General Diet Plans and Questions - Boot Camp January 2003

Welcome to our newest thread "Boot Camp January 2003". We are a group of women who follow each other's progress with friendship, kindness and support of each other's challenges and successes with our weight loss journeys. All are welcome to this site. In 2003 we decided to take a more structured, no nonsense, boot camp approach to our goals.

We are following our own weight loss plans and generally include exercise and water to whatever plan we are following. Some of us are opting to add one small behavioral change per month into the mix of food, water, and exercise, for a four point approach each day to weight loss success and general increase of all over health and well being. However, this 4th behavioral change is optional, yet also encouraged.

My goals for this month's boot camp are:

:chef: Calories: 1900-2,000 calories a day with a fat content of no more than 25% total calories. I am also trying to keep my protein intake at 25-30%, and carbs at no more than 45%.

:strong: Exercise: At least 30 minutes a day and that will be cardio 3-4 times a week, and weight lifting 2-3 times a week.

Behavioral: Will try to eat only diet yogurt, or a small amount of cottage cheese, or a low calorie trail mix bar, if I get late night hunger pains, otherwise NO FOOD AFTER 8:00 PM :nono:

:yes: Day of Rest: with the option of having a free food day, only if my weekly weigh in shows progress. Hopefully I can lose 8 lbs. this month. My current weight is 262 as of this morning.

:high: to all the previous members of our thread: Tiffany, Cafe, Dyan, Huntress, Jello, Tiger, Semo, Brighter, Jujubee, and Kayla, and Welcome to all new and prospective members. :grouphug:

Are you ready?...I say are you ready :drill: ...I can't he-e-a-a-r you!! :drill:

DNW: I'm here and I'm with you!!! HOORAA!
Here is my goals for this month:
I will limit myself to 1 pepsi per day.
I will get in 3-4 veggies & 1-2 fruits per day
8 glasses of water, more if I can.
Walk my dogs 2 miles, 3 times a week.
Gym twice a week for cardio & weights
I will try to make healthier low cal/fat choices for the rest of my food.

I know this doesn't sound like much of a commitment for my food and pepsi but trust me, these are huge steps for me. I'm trying to do only what I'm sure I can stick with.

No need to apologize for your goals...succeeding in the attainble often leads to greater challenges as we all have learned on the Doing Your Own Thing Challenges and Threads. Often when we try to attain goals that are not reachable we fail miserably. I know I did htat earlier last year trying to eat only 1,500-1,600 calories a day.

I think you are smart in knowing what your limitations are at this time. You will know when to challenge yourself further. Taking it off slow guarantees success, as your body will not fight the bigger losses by slowing down your metabolism.

Good luck and welcome back!!

Private Bright present and accounted for, ma'am! :drill:

Boot camp goals:

22-27 pts./day WW :)

No food after 8 pm. :nono:

Wt. lifting 2x/wk :strong:

Walk on TM or outside 3-5x/wk :cb:

water: 40+oz. per day

journal all foods/ feelings daily

take a rest day as a reward weekly(if have a good weigh-in)

take vitamin/calcium every day

post motivational messages EVERYWHERE in my house!

That's all I can think of.....

Huntress--way to go, girl! You sound ready to go (and you are 4 months earlier than last year!

JuJu---way to go on the baby steps! You also sound ready for the adventure. Glucophage is a medicine that helps your body process sugar---your doctor must think you have adult onset diabetes. It is a good medicine---I know several young women who are on it and trying to lose weight to control their blood sugars, etc. Your cholesterol and triglycerides definitely need work too---sounds like you inherited your dad's genetic tendencies, which unfortunately makes you more prone to the diabetes. Weight loss and watching what you eat will make a big difference! You are on the right track!

DNW---thanks for getting us started, sarge!:drill: I liked your goals and am ready to go!

Dyan---way to go on the new job! :high: you sound so excited!

Cafe, Jello, SEMO, Kayla, Tigerlily, Tiff, and everyone else: Happy New Year!

I'm changing my sig: today--dropped another 3/4# over the holiday weeks. It is slowly coming off. I know it would have been more off if I had been doing my exercising consistently these last two weeks.....so I'm learning. Thought that snow shoveling would replace it but it just sorta kept me in the negative spot..which I'll take.

I'm so happy to have lost weight before Jan 1: this has been my jumpstart and now it's down to business, ladies....shall we?

This is the place to be in 2003,

"Bright":flow1:

195.2/187.5Current/176(10% goal)/135

{lost 7 3/4# and have to lose 11# to 10% goal}

Private Hunt reporting for duty Sarge!

Boot Camp goals:

Drink Water! Get off those colas I've been drinking during the holidays. See juju you're not the only one addicted.

Exercise! Will be joining the gym on Monday.

Food! Back to the basics. Since you all know I refuse to count calories or points I will simply stick to eating healthy small portions.

Question? Will we be posting here for everything now or using this thread like a challenge? Sorry to ask, you know I'm blonde.:lol:

Have any of you tried the Dole fruit & gel cups? I think I'm addicted. I love jello but rarely make it since I'm usually the only one who will eat it. Funny thing is since I bought them the kids have been eating them. Wonder if I just imagine they won't eat things that they really do.

I owe, I owe, so off to work I go.

LJ

Ten Hut!!! Private Jello reporting in!

Hmm, "private jello" brings on all sorts of private, jello-wrestling images..... :o

And OK now we see where Jello's mind is at! Must be all the cold and flu medications I'm taking. :sp: Yes, Jello's sick. But hanging in there anyway.

Annnnyhooooo......

My goals:

Stick to and count WW points every day.

Drink 64 to 128 ounces of water a day.

Exercise daily at home (includes even 10-15 minutes on the treadmill or doing exercise video, etc.)

Go to the gym at least twice a week. Hopefully, that will change to 3 or more times a week but let's be realistic to start.

Plan menus and try new recipes and write down the points and nutritional info of new things I find that I like. Resort to these notes and information when I want something different or when I'm bored with what I'm eating, etc.

Think positive. No more beating myself up. I CAN do this! :strong:

Huntress, I must be blond too because I was going to ask the same question. Is this our new thread, Nurse? Works for me. I can't handle too many threads at once. I get all confooozed! :rolleyes:

BTW, Huntress, what are those Dole fruit and gel cups? Never heard of them. Fruited jello? Sounds tasty!

Bright, congrats on the loss over the holidays!! I wish I could say the same. But I'm raring to go now!!!!

Happy new year to all of you!!

Reporting for duty, SIR!

I'm having a difficult time deciding on which one behavior I would like to change... I've decided to play it by ear, possibly I'll try a different thing each month.

For me, my bonus point for January will be self-care. When I feel good/look good, there's so much more incentive to make the effort. It's so easy to put everything ahead of caring for this tired bod, but it is all I have.

I did well yesterday. I did not get out for a walk, but I did run around inside my house quite a bit, getting everything spiffed up and ready for company. I cooked a vegetarian dish from Egypt with 4 parts you put together on your plate. Filling, and while I didn't do the MATH, I'm convinced based on the ingredients that it's lo-cal. I drank my water and I took the time before company to get myself ready - it was a great day. albeit without official exercise. I'd give myself 2/3 with +1 bonus for behavior change.

I'm so happy we're all going to work together to get healthy and ready for warm weather!

Today, I'm going to go for a long walk in the skyways during my lunch hour.

LJ- My understanding is that this is our new thread? The new title is just to scare us into some action, LOL!

~Cafe - if she was a cat she might purr this morning.

Hey, Hey, Hey......

1,000-1,400 calories a day
no eating after 7pm
64 oz of water a day
exercise 6 days a week, w/ Sunday off for good behavior!

Start mt new job today///will be training for the next 3 weeks! UGH...will try to stay up on what everyone's doing.

Ciao for now!

Good Morning Ladies and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I came to work prepared this morning with diet dinners for the freezer and low fat snacks for my desk drawer. Now, I can't use the excuse to run out and grab a burger at lunch and of course can't eat the burger without the fries and well, you see where this goes.

Here are my goals for Boot Camp Sarge.

1. Be kind to myself.
2. Exercise a minum of 30 min for five days per week. (you guys can still post on the January Exercise Challenge Post, it really helps.)
3. Eat smaller portions, and keep to low-fat and low calorie choices as much as possible. (no need to say I'm going to journal when I know I won't)
4. Weigh and measure once, and only once, on the first day of each month. (I'm an addicted scale hopper!)
5. Cut down on diet soda.
6. And for my behavior change I'm going to try this: When I think I just have to have something that I know I shouldn't eat, I'll set a timer for 15 minutes and then If I still really, really want it, I'll have it. (going to buy a timer that I can slip into my purse...just in case I'm out somewhere!)
7. I'll make changes or adjustments on this list, the first of each month.

I had a good day yesterday, did well on exercise, eating and water. WooHoo!

Recruits :drill:

I am thrilled so many of us are back for this Monthly Challenge for 2003. I think it will be fine to post points at this thread, if you wish. I will tally once a week if you can give me your points for that week. Let's say our week starts on Sunday and I will need your points on Saturday by 5 PM, OK?

However, because our friendly conversations make our threads the great success and support system we have come to depend on, I really believe we should continue to talk to each other here on this thread. Someone mentioned that too many threads would get confusing, and I agree.

Please note that Semo has an Exercise Challenge thread going each month, and it would probably be an additional booster to post our exercise there also. Her thread provides alot of feedback and motivation in that area.

Regarding Behavior points: Probably it would be best to just work on changing one behavior a month. Pyschologists say that it takes 21 DAYS to add a new behavior, eliminate a behavior, or to change a behavior, so giving ourselves a whole month should really enforce what we have set as this goal.

I am thrilled to start the new year with you all...and I know we are going to be fit, strong, and nuturing our bodies and souls into a bright and happy new year.

At Ease :drill:

Wow! Everybody IS ready! Good turn out, Sarge!

Had a good day today....staying within points and hopefully can get on the ole treadmill later tonight--have to squeeze in wts. tomorrow.

Gonna go back over the last posts to get ideas for my motivational notes. Everybody did so GOOD.....I'm gonna borrow again.

Are we doing 3 or 4 points? I think we talked about 1 pt. for food, 1 pt. for water, 1 pt. for exercise, and 1 pt. for changing that one behavior...???? Did I get this right? Sorry, I don't have much time to check the other thread....kids are lurking to get on the computer and I just sneaked in!

If we are on 4 pts., I'll keep track in my journal and update every few days.

Got the sniffles myself, Jello, so I know how ya feel, girl!:headache: Thanks for the congrats on the loss...I was really surprised.

Huntress: gonna try those gel cups---I was wondering about them. Thanks for the info... Cafe: Egyptian food? Sounds wonderful! SEMO: I take my lunch, also. It really helps hold down the calories during the day.

Dyan, DNW, JuJu, Tiff, Kayla,Tiger, and all I forgot...have a great Friday. How nice to get to the weekend so quickly this week!

"Bright"

Brighter and the rest of the recruits: If we want to make this a real boot camp effort, perhaps we need to make it a 4 point a day challenge, which would include that point for one behavioral change per month. Although that's not written in stone, I think it would be a good direction to go in, we are old hats at this weight loss stuff, and really need to challenge ourselves as much as we can this time around. I can't tell you ladies what to do, I can only suggest.

:drill: Remember it's not what we eat, but how eat, and when and where we eat, and lastly and most importantly, why we are eating!!

This will make all the difference and help us turn the corner if we change just one little eating behavior per month. Change 12 behaviors in 12 months, and who knows what we'll wind up with!!

OK, here's the deal. I want to go to boot camp. I want to be a good little soldier. But I've got to be honest. I'm getting overwhelmed. Let me explain.

I'm doing WW and it's all I can do to remember to count my points and write them down. I get on my treadmill every chance I get and plug in my exercise videos when I have a little more time and, well, energy. But I'm having a lot of trouble keeping count of minutes exercised and remembering to come in here to tally up my daily points. For those of you who are keeping track and keeping up with everything so well, I say More Power To You!!! But alas (did she really just say "alas"???) I just can't keep up.

I've got a lot of stress in my life. My job's just not getting better and I know I'll have to start looking for something new soon or I'll be insane but just the thought of it is causing even more stress. As I type this, I'm once again the only person on the phones here so I can't leave my desk for lunch or to pee or anything. Are any of the other "phone people" going to bother coming in today? Beats me. I hate this place soooooo much.

Meanwhile, these new pills my doctor put me on are simply not doing the trick. I'm still having long, irregular, painful periods. I have to schedule an appointment with him this month and I'm afraid of what he's going to tell me.

To add to my stress, we're in the middle of an ice storm here. I wanted to take the day off and stay home to nurse this stupid cold but figured there'd be no one at all to handle the phones so being the good little worker (aka doormat) that I am, I came in. Now I sit here looking out the window wondering if I'll get home in one piece.

Oooh, sorry. This wasn't supposed to become a "true confessions" post. All I wanted to say was that I want to come here and talk to you guys and get help and support and offer what I can but I'm hoping that you all won't mind if I don't post points or exercise minutes and just keep hanging by my fingernails like I've been doing.

My new year's resolutions still ring true. I'm going to stick to the WW plan as best I can, drink the water, exercise when I can, try to make wise choices, get my butt to the gym whenever reasonably possible, etc. It's all I can do at this point.

Hope this isn't grounds for a dishonorable discharge????

Jello, Jello, Jello........:goodvibes :goodvibes If I could I'd give you a big 'ol hug. You take care of yourself first, and everything else will fall into place. All any of us can do is, do the best we can each and every day and right now you have enough to do without taking on more. It's no fun having a job that you dislike but for your own well being start looking for something else.

I got this e-mail this morning and thought you might enjoy it. In fact it sounds pretty much like something any one of us might say!

The Donkey Fable

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried
piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down the well, and was
astonished at what he saw. As every shovel of dirt hit his back, the donkey did something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed, as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off.

The Moral: Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of it is to shake it off and take a step up. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!

OK, that's enough of the B.S. ... Later the donkey came back, caught the farmer out in the field and kicked the crap out of him. Then he went over to each of his neighbors farms and kicked the crap out of them too, for helping.

The REAL Moral:
If you don't do a good job of covering your a@@, it always comes back to get you.


Oh BTW..... :dance: :cb: It's the FRIDAY DANCE.

Jello: Just come to boot camp and don't worry about anything else..we love you and want you around a long time so take care of yourself first...do what you can, when you can, that's really what all of us are doing....you have so much on your plate. Yes, there are general guidelines for this challenge.

