General Diet Plans and Questions - "The Plan"

We are all doing a different plan, the plan that works for us. Along the way we learn from each other, share ideas about good things to eat, prod each other to exercise, and generally lend a listening ear to whatever might be going on in each others lives.

Well, I took two free days this week! I have firmly decided that today I will be back on track, no matter what. I had a great week-end in Conway--watched the Superbowl w/a Florida native. That was interesting!

Ledom, if you find tweaks to the pumpkin muffin recipe or try the spinach/onion/CC loaves, be sure to post them to the BfL recipe thread! I'll be looking forward to trying them. I'll bet the addition of a small amount of flour does great things to those pumpkin muffins!

Alice and Judi, I hope WW is going well! My sis lost 9 1/2 lbs. her first week, and called me last night to tell me that she had lost 10 lbs. at weigh-in last night! Wow, 19 1/2 lbs. in two weeks. She's a large woman, though, and I'm sure a lot of it was water. I'm just hoping she doesn't get discouraged when she goes from losing that much each week to losing 1-2 lbs. (or less) each week.

I missed my TOPS weigh in last night, which is probably a good thing, considering the pizza, chex mix, etc.......:s:

This morning was my weigh in. I'm down 1.4 lb. I'll take it ;)

judi, glad the wanderers are home. So....who did you miss the most?:lol: I can just picture Marley & Estaban growling and hissing. They'll get reacquainted again. It has gotten cold again, well below zero with wind chills in the minus double digit range. Miz Lacee does not like it. One good thing though, she doesn't stay out very long and I don't have to stand at the door very long to let her back in. Is it still mild where you live?

ledom, how are things going with the show?

Cheryl, congratulations to your sister for losing almost 20 lb. in 2 weeks. That's fantastic! Does you sister attend WW meetings? The meetings are very helpful. How was your first day back to BFL after your free days?

Hope you all have a good day. I'm going to just try and stay warm.

Alice, BIG congrats on the loss!!:bravo: :bravo: :cp: :dance:

Yes, my sis does indeed attend the meetings. Glad she's found something healthy that works for her!

Alice, the weather you guys are having is unbelievable. I saw the frozen Boston Harbor on the news last night. I know you must be so sick of being cold.

Cheryl, the thing that is so wonderful about BFL is that you are never more than 2 1/2 hrs. from being back on track. That is such a psychological boost I think.

Oh girls, I am in a little trouble. I have reached mental and physical exhaustion this week. Hard physical labor all day for 12 hr. days the last couple days. On top of that I have insomnia, and stress. I just have to give myself a break from my workouts until there is some rest under my belt. Yesterday I felt as if I were going to faint all day and I know it is just being bone achingly tired. I do not want to get sick. I am on top of the food but the exercise is what is going to have to give. Today will be grueling as well. My last commitment to work is about noon on Th., after that I am coming home and that is that until next Monday. I love my job, but sometimes it is too hard!

It looks as though the warmer weather is starting to come our way:cb: It's supposed to be in the 20's, which seems rather chilly, but compared to what we've been having it's a heatwave!

ledom, please take care of yourself. Your wellbeing is more important than your work. I hope that when this is all done you will take your own advice and do nothing until Monday. Let yourself heal from all the stress you're under.:drill: I saw a news story about Freeport ME, where the water in the bay is frozen and people can't get their boats in or out. The cold weather we've been having has surely raised havoc.

cheryl, that's great your sister is going to meetings. Going to the meetings keeps me OP. Wish your sister luck for me.

judi, how are you doing with Bob Greene's new book? Have you started the exercises yet?

Take care and have a great day!

Congrats to all you weight losing girls!!:cool: I haven't weighed this week yet.

Alice, I haven't started the exercises yet. I want to wait until the Bob Greene food book arrives. I am going to focus once again on trying to drink all the water.

Ledom, can you take a sick day?? That is terrible being SO tired. Please try to take it easy. Maybe you can just let everything go for a few days in the evenings and just sit up on the couch relaxing with a good book or a few good movies.

Alice, I think I missed the DH more (but just a bit)!

Everyone enjoy your day!!!

Thanks for your advice. I am taking it. I left early today and canceled the class I teach tomorrow. I think I might be getting the flu. I feel light headed and kinda urpie. But I am home now. Going to bed and working on feeling better in time for my retreat on Sat.

Alice, congrats on your 1.8 lbs. I am stalled. It is kind of frustrating, but this is the weight where I always hang up. I'll just stick it out this time, I know weight loss is just around the corner.

ledom, I'm glad that you've decided to take it easy. Rest up until you're feeling better, which I hope is soon.

judi, drinking water is really a tough thing for me. Sometimes it just makes me feel blah:p

Hi Cheryl, hope you're having a good day.

Take care.

Friday for us non working ones too but it isn't as big a deal...my DH this morning was happy because it was FRIDAY:cb:

How are you feeling Ledom? Better, I hope.

Haven't weighed this week yet...delaying. Food wise it has been good just no :( exercise.

I got my hair retouched on Monday. It looks good, I think. Every 2nd month I have them put new streaks in.

Alice, how are you and the Miz Lacee?

The DH refuses to let the cat out...too worried, but the cat isn't having much of a cat life inside the house.:?: Don't know what is best to do.

The weather here has been good, little bit of rain but not bad for this time of year.

How is BFL going Cheryl?

I think I am going to buy Prevention's new book on "Growing Younger", one tip is if you are still using black eyeliner they say pitch it...it is too harsh for over 40 skin, use hunter green, brown etc. They had a lot of little things about that in the leaflet that came as an advert. for it. Just those books are expensive, with tax this one will almost $50.00 Can. I have books piled up all over the house waiting to be read. No available book shelf space, they just get moved from place to place. The cleaning lady has given up with them, she just dusts around the piles.

Time to get ready to go to mass. It is the feast day of St. John Bosco today. Guess who has a liturgical calendar this year:s: ?

Everyone enjoy your weekend!

We had a bit of snow yesterday, not as much as they were predicting we were supposed to get. It has gotten a bit warmer, and tomorrow they're talking about rain.:rain:

What a tragedy on Sat. My heart goes out to all the family and friends of the astronauts onboard the shuttle. A very sad day.

judi, all the cats we had were indoor cats, and I only wish I could've had such a life. All they did was sleep and eat. One cat we did have loved to be outdoors in the summer. We would tie her outside when the weather wasgood. Maybe you could tie Estaban outside during the day so he could get some air and he wouldn't be able to run away. I bet your hair looks fabulous with the new streaks. I have mine done every 5 months. I tried going 6 months, but it looks soooo drab. Miz Lacee & I are doing fine. She's curled behind me in the chair so that I'm sitting on the very edge of the seat. It's not too bad unless she starts kicking wanting more room:rolleyes:

ledom, did you get enough rest these past few days? Hope you're feeling better.

Cheryl, hope that BFL is going good for you.

Take care and enjoy the rest of your day!

Hi gals!!

Alice, isn't it fun how dogs just TAKE over...Marley kicks in the night if he thinks I am taking using too much of my OWN bed. Nothing like a sharp kick in the ribs to get your attention in the middle of night. Poor old guy he is starting to SNORE, he never snored before. Parasha was a snorer the older she got.

Estaban sits on a chair by an open window (with a screen on it). In the summer we can take him out on my bedroom balcony, it is on the second story of the house so he won't be able to escape.

I am down one more pound this week...2 pounds in 2 weeks, if I keep it up I will break thru the dreadful 200 mark.

Yesterday downtown Vancouver I saw a cherry tree in full blossom. So you people with snow there is hope and spring is on the way:D

Ledom, did you get some rest on the weekend? I hope so.

I found some skinless, boneless, red salmon that is so nice. Man, that protein is really doing the trick. I never snack anymore. One sandwich with salmon and I am set for most of the day.

Still waiting for the Bob Greene books, probably be a few weeks yet.

Hey, what is like "down under"???

Ledom--I know exactly how you feel. EVERY time I diet, I get down to around 210-215 and just STOP. And not just for a week or two. When I was doing WW, I plateaued there for almost 3 months. I got disgusted and quit. I now kick myself mentally quite often, thinking, "What if I had just stuck with it for one more month, one more week....." Just hang in there, and things will break.

Alice and Judi--glad to hear things are going well. Judi, I'll bet your house feels full. I used to have a cat that wanted to go outside all the time when I didn't want her to (she BIT and the kids outside were mean to her). She drove me nuts.

Ahhhh, positive temperatures. Good deal.

I measured myself this morning (beg. wk. 4) and I have lost 6 1/2 inches from my total body. Not that I can tell at this moment, the way my jeans are killing my circulation :) Haven't weighed, don't want to--I will, however, at my TOPS meeting this afternoon. Hope I don't get too put off by what the scales may say.

C

I wish I could find a diet plan that works and I have no luck so far and I'm starting to get discouraged. I weigh 175lbs and I should be weighing between 133lbs-155lbs for height. So if anyone has a good diet plan that is easy to follow please e-mail me at chellestevens@hotmail.com

It is raining out now. We had sleet earlier, just when I was about to go to WW it started. DH truck was covered in ice within minutes, so did not go to WW this morning. DH had to drive me to the dentist so that I could get my crown. That was a lot of fun...NOT! But, it's all over and done with.

txbluebonnet, welcome to our little corner of the board :balloons: Two of us here are doing Body for Life, and two of us are doing Weight Watchers. Weight Watchers is easy to follow. You can eat anything you want as long as you stay within your point range. You do have to weigh and measure everything you put in your mouth and journal. If you can swing it, and want to, you can go to meetings and get all the materials you need to start. If you can do it by yourself and know someone who attends WW meetings, you could ask them to get the materials for you. If you decide you would like to do a low carb plan, there are a lot of good books out there explaining their particular plan. Whatever you decide to do, it should be something that you can follow for life. I am 5'2", and when I started WW I was your weight. I have since, lost 13 lb. and I would like to be between 135-140 lb. I hope this helps you some.

Cheryl, congratulations on the inches lost!!!:bravo: :strong: How did your weigh in go? I'm am at the weight now where it's a struggle to lose. It seems as though my body wants me to stay at this weight. It never fails, the first 12 lbs. or so somes off very steadily, but it's an effort to get to the next set of numbers. :censored: Another thing I've noticed is that I get hungry more often than I did before. I wonder why that is?

ledom & judi, how are things going with you today?

Take care and enjoy the rest of your day.

Alice, your weather just won't give you a break! Glad your denistry ordeal is over with.

Tex - no easy way. It is all hard! Sorry not to be more optimistic but if there was an easy way this board wouldn't be so active! I am doing Body for Life and I like it, but it ain't easy. Healthy food and exercise is what it all boils down to.

I have taken a week off my diet and I'm starting back today. I ended up w/ a nasty stomach bug. I didn't eat much of anything for about 3 days. I have been hesitant to eat anything that I have to eat on the diet because just the thought or sight of food made me sick. But now it has been long enough and it is too scary not to be on the diet. I am feeling weak as well so getting back into the groove of exercise is proving to be a challenge. But I feel better just knowing I am back on track.

My spa day was lovely though subdued due to my queasiness.

Ledom, glad that you are back and feeling better!!
What did your spa day consist of? Sounds like fun!

I just finished my upper body workout. It feels so good to be back in the groove. To tell you the truth I was afraid I'd give up and not get back on bfl. There certainly was the feeling that it was too hard and it felt so much better to stay in bed. But I'm back, I ate clean yesterday for the first time in a week. I think now that I am started I'll be fine.

cheryl, spa day is just a day of total relaxation and even debauchery. My gf's and I do this once or twice a year. We rent a great cabin, on the lake or in the mountains, burn scented candles, drink martinis, eat chocolate, usually hike but I was too sick this year. It is just a getaway from phones, tvs, work, family. Just hanging out w/ the girls.

ledom, so sorry to hear that you were sick, especially for your spa day. I'm glad that you're feeling much better. I know it can be difficult getting back OP after being off it even for a few days. So, that's wonderful news about you getting back to BFL again. Also your stomach will thank you for eating clean again. We really are having a terrible winter this year. We've been spoiled these past couple of years with hardly any snow and relatively mild temps.

judi, how are you doing today? Have Marley & Estaban gotten used to being around each other yet?

cheryl, how are things with you? Hope you're having a good day.

Take care and enjoy your day.

Ledom--how are you doing? Get any snow? When I looked outside this morning, I just about died!! I'll bet we have at LEAST three inches of the white stuff. I'm predicting lots of snowmen will be built today!

Alice--I will be visiting your part of the country this year--I scheduled my vacation yesterday. During the last week of July, my niece and I will be taking the Amtrak from Arkansas to Chicago to DC to Providence, RI, where we will spend four days. I love to travel by train! No driving stress, but you still get to see the countryside. I am so looking forward to this trip! I thought it was pretty cheap, too, $272 round trip for both of us. Of course, I'll have to rent a room and a car when we get to Rhode Island. Actually, and this is a stupid question, but I'm ignorant in the ways of travel, is there mass transit in Providence? Have you ever been there? Any vacation tips would be greatly appreciated!! I'd like to cover several states while I'm in the New England area.

Judi--Haven't heard too much from you lately. How is everything? Is your daughter doing well in her Catholic classes? Do you ever still go with her? I love mother/daughter days... I've heard so many people say that they wish they'd appreciated the time spent with their mothers more--I'm trying hard to make sure that won't be one of my wishes in the future.

Well, I guess I've rambled enough for now. No news in the area of weight. I haven't been sticking to the program like I should, and I know I can do better. Wish me luck!

Cheryl

Cheryl, that's fantastic news that you'll be traveling to New England. The weather is usually great in July, it tends to be hot and humid, but we've also had some that were cool and damp. A lot of people think that it's more humid in NE in the summer than in Florida.:dizzy: I honestly don't know anything about RI, so I don't know if Providence has mass transit. Being a city, I would assume they would. Maybe if you searched on the internet you may be able to find out. Will you be going to Newport? I was there once, and that was the one and only time I've ever been to RI. The mansions are awesome. We didn't tour any, but I hear the tours are fabulous. Where else will you be traveling in New England? Boston is a great city to see, as there are a lot of historical sites to visit. Also, Salem, MA, where all the witch trials took place has a lot old buildings to go through, plus there is a Witch's Museum, and a graveyard where all the witches are buried. Salem is just outside of Boston. Cape Cod is nice too, but the traffic in July is just awful. If you come to NH, let me know and possibly we could meet somewhere. CT is nice too, especially along the seacoast. Mystic, CT has an old seafaring village with all the old buildings and ships of that era. There is a lot to see in our corner of the USA. If I can think of anything else, I'll let you know. Sorry about rambling on.

ledom & judi, how are you both doing today?

Take care and enjoy your day.

Your trip sounds like fun Cheryl. Yes, I woke up to snow too, but I am sure not as much as you. It is all but gone now. It did make for treacherous driving this morning but it was so pretty.

The scale is finally start to shift a bit in my favor. Not nearly enough, but I am not stuck in the same place I have been for the last month. This is good, I hope to continue the downward trend.

D and I are planning to see a movie this weekend. She wants to see Chicago and I have been thinking The Hours, don't think we can lose either way though. Maybe a little shopping too!

Well, ledom & Cheryl, you aren't the only ones getting snow. We're getting it today. We aren't supposed to get very much. They are getting more snow the father south you go:dance: How much snow did you get?
I was supposed to meet my GF for lunch and some shopping, but had to cancel as I don't like driving in this stuff. It's a very fine snow that makes things rather slippery.

ledom, glad the scale is going in the right direction for you.:cp: My scale seems to be stuck in neutral. I seem to be at the weight where it's a struggle to lose every ounce. This time though, I'm not in any hurry because all my clothes fit me again. Unfortunately, I am losing enthusiasm at this point, I am tired of weighing, measuring, and keeping track of points. Maybe being away from it all while I'm on vacation will help get back the enthusiasm I once had.

judi, haven't heard from you in awhile. Hope everything is going well for you.

Hi Cheryl.
Have a great weekend ladies.

:dance:

Sorry I haven't been posting lately. DH had some time off and I was doing this and that.

The train trip sounds wonderful. A couple of years ago we took the train from San Fran (Emeryville) cross country to Chicago (then New York) and back again. It wasn't crowded so we took two compartments (just paid for one). It was great, we spent our time reading but the food was BAD for dieting, so bring your own stash.

We have been to Bristol, R.I. a few times. They have great B&B's there. My DH used to have contract work there so it always so cool to go to that part of the country.

Catholic classes, my D didn't go last week but my DH did. It was great. I love it when he comes along on things like that. He might be semi-retiring so we are excited about that. He will be 55 in March.

How are you feeling Ledom, did you get rested up?

Alice, you are probably on a weight loss plateau. Don't worry, the scale will move:D

I got the Bob Green books I just don't have a day to devote too reading them. I like the look of the journal.

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. Our's was uneventful, but DH & I went out for Sun. dinner at a new Outback Steakhouse that just opened up not very far from where we live. It was delicious.

We just got back from the Vet. Lacee had to get a health cert. before we go. She had to endure the indignity of having her temp. taken. We were in the waiting room when a man came in with a very young yellow lab that was still puppy-ish , but twice the size of her nibs. Lacee was about to chew the dog and spit it out. She does not play well with others:lol: :devil: She made out fine.

judi, that's wonderful you DH went to a class. How is your D doing in the classes?

Hi ledom & Cheryl :wave: I hope you are both doing well.

Take care and have a great day.

Hey Chicks!

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile! Hope everyone is doing well. Oh, how I LUV those visits to the vet! The time-before-last I took the family basset, my dad went with us. He didn't give the dog "outside time" before we went in and when our vet picked him up to put him on the exam table, he squirted EVERYwhere!!! Never knew his range was that great! He got the other vet (who was observing) and I believe an assistant actually had to go home and change clothes. Ahhh, those job perks.

You all have a good day!!

Cheryl

Hey guys, my computer has been down. I am at work now so I just have a second to post. All is well here. Alice? When is your trip, I think I missed the details on this one. Are you going to Florida again? I am finally feeling good again. I am considering giving up free day in order to get the scale moving, at least to a degree. I hate when I'm stuck! I have lost inches this challenge, but not much weight.

We're in the deep freeze again. It's supposed to get colder towards the end of the week.

