Age 50+ - Quilters, Crafters, and Chatters for Weight Loss

Hello, :wave:

Please join us here, regardless of your age or gender, as we discuss our weight loss journeys, and the lengths we go to in an effort to keep our hands busy and out of the cookie jar. Whether your talent is quilting, cooking , scrapbooking, or mainly spending time with your fingers on a keyboard, this thread will help keep you accountable, and provide friendship and support along the way.

So pull up a chair, make yourself comfortable, and share what's on your mind. :cofdate:

Well, here we have it. A new thread for all of us! :carrot:
(Please check the old ones for personal responses since your last post.)

Hello all,

Penguin - we don't care at all if young'uns post here. In fact, we encourage it! You and the others will help keep us up on things, lol. Just bare with us when we speak of our ailments, grandchildren, etc., haha. Question - do you like the smaller groups or larger ones in church? I have to say I like the smaller ones, like under 20, maybe because they just seem more intimate? Sounds like you bonded with your April like I did with my Molly. She, too, was a humane society dog, and unlike the others there, she didn't rush up to front of the cage, barking like crazy. She sat back, very polite, and made eye contact. I was a goner! That was 12 years ago. We've grown old(er) together.

Trish - my DD Mary is like your DD, and is an intuitive eater. No clue where she gets it, because it sure wasn't from me, lol. I did have a wonderful day shopping! It was good to not have a certain time to get it done, or have to wait on someone else. I mosey'd and got a lot of bargains, too. Mmmm... your beef stew smelled so good, I got a whiff of it here in Indiana!!

Brittni - :welcome2: So glad to have you join us! Is the quilt you're making one of those where the child learns to button, tie, zip, etc? I saw something similar on line, and wished they had those when my kids were small. What a wonderful gift you're giving her! As one of the others mentioned - she is so cute in your avatar!!

Linda - I hope you had a great birthday! Tell us about it, ok?

MBN - how'd your weekend go?

Kris - oh dear.... I forgot what I was going to say to you!! :hug: I apologize. Let's just call this a senior moment, ok?

I have had such a good weekend! Mary's 3 girls were here, and we spent lots of time outdoors. I taught them the 9-square hopscotch game, and did a lot of rope-twirling while they jumped rope. We also looked for Indian beads in the gravel, and made bouquets with fall leaves. Needless to say, they really wore me out, lol. I overate, but feel like I expended extra calories.

How was your weekend?

Jane, I like the new thread and title. I think the smaller groups are more intimate and give the 'girls' an opportunity to speak up, and express their own views and ideas prehaps like they wouldn't do in a larger group. IN our gruop, CBS, the leaders meet on Wed to go over the lesson ourselves. We raise our hands to be called on if we have something to say or to answer the 'read-aloud' questions, but there are close to 40 of us in the room and not everyone gets a chance to say what they think. Thursdays is the day the whole class meets, then we split up into smaller groups. We, as leaders, don't have all the answers, LOL, and opinions vary a great deal {CBS is non-denominational}, but in the smaller groups we still have ladies who never give answers {I didn't for the first few months} Some people like getting lost in the crowd so would never consider a small group.

We had a wonderful sunny day! Hubby worked in the garage, while I did some fall planting and raking. I did some shopping for a weightlifing gadget called a 'kettlebell" and found that they are expensive!!! {Kettlebell is a metal ball with a metal handle, similar to a dumbbell}

Tomorrow, we are to go out to dinner with my parents to celebrate my Mom's Bday. Hubby and I have eaten out more than usual this weekend which isn't helping the weightloss. Sigh.

Hi Everyone

Jane Thanks for starting the new thread... like the name. Glad you had a good time with the girls. I loved jump rope and hopscotch when I was a girl.

Penguin Your CBS sounds so much like BSF. We have about 12 to 15 women in our small group class. I really enjoy the small group and the way many times each one gets different thoughts on a scripture. I think it has to do with where we are walking with the Lord in our own life. Enjoy your time with your parents. I would love to spend one moment with my Mama again. But someday when we are together again we will have eternity to spend together. You are blessed.

Well, we didn't do much. Church this morning and small group Bible study tonight. Tony hasn't been feeling reall great. He went to bed and slept when we got home and he is asleep again now. Hope he isn't coming down with something.

WI this morning and I lost the lb I gained last week. So I'll take it and be glad about it. It is better than another gain.

Catch y'all tomorrow.

Good night.

Hi Everyone:
Jane sounds like you had a fun weekend!!
I did have a wonderful weekend, why does it go by so quickly?? wish my work week went by so fast :dizzy: Did have a very sunny weekend for a change, which was great, I did plan to rake leaves my DH wanted to see the new Disney movie, A Christmas Carol, so...did not get to enjoy the beautiful sun-shine, but got to spend time with my sweetie, so the leaves will have to wait, hopefully next weekend will be also as nice!!

I did have a NSV yesterday went to Red Lobster, did not have a cheddar bay biscuit :D {FYI : did you know those yummy biscuits have 330mgs of sodium in each} :?: Well need to get to sleep have a great Monday, everyone

:happ3: :turkey:

Hi ladies -- It was a busy running weekend for me -- 7.5 miles of bridge repeats (it's a kind of interval training, we don't have hills here!) and a lifting class on Saturday, and 15.5 mile VERY windy long run yesterday morning. My first race (half marathon) is coming up on Sunday. It will be fun! Weight-wise, I am staying within my maintenance window now, even post-long-run, so I am feeling great about that. I want to stay strict on the diet until Thanksgiving though, and give myself a pound or two wiggle room for that Thanksgiving buffet ....

DH is an avid mountain biker and decided to venture back into racing again after a several year hiatus. He did a race yesterday and placed first in his age group!! He was very happy! We both crossed over into a new age group this year, so you never know how that's going to affect the competition. The 50's age group may be smaller, but those that are hanging with it are TOUGH. :D

DS#2 just got his learner's permit (two words that strike terror into the hearts of parents :p ) and is anxious to use it at every opportunity!

It's scary to realize how close the holidays are, I need to get on that Christmas shopping soon. I like to get it done early, if at all possible, to avoid the last minute craziness!

Happy Monday everyone!

We took April {<---} to the park today. Its overcast rather than sunny but there's no breeze and its humid so we were all panting by the time we got home. I started some jog intervals but kept stepping in holes with my right foot so I gave up quickly.

I did get out and do some fall planting and weeding yesterday, while a recovered Hubby cleaned out the garage {about time!}. Later we ate out and did some shopping.

Tonight we got out to eat with my parents for my Mom's Bday. Hopefully, Hubby and I can split a meal.

I'm thinking I might use a kettlebell as a treat for my mini-goal of 20lbs. I want a 20lb kb {think metal ball with a metal handle, like a dumbbell, used for weight training} so when I lose 20lbs I can buy one! That will give me time to save up the money also, because the stupid things are pricey for a hunk of metal. The one I want is at Target {GoFit brand} and comes with a DVD.

MBN, My friend's oldest son just got his permit. Because of my vision I can't drive, so she picks me up on Thurs so we can spend some time together before our Hubby's get of work and join us at their house. {she makes dinner while I bring dessert} Sometimes, recently her son has been at the wheel! :eek:, but He's actually doing very well I wish my Hubby would get involved in a sport etc. He is a aircraft mechanic, who likes to work on his trucks as a hobby???? To me this is a busdriver's holiday.

Institches, How was the movie? I'm interested in seeing that one when it comes out at Netflix. I found a recipe for RL's Biscuits that uses Bisquick. I can post it if you are interested, but I don't know the nutritional data, so it may not be any better.

Patty, IIRC, CBS started when too many women wanted to sign up for a BFS class. So some of the women branched off and started their own class, intending to rejoin BSF, but the class snowballed! My mom has been in both and they are very similar. CBS has grown so that it is now international, but its headquarters are in CO. I feel very lucky to have such kind and supportive parents. We are a small family with members spread all over the country so we don't see each other very often.

Hi all-
Penguin - my sister has recently started a kettlebell routine and loves it. I haven't seen them down here in our neck of the woods but when we go to the Big Smoke later this month I might try to track some down. I think they'd be great for using on the days I don't feel like driving into town to work out at the gym.

My dish cloth yarn arrived so I'm back into knitting in the evenings while watching TV. The way I'm going I'll need to reorder some more yarn sooner rather than later! Then again, I'll probably lose interest in making them after a dozen or so.

Started a 6 week challenge yesterday through Leigh Peele/Body by Eats. My goals: drop 6 pounds by Dec 21, establish a daily yoga & foam rolling practice and clean/organize and redecorate our smallest bedroom.

My craft accomplishment this weekend? I made a yoga mat bag out of a batik quilt top that I'd finished the week before. I really like it.

I just figured out how to upload of picture.....oh how clever....

Anyway....here is a picture of the yoga mat bag and my dish cloth fibers.

Kris, Is hat your Hubby that got holding the bag?? the things they do for us! I do like the bag, I think you did a good job on it. The colors of your yarn are wonderful. I have a discloth that my GMa made {I found it going through her things after she passed}. I don't use it for dishes but put it in the washer when I was new fabric or clothes. Its white cotton so its supposed to absorb the extra dye. Its still white dispite my washing it in this way for a few years, so I'm not sure if its working or not.:?:

Thanks for sharing the pics

Hi all! hope you don't mind if I jump in, saw the name pop up and had to come join you all, even though I'm not in the age group, lol. I'm Dee, 31 with 3 munchkins and a Navy hubby.. and a furkid. I recently started quilting and knitting, and i've been a cross-stitcher and crocheter since I was a preteen. Read the whole last thread and feel like I know you all a bit already. So far I've done two baby quilts, and one really quickly thrown together quilt that was just over twin size to send to the hubby in Iraq last Christmas (he's home now, and never again will I attempt to piece and quilt a quilt that big in two weeks). Attempting to attach some pics of the infamous quilt, one of the baby quilts (with baby), and a wreath.. but who knows if it will work as I'm not the most comp. savvy, lol.

Welcome Dee!, Glad to have you join us. Finish a quilt in two weeks! Kudos to you! Please thank your Hubby for his service to our country.. My Hubby was Navy, also, but has been out for about 10 years now. Thanks for posting those pics...I have to get my Hubby to post mine.

yeah....he's looking a little 'woolie' right now, that man of mine......it's time to take him in for his pruning!

Great job on the quilts Dee. I'm working on some baby sized quilts right now - charity quilts. It's nice because they go together fairly quickly and I get a more immediate sense of satisfaction (as opposed to some of my OTT projects that go on forever and ever and ever!).

Had a NSV just now. It's Mr. W's b-day so we went out for lunch (Thai - our favorite) and he suggested Magnum ice cream bars for dessert. Yesterday I was all irritated and frustrated because the random number generator hadn't moved but that didn't stop me from agreeing.

My NSV is that I only ate 1/2 the bar, put the rest in the freezer and recorded the 135 calories. I'll end the day within my caloric budget, possibly even with room to spare since I chose wisely at the restaurant. And, I haven't told him yet, but he can have the other 1/2 of the bar. It feels good to make wise choices and not feel like I'm missing out.

Kris, ROTFLOL! I've never heard "random number generator' before. I almost spit orange juice all over the screen!

Good Job on the NSV.

KrisR - I like your dishcloth yarn. 100% cotton, right? I like to crochet, although I have been slacking lately. Since I like to do easy/mindless crocheting while watching TV, I do a lot of dish cloths and hot pads. For hot pads, I just do two layers and single stitch them together. I can do different stitch patterns to vary the style, but they are basically just squares or rectangles, very easy! When washed, they tighten up and make a really nice-feeling and dense hot pad. My family usually gets a new set every Christmas! I think I have enough stockpiled right now for Christmas, but if not, I need to get working on that. Fortunately, they go together very quickly! I, too, like immediate gratification. :D

One year, I got really ambitious and made afghans for everyone, but not this year .... I have an afgan I've been working on for us for over a year and it still isn't finished! Another year I was into crocheting with thread and made a bunch of filet bookmarks and snowflake ornaments. I've been slacking this year.

Good morning,

Penguin - what type bulbs did you plant? I meant to get out more tulips, but think my window of opportunity has passed. I've seen kettle bells, but haven't used them. Actually, I recently ordered and received Kathy Smith's weights DVD, but haven't used it yet. My bad. How was dinner with your folks last night?

Trish - bravo for losing that sneaky pound. I've got 2 sneaky pounds to get rid of myself this week. How's Tony? Not coming down with anything, I hope.

Institches - question - do you think the movie A Christmas Carol would be too scary for boys 9 and 7. Well, I think the 9 y/o would be fine, but I'm a little worried about the 7 y/o. Our two oldest DGSs will be here this weekend, and I wondered about taking them to see it. YAY for you, passing up the cheddar biscuit!

MBN - your success is impressive and encouraging. Kudos to your DH for placing 1st in the race! I remember when each of my 3 kids got their learner's permit. Yikes! Scary stuff, indeed, lol.

Kris - wow, I love the yoga mat bag! You did a great job on it! Aww, it is real sweet of your DH to hold it while you snapped the photo. Love the yarn, too. Bravo to you for exercising portion control on the ice cream bar! Like Penguin, I had to laugh at your name for the scales, lol.

Dee - :welcome2: There are several posters here that are under 50, but that's fine with us! Your baby is adorable, and so are the projects you've done. I used to make wreathes galore and sell them in my craft shop. Girls' hair barrettes were my biggest seller, though.

Linda - how's your week going?

My project of the day isn't very crafty, lol, but I need to do laundry and wash rugs. Sometime soon, I want to sort through family photos for scrapbooking. I have the habit of making doubles of any photo I think could possibly make a nice scrapbook page, but in reality, I'll only use a fraction of them.

Weight-wise, I'm trying to take off what I gained last week.

