[Prncsopowr]

One other suggestion for the sleeping issue is to only sleep in your bed. No reading, no eating, no nothing. Once your body gets used to the idea that your bed is made for sleeping, many people’s sleeping patterns improve.

I am doing okay towards my goals. I found it very hard yesterday to track my food as I was at work and all of a sudden got very very hungry. Now this was to be expected as I didnt have time for dinner. I had eaten breakfast, and then a large lunch. But there was bad traffic on my way to my second job (bartending) and I had to be there at 4 so I never had a chance to eat. I had brought some nuts and raisins to munch on but found that was not sufficient. I nibbled on a couple chips (at least they are made in-house) but I also know that I can’t do that. Next time, I need to make sure I bring a sandwich with me as I can probably step out from the bar to eat that for a couple minutes. I guess I can say lesson learned!

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Lilbit- First off, I want to say I hope everything works out int he best way possible for you. I know how challenging it is when you feel like things are crashing down around you and I truly wish you the best. Although it feels like it will never turn around, I know from personal experience, it can. Stay strong and know that the people on this site are not just here to be supported by you but to also support you. I wish you the best with what you are trying to handle. Secondly, thank-you so much for all of your support with trying to figure out my disaster of a body out!

Collette – thats interesting because when I went to WW, my leader definitely touted using splenda versus using sugar to save points. WW also promotes Hungry Girl who very much promotes splenda. But then again, she also promotes the use of many many pre-packaged foods which I do not agree with.

So I did as I said I would and took my measurements this morning. I even wrote them, along with my weight, body fat % and water % (my scale does them as well). It is all in black and white and cannot be ignored.

I find I just keep saying to myself, I CAN do this! Its hard, but I will succeed!!!

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So I have been somewhat successful this week. I had chosen harder goals for this week (or at least it is harder to me, I am sure many of you have been doing this) which was to write down everything I ate. I did succeed, but I realized that what I ate this week is not really typical of what I would have rather eaten. I realize that doesn’t make much sense. Basically the Jewish holidays were this week and therefore I definitely lost complete control of how things were cooked and what I was eating. If anyone has a Jewish mother, you know how challenging it can be to ask her to make a small modification. It was a large battle won when I convinced her not to put egg noodles in my chicken soup!

I have not lost any weight, I actually gained. However, I am trying not to lose faith and I am took my measurements this morning and also wrote down my weight which I really didn’t want to do until it was lower, but I knew I needed to in order to begin seeing trends.

I know I put it into an earlier post but I am focusing on my previous goals and then two more for the upcoming week – tracking water and getting in two extra days of exercise. To be honest, I cannot figure out when I am getting the second day in due to the Jewish holidays next week and my work schedule. The good news is I do a lot of walking at my part-time job (server/bartender). I am hoping to lose a pound by next weekend and to really conquer my goals. Although I am frustrated that I have not lost weight, I am proud of myself for sticking to my goals which is one of the things keeping me moving forward. That and my size 4s that I miss!!!

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I use splenda rather than the blue stuff or pink stuff. When I tried Stevia – I got it at Trader Joe’s and I found it to have a strange aftertaste.

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That was a lot of helpful information. Thanks!

Why does your trainer not recommend artificial sweeteners? I use them a lot and I know weight watchers and other programs do recommend them. I drink a lot of tea and have a hard time substantiating the use of sugar in my tea each time I drink it. Also, any thoughts on tea versus water? I have been struggling with my water intake so I drink lots of really yummy teas. I buy loose leaf tea at a store near me and try to drink a combo or herbal, green, black, and white teas. I also drink some rooiboos to help with my allergies.

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Oops my bad. I meant TTC. I don’t know what that stands for. Gotta love my morning brain!

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Wow! I have to say thanks, first off. I never expected such support when I came on yesterday and expressed my frustrations.

I have cut out white flour and white carbs and sugars, aside for a slip-up yesterday at my parents for Rosh Hashanah dinner. I actually yelled at my dad that he was mean and being unfair when he pulled out the Breyer’s Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream as it is my favorite of all time. However, when my mom started pressuring me to take it home, I absolutely refused. I also learned I may be getting through to my parents a bit when I kept saying over and over again that I did not want egg noodles in my chicken soup – my mom first started telling me "you are not going to tell me how to serve food in my house" and getting mean about it, but I guess keeping my foot down that I did not want it may have gotten through to her. I figure if I tell her enough times that my clothing isn’t fitting she may get the point that I need to lose weight.

At this point I am staying away from preprepared foods and freezer meals as I can’t control what is inside.

Anyways, I also only use olive oil to cook with, but I just realized that a salad dressing I make that I love (Greek dressing) is made with vegetable oil. I will post a typical days food later on today and be very open to advice. I do try to change what I am eating pretty regularly because I do tend to get bored. I have also thought about seeing how much a nutritionist would cost me to go to. I went in college when I was working on overcoming an eating disorder, but I think I now need to see one to learn how to eat to lose weight for my body. But I definitely need to see how much of it my insurance would cover.

Thanks again everyone!!!

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I totally understand what you are saying. I am having the same issue. I think I am going to take all my measurements tomorrow (thats my weigh-in day) so that I have something else to look at. What is TTS? I am also eating cleanly and limiting white carb intake. My only hope is that I add in new goals to focus on the scale will change. I have started small with my goals so that I would be successful, but seeing the scale go the wrong way is truly the worst!!!

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Ok, so I am flustered and frustrated. I decided that this time so that I made a solid lifestyle change rather than "just going on a diet", I would start with small goals and when I felt I accomplished those goals I would add another one or two. I truly thought that if I cut out eating out (especially the fries, potato chips, and milkshakes at my second job) that I would just naturally lose a little bit of weight.

My current goals that I am working on right now are:
https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif Only eating out 8 times in a month – if I eat a potato chip at work, that counts as a night out.
https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif Clean eating – I dont really know what this term truly means, but to me it is cooking healthy food using good, fresh ingredients and staying away from high fructose corn syrup as much as possible
https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif Writing down what I am eating and what time. At the moment this does not include portion size, just what I am eating. I started this one this past Monday.

I have been doing really well with meeting and following my goals. I am feeling successful in accomplishing these goals and already thinking about my next goals which are:
https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_nemo.gif making sure I get at least 8 glasses of water or tea a day
https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_nemo.gif add in two days of cardio at the gym. This is hard because I work a second and third job and finding time for this is complicated, but I think it is essential. I am currently not doing too much exercise – just one day where I go to pole class and chair class.

But where I am frustrated and flustered is that I have not lost a single pound. I have actually gone up!!! I want my clothes to fit again. I am tired of not being able to wear my pants and only wearing skirts. I am tired of looking fat. I hate that I just tried on 4 different dresses to wear to a bat mitzvah this weekend and none of them looked great, when I know they used to. I don’t want to give up. I can’t give up. I hate the way I look and I want to see that stupid scale move.

Help please!

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I would call X-pole tomorrow. I had to call them as I had a problem with my x-pole and they were very very helpful. She tried walking me through fixing the problem (the manufacturer overtightened the hex screws in the x-joint) and when that didnt work, she offered to send me new pieces.

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just remember that milk is good for you so it is a good idea to drink some!

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Love it!! I am sure the drawings made the teacher smile as well https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

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So I have successfully been cooking for myself for the last two weeks https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

I used one of my 8 times of eating out for dinner with my friend last night. We had planned on it for several days and the dinner was sooo good! It was amazing how much more I appreciated eating out when I am limiting the number of times I do. I start tracking my food today and want to be successful with that for the next two weeks and at that point I will decide what my next goal will be.

[Prncsopowr]

I totally understand! I break out in rashes for no reason whatsoever. Recently I keep getting one in my left elbow. So annoying!!

Is the rash symmetrical on both sides of your body? I am also leaning towards it possibly being allergies. Last year I had a rash on most of my body that was completely symmetrical. When I went (more like ran) to my dermatologist he basically told me that I was allergic to myself. Nice, right? What I learned was that my allergies were triggering rashes instead of coughing, runny nose, and the normal. I had to change all of my allergies meds which took a few months to get under control and find which ones worked best for me.

No matter what I would see if you can get into your doctor before October. It just seems too far away! Good luck!

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Ok, now I seriously need some help https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif My roommate helped me move my furniture and I started assembling my pole. Great! Things are going swimmingly https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_nemo.gif until I go to attach my 125mm extension (my ceiling is 7ft. 10in). The x-pole came with the 180mm x-joint already attached. So I go to attach the 125mm extension and the hex screws will NOT move https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_exclaim.gif Not on the side that is already attached nor the side that I need to insert into pole B. I cant figure out if they are already tight or loose or anything bc they just will not move. I am sooo frustrated and I do not know what to do. They actually look rusted out, which honestly, just pisses me off. And of course, I can’t call x-pole until Tuesday because of Labor Day.

Any ideas??? I really want to play on my new pole!