[LuckyLadyBug]

What we really want in a weight loss support group, boils down to one concept; we are looking for a sanctuary.

Sanctuary means different things to different people. Sanctuary is a place of peace, rest, safety, and rejuvenation. It keeps our spirit and our sanity intact.

Many of us who have a long journey down the weight loss path find ourselves in need of a break. Sometimes our bodies crave it, and sometimes the choice isn't ours, but circumstances forces it upon us. Other times, we need the clamoring throng to cheer us along our way as we breeze past milestones and overcome obstacles.

Sanctuary can be all that as well. It is what you need and when you need it. Sanctuary can be found in good friends who aren’t afraid of your truths and in an open, honest atmosphere.

Sanctuary isn’t judgmental, neither does it discriminate or ask to be censured. It is open to anyone with a desire to share, and especially those in need of and willing to offer support

[LuckyLadyBug]

I feel like I haven't been here in "forever".

Well, I have been going to work at 6:30AM and then going to see my Dad after work so I don't get home until 7:30 or 8PM. NO me time. I haven't exercised in 5 days. My Dad is trying to recover from having that flu. He just doesn't feel like eating.

NOW I also have to help my brother - his family, him, wife and 4 kids are confined to home for a week due to the flu in their house. NO ONE is happy over there. I hope they can make it without anyone getting hurt!

I have to go back and do the "happiness" exercise I posted and then didn't participate in!!! It will be hard for me because it seems whenever I work at happiness - $hit happens in my life - it's something I have to get over. I always associate happy = bad things happen. Sad, huh?

Skitt: How is your husband?

Thanks, Gloria, for you story about your life - accident etc. It's the old - looking at the glass half full or half empty. You and Tricia are an inspiring me now - GREAT way to use your skills and make yourself feel good about your life. When things around me start to pull at me I can fall into self-defeating pity - after reading your posts I fell more like "pull myself up by my bootstraps.

Tricia:

I think sometimes we get so caught up in the notion that the grass is always greener on the other side that we don't bother noticing how green the grass is in our own backyard.

EXACTLY, I just need that reminder now and again!!

Gloria, thanks for the cellulite article. If you get one on keeping that "extra" skin under control as you lose weight - MAKE SURE your post that one!!!!

Kat:

I guess what I'm saying is, if you're searching for something, try looking from a different angle, you may find exactly what you're looking for!

Yet another great quote!!!!

I do still struggle with "time". I run out of it each day!!!!

Well, off to srap a little and then think on happiness.

I watched an Oprah on how she lost her weight!!!! DARN, same old thing - diet and exercise!

She does use a pilates machine - now that is a huge piece of equipment!!!

Later,

[katrinabgood]

I've seen those machines at the gym. They look a little scary!

I'd like to try one though!

Back to work for me......

[ageoldie]

Are you talking about the big machines that are like beds on platforms and slide? They are wonderful. I took one class on them and want to take more, but they are 60.00 an hour and right now I can't jjustify the expense, but hopefully one of these days I'll get to do it. If I take them in a class of 6 people it's only 20.00 but you have to have 2 private lessons before they let you join a class. But the exercise you do on them is awesome!!!

[BarbPA]

De-lurking to say Hello!

Hubby and I had a nice time out tonight. It was very last minute --- we were headed out for a late lunch and the place we tried to go was packed so we ended up driving to Atlantic City. We ate, gambled, won a little money. All in all had a good time. It was nice to get out of the house!

I hope you are all well. Sorry for not participating more right now. I just need a little time to recover from the recent events.

Talk to you soon.
Hugs!
Barb

[Skittles]

Hi All,

Hubby's Echocardiogram was PERFECT! At least that is what the doctor said. We will have the results from the MRI by Thursday. Anyhow, things here are going ok. It snowed so now I have to go out and shovel. Been exercising and walking and trying to drink the water. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

I really have a lot to catch up on and read but right now I must shovel. I miss you all.

Lucky, chin up, I am praying for you and your family.

love ya,
Skitt

[LuckyLadyBug]

Yes, BarbG, that is the one!!! It looked good when Oprah did it but you would need the space for it and the $$$$$$.

Oh, Skitt, I am so happy for you - about your hubby's Echocardiogram NOT the snow.

BarbPA for stopping by to let us know how you are.

Did you make enough money in Atlantic City to have another go at the Mall of America? Did you see they are planning on DOUBLING IT'S SIZE!!!! They are even trying to include a casino. The city of Bloomington is trying to stop that part but the owners of the Mall are trying to make it the biggest mall in the world.

Well, it snowed here too but not as much as predicted - I have a relaxing day planned - I hope it works out - I need to spend more time on my happiness list - I may need help. It's so sad, I have a hard time thinking of what I think would really make me happy. Of course, this isn't set in stone and I can add to it and change it but somehow putting it in writing is scary.