Sun. when DH & I were out and about, the engine light went on in my car. We thought it was low on oil, so DH put 1 qt. of oil in, but the light stayed on. Monday we called the dealership repair shop and we had an appt. to have them look at it today. It has something to do with emissions...not the engine. We have to bring the car back next week before we leave...thank goodness we weren't planning on taking it to FL. They will be shipping my car to Michigan because Audi is starting to see some problems with the emissions in other vehicles and want to take a look at the car. In the meantime I can still drive it as usual. It will be back in NH by the time we get back. My car is only 2 yrs. old and still under warranty. :stress:

ledom, glad that your feeling well again. That's great you've lost a lot of inches. I'm sure the reason you haven't lost much weight is you are developing muscles in place of fat. So, don't be too discouraged. Yes, DH, Lacee & I are heading for FL in 10 days. We had been counting the weeks and now we're counting days:cb: With all the cold weather we've been having we can't wait to get out of here! We do have access to a computer so I can check in from time to time to see how you all are doing.

Cheryl, a GF of mine had a Basset Hound a few years ago. He was sooo funny. She had to have him put to sleep because he lost the use of his back legs and he went steadily downhill. She still misses him terribly. I would've loved to have seen your Basset whizzing all over the assistant.

Hi judi, how are you doing today?

Enjoy the rest of the day.

I am back! My computer hasn't been working for almost a week. It has been really hard to check at work because I have been busy there.

Hey alice, I hear you. I am tired of dieting too! I missed my first workout in months (with the exception of being sick) this morning. I am cutting myself some slack for this one day only. I can't let up, but I am tired and I know it is just something I am going to have to get over because I am NOT GOING BACK!!!

Anyway, wish that new diet enthusiasm could last forever.

Nice to get back to posting. Things have been chaotic. DH might take an early retirement so we have been working on that. I hope it comes to pass.

Miz Lacee has my sympathy. Mr. Marley had his temp taken once and he is such a lewd crude dog, I was watching his face and he didn't move an eyelash or change his expression. While all our female dogs where "WHAT THE H#@&!!!???"

I am about to dash. I am going for a full leg wax and pedicure, yesterday I had a manicure. I heard the geese coming back today so it is time come out of hibernation.

Didn't lose any weight this week:( BUT didn't exercise either. I read the Bob Greene Food book and like the diary.

Classes with the DH have been nice, the D has dropped by the wayside:(, I hope it is temporary and we have met some very nice people.

Hey, Alice I must have missed something in the posts, are you going on a trip???

That was a cute anecdote about the Basset! Ahh, dog's you gotta love them, don't you!

Are you still very busy at work Ledom? I haven't forgotten our goal for this year but am moving at a slow snail's pace toward it.

judi, that is so neat that you and DH are enjoying doing things together. I hope his retirement plans go just as you both wish. It sounds as if you have a lovely relationship. Happy valentines day to all you girls and your sweeties.

I have had a bit of a lull at work. Next week will be really busy again. Time to take down the show that is up now and for the student competitive exhibition. I love that show, but it is one with many logistic problems to work out and will keep me hopping.

judi, I haven't forgotten our goal for this year either. I, too, seem to be creeping ever so slowly to that goal. I haven't been quite right since being sick. I guess it just took a lot out of me. Yesterday I just blew off the diet and that is the first time I have ever done that since starting BFL. I am determined not to let one day turn into two however. I guess I'll fess up here. I didn't get out of bed and do my workout yesterday morning which I have never done since starting. I stayed on the diet all day and then somehow the "old ledom" got hold of me. I went and bought a pizza and rented a movie. I ended up giving myself the worst stomach ache of my life. I mean, moaning, puking miserable. Not a pretty sight or pleasant either. My stomach just isn't used to that abuse. I ended up sleeping about 3 hrs. and just being miserable today from not getting enough rest. I really couldn't eat anything until noon today, but since lunch I have been back on program. I didn't do cardio today, but will resume working out tomorrow. I will try for a very light free day this week to try and make amends.

It'll be OK. You know what your limits are as far as the "free" food. You've worked so hard to get where you are, we know you can get back on track!! When the sunshine comes back and the days aren't so dark and grey, things will be better. Don't beat yourself up too bad over this one mess-up. Remember what the best thing about BfL is--You are never more than 2 hours away from being back on track.

Hi Alice and Judi!!

The three of you have a good week-end and Valentine's Day!

Cheryl

Yesterday my GF & I met for lunch and a movie. We saw How to Lose a Man in 10 Days. Both of us thought it a funny movie and throughly enjoyed it. It's one I would highly recommend.

ledom, sorry you were so sick from overeating. Maybe your stomach hasn't totally recovered from when you were sick. You will get back on track. You have come so far that I know you will do it. But, I know where you are coming from, because I've lost momentum in the diet dept. myself. I'm still doing my workouts though. Hopefully I will get back on the diet track myself.

judi, that's great you and your DH are talking about early retirement. I hope it comes to pass for you too. Would you be taking more trips in the RV? Friends of our's are broaching the subject also, he'll be 55 in July. DH & I have talked about it, but we've more or less discussed about what we will do, as opposed to when.

Hi Cheryl hope you're having a good day.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Good morning girls!!

Ledom, the same thing happened to me after pizza about a month ago. I hadn't had any pizza for a long time and then I ate 1/2 of medium pizza with 2 glasses as wine. I felt SOOOO sick after it. It is all the fat in the cheese, when you stop eating pizza etc then it really rough to eat all that fat. Believe me, it totally took away my cravings for pizza now pizza doesn't even tempt me. It was a big major temptation before but no more.

Thanks for the good wishes on our retirement, though from DH talking he might keep the US work. We'll see, it would be good for trips. Alice, he seems to want to do more travelling than me, I would like us to be at home for awhile.

You are going to FL. Alice, that is so wonderful...Lacee will like the weather change I bet.

Dh and I are both signed up for a class (in a Theo. dip. that Archdiocese offers) in Ecclesiology in April. It will be held at a retreat house. It IS fun to be doing things together.

I had a good Valentine's day. I was having my legs waxed and a pedicure and my fabulous hairdresser saw me and said "I want to give you a gift" and she streaked my hair for FREE. Isn't that amazing? She is so generous. My other friend came over with an apple, cheese and jalpeno pie that she had made for me. People are SO nice aren't they!! The DH and I went out the night before to a nice restaurant (knowing Feb. 14 was going to be busy) and then last night I made a salmon alfredo and fresh pasta. I had a good two days:queen:

The girl who was doing my leg waxing says "You lost weight", I said only 15 pounds but it was nice that she noticed. Especially as I have a lot to lose and I thought only the pantometer knew I had lost anything at all.

Are you still doing BFL Cheryl?

The days seem so much brighter here:smug: I am so glad. My daffodils are up about 3 inches. YAHOOO, come ON... SPRING!!!!!:flow1: :flow1: :flow1:

It's Sun. afternoon and the pots on my stove are bubbling. I am making chicken soup and a one pot meal w/ hamburger, eggplant, potates, tomotoes, etc. In a minute I will have a salad for lunch but thought I'd take a break from all that choppin' first.

I am fighting the diet demons still, but I think I may be starting to get the upper hand. I must, I must!

I saw daffodils in bud this a.m. judi. When I read your post, I couldn't believe you guys were ahead of us, but I guess I just wasn't looking close enough.

I am REALLY enjoying the longer days! Even when they are cold and cloudy, having extra daylight makes it seem more like Spring.

Alice, are you in the path of this latest winter storm? Looks on the weather map as if it might be a bit south of you. I hope so!

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend.

It's me again!

Just wanted to report I have finished my workout for monday already. This is a good thing as I was barely able to pry myself out of bed last week, little alone work out. I need to start taking vitamins probably. I find that so hard to keep up with.

Nothing new or interesting in my life. How about you guys?

ledom, I too am still fighting the diet demons. I'm glad to see that you are winning the fight. We heard this morning on the weather that we're supposed to get some of that storm later on this afternoon and into tomorrow morning. So far they are saying we won't get as much snow as DC area, and I am very happy about that! I guess the farther south you go, the more snow will fall. Did you get anything out of that storm? OOOH, you are so fortunate to be seeing daffodils. I think our flowers are frozen to death:lol:

judi, yes, we're heading for FL at the end of the week. Can't wait to get out of here. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Miz Lacee is going to be very happy to be in warmer weather, I'm sure. She knows something is afoot because of the suitcases. I keep assuring her that she is going. Isn't it great when people notice your weight loss? It really gives you an uplifting feeling.

Cheryl, hope things are going well for you.

Take care ladies, and have a great day.

Alice, when Parasha was alive and we were returning HOME from a trip, she would always sit in the suitcase that was open on the floor. that is the only time she did that...she wanted to make sure we were taking her home!! Pretty smart, eh? I still miss that little dog. They do know something is afoot alright when they see the suitcases come out. Have a wonderful trip to Fl., I know you will!!

Re:DIET DEMONS:mad: Me too, I started point counting again and journalling today too. I want to move it along a bit quicker, bit it has been hard to stay motivated. Good for you Ledom for doing your workout.

Hi Cheryl! How is it going?

Nothing much new here. Just very thankful about our good weather.

It has stopped snowing. We only got 5" out of this storm. Boston got the jackpot...heh..heh..heh.

judi, Parasha must've looked so cute sitting in the suitcase to make sure she came home with you. I find that each animal has their own little quirks. You have to love them though. How are you doing with your diet demons?:devil: I'm trying to get a handle on them. One thing I have noticed lately is that I'm hungry more often than I used to be, even though I'm still eating in the same point range. HMMMM. What I'm trying to do is incorporate what I was doing before WW and still count points. When I was eating more protein & fat, I was hardly ever hungry. I'll just shake things up again.

ledom, how is the BFL coming along?

Hi Cheryl :wave: haven't heard from you lately. Hope you're doing well.

Take care and have a great day.

Alice, you might not be getting enough oil in your diet. BFLers take 1 T a day of UDO's an essential oil. A lot of times when people are having trouble with getting hungry that is the answer. Hey, soak up some of those Florida rays for me. You guys have a great and a safe trip.

I seem back on track. Today is problematic, a business lunch and supper out too but I'll do my best. Workouts are back and that was what I was struggling w/ last week. D plays at a recital this afternoon on the Boisendorfer, I'm nervous for her!

Alice, you might need more protein too, try canned salmon, that keeps me going and going. I notice if I have a lot of veg or carbs I am starving in no time and then I am picking at nuts, cheese etc.

More snow, you poor guys!! Well, you will really appreciate those Florida rays, soak some up for me too. It is grey here but I am not complaining, two blue periwinkles are blooming by my drive way entrance.

The DH is home today. Kinda nice. We are going to mass, out to dinner and the RCIA class. I am looking forward to the evening.

Best wishes for your D. Ledom, she will do great. Let us know how the lunch and dinner went. Are you still eating BFL?

Good morning, When are you leaving Alice? Sure would like to get some sun on my pasty white skin. From the looks of me it has been a long winter. You and DH enjoy it!

judi, yes I am still on BFL. Though I have been struggling I really like the results I am getting. The scale isn't moving much, but the pantsometer is doing ok and I believe that it will eventually get me where I want to be. Just finished my a.m. workout and so far this week is going much better. My meals out yesterday turned out to be just fine. Both included a really good chicken breast. I just had to take the first one out of a foccacia bun (that hurt) and the second one I scraped the melted cheese off the top.

D played perfectly IMO. I was so proud of her. I have to say, my palms were sweating during the performances leading up to hers. There are an awful lot of talented young people out in the world. They are working hard too. My place of employment is ultimately a "feel good" place.

Have a great day everyone.

We are seeing the sun and the temp is getting warmer. After the frigid temps of the past two weeks, it almost feels like summer.:cool:

Got my hair trimmed this morning, and later on I'm off to meet my GF for a farewell lunch. I won't be seeing her until we get back.

ledom, how wonderful for your D to play so well:cp: (applause). You must be so proud of her. We are hoping to leave Sat., but I've been informed that those plans may be up in the air right now. DH has to deliver some parts before we leave, and he was hoping to deliver them tomorrow. Someone else is doing them, and because of the snowstorm he might not get them done in time, so our departure might be postponed until Tues. of next week.:( Glad that your meals weren't a problem for you. It really makes you feel good when you eat OP.

judi, how was your evening out with your DH? Did you enjoy the class? I will soak up some rays for you too.;)

Thank you both, ledom & judi for your suggestions on how to stay full longer. One thing I have found is if I have a little more milk in my cereal in the mornings, 1 1/2 cups instead of 1 cup, I am satisfied until lunchtime. I am starting to eat more protein and fat than what WW would like you to, but that works for me. Last night I fried porkchops in some peanut oil :T That's probably a no-no, but they were good. My diet demond is that I just cannot count another point! I am hoping that being away from it while on vacation I can resume counting points again.

Take care and enjoy the day.

Hi girls!

Yes, big applause for your D. You must be so proud of her Ledom!! :bravo:

Yes, last night was very nice. Thanks for asking Alice. My D. brought her boyfriend to the class. He is thinking of becoming Catholic. Could have knocked me down with a feather...:cool: DH and I even went to a new Sushi restaurant. I had veg. tempura and though it was good the fat that it was deep fried in made me feel terrible all night. I am just not used to fat anymore and I guess that is a good thing.

Why did you have to scrape off the cheese Ledom? Are you not allowed to have cheese on BFL?

You must be so looking forward to getting into some sun Alice. That will be so nice for for you and Miz Lacee.

Estaban went today and had shots and his "needful" operation. I bought him quite a fancy toy but I bet he thinks he made a poor trade. I let the DH be the bad guy and take him to the vet. We also had him tatooed. He was starting to be really unhappy because he wanted to go outside, there was some cat calling and calling to him.

Time to go make something for supper...I don't know what. It will have to low points because I had a McVeggie Burger with cheese at lunch and poutine (Yeah, I know...artery clogging poutine:^: )

It has warmed up a bit and things are starting to melt. The sun beating in the windows feels so wonderful. Lacee keeps following the sun in the livingroom.

The machine parts I mentioned yesterday are done. DH will pick them up later this afternoon and deliver them tomorrow. So we'll be leaving as scheduled. :cb:

judi, what is poutin? I've never heard of it. That's really nice that your D's BF wants to become a Catholic also. Poor Estaban. Is he recovering from his operation? Was Marley happy that Estaban had to go to the Vet and he didn't? When Shamrock was young, we had to take our cats to the Vets, and she went along for the ride. One of the girls in the office really loved Shamrock and asked about her. When we told her that she was in the car, she asked if we would bring her in. Usually when going to the Vet she pulled on her leash going in the opposite direction of the door...but this time she walked in as though she owned the place!:lol: She knew that we weren't there for her.

ledom, how is BFL coming along? I know it will get easier to keep on track. You just have to get over this hump.

Take care and have a great day.

Alice, I'm glad to hear that your plans are on! You must be getting so excited.

judi, you're religious and family relations seem to be going great! Glad you are getting to spend time w/ DH and D.

Hey, I got my groove back on the diet I think. Exercise and food have been consistent this week and I can tell the dif too. I am find it very odd that I am losing inches in my hips and thighs. I am a classic pear and I guess it is age related that my middle is shrinking slower. But I am not complaining about the legs 'cause I have always hated my legs. I think my butt is looking especially firm. The squats and lunges I am doing must be doing the trick. Anyway, body composition changing even when the scale isn't. BUT, I am seeing a LITTLE progress there as well. With 4 1/2 weeks left in challenge 2 I am thinking that I may end up with some good results after all.

Cheryl, how are you doing? Check in and let us know.

Take care.

Ahaa...poutine is Canadian...well, French Canadian from Quebec. Apparently the story I heard is a fellow had lots of cheese curds left over from his dairy concern and sold it to a french fries shop to put on top of fries with gravy. Now you can have poutine from coast to coast in Canada. McDonald's recently started selling it and New York Fries has been selling it for quite awhile. Its good but fattening, of course.

Ledom you are a pear and I am the classic apple and Alice probably is the hour glass.

Glad you are going on time for your holiday Alice.

Ledom, not that religious...I only started going to church again last July after years of not going.

The week has just flown by. I have new contacts and new glasses so I have been reading like mad.

I have some periwinkles blooming in my yard, blue ones. Daffodils are up in some spots in Vancouver, not yet on the island. I will have lots of them because I see them shooting up all over. One thing that really naturalizes well here. Plant ten and get at least twenty and on and on every year after. My tulips don't last as well though.

Estaban looks a bit better today. Even Marley felt sorry for him, he put his good squeaking ball beside him today and walked away. Highly unselfish of Marley...maybe HE had a religious experience!!

That was very funny about Shamrock!! How do they know those things. Telepathic (sp.) I think.

Did you watch the Michael Jackson special tonight? I did think that English reporter was a real slime the first special.

It is almost 1:00 am, DH and the pets have all gone to bed. I am sitting up eating pistachios:^: and having a glass of wine. I wish you girls were here having a glass of wine with me.

Night! Night!

We had a beautiful day yesterday..in the 40's and it was above zero this time!:lol: We did have some snow melt.

judi, of course, isn't everything that is good fattening? Thanks for telling me what poutin is. I am a mix of hour glass and apple..I guess. I have a big stomach, but I also have a waist, and my legs and arms are like an apple shape..on the thin side. What have you been reading, anything good? OOOH, flowers blooming! How I envy you. I have another 2 or 3 months before anything appears, (hopefully our snow will have melted by then):crossed: Marley was probably trying to comfort Estaban. How sweet! It's amazing how pets know. I wish I was with you having a glass of wine.

ledom, that's wonderful you are back on track and seeing such a difference in your body composition. :bravo: With your body being toned...it doesn't matter how much you weigh. You are doing so well. Congratulations. (pat..pat..pat..).

We are leaving tomorrow morning. I will be able to check in a few times while I'm away. My IL's have a laptop, and I can see how you guys are doing.

Take care and have a great weekend.

Hey ladies Sorry for the long absence--Monday was a holiday, had meetings Tue. and Wed., and Thurs. worked in a county w/no computer access of my own.
Needless to say, with all the hectic activity going on this week, I have not stuck to any kind of eating/exercise program AT ALL. Interesting sidebar, though, is that I've lost 3 lbs. Probably lost the muscle I've built so far on BfL. Sigh.
This time of year is the hardest for me where dieting is concerned, because I'll be so BUSY from here until around mid-May, early June. I am seriously thinking of going on hiatus from the BfL program and counting WW points for awhile, leaning more on protein for my points than carbs.
It's supposed to rain the WHOLE weekend here this weekend :( Hurry up Spring!!!!

Hope everyone is doing well. I miss reading your posts and "talking" to you all.

Take care,
Cheryl

Hey guys,

Cheryl - keep plugging away no matter what your plan is. When I was in grad school I gained SO much weight because I was busy and stressed. How I wish I could do that over with a different mindset. Taking care of our health should always be our #1 priority.