But that's all they are; just guidelines to give direction to those who want it; they are not written in stone and not here to exclude anyone :grouphug:

Just keep showing up when you can. We are here for you because we are your friends and want to support you in anyway we can! Darn it...you made the Sarge get all mushy.

:drill: Hit the deck and give me 50...just kidding:lol:

Semo: Loved your post about the donkey...I have lived most of my life that way...go ahead throw the dirt on me and I will use it to rise above it all...and I have! It's always been more important to me to keep trying and not give up.

Love to All!

Jello~ aw, come here sweetie. :grouphug:

Ya know, I'm into this bootcamp thing because I have GOT to quit fooling around! But that's because I know I was NOT giving it my best effort. On the other hand, my behavior modification is to be good to myself. :goodvibes:

We accomplish more when we do what we CAN do, not what we're convinced we CANNOT do. You're doing awesome! Every little good choice we make is another step toward goal!

Think of the whole boot camp thing as just a theme of the month, that's all it really is. Whenever anyone puts the hat on :drill: just rolldown.

TOM began today. I had 2 chocolate chip muffins for breakfast. No idea how many points they are, but I consider them battle rations. Believe me, there would have been a battle if anyone had tried to stop me, LOL!! I will almost never say this, but I really, truly needed that chocolate. My cramps went away afterward!

I did eat my healthy lunch, and am swigging down the water, have ingredients ready for thai cashew chicken with veggies tonight and plan to end the day OP.

Yesterday I got 3 out of a possible 4 points. Goodbye party at a pub - I don't think I ended in my range although I kept in control and went home for a healthy supper instead of TRULY giving in to the appetizers.

Cafe: You are such a good soul...I could not have said it better...and you are really on the mark with being good to yourself as the behavior modification piece. How often do we all put ourselves down because we have had a slip with the food, water, or excercise. We are winners because we choose to fight this disease of overeating together, and whatever progress we make is relevant and any positive change important.

However, if we cannot love and honor ourselves by being as good to ourselves as we are to others, than all is certainly lost, and unfortunately, the weight never goes with it, when we are not being kind to ourselves.

I have been sick for several days, and it has been hard not to feed whatever it is I've got...but at least I am trying and I finally managed to get back to my calorie range today, and have gotten the water down for the most part, exercise, oh well, when this old girl gets her strength back, I will persue it. Sounds like you are doing pretty terrific yourself Cafe!!

Hi Everybody!

Miss Jello: Sorry you are having such a horrible time at work....it's so hard tto go to a job you dislike. You know we love to hear from you anytime so take it easy, be good to yourself first and foremost, and go AWOL anytime, girl! Me, I post when I can...it's the best I can do and it's just me.....

DNW: I'm in for the 4 pointer but I will have to post a bit at a time...forgive me if I'm not always on time. I'll try....

Cafe: You sound like such a scrumptious cook!

Gotta go....talk later.

"Bright"

Sorry all, I've been posting over at the PCOS forum trying to figure out this glucophage I'm taking.
My Dr. specifically said my sugar is fine so I don't believe he thinks I'm diabetic. He didn't try to put me on a diet or anything. After much research about PCOS and Insulin Resistance I'm actually excited to be taking this medicine. I think it could really help!!
DNW: I'm not quite getting the 4 points thing. Maybe it is just too early for me but could you explain please? Is it just limiting ourselves to 4 goals? I sure hope you're feeling better soon!

Cafe: Good work yesterday not completely blowing it. Yesterday was my birthday (40 yuck) and although I gave myself permission to enjoy it food wise and still make some good choices and didn't blow it too bad. This morning I'm right back on plan though!!!!

Jello: I'm so sorry for the stress you're going thru at work. I can totally sympathize. I dread waking up in the morning knowing I need to go in. I also have the type of job where I can't leave to go to the bathroom or do anything. In order to do that I have to call somebody in from the field. Not only is that embarassing but I never have any idea how long it will take for them to get here. They actually think it is funny to call in a traffic stop or sonething on their way. Mean time I'm sitting here in actual pain and ready to explode. We are also short another dayshift person and it doesn't seem they are in any hurry to replace her. That means my work load has just doubled!!! I hope you are able to find another job quickly. Didn't Dyanm1 just start a wonderful new job? Here's hoping you find one just like it!!!

Huntress: Yes that Pepsi is a tought addiction to break. I'm still drinking some daily although I'm down to about 1/10 of what I was drinking. I find that if I'm drinking water or iced tea all day that I'm never thirsty. However I am still eating fairly regular dinners which I enjoy a Pepsi with. But as I said, I'm not all that thirsty so I don't drink very much. Now what is the story on those fruit cups? Do they have sugar free?

Now that holidays & my b-day is over I have no more excuses for cheating. I'm back with a vengeance!!!!

Jujubee:

When we have had the "challenges" in the past, which were moderated by Tiffany123. We were instructed to give oursleves 1 point a day for each of the following if we kept to our original pledge at the beginning of each month.
The points are given as follows:

Food = within the number of calories we said we would stay
Water = the number of ounces we said we would drink every day
Exercise = the amount and/or type of exercise we committed to at the start of the challenge

At the end of the month the person who had the most points was the winner. There is no prize to speak of except the success of trying your hardest, and seeing your weight loss journey suceed.

This Boot Camp Challenge we are adding an optional point for adding, changing, eliminating or modifiying certain behaviors with regard to our weight.

For example: I have pledged only to eat a very small portion of one of 2-3 different very low calorie foods (cottage cheese, yogurt, or a Healthy Choice Fudge bar) if I actually get hunger pains after dinner, otherwise no food after dinner for me.


Some others are still going to treat themselves kindly if they are not on target with their food plan each day, rahter than feel bad about it.

This last point really depends on what you would like to change. You mentioned limiting yourself to one Pepsi a day in an earlier post, so you might want to use that as your behavioral change point, and give yourself a point for each day you only drink one.

I had asked that at the end of the week, Sat. by 5 pm, to get a tally of each person's points for the week, this would be accomplished by the person posting her points at this thread. Some people will be able to do that, some won't.

Nothing, however, should discourage you from joining the challenge...we are all winners here, are very caring and friendly, and are winners just for the fact we are participating. Good Luck!!

DNW---here goes:

Jan 1: 3 points
Jan 2: 2 points
Jan 3: 2 points

Having trouble with the nighttime eating (that skews my point for food and my behavior point). Doing well otherwise...

Off to have some fun....

"Bright"

Hi girls, forgot that I was to post my points tonight.

Jan 1st ~ 3
Jan 2nd ~ 2 not much water
Jan 3rd ~ 3

Haven't had to use the timer yet, feeling very strong and motivated these days. So guess I should count three days as having done my motivational point?

Today was my free day and I had a cheese burger, BUT I cooked it at home and used VERY lean ground chuck.

Hiya Chickadees!

22 years ago today I was in the hospital in labor with my oldest daughter. Yep, today is her birthday and it's funny cause I always go down memory lane on my kids birthdays. Things people said when they were born like my dad asking did I name her after a hamburger joint......lol, her name is Wendy. Silly me, anyways.........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUJUBEE! The big 4-0 huh? Don't sweat it honey, you aren't getting older just better. Besides age is only a state of body, I still feel like a teenager most of the time. You know what they say you're only as old as you feel.

Back to the thing with the sodas, for me it was a decision to quit drinking so many but I wasn't saying that I never drink them at all. Fact it I decided that I wanted to lose weight but I wanted whatever I did to be something that I could do for the rest of my life, no more "diets" to speak of. Yes that meant some changes in my lifestyle like instead of drinking soda every day I only have one occasionally or like when I go out to dinner and want one. Same thing for the way I handle my food, the only real problem that I have encountered is exercise since I really don't like to do it and I just decided to join the gym because I know at this point in my life that I cannot achieve the body I want without it and it was a hard decision to make.

As far as the point challenge is concerned I rarely participate in those because it seems to derail me, who knows maybe it's really just laziness on my part since everbody has already heard me say it 100 times over. So I come here for support and because I truly love all these ladies and for me it's just taking it one day at a time because that's all I can do.

Sorry, most of my post has been directed at Juju and I don't feel like doing shout outs today, too tired. I've been gone all weekend and now I'm looking at this messy house and pile of laundry that has to be done before my kids start back to school this week.

Hope you all have a great day!

LJ

I almost forgot:

Dole Fruit-n-Gel Bowls
Serving Size is 4.3 oz, similar to the size of a pudding cup. They do come in sugar free but I bought the regular ones. Calories are 70-80, Fat 0. They are about half fruit and half gel and you can tell from the size that there's not a lot to them but for 80 calories it's good for me especially since I love jello. If you'e looking for something that is almost no calories better to go for make it yourself sugar free. I figure the fruit in these brings most of the calories. I just like them because they come in single serving size and it's convienient for work. I got them at Walmart for about $1.69 for a 4-pack.

Hey all,

Huntress---thanks for the info on the jello cups. My son just turned 22, also, last month...it seems like yesterday when he was my tiny baby...

Last night I went to a game party...lot of snacks, cookies, etc. (just like on Christmas Day). It was a tough night but I tried to choose veggies and low fat dip (that I had brought, thankfully). Not sure I stayed in points but it was close....today, I must walk in the daylight and get in some miles! Getting the tree down and the lights down and then Christmas will fade away until next year....

Juju: Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you with the diabetes thing (I wouldn't want anyone to tell me that, either)...it's just that Glucophage is given as a medicine to control blood sugar in the body. Whether that insulin resistance is from Diabetes or PCOS, the medicine is given when there is still normal insulin in your body to help it get to the right place. What did your doctor say the Glucophage was for? Maybe there is a new indication that I am not aware of...

SEMO: could use a little of that strength the next few days---weigh-in is Tues. and my scale always indicates I lost more than the WW scale (what is with that, anyway?)! Could it be that little ole me has a scale hopping problem.... surely not!!

To all others who are busy this weekend, take care and talk to you later.

"Bright"

Hi, is it too late too join you ladies? I am following a food exchange plan . and I need some support and motivation since I find it hard to stick to a diet plan.

Hey there! I'm here, reporting in late for bootcamp. What's the punishment....demerits?....pushups? I'd be lucky if I could do 3!:o

I'll be trying for 4 points a day.
Water~4 bottles
Exercise~30+ minutes
Food~balanced & more organic...get'n the junk OUT! & journal food intake.
Behavior~quit eat'n 2 hours before bedtime

Welcome its_my_life:wave:

Weigh-in this morning, not good. 192.5 Oh yeah, I'm up.

Tigerlily *reading feverishly to catch up*

Snowy days and Mondays always get me dowwwwnnnn......

OK so that's not exactly how the song goes but today it's my story. I so don't want to be here!! :cry:

Had a bad weekend that included Burger King, pizza, chips and ice cream. But here's how I'm TRYING to look at it...

Burger King was chicken tenders and diet Coke instead of a Whopper with cheese, fries and chocolate shake.

The pizza had green peppers, onions and mushrooms instead of sausage, pepperoni and extra cheese.

The chips were fat free Pringles.

The ice cream was Skinny Cow.

And I drank gallons of water and caffeine free diet soda. Here's to my resolution of trying not to beat myself up too much over my mistakes. Still I'm not looking forward to weigh-in tomorrow night.

Huntress, thanks for this info on the fruit and gel cups. They sound good. I'm going to see if I can find the sugar free ones anywhere.

Jujubee, happy belated birthday, you young thing you! :hat:

I want to thank you guys for your support last week. I was really in the pits and that's no way to start a new year. Today, even though it's Monday and it's snowing :rolleyes: , I'm feeling a little better. My cold is all but gone - yay for Dayquil and Vitamin C! And even though I won't be getting to the gym today (I simply DO NOT drive in the snow :stress: ) I vow to get on my treadmill for a major workout when I get home tonight. :strong: Hey, if I can reduce the Sarge to mush, I can do anything!! :lol:

Talk to you guys later.

Jello: Good for you for not beating yourself up....you're trying and THAT is ALL THAT MATTERS!!

It's My Life: Welcome and we take verybody at anytime so we are glad you are joining us...we aim to support and love each other into good health no matter how long it takes....

Cafe: Sounds like you are on track and thanks for boosting JuJubee with your comments...they helped me too.

Jujubee: Hold onto the vengence to work your program...it's good fuel when used that way and if you slack a bit...you'll get back on track in no time.

Tiger: So glad to see you I was wondering where you were...no demerits, just a lot of laughs and hugs!!

Brighter: Great going at the game party...I don't know if I could have been that strong!!

Semo: I know you are doing fine...you are our inspiration!! Yes being movtivated does count on that point!!

Huntress: It was great to read about your daughter's birthday...you're so lucky to have those kids!! The jello cups sound interesting have to try the sugar-free sometime!

I have been sick for a week and then Saturday when I finally feel better my allergies kick in on Saturday night so yesterday was a crapper again. Oh well I will survive, just got to move out of this lousy polluted state. :mad:

Love to anyone I missed.

Good Morning To All. I had a good weekend, sort of chilled out and stuck around the house. DH and youngest son went to the movies Sat nite to see Lord of the Rings, not my type of movie so I opted to stay home. (me time) Youngest is looking for employment and had an interview Fri so keep your fingers crossed for him. We have all had to re-adjust to having him living back at home since college graduation. I have to cook now! Bumber :( And you all know that is not a fav of mine.

I sooooooooo wanted to weigh this morning. I've actually been VERY on program for five whole days and feel skinny..... didn't say I looked that way just feel that way. That's why I need to stay away from the scales, I feel good then see that nothing has happened with the numbers and then it makes me sick.

DNW, take care of yourself, it tough when you can't get your engery back and just plain feel lousy.

Jello, keep up the exercise, it'll get those "feel good horomes" pumping. Maybe you can fool yourself into being happy about your job until something else comes along. BTW, you made good choices considering what you could have done.

Huntress, my oldest is 29 and youngest 23, I was a child bride.....think I was 10 when I married.:lol: Very different having adult children, I still want to tell them what I think but try very hard not to.

Tig, I was up on the 1st when I weighed too, but we are gonna fix that, right?

Its My Life, welcome, you will find lots of support and friendly ladies here. We not only talk about diet and exercise but pretty much anything that's going on in our lives that we need to hash out. Again Welcome.

JuJu, Happy belated Birthday to you, Happy belated Birthday to you!!

Bright, any plans to knock out the night time eating? That's when I have trouble too.

Cafe, I loved your post about thinking about what we can do rather than what we can't. That applies to everything that we do, not just d & e.

Dyanm, Where are you, how's the new job going?

Well, better run and get this payroll in. Hey to anyone I may have missed.