Have a good day. :)

Morning all! I'm not usually up this early today. I went to bed last night with a headache which quickly turned into a nauseus migraine. Mostly my head just hurts but this time I had the added bonus of a stomach ache; my digestive system shurs down with the migraine. I'm feeling much better now, but I was up until 2:30 {laying down made the whole thing worse...}. I can always go back to bed later if I need to.

Good news I'm down a lb! I was surprised to find last night that I was serveral hundred calories short of my normal range?? I felt full and didn't feel deprived. :?:

Jane, We went to J. Alexander's which is a place Hubby and I are nornally 'to cheap' to go, LOL. I gave her a notebook style calender, which is what I get her every year, she doesn't even have to ask anymore. Dad and Hubby spent the night talking about Dad's Mustang restoration project {yawn!] so Mom and I leaned close and talked about interesting things. Dad and Hubby also made a playdate for Sat, so Mom and I will do something interesting also, and probably end up at Panera's and a movie. I weeded the front bed of grass, and planted pansies. I have two plastic boxes that hang off the iron rails of the porch, and then I planted some more in the front bed. The fron of our small house is full sun so I don't do a lot out there I do more in the dappled shade of the backyard. Mostly hostas and azaleas.

MBN, I've tried filet several times in the past, but finally 'got' it this past month. I understoood the concept but couldn't get it right in the real project. Your bookmark ideas sounds like a good one! I have a few snowflakes I made for the tree, but we haven't put the tree up for the past few years. Space issues and laziness. :D

Thanks for the welcome all!

Jane- not the one you asked, but I took my 3 to Christmas Carol, and it was only a lil bit scary in a spot or two.. my youngest are 6 and 7. I would recommend not to do IMAX experience with it though, really really LOUD. oh, and the baby is a friend of mine's, although she is a doll and I'd take her, lol.

Dee

Hi Everyone,

I don't think I got by here yesterday so wanted to make a quick flyby to say I'm still here.

Dee:welcome2: We are glad to have you here. Those are very nice quilts. Did you do the bow on the wreat as well. My babysister and I took a class to make bows years ago. I don't know if I could do one now or not. Enjoyed making them back then. I too wondered if the baby was yours. We are glad to have you here.

KrisR I love those colors. I used to love those multicolors for baby blankets. Good job on the "wise" choices. Makes you feel good doesn't it? Proud of you.

Penguin :carrot:Yea and Congratulations on the lb loss.

MBN How wonderful that you and DH are so active. I used to chrochet afghans for kids, grandkids, and family etc. Now I too like the easier things I can do watching television.

Institches Great making your NSV. I have to watch salt myself.

Jane Tony seems to be feeling better today. Thanks for asking. Good luck on getting rid of those 2 pesky lbs and have fund doing your scrapbook.

I tried to do a quick catch up so hope I got everyone. If I missed anyone, it was strictly by accident.

Y'all have a good evening.

Okay, I did Kettlebell Bootcamp DVD. Since I don't actually have a kbl yet, I had a variety of things lined up to 'stand-in'. The first was too wide and too heavy! Oooops! Here I've been so excited about kbls, even planning on buying one already and I'm not going to be able to finish my first workout :o. My back was killing me by the end of the first 16 reps, I was out of breath, and my HR was spiking. Okay I knew this was 'cardio weightwork' but they make it look easy! I dropped down to a 10lb weight and did much better but the db doesn't work for all the exercises. I had better results with my 10lb ankle weight wrapped around itself leaving part of the strap as a kbl 'handle'. I had to hold the ends together because I could hear the velcro rip apart with each swing but it worked. I'm happy with the workout and glad I tried it.

Sorry did not get to spend much time on-line yesterday. My husband LOVED the movie, he said Disney really stayed close to following the book. I thought it was a bit scary in a couple of places, it makes you jump a bit. Some movies are being shown in 3-D {not sure if thats what IMAX is??} but I saw it in regular 2-D, {still a bit loud for me}

I also started 3 scrapbooks, doing one for each of my kids, haven't done much on them in a while, in fact haven't had time for my first love which is counted cross stitch, my day is so busy right now, and with the holidays fast approaching don't think I will have time for a while. So have a WIP area in my computer room...

Promise to be back soon for personals, have a great day!

A quick :wave: this morning. Didn't want to get up and go to BSF today because we are getting a loooootttt of rain and wind from Ida. But I may not go the Wednesday before Thanksgiving so I need to weather the storm and go so I'm up and getting ready to go. I may not be on a whole lot either since I've got to be doing more housework between now and T'day.

Y'all have a great day.

I'm just dropping by for a quick "Hi" to everyone. I'm down with an awful cold and all the trimming that go along with it, so I haven't felt like posting much. I'll be back to catch up with you all once I start feeling better.

Take care!

Short on time this morning. We woke up to hear the city sirens blowing and wasted a lot of time trying to figure out why. We still don't know. :?:

Patty. Its a running joke that it rains every Thursday, which is our Bible study day.

Stitch, I'm glad you liked the movie! I was interested in seeing that one.

Back later....

Hi all,

Just a quick pop-in to say hello.

For my creative project, I have been moving furniture (and lots of books) around in the bedroom today, which also means cleaning and rehanging stuff on the walls, and I'm bushed. After all that, I'm not sure I like the new look. :dizzy:

Tomorrow I'll be going to town to get my hair touched upped and trimmed, and not a moment too soon! Also have to do some shopping.

I'll be back when I can. Have a good one! :)

Penguin - I'm beginning to think that it always rains on Wednesday. It was cold and the wind was so bad that the umbrella didn't help very much. Enjoyed the class though.

Jane - I know what you mean. I've got to make it another week with my hair and then I'm getting mine permed and trimmed.

cottagebythesea Hope you get well soon and back to yourself.

Have a good evening everyone.

Hi everyone,

Hope you're all doing well!

It's been busy around here the last couple days. Yesterday we went for a lovely beach walk and today....well, we decided it was time to get into the water. Water temp is about 18 degrees so it's still a bit nippy but we braved it anyway. It was very refreshing. :)

I've nearly finished the 2 Linus quilt tops - hoping to wrap them up tomorrow and start on a new project.

I'm off to do some yoga, foam rolling and mobility work before cooking dinner. I think it is going to be scrambled eggs (easy peasy) then a 'veg out in front of the TV and knit dish cloths' evening.

Have fun in town Jane. Sounds like a pamper you type day.

Yea!!! We are up and running again. Sure missed everyone. Hope everyone had a good day yesterday. We went out to Wally world yesterday and ate at McD's. DH and I shared a meal... so we only had half the calories. I bought some Christmasy red and green yarn to make Christmas doilies.

I heard about Callanetics dvd's on another website so I googled it. I found info about a dvd for beginners so I ordered it. It seems the woman who designed Callanetics did it to strengthen her back and muscles. It is supposed to be here Tuesday.

Just a lazy day today for me. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Well, you guys have me into the mood of making things again. Told DH that I need to go either to Michaels or Hobby Lobby and get me some crochet books. Left all that stuff back in TX when we got married. Strange how things work. I remember when somehow I learned that my Mama's Mama could crochet. I always knew Mama's sister did. I asked Mama about it. She told me that her Mother used to make beautiful crocheted things, but no one seemed to appreciate them and she quit. I remember thinking I hoped I would never get that way. I did though. I made beautiful crochet baby blankets for my grandbabies when they were born. My daughter left them places and never knew what happened to them. I made each of the kids one. I have one son who still has his. So I quit making things. Since I've started doing these few things I'm working on now, I realize that Tony's family is different. They seem to really appreciate everything I do for them. Then I also began to realize that it isn't about them appreciating it so much as it is about me doing it for them and the love that goes into making them things.

Tony's son's daughter always makes some little something for me at Christmas time. She is very shy and doesn't say much when we get to see them. But the things she makes are priceless, because she puts a little bit of herself in each thing she makes. Those are the things in life that have true value. The first year we moved to SC, she made me the prettiest little ceramic snowman container. I use it for decoration at Christmas and it still touches my heart in a way nothing else could.

Thanks Jane for guiding me to this place.

I hope everyone is having a blessed Sunday!!!

Hi all,

Dee - turns out we didn't have time to go to the movie after all. The grandsons kept plenty busy with what we had to do around the house.

Penguin - did you ever find out what caused the sirens? Hope it was nothing serious. Kudos to you, making your own kettle bells that works!

Stitch - WIP is what? Work in peace, lol. Whatever it is, I'm happy for you that you have a designated place for your crafting.

Kris - a beach walk sounds like a lot of fun, even if the water is nippy. Did you get the Linus quilts finished?

Trish - homemade/handmade gifts are the best, and I'm so glad Tony's family appreciates the time and love you put into them. Did you get your crochet hooks? You are so welcome for me asking you to join us, but you don't realize how much you bring to each of us. :hug:

MBN - how are you doing?

I had a busy weekend and am glad to be home with my feet up. DH and I attended a benefit dinner and auction for my nephew with medical problems, and then we brought home 2 of the grandsons. We had a lot of fun, and I hated to see them go home. Next weekend we'll have 3 of the girls, and I can't wait!

Food has been not too bad, but I need to get back 100% OP.

Just wanted to pop on and say Hi! Hope you all have had a great weekend. Not too much productive happening around here, I need to do laundry as usual, but today we had to work on cars.. ended up having to rip all the carpet out of the Jeep before it mildewed (the top leaked and ended up with 3 inches of water INSIDE).. and then we had to change a tire on my explorer because I apparently ran over a staple last night.. ugh... hopefully I can sew some this week, have a John Deere quilt that is supposed to be finished by Thanksgiving and it's not looking good, lol. Here's to a productive, peaceful and happy week for us all!!!!

Dee

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

I shared this with the IE thread and thought I would share with y'all what is suddenly working for me. I know I have to watch my carbs because of my blood sugar. Don't want to be diabetic ever again. I lost almost 70 lbs almost 7 years ago doing CAD and like that way of eating, but I also like the IE way of eating. I suddenly realized last week that I can very easily combine the 2. I always have what they call the Reward Meal everyday about the same time so that I only get an insulin surge once a day so that I am controlling my insulin myself. Don't really care for eating breakfast and would never eat at as a child and teenager except on very special occasions. So I just have my coffee. Then I eat a CM meal or snack which are just low carb meals as needed Intuitively. This is working great because food isn't on my mind all the time and I know I can eat if I get hungry.

I kind of got the idea from the fact when I read the Heller's story in the first book. Rachel first learned that she could eat only one meal a day when she had unexpectedly had to wait all day for an x-ray to be done that she had originally planned to have early morning. She panicked thinking she had to go all day without any food till later because she had never been able to do it. She learned she not only could do it, but she dropped weight and started experimenting with the idea and learned that she could eat only one meal a day and eat what she liked and as much as she needed and lose the weight and continued doing it for quite some time. And then I read that Richard never eats breakfast just drinks coffee. I don't remember if she did the one meal a day till she got to goal or not, but she did it in the beginning and she always had something on hand to eat if she got hungry. I know I cannot decide that I'm going to just eat one meal a day. If I did that, I would be eating all day and if I allow myself to do IE with no guidelines I go wild, but I can eat one good meal each day with the idea that I can eat something else if and when I need it. I started doing this last week and I am amazed at how long I can go a long time without getting hungry. In fact I suddenly realized that when I lost almost 70 lbs about 7 years ago this is pretty much the way that I ate. I am getting the benefit of both controlling my insulin with CAD and IE by doing it this way. Just thought I would share my experience.
We just can never give up looking for what works for us individually as one diet doesn't fit all. Sometimes we might even have to take some good things from several and put them together.

Jane I started reading my cards again like we learned with Beck Solutions. It really makes a difference. How is your recordings you did helping you?

Y'all have a great Monday.

Hi everyone, just a quick check in! Our weather has finally turned delightfully cooler after an unseasonably-warm fall. I ran my half marathon on Sunday morning and posted a much better time than I expected. (race report under the November runners thread). I think the cooler weather was a major factor.

I've got some vacation days to burn (my company has a use it or lose it policy) so I'm taking Friday off. I'm hoping to get my Christmas shopping plan together. My family keeps the gifts small, and I collect things through the year, so I start to lose track of what I've already got! Once I get my list together, actually doing the shopping is easy. It's figuring out what to get that's tough!

Weight-wise, I'm staying in my maintenance window. It's really hard to balance athletic performance with diet. Conventional wisdom states that you are supposed to "taper" (work out less) before a big race, fuel up (the "carbo-load"), run the race, then eat carbs and protein to recover. I did that last year and gained several pounds through race season! Yeah, because you work out less and eat more! Duh. So, I worked hard to get back to my maintenance window BEFORE my first race and am making a very conscious effort not to over-fuel. It's hard, eat too little and you poop out, eat too much and you gain. It's never easy, is it? But I'll take this "hard" over being 40 pounds heavier and unable to run at all ...

Hi all,

Dee - my youngest grandson would love a John Deere quilt. Let us know if you get it done for T'giving. If not, it would make a great Christmas present. Wow, what a project you had, getting the Jeep carpet out! Hopefully your insurance will cover the cost of replacing it.

Trish - sounds like you found just the right combination of programs for yourself. Something that suits your lifestyle, yet not too strict, or lenient. How did today go?

MBN - good luck with the Christmas shopping. I like to buy things all year long, too. It's the men in the family that are a challenge when it comes to finding the right present, imho. :dizzy: I agree with the "hard" you've chosen. Yay for you, placing at a better time than you thought you would in the race.

I had fun today in town with friends, celebrating one of their birthdays. We got a little rowdy, lol. I had a sandwich, but did not eat the fries that came with it. I don't know why, but I wasn't even tempted by them. Probably too full after having a pina colada, lol. After that was a stop for produce and milk. Tomorrow my carpet cleaner guy is coming bright and early to do the heavy traffic areas in my living room. I wish I had a darker colored carpet, with 2 dogs and a hubby that drips coffee, lol.

Have a good Wednesday!