Alice, hope that sunny skies are shining on you as you make your way south.

judi, wouldn't it be fun to get our little group together? I vote for meeting on your island, it sounds so exotic!

Well, I am just keeping on keeping on. A show opens on Tues. so I'm in that mad rush to get everything hung and arranged. Will be letting out a big sigh of relief as I reach mid-week and it is behind me.

D will be 19 this Fri. so that will involve a big celebration. She recently modeled for one of my favorite artist who was working on a series of paintings for a client. Once we saw the paintings we couldn't stand not owning one so we commisioned a portrait for D's b'day. It gets to stay in MY house until she has a home of her own. It is so cool!

We have arrived and it is 81 deg. Finally!!! My kind of winter weather :lol:

ledom, a Happy Birthday to your D:hb: What a wonderful thing to do ti have a portrait of your D. OOH, to be 19 again! Good luck with your show. I'm sure it will be a success.

judi, I'm with ledom, we all should meet on your island and see all your wonderful scenery and your exotic flowers.

Chery', it was good to hear from you. Just keep plugging along and everything will work out for you. I am also spending more of my points on protein.

Take care and I'll be checking in again. Have a great afternoon and evening.

:cool: Alice, it must be wonderful!!! Enjoy it for all of us! How is Miz Lacee liking travelling??

Yes, I would love it if you girls came to visit. There would be a lot of wine drinking!

Yes, Happy Birthday to your D Ledom! She sounds like a wonderful girl and she has a wonderful mom. The portrait is SUCH a good idea. How is the show going?

Everything here is good, even the weather. THis has been the best winter in my memory with no snow and the least amount of rain.

Cheryl, Ledom and Alice ENJOY the day:goodvibes

Cheryl - are you snowed in?

We finally got our yearly winter storm. This is the second day schools have been closed. I have been using my time to....well to be lazy if I have to be honest. I am cleaning the floors, albeit very slowly and in my own time.

judi, that is so surprising that you haven't had snow this year.

Well not much to report. We may have another snow day tomorrow, but by the weekend it should be in the 50's.

I used to have this fantasy of meeting a cowboy and living happily with him in our wonderful ranch house in Wyoming or Montana. I think all the Harlequin romances did something to my brain :D After the winter we've had this year, I definitely know that I don't want to live somewhere where there are long, cold winters!! Snow is pretty (the first two days), ice is just plain scary. I came in to work an hour late today and Tuesday, and didn't come in at all yesterday. The roads are so SLICK!!

So much for the weather. I've been counting my WW points since Monday. I'm doing pretty well, I think. I'm still lurking at the BfL forum, although I'm ashamed to post there :o . I really do think that is a great program, I'm just not ready to "cross the abyss" at this point in my life. Sigh.

I hope that everyone is doing well. Alice, I hope that you're enjoying your vacation. The thought of 80 degree weather makes me drool :) Ledom, hope things are well in central AR. Judy, great about the boyfriend going to classes w/your daughter!

Later,
Cheryl

Hi! Well, I have been eating about 10 points over...not junk just more food. I have been drinking 8 -10 glasses of water a day for this last while. I do feel a lot better, I think I was going around dehydrated most of the time.

Ledom, are you still OFF of coke???

Cheryl, why are you so busy at this time of year?

Yes, it is strange that we have had no snow. They predicted some a couple of days ago but we didn't get any. Suits me fine!

I joined a spa downtown Vancouver. You get discounts on services. I had a manicure and it only cost $16.00. I might go for some of the "stress reliever" massages. I really don't have stress but a mini massage might be nice.

Are you lounging about in the sun Alice, drinking drinks with small umbrellas in them:smug: LUCKY LADY!!!:smug:

Gosh why doesn't that &*%$# Saddam go into EXILE and save us all a lot of hassle!!!! Apparently there are many prayer groups praying for that very thing.

I got to go ... the kitty keeps walking on my computer because he wants to sit on my desk and look out the window.

Have a good end of the week, everyone!

The weather is still holding in the 80's and I will take it as long as I can get it.;)

We celebrated our 31st wedding anniv. yesterday. We went to an Italian rest. that is our favorite..had appetizers through dessert. My eating hasn't been that good, but I am trying. We have started walking. There is a good sized loop we walk and it takes us 45 min. to complete. My pant-o-meter is doing fine.

judi, how is it going eating extra points? They figure 1 point = 50 cal. I'm thinking of eating extra points to make 1200-1500 cal. and see how it goes. I agree with you 100% about Saddam. What he has done to his own people is just horrid.

Cheryl, that's great counting your points is going well. Are you snowed in? I saw on the weather that you guys got some snow.

ledom, are you still cleaning up after the snow storm? Hope the weekend is warmer for you.

Take care, enjoy the rest of the week and have a great weekend.

Happy Anniversary Alice. Thirty-one years! Wow! Glad you got to visit one of your favorite restaurants.

judi, I AM still off diet coke. Every once in a while I think of having one, but no, I don't want to. I have already had enough for two lifetimes.

Ah, but I am struggling in other areas. I am keeping to the diet (though I admit not so strictly as in challenge 1), exercise has been even harder. I am not sure what to do with myself to regain motivation. I have about 3 weeks left in this challenge. After D's birthday, which is today, I plan to finish up strong, take a week off and get with it again. I know it is a matter of my mind being strong. I don't want to get into the habit of breaking my self promises. I am not going to dwell on my mistakes too much. I don't think that helps.

Well, the cowboy sounds nice Cheryl. But I know what you mean. We are finally going back to work today after 3 snow days. Alice, you'd laugh at us here but it has been treacherous w/ lots of ice more than snow which at least gives you a little traction.

Take care all.

Hey Ladies!

Alice, glad to hear that you are enjoying the weather. I'm so jealous! Actually, it felt nice outside here to me today--a balmy 36 degrees :) Congrats on the 31 years. You could have a scoop of ice cream from BR for every year of marriage.... Yum.

Ledom, it never helps us to dwell on our mistakes. Learn from them and move on. Dwelling depresses and makes what we're trying to do harder in the long run. JMO.

Judi (sorry about the "y"--don't know where that's been coming from!!), I am busy this time of year because I work in the Farm Loan Dept. of the USDA Farm Service Agency. From here until around mid-May, early June is when all of our farmers come in to get their operating money for the crop year. I am responsible for three different counties--taking the apps., entering them in the computer and getting them ready for the loan officer, or loan manager to approve. We are especially hectic THIS year, because Congress just passed the budget last week. We've been working under continuing resolutions since Oct. 1 of last year.

No news on the weight issue.

I agree about Sadam. I am ready for all of this mess to be over. I have the feeling things aren't going to end well for anyone involved. Ugh.

Hey Girls, Did you have a good weekend? I was very industrious, I cleaned and rearranged furniture in my bedroom. You might even say I started my Spring cleaning. Kind of gives me a new lease to have my space renewed. I am off to a good start with my diet week. Good healthy food cooked and in the fridge and I got my workouts in yesterday and today. I seem to remember from the last couple of years that when spring rolls around I have a hard time getting out of bed early enough to exercise. I wonder why that is? I am really going to try to break that habit this year.

Ya'll take care.

Good morning ladies!

Alice, way to go on your wedding anniversary!:cp: :bravo: You two sound like you have such a lovely relationship. When are coming home?

My eating extra points is keeping me from being hungry but the scale hasn't moved for about 3 weeks.:( Well, Lent starts on this Wed. so I am not going to drink wine until after Easter and I am gong to go back to eating within in my pt. range and try to stay at the low end. I think I have to get more protein...maybe cottage cheese, I can't look at another can of salmon for awhile. I feel I have eaten a whole school of salmon myself since I added salmon to my diet. BLECHHH!

The Bay (a Canadian dept. store) downtown has all kinds of rack designer stuff. It is so WONDERFUL! It is expensive though...a blouse can be almost $300 bucks...but they do have good sales...I bought some Ralph Lauren pants for $58.00. It is just these last few years that you can get really nice clothes for big women. The XX size clothing is in a section of the store called "Above Average"...good marketing, eh? It does take the sting out of being bigger.

We went for crepes (our D and her boyfriend took us) yesterday, it was fun.

Marley is getting his hair done at the doggie dresser so I am on my own today. I will go for a walk. It is only 7:35a, here and the sky is already a bright blue.

Cheryl, your job does sound like it would keep you busy all right!!

Ledom, did you see that article (I think it was on msn) on pop was the reason we in the west are gaining so much weight. People drink it instead of water and not the diet kind either.

I have been doing good on my water consumption. I bought a nice bottle from Starbucks, to motivate myself.

The weather is still fabulous. Yesterday the humidity broke and it was a delightful day. Gosh, I never dreamed I'd be talking about humidity in March!:lol: Miz Lacee gets awfully hot because she still has her winter coat, and is shedding like crazy. She is very happy here.

I have been doing a lot of clothes shopping while down here. I am short, and the stores have great petite sections. I've bought a lot of shorts. All the shorts have elastic waists, and I was able to get all size M instead of L. I bought 3 blouses too, and I went from an XL to a L.

judi, Do you eat eggs or egg substitute? If so, put some egg in your next salad along with other types of protein that you eat. Add some nuts to your salad and try some full fat salad dressing, that might help keep you full. Another thing that helps me in the morning, is having about 1/2 cup more milk on my cereal, for some reason that extra milk really stays with me. I bet Marley looks very handsome with his new "do" Yes, DH & I have a great relationship. I really helps being married to your "best friend". We plan on arriving home on March 18th or thereabouts. We plan on making another stop on the way home for a couple of days. You really got a great bargain on your pants. I bet they look great too.

ledom, it sounds like you were very busy over the weekend. It makes you feel good when you get so much accomplished. Good for you for getting your workout done and getting back on the dieting bandwagon.:strong:

Hi Cheryl, how is WW going for you? Hope everything is going well for you.

Take care.

Hey ladies!!

Hope that all is well with y'all! At my TOPS weigh-in last night I was down another 1 3/4 pound. Yea!!

The weather here is finally nice. No rain, and sunshine. One of my co-workers and I went to the park yesterday after work and walked a mile--it was wonderful. Of course, rain is in the forecast for, I think, Wednesday, so we have to enjoy it while we can!

For the last few days, I've been trying to find a hotel/motel with reasonable prices to stay in while in RI. Ugh. I never know what a good price is--there's always a better deal than the one I get....:) I think that instead of staying all three nights in RI, I'm just gonna stay there the first night and the last night and stay further north in the middle, that way I'll be able to see more of New England.

Cheryl

Alice, that is wonderful about the size smallers!!! Doesn't that make you feel good, it makes me feel fantastic always. I do eat mostly egg substitute and sometimes egg. That is a good idea about the nuts, I love salads with nuts in them and I always forget to put nuts in when I am making one at home. I do put sunflower seeds in coleslaw along with raisins. Today I had some mandarin/almond yougurt with muesili in it. It was yummy.

Last night we went out and I had two glasses of wine, my last before lent, I wonder how that will be. I have always wondered if I could go any length of time without wine drinking. I will let you know how that goes. Tonight we are going to RCIA classes and out for sushi, that is very low point.

My DH wants me to go on the Ca. trip this month:?: He is trying to entice me with going down the Oregon coast for part of the trip. I might. I have been missing my US grocery shopping.

Cheryl, there are a lot of nice B&B's in RI.

Good for you on doing some of your spring cleaning, Ledom. I did a bit in the form of chucking out/giving away make up and jewellery that I don't use. I am not a hoarder even though I always have a lot of stuff. I like things to FLOW thru my life. My DH is the family hoarder and pack rat.

I went for a walk around the lake yesterday. I saw five Canada geese land on the lake at the same time. It was so cool. A real sign of spring and my daffodils are about to bloom. Today's walk will have to be from the Sushi place to the church, I am feeling a bit stiff from yesterdays effort.

Are you BFL girls lifting weights?

We are still having fantastic weather. It's still in the mid to high 80's and it looks like it will continue for the rest of the week. I am not sick of the weather yet. DH has said the heat is starting to get to him...the wimp:lol:

judi, the nuts and raisins in coleslaw sounds delicious. Occasionally I put raisins and nuts in salads. Your yogurt does sound yummy. It did make me feel good to be able to fit into smaller clothes. I only hope they fit me by the time I get home.:ink: We were out for our walk one morning when we saw 2 bunnies on someone's lawn. One hopped away and I noticed it had a cotton tail. They were soooo cute!

Cheryl, congratulations on your weight loss!:cp: Way to go!!! Are you still lifting weights? Which hotel/motel did you finally decide to stay? Are you still having your stretch of good weather?

ledom, how are things going with you? Hope everything is well.

Have a great evening.

Good night.:yawn:

Hey everyone, Alice I am glad you are enjoying yourself. Your so smart to do Fla. before spring break!

It has been a busy week at work after missing 3 days last week for ice and snow. Lots of make up work to do. And you are becoming positively svelte w/ all those smaller sizes. Way to go!

You're doing great too Cheryl. Keep up the good work.

I have finally stopped weighing. It was starting to get me down. I am doing a lot better w/ the diet this week. I am still lifting weights judi. I have changed my routine up a bit though.

Not much new here, just work and well...work. But I am enjoying it. Can't wait for some warm and non-windy days so I can get out my kayak. It has been on my mind lately.

We sure have been quiet over here this week. What are you all up too?

Cut my hair of SHORT yesterday! I think I like it. I love my hairdresser, but he didn't get it quite the way I hoped. I had a picture and his interpretation was a bit shorter than mine. Still, it is a good cut. I'll hang on to the picture and keep directing him until we get it right. You gotta start someplace. Speaking of my hairdresser, love must be in the air. He is getting married and he was just so happy yesterday. Also, two of my neatest former students have announced their engagement. They are especially interesting, they never dated when they were in school though they had many of the same classes. They discovered each other after they graduated. I have known and loved the guy since he was 14 and the girl is just so cool. That they found each other and fell in love renews im faith in romance somehow.

My diet and exercise have been mostly good this week. One minor slip and it truly was minor.

Hope all is well with you guys.

Good morning! Oh, it's FRIDAY!!!!

Wow, I lurked by the BfL/Bodybuilding forum this morning before coming by here and "MAN!!" It's like an invasion has taken place over there. Maybe some of the L & Sers will become regular posters on that board.

Not really much goin on here. The weather is finally supposed to be nice this weekend--highs in the 60's and low 70's. Hope all is well w/the three of you!

Sorry for the short post.

Cheryl

Goodmorning!

I am so glad you are enjoying some great weather Alice! Guess what it is doing here today...it decided to SNOW at this late date:( Though my DH is going to take me to town tomorrow if it is still here.

You cut your hair Ledom!!! That is a big bold step! I think you will like it. I like mine more and more and I don't feel I look so dated.:cool:

I am going to do the "What would Jesus Eat?" Diet by Dr. Colbert and count points. It is fish (I will have the canned kind) but no shellfish, in this he sort of follows the levitical laws on "flesh" eating, no white bread, white sugar, no processed foods (no diet Coke:o) whole grains etc. plus lots of walking. I am easing into it...I can't quit cold turkey and I want to use up the groc. I have.


The most difficult for me will be the whole grain aspect...I love homemade WHITE bread and I don't like whole grain pasta:mad: Also giving up diet coke...help! Ledom! I feel pretty hyped about it.

That is sweet about your two students, Ledom. My friend's son just recently got engaged. Love must be in the air.

It is so weird that it is snowing because yesterday in Vancouver I walked by a bit of lawn that had just been mowed and it had that fresh cut grass smell and the cherry trees are all in blossom. I hope it is gone by this afternoon.

Hi Cheryl!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Well, girls, only 1 more week to go. The time surely did go by fast. In a way DH & I are anxious to go home to get back into our own house, own routine, ect. But, to leave this fantastic weather is going to be very very difficult. Hopefully we won't have too much winter left when we get back. I know I'm going to miss our walks in the morning.

ledom, you cut your hair! That's fantastic. I'm sure it looks fabulous. How short is short? What a great story about your students. I wish them both the very best.

judi, SNOW??? Did it damage any of your pretty flowers? I hope you made it to town ok. I bet the snow won't last very long. Your new diet sounds very interesting. I eat whole-wheat pasta, and it's just ok. I have found this pasta, called whole-grain Vita Spelt in the whole foods section of my grocery store that I prefer. It has a lighter taste and reheats very well too. If you want, I can give you the brand name when I return home. I have decided when I get home that I am going to go back to Somersizing and count the WW points. I was eating too many carbs and I felt BLAH:p most of the time. So, I guess we will both be shaking up our WW.

Cheryl, glad you are having good weather. How is WW going for you?

Take care everyone and have a great weekend.

On giving up diet coke. Judi, I did it cold turkey. It is not without pain to do it that way. I had a headache for a week, but I just felt that once I decided to just taper off gradually would not work for me. I just had to let it go. Good luck with that and with your new PLAN.

Alice, what a nice long vacation you are having. I think the best thing about vacations is that it does make you appreciate being at home more. It is good to get away and even better to get back to your spot.

Happy news on the home front. We have found a male lilac point siamese kitten. It is a week old and is being saved for us until Easter. We've decided to just meet him when we pick him up because it'd be hard not to be able to bring him home. D and I are very excited though. Gotta meet the kitty before he gets a name but I am calling him Jolly in my mind already.

Cherly, yep what pretty weather we had yesterday and supposed to be really warm today. I may get the kayak out here in a few minutes. So many things to do, so little time. I'd also like to hit the darkroom some and also do some cleaning. Just so I don't end up doing nothing!

Have a good weekend everyone.

Ledom, you are getting a lilac point Siamese...How WONDERFUL!!! My aunt has a Siamese and it is a real conversationalist...it will sit at the patio doors and imitate the sounds the blue jays are making. The new cat will be so nice for you and your D.

Alice, sounds like you are having a nice time. Yes, we had a lot of snow over the weekend but it looks like it is melting today. The flowers look uncomfortable. The cat didn't know what to make of the snow. You are looking forward to coming home, eh, I know when I go away even if I am having the best time I miss my house, my things ... just being home.

Bentley was over the other day with my D. Is he ever a nice looking dog, he has perfect proportions. He still has his food allergies but he is back to eating everything because he was getting way too skinny otherwise. He has a little ezcema spot by his nose:(

Scale was down a couple of pounds this morning. I am looking forward to the new diet. I don't think I will give up Diet Coke, too many new things...I am already giving up wine for Lent plus trying to fast on Wed. and Fri. (one meal and the other two meals can't equal more than the one meal, no snacks but water, coffee, tea and juice is ok anytime...this is not too rigorous but def. more than someone like ME is used too). I am going to allow myself to eat whatever on Sun (no wine though). Yesterday I had some ice cream but really had no desire to go overboard on anything. I am feeling so much better eating less...I think it is easier because I am not regarding it as a diet as such and I no longer eat what I don't like just because they are low calorie etc. (like rice cakes, blech!) Let me know how the Sommersizing goes for you Alice? Is it more protein?

