General Diet Plans and Questions - "The Plan" group formerly known as PMD

Welcome to a new thread with an old topic. The trials and tribulations, as well as the joys and rewards of the diet journey. This little group contains 3 regular posters, judi, alice, and ledom and I suspect a host of lurkers who we welcome to become posters as well. We are all doing a different plan, the plan that works for us. Along the way we learn from each other, share ideas about good things to eat, prod each other to exercise, and generally lend a listening ear to whatever might be going on in each others lives. The group gathered around the idea of the Prevention Millennium Diet that was published in the Jan. 2000 issue of Prevention magazine. Now we are still here almost 3 years later, still at it. We are all lighter than we were then, but not nearly as light as we would like to be. I am following the Body For Life Plan, alice is a Weight Watcher, and judi is a modified Weight Watcher. So here we go under our new Subject line which probably will evolve as we do.

Well...we're into our new thread. Thank you for starting it, ledom.

I bought a new piece of exercise equipment online this morning. I bought Tony Little's Gazelle, which should come between Dec. 27th and Jan. 6th. It's a non-impact aerobic workout that also works the other muscle groups in your body, hips, arms, chest, ect. There is an exercise video that comes with it. Both DH & I have occasional knee problems, so this should help out. I am rather anxious to get it and try it out.

DH has gone to Mass. for the day to deliver some parts and finish his Christmas shopping for me. So...Miz Lacee and I have the day to ourselves.

Have a great day!

Alice, how exciting - new gym equipment. Let us know how you like it.

Can you believe that TOMORROW I will complete my 12 wk. challenge. I hardly know what to think. I am so pleased w/ BFL and will start up again with it as soon as my Alabama trip is over. I hate that it will be a bit more than the 1 week that is recommended because I feel in the last 2 weeks I have hit a really good streak of noticeable results. On the other hand, it will be the best way and I believe I will continue to make good decisions even though I am not officially in a challenge.

I hope you and Lacee have a good day hanging out. judi - what you doin' today? I'm finishing up my grades and taking pics to the framer. Just have to attend graduation tomorrow night and I am a free bird until Jan. 16.

Hi! Sorry for not posting sooner...spent the day sleeping and getting all the Christmas stuff out and about. The house looks nice. My cleaning lady is coming on the 23rd so the house will be clean for CHristmas:D

Thanks for posting the things you eat Ledom. That was very helpful.

I had better not be a modified WW anymore but a regular one like Alice and I would lose a lot faster. Thanks for the new thread Ledom.

Re: latin mass - the latin mass Alice is the same English one that you have ... just said in latin. The old latin mass of our youth had somewhat diff. rubrics but it is still celebrated in one parish outside of Vancouver that I know of. You can also find out where in the States it is said (the old latin mass) by looking on the internet. Certain places got special permission to say it still. I too like the latin mass. We still have a lot of latin hymns and often parts of the mass like the Kyrie is still said in latin, it depends on the priest.

Ledom :bravo: on completing the 12 week challenge!

When do you leave of your trip? We will be going to California for a week over New Years, we will probably leave on the 28th of Dec.

How do you like the new piece of equipment Alice? Sigh, I have to get exercising:( this year. I certainly failed in that area this past year and it was my only resolution too.

Well, tomorrow is a new day.

I just finished the last official workout of my challenge. I DID IT:high:!

Another day of clean eating and I can call it a job well done. Tomorrow I'll post my weight loss, etc. as I might eek out another 1/4 lb. between now and then :^: .

Anyway, I'm home today as is D. I plan to meet some friends for lunch and finish my christmas shopping - yeah me and a billion others probably. Anyhoo- you guys have a great day.

Oh yeah, alice. I forgot to congratulate you on your 2 lbs. this week. You are doing great.

Judi, hope you are enjoying your pretty decorated house.

Under 200 in 2003!

We are getting some rain this morning. I can't get over how dark it is outside, it looks almost like it's night. Had to go out early this morning, and the sanders were out. The parking lot at the supermarket was rather slick, almost slid my way into the grocery store:lol:

ledom, congratulations on finishing your first 12 week BFL challenge.:cp: You should be very proud of yourself. Have fun at lunch and your shopping spree today.

judi, it's been very difficult to get any exercise in these past couple of weeks. It seems that I'm out and about more than usual. Hopefully once things settle down to a more normal routine, I will get back into exercising. My Gazelle won't be here until sometime after Christmas. I'm really looking forward to using it.

Have a wonderful day.

That will be my New Year's resolution!

Way to go on the 12 week challenge, Ledom.

My friend is getting me another new 12 week WW diary...starting new again for the zillionth time. Hey, as long as we are still in there trying there are no failures...just success a long time a comin':lol:

Alice, that is some scary road conditions! Please be CAREFUL!! I am so happy that we don't have snow yet. Today we don't even have rain:smug:

Enjoy the day!

I didn't finish my christmas shopping, but I just have a few things left to buy. Today my vacation officially starts and I am so happy about that.

OK, here are my stats for the last 12 weeks.

I have lost.

16.50 lbs.
Bust 1 1/2"
Waist 2 3/4"
lower ab 1 1/2"
Hips - like a bozo I didn't do a before measurement
upper thigh 1"
lower thigh 1 1/2"
calf 1"

I am pleased with these results.

Yesterday I cooked up some of my healthy recipes to remind myself what I am supposed to be eating the next week or so. I'll have a treat everyday probably, but I am NOT going to destroy the work of the last 3 months in 1 1/2 week of holiday frenzy.

ledom, those are fantastic results!!! WAY TO GO!!!!:bravo: :cb: :cp: These results will give you the incentive to keep eating healthy over your rest until the next 12 week challenge. Speaking of healthy eating, the other day I had some cottage cheese and put in some s/f vanilla flavored Divinci syrup along with cinnamon, and about 1/8 of a cup Fiber One cereal. It was a very satisfying snack, and it was delicious. The syrup is made with Splenda, and I put about 1/4 teasp. in the cottage cheese mixture.

judi, those 12 week diaries are great, aren' they? I got another Season Pass to WW last week that is good until May. When I signed up, our leader said that hopefully that would be the last time I would have to pay! Those were encouraging words, and a good incentive to stay on track....after Christmas :s: They were having a good deal if you signed up before Jan. 1. I really like WW because I feel like I'm eating like a normal person.

I forgot to mention, I had a little surprise earlier. I walked into the livingroom and peeking at me through the window from the outside was a squirrel. He/she was standing on the railing looking into the house. I grabbed her nibs to see what she would do, but she was still half asleep :dz: and didn't see it. The suirrel didn't stay long after that.

Have a great weekend.

Both your girls are such inspirations!!! Way to go both of you...you did so well on the challenge & Alice, you are THAT close to goal!:cp: :bravo: :bravo: :spin:

Yesterday I started listening to Joyce Meyer's teaching tapes on "Eat & Stay Thin", her first set of tapes she ever made was on weight loss. So far I have just listened to one, because the set just arrived yesterday...I just LOVE that woman...the tape was filled with humour and great principles which I am going to apply to my life.

Hey, from today on the days are getting longer...we are going into summer. YAHOO!!!!!!

Are you starting to pack for your trip Ledom? I wonder if I can weasel out of going on mine on the 28th., the weather is so mild here and I have been hearing so much about storm etc. in N. Ca.
If the DH gives me leave to stay I will leap at the chance but if it seems like he wants me to go along, I guess I will put a smile on my face and go. But between us, I would rather stay home...I do better on my diet and don't spend as much money either.

Enjoy Sat.:cool:

looks like I am going on the 28th...

Did you all have a good Sunday? We had guests over for dinner. One of them had a cat allergy and poor Estaban had to stay downstairs...he was wailing, trying to reach the door knob, hanging on the panes of glass in the door and just thinking he had a hard deal...meanwhile our friend's head and face swelled up like a pumpkin and her eyes and nose where running...she has a dog and is OK with him.

Well, Christmas is almost here. We had the first of the mince pies tonight. I paid a friend to make four for Christmas. She makes fabulous pastry, uses butter & shortening, ornage juice and glazes the pastry, her stuff always looks so fancy and is flakey while my pastry is either to short or has the texture of a hockey puck, so I thought why fight it...I will just get someone else to do it.

The salmon thing is really working, this morning I had 1/2 a sal. sand. for breakfast and another for lunch and nothing else and I didn't even want anything until dinner time. Now had it been a veggie burger I could have never ate so little without starving.

judi, oooh, your poor friend. I hope she's ok. DH is allergic to cats too, but never had severe symptoms like that. I keep telling him that it's a good thing he's not allergic to Miz Lacee because then he'd have to take up residence in our shed :lol: Poor Estaban, I'm sure he didn't know what was going on. That's good the salmon salad sandwich stayed with you so long. You must be like me, you need a balance of protein, fat, & carbs to keep you satisfied. I know if I have eggs and toast in the morning, it keeps me satisfied longer than if I have oatmeal and fruit. If your friend that goes to WW has the booklet from week 6, there is a quiz you can take, and your answers determine which types of foods keep you satisfied longer. How was the mince pie? Please give Marley, Estaban, & Bentley a big hug from me for Christmas. Lacee says WOOF!

ledom, hope you are enjoying your freedom. I forget when you said you were leaving on your trip.

I have a luncheon and last minute Christmas shopping date with my GF later on today. I will not be around tomorrow. Since both of you will be going away, I probably won't "talk" to you until after the New Year. I want to thank you both for being such good friends, and appreciate you being there.:grouphug: I wish you both a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! and A HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Here is to our personal goals in 2003 :high:
Take care and have a good day.

You guys sound ready for Christmas. I suppose I am too, or almost anyway. I will wrap gifts today and shop for the christmas meal. D and I have been cleaning house and it is looking better.