Quickie check-in from me to say "Hi!" to you all! My cold is finally gone and I'm getting my energy back, just in time, it seems. Life is pretty crazy right now, but should slow down by the end of the week.

I'll try to stop in later this evening to catch up with you all.

Cottagebythesea Glad you are feeling better.

MBN You are doing a great job. Enjoy your days off.

Jane, Penguin and Dee Hi there.

I got my Callanetics dvd yesterday and did it for the first time today. I can see why she recommends doing only 2 or 3 days a week. I know I will only get 2 days in this week and may do only 2 days until January. Depends on how I do. It is usually hard for me to get up and down from the floor, but I was surprised and pleased at how well I did. Of course, you modify each exercise according to when you start to feel the stretch and as time goes only you should be able to do more and more. I believe it will be good for my back and knees.

Getting tired as I've been up a long time today. Think I'll finish up checking emails and threads and then go to bed early. Catch y'all tomorrow.

Hi all,

Linda - I'm so glad you're feeling better, and that things will be slowing down for you a bit.

Trish - I remember doing callenetics in high school gym class! Wait... that was calisthenics... wonder what the difference is? If you have trouble getting up from the floor, you might want to do the exercises on the bed, if you have a dvd player close by.

No crafting for me today - too much going on. DD Mary will be here to visit in a bit, then DS Terry is bringing out lunch. No clue what. :dizzy: This evening, we're having friends in for dinner, and will be playing with the Wii after. So at least I'll be getting some exercise!

Have a crafty day. :)

Sorry to me MIA. My computer has gone crazy and won't let me log in at Chicks. I'm at a friend's . Hope to get the prolbem fixed and back soon!

Hello gals!
How is everyone doing? Keeping those hands busy and out of the food? :)

We've had a horrible hot/humid weather pattern the last couple days so it's been quite miserable. Certainly not the kind of weather to get much done.

I did start a new project. A few years back I had purchased a few little girl patterns with the thought of making some clothes for my cousin's little girl. Well, they never got started and now Ani is too big for the patterns. BUT, I figure, that doesn't prevent me from sewing some clothes for the next little girl to come into the family. So, I cut out 2 little pairs of trouser and 2 sundresses. I'll post pictures when I get them finished. Anything to keep me busy and my craft ADHD at bay!

Did a 90 minute aqua aerobic class this morning. I thought the instructor was going to kill us. For whatever reason, this particular instructor is so good at motivating me. If anyone thinks that an aqua class is easy, they should take a class from this gal. Good grief. I was going to do weights and boxing after the aqua class but there was simply no puff left in this little red engine. Maybe tomorrow.

Cheers!

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been here much. Just staying busy. Got to get house ready for company to come for a few hours Thanksgiving Day. This will probably be our last T'Day with them as they are moving. So will be nice to visit with them.

The Callanetics has gotten me motivated. The fact that I can get up and down from the floor (with a little bit of a struggle) made me feel good about myself and to realize that this 66 yr old gal can make a come back. I didn't know how to work the dvd in living room, but decided to learn how. You know these men and their electronic toys. DH has more buttons you have to push to get things going. Decided that when Bill was living that I had to learn how to do all that stuff cause he was a cop and gone all the time. So I can do it now. We are the ones who decide we cannot do certain things. I think we have to tell the body what it is going to do not the other way around. Remember the last thing Tony's Mother told us before she died was, "Kids, don't ever get to the place that you think of yourself as being old". I think that is good advice. Any way, I got up this morning got the living room dvd working and did my 30 minute "Sweatin' to the Oldies" exercise. I kept thinking I don't have to do the whole thing. I can quit if I need to. I ended up doing the whole thing.:carrot: Actually was able to do the floor part and got up without holding on to a chair. I am so excited about this. There was a time years ago when I had the tape that I did that tape 6 days a week. I think I can do it 4 days for now or at least 3.

KrisR I always wished I could get into aqua arobics. I thought it would be easier for me. Maybe not. Hope your heat spell is over.

Penguin Hope you get your computer problems fixed. A few days ago I had the problem of everytime I would write a message on here that I would lose it when I hit the submit button. So I quit trying for a while.

Jane, MBN, Dee and anyone else I missed:wave:

Y'all have a great weekend!!!

Hello all,

Penguin - hope you get your computer fixed soon. I go crazy when mine is acting up! But my house gets cleaner, haha.

Kris - I'd love to see the photos of the clothes you're making when they are finished. Good for you, doing 90 minutes of aqua class!

Trish - I have to admit I love electronic gadgets, and am the one here that buys them. Neal would still be using 8-tracks if I left it up to him, lol. A big YAY to you for doing the video, and I love your attitude about not thinking we're too old to do certain things. How true!

Hi also to Dee, MBN, Linda, Institches, and anyone else reading this.

My cell phone needed replaced, so I got one of those new Motorola Droids yesterday and am loving it! (told ya I love electronics, lol) Anyway, today I've been spending a lot of time learning to use the features on it. Also doing laundry and getting some paperwork done. Tomorrow the girls will be here, and I'll be busy with church and them most of the day.

I hope you're having a good weekend. :)

Trish,

You GO girl! I loved reading your post. I think you are right....it is all a matter of our state of mind - or mostly anyway.

Cheers all-

Hi all,

I spent yesterday in Terre Haute with DD Mary. She has a rheumatoid arthritis arthritis doctor there, and gets infusions.

Today my good friend Marquita is coming over for lunch. It's been awhile since she's been here, and we're due for a good chat.

No crafting for me this week, unless you count the cooking craft of making Thanksgiving dinner!

How is your week going?

Just a quick one to say hello. Going to wally world today hoping I can get my last minute shopping done for T'day before the everybody goes tomorrow. Planning store trip to spend the rest of today and tomorrow getting ready for company coming Thursday for dinner.

Everything is going great diet wise. I am still doing my Intuitive Eating, but counting calories at the same time just to see how I'm doing that way. I'm so thankful that IE is working for me so well right now. I've been reading all over 3fc and came across a diet called Clean Eating. I'm not necessarily using the diet because I eat pretty much that way already, but since I don't like the word "diet" because it means restrictive and makes me think I'm going to get off when I reach goal... you know some of the traps we set for ourselves to mess up. So now I like to say that I am an Intuitive Clean Eater. I'm doing my exercises at least 3 days a week. I did the 30 min 2 mile Walk Away the Pounds yesterday and was too hard on my back and hip. So I'm thinking I'm going to have to do the 1 mile 20 miin tape instead. I'm trying to do different exercises to ward off boredom. I was able to do the Richard Simmon's 30 minute Sweatin' to the Oldies with no problem. So I think I can get 5 days of exercise done including my callanetic 2x a week. So that should help get the scales moving in my favor as well.

I have my plan for the big dinner Thursday. I read what someone else does, I think it was on Eat Clean site. I'll eat a little bit of all the things I like and want and if I want more I can go back. She said she usually doesn't want with the thought that I can back for more. Also remembering what I read somewhere else that after 2 or 3 bites that the food doesn't taste as good, I plan to eat enough bites to enjoy the taste of the foods I only eat at Thanksgiving. I plan only making enough not to have a lot of left overs (I'm not making the turkey and dressing) just the side dishes and desserts. I will send most of what is left home with the guests. So I have my plan and ready to go.

Jane Hope you have a great day with your friend. I had planned to call you today and yesterday but never had the time. I knew why when I saw your plans on FB.

KrisR, MBN, Penguin and everyone else :wave:

Took off from BSF tomorrow and guess what? No rain in the forecast. Rained really heavy the last 2 weeks and we might get rain next week. Wouldn't you know it? :dizzy:

I don't know if I'll post again before T'day so Y'all have a good one.

Hi all,

It's been hard to get connected here, with the "server too busy" thing going on! Glad that's fixed!

Trish - sounds like you had a very good plan in place for T'giving. I didn't do too bad, but did indulge somewhat.

I hope each of you had a good holiday. My electric power went out, so we packed up the food and went to my sister's. You know what they say, "We make plans, and God laughs." Haha, so true!!

I got in some crafting after all this week. Our church gave everyone a plain silver Christmas ball to decorate for the tree in Fellowship Hall, and I fixed mine up Tuesday night. I'm not talented for that kind of thing, so mine's kind of simple, but I'll take a picture of it to share with the crafters here.

Any Black Friday shoppers here? I used to be out there with the best of them, but not anymore.

Have a good day. :)

Hi Everyone

Never could get on 3fc's after last post either. Glad it's fixed.

Turns out having a plan really works. I had a great day yesterday. I followed my plan to fixed one plate of a little bit of everything I liked with the idea that I could go back for seconds and didn't have to go back for the seconds. I followed the IE rules and ate until satisfied not stuffed and not full. I was so pleased. Sent most of the food home with the guests and saved only enough for one meal today. Saved some dessert for supper and sent the rest with them. I am happy to say there is no desserts in the house. I forgot to tell them to take home all the dressing so I threw out what they left so I wouldn't eat it. I'm up about a lb, but that is only because the homemade noodles was cooked in store bought broth and had way more salt than I ever eat. That should come back down tomorrow. I am really thrilled with the way things went including my eating.

Jane Sounds like you had one of those memorable T'day. I remember when the kids were little and Bill and I had some friends coming for dinner. My stove was really bad back then and it caught on fire. Can't remember how we got it finished, but some how we got it done and ended we all laughed and had a lot of fun. No black Friday shopping for me. Did shopping on black Friday one time with Tony's daughter and decided I wouldn't do it again.

Hope everyone had a good day.

Y'all have a great weekend.

Good morning,

Trish - I'm so glad this WOE is working for you, and am so proud of your T'giving success. I had the kids over last night to finish most of the T'giving leftovers. There is nothing too tempting in the house, but tonight we're having pizza with Neal's brother Paul. I'm fixing a big green salad to go with it, though.

Penguin - I hope you see this before long, either at your sister's house, or because your own computer is up and running.

A big hello to Linda, MBN, Institches, Dee, Kris, and anyone else reading this. :wave:

I've got some grocery shopping to do today, and need to clean a bit before Neal's brother gets here. We haven't put our Christmas decorations out yet, and I'm not sure when we'll do that. Maybe tomorrow.

Have a good Saturday!

Hello Everyone,

I was excited this morning to see that I'm back down to where I was before T'day. I even had lost half a pound. So I came out of this really good. I am pleased.

Jane I don't have any tempting foods either. I do have some candied sweet potatoes that I like and I think I'll try washing off all the sweet stuff so I don't have to ditch them. Good luck with the pizza. I don't think 1 or 2 pieces will hurt. I always try to eat no more than 2 and then eat a big salad to fill me up. I don't have my decorations out either, but hope to get that done this week end or early next week. Bill and I used to do outdoors as well, but Tony doesn't like to do that so we never have. Now I find it a struggle to do just the indoors. My back makes everything harder these days.

Penguin You are missed.

Linda, MBN, Institches, Dee, Kris, and anyone else I missed and Lurkers :wave: and I hope you are having a great T'day week end.

Hi Everyone,
Hope everyone had a great day-I tried something new!! Well New for me, I did not have any goodies or regular TD leftovers, and guess what??? My tummy was so happy with me, not that I over did it the last two days, I just thought I could have one regular meal the last two days, just to clean up the little bit of leftovers that I didn't ship out with the kids when they left. DH asked me to save HIM some pumpkin pie and pumkin cookies, and leftover turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and gravy. Well I said "what could it hurt" so that's what I had for dinner, again, last night, and then, had a tiny piece of p.pie and 1 cookie, my tummy grumbled, all last night, and this morning my digestive tract was very unhappy with me. So.....long story short, I guess only 1 day off track is all my tummy will handle. Today there's a skip in my step and all's right with the world. Just wanted to say, I think eating healthy is whats for me. Not that I did any damage, weight wise, actually lost a pound this week, and that was with eating 2 "unhealthy meals" and some desserts that were full fat. I just think I will stick with what works, as for the desserts, they no longer hold any power over me, and they just don't taste as good as I thought they did, all that butter and white stuff, makes my body feel really yucky!! So DH can have the rest with my blessing!

Well got the chance to post earlier tonight, I'm usually not on-line until at least midnight, when DH goes to work, but since he's taking a little nap, before he goes in, thought I would pop on to say Hi. Tonight I'm going to make myself a cup of green tea, and cross stitch, the night away. Hope everyone has a great Sunday.

Institches21 :carrot: there's nothing like eating healthy. Congratulations. Looks like most of us have come through TD very well.

Hi all,

Trish - :cp: whoo hoo for the 1/2 pound loss! You're doing great! About the decorations, we hang those big fat multi-colored bulbs all the way around the roof, but don't do much else. I used to tie red bows to the bare branches of the forsythia bush, but the arthritis in my right hand keeps me from doing that now. I put out my living room decorations today, all except the tree. Lucy would make short work of tearing the balls off, and tearing the presents up. :dizzy:

Institches - yep, I agree that our bodies respond so much better to healthy foods. It amazes me how much more energy I have when I eat well. How's the cross stitch coming along?

My crafty side today was fixing up a dull Christmas wall hanging. Nothing worth taking a picture of, though.

My weight loss plan for the rest of the year is to maintain what I've lost, and to increase the exercise. With a December vacation, and all the parties, I think this is the best goal for me right now. Since I usually gain over the holidays, maintaining will be a big step in the right direction.

Toodles,

Hey everyone, hope you're all doing well.

Not much new on my planet.

I'm with you, Jane....maintaining would be good. A loss would be excellent!

The last couple days I've been a bit out of control with eating - actually had cookies yesterday and I haven't 'done a line of cookies' in a long long time. Today it's back on track. Started my day with a trip to the gym for some heavy lifting and boxing. I had to wait for one of the guys to get done with the boxing bag for what felt like forever but it was worth the wait. I continue to amaze myself at how much I love boxing!