How is everything going Cheryl? Still busy at work?

My DH is going to Ca. next Monday and I keep going to and fro, I am going/I am not going etc. I have just gotten into a nice routine and going away always throws me off.:?: But I know he would like me to go with him...but 2 weeks is so long:( It takes me forever to get back into things once I am sidelined on anything.

The lady who cleans my house is coming today:D Such a nice luxury. I would rather do without something else but have someone clean for me, and I love getting pedicures and manicures...I will buy less clothes or buy less for the house, which has too much stuff in it already. Since I came back to church in July the place has had an influx of "Catholica"...DH says some of it is tacky but it makes me feel good.

Well, have a good beginning to the new week!

Weather is the same old..same old..:D We've been running the A/C for the past few days. AHHHHH! This weather is not typical of FL at this time of year. Quite a few miles north of us had a tornado touch down last night. Thankfully nobody was hurt. Those nasty storms stayed to the north of us.

ledom, you're getting a new kitty! I am so happy for you. A lilac point Siamese, he must be very handsome. When will you be picking him up? Did you get out in your kayak?

judi, congratulations on your weight loss:bravo: Way to go!!
I'm glad that you saw Bentley. Has his allergies lessened a little? Poor baby. How does he get along with Estaban? In FL there are little chameleons zipping across the sidewalks into the flowers and bushes. Her nibs went after one the other day:rolleyes: right into the bushes. She chased a larger one into the outside elevator, and DH had all he could do to keep her from pouncing on it, as he was trying to maneuver it out the door. I wish I had a camera for that! :devil: That's great you are so excited about your new diet. Just take everything one step at a time. I wish you great success with it. Somersizing is mostly protein, although you can have carbs, but not with protein. I felt much better when I was eating that way.

Cheryl, hope you are getting some decent weather. How is TOPS going?

Take care and have a wonderful day.

This is a late night post. Work was so weird today. Lots of stressed out vibes from my students which I seemed to absorb like a sponge. I was beat when I got home and went straight to bed. Now it is 10:30 and I am wide awake. So here I am.

Alice, it seems like the X-treme weather is following you around. Hope you aren't too uncomfortable. Maybe by the time you get home you'll be seeing some signs of spring. I hope so.

About the kitty. After we lost RM I started looking around for another cat. I guess it is silly, and there is no replacing him, but I did want the same breed and sex. I found that they were hard to find. One lady in the state paper advertised but by the time I called her she had sold them all. She breeds a litter for around christmas and another around easter so I asked to be put on the list. Then I called back about the time they were to be born. I called about a week early but then she called me to let me know. He was born on Feb. 27 and will be ready 8 wks. from then. The mother had two, a boy and a girl, so we feel lucky to be getting him.

judi, good luck deciding about your trip. I know you will be happy when hubby retires so that you don't have to decide between accompanying him and staying home.

I did get out in the kayak this weekend. We had one day that go into the 70's. Now it is cold again but will warm up by the end of the week. Two of my girl friends and I are planning to camp next week for the vernal equinox. My spring break isn't until the week after, but I think I can swing it. This semester is flying by.

You are right Ledom, the time is flying by....it is the middle of March already ... wow. That is ok though...summer will soon be here. Soon you will have the new kitty!!!

Sorry to hear you are stressed...go get a pedicure, that is so relaxing.

Alice, Bentley is quite a hooligan now that he is getting older, he challenges all other dogs, he used to be very aimable. I bet Lacee had a nice time on holiday.

Diet (W.W.J. eat) has been ok, except He wouldn't have a diet Coke. It is easy for me to follow it and because it is wholesome food, I don't get hungry. I STILL haven't added exercise.

The no wine thing is going along ok. I am kind of surprised it hasn't been more painful. The only thing is that I don't feel like going to any nice restaurants...how can you eat really good food without vino, to my mind you can't. Sushi works though...I have been having avacado and California rolls when I go out.

I have decided to stay home and let the dear DH, go himself. Though I promised to bake him some bread to take along.

We are having a lot of rain here.

Every have a good day!

Will Estaban be traveling w/ DH this trip? Glad you are getting to stay home.

The weather in this part of the country has me digging out my capris' and sandels. It feels so good. I am hoping for another kayaking adventure this weekend, though it depends on the wind. Windy weather is not the best for paddling and you know how March is?

My spring break is in a couple of weeks. This year I am sneaking a couple extra days the week prior to the actual break. My friends are having their breaks a week earlier and I plan to camp w/ them on the full moon or the Vernal equinox, whichever night the weather cooperates. My boss is flying to visit her son in Paris a week early, I guess we are lucky to get away w/ a couple of extra days.

Ah the diet - I am in week 11 of the second challenge. I haven't weighed in a while. I am more muscular but not much lighter I am sure. I haven't done it so strictly this time around, and I'm ready for this challenge to be through. I will do a third one after taking a week off. My feelings on this? Well, first of all I am excited about Challenge 3 and am anxious to begin it. I want to do it really well. On my imperfections of this challenge? You know, I wish I had been stricter w/ myself. On the other hand, I haven't lost any ground and have made some small improvements. All the clothes I am digging out of the closet for the new season fit so much nicer than last year. Sure, I wish they were too big, but they are loose. I am not going to spend time with regrets. I am ready for another big push for myself though. By next fall I hope that I will see a huge difference.

Alice, have you headed home yet? Drive safely when you do.

Cheryl, are you still swamped with work? Take care all.

We are leaving early tomorrow morning. We are so sad about leaving this great weather, knowing what awaits us at home. SNOW!!! Hopefully most of the winter is behind us.

judi, that's great you'll be staying home. I honestly think that drinking wine is just a habit. I don't miss it when I don't have it. DH & I like to sip a glass as we're getting dinner ready, but I've found if I have a glass of water in a wine glass, it has the same effect, it's just something to do while waiting for the food to cook. Can you drink wine on your WWJ eat? They did drink wine back then.:s:

ledom, I can't believe you're at week 11 of your 2nd challenge. Time sure does fly.:angel: You probably have lost more size than weight. That's wonderful that you are anxious to start your 3rd challenge. Hope the rest of your week wasn't as stressful as that one day at work.

Hi Cheryl, hope everything is going well for you.

Got to finish packing :dizzy: Hope I've got enough room in my suitcase for all the shorts and blouses I bought.

Take care and have a great weekend.

Hi! How is the weekend going for everyone?

Are you still driving or at home Alice? I hope the weather will give you a break. It must have been so nice to be on holiday in Florida. I would love to go there but it is so far from BC.

Well, the DH is staying home, his trip was delayed. Yes, Ledom he will take his cat along...that guy is besotted with the cat. He phones from work to see how kitty is doing. He made him a nice spot with towels to sit on his desk and in true cat fashion Estaban comes over and instead sits and sleeps on my desk on the computer, cords etc. ignoring the DH's invitation to sit with him and his fluffy towels.

Alice, I can have wine and if fact should have wine of the WWJ eat diet!:cool: But I am not having any until after Lent.

I am trying to eat whole wheat bread :p but we don't like it. We like the Tuscan loaves and French loaves and they are white.

Ledom, your camping plans sound great. You must have the nicest group of friends. The DH, the D and I always joke we are all leaders but without any followers.

I am watching that old movie "Hawaii" tonight. Max Von Sydow is so young in it.

Have a good Sunday everyone!

yep...that sounds just like a cat. Maybe you need another one :) . Our cats seem to love us both but Bea is mine and Tweeg is D's. And you should see how she lights up when D comes home. As a matter of fact I think she comes home JUST to see the cats. This weekend she is running all over creation but said she would stop by to see the cats for a minute.

Not to whine, but I am attending two funerals today w/ my mother. Both rather distant cousins to me, but close to my mother. I sure am not looking forward to it! But my mother really wants me to go with her. One will be outdoors in a beautiful place so I am thankful for that.

Yes, I do have some nice friends. No husband though! I just enjoy the companionship when they have the time, both of them being married their time is divided. I am not complaining though, I like my solitude. Camping will be fun, it is full moon and vernal equinox week which is the purpose of getting out right now.

I worked out in the yard yesterday and had a nice kayak adventure the day before. Spring is definitely starting to happen.

Glad DH got to postpone his trip Judi. Alice, let us know when you get home.

Funerals .... I can go to funerals if it is not my immediate family. My dads funeral was one of the worst days of my life, I was 19 years old...and to this day distant family members STILL talk about how inappropriately cheerful I was that day, in fact photos of that day show me like that. I could not go to my own mom's funeral or my grandmother's but I visited them before they died. Other people's funerals are ok...Funerals affect everyone diff. I think.

Yesterday was very special. We had the Rite of Election for catechumens and candidates. They were 100's of people there and this was the 3rd one in the last month or so of people becoming Catholic in the Archdiocese. Almost evangelical fervour. It was a really beautiful service. THe last step is at the Easter Vigil. That kind of Catholic news never makes the media unfortunately. I remember when I was a kid no one turned Catholic, not that I knew anyway, you were born one. Having been away from the Catholic church for decades I find it pretty amazing. And of course I forgot my camera

I finally got to see MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING! What a delightful movie!!! I usually don't like romantic comedies...I am more partial to dark, brooding dramas.

I don't think Estaban would like another cat...my D brought hers over and my cat spit at it, growled and spent his time sitting on my desk. Both DH and I would like a Siamese or a Maine Coon but we are happy with ours and don't want to spoil his being king cat around here.

You were out in the yard...good for you. I was going to do gardening today but it is St. Patrick's day and I think I will go into town for mass.

Are you home Alice?

When you camp Ledom, do you stay in a cabin or tent? Do you cook or bring already to eat meals? Good for you for being out kayaking too. That was such a good idea...that kayak wasn't it? You have had so much fun, exercise and taken amazing photographs!!!

Well, DH is up so I had better go have a coffee with him

Happy St. Patrick's day to all!... especially you Irish out there in 3FC world:D

Top-O-the-Morning to you. Happy St. Patrick's Day. Last night my friend invited me over for corned beef and cabbage and potato soup so I have my Irish meal in already.

We are tent camping this time, sometimes we get a cabin. Food is essential to these get togethers, surprise surprise. We cook. I like to make things ahead so they are easy to heat up, but we grill some too. If I can get to it I am making blackbean and corn tamales and mango salsa to take.

You're right about the kayak. I am starting off my third year of kayaking. Remember when I was struggling with the decision to buy one? How I thought I should lose weight first? I am so glad I didn't wait, it has given me a new lease on life. I love it so much. And, guess what, this spring I feel so much smaller in my boat. Fitting into a kayak is like fitting into a pair of pants and the pant-o-meter is showing some difference.

Those funerals wore me out, and my poor mother too. On the note of interest, because by the end of the day irony was the only emotion I could muster. One was lead by a new agey, high priestess sort that talked about numerology and the other was in a baptist church where hellfire and eternal life were evoked. Somewhere in the middle for me please. I had to tell D if she ever had to make those decisions for me what I wanted. Something simple.

Ledom, sorry you were tired out...two funerals are a lot for one day that is for sure.

I ended up staying home and having the gardnerer come in...I made bread and a carrot/pineapple loaf for the DH.

I made a 0 point soup for lunch... miso, 2 cups of water, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, 3 sliced mushrooms and 2 baby bok choys. It was good. Low calorie and healthy.

Wow! I hope that creep Saddam takes a hike and save everyone a lot of trouble. A friend has been trying to get her widowed mom here to Canada for 3 years!!! The Canadian govt. is just dragging on this, so of course she is worried sick about what is going to happen over there in Iraq.

Alice, where are you? Are you home?

Just a short note to let you know we made it back home ok. We had a long day. We left Va. Beach at 4:00am this morning and were on the road for 12 hrs. I've already had 2 glasses of wine and I must say, they tasted good.:T Poor Lacee was awful on the last leg of the journey home. You could see she was in distress, and my heart went out to her. She is very happy to be home.

ledom, I am sorry to hear about your distant cousins. I can't imagine going to 2 funerals in one day. Longevity runs on my father's side of the family, my grandmother was 103 when she died. In 1998, one of my aunt's passed away, and every year since then, someone has passed away. Every Jan. we all wonder who will it be this year? Yes, I remember when you were debating whether or not to get a kayak (or boat-o-meter), I'm really glad that you did. Your camping trip sounds like a lot of fun.

judi, I am very worried what will happen in Iraq. I am not in favor of a war. While we were away we were hoping we would get home before war started. I saw Big Fat Greek Wedding and loved it. They do have a TV series that just started based on the movie. All the original characters are in it except for her husband. We saw the series, but didn't care for it.

It's time for me to go to bed...I'm exausted:yawn:

Good night.

Welcome BACK!!!:goodvibes Sorry to hear poor Lacee was stressed on the last bit of the journey. She will be happy to see her house, toys etc.

I had my yard cleaned up today. I phoned someone to prune my wisteria today...I don't know the first thing about pruning those things the gardener is going to come on Monday next week.:D I am feeling inspired...garden wise. My DH did a big wildflower planting on Sunday on a embankment we have.

DH is planning to go to Ca.now on Friday. I am going to stay home. My last trip was at Christmas. I just don't feel like going anywhere.

Anyway, I just wanted to say "WELCOME HOME ALICE!!:high:

glad you made it home safely Alice.

I am going to make tamales this afternoon and pack for my camping trip. Have to wait until tomorrow to go as thunderstorms are forecast for tonight.

Yes judi, it is time to think about yard work and flowers. I am rather hopeless at it though I certainly can see a lot to do in my yard.

Alice I am with you on the war situation. I just hate it and hope our prez is smarter than I think he is.

Ya'll have a good day.

ledom, I agree with you about the prez. I only hope that when all is said and done that they find those weapons that he insists are hidden. I hate to think of the consequences otherwise.

I envy both of you thinking of yard work already and talking about flowers. Un fortunately we have another 2-3 months before we can ever begin to think about that. :(

Just went through the stacks of mail...that was a chore. A lot of it went out. We still are in the process of unpacking, and we have grocery shopping still to do. Later this afternoon we have to go pick my car up from the dealership repair shop. Got on the scale this morning, and only gained 3 lb., which I don't think was too..too bad the way I was eating.:ink: :moo:

Take care and have a great day!

I have a LOT more respect for your president than I do for our fence sitting Canadian govt. I feel we OWE the American people something and we should do something to help our best neighbour...ok, don't send troops if you don't want because of the UN thing but do SOMETHING for the U.S. I am quite ashamed to be Canadian at this time. If something ever happened to us I can just imagine the big WHINE that would go up asking for the U.S.A. to help us.

Hey, Alice I bet that 3 pounds is muscle from all your walking:s:

I hope you have good weather for your trip Ledom.

Anyway, I'm not surprised in the least bit. I'm sure Saddam is in hiding, leaving his people to face everything by themselves. On Mon. I watched Oprah. She had someone from the Muslim religion and a NY Times reporter who went into the Middle East to see why they feel about us the way they do. It was an eye opener to say the least.

I am all unpacked..finished up yesterday. What a job! DH hasn't unpacked yet. His suitcase is still on the floor in our bedroom. I asked him last night when he was going to unpack, or was I expected to do it for him. He said he'd do it...we'll see how long the suitcase sits there. :rolleyes:

Hey judi, maybe your're right about the muscle:lol: I certainly do miss our walks.

ledom, how did the tamales turn out? Have you been out in your kayak again?

Take care

How is everyone doing? We are glued to CNN here.

Daffodils are blooming:)

Well. I changed my hair...dk. brown with platinum chunky streaks...plus shorter, I don't know if I like it as much as my auburn with gold streaks and a bit longer. My hairdresser was so worried I wouldn't like it. The DH didn't like it last night but this morning he did...he said it was too dramatic. Well, I have never been accused of being well balanced;) I will get the unvarnished truth from my D when I see her.

How did the tamales turn out Ledom?

Is Lacee glad to be home Alice? My DH is leaving for Ca. tomorrow, I am staying home. I want to get the yard going for spring.

We had rain overnight and it's just at the freezing mark this morning, so the roads are rather slippery. Thankfully I don't have to go anywhere.

judi, how short did you cut your hair? Have you gotten used to the new color so that you are happier with it? How is your WWJ eat diet coming along? I am see-sawing on whether or not to go back to WW next week. I would like to lose more weight, but I honestly don't know if I can count another point! I think I'm starting to get diet burnout. Lacee is very happy to be home. We kept telling her on our last day on the road when she was in such distress that she would be very happy to see where we ended up. She has to go for another ride on Mon. DH & I have to take her to the Vet to get a booster shot for Lyme disease, then take her to Mass. to deliver some parts. Hopefully she's forgotten the trauma from last Mon. Hope your DH has a safe trip to CA. OOOH, I envy you those Daffodils.

ledom, haven't heard from you in awhile, hope things are going well for you.

Take care and have a great weekend.

Good morning everyone!!

It's great to hear that all is well with the three of you. I guess things are fine with me, except for a semi-permanent case of mental exhaustion.... This is really my favorite time of year at work, even thought all I want to do when I get home in the afternoons is crawl into bed and snooze, I love being busy. Makes me feel like I deserve the $$ I get every two weeks.

Hate the war, at least the thought of people dying. Folks need to remember 9-11, though. The only question I have is: When did this stop being about Bin Ladin and become about Saddam again? I think I got confused somewhere in the middle of all this. I do wish that the UN would show us a little support though. I think there is a serious short-term memory problem among some of the countries that are opposing us the most vocally. We've helped them all at some time or other. Anyway, enough of that.

On the weight-loss front. There hasn't been any progress. No regression either, thank goodness. When I'm stressed (which has been my constant adjective of choice to describe myself lately) I EAT!! At work, at home, in the car, wherever! It'll get better in a couple of weeks, but for now I'm just trying to take one day at a time and not gain any.

I am going "kitten shopping" in the very near future for my man. I've decided that he needs a couple of outside cats. I can't wait! One of the ladies on my bowling team had three cats expecting at the same time. One of them delivered a couple of weeks ago, so the time for picking and choosing is getting close!