We'll leave for our trip on the 27th. I want to take the tree down before we leave and pack on the 26th. It will be a fairly short trip, we'll drive back on the 30th.

Judi, I am glad that the new protein source is working for you. The day I went to lunch w/ friends we ate at Red Lobster. I had grilled salmon and it was so good. It was just plain, makes me want to try it at home.

Not being on my diet makes me very nervous. So far I am not overeating, but there is something about the freedom of free week that makes me not trust myself. I just have a lot of issues w/ food and the bfl structure serves me well. I am eating bfl 75 to 80 % of the time. I think that is probably what I should do, but it still makes me nervous.

Alice, I hope you check in again because I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year before you get away.

Hope you both enjoy the days leading up to christmas.

I will wish you both a VERY Merry Christmas. We have decided to take the RV into town and stay over Christmas there and then take off to California on Boxing Day.

A big Christmas wish of good will from our pets to all of yours too.

Ledom have a safe trip and Alice have the best Christmas:grouphug:

I will email next week sometime from the DH's office in the U.S..

Next year: Ledom & I below 200 and Alice at goal!!!:high:

I hope you both had a very Merry Christmas. I don't think I quite got my greetings out in time! So let me go ahead and wish you a Happy New Year. I think I'll be back in time to do that again on New Year's Eve. We'll be leaving in the morning and should be back the 31st.

Was Santa good to you guys? I think he heard me hinting around about diamond earrings because I was giving a beautiful pair of diamond pave earring by my mother w/ d's input I believe. They are hoops w/ tiny cross charms. So pretty!

Our day was nice. We watched our traditional Christmas movies. Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea. D is a redhead and we have loved watching this movie together since she was a little girl. We never tire of it - you can tell there are no men to consider in this little family. Anyway, it was a movie marathon and we enjoyed it a lot.

I am not even talking about food. Let's just say it will be a relief to be back on the plan. I believe I'll start back on the 31st, can't wait a day longer than that! When I get home we'll start a search for another male Siamese. It might be a little harder than usual as the pet store we usually do business w/ doesn't have any now.

Take care and I'll check in when I get home.

Hi Alice and Judi, Just a quick note to say I am home and to wish you a Happy New Years Eve. I look forward to hearing from you both.

Glad to see you're back. Hope things were alright with your aunt.

I want to wish you and judi a Happy New Year.

Hey Alice,

How was your Christmas? Seems like ages since I have heard from you. My aunt is quite elderly an in a nursing home. My mother felt that this might be her last opportunity to be with her, so that was the tone of the trip. The aunt did seem to be doing well however. I saw a ton of cousins whom I see very seldom. It was a big family occasion with a little sight seeing and shopping thrown in when D and I could manage it. It is so good to be back home.

I am starting my second challenge today. I am so so ready to be back into my routine. I have a carb hangover this a.m. so I'll be easing into working out, I bet by tomorrow I will already feel better.

How was your Christmas, ledom? Mine was very nice. We got 14" of snow Christmas Day and thankfully didn't have to go anywhere.

That was nice to be able to visit your aunt and having a reunion with family members that you haven't seen in a long time. I'm glad that your aunt was doing well. What did you buy on your shopping trips? Any good jewelry?

I really was awful during the holidays. I haven't been to WW for 2 weeks. I had planned on going today, but we're having some freezing rain and there are a few large hills I have to climb and come down, so I didn't want to chance anything. Hopefully we'll be storm free next week. I do plan on getting back OP tomorrow. We have a few leftovers that we have to get rid of today. I have been tracking my new exercise equipment, and I've got my fingers crossed that it will be delivered sometime today. I know what you mean by carb overload. My stomach is really feeling it.:p

Have you any plans for tonight? We're just going to get some pizza and stay home. We bought a bottle of champagne to toast in the new year, but, that's if we're up. We go to bed around 9-ish, and if one of us wakes up we wake the other one up. If we sleep through it all, we have a bottle of champagne for our anniv. in Feb.

Enjoy the rest of the day....and 2002!

Hello there, Alice, Ledom and Judi!
I'm almost ashamed to admit this, but I've been lurking within your threads for awhile now, and I've just now worked up the "courage" to post. I hope y'all don't mind a new person joining in.
If any of you have ever seen my i.d. on any of the other threads, then you know that I've tried a TON of diets!! Most recently, I've been using Slim Fast. Well, that came to an end with the holidays, and now I'm back to the point where I want to do something that WORKS!! The current choices I'm dallying with are Body for Life and Weight Watchers, and that's part of the reason I'm posting here--between the three of you, I'm hoping for some inspiration.
I've done WW in the past, and did very well on the program, until I hit a plateau and quit journaling. I've slowly gained back almost every-single pound I lost. I think I could do it again if I set my mind to it.
I have not yet read the BfL book, although I plan to go to the library as soon as it reopens after the holiday and check it out. From lurking in the BfL thread, though, that sounds like a great plan. It is actually appealing to me more than WW right now, because when I lost weight before (237--212) I didn't really feel like I was toning at all.
All I know is that I have to do something--SOON. I have reached a point, health-wise and weight-wise, at which I feel I am ready to do this, as my sign-on says, for myself.

we are DELIGHTED to have you join in!!! And another Arkie too! I am from Hot Springs.

Well, I am really happy w/ BFL and I think judi and alice are equally happy with WW. I think that finding a plan that will fit your lifestyle is really important and it sounds like that is what you are in the process of doing.

Welcome to our little oasis.

Welcome to our corner of the boards :balloons: We are really happy you joined our little group. I've also tried tons of diets but ledom is right, the key is to find a program that works for you and will be able to do it for life. Whichever program you decide to do, we will be here to support you. We'll be looking forward to your posts.

Alice, did you make it until mid-night last night? I was awake, be it I was in bed w/ my book when the fireworks went off. D had her friends over so I hid out upstairs for the evening. I was just glad to know where she was.

So, the holidays wreak havoc on diets don't they!?!? Are you feeling motivated to get back with it? I am back with it, starting yesterday. I ate on program and did my 20 min of cardio - today was my first strength workout in almost two weeks. I really had to push myself to even get started, but now that it is done I feel so much better. I know I'll be sore tomorrow, I am already sore!

We only got to shop for about 3 hrs. but I did find something to get excited about. We went into a Dillards that was going out of business and had everything on sale. There were racks and racks of swimsuits of all things. I bought an $88 Ralph Lauren suit for $10. I had been wanting a suit that I could take before/after pics in for this next challenge. I wanted one too small that I could shrink into and it is pretty hard to go out and spend big bucks on something that doesn't fit so this just fit the bill. It is really cute though. I tried it on yesterday and you know I can imagine myself actually fitting into it. It is 2 sizes too small and though I can't go out in public now in it yet, it wasn't as bad as I though it might be.

On another diet note. I was with a branch of the family that I don't see very often. It has been a couple of years since I saw some of them and even longer since I saw others. I was astounded when at least a half dozen people commented on how much weight I had lost. You know, I have lost about 50 lbs. since the early 90's, it has just been in such dribs and drabs and probably I've lost 100 lbs. counting the lbs. I've lost and gained back. BUT, it was so gratifying. It has been so slow that I haven't noticed the dramatic difference that people that haven't seen me in 10 years do. So that was a positive and upbeat thing. Of course then they fed us like there was no tomorrow. I did sneak on the scale this a.m. and I'm up 5 lbs.:s: , but you know, I think it'll come right back off. Holidays $#+ when it comes to maintaining your weight.

OK, on to new heights now that the new year has rung in.

I hope all of you and yours have the happiest of years in 2003.

No, ledom, I did not make it until midnight. DH & I watched a movie and both of us were nodding off. I did hear the grand finale of some fireworks and figured it was past midnight, so turned over and went back to sleep:s: Glad to see you made it to midnight.

I know you will fit into that bathingsuit in no time and you will look fabulous. By next summer we'll be having bathingsuit-o-meters. ;) What a good deal!!! I love a good bargain. When you have you before and after pics, please let us know where we can view them.

That's wonderful how many people noticed how much weight you've lost. :cp: Those 5 lb. will be off in no time. Around the holidays it is hard to keep OP. Life is too short not to enjoy yourself. Have you officially started your next 12 week challenge?
I'm back to eating right starting today. I am afraid to get on the scale to see how much weight I've gained. But, I know that I will be going back to WW next week so the weight will be coming off. My next goal is to have lost 10% of my weight from when I started.

It's now a new year...a fresh start. I know we can all attain our goals.

Have a great day.

alice, I started back on Jan. 31. Challenge 2 will go through March 25. The scale was down 2 lbs. this a.m. so maybe I am dealing w/ water weight here as opposed to fat.

Except for working out I was useless yesterday. I have been burrowing in. Watching TV and reading, maybe today I'll get down into the darkroom and do some fun work. Oh yeah, I did grocery shop. I had an especially nice shopping trip because there were so many good sales. Boneless, skinless chicken breast were 1/2 of as were a lot of the other things I bought. That doesn' happen often. Now that I am on this diet I am eating a lot more meat so I stockpiled yesterday.

We have a rainy, snowy mix today so I 'm sure I'll be sticking close to home again.

Hello ladies!

Thanks for the welcome! You know, I feel as though I already know all of you, because I've been reading your posts for so long, and that's not really fair because you all know nothing about me--except, of course, as Ledom pointed out, I am indeed an Arkie, born and bred!
My name is Cheryl. I'll be 27-yrs-old in two weeks (dang, almost 30!). I have trouble remembering a time in those 27 years that I have not been overweight.
I have one "child." Her name is Baby. She's a cat, but I haven't told her that yet :sssh: She's my little girl and I love her.
I have a BA in English & History from Arkansas State U, Jonesboro. That is no guarantee that I'll always spell/type everything properly :o . Bear with me.
My only weight-related goal in 2003 is to drop below 200 lbs. I am absolutely determined to accomplish this goal.