I'm attaching a little eye candy for you....my friend sent me this piece of fabric. It's called deconstructed dying. I love it. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. Right now I'm just enjoying looking at it and thinking up ideas.

Cheers-

:woohoo: FOUND YA! I love the search feature on this site! :cheer:

Just mark'n my spot - need to :running: and get some things done!
I'm NEW here, finding my way around :books2:

See ya Lighter!
Kim :tantrum:

Hi all,

Kris - wow, I LOVE that fabric! The possibilities are endless! Are those unattached squares, or what? I think boxing would be fun, especially if a person had some stress to vent, lol.

Kim - :welcome: to our little corner of 3FC. This is a very small group, and most of us are challenged right now by the busy Christmas season, but please let us know more about yourself. What kind of crafting are you interested in? What weight loss program have you been doing?

Penguin - I'll sure be glad when you have your own computer back!

Trish - how's everything going for you?

Hello to MBN, Institches, Linda, Dee, and anyone else reading this.

My crafting endeavor the past couple of days has been baking cookies for Christmas. Yesterday it was Neal's favorite - oatmeal raisin cookies, and making the dough to chill for Christmas cookies. Today I made 7 dozen of those in shapes of stars, Christmas trees, wreaths, bells, and included hearts and teddy bears just for the fun of it. The grandkids will be here on the 19th to decorate them. For now, the cookies are frozen, and out of my reach. I didn't eat a one of them today, although they sure smelled good!

I got some walking in today, and have been doing my recumbent bike, but I need to get the hand weights going, too.

Have a good weekend!

Kim - :welcome: to our little corner of 3FC. This is a very small group, and most of us are challenged right now by the busy Christmas season, but please let us know more about yourself. What kind of crafting are you interested in? What weight loss program have you been doing?


Hi Jane :wave: and everyone! :wave:
I L♥V small groups! NEW here to 3FC's and finding my way around, but when I found this group (and then found it again) I knew I just had to come and join in! :dance:

I enjoy quilting, paper crafts (Big Shot, rubber stamping, scrap booking) and punch needle. I have done MANY other crafts in the past - but has had to narrow it down to what I have room and time for. :D

The program I will be starting on Monday is called "Crack the Fat Loss Code" by Wendy Chant. It is a wonderful, very successful plan that many women my age (almost 55) are finding very successful at getting rid of the plateau in their WOE and loosing the middle age spread (belly fat). If you want to know more about it, just Google the title and you will find it.

I am really excited about finding Wendy's program and then the bonus - finding 3 Fat Chicks! This is really a GREAT site! :cheer:

Thanks for welcoming me to the group! Have a GREAT day everyone! :grouphug:
Kim :trampo:

Hi Everyone,

A quick flyby as it is late and I've got to get to bed.

Kim :welcome3: Glad to have you here. I look forward to getting to know you.

Jane You must be excited about your trip. When do you leave?

I am doing great with my eating. It has all come together for me. I always did good with low carb but try as I would, I couldn't get past 3 or 4 days. Any way, I've been doing Carbohydrate Addicts and bouncing between 232.5 to 234.5 even got up higher a few times. Any way I found some info on Protein Power here on 3fc Low carb thread and decided to check it out. I found on another site a url to 2 articles on it and decided to give it a try. I am amazed and excited. I started yesterday and this morning I had dropped 3 lbs from 234.5 to 231.5. That is fantastic, but even greater than that is that I am not hungry. I have needed or craved sweets or chocolate. I guess because I was sorta lcing with CAD, I'm not having any of the problems they said people usually have when getting on Atkins or Protein Power. I am absolutely amazed. I am been able to very easily combine Intuitive Eating and Protein Power. I really believe that I have found the way that I can not only lose weight, but I can eat this way the rest of my life. Jane, you know how I have struggled with this. I'm still doing the Beck cards we learned to do and it has all come together for me. I am sooooo thankful. I just had to share.

Everyone else:wave:

Y'all have a great Sunday.

Kim :welcome3: Glad to have you here. I look forward to getting to know you.

I am doing great with my eating...
...Any way I found some info on Protein Power here on 3fc Low carb thread and decided to check it out. I found on another site a url to 2 articles on it and decided to give it a try. I am amazed and excited. I started yesterday and this morning I had dropped 3 lbs from 234.5 to 231.5. That is fantastic, but even greater than that is that I am not hungry...
...I am been able to very easily combine Intuitive Eating and Protein Power. I really believe that I have found the way that I can not only lose weight, but I can eat this way the rest of my life...
...I'm still doing the Beck cards we learned to do and it has all come together for me. I am sooooo thankful. I just had to share.


:thanks: for the Welcome Pattygirl63! It's GREAT being here! :cheer:

I have a few questions -
1. I think I have the book Protein Power in my LIBRARY :O of past diets, might just pull that out and give it a review. :reading:

2. What is Intuitive Eating? :dunno:

3. What is Beck Cards? :dunno:

You really seem to be excited! It is rubbing off on me! Tomorrow I will officially start "Crack the Fat Loss Code" by Wendy Chant. It focuses on getting your OFF the Carb Craving Roller Coaster! The first week is VERY strict in counting Carbs, then after that, no more counting carbs, you count BAD FATS for the next 7 weeks. Basically an 8 week program that sets your body up for life!

Let me know when you can - I'll let you know too! :hug:

See ya Lighter!
Kim :trampo:

Hi Kim Intuitive Eating says when you are hungry, eat what you really want and eat it slowly and savor every bite and stop when you start to feel full. They teach that there are no good food bad foods. However, I have to watch my carbs. Since I like the concept of eating what I really like and want, enjoy it and stop when I start to feel full (I like the word satisfied), I decided to count my carbs keeping them between 20 to 40 carbs and use the Intuitive Eating rules. On an IE thread on another site many of the ladies do other diets and one of them made up what she called 4 Golden Rules from her diet... #1 When you are hungry; eat. #2 Eat what you want not what you think you should eat. #3 Eat slow and enjoy every bite. #4 Stop eating when you start to feel full. Those are the rules I am applying to Proten Power and it is working for me.

Under General diets here on 3fc there is a thread called Beck Complete Diet Solutions. You can read some things on that thread. Jane and I got the book and learned to follow some of the Skills that Dr. Beck suggested doing to help stay focused. I changed some of mine and don't call them what she did. You learn to make what she calls Response Cards and an Advantage Deck and other skills that you read some everyday and some things when you need them to help you stay mindful of what you are accomplishing and why. The book we got was the newer book, but if I had known more about it I think I would have gotten the original Beck Solutions. When she wrote the new book she added a calorie counting diet. The original book did not have a diet because the skills will work with any diet you follow. The skills that I do have helped me a lot.
To me the original PP book was complicated. I ordered the new one Protein Power Life Plan. Also ordered another new book of the Eades on a 6 week plan to get rid of the Middle aged belly fat. I've been reading posts by those on another site who are doing it. I plan to switch to it January 1st.

I'm curious what is "BreaK the Fat Loss Code"?

I weighed this morning and was down another .5 lb. This is so unusual for me. I'm keeping my carbs around 20 to 30 grams a day. Didn't plan it that way. It just seems to be all I need. The end of my 3rd day and still no cravings. Yahoo!!!!:carrot:

Hello all,

Kim - I have no clue what Big Shot is. Please tell me more about it. I know just what you mean about having to decide which craft to spend our time on. There aren't enough hours in the day for all the things we want to do! You are a very welcome addition to this site, and I'm so glad you've joined us!

Trish - whoo hoo on the .5 loss! :cp: Way to go!! Yes, I am very excited about our trip. We leave early Wednesday morning, and get back late Saturday. I like short vacations, and get homesick if I'm gone too long. Neal is excited, too, and we're like a couple of kids, going off to summer camp, or something, lol.

I had the best weekend with family. We celebrated Neal's and John's birthdays, and all the kids and grandkids were here. It was so much fun, but it all ended too soon so the grands could get home and in bed.

We've got snow here!! I've been waiting and waiting for it, and finally, here it is! :dance: Makes me feel so much more in the Christmas spirit. Today I'm making a raisin nut loaf to freeze for Christmas, and maybe I'll even get some presents wrapped.

Have a good day, ladies. :)

Hi Kim Intuitive Eating says when you are hungry, eat what you really want and eat it slowly and savor every bite and stop when you start to feel full. They teach that there are no good food bad foods...

...4 Golden Rules from her diet... #1 When you are hungry; eat. #2 Eat what you want not what you think you should eat. #3 Eat slow and enjoy every bite. #4 Stop eating when you start to feel full.

Under General diets here on 3fc there is a thread called Beck Complete Diet Solutions.

I'm curious what is "BreaK the Fat Loss Code"?


:thanks: for the GREAT info Pattygirl63! :carrot:

Since I am a NEW ;) member here, I really should not post any links until I PROVE myself, so - on the "Crack the Fat Loss Code" by Wendy Chant, you will just have to Google the information. It is a fantastic program that is working for many MIDDLE aged women with Menopause and Thyroid conditions.

So - today I have officially STARTED the "CRACK" program again :dizzy:
I started it on 11/30/09. I had weighed 227 the day after Thanksgiving. When I started the program on 11/30/09, I weighed 224, but was only on the program for 2 days until my neck went out (BAD Chiropractor) and my hubby was diagnosed with having a stroke at some time (eye doctor found it - vision really dropped in one eye).

Well excuses, excuses - I was go'na put off my program until 1/4/09 (great rotation type program to start on Mondays). Well, a wonderful member here at 3FC's responded to my thread with this...

Hiya Kim. It's great you have a plan, and I'm happy you are excited to get started, but please remember that there will be a national, religious, or regional holiday or birthday approx. every month of the year. You will have aches and pains and your spouse and family members will have many of their own issues for the rest of their lives. I hope you don't postpone your journey every time something comes up...because life is full of suprises.

In the month you are waiting to start, you could be 10-15 (or more) pounds lighter. Why not start tomorrow or (next monday if it is truly better to start your particular plan on a Monday for some reason). If you really want to enjoy the holidays, (2 days that are several weeks away yet), splurge a little on those 2 days and get right back to it. Losing weight is a lifestyle change...and I can tell you that without a doubt, that last year was the best Holiday season I ever had...EVER and I know it was because I felt GOOD about myself...because I was well on my way to getting healthy. I didn't need food to enjoy it. Sticking to a healthy diet does not take the "fun away" from an already wonderful time of year.

I found your starting weight interesting!!...222. I started out at 333, a whole 111 pounds heavier. That last 111 came on rather quickly, while I was "waiting" to start a plan.

Please reconcider starting now. In the words of another 3FC member: "Don't wait, your life is calling you!"

Anyway, I really hope all goes well for you. :hug:

SO! I am starting the plan today - BUT - for some strange reason, I am down to 220 now! :woohoo:Doesn't make sense - I've been eating us out of house and home! :moo:
THAT is a 7 pound loss since the day after Thanksgiving! :yikes:
I know that this will catch up with me - but for now - I'm roll'n with the punches! :dizzy:

Hello all,
Kim - I have no clue what Big Shot is...
...You are a very welcome addition to this site, and I'm so glad you've joined us!


:thanks: Jane! for the Welcome! :D
A Big Shot is a paper die cutter machine made by Ellison. Really cool! :flow2:

Well everyone! Hope you all have a FANTASTIC day!
Got to get mov'n!

See ya Lighter!

Kim :trampo:

Hi all,

Kris - wow, I LOVE that fabric! The possibilities are endless! Are those unattached squares, or what? I think boxing would be fun, especially if a person had some stress to vent, lol.


It's one big (about 45" square) piece of fabric that has been screen printed. Just looking at it, it looks like she must have screens (?) that are between 5-9 inches in different shapes. I wonder if the technique is something like stamping? I'm really not sure but it is a lovely piece of fabric. I'm going to hang it on my design wall in my studio until I decide what to do with it.

One idea I have is to embellish the fabric with stitching, different fibers, trims and then use the finished piece as pillow covers. Or, I thought I could use it as a fabric for a purse.

And yes....some days I REALLY get into the boxing....especially on Monday mornings when I get on the random number generator and it says "sorry - you didn't lose any fat this week". I hate the random number generator...I'm so close to pitching it into the bush.....you can't imagine! :)

:woohoo: FOUND YA! I love the search feature on this site! :cheer:

Just mark'n my spot - need to :running: and get some things done!
I'm NEW here, finding my way around :books2:

See ya Lighter!
Kim :tantrum:


Welcome, Kim!

Kim,
Thanks for sharing the quote from Lori Bell. What a great post. Listening to my sisters lately, how they are all out eating fudge and cookies and candies and all and AFTER THE HOLIDAYS they will pull it together just makes me cringe. I so want to tell them - basically what Lori said - but haven't been able to do it without sounding sanctimonious so I've just kept my mouth shut.

Whether or not they (my sisters) get the message, I am grateful that you posted this as I needed to hear it - just to keep myself strong and motivated. Just because it's the month of December does not mean I need to, want to or get to slack off. I'm in this game - this game of changing my life and my body - full time.

Thanks again.

And yes....some days I REALLY get into the boxing....especially on Monday mornings when I get on the random number generator and it says "sorry - you didn't lose any fat this week". I hate the random number generator...I'm so close to pitching it into the bush.....you can't imagine! :)

:rofl: :lol3: :rofl: I feel it! ;)

Welcome, Kim!

Thank you SO MUCH! :hug:

Kim,
Thanks for sharing the quote from Lori Bell. What a great post. Listening to my sisters lately, how they are all out eating fudge and cookies and candies and all and AFTER THE HOLIDAYS they will pull it together just makes me cringe. I so want to tell them - basically what Lori said - but haven't been able to do it without sounding sanctimonious so I've just kept my mouth shut.

Whether or not they (my sisters) get the message, I am grateful that you posted this as I needed to hear it - just to keep myself strong and motivated. Just because it's the month of December does not mean I need to, want to or get to slack off. I'm in this game - this game of changing my life and my body - full time.
Thanks again.

