Sorry I missed the meeting....

I've been so tired this week and just felt drained today. As some may already know, I won't be there next meeting either. I'm starting my vacation next week and going to Houston, Texas. I will pay the rest of my dues when I return.

This week I have been doing my 6- 16.9 ounce bottles of water everyday. I have excercised everyday for at least 25 minutes. I didn't loose any weight this week. The only thing that I can thing of that is preventing me from losing weight is the lack of sleep. On an average work day, I get up at around 7:15 AM and get Kayleigh and I ready. I drop her off and then head to class at 9:30. When I leave class, I go straight to the YMCA and work at between 25-35 minutes before I have to get changed to be at work at 12 PM. Get off work at 9 PM. I pick up Kayleigh and by the time I get home it's usually about 10 PM. I get her settled and hopefully to bed and then prepare lunch (on most days), get clothes ready for the next day and then start on some homework. On average, I get to bed at around 1-2 AM (some times later than that). I can't really think of any other reason why I'm not as sucessful as I hoped right now.

Here are my Fat Facts....

The Basics
Every day in grocery stores across America, people read the nutrition labels on foods looking for fat content. There are very good reasons for zeroing in on this important number. Eating too much fat contributes to widening waistlines, because our bodies store the extra calories we consume for future famines (which most likely never occur). High fat diets are also associated with increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer, especially breast and prostate cancer.

Presently, fat accounts for between 35 percent and 40 percent of many American's total calories. That's really too high. Dropping fat calories to 20 percent to 30 percent of our total calories helps shed excess pounds and lowers blood cholesterol levels..

Watching the Fat
Look for the actual grams of fat per serving on the Nutrition Facts labels on packaged foods. Grocery stores are encouraged to post nutrition information for the fresh meat and poultry near the meat cases. Always compare the portion size listed on the Nutrition Facts label with the amount you usually eat.

Ignore the percentages and the calories from fat for a specific food. Your goal is to keep your total fat intake for the whole day within your healthy fat intake.

Counting the fat in foods you buy in restaurants is tricky. Most fast-food chains publish the nutritional value of their foods in brochures that are free for the asking. When nutrition information is not available, use several "fat-skimming" strategies:

Order small portions or share a meal with a friend
Take half of anything you order home and use it later for another meal
Ask for salad dressings, sour cream, butter and margarine on the side. Rather than pouring your dressing over a salad, dip the tines of your fork into the dressing and then spear a bite of salad.

Fat-Free Facts
You might think that eating fat-free foods is an easy way to guarantee good health. This simple solution has several drawbacks.

Fat-free does not mean calorie-free. Too many calories from sugars and starches add extra weight, too. See our related article on estimating daily calorie needs.
Most fat-free and reduced-fat foods contain more sodium than their regular versions. Extra salt makes up for the flavor loss when manufacturers cut the fat. If you're cutting fat to help your blood pressure, beware!
We need some fat to help absorb the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K for our bodies to make important hormones. Rigidly eating only fat-free foods means missing the benefits that whole grains and small amounts of vegetable oils offer.

Minutes from 6/29/07 Meeting

The meeting was called to order around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2007.

Present: Quishana and Mrs. Pee

Absent: Carlos, Brandy, Nicole, Mr. Pee

Progress Reports:

Carlos reported drinking 2 bottles of water this week, no exercise, no measured weight loss this week.

Mrs. Pee reported drinking 8-10 cups of water everyday, no exercise, and a 2 pound weight loss this week.

Quishana reported drinking 8 cups of water everyday, no exercise, and a 4 pound weight loss this week.

Treasurer's Report: Please get caught up on your dues. In the future, dues will be collected in advance for the entire 8 weeks. Hopefully, this will keep everyone motivated.

Old Business: Bring fat facts to next meeting on Friday, July 6, 2007. If you have an opportunity, include your fat facts on our blogspot.

New Business: EXERCISE...EXERCISE...EXERCISE...EXERCISE...EXERCISE

What commitment are you willing to make in order to get your exercise done daily? Quishana commits to doing 20 minutes of exercise everyday (somehow). Mrs. Pee commits to exercise first thing in the morning before doing anything else. (This means getting up at 4 a.m. on the days that she works.) Please list your commitment on the blogspot.

Respectfully submitted,

Mrs. Pee

Thanks for the update....

I hope that all of you are having fun in Cali. It's kinda of hard to keep up with a plan when you're traveling because your schedule changes and plus you are on vacation. Yall continue to have fun and do the best you can. You both are doing great. We all are. Later.