Hi, I am glad you have room for one more to join in. I am hoping this will help me with my struggle to lose weight. My goals for this month are:

1. follow my eatting plan
2. exercise 5 days a week ( cardio, weights, pilates)
3. not to eat after 8:30pm
4. get in all of my water
5. journal

Happy Monday, everyone!

It's great to see so much activity over the weekend. I would have logged on, in fact I tried one time but then DH needed to get on the phone, and then we're also getting a new motherboard so that left me out of commission part of the weekend while we get everything set up. :-)

Anywho - I am proud to say I _did_ come home on Friday night and make my thai cashew chicken so I finished strong. I wasn't so strong this weekend, but... that's because a dear friend invited me to do a 2-week detox diet with her beginning today. So I was focused on getting set for that and while I did OK there's that part of you that wants to squeeze a few unmentionables in first.

But I'm excited about doing a cleanse. I have not done one for 3 years and I'm due. It's strict, but simple. It's all about vegetables, fruits, and lean, clean proteins (fish, egg whites, skinless chicken, even lean beef) and some herbal and nutritional supplements that aid the detoxification process.

I also think that it will help me break from certain eating habits I've picked up, to change my diet in a big way for a couple of weeks. I tend to feel self-justified about eating?

Okay, gotta run, more to say later but I was so excited about my plan I had to share.

Welcome, its_my_life! :)

Hi Ladies...

I am feeling like such a loser, and I mean in a bad way!:( . My back and shoulders have been killing me the past few weeks, due to stress. I won't bore you all w/ the details, but will say that I haven't a pay check in weeks, and Cheyenne's b-day party is this weekend. Long story short, I start my new job this Thursday. We only get paid once a month (which totaly doesn't work for me, at the moment!), but hey I wasable to finagle another $5k a year out of 'em. I'll try to be back in the next few weeks, but I'll be training and part of the is learning ISO 9000 and a couple of others.

I hope everyone had an awesome New Year and I'll try to lurk when I can.... I totally miss you guys!!!!

Cafe: You sound really motivated and excited about this new plan...please update us frequently.

Dyan: :grouphug: please try to fit us in when you can cause we always miss you when you don't post. It's got to be awful for you right now, hopefully everything will fall into place but meanwhile I hear you about Cheynne's B'Day this weekend, hope you can work some magic for her.

Just remember if you can stay on plan you will have one less thing to feel bad about...and God didn't bring you and you family all this way just to drop you...so have faith. I have been where you are and something always comes through in the very last part of the 11th hour...but geez I always hate that not knowing and the waiting. Good Luck!!

Good Morning Ladies,
Monday Funday sucked. Belle, 1 yr old Jack Russell, is sick. She had to spend the night at the vet last night. First we had to get rid of the cat, now the dog is sick. My nerves are shot. Oh, and the iguana, Ernie, fell...broke his leg...went to the vet....not an Ernie...it's an ERNETTE...her leg is doing better.
rattle, rattle, rattle. To say the least, I'm distracted. I ate the whole house yesterday. Good news, we are about out of junk food. I did exercise for a short time...better than none I guess.

Cafe, is the cleanse a specific plan? How's it working?

I heard something the other day. When you commit to getting healthy, you also need to commit to the "uncomfortable feelings"....sore muscles, cravings. It was a lightbulb moment for me.

:df:

points on 1/7---1 out of 4 :s:

Good Morning, where's all my reading material for this morning? Okay girls I really need to find lots of post when I log on. I can't wait to get here (not work, but on 3fc) then find that we aren't posting much. I like my daily chats here. Let's hear some chatter girls! :grouphug:

Day seven ,and I'm still on the train. WooHoo. If I can stay on here for a month then I'm good to go. Motivation and will power sill very strong. :strong: As you know it's been awhile for me to get my act back together but think I'm on my way.

Have a great day and I'll be back to check in later.

Lots of post please, pretty please.

Tig, any chance you would watch my Cat from H@ll for awhile? Just thought I would ask. (you know I'm kidding) Things will get better. And how does one tell a male iguana from a female one , their hair dos look the same to me. ;) And what can they do for a broken leg, cast? (Well enough of my Wit this morning)

Well I gotta get some work done. Bye

The dog is home. Whew, that's a load off. The whole family was cranky and on edge not having her home. 300 bucks later & still don't know for sure what is wrong with her, but she's taking meds, eat'n special food and wait'n for test results.

Semo, the vet that looked at the iguana said something about the color, stripes on it's legs and size of its "hair" help determine it's sex. I talk to it every day, but don't know what to call it now. He, she, it...ernie, ernette...?? It's been Ernie for almost 4 years now. Hard to change that habit.....hard to change ANY habit. :p
I'm hope'n to find my willpower and motivation soon...get my act together. Maybe you will rub off on me. :)

I'm making taco soup for supper againt tonight. Bought Baked Tortilla Chips especially for it....and ground round. If I did't think the DH would notice, I'd use turkey...maybe next time.

DH and I bought a new printer for ourselves...late Christmas gift. Gonna pull out some old photo disks and print today. :cool:

Dyan, Ouch! Sorry about all the stress. :( Please keep in mind that no matter what, this does not make you a loser. It sounds to me like you need a massage, not only for your poor shoulders but for your poor self. :yes: Come when you can! We're all in this together.

Tiger, Sorry to hear you're having more pet troubles. Hope they all get better soon. Ernetta - ha! Yes, the plan I'm following is pretty specific, but within the parameters I'm eating normal foods. The program is designed to provide nutrition and keep blood sugar stable throughout the day while eliminating a lot of the day-to-day stress on your digestive system...

It's a health nut thing, so no alcohol, caffiene or other chemicals, sugar, yeast or fermented things, dairy products or grains. That's why it's only for 2 weeks, LOL! So, with lots of veggies, lean protein, fruit, and plenty of Omega-rich oil, your body gets what it needs but has lots of energy left over to work out accumulated toxicity.

It's a funny thing, once you get past the first day - I taper off caffiene a few days before, but that first day is still hard - most people have more energy than they ever do with all the caffiene and sugar we use to keep going. So I feel great!

But even feeling as good as I do, it's a mind-over-matter thing. No matter how satisfied I am with regards to hunger, I still want to eat stuff. It's a good time to confront emotional issues around eating, because there's no reason for it! What's the payoff in feeling lethargic all the time and needing caffiene and sugar to get going? Is it somehow more "safe?"

SEMO, I'm proud of your strength - keep on truckin'.

DNW, hope you're feeling better soon! Being sick is no good.

Bright, Thanks for the compliment about my cooking! Not sure if you'd feel the same after tasting it... My DH bought me a cookbook that is just GREAT that's been really inspiring me lately - it's called "Extending the Table" and has recipes from around the world. They are easy yet exotic tasting and many are lo-cal. I like a lot of flavor, helps me be satisfied with less.

Jello, Snowy Monday is over with - hope you're feeling brighter today. :)

Juju, You're doing awesome. Walking the fine line doing all you can but not obsessing where you can't is the key to building a new routine. Battling the soda addiction is a big deal!

Huntress, I'm glad you said what you did about challenges somehow inspiring you to screw up. I do the same thing, LOL!

Sorry to any I missed~ I'm out of time though hopefully I can check in again today while everyone is in their planning session.

I'm Bacccccck already.

Tig, that soup must be good if you are making it again. Please post the recipe, if and when you have time. Hope your doggie gets better soon.

Cafe, I have the same problem of eating when I know full well that It aint cause I'm hungry. I find that when I really don't want to do something I go looking to eat. If the house is a mess and I don't want to clean, I'm grazing. If I'm happy, sad, well you get the idea. I really need to focus on my emotional feelings, maybe that will be my next months project. (remind me)

Back to work.

Work has been been really, really busy, and they are starting to do layoffs again...what ever happened to job security:lol:

On the diet front, I am back on program and took off a few more of the Xmas pounds so I am down to 260.5 as of this morning.

I won't feel satisfied until I see that 256 again. When the numbers go down from there then I know my body's working proper again.

So glad we have no more crap in the house...my big treat at night if I want something to quell the hunger pains are a yogurt or a Healthy Choice Fudge Bars, only 90 calories each, and you can get them at Costco, 12 for $5.89. I haven't seen them anywhere else.

Tiger: Sorry about your pet problems. Do you have Pet insurance...we finally gave in and got it after spending more than a few $$$$$ on two sickly, and now, quite dead cats. It costs me $25 a month for my current, and fingers crossed, healthy cat, but it includes partial reimbursement for office visits and routine vaccines, along with other good stuff.

Cafe: Sounds like you have got a winner with the cleansing diet. Can you post it.

Dyan: How ya doin'? We are all here for you...miss you today!!

Semo: You are just awesome. I am so jealous..but in a good way...today is the first day I feel better....hopefully I can exercise when I get home from work...definitely tomorrow morning.

Hi to Huntress, Brighter, It's My Life, Jujubee, and anyone out there lurking....come join us!!

Semo, I'm with you! I come in here first thing in the morning to read all the posts and see what's up with whom! Makes the start of my day a whole lot better! :D

Tig, I guess you could still call her Ernie ... short for Ernestine. :lol: Reminds me of my friend who found a young stray cat and decided to keep it but decided to have it spayed. No, the vet confirmed it was a female but on the day of surgery, right there in the operating room, they found that she'd already been spayed! Anyway, Tig, I'm glad your "kid" is back from the vet. I hate it when mine's not around. Keep looking for him.

Cafe, let's face it. If we only ate when we were hungry, NO ONE would have a weight problem. I'm a major league emotional eater, myself. Sad, happy, stressed, angry, hurt .... You name it and I'll eat because of it!

Dyan, we miss you too! Come post when you can. I wish you luck in the new job.

Its My Life, please forgive my rudeness and accept this belated WELCOME!!! to the group! :^:

Well, girls, it's weigh-in day. I'm not really looking forward to it but I'll face it. I've been good since ... oooh, yesterday!! One whole day!! :rolleyes: But ya' gotta start somewhere, right? I'll be having my Healthy Choice frozen dinner for lunch today and I know they're usually a bit high in sodium so I've already overdone the water intake for the day.

Also just learned through the company grapevine that the president has given all his senior staff orders to have all their employee reviews done by this Friday!! Or else! So I've been rehearsing what I'm going to talk about and making notes, etc. so I'll be ready when bossman "summons" me in for mine. You wanna talk about stress??? :yikes: Stay tuned.

Gotta run. This post has made me think about food (just like most everything else does) so I'm going to see about going to lunch. ... Nope, other "phone girls" out having their hourly 15 minute cigarette break I guess. Well, soon....

Later!

SEMO, here is the recipe. I posted it once before...thought someone else made it. ?? It makes a big pot. The garnishes really MAKE the soup. It sorta looks like a runny chili, but very tasty with the chips and sour cream. Also, easy and cheap!

1 to 2 pounds lean ground beef
3 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans water
1 chopped onion
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 can kidney beans ( I used Brooks Chili Beans)

Cook meat and onion, drain. Add rest of ingredients, mix well and heat thru. Serve w/ corn or tortilla chips, sour cream and grated cheese.


Has anyone checked out the allrecipes.com site? They have a taco soup recipe...about the same...except they add corn. It's a great site, tons of recipes!

Hi everyone, can someone explain the points to me .

thank you everyone for such a warm welcome. So far I am doing pretty good on my plan .

bev

Hi it's my life, the points are as follows:

1 point - if you stick to your food plan for each day

1 point - if you drink the amount of water you committed to, we usually try for 8 of 8 oz. glasses per day which is generally recommended if you diet or not.

1 point - if you stick to your exercise plan for that day

1 point - if you achieve your behavior change for that day. In my case (and as others on this thread are doing) I am not eating anything after supper, except either a Healthy Choice Fudge Bar (90 calories), or a no-fat, no sugar yogurt, or 1/2 cup of 2% fat cottage cheese on two pcs. of melba toast. HOWEVER, I only have this if I have hunger pains!!

The point system is used to motivate us to see who can achieve the most number of points by the end of the month, something like a contest, but not really a competition. WE ARE HERE PRIMARILY TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER, and we do that very well.

If you cannot, or will not do the points that is fine, we want everyone to feel they can post here, as WE ARE ALL WINNERS FOR TRYING!!

Good luck and post often.

I just read the item below off of someone's public journal here at 3fc.com and had to share it with you because it really popped my eyes almost out of my head. :eek: :eek: :eek:

The author writes:

"Just thought about about something that made me REALLY stop and think!

"We just have a fit if we have to pay $1.50 for a cantaloupe but if we see a dozen glazed doughnuts for $1.99 that's a good deal?"

Never thought about my foods like that...when I'm grocery shopping...but isn't it funny? I do look at things like cauliflower being $3.49 and think, ugh...I'm not going to pay that price! But, I think nothing about throwing in a box of cookies (for the kids) at $3.49....What's up with that????? I de-value fresh, healthy foods...interesting...

It's not about spending the money, but what I think something should be worth....and that's just not right. I avoid asparagus because of it...and grapes...and strawberries....but I buy cookies, cakes, noodles...everything that in my weird perception, is a 'better purchase' for the dollar. How sick is that?!!!

The next time I go grocery shopping, I promise me that I'm going to have a different spin on the things that I'm purchasing."

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS WONDERFULLY INSIGHTFUL POST MY LADIES...MY EYES WILL BE OPEN FOR SOME TIME OVER THIS ONE!

Very good point. I've heard several people mention the expense of healthy foods. My point of view has always been...the healthy food may cost more now, but bad health costs more in the long run.
Now, if I could just apply some of this wisdom...

This also applies to programs such as Weight Watchers. I didn't want to spend the $12 a week. Then I realized how much money I used to spend on junk food, going out to eat, vending machines, etc.

Interesting.... Very interesting.....

DNW: OMG I have done that and said that lots of times. Shame, but I never thought of it that way. Note to self, fresh veggies are worth the cost.

Gotta run.

Wow! That is so true. I glanced at the asparagus this weekend at the store and thought: it doesn't look THAT fresh. LOL!

What a great reminder. Skip something bad for me (like fast food) and buy something good (like those out-of-season-fruits)!

On my way out, too...

Morning all!

Itsmylife - Welcome

DNW - I was watching Oprah the other day and she has Bob Greene and they were discussing what else but weight loss. One of his rules is not to eat 2-1/2 to 3 hours before bedtime and he explained that the little hunger pangs you get right before bed are actually your body burning fat. Thought I'd mention it to you since I noticed you said that you have a little snack sometimes. He said if you can just get past it it's better. For me I never get to eat early enough to consider it 3 hrs before bed since I get up so early I usually end up falling asleep around 8-8:30 during the winter and I don't get dinner ready until usually 6:30.