Awww...you are so welcome! It is a great motivational to me too! Glad you liked it! :hug: AGAIN! NEVER can get enough hugs! :D

Well, got to get mov'n again....
put dinner on the table...

See ya Lighter!
Kim :trampo:

Quick flyby just to say Jane, you and Neal have a fun trip.

Hi gals - just a quick pop in to say hi! It's been so busy with parties, running, work, kids, and Christmas stuff! After the Thanksgiving weekend (and a couple of days of seriously off-plan eating), I got back on plan and got an unexpected swoosh loss of a couple of pounds. I'm actually floating at the bottom and even a little below my maintenance range. I'm thrilled with that, at this time of year! I think maybe after so many weeks of very strict on-plan eating, my couple of days of off-plan eating made my body go - whoa, I'm not starving!, and release a little weight. Who knows? I'm also running and working out a lot right now so that is also a factor, I'm sure. I'm trying to keep the holiday party eating and drinking under control so I can save my "splurging" for my annual Christmas trip up North to see my family.

I have several more lunch/dinner parties this week (again) and my strategy is to pick *one* to indulge a little and be very strict with all of the others. That way I'm not going too far off plan for more than one meal a week, which in maintenance I can handle. It's when it turns into another, and another, and another, day after day --- that's when it gets out of control. Even on that one splurge party, I pre-plan my alcoholic beverages to be as low cal as possible, skip any appetizers (unless it's low cal veggies or shrimp), and keep the meal portion sizes small. But I WILL have the dessert, even if I just eat a few bites! ;)

Ah, the lovely world of maintenance -- plan, plan, plan. But if I DON'T go in with a plan, then I will overindulge, no question. Especially once I start drinkin'. :o

Have a great week everyone!

A quick hello,

DH Neal and I are taking off in the morning for Walt Disney World, just for 4 days, and I'm not taking the laptop with me. I'll be back here sometime Sunday, but if you need any help with this forum before then, just PM a mod or administrator.

Have a good week! :grouphug:

Hi, everyone!

Sorry I've been scarce around here, but what with a VIP visitor (Ruthxxx) over Thanksgiving week, and getting ready for Christmas, life has been keeping me pretty busy lately! But the house is all decked out, inside and out, and my cards have been mailed, and shopping 90% done and wrapped. I still have baking to tackle, but I already warned my family that I'm cutting way back this year and will only do special requests.

Between all that, there hasn't been much time to work on my cross-stitch wreath that I was hoping to finish by Christmas. By the time I sit down at the end of the day, it's all I can do to keep my eyes open, lol!

Hi, everyone!

Sorry I've been scarce around here, but what with a VIP visitor (Ruthxxx) over Thanksgiving week, and getting ready for Christmas, life has been keeping me pretty busy lately! But the house is all decked out, inside and out, and my cards have been mailed, and shopping 90% done and wrapped. I still have baking to tackle, but I already warned my family that I'm cutting way back this year and will only do special requests.

Between all that, there hasn't been much time to work on my cross-stitch wreath that I was hoping to finish by Christmas. By the time I sit down at the end of the day, it's all I can do to keep my eyes open, lol!

You have SO MUCH ENERGY! Now, it is TIME to come over to my house and do it all over again! Pleeeeeeezzzzzzz?

I'm SO far behind! :shocksn:

Kim :D

You have SO MUCH ENERGY! Now, it is TIME to come over to my house and do it all over again! Pleeeeeeezzzzzzz?

I'm SO far behind! :shocksn:

Kim :D

Lol! I just may have to think about that offer. I'd love to visit Cheyenne one day! Hmmm, what do holiday planners get paid an hour? :chin:

Lol! I just may have to think about that offer. I'd love to visit Cheyenne one day! Hmmm, what do holiday planners get paid an hour? :chin:

Paid??? Just the JOY of being in Wyoming this time of year should be payment enough! :hug:

You are so funny! :rofl: :lol3: :rofl:


Have a GREAT day everyone! ~ Kim :wave:

Hello!

We're back from Florida, and I have a big day with family planned for tomorrow. Here's hoping you're having a great weekend, and I'll check back in on Monday. :)

Jane-Hope you had a fun trip, and enjoy your family time!!

Hi to Everyone-hope all is well!!

*****
Had a fun day with my DN, but staying POP not so much. Well tomorrow is a brand new day, and looks like bad weather is in the forecast, so plan to sit and cross-stitch, and keeps my hands busy. Also plan to decorate our tree, and prep my lunches for the week, which is only 4 days and 5hrs on Friday, then off from work until the New Year. Then I can start my Christmas shopping :o

Well everyone have a Fun Sunday, and stay warm!! If you do need to go out, stay safe.

...Also plan to decorate our tree...

I'm so glad there is someone else out there who hasn't done this yet! :D
Thanks for sharing - I feel more normal now!

Have a GREAT day - you sure have made mine! :broc:

See ya Lighter! ~ Kim :comp:

Just finding this thread and decided to join in!

I'm not much of a crafter, but I do have one thing I enjoy doing, which is making knotted twine rosaries. I alternate between this and making the mission rosaries, which are made with plastic beads. I do find that working on these when I am watching TV definitely keeps me from running for a snack. :)

Now that it's getting colder, having them to work on while sitting in front of a warm fire is even more relaxing.

:welcome2: GREAT to meet ya SouthernMaven!
Fantastic weight loss! I'm just starting...I have a ways to go!
If God should give me the time...I'll be at or near goal, this time next year!
Just tak'n it one day at a time with His help!

The work you are do'n on rosaries sounds very interesting! Thanks for sharing! :hug:

See ya Lighter! :broc:
Kim :comp:

I'm glad you had a nice trip, Jane, and hope you had a great day with your family today. I bet Disney World was just beautiful all decked out for Christmas.

Hi, SouthernMaven, and welcome! Your hobby of making rosaries sounds fascinating. Do you donate them or sell them at craft shows?

We had freezing rain and icy roads today, and that put a damper on my plans to finish up my Christmas shopping. My granddaughter came over in the afternoon, though, and we had a good time baking and decorating sugar cookies. Luckily, they aren't my favorite, and she was very happy to take them all home with her after supper. :) Yesterday I baked gingerbread men with my other two granddaughters and sent the cookies home with them, too. Tomorrow I'll start baking my DH's special requests, and that's where it will become a challenge for me. I vow to remain strong and resist the temptations!

Hello all-
Welcome SouthernMaven. Yes, your rosary bead project sounds very interesting. Do you have pictures or instructions to share?

Good job everyone on your holiday prep. Our holiday is so laid back - no stress here.

Had a bad couple hours with food yesterday but I'm back on track today. Think I've been trying to do too great of a deficit and it leads me into binge thinking so I'm upping the calories a bit and see if that helps.

Here's a picture of my latest completed project. I have no clue who will be the recipient of these clothes, but I was in the mood to make little girls clothes and I had the patterns and fabric so that's what I've been doing the last couple weeks. It was fun but I'm ready to move onto a new project. Think it might be bags/purses.

Cheers-

Good Monday morning to you!

SouthernMaven - :welcome: to our little corner of 3FC! I'm so glad you found us! I'd say making the rosaries is a wonderful, and very interesting craft, plus very helpful for the missions. I look forward to knowing you better.

Trish - hope all is going well for you.

Dee - whoo hoo - where are you?


Kim - so Big Shot is kind of like a Cricut? Very handy machine, I bet. Your enthusiasm for life makes me smile. I'll bet you're a real hoot in person, and I'm so glad you're a part of this group.

Linda - I envy you your T'giving visitor. Ruth visited here a few years ago, and I know she is a very thoughtful and fun guest. I have to join you in the group that hasn't had much time to do crafts! Maybe after the first of the year, when things have settled down a bit we'll get back to it.

Institches - it's nice that before long you'll be off work and can get your shopping done. The stores are getting so congested now, and I have noticed that some of the shoppers have lost their holiday cheer, and are grumpy instead.

MBN - a big whoo hoo to you for losing, and for planning your holiday eating strategy. Having a plan is so important, and makes it so much easier to stay OP.

Kris - wow, those clothes are so cute!! The recipient will be one lucky little girl! I've seen some very neat patterns for totes and such lately. They've come a long way with that kind of thing. YAY for you, getting right back OP. It's not easy, I know.

Penguin - I really miss your posts and hope you get your computer back running again.

A big hello to anyone reading this!

Walt Disney World was so much fun! It was chillier than normal, but still much warmer than Indiana. I'm always so glad to get back home, though.

Yesterday 12 of us in the family went to see The Princess and the Frog movie. How cute! Not just for girls, boys would like it, too.

My big plan to maintain through the holidays has already gone bust. I'm showing a gain, and so I have gotten back OP. Not sure how I'm going to make it through all the holiday dinners and parties, but I'll take it one day at a time, and have a plan ready.

Have a good day,

PS While I'm counting my Christmas blessings, I'm counting each of you. A couple of you have been my friend for a good while already, and the rest of you are newer friends to me, but I am so glad you each are a part of my life. :grouphug:

Jane, you reminded me that Christmas is time for cherishing your family and friends, and I want to thank each one of you for making this community the happy, caring, nourishing place that it is. :grouphug:

Kris, that's going to be a very lucky little girl who recieves those gorgeous clothes you made! They are adorable!

I've lingered over my coffee way too long this morning, and have to get busy baking another batch of cookies and wrapping more presents before I go off to work. Yuck, the kitchen floor needs a good scrubbing ASAP, too!

Kim - so Big Shot is kind of like a Cricut? Very handy machine, I bet. Your enthusiasm for life makes me smile. I'll bet you're a real hoot in person, and I'm so glad you're a part of this group.


Awwww....you are making me blush! A Big Shot machine is sorta like a Cricut - the Big Shot uses dies that you run through a rolling machine (Big Shot) and it cuts the pieces out that you want. Not as HIGH tech as a cricut - but nether is my pocket book! :crazy:

This group is awesome - every one of you inspire me! I guess you all are what keeps me go'n! :grouphug:

Weighed in today for the first time....drum roll.....I lost 7 pounds on the first week of "Crack the Fat Loss Code" by Wendy Chant! Awesome! :D
Now, you think I had energy then....you should see me now!!! Just in time for the Holidays - PERFECT timing!

See ya Lighter! :broc:
Kim :comp:

A quick flyby just to say :wave: hello and I'm STILL here just busy, busy. Had teeth cleaned and they found I needed a filling. So got the dental work done yesterday and they had to fill the one next to it so ended up with 2 fillings instead of one. DH has doctor appts today and Thursday and I have last BSF meeting for the year tomorrow. Hopefully Friday and Saturday will be stay at home days.

Jane Glad you had fun at DW and glad your home safe.

All Newbies:welcome3: Glad to have you with us.

Well, I hope to maintain during the holidays as well. I'm doing lowcarb and doing pretty well. DH and I ate at MDs yesterday and we always share a combo and I have to make that a Carbohydrate Addicts Day instead of my normal low carb. That will be the way I get through the holiday I'm sure. It keeps me almost maintaining. I was up a lb today, but I know that if I can stay OP today it will go back down tomorrow.

I'll try to check in again Friday if I can.

Y'all have a great day.

Hi all dieting crafters! It seems many here are also Christians which will work out for me, I have some challenges there too. I make jewelry, wire and beaded, and also some "altered art" items. I'm guilty of the "I'll start with the new year" mindset, but now that I've read what Lori Bell wrote, I feel even more guilty for even thinking it. I've given my weight for the biggest loser challenge, so really there's no excuse. I'm glad to have found this group - I'm just hoping you all won't regret letting me in =)

Dora from Oregon

Hi Ladies! Just checking in ... I've stayed mostly on-plan through the many holiday social events. I did have a pretty major crash and burn day last Saturday (Doritos and candy and doughnuts, oh my!), but the next day I clocked a personal best half-marathon time, so I guess the sugar load helped me out there!

My weight has been floating around the low end of my maintenance range, so I'm feeling good about that. I've been running a lot of mileage the last few weeks, so that extra calorie burn helps a LOT. I've got one more work-place lunch and one more Friday night party before Christmas. Those will be easier - I have pre-planned my restaurant lunch from the online menu (lean turkey and steamed broccoli) and the Friday evening party involves dancing. I can dance the night away with DH and ignore the food tables! :dancer:

I have to tell you, the food tables are much easier to ignore when you have the energy and confidence to dance away in a sexy little black dress. Unlike a few years ago when the thought of a party threw me into a virtual panic, because I had gained too much weight to fit ANYTHING remotely party-appropriate. And, since I couldn't bring myself to invest in a larger size for holiday dresses (because, of course, I was going to lose weight after the New Year) I sausaged my way into too-tight party dresses, hoping the girdle of my pantyhose would somehow defy the physical principle of conservation of matter and squeeze some inches into an alternate dimension. I love to dance, but not when the waistband of said pantyhose was slowly rolling down to my hips, threatening to slip off altogether (and leaving very unattractive bulges in the process!). Those are the party photos that you burn .... Yep, it makes all of this weight loss and maintenance stuff TOTALLY worth it! :D

I have pretty much finished my Christmas shopping, just one or two little odds and ends left. I still have some wrapping to do, but this puts me in good shape compared to many years! ;) I'm taking the next two weeks off, and should have the time to clock in some extra workouts before we go up North to visit my family. I can't maintain the same exercise schedule there, and inevitably eat more, so I try to compensate by being extra good before and after. And then enjoy my vist!! (life's too short not to have the pie and wine sometimes)

Good morning all,

Linda - lots to do before Christmas, isn't there? My DD Katie is coming over to help me clean before the party here on Friday, since I'll be so busy with the food prep. What kind of cookies did you make?

Kim - :cp: Way to go on your big loss!! That's wonderful! OIC about the Big Shot. My budget doesn't support the Cricut, either, lol.