[LuckyLadyBug]

Today has bee productive for me.

I visited my Dad, shoveled snow, and believe it or not!!!! I cooked and made my lunches for the week. It's a MIRICLE!!!!!!

Of course now I am tuckered out.

I do have to get back to regular exercise. I have let all the emotional stuff in my life derail me. I heard a lady on Oprah say she changed her eating all the time to exercise. That's what I need to do. Reprogram my eating time to exercise time.

I was trying to get my Dad to eat lunch today - well, okay I was nagging at him. Suddenly he said my name - ya know the way your parents do when you are in trouble!!! I shut-up just as one of the aids came in the room - she was laughing - I said, 'once a daughter always a daugther'!!!!

Off to read, maybe even nap a little before Desperate Housewives!!!!! I need a 'cheat-sheet' to keep up with who is doing what and to whom.

[LuckyLadyBug]

This is a lot of pressure being the only one posting!

Don't forget tomorrow is the 2X2 weigh in!!!!

I know I will be a bust. I let stress rule my eating last week and will pay now by NOT contributing to the 2 week loss.

[5 dogs]

Hello Friends,
Went to the Y seven days this week and am feeling very proud of myself. Guess there's nothing like blowing your own horn. I did make the 2x2 but not sure of the extre 1/2 pound. I have to weigh myself at the Y because i don't have a scale and will do that tonight when i go to my water aerobics class. I have noticed that my clothes aren't as tight now, so if i don't make the extre 1/2 pound a week, i am content with just being able to ware my clothes comfortable again. No more turning blue trying to zip up my pants.

My Mother-in-law and i went to see the movie Coach Carter yesterday and had a good time. Good movie. Of course, you all know that you cant go to the movies without something to eat. I had chocolate and pop corn but instead of soda, drank water.
Pop corn and water, Yuck

Cheryll, You said in our last post that you have a lake cabin. It sounds like you like the mountains. Carl and i love the mountains and try to go there when ever possible. When we go to our house in upper Georgia, i feel like "This is where i am suppose to be. We have lived in Florida for over 25 years, as yet i don't call Florida home. Strange. We also have something else in common. Our dachshund. I am sending a picture of my little Zoey. She is my baby and yes, Zoey sleeps with me.

I have been fighting off the blues all weekend and i know i just have to pull myself out of it. Have to get going so hope to talk to you soon.
Gloria

[lucky]

Just a quick post for my 2x2 weigh in. Unfortunately, I am at 174.4 this morning which means I am up 1.4 pounds from last week but still down 1.6 for the challenge. I wish I could have contributed the whole two pounds for you guys but I did every thing right - food, exercise, attitude- were all right where they should have been. So, I'm not going to beat myself up. This is just one of those nasty weight loss quirks that annoy us all at one point or another. I'll just stick with it and hopefully see those numbers droppping in the coming weeks.

Gloria, I'm like you - my clothes are really getting big so I am pleased with my progress. It is nice to have something more concrete than the scale to keep me motivated. Of course, the problem I have is replacing those big, old, fat clothes. On one hand, all of the fall stuff is going on sale, on the other hand I may only get to wear them once or twice as our weather is warming up fast. And, if I have my way anything I buy right now will be much too big to wear next fall. Maybe I'll just weight for summer clothes. I'm such a tight wad I find it hard to splurge unless I know I'll get my money's worth.

I'm with all of you who are fans of mountain/lake living. We took a vacation to Blue Ridge, Ga. a couple of years ago- just Greg and I. It was great. We had a beautiful cabin with a terrific mountain view. Oh, it was so very relaxing. We vacation quite a bit in Gulf Shores, Al. as my parents own a condo there. I love the beach as well and it is great to have a nice place to take the kids. And, of course, the fact that it is free makes it very appealing. The kids all love it there and, besides, I don't think they are quite old enough to appreciate the serenity of an out of the way cabin. We haven't been to Gulf Shores since the hurricanes but I am sure we'll go check out how the rebuilding is coming along this spring. We were lucky, some of the boats docked in the bay were damaged but the condos themselves saw very little.

Well, I hope you all had better luck than me on the challenge. Have a great day!

Tricia

[qsilver]

Hey everyone!

I finally finished the 6 days in a row at work! I am sooooo bushed, but I had to get in here and do some reading and get myself motivated.

I've been sitting in on the girls' substance abuse group at work, and I picked up some really cool thoughts to share, plus they are helping me get my head back on straight as far as weight loss is concerned. The first one you hear frequently in their meetings.

Half measures availed us nothing.

Every time I hear that line, it seems to sink in a bit deeper. When I do my food plan halfway, I don't get anywhere. When I do a food plan and ignore exercise, I don't get much of anywhere. When I try to exercise and still eat what I want, I don't progress either. I need a whole, balanced approach to find success.

The second was part of a story they were sharing today. The man was talking about his relationship with his higher power, and this line just stuck in my head.

He sees you as he created you... loving, joyful and magnificent.

I think I really needed a reminder of how God sees me. I get down on myself and forget (pardon me for getting all spiritual for a bit here) that I am a daughter of God. I look at my body and dwell on the imperfections instead of the progress I have made. I look at others and beat myself up because I don't look like them. When I forget my own divinity, everything in my life suffers.

Ok, I'm really, seriously sleep deprived, and I want to be able to enjoy some of this day with my family. That means I need to get some sleep and now! Hope you are all doing well today. *HUGS*

Andria

[5 dogs]

I forgot to tell you one thing. We have a small vegetable stand here where i live. A coupld of days ago, they had asparagus on sale for 49 cents a pound. I was in asparagus heaven. I love asparagus, but my problem is, i know of only one way of cooking it. Do any of you have a good asparagus recipe? I bought 5 pounds and hubby won't eat it.
Gloria

[lucky]

Gloria, I love asparagus too. Here are a couple of recipes you might like to try:

Grilled Asparagus
1 lb asparagus trimmed, in 6" lenghths
1/2 cup Diuon Vinaigrette:

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
6 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced.

Blend all vinaigrette ingredients. Preheat grill. Arrange asparagus in grill basket with tips toward outer edges of basket. Brush with vinaigrette. Grill 3 minutes, turn, and brush with more vinaigrett. Cook 3 minutes more or until asparagus is tender crisp. Serve hot, at room temp, or chilled.

Chicken Asparagus Casserole
4 bonless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 14 oz can asparagus (I've always used fresh, just trim it and blanch a little first and I put as much as I want usually just enough to cover the bottom of the pan)
1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Saute chicken in oil until no longer pink. Drain. Place asparagus on bottome of 9x9x2 inch baking dish. Place chicken on top of asparagus. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

Asparagus with Caper Dill Sauce
1 cup sour cream or yogurt
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup capers, drained
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 lb fresh asparagus or green beans, blanched

Blend all sauce ingredients and chill for at least 1 hour. Serve over blanched vegetables.

Asparagus soup:
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 can asparagus soup
1 soup can light cream
1/2 cup white wine
1 can asparagus (again, I just blanch the fresh asparagus that I've trimmed. Save a little of the water to thin the soup if needed).
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/8 teaspoon red pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Dash of worstershire sauce

Blend soups until smoot. Slowly and cream and white wine. Stir until smooth. Add asparagus and bit of blanching water. Add seasonings and heat until bubbly.

Herb Dip with Asparagus:
1 pkg. cream cheese at room temp
1/3 cup sour cream or more
3 green onions chopped
2T capers, drained
2 T chopped parsley
1 T dijon mustard
1/8 t each of dried tarragon, basil, and marjoram
salt and pepper to taste
1 t lemon pepper seasoning

2 lbs asparagus, blanched, for dipping
combine all dip ingredients adding extra sour cream if needed for a soft consistency. Cover and chill. Dip with asparagus.

Also, I like to use fresh asparagus in quiches - I use just a basic recipe and throw in some blanced asparagus that I've drained and chopped. Also, fresh asparagus is great in friattas if you like those.

Hope you find something you like!

Tricia




Blend all vinai
1 Tablespoon Di

[c bo be]

Good morning everyone,

I need to make this a quick one, then off to work. I am avoiding the scales for a couple of days. I hate that. But I definately didn't make the 2x2 challenge. I've got to get it together for the next challenge. I have a terrible citiation (I like to say that instead of situation) going on a work right now. I work very closly with 9 other women and it's always something. I'm not sleeping that well. My good friend at work is ready to quit over everything and I will be so sad if she leaves. A big meeting from the superintendent of the school today. STRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Skittles, glad to hear about your hubbys test. My husband had one about 2 years ago and I was so scared. He had the dye put in his upper leg and the whole bit and after the test the doctor said he had the arteries of a seventeen year old. Go figure. I still don't know why something showed up on the treadmill test. ????????????? But we have peace of mind.

Gloria, we have a lake cottage in northern indiana at North webster. I love it there. I'm at peace when I'm there. It's not in the mountains though. But we are very close to alot of Amish communities and I love that. Only problem theres so many good amish restaurants. The food is absolutely wonderful. And the amish set up stands of baked bread, pies, noodles and all that good stuff. Also your dog Zoey is precious. My dogs name is Tootsie. She is a piebald dachsund and her markings look like a cows, she's white with brown spots and has freckles on her face and feet. I will try to post a picture. As you know I'm computer illiterate.

Got to go to the battleground. Later gators, c bo be