The last couple days have been hectic, TOM showed up Monday so I've been craving sugar. Bad, bad, bad.......I'm ready to get back OP. Didn't get started at the gym yet, guess I'll have to put it off until next week since SIL also hurt her foot and can't go either. On the bright side my mom is going to LV next week so we have been walking in the evenings to get her ready. We pretend we're walking down the strip instead of our neighborhood as ridiculous as it sounds I think it really gets her excited about going.

Pulled out my old WW stuff, gonna read over it again. I decided since I like these frozen dinners and individual serving stuff I might as well try again.

Sorry I've rambled on so.......Have a great day all!

LJ

OMG, you guys, I'm in shock! :yikes: But it's a good kind of shock. :D I weighed in last night and ...

... wait, let me look at the card again. I'm still not sure I wasn't dreaming....

... I'd lost 3.4 lbs.!!!!!! :bravo: I can't quite believe this. I mean I'm happy, of course, but now I'm wondering just what the heck I did and, more importantly, how do I do it again!?!?!? :chin: Gives me new initiative to start the new year, I'll tell ya!

Re: Oprah. I read somewhere recently that she's decided to go back on a diet ... oops, the D-word, sorry ... I mean weight-loss program. Seems she's been having heart palpitations and shortness of breath among other things so she's decided to try to lose some weight again. Of course, she's got a trainer and a cook, etc. I want a trainer and a cook tooooooo!!!! Whine, whine.

Huntress, I'm like you. I don't have dinner sometimes until 7:30 or even later and then I'm in bed shortly after that. No time for late-night snacking. Unless I do it in my sleep.

Oh great. Sleep-eating. Something else for me to obsess about. Maybe I'll have to chain myself to the bed and....

....oh come on!!! If that comment doesn't get Ms. Tiffany back in here, I don't know what will. Oh Tiffany!!!! I'll never stop pushing for you to get your li'l butt back in here and post with us again!! Still miss you.

You know a couple of you have mentioned asparagus and how expensive it is, etc. Personally, I don't particularly care for it anyway. I don't have expensive tastes. Don't care for lobster or steak or really pricy ice cream like Hagen Das. Hm, maybe that's one of my problems. I'll eat anything!!!! :o But I do know what you all mean. There have been times in the dead of winter when I'd kill for fresh cantaloupe or something ... but not at that price!!!

Haven't been to the gym yet this year. Weather's been too bad for me to drive up there. (Yeah, that's my excuse!) But I've been giving the treadmill a workout. And last night, well, picture it. Jello running (yes, RUNNING) along at about 5MPH when suddenly the circuit breaker blows and the treadmill just STOPS. Wooooo Hooooo!!! Jello can FFFFLLLLLYYYYYYY!!!!!!!! :lol:

Speaking of that, I gotta fly. Later.

Good Morning Ladies. I blew the dust off my 'ol Tae Bo tape this morning and actually made it through the whole thing. Aunt flow is visiting me this week alsol. Darn if I ain't gonna be 60 before she stops showing up. Good grief, nuffs a nuff.

Jello, :cb: your smoking :smoking: girlfriend. Guess that was quite a shock for your treadmill to stop like that. Guess we'll call you pilot Jello.....Keep up the good work.

Sleep eating..... maybe that's what I've been doing all this time and that would be the reason that I don't weigh 130 pounds.:lol:

Going through all my 2002 customer's files, checking that nothing is mis-filed and setting up the new ones. Fun, fun.

Catch ya later.

Semo: I would give anything to have my period back again...hard to believe, but wait until you hit the big "M". However, you sound marvelous dahling!!

Jello: Good for you...I know this means so much to you that efforts are finally paying off...I can't seem to get to the gym either it has been so damn cold here...and just getting over whatever I had really isn't sending me flying there either. I am not beating myself up because I am very much staying in my calorie range and watching the water, and doing the right thing...I will get to that gym if it ever goes above 20 degrees around here!

Reagarding Tiffany...I e-mailed her on the handle given in her profile....TiffanyBlueEyes and I believe it is at Yahoo. I didn't get anything back saying that it was undelieverable, but then I sent it from my Yahoo e-mail box too. I am going to try my work e-mail address and if it doesn't come back then that is the right e-mail for her. I told her we miss and want her back under any circumstances....I hate when this happens...you can't help thinking something terrible has happened...and I really hope it's just sheer disinterest...at least then I would know that she was OK?

Come on Tiff...just tell us you don't love us anymore...then we will walk away, heads down, with a tear in our eye, but at least we would know you are OK. :(

Huntress: H-m-m...fat burning, maybe I will have my treat (which for the past several days has been those luscious Healthy Choice Fudge bars) right after I finish dinner. Don't want to stop the fat burning factory.

Hi to Cafe, It's my life, Tiger, and all the lurkers out there...talk to you soon.

Good morning everybody.

Huntress - I hear you about the frozen dinners, they can really make the diet a no-brainer. I've made some progress with learning what to cook and how to portion... But being able to nuke it and know you're on target is so great! It's probably a good thing I don't have a microwave at home?

Jello - Congrats on your loss!! WTG girl - keep up that treadmill work (only be careful, LOL!)

SEMO - Good work on the Tae Bo! The exercise you did last year is paying off if you could get through the whole thing. :)

Cafe weighed in today and has lost 1 pound. I wiped the slate clean with the new year and am just going from where I was on January 1.

Last night was a once-a-year fancy dinner for our department here at work. I couldn't skip that, detox time or no detox time. I had wine, which is a no-no, but the grilled swordfish was just fine and the bouillabaisse was also on-target. I had a few appetizers and part of a dessert which were no-nos. But I knew this evening was coming, I knew it would be special, and it didn't throw me off too much. I also steered clear of the major pitfalls while still enjoying myself thoroughly. The food was awesome! :)

Guess I gotta work now...

** Edited to add a :wave: to DNW and thanks for the info about Tiffany! I've been missing her, too.

Hope it's not to late to report for duty - guess I've been awol a couple of days. I'd like to join you.

My goals are
1. To follow my WW 20-25 points per day
2. Drink at least 64 ounces of water
3. Exercise (just getting started with this one) 3 times a week for 15 minutes each time.
4. Write before I bite every time I eat something.
5. Try one new recipe each week to keep my interest up.
6. Plan all my meals on Saturday for the following week.

I have exercise induced asthma (among other causes) so I have to ease into this. It's cold here and I can't walk now so I'm finding videos and I got a stationary bike.

I really look forward to reporting in and getting help and encouragement from all of you -- and hopefully helping you as well.

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Susan: what an inspiration to us you will be...please tell us how you kept motivated through your big loss...you are most welcome here and we look forward to your posts!! Also where in Viriginia are you...my niece is in Midlothian, outside of Richmond I believe, but correct me if I am wrong...you know us Northerners, no sense of direction, which comes from the overcrowding. :lol:

Cafe: "Tis better to cheat with really great food, than with junk", and that is a direct quote from yours truly...by the way only having part of a dessert is a milestone for anybody.

I have been noticing lately, as currently as yesterday, that by gosh,I can't finish my dinners lately....think maybe I need to cut down on portions? I am finially starting to give in to the fact that believe it or not, I do not like that full feeling anymore. Who knew??

Thanks for your welcome. I lost the weight and kept it off for 21 years, then became hypothyroid, quit smoking and gained 40 pounds. I've finally gotten my thyroid meds right and started losing. The biggest suggestions I have for getting it off and keeping it off are simple - write everything you eat, preferably before you eat it. Even if it is not a good thing to be eating or overeating, it keeps you aware. You can also go back and look at why you had a good week, etc. I have done this the whole time. The other is the periodically measure your portions, especially if you aren't losing and don't know why. We all tend to let the portions get a little bigger on the things we really like. I weigh and measure my red light foods always.

Quilter, welcome! And I'm going to echo what DNW said. What a great weight loss! Congratulations. Hope to see a lot of you around here. Well, I don't mean "a lot of you", I mean, uh, well, um, ah heck you know!! :rolleyes:

I should have known Ms. Nursie there would be the first to welcome a new person and know what's going on with the thread first, etc. Hm, a new fearless leader maybe....

YA HEAR THAT OH QUEEN TIFFANY!?!?!?!?! Nursie's going to be our new leader!!!! You gonna let her do that!?!?! Come on girlie!! :p

OK, it's been a long day for Jello. Strange moods here for Jello. There's always room for Jello.... See what I mean? I'm in a strange frame of mind. The old *itch plagarized one of the engineers' memo today and he's fuming but I just congratulated him and welcomed him to my little group. We're now a group of two. Ah, it's so nice to have company in my little club. She's slowly alienating EVERYBODY!! This is so exciting. :rolleyes:

Had pasta for lunch about an hour ago and I'm still feeling sooooo full and uncomfortable. And I didn't eat nearly what I used to be able to wolf down in the past. Yes, an ever-learning process.

Gotta go fill the water bottle. Been adding just a pinch of Crystal Light lemonade mix to the bottle. Goes down a little easier....

Later!

Back for my afternoon check in...... A big WELCOME QuilterInVa. Are you a quilter? I love quilts, and have actually made several. I've been working on a postage stamp quilt top for years...... started out hand piecing, then switched to machine but tired of it and haven't got back to it again in a long while. Need to pull it back out. I said that I wanted to hand piece and hand quilt one quilt before I died.... At this rate I should live to be, oh 1000. :lol:

Cafe, good work gal on that pound. They all add up.

I still haven't jumped on the scale, I have to confess I've looked at it several times but haven't gotten on.

I baked some fat free brownies last nite, anyone tried them? I ordered them sometime ago and finally baked a box last nite. I didn't eat any but it sure made the kitchen smell wonderful. Gonna have one tonite.

Gotta run, chat later.

I am soo-o-o- thrilled!!:dance: :dance: :dance:

Just got my blood donor card in the mail from the last donation on 12/4/02 and guess what girly girls????????

My cholesterol went down 21 points from last August, lemme see August, September, October, November..it took just 4 months of watching what I ate and doing some moderate exercising, and losing 13 lbs.

And see what happened I gave the old heart a nice gift. I am now at 194 from 215. Haven't been able to get it under 200 for about 5 years so hoo-rah. I am so happy and relieved.

Gonna say it again and again, I could have not done it without all of you wonderfully supportive and kind women, all of you, and Ms. Tiffany if you are out there, please come back, I ain'ts no leader, no way, no how...I like the sidelines just fine...but thanks for the boost anyhow Jello.

Together we will succeed and rather nicely I think!!

I love you all. Smooches!! :grouphug:

Hi everyone, I just wanted to say all you ladies are a great inspiration. Tonight i went to redlobster and fell off the diet wagon big time but I am ready to get back on track tomorrow.

:bravo: for DNW! That has to be a great payoff. I'm so happy for you.

Bootcamp hasn't been going to good for me. I think I got off at the wrong stop...slug camp. I've been a big slug. Went to bed last night and could feel myself stretching. I keep thinking "tomorrow will be better".....
I wonder if it's all about the silly dog? :stress: It's been so stressful. Giving her meds, cleaning up yucky stuff....I could go on. I do realize I could probably handle it all better if I took better care of myself. *banging head on desk*

I'm going to buy a fresh journal notebook today. Maybe that will give me a boost. Oh, and crystal light....having problems getting the water in me and if Jello says that helps I'll give it a try. :yes:

Welcome Quilter! Found any good videos? :cb:

:df:

No Pudge brownies are great - I get them at Kroger (doubles the coupon that is usually in WW magazine). You can make them one at a time in the microwave as well. The receipe is on their web site, I can't think of it right now.

I do hand and machine quilting, machine piecing and hand applique and teach quilting classes in my spare time. I just love fabric and handling it and find the whole process to be very creative.

Picture it. Jello takes the top off her water bottle to sprinkle in just a pinch of Crystal Light. Then she screws the lid back on her bottle and starts to shake it ...

... side note - it's early morning and Jello's not quite awake and therefore does not make sure the lid is on completely ...

... and SPLASH!!!! :yikes: Ah, what an eye opener! Instant Jello - just add water!! :lol:

So now I'm cleaned up and drying nicely. A bit chilled but I've got my little space heater. Very cozy in my little corner at the moment.

So anyway, I've been faltering a little here in boot camp. Yeah, still under the impression that having one good weigh-in gives me permission to slack off and snack and do bad things. :mad: Gotta get out of the "I only have to be good until weigh-in" attitude. Still working on that one. To that end, I had my fat free Eggo waffles for breakfast and packed my big ol' salad for lunch.

And with all the talk here, I'm going to stop on my way home for some fat free yogurt to mix up one of the boxes of No Pudge brownies in my pantry. Thanks for reminding me SEMO!!

DNW, congrats on the lower numbers all around!!! :D And just another reason to give blood too! ;)

Quilter, so you're one of those talented creative people are you? Me, I like to shop at craft stores and have a little "workshop" in the basement where I paint and put together and play around. I have no real talent whatsoever but I enjoy it and it keeps me out of the kitchen.

Tig, I've been to slug camp!!! Trust me, you don't wanna stay there. It's not a nice place. Hop back on the train, girlie! A new notebook sounds like a great idea. Take just a minute or two a day and jot down a couple thoughts. Sometimes just a minute or two is all you need to regroup and recharge. And just remember you're doing a good thing for your little pup. I'll bet she loves you all the more for it! :love:

I guess I'd better go. Remember I told you my boss had to have all his reviews done by Jan. 10? Well, that's tomorrow, right? And he hasn't done a single one yet. Oh, I just know I'm going to get a minute and 30 seconds at 4:59 tomorrow evening. Sux.

Ah well. Life.

Good Morning, I'm half asleep this morning. I watched a shopping channel from about 1:30 on this morning. Today is there big craft day, got to see D D do her paint magic. She had a paint kit for today's special with two training videos. Couldn't resist, DH is gonna kill me. Didn't exercise this morning cause I was still watching, now I'll have to do it tonight. I tried the brownies last night and liked them, DH and DS both liked them too. DH said they needed pecans, but then they wouldn't be fat free would they. Ha

Jello, my boss hands me my evaluation and tells me to type it up and sign it. I don't really mind as long as it's good.:lol:

It's My Life: Get back on this here wagon/train girlfriend. We all have slip ups but no looking back.

Tig, sounds like a shopping trip to me. Maybe that's what you need a trip to town. My arms out waiting for you to grab on and I'll pull you on this train. You guys have always been there when I needed help and given me time to get my act together. So I extend the same to you.