On funerals: I decided after going to the funeral of one of my friends dad that I will not go to any more funerals of people I care about. It's just too hard. Plus, I do NOT want the last memory I have of, let's say, my mom and daddy to be them all fakely made up and lying in a coffin. No ma'am, thank you very much. I am certain I will be accused of being "selfish," etc., but that's a chance I'm willing to take. Sometimes we have to do what's best for us.

The trees are blooming here. Lovely.

Everyone have a great week-end.

Cheryl

Hi everyone!

Cheryl, I hope you get some rest this weekend! That is so great about getting another CAT!:cool:

Alice, I hope your roads won't be icy when you go to Mass. What happened to Lacee on the last leg of the trip? Poor little girl.

My hair...I think I look like a 52 year old punk, though the post mistress on the island loved it and said she was "glad to see I was lightening up".:?: I will see my D on Sunday and she will tell me. My DH today was saying it was ok...but I dunno...

The DH and the cat left...he said there was hardly no one going through the border and it was no problem, we thought the security might be very intense.

I have been watching CNN and I cannot believe the people in the USA burrning the American flag!!:mad: Even as a (regretabley fence sitting) Canadian it enrages me!!! Especially when there are so many people putting their life on line. I thought that was against the law, flag burning.:(

Ledom, I hope your camping trip is a blast!

I have been eating somethings J. wouldn't eat...like poutine, McDonald's veggie burger, coke:^:

Cheryl, glad to hear from you. You really sound like you've been out straight with work. Hope you get some much needed rest. Good news about the kitty. I bet you are so excited. Let us know when you'll be picking him up.

judi, that's good news that your DH had no trouble crossing the border. Unfortunately, they passed a law some years ago, can't remember exactly when, that it's ok to burn the American flag. Something to do with freedom of expression. I was so saddened when they passed that law because to me they demeaned it. :soap: Let us know what your D says about your new do. I am not very adventerous when it comes to my hair. My hair is sort of medium thickness, and limp. I have cut it very short (over my ears) a few times, but have always grown it back out to one length and to my shoulders....you know, "the bob" ;) That's where it is now, but desperately needs to be trimmed.

ledom, hope you're having a wonderful time camping!

Take care and enjoy your day.

Hey everyone, it is great to read everyone's posts. Camping was so much fun. It was kind of cold and dreary and windy, and you know that was fun too. We built huge roaring campfires, sat around eating, drinking gray goose screwdrivers, etc. I never do that, I drink very rarely but when I do enjoy it so much. Cutting up and laughing with friends - it was a blast. Of course now that I am home I have huge bags under my eyes, it would never work on a long term basis, being totally degenerate!

The best thing, I haven't read a newspaper or seen a news report. Just call me an ostrich. Of course now it will all start seeping into my conciousness now that I am back in civilization. I did get up and go straight to work yesterday, I was so tired when I came home I went to bed at 6 and slept until 7:30 this a.m. This coming week is my official spring break, D is home and I am so looking forward to it. I will have to work at least one day maybe two (hanging a new show), but I won't be teaching and D and I also plan to travel to Fayetteville for a little shopping a couple of days.

Judi, do YOU like your hair? You know I am still getting used to my short cut. It certainly has a mind of its own and I never know what to expect from it. I do like it I THINK.

Well, diet news. This is my free week. I have completed another challenge. I am pleased with it, I got out of it what I put into it which I wish had been a little more, but all in all I think I am good shape to start a really CONCENTRATED challenge when this week is over. I am not unhappy w/ the way this lifestyle is taking me at all.

New kitties Cheryl, how lovely. We may be getting our new kittens at the same time. Our little boy will be ready around Easter.

Good to be back!

My D. says my hair is "good"....whew, now I LIKE It!

It was good that you had those days away Ledom, your trip sounded so nice. Laughing with friends is what we all need to do right now! And you are planning to go shopping...look out Fayetteville!!!

How is the weather where you are now Alice, any sign of spring? My wisteria is getting pruned tomorrow, it is a blue one:D

I was very conservative with my hair until this last year too. This morning I went to mass with it in little gel-ed spikes all over my head (but the conservative part of me took my Louis Vitton bag along). I went and tried on a bunch of clothes this afternoon, expensive ones, just for fun but didn't buy anything. I don't want to buy too much because I want to get some when I break thru our 200 lb. (eh, Ledom). Alice, eat your way up there and join us for the trip down:s: ..nah, just teasing:lol: you are doing too good! I also found a women's store for consignment clothes and have been dry cleaning my bigger sizes and things I don't want anymore and plan to sell them...instead of junking them which I usually do. Heck, some of those clothes are still on my credit cards:(

judi, glad the verdict is in and your D likes your new do. Good for you taking a trip on the wild side:D You asked about Lacee's distress in an earlier post. On our last day, she would occasionally shake and pant. This is her usual signal when she really has to do her duties. Everytime she started this, we'd stop at the nearest rest area, or get off the highway at the nearest exit and take her out. But, all she'd do was whizz. I would take her in my lap to try and calm her down a bit...that helped some. I think she thought she'd be in that truck forever!

ledom, that's wonderful you had such a good time on your camping trip. Did you tell ghost and/or scary stories around the campfire? Hope you are all rested up from your weekend with the girls. Have a great time shopping and share with us all the good things you bought. Enjoy your time off!

On the diet front, I have decided to go back to WW tomorrow. Sat. I put on a pair of jeans that fit great before we went on vacation....they were a tad bit snug. They still went on without a struggle:s: and I could still breathe nicely, but I didn't want the situation to become any worse. I do want to lose more weight, another 15-20 lbs. or so. My eating wasn't so great last week, plus I was so busy unpacking..laundry..umpteen trips to the grocery store..etc. that I did not exercise.

Take care and enjoy your day.

judi, sometimes I despair of ever making that goal. I still have a ways to go. I hear you on thinking of what to do next Alice, though it sounds as if you have decided. I have been reading another diet book this week, it is BRx. Very similar to BFL with some changes. It is a 6 month program and you change up things every 6 weeks. I haven't decided what to do at the end of this week but I am thinking about it.

Girls, I am down in my back. You should see me! I can hardly get in and out of the chair or bed. I'm not sure what happened. On Sat. I was raking leave and then doing some weeding. I stood up and my back went out and has been bothering me ever since. This is not good! I HAVE to hang an art show tomorrow! D has offered to with me and help but I know it isn't going to be good for my back. I have never had this problem before.

I am glad you like your hair judi, and good luck selling your clothes.

Went to WW this morning. By their scale I have gained 4 lb. I like MY scale better, I had only gained 3 lb.:s:

ledom, I am so sorry about your back. That can be very painful. Have you seen a Dr. yet? Hope your back is better real soon. I start OT next week for a painful arm. What are the differences between BRx and BFL? Have you made a decision whether or not to do BRx? In all honesty, I did not want to return to WW, as I don't agree with a lot of what they tell you, or with some of the foods they encourage you to eat. But, the meetings get me motivated again, and the weekly weigh ins keep me on track. With WW..I can do my own thing.

judi, how is bachloretting going? Are you having some nice quiet time with just you and Marley? Yesterday we had to take Lacee to the vet to get her booster shot for Lyme Disease, then we had to make a trip down to Mass. Evidently she wasn't too traumatized on our trip home because she very eagerly got into the truck.:devil:

Hi Cheryl, hope things are going well with you and that you got some much needed rest.

Take care an enjoy the rest of the day.

Ledom, that is awful about your back:( Are there some students that could be encouraged to help hang the show?? I have had that happen only once (touch wood...pat my head) and I remember the pain was unbelievable, but it only lasted for a day. I don't know what put it out and what fixed it:?: Could those kind of things ever be viral?

Alice, I am glad Lacee wanted to go in the truck again. Marley was sort of slinking around when the DH was getting ready to go...he was hoping he wasn't going along, he likes it with the cat is gone and he is alone with me. It sounds like Lacee was in some kind of distress that is for sure. My D. bought 2 love birds today. Bentley finds them boring but her cat, Dina, is pretty interested in them:devil:

Ledom, I am not exactly hurtling along toward our goal but I think it can still be done!!

Good for you for going back to WW Alice, you are inspiring:bravo:

I am getting more into what would J. eat diet. I have given up white bread and am eating 1 pt. squirrely bread. Still drink coke but way UPPPP on the water. (I have to count the little victories) I bought a pair of black pants 1 size down today.

I don't who I miss most the DH or the cat? Probably the cat (he is less work)...I AM enjoying my days.

My yard has been mowed, fed etc., the wisteria and roses have been pruned and some beds have been cleaned up:smug: Lest I sound too ambitious...I had 3 diff. people doing it. So now I am ready for spring to put in a serious appearance. I plan to enjoy my garden a lot more this year and I think if I get a good start on it that will motivate me to do something in it.

How are things going Cheryl? Still busy at work?

We have been having some delightful weather during the day, but it still gets to below freezing at night. Good maple syrup gathering weather! I've noticed some of the sugaring houses in full swing in my travels.

I forgot to tell you. Hollywood is filming a pilot for a TV series next year called, The Brotherhood of Poland, NH. They are filming the exterior shots around the town of Plymouth, which is just 10 miles north of where I live and where I go to grocery shop and WW. Randy Quaid is the star of the series. All their trailers and vehicles were taking up our parking spaces at WW yesterday so I had to drive around looking for a place to park:mad: Thankfully they'll be done by the end of this week. No, I didn't see anyone;) I believe they will try to get CBS to pick the pilot up. I hope it makes it because it would be nice to see familiar scenery each week on TV.

I have a hair appt. this morning to get a much needed trim. It's driving me crazy. I wish I was as adventerous as you girls and get it cut short.

judi, congratulations on the smaller pants. :bravo: Good for you for giving up white bread!:cp: I too will have to start eating squirrely 1 pt. bread. We've been eating this wonderful dark German whole wheat bread, 1 pt. per slice, and I was wondering if that was making me feel :p after having sandwiches, it being too heavy. Those love birds sound so adorable. I guess your D better keep an eye on her cat :s: the little :devil:

ledom, how is your back doing? I hope it's starting to feel better. Judi is right, can't some of your students help hanging the art for the show?

Take care and have a great day.

Goodmorning, Thanks for asking about my back. It is feeling better today. Yesterday I took D to work with me and she was very helpful. It also seemed that moving around helped work the soreness out of my back. It still has twinges of pain but hopefully I am on the mend.

Alice, you asked about BRX. It is very similar to what I have been doing though I think it might be a little stricter. You also count fiber grams and there isn't a free day, at least at first. There is some provision for eating special treats but it all has to be counted in. It is a 6 month program divided into 4, 6 week parts and each part changes up a bit. I finished reading the book last night and believe I will give it a try. It is a bodybuilding program like the one I have been on.

This spring has brought a lot of family deaths. Sorry to tell you we lost another cousin this week. My poor mother's peers are all starting to pass away. This particular cousin was like a sister to her and was very good to me as well. I will miss her funeral but will take my mother to her visitation today. My mother will be 80 this year and is becoming more fragile though she really doesn't give in to anything. Sigh, it worries me that we are all getting older. On the other hand it is a natural part of life.

Alice, that will be fun if the tv show gets broadcast. You'll have to let us know so we can watch.

Judi, your yard sounds beautiful.

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family. At least you will be able to take your mother to the visitation. On another note, I'm glad your back is better.

Take care.

Me too, Ledom...I am so so sorry to hear the sad news. I know after my mom passed away we found years of clippings of obits. that my mom had saved. I guess it is very hard to see one's peers passing away.

I hope I get to see the show too, up here in Canada, Alice! It would be neat to see the area in which you live.

The cat keeps trying to get a paw into the cage...surprise!;) surprise! (not)

I am happy about my yard:) I now feel I can actually do something. My camillia is blooming for the first time in years...though it is listing quite badly trying to get some shade. Should I prop it up or leave it alone? I dunno:?:

I hope you are not having to hang the show by yourself Ledom.

What's BRX?

thanks for being so supportive.

D and I are leaving for our shopping trip tomorrow. We'll just be gone one night and then we'll be back.

Body Rx is very similar to Body For Life. I need to read a little more about it, but it is 6 meals a day, lots of protein and fiber, 4 weight lifting days a week. There is no cardio. I am still vascilating between another round of BFL or BRx. I have until Sunday to decide because that is when I am going to start up again.

Hope you guys have a great rest of the week. I'll check in when I get back.

Have a great time shopping Ledom:high:

The sun is shining here. It is a glorious day. I am going to town without a coat, first time this year :cool:

Hi Alice, Cheryl and Lacee! What are you girls up to?

Hope you have a good shopping trip, ledom. Let us know what goodies you bought. I bought soooo many clothes in FL I don't dare to buy anymore things.:^:

We're having nice weather too, judi. Unfortunately, they're talking about a rain storm Sun. that might end as measurable snowfall.:( Old Man Winter hasn't left yet. Lacee & I aren't up to very much. I've reawakened an old back injury and I've been down for a few days. I am able to get around, a little slower, but I can move which is good.

Hi Cheryl :wave:

Hope you girls have a great weekend.

Wow, y'all are hard to keep up with!! Maybe it's just me, with my lack of computer time :)

Alice, can't wait to see the show! You'll have to remind us again when it's picked up by the network. Who knows, maybe they'll have caught you on your way to WW and you'll be an extra.... Speaking of WW--don't get discouraged because you gained. Vacations have a tendency to do that!! For the past three or so weeks I have stayed the same weight at my weigh-ins. Not the same consecutively, but up 2, down 3, up one, blah, blah, blah.

Oh, Ledom, your poor back. Ouch. I hope you feel better soon. Sorry, as well, about the losses in your family. Please be sure to pay extra attention to your mom during these times. She may get depressed more easily, since the people around her age-group are starting to pass.
I found out yesterday that we are having a statewide conference in Hot Springs the week of Aug. 15th. The Farm Service Agency will have the whole Arlington Hotel that week. There will be all sorts of conferences we can attend (if we choose to). I think that it's our "reward" for making it thru the changes brought about by the passing of the new farm bill and this loan-making season. Can't wait!!

Girls--remember to appreciate your American farmers. They do so much for us and we have a tendency to take them for granted.

Judi--I enjoy birds. When I was a kid, we used to visit some friends of my parents around Christmas each year that had birds. They were beautiful, but LOUD. I'd watch them forever. I don't think I'd like to have them for pets, though. I think I'd be too lazy to provide with the amount of attention they'd need.

Judi and Ledom--I cut my hair SHORT last year, and I really liked it. Until I saw a picture of myself taken from the side and slightly behind. UGH. Needless to say, I am in the process of letting it grow back out!

I have a job interview next week. I have to be at the Federal Building in Little Rock next Wednesday at 1:15. I'm more nervous about getting lost in Little Rock than I am about the interview :):) I've hardly ever driven there. The job I am interviewing for is a promotion--Loan Assistant (which is actually our term for a loan officer)--with a salary potential of about $60k/year. The job is located in southeast Arkansas, which is not really one of the most desirable places to live, but, oh well, if they offer it to me, I guess I'll take it ;)

Hope you all have a grand week-end!

Cheryl

Wow! Cheryl! That job sounds wonderful...the pay anyway. Think of all the new clothes. My DH and I appreciate the farmers and the USA ever time we drive down to southern Ca. and we see all the citrus groves, nut tees, other fruit trees etc. We get (up here in BC) a lot of our produce from the USA.

Speaking of shopping what did you get Alice when you were in Florida? I bought a new dressy jacket the other day. I am two sizes down in pants and jackets but the scale is just the same. What the heck! No, it is not muscle because I haven't been exerercising.

How was your shopping trip Ledom?

The what would J eat diet is going OK, for the most part. I missed the "fat" so I had fries and gravy yesterday and felt sick from all the fat after. I am actually getting to enjoy the high fibre bread. Since it is one point a slice, I can have half a can of tuna (sm. can) and 2 pieces of bread for a sandwich that is about 4 points and that keeps me filled for a long while. Plus, I am eating a lot of veg., fruit, yogurt and cottage cheese.

I am looking forward to going to mass this afternoon, my favourite priest is giving the homily:)

Have a good weekend everyone!

good to hear from you Cheryl. GOOD LUCK with your job interview. As far as SE Arkansas, I know what you are saying but there is something about the Delta that fascinates me. I have had friends who lived there and it seemed so much a part of who they were. Keep us posted!

Alice, you have my total sympathy with your back pains. My spell has made me appreciate what it must be like for people w/ chronic back pain. I hope you are feeling better by now. My back is still bothering me too. I am not one to go to the Dr., but if it doesn't ease soon I'll have to I guess.

We had a good shopping trip. I have become addicted to the Chanel line of make-up. D and I both had makeovers and spent the bulk of our money there. The makeup lady gave me really dramatic eyes which D thought were great. I guess I'll see if I can't recreate the look. Since my hair is turning gray and I am very fair complected I tend to look washed out so I guess I'll see if I can't do it myself. I have all the products anyway.:dizzy:

The weather turned off chilly and windy here. On Fri. morning when we woke up in Fayetteville I looked out the window and it was snowing. It was such a surprise, all the trees and flowers are in bloom and here were these huge wet snowflakes, it was beautiful and of course it melted as soon as it hit the ground.

Well, today is the last day of my free week and it is such a relief. I just have no maturity at all, it is like I have to eat everything I can imagine. I feel like crap too. I am ANXIOUS for the diet to start back.

judi, am glad you are enjoying pretty weather. Hope your church service was good today.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. It has been raining these past couple of days. Speaking of snow, ledom, we're supposed to get anywhere from 6" plus before the rain ends by tomorrow morning. I only hope they are wrong.

The filming in Plymouth has wrapped up. There was an article in our local weekly paper that most of the filming will be done in CA, and the filming crew will be back to shoot the change of seasons, sans actors.

Cheryl, it is so good to hear from you. I wish you the best of luck with your job interview.:lucky: Are you excited about the possibility of changing jobs, especially the pay? Please let us know how the interview went.

ledom, glad you had such a good shopping trip with your D. Hope you'll be able to recreate your makeover. Did you buy any neat clothes? Which diet plan will you be doing once your free week is over? I saw on Prevention's home page a diet book, The South Beach Diet. It's written by a cardioligist, and I assumed that since Prevention was selling the book that it should be healthy. I bought the book from Amazon, it was cheaper, and thought I'd give it a try. I just can't count one more point! :dizzy: Sorry to hear that you back is still bothering you....mine too. I did go for a little walk on Fri. and that seemed to help it some. I can bend over much easier now, but every once in awhile it zings me. I'm not one to go to the Dr either, so I'll just let it take its course, unless it's bothering me a month from now.

judi, YAY!!! Down 2 sizes! :cp: I bought some tank tops and camp shirts to go with them, plus shorts. I do have to start being good diet wise, otherwise by the time I get to wear them, they'll be too small. You do have to have some fat in your diet, use a little olive oil in your cooking. I use Paul Newman's Olive Oil & Vinegar on my salads, and it's good.