From The Out-Of-Towners

Hey guys! Mom wanted me to drop in and let you know that she didn't exercise last week, but she drank 11 cups of water a day and she lost 2 lbs.! So far this week she's been eating correctly, trying to drink her water and has done very little exercise. I haven't exercised at all, but I am trying to get my water in. I haven't had 64 oz. since I've been here, but I drink at least 4 cups a day. Just giving an update on us folks across the country. Talk to you all soon! :)

Mrs. Pee & Nicole

HMMMMMMMMMMM

Sup every 1 hoe all is well wit da group and u out of towners hope yall keepin up wit everything but jus wanted to say that I'm glad we r trying to take control of our bdies and finaly do things the rite way. Thanks to Mrs.Pee 4 starting this group and everybody thats in it I do app all of yall so lets continue do our best. I'll se yall soon bye.

Too much water...

Today I upped my water by 1 bottle. That's a total of 6- 16.9 ounce bottles of water. That's over 12 1/2 cups of water. Gotta go...gotta pee. :-) LOL

Have fun traveling folk!!

I know that some will be going out of town soon. Have a safe trip and remember to still drink your water and walk (which shouldn't be hard since you are not going to be at work and all and probably visiting places). I'll be going on my trip to Texas soon (hopefully). I plan on having Jordan or Amber drop me off at the YMCA each day for about 30minutes to an hour. It may not happen that way because plans have already been made to go to the beach, aquarium and out to 4th of July festivities (there should be plenty of walking....I'm sure). The summer time is so much fun. Everyone enjoy the sunny weather.

Thank you...

I truly appreciate the group. Thanks for being a part of it. If we lean on each other for support, we can do this. Don't look at the big picture, just focus on one day at a time, and 10% of your total goal at a time. Baby steps are much easier to take than giant steps. Be kind to yourself. Love yourself. And don't cheat yourselves out of anything. LOL

Go Hopefuls!

The group lost a total of 7 pounds this week. That's wonderful. Maybe next week's lost will be even bigger. WTG!!

The MINS

Call To Order of Meeting

Friday,June 08,2007

Meeting started at 7:30 PM

• Talked about exercise for everyone for the week and water.
• Nicole=2inhalf pounds,water=64 ounces,exercise=Mon,tues,friday
• Brandy=2inhalf pounds,water=64ounces,exercise=everyday except day
• Carlos=3 pounds,water=4 ounces,exercise=all week
• T=3 pounds,water=10 cups,exercise=all week
• Q=not sure sorry
• Gave nutrional facts from different food places
• Each person was giving a fast food place to give nutrional facts about that place
• Cole=Wendy's
• Brandy=McDonald's
• T=Chick-Fil-A
• Los=Burger King
• Gave meal plans to every1 to follow

gave the site for the blog which is Healthy hopefuls.blogspot.com

Sup yall i'm finally here this week has been pure hell 4 me they cut me from job and the grand opeing was terrible so this week yes i have been cheatin I'm so sorry I'll get bac on track jus neede this week

Not Doing So Hot :(

Hey everyone. This has been a bad week for me. I haven't done well with the exercise. I've done okay with drinking water. The only days this week that I didn't get my 64 in was yesterday and today (so far). I'm going to get back on track! I really want to lose 80 - 85 pounds by next summer (end of August and I'd only have to lose 7 lbs a month to reach that goal - easier said then done!). I'm doing my best, but that doesn't seem good enough! Just wanted to give an update. Sorry I haven't gotten my pictures posted up yet either. I'll get those up TONIGHT! I'll talk to you guys tomorrow.

Next Meeting

Our next meeting is almost here. I think that I've done really well this week. Other than the lack of sleep (which is inevitable right now), I have done good with my water and exercise. I have managed to average 10.5 cups the entire week. Yeeeeaaaaa! See everybody tomorrow and I will meet with Carlos to get him setup on here.

11 is starting to be my favorite number...

I did it again...11 cups down. It's getting easier with each day. I'm glad I don't have to go any higher. Remember 8 cups every day for normal body function, and then an additional cup for every 25 pounds you're overweight. Before long, I'll be able to go down to 10 cups a day if my weight loss continues downward.

I hope everyone is enjoying his or her week. Don't stress about losing weight, just do the things that you know will get you there.

See you on Friday.

You beat me!

I did my 10 1/2 cups again yesterday. I'm going to try and top your 11.

11 cups down...

I did it! I did it! 11 cups of water today. How did you do?

5 cups so far today..

It's not even noon yet and I've already had 5 cups of water. Can anybody top that? Um...water does your body good!

Oooooooo.....pictures!!!

Yeaaaaa......we got the pictures up. WTG Mrs. Pee. Nicole will be uploading her week one pictures soon....I think. I wanted to report that I drunk 5 bottles (16.9 oz) of water today. That equivalent to 84.5 ounces....AkA. 10 1/2 cups of water. I'm on your trail Mrs. Pee.