I hope that the three of you all have a very happy, healthy new year!!!

Cheryl

We had freezing rain overnight then it turned to snow. We got about 3" before it stopped. They are predicting another storm tomorrow and a big one on Monday. Is it ever going to end????
This is the type of weather I'm very grateful that we work out of our house.

I got on the scale this morning to assess the damage. It wasn't all that bad. I gained ALMOST 2 lb. That's according to my scale. We'll see what the WW scale says next week. I am back to journaling and OP as of today.

ledom, that's great you are down 2 lb. I agree, it must be water weight. I think that winter is a time for burrowing in. I'm reading more and trying to get enough energy to clean out a few closets, drawers, etc. Did you get into your darkroom? Good luck on your new challenge!!

Cheryl, well...I'm 54, so you are a spring chicken compared to me. We are all animal lovers on this thread. That's a picture of my baby in my avatar. I'm sure like Baby, she thinks she's human:bb: What kind of cat is Baby? You will accomplish your goal in 2003.

judi, I hope you're having a good time and I also hope you had a great new year.

Take care and have a great day.

Hey Cheryl, great to meet you. If you have been lurking you know we love our animals here. What color is Baby? Our cats have really been lounging w/D and I during vacation. They're so cute.

I did get into the darkroom and clean some last night, I am going to develop this afternoon.

I have to get some food cooked as well. It feels so great to be back on my diet. Alice, this holiday I felt my bad eating was contained within a fairly short time period and that I had a specific plan about how long that period lasted. It wasn't really the best way to spend my week off, but it was christmas, I traveled, and anyway I lost another lb. today so I don't think my sins are really going to stick around. Sounds like you are having the same experience.

D has been dragging me out for an extra hike the last few days too so I believe that is helping as well.

Hey, Ledom and Alice!

My Baby is a solid white mutt-cat with georgous yellow-green eyes, just like her mother's. Even though she's solid white, every now and then she gets this splotch of dark hairs right on the top of her head, like she's been outside and rubbed the underside of a car's oily engine. The splotch comes and goes, and when I first brought her home I tried to wash it off SEVERAL times before I realized that it was supposed to be there. :) I had her mother, Grey, for seven years and Baby is from the last (living) litter of kittens she had. Baby was the kitten no one wanted, so she's the one I wound up with, and, of course, now I wouldn't trade her for anything. You should have seen (or heard, I guess) the struggle I had with my boyfriend (who was my fiance but is now back to just boyfriend status) over her! It took forever to make him realize that the cat and I are a package deal--can't have one without the other!! :lol: Him "letting" me keep the cat in our (future--maybe) home was one of the conditions of me taking him back after I broke up with him. :smug: What can I say? She loves me even on my bad days, and she has never told me that "if I get as big as my sister I'll have to go on a diet." She really is my child, and, in case you can't tell, I could talk about her non-stop.

I called my library here in Newport, and they don't have the Body for Life book. I'm going to run by the library in Wynne this afternoon if I can get there before they close. I know they have it. I would just really like to be able to read it over the week-end, because the Weight Watchers meetings will pick up again next Tuesday, and I'd like to decide which one I want to do before then. I really need to do something!! I had the most awful dream last night that I was taking my "before" measurements and the tape measure wouldn't even fit around the smallest part of my waist :eek:!!! If that isn't a sign that I need to be getting started, then I don't know what is!!

??Where's Judi??

We're to get another snow storm tonight into tomorrow morning. They are saying we might get 12"-18". :dizzy:

That's great you are happy to be back on your program, ledom. It's amazing how great you feel once you are back to eating right. I am eating low point foods again, but I find I am getting lax in journaling. It had become second nature to me, but I did not journal during the holidays and now I have to remember to do it. Also, my motivation is starting to wan. I am looking forward to the next WW meeting so that I can become gung-ho again.

The new piece of exercise equipment, Tony Little's Gazelle, arrived yesterday. I did 2/10 min. workouts today. He has different levels, beginner, which is a 10 min. workout, intermediate, a 20 min. workout, and advanced, a 30 min. workout. I thought since I was used to doing a 1/2 hr. walking tape, I could just jump to the intermediate workout. No way! I can feel muscles in my legs and back that I've neve felt before. I really like this equipment.

I envy you for being able to walk outside. It is so cold in our neck of the woods that I don't venture out very much. Have a great afternoon devleoping in your darkroom.

Hey, Cheryl & judi :wave:

Have a great day.

I think you and I must have been posting at the same time. Your cat sounds beautiful and precious. Animals love you unconditionally. I have a cousin who has 3 cats. Two of them are brother and sister. She had gotten both, intending to give one to her parents, but she didn't have the heart to break them apart. So, she ended up buying another kitty for her parents instead.
Take care.

We are digging out from 20" of snow that fell Sat. DH was out plowing all day just coming in for quick meals. I'm ready to pack my bags and move south.:D We tried to let Lacee out at 7:00 am Sat. morning, but couldn't get the storm door open because of the snow piled in front of it. If we get anymore major snow storms I don't know where we'll put it.

ledom, judi, & cheryl, hope you guys had a better Sat. than we did.

Take care and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

I've been watching that storm on TV. It must feel like old times, like before global warming. Is it cozy in your house? Keep us posted. This would be a good time for big pot of soup I bet.

Hi Ledom, Alice and 4Myself!! SOOO HAPPY you have joined us!!

I couldn't post, there was chaos at my DH's work so I couldn't go in.

Sounds like you all had a nice Christmas. My dear Auntie gave me a strand of real salt water pearls...she was going to "will " them to me but then thought she would give them to me. I was so overwhelmed, other than a few rings they are my first piece of really GOOD jewellery. I have lots of funky stuff but this is the first thing that could actually be appraised!! I wore them Christmas Eve. We stayed in Vancouver on Christmas Eve and then on Christmas Day we took off in the RV. We went to San Fran. for a couple of days, opened our presents Christmas night.

We have very mild weather on the island, so I will be able to drive still...no sign of snow. How are you managing in the snow Alice?

Your cat sounds wonderful 4myself! Estaban who was the smallest thing when we found him (about a couple of months ago) is like a full size cat now and he isn't even 1/2 year old. We knew he would be big because of his monster feet and long tail.

You have been in the darkroom Ledom, good for you! I took along my good camera but didn't feel inspired at all. How was your week off? Are you back at school now? What are you developing pictures of???

Glad you like your new exercise thingy Alice. I have to get on the treadmill.

I didn't lose anything over the holidays, just stayed the same. I am glad to be focusing on our under 200 goal this year. I really want to do it. I am sure if we can get there we would be so encouraged to go the rest of the way.

Have a good MONDAY! Hey and HAPPY NEW YEAR:hat:

Hey judi, it's good to have you back. :balloons: Your pearls sound lovely, and how nice of your aunt to give them to you as a Christmas gift. Now you will have many more years to enjoy them. Did you have a nice Christmas on the road? Many years ago DH & I left for FL Christmas Day and we had the road practically to ourselves. Did Marley & Estaban go with you on this trip? That's wonderful that you stayed the same over the holidays :cp: I plan on attending WW tomorrow morning to get back my motivation. Actually, I am really looking forward to going.

ledom, global warming? What global warming?:lol: It's a little cozy in the house. This is the type of weather that I wish we had a fireplace. The way our house is layed out one isn't possible. As a matter of fact I make this really good vegetable soup, which for me, is 0 points. DH & I have been eating that and it really tastes good.:T I will be making a new batch later on this morning.

Hi Cheryl, hope you had a good weekend.

I did my workout yesterday on the Gazelle. I had skipped a day because I was so sore from my 20 min. workout, especially in the front of my thighs and lower back. Yesterday's workout I only did 10 min. even though I was still feeling the effects of the previous workout. After the 10 min. the soreness was all gone. I was totally amazed. So, I will take TL's advice and start with 10 min. every other day and work my way up to 30 min. every other day.

Have a great day everyone.

Welcome home judi! What a wonderful Christmas gift! And, good for you for not gaining over the holiday - that's great.

Cheryl, did you find the BFL book? What do you think about it? There is a "sticky" on the BFL thread that has a lot of the basics listed as well.

judi, I'm still off this week. I go back next Mon. I am still working on photos from the kayak. I think that is probably my life subject. So far it has proved to hold my interest, I am trying to go to some of the same place in different weather, light, and seasonal conditions.

Yesterday was a big exercise day. I hike in the morning w/ gf's, then I walked w/ D in the neighborhood and then in the afternoon another friend called and I went kayaking. I loved it! D has been dragging me out for hikes everyday in addition to my regualr workouts because she is trying to shed her christmas pounds. I don't think it will hurt me.

Alice, I am so happy you can still get out and about. If we had 20" or more of snow, the entire city would shut down. Nothing would meet, we probably wouldn't have electricity. You'd get a kick out of what a small amount of snow it takes to get us all in a fuss. Anyway, have fun at your meeting tomorrow.

Hello all! Hope that the week-end was great for the three of you!

Alice--- 20 INCHES OF SNOW?!?!?!?!?! Wow! We're lucky if we even get 2-3 that actually stick for more than an afternoon! Not that I think we'd be able to cope with any more than that. Ledom is right--we're just not equipped for it!

Ledom--- Yes, I found the BFL book. The library at Augusta had a copy of it, so on my lunch break I drove over and checked it out. (Had to get a new library card to do it--I have four of them now, not counting my student i.d.'s from school. It seems to be growing into a collection :) ) I read the book over the week-end, though not as in-depth as I would have liked. I think that it is definately do-able, and I plan to start in ernest next week. I went to GNC yesterday and bought flax seed oil and l-glutamine, but I need to grocery shop before I start so I can eat right. The biggest challenge, I think, I going to be the gym-time I'll have to put in. There is actually an athletic club here in the building where I work, but the hours are terrible. They open at 7 a.m. on M, W, & F and at 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. I have to be at work at 8 a.m. and my afternoons are SOOOO full. I will have to figure out a way to make time to go down there right when I get off every other day. I took my measurements this morning :moo:, they shouldn't change that much between now and next Monday, but I'll probably do it again anyway.

Judi--- Ahhh, pearls. I am longing for a nice long strand of pearls. No one, that I know of, in my family has any. I guess I'll be the one to introduce them. Who knows, maybe one day I'll have a set to pass down to one of my nieces..... Good to hear from you, thanks for the welcome to the thread!!

Cheryl

I went to my WW meeting earlier this morning. I really did better than I expected. I only gained about 1 1/2 lb. during the holidays. Quite a few of us were in the same boat, so I didn't feel all that bad about it.

ledom, how is the BFL challenge coming along so far? That's wonderful you can still go kayaking. I would have to put a sail on it to skim across the ice:lol: I bet your photos from your kayaking trips are awesome. Are you planning on doing another show this year?

Cheryl, good luck to you on your BFL challenge. I know you will do well. The piles of snow at the ends of streets are so high that it's extremely difficult to see around, so you have to inch your way out onto the main road. The town has to come by and wing it back.

judi, Are you back to counting your points? I needed that WW meeting to get me motivated again. Now, I'm raring to go:strong:

Have a great day everyone.

I am glad you have sunshine today. We are supposed to have a springlike day tomorrow w/ highs around 66! Enjoy it while it lasts because the next day it is supposed to get cold again.

Good for you and your WW visit. Glad to hear you are fired up again.

Today is the end of week one for me. I have done it by the book, but I have to admit it has been a bit of a struggle on some days. Just getting back in the groove with the food mostly. But like I said, the structure is there for me and I have been able to maintain the diet. I too am still shedding those christmas lbs. but I think by the weekend I'll be back to where I was.

Cheryl, planning is a big part of BFL. If you have a place to workout that is great. Good luck making it work for you. I have a gym (weight bench and weights) set up in my basement and I do my cardio by walk/jogging in my neighborhood. It has worked out really well for me. Lots of folks swear by the public gym dynamic however.

judi, are you getting settled in?

Beatrice got a good grooming this past week. She is the kitty that actually likes water and baths. She sat like a little princess in a classic pose while she got her lavender bath. She is so soft and silky now and has a red bow on. So cute! She has also gotten much more affectionate of late. RM was an attention hog so I guess there is a little more love to go around to the less agressive these days. We sure miss our boy though.

Good morning all!

We are experiencing such beautiful spring like weather. It is wonderful.

Ledom, that is so cute about Bea liking a bath. Unusual for a cat. Estaban travels so well in the RV he sits in his bed on the dash and watches the road. Cats are fascinating...I am enjoying this cat so much. Mr. Marley has his big Lhasa coat on and looks like such a fine beast. It is a lot of work grooming wise though.

Good for you being back at WW Alice. I wish my friend would get here with my new diary. Any new food pts? I am counting points, for me it is the best thing.

I am getting all the Christmas things put away and sort of doing spring cleaning stuff. My cleaning lady is out of commission for awhile due to an injury so I have to get someone to fill in for her. I just CAN'T go back to doing my own house...I have two stacking tables loaded with books that I want to read.

Well, yesterday my D (who you all know has been slightly rebellious lately though I don't know if you really can call a 24 year old rebellious since she is legally an adult...but still it is my only kid) phoned me yesterday and told me she is back at university and wants to become a Catholic. Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather...she hasn't spoken to me for a month. So next Tuesday I am going with her to Catholic classes. Needless to say I am thrilled!!! My DH is also becoming a Catholic. Phew, it never rains but it pours. It was nice to be back at my mass yesterday. Though it was fun to go to the diff. churches in Oregon and Ca. and see the Christmas creches and decorations and all.

It must be wonderful to have a photographic subject that keeps yielding such inspiration, Ledom. I wish something could catch my imagination photographically again. It is like exercise once you stop it is hard to get going again. My darkroom/studio is now being slowly transformed into a holding area for stuff I don't know what to do with. I still have my mom's lifetime of photographs to put in albums too. My mom had a zillion cameras and photgraphed every moment in her life. Which does make for a marvelous record.

4Myself, are you doing the same diet that Ledom is on? What do you like to do for exercise?

Alice, Bentley isn't growing larger anymore (he is about 1 1/2 years now) just getting fatter. Is that normal for a Boston? I am thinking if I do get another dog I might get a Boston instead of a Frenchie...I just love those little mugs, I think I would like a girl too. How is Miz Lacee? I want to hold off on getting another dog though for Marley's sake for a bit. He still isn't thrilled about sharing attention with the cat.

We had about 1" of snow this morning before it cleared up. The sun is out now. We're supposed to get another 3"-4" by tomorrow noon. Will it ever end??? I envy you all your springlike temps.

judi, that's wonderful your DH & D want to become Catholics. How long are the classes? That's nice that they want to join the church, especially since in our area there has been so much scandal concerning certain priests and coverups. I'm sick about the whole thing.
Lacee has put on a lb. or two herself, as our other Boston's except for 1, did. I think it's lack of exercise especially this time of year. I've had to cut back on her food a little. Lacee is doing great. She's all curled up behind me in the chair, so that I'm teetering on the edge. Oh, well, just as long as one of us is comfortable:s: I'm glad to see that Estaban travels well. How do Estaban & Marley get along in close quarters? We haven't been told of any new point values. I did pick up a newer copy of the Food Companion book though, which says it has updated and newer point values.

ledom, that's great you have finished week 1 of the challenge. It must've been tough getting back doing everything, but you did it and that's the main thing. Those holiday lbs. will be off in no time. What did you eat for your free day? Are you at the point where you don't stray very far from your OP days?

Cheryl, how is the BFL coming along? Have you had 2 good days?

Enjoy the rest of the day.

How are you all doing?

Yesterday was so pretty that I did get out in my boat. Yeah, my photography subject is satisfying and it gives me the excuse to do something I love. I do hope to have another show this year Alice. I am working on finding that venue now.

I am working on another interesting photography project as well. A wealth woman in the community where I teach left her negatives and a $50,000 endowment to preserve her work. That job ended up in my lap and so a student and I have been working to put a show of her work together. That show will open with a special president's reception for the VIP's of the community on the 28th of this month. I woke up this morning dreaming about all the details that need to be taken care of. Ahhhh, work looms.

My diet is going fine. My D has taken up cooking the last couple of weeks. I am trying to get her to coordinate her efforts w/ my free day this week.

judi, so glad you heard from your D. I hope your family finds joy in going through this upcoming process together. I know you must be happy about it.

How is it going Cheryl?

Have a good day everyone.

I love Lacee stories Alice. I am glad she is doing great! Bostons are such fine little beasts!!!

re:scandal - a few sinners caught all the press. The Catholic churches we have attended in the US (in San. Fran., Ashland, Roseburg, Eugene and Tehachapi) are all really vital. The priests that I have met are dedicated and good men. I noticed even here in Canada (because I didn't go to mass for count em'...2 and 1/2 decades!!!) mass attendance on a reg. day is like mass attendance used to be on Sunday and mass attendance on Sunday is like it used to be on Christmas in my girlhood. No matter what the media says it is my experience that the church is in good shape...what is that old saying?? "The Catholic Church burys all its undertakers!"

I have been ok on the diet because I think the extra protein really helps a lot. I also stopped noshing this and that in between meals. That 6 meal thing on Prevention never worked for me because I could never just eat 250 calories...it was like I was having six reg. meals. Now I have 3 meals and fruit or yogurt in between if I am hungry.

I get the WW magazine. I like it. I think it is worth getting. Do you get it?

My DH is going back to Ca. for a couple of weeks and is taking Estaban. DH has turned into a kook and his cat. Marley and I will be at home to do whatever:smug:

How is the week going Ledom?

Goodmorning 4myself and kitty!

Ledom, I just read your post. That is pretty exciting that the school will get that endowment. Do you and the students have to print the negatives? There is something to be said for wealth, eh?

I think it is great your D cooks. My D can clean but not cook. When she was growing up my kitchen was a "one woman" kitchen. Her BF cooks VERY well because both of his parents cook. His parents go to Europe on "eating" holidays a couple of times a year. I have been struggling with this diet for so long an eating holiday for me would be all the Kashi, nuts, cheese and wine I want while sitting on my couch. Actually I haven't had one of those binges for a long while. I KNOW why I am not losing faster BECAUSE I don't exercise:p :( !

Hello ladies,

Sorry for the long lapse between posts!
I haven't actually started the Body for Life program yet, I plan to do that next Monday. I'm one of those folks who likes to have EVERYthing together before I undertake any project! (Plus, I have to wait until payday to join the gym, buy healthy food, etc. :) ) For the last few days, I have been getting up early (for me) and doing aerobics and just trying to eat more sensibly. I took my measurements Monday and was just absolutely.... blown away at how big I have gotten. I knew that my gut had gotten larger since I quit Weight Watchers, but I'm still in the same jean size, so I didn't really put that much thought into it. My waist was around 42 inches, and my GUT is almost 45!!!!!!!!!! Three inches of nothing but FAT. UGH!! I am so ready to make that go away!

Ledom, I have a question for you, which I may post on the BfL thread as well: Are there any leg exercises, besides squats and lunges, that I can do without a work-out bench? Just in case I can't afford to join the gym next week (insurance is due this month :) ).

Moving on to a diff. subject (my favorite one--besides food, of course), Y'all have been discussing the size of your pets. I have decided that when I start my diet, Baby is going on one as well. I weighed her last night and she weighs 11 pounds. You can look at her, though and just TELL that she's too fat! I guess it's true that pets reflect their owners! The reason she's gotten so big is because a lot of times I go home over the week-end and I'll fill her food bowl so she'll have enough to last a day-and-a-half to two days. I don't really know how to solve that, but I'll have to figure out a way!

Alice and Judi--I really miss Weight Watchers at times. I miss the feeling of accountability that the meeting gave me. I've been going to a local TOPS meeting, but it's just not the same. There's no structure, everyone follows their own plan. I've gained and lost the same the same 7 pounds consistantly over the past 5 months :).

Talk to you all later!!

Cheryl

We got 4" of fresh snow overnight. I've been out shoveling so that "you-know-who" can go out and do her duties. DH is out plowing so I thought I would help him out a bit. I just know he'll redo what I did:rolleyes:

ledom, in yesterday's USA Today, they had a few "must read" diet books, and Bill Phillips was among them.:cool: What a wonderful gift, leaving all her negatives to the school. It will be a very interesting undertaking for you and your students. Everything will come together fine. I hope you will be able to send photos like you did last year of both shows if at all possible. I so enjoyed those photos last year.

judi, it looks like Estaban and your DH are great pals. He'll be a lot of company for your DH on his trip. I agree with you 100% that Boston's are fine beasts. I also love hearing Estaban, Marley, Beatrice, & Baby stories. That's great you started going back to mass. I haven't been to mass, except for Christmas and Easter, in about 24 yrs. I would like to get back into the habit of going, but it's difficult to start. It seems that all of the scandal re: the church was in our area, NH & Mass. I am doing WW with more protein than is called for, I limit carbs, also I eat some fat which is frowned upon.

Hi Cheryl, hope you're doing well.

Have a good day everyone!

It looks like we were posting at the same time again. We've got to stop meeting like this!:lol: On some posts I've read on other threads, some people go to WW just to get weighed, and follow some other eating plan. I'm not doing WW by the book, but going to the meetings and getting weighed each week makes me stick to whatever I'm doing. If you can afford the expense, it may be worth a try. I know that this time of year they usually offer some really good deals. Sometimes they waive their joining fee, and you just pay the meeting fee. If a center near you is doing that, you could go to a few meetings to see if it's going to work for you.

All day yesterday I thought no one was posting, only to discover everyone posted lots! My message alert that send me e-mails when someone posts isn't working. Wonder whats up?

Anyway, glad to hear everyone is doing well. Cheryl, I have some books so that I can look up other exercises and I will but one question first. Do you not want to do lunges or squats for some reason, or are you just looking for variety?

I told you D has taken up cooking. Well, taken it up in a big way. I know exactly what I'll be eating on free day. She made ziti w/ meatballs and pineapple ricotta pie last night. I just have to wait until tomorrow to sample it.

Today we are going to spend our last day off going to Little Rock to shop and see a movie. We are going to see Far From Heaven and I am looking forward to going to the health food store. Someone over at Lean and Strong suggested buying steelcut oats from the bulk bins. I have been spending close to $7 a can for it. I can't wait to check that out. I'll also run through my favorite clothing store and see if they have any good sales.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Oh, to answer your freeday question judi. I am like a kid in a candy store. I don't have near the control or discipline I'd like to have. I know it is slowing me down in a way. On the other hand I think it is also keeping me honest. Maybe someday I'll stop feeling the need to eat so much on those days. I always feel horrible afterwards and am so happy to be back to good eating. It's a paradox.

Ledom,

I want some exercises to do in addition to lunges and squats to make up the 2 exercises for each major muscle group he lists in the book. The only thing I have against lunges and squats is that they're HARD!! And I'm hoping that'll go away with time :)
I'd just like to put off spending the $$ on the gym for as long as possible.

Hope that the three of y'all have a wonderful week-end!! This is my last week-end of "Freedom" before BfL, although I'm looking at it more as my last week-end of being miserable from overeating and mistreating my body.

Cheryl

We got another inch of snow overnight. They said we souldn't see any snow for the next 5 days. I'll get back to you on that one.:dz:

I had a dentist appt. this morning to get a tooth prepped for a crown. It was a little hairy driving, but managed to get there and back all in one piece. When I got home the town had been by winging and there was a huge pile of snow blocking the end of our street. :censored: I saw a pile of snow not too high, so that I was able to drive over it, into a neighbor's driveway, then I was able to make a turn into our road.

ledom, the ziti & meatballs sound delicious. I can just taste it now. :T That's one of my favorite meals. Enjoy the ziti and the pie. The pie also sounds good too. Have a great time shopping for bargains and hope you enjoy the movie.

Cheryl, have a great weekend of freedom before you start BFL. Will you be eating food that's not on your diet?

Hi judi :wave:

Have a great day everyone.

Alice you got more SNOW!!!! You have my utmost driving sympathy. What is happening to the weather system. We are still snowless here but I am NOT complaining. I notice how much brighter it is now that the days are getting longer.:D

Have a nice trip Ledom. I have a can of steel cut oats. I should open them. I have turned into a cereal eater, next to salmon and tuna it stays with me the longest.

The DH and the cat left for California.

Your D's culinary creations sound tempting!!

Hi Cheryl!

Everyone have a wonderful weekend!

Don't you love Sat. mornings w/ the whole weekend stretching out in front of you?

Alice, I can't believe the snow. How much have you had this winter? I am hoping for a snow or two - hopefully about 2 weeks after school starts, and enough for classes to be canceled. It is always so nice to have a breather after you are really ensconced in the semester and that seems to happen most winters. But then of course it needs to melt right away.

judi, hope you and Marley are enjoying your solitude.

Cheryl, you are about to embark on the most life changing and life affirming experience w/ BFL. That probably sounds overly enthusiastic, but you'll know what I mean once you get going. Here are a couple of web sites that will help you w/ those leg exercises http://www.stumptuous.com/weights.html and http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/ pull down the exercise menu in the abc site. I do my workouts at home and love it that way. It is so convenient and really saves me a lot of time. Do you have any home equipment? I have dumbells up to 25 lbs., after I realized how far I wanted to take this I bought a new bench at Hibbet's and an olympic bar and plates from this great place in Little Rock called Fitness Tech. Do you get down to L.R. much, if so you might want to check them out. Before I bought my bench though I had a really ancient and simple one from Wal Mart that I was able to utilize just fine. If you want to go that route you can probably pick up used equipment at a fraction of the cost for new. I'm always finding equipment at yard sales and such.

Have you exercised much in the past? I acutally have, I had been doing squats and lunges via Firm videos for a couple years previous to undertaking this and so I had improved my performance of the exercises quite a bit from the very beginning efforts. I'd say, start where you are and you'll be surprised at how quickly you'll improve. I remember my first lunges had very little depth to them. That's ok. Also, just getting through my first bfl workout was very difficult. It was amazing how quickly I got into the swing of things though.

One more thing, you may already be checking out the bfl thread here, but the gals over there are great at answering any question you might have.

Well, I'll sign off for now. Ya'll have a great weekend.

One more thing Cheryl. If I were you I'd go over to l&s and look through the recipes. Find the ones that look good to you and copy and paste into a new document and print them off. I did that right away and actually made myself a cookbook in this way. Spend tomorrow cooking up a few things that look good to you so you won't even have to think about where you will be getting your food next week because it'll be in your fridge. My faves are the banana bread mini loaves (I mupltiply the recipe times 4 so they last all week and they are my mid-morning meal), and Page's chili, I double that recipe. Buy yourself a bunch of eggs and low fat cottage cheese and some sweet potatoes and old fashioned, or better yet, steel cut oats and you'll be set. I make enough oatmeal for one week too. I cut up an apple in mine when I cook it, and then just dip out a fist size serving and zap in the microwave for 2 min. Making the food easy to access is key in my opinion. Good luck!

AHHHH, you've got to love Saturdays. You are right ledom, the weekend is stretching out in front of us.

DH was on the road yesterday and by the time he got home the town had been by to clean up the snow they had left in front of peoples driveways and our street.

ledom, from the 2 good sized storms, and the annoying little storms, I think we have possibly 2 or more feet of snow. I will glaldly send some of our snow down to you if you really want it:s: I have heard on the local news that some of the cities are trucking their snow to other areas.

judi, are you and Marley enjoying your time alone? I bet Marley is happy he's an "only child" again. DH & I keep in touch with the breeder we bought Lacee from. Yesterday he sent some photos via e mail of the whole clan. Lacee's mother, father, grandmother, and sister. They all are larger than Miz Lacee with shorter legs, larger heads, and more squat in body composition. Lacee has long legs, a small head, and her body is longer and leaner. I honestly think her mother sneaked out one night and mated with the Greyhound down the street :lol: I can see Lacee in her sister's face, but that's where the resemblence ends.

Cheryl, hope you're having a good weekend preparing to start your BFL. Let us know how it's going. Ledom gave you some really good advise.

Take care and enjoy the weekend.

It is back to the salt mines for me today. Ah well, it'll be good to have structure again. Set my alarm for 4:30 this a.m. - I only hit snooze twice and my workout for today is done. My oats are cooking and I probably have time for a quick shower if I don't dawdle here too long.

The best news, I did find steel cut oats in bulk at the health food store. Compare $7.00 for a 1 lb. can to .99 per lb. in bulk.

Hope everyone has a good week. It got cold here, but no snow so far.

Hi Ledom, Alice, Cheryl!

Glad you girls enjoyed your weekend. I spent mine reading. I have gotten someone to clean tomorrow:smug:

My D and I went out for lunch two days in a row. Catholic lessons start tomorrow for her and I am going to go with:cool:

Alice, Bentley is a smaller Boston but he has gotten quite stocky.
Marley IS liking to be an only child again (I miss the cat), he is bounding about and tossing around his toys.

Your exercise program sounds great Ledom, you must be doing untold good for your body. I saw the Gazelle yesterday on tv Alice. It looks HARD!! Is it?

Doing ok diet wise, having a hard time drinking all the water and still stalled on the exercise.

I hope you all had a good weekend. We didn't get anymore snow, but it sure has gotten a lot colder. It's supposed to get below 0 tonight. BRRRRRRR!

ledom, it must feel good to you being back into your exercise routine again. That's a good deal with the steel cut oats.

judi, no, the gazelle isn't difficult at all, you just stand on it and move your legs back and forth, just like you're walking, only there isn't any jarring of your legs. I've been getting used to it and I find that my stride is a lot longer than when I first started. This week I'm going to try 2-10 min. workouts instead of the 1. I don't think I could do a continuous 20 or 30 min. workout, as I get bored very easily, even watching TV while I'm on it. That's why I can't do the treadmill. Good luck to your D with her classes. That's good you're going with her.

Cheryl, how did your first BFL day go?

Have a great day! :balloons:

Day 1 is over and I am already exhausted. It'll take me a week or two to get my sea legs I guess. D got moved into the new dorm and happy w/ roomate, etc.

Not too much to report here, I'm just going to be really busy for the next few days.

Hello ladies!!

Sorry I've been a no-show lately! Busy, busy, busy! My last "week-end of freedom" was pretty good. My BF and I went to Memphis with his cousin & cousin's wife to eat out. They let me choose the eats since my birthday is today. I chose Red Lobster and almost made myself sick w/the all-you-can-eat shrimp--yum! As good as the food was, though, I don't think I'll miss it too much on BfL. Especially with the free day.
My first day on the Body for Life program went well. My arms are sore, though, and I didn't even use weights over 5 lbs. I'm so weak--I hope that changes!!
My mom took me grocery shopping Saturday to help me buy some the things I needed for this diet. She really wanted me to join Weight Watchers, even offered to pay. But then, for some reason, just out of the blue she said, "You know, if you want to do this 'weight-lifting thing' go ahead and try it for a week or two and we'll use the $ for WW to buy you some food today."
She doesn't think that I'll be able to hang with BfL. Sigh.

Yesterday I ate well all day. For breakfast I had 6 mini muffins made from the pumpkin muffin recipe on the BfL thread. 2nd meal was a meal replacement bar. 3rd meal was chicken breast w/brown rice. 4th meal was cottage cheese (no carb--didn't do well there, I guess). 5th meal was more of the chicken w/brown rice and some green beans. For my 6th meal I tried mixing the cottage cheese with yogurt, like suggested. Yuck. I'd much rather have the cottage cheese by itself and the yogurt by itself than mix the two together. I think that's called learning :)

Anyway, I guess I've rambled long enough. Ledom, thanks for the advice. I haven't had time to check out those web sites yet, but I'm getting there.

Alice, hope your snow goes away soon. We're supposed to be getting some. I heard our local weatherman say this morning that we're supposed to get snow and then 5 degree weather. Of course, in Arkansas, it could be 5 degrees one day and 50 the next.

Judi, hope your 1st class with your D goes well today. I know that you cherish the time you get to spend with her, especially doing that. I feel like families that go to church together share a stronger bond in other areas. JMO.

Later,
Cheryl

ledom, glad your D is happy with her new roomate. Once you get back in the swing of things, it will go better for you. Did you do any weight lifting while inbetween challenges?

Cheryl, glad that your BFL is going well for you. I'm sure your mother will come around when she sees how well you are doing. I don't think our snow will be going anywhere anytime soon. We'll probably still have spots of snow in May. Stay warm in the frigid temps.

judi, how did your D's first class go? Hope everything went well.

Take care and enjoy the rest of the day.

judi - how did you outing d go? I hope you had a good day. How long will dh and Estaban be gone?

alice, I did not lift any during the 10 day break I took. I did a little hiking but that is it. The idea of the break is to give your body a chance to rest and recover. Believe me, after 12 weeks of lifting you need a break!

Cheryl, you know I never even tried the yogurt/cc mix. Just didn't sound good to me. I did try the blended cc w/ sf jello which is supposed to taste like cheese cake. I didn't like that either. BUT, I love cc w/ a bunch of other things which you might have noted. Most especially w/ oatmeal but also w/ frozen blueberries and fiber one and w/ sweet potatoes. Eat more veggies! I have to keep after myself on that one too. Congratulations on starting your challenge!

I don't think we are going to get much snow in our part of the state but sounds like some cold temps coming our way.

Have a good day everyone!

Hi all!

Wahhhh!:( I miss Estaban! It looks like he will be gone another week.

The class with my D was wonderful!!! Thank you all for asking. It is a big group with people at diff. places in their walk, a very nice group too. Before we went to class my D and I went to look at watches and we both got ones with red straps...kind of cute, mine has got a thin red strap. They are DKNY watches. Mom bought to celebrate our day together.

I don't think I could do the gazelle, Alice. Yup, treadmilling is boring but not as bad as stationary biking. The latter is always holding ironed blouses on its handles and blouses to iron on its seat.

Ledom and Cheryl you two sound like you are solidly in the saddle.

Alice, is the business with the crown done yet?

Time to run and catch the ferry to town.

AAGGGHHHH!!! MY LLLLEEEEEGGGGSSSS!!!

Can I just say "ouch?"

I did my first lower body workout yesterday. I thought my arms were weak--HA!! Someone on the BFL/BB forum, Niffer, I think, used the expression Noodle Leg Syndrome. How perfectly that fits how my legs felt last night. They're still so sore this morning that I have trouble sitting down and standing up. I didn't do the whole 46-minute workout that he has outlined in the book--do you think that's OK, Ledom? I think I'll have to work myself up to that over the first couple of weeks.

Hope everyone is well! Take care of yourselves, pets, kids, etc.....

Cheryl

I remember asking that same question. It was UB for me and I felt I just couldn't get through the whole routine. The BLF thread said NO - it's imp. to do it by the book. So, you might just go through the reps w/out weights or w/ very light weights. I promise it'll get easier. Also, glutamine will take care of your soreness.

Yesterday I met my GF for an early lunch and a movie. We saw Maid in Manhattan. It was a very good movie. I would recommend it. We met at Olive Garden and I did very well. Had their Minestrone Soup and 1 of their breadsticks, which is a 5 point lunch.

Cheryl, I can sympathize with you re: sore muscles, and not being able to sit or stand with out groaning. It will get better as ledom says. Ledom shared a recipe for cc where you add vanilla flavoring, cinnamon, and Splenda. :T

judi, glad that your D's class is good. Will you be going to the rest of her classes with her, and how long does she have to attend? WHEW...a lot of questions there! :lol: I still have my temporary crown. I still have 3 weeks to go before the permanent one comes in. I am scared to death that it will fall off so I don't chew on that side, and I'm very careful when brushing & flossing. I can just see you now, greeting Estaban before your DH when they return home. :D I'm sure Estaban misses you as much as you miss him.

ledom, did you get any snow? That storm is staying far away from us :cb:

Hope you all have a great day.

no snow here, not yet anyway. I bet you're getting some Cheryl, being up in the NE corner of the state. It is awfully cold and windy though.

Goodmorning!

Well, down 1 pound.

I finally got my new WW diary.

Nothing too much going on. Wonderful weather, no snow and no rain so it makes driving in to Vancouver easy.

DH and Estaban are still going to be gone another week.

Friday for you working gals:cool: !!! Enjoy the weekend!

judi, congratulations on the 1 lb. loss!:bravo: Way to go! You and Marley have fun this weekend.

Hi ledom & Cheryl, hope things are well with you.

Have a great weekend everyone. :balloons:

YEA JUDI!!!!!!! Congratulations on the loss!
Good deal with the diary. When I was on the WW program, the diary was what made all the difference between my losing or not.

We only got a teeny little bit of snow where I live. I think we were on the cusp of the weather. The folks 20-30 miles north of us got up to 5 inches in places. That's OK by me, I can live without it!!

Ledom, thanks for the answer. That's what I was afraid of. ;) I have been taking the glutamine--I actually started it a week before starting BfL, wanted to get it in my system. If it really helps the soreness, then I can't IMAGINE how I'd feel if I wasn't taking it :):):):) It's been 2 days, and I still hurt, although I can tell that it's getting slightly better (I can sit down now without making noises :) )

Alice, I've been wanting to see Maid in Manhatten ever since I saw the trailer for it before Sweet Home Alabama. I guess I'll wait until it's in the rental stores and watch it w/my mom.

I've got a 3-day weekend, so it'll be awhile before y'all hear from me. Wish me luck w/sticking to my guns when it comes to eating and working out!! I'll be sure to do the same for the three of you!!!

Cheryl

You can stick to your guns Cheryl! We all can!

Weather is foggy but nice here. We have had the driest winter and no SNOW yet! I hope it keeps away.

I am meeting my D for mass in Vancouver and then we are going for crepes.

How is that Miz Lacee. Alice? What has she been up to?

How is the diet going Ledom?

I am going to exercise today, no more phoney baloney excuses!

