Nyla:   3.8 pounds?!?!  That's GREAT!!!!  And you're doing this with 9 kids!  You are my hero!

I started Ali right around July 1st - 13 weeks ago. I am a 7-12 English teacher. Right now I'm teaching 8th grade in an inner city school in LIttle Rock, although I'm not from around here, as they say. I'm a native New Yorker who has been transplanted. 

For lunch I like a big salad with almonds and a protein -- chicken, salmon, or tuna. I've been enjoying the addition of pineapple, mandarin oranges, or grapes. I don't care for salad dressing, especially the lo fat stuff, so I usually use 6 oz of soy yogurt as a dressing.  Soy, because I'm allergic to dairy. Some days, though, I just don't have the time or energy to fix the salad, so I keep a supply of Lean Cuisines on hand. They are usually 250 - 350 callories, and less than 7 grams of fat. Enough to keep me going until I get home.

Today, the hubby brought home a nice rib steak. I think he is trying to do me in!  LOL! But I simply can't eat as much as I used to.  There was a time when I would have eaten the whole steak but tonight I just had 2.8 ounces of it, with some potatoes, broccoli, and cucumbers. 17 grams of fat from the steak and a few more from some olive oil.  I was over by 3 grams for the meal, but I'm still under for fat and calories for the day. I only took the pill at dinner tonight. The other meals were too low in fat.

I like the ideas you suggested for lunches. I'll add them to my repetoire.  Now it's to bed, 'cause I'm up early to get to school. Kids down here have been back since Monday....

Leslye

 wanna_be_little---Sounds like you are off to a great start. I think you will do really well with this journey. It seems that you have allready got yourself trained for the every day life style change! My biggest suggestions to you would be to make sure you drink your water (Yuck!) and measure, measure, measure. It is sometimes a disappointment when you are working so hard and dont see a loss on the scale...but sometimes there is a change in your measurements, due to muscle increase! Thats a good thing. More muscle more fat burning!!! And lets face it...some times there is no change, but keep going. This is like shopping in a mall and walking down every isle to get what you want not 7-11 where you are in and done! LOL It is definately worth it though. I mean our weight did not pop on over night, so why would it be able to pop off over night (I wish!). It all takes time. This journey to a healthier you will take #1 time, #2 control, #3 support! We will be your 'support' and we will be here all the 'time' but only YOU can 'control' your own destiny for each day! So good luck and remember to make smart choices for yourself every day

Keep us posted on how you are doing and if you need anything just jump in and hollar! Anything at all!

Nyla---6

Hi Leslye:

Lisa is the mom with 9 kids hailing from Florida--Nyla is a our Mom of three and motivator from Vegas and she did lose 3.8 lbs.  I know it can get confusing with so many wonderful women here.  I just wanted to comment on your note--Be very careful about going over your fat grams in a meal--if you do--DO NOT take the pill.  You want to stay around 15 grams of fat per meal at the most and a couple of snacks at 3-4 grams of fat.  I personally cannot go over 12-13 grams of fat in a meal without having the treatment effects.  I always take the pill after I eat to double check my fat grams--also remember it can take up to 72 hours to have the treatment effects--so you are not necessarily out of the woods yet.

Since you are a teacher and your breaks are limited, I felt the need to keep stress this point to you.  Otherwise, I wouldn't be very good support.  Make sure you take the time to go to the Dietician board and read the top two entries on eating all of your calories and fat.  So many people have been quite successful with Alli and have reached their goals and changed to a healthy lifestyle.

Good luck!

 Lisa---you are too much...just when ya thought you could have a minute of "serenity"---wrong! I hear ya! I dont know how you do it. I have hard enough time with the ones I have and you are stacked up with kids everywhere. You rock MOM!!! I just wanted to tell you that I am so proud of you for holding strong and keeping and maintaining those lost pounds through the summer. even if you did not lose any more! I did the same pretty much. Held! But now I am moving again, and on my way to that magic goal! LOL I too need to get my booty moving everyday with some exercise. That is the thing that would probably help me the most. The food...I got that! But the exercise....not so much! But I think that now that the kids will be back to school, I will be able to pull that off too. Its just weird trying to jump around to a DVD in front of the kids...Alone, I could act and look a fool all day! LOL

I know you and to reach another 10 by B-day...piece of cake! (or pie...sugar free no doubt!) LOL When you were pushing hard with us on here...you kicked butt. Now will be your time to shine again, I can feel it! When is the B-day? Also you must have some REALLY good friends there for someone to stay with all the other kids while you were gone! Amazing! Tell them thank you for me. You just really cant find that in people any more! You are very lucky!!! Shoot, I have a hard enough time getting my 3 to stay anywhere for a couple of hours even. Not cause they are bad or anything...just been so close bonded to them that they really wont stay like all night anywhere! Which sucks for me and dad...ya know! Shoot I could get me an "all night aerobic workout" if I could ever get them to stay anywhere! hahaha...my luck all I would get from it is another "kid". hahaha

Anyways...gotta run and will chat later. I am super glad that you are back! Missed ya being on here. Hey I am gonna look up a old post and have you read it "carefully". And hint-hint.......when ya do.....read carefully and give it a shot! The MAIL is really cool to have!

Nyla----6 (still hanging with the 6)hahahaha

 Leslye--Thanks for the great on the 3.8 but Lisa is the momma with a zillion kids. I have three but by the time you add the ones I watch and the neighbor kids in that are here all day...it feels like at least 9! LOL man you were making me hungry. Sounds like you are eating really yummy and healthy! Good for you. Definately try the pita's...yummy! If you ever looked at old post...I was the "pita" girl! LOL

Gee I will have to keep you in mind for homework help....hee hee I have one going into 10th grade that will be in English II Honors...actually I guess it is American Lit II Honors. And then another entering 7th grade taking English Honors as well. So keep your ears open!!! Hope ya have a great day and I will talk to you later. I got all the kids standing here hollaring for food....as usual!!!! This is my life! hahaha

Nyla----6

Good Morning everyone,  hope everyone had a great evening.  We had to make a visit to the hospital to see my 2 yr niece.  It seems she has caught a virus (can't pronounce the name).  It is sores in her mouth, hands and feet.  It should have come and gone with little problem but since it is in her mouth, she has refused to eat so the doc put her in the hospital to get some liquids in her.  Poor little thing ~ she can not under stand why she hurts so bad.  So that was my evening.  I forgot to tell you guys but my oldest turned 16 in June and yep she got her drivers license.  MAN OH MAN does that make you feel old.  She was responsible for taking her brother to church last night.  I have to constantly remind myself that I can not watch over her all the time but God will be with her always. 

- Some exciting news happened yesterday.  I have been really bugging my husband to buy me a treadmill for home.  Well we own a 4 unit commercial building and have been trying to rent out 2 of the units for quite a while now.  Yesterday a gal came in and wants to rent one unit and put her business in it.  Has anybody ever heard of CURVES !! Yep the exercise place will be right next to my office.  So of course last night my husband said maybe he could get me a membership to Curves for my birthday.....I really will have no excuse for not exercise now.  I have never been to one but people tell me it is a 20 minute routine.  So I could go over on my lunch break and not have to get up before all the kids in the morning to try and fit in some exercise.  I think this is great....They are suppose to open on October 1st so I will keep you posted.  I guess I will have to go shopping for some half way decent work out clothes.  I have never left my house to exercise before so usually I put on some really nasty looking clothes. I don't think my hubby thought about that when he suggested the gift.  To bad for him and great for me :):):):)  

- Nyla..6  losing again YEA for you.  3.8 lbs. gone forever.  Keep in going, you will be in the 170's before you know it and that size 6...........

- Amber where have you been.  How has the summer been?  Did you find a new house or decide to stay put?  How's your little Andrew doing?  Miss hearing the stories...

- Liz how is the rehab on the foot doing?

Okay better go for now I will be back later..........Lisa

 Janet---Good morning Chia Baby! How are you? I saw your post after I finished posting mine and wanted to say hi real quick. Thanks for the comment on the motivational person...thats me...always trying to help, when I can! Hopefully I do motivate at least 1 person once in a while. Hey have you heard from Amber or Wendy or Lizzy??? Sent a morning email yesterday and got nothing. I know Wendy is slower responding sometimes but not Amber, and Lizzy is usually later in day..but nothing. Anyways, how is you ??? I am good. Still trying hard to hit that 170's club! I will be hopeing to be a little closer come Monday. Dont get me wrong...the 185.2 was great after a long time in limbo for summer...but I am ready for more! And I wanna be super sexy in my santa helper suit for Christmas!!!! hahaha

Gotta run for a few and will chat later....love ya!

Nyla----6

 Lisa---That is great news!!! I am excited for you. We were talking about curves just the other day. I wish that I had the money to join one too :( boo hoo! You are gonna kick those 10 pounds in no time now for sure! Good for you.

I am a nervous wreck too on the driving thing...(and feeling old too..lol) my oldest is about 2 days from the 15 1/2 permit and then licence. YIKES!!! Feeling it too! I think I will really be freeking out...considering that people here in Vegas drive like idiots!

Anyways gotta run but I will put that post on later as a quote that I want you to read CAREFULLY!!!! OK See ya for now!

Nyla---6

 lisa that is great news!!! maybe once hubby sees you're dedicated to curves he'll buy you a treadmill!!! we ended up having to stay put in our apt for 1 more year b/c of lease issues. but thats okay it'll give us time to save money. our summer was okay i haven't been exercising and i have been literally watching everything i put in my mouth! i haven't lost any weight ive been teetering between 209 and 214 but that's okay ill get focused again one of these days.... :(..... andrew has been sick alot this summer which is rare. we struggled with daycare issues now that we've got him cleared up hopefully he'll stay taht way for a while! it all started with drainage got it clear then came sinus infection that went to the eyes but never turned into pink eye then escalated to strep throat. geez....poor baby...anyhoo he's better now we just have to get him back into his bed...he started sleeping with me and michael about 4 mths ago now he won't stay in his crib has gotten so bad that he climbs out of his crib and im afraid he'll hurt himself! anyhoo...i see we've gotten alot of newbies here! i always read the post i just stay so busy i dont' usually have time to respond!!!

well i have to get to work....

talk with ya'll soon! amber

 Nyla, if you think the drivers are crazy in Vegas, you should be here!! Remember we are a state that has a 90% population of 65 year people and OLDER !!! (not really sure if the % is correct but all I ever see is white haired people everywhere) Everyday I remind her to look out for all the older drivers because they will not be looking out for her.  The first day she got her permit (June 2007) she wanted to drive home.  She did not make it 1 mile down the road before pulled over, shaking so bad and told me to finish driving home.  In that mile 3 different people tried to run her off the road.  I am not kidding it is very bad down here... I was still shaking from trying to grab the wheel so we did not die and I had to drive us home.  Oh what a day that was.  Her attitude now is "LOOK OUT OLD PEOPLE - I OWN THIS ROAD"  She keeps telling me that it would be safer for her to ride her horse to school then to try and drive a car.  She probably would try it to if there was a place to keep her horse at school. 

- What's this about a old post - you are such a tease!!!! Give it over..............

- Janet- can't wait for the new puppy to arrive, hope your other dog will just love it.  How is the Chia thing doing.  I have kept the website.  Maybe I will give them a try sometime soon. Really need something different in my routine to shake this weight off. 

- Lesyle, you are already noticing the difference in food portions.  I'm sure your hubby does not realize the temptation he is giving you by bringing home that wonderful food.  My hubby is 5'6 and has weighed 142 lbs. for over 24 years.  It just makes me sick..  He still has a suit that I bought him our first Christmas together.  That just is not right.  Between him and the kids, I am always having to watch for those temptation foods.  My kids (which I sometimes refer to as the Food Police) are always telling me to get more chips, cookies and just plain junk food from the store.  They say there is too much "HEALTHY" food in the house.  Anyway, keep up the good work.  One pound at a time =  a better you.  

- Hey out there to all our old pals...Jenn, Chris, Wendy   --

Later, Lisa

 Amber, so sorry to here Andrew been so sick.  I think it is rougher on us as mom to deal with it all.  I can never get anything done when one of mine are sick, they want to sit in the rocking chair with me all day.  We took in a 18 month old foster child back in July and he came to us very sick.  Ear infections, pneumonia and sinus infections.  Thankfully we have been able to get him slowly back to normal.  He still has some little flare ups but nothing like when he first came to us.  Sometimes their little bodies have so many attacks of sickness they just need rest and lots of fluids.  The doc always tells me that daycare is really not a place for little kids because of all the germs flying around.  I had to laugh because the doc is very old fashion and thinks all moms should stay home with their children until they go to kindergarten.  Most of us don't have that option...This little guy also will not stay in the crib.  We had a little table next to the crib for his nightly medicines to set on.  One evening he came out of the room smiling.  I about fell over.  I knew I had put him in that crib and now he was out running around.  I first blamed my two year old, telling him to not put the side of the crib down so Joshua could get out.  Of courst my son kept telling me in his 2 year old language that he did not let him out.  After four times of this, I had to go hide in the bedroom ( in the pitch dark) to see how he got out of the crib.  He would flip over the railing and land on the table and then jump onto Aaron's bed and jump off that onto the floor and off he was running.  He was very shocked to see me standing by the door waiting for him.  I have since moved the table out of the room.  Like you, I am just worried he will try and flip himself out (table or not) and really hurt himself.  My suggestion to you is - see if you can find a small childrens crib bed that sits really close to the floor.  It is a crib size bed so you can use your mattress from the crib but it looks like a big bed to them.  It does have side railings but being so close to the ground if they climb out they are not going to hurt themselves.  My 2 yr old really likes his.  He thinks he is in a big bed like his big brother.  The only problem with that is Aaron likes to get up and run around and play when he is suppose to be in bed sleeping.  Nothing is easy !!!  Better get back to work.  Lisa 

 lisa, its so funny you said that about the dr being old fashioned....both drs andrew sees have both said well as long as you have him in daycare he's gonna stay sick....and they're quite older...i wanted to say well you know nowadays us "women" have to do more than stay at home cook and clean and raise 10 babies!!!! and personally i couldn't stay home even if we could afford it im not a stay at home kinda mom...i need my work its my down time!!!  yeah i watched what andrew does to get out of the crib...he pressure climbs....crazy for a baby to do but neat to watch...he pulls himself up with is arms and climbs the slats on the crib throws one leg over and flips to the ground! all the babies at his daycare stay wiht a runny nose it just so happens andrews develops into more and i firmly believe in catching it early it just gets really bad....and of course when he's sick i just wanna love him and kiss his fat cheeks!!!! last night i managed to get the mattress out of the crib and lay it on the floor and then laid him down that worked until midnight.....then he woke up scared....scared me cause all i could think of is geez now he's gonna climb over the baby gate and fall down the stairs!!!! but i got there before he got over the gate!!

 I am with you on the crazy part.  I do have 9 kids and I still would not be able to stay at home.  I really live to go to work (even if it is part time) and talk with real adults.  When my third child was born I tried and stayed home for a year.  Any conversations I had were with 3 babies(all under 3 1/2 years).  I was talking gu gu and ga ga all day.  Finally I found a job that got me out and about and I felt so much better.  Keep trying the mattress on the floor thing... He will get used to it.  Maybe have some of his stuffed animals have a sleep over in the bed with him.  My kids usually got used to it fairly quickly, I was the one getting up every hour to go check on them to make sure they were still safe in bed.  I never liked when they started climbing out of the crib and sleeping in the big bed - it made them not my little baby anymore...

 yeah i do that now with the gu gu ga ga...and andrew mumbles but doens't talk and he looks at me and goes yeah yeah....like i know what he's talking about! too funny...i thought about htat instead of getting a bath and piling up on the couch i may bathe him and go straight to his room with "thomas" and "elmo"...good idea! man today has been good i made a scrambled egg (substitute) bagel with fat free cheese and normal mayo (needed the fat ) for breakfast a p b & j sandwhich for lunch im feeling good! hopefully ill lose some weight on tomorrows weigh in...tom is here so im not expecting to have lost....we'll see though...

next week ill get on the full bandwagon...exercising and eating really really healthy....i promis this time!

zavalza1971:

Lizzy----ok, here it is coded....hopefully it makes it htrough. Read carefully. I know you got the other one a while ago about sec. mon. of post...so here it is....may make no sence, but read! Grab a pen! LOL

Zippity do dA! VualA...Lets learn jazZ. And salsa. I hope I loose more than 1 pound next week. Like maybe 9 or 7...just not 1... I am good @ loosing just 1. Yuck! I am not looking forward to summer here, it gets so HOT in vegas. My Air conditioner will be running more than I...Lol (.)

Did ya like my idea for the new  COMpany for t-shirt sales...good luck...

Nyla

 Ok Lisa....here it is....read carefully everything and remember to grab a pencil and look at DARK letters and see what you get. Some of us did this a long time ago and have become even closer. Come join the fun! Take care and I will write later. Remember it is all in the code. It took me about 45 minutes to find this old post from far, far back....

Nyla