st trip as by the 2nd I wise to the ways) that they would have some sort of fruit cup or something. I just don't feel so good eating their food anymore. Especially since I know how hard I will have to work to "get it all off my big butt!"
Glad everyone's feeling well again.

Thanks. I sure am glad that it didn't run the course of everyone in the house. That would have really whomped BIG TIME.

Hey Bell! YOu are doing AWESOME!
Thanks!!! Trust me there have been times in the last 6 weeks when I didn't feel like I was doing awesome. I haven't really lost any weight in just about that time. But then again I wasn't trying as hard as I am now with Kimberly's challenge.
As I just posted on Sweetpea's forums- you guys have accomplished so much while I have been out of the loop- you are a real motivator for me to get back on track!

I'm glad that we can help to encourage you!
Just take it one day, one step at a time. And you will be back in the loop in no time flat!

keep up the great job!

You are an exercise guru!
Your hilarious!!LOL If anyone is the guru it's you!

I got your message and need to call you back. But I haven't decided to do that yet.
Whenever you want. I am just really looking forward to both of us being able to work out together and encourage one another in person.

BTW, I am so bummed about Cracker Barrel. I used to like it, but for the past year or two when I've gone I'm not that excited about the food.
I am feeling the exact same way!!!
I always think how unhealthy it is, and then when I eat it I never think it tastes as good as it could. You know I'm very particular when it comes to restaurant food. Not You!! LOL
Anyway, glad you got to visit with your peep again. I wish I could've been there too! I could've played hookie, maybe?
No way. your way more responsible than I am. LOL
Nah, I'm saving my hookie days up for when my sis comes - she's supposed to come up for my bday!!
I can't wait to meet her, and the little guy too.

Excellent exercise!!
Thanks!!
And cracker barrel is amazing!!
I used to feel that way. It's one of those places that we didn't go to very often. So when I went a couple of weeks ago I was very disappointed that they didn't have a healthy section anywhere on the menu. They don't even have a nutrutional guide for their food on the website. Most likely because no one would ever eat there again if they knew just how many cals they were really inhaling!
I live in MA, and we have one within 30 minutes of us. My parent's favorite place!! And my little sister likes to go sit in the rocking chairs they sell out front. lol.

 

[Bellaryna]

Well I weighed in this morning .2 higher than my weight last week. So I came in at 188.8lbs.
I was slightly bummed. Though I didn't expect anything earth shattering I really wanted to get below that 188. It just feels like it is sitting there mocking me.
I am pretty sure that in the grand scheme of things, I probably have gone below that 188. But due to the fact that I am now hitting the weights twice a week I have most likely gained a bit of muscle mass. Which of course in the long run will help me to burn more cals. But lets get to it already!!!! LOL
I did get in 2 hours of exercise today. One hour was my Powercore class. I haven't been going on Wednesday's because I promised my dh that I wouldn't be taking classes 4 nights a week. But since I missed out on Monday's class I figured I could make it up today.
I did a really hard core 30 minutes on my elliptical with an additional 30 minute cool down. I wasn't really planning on going that long but as time got closer and I saw my cals burned going up I just kept telling myself to hang in there for a complete hour.
So as far as the ARC goes my team has met all there exercise goals. But as for me I am still going to get in that additional hour and a half tomorrow. No since in throwing in the towel just yet! Not when the MIL will be here in like 5-6 weeks.
Well I want to run past a few diaries so will catch up with everyone later.
Ciao

OMG I almost forgot.
Yesterday when I was on my way into the YMCA, someone from my church that I haven't seen in forever (they haven't been coming regularly) was holding the door open.
I thought they were holding the door for me but it would seem that they were actually just checking out the parking lot.
So as I go by I say " Hey there! Thanks for holding the door."
At this point the lady looks at me real wierd. Like who are you and why are you talking to me. I didn't think much of it since I was running late and all I really wanted to do was get to my class.
Well as I am going past here she grabs my arm and goes, "OH MY GOODNESS!!! I didn't recognize you!!" And of course I am like "Oh well I got my hair cut. LOL"
She just started going on and on about how good I looked and how much of a difference it was. And how that was the reason for the weird look. SHE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHO WAS TALKING TO HER!!!!
That really made me feel good and gave me some great motivation to really hit it hard at class.
I really can't wait for MIL now!!!!

 

[India1]

Isn't it great when people tell you things like that? I love it when it happens!
I have seen the pics you posted here and you look sooo beautiful! You're doing amazing.

Wow, 2 hours of exercise? I think I never exercised that much!

 

[bikinibound]

That's great that you've shrunk so much people don't recognize you anymore! Woohoo!

Way to work it at the gym--if it is mainly weights I might be able to handle 2hrs, but I'll tell ya, my 33min Turbo Jam weight workout kicks my butt..hahaha--I'm serious.

So, I'm just wondering how many hrs you got in this week, b/c I don't know if I need to get any more in or not--and if so, how many...lol. I'd hate for us to be short a few minutes.

I'm sure you're right about why Cracker Barrel doesn't post their nutrition info on their website. They should make a menu that has a few lo-cal options for us dieters--with the nutrition info. Sure, we can assume the regular food has astronomical amounts of calories in it, but they could ast least post the info for their lighter fare like Big Boys does--hahaha. I wonder what their salads are like calorie-wise?? Probaly high with all the cheese they throw on. ha!

Don't you love how my rep is at 666? kinda scary, eh?

 

[SweatPea]

I don't know if I'm anymore responsible than you are. I would love to have a good reason to skip. Everyone else has been out recently a day here or there for sick days. I'm not sure if every single day they've taken was actually a sick day. If you kwim? The only ones not taking sick days are me and one of the teachers in my room. We never seem to get sick or even take a day off.

I have been saving some of my personal days because Cman is going to TN at the end of April. So I want some of that time to go with him if they want me as a chaperone. Of course I really only get 1 personal day - how suckie is that?

Oh and so you think I'm going to share my sis with you? LOL JK! I will have to figure out a way for you to meet them. They will only be around for a day or two.

My scale reading was at 165 - I'm hoping it's down too. It's a bummer that we do all this exercise and am not seeing results. Of course you never know one day we are going to step on the scale and it will be down 2 lbs for no reason!!

 

[Bellaryna]

I don't know if I'm anymore responsible than you are. I would love to have a good reason to skip. Everyone else has been out recently a day here or there for sick days. I'm not sure if every single day they've taken was actually a sick day. If you kwim? The only ones not taking sick days are me and one of the teachers in my room. We never seem to get sick or even take a day off.
That would kinda suck. At least at my job I don't feel any guilt if I call in. I mean really who's gonna care? A bunch of boxes? LOL

I have been saving some of my personal days because Cman is going to TN at the end of April. So I want some of that time to go with him if they want me as a chaperone. Of course I really only get 1 personal day - how suckie is that?
Is it a school trip? And where at in TN?

Oh and so you think I'm going to share my sis with you? LOL JK! I will have to figure out a way for you to meet them. They will only be around for a day or two.
Well if the time thing doesn't work out I'll understand. But maybe we could all get together to eat. That is if you guys go out anywhere and if I have the extra $.

My scale reading was at 165 - I'm hoping it's down too. It's a bummer that we do all this exercise and am not seeing results. Of course you never know one day we are going to step on the scale and it will be down 2 lbs for no reason!!

Mine was still at 188.4 this morning.
It just doesn't seem to matter how much I exercise anymore.
I don't think I am doing too bad on the food front, but maybe I am.
I am sure that you will have a new number tomorrow.

 

[Bellaryna]

I'm sure you're right about why Cracker Barrel doesn't post their nutrition info on their website. They should make a menu that has a few lo-cal options for us dieters--with the nutrition info. Sure, we can assume the regular food has astronomical amounts of calories in it, but they could ast least post the info for their lighter fare like Big Boys does--hahaha. I wonder what their salads are like calorie-wise?? Probaly high with all the cheese they throw on. ha!

I think that I can honestly say that I have never ever had a salad at the Cracker Barrel.
Everytime I went there I always got the Country fried steak with hashbrown casserole and the veg of the day. And of course BISCUITS!!! I love bread of any sort so very rarely would I pass up a homemade biscuit.

 

[bikinibound]

I think that I can honestly say that I have never ever had a salad at the Cracker Barrel.
Everytime I went there I always got the Country fried steak with hashbrown casserole and the veg of the day. And of course BISCUITS!!! I love bread of any sort so very rarely would I pass up a homemade biscuit.

ha! I love how Cracker Barrel considers mac n cheese to be a vegetable... Cheese + pasta = vegetable Sometimes that's listed as the veg of the day. Their salads are pretty good. I don't think they're very lo-cal, but they're still probably far lower in cals than country fried steak with hashbrown casserole and mac n cheese--or heart attack on a platter. I nearly always get breakfast there. You're right about their biscuits--yummy--especially with apple butter.

 

[SweatPea]

Mine was still at 188.4 this morning.
It just doesn't seem to matter how much I exercise anymore.
I don't think I am doing too bad on the food front, but maybe I am.
I am sure that you will have a new number tomorrow.

I know just what you mean. My weight loss doesn't cooperate like it should. I've really been busting my arse this week and it's gone up a 1/2 pound. My cals aren't too bad - in the 1600 range. I guess I could scale them back, but then I'd be starving all the time and no energy to workout. The types of foods I'm eating are all good - maybe except yesterday we had hot cross buns at school (1 for me.) I dunno??

As far as the TN trip, yep it's a "field" trip.

 

[Bellaryna]

Well today started out really crappy. I woke up with a sore tummy and a not happy end result.
I thought that I had dodged the Flu that my hubby and son had earlier this week but it doesn't look that way now.
So basically I have been sitting here on my couch all day watching lame-o TV.
I'm freezing, my stomach hurts like heck and I feel like my head could roll right off of my shoulders. So needless to say I haven't exercised at all and the eating fish thing is totally out until I feel better.
I have eaten a banana, a bowl of frosted shredded wheat and some crackers today. As well as drank down 33oz of water.
I am really hoping to be back to my old self by tomorrow.
Hope the rest of you are enjoying your Easter weekend.

 

[Bellaryna]

I am feeling much better today. My head doesn't hurt as much but my stomach is still pretty sore. So I think that I am going to stay home one more day from work. If I worked a regular normal job it probably wouldn't be a problem. With being in a freezer all night and I am already feeling icky. I don't know it just doesn't sound like a good idea to me.
I am now down to 186 something. I really wanted to get lower than 188 but not this way.
I have to imagine that I can use this to my advantage. So as soon as I am feeling better (hopefully tomorrow)I can get back to my exercising. And of course eating my Salmon for the ARC.
I'll be glad to be my old self again.

 

[bikinibound]

Sorry you're not feeling well. Drinks lots of hot tea--it'll help warm you up, flush out the yuckies and keep you hydrated. Oh, and sleep as much as possible, of course. Just call me naughty nurse BB... Don't worry about the salmon--you've got until Thursday night to eat it all. And besides, Margaret or I can easily do that one if your flu decides to hang around for awhile.

 

[Bellaryna]

Sorry you're not feeling well. Drinks lots of hot tea--it'll help warm you up, flush out the yuckies and keep you hydrated. Oh, and sleep as much as possible, of course. Just call me naughty nurse BB... Don't worry about the salmon--you've got until Thursday night to eat it all. And besides, Margaret or I can easily do that one if your flu decides to hang around for awhile.

Thanks Naughty Nurse! *imagining you in one of those nurse outfits and a giant needle*
I will definately hit the hot tea. I had forgot that I had Peppermint Tea up in my cupboard. And a warm cup of that sounds good right now.
As for the sleep thing I have been trying but my kids don't seem to understand how much momma just doesn't want to be bothered right now.
Of course dh is snoozing over in his lazyboy. hahaha
I guess the mom in me just doesn't feel safe enough to allow both of us to snooze while the kids watch cartoons.

Thanks for the offer of help with the Salmon. I really do hope to complete that challenge. Especially since I LOVE Salmon and I have enough in my freezer to complete it.

 

[bmohearn]

I hope you feel better soon! Make sure to get plenty of rest.

 

[India1]

Sorry you're not feeling well, let's hope you'll feel better by Easter!

Have a happy easter Bella!

*hugs*

 

[yarmiah]

Sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Hope you improve soon and can enjoy the holiday! Thanks for your support!

 

[bikinibound]

Hmph...I would've woken up your H and told him you were sick and he needed to watch the kiddies so you can get some rest. I swear, most men are just selfish when it comes to this sort of thing.

That would be great if your weight stays down for the next weigh in. Hopefully with my gone by then, mine will be down, too.

 

[SweatPea]

Hey Bell,

Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well. Hope you are feeling better.

 

[Bellaryna]

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes!
It would seem that I am now FLU free!!!!! YEAH!!!
I made it into work last night with just a slight headache.
Apparently they had some kind of contest on Friday at work so there were cold cut sandwiches for lunch.
I wasn't going to eat any but I hadn't had anything to eat since our Easter brunch at church.
So I caved.
I ended up having a ham sandwich w/ pepperjack cheese on white bread.
And man did I pay for it afterwards. My tummy started hurting again. And shortly thereafter things got a bit "breezy". If you know what I mean! LOL
Woke up this morning weighing in at 190 something. I wasn't to happy about that. Especially as my weight actually got down in the 186 range.
Mostly it is due to the fact that since Friday I have had no "bathroom action".
I have to assume it has something to do with my having been sick.
Hopefully it will all work itself out in the end! LOL
The sun is shining here today and most of the snow that we got over the weekend is gone. There are even lots of Spring birds twittering around outside. I can hear them thru the windows.
The kids are on Springbreak this week so currently are driving me crazy with their constant question "When can we have some more of our Easter candy?"
I am 1/2 tempted to just let them have at it so that it would all be ate up. But then I would have to deal with the aftermath . And I really don't think that I want to go there! LOL
Well I have lots of things to get done around my house. Since I was sick for 2 days the house really fell apart. So I have my work cut out for me.
Especially since the 2 who tend to make the biggest messes are here making them as I clean them. LOL
Hope everyone else is having an enjoyable day.

 

[Bellaryna]

Well so much for the sunshine and the melting snow.
They are calling for more cold weather for the rest of the week.
I told dh last night that I am ready to move somewhere warmer. He agreed.
Of course I lobbied for Hawaii. LOL
Finally had some "bathroom action" this morning. But I forgot to weigh myself so have no idea where I am at in that respect.
Did have an upset stomach again last night. I am not sure if it was a combination of the spices I ate or if it was some left over renegade flu bug trying to hold out.
Hopefully it was just the spices.
At least that I can control.
Did get my 90 minutes in last night between my 1 hour PowerCore class and 30min on the elliptical. If I keep at the 90 minutes a day I will hit 6 hours by Thursday night.
I did also get in my 4oz of salmon. Hence the spices on my dinner. Like I said hopefully it was only the spices and not the fish/flu germ that gave me the upset tummy since I still need to eat another 12oz for the challenge.
We are planning on taking the kids to a Museum tomorrow. Most likely over in Chicago. The cheapest one that I was able to come up with was the Shedd Aquarium. For those of you who have never been there or never heard of it here is a link to look it up.
It really is one of the best places to take your kids. And by far the least expensive! For 3 adults (the oldest "kid" is 17) and 2 kids it will only run us about $36. Not bad if you ask me!
So tomorrow will certainly hold alot of walking for me.
Alot of driving too as Chicago is 3 hours away. But we really wanted to do something as a family that everyone would enjoy. And the oldest agrees that he would like the Aquarium.
I did manage to get 1/2 of my house cleaned up yesterday. So the second 1/2 is patiently waiting for me. LOL
If I am going to get it done I need to get off this thing and get to it.
I hope that everyone is having a GREAT day!
Ciao