Hope you are having a nice leisurly Sunday.
Take care.

Hi gals! Sorry to hear about your back problems! That is rough:(

There were two pro US rallies today in Canada. One was in Vancouver and one in Ottawa. I was coming home from mass today and saw a bunch of streets blocked off by police cruisers and wondered what was going on, then when I got home I saw it on the news.

It was pouring rain today. That is OK, it was kind of a bright grey day (if that makes any sense).

I have some Channel make up too. It is nice, isn't it.

Yes, I am happy about the smaller sizes but why isn't the scale moving.

I am still doing without wine for Lent. Sure feel like a glass of it now:lol: oh well, ONLY a little over 3 weeks to go. I miss big fluffy white bread more:^: ..bad habits die hard, don't they???

We didn't get all the snow they were predicting. We only got about an inch.:dance: But, it looks like Ole Man Winter will be hanging around for a couple of days at least before it warms up again.

judi, will your DH & Estaban be coming home soon?

ledom, how is your back doing?


Have a great day.

Morning everyone. judi, I don't understand about the size and lb. difference. Have you taken your measurements? The only I can think is muscle taking the place of fat. Or, is your scale accurate?

I am glad you only got a little snow Alice. It is supposed to be 80 here by Wed. though we had a chilly weekend. Yes, my back is killing me. I can't turn over in bed w/out assisting myself by grabbing on to the headboard. At first I rested a lot, but there is only so long you can do nothing. It is just in the very bottom, small of my back. Sorry to be such a whiner!

Anyway, spring break is over. School is out May 8 so this last little bit will fly by. I enjoyed having D home so much over the break that I am really looking forward to summer. She is job hunting now for a summer position.

Ya'll take care, have a good day.

ledom, you poor girl, you must be in awful pain. Are you having as much trouble during the day? I am able to sleep ok, it doesn't bother me in bed, it's just doing my everyday things. My pain is a little lower in the back than your's. Mine is in my pelvic region. Are you taking or doing anything to help? I find taking Ibuprofin and sitting on a heating pad really helps. Hope your back is better really soon.

judi, I just read ledom's post answering your question about why you dropped 2 sizes and the scale hasn't budged, when a light bulb went off in my head:idea: I just remembered reading a post on another site I frequent, quoting an article someone had written why you should avoid eating a high carb diet. The gist of it is, when you lose weight on a high carb diet, a lot of the weight loss comes from muscle. When you start a higher protein diet, the protein helps build the muscle mass you've lost. Maybe the protein you've started eating has helped you re-build those muscles. I remember when I was Somersizing. I wasn't losing any weight, but I was getting smaller even though I was doing the minimal amount of exercising.

Take care.

Alice, I like your reason best :high: about why the clothes are smaller but the weight is the same. Could be though...because now I have fish (canned) almost everyday plus a lot more cottage cheese and egg white omelettes. I know I could maybe misjudge with pants sizes but not a jacket size. Ledom, I have a Tanita scale that is pretty good, I also have a good scale downstairs and they both say the same thing. Then today I was thinking about exercise and realized I do a lot more walking then I realize because I am not thinking of shopping, looking through stores, walking to the bank etc. as a form of exercise I do this extra walking when I am in Vancouver for mass than think, "Hey, maybe I will go there and check that out." So I am walking more than if I just stayed at home.

I was reading in a book that I got from Rodale publishers on the benefits of soy for women (many, many, even reduces hot flashes) and bought some no fat vanilla soy milk. You are supposed to have about 8 oz. a day. I think it is terrible on its own but if you heat it in the microwave and then add some instant expresso granules or even instant coffee you have a pretty good tasting latte. I have started to have that. The many fibered bread I have to admit really seems to reduce food cravings and hunger more than the delish white bread. Practically all my food choices are always good ones, occasionally I slip up and go for something with fat in it and then pay the price by feeling terrible.

Ledom, that is terrible about your back:( Have you seen a doctor?
Sorry to hear that your back is bothering you too Alice. That is a drag!!

Alice, you have really had winter this year! Wow! I noticed little purple muscari have been coming up but the deer have been nibbling off the top of them.

THe DH and the kitty are taking a slowly paced drive home. Today he said they were driving to the Napa valley. He only has a couple of weeks left at work and he is going to retire or at least partially retire so I think he is anticipating his newly found freedom. That is good, he is a real type A personality and has worked at his work like it was two or three jobs. He keeps phoning with reports of the spring flowers he is seeing etc. I am glad he is enjoying his trip.

Well, I did roll out of bed a little easier this a.m. so maybe my back is starting to improve. I hope so.

Today we have an opening for the last art show of the season, tomorrow night I have book club at my house (this was a suprise, the girl that was going to have it had to cancel), I'll feel like I have my life back when these two events are over.

I have finally embraced BRx as the plan I am on. It is a little scary because it requires even MORE food. At least for the first 6 weeks. The other thing is that it is a 6 month program. AND, free day is very limited in that you can have 2 or 3 RED foods a week (RED meaning watch out, don't eat this often). I think that will be good for me though as free day has just never moderated for me. Anyway, I'll let you know how it is as time goes by.

I am ready to be motivated again. What have you decided about WW Alice? Do any of you ever think about PMD anymore? I do sometimes. I did very well on that, especially at first. judi, maybe you'll grow to like hearty breads. I actually prefer a bread w/ grains.

Have a good day everyone.

Hopefully now that April is here, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I only hope it warms up a bit. We're still in cold temps. They are predicting more snow tonight into tomorrow.

judi, all that walking will do it, and possibly the combination of both made you smaller. I love exercise that doesn't seem like exercise. ;) I have never tried plain soy milk, but I have had the vanilla soy milk that didn't taste too bad. Do they make chocolate? The white flour in bread tends to raise your insulin levels faster than whole wheat bread and that makes you hungrier faster. Oh, I love to see deer. It's starting to build up in our area with summer homes and they're cutting down a lot of trees. :( Will you be doing more traveling when your DH semi-retires/retires? I wish him the best of luck.

ledom, have you gotten any relief from your back? I hope you're doing well.

Have a good day ladies! :balloons:

ledom, I think we were posting at the same time yesterday. Glad that your back is doing much better. How was the opening of the art show? Let us know how you like doing BRx. I have decided not to attend WW anymore. I did go to a meeting last week hoping it would motivate me like they used to, but it did nothing for me. I'm eating 3 meals a day which I weigh and measure out my portions, and a snack of S/F jello or F/F-S/F pudding, and a free day to have whatever I want. Once my back is better I will begin exercising again. Yes, I do think of PMD occasionally. I think the 3 of us like to mix things up a bit and try different plans. I tend to get bored if I do something for any length of time, unless I really enjoy it.

Amazon has shipped the diet book I mentioned, so I should get it in a few days. I will read it to see if it is something I would like to try. The first 2 weeks of the diet you cannot have any bread, cereal, pasta, fruit, alcohol, or anything made with sugar. After the 2 weeks you can incorporate more carbs into your diet and red wine. You eat like that until you reach goal. The maintenance is more liberal. Hopefully there are other suggestions for breakfast other than eggs for breakfast. I don't know if I could take a steady diet of eggs every morning for 2 weeks.:p A cardiologist wrote it, and Prevention was selling the book...so I figured it was healthy.

Hi judi :wave: hope you're having a good week.

Have a good day.

I think you're right about posting at the same time.

I am so sorry your back is still bothering you....really. for the second morning mine feels better so I think I am on the mend.

The show was great, it was the work of one of the instructors that has been there a long time. He was my teacher in the 70's, so it was neat because quite a few of his students came, even some from my class. I got to do some reminescing (sp) with them which was nice.

I do like BRx. It requires 1 gram of protein for every lb. you weigh. In my case that is a whole lotta protein. The first 2 days I just couldn't make it. Yesterday I used protein powder as a supplement and finally got all I needed in. I plan to begin the exercise portion tomorrow.

One thing you said about new development in your area really struch a cord Alice. That is happening where I live too and it just makes me sick. Overpopulation is a huge problem that is really slipping up on us. The thing that makes me crazy is the wholesale grading of all the trees and topsoil, just on speculation to build yet another trashy looking strip mall. Aren't there enough already?!?!?!?! It is a big issue for me.

Well, mucho to do. The book club is coming over and sometime between now and this evening and work I gotta mop and vacuum, guess I'll try to get it done now.

I got the new diet book yesterday. Read through it and I honestly don't think this is for me. For 2 weeks you have to eat eggs or egg substitute for breakfast every morning, but frankly, I can't eat eggs every single morning. :p If there were other suggestions for protein breakfasts, it would be worth a try.

ledom, how was the bookclub last night? Which book were you discussing? Glad that your show went well and were able to talk about old times with your teacher. Hope you started out slowly with your exercise routine where your back just stopped bothering you. I think some places are overdeveloping, especially in FL where we go. Everywhere you look they are either building high end condo developments or strip malls. There is one grocery store chain in Ft Myers that have 2 stores right near each other, and are building yet another one not very far from the other 2. :?: It's almost like Starbucks!:lol:

Cheryl, how did the interview go yesterday? Hope it went well for you.

judi, haven't heard from you in awhile. Are you enjoying your time with just Marley? How is Bentley doing? Miz Lacee is fine.

Have a wonderful day girls!

Hi everyone,

We read Portrait in Sepia by Isabella Allende. It was good and book club was good too. I was chopping and dicing until about 5 minutes before everyone arrived but then it was just a lot of fun.

If it were a Starbucks going in I wouldn't be so riled. But another discount matress store?.... Seems like it is never anything fun around here.

I don't know what factor if any my weight lifting has had on my back. I will be watching out for that very carefully however.

judi and Cheryl, what are you guys up to?

Oh, cute cat story. Last night about 9:30, the old cat just got fed up w/ so many women sitting on her couch. She came in the living room and just very quietly but insistently let us all know it was time for the party to be over. She was very obvious. She is such a good girl though, when she didn't get immediate response she squeezed in on the couch and made do w/ the room she could find and settled down. Still, her message was loud and clear. Thankfully she was in a room full of cat lovers.

I can't believe it's snowing. It started sometime overnight and we woke up to about 4". It's been snowing very lightly all morning and we're supposed to have this until sometime tomorrow morning.:censored: :headache:

My best friend and I haven't seen each other since before I went away on vacation. She left for Texas to visit her DH a day or so after I got back from vacation, she just got back a few days ago. We had a date today for a leisurly lunch at an inn she discovered to catch up on each other's comings and goings. We had to cancel that because of the weather.:( Hopefully we'll be able to reschedule next week.

ledom, I got a good chuckle out of your cat story. Animals certainly have their own unique personalities. How is the weight lifting going? My back is still bothersome, but it seems to be getting better. I'm not sitting on the heating pad nearly as often.

judi, where are you? Haven't heard from you in a long while. Hope everything is ok.

Hi Cheryl :wave: hope your interview went well.

Have a great weekend ladies. :balloons:

That is cute anecdote about the cat, Ledom!! They know what they want. The Dh says every night when he goes to the bed the cat comes and puts his back feet and curls up his tail in his hand and sleeps like that. Well if the DH is late getting to bed the cat meows and makes a big verbal fuss and keeps on fussing until the DH comes to bed and holds his back feet and tail. Cats KNOW what they want.

I saw Bentley on Friday Alice, he looks like a short chubby man in a brindle turtle neck sweater:lol: He is so cute. What is Lacee up to? I think if I do get another dog it will be a Boston not a Frenchie. Though I like Frenchies too but BOSTONS:D !!! Marley started sitting in the DH's chair in the evening (when he can get away with it...it is white so I don't really want him in it) I guess he thinks DH is not coming back so need for him to have to share the love seat with me anymore. The DH and Estaban should be home tomorrow.

I have been walking every day...I am trying to get an exercise HABIT happening. Can't honestly say I am enjoying it.

Food has been all good food choices whole grains etc., fish, soy etc. but too much of it so the scale is the same this week even though I started walking.

Speaking of PMD my food choices are all from the ones PMD suggested so that is engrained by now. I am also back on track with the water.

Still haven't had any wine yet. The what would J eat diet recommends a bit of red wine.:cool: I will wait until after Easter to incorporate that into the diet (joyfully).

Enjoy your Sunday!

Alice, I can't believe you have snow again! This is certainly the winter that won't end up in your part of the country. There was even an article in our local paper about it this morning.

Sounds like Marley will be in for a big adjustment tomorrow when the rest of his family comes home.

We found out yesterday that we can pick up the new kitten on the 18th - I am really getting excited.

Well, I have been doing BRx for a week now and I am really happy with it. If you can believe, I am eating even more food than on BFL. A lot more protein and I could have more carbs though I am keeping them about the same. Bodybuilding diets are really a revelation to me. This program lasts for 6 months and is divided into 4 6 week cycles. The 3rd cycle is the fat burning cycle and they say not to expect a great loss until then. I am just happily going along believing in the diet. A large part of it is just learning something new and being excited about it. There are no free days on this diet and I have managed the first week just fine. You can have 2 or 3 non-diet foods a week and so far so good as far as that is concerned. Also, I am recording everything I eat at fitday.com. You can tell exactly what you have eaten in terms of calories, nutrients, etc. It is a real eye opener. Like I said, I think this is a good thing for me to be doing now.

Ya'll have a great week. Cheryl, check in and let us know how things are going.

We got about 10" of snow before it changed over to freezing rain. The sun is shining today but it is very windy and very nippy out. We may see another snow storm Mon. night into Tues. morning, with measurable snowfall. We did hear Sat. night that it may stay to the south of us so that southern NE will get the most snow.:crossed: :crossed:

My girlfriend faxed me low-carb version of the grapefruit diet. It's a diet where you stay on the diet for 12 days, then stop for 2 days. I thought I would try it for the 12 days and see what happens. There is not much of a variety of food to choose from, and I do need variety. You do get to eat a lot of veggies and any type of meat you want. You can't have fruit except for the grapefruit or grapefruit juice. I'm on my 2nd day of the diet and it really isn't bad at all.

ledom, that's fantastic you'll be picking up your new kitty very soon. I am very excited for you. That's really wonderful you are so enthused about BRx. I wish you good luck with it. Have you started your body building exercises yet? If so, how is your back?WOW!!! We made your paper!

judi, that's cute about your cat's sleeping position in bed. He must be your DH's cat. That's cute Marley sitting in your DH's chair while he's away. Marley must really miss him. Well...Lacee is up to mischief as usual:devil: I got a good chuckle out of your description of Bentley. That's great you're out walking. It is still too cold and the roads are messy for me to walk. I can't wait to get out there.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Good grief Alice - I am so sorry the NE is having such a hard winter. Do you use gas to heat? If so your bills must be eating you alive. That is happening to me down in the sun belt.

On cats - the other day I read a funny saying on another thread. "Dogs have masters. Cats have support teams." So true!

Alice, I did my first back workout this morning and it went well. I am paying special attention to my form. I am really watching it.

Girls, I think BRx is such a good decision for me right now. I had stalled out w/ BFL. No free day, but on cycle one I can have some treat foods each week. On Wed. at bookclub I had a beer. On Fri. D and I went out for Mexican food so I had a free meal, and on Sat. I was at a party so I had two glasses of wine and a beer. That is so much less damage than my usual Sat. free for all. I still tracked calories and nutrients. The difference? This Mon. morning I wasn't afraid to step on the scale. I am losing a litte weight though the fatburning cycle of the diet comes 12 weeks into the program (June and July is when I can expect the most dramatic weight loss on this plan.) I am really enjoying being able to know what to expect.

judi, I am glad you are keeping up with your walking. It is so good for you. Next thing we'll have you picking up some weights. Have you ever read "Strong Women Stay Young" or "Strong Women Stay Healthy" by the same author? If you ever get interested in developing some muscle they are great books to get you started.

ledom, yes, we do use gas for heat. We budget our heating bill throughout the year so it's not too too bad. At least we don't get hit all at once with a HUGE heating bill.:^: The BRx seems like it's a very sound plan. Especially with them telling you what to expect while on this WOE, and being able to have treat foods during the week. Glad that the weight lifting went ok. I still have a back problem so I'm not doing any exercises right now. There is a tender spot where most of the pain radiates from, so I figured I have a knotted muscle that needs to be stretched out. I am going to therapy for my right arm and I had knotted muscles there too. I'm literally falling apart!:dz:

judi, how was your weekend? Did Estaban & DH arrive home today?

Take care and have a great day.

Hi Ledom, Alice & Cheryl!

Ledom I am glad you are liking your new program...as for me picking up weights, I dunno ... too ambitious for me. I am walking but now I have a sore tendon in my left foot...it is not meant to carry all this weight around. Sorry to hear that your back is bothering you Alice! How is your back now, Ledom?

What foods do you have on your diet Alice? I am a grapefruit fan myself.

The cat and Marley had a hard time adjusting to each other...it looked like each forgot the other lived in the house. It is nice to have the DH back.

This weekend we are going to a retreat house and are going to take a course called "Ecclesiology", the office of religious education for the Archdiocese is offering it, it is a two day thing. I am looking forward to it. The retreat house is in a nice location, I love staying in monasteries and convents, this one is in a convent. Then next weekend we are taking our motor home and are staying in Vancouver for 3-4 days so we can go to all the Easter services. I am looking forward to that. We are taking the beasts in the motor home as well.

I felt a bit bummed out yesterday. My good friend, who also is my house cleaner, basically told me she was only cleaning my house because she needed the money...well, I knew THAT...I know she is not cleaning houses for FUN, but I felt kind of bad being just being a source of supply of money for someone who didn't want to do the work but had to...maybe I am being stupid, but it made me feel kind of bad. I really pay her well too. I am trying to be mature about it, it just made me feel bad.:(

That is wonderful about getting the new cat soon Ledom:cool: That will be exciting. What will the other cats think I wonder?

Alice, you are due for a break in the weather, this last winter will be the one that old timers in your area will talk about for years.