It has been well below zero these past few nights, not getting much warmer during the day. We're supposed to be in the deep freeze all week, only it's supposed to get windy which should make things really fun!:eek:

judi, that's nice you went to mass with your D. How were your crepes? Miz Lacee is doing ok. She's not a happy camper with the cold temps. Evidently one of her back paws is very sensitive to the cold and/or snow. She goes out on 4 legs, but when she gets to the bottom of the stairs, one back leg is up in the air and she's running on 3 legs! We get the biggest kick out of it. If she was out longer I would put those little booties on her paws and wrap her up really good...sort of like dressing a little kid as they go out to play in the cold:s: DH & I were riding down the street the other day and we saw this woman walking her dog, as she does every morning, and her dog had those little booties on.

Cheryl, that's good you only got a little snow. Your exercise routine can only get better. Keep at it.

ledom, any big plans this holiday weekend?

Have a great day!

That weather must be terrible for a Boston, their coats are so short. Marley has a purple and gold fleece with a silver label on it. He looks very sportif in it.

Yesterday was a good day. At mass it was the Filipino feast day of Santo Nino so there was a special choir and wonderful Filipino music.

Nothing new diet wise. Did I exercise?:( Just went to bed for about 4 hours in afternoon then stayed up late.

I haven't been cooking since the DH has been away. I am just eating the same things over and over for all meals, salad, Kashi, salmon and yogurt. Time for a menu change I think.

Have a good week...another one...closer to SUMMER!

Alice, I really feel for you guys. I bet those cold temps are getting old. This past week it has been really windy here too. It makes it very hard to go outside.

Yeah judi, change is the name of the game. That is where I am right now - regrouping. As far as the diet is going, for some reason this is absolutely the easiest time I have ever had sticking to something. BUT, I am in a place now where I need to shake things up. I am going to change my workouts around this week, I am still researching how to do a "split" program of lifting. I am also looking at ways to change my diet up. It is easy to keep eating the same favorite foods day in and day out but after a while your body needs to be shaken up a bit to keep the weight loss going at a steady pace. I have stalled on that so that is why I am rethinking my routines.

I have today off so I am planning to do lesson plans for the coming week. D is home but will be going back to school this evening. Not much new here.

Hey guys,

Sorry to barge in on you like this! Mine name is JC and I am from the BFL thread over yonder.

I was just lurking and I wanted to say to Cheryl you MUST try the cottage cheese and yogurt mixture. It was a staple for me over my first 2 challenges and easy to prepare and cart around. The trick with it is to dump the CC and yogurt in a blender and blend it smooth. Add some Splenda and cinnamon to it if you want as well or a tiny piece of fruit for flavour. I used to make mango and blueberry flavours. YOU have to try it!!

Ledom: hey gorgeous! You didn't like the jello cheesecake? I used to like it but it got a bit too sweet for me in the end. :lol:

JC :D

Keep on keeping on chickies!!!!

Well, the long weekend is over! Before I really get started I thought I'd send off a quick post first.

JC, welcome to this little corner of the web. We have fun over here. I guess I should give the yogurt/cc a try before bad mouthing it. I probably wouldn't blend it however. Something about the texture of blended cc doesn't suit me, I know many think just the opposite. Yesterday I made a weeks worth of pumpkin pancakes, I think that is a really interesting take on using CC.

Well girls, my girlfriends and I rented a cabin on the lake for Feb. 2. I am so excited, hiking, kayaking, and partying for 24 hrs. It'll be so nice to get away. We usually head up north to the mtns. when we do this but this time the cabin is on the lake about 15 miles from my house. I like that it is so close, hardly any driving and it will still be such a good retreat. I am SO looking forward to it.

judi, your masses sound so beautiful - I am glad you have found this place for yourself. It is so easy to let the spiritual side of life suffer. I am not a church goer, I tend to find God in nature and feel that is why hiking and paddling are such an important part of my life. It is a place of solitude, beauty, and recognition. I also have been reading The Seven Spiritual Laws by Depok Chopra. I turn to that little book when I feel I am losing my center and it always gives such good guidance.

Poor Lacee, I know just how she feels and it is only a southern winter here. I long for warm days, and longer days for that matter.

Cheryl, how is it going? Are you settling in to your new lifestyle, struggling, what? Let us know.

Well, guess I better "get with it."

Went to WW this morning, I'm down 8/10ths of a lb. I'm happy because I really wasn't all that careful last week.

Yesterday, DH & I went to the movies:faint: We saw Two Week Notice with Hugh Grant & Sandra Bullock, who we like very much. I couldn't tell you the last time DH took me to a movie.

ledom, your weekend away with the girls sounds like a lot of fun. Just to see water without ice on it would be a treat. ;) At least with it being this cold, Lacee is in and out very quickly. Usually I'm standing at the door, which seems like ages, while she's sniffing her turf.:rolleyes: I have heard that you do have to mix things up a bit, as your body gets used to whatever you're doing and gets stuck in neutral.

judi, how is your diet going so far this week? The mass you attended sounds lovely, especially the music. Marley must look very handsome in his purple and gold fleece. The last time my cousin & I went to NYC I bought Lacee a burber sweater and told her that all the fashionable dogs in NYC were wearing them. I don't put a sweater on her when she goes outside to do her duties, I'm lucky if she sits still long enough to hook her up to her lead.

JEC, a big welcome. How long have you been doing BFL?

Cheryl, how are you doing with your exercises so far this week?

Have a great day everyone.

Ledom, the cabin sounds glorious! I agree with you, nature does give an enormous boost to the spiritual side of life. I know when I go for a walk out on the trails, I think this is SOOO marvelous!! Why don't I do this everyday? Good question, I will have to think about that.

Alice, the sweater must be so CUTE!! Tell Lacee to sit still when you put in on because we girls have to sacrifice to look fashionable and beautiful.

I got contacts yesterday. First time I ever had them. Gosh, I feel like an eagle...I am seeing EVERYTHING.

No new news here, just that all is well.

Hey all!!

I did my second LBWO yesterday. I feel MUCH better now than I did after that 1st one. Lemme just tell ya! There is hope.

I've only been doing the BfL program for 1 week, so it's way too soon for me to see any results, but when I went to my TOPS meeting yesterday, the ladies there were staring at my legs. After I weighed, (2 1/2 lb. loss BTW) I told them that I had lost and they were like, "Well, we could look at your legs and tell that you'd lost some weight." Like I said, I've been on this program for less than 2 weeks, and I KNOW that it's too soon to see results, but that still made me HAAPPPPEEE!!!

It was awfully nice of JC to drop in and visit us. I've started posting on the BfL forum a little, too. But I kind of feel out of my league over there!

Alice, congratulations on your loss this week! Even the little ones add up!

Judi, I have contacts, too, but rarely wear them. I guess I should try them more often and maybe I'd actually LIKE them. I feel naked w/o my glasses tho. :)

Ledom, a cabin on the lake sounds like fun. I enjoy anything I get to do w/my friends these days, I see them so rarely. We've spread to the four corners of the state (literally), so it's hard to get together!

Y'all take care--Cheryl

Aleka: Nice to meet you too!

I completed 2 challenges back to back and then moved on to Camp Pam Brown and now onto my own plan. I have been living this way for 15 months now.

JC

Way to go Cheryl! Sounds like you have things going your way. Don't be intimidated by the bfl thread, there is tons of good information to be found over there.

I know this, but you all may not. JEC lives in Australia! Isn't it amazing how the internet age has let us connect w/ people all over the world?

I MAY have finally given up on my daily weigh-ins. I haven't weighed in over a week and I am, for the moment, feeling comfortable about that. I am feeling leaner every day. Yesterday my boss told me I looked like had lost 30 lbs. in the last 2 weeks.:D Now she knows how to give a compliment, or lay it on thick one. The thing is, I don't think I have lost any, or much, weight in the last 2 weeks. I have lost some inches though. The further I get into the lifestyle the more interesting it becomes.

Way to go Alice, you must be doing something right.

judi, you are a happening woman w/ your contacts and short hair and weight loss. What's next!?!?!?!

Gotta run, you guys have a good day.

ledom, that was a fantastic compliment your boss gave you.:cloud9: I would think weighing yourself daily would be discouraging because your weight is different each day. How is the pant-o-meter coming along? I am so happy for you that BFL is working so well.

JEC, Australia! How exciting! The internet certainly does bring people closer together. Do you live anywhere near where the wildfire is taking place? I saw it on the news the other day and how devastating it must be. I haven't heard anymore about it, and I am hoping that it has been contained. How many inches and how much weight have you lost in 15 months?

Cheryl, congratulations on your weight loss and especially on the noticeable inches lost on your legs. :cp: It sounds like things are getting a little easier for you in the exercise dept.

judi, that's wonderful about getting contacts. Did you get colored ones or clear ones? I used to wear contacts when I was in my 20's, the only kind they had back then were the hard plastic ones. I started having problems so stopped wearing them. I can't bring myself to take the newer ones out of my eyes. Are they easy to get used to? Good luck with them.

Have a great day.

Cheryl, way to go!!:cp:

Yeah, Ledom I AM just happening aren't I??? Exercise, that is what is next. I am getting off my duff about that one. I know I will never exercise like the rest of you but I still can go for a walk for 45-1hr. a day. The place I live is very good for walking. It is shameful to be such a lazy a*& as me:o

Is the weather giving you a break Alice?

Hey all!

Thanks for the congrats!

Judi, sometimes it's hard to get started, but it becomes addictive--watch out!! Before you know it, you'll be walking miles and miles.

Ledom, I think that you should let go of the scales for awhile. We both know, from reading others' experiences, that the scales are not accurate at all when it comes to the BfL program. Just look at MrsJim.

Alice, how are you doing? You replied to all of us, but didn't even tell us a thing about what's up w/you!!

Well, it's time for my 3rd meal, and I'm HUNGRY, so I'll letcha go!