DNW: Way to go Girl!!!! When you can see and feel the results it sure makes it all worth wild. :cp:

Quilter: OMGoodness, I'm in heaven, so like when I run into problems with a quilt, I can come to your right? I just wish I had more time to craft. You know I have to work to support my habits and then I have no time to do them....... well I still need a paycheck to buy groceries too. :lol:

Dang, I gotta go, phone is ringing off the hook.

Recruits repeat after me :drill:

No giving up, no giving up, no giving up, giving up, no giving up, no giving up, no giving up, no giving up, giving up, no giving up, no giving up :nono:

Tiger: Young lady...you may not go to slug camp under any circumstances. You'll stay right here in Boot Camp and we will whip you into shape with our support and love. Do you hear me? :drill:

On sick animals: my Addison (16 1/2 year old cat) was very sick, 3 years ago for 3 months before he passed, and giving him needles every day and meds 2 times a day, and trying not to have him scratch my eyes out was a real experienc. And my husband who is, as you know, the nurse in our family, was no help at all...big baby. Top onto to that $2,000+ in vet bills. Would I do it again...who knows, but when you love them doggies and catties, you do it...

Re: Crystal Lite..someone in WW told me a million years ago (you have to remember that I am really old) that drinking Crystal Lite was almost as good as drinking water...so if you can get hydrated with CL...I think you should barrle on...pink lemonade, lime, and orange-pineapple are my favorites...I have also found drinking water at room temperature is better for me since I tend to get the trots if water is too cold...those old bowels can't stand the schock. Too much information here huh!! :lol: Also Jello I once did what you did this morning with a chocolate shake...just picture it!!

Semo, Jello: My review is tomorrow also...what the &#@*X gr-r-r-g-h..did all our bosses call each other and say, "Oh let's make the 3fc ladies pissed off all together because they don't have near enough stress in their lives!".

Quilter: I have always been fascinated by the beautiful pieces I see at local crafts fairs and in museums...but for now I just dabble in water color.

ItsMyLife: Somebody on one of the threads has a saying (I think it is on doing our own way #15 thread, Aphil is the moderator there), "fall down 7 times, get up 8". Remember, honey, just as long as you keep coming back you have a chance.

Huntress, Cafe, and Tiffany, and anyone else lurking: Peace and Love and Rock 'n Roll.....Yeah!!! :goodvibes

Welcome, Susan (aka Quilter)!!

Its_My_Life, Don't sweat the past, what's done is done. Red Lobster happens. Just keep trying! We're all with you.

Jello, The mistake I always make with Performance Appriasals is expecting too much. There's never any soul-searching in the process, it's probably just going to be "Jello, you're doing fine, keep it up, here are 2 things to work on, and your increase this year will be..." Don't be intimidated by the process, it's ALWAYS a big nothing. I know you have things you want to bring up - so be ready and do it firmly, keeping it clearly separate from the discussion about YOUR performance. :goodvibes:

DNW!!!! Congrats on lowering your cholesterol a whopping 21 points!!! WTG!

Tiger, You'll be back on track with us right quick. :yes: Sorry about all the stress happening for you. Could part of it be the remodel stuff going on? Personally, I find that very disruptive to my sanity, LOL!

SEMO, I've got projects like your quilt! Some I've thrown away, but some I'm trying to find a way to tackle again. But not to the point where they consume ALL my time and I burn out again before I finish... Fine line to walk. :p

Well I'm feeling pretty good today - yesterday was a good day for me diet-wise. I'm really sore though - neck is still a problem and the 1/2 hour massage from my buddy last night was GOOD but stirred up the sore spots. The cleanse is good. I continually see food and treats that I would usually work into my diet, but won't eat right now and I'm coming to feel like OK, I don't NEED that. I'm surprised how often during the day I DO treat myself, because the idea is still there.

I hope that when I'm done with the 2 week restriction I can learn to still avoid for the most part some bad foods, especially like trans-fats and excess sugar. Not that I wouldn't still have my chocolate, but moreso when it's meaningful, not just as standard procedure, if that makes sense.

Better go before I ramble too far.

CAFE: Chocolate will ALWAYS be meaningful :yes:...and I hear you...LET'S HAVE GODIVA...NOT the el-crappo bar from the company candy machine!! Also those special occassions become more special when you give the gift of chocolate....and most of all receive the gift of chocolate.

DNW - You're darn right gal!

No Giving Up :dizzy:

Oh my gosh SEMO, you were so right. I DID go on a shopping trip. Got myself out of the house, went to Target...one of my favorite stores...and wandered the isles for over an hour. I bought a new journal notebook and some gifts for upcoming bdays.
Also SEMO, how did you bake the brownies and not eat any until the next night?@! Holy smokes. I have a hard time wait'n for them to cool enough before wolf'n one down. :devil:

I'm feeling an attitude adjustment coming on thanks to all the wonderful support here. So, I'm going to go set up my notebook and get it ready to roll!:D

OMG Tig, I was about to ask Semo the same question about the brownies!! Just give me the pan and a fork. See ya later.

Cafe, wise words and I know you're right. Just ticks me off that he always has time to annoy me but never time to listen to me. It's afternoon on Thursday and he's STILL got a dozen people to review before 5:00 tomorrow.

Actually, the rumor is that the reason the comapny pres.wants all the reviews done this week is because the raises have already been figured and will be in next week's paychecks anyway. After that, it's like why bother?

Nurse - "Chocolate will always be meaningful." LOL! :lol: I think one of these talented "fabric folks" should get busy and embroider that on a pillow!

I have to go. Literally. ;) Then it's off to lunch!

Okay about the brownies, I'm not a big sweet eater, unless it's straight chocolate, so it wasn't that hard to pass them up. But you just leave a bag of chips open and :yikes: I love strarchy, greasy chips. And another thing was, after I cut them into the 16 squares and looked at the 100 calories a pop, didn't think it was that good.

I've been logging onto a shopping channel all morning, gosh if I had a small fortune I'd buy one of everything! This does not help my credit card bill!!!!!!

Wonder how Daynm's doing? Hope her new job works out for her, and US.

Chow.

Ok Girls, I'm feeling better already. Got my journal notebook all set up, got caught up on todays foods, ate a Lean Cuisine for lunch. Think it's too soon to weigh myself?:joker:
I have even checked exercise off my list for today. I counted 2 hours of walking in the store as exercise. I know I need to up the intensity, but it's a start. I did walk quickly once...to the restroom. :dance:

Jello, the pan and a fork...I'm there. Hope your review goes ok, but most of all that you get a big fat raise$ :goodvibes

The dog hasn't thrown up today, so that's positive. But, she hasn't pooped yet today either. The things I have to worry about! She wont eat the food the vet gave her and I know she's hungry cuz she's licking the kitchen floor.

:df:

Tig: Try pureeing some of the dog food he used to eat before he got sick...this helped with my old dead cat...also anything that has a really good smell will get 'em. I have found that new food doesn't ever work when an animal is sick...I don't know why vets try this.

DNW, the vet switched her to a limited ingredient food...thought it would be easier for her to digest...her stomach is very irritated. She's so skinny. (is it possible to be jealous of a dog?LOL) When she wouldn't eat that, he told me to feed her rice and chicken breast. She doesn't want that either. I started giving her pieces of her old food as treats even though he didn't suggest it. Can't just watch her starve. She seems to be holding them down ok...but she hasn't pooped since yesterday morning. She's only one year old. Sure hope she gets past this and lives a long HEALTHY life. My nerves are shot. Puppy love. Who would have thought it could run so deep.

Tig, LOTS OF PEOPLE think it runs so deep!! You're doing a GOOD thing. Hang in there. When my old lady cat was sick, the vet switched her food too. She wouldn't touch it. But then he tried another variety of the same medicated food. That she ate. Maybe your vet can make some other recommendation??

Listening to some of you talk about what you've done for your animals makes me even happier to be part of this group. :love: I had a cat for 16 years. She had cushings disease, diabetes and used to have seizures that came and went over the years. But overall she was a happy cat. I spent literally thousands and thousands of dollars on her at the vet. I borrowed from mom and dad and friends to pay for her medications, tests and surgeries over the course of those 16 years. What else could I do? If she'd been too sick or suffering, I would have (sadly) done the right thing. But for the most part, she was happy and felt good and I'm proud to have been able to work at making sure she stayed that way. She died on the last day of 1997 of a blood clot in her brain and still not a day goes by that I don't miss her purr and her little face in mine first thing in the morning.

Oh geez, getting all misty here. Happens every time. Tig, I hope things work out with your little baby. :angel:

Let's change the subject, shall we? How about this? Ahem...

Why Are MEN So Freakin' Stubborn!?!?!?!?!?!

Rich FINALLY called the doctor about his shoulder that's been giving him trouble for, oh, the past year or so. And then he got upset with me because I didn't praise him endlessly for his brilliance. Well, wasn't it me who'd been nagging him (I admit, I nag ... sometimes) to call for the past 7-8 months? I did pat him on the head and give him a cookie and tell him what a good boy he is so he's happy again. Men! :rolleyes:

Meanwhile, I fell off the wagon last night and it rolled over my head and squished me into the mud, leaving me for dead. Tig, I'm taking your place at slug camp. Move on out, girlie. There's a new slug in town.

No no no!!!! I will catch up with that wagon, I swear! Birthday cake here today. I'm going to try to stay far away from it, I promise. Store-bought cake. Nothing special. Blah. Who needs it?

Have a happy Friday everyone!

:dance: :dance: :dancer: :dancer: HAPPY FRIDAY DANCE! You would think that I hate my job, wouldn't you? I really don't, I just really, really love my days off!:lol:

This is day 10 and so far so good. WooHoo. Come on girls I know you can do it too.

Ya'll make me feel like a worm 'cause I hate my son's cat. Well in all fairness she hates me too. She really doesn't like anyone except my son, can't believe I've put up with her for all this time, we just sort of walk around each other. Thankfully she is getting older and lays around a lot now.

Anyone have any plans for the weekend? I for one am looking forward to my free meal........... now just have to decide where to eat.

You gals have a great weekend if I don't get back today.

Good Morning. Day two of journaling my food and I'm feeling good about it! I'm concentrating on my choices and not worry'n too much about portions yet....ease'n back.

Thanks for all the good puppy wishes. She's doing much better. I'm suppose to call the vet later today with a report on her progress. She's still a skinny little thing. She only weighed 11 pounds to start. She's under 10 now.

semo, your not alone. I have cats that I hate. We have wild cats out here in the boonies. The neighbor lady feeds them. They spray around our house in the spring, "visit" my kids sandbox, make my dog freak out when she's sees them out the window. I'm a cat person, but I hate those cats!

Jello, it's cozy on the wagon...hop back on!

Grocery store day. Hope there is some bread and milk left on the shelves. Weather-man called for a winter storm last night. We didn't get 2 inches! But, bet everyone rushed to the store anyway.

later taters
;)

Hi everyone!

Aw, SEMO, don't feel too bad. I truly believe that animals have personalities. Some you love and some you clash with, LOL. You're still a good caretaker of the life your son brought into your house, within limits. That's what counts!

I keep getting interrupted so no more shouties today, just a big group hug. :grouphug:

I'm doing well... Couldn't help peeking at the scale today (somebody tell me to stop it!) and it looks like I'm dropping some water weight with my cleanse. Got to stop looking, it's not about the scale! Sigh.

Gotta run...

Recuit Cafe: Off that scale immediately young lady or you will have to drop and give the group 50 pushups!! :drill:

Hello, ladies - thanks for all your encouraging words, even though some are meant for others, they help me.

I've been so busy at work - 10-12 hours days this week trying to get the year end closing done (probably another week) and just keep up with my normal duties - I haven't had time to post individual messages but I will.

It really means a lot to have a caring group you can count on. I've done much better and actually ate at the low end of my points the last 2 day because I wasn't feeling hungry! WOW is all I can say.

Quilter: Post when you can; we are ALWAYS :yes: here for you. And believe me I know from working in the corporate arena...long after we are gone the businesses we work for are still going to be raking in the bucks so take it easy, try to pace yourself, and take care of yourself...don't wind up eating because you're overtired...that is something I succumb to now and then.

Frankly, just seeing your numbers underneath your name gives me the impetus to never give up on myself and I know the group agrees with me! :D

OMG! I'm off, I'm off!! :lol:

Okay, now tell me again what someone said [Jello?] about store-bought cake not being any good? I'm totally not having any. I'm totally not having any. It's nothing special. Just because it happens to be under my nose, means nothing.

You know, if I hadn't seen such a happy scale today I wouldn't even have THOUGHT about cheating. NO MORE SCALE HOPPING.

I could actually try to do 50 pushups... It would only happen once, believe me!

Edited to say: I'm not having any cake, but post your non-cake thoughts just because it's going to be around all day and I might feel weak.

Store bought cakes are made with "lard"...think of a block of thick white gooey stuff with no taste that is greasy and icky..and more ...palm oil..think of all those sweaty, greasy palms :lol: it took to make that cake...and worst of all the whipped topping is more greasy trans fat, not real whipped cream, no real eggs, just powdered stuff from probably the Army that they wouldn't even feed the troops, and bunches of chemcials who's names we can't pronunce, and it's blocking your arteries and choking your heart...

Still want a piece of that cake Jello?:dizzy:

OMG!!!! They just announced that the monthly b-day cake is now being served in the cafeteria. And so I came in here and ...

Lo and Behold!!! Wow! You guys are magic or somethin'!!! :wizard: Too cool!!!

OK, I shall not go anywhere near the cafeteria for a while. Shouldn't take long. They're such a swarm of vultures around here, the entire sheet cake will be gone in a matter of minutes. Like something from a horror film! Keep your hands and feet away from their mouths.... :cbg:

Only 2 and a half hours till the weekend..................

Jello, you know the cake isn't worth the guilt it causes. I plan myself a treat for every Saturday OR Sunday afternoon, usually popcorn because I love it so much and don't let myself eat it during the week. That gives me something to look forward to. Now the catch is, if I have surcumbed to the junk food during the week, no weekend treat. I've finally gotten to the point where baked goods just doesn't taste that good to me - too sweet! Now give me a loaf of fresh bread warm from the oven and I'm a goner.

Oooh, now I'm craving popcorn!!! But that's a good thing. I love the stuff too, Quilter. Plain, air-popped, no salt, no butter. Yum. :T

Well guys, it's 4:30 on Friday so let's take a guess. How many of the dozen or so folks that he has to review has the boss indeed reviewed? Anyone?

Answer: 0. Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Nobody. What a surprise, eh?

Ah well, it's the weekend and there are far more important things to think about. In another 28 minutes, this place ceases to exist here on planet Earth and shall not reappear until 8:30 Monday morning.