We were having snow flurries this morning from that large system that passed over us, but the sun is shining now. South of us go hit really bad. Yes, judi, I think this will be a winter people will talk about for years. It just doesn't seem to want to go away..like an unwanted guest.:lol:

judi, was the reunion between Marley & Estaban with Marley thinking, Oh, (pause) YOU'RE back, and Estaban thinking, You're still here????:D It's funny how they forget each other exists when they're apart. Glad your DH & Estaban made it home ok. Your retreat sounds really nice. Your classes sound interesting. I'm sure you'll enjoy them. On this diet you can have either 1/2 grapefruit or 1/2 c. grapefruit juice at each meal. I opt for the juice. Breakfast is 2 eggs & 2 pieces of bacon..that will get old after awhile. Lunch is a big salad with lots of meat and any salad dressing you want. Dinner is meat, as much as you want, with as many acceptable vegetables that you want.. You can't have potatoes, celery or white onions, or any other white vegetable for that matter. But, you can have any green, yellow, or red vegetable you want. You can't eat between meals, and I find myself awfully hungry, so much so that I almost went off it. I got on the scale last night, I was curious, and since Sat. I've lost 2 lb. That gave me the incentive to keep at it. Maybe your friend was having a bad day too and was feeling sorry for herself.

ledom, what have you been up to?

Have a wonderful day!

Alice, 2 pounds already!! That is good.:cool:

I remember years ago I went on Atkins and I ate bacon, eggs & cheese for every breakfast. Still to this day I can have an egg and imitation bacon breakfast without any bread at all. Can you have any kind of bread on this diet?

Today I bought a book with food counts in it. I am going t make a real effort to get at least 25 grams of fibre. See if it makes a diff. to weight loss. So I am going to be counting points, fibre, glasses of water, servings of fruit and veg. (still aim for Prevention's ten) and servings of dairy.

I treadmilled today because it was pouring outside.

The dog and cat are tolerating each other but both are always very interested in what "the other guy" is doing.

About my friend, I am just going to forget it. She IS a good friend (and a good house cleaner) and I would not want to lose her in either capacity.

Time to turn in...good night all!

judi, will you still be doing WWJ eat diet also? They say that eating a lot of fiber helps take weight off. Do you remember the old WW Fat & Fiber plan? I still have the books for that diet. That's a good idea to just let what your friend said roll off your back. As I mentioned in my last post, she could have been having a rotten day herself.
Good for you for treadmilling yesterday.:cp: My back is really starting to feel much better, DH has been rubbing Flexall on it and I've been doing stretching exercises and it really has helped. Hopefully next week I can start my walking tapes again.

The diet I am doing now is a Grapefruit diet that my girlfriend faxed over to me. I want to get my vacation weight off, and it just wasn't happening with me not being able to exercise. So, drastic times need drastic measures. :s: So far I've lost 3 lbs. This is a lot like Atkins Diet, and I can't have bread. Honestly, I don't even miss it. Once I have lost enough weight, I am going back to counting points so that I can have a healthier diet. I know that when I go off this grapefruit diet, I will gain weight because it's coming off too fast. Unfortunately, I did give into temptation last night and had pizza and a glass of wine! I figure I must've needed it, as I did not feel in the least bit guilty!:lol:

ledom & Cheryl, haven't heard from you guys lately. Are you really busy?

Have a great day everyone.

Have either of you ever tracked your food on fitday? I am doing that now and it is a great way to keep track. I also am counting fiber. It is a big part of the BRx plan. This diet is amazing. I am almost afraid to talk about my results so far as it seems too good to be true. First off, I am eating around 2300 cals. a day. I know it is more than I was eating on BFL, and yet weight is just falling off albeit the weight I gained during my free week and a half during which I didn't hold back at all. Every night I am scrambling to get some more protein and fiber in before the day is over. Of course I get to eat as much as I do based on my weight and to tell you the truth on the diet even more food is allowed though not required. How many grams of protein and carbs you eat each day are weight based. I'd never be able to keep up with it all w/out fitday. It is free to use too. fitday.com - I am eating 30 grams of fiber a day and it increases with each 6 week cycle.

I think you are right about your friend Judi, sounds like she was having a weak and sad moment maybe. I hate when things like that happen but I am sure it was about her, not about you.

The time change is this week has me pretty dragged out. I seem to have more trouble adjusting to this every year.

Ya'll take care. Stop by and say howdy Cheryl.

I hope your back is soon completely better Alice:goodvibes

Ledom, is this a weight lifting diet you are on?

I too am trying to eat lots of fibre 25 grams a day and make sure I get soy in everyday. Today I made a great smoothie with blueberries, 1 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup mango dessert soy, 1 cup ff vanilla soy milk, 1 ban, and a package of Equal. So right there there are 3 of my 5 fruits. I have had 16 g. of fibre today and plan to get the rest tonight with WW pita, hummus, and toubli salad. I am just going to sit down and figure out the food counts from a book I bought. This new venture is a combination of WWJ eat, info from PMD and Nutrition Action while counting WW points. I am trying to do 4 fruits and 5 veg. (1/2 cup servings). Whewww...lots of counting but after awhile I will know how much I have to have of what and it will be automatic, I hope.

I did track for a short while but I like a note book or something that can go where I go best. I am going to make up a sheet of food slots and a place for counts and then photocopy it and fill it in for what I am doing now.

http://www.ultimatefatburner.com/reviews/body-rx.html

The link is to a review on BRx that you might find interesting. Judi, yes - part of the plan is lifting. But, and I don't have the book in front of me to check; Dr. Connelly says that a high percentage of suceeding with it is the nutrition, maybe 85% if I remember correctly.

Alice, yippee, glad to hear your back is feeling better. How is the weather doing? I bet you'll feel better all over when it starts being spring.

I am up extra early this morning to do some things I kept putting off yesterday. I have been having a bad spell of procrastination. Could it be spring fever? Spring break was too short and it just made me anxious for school to be out. We only have three weeks left so it'll be here before I know it. Looking forward to having D home from school. And we get the new kitty next week - something else to look forward too!

Oh, and judi - have fun on your retreat. When you talked about staying in a convent it reminded me of the book I just read. You might really like it. It is Ann Patchett's Patron St. of Liars. It is set in a Catholic home for unwed mothers and is staffed my nuns. It is really a very good read and her other book, Bel Canto, is also a book I believe you would enjoy.

On keeping track, I think whatever works best for you is what you should do. I am making print outs each evening of my daily food log. I plan to spend some time going over them, especially on cycle 2 when I have to decrease my starchy carbs. Actually I need to do that now as well to make sure I am getting enough so that I can decrease them in the next cycle. This is all such a new way of eating and thinking for me. Half of the thrill is that it engages my curiosity. I haven't yet, but I am also planning to start logging my workouts as well.

HELLO FROM THE NO SHOW!! Or at least the "very-rarely-show!!"

Wow, I can't believe this thread is up to NINE pages already! I posted a note the other day in the low-carb forum (she shares guiltily...).

My job interview went well. At least that's what I thought at the time. It was a week ago yesterday, and the more time that passes, the more I feel that I did not get selected. It takes time to get those rejection letters out, you know. Oh well, I put it in God's hands a long time ago--his timeframe, his decision. It's just hard for my little human brain to remember that sometimes.

My co-worker decided we should go on the low-carb diet together. Since I need the motivation of another person, I said "why not?" The eating is kind of like BFL, just not nearly so much carbs (of course). And no eating six times/day. I can handle this better. I am still eating SOME carbs, just trying to keep it under 40 g/day.

Oh, I do love reading your animal stories. Never tire of them. Ledom, your cat knows she's the boss!! I tell people that visit me that I really live in the cat's house, she lets me stay with her. Which is true--she spends a lot more time there than I do, for sure!! She also has to be in the same room with me, for the most part, and if I'm laying in bed reading or whatever, and she lays beside me, she has to be touching me, or at least be close enough to me that I can touch her. And when she wants to play fetch, I can't get her to LEAVE me alone!! My, she's a haughty little princess ;)

I get to pick up my new kitties tomorrow. They're going to my BF's house, but they'll really be mine :) If my own child wasn't so spoiled and her house wasn't so small (2-br trailer), I'd consider keeping one of them.

Ledom, hope BodyRx is going well.

Judi, I don't know the guidlines of the PMD. Is it close to the WWJE diet? I think that any diet that doesn't involve a lot of processed foods would have to be good for us.

Alice, hope your weather situation straightens out soon! Congrats on the 2 lbs.

Cheryl

Goodmorning!

You lucky "getting new cats" people! I can see now why people don't stop at one cat...its like eating peanuts or potato chips. I would like another one but I can't make Marley work so hard. He has all the work he can do trying to keep our cat from getting any attention at all and gaurding me. THe cat is really turning out to be DH's cat.

Thank you for sending that link Ledom, I will check it out after I finish posting. I am curious about that diet. Yes, I too need new things to try and research and record diet wise. Yesterday I made a bunch of fancy diet sheets and photocopied them.

PMD, Cheryl is much like WWJ eat. Very SOUND nutrition. I find the healthier I am eating the less food cravings I have to deal with. Yesterday tracking points of fibre, WW points and everything I was pleasantly suprised how much I could have to eat and still be within my point range.

Remember that smoothie I made yesterday, well I made DH one when he came home and he said by evening the aches he has from arthiritis had almost ceased and he thinks that is what did it. I wonder if it was the soy??? I am going to try it again today.

How is the back Alice? Are you able to use your gazelle? Big squeeze for Lacee!!

Ledom, thanks for sending those titles. I will check them out. I just bought "Lying Awake" by Mark Salzaman. The story takes place in a Carmelite monastery outside LA. Haven't started it yet. I am presently going thru The Autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila for the umpteenth time. THere is so much in there. I bought my self a new copy because it is the kind of book I will probably read and reread all of my life.

Hmmm, Cheryl...I know what you mean...it is hard to leave things in God's hands after committing them there, and not take them them back, look them over and stew about them...but I keep trying to remind myself :"He knows best and He loves most!"

The sun is shining here today. So nice! It has been pouring rain this last while. Any sign of spring in your part of the world Alice?

ledom, the BRx does sound interesting. Do you really get results without bodybuilding? I'm with judi on body building:s: I will go to that link after I finish posting. I am looking for something after I finish with the grapefruit diet, as you can only stay on it for a short period of time. You must be getting very excited about picking up your new kitty.

I envy you all for your cats. I really do miss my kitties. :cry:

Our weather today is fabulous the sun is shining and we're having milder temps. Tomorrow is another matter, we're supposed to get rain through Sat., then they said it's going to get warmer once this system has passed. I'll believe THAT when I see it!

My back is doing ok. I've started doing some stretches to help with the discomfort and it seems to be working.

Cheryl, have fun with your new kitties when you pick them up. I wish you good luck and many years of enjoyment out of them. I know what you mean about putting it in God's hands. If you don't get this job then it just wasn't meant to be. Something better may be just around the corner.

Glad you're having some nice weather, judi, sometimes a lot of rain can get rather depressing. Have you read the Mitford series books by Jan Karon? They are about an Episcopal Minister and his sometimes funny trials and tribulations with his flock and some of the people in town. I thoroughly enjoy them. No gazelle for awhile. Gave Lacee a B I G squeeze and she says "WOOF!"

Hope you all have a great afternoon and a good evening.

Cheryl - kitty update please. We need details. On the job, well I agree - if it doesn't happen it is because there is something better waiting for you. I am sure your interview was great, my experience is that sometimes these things are already decided before you even show up, sometimes especially with goverment jobs as they are required to advertise even if they already have a pretty good idea who they want.

I got out my book and right at the very beginning he says that if you never go into a gym you will still get 70% of the benefit by just following the diet. Later on he says that if you don't do the exercises you will get dramatic results, if you follow the exercise portion you will get spectacular results. So there you have it. Girls, I feel like I am learning so much about proper nutrition now, more than anything else I have done. A lot of it is the opposite of what I have always thought too. I am not going to be obnoxious and try to push this on you at all - just consider picking up a copy sometime, I think you'll be surprised at what he has to say.

TGIF, no special plans this weekend but it is supposed to be sunny and gorgeous. Oh yeah, I am going to a wedding on Sat. night, I hope to go kayaking as well.

Have a good weekend. Enjoy your retreat Judi.

It's a warm day...almost 50 already. The sun is shining, but it's supposed to cloud up later in the day and start to rain. At least it won't be snow!

I'm off to lunch with my GF, who I haven't seen since I went away on vacation. She went away for a week or so right after I got back. We were supposed to meet last Fri., but the weather put a crimp in that. We are going to an inn she has discovered. She has been to this inn before for dinner, never for lunch, and it's rather swanky. No jeans & sweatshirt today! :s:

ledom, thank you for looking the info up. I will get the book to see what he says. There is a website www.************.com that lists and rates, pro and con about each diet, and there are numerous ones. BRx isn't on the list yet, but it's one of the ones they are working on. I like to look at it from time to time to see what's new out there. Personally, I do need a higher protein diet and this sounds very healthful. Do you think you could do this diet for life? I am looking for some eating program that I enjoy and can do for the long-term. Enjoy yourself at the wedding. Oh, kayaking, I am envious. We still have ice on the lake.

Cheryl, how did it go yesterday picking up the new kitties? I bet they are sooooo adorable :love:

judi, what are up to? A big smooch for Marley and Estaban.

Have a great day.

Hope you all had a safe and pleasant weekend.

The wedding was just so sweet. I love those two kids - it is great to go to a wedding when you can totally see them being a wonderful couple.

School is winding down with a flurry of assignments due, awards ceremonies, etc. Kind of a fun but hectic time of year.

I did kayak this weekend and it was delightful. The fish are back, lots of people and critters out enjoying the warm weather we had over the weekend.

Well Alice, I think it is something I could do for a lifetime. Cycle one has a lot of food so there would be no getting hungry. Each cycle you cut back though, so we'll have to wait and see how I feel as I get further into it.

Have a great week.

I went to pick up my kittens on Friday when I got off work. Unfortunately, they are still just a tad too small for me to bring home. I'm gonna try again this week-end. They're so beautiful, though! There was only one little boy---what a little squawker!! I want little girls, but he was so cute... Heck, I told my BF that I was gonna bring home all five of them. I was like, "How would you feel if I brought home five kittens next weekend?" To my surprise, he was quite agreeable. He told me that if I would take care of feeding them, until they're old enough to hunt for themselves, I could bring home as many as I wanted to :dizzy: :D Then he told me that his mom and dad wanted a couple--so, in reality, I really could be bring home FIVE kittens next weekend.

The only problem I have at all with that is that I am a HUGE believer in spaying and neutering, and there is no way I could afford to get that many kitties "fixed." Oh, well, at least they'll be outside in the country! Maybe they'll cut down on the rat population!

I went fishing this weekend. It was great. The weekend in general was pretty great. Would be even more great if my allergies weren't acting up. Ahhhh, Springtime!!

Hope y'all are doing well!!

Cheryl

Five kitties!:smug:

Sounds like everyone is doing fine.

Nothing much new here...still haven't had wine, only a week to go;)

We are taking our motor home into Vancouver on Thursday and will stay until Monday so we can go to the services. THe DH and the D will become Catholics at the Easter Vigil.

Last weekend we stayed at the retreat house and did the Ecclesiology course which was great. I have already signed us up for another course in August.

Things are kind of up in the air here, the DH might have his last week at work this week. I will be glad when this is all settled. Quite stressful, knowing exactly "when" to end something like one's career.

Talk to you all again soon.

Congratulations on 5 kitties, Cheryl! That sure is a lot all at once!

Speaking of kitties, you'll be picking up your little guy pretty soon, ledom.

Glad that you had such a wonderful time at the retreat last weekend, judi. That's wonderful news that your DH & D will becoming Catholics at the Easter Vigil. You must be so proud of them. If you DH does decide to retire, will things change very much? Will you be doing more traveling? It must be a tough decision for him to make.

ledom, it must've felt really good being out on the water again. Our lakes still have ice on them. They have been saying this year may break a record for the lakes to still be frozen. I think sometime in the 1800's the ice left May 12th. BRx seems to be something like WW where you eat less as you become thinner. Did you read the book before you started BRx? If you mentioned it, I've forgotten it. If you hadn't read the book, where did you get your information?


We had a delightful day yesterday, and they say today we may see the 70's. I took Miz Lacee for a walk on Sat. it was so nice, I may even do it again today. Although, the arm I was holding the leash in was about 6" longer when we returned home than the other arm. :lol: My back is doing much..much..better. I've been doing stretches and that has seemed to help. I'm starting up my walking again slowly.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Alice, I am so glad your back is better. You know, I think I was wrong about telling you that you eat less as you go along. That isn't exactly true. You eat less carbs, but more protein and fiber. The last few nights I have been reading the archives of a support board for BRxers and they keep talking about how they are stuffing themselves in order to get in their requirements, even in cycle 3. I feel like I am doing that now. Yesterday, if you can believe this, I just couldn't do it. I ate clean but I didn't track my protein, my feeling was, I just want to eat a little less today. Now, that is not one of my usual diet complaints! The other thing I notice in these archives is that people can't believe that it will work. Cycle 1 is the building muscle phase, cycle 2 is the sculpting phase, and not until you get to C3 is the fat burning phase. You kind of go on blind faith and you are 3 months into it before you get to cycle 3.

I bought the book at a regular bookstore. There is a bodyrx.com website. Leanand strong.com has the archive brx page I have been slowly reading my way through that has people talking about the diet as they do it.

judi, sounds like the next couple of weeks will be busy and and interesting for you. I hope your DH makes the right decision for himself and that you will both be very happy w/ that decision. Sounds as if you have a very special Easter planned. My D will be home, she has been staying at school more and more on the weekends. We are both REALLY excited about the kitty. I plan to call the kitty lady today and make arrangements for picking him up. It will probably be Friday evening.

Cheryl, keep us posted on your kitty adoption.

Hey there,

It was 80 deg. here yesterday and a lot of our snow melted. Lacee, DH & I have been doing a little walking every day trying to get my back in better working order. We went earlier this morning while it was still warm, as a cold front is approaching and the temp is supposed to drop about 30 deg. or so. The temp. has dropped 7 deg. since we've gotten home. We're supposed to get a cold rain with a mixture farther north. Don't know if that mixture will reach us or not...we'll see.:(

Thank you for the info. on BRx, ledom. I will go into the websites after I finish this post.

I have sort of stopped the grapefruit diet I was on, I just couldn't take anymore eggs. I thought I'd modify it a bit and have cereal every once in awhile, but continue with the plan for the rest of my meals. I have lost my vacation weight, which is what I wanted to lose.

judi, how are things going with your DH's decision about retiring? Are you excited about the prospect of his retirement? Have a safe trip to Vancouver tomorrow and enjoy the Easter services. It will be quite a moment when your DH & D become Catholics. Also, have a Happy Easter.

Cheryl, do you have some sort of animal hospital in your area that would give you a discount on having all the kitties spayed and neutered? It might be something to look into. I believe in that too. All our animals are/were spayed.