Trish - sounds like you have a very busy schedule! Hopefully, things will slow down for all of us after the new year.

Dora - :welcome: to our little corner of 3FC! I'm so happy you found us, and I look forward to knowing more about you. If you want, post some photos of the jewelry you've made. I'd love to see it.

MBN - thanks for the laugh of the image of the rolling-down pantyhose. Been there, done that, lol. Now I just try and squeeze everything into my Spanx, lol. I personally have 4 more food-centered events to get through before Jan. 1. Yikes!

Hello to everyone reading this.

My reality is that I will be very happy with a maintain between now and the new year. I usually gain quite a few pounds over the holidays, so maintaining would be an awesome victory for me. So far, so good.

Today I am doing some prep work for a Christmas celebration on Friday with Neal's family. There will be only 21 of us, since my son and his family can't make it.

Happy Hump Day!

HI, everyone!

:welcome: Dora! I'd love to see some pictures of your jewelry, too. My DD makes beaded jewelry, and it looks like such a fun and satisfying hobby. I'm looking forward to getting to know you!

I enjoyed the image of the rolling band pantyhose. :lol: Yes, been there done that, LOL! Actually, it's not funny, is it. :( But we're all here to try to make sure that doesn't happen to us anymore! :no:

I'll be thrilled if I can get through this holiday season with just maintaining, too! I have several food related events to make it through, and quite a few cocktail parties. :eek:

Hello ladies,
I'm a newbie and your thread sounded so much fun, I thought I'd jump on in.

I'm a crafter who likes to paint on wood. If I didn't like wood so much, I'd be a quilter, or at least do something with material. I love the beautiful fabrics!! I love to sew, but I learned how to Tole paint and it's taken over my life ever since. I enjoy cutting my own pieces too. DH built me a wood shop in the back yard.

Painting has helped me not gain as much weight because I can't eat and touch the wood with greasy fingers. LOL Have to choose times for snacking.

I'm doing Crack the Fat Loss Code by Wendy Chant. This is my 6th week and I've lost 13 pounds. It's slow going, but that's ok. I've been on every diet that's come by since 1962. You name it, I've been on it....for a few days. I did reach goal from WW after 1 1/2 years..... after joining 10 times. Felt really good....for about a year. Then Dr. took me off estrogen and I started gaining. Mostly around the "muffin top" area. Rest is history. Just trying to get back to where I was.

I'm sure posting with others with the same problems will help me stay focused so I can reach that end number and stay there.

Nice meeting everyone, Carol

:welcome: Carol! Your hobby sounds fascinating! Do you just paint on different shapes of wood, or do you also paint wooden figures, etc.? That's a fun way to keep your hands and mind occupied and away from snacking. :)

I'm finishing up the wrapping this morning, and I'll be all done except for picking up two gift certificates tomorrow. We have a busy weekend planned with several parties, but were expecting a significant snowstorm, so it will be interesting to see what happens. If we're snowed in, I'm going to spend the time working on my cross-stitch.

:welcome: Carol! Your hobby sounds fascinating! Do you just paint on different shapes of wood, or do you also paint wooden figures, etc.? That's a fun way to keep your hands and mind occupied and away from snacking. :)

I'm finishing up the wrapping this morning, and I'll be all done except for picking up two gift certificates tomorrow. We have a busy weekend planned with several parties, but were expecting a significant snowstorm, so it will be interesting to see what happens. If we're snowed in, I'm going to spend the time working on my cross-stitch.

Good Morning Cottage,
Doesn't it make you feel good getting all the wrappings finished and it's not Christmas yet? We finished shopping last week and everything is under the tree. I think this is a first.

We put up our 4 ft tree with all my hand painted ornaments on it, plus a few that friends have given me over the years, it looks very country.

When the kids were little, I started painting the white wear statues, and that moved into the Tole painting.

I have always enjoyed reducing patterns, so I enjoy painting pins. Retired from the school district after 22 years working in the classroom with special education students. Worked 3 hours a day, so that gave me time to come home and paint in the afternoons. I painted pins for the teachers for many years. I retired a year ago and stay home now and paint my days away.

Got tired of hauling the boxes so started a store on ebay for 5 years, but fees ate me a live, so closed it. Don't think I can mention the other site but sell on the web and to girls at the schools. It takes time to "get known" and I love to paint for the holidays, so I make most of my sales from September to November. I love to paint snowmen.

When our first grand daughter was born 20 years ago, I started painting ornaments. I wanted to paint her one a year so she would have an assortment when she was out on her own..... and they would be from Grandma. Well, she says I can't stop now, she expects one every year till I give up my brushes. Plus we now have three other grand daughters that need ornaments too. I'm working on small ornaments for the 24" trees, to give to each girl when they go away to college.

Started cutting my wood to save on cost and love being in the woodshed. I make signs, shelf sitter blocks, small accent lamps. Lots of "sits about" little things. I've painted on shirts, stepping stones, and rusty tin. If it doesn't move, I paint it. I'm starting to slow down buying tole books. Don't think I'll have time to paint all the patterns I have now.

I use to cross stitch and loved it! I did it with the tear away material on sweat shirts. Oh, the patterns were so cute. But it's harder to see now, so I gave all my booklet patterns to our youngest daughter.

I've dabbled in scrapping and enjoy that too, but I'm to slow. Our oldest daughter loves it. Her craft room is all paper stuff, and mine is all wood and rusty things.

Oh, sounds like you're going to be in for a freezin' season back there. Brrrr! Be safe going to your parties! We've had some nippy mornings with ice on the truck parked in front of the house, but the afternoons have been in the low 60's, so that's not terribly bad. Cold for us, but not like the cold in the eastern US.

When you cross stitch, do you frame your work? Do you cross stitch little things? Ornaments? Dish towels? Pillow cases?

Well, I've written a book this morning so think I'll go finish my coffee. House is starting to warm up.

Felt so good to go to water aerobics yesterday, think I'll go for an hour today. The water was nice and warm. I sit so much, I really need to do this every day to get some kind of exercise. If it warms up, then I like to go walking for 30 minutes too.

Thank you for your note. Enjoy your day.
Carol

See ya lighter!:broc:

Hi all dieting crafters! It seems many here are also Christians which will work out for me, I have some challenges there too. I make jewelry, wire and beaded, and also some "altered art" items. I'm guilty of the "I'll start with the new year" mindset, but now that I've read what Lori Bell wrote, I feel even more guilty for even thinking it. I've given my weight for the biggest loser challenge, so really there's no excuse. I'm glad to have found this group - I'm just hoping you all won't regret letting me in =)
Dora from Oregon

:welcome2: Dora!
I too am a Christian, which make this time a year VERY special! ;)
Lori Bell is AWESOME! She read a thread of mine about waiting for the New Year to start and talked me out of it - I will be forever grateful to her - love her story about her weight loss too!

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/goal/182307-lori-bells-story-180-pounds-lost.html

:cheer:I'm so GLAD you found us too!:cheer:



I have to tell you, the food tables are much easier to ignore when you have the energy and confidence to dance away in a sexy little black dress. Unlike a few years ago when the thought of a party threw me into a virtual panic, because I had gained too much weight to fit ANYTHING remotely party-appropriate.

Yep, it makes all of this weight loss and maintenance stuff TOTALLY worth it! :D

I try to compensate by being extra good before and after. And then enjoy my vist!! (life's too short not to have the pie and wine sometimes)

:rofl: I thought I was the ONLY ONE! :rofl:
Wonderful encouragement for me! :thanks:


Kim - :cp: Way to go on your big loss!! That's wonderful! OIC about the Big Shot. My budget doesn't support the Cricut, either, lol.


:encore:Thank you SO MUCH! :hug:



:welcome: "Chatty"! hehehe
You just keep up your writings - I L♥V'm! :hug:



Have a GREAT day everyone! :grouphug:

See ya Lighter! :broc:
Kim :comp:

Hi all,

Linda - ack, just another two weeks and all the Christmas/NewYear challenges will be history. We can make it!! We're supposed to get snow here, too! As much as I love it, I do worry about travelers. What are you cross-stitching?

Carol - a big :welcome2: to you! I'm glad you found us, and yes, we are a fun-loving group! Oh my, what I'd give to be talented in Tole Painting! I have seen (and bought) some beautiful pieces of tole painted items, and just marvel at the talent involved.

Kim - Speaking of being a Christian, I'm baking a birthday cake for our family Christmas party on Christmas Eve, and we'll sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. The leftovers will go home with the kids, though. Anyway, I like for the grandkids to remember what the day is all about. We also read Luke 2:1-20 that day, passing around the bible.

Hello to anyone reading this.

What an eejit I am! I laid a rubber-backed potholder on my HOT glass stovetop this morning, then had to get that stinky stuff off! Pee-you!! I let it cool, then applied ice cubes, and scraped most of it right off. Then I used a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for the residue.

Cooking has been my craft this week, lol. Today is the day Neal's family come for Christmas. I've got everything done that can be done early, except I need to pop the kitchen rugs in the washer, and of course I'll spiffy up the bathrooms again before they get here.

Have a good day, ladies!

[QUOTE=Jane;3052116]Hi all,

Good Morning Ladies,
Thank you for the :welcome2: Jane,
I fell in love with the painted saw blades back in the 80's when we went to the local flea market. I'd stand there and drool over the beautiful pictures painted on the old rusty blades.

Finally, I got my nerve up and took a Tole class at a local craft store. After that Tole stores opened in the area and I took more classes. With lots of practice and redos, I finally learned how to paint by myself. It's so nice to go for 3 hours and not be interrupted with house chores, phones ringing, or kids. It was a wonderful escape for about 4 years.

During those classes I thought I like to learn how to cut my own wood. Since I use to sew and make all the little summer outfits for the girls, I thought "how hard could holding a piece of wood be?" It was starting to become expensive ordering the precut wood from the store.

So my DH bought me a band saw and the rest is history. He designed a 8x10 garden shed about 10 years ago for me with all my tools we've bought since and I love cutting my projects. It's nice to be able to enlarge or reduce over at Staples. I'm not the greatest on boxes, but can cut the flat things, like welcome signs, and pretties that sit around, pins, and ornaments. My newest fun thing to paint is shelf sitters. Never thought I'd be doing those, but have been having a lot of fun designing the sayings.

Tole painters just color pretty!! That's what one "big brush" says.

I retired a year ago, so now I paint most days in between house chores. It is so easy to start about 8am, grab a bite for lunch, and hit the brushes till about 5pm. I tell myself I'm at the "office" and can't go in the kitchen for snacks.

But I've decided I really needed to get off my tush and add some exercise into my day, so I've been going to the pool and doing an hour of water aerobics. Feel great, and it helps my hips. I was starting to do the "shuffle" when I took steps! Yikes! Hips just wouldn't move like they use to.
This has helped me enjoy a few more afternoon walks too.

Hoping to lose some more weight, reach goal, stay healthy, and paint as fast as I can for next years holidays. We crafter's are always thinking ahead.

I'm on the Crack the Fat Loss Code and have lost 13lbs. So excited to start losing this spare tire that's expanded around my middle.

Hope I didn't bore you with a little of my history of how I got started in Tole painting.

Every one have a wonderful Friday! Enjoy the weekend!
Carol

Hello Everyone

Dora and Carol - :welcome3: Glad you are here.

Not much going on here. Turns out it will be just Tony and me here for Christmas. Kids can't come with the economy like it is. So I'm not doing any baking. My craft will be planning a simple special meal for just the 2 of us. haha

Y'all have a great week end.

Kim - Speaking of being a Christian, I'm baking a birthday cake for our family Christmas party on Christmas Eve, and we'll sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. The leftovers will go home with the kids, though. Anyway, I like for the grandkids to remember what the day is all about. We also read Luke 2:1-20 that day, passing around the bible.


I have an :idea: !
Bake Jesus' Birthday cake in one of those new Brownie Pans! That will be helpful to everyone's health in serving size and the rest can go home easily or can be frozen! :dancer:

I really like the tradition you are doing with the children...wonderful...and it will make Jesus happy also to be remembered on His birthday too! :hug:

See ya Lighter! :broc:
Kim :comp:

Hello ladies,
Had a good day, went out to breakfast and had a few bites of fruit. I hope I won't gain on that. Brought home the frosted muffin. I like frosting on the cinnamon rolls, but not the muffins.

Any one have a free place I can go to and put in a recipe and it comes back with all the counts? Just wondering about a couple LF pumpkin custards, no crust, that sounds good and I'd like to try.

Thinking of closing up shop and heading down the hall for the night.

Hope all have a wonderful Saturday!!

carol

[QUOTE=pattygirl63;3052859]Hello Everyone

Dora and Carol - :welcome3: Glad you are here.

Thank you for the welcome!! Think I'll enjoy the thread!

Falling asleep at the :comp: gotta hit the sack.

carol

Good Morning Ladies,
I woke up early today, body goes whack-o sometimes. Thought I'd start at the beginning and read all the posts and catch up.

Finally finish a couple ornaments that I was beginning to stress over yesterday. The past couple weeks have been so crazy, I didn't have any free time to craft. Can breath easier today. I can feel a weight lifted off my shoulders.

I'm starting my last 4 snow globe ornaments for the grand children today. With any luck I'll get them finished by Christmas. Made a decision to do theirs in January for next year. I always put theirs off and really I should put them at the top of the list! Haven't missed a Christmas in 20 years, don't want to break my streak. Was up one year at midnight on Christmas Eve painting, but I did get them finished by dinner time on Christmas day.

I started sewing a standing angel a few years ago, and decided I just have to finish her this year!! She's just about finished, all she needs is her head. Poor thing, she's been headless for about 3 years. I made a scarecrow for the Fall and I wanted the angel for Christmas. I stand them by the door for each season.

Had the best afternoon yesterday. We drove about an hour to see a small town stage production of "Plaid Tidings" for the holidays. It was so worth while to drive up and see it. Our daughter played the piano on stage at the side, and it was fun being able to see her. She's usually down "in the pit" for the shows she plays for. We never thought the 10 years of piano lessons would give her so much joy. It was a delightful play and we enjoyed the humor. We were able to have dinner with the cast and then they had one more evening performance. Oh, the effort that goes into those small town theaters! These people have normal jobs and then they rehearse at night....all for the fun of giving back to the community. What wonderful singers.

Was able to have an omelet for dinner and stay legal to my eating plan.

I'm taking it one day at a time. Trying to change old habits and make wiser decisions. No more "just one bite". Focusing on wholesome food instead of sweets.

I do miss the baking this year, but didn't think I could keep my fingers out of the cookie batter, so not even going to bake this year. I can eat 5 cookies from the bowl before they're even cooked! There's always next year to look forward to and I hope to be at goal by then. I'm such a slow loser, it might take all year! :D But that's ok, this is going to be a life time woe for me. I feel so good being in control.

Yesterday DH and I were talking (and laughing) and we decided we're "in training". Don't know what for, but at least that's something to say when we're asked if we want dessert and we say no.

Well, just about time for dh to get p and I've finished a couple cups of coffee already. Think I'll go read for a bit.

Everyone have a wonderful day! Drive safely if you're getting snow. Don't stress! Enjoy the holidays!

Carol

Wow, we ended up with right around 18" of snow from yesterday's storm. It looks like we'll definitely have a white Christmas! It's bright and sunny out right now, so that should help clear the roads.

Our family has always had a birthday cake for Christmas, too. I think it's important for everyone to remember the reason for the season. This year it will be rum cake and a cheesecake.

Jane, I'm still working on the same wreath cross-stitch that I've been working on for the past year and a half. It's done on black aida, and I go cross-eyed after an hour or so of working on it. :dizzy: Remind me never to use black as a background again, although it will be beautiful when it's finally finished. :)

Hi all,

Carol - YAY for the 13 pound loss! :carrot: That's great! You sound like me, working in the fun stuff between bouts of cleaning. Years ago I used to keep a very tidy home, then I got a computer, haha! I still like a clean house, but have to admit that the rooms that are visible from the front door look better that the rooms in the back. :o I hope your angel gets a head before Christmas, lol. I'll have to use your and your DH's phrase and say I'm in training when offered something I shouldn't eat. Sounds like you have a fun-loving marriage like me.

Kim - you are a busy lady on 3FC, and are inspiring people everywhere. Good idea about the brownie pan, but I don't have one. I like the middle part of the brownie, although most people do prefer the edges. Go figure. I will be sending leftover Christmas goodies home with the kids, though.

Linda - it's snowing here right now, but I think it won't amount to much. The cross-stitch sounds beautiful, and I hope you post a picture when it's finished. Your cakes sound de-lish!

Today has been a quiet one, and I have spent most of it just resting up for what's coming later in the week. I can barely believe it's Christmas week already!

I've been recording some positive, cognitive suggestions on my tape recorder to help me stay OP. Kind of like the Beck idea, only listening to my own audio prompts instead of reading thoughts on note cards. When I listen to it, it is very, very helpful.

Toodles!

[QUOTE=Jane;3054407]Hi all,

Carol - YAY for the 13 pound loss! :carrot: That's great! You sound like me, working in the fun stuff between bouts of cleaning. Years ago I used to keep a very tidy home, then I got a computer, haha! I still like a clean house, but have to admit that the rooms that are visible from the front door look better that the rooms in the back. :o I hope your angel gets a head before Christmas, lol. I'll have to use your and your DH's phrase and say I'm in training when offered something I shouldn't eat. Sounds like you have a fun-loving marriage like me.

Hi Jane,
Still holding at my 13 pounds all week, so maybe a little will come off soon. I hit and miss the house any more. Yes, yes! Front door and family room look like we don't live here, but don't go looking in my craft room. It's a shame. After Christmas I'll do a good cleaning. LOL

Yeah, I like that....I'm in training....that's going to come in handy over the holidays.

Fun loving 42 years, feel like we're old friends now. hehehe Since DH retired I'm always running to him for craft opinions. I tell him he's become my best crafting buddy. :) Don't have any one on the street that I can ask.

Everyone have a great Monday and if you live near all that snow back east, please drive careful!

Carol

I'm taking it one day at a time. Trying to change old habits and make wiser decisions. No more "just one bite". Focusing on wholesome food instead of sweets.

I do miss the baking this year, but didn't think I could keep my fingers out of the cookie batter, so not even going to bake this year.
Carol

Way to GO Girl! I'm not baking this year either - makes my DH happy, he starts moaning and groaning about all the sweets at Christmas, so he is VERY happy this year! Nothing by healthy food! :carrot:


Kim - you are a busy lady on 3FC, and are inspiring people everywhere. Good idea about the brownie pan, but I don't have one. I like the middle part of the brownie, although most people do prefer the edges. Go figure. I will be sending leftover Christmas goodies home with the kids, though.


I don't have one either :(
AND your plan to send leftovers home is the BEST idea! I've been known for eating something I'm not suppose to even if it's FROZEN! :yikes:

Have a GREAT day everyone!

See ya Lighter! :broc:
Kim :comp:

Hi all,

Carol - one thing I plan to do after the new year is to sort through all my craft stuff, and give some things to my daughters and granddaughters that I'm not likely to use ever again. My DH is my go-fer, but can't always be trusted to bring back what I asked for. Once I sent him for a jar of Miracle Whip, and he came home with a tub of Cool Whip. :rofl: Men! Gotta love 'em, though!

Kim - so how are you doing? Yep, I often send tempting leftovers home with the kids, or run them down the garbage disposal. Neal says the garbage disposal eats better than we do, lol.

The family party was lots of fun, and it was so good to see relatives that I hadn't seen for awhile. I got weighed today, and I'm still maintaining! From someone that usually gains between Thanksgiving and New Year that is an accomplishment. Now to get through the next couple of weeks - one day at a time!

I'm going to make a grocery run this afternoon for fresh produce, but I don't really have anything else that must be done today, thank goodness!

Have a good one!

WOW we are really growing here. I'm not sure who I've welcomed and who I haven't so to all the Newbie's :welcome:

I have spent all morning getting packages ready for UPS to pick up today and amazingly, the kids will get them before Christmas. In fact, they will get them Wednesday. I was surprised they could still get them. Any way, just Tony and me here for Christmas. I did get us a ham to fix since I am low carbing. I plan to stay OP all the way through the holidays. Hope to lose a little before or at least by the 2010. I decided that I may as well just go for it. We will have a new grandson which will be born in April or May and will be going to FL after he is born. I would love to lose as much as possible by then. Tony's DS and family are coming to visit in July and I want to be able to go and do things with them with out huffing and puffing so hope to have lost a lot of weight by then.

Jane YEA!!!! :carrot: for maintaining. Glad you had fun with your family party. I have really been homesick for my family this year. I think it is because of all the changes. My Step-mom isn't doing really well... Demensia is getting worse and not sure how long Daddy can keep her at home with him. He is 86 and my sister says he is getting tired but hangs on. We know he is lonely and probably experiencing much of what he went through with our Mama. So I think it is great you have your family with you. You are truly blessed to have them all there.

I'm not doing much with my crafts right now. I hope to get some kind of projects going next year. I am getting bored with being on the pc so much and need to be doing something worth while. So looking forward to some new beginnings as 2009 goes out and 2010 comes in.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Hey everyone - just doing a quick check in. Welcome to the newcomers!

Haven't done much for sewing the last couple days - my iron went toes up and it's hard to sew without an iron. Bought a new one yesterday so I'm back in business - maybe later today I'll fit in an hour of quilting.

Has anyone done knitted sox before? I just received some Noro thread/yarn (I love their fibers) and 2 sets of DPN in a size 2. Holy moly.....size 2 is incredibly small. I might just stick to dishcloths!

Have a great holiday everyone-
Cheers

[QUOTE=Jane;3054407]Hi all,

Carol - YAY for the 13 pound loss! :carrot: That's great! You sound like me, working in the fun stuff between bouts of cleaning. Years ago I used to keep a very tidy home, then I got a computer, haha! I still like a clean house, but have to admit that the rooms that are visible from the front door look better that the rooms in the back. :o I hope your angel gets a head before Christmas, lol. I'll have to use your and your DH's phrase and say I'm in training when offered something I shouldn't eat. Sounds like you have a fun-loving marriage like me.

Hello ladies,

Hey, I finally dropped another 1.5 lbs. Yippee, Skippy!! :carrot: This program is really working. I'm so amazed that I'm losing and I'm still eating.

Jane-Yes, I have to fit in house work in between painting. I always have to wait for some paint to dry anyway. Gives me a chance to dust or vacuum. Do the wash.

Linda- Oh yes, love to see your cross-stitch picture when you're through with it.

I had a busy day today. Non stop from 9am till 6pm. My dogs were barking! ;) I got up at 4:00, but I'm slow in the mornings. Coffee doesn't kick in till the third cup. :D Started the clothes and changed the sheets. Had a fast breakfast at 9:30, water aerobics at 10:30 -11:30. Home for a quick bite, then off to the grocery store for my supplies for Lasagna for Christmas Eve dinner. Came home and put it all away and it was 5:30 by that time. Poured me a cup of left over coffee and sat down to rest and read a few posts here on 3FC.

Than I called a friend in Louisiana and we talked half an hour. Just found out she has the same cell phone company, so I didn't have to use any of our minutes. Yippee! We chatted just like we were next door. We've been friends for 42 years. Use to live close, but they moved 5 years ago. We email every day just to touch base. It was hard for both of us when they moved. Louisiana sure is a long ways from CA. The USA is bigger than it looks in the school books. LOL I plan on flying back there someday and staying a couple weeks. What a hoot we'd have!!

Fixed dinner at 7pm, Yikes, a bit to late.

Looking forward to a little easier day tomorrow. Have to get 4 ornaments painted for the grand daughters still.

Had a legal day and kept busy. These days are going to fast!!

Night all!! Have to hit the sack.

Carol

Hi all,

Trish - sounds like you have a couple new incentives to lose the weight! How exciting to be getting a new grandson! So sorry about your stepmom, and sorry, too, for your dad having to relive all the feelings that goes along with it. Maybe you could go spend a few days with him - that would sure lift his spirits, and yours, too. If you cut down your pc time, I hope this is one place you'll still visit often!

Kris - yay for the new iron. I bought an extra one that doesn't have steam holes in it for when I iron appliques and such. It also does not shut off automatically and I like that when I'm doing a project. I don't knit, but I sure admire those of you that do!

Carol - A big Whoo Hoo for another 1.5 pounds down!! :carrot: That's great! You reminded me of something - I once told a young receptionist at a hotel desk that I hoped my room was ready since I'd been shopping all day and my dogs were barking. She said, "Ma'am, we do NOT allow pets in this hotel!" lol. I had to explain what I really meant, lol. YAY for you being on the same phone company as your friend. You can just talk up a storm now! How are the ornaments coming along?


Well, the grandkids got the cookies decorated last night. They did a good job, but some of the cookies have an awful lot of stuff on top, lol.

Today I'm getting my hair trimmed and touched up, and also getting a few more things ready for our celebration tomorrow night.

Have a great day!

Carol - A big Whoo Hoo for another 1.5 pounds down!! :carrot: That's great! You reminded me of something - I once told a young receptionist at a hotel desk that I hoped my room was ready since I'd been shopping all day and my dogs were barking. She said, "Ma'am, we do NOT allow pets in this hotel!" lol. I had to explain what I really meant, lol. YAY for you being on the same phone company as your friend. You can just talk up a storm now! How are the ornaments coming along?

Morning Jane,
Too funny! I guess you have to have age to understand about our dogs barking! :)

Oh my!! My friend and I talked for 30 minutes last night! I had to let her go so she could get her jamies on and I could fix dinner. Being two hours different, sometimes is a problem. We'll keep the phone wires busy now.

I called her this morning and walked her through how to add smilies to a new post. Someone was nice yesterday and told me how to do it. Lots to learn.

After we get familiar with all this, I would like to learn how to "quote" in my posts. It sounds confusing. For now I have to write everybody down on a sticky note so I can remember who said what. Does that make sense? :dizzy:

Not quite done on the ornaments, going to try and finish them today or....tomorrow. Just detail work but it goes fast. I'm working on seven of them so I'll have extra. Not going to stress over it, if I don't get them done, I'll give them theirs next week. But I'm not going to be late next year. Planning on doing them in January so I don't have to do this again. Too many things get in the way this time of year. To much running around.

Oh what fun! Decorated cookies! Loved doing that when the kids were little. The more sprinkles, the better, right? ;) The kids sure have fun with those sprinkles! :D Hope you took pictures for memories!! I have a picture of our twin grand daughters decorating cup cakes for the first time. I think they were about two? They had a ball. They're sitting up on the kitchen counter. They were to short (dangerous too) to stand on a chair and decorate them. Now they're 13. Times a flying!

Everyone have a great day and think positive thoughts!

See ya lighter. :broc:
Carol

Hi everyone, My name is Linda and I am a newbie to forums:D We moved here to Louisiana from California :beach: five years ago. Lots of rain here :rain: about 56-60 inches a year. I love gardening:df: and sewing and embroidery. We have 4 adorable hens who are very spoiled, Charlotte, Savannah, Henrietta and Carol Ann :chicken: I hope to hear from you. :write:
I'm happy to be here with everyone.:thanks: I just hope I don't get to confused and get lost? :dizzy:
Bye for now, :wave:
Blessings
Linda

Hi all,

Carol - to quote someone, just hit the quote button in the lower right hand corner of the post they made. But really, in a group this small, you wouldn't have to do that. Just hit the "Post Reply" button in the lower left hand corner of the page, because it scrolls down for us, so we can go back and see what others said as we type our reply. Don't use "Quick reply" box, because that option doesn't let us scroll. As I'm typing this now, I can scroll down and see all the posts on this page. I didn't take pics of the kiddos, but Katie did. She is a good photographer, and so I left it to her. I haven't seen them yet. Good for you, resolving to get your ornaments for next year done early. I'd love to see a photo of some of them. hint, hint :^:

Linda - :welcome: to our little corner of 3FC! To be sure to find us, you could bookmark this forum in your favorites list. Just a thought. I have a lot of the same interests as you, including raising chickens. We had a weasel or something kill them all, including my prize rooster, Rico, and we just never did replace them. By the way, I have a niece named Carol Ann. We try and have lunch together once a month. Anyway, I look forward to knowing you better.