Cheryl

Aleka: yes the fires are all around us but we are ok so far. My result so far are;

Oct 2001
Weight – 217 lb / 98 kgs
Height – 5’4”
BF% - 46%
Measurements
Waist - 39
Hips -48.5
Thighs - 30
Bust - 44
Bicep - 16
Size - 18-20 (Australian)

Dec 2002
Weight – 168 lb/ 76.5 kgs
Height – duh
BF% - 24%
Measurements –
Waist - 29
Hips - 40.5
Thighs - 26
Bust - 38
Bicep - 13
Size – 12

JC

I think that my size 12 Australian equates to a 6-8 US.

JC

JEC, those are fantastic results! :strong: Everything about BFL is very impressive. I only wish I had the commitment to weight train like the rest of you do. I am a lot like judi in re: to exercise. I love walking. I'm glad that the fire hasn't gotten to you. I feel so bad for the people who have lost their homes and for the poor wild animals who live in area.

Cheryl, I'm doing great. Thanks for asking. There really is nothing happening in my neck of the woods, same old..same old. The only hot topic around here is the weather. I have started back to my exercise routine which consists of an aerobic walking tape which I do w/weighted balls, about 2 lb. ea.

judi, did you and Marley get out for your walk? I've started my tapes again. I haven't been on the gazelle in a while because 10 min. a day trying to get used to it wasn't getting any weight off.:s: I do have a plan to do 10 min. every other afternoon in addition to my walking tapes. The operative word here is "plan" :lol: It is still frigid here, below zero with wind chill factors well..well..below zero. This weekend it's supposed to be in the 20's so it will feel like a heatwave! Hopefully soon, these temps will just be a bad memory. I am glad that you are having some delightful weather. Please send some our way. :^:

ledom, hope you will have a great BFL day. Are you any warmer where you are?

Take care everyone and have a great day!

The cold air mass is sinking into our state today but I hate to complain. It is nothing compared to what you are experiencing. Tomorrow it is supposed to get down to 10 overnight and windy. Plenty cold for me. But the long range forecast predicts a high of 60 a week from now. That is how it is down here.

Yeah, I think BFL is going fine. I have switched my workouts around this week and the change has been distressing to me. I am not sure I am doing it right and instead of 3 weight days I am to do 4, though they include fewer exercises per day I am not sure I like that. I am going to finish the week out in this manner and then decide if I want to go back to the old way. I guess I am a creature of habit, I get comfortable with what I understand and while others may get bored, it makes me feel secure. We'll see. Food is good. I have also been thinking about this challenge and how it is different from the first one. It feels very different. Like I have been around the block with it now and I don't spend as much time saying to myself what day I am on, what week I am on, etc. When the discussion turns to food among friends I have to really watch myself from telling them how they should be eating. I don't know that it is really easier, but it is more routine. I still think about freeday a lot and look forward to it, but it always feels so good the day after free day to be back on the healthy plan that I am amazed. Without the stimulus of actually seeing food I don't get cravings. Last night, however, I went to a Hobby Lobby (huge craft store here). At the check-out area they have a display of holiday candy (valentines), nothing nice really actually it is all cheap chocolate sorts of things. I did get a twinge though of old times. I was feeling a little tired and overwhelmed with my day and the weak thoughts crept up on me. It was pretty easy to resist though. I didn't get close and really inspect what I wanted. The other thing is that giving up diet coke has really affected that part of my life. It is like people who give up smoking and have to give up drinking as well because one brings on the craving for the other. There was something very comforting for me in an endless diet coke and junk food. They are very much associated in my mind and I had many food orgies with diet coke playing a huge part. OK, are you sorry you asked Alice? That was a really long ramble.

I must REALLY need a getaway because I can't wait until next weekend when I get to go to the cabin. Usually I do something like that during christmas break so I have grown accustomed to having it.

judi, cheryl, jec, just keep on keeping on. Hope you have a great day.

I'm glad that I asked about BFL. I am so happy for you that you have a program that you can be so enthused about. In your 2nd 12 week challenge, do you do the same set of exercises you did in your 1st challenge, or do you do a completely different set? I too find it more comforting doing something I'm used to, rather than something different, unless I am completely bored doing what I'm used to. I know what you mean on keeping quiet when the subject of food comes up. I eat very differently than WW encourages, and when the subject of fat-free anything comes up I inwardly cringe. But, then the best thing about WW is that you can do the diet anyway you want as long as you keep within your point range. So, I eat real food and real fats. I have eliminated white flour, added sugars, and hydrogenated oils from my diet.
It's funny you should mention cheap holiday candy. My GF gave me a bag of that type of candy for Christmas, I took one and it was horrible:p That was good because otherwise I would've eaten the whole bag! I gave it to DH and he's still working on it.

Don't be surprised if you find me on your doorstep with suitcase in hand when you start getting 60 deg. weather.:lol:

Take care.

Ok, it has only been 10 days, but when I put on my jeans this morning, I could DEFINITELY tell a difference! I can't wait until my TOPS meeting next Monday so I can weigh and see if any lbs. have come off. It's so hard not to pull out my home scales and jump on them.

Having a problem eating clean this week. Those pumpkin muffins on the BfL recipe thread have become a staple on this diet, and I didn't make any this week. I tried the protien brownies, instead, and was not impressed AT ALL. I'll probably try the brownie recipe again, with some modifications, but for now, I'll stick w/what I know I like.:)

Alice, if you want to visit Ledom while she's having 60 degree weather, you'd better plan carefully. We only get about two weeks of that kind of weather between frostbite and sunburn.:lol:

Had a great lower body/abs workout this morning! Used my weights up to 10 lbs. Did that for my last ubwo, too. Ahhhh, triceps. Kind of like the appendix--you never think of them being there until the pain comes.....

Everybody have a great week-end!! Try not to overdo at any Super Bowl parties. Thank God that's my free day!

Cheryl

Still cold. I'm beginning to sound like a broken record!:rolleyes:

Cheryl, way to go with the pant-o-meter:bravo: That's the best way to tell your progress. It sounds like you're really doing well with your exercises.

I don't mind the weather inbetween frostbite and sunburn, as long as it's past frostbite and smooth sailing into sunburn:lol:

judi, when is Estaban & your DH coming home?

Hi ledom, and JEC :wave: I hope you are both doing well.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Sounds like everyone is doing great!!:strong:

I went for an hour hike in the woods this afternoon. Marley is at the doggie hair dressers, he was only there two weeks ago but he has been getting into something stinky outside (and he sleeps on my bed). I felt guilty for going on a walk without him but really it was so much easier.

How is your weather now Alice? What is driving like?

DH and the kitty are leaving Ca. today. I don't know who I missed the most, my hubby or the cat:?:

I made something very good, it was the Atkins mix for blueberry bread/muffins. I just made it in a 8 by 8 cake pan. It is LO CARB and 1/18 of it was only .5 pts for those pt. counters. Mine would have been less because I made it with egg whites instead of the 3 eggs. Was it ever good! It was like a coffee cake. I think I bought the mix in the U.S. I recommend it for you low carb eaters, it was really tastey. When I go back to the U.S. I am going to buy several of mixes.

The contacts are VERY easy to wear because they are the soft lenses. I get a new pair every month. They are clear ones.

We have light rain here. Would you believe I still have Blackeyed Susans blooming from last summer? That is how mild of a winter we had this year.

I know it is only Jan. but I am so HYPED about spring coming!!! I get more impatient every year.

We have double digit ABOVE zero temps today for a change.:lol:

judi, that Atkins cake sounds YUMMY. I've seen it in the grocery store, but I wasn't sure how it tasted. I'm glad that you like your contacts. Driving isn't bad, but it's just so cold. I'm lucky my car sits in a garage so I haven't had any problems with it not starting. The roads are bare. It hasn't been warm enough for any snow to melt then refreeze overnight. Oh, wow, you still have flowers:cloud9: It's been so long since I've seen a flower.

Cheryl, I just saw your pm. I'm sorry I missed it yesterday. It's not very often I go into 3fc's home page.

Hope you're all having a good weekend.

It is Mon. morning and I am wiped out before I even start! I think it is because I know what lies ahead for me the next 3 days. Too much work! We are opening the new show tomorrow night, it is half hung and this month we are having 2 receptions. Tomorrow nights is private reception, we open to the general public on Wed.

I did want to check in though before the whirlwind starts!

alice, you are having a heat wave. Hope temps are continuing to climb. judi, I guess your wayward boys are home by now? Hope all is well with you. cheryl, I made those pumpkin muffins you mentioned. I made them into 2 mini loaves. Very nice. I think they are probably even better as far as nutrition than the banana loaves I have been enjoying. They don't have flour. I was inspired so I did some experimenting. I made another batch of pumpkin loaves using the banana bread recipe - I used pumpkin instead of banana and traded 1/2 the flour for oatmea. They turned out good too. I am thinking that pumpkin recipe could also be turned into some time up savory loaf w/ spinach, onions, cottage cheese? I will try it when time allows. I like the idea of a meal in an easy to eat loaf since I am on the go so much.

All of you have a good week. Might be a day or 2 before I get to check back. I DO have my weekend retreat to look forward to so that'll get me through the busy times.

Hi!

Ledom, yes the wayward boys are home. Estaban and Marley must have forgotton that they are living together because there has been a lot of hissing and growling and following one another around. DH was exhausted. I don't think I will go on any of the trips until after Easter (though I will miss my US shopping forays). I just want to stay home and I don't want to miss any of the classes at the church.

Alice, I hope the weather will give you a break. What does Miz Lacee think of everything.

I ordered Bob Greene's new book the Get with THe Program one on food and the journal. I have the other one, for awhile now, laying unread. But I might start the exerercise program along with the other one when they arrive. They go in stages.

OK all have a good new week!

I was afraid we were going to run out of space so I started a new thread.