Pictures from June 1st meeting for Quishana and Mrs. Pee

Pictures from June 1st meeting for Brandy and Carlos

Bad Start

I can probably do the 9 cups of water tomorrow. Today was not a good day for nothing. I was sleep and medicated most of the day and I didn't feel like getting up. I drunk some water to get my pills down, but as far as everything else.....I had a salad and I'm trying to figure out what my mom can bring me so that I don't have to try and cook. Even when I'm feeling well...I tend to do better with everything on the days where I have a regular schedule and have to go to work. I'll meet your 9 cup challenge and possibly try to match your 11....that's not a promise (the 11 cup part).

11 cups

I had 11 cups of water today. How did you all do? Remember the challenge is to increase your water intake to 9 cups every day starting today.

Next week's challenge

Had a great meeting tonight. The challenge for next week is to drink 9 cups of water every day, exercise at least 20 minutes every day, and follow a balanced meal plan. Copies of a balanced meal plan are available upon request.

See the article on water to figure out how much you need each day.

Hey everyone, I trying to drink H2O as much as I can. I am getting at least 4-6cups in a day. I wasnt able to work out everyday but so far I worked out 2hrs and 15min of cardio and 1 hr of strengthen. I wanted everyone to know that I have a class function tomorrow night so I will not be able to come to the meeting. I will try to call one of you guys during the meeting. Hope everyone is doing well.

Has anyone seen Carlos

I wonder where Carlos is. Has anyone heard from our secretary? Come out, come out wherever you are.

I'M FINALLY IN!!!

I can't believe how computer-illiterate that I am.

Thanks for the websites. I have a formula for calculating water, intake more precisely for each of us, but I thought it was important that we get our 8 glasses in before we took the next step. Look at water as your friend and not your enemy. If you're feeling bloated, drink two more glasses or eat celery (both should make you pee. tee hee)

So far, I have walked 3 days. Exercise is my biggest challenge right now.

Instead of relying on the scale to show your losses, pick out a pair of pants or a dress that's at least one size too small, and try it on weekly until you can wear it. And then wear it to the meeting so we can all see 8-).

Can't wait to hear everyone's results on Friday. Don't forget your diaries. Don't forget your dues.

Ready to Weigh

Hi guys! I just wanted to quickly share this website that I found talking about the importance of drinking water. It is at http://www.inch-aweigh.com/water.html. I will bring this up at the meeting, but based on this site and other sites (including an article on CNN.com from the Mayo Clinic- http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/NU/00283.html) we need to drink more than 64 ounces of water because we are overweight and even more when we exercise. Hopefully, we can discuss this a little more. I'm happy that I am drinking 64 ounces now, but if I drink anymore.....I don't know. The interesting thing is that our water intake is based 80% on all drinks and 20% on food (which I don't really understand how that actually works or is calculated). Any who.....hope all is well with everyone and "Ay bay bay."

I DID IT!

Brandy inspired me! I was able to down 64 ounces of water today! Thanks, B. It wasn't as difficult as I thougt it would be, but I feel EXTREMELY bloated! :) I haven't had to use the restroom yet either, so maybe that's a good sign. I plan on doing it again tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Have a good week!

I hope that everyone has a very successful week. Things have been going good for me(I think). This past Sunday I drunk my 1st 64 ounces of water (finally). I actually drunk 67.6 ounces. That was a lot, but it is doable. I think that everyone will do great and hope that you are walking or doing some form of exercise. It really does help. It may be hard at first if you are not used to it, but you have to give your body time to adjust. We are going to hit our goal. 4 more days until we weigh in. Be ready to share your progress.

Thought of the day: I sure hope that Carlos has eaten food in the past 24 hours. LOL.

From The Out-Of-Towner

Hey peeps! I just wanted to drop in and say a little something to add to our blog site. I'm really glad that everyone is participating in this weight loss group. I know with every one's encouragement and support we will all be a lot healthier by the end of July. I know I will need a lot of support! In addition to your suport, David is being great and helping me also. I'm truly sincere when I say I want to lose weight! And I really want all of you to succeed as well! Let's keep the goal in sight and we'll all do GREAT!

Nicole - A Healthy Hopeful

The Healthy Hopefuls Blog

Our blog has finally been set up. You can post anything that you want on here. You can post questions and concerns, how your exercising is going, or even how your day is. If you're stressed out and need to vent, go for it. If you have some good news and want to share it, we're all ears. Let's continue striving for our session 1 goal of 10% that we are hoping to complete by July 27th. Let's Get Healthy!

P.S. Don't forget that our "before" pictures will be added to the blog soon so that we can gradually see our progress through pictures. Whenever we take pictures, it may be a good idea to wear the same or similar outfit so we can truly see that changes that are happening.

If you have any questions about this blog or how to do something, just ask Brandy or Nicole.