Hello to anyone reading this!

Tomorrow I will be busier than a one-armed wall-paper hanger, and I'm not sure I'll be able to check in. It's our Christmas celebration, and although I've done a lot of the work already, there are lots of last minute things to be done. So I'll say to you now..

:candy: :candy: Merry Christmas :candy: :candy:

May you and yours have a blessed day.

Hi Jane,
Thanks for the welcome, I hope to get to know you better also. Sorry about your chickens, I know that must have been a sad time. I really enjoy the hens and of course their eggs. :) Oh my, that is so neat you having a neice with the name Carol Ann. :) Have a Merry Christmas.:snowglo:
:candy: Blessings,
Linda

:welcome3:Linda

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!

Thanks Trish for the welcome. Merry Christmas.
Linda

Hi all, :wave:

Linda - you said it - those fresh eggs are soooo good! You just can't get them like that in the grocery stores.

Trish - I hope you had a good day yesterday with Tony.

Hello to anyone reading this!

Yesterday was a quiet one here. We did our big celebration Christmas Eve, and our son and 1 daughter that were going to be here yesterday were both sick with the intestinal flu. Both are much, much better today.

I am one of those people that take down the Christmas decorations right away, and that's what I've been doing today, but wanted to take a break to pop in and say hello.

Did anyone go to the big sales today? I use to go to them, but not anymore.

Have a good Saturday.

Jane Sorry your kids were sick on Christmas Day what a bummer. Glad they are feeling better today. Tony and I enjoyed our day. Christmas eve was his birthday so we went out to eat and finished off gift card his son gave us last year. I'm doing low carb/IE combo and decided to eat a planned off meal of Coconut chicken since I love it, but won't make that a place we will go back to eat. Too expensive. Usually go out for a good steak for "special" occasions. I didn't eat the bread and had a low carb Cauliflower Au Gratin that was very good. I also ate off yesterday again planned. I ended up with a loss of 4 lbs this week instead of 5. No whoo rah's because recycled lbs off so not in virgin weight territory yet. However the plus is that I didn't gain during Christmas. Now just to just keep going down. I hope.:dizzy: I would love to lose 3 lbs by the 1st if possible to get below a certain point, but don't know if that is possible. We will see. However, I've decided that staying where I am or any loss will be acceptable and a real accomplishment for me. Have to get my mind set around the idea that a Holiday doesn't always mean I have to eat off or eat some sort of dessert.:?:

DD in FL called us yesterday. Remember she had such a cut in salary and no bonus this year so they couldn't come for Christmas. The children cried because they wanted to come so badly. DGD, Hannah cried on the phone begging her Mama to take her to see us. Got to Tony and me. So we may end up taking the money we don't need to spend and see if they want to come and we pay for the gasoline. She mentioned in passing that they thought about coming this Tuesday as she and her DH are on vacation. So not sure what will transpire today. I think Tony will call them this afternoon and see.

I think we are going to take down all the decorations except our little tree unless the children come. We have a beautiful little tree that can't be replaced. We've looked. It has fruit on it and was a fiberoptic tree which doesn't work any more. We love the tree so much that we just put a bunch (Tony doesn't do anything half way with lights) of blinking Christmas lights on it so we can keep using it. Any way, we just put it in a big trash bag and store it in my closet. Everything else has to be boxed and stored in the garage. So the garage things will be packed up today and stored. We will continue to enjoy the little one and put it away New Year's Day.

Hope everyone had a great day yesterday. Y'all have a nice week end everybody.

It's quiet around here... I'm thinking we will all have more time, and be more health-minded after the new year.

Trish - will the DGD be able to come and see you after all? I hope so! All of our decorations are down, and I have to admit I'm glad to get my regular decorations back! I put the Fall things up in Sept, so it's been awhile since I'd seen some of the regular things, lol.

I've got the Colson girls for 3 days, and am in my glory! Their brothers couldn't be here, because they are with their biological mother. I'll have the boys over New Year's though, while the girls are with their bio dad. Gets confusing! :dizzy:

My crafting project has been helping Madison with tying the edges of a blanket her other grandma gave her for Christmas.

Toodles for now!

Hello all,
It's a quiet day here, overcast and grey. Nice day to stay inside and paint. Finishing up projects I had to stop in the middle of before Christmas:D. Feels good to get some closure.:cp:

Went and had a test on my shortness of breath this morning. Took dh with me so he could watch. Lady was very nice. Had to suck it in and blow it out a few times. She gave me a breathing treatment, but that didn't help the numbers much. She thinks I should try to keep my walking on flat surfaces and not try to speed it up for a fast walk. She couldn't tell me much....she's not the DR. But she did tell me my breathing problem is with the lungs. Hmmmm? Asthma? Valley Fever? No telling, guess we'll have to run some more tests.

At least I know that it's not my fault now. I really have to push it to keep up with the family when we go out on hikes. I just thought I was out of shape, so I'd try to push the limits to expand the lungs. I would get out of breath so fast. Hope to get to the bottom of this soon.

They have ruled out the heart, that looks good. Just made another appointment with reg. Dr for Feb to see what she thinks of results. Trying to get to the bottom of this. So for now...it's just a regular walking speed when I go for a walk. Darn! I was trying to speed it up to burn more calories!!

:cheer: Hey....I lost 1 more pound this morning!! :carrot: :dancer: :cheer2: I'm going into new waters for the first time in 2 years. :D

I think I've started to lose the larger portion servings. Don't need as much to fill me up.

Oh, I see the sun through the clouds. Nice and bright for a few minutes.

Everyone have a great Monday!! :grouphug:
carol

Jane - Yes DGD is going to get to come after all. They will be here tomorrow night around 6 or 7 pm and they plan to leave Sunday morning early to go back home. Christmas decor still up at request of DD and the Grans will help DH take everything down Friday or Saturday. I too am so ready to get things back to normal.

Carol - I pray that the problem is fixable. Just glad it isn't your heart. You take it easy and do just what you can do. I have heard so much of what I should and should not do. Now, I'm learning to do what is right for me. I can't do exercise like others do because of my back, so I'm learning that it is a great accomplishment for me to be moving and do the exercises that I can do.

Well we managed to get the last 2 packages and other packets mailed today. Tony does special calendars each year for his deceased wife's family and mine with personal birthdays and anniversaries on them. Had to get those mailed. Then went to Wally World to get things for when the kids get here. Needless to say low carb is out the window at least until they leave. Meat is not something I can buy a lot of for everybody. I got up this morning and had oatmeal with yogurt and blueberries. I really do miss that. If I can do well during the time they are here, I just may stick with plain IE. We'll see. I would still love to lose that pesky 3 lbs by the 1st, but don't think it's happening. I will be happy if I get on the scales the Monday after they leave and I weigh what I weighed this morning.

Carol - I pray that the problem is fixable. Just glad it isn't your heart. You take it easy and do just what you can do. I have heard so much of what I should and should not do. Now, I'm learning to do what is right for me. I can't do exercise like others do because of my back, so I'm learning that it is a great accomplishment for me to be moving and do the exercises that I can do.

Thanks Trish,
I don't know if it's fixable, but at least I want to find out just how much I can do without any problems. What I'm suppose to expect. I was trying to walk 3 miles in 45 minutes every day, but I really have to huff it to make that. I guess I could take an hour. I just thought speeding it up would burn more calories. I have always pushed myself and would come home exhausted, sweating, and out of breath. I thought that was the norm.

At least I can do the water aerobics and not over do it. That's more like...range of motion. I feel great after wards. But I don't feel I get my heart rate up for the 20 minutes to be able to burn any amount of calories.

Oh well, just got to plan on doing what I can. Even if I slow my exercise down, I'll still be getting more than just sitting home painting on my wood. Sometimes, I just need to get outside and walk around the neighborhood.

Carol

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE :
JANE: I do the same thing..I take all the Christams decorations down the day after Christams. :D

CAROL: I think I found the pound you lost!! :rofl: Keep me posted to your results with your Dr. ok?

TO ALL OF YOU: May you have a very blessed New Year 2010!
Linda:grouphug:

Carol - I sure hope you find out what the problem is...I have this same problem...with me it is asthma brought on by a bronchitis that I ignored 10 years ago. That is why I'm being so careful this time with the bronchitis.

Another reason - I unknowingly hold my breath! Especially when it comes to exercise - go figure! I have to purposely remember to breath! I know, I'm weird! ;)


Getting back on track after finding your pounds you are loosing Carol, yep, I'm a pack rat too! I just have to remember - you don't need that, pass it up, don't pick it up! :D

Have a GREAT day everyone! :grouphug:

[QUOTE=cajungirl64;3062740]HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE :
JANE: I do the same thing..I take all the Christmas decorations down the day after Christmas. :D

CAROL: I think I found the pound you lost!! :rofl: Keep me posted to your results with your Dr. ok?

LINDA: Nice to get a note from you over here!!

OH MY Girlfriend: I lost another pound! :carrot: :cheer:

Went to the Drs yesterday and did the breathing thing. DH went with me. The lady said she couldn't say much, but looking at the printout after I was finished....the problem I'm having is due to the lungs.....NOT the heart, so that's a good thing.

Not really sure what's causing the shortness of breath, but said I should keep at it and get to the bottom. She didn't think I should go hiking at high elevations or up and down hills. Thought just walking flat would be the best for me and no running. Kinda scary huh?

I made an appointment for Feb 15th (earliest appointment available and it's 6 weeks away) to see regular Dr and talk about possible problems. Asthma, Valley fever, having had pleurisy, (sp). She said all these factors can, over time cause symptoms like mine.

At least now I don't feel like I've not tried hard enough to keep up "with the pack" when we go out for exercise. Now I know it's not because I'm not in good shape. I'm always last and feel bad that others are always having to wait for me. I've always pushed myself because I thought that was strengthening the lungs.

That's how I got lost last year at Tahoe on the 5K walk, since I knew no one else who wanted to walk as slow as me and go together. I just couldn't keep up the pace with the last girls. They didn't have people along the path telling us what path to take...... OR maybe they did...... and I was so far behind they thought no one else was back there. :D :D But I got to meet a lot of nice people while I was asking for directions how to get back to Pope Beach. AND, my 5K turned into a 10K. :D :rofl: :cheer: :dust: I did come in from the wrong side, along the lake, but hey, I know I did at least a 7 mile loop and walked way more than anyone else in that race. I should have gotten the 10K medal. Darn! Not fair!! :rofl:

Even the Forest Ranger told my daughter that I was pretty far away from the finish line at Pope Beach. I'm so glad I had my cell phone and could talk to someone. She was telling the Ranger I was lost and asked him about where I was in relation to the finish line....while I was walking. I was talking to her and telling her what housing track I was in. :rofl: Now it's funny to think about, but it wasn't funny that day. I just wanted to reach the finish line.

I'd love to do that walk again with dh at my side and him wearing his GPS unit. I'd love to really see how far I walked that day. It wasn't hard, I just didn't have a clue where I was. I knew the direction of the lake so I just headed in that direction. :dizzy:

Well, gotta get going, hair appointment today.
Every one have a wonderful day!
Carol :broc:

Just a quick flyby. Busy getting last minute things done before DD and her family get here this evening. Got one more load of clothes in the dryer to fold and put away. We keep old pc's for kids to play games on so DH is busy getting those ready for the kids. I'd like to get everything done so I'm not so tired that I can't enjoy them.

My first day off low carbs tells me that I need to work on a combo type thing while they are heare. So I'm making my plans accordingly.

Wishing all of you a Happy, safe and prosperous New Year!!!

Have a nice day.

Just a quick pop-in to say hi. :wave:

The girls just left, and I want to get to town for fresh groceries.

Have a good day!

I have had 3 really terrific IE days now. I checked the scales just for the fun of it and I was down half a lb. I was surprised that I was not all that hungry and I didn't eat a whole lot. Hunger was minimal amount of hunger so it didn't take all that much to satisfy me. I even cooked a really nice dinner for the family who came in from out of town and never even thought of eating any of it. It was really a strange but wonderful experience. I thinking that I may have just eased into IE without even trying. Sure would be nice not to worry about food any more. So I am going to just roll with it. Just follow the 4 Golden Rules I learned on another IE site.

HAPPY NEW YEAR Everybody!!!

:wave: I just wanted to wish everyone an early Happy New Year!

Christmas has been wonderful this year, but I'll be very happy to have the holiday season behind us and get on with a new year and a clean slate to start eating healthy and taking better care of myself. This is going to be the year for "Me!"

:carrot::carrot:Happy New Year!! :carrot::carrot:

I'm with Linda - this is going to be the year for "me"

:carrot::carrot:Happy New Year!! :carrot::carrot:

I'm with Linda - this is going to be the year for "me"

I'm joining in with you two... ME TOO!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

:woo::balloons: HAPPY NEW YEAR! :balloons::woo:

:grouphug:

:celebrate: "Happy New 2010!" :woo: :balloons:

Carol

We've had our sauerkraut and black-eyed peas for good luck, and the last of the Christmas stuff has been stored away for another year. Now I can totally relax for the rest of the weekend. :)

Don't post here.... please go to the new Quilters, Crafters, and Chatters for Weight Loss #2 thread.


See you there!