Have a great weekend!!!
Be good. ;)

P.S. Skipped the cake and now it's gone. Score one for me!

Score one for me, too! Skipped the cake. Half of it is still around, and ice cream cups brought up from the freezer a while ago. But OH NO. Can't make me eat any of it after what DNW said. LOL!

Yippee! It's the weekend. Still on my cleanse, but I'm stoked. Funny thing, I have not been hungry today. Go figure. I like that! But I haven't eaten my 2 fruits today - they're sitting on my desk staring at me - so I will have to snack on it in front of the TV tonight. :)

Thank you for the no cake thoughts, I appreciated them too!

Happy Weekend!

Cafe, I want to know more about your cleanse...do tell.

All this talk about cake and I have a birthday party today. My nephew is turning two...store bought spongebob. I hope all the "talk" is still ringing in my ears when the cake is cut!

Tomorrow, another smaller birtday gathering. This one is going to be at my house (another nephew). I'm going to make an apple crisp. Not an awsume choice, but better than store bought cake! DH told them we would buy pizza.... :devil:

I have to run arond like a mad woman this morning cleaning house. When we return from the bday party, friends are coming over to play cards. I'm thinking my weekend is over scheduled.

:hyper: :hyper: :hyper:

Hey all!

Welcome to Quilterinva and all new ones!

My computer crashed and had to be reset/recovered, etc. this week. On the upside....the cutest blue eyed, blue jeaned repair tech just left and I think I'll crash it again....just for the fun of it! :devil:

I posted on Tues. night but must have lost the whole thing! I lost 2# and am now down 9 3/4#!!!! I get a star at 10# at WW and I'm trying to decide what I want for my own"prize"...I'm gonna make a list of my wants today and pick something for motivation! :cb:

Good things I have found to eat: Check out the 3FC home page and low fat recipes section! I made the "Cornflake Chicken" and it was to die for! Tastes just like KFC but with only 3 WW points, girls! It's crunchy(you crush up cornflakes for the crust on the chicken) and really good! I bought 3 different types of the jello with fruit cups Huntress recommended---they are wonderful and only 1 WW pt. apiece! MY fav is the mandarin orange/orange jello one---they have some substance to them---kinda like jello jigglers! Getting ready to make the "Oven Honey Chicken" from that 3FC recipe section again---this one is 6 pts per svg. but sounds wonderful..... :T

Cafe---your cleanse sounds like it is going well! Keep up the good work! The food up your way always sound so good.... My scale calls to me in the morning, too! I have to MAKE myself stay off of it! My clothes are finally starting to feel looser and I'm always afraid this wt. loss is not really gonna stay off or is temporary....

Jello---love that little heart you have on your post! :love:

DNW--WTG on the lower cholesterol points, lady! You have been doing a marvelous job, Sarge! Keep us in line, now!:drill:

Huntress---you must have better weather to walk in than us---it is so cold! Glad you could get out with your mum...

Tiger, SEMO, Tiff, Kayla, and all I forgot...have a great weekend!

:wave: "Bright"

195/185/176/135

Morning ladies!

Hope you're all doing fantastic and having a good weekend.

Bright - Congrats on making the (almost) 10# mark! :bravo:
I'm so happy and excited for you! Keep up the good work, you'll be in that itty bitty teenie weenie yellow polka dotted bikini before you know it. I wish you were here to walk with me, the weather has been spring-like this week, cool in the am and upper 60's in the evening. Very nice! Unfortunately we had a little front blow in this weekend making it cold and rainy again.

Jello & Cafe - Good for you both, skipping the dreaded BD cakes. What's the point in eating it anyway unless it is your own BD and you have a fabulous yummy cake that was what YOU wanted.

Tigerlily - Hope your puppy is feeling better soon. I too get really attached to them like they're my own babies and it's tough to see them suffer.

DNW - Sorry Sarge, I know I've been MIA lately but this week was crazy! If I didn't tell you before, good work on bringing your cholestrol down. I'm interested to see what mine looks like now.

Quilter - Hi! and Welcome! Nice to have you here!

Dyan - I know life for you is busy right now with the new job and all but drop us a line occassionally OK.

Itsmylife - Hey there, how are you!

Hope I didn't leave anyone out, so many new people sometimes I can't keep up when I'm not here on regular basis.

I've been doing OK lately, making it a point to drink my water every day and have stayed away from the sodas. Eating hasn't been that great but I figure it must have something to do with TOM and I should be good now. I'm itching to get to the gym and if my SIL still can't go because of her foot I'm gonna go ahead and go by myself. I just can't wait any longer now that the holidays are over and life is finally returning to normal. I've had 2 different opportunities to go to Las Vegas for next weekend but refused because I just can't deal with anymore rushing around for now. Besides, I invision the perfect trip being right after summer when I've lost another 35# and will be more comfortable wearing shorts. No fun in going in the winter when it's cold anyway. Well, in truth Vegas is fun anytime but I just didn't want to go right now.

Take care everyone.........

LJ

Hi Gals, just a quick stop in to report my points for the week.

Sun - 3, Mon - 3, Tues - 3, Wed - 3, Thur - 3, Fri - 1, Sat - 2,

Still doing well with the food and exercise, and water, well I always have a hard time with that in cold weather.

See ya tomorrow.

Semo: Wonderful that you are doing so well with the points, wish I was doing that well. Gonna get my points in by the end of the day since we were gone all day yesterday.

That gives everyone else another day to get their counts in.

Huntress: Thanks for the congrats...and glad you could post. Hope you get to the gym too...I finally broke down today and got back to exercising. Walked for an hour and I certainly am glad; because my kness which never bother me have really been killing the past few days because it's almost a month with no exercise!

Brighter: I am so proud of you...you put me to shame...so I have to try a little harder for the rest of the month. DN and I want to do the Grand Tetons and Yosemite this summer for vacation along with seeing friends in Colorado. We have to in better shape than we are now since all those states are more enjoyable if you are physically fit...what with the hiking and various water sports.

Love to the rest of you. Also I am now pretty sure than Tiffany's e-mail is TiffanyBlueEyes@yahoo.com since that did not come back as undeliverable yet. I know it is her Yahoo Instant Messenger handle cause it says it in her profile.

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Huntress---oh how I wish we could walk together too! Sounds like you are on the right track, though. I have to admit my exercise came from moving our office at work last week---didn't get to the gym at all! Must get back there this week and get in a walk today outside... Thanks for the kudos on the wt. loss! Vegas must be grand---I'll need to plan a trip!

DNW---I would love to travel like you, also! The farthest I'll probably get this year is Florida---we love the beach and it makes sense to go back there while the kids are young enough to enjoy it with me. Might make it a family affair with my sisters and their kids, which would be alot of fun! Thanks for the congrats on the wt. loss---I lose very slowly so every # has been great!

SEMO--you are right on top of things---wish I had your energy, girl!

Sorry, Dyan, left you out of my shout outs last time---hope you are doing well and back soon. I miss your mommy stories!

Its my life---hope you are doing well...stay in here with us....it's a great group!

Tiger---those birthday cakes are okay if you have the tiniest sliver! At least it is a taste, right? My sisters and I fight over who gets the tiny piece---always watching our wt.---they are much smaller than I am, though.

Jello---how DID you make that heart avatar---I would love to have one similar!

Off to make the Oven Honey Chicken today---hope it turns out as well as the Cornflake Chicken! My kids are amazed----Mom is cooking again!

Ta-ta,
"Bright"

Good Morning

Another Monday, what happened to the weekend? I don't know about all of you but mine simply flew by. Guess I'm still having withdrawl from the holidays and having so much time off. It's back to counting down the days until Friday:lol:

SEMO - I'm so sorry, I knew I forgot someone but I just couldn't remember who it was. HI! How are things with you now that your son is home from college? You are doing so good with your points, an inspiration to us all. You and Brighterdays are kicking some booty!

DNW - Like you the exercise really does me a lot of good and I can really feel it when I haven't been doing any. I'm really looking forward to the time change so I don't want to go to bed so early and can get outside more. Sometimes I think I must be a bear hibernating in the winter. Maybe we will all feel better once Spring gets here.

Brighterdays - Your welcome! We all need a pat on the back for our accomplishments don't we. And you are doing so good even though you say it comes off slowly. I know what you mean though, when I was younger it wasn't nearly this hard to get it off. I only wish I had developed lifelong habits back then so I wouldn't have to stuggle so much now. Hopefully that is what we are doing now.

Tata for now,

LJ

Good morning, Gals!

Bright - Congrats on your losses! Your chicken recipes sound divine. I'm going to have to look into that section...

Tiger - Your weekend sounds like so much fun! I hope you had a good time.

My cleanse is based on a book called "Beyond Pritikin" which delves into the benefits of Omega-rich oils and the health risks associated with trans-fats. The book is a paperback and has been around for a while so you could probably find it at a used book store (even if you buy it new it's not expensive). I have heard the same author has a new book out called "The Fat Flush Plan"? I have not read it though. I'm just on a 2-week detox.

Huntress & DNW - I've been feeling really good about getting back into exercise, too. I'm trying to keep it simple, but even that is a wow in terms of how I feel.

SEMO - looks like you're going strong! What I do to get water when it's too cold is drink it hot, with lemon. I also let it warm up to room temperature or pour water from the kettle that's gone to lukewarm and drink it that way. Keeps me from getting, as someone said, the trots! Traditional Chinese Medicine says too much cold is not good for the belly, it can extinguish the fire of digestion. So follow that instinct. :)

Oh, it's Monday and I have a cold - nose is running. It's better than yesterday but just enough to be a pain in the behind. Sorry if I've missed anyone, I'll be back later...

Good Morning fellow Boot Campers! Not much going on today. I cleaned out my linen closet Saturday and Wow, I don't know how I was able to cram so much stuff into that closet. I'm still doing FlyLady and that was my project for the weekend. My goal is to have every closet and cabinet cleaned in the next few months and declutter, declutter, declutter.

I tried my hand at making some greeting cards last night and I can see that this is going to take some practice.. so far I've spent about $200 to save $2.50 on a card....... UGH yet another disaster. I'll keep trying and maybe I'll get the hang of it.

I ate more than I should have yesterday, not bad, just kept wanting something to GRAZE on. So anyway blew the food point for yesterday, but I'm back with vengence this morning.

Cold here today and drinking this water, even at room temp is making me cold. Better run, you guys have a great day.

Well, got to the office at 8 and then, at about 9:30, all the power went off. Finally came back at 1:00. Too bad. We were hoping to just go home. Anyway, no light (brought everyone to my area and to offices that had windows), no 'puters, no phones, no heat.... :( But the good part - no work. :D We spent some time waving to the employees from the building next door who apparently didn't have power either.

Ah but eventually the electric company fixed the problem. Good for them. Bad for us. So I did the best thing I could do. I went to lunch. Hey, I needed power to heat up my frozen dinner.

Bright, I was hoping someone would try that cornflake chicken recipe. I'm such a coward when it comes to trying new recipes. But it sounds like a success. I'll have to try it. (I even already have a copy of the recipe at home.)

BTW, I would love to take credit for my beating heart avatar but I don't have that kind of talent. I found it on a website of animations somewhere. There were a lot of them. All I did was make it smaller so the forum would accept it. Let me check and see where it was I got it from and I'll let you know.

Cafe, I'm really interested in your cleanse program too. I'll have to look for that book next time I'm out and about. Hm, good reason to walk the mile to the Barnes and Nobel bookstore.... :chin:

Semo, if I got rid of my clutter, I'd never be able to find anything!!! :rolleyes: Seriously, that's something I should look into.

Well, girls, I'm recovering from yet another lost weekend of misbehaving. But I've got my gym bag here and I'm heading to the gym after work today. Haven't been there in ... yikes!! :o Too embarrassed to say! Gotta get back into the routine. Had really spicy mexican food on Sunday and I guess I should be glad that my stomach's still a bit unsure if it's still speaking to me after that. I'll be eating real light today. Have to get a cavity filled tomorrow morning before I come in here so tomorrow should be the same, eating-wise.

Have to go do all the work I couldn't do this morning. We've got the rude frenchmen coming back in on Wednesday and I'm so not looking forward to it. Grumble. And the radio station keeps playing Bee Gees music. Kinda sad....

Spent a good part of the day learning yet another online system to submit invoices to our A/P dept. cause they let go of more people. Now I am pretty flexible but this was too much today...and what a waste of paper, bar codes for this, copies of authorizations for that :dizzy:

Jello: wish we didn't have any power today...I WOULD have gone home the mood I'm in!! As for your lost weekend I am sure you will be right on target in another few days. You are going to the gym tonight so that's a positive!!

Semo: Please come and organize my closets too....they are the bomb..and not in the good way either!! You've got too much energy lately...you're making the rest of us look old and feeble...or least ways ME!!

Dyan: Report for duty sweetie!!

Cafe: Hope you feel better...maybe all the cleanse is making all the junk from your body come out through your nose...i-i-c-c-k-k....sorry, I can't believe I just said that :o

Brighter: gonna try your receipes too...as soon as I get done being annoyed in general with the world or at least my company.

Huntress: what a woman, you are so courageous to be posting so early in the morning.

Love to all...and anyone I forgot.

:grouphug: HI LADIES!!! :D

I am so sorry that I haven't checked in, in awhile! I have been an evil, evil person!

Life has been hectic, as usual! I haven't been OP since I had my gallbladder was removed! All the way back in November! But I've decided to straighten up and fly right. So yesterday I took that first step and stood on the scale. I was quite surprised that it read 264.5! Hey NOT as BAD as I had thought!

Work has been totally crazy! We've been working out the CEO's hotel, and are supposed to be moving into our building tomorrow. Although I don't know how much good that will do, seeing how we still need to order laptops, and what not.

I was thrilled to FINALLY sign my offer letter. I'm gonna get some pretty good money, and I nearly "stained" myself when I read that if we hit quota by the end of the year, we'll each receive a $20k bonus! HHHEEELLLOOOO :yikes: :faint:

I am so pooped! I'm working crazy hours and feel as though I'm doing crazy things! My life has pretty much turned upside down since leaving the pit. I have not kept in contact w/ anyone as of lately, but hope that things will die down pretty quick here.

We had Cheyenne's 4th birthday party at Chuck E Cheeses over the weekend. Man, am I glad that's over. Although right before we left, my MIL commented that she liked my sweater and that my weight loss is very noticable! :D

well, I hear DH's car and we don't get to see each other often (with the different schedules and what not), so I will end this here and I promise to try and get on here alot more often. Unfortunately I haven't been able to go back and read all the posts I've missed. But I want ya'll to know (Jello, Cafe, Huntress, Brighter, SEMO, Deadnurse, Tig and Tiffany ~if your still out there) that I miss you all tremendously and I really need you right now. I need more hours in the day.....

Love to you all.....

Good Morning!
Dyan, glad you checked in...you know all us mother-hens would begin to worry if ya didn't. :) Does it look like your going to like the new job once things settle?

Semo, early spring cleaning? Do you get flylady email or just go to the site for projects? I've been hauling stuff off to Goodwill left and right. If we don't get the downstairs finished pretty soon, there isn't going to be anything left to move down there! I'm sick of being crowded and cluttered.

This past weekend was nuts. More for DH than me, but it all effects me. First, the car wash dumped suds on the car...then quit working. Then, he got a speeding ticket driving us to the bday party....then...his glasses broke....then....he slipped on the steps taking the dog out! I don't know how that man got out of bed Monday morning! Meanwhile, the new glasses are on their way $:censored:$, our auto-insurance is going to go up, and I have to get a money order to pay the lovely ticket. :dz:

I didn't journal anything over the weekend.....or yesterday. But, ready to get-it-together today.
Sounds like I need to look up that chicken recipe....

:df:

Poor Tig and Tig's DH, :goodvibes :goodvibes Sounds like a weekend from H@ll. Funny, well not really, how stuff like that sort of runs in cycles. Hope that it's the end of that one for you. I do get the e-mails from flylady, and there are tons of them,but I just delete most because she has a lot of repeats. You can tell by the headings what the subject matter is and just skip the ones you have already read. I really wished that I had found this years ago. I can't believe how much better my house looks in the short time that I've been doing this. Maybe it's helped with my eating program too, sounds silly I know, but she is all for being good to yourself and if you slip you just start again.

Dyanm, so good to hear from you, we miss your post. We are all hoping that this new job works out for you and that you get that big bonus at the end of the year. Gosh that's almost as much as I make in a year....... told you we are in the middle of NO WHERE!

Guess who popped in on the exercise thread.......Kayla. I told her she better get herself over here and say hello.

Jello, want me to pull the electric plug for ya today?:D I don't know what I'm gonna do when we start to get busy. I'm getting lazy.

DNW, don't let the stress get to you, I know easier said than done. But you can only do what you can.

Cafe, good luck on the cleanseing, sounds great, but I don't think I could last that long.

Huntress, I'm feeling the pains of working a full week too. I could live with a two day work week, how about you?

Bright, my area is calling for snow Wednesday..... we had spring like weather the other day and now it's cold again. Be glad when spring gets here won't you.

Quilter, shouting out a hello, hope you're work slows down soon.

Hello everybody, got to at least look like I'm doing something important.

Good morning everyone!

Okay SEMO - what you said about lasting that long? Me neither! I broke my cleanse yesterday, don't everyone be too disappointed in me. I'm very proud of myself for doing this for almost 8 days! I know I am healthier for it.

Here's what happened - over the past 3 days with this cold and not having any spices or salt... I had gotten to the point where I literally had to force myself to eat my tasteless food. I knew I was reaching the end of my willpower. So I decided ahead of time how and when to compromise instead of kidding myself until I REALLY blew it. Damage control, in and of itself, can be a victory. Instead of McDonalds I had a nice glass of wine and a Mediterranean pizza (with kalamata olives, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and feta cheese! :) ).

So - I'm officially NOT on the detox any more although I'm going to modify the rules a little and keep on going doing it "my way." I'll let you guys know how it goes!

Jello, I feel like I could make a headline out of this: "Jello Powerless in Face of Frenchmen's Wrath." LOL! Get it - no power, frenchmen coming.... aw, nevermind. Good job getting right back to the gym now that the weather's not as scary. I will be thinking of you tonight.

DNW, Maybe it WAS oozing out of my nose, LOL! I'm feeling better already, thanks. Hope you're not in for round 2 of computer training today? That can be grueling.

Dyan, Glad to hear things are going so well! You can do it - right back on track with the rest of us!! :yes:

Tiger, Good job getting rid of junk. Believe me, those rooms will fill themselves up without you hanging on to stuff that does not make you happy. Sorry about your trouble-filled weekend. Sounds a little like one of those comedy movies - only not funny when it really happens.

Hugs to all those I missed! Interruptions abound again today so there's probably 4 more posts since I began typing.

~Cafe

Cafe: Bravo on picking a really healthy meal to break the fast with. Wine is good for your heart, and pizza is good for the soul....and super bravo for not getting down on yourself!

Semo: My wise woman...you are just the best, really, always positive and upbeat, and I really appreciate it today when I am still cranky and don't know why...think it's been too wintery for me...we have not had such a cold winter in literally years and it's getting on my nerves, along with thinking that I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up and by the mid fifty's, well a girl should know.

Dyan: Thrilled for you really, and it sounds like this is going to be a great and profitable job...less to worry about now I bet. I was really glad to see your post and you know we always miss the **** out of you. But we know you are busy....

Jello, Huntress, Brighter, and the rest send me some smiley pills or something..I am simply turning into the most crabby old woman

Hi everybody!

Good news! Down that 1/4# and have hit the 10# mark, finally..... Onward to another 9# mark (10% goal)!!!!!

DNW---:cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: :cb: (guaranteed to get a smile...did it work?) I know how you feel with this cold---just chills you to the bone---but put on your warm jammies and fuzzy slippers and cozy up to that DN with a nice cup of java!

Cafe---you always make me hungry! Even talking about your fast! How I envy you for making it 8 whole days!!! Amazing!

Tiger--sorry for the hubby.... hopefully, days like that can't be repeated! I need to check out FlyLady.....sounds like spring cleaning which I badly need to plan for!

SEMO---I hear ya, girl, on the snow predicts....not looking forward to them! The flylady sounds interesting....

Hey Dyan! How ya been, girl? Glad to see you back again!

Jello---Weren't you guys freezing without power? That's a scary thought here in the Midwest with these temps!

Huntress---no kidding on the slower wt. loss thing! If was eating this way years ago, I'd have lost this weight by now! I drag myself twice a week to the gym and get on the treadmill a couple of times a week. My sis called me tonight about Oprah's trainer, Bob Greene, who has a book out with a workbook and she wants me to look at it at the bookstore and see if we both might like to do his exercise program. I'll check it out...have you seen it?

Its_my_ life and Quilterinva---feel free to jump in, girls! We are all just friends here....we'd love to hear from you.

For all you adventurous recipe-triers: the Cornflake Chicken is very simple and fast (only 25 minutes to bake!) and crunchy and definitely a "10". I would modify it a bit and maybe bring the temp down to 350 deg. I've did 400 deg., though if you have a really hot oven, it dries it out more. I made the Oven Honey Chicken using breast tenderloins and they made nice chicken strips with a sweet taste but they were a little dry....worth making but I will experiment with a way to make them a little more tasty (maybe seasoned bread crumbs or a poultry seasoning to the crumb coating???). My kids ate them without a problem but I was wanting a bit more for 6 Pts.!!!

Kayla!....Kayla!...are you back yet? How ya doing, girl?

Gotta go...need to get ready for tomorrow---doc appt. for followup. We'll see what he thinks....hope the scale there is close to my WW one.....

Take care and keep warm everyone,

"Bright" :D

Hello again. Want to know how to keep from eating? Start your day off at the dentist!! :o By the time I rolled into work yesterday around 10, I was numb. Then when the novacaine wore off, my mouth was a little sore. Then I got really busy at work. Took my mind off my teeth but didn't leave me any time to eat! Had a yogurt around 3:30 so I didn't fall on my face.

Went to weigh-in last night. Lost 0.2 lbs. Hey, I'll take it, I suppose. :^: But then I had to go to a meeting at the VFW. By the time I got home at 8:30, I was starving to death! You don't want to know what I ate. It's just not pretty. :(

Bright, congrats making the 10 lb. mark! I still have a couple pounds to go to reach that. Then 8-9 more after that for my 10%. I'm following you! BTW, it was indeed starting to get a bit chilly in the building by the time the power came back on. We were joking about building a bon fire with the boss's files. :lol: He didn't see the humor somehow.

Cafe, I'm certainly NOT disappointed in you. 8 days of "clean living" sounds like a great idea. I'm not sure I'd make it past day 2. Ooh, and that pizza sounded soooo good!! :T

Oh by the way, Cafe, it did in fact take me a minute or two to get it. "Powerless in the face of the french" .... Yeah, yeah. :rolleyes: OK, it was pretty humorous ... and I'm pretty slow. They come in today for 3 days. I'm so not looking forward to this...

Nurse? Crabby? Old!?!? Now to whom could you possibly be referring???? Not you, no way. :flow2: :flow2: Now, we'll have no more of that kind of talk here!

Speaking of crabby ... how long before spring arrives? It's snowing here ... again. I'm cold and it's dark and gray and I got a flower seed catalog in the mail yesterday. Auuuugggghhhh!!!!

Time to go parlez vous franc.... Oh whatever.

Later...

:fr: But they brought French pastries and cookies with them....

Scared and confused,
Jello

Hello. I think things are on the up-swing after the weekend from :censored:. We'll be in financial recovery for a few weeks, but whats new.

My kids have the trots...ok, maybe not an up-swing...we're swing'n sideways. I'm scared I'll be getting it next. DH had a flu shot, so he could escape unharmed. I'm so warped...thinking at least if I get it, I could lose some weight. warped.

A bit of a wake-up call for me...
My Dad...6'2" has weighed over 200lbs for as long as I can remember....somewhere between 210 and 220. HE'S DOWN TO 196! I do not want to weigh more than my father. It's bad enough I weigh more than DH. *feeling frantic* On a side note, Dad got dentures a couple months ago and hasn't been able to eat his usual stuff. hmmm, dentures as a weight loss plan...
Jello...on a similar plan?

Weather is in the teens and single digits here. Freezing my.....ears off.

Hi girls, don't know if I can get this through, my computer has been very wierd all morning.

DNW: aka Maxine (You know Halmark's grumpy Maxine) My sister must think that I'm grumpy, she gives me Maxine stuff all the time. For X-mas she gave me a Candy Dish with her on it........ I just don't understand.:lol: Blame your grumpyness on Menopause, hey I think it's a great excuse and use it quite often. BTW I still don't know what I want to do either! Guess my chances of living the rich life is pretty slim......

Congrats, Bright and Jello for reaching and getting close on the 10 lb goal. :cp: Jello be strong...be strong....

Tig, are the kids home sick with the bug? I've only taken a flu shot once and they hit a muscle or something and my arm was sore for three months. Haven't had one since.

Cafe: Eight days :high: I wouldn't have lasted eight hours let alone eight days.

Hi to everyone else, this puter is acting up so I'm off here.

Tiger! Oh TIIIIGGGERRRRR!!!!

Figured I had to yell since your ears froze off. I know the feeling. Hate the weatherman lately. He talks cheerfully about our high temperature of 20 or whatever. :mad: Why doesn't he just come on and say "It's :censored: cold" and be done with it.

Anyway, I don't think a denture diet is the way to go, tempting as it may be. No ears. No teeth. Nah, I don't think that's quite the look we should be going for here.

Regarding the french goodies (I mean the food, not the guys :p ) I've resisted so far. Stayed at my desk and ate my apple like a good girl.

Oh but the deli just delivered the lunch for today. Ah the smell of pastrami in the morning...

:rolleyes:

It's going to be a long day.

Hello, ladies - I've finally finished the year end closing and can now be a human and breath. I've read all your posts but just didn't have the time to jump in and reply.

You are really an inspiration to me - I lost a pound last week and I noticed this morning my pants seem looser - a wonderful feeling.

We had a little snow last night - where I live 2 flakes close the schools. Expecting a little more tonight but what we had is about gone already. It has been extremely cold - I've taken to wearing thermal undershirts under my sweaters and feel much warmer.

I'm going to try the chicken recipe on Saturday - sounds like a nice change to chicken on the GF.

I'm still not getting my exercise in, I know I should, but I keep putting it off. I'm working at it. Once I can walk again, I have no problem with it.

I've gone through all the WW magazines since January 2000 and entered the 7-day menu plans into an Excel spreadsheet so I can mix and match and plan my own menus quicker. Got some good ideas. Now I'm entering the recipes into Master Cook.

Just about time to go to lunch...sorry, food wins again!

Hi everybody!

Thank you to each one of you for your support!! :love: I knew I made a good decision not to push to total burn out and rebound eating, but was feeling a little bereft by the end of the day yesterday with no strict diet to obsess over. :?: Don't ask, I don't understand either, but that's emotions for you. However, I enjoyed some foods I'd been missing and still kept in my WW range.

I weighed in today and lost another pound over the past week! The scale DID say less than that while I was detoxing, but I knew the minute I had salt in my diet again it would bounce up. :) I'm not disappointed, I did it for health not as a crash diet.

Not that I didn't have to TELL myself I was happy, LOL!

Tiger, you and me are on the same page - can't it just be quick and easy? LOL! But I figure if I can eat that clean for a week I can certainly stay in my WW range. Willpower.

Bright, if you're in the midwest too (or as I call it, the frozen North) then you know what cold MEANS! I could lose body parts outside! My nose doesn't weigh enough to make it a worthwhile sacrifice.

Jello, stay strong, girl! French pastry often looks better than it tastes, n'est ce pas? Now pastrami, on the other hand.. :lol:

SEMO, DNW, Maxine? OK, DNW, I have an emoticon I think will cheer you up. Now no one be offended.





Here it is.




http://www.my************/projects/ezboard/ezboard_userimages/survivorsucks/images/ACF15DF.gif

Now find somewhere to use it. :devil:

Quilter, glad your end of year project is over. Please share any WW recipes/meal plans that you find to be particularly good!

Ta-ta for now... ~Cafe

Cafe: Thank you so much...I really needed that, and it is really in line with the kind of sense of humor I have ...I am still smiling, and in desparate need of a change of undergarments!! ;)

Brighter: Thanks for the dancing bananas....you are so sweet...we just love ya to death.

And oh yeah we food people always need something related to weight issues obsess over, so you are in very good company :smug:

Semo: I have never heard of the Hallmark Maxine stuff...will have to check it out. I read your posts on the exercise thread...you are my new role model...

Tiger: I am so sorry you are going through so much and that your husband has had so much bad luck...just when you think your safe.....life is just so damn interesting!:s:

Jello: French pastries and cookies....and isn't it amazing, I have yet to see a fat French person..and I have met several over the years...they are all as thin as rails...you think they are up to something, or just dumping the food after they eat and not telling anyone? :mad: Just remember you are bigger than the pastries!!! Oh that didn't come out right. :o

Quilter: So glad you are back, we really missed you!!