Have a good day.

Alice, there is a clinic that offers spaying/neutering for, I think, $15/pet. But there are all sorts of restrictions--you have to make below a certain amount of $$, for one thing, and I make too much. Right now it looks as though I may not be getting all five of the babies, after all. While we were bowling last night, my friend told me I need to pick up the ones I want on Friday because she told a guy where she works that he could have one and she wants me to have "first pick." I was kind of disappointed at that, because I thought she knew I wanted ALL of them, but I don't want to deprive anyone else of a pet. I just hope he gives it a good home :)

If the weather cooperates, I may get to go camping/fishing this weekend. Right now, the forecast doesn't look too promising, though. Lots of wind and rain.

Not much going on on the weight-loss front. Hope y'all are doing better than me!! Ledom, BodyRX sounds interesting. I hope you get the Cycle 3 results you're expecting!!

Cheryl

Hi all!

What do you want to name the new kitty Ledom? Have you thought of names for your kitties Cheryl?

Alice, what amazing weather you are having...I guess the cosmos figures after your winter you need something special. I had a laugh about one arm being longer than the other:lol: Yup, that is a Boston.

Today I watched part of the dog show from Westminister. I caught the non sporting group and saw a Lhasa and a Boston plus a Frenchie! What cutie pies!! I would like to own every dog in that group!!

errr, the diet...sort of fallen off the wagon, had 2 boxes of chocolates given to me in the last couple of weeks, so I have erred considerably in that area...otherwise the food has been all PMD or what would J eat.

Today was sort of DH's transisitonal last day...he cleaned up the kitchen after dinner...hmmm, that was nice.

We are leaving tomorrow for Vancouver and will be back on Monday night, so I will wish all a wonderful Easter!!!

Judi, the name Jolly has been stuck in my mind for the longest (a character from a book I read last winter). D is not convinced but may become resigned to it. We just need to meet him first. We'll pick him up at 6:30 on Fri. He'll make our Easter special. When I talked to the lady who is raising him I asked her if he was sweet and she said, "Oh, he is so sweet - he is the laid back kitty and he loves to be loved on." We are just so excited to meet him, he sounds like my kind of cat.

I did something I've never done before and ordered a cooked sugar glazed ham from a great meat market here in town. I am wondering why I never thought of it before. For good measue I also ordered a coconut cream pie - I know what my treat food will be this week! I think I may have time to dye some easter eggs this year with all my cooking done already!

Well Alice, is there still snow on the ground after your warmer weather? I sure hope winter will be behind you for once and for all. Wishing you more 80 degree days.

Take care and Happy Easter to you.

During the day yesterday the temp dropped 30 deg. They were predicting some rain with snow mix up north, but we didn't get anything. This morning it looks like the sun is peeking out, but it's not going to be much warmer. Those couple of days were a real teaser.

ledom, Jolly is a cute name for a kitty. I bet you can't wait to pick him up. Yes, we still have snow on the gound, but quite a bit melted. We seem to be the last area to lose their snow. I don't know if it's because the lake is so close that it keeps things cooler. DH & I have made reservations for Easter Dinner. Both our families are spread far and wide and there is no sense in cooking a big dinner for just the 3 of us... Lacee included:s: Enjoy your ham and coconut cream pie.

Hey judi, have a safe trip.

Take care and Happy Easter

How was everyone's Easter? We had a nice relaxing day here. I managed to stay out of the chocolate but did have the most delicious piece of pie for dessert. I had a few other temptations yesterday but managed to resist.

Well, the kitty is here. I am not sure he is a Jolly, though we haven't thought of another name. We are a bit stumped. He is very long and lean, not quite a Jolly though truth be told I am still clinging to that name. He is a registered siamese. Our other siamese cats have never been registered and perhaps did not have a clear bloodline. This is little fellow looks a bit different. He is really cute and sweet and seems to be adjusting to us very well. He is really active and likes to be cuddled too. I think he is going to make a great pet. Other cats aren't so sure about him though. We have only introduced him to Beatrice, the older cat is a little scary and so we are waiting on that. Bea spits at him and he is totally unfazed by it. I hope she will come around to accept him though.

Well, I slept late this a.m. so I'd better run.

Glad you had a nice relaxing Easter, ledom. Our Easter was very relaxing too. We went out to dinner, and I wish I could say I was good. I had a cherry cobbler for dessert. I've never had a cobbler before, and it was delicious.

Your other cats will come around to the new kitty. When we had cats one of them hated any new addition, but then eventually tolerated the new interloper.

Hey judi, how was your Easter?

Have a good day.

Ledom,

Isn't a kayak one of those little "bobbing" boats that can completely flip over? I think I would be scared to try my luck in one of those! How did you get into kayaking in the beginning?

Cheryl

LOL Cheryl. Some kayaks are like the ones you describe. Those are called whitewater kayaks. I, however, paddle a touring kayak. They are longer, wider, and much more stable - at least mine is. They are used on flatwater mostly though they can be used on slow moving rivers like the Buffalo. I got into kayaking because I live very close to Lake Ouachita which has to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the country. I knew I'd never be able to afford or manage a motor boat and this was a way I could get out on the lake. As it turned out, it became a passion. Offering me lots of opportunities for photography, making friends etc. It is so neat because the lady I have kayak camped with the last 2 summers e-mailed me this week and asked me if I could go again this summer. I am so excited. I think we'll probably go the middle of May when school is out - which is just around the corner by the way. I am started to get excited about it.

How is everyone? Alice, you obviously aren't from the South if you haven't had cobbler before! Isn't it great? My favorite is blackberry cobbler. Oh, with vanilla ice cream of course!

I am in my 4th week of BRx and I'm liking it. Though some days I feel like I am never going to get "there", yesterday was a thin day. You know when you just don't feel as fat? I love days like that.

Oh, I almost forgot. The kitty has been named. He is Brody - after Adrien Brody. We really struggled to come up with the right name. D said he looked like A. Brody and she is right. He is long and lean, has a triangular face and, this is cuter than it sounds, but he has circles under his eyes. Brody seems to fit. He is fitting into the cat family great! He just absolutely called everyones bluff, not scared at all of growling, hissing kitties. Now Beatrice seems to think of him as her new kitten. It is so sweet.

I am not kidding. We are actually having snow flurries. Thank goodness it's not sticking to the ground! This is the winter that just won't quit. This is a little late in the season to be getting this kind of weather.

ledom, I did forget to mention I had vanilla ice cream with my cobbler. DH's mother used to make cobblers when he was growing up, but my mother was not that much of a baker. Brody! I like that name! I wish you many years of happiness with him. Glad you are liking BRx. I like those not feeling fat days, but they are few and far between:lol: Your camping trip sounds like a lot of fun. It will give you something to look forward to. When in May does school get out?

Hey Cheryl and judi! :wave:

Have a wonderful day.

Hi Alice, Ledom and Cheryl!

Well, everyone is Catholic in the family now, Easter services were wonderful. But after the Easter Vigil ended at midnight the first thing I did was have the DH drive me to a pizza place and I had 2 glasses of Chardonnay.

The DH started his semi retirement this week. He seems to be transitioning pretty well into sleeping late, watching morning tv etc. no worry there:lol:

We are leaving for southern California today. When I get there I plan to shop till I drop. DH is going to see if he can still keep the US work.

I am up 2 lbs.:o

My portions are still too big, when I have spaghetti...I mean, I have spaghetti, not 1/2 cup plus I did go thru 2 boxes of chocolates during Easter. I am going to try to eliminate all but fruit, yougurt or high fibre cereal for snacks and of course try to be more sensible about portions.

Time to pack and get going.

I need more kitty and Miz Lacee updates!!

Will write more when we arrive at DH's work.

Not more snow Alice!?:( You poor thing, I know you must be sick of it.

Well Brody is Bea's new shadow - they are totally enthralled with each other. It is so sweet.

I think I have finally turned some kind of corner w/ my dieting. For one thing my body is starting to process all that protein better than at first. Also, I have dropped about 2 lbs. this week. After what seems forever! And, beyond that, I can just kind of tell by looking in the mirror that there are changes going on. I am starting to be pretty muscular. I have to flex to see my muscles, but everything is just looking firmer. I have high hopes that this little weight loss spurt will continue a bit before I plateau again. We'll see. In 2 1/2 weeks I start the second cycle and it'll be interesting to see what the differences are then. It is hard to visualize the eating and exercise differences even though I have read and know what they are. Until I do it I don't really understand.

judi - big changes in your life. Congratulations to DH - I hope you guys have a wonderful retirement!

Cheryl - what's up!?

Hee, hee... The USDA is making us go to a "mandatory" training session for a week in Hot Springs. It was optional, but they changed it last week, after bunches of folks were optioning out! Man oh man, a mandatory paid-for week at the Arlington. The only bad thing about it is, since they've made it mandatory, they've also made it "family friendly." There goes my dream of lying peacefully by the poolside all week long :( Really, though, I should be able to find plenty to do. I'm going to try to get my Mom to go with me.

Judi--pizza and Chardonnay and up 2 pounds. Hmmm....Wonder why.... Just kidding! Congrats on the religious unity in the family. I really think that's great for you!

Alice--at this rate, it's gonna be snowing when I come up that way in JULY!!! Actually, that would be kind of neat (don't shoot me!).

Ledom, happy to hear about Brody fitting in! Thanks for explaining the kayak question for me!

Cheryl

Had a great day yesterday weatherwise for a change. DH & I took off for Maine for the day. It was wonderful to get away. Today we're gearing up for another 2 or 3 days of rain. :(

ledom, that's fantastic that you are seeing results from your dieting and exercising. It really keeps you motivated seeing such good results. What happens on the second cycle? Do you just continue with what you are doing, or is there a change in your eating and/or exercising?

Cheryl, Glad to see that you are still coming to RI this summer. I was wondering if you still were. It's funny you should mention snow in July (bite your tongue, girl) :lol: A friend of mine e-mailed me this photo someone had taken this past winter after a snow storm. On a deck full of snow, someone had built 4 snowmen, placed them on plastic outdoor chairs, around an outdoor table. They put baseball caps on each one, arranged them so they looked like they were playing cards, and placed a beer bottle beside each snowman. It was titled Summer of 2003 in New England. :lol: :lol:

judi, you really are having some positive changes in your life right now. I am so happy for you. Have a great time in CA and shop until you drop! ;)

Have a great weekend everybody.

glad you had a day away and nice weather to enjoy it in. Something like that can really boost your spirits.

Yes, cycle two I will increase protein consumption from 1 gram of protein per lb. of body weight to 1.25 grams. Fiber increases from 30 to 50 grams (I think it is 50, need to check), and reduce the number of starch carbs per day. The lifting sequence changes too, more sets and reps with less rest time between. In the third cycle there is a similar change and then the 4th cycle is a maintenance cycle.

I am going kayaking with my friend this morning and will probably work in my yard this afternoon. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

How do you get all of that fiber in? Can you take a fiber pill or mix it in water? Will that take the place of fiber from food? 50 grams seems like a lot to try to get in one day. I was just wondering. Thanks.

Hey there Ilvduke - C 1 is 30 grams fiber, C2 is 45 grams and C3 is 60 grams. In C1 I am getting it from the food I eat mostly - I have started loging my food. You can use Fiber One cereal. I did that at first but I find I can get the 30 w/out it. I think it has taken my digestion system 3 1/2 wks to make the adjustment but it has. It'll be interesting to see what the next 2 challenges are like. There are other fiber supplements you can use but I haven't investigated them = psyllium maybe? I have been making rasberry smoothies as rasberries have lots of fiber.

Thanks Ledom, I didn't mean to intrude, I was just wondering. You guys are so awesome at responding to questions. I really appreciate it. I'm considering going back to the WW fat and fiber plan, that's why my question arose about the fiber. Thanks again.

Ilvduke - you are welcome to join us on this thread and chat anytime you want. We are all doing out own thing here and gossip about as much as we talk about dieting but it's a great little group.

We had a lot of rain yesterday. Our driveway was starting to get puddles and I thought we'd have to take the canoe out to get around.:lol: Today the sun is out and it's warming up very nicely.

I hoped on the scale this morning, and I'm up 2 lbs. (SIGH), I guess I'll just have to start counting points again because that really worked before. So, come on judi, let's start counting points again. We can do it! ;)

Ilvduke, you are more than welcome to join our group. As ledom said we talk about everything. I agree with ledom that this is a great group. Many years ago I did the WW fat & fiber program. As a matter of fact, I believe I still have all the books. That was a great plan and often wonder why they stopped it.

ledom, how was your kayaking trip? Hope you saw a lot of nature while you were out there. I was in a vitamin store yesterday and I noticed they were selling the book, Body BRx and thought of you.

judi, hope you're having a good time in CA. The weather should be nice.

Hi Cheryl :wave:

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Hi ladies! Nice to read everyone's postings.

I am back OFF Chardonnay and pizza...I am still trying to do a WWJ eat diet. For the last couple of days I have had fish on top of salad. My DH has been having it to.

I have a nice place to walk here and the weather is gorgeous. Plus, I found a church for daily mass so I am happy.

That is cute about the kitties getting along together. That doesn't usually happen but little fellow is still young enough to want a mummy figure.

Yes, we had our first week together. It was very nice. We are planning to take the long way back by going to Las Vegas...no not to gamble but to enjoy the warmth and stay in one of the nice RV parks there and maybe look around and do a bit of shopping.

Alice, we'll count points and whip off those 2 pounds in no time.

I am trying to get a lot of fibre as well. Just 2 pieces of the bread I am now eating has 16 grams of fibre and only 1.5 points. I have gotten to like it. Plus, I also eat "Kashi" cereals the higher fibre ones. But I am wondering out a fibre pill? Would that be a good idea and the same thing???? How many grams of fibre is everyone trying for in a day?

I will check in again in a few days. (Have to go to the DH's place of work)

Ahhhh, Judi

I'm so jealous! You're living my fantasy lifestyle...How I'd love to RV across country. I'd find every state park along the way and probably live off of grilled-out food and fresh fish.

Ledom, wasn't the weather perfect this weekend? I fished four hours on Sunday and have nice red skin to show for it. (We caught very few fish :( )

Alice, good luck counting points. One of the very few ways I have ever managed to lose weight and not feel deprived while doing so! Unfortunately, I am just not in a diet "frame of mind" right now. Don't you hate it when you KNOW what works and what will make the pounds come off, but you just don't FEEL like doing it?

Ilvduke, great of you to post! Come back anytime!

Cheryl

Good morning ladies. For some reason this week I am retainng water - rings tight, etc. It is so weird and kind of frustrating - I have noticed this before on BRx and I am not sure what causes it.

Brody is just the best! We love him - he's just such a happy and curious baby and now has the run of the house. He plays really hard and then sleeps like a rock for a few hours and then is back at it. Not only does he want a Mommy - Beatrice is in 7th heaven. She is a good mommy and also is acting more and more like a kitten herself. The conclusion is that Brody is just the right kitten for us. Also, he is very handsome. He reminds us a lot of Ricky Martin (the cat) in his looks.

I have never been one to log my food but I am now as well as keeping an exercise log. I might skip every 3rd day or so because I figure I can't forget or fudge what I am eating in just one day, but I do find it helpful with keeping me honest.

Yes, last weekend was beautiful. Kayaking was so much fun, the wildflowers are blooming. There were tons of fisherman out too. I don't fish, but I love to look at them in the water while I am floating along.

We had the most delightful spring day yesterday, the temp. got to 80 deg. I washed all the curtains and hung them out to dry. Now that chore is done.

ledom, is there some food that you are eating that has a lot of sodium in it that you are unaware of? Keeping a journal is a good idea. If this happens again you can look back to see if you had eaten the same food(s). Glad you had a good time kayaking. There is something peaceful seeing people fish. I am so happy that Brody has fit in so nicely. Many years ago we had an older female cat when we brought in a new kitten. From the very beginning she mothered the kitten. She'd sit on her and bathe her much to the annoyance of the kitten. She was very protective of the kitten too, even as the kitten got older.

judi, ok, you're on. We'll start counting points and lose those darn 2 lbs.! I never gave it a thought to count fiber, that's a good idea. If you go into www.womansday.com and click onto health then scroll down and you'll see the high fiber diet plan and click onto that. They give you some menus and I believe they tell you how many grams of fiber to eat in a day. I eat shredded wheat 'n' bran for breakfast, and I can't tell you how much fiber is in it, but I know it's a lot. Sometimes when I'm eating cereal I'll add some Fiber One cereal to it just to boost up the fiber. What bread are you eating?

Cheryl, I've been where you are right now, not in a diet frame of mind. I am heading that way again, but I'm trying to get myself motivated again to lose weight because I don't want to gain anymore weight than I already have.

Hi Ilvduke! Hope things are going well for you. How is the fat & fiber plan going?

Have a great day ladies!

I had some "spare" time, so I ran back through some of the older PMD posts. Wonder what became of the other ladies who used to post with y'all. Ever hear anything of them?

Cheryl

It was in the 70's yesterday and it felt wonderful! Our weather is supposed to start going downhill overnight tonight with showers then steady rain through Sunday. Even with all the snow melt and rain that we have been having, the fire danger is high.:?:

Cheryl, I don't recall hearing from any of the other ladies who used to post. Maybe occasionally they would pop in.

ledom, school must be almost out for you by now. When does it actually end? I can't belive tomorrow is the 1st of May. Where has the time gone? How is the journaling going?

judi, I dug out my old WW fat & fiber diet program. In the booklet they say to eat at least 25g. fiber a day. I went to the Woman's Day site and printed the copy of their high-fiber diet, and they say to eat between 20-35g. of fiber per day.

Have a good day!

Good morning, Hey Alice - finals are next week. Just one more week and we are out. I am so ready! Journaling is ok, I didn't get all my protein in yesterday and I knew I didn't. I just couldn't eat another thing. I have to concentrate on getting it in early in the day or I get into trouble.

Did some impulse shopping yesterday. I found a rack of Ralph Lauren denim skirts and jeans and casual tops on sale for half price and I went a little crazy. I guess it was the spring line because it is pretty light weight stuff so I can go ahead and start wearing it.

Other than that not much is new here.

ledom, you sound like your more than ready for school to end. Do you have any special plans for the summer? I can understand why you didn't get all of your protein in the other day. Protein fills me and keeps me satisfied for long periods of time. Your new outfits sound great. Half off on Ralph Lauren is a good bargain. I just love a bargain!:s:

Hey judi & Cheryl!

Have a great day everybody.

Alice, we are planning a trip to Ohio to visit relatives early in the summer. That's about it. Oