michele1L

I totally love to garden!! Not only planting vegetables but putting in trees, shrubs and flowers. I've gotten really lucky with my trees over the last several years. I have a couple of rambunctious dogs that tend to break the trunks of new trees that I plant but each one has continued to grow and become a tree despite it's harsh beginnings. I had an oak tree in the front yard that wasn't doing anything but dying a slow death so I cut it down to a stump (it had only been in the ground for a year and was planted by the homebuilder) and waited to see what would happen. Wouldn't ya know it, there's a 10' Oak "Bush" there now that's doing great. I would like to believe it's skill, but it's just dumb luck!! This year I'm gonna clip some branches from my weeping and curly willows in December, put them where I want trees and see what happens. Got lucky last year with my clippings surviving and growing strong so I'm tempting fate twice!! As far as veggies go, this year it was all about tomatoes!. Started them from seeds in containers then moved them to a spot in the back yard in the early summer........they are huge and I got a lot of volunteers from last years crop that popped up and produced good tomatoes!! I've never had any luck with herbs but I keep trying and trying!! Someday!! Has anyone successfully grown an avocado tree from a seed? Happy gardening!!

"Rob and Michelle - losing weight is always going to be a struggle. The key is finding what will work for your individual scenario and something that you can maintain for the rest of your life. Whether it's paleo, atkins, WW, or some other system, I hope you have success!" Honestly, I was thinking the exact same thing. If one thing worked for everybody, then we would all do it right?! I do envy your pizza's and Mexican food indulgences but I'm happy with what's working for me and being older and wiser than the last time I went down this path, I'm looking forward to new successes and longer term successes at that!!! (BTW, kinda chuckled outloud with the "Rob and Michele..." as my husbands name is Rob! Teehee!!) Have a fabulous weekend guys!! Thanks again for your input!! ~~Michele

Thank you for your response 67alecto! I really do appreciate feedback and encouragement! I did do the calorie counting thing for 3 months using the LoseIt app on my iphone and it just wasn't as effective as I would have liked. Could be the app's lack of database, could be me, not sure but I'm finding myself feeling amazing, healthier, stronger and more in control of me doing Atkins. As with any "method" of gaining a healthy lifestyle, it's always about commitment to the long term. Everybody falls off their wagon once in a while and only those strong enough stay on and maintain for a lifetime get to ride across the finish line of life, sounds like you and calorie counting will be that ride. Robzilla1983, I think you have the right mindset as well, you gotta stop putting in the crap to not look and feel like crap. Simple equation (in theory) and we all know it takes work and dedication to keep at it! ~~Michele

So here's my story. Lost nearly 30 lbs doing weight watchers and kept it off for nearly a year (while the friends that did it with me put it all back on + in a couple of months, teehee). My husband and I opened a cafe and made the best sandwiches IMO and before you know it, I blimped back up to the previous weight + 10 more lbs (197lbs @ 5'5"). We ended up closing our cafe (stress), I started college full-time (more stress) and money was/is tight (maximum stress). Then, as we all do, on Jan.1, my husband (who is blessed with a 6'6", 230lb frame) and I decided to "tighten up the package" together. He does Judo and strength training and I entered a competition at the gym called 'Lost it at the Club" with a friend. Through hard work and determination, at the end of the competition, approx 8 wks, I lost 9.5lbs and 3.5 inches off my waist and 3.2 BF. Then, totally and completely stuck. So, I went to an old standby that worked about 7 years ago, Atkins. When I first did it, it was cake, 50lbs. literally fell off. Now it's slower but I feel absolutely amazing doing it! There was so much controversy to it not that long ago, it was bad for you, gave people intestinal problems, etc.,etc. Here's my positive experience with it: 1. Rarely hungry 2. My "Red Week" is about 1/10th of normal, no cramping, no boob soreness, no headaches and limited irritability/weird cravings because of it. 3. I'm less and less tired. (I'm a napping queen but since starting this, no need) 4. I "FEEL" great!! Would love to hear if anybody else out there is using this. I have read so much on Paleo, 5 Factor, Zone, etc. and there are so many similarities. This one makes the most sense to me.......for me!

So glad to have found this board and blog, love all the insight, inspiration and motivation I get from reading everybodys topics!! I'm 37, live in Norther California, and am full time student (yup, one of those later in life types). I have a great husband of 16 yrs and 2 girls, 15 & 12 that keep me running and jumping! My quest for a better me started in January with a "lost it at the club" competition that I entered with a friend. Lost 9.5lbs, 3" on my waist and 3.2% body fat in the two months of the competition, totally kicked my friends a** (to say that I'm competitive is a mild understatement) and am anxious to keep this train a-rollin!! Still got 45lbs to shed, just takin it one day at a time! I have started using The Bar Method DVD's at home when I don't have the time to go to the gym and I am amazed at how much flexibility and endurance I have gained in just a week. Makes me feel leaner and stronger everytime I do it which is turning into positive motivation to get my diet under control. I still get a lot of cardio and some weight training in at the gym on nights when there's no homework or I just need to clear my head! Now, if I could just stay away from the beer, all would be right in the world... Anywho, thanks for reading! See ya on the board!! ~~Michele 8-)