Love and Peace to Kayla, Dyan, and Tiffany

I'm back!!!

The doctor's office scale was still crappy but it did show SOME of my weight loss---I was sure to tell him just how MUCH it was off.... Good report overall.

CAFE!!! Where did you find that? That is so funny.....!!!! Are there dark recesses in this computer world that I am unaware of? I could use a few of those some days.... :censored: girl, it is cold outside! Congrats on the # down!!!!

SEMO--that Maxine stuff is just the thing! Thanks for the congrats on the #s down.

Jello---we are on the same page, girl! That 1/4# was a welcome site this week since TOM is coming... I love bonfires---just thinking how fun it would be to make one in my office with all that paperwork....hmmmm :devil:

Tiger---lots of stomach viruses this way, too. My kids have escaped so far.....

Gosh, Quilter! You sound so organized....no fair! Can you teach me? Congrats on the # down!

DNW---I have a hard time believing that after all the :love: here that you are not back in the groove today....am I right, sarge? :drill:

Hey Huntress! Any snow down there yet? You can keep it down there, okay? :lol:

Gotta go....much to do and can't decide if I want to brave the grocery store (you know it is the night before a big snow storm and you know what that means!!!!)

:flow1: "Bright"

Hi Ladies

Nothing much going on around here, same old same old day in and day out. Still haven't gotten to the gym yet, woke up Tuesday with what we Texans refer to as a "creek" in my neck and a terrible headache that lasted for 2 days. I swear everytime I set a date to go something comes up that keeps me from going.

Sorry Bright, no snow here although it is forcast to be in the high 20's tonight it's unlikely that it will be that cold. That's the beauty of living in the south, short mild winters of course you have to deal with the strangling heat in the summer and don't forget the humidity.

Gotta go for now, will check back with you all soon.

LJ

:lol: Cafe! OK, so how many calories burned by laughing one's a** off!?!?! Too funny! And I can think of MANY places I'd like to use that one. But I'll refrain....

Anyone want to know what I did last night? Ate like a :ink: :cry: I just couldn't stop! I had pasta. I had sausage cooked in the pasta sauce. I found this frozen deep dish apple pie that I'd bought from some fund raiser in the back of the freezer. Hm, serves 4. Yeah right. Serves just ME!

Got on the scale this morning just to punish myself. OK. Back on track ... I hope. Scares me that I could eat like that and not know why I'm doing it. :(

Bright, glad to hear about the good report. How was the grocery store? Snow's heading our way tonight into tomorrow morning so I guess after work it's my turn. Nah, maybe I'll just stay home without any food all weekend. That should help....

Nurse, glad you're smiling again.

Huntress, sometimes the same ol' stuff day in and day out could be a good thing. Sorry to hear about the "crick" (that's the lingo around here) in your neck. Sounds to me like you should treat yourself to a massage.... Just a thought.

Oops, gotta go. Frenchmen at the door....

Morning, woke up early, around 5ish, with not much snow, well by 7:30 we had about three inches. It's kind of dry so driving wasn't so bad except you couldn't see the center line nor the edges of the road. I'm going home at noon! WooHoo.

Cafe, Cafe, Cafe. Must say that this is the first for me. Flipped off by a cyber friend. :lol: :lol: :lol: You silly girl.

Okay Bright, can't stand it any longer....give me a hint of what area your from.

Jello, dust yourself off and get back on the train. Try to figure out what triggered the eating and move on. Sometimes I think because I deprived myself of something (pastries, maybe) that I console myself with something else. Just a thought from Dr.Semo.

Huntress, we have creeks too! :lol: And we also have hot summers with EXTREME humidity. It will take the curl right out of your eye lashes.

DNW; aka, Sarge, dba Maxine, think it's time for a new thread? Hope you're having a better day. Drag out your paints and do something creative. I practiced leaves for an hour last night...getting better but not great yet.

Hi Tig, hope the kiddies are feeling better and that you have excaped the bug. One of the fellow's had it here yesterday and he's not here today. Hope it doesn't go through the office.

Quilter: Do you still attend the WW meetings? You have done a great job maintaining your wt loss. Sometimes I think that is harder than losing it.

I tried the corn flake chicken last night, pretty good. I've baked it before with low fat bisquick but not corn flakes.

Well, better get some work done if I'm going to leave early.

OK troops, I think Dr.Semo is giving me the hint that this thread is getting to be a pain in the butt to drill down to, now that we are on page 8.

The great thing about that is we are really staying in touch with each other, so 8 long pages in 16 days means we just can't stand not talking to each other for even one day....I feel so wanted!!

Ok let me know if you want to start Thread #2 of the January Boot Camp and I will...then I will will wait a few days to close off the original thread...I need a consensus here ladies so speak up quickly. Also my crappy mood is gone thanks to you all.:D


All the best!!

Geez, I'm bored! There is nothing going on at work and I'm chomping at the bit to get outta here. Bad thing is I decided to go to LV this weekend after all and since I don't really have any work to do I'm bouncing off the walls! Nice thing, the clouds finally blew away and we have a nice sunny day albeit a little on the cool side. Wondering if it might get in the 20's like they're predicting after all.

DNW - Glad to hear you're feeling better! Starting a new thread sounds good to me.

Jello - Don't worry too much about your little slip up, just get back with the program. Think I heard that it's the total calories that count in the long run. Also, I agree with SEMO that when I deprive myself too much I tend to binge.

SEMO - I'm so jealous, I wanna go home too!

Gotta go, boss is lurking

LJ

Hello Chickies,
Kids are feeling better. So far, I haven't gotten it. Still think about every bite I eat and how it might come back out. :eek:

TOM a week early. My luck amazes me. Probably brought on early by stress. :stress:

Someone gave me a book..The New Pritikin Program. It's actually an old book, 1990. Cafe, was Pritikin the cleanse name?

Sometimes I think I need a healthy diet grocery list...that someone else made up...cuz I just suck at doing it myself. That's what I need to do today...make a list, plan some meals. I've been flying by the seat of my pants lately....and that leads to some bad choices.

DNW, glad you are feeling better. New thread sounds good to me. Sorry I'm not very "boot campy". I haven't kept track of points...although keeping track of ZERO shouldn't be to difficult. :^:

Huntress, LV again. You dog, you.

Guess I'm gonna haul in some wood so we can have a fire this evening. The only positve thing about winter...fire in the house instead of outside with the bugs.
:p

A new thread would be great...isn't it wonderful all the encouragement flying around here like artillery shells overhead. We are expecting 4-8 inches of snow tonight which means everything will be paralyzed tomorrow - no snow removal equipment except one plow they use to keep the Interstate open. I can use a day off as long as the power doesn't go out.

My pantry and freezer are stocked with good things to eat so it should not be a reason to go and eat junk. I'm already thinking a nice pot of soup would be great.

I forgot who asked, but I do attend meetings and have all this time and seen many changes - for the better for the most part. Whenever I quit going to meetings, I let myself get lax and then I have to sit myself down for a good talking too. I don't go every week, but I have weighed in once a month since the 70's when I reached lifetime.

At first, keeping the weight off is harder than losing it, but after a time (varies from person to person), you don't have to think so much about it anymore, it becomes second nature. I really lost my taste for sweets and now when I do have one I'm usually disappointed at spending the points for a so-so thing, even Mrs. See's chocolates which were always my favorite. Now I'm happier with asparagus or strawberries in the winter.

If you want some help with meal planning, www.mealsforyou.com is a pretty good site - not all low calories but there are some.

Hi gang!

Quilterinva----you are a "lifer"? What an inspiration! You know, I'm finding things are tasting a little bit different but Chocolate is still Chocolate! How in the world do you resist See's candy---it is the BEST!

Tig---oh, a warm wood fire! Sounds nice!

Huntress---I need a place to go too!! :stress: Please take me with you! I have those same "creeks" in my neck once a month---please tell me there is a cure....

DNW---a new thread sounds nice, ma'am. Yes, ma'am!:drill: Glad that sweet nature of yours is back---awful to feel bad, isn't it!

SEMO---I would say I'm north of you on the way to St. Louie,if I had to guess.... I didn't get to go home at noon, though! No fair!:cry:

Jello---I missed the grocery store rush hour last night, can you believe it? Had to get food---keeps me from stopping at the fast food on the way home from work. Me with a house empty of "good" food spells M-c-D-o-n-a-l-d-s! Did you have the same problem, girl?

Cafe! Oh Cafe! Are we hiding? :lol:

:cb: :cb: A few more bananas for Sarge as she scoots us into another slot/thread.

:flow1: "Bright"

Morning, girls!

Naw, Bright, I wasn't in hiding - just working a lot yesterday. It's January so we now have goals, objectives, and money to spend gettting them done (this IS Marketing after all). So all of a sudden things are busy. Sorry I didn't stop in! I didn't remember until I was on my way home.

Well, I've been making really good choices during the day but falling short of the mark in the evening the past 2 days. Enough of that! Tonight I go home and cook comething good, and then I get out my recipes and plan next week better.

The temp in the frozen North this morning is all of 2 with the wind chill at -9. Maybe that's part of why I want to crash when I get home, not cook. Just a little TOO cold and TOO dark. Meh. Either way I've got to buck up - take out is never a good option.

Now if Bright would come and make a bonfire for me...

Huntress! I'm sorry to hear about the neck. That can really wreck your day. I think a trip to Vegas is just the cure. Have a great weekend!

Jello, I always have a tendency to eat too much good pasta when I make it. And I feel more crappy when I overdo it on carbs than other foods? Live and learn, maybe another time you can make just enough and freeze the rest of your sausage.

SEMO - some snow sounds good...

boss after me, making it faster

DNW! Glad you liked the evil emoticon. It's OK to be crabby and mean sometimes. I have a board I visit just to randomly flip people off, LOL.

Tig - the book with my cleanse is the newer book, BEYOND Pritikin.. they revised some of their ideas in the light of new research on Omega-rich oils and their health benefits. Glad you're holding your own, so to speak, against the stomach flu!

Quilter - Encouragement? Bombs? :?: LOL!

Smoochies everyone! I'll be back.

Hey Quilter! How's the weather down there? We got only an inch or so because it passed by south of us and gave it all to you guys. :o Rich's parents just moved from the Boston area to North Carolina to escape the wintry weather. Now, twice, they've gotten clobbered. They say the same as you. No snow removal equipment or ways to deal with the bad weather.

Hey guys, remember me talking last week about how I was supposed to get my review before Friday? Well here it is a week later. Ho hum, here I still sit. My boss is the only manager who still hasn't done his and all pay raises are being held up until all reviews are in. How'd this guy ever become management anyway? :mad:

Well, I ate the remaining leftover pasta for dinner last night and left the sausage for Rich and the dog. Had a little fruit cup for dessert and felt satisfied. Gotta learn to realize that I don't have to feel completely stuffed to know that I've eaten enough.

Cafe, I'm like you. I do OK all day but then the evening comes and I just want to eat something easy and quick - not necessarily good for me. It's definitely the dark and cold with me. Just want to hibernate. :dz: I do however force myself onto the treadmill most nights for 20 minutes or so and feel better (and warmer!) afterwards. But it's such a struggle.

Semo and Huntress, I have indeed picked myself up and dusted myself off and gotten back on the train. But it's the slow train and not the "Thinville Express" that I wanted. :rolleyes:

Singing ... Won't you take me down ... to Skinny Town....

Sorry, it's Friday. :^:

I guess I should go look busy. Have the frenchmen for another day and then we shuffle them off to the airport and wave bye-bye. :wave: They really are a rude bunch.

Hm, maybe I'll plan some weekend projects to keep me out of the fridge....

Later!

P.S. One more thing. Ahem...
GO EAGLES!!!!!
Had to say it. :D

We got 6 inches of snow - being a northern transplanted south, I made it to work (27 miles) only 1 hour late. My boss, from Detroit, made it. The southerns with the SUVs who work here called in whinning about the horrible roads (they are just wet now and slushy in the developments). The good thing is snow melts fast here. Anyway, I'm leaving at 2. My boss is afraid the temperature will drop and the roads will turn to ice...well, so am I.

At first I thought I'd stay at home today, but it was starting out to be one of those "What can I eat next?" days so I'm better off here with my veggie soup and tuna sandwich.

I use my crockpot a lot because I don't get home from work until 6 and I don't feel like cooking much then. I have a Word document with about 200 crockpoint recipes with points that someone sent me from another thread. If any of you would like it, send me your email address.

:D

Hi guys.

:cry: I miss you all so much. I cant even tell you. Im back, and...if its ok...i want to come back and visit you guys again. I missed you all sooooooooo much.....

I have lost almost 20 pounds now, and now, i want to kick it into high gear....it was easy to lose that last big....but i miss your support, and the stories we shared, and the hugs, and the.....everything!


So, where have I been...umm.....ive been crazy. I am the president for SADD in my school now, I teach drama club and singing, im still on the exec for our youth group, im a board member for camp, I got my first aid friday.......i have a boyfriend! lol.....um...yeah, things have been busy, but good.

I have been working hard at staying on track......and its been going well, but i NEED that extra support behind me...that only this thread can offer.

Things have changed alot.....but im glad you are all still here......where is my tiffany???:?:

TIFF, where are you?? they told me you are gone??? I love you to bits Tiff, you are my inspiration, and I know that life gets hard sometimes, and we cant accomplish our goals...but...thats is the time we have to turn to our friends....not hide, i know these people, and me as well, love you no matter what.....and they want to know you are ok, and I want to hear from you! Come back Tiff, I did, its hard, but...worth it. We can do it together.......

HUNTRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I missed you TONS! how are you??? whats new??? I have stories GALORE for you!!!! email me!!! i luv you hun!!!
Kaylamp2@hotmail.com

Tig, Cafe, How are you guys??? i need an update, its been awhile!!!

Nurse,
Thanks for the message, i dont know her addres......but I hope she comes back! Im happy to be back! and the warm welcome encouraged me more. :)

Jello,
Oh my! its been way too long sista! how are things??? I send all my love!!!!!

Bright,
hey, I missed getting to know you more.....i hope we can pick things up where we left off.......:) im happy to be back!

SEMO
Thanks for helping me find the girls again!!! im glad to be back!!!

SO....everyone fill me in on how things are!!!!

i hope you guys dont mind me coming back?!?!
well i should go, take care!!!

If anyone wants, my email is:
KaylaMP2@hotmail.com
you can reach me there all the time!!!!!!
luv

Kayla