LA Weight Loss - :LAWL Losers and Friends - July 9-July 15

Funny that Felicia mentioned the cool whip tub....

hungry-girl.com had a great article about Cool Whip Free and Fat Free Reddi Wip. There's more to the article, but in the end, the Reddi Wip wins. I need to remember that next time I shop; I keep getting the Cool Whip Free....

Cool Whip Free - weighing in at 15 calories, 0g fat, 5mg sodium, 3g carbs, 1g sugars, 0g fiber and 0g protein per 2 tablespoons.

Fat Free Reddi-wip - weighing in at 5 calories, 0g fat, 0mg sodium, 1g carbs, 1g sugars, 0g fiber and 0g protein per 2 tablespoons

Morning everyone!

Nicole- That poor baby. Good thing kids heal quickly and are so resilient. Take care of yourself, too!

Lynn- Weekends are the hardest, by far. Make a plan on Friday, so that you will be able stay OP!

Snowdogs- I, too, have unruly dogs who are in need of a doggie supernanny. I have a great dane who is deaf, blind in one eye, and a humungous puppy at heart. We love him, but oh, man, can he try my patience!

Paula- Hi!!!

Carrie- Sorry to hear you are having health problems. I have a dirty little secret to share with you though: I always lose more weight when I do not exercise.

Debbie- I would love to do another POP challenge. In fact, I will host it. Look for details later today!

Liza- Do we need to come out there? No one messes with one of our chickies, NO ONE! You will make it to the finish line this time, I have no doubt. It will be fun to see Mini Me's reaction when she gets home and you have lost even more than when she left.

Felicia- Too funny about DD unpacking for you. What a sweetie, huh?

Heather- Wow! 3 lbs is fantastic! That has to feel better than some nasty old precooked and frozen for six months then cooked by a teenager with raging acne and tossed on a stale old bun hamburger could ever taste, right?

Amy- I hear you on getting bored. Spend a little time rereading your plan book and cruising the recipe threads. You will start finding some new favorite foods in no time!

Renee- Sounds like a great job!

Joni- You stop that right now, you are too perfect!

Kristen- Been socializing with any B Wizards as of late?

I have to brag a tiny bit. I STAYED POP AGAIN YESTERDAY, THAT IS 4 DAYS IN A ROW NOW, AND I EVEN WENT TO "HARRY POTTER" LAST NIGHT AND DID NOT BLOW IT!!!!! Yes, I am proud. I saved 2 starches, poppped 6 cups of air popped pocorn at home, put mortons and butter spray on it, and put it in my purse. I also took a string cheese and a baggie of 17 grapes. I drank water, ate all of my snacks, and did fine. BTW, the movie was great.

Joni- Is reddiwhip the kind that comes in the packets and you make it in the mixer, or is it in the can?

Way to go Katie on the POP.. super job especially with the kids out of school and movies etc! Pat on the back for you.. I'd buy you a B Wizard to celebrate but that would be WRONG!
Joni thanks for all the great articles and Felicia too. I'm going to take a day off exercising today to see how it goes. Even had a wine spritzer last night as I had fruit left and figured after swimming a mile I deserved something!
Girls and I are off to a big park play date but threatening thunder showers are making me reluctant to go! Fingers crossed I can get them out there long enough for some tire em out fun.
Scale shows 160.0 right now so I'm back at goal but still up 5 lbs from a week ago. I'm hoping I'll be one of those that gains when they first start exercising but then has a nice drop.
Thanks for all the support and keep the bail money handy for my WI at the COD on Saturday....the staff are cowering under their desks as we speak!

Happy Day Everyone
PS KimPhin.. did you lose weight when you divorced your gall bladder.. If I'm going to keep gaining I may just remove an organ or two to stay at goal :)

It's the one in the can...the article says this is way better than the tub Cool Whip. The only thing it doesn't do is freeze well...when you use it, you have to eat it right away.

Debbie- I would love to do another POP challenge. In fact, I will host it. Look for details later today!
I'll be looking for th is too Katie...cause Lord knows I need a constant challenge!

Liza - too funny! I haven't had that experience, but I did have to watch for three days while a Cool Whip tub came out!! We didn't know Roux had eaten it until it started coming out.

How on earth???? I'm sure you were saying that too! Fortunately, the dog is slightly smarter. He only eats hair off the floor. I don't understand that either.

I once found my missing keys in Mini-Me's diaper. I prefer to think she was just trying to hide them from me so I wouldn't go to work rather than she digested them....

Hey chickies & rooster!
I have to toot my own horn and say I'm rather darn proud of my eating habits the last 5 days - darn near POP. I had a couple of slip ups, but paid for them and now don't want to go down that road again!
I got out for a 2.25 mile jog with the dogs last night - AWESOME, made me feel great. I really need to do that more.

I'm excited to step on the scale tomorrow morning - I can't wait to see what it tells me. ***of course I'll cross my fingers that it's good :-)

About the dogs peeing:
I am NOT a fan of wee pads - sure he ain't peeing on your floor - but you're showing him it's acceptable to pee in the house.
If you cannot watch him 100%, honest 100% - crate him or put him outdoors. Crates are WONDERFUL tools - they're not punishment and shouldn't be used for that -but if it works - USE it. Give them a kong with PB inside or a big raw meaty bone to keep them busy - feed them in their crate so they associate good things with their crate. Leave it in a room that people use frequently (livingroom) so they're not left out. My first dog spent more time in her crate than out until she could hold her bladder and go outside. She's still alive and happy :-)

Most people look at me like I told them to shoot their dog when I tell them to 1. crate their dog(s) and 2. keep their dogs on a leash or fenced.

Clean peed on areas/stuff with a enzyme cleaner like Natures Miracle or Simple Solution - if you don't get the smell out it will just keep happening.

With your dog and the new baby - yes it could be attention & time spent with the dog - dogs NEED exercise and daily human interaction. It could also be a "top dog" sort of thing and he could feel "challenged" by the new comer.
***Feel free to PM me with doggy quesitons :-) I live for that stuff ! and love to help people out. Believe me, I know it can be frustrating - but things can always work out - dogs just take time & energy & lots of love :-)

Good Morning All!

Nothing much going on here. I hosted poker night for friends last night and didn't drink at ALL! There was some good stuff too... Corona Light, Pomegranate Beer... But I stuck with water.

Thank the Lord the weekend is almost here. I am going down to VA with the BF to visit the parents again. It's very tough to stay OP when I am there. His mom is happy at her weight (she's very heavy, to the point of health hazards at 64...) and doesn't think I need to lose any weight. Yeah, ok. SO, she buys cheesecakes, snacks, soda, YOU NAME it. I think she's trying to sabotage me.

An oil-refinery was struck by lightening last night and caught fire in the next town over... My older brother is a chem. engineer and informed me last night to go get gas as the gas prices wil probably go up as a result. Hmm.. of course at 11:30 last night it was the last thing I wanted to do... so lunch is weigh in and gas! Ha!

Anybody make anything new recently worth sharing? I am in a baking/cooking mood and am having Mom and sister over for dinner tonight and don't know what to make yet...

Thanks!

Thanks for all the support everyone. I have to wait about a month before I see my gynecologist because she's on leave right now, and the week she comes back I'll be at the beach. I guess that will give me plenty of time to read up on my options.

Kristen - Personally, I think you've done so well that one B Wizard (as long as it's ONLY 1 and you don't think it will start some chain reaction) won't hurt you.

Nicole - Poor DS! I had my tonsils taken out last November, so I know how it can be. However, I've heard that for some reason kids seem to do better than adults. Of course, my doctor said it's probably just because kids don't complain as much as we do. LOL!!!

Hello to everyone else!! Congrats to all the "losers", hello to all the "newbies", and hope everyone has a POP day!!

Oh and snowdogs... kids and pets are a lot alike. Except, the furkids never learn to stop eating everything they see on the floor. Ever had to pull a ribbon out of a cat's butt while you were entertaining 30 guests for Christmas dinner?

LOL!!! Yes! Except mine was tinsel out of a Maltese's butt!!!!

Good Morning All! Hope everyone is having a good day. So far so good with me, staying on plan. Yesterday was a little different but I didn't get off plan much...an extra 1/2 dairy and not all my veggies. Oh well, just one of those things.

I did make the fruited chicken salad out of the LAWL cookbook for dinner last night. It is very good if you haven't tried it. I added chopped celery to mine for some crunch and to get a veggie in.

Oh, Wendy - Can't help but notice that looks like an NC State flag behind you in your avatar and your location being NC I was wondering if you were a graduate? I'm not but my Dad was so the whole family are die hard Pack fans.

Morning all....

Liza - Do I need to give Zevely a call and have him provide some muscle for you when dealing with the newsroom kneebiters?

This day got off to a great start... sigh... DS is sick and kept us up late with a coughing fit... So Liz and I are both knackered this morning.. I woke up late and had to run out the door, forgetting all about breakfast.. So here I am at work, with a totally empty stomach and no time to go to the store to get anything decent to eat.. I'm determined not to give in to the quicky Micky D's trap, or stop to get a breakfast burrito!!

I did have a handful of grapes that were leftover from an office party I missed yesterday while I was out. Luckily the box of cookies and plate of muffins were all gone.

Anyway, I'm out and about more today, so I'll check in with y'all later!

Morning all--busy day today--laundry, packing (YES Joni--tomorrow we leave) but I won't get into vacation mode until about Tuesday. Have to get through DH's family reunion first. Oh joy. Started the lawn yesterday afternoon (idiot me--it was overcast and I am one burnt chick!) Starting pouring when I was about 3/4 finished so I will finish this morning to have it behind me. DH was so proud since he didn't have to come home and worry with it. Geez--it's not like I am working or anything! He was supposed to do pipeline flying this week but weather has put it on hold--yeah--now he doesn't have to until after vacation. Apparently it's exhausting--no idea. My school freak wants to get her school supplies today (she would go year round if possible!) so we will do that while I round up last minute stuff for the trip.

Renee--I had to laugh about hormonal kids--I took a mini-seminar last fall on "Queen Bees and Wannabees" and it was perfect since I had a 4th grader at the time--and all her friends are always here--such drama--but I can laugh because I know it will pass.

Thanks to everyone about the job issues--I appreciate all your support more than you know. And I LOVE the reminder that they interviewed a lot and only ONE got hired--I needed the perspective. Other than the paycheck I really like my current job (like so many others I like the "bad" kids--there is always so much more to their "badness" and it's a personal mission to get inside their head).

Heather--we have a nurse like you and we love her--she doesn't get suckered (very often!).

Felicia--can you come live with me and cook all your wonderful sounding dishes?? I'm not really that far.

Liza--can I go with you?? Do you live in San Diego or on Coronado's Island? We went a few times when we lived in AZ and always stayed on CI and loved it.

Joni--I had just read the HG article, too! And of course I have the Cool Whip Free in the fridge (used it in my 4th of July trifle (thanks Katie!) but will definitely buy the reddi-whip in the future.

Kristen--take the day off---I think I will try a Katie and skip it for a few days and see if it helps. I have not been LAWL perfect but I have stayed under 1300ish calories per day and exercised and my scales haven't budged in weeks (or budged in teh right direction!)

Snowdogs--great jon staying so OP! And thanks for all the dog advice. Mine hasn't had an accident since she was a puppy but it's weird--when she wants to go out she just sits on the rug by the door but that's all the sign we get and I am always afraid if we aren't in the room we won't get her message. When she wants in she hurls herself at the door so I know she "gets it". Weird dog. Gotta love her.

Amy--stay strong at BF'sMoms--it's hard when faced with so much. Geez--can gas get any higher??

Wendy--I hope they get you figured out and you are comfortable with the solution. Sorry you have to wait so long.

Hi to ALL--gotta get something done--when I am chatting with you guys my house could fall around me but I can't seem to leave until I have caught up on ALL the posts!

YAY!! Nicole is back.....sort of....... missed you girl

DH had his second interview yesterday. it was a phone interview and I listened in. we both felt it went very sucky! it is a manager position and although my DH has been in the buisness for 25 years, he really hasn't stepped up to being a manager much yet. and they really wanted to hear about his manager experience and he kept side stepping the questions because he didn't really have an answer....... a couple times he tried to lighten the mood with humor....... he is quite the wise cracker, and they would pause......then ask another question. not even a chuckle. He really does better face to face. His personality is hard to register on the phone. so.......oh well. Press on. we haven't heard what they think yet but we both felt it didn't go well.

I have been way off plan. DH took me out for a date last night while all the kids were at VBS. and we went to PF Changs. mmmmmmm. we ordered 3 entres and 2 desserts for the TWO of us!!! and ATE IT ALL!!!!! very bad! but oh my was it yummy. Last nights date was all his planning, tonight I get to plan the date. I wanted to take him to a movie, but we drop the kid off at 5 for VBS and pick them up at 8:30 but all the movies start at either 4:30 ish or 7:30 ish..... so that is not going to work. so I don't know what we are going to do.

I have been terrible about personals. I need to try better. I can't wait til school starts already so I have quiet mornings!

My computer is still sitting., I dont' know what I am going to do with it. I have hundreds of pictures that I need to get off of there. I think I am going to just start pulling them off and taking them to Walmart to print. and when I have them all I can do whatever with that dumb blue screen of death....... let it die......

Miss you all. I have been so busy I feel out of touch. Big Hi to all the newbies. You have come to the right place.

a few quickies........
Liza, sorry about the work problems. that is such a pain.
Dan...... I am still hovering around the 208-206 as well..... lets get under that 200!!!!

Nicole...... I have missed you!!

Hi to every one else!

by the way...... still no drive thru........ 2 weeks now!!!

Lettie--maybe the interview wasn't as bad as you thought. I've had great interviews lately and not got the job so a little reverse-psychology may be in order. Good luck to you both.

Well today is a new day! I'm over my hamburger fit....and Katy you made it sound sooooooooo appealing...LOL

Today we are teaching DFD a bit of independence. She will be going to daycare when I go back to school and she needs to learn that she doesn't have to be in someone's arms 24/7. I won't say too much about who taught her this "I must be held all the time" lesson, but he's not here right now! LOL She's not too crazy about playing on the floor instead of being held...but come August she will have to learn to accept it! So why not start now!

Planning a POP day today....cooking at home tonight....i'm having Mahi mahi....not too excited about it..but i thawed it and it's on the menu....the boys are having fish sticks because DH can't eat things that are breaded and fried! LOL

Everyone have a good day and i'll check around later!

Amy, here are my 2 favorite LAWL dishes for company. No one has a clue this stuff is diet!

Chicken 'N Dumplings (Posted by Cassie)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OH MY GRAVY!! as Rachel Ray would say. DELISH!!!!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs chicken breast tenders
1 tsp olive oil
1 tbsp light butter
1 medium russet potato, peeled and diced
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced or thinly sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 rib celery, diced
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
Morton Lite Salt® and freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp salt-free poultry seasoning
2 tbsp flour
1 quart reduced-sodium, fat-free chicken broth
1 (8 oz) small box biscuit mix (preferred brand Jiffy Mix)
1/2 cup warm water
Handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 cup frozen corn




Preparation:

Dice tenders into bite size pieces and set aside. Wash hands.
Place a large pot on stove over medium high heat. Add oil, butter, vegetables and bay leaf and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Season mixture with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning. Add flour to the pan and cook 2 minutes. Stir broth or stock to the pot and bring to a boil. Add chicken to the broth and stir.
Place biscuit mix in a bowl. Combine with 1/2 cup warm water and parsley. Drop tablespoonfuls of prepared mix into the pot, spacing dumplings evenly. Cover pot tightly and reduce heat to medium low. Steam dumplings 8 to 10 minutes. Remove cover and stir chicken and dumplings to thicken sauce a bit. Stir peas into the pan, remove chicken and dumplings from heat and serve in shallow bowls.

Makes: 8 servings

Serving size: 1/8 recipe

LA Exchange: 1/2 Protein, 2 Vegetables, 1 Starch, 1 Fat, 1 Condiment

Please remember to use this recipe in moderation while in your weight loss program for continued success.

I cannot find the other recipe, but it is greek turkey burgers that you serve in pita halves. Basically, you mix ground turkey with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, form into patties, and grill. You serve them in pita halves with RF feta cheese, FF sour cream, and cucumber slices. They are so yummy. I have served them when have had friends over a few times, and they always are a hit.

Katy - That is, indeed, the NC State symbol behind me. I am not a graduate (ECU actually), but my DH is a HUGE fan and attended a few years. I'm a bit of a convert because we have season tickets for football. It's hard not to be a fan when you attend the games. :)

People, I know this will sound made up, but sitting outside my office *right now*, staring me in the eyeball, is a chocolate CARAMEL cheesecase, which is topped with almond BROWNIES and then drizzled all over with chocolate. Not a word of a lie. It's someone's birthday today and some genius brought this monstrosity in to share. Eeek. I'm sitting here eating a lemon lite and trying to convince myself the sticky chocolatey goodness would actually taste quite awful.

At this rate I'll eat all my food for the day while I sit here and stare at that thing. I MUST resist as WI this morning had me up 1.6...WTF? TOM is due within the week, but technically, I am capable of losing during TOM, and I have for the last two months.

Anyway...moving on...

Joni -- Thanks for your thoughts on my drippy dog. I have thought of a diaper, but typically they make them for the real little guys. Maybe I could just cut a hole in one of DS's pullups to put his tail through.

Liza -- You're not kidding, this site is the reason I'm still following this plan, even if my losses have not come as quickly as I expected. Seeing others DOING IT when you're not feeling like you can, really really helps.

Katie -- WTG on the movie! I'm going to see Harry Potter at the drive in this weekend, so I was thinking of doing something similar. I'll pop my own popcorn, bring a lite and some cherries. Yum!

Snowdogs -- Thank you so much! That's great help and advice. I will pull his crate out again. He never does this in our presence, so it's only while we are at work or overnight. I think I'll trade up and get a crate that is slightly bigger. The one he has now is big enough for him, but leaves no room for food dishes if we were to feed him in there. He's about 18 inches high at the shoulder and weighs 20lbs, so on the small side of medium or the big side of small...lol. We've been using a bleach solution on the spots where he went, but I'll have to invest in the products you mentioned to really eliminate the smell. We want to replace the laminate floor we have now, but we were kind of waiting to see how this pee problem worked out. I do feel totally guilty. When I adopted Goliath he was 11 weeks old, and as soon as he was up to date on his shots we started going ot the local dog park daily (15-20 acres of leash free fun). Then I got married and it dropped to a couple of times a week. Now since I've had the baby it's down to a few times a year! Poor puppy, huh? At least I have him his very own boy to play with...lol.

Amy -- Well I love that your FE-MIL loves you the way you are, but it does sound a little like sabotage. Good luck sticking to your guns about what you want to eat this weekend.

Lettie -- If you can't get around to printing all your pics you can upload them (for free) to a site like photobucket until you are ready to print them. I'd hate for you to lose them.

Angie- When you cut into that cheesecake brownie thing, maggots will come crawling out.

Angie - STEP AWAY FROM THE CHEESECAKE!! It's not as good as it looks, oh who am I kidding, it's probably delicious. But, think how proud you'll be at the end of the day because you didn't give in to the temptation.

Oh Katie, you kill me!!! :rofl:

I just have to say that I'm having such a good day...

I brought my DD to work with me and took her to ballet camp this morning. On the way there...I could see her in my rear view mirror...she closed her eyes, bowed her head, folded her hands, and said, "Thank you Jesus Lord for my family. Amen." OMG!!! I could have cried. That was the first time she ever prayed without being told - I mean asked:) So, then I picked her up after camp and we went to the university where her preschool is. We sat on a park bench and had lunch and watched the squirrels. Then we took a little walk to her school. She gave me a big kiss and said, "Thanks mom". I am one proud and happy momma right now.:cloud9:

Tina--that is soooooo sweet!

Cathleen--the reality of just how good that cheesecake is just sucks!! lol

Katie....you crack me up!

OK people, any sage words of wisdom?

My COD informed me that I couldn't count the slim-fast optima as a slimdown until maintenance. Why? (But I can do their slimdown now)

They completely poo poo'd my 8 lb weight loss on the summer meltdown and I can only assume it's because I did it with zone bars and slim fast. This 8 lb weight loss is on the tail end of a 2 month period of not moving the scale and them offering NO help. Then to top it all off she basically called me a liar and read from the Byetta website about what the side affects should be and how to counteract them. Like I haven't done what it said. I couldn't even respond at that point. I just nodded, said ok and left.

Oh and to close, now that I'm not doing the meltdown and I'm back "on plan" I've gained 4 lbs. <shrug>

Oh and the cheesecake maggot thing is absolutely true. I believe there's also grapefruit membrane involved as well but I have not actually seen that part.

Katie how was the Harry Potter movie - I think it was you I saw who had seen it?

Shannon - I know that when I substitute a non-LAWL item, I write down the LAWL item name. Cowardly, I know, but it helps me avoid the 'tsk tsk-ing" from the counselors.

And hey, 8 pounds is AWESOME!!!! How can they not give you kudo's for that???? Toads.

Oh, and I'd like to add that the chocolate gooey-ness on the cheesecake is not in fact chocolate, Angie. It is something much more disgusting.....

Wendy - too cool. My sister and her DH have season tickets and we try to go down for at least one game a year. Maybe we can meet up:)

Things our dogs have eaten? My schnauzer ate a pack of crayons, was quite pretty when it came out! My darling kids wanted to take a picture of the rainbow colored poop! LOL

Oh, and I'd like to add that the chocolate gooey-ness on the cheesecake is not in fact chocolate, Angie. It is something much more disgusting.....

True fact. That and roaches will be around at the end.

Did she have any of the cheesecake??

Ok I can do some personals now but I'm only going back two pages!

Dan - I sure hope Zevely doesn't get kicked around like I do. He's probably my favorite field reporter to watch. What a great and seemingly happy go lucky personality! I can see him doing bits on Leno on field reporting.. he's got that "It Factor" for sure. Stay away from MC D's today! I know what life out of a vending machine and drive thru is like... there must be some healthy alternative out there! Good luck getting through your day.

Snowdogs - I agree on the crate training thing. My only issue with it is that Mom fear in me about leaving them in a crate when no one is home. What if there were a fire? Good job on your jog last night! I'm sure the doggies loved it too!!!!

Amy - Thanks for the heads up on the oil refinery! Sorry to hear about the sabotage with BF's Mom. I've had friends who are upset over me trying to lose weight because they don't want to feel guilty about their fat. Just stay strong and remember your friends here when those temptations are there! We will cheer you on for passing them up!

Wendy - good luck with everything going on. I wish I had some words of wisdom but I don't. Karen seemed to have gone through the worst so I'd listen to her. If you're expecting that much and it's not that bad then you'll feel like it was easy!

Nicole - I hope your DS is having a good recovery. The Popsicles, Ice Cream and Jello made things better for me when I had mine taken out. You mean I can have all I want? Can you take something else out too???? lol

Kim - Too funny about the tinsel! I've had that with Easter grass too... At least they keep it festive.

Renee - I had one slumber party for my Mini Me when she turned 12 with all of the girl scouts. Never again. There was never a point in that 24 hours that one of them wasn't crying. I'd ask them why and got "I don't knowwwwwww" I was tempted to give them all Midol sprinkles on their sundaes.

Lettie - That sounds like a very nice date with your DH. Your love is just as important as your weight. Don't feel guilty for such an nice time.

Heather - I love Mahi Mahi! I grill it with a Caribbean Jerk Sauce marinade. Yummy! Good luck with your DFD today! I understand the hamburger fit. I could smell them all over the place while I was on my bike ride last night. Apparently you weren't the only one craving them!

Angie - I hope the others have devoured that cheesecake by now and it is no longer in site! My office manager brought in bear claws this morning. I wasn't that tempted by them and said no right away even though others were saying "Oh come on you can have one!" One of them would be the same co-worker who posted my description as "on the heavy side" on a public message board.

Katie - that visual is just too funny! Yea, that would do it!

Well I was up 2 lbs on my home sclae this morning. WTH? Maybe post-sodium water retention from Tuesday's crackers? Usually a good bike ride brings me down at least 1/2 lb. I think I'll skip WI today and see if it's back down again tomorrow.

The work stuff is still present, but I'm trying to shrug it off. Others in the business see me as a professional and have given me some really great compliments. I'll keep those in mind and hold my head up high that I am where I am because of my hard work and knack for what I do. I've never played games or manipulated like others have and never will. I'll sleep well at night knowing this.

Now that the tummy bug seems to be over, I have a sore throat (occupational hazard) and I'm going to lay down for a bit between shifts.

I wish all of you a very happy POP day!

EVERYONE STEP AWAY FROM THE KEYBOARD!!! (just kidding!)
I just FINALLY finished catching up on the 13 pages on just this thread! I was doing personals until I realized I had typed Liza, sorry you're feeling bad, maybe it will pass tonight... Followed by Liza, sorry you've got the flu, hang in there... Followed by Liza, glad you're feeling better... (good grief!)
So, I'm ditching the personals from the last gazillion pages and just doing what I remember...
First, why hasn't someone told Angie that the cheesecake came out of their dog's butt?!? Seems like a perfectly reasonable possibility! :rofl:
Debbie - I'm actually good with stuff around here. I'm the one that works on the 'puter, I do electricity (I installed all our light fixtures when we built our house), I do plumbing, (sink fixtures, leaks), I fixed my friends washing machine and I took 2 broken phones and made one that worked for a previous employer... so THERE!!! :lol3:
Snowdogs - I haven't bowled since I blew out my knee bowling over a year ago but I do love it! The job has been a blessing and I love the customers. Get that bowling ball out and find yourself a lane. It's a great workout! ;)
Joni - You already figured out a way to find me at the bowling alley, so come on over with that dusted off ball and hopefully a new pair of socks! I'll save a lane for ya! :hug:
As you all can see the 'puter is working. My boss replaced my modem with the one in his 'puter since he's using DSL at home. Such a great friend! I'll be smoking a salmon this weekend to repay him for the use of his truck and for fixing my 'puter.
Well, since I've been out here over two hours catching up... and I still haven't read any of the other threads... I better get going.

Hi everyone.....

First off - Pearl, sometimes I find myself wanting to yell at my computer..."Slow Down" when I can't catch up with the posts and just when I think I've caught up with the reading I look up and there's two more pages.:lol: This is a good thing though....lots of support!!

Ooops! I hit the wrong key and my message went before I was finished.....

Anyway....

Barbara - keep up the good work on maintenance!

Felicia - packing is the pitts.....on the positive side....at least your getting lots of squats, knee bends, etc. in while packing.

Liza - good luck at work...I hope things get better. Can I go to Mexico too....I could use a break.

Candle Princes - WTG on the loss!

Nicole - hope your DS is on the mend and feeling better

Joni - I love keylime anything....it's okay you had a piece....you have to endulge every once in a while or you'd go bonkers!! Thanks for the cool whip/ready whip comparison - good to know.

Katie - congrats on 4 POP days in a row...

Kristen - hope you had fun on your park play date with the girls, heres hoping the rain stayed away...

Snowdogs - WTG on the jog - I always feel much better after a work out...good luck with your WI

Dan - sorry about DS feeling ill- hopefully he'll feel better tonight and you and Liz can catch up on your sleep.

BoosMom - happy school shopping

Lettie - mmmmmmmm PF Changs - I love it there - sending good luck vibes to you and your DH for the job

Heather - I've never cooked Mahi Mahi - but have had it in a restaurant before and it was delish!

Tina - Soulds like you have a sweety there - my girls still leave me little notes that say "Thanks for all you do, MOM" or "Have a great Day" or "I love you Mom"....You never lose that proud feeling when they do something like that - it's great - makes you realize that maybe you did something right while raising them.

I have had two terrible days in a row.....I was good yesterday until supper when I had two slices of pizza....I know that the Carb Cravers says you can have two slices but not with pepporoni ....I was so mad at myself afterward..then I got up with good intensions this morning, went to the gym but forgot my breakfast and only had fruit (I usually eat a protein due to the morning work out)at the office so I was starving. Had to run an errand so I went through the Chick-fil-A drive thru and got 8 chicken nuggets.....shame on me but they were so good. So today for lunch I just had 12 baby carrots and 9 cherries and a bottle of water and sf jello. Hopefully, I will be good tonight!!! Due to my bad behavior, I probably washed out my 2.6 loss for the week. WI is tomorrow......speaking of WI....did I read on here somewhere that most people don't WI three times a week. MY COD requires that I WI three times a week. Am I the only one?

Snowdogs - I totally agree with crate training. Roux has always been crated when we leave the house. He doesn't associate it with punishment. He - big horse of a dog that he is - apparently finds it cozy and reassuring. He's the one who runs to his crate during thunderstorms, paws the door shut and whines until someone latches it! We've tried several times to let him sleep out of his crate at night. He always starts in somebody's bedroom - usually DD's - but ends up in his crate within an hour after everyone is asleep!

Felicia--Boo likes her crate too--it must feel very safe and cozy. She goes in every night around 10:30 so we know it must be bedtime! Otherwise she only goes in whent here are a lot of people (especially kids) at the house.

School supply shopping is always fun--I make fun of DD but I love it too--always end up with way more than I could possibly need--hence the hall closet full of "extras"--as a parent, teachers love me!

Off to pack--not my fave!

Carrie ,
I have to WI 3 times a week sometimes it is not possible, but they get a little upset when I cannot come.
I usually go Monday Wednesday and Fridays..... Tonight is my night off LOL
Had a really good day today and the weather is finally nice here in Toronto. Was extremely hot on Monday and Tuesday but has really cooled off today and yesterday.
Nice to have the windows open again. I love the A/C when it is hot but really prefer my windows open and fresh air coming in.
Hope everyone had a fantastic day!!!!!

Our COD likes more WIs when you're first starting the program so they can help you see why you slip up if you are having problems. We've never gone in more than twice a week.

Angie - oooh good idea! (on the photos!) I will do that. My computer usually gives me about 5-10 min before the blue screen pops up.

Katie - MAGGOTS!?!? oh my......... that should do it!

yes it would be Cathleen that is Nicoles twin!!

Tina, oh how sweet!!!! it is those moments that make it all worth it!!!

Shannon - oh poop on the COD!!! that is why you have us. as far as the slim fast. I just write "slimdown" in my log anytime I use a substitute I write down their product. they never check to see if I have been buying any!

Liza - So there are no calories in the presence of LOVE! I'll take that! ;)

I finally bought some Lunas today. mmmm they are yummy! nice change of pace from the LA Bars. I just had the peanut butter cookie..... very tasty. I am done buying bars from the COD. I just can't throw that kind of money away anymore. I have 5 bulk boxes left and then it will be Lunas or something.

On a postive note!!! I got on my tread mill for the first time in ..............WEEKS!!! well....... probably even 3 months!!!! My 10 year old loves to run. as I always have. and she has run several 5Ks with me. well she has decided to run 1 mile every morning and every evening...... so not to be shown up I am doing 30 min, AM and PM.

Still no word on the job. but we are trying to figure out what we can do here some more. we are on the verge of starting another business.......... might let the tree service go. but thinking about some other options....


k. I have had a busy day and I think I am due for a movie and a bit of veggitating!!

Katie/Kim/Shannon/Pearl/Cathleen -- Thank you for letting me know about the maggots and poo. I knew it looked suspect! I didn't eat a bit. Now, if only I could take back the handful of chips I ate while staring at it.

Tina -- That is really cute!

Shannon -- Hmm...I'd say just tell them you are using their product and don't mention the slimfast stuff. If they ask where you got it say a friend gave it to you, or that you ordered it from online.

Joni -- Have you put out an APB on Julie yet? We need to know how she and Josie are doing.

Carrie -- I WI three times per week too, religiously. I don't use my sclae at home at all, so I need to go in to know what's going on.

Lettie -- Good luck with your brainstorming on new businesses! How about getting a realtors license? I'm thinking of doing that here.

Angie, funny you should say that!! I just said that to my husband this afternoon. Actually the business we are working on has something to do with his 3D art. so we'll see

Hello Fellow Chick-a-dees and Chick-a-dude:

Good news! I went to WI today and I have lost another pound!!! Yeah me! I am heading out in the morning to a cabin in the mountains for some "New School Year" planning. My Principal, Assistant Principal, School Secretary, Instructional Coach and I are staying the night (all girls). I work with the greatest group of ladies. I am really looking forward to spending some time with them. I miss my co-workers. Weird, huh? Anyway, they called me when they were planning the meals to be sure we were having things I could eat...God Love'em!

Liza - Your cat strong is too funny! I can only imagine the look on your guests' faces! Ditto regarding this group of LAWL chicks - they are GREAT! Kudos for braving the slumber party. You might be onto something with the Midol sprinkles. We could start our mornings with ice cream sundaes. My drama queens could have the Midol sprinkles and my ADHDers could have Ritalin Syrup or Concerta Chips! :idea:

Felicia - The Cool Whip tub sounds painful! That's funny. My Sadie runs to her crate, too. If we are outside and something scares her she runs to the big crate in the garage. If she is inside, off the leash, and has an "accident" and sees that I see the "accident"... she runs into her sleeping crate.

Joni - Thanks for the info on the "Whip".

Katie - Wow! You were really good at the movies. I never thought to smuggle my own popcorn! I will remember that. And 4 days POP -- :woohoo: And the recipes sound scrumptious. I will have to try them.

Snowdogs - Thanks for the dog info. Sadie isn't fully trained either. Her crate stays in my son's bedroom because she sleeps in it at night so if I can't watch her constantly I usually put her on a leash and attach it to the door handle in the room I am in. She is learning to get my attention if I haven't taken her out and she needs to go. I just wish I could let her roam the house. It has been better since I have been home for the summer.

Amy - Wow! So proud you stuck with it during the Poker night. Good luck with BF's mom.

Kimphin - Tinsel? What a surprise!

Boo - Yes. It will pass but I think it is great you attended the seminar. Moms need to be aware and really keep that communication line open with their daughters. Being a preteen or adolescent these days really is hard ... on everyone. BTW, what is your current job?

Lettie - Those phone interviews really are unpredictable. He probably did better than you think. And if not, he wouldn't want to work for those fuddy-duddies anyway, right?

Heather - I'm sure DFD will do fine. Little ones are more resilient then us most of the time.

Wendy - ECU? I attended my first two years of college at WCU. I loved Cullowhee. Being a mountain lover, I was in paradise! But by my third year I decided I had better get back to Georgia since I still didn't really know what I wanted to do. The out-of-state tuition wasn't awful but it was more than the University of Georgia. So I finished there... the first and second time (masters). Then attended Lincoln Memorial University's satellite site in Knoxville for my Educational Specialist. What can I say? I love learning! Oh, and my father's family is from Reidsville, NC. (tobacco farmers). I've made many a trip up 85 over the years.

Angie - A pull-up...good idea! My Sadie has two crates. Well, actually the second one is Scout's (the golden retreiver) but Sadie stays in it while I am at work with a pee pad (ssshhhhh, don't tell snowdog). Many days she doesn't even use the pee pad. She will hold it until we get home. But she has lots of room and lots of toys to keep her busy... including a Kong.

Tina - DD sounds like an angel. Cherish those moments.

Shannon - Hey! I'm new. Nice to me you. WTG on the 8 lbs. Don't let the folks at your COD get you down. You know best what works for you and I have found lots more information and help in this forum than from any weight loss center. Hang in there.

Kim - Rainbow poop? Now that would be an interesting sight.

Carrie - I WI three times a week, too.

Got to go pack! Keep POP!

Evening All
Hope you all had a good day.. I somehow have no craving for cheesecake now.. unless of course it is a B Wizard Cheesecake flavored. Had a great day with the girls at the park and off to have some pork stirfry and a liquid fruit spritzer.. if I'm going to gain while exercising I'm determined to have a few wee indulgences!!!!
Look forward to catching up with you all tomorrow!

Kristen

Renee--long story, but in a nutshell--I am an aide. Nothing wrong with that BUT.... I was a registrar for 3 years, I taught high school english in arizona for 5 years, have a Masters in Educational Leadership, so I never dreamed when we moved (almost 2 years ago) I would have a hard time getting a teaching position. I sat out the first year by choice, then there wasn't an opening so I took the aide job (ISS & 6th grade PE--half day each) and I love what I do but the 2/3 paycut pisses me off more than anything. So far there has only been one secondary opening this year in the 2 schools I want to work at--I shouldn't complain--we are a pretty big district in a pretty small town and I am VERY choosy as to where I want to work for my girls sake so I have limited myself. Aren't you glad you asked?? Lol

Felicia- Awww, you're little helper..."shelp" too cute!

Heather - CONGRATS on your 3lb loss! :yay:

Amy - I feel much better...thanks for asking! Eyeballing my portions totally works in my favor...sneaky aren't we?

Joni - Love the Cool Whip stats! And thanks for the subject change...ribbons and tubs ...animal butts...oh my!

Katie - Thanks for sponsoring the new challenge...you rock! I will post on the thread :)Congrats on your NSV during Harry Potter...you are strong girl...strong I say!

Krispie - WTG on getting back to goal...you will lose the other 5lbs in no time...your our superstar!
Snowdogs- I will keep my fingers (and toes) crossed for your WI tomorrow. I am sure you will see excellent results.
Tina - all I can say is "AWWWWWWWW" your DD story was just precious.
Pearl - You're HIRED! Come on over :)
Lettie - Good job on the exercise! Doesn't it make you feel so much better?
Good news..I was down another 1lb today! Yippee!! Of course I am not quite back to my ticker weight but close. I have to visit the COD for more supplies...I'm SCARED....might be a drive by :)
:dust:

Pearl - too funny! Maybe I'm updating a little too much in here... I talk too much? Funny... I've never heard that before *sarcasm*

Tina - OMG I love those moments! I miss Mini-Me when she really was mini. She was raised in the studio too. I used to bring her porta crib in and when she outgrew that, push the lobby chairs together to make a little bed. One time my Program Director was in the studio chattering away and I had to do a break. He was still talking to him and my daughter tugged on his arm, pointed to the "on air" sign and sssshhh'd him. He stood there in shock that a 4 year old had to tell him the mic was open....

Angie - good job staying away from the maggot infested cheesecake that came from the dog's butt. I'll never look at cheesecake the same again. Thanks gals!

Renee - That sounds like a really fun retreat to the mountains! Have a good time and stay POP! Congrats on the loss!

Kristen - Enjoy your indulgences! Many moons ago I was a lifeguard and when we were practicing lake sweeps I would get out of that cold water STARVING! I ate the worst things possible.. a big bucket of curly fries dripping in grease and a corn dog. Yet.. I was in the best shape ever. You might want to talk to a counselor about the swimming.. I think you need more calories.

I finally got to talk to Mini-Me today after trying to get a hold of her for a week. I was getting upset because her cell phone was turned off. Turns out she put it in her suitcase and the zipper broke so it was locked in there until her Grandma helped her retrieve it today. I have to say I feel so relieved after talking to her. In the past every time she goes to her Dad's she's very disconnected with me. Doesn't want to talk to me on the phone and is a different person when she comes home. We've always had to have the "debugging phase" for a few days before she's back into the swing of things. This time, she LOVES talking to me and telling me all about what she's been doing and what we'll do together when she comes home. Just two more weeks until she comes home. I'm getting used to having some free time and being able to do what I please (as much as that is possible with the insane work schedule) and having a clean house all of the time. I still miss my little buddy though and I know by next week I'll be over this break.

I'm having a glass of liquid fruit now and debating on the bike ride. I did 5 floors of stairs twice today and am considering that exercise. I know at 9PM I'll feel guilty and go for that ride anyway.

Debbie I just saw that you posted as I was posting. I've been meaning to say this for a while but your picture is just adorable. It's rare that I see this, but you have a certain aura about you. I can't wait to see you skinny!

I didn't do so well today.

I took the kids to daycare - well, DD to daycare and DS to Mother's Day Out - and went to work in my classroom. The custodian still hasn't moved my filing cabinets or my bookshelf into my new room so there's a lot I still can't get unpacked. I ran off stuff for the kids' morning work folders for the entire year - yes, the year! I was pretty impressed, too! - and then just piddled while my little fridge was outside defrosting. When the last chunk of ice fell out and onto the ground, I lugged the fridge back inside, plugged it in, and left. As I was leaving, it occurred to me that I had fogotten to eat breakfast and had forgotten my Lite and mid-morning snack. So my lunch at Subway was the first food I'd eaten all day. I managed to get everything in after that, but I'm not anticipating happy things at the COD tomorrow!

Hi friends. I was good all day.......and then I ate like a fat girl at dinner. OOPs, lol.

Thank you for all of your well wishes for DS. He is doing quite well for day 4 post op. But let me tell you.......his breath smells like someone crawled into his mouth and died. Eww.

It will be a while before I am home, so I will try to keep up on reading, but won't have much time to post. Thanks for missing me :)

Hi Lettie :)

I hope everyone is having a fun summer, and everyone who is traveling, be safe and have a great time. Man, I totally miss you guys.

Ok, I have to get to bed.........I'll try to check in tomorrow.

and even though I have been a total slacker, I am going to send in my official sign up for the chicks to the finish challenge.........and I'm gonna win :)
XOXO

ok....I fixed the mahi mahi for dinner.....I have to do something better. I didn't like it. I am certain it was how i cooked it....and seasoned it...so I will try again. Now....DFS LOVED it......

DFD did okay today being a little more independent...not needing to be held every single second. Then DADDY got home....she crawled over to the gate and WHINED like I had not even touched her all day, tears formed and everything. So what did DADDY do?????? He reached down and picked her up....and said "oh precious Di did mommy leave you alone today?" And he laughed. I just rolled my eyes and walked away. She has her daddy wrapped around that sweet little finger......and if the truth be told....i hope it stays that way for a long time!

Everyone have a good day tomorrow and stay OP! Later!

Thanks for the time you all take to check this site and post replies. I can't tell you how much it is helping me to log on here once a day! I am so happy I found you all and thank you for including me.

Good Morning All! I have WI today. My scales are showing down but anything can happen between now and my 11:30 appt. A gal can retain a lot of water in that length of time:)

Heather - I have a hard time finding recipes that I like and can cook. Cooking healthy takes more time and I'm always rushed and I think it is just so diff from how we are used to cooking. I've done the baked ck parmesan in the LAWL book and it was pretty good. DH and DD like it to.

Nicole - You really brought back memories with the breathe comment. It was bad and made those big hugs pretty hard to take:) It does go away though.

Felicie - Hope packing is continuing on with a little less "help". Just think though when you get moved she already has that part down pat:)

Carrie and Lynn - My COD recommends 3X per week but there is not way I can do that. I started out going 2X and am now down to 1. Should probably consider going back to 2, it does keep you a little more motivated.

Lettie - You've convinced me to try the Lunas. I need a little change since the only bars I like now are the Caramel and Choc Crunch.

Renee - WCU is in my backdoor. I grew up about 30 minutes from there and still live fairly close (Asheville). In fact my sister graduated from there. I went to a local tech school and then transferred to Montreat. Where are you in NE GA - my MIL lives in Rayle.....it is a tiny little place close to Elberton.

Snowdogs and all - We have a 1 yr old rat terr..kinda like a jack russel. She eats anything and everything including one of DD's socks and an entire container of bird seed. YIKES! Sticks are her very fav.

Hello to everyone out there. Have a great day!

Hey everybody! Logged in last night and just finished reading everything this morning. LOL. No seriously though, I did log in last night after not being on in ages. Just couldn't sit long enough to do read anything...two small kids most times means no time to yourself.

Welcome to all Newbies!

Allanah- Happy Belated!

Debbie- Glad to see you posting! Plateaus...argh.

KrispieD- It seems like we have the same stuff going on with exercise and the evil scale. I'm going to keep exercising...but with the scale tricks, now I can see why my old center told me not to exercise. I think I will come out on top on this one though.

Lettie- glad to read you are getting back into the swing of things.

Karen- KUTGW = Keep Up The Good Work Sorry, it took me so long to reply to that.

That's all my stressed out mind can remember at the moment...you guys can type a whole lot.

As far as me, (long story, as usual) I have been on "well, let's switch your plan" avenue all week. I got switched to plan 3, then 4 regular, then 4 LA Express...My whole body is confused. Although, I had a physical done in Jan and bloodwork done last summer while I was pregnant, LAWL dieticians now want me to see a doctor as they can not explain why I am gaining. Could it be that I am working out 3600+ mins a week???? Could it be that no one at the center believes that??? (That's what hurts..)Why, I said that is because I joined a gym this week and got a trainer. He asked me how minutes a week I had been "truly" working out...I was scratching my head when he said this, but then he said, "As your trainer, I want to tell you that if you are working out, you are not either doing your sets properly, not working out long enough, or following a good diet because your work is not physically showing." I wasn't offended because I asked him to be honest about my body and my weight loss goals and also, I know I have been very honest about my food intake and exercising. So, he took my body fat which is 39%...it does not match my weight after doing all the calculations. So then he says, "We really need to change your diet so we can really start to see more muscle." I had to smile...vindication. So, my new muscle is explaining the "weight gain". After showing him my LAWL plan, he said in concept, the plan is great as the category type of foods, P, S, V, F. However, the choices are very interpretive and could actually hold onto fat. Of course he said high sugared fruits such as melons, mango, strawberries, the so-called SF yogurts still have up to 20 grams of sugar, then guess what else he said...LA LITES. Are we at all shocked??? He said some people can do the plan with so many choices, then there are folks like me whose choices need to be restricted and have to eat apples and blueberries instead of melons and strawberries because it will slow my fat loss while exercising. He said it looks like one can be successful at losing weight on the LA Weight Loss plan by just following it with minimal exercising or none at all, but the loss would also include most of your muscle, which equals metabolism. I want my metabolism or I would need to eat on LAWL for the rest of my life and be nervous about what I put in my mouth, at all tims. Can't do it...I just can't live that way. Processed foods...crackers, most cheeses, LA Lites, etc. are to be very limited or removed while I am training. All I can say is WOO HOO!!! NO MORE NASTY LA LITES!!! Plus, I am to stay off the scale. That's impossible as I have to weigh in 3x p/wk, but I will try my best to ignore the scale numbers and focus on inches lost. I have actually lost 17 inches since joining in Feb, so, I must be doing something right. My trainer is not a certified nutritionist, but of course there a few at my gym, so I am getting a letter to take to the center next week. Plus, I am going to the Nutrional Ctr of Atlanta next week, to get another letter...just in case. Well, I'm only doing what LAWL asked me to do??? Anyhoo, I hope my situation is encouraging to someone who is going through the same thing I am going through. Now, I can stop beating myself up about this weight and take a "chill pill".

Well, I gotta go. Joni- I am going to donate a gift card rather than money since I don't think I will be able to participate in the challenge. I will pick it up this weekend I guess...Have a POP day EVERYONE!!

Letisha
Thanks for checking in.. if you get a list of approved and non approved foods like some of the ones you mentioned would you share with me? I am so frustrated with this gain. When I weighed in last week I was up 3lbs and when I go in tomorrow I'm going to be up another 2. I am certain with my being on maintenance that my COD is not going to believe that I am swimming 5 miles a week but instead that I must not be coping well now that I am on my own and weighing in twice a week. It is one of life's great mysteries that you can gain when exercising :) I'll have to take some measurements now too and maybe a before picture as I am going to need SOMETHING to keep me focussed while this scale climbs up. I talked to my mom about it yesterday and she has already been at me thinking I am getting 'too small' and not eating enough. I told her I am 160 lbs not 120 and anorexic.. also I bet I eat more in a day than she does. Anyhoo I told her about gaining 7lbs which she completely pushed aside but I said you have to understand after being overweight for 31 years, then working so hard for 10 months to get it off.. to see 7lbs creeping back up on the scale is really hard to take. But I knew my forum gals and Rooster Dan would understand so thus I confess.
Girls are in school today so it's time to right the house, get caught up on my work emails and recover from a full and crazy mommy day with them yesterday.
There have been no trips to get a B Wizard but there have a been a few liquid fruit spritzers.. on plan might I add.

Keep working hard everyone!

Good morning everyone!

Pearl- So glad your puter is fixed! And, wow, on the cheesecake. I had no idea. So that is why it is so bad for us!!!

Nicole- Good to see you, now you had better let your inner skinny girl out to defeat the "fat girl" eating!

Liza- Liquid fruit, then a bike ride? This I must see! Glad that you heard from Mini Me.

Katy- GL @ WI!

Carrie- Today is a new day! Don't let the sins of the last two days dictate your choices today!

Renee- Great loss! Hope that you have a fun retreat!

Kim- I feel you on the rainbow poop! I have had toddlers eat crayons before with the same effect.

Debbie- Good job girl! You are melting, mellllllllting!!!

Felicia- Wow, lady you are on the stick. This school year is gonna be a breeze, at this rate.

Heather- Yeah, how would be to Daddy Fun Guy? You know, the dude who is gone all day, so does not have to deal with crying, bodily fluids, messes, etc, then gets to come home and actually enjoy the kids?

Letisha- Good luck with all of that. Hope that something starts to help.

Harry Potter- Can't remember who asked, but it was awesome!

So, I was not POP yesterday. Made a valiant effort until dinner, then ended up eat baked Zita al Forno for dinner at my moms. Not up today, but sure I will be down, either. We had major drama at daycare yesterday. One of our infants had a terrible seizure (He has mini seizures several times a week, but have not had a big for 6 weeks). I hired his mom recently, and thank goodness she was there when it happened. He turned blue, one of my staff and the mom ran to car and raced to the emergeny room. We are just a few blocks from the hospital. He was completely stiff and nonresponsive at the ER for 45minutes before they were able to get him to relax. I went to the hospital to see them last night. I got to feed him his bottle. It was heart breaking. The mom, Amy, was there, as were some of my other staff who came to sit with her. They are college students from Nevada with no family here. The dad, Preston, was at home. He just could not deal with it, I guess. Anyways, the baby is 8 months old. He was laying on his back on a hospital bed, no guard rails, nothing. Can you imagine being able to do that with an 8 month old without them falling right off? He shows so many markers for brain damage. It is really scary. Arching all the time, drooling, head in a funny postion, and never, ever cries. We finally had him rolling over, but it was clear to me last night that this seizure has set his development back again. I am waiting until a little later to call Amy and check on him. So, keep little Emerson in your prayers, won't you?

I have to go WI in a bit, cross your everythings for me!

Kristen- GL at the COD, I hope that they are kind to you. If not, I am coming up there with a stick!

And it is not a whooohoooo stick either......

Hmm.. what would we call the opposite of the woohoo stick..
Katie I need to make some more Tshirts for our company.

I'm not Fat, I'm just Exercising
I went swimming and all I got was this lousy shirt.
Whales do Float!
Swim, Swim, Swim.... GAIN

Okay stop laughing now everyone.. I take out my emotions on Tshirts as some of the oldies will tell you :)

Maybe the "watch out" stick?

Possible T shirts- "Water weighs more that muscle!" "I might be water logged, but you are ugly, and I can drink lemon water"!

Lol!!!!!!!!!

Katie - my heart just breaks for little Emerson and his parents! They will certainly be in my prayers. Sounds like they've already had such a rough road!

WI today - and I KNOW I haven't lost. This may be my first time to see a gain. Wouldn't surprise me. I haven't been very focused the past few days and have had a really hard time eating all of my food. For me, that's worse than overeating. But between packing the house and readying the classroom, my mind is understandably elsewhere!

Maybe the opposite of a woohoo stick is a poo poo stick!!

Heather--if you are going to ignore that baby all day then I am on my way to Indiana to get her--I could quit my job and hold her all day long!!! Sounds like she has daddy right where she wants him--and both deserve it! At 37 I am STILL a daddy's girl. I am so happy for you.

Nicole--I totally forgot about the breath--even with major warnings we were not prepared for THAT--yuck!

Debbie--I am so glad you are feeling better and back to chatting with us!

Liza--enjoy your break--it will be back to the real world before you know it.

Katy--good luck at WI!

Kristen--I hate to see you frustrated--just know that it will work itself out--easy to say, hard to hear I know. You have done such a fabulous job taking care of yourself and I can't imagine how exercise could eve be a bad thing.

Letisha--glad you are getting some answers from someone--hopefully your PT can get your body moving in the right direction. I agree--with all you are doing right something has to give--and I hope sooner rather than later!

Love the T-shirt ideas!

Katie--the story of Emerson just breaks my heart. Just another to add to my list of great things in my life--healthy kids. GL @ WI.

morning Felicia!

Hi all,

I am trying to catch up on personals, but it is hard. I have not had a chance to sit down at home until at least 9:30 each night, other than grabbing a quick bite for dinner. Last night I was up until 10:30 just doing chores. I have also been so hungry! I wonder if it is all of the increased activity even though it is not officially “exercise”.

I am only down 3+ lbs total weight but according to my scale (haven’t updated ticker, gained a few oz), I’m down 4 lbs body fat. :carrot: I also am not spilling over the top of my smaller jeans (you know how ugly that can be) and buckling my belt one notch smaller. This is the smallest I’ve had my belt since I had ds (15 months ago). I know this is working and I need to drink more water and less diet coke. I think the diet coke makes me hungry and the water fills me up.

Take care and have a great weekend!

LOL Renee ! (about the wee pad) 1 thing though - crates should be just big enough for them to stand up, turn around & lay down - no bigger - especially while potty training. They do NOT want to go where they sleep/lay - that will help teach them to hold it. Since she does it some days - you know she CAN hold it.
Once potty trained - then you can make/buy the crate bigger.

Leashing to the door is a good idea - but what works better is leash them to YOU. Is it a small dog? If so, move the crate during the day and put it back in the room at night - just an idea.

Can ya'll tell I like dog stuff more than weight loss :-) LOL

Weigh in.... Why is it when you're hoping & praying and believe you'll see a loss because you've been GOOD - You don't...??? I was up 1 lb today.
Not getting in funk about it though - it's just made me want to hit the gym and get my butt in gear.
***even though I know too much at the gym will make me gain more - but there it's a good gain, right ! :-)

I'm not changing my ticker for this lb - I plan on making it's stay very short lived. LOL

It's all about the small steps Holly.. a few ounces up should not be cause for concern.. We lose and gain that much constantly through the day...

Felicia - Same goes for you.. Don't sweat it.. If you gain, you've gained.. The point of this plan is that you're now in a position to do something about it when it happens.. We can't dwell on past gains... If you screwed up, slap yourself on the wrist and promise yourself and your family that you'll do better tomorrow...

Letisha! Great to see you!

Marleymom.. Glad you've found a place to come and share your journey (boy that sounds corny)...

Good morning to the rest of ya!!! Busy day today, but I'll be around as usual.

Be one with your POP!

Good morning all.

Katie.........that poor little baby. My DS had a seizure last year, which they called an impact seizure caused by a horrific fall at the YMCA pool last year. It seemed like it lasted forever, and it was the scariest thing I have ever seen. Luckily, he suffered no damage and the docs figured it was an isolated event. They did a CAT scan to make sure there was no brain damage. I cannot imagine how Emmerson's parents are feeling right now, watching their baby lie there listless. Your post made me cry. God will take care of them. When I hear things like this, that is all I can think because somedays things like this are just too hard to bear.

Oh, and girl....take your own advice.......shut that fat girl up at dinner!!!

Kristen......I am sooo sorry that you are having sclae drama. I commend you for continuing to exercise even though the sclae is trying to ruin your life. Just clean your house like a madwoman today, and then you will at least feel like you are in control of SOMETHING. I truly LMAO when I read about how you were going to try to be nice to EMIL. I have to go to my EMIL's house today for lunch......and I am afraid to eat her food. I have had too many incidents with cat hair.........ewww. Also, one time......actually the first time I went there for dinner she made lasagna and garlic bread sticks........and as she took the breadsticks out of the oven, she said, "oh, don't anyone eat this one......I cut myself while making them and bled on this one......." EWWWWWWWWWWW!!! I have never been able to eat much there since then. Maybe this will help me stick to plan today........lol.......ewwwwwwww.

Lea Ann......have a great trip :)

Liza........I had a dream I was flying in your helicopter with you last night. It was really rather scary.....but in an adventurous way.......lol.

Hi Kims, and Joni and Tina and Pearl and Wendys and everyone. I have been out of the loop way to long to remember everyone's names, so I didn't even try......but soon I will be back full force.

Ok, I so want to play today......but doubt if it willl work out.........but you just never know :)
XOXO

Nicole.. if you MIL cooks for me I may lose weight.. ask her to start making me some suppers. Thanks for the nice hello.. and funny enough I just started a cleaning frenzy.. I do need some control over something!

MIss you too

Well today hasn't started out too well and it's been my own fault. I'm drinking water...and ate some yogurt...but not in the a "food" mood today. My DH is only working half day today so I'm sure I will kick into gear soon.

DFD has started OFFICALLY crawling. She can now go where she wants....and she loves it. But I'm getting the feeling she's not long for walking. She crawls to the couch and pulls up and stands there forever....like she's waiting for that magic moment. I love seeing how she changes each day.

DFS is starting to act more and more like a big boy. He's not too pleased about having a sister....especially one that moves! Now if we can just move on to potty training....but everything in it's time!

I've been thinking exercise lately. I'm just not sure what kind of exercise or if I should wait until I've lost more weight or what.....I saw Extreme Makeovers the other day and the lady on there had lost over 100 pounds and had soooo much excessive skin that it has scared me. I don't mean I don't want to lose the weight but I certainly am concerned. Any thoughts on this for those that have lost significant amount of weight??????

Hi Heather. I'm nearing 96 pounds of total loss..okay I WAS nearing 96lbs but closer to 90 now since I've started swimming :). I do have some skin pockets for sure but actually less than I thought I would. I have some odd bits under my arms.. you know where you wave and stop but your arms keep waving. I did get a nice 'muffin top' where what I didn't lose seems to have all pooled around my middle.. but the worst has been the twins or fun bags as my DH likes to call them.. I think they look like ballons that have been deflated for about a week and just have enough air left in them to hold them up a tad. I did go from a 40DD to a 34B and now it seems I have to fold, roll and tuck them into a bra.. SORRY DAN!!! Better we talk about boobs than sodium!!
But I think your body really figures out how to move some flab. I have told DH a dozen times I am amazed that I have lost 36" of skin.. where did it go???? You will likely have some pockets left but mine could be there also from pregnancies and nature will help you along. I do wish I'd started doing some toning exercises earlier on as when I got down to the size to buy cute clothes I had to really work hard to find ones that still hid the skin pockets. You will do well and even just walking can help you along.

Keep doing what you are doing!!

Good Morning All...

TGIF.....I love Fridays!

Renee - your retreat sounds like fun - enjoy and stay POP!

Liza - I'm glad you were able to talk to minime, hang in there, those two weeks will fly by and be gone before you know it.

Felicia - way to get ahead on the school folders!

Nicole - glad to hear DS is doing so well on his recovery

Letisha - sounds like your trainer is pretty good - hopefully he'll get things figured and you'll start seeing big losses real soon.

Kristen - I think taking measurements is a good idea....with all the exercising your doing, the gain is probably mostly muscle.:strong: Keep it up....I think you'll see positive results in the long run.

Katie - My heart is breaking for this poor family.....I worked in a daycare many years ago and one of "my" kids got ill during the day...just a running nose, low grade fever, pulling at his ears....he was 22 months old...cutest thing you've ever seen and I loved him dearly. When his mother came to pick him up, I told her about him not feeling well.....His name was Alan....Alan wasn't at day care the next day so I just figured mom had kept him home sick....the next day we got a phone call that Alan had died....it was shocking and terrible.. Mom had taken him to the emergency room because his fever had gotten really high but they sent him home and told mom it was just a virus....Alan died that night of spinal meningitus (sp)....it was very, very sad.....Alan's big sister was 4 years old and when she came back to day care she wouldn't take naps because ..."Alan went to heaven while he was asleep" and she was afraid she would go too if she went to sleep. With therapy Sarah finally was able to deal with Alan's death. The whole thing was very sad and it's been about 25 years ago this happened but I still think about Alan and his sister Sarah very often. To make things even worse, Alan's mom got pregnant several months after Alan's death but the baby died in utero at 7 months pregnant....so sad.....I left the daycare soon after this happened......about a year later I was in the hospital after the birth of my first daughter, and Alan and Sarah's mother came to see me and brought her new son just a few weeks old. We caught up on things and I was so happy that things were going so well for her and the family. Sorry, about this long sad story....your situation just made me think about it again. I will keep them in my prayers.

Holly - WTG on the losses!

Well, I have WI today....my scale has me down .4 but who knows what the COD will have. Going to oldest DD's baby shower Sunday.....becoming a grandmother is soooo exciting. I can't stop buying things though.....DGS (dear grandson) already has clothes until he is two years old. Every time I go somewhere, I find all sorts of cute stuff and I was buying so many clothes that he was never going to be able to wear them so I just started buying bigger things so he has clothes to grow in to.

Katie - I am thinking about Emerson too. It's really too sad, and I can't even imagine being the parents.

MarleysMom- welcome to our group! We are glad you are here too.

Kristen - I know that it sucks that you've gained in the past few weeks. Are you at least seeing any physical results from swimming? That is the only thing that keeps me sane lately, that I can at least see some muscle tone and definition. Otherwise, I'd drive my car into a bridge abutment. Hey - did DH ever find his ring? And, I think it should be the BOO HOO Stick.


Nicole - Glad that DS is recovering well, even if he does have the breath of 1,000 billygoats. And hey, I'll bet that your inner skinny can beat the S**t out of your outer fatty any day!!! And - you are making me laugh, then hurl a little, about your MIL. Ewww. Good luck on the lunch today.

Katy - GL at WI - I'm sure you won't retain that much water in 3 hours!!!!

Letisha - thanks for the info from the trainer. Hey , like I said to Kristen - as long as I notice changes, I'm OK.

Felicia - C'mon - all that packing and running around? You at least stayed the same, if not lost! Good luck!

Lea Ann - Hey - I forgot to post about your job - don't get too discouraged that they aren't hiring you because you cost too much. I'm sure that as people get to know you and the level of teaching you do, it will become worth it to them to hire you. Believe me, cheaper is NOT better. Administrators spend a lot of time with bad, cheap teachers, and they would really rather not! I'm sure that you will get a great job.

OK, gotta go, I truly have slacked at work this week - I went outside and trimmed the bushes yesterday! LOL - not exactly what they pay me to do!

Nicole - Glad that DS is recovering well, even if he does have the breath of 1,000 billygoats. And hey, I'll bet that your inner skinny can beat the S**t out of your outer fatty any day!!! And - you are making me laugh, then hurl a little, about your MIL. Ewww. Good luck on the lunch today.

OK, gotta go, I truly have slacked at work this week - I went outside and trimmed the bushes yesterday! LOL - not exactly what they pay me to do!


Oh, Kim, you crack me up!!! And, yeah, can you even imagine the horror.....bloody bread sticks!!! She also blessed us with furry fluffy fruit salad at our family picnic two years ago. I realize that posts about my EMIL make me sound like a total liar, cuz when I see it in print, I know I would never beleive the stories........but I sh#t you not, it is all true!!! Just when I started dating my DH, my girlfriend, Cindy, who manages the YMCA figured out who my future MIL would be. Now, Cindy is very tactful, professional, and highly respected in our community, as well as one of my best friends. She never bad mouths ANYONE, but MIL used to go to the YMCA and Cindy had to "deal" with her on a regular basis. Cindy put the names together, and asked me if this lady at the Y was indeed DH's mother. When I told her it was, she got this horrified look on her face and said, "oh, Cole, you CANNOT get serious with this guy.....his mother is a horrible person!" Pretty bad, huh? Oh well, nothing could stop our love........LMAO. Ok, have to take a shower and get ready to go visit the darling MIL. LOL.

XOXO

Kristen - Here's a few for your collection of shirt ideas...

You soak up sun... I soak up water

I went swimming and all I got was water retention!

I'm not fat, I'm spongy!

Diet bogged and water logged!

I've got a swimmers body... I just haven't found it yet!

If you can tell I've lost weight, tell me. In fact, TELL EVERYONE!

I'm losing weight, starting with my mind first!

Okay, gotta go. Today is my day "off" and I've got tons of chores to do... hmmmm, why is it that I work harder on my day off than when I go to work?!?

PS, I had leg cramps so bad for two nights straight that my leg is still sore! I'm back to eating bananas! Potassium supplements don't do it for me as well as 1/2 a banana each a.m.

I had chinese last night for the 1st time in forever so it's lemon water for me today! (and tomorrow and the next day...)
Hugs,
Blessings,

Oh, and Kim, you mean to tell me that landscaping isn't in your job description??????

Pearl......does your doc know you get leg cramps? Banana's are like the most perfect food, but do you monitor your blood pressure? If you are taking any BP meds or have trouble regulating your BP, your doc ought to know about leg cramps.........they are an important symptom and should never be ignored or put up with. We are so happy you are back :) XOXO

Oh, and Kim, you mean to tell me that landscaping isn't in your job description??????

Wow - I had to check just now. And no, suprisingly, it is one of the few things not listed!

Kim--are you sure--I thought every job description had the fine print "and other duties deemed necessary". Thanks for the reminder--I can't let them get to me because I can't stand the thought of going to work everyday in a pissy mood. DH knows it passes--I can't stay mad long--even when I really really want to!

Nicole--ICK--I am having a hard time even choking down my beloved watermelon with your EMIL stories--blech.

Carrie--it is my understanding that's exactly what grannies do! My mom is terrible and I love it--lol.

Good Morning to all--last minute packing even though we aren't leaving until around 3:00. Trying to do the last load of laundry and dishes just so they won't be really gross when we get back.

Pearl you just sent me off my chair onto the floor.!! :HUG:
DH is downstairs folding laundry and I let out a huge whoop of laughter.. he came running up to see what was going on.. but then how do I explain to him a Dang Sclae, weight gain, the whole Tshirt concept, funbags, A WooHoo/BooHoo stick and tinsel and awful cheesecake... nah best I just leave him in his happy place.. this board might scare him away!

Pearl (and anyone else who suffers from leg cramps)... I used to get all kinds of cramps in my calves... When I started working out again with a few personal training sessions, my PT had me use a foam roller (think swimming pool noodle, but bigger and more firm) on my legs...

Basically, I'd lay on my back and rest my calves on the foam roll. I'd cross one leg over the other and let my leg weight put pressure on the other (confused yet?). Then I'd very slowly scoot back and forth over the roll and stop when I hit a particularly painful spot. The pain was amazingly sharp!! I'd keep it there for 15 or 20 seconds, or until the pain became much less and then move on.

Long story longer, after a few treatments like that before a workout, I no longer have calf pain or cramps...

Basically, the roll massages the calf muscles and breaks down scar tissue on the muscles as well. This method also works well on the glutes (you know those pressure point pains you get from sleeping?) and the back...

You can pick up a foam roller any any decent sports equipment shop...

I think my next big purchase from the used sporting good store will be a punching bag. My PT has had me doing some boxing moves. He says it's a great way to get cardio in and the motions involved use a lot of muscles without building up their bulk too much...

I get leg cramps frequently when working out or doing a lot of cardio. Especially after hard or high intensity.
My PT told me to up my water. Bananas don't work for me, I eat one almost every day.

The worst is when you move while sleeping and wake up to a major calf cramp !

I hear you! Ask your PT about the rollers.. I'd be interested to hear what he/she thinks.

I'm going to the gym after work - I'll ask her if she's around.

Another thing she told me was to remember to stretch after every work out - and even at other times. Especially for me since I have a 45 min drive home from the gym - so I'm just sitting in the car.

Back from WI. I didn't lose or gain - just stayed the same. I'll take it!

I did, unfortunately, have Bland Girl as my counselor. To make matters worse, when she asked to see my journal, I couldn't find it in my purse. I did, however, find a Cinderella sandal that DD was missing this morning and SEVEN Hot Wheels cars! My kids apparently think that my purse is a great place to stow their crap!

When I laughed about the unexpected things I'd found, Bland Girl's expression never changed. She just said flatly in her usual monotone, "I don't have kids."

I'm thinking, "Or a personality!" but I bit my tongue!!

Ha! That's funny, Felicia...she obviously does not have a personality. I love finding little presents in my purse. It makes you wonder what exactly they were thinking when they put the stuff there...

Katie - My heart is breaking for Emerson's family and everyone near and dear to them. I can't even imagine how you keep the strength to go through every day while your child...I just can't imagine.:hug:

And Carrie - How scary is that?! To have a perfectly fine child one day and then gone to menigitis just like that. The loss of a child is just something that nobody should ever have to go through. Unfortunately, that's just not the way life goes...

Katie - Many thoughts and prayers for Emerson and his family !!!

She just said flatly in her usual monotone, "I don't have kids."

I'm thinking, "Or a personality!" but I bit my tongue!!

:lol3:

I am sooooo behind on this thread I will never catch up. I may just start fresh on Monday. But, Felicia, that was just really funny.

Katie - Sending some prayers to Emerson and his family.

Carrie - OMG - How horrible. I still have thoughts like what would I do if that happened to one of mine. I just can't imagine anything happening to my kids...

Felicia - it is probably a good thing she doesn't have kids:)

WI went well, down 2.2lbs from last week. Not sure how long that will last, tonight is my anniversary dinner and I plan on enjoying myself:) Probably means there will be some liquid fruit and/or starches.

I got my new plan - 3. 3P / 4V / 3F / 4S/ 2FAT / 2D - I was on purple with lites before. They did ask my height which they had never done before. Surprisingly enough they didn't try to sell me anything either. I'm thinking about doing a TO or maybe even the boost thing. Just need to look at my calendar and plan around a couple of events and camping trips.....

Gotta get some work done. Hi to everyone out there!

Thanks for all of the well wishes for Emerson and his family. I have spent most of the morning at the hospital. He had another seizure during the night that lasted over an hour. He is on O2 now because he is unable to keep his blood oxgen levels up on his own. We are taking turns today working or sitting at the hospital. I just can't stand seeing Amy up there all alone, you know?

About WI, I was up 1 lb, but pretty much expected that one, after having a naughty dinner.

Katie - that is so sad. My thoughts and prayers are with Emerson and his family.

Katie - Still sending up the prayers. Hang in there. You're a good friend.

Katy - My anniversary is tomorrow, so I'm w/you on the "badness". That's why I'm waiting to start the 21 day boost until Sunday. I figure after the chinese food - yes, I said chinese food - I'm gonna need it. (It's a big buffet so I'll probably stick w/sushi, but I'm promising nothing :) )

well today has pretty much been shot! I went out to do some errands with DH and we stopped for lunch.....did you know that Hardees does not have a SALAD on the menu?????? what's up with that. I did the best I could but it still wasn't too good, and the after our errands were done DH wanted to take DFS for some ice cream....and yes you guessed it.....I gave in. We are going on a picnic tonight for dinner and it's going to be OP.....but I'm seriously considering skipping weigh in tomorrow and being extra good all weekend....we'll see!

Sunday I'm starting the old LAWL boost deal. So that should help correct my badness for today and help me with my labor day challenge!

Kristen: My DH couldn't handle this board either. 3FC is a lot like Vegas...what happens (or is said) here...stays here! LOL But I do like Pearl's T-shirt slogans!

Felicia: don't you just want to poke those kind of people with a pin and see what happens......:devil::devil:

Ok...out of here for now! talk to ya'll later!

Yay, Heather is boosting with me!!! (I was posting on the boost thread when you were posting here)

Cassi - Happy Anniversary, enjoy yourself!

:hat: And you too! :cheers:

Afternoon everyone, Happy friday the 13th.

Hellos to all of you, and congrats to the losers. Welcome any newcomers!

wow, been away from here for a day or so, and what a chatty group. Can you say tired eyes .....

Katie, hope things work out with Emerson, there can't be anything worse than your child being sick. You are a good friend to be there for them.

Carrie - its gramma's privledge to buy, buy buy. Drives my dh crazy sometimes when we go away and I see the cutest little outfits that I just have to buy. When my first granddaughter was born I just went crazy. I had two boys, and my stepdaughters were almost teens when I married there dad, so I never had baby girls to buy for. It was so much fun to be able to buy stuff in pink! So, you go Gramma! They grow way to fast to not have fun with it.

Liza - liquid fruit and a bike ride - how did that turn out. Scared me when I read that. My dh six weeks to the day before our wedding tried that --- I think he was drinking beer actually, but anyway - he tried that, and once he got going, got a little dizzy, and fell over and broke his ankle. We had to buy him shoes for the wedding, the day before we got married as he wasn't able to get shoes on up until that point. So, please tell me that you are alright.

Pearl, I am lma off at your t-shirt slogans. I love it! My favourite - diet blogged and water logged.

Kristen - hoping to hear good things about your scale soon. I have been contemplating doing swimming for excersise because it is just so hot - I can't motivate myself to go running or even get on my treadmill in my air conditiioned house - however, you have me kind of scared off of it. If your cod gets on your case about it, I suggest a size 12 steel toed boot to the scale might be just in order.

Damn - I knew I should have taken notes - what was I thinking.

Still no movement on my sclae either, but I am blaming it on Friday the 13th today. I have been very good following plan, and have been getting some excercise, and staying away from the liquid fruit, and liquid starches. Drinking a ton of water, and doing everything I am supposed to do. There is no logical or fair reason for it. This weekend is going to be tough - my birthday is on Tuesday, and we are going out tomorrow night to the Keg for a nice supper with my best friends - there anniversary is day after my bday.

Oh yeah, and just so you guys know - caramel anything - but especially cheesecake USED to be my favourite thing - I am not sure I will ever look at one the same again without thinking of maggots and what came out of the dogs butt! You guys crack me up.

Anyway, I gotta go get some things done this afternoon, and I need another shower after golfing in this heat this morning - dh and I have a date tonight.

Everyone have a great weekend if I don't get back here - look forward to catching up next week.

Oh yeah, and just so you guys know - caramel anything - but especially cheesecake USED to be my favourite thing - I am not sure I will ever look at one the same again without thinking of maggots and what came out of the dogs butt!

Our efforts were not in vain. Negative imagery has it's benefits too! :dizzy:

As for the cramps in my leg... as you will recall, I have been nursing a toe injury http://www.soulcysters.net/images/smilies/stickyman.gif (on the other foot) and wearing flip flops for the past week. Since I stand at work 90% of the time, and I'm favoring my injured foot, I can only assume the cramps were from all of that... no foot support, standing in flip flops, walking in flip flops, more pressure on the other foot... because I usually only have a leg cramp if I overdo diet soda (which means I "underdo" my water) or when I've done a LOT of walking like at Busch Gardens with all their hills.

Dan - I did my own "version" using a broom handle on my recliner and it worked wonders!!! So, thank you, thank you! http://www.soulcysters.net/images/smilies/hail.gif

Blessings,

I feel like I should start every post with MAN you all are a chatty bunch! LOL

WI this morning was good, I was down a pound from Tuesday. As long as I can keep it off until Monday I am starting stabilization! Wooo hooo, unlimited veggies the first week, no more counting baby carrots! LOL I hope everybody has an amazing weekend! We're going to ride our motorcycle on the Blue Ridge Parkway tomorrow, I cant wait!

Keep up the good work and stay away from those munchies, the weekend isnt a license to cheat. (Preaching to myself here)!!!

Hey everyone!

Happy anniversay Cassie Lou!

Kim- Great news about starting stabilization!

Pearly Pearl- Hmmmm, so the toe injury caused the leg cramps. That sucks. Are you able to wear shoes yet?

Karen- Blaming Friday the 13th? Great plan!

Heather- Have a fun, POP picnic!

I am determined to have a POP weekend. I think that I will reward myself by reserving the new Harry Potter book online when I pull off a POP weekend. Tomorrow is the challenge. My staff and I are meeting at 6:30 in the morning to kidnap our infant teacher and take her out to breakfast for a suprise bridal shower, as she is getting married next week. I am thinking coffee, 2 eggs, a dry english muffin, and fresh fruit (something I totally copy catted from someone else here). Then as soon as breakfast is over, I have to report to the Ford dealership where my DH works. They are having a big car show tomorrow, and my friend Gina and I are running the concessions. Hot dogs, chips, and pop. We are the official weiner slinglers. Or weanie queenies. Can you all tell me what nasty things are inside of hot dogs, so that I will not eat 12?

bad things weanies are made out of ..... horrible .....

things like stuff from the dogs butt, and if you cut one open, I am sure there would be maggots inside.

so step away from the hot dog, and just serve those gross....disgusting .... not even a real food thing ..... to your dh friends. Oh, and the chips too - you don't even want to know where they have been.

Have fun Weanie Queenie!

Hahaha, thanks Karen!

just a quick peek before the weekend. not much on the diet front, I was up 1 pound this morning. (shhhh, where is Dan........... it was salt!) all these dates DH and I have been having. I had a lettuce wrap yesterday and I thought my mouth would be mummified before I finished eating it. but man it was good!!!!

on the job front....... DH wrote a letter thanking the people for the interview. and addressing some points he was afraid were not clarified in the interview. and told them he looks forward to speaking with them again and seeing them in person soon. The guy called this afternoon and they covered some more things and now he has another interview on monday. He felt much better after todays conversation. and mondays interview will be with a the guys that do more of what my husband does and not so much just upper level guys.... so they will be more likely to be wow-ed by what he can do..... it is such an odd roller coaster. I want him to get the job, because we need a job. then thinking it didn't go well i was happy at the thought of not moving, but scared of no job and now back to feeling hopeful for a job and not wanting to move! I almost wish my DH could just do the whole process without telling me and then at the end tell me if I should pack or not!

oh well have a great week end all!

Katie I have to go back and read about the poor little boy, so far I have only read the feed back, but just from that I send you a big hug, and prayers for the family!

no problem Katie,

glad to help out.

Do you think that we will ever be able to look at some of these things again and not think nasty thoughts?

Today was having lunch after golf and the special was a salad with chicken and supposed to be avacodos but there weren't any, and sundried tomatoes, etc. It was very good. Anyway, we got to talking about avacodos and my friend doesn't like them. Asked her, does she not like guacamole and salsa when you are in Mexico...... she replied, NO!!! It looks like cat puke. Ok then, one more thing that I may not be able to eat - however that could be a good thing, because I love guacamole, and lots of fat in avocados.

Have a great weekend everybody.

Hey Guy and Gals!

The liquid fruit and bike ride - heh don't worry. It takes me a few hours to consume a whole glass of liquid fruit. I'm a slow sipper so when I go for a bike ride, it's a sober one! I can understand your concern too. Even more if you had any idea how many stupid accidents and broken bones I've had! My last relationship got a kick start of me falling over a curb on our first date and ending up getting a cast to my knee.

Katie - Hugs to you and Emmerson!

The t-shirt slogans had me seriously LOL! This is the hardest I've laughed in a long time!

Pearl - I'm sorry about your leg cramps. Sounds like you've gotten some good advice. Good luck!

There will be more personals at another time. I'm in a hurry as always. I was still up 2 lbs on the sclae this morning after the tummy flu, bike rides and being POP! Grrrrrrr. My COD gals are all really cool though and we decided I can do TO this weekend and maybe get everything in synch again. I know it's not a real weight gain but still, I want to see that sucker going dowwwwwn!

Lisa, Good luck with the TO. I am contemplating doing one sometime... just to get back down to my goal weight or below.... They still encourage you to buy the juice even when you are in maintenance! As they had a sale and tried to sell me some recently.

Cassi, my dad used to work in a meat processing plant and whenever we ate bologna or hot dogs, he we talk about all the bad parts of the cow and pig that the meat was taken from, as they use all the parts that aren't used for other things! If my dad won't eat it, it is a bad, bad thing, since he will eat things I would have a hard time choking down. So literally those hot dogs are the floor sweepings and saw dust from the meat packing plant... at least according to my dad.

Just had a few days of working super hard at work and not visiting the web site. Stayed home this morning to read through all the posts, and was super late to work due to that! Oh well.. now working late.

Plan on taking a hike tomorrow from Larch Mountain to the top of Multnomah Falls. Really beautiful area there and should be good exercise (I think it is over 12 miles) so getting a day of skipping exercise today! I did the Biggest Loser DVD again last night, which it is kind of neat since they have a whole lot of small workout sessions and you pick them at the front and it plays them to you all at once. So you can customize a short or long workout. I've done it twice and I swear my tush looks higher and firmer already! Maybe it is just all the squats and lunges playing with my mind though.

Kristen and Letisha, I hope the scale starts being nicer! I really think it will be...

I am starting my count down to Hawaii.. which I leave a month from tomorrow. Going to spend 9 days there with my two sisters. I think we will have fun. My younger sister's husband's family owns a condo there so there is a free place to stay, so I just needed to buy a plane ticket to go. Of course the condo needs a little work, so I will have to help out cleaning it up a little and helping my sister pick out some new furniture.

Anyway, I'm rambling now.. so I will go before I get cited for contributing to the chattiness of a blog...

Ok I'm back... Lots of new faces since I left. I've been on my own and fallen back into old eating patterns. (love those dark chocolate M&Ms. But i got on the sclae this morning---up 3.5 lbs this week! I'm certain it has todo with my daily large portion of pretzels. And my new plan of unlimited starchs. So I humbly crawl back to this site and beg for mercy!!

Pearl great to see you back posting!!

So I'm interested in this new plan. I am going to check with someone whose daughter is on LAWL here to see if my my old COD has the new plans yet.

Great to see everyone!!!!

Welcome back Martha!! Super to see you!!!!!!!
:hug:

Good morning everyone!
I have been busy, busy (good busy) the past few days and have had to skim all the posts each day!
I hav NOT, repeat NOT been POP the past two days as we've been at friends houses for dinner! Not totally off plan but not the best.
Sat and SUN will be POP! We have bday get together to go to tomorrow and I've vowing to stay strong. I was doing so, so great and I feel like these past two days have turned me into a cheater!
I'm determing to post on the POP challenge today...but we'll see.

Lettie- best of luck to your hubby! Sounds like they want to hear more so that is always good!

Liza-it will go down for sure! I"m sure the flu messed you up. Glad you are feeling better and glad that minime is doing ok!

Katie-GOOD LUCK with POP, we can do it!!

Everyone else-I will be on tonight to say HI!

Hi Martha!!!

Happy Anniversary, Cassi. I plan on joining you on the 21 day boost. I have never really taken one seriously, but plan to this time. It will be good.

Joni.....you should be getting some mail from me on Monday :)

Hello to everyone else........not a lot of time lately with the tonsil boy. I will try to check back soon.

XOXO

Oh, and Lettie, best of luck with DH's job. It will go the way it is supposed to go :) xoxo

Hey gang! Too many posts to comment in on but everyone keep up the good work. My anniversary dinner last night was wonderful...I didn't do too bad except for the "tonion" for an appetizer, even that I couldn't eat the breading SO we shall see. Started my new plan today but I have a block party this pm where they are serving HOTDOGS so thanks for all the posts convincing me not to eat them:) I was assigned the chili so I made it with ground turkey, guess I will just have a bun with the chili. Not sure what else but I do know someone is doing a veggie tray and another is doing some fruit so there will be something on plan. Better run and get ready. I have to pick DD up, she stayed with Sis last night so we could have our anniversary night.

hey everyone. haven't had time to check in since thursday...i worked yesterday til 1pm then a friend of mine from work and i went to the beach. it was a blast! haven't had that much fun in a while...really needed to do that too. dh and i are on our way to the beach again today..just need to get a bag together and we're off. :)

so, yeah..been having some fun for a change lately! yay! although..i've been working and not getting much sleep. (i know, i know..bad!) but i have tomorrow off and will definitely be sleeping in! and my vacay is coming up, so i'll have tons of relaxing time.

anways, gotta run!
i'll check in tomorrow!

So, check out my profile picture to see what my DH picked out of our garden when he went back on Tuesday. The crazy thing is, we had picked every cucumber, big and small before we left. He also picked 2 five gallon pails of green beans. Our tomatos are just getting ripe, and he figures the canteloupe will be ready in a couple of weeks. He says everything is doing really well, and we are going to have tons of watermelon and canteloupe :)
P.S. Be sure to enjoy my current dining area construction also..........LOL

Martha -- Welcome back! If only I'd known you were going to try the unlimited starch plan too. I've been playing with it on and off, and it really doesn't work. Oh well, now we both know. :)

Lettie -- I'm sending strong *impressive interview* vibes out for your DH.

Barbara -- Wow, Hawaii sounds awesome! I'd love the shopping for furniture part too.

It's two more weeks until we leave for our SUPER DUPER AWESOME JELLYSTONE WEEK OF FUN AND GAMES...I'm so stoked for it. I want to lose 6 lbs before we go, so 3lbs per week. Yikes, sounds hard, but I bet I can do it. It will help me to win everyone's money in the Chick's Challenge anyway. :D

Nicole -- Holy cow! Are you opening a farmer's market stand?

Ok, Angie............I almost didn't know who you were at first.....LOL......I knew you changed your username, but then you went and changed your avatar (which I LOVE by the way) and totally threw me for a loop......which is not too difficult to do lately. You look adorable :)
XOXO

Nicole. I'd like to place an order please........ Hope DS is okay.. I miss you!

Hope everyone is doing well. I'm cooking up a storm as we are going to a dinner party tomorrow night.. I volunteered salad and dessert so I can control the two things I love to eat.. Curried Pecan and Strawberry Salad and Orange Dream Cheesecake which I'm making with FF Cream Cheese and Cool Whip. I can eat less of their fatty foods and have more cake and wine!
Went to WI today at COD and they took a final after picture for the wall. Did get a WooHoo instead of PooPoo stick. When the British left us I was at 155 and then last week when I started swimming I was up to 158, this weeks swimming had me up to 161, over my goal and today I got back to 157.6. So I'm still up a bit but NOT moving my ticker till I get it back where I want it. DH and I are treating ourselves to sushi, some vino and a new line of desserts here called Crave Busters that are individual mini cheesecakes with 66 calories and 2 grams of fat. Figured I would get that ahead of time as tradition always had me have a B Wizard when we get sushi.. Dairy Queen is across the road.. so I'm planning in advance.
Hope you all have a great weekend and look forward to hearing everyone's news.
Cassi Hope your anniversary was fantastic and make sure you super glue DH wedding ring on his finger so he doesn't lose it!

Ohhhh posting at the same time as Nicole.. CREEPY!

Kristen.....will they give you copies of your before and after pictures? I think it would be pretty cool to see them. Congrats on all your hard work. You have really kicked some butt!!
XOXO

Debbie I just saw that you posted as I was posting. I've been meaning to say this for a while but your picture is just adorable. It's rare that I see this, but you have a certain aura about you. I can't wait to see you skinny!

Liza - Your comment really touched me...thank you!!!!! You are super sweet :hug: Not to sound hokey but what sign are you????

Thanks Nicole! It's my facebook picture. I wanted to have a picture of the parts of my body I do like, so I can focus on feeling good. (See my post re: The Secret)

I'm so glad you are back now! How is DS feeling today?

Angie - Your avatar is beautiful!!!!

I am waiting on my 2 yr old nephew and 6 yr old niece to come over to "play" so I am keeping this post short but will catch up later, I promise.

Last night my boss called and invited us over for a crawfish boil...I was so determined NOT to eat the other food there...desserts...bread, potatoes etc.. but then drank waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many Corono's. Why do I do this to myself...I feel like crap today AND I am babysitting...Lord give me strength.

Hugs to all all :hugs: Be back later...if I survive :rofl:

Angie - smokin' avatar! I love it!

Debbie - I got my juicer today! Thanks so much! Please don't be offended, but I'm not going to open it until we get to the new house - one less thing to pack!! I'm so excited to use it, but I will have to wait two weeks! You're the best!

Went to Chuck E. Cheese's with DD for a friend's b-day party. I haven't been close to pizza since we started LAWL, but I was good. I smelled DD's piece really good - would have snorted it up my nose if possible - and just sat back and visited with friends. DD snorfled up her pizza and cake quickly so I didn't have to look at it for long. The funny thing was that her little friend (whose birthday it was) was TERRIFIED of Chuck E. Cheese! She sat on the opposite end of the table from where the birthday kid usually sits and while Chuck was out dancing and hugging everybody, she hid under the table screamed her head off. "Make the rat leave!! Make the rat leave!"

Hi Everyone, Just doing a quick check in here.

Angie, I love love love the new avatar.

Cassie - happy anniversary. Hope your having a great time!

Nicole - omg - thats a lot of cucumber sandwiches (one of my favs by the way) I guess we know what vegetables you will be eating for the next while. Maybe you should open a veggie stand - the kids could sell lemonade and you could sell veggies.

Kristen - glad to hear the scale is starting to act better for you. Please let me know how that dessert turns out. I have to make a cheesecake for a bbq we are going to next weekend, and I'm looking for a good recipe.

Katie - how did you make out at the weiner cookout?

Tonight we are off to dinner with some friends. My bday on tuesday and thier anniversary on wed so, sticking to plan will be tough tonight, but I will give it my best shot.

Everybody have a great weekend!

Hi Everyone! Bizy bizy bizy today but finally going to relax for a few minutes.

First, for you who want hotdogs.. always get kosher dogs. Kosher standards are very strict with leaner and cleaner meat and you won't be eating rear ends.

Debbie - I'm a capricorn (Jan 16th) Some of the traits fit me, some don't. I do mean that about your picture. You have a certain sparkle... kinda like how Rachel Ray has that "sparkle."

Well my career has really come full circle. I worked at the PBS station this morning and one of the ironies is, as the host I have a traffic reporter that I hand over to. Yea, that's reverse of my "day job." So today I motor mouthed my 48 hours of content. Yesterday the TV station wanted chopper coverage for the whole weekend and I said I can do it tomorrow, but not for today (saturday) that was just too much last weekend and I still haven't had a day off. So today before I finished the PBS station, my cell rang and I saw the producer's number. I thought "Oh **** no!" and turned the phone off. While I was driving home, I got caught in a traffic jam. I'm sitting there watching the fire trucks try to get past everyone and I see the news chopper fly over my head. I laughed, grabbed my cell phone and sent a cackling text message to the guy who got called out saying "hahahaha SUCKER!" Then I heard myself on the radio (PBS station) handing it off to the traffic reporter who tells me about the accident on the freeway I'm stuck on.

How many ironies can you find in that paragraph?

I need a vacation.

Liza- That is really funny!

Nicole- Wowza! You have a great green thumb!

Karen- Proud to report that I really am the Weenie Queenie! I did not eat one bite of those nasty little tubes of filth. We served 250 of them to other unsuspecting folks, however. Have fun at dinner!

Felicia- GREAT job avoid pizza. That one is a killer to me.

Angie- Beautiful picture!

Kristen- Glad to see your weight gain was temporary.

Katy- Tubes of filth, baby. Tubes of filth.

Debbie- Babysitting with a hangover? Calgon, baby. Calgon.

Jillian- Have fun at the beach!

Martha- Welcome back, great to see you!

I have had a fun day, and so far so POP. I really need to earn this Harry Potter book, you see.

well speaking of pizza.... i had 2 pieces last week on the carb cravers section...1st time i ever ventured to try anything from there and i dunno if it slowed me down...cause in 10days i only lost 3lbs ...but im glad to see the scale was down!!! i think i will go back to making all my own homemade meals as i felt like i knew what was going in my meal was everything i put there...dont get me wrong the Dominos was good all vegetarian and 2 small slices...but i still felt very guilty afterwards...i havent had time to check any of the posts...just something about summer...I am outside taking advantage of mr sun,camping etc...
I hope everyone is seeing the scale go down this week and if not just think positive thoughts!!! U CAN do it and dont give up!!!
I hope everyone is enjoying thier weekend!

Mizz T

[QUOTE=bayoubelle68;1774889]

Debbie - I got my juicer today! Thanks so much! Please don't be offended, but I'm not going to open it until we get to the new house - one less thing to pack!! I'm so excited to use it, but I will have to wait two weeks! You're the best!

QUOTE]

No worries Felicia...I totally understand and am just thrilled to be able to give back to the group. Let me know how you like it once you start juicing :D

Liza - Your post was a hoot! Isn't it funny how things like that happen? My dad is a Capricorn too. Glad to hear I have a "sparkle"....I need all I can get :)

Katie -I hear ya sister...babysitting with a hangover is not fun! I need a drink ...JUST KIDDING! :rofl: Actually it wasn't that bad....the tylenol kicked in once the kids arrived and we all went to the park.

I am very tired and think I will call it a day....see you guys tomorrow!

Hugs!
Deb

ok all I've been a bad girl. This is my own fault and bad planning. For those that remember me from last year you will recall that I fail when I stray from the plan. TO tomorrow and Monday to start the 21 day boost. I am prepared for the WHOLE week. Menu in place and shopping done. I bought a mini blender to make smoothies with and going to make these next 21 days count for the best! I'm off for now...tomorrow is a busy day..church, a party at a water park....and i'm doing respite for another foster family....so i'm back to 3 kids.....ya'll know i'm just a bit off center! LOL

Ok-warning-some of these may be outdated bc I started writing to you all about 6 pages back!


Katie- Thank you for the recipes! Sounds GREAT! I’ve gotten over the rut (mostly by cheating a little) but veggies and everything tastes good again! Can’t wait to make GOOD GRAVY!
I am keeping Emerson in my prayers, sounds horrible! I cannot imagine watching that happen. Thank god you had the mommy there and the hospital so close. I really hope he is ok in the long run…poor guy

Angie- LOVE your new avatar. Very pretty!

Tina-your daughter sounds like a dream! What a lucky mommy!

Amy-how’d everything go at your future MILs? That is my downfall—the social courtesy where people serve you food they made!

Pearl- I’m with ya. I couldn’t keep up this week and have had so much trouble writing personals! I guess it’s just a lesson that I need to check in more often! Smoked salmon sounds yummy! Love the Tshirt slogans!

Shannon- Your COD should have been SO proud! 8lbs?? That is amazing, I don’t care what they say. Awesome job!

Lettie-way to go on the treadmill! I wish I enjoyed running….

Congrats on your loss RENEE! Your job/co-workers sound so great. Doesn’t that just make the job so much better? A nice girls retreat to get the new year started is such a good idea-and how sweet of them to make it LAWL approved!

Kristen-enjoy that liquid fruit spritzer….or 3! Great idea bringing the salad and dessert…I’m gonna have to try that! How do you make orange dreem cheesecake?

Felicia-sounds like the day you were off-plan wasn’t that bad! Congrats on maintaining
Sometimes I forget b-fast too when I’m running errands in the morning…I need to remember to bring lites in my purse at all times! Bland girl sounds like a real riot…but I love how you and DH have nicknamed her.Congrats on resisting the Pizza!!

Katy-CONGRATS on the big loss-awesome- and Happy Anniversary!

Cassi-Happy Anniversary!

Letisha-WOW-good info. I am determined not to lose muscle on this diet…so any advice on that I love. I try to follow a lower sugar diet anyway-but your info is really interesting

Heather-your dfkids sound SO cute! And you sound like a great mamma-
I saw the extreme makeover you are talking about-wasn’t it incredible??

Carrie- I have quite a few baby showers to attend in the next few weeks—it’s so hard to decide on gifts-everything is SO cute, I can’t imagine picking out things for my own DGkids! Sounds like fun.

Kim- congrats on your loss! Your pics are just amazing by the way….and what a beautiful daughter! I love her formal dress!

Barbara-hope you had a great hike!

I had a better day today. Ended up at the mall shopping with Dbf’s cousin and her littler girl. Lunch was the food court but luckily there was a good place that made salads to order so I was able to stay OP. I haven’t had time for a W/I but will be there first thing on Monday to see if there’s been any damage due to my indiscretions on thurs/fri when I visited my best friend in San Francisco (wine, ½ piece of cake, sushi, wine again, rice, too much salt!!!) But I’m back. Ready to post on the POP challenge.

What’s the LAWL 21 day boost? I’m going to see if it’s in a different thread…but sounds good!

Hi Debbie, Karen, Joni, Nicole, Liza, Snowdogs, Martha, Dan everyone!

Morning gang...

Been a busy weekend, but diet-wise, a pretty good one.. Liz and I had a few chips last night at my mom's house, but other than that, we were right on plan.

I'm happy to report that after flounding up and down around 206 for what seems like a month, I finally hit 205.0 on the scale yesterday... As a result, I'm petrified to step on the scale again this morning!! Maybe I'll wait until tomorrow, after my raquetball game tonight..

Well, I'm off to the grocery while everyone else is still in bed.. Anyone need anything while I'm there? :lol:

WTG Dan! :cheer2: You will be in Onderland before you know it.

As for the grocery store...PLEASE go for me! I was just sitting here writing my list and clipping coupons but dreading the trip.

Have a super day!
Deb

Will do Debbie.. Lots of fruit and veg, right? Liz need shampoo too, so I'll grab some for you too.. :lol:

Morning All
DH and I enjoyed some sushi and a movie last night after the girls went down so was some good R&R time for us both. I made the cheesecake and will post the recipe. It's one I've been making for years and you use cottage cheese, fat free cream cheese and FF cool whip.. it's practically a mousse so I will be happy to share with you once I see how tonight's crowd enjoys
Off to spend the day with girls while DH is working then we are off to the dinner party tonight.
Hope you are all having a super weekend and Nicole I am still waiting for my order from Mama Nicole's Garden!

Rainy and dreary here. We totally overslept and didn't go to church. DH is outside painting yet again. He's painting under the eaves of the house so he's staying dry. He's been working SO hard on the outside of the house. I'm still packing! I should get lots done next week. DD will be at daycare and DS will be at a gifted program from 8:30-2:00 every day. My mom's coming the week after and I'm hoping to have most of the packing done so we can just sit around and visit. We move in 2 1/2 weeks!!

Just had one of those psycho moments with DD (she's three). She asked, "Mommy, wil you help me get my shirt off?" I said yes and moved to help her. She backed up and screamed, "No, I do it myselp!" I said okay. She tried and then said, "Will you help me?" I tried and again she screamed, "No! I do it!" This went on for 5 minutes until I suggested that she pull from the front and I pull from the back and then I covertly pulled the thing off of her!! Toddlers!!!!

Felicia
I refer to my 3 1/2 year old and 2 year daughters as Cybil a few times a day.
The mind games they can play astound me. I believe it was a mother that must have invented wine :)

Hi Everyone

Felicia - that's funny about your DFD! They want so bad to be independent and get so frustrated!

I was going to put off doing the TO until tomorrow because I'd just bought all of this fruit and I don't want it to go to waste. Then I was a bad girl last night. For the first time in a month I was off plan. My friend invited me out to dinner and I started coming up with the usual excuses of why I couldn't go and then finally caved in. I never go out anymore. I'm 33 single and I spend all of my Saturday nights at home waiting for SNL to come on. When I go to a concert, I bring Mini Me or my gay friend if it's an over 21 deal. So I went. I started off right by having a salad with no dressing. Then the bread came. Oh no. I haven't had bread for a month. He ordered for both of us since it was his treat and it was an obnoxiously expensive meal filled with red meat and seafood, not to mention the 3 glasses of liquid fruit. At least I did tell the waitress to please bing a to go box with the main course so I could put half of it in there right away and I did. Now I've got half of a $50 steak stuffed with crab sitting in my fridge. I have to fly for the evening news tonight but as soon as this is typed, I'm going for a run with the dog. Then a bike ride when I get back from work.

The most amusing part was when I got home. It's midnight and I'm just about to unlock my front door and I see something strange out of the corner of my eye. So I went around the side of the house and no, this is not an illusion. There is an oversized pick up truck parked ON MY LAWN! I just had a landscaper here on Friday trimming, weeding, taking edger around and making it all pretty. I got a bit upset.... There was a lot of swearing as I went in search for whatever hillbilly decided my lawn was a place to park. I found a kid up the road that had some friends over and he confessed he thought it might be his friends truck. I dragged him out and made him look... it was confirmed. There was some more swearing as I told him his hillbilly friend needed to move it NOW and I expect him back first thing in the morning to repair the damage. I will admit, I was a bit impressed that he got it in there in the first place. He had to drive backwards through a sharp corner to get into the alley and into that little tiny strip of lawn. The kid told me he would fix it because his friend lives in some little burb area that is about 15 min away from here. I looked at him and said "That is not the Appalachians, it's 15 minutes away and I'm sure they don't park their trucks on other people's lawns there either!!" The friend waiting until I went back inside to come out and move the truck. I hope he stepped in my dog's poop while he was having fun in my yard.

Ok, time to plan my TO for the day. POP wishes to all of you!

HI.

Just came here from another thread - where I "heard" this was the place to be to get to know others.

I just finished TO yesterday and am doing follow up now - a couple days of it, then doing the old LA booster with a few of you. Been in a plateau and the "ughs" that go with it!

All I've done today, besides eat a salad, was make a weight loss ticker - with help from "one of you"! But fun is over, now have to get some housework done....

just me,
laura

http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar039/slider-but7/lb/0/50/0/.png (http://www.3fatchicks.com/)

Hey Gang!

Felicia - way to go staying away from the pizza. That is too funny with your DFD. I'm sure it was more frustrating than funny at the time:)

Jillian - have a great time at the beach. I wish we lived close enough for a day trip.

Nicole - the garden sounds yummy. We don't have room for one anymore and I really miss it.

Debbie - you'll need more Corono's for the play date:)

Kristen - can't wait for the cheesecake recipe, sounds yummy

Angie - you'll have no problems with the 6 lbs

Karen - have a wonderful birthday dinner tonight, good luck staying OP.

Katie - congrats and I made it too.......no hotdogs!

Dan - I would love for you to get my groceries too, I'd even pay you to do it:) Seriously I have to go this afternoon and it is complete torture with a 4 year old...I'm hoping DD decides staying with DH would be more fun!

Hey to everyone else and hope you've had a great weekend!

Last night's block party was nice. I wasn't POP but pretty close. Got up this morning and took a good long walk so hopefully that will help. Have spent the day trying to learn this new plan and am proud to say have been POP so far. Shouldn't be a problem to continue with all the food I have left and we are cooking at home tonight.

I've got a planning event at work on Monday and Tuesday so I won't be posting much. They cater in lunch but I'm planning on taking mine with me since you never know what you'll get at those.

Have a great evening!

Hello everyone,:wave:

i am sheepishly dragging myself to the computer and I come here to confess my sins. I did not do well at supper last night. Not terrible but not great. Grilled chicken breast with some shrimp - thats okay, but the sauce they put on it was buttery, and I am sure it was loaded with fat. (I was not even expecting a sauce on it - my fault I should have asked) Other than that opted for a salad instead of stuffed potatoe - so thats good right - however --- two tall long island ice tea. I am not even sure how you would count that as I believe there are about three or four different kinds of booze in those. :yikes: There was lemon - thats gotta help ... yea ok - I know the lemon is not going to offset all the bad things. All in all, it was delicious, and I guess it could have been worse. The interesting thing, I woke in the middle of the night feeling a little sickly - body doesn't like to have that high fat stuff anymore.

Today, I am working my butt off, on treadmill, took dog for a walk, and am eating pop. DH gone for a couple of days, so I have no excuses not to follow plan perfectly.

There we go, I feel so much better now that i have confessed. I promise, I will do better this week. I have goal in sight - thats motivating me!

Okay - everyone have a great day. I need to go throw another load of laundry in, maybe I will run up and down the stairs - does anybody know how many calories you can burn while ironing? ;)

Karen - Those celebration dinners are always tough. Sounds like all in all you did okay AND enjoyed yourself which is important too. Getting right back on plan is the key, of course you know that:)

hmmmmm, calories burned while ironing, well, I'm not sure of the EXACT number, but.....IMHO, it should be LOTS!!!!!!!!! ;)

I'm thinking you did pretty good in the dinner out situation!! You could've made so many more "bad" choices - yet you had salad and grilled chicken.

Tomorrow is WI and dentist - UGH!!! But for "treat", I have a yoga class, taught be the neatest gal -- she doesn't believe in trying to turn us into pretzels and the last 10-15 minutes is relaxation.

just me,
laura

http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar039/slider-but7/lb/0/50/0/.png (http://www.3fatchicks.com/)

Thank you Debbie, Felicia, Karen, Katie, Amylou, for the compliments on my avatar.

Debbie -- At least at your boss' place it was just the Corona, and not desserts, bread, potatoes and corona. That's a victory in itself. I hope you had fun with your niece and nephew. I always found that when I used to watch my little cousins or godsons, it was EXHAUSTING, and I pretty much needed a day to recover. Now that I live it every day (and after two and a half years of sleep deprivation and imposed selflessness) it's no sweat, but then it killed me. Babies break you in nicely for that kinda thing.

Just had one of those psycho moments with DD (she's three). She asked, "Mommy, wil you help me get my shirt off?" I said yes and moved to help her. She backed up and screamed, "No, I do it myselp!" I said okay. She tried and then said, "Will you help me?" I tried and again she screamed, "No! I do it!" This went on for 5 minutes until I suggested that she pull from the front and I pull from the back and then I covertly pulled the thing off of her!! Toddlers!!!!

Felicia -- I was so relieved to read that there's another child out there doing this. My DS (2.5yrs) does this every now and then and I was really hoping it wasn't indicative of split personality disorder or something...lol. Usually it boils down to he has to FEEL like he's doing it himself, even if mommy helps. What that means is that I just sit there, not making eye contact, and 'hold' the shorts up and open, and HE can slip his own feet in through the holes. lol

Laura - :welcome:

Okay, I'm too pooped to delve back further. I hope everyone had a great weekend!

ok....bad weekend. TO didn't go so well today. But I'm not quitting! I'll be back tomorrow more rested and ready to go!

just to clarify....it was a bad food weekend...everything else was GREAT!

Felicia, Kristen, Heather - I refuse to believe that your darling little girls do anything wrong. I suggest all of you adjust your attitudes and give your angels what they want!! LOL

Felicia - your Bland Girl counselor's nickname cracks me up...

Kristen - you definitely have to post that cheesecake recipe....oh wait...I saw a cheesecake description further down in the posts and I've changed my mind. maggot infested cheesecake that came from the dog's butt.
Hey, did you ever look under the box spring of your bed for DH's ring? Just curious. Also, keep on swimming, incorporate a little bit of weight training every other day and I bet you'll drop 5 lbs before too long.

Liza - I know I would have caved if someone had invited me to such a wonderful dinner. DH and I were out yesterday and it just got to be too late to eat; I was going to stop and get a salad at Chik Filet but he wanted Taco Bell, so I was like, fine, and wound up getting a soft taco - $1.49 I think. I looked at him and said, "thanks, big spender!" As Cassi has often said -- you still have a life to live and you just need to plan for those moments. I aim to be good 80% of the time. I wish I could be perfect, but it never works! BTW, I'm a Capricorn too (Dec 22). Actually, everyone in my house is a Capricorn - DH and both dogs and me....we all get along...most of the time.

Nicole - your cucumber picture makes me want to break out in the cucumber version of the Forest Gump shrimp dialog..let's see....cucumber salad, cucumber pickles, cucumber sandwiches, cucumber sauce, cucumber dressing. Hope tonsil boy is doing nicely...cold cucumber soup would be quite good for him and perhaps a cucumber listerine slushie.....

Barb - thanks for this memorable hot dog description. I knew they were bad, and I really haven't eaten one in a long time, but it will be a long time before I eat another one after reading that.

Kim - hope you got your ride in (we had rain)...the Blue Ridge Parkway offers great scenery on a pretty day.

Snowdogs...leg cramps..Funny you guys are talking about this but I've been getting a lot of leg cramps lately too. I was at a running expo a few weeks ago and someone handed me a new homeopathic medicine for relief of muscle cramps called "Crampamine" made my American Bioneuticals. I'm going to give them a try since I'm not willing to give up all my fruits for one banana every day. I did a step class yesterday and that always makes my calves scream so I took a couple this morning and must admit my calves seemed better than normal. Oh wait...

I just read Dan's post. I'm definitely going to look for one of those foam noodles and give that a try (your description was perfect Dan).

Letisha - your post says you are working out 3600+ minutes a week....that's like 60 hours a week. Did you mean 360?? All you trainer stuff sounds reasonable and I hope they figure things out for you. I'm so tempted to pop into my COD to see if they have the new plans and will cut me any good "come back we love ya" deals?

Marleysmom - Welcome

Cassi - Happy belated Anniversary to you.

What can I say....I had an okay LAWL weekend....not POP but I'm hoping the scale is kind to me in the morning. I actually went through my LAWL Cookbook this morning and highlighted a couple recipes I'll make during the week. I've also discovered lots of new Steamfresh style veggies in the frozen section and I've had no problem getting my veggie servings in the last couple days. The other thing I'm proud of us how much I've cut back on my consumption of diet coke.....those single serving packs of crystal light are my latest fixation. My goal this week is to get the scale back down to 160 by next week. My plan of attack is to up my cardio, do weight training every other day, abstain from any alcoholic fruits and starches, limit myself to two frozen lunch / dinners this week and only 1 Lite per day. I'm spearheading the Chicks to the Finish challenge, and in four weeks I've lost a total of maybe two pounds...great leader I have turned out to be! I will do better for the team!

Katy - When I was at WCU we frequented Asheville often. I LOVE that city. I actually live just inside the White County line so my address is Cleveland, Ga. But I was born, raised, and now work in Gainesville, Georgia. Gainesville is about an hour northeast of Atlanta. I don't know if I have ever been to Rayle but I have been to Elberton a few times.

Katie - Emerson's experience sounds terrifying. We have had a few incidences like that at my school. I will certainly keep Emerson and his parents in my prayers.

Snowdogs - I leave Sadie in the big crate with the pee pee pad only when I am at work or gone for several hours. I felt like she needed to have a place she could move around a little. During the school year I am gone for 12 -13 hours some days. I feel awful that we are away so much. It is just the nature of being a single parent to an active 8 yr. old. Do you have other suggestions? I would love to be able to let her roam the house but obviously can't.

Ok. I am trying to get throught the pages that have appeared here since I went on my retreat. I am only on page 24. I'll give a quick follow up and start again tomorrow. I had an awesome time at the retreat. We got lots of planning done and had lots of fun playing games that night. It is such a blessing to work with the wonderful ladies I work with. They are so dear to me. It is hard to refer to myself as a single mom when DS has so many "other Mamas" at school watching out for him! Poor boy!

DS starts baseball camp tomorrow. Maybe I can do some of that housecleaning to give me a sense of accomplishment.

WI is tomorrow. I am not expecting great results but I did get my swimming laps in today. I have stayed OP the majority of the weekend but have not gotten all my water in and started out great with my fruit and vegetables but didn't do too good today. So WI will be a surprise.

I'll be back later,

Katy - Congrats on the loss!

Happy Anniversary to those celebrating!

Joni...........the sad thing about my cucumbers is that DH had to throw most of that batch out as they were over ripe. Oh well, what can you do.....we had to go out of town.

So, as far as these leg cramps go that a few of you have mentioned...........stretching well before and after excersizing can also help a lot.....and I'm sure you all probably know this already, but a stretch isn't really effective until the muscle relaxes......so stretching should always be slow and long. But please, please.....if they continue, see your doc........symptoms are like little messengers from your body to take care :)

Well, I am proud to say that I have had a very OP weekend. I am heartsick as my DH has been away from me since Tuesday. You know, sometimes absence really does make the heart grow fonder. I have been really missing my girlfriends from Wisconsin the last couple of years, since we moved to St. Louis.....and being here, with all of them has been really nice......and makes me miss and appreciate my very BEST friend, DH.

And........I had a very immature jealous streak on Friday night. I knew DH was going out with his salesmen, but when I called him at like midnight (he rarely stays out that late), and he was still out.......and I heard very loud music........I got really jealous.......and I was really suprised with myself. I love and trust this man like noone else I have ever known.......but he is only 30 years old, and rather good looking......and all I could think was.......all these 22 year old super hot skinny chicks are probably checking MY HUSBAND out and trying to buy him drinks.......and it made me kind of sick to my stomach. The guys he was out with are major geeks......so he is the best looking one of the bunch.......and I don't know why I feel like that sometimes.......but I do.....and I hate it. Sometimes I think it is because I am 6 years older than he is........and sometimes I think it is because I was very thin when I met him and for the 2 years we dated, and up until I got pregnant with 4 yo. DS. I hate it that being overweight shakes my confidence like that. It's just no good. Wow, thanks......I just had to get that off my chest......cuz I didn't really want to tell him all of that. He deserves much more credit than that, you know. Anyway, the point I am trying to make is.......I am feeling quite determined to not let my weight help me to feel inadequate anymore. My DH fell in love with and married a strong independant confident woman.........and that is what he is going to have :) P.S. the darling that he is, called me back that night about 15 minutes after we hung up, from home. He said he was getting tired and bored anyway. :)

Ok, enough of all that.......I need to get to bed. Everyone......stay strong.......we can do this......just one meal at a time :) :) :)
XOXO

hi gang...

All I'm gonna say is that today was not a great op day.. That's all i'm gonna say...

Hope you all have a restful night and a great tomorrow... !

Well it sounds like a lot of us had shameful weekend on our food choices.. but hey we all had fun right????

I was back OP today doing the TO. I was tired (hungover?) worked and then pulled it together by the end of the day to get all of the laundry and housework done. I took the dog for a short run and then dragged the bike out and did that. I'm going to WI on Tuesday instead of tomorrow to give TO a chance to take effect.

Good luck to everyone else getting right back on again! We can do it!

Good morning! I would much rather NOT be awake right now, but our bed is infested with wiggle giggle bugs. One is 6 and the other is 3. I'm not sure how they took over, but they did. The little one has only been in a daybed for about a week and we are having a really hard time keeping her in her own bed. She wakes up about 5 every morning and sneaks down the hall to our room. The oldest is so excited because today, he starts a summer program at a local university. It lasts for 2 weeks and is 8:30 to 2 every day. Somehow, I got booted out of my own bed.

I have had a few really bad days and haven't been POP or anywhere close to it. I've got to get back on the stick!!!

Please disregard this.. I meant to post it in the new week thread!

Morning gang...

Well, I'm back on the wagon today, as it were... I passed up the deep urge to get a breakfast burrito and settled for a lite and fit smoothie and an orange for breakfast... I'm sure my body will thank me for it later.. It better, or there's gonna be **** to pay..

Got really made at the scale this morning... I got on and it showed me a no change.. 205.0.. I thought "well, I can take that".. but I always get on and off a couple of times just to make sure, so I got on again and it showed me down to 203.6!!!! I thought "Holy CRAP!!!".. But just to be sure, I got on again.. This time, it showed me at 205.2, and stayed there for a couple more attempts, so I guess that's where I am... Hopefully, once Sunday's bad choices are "processed", it won't go much higher...

Be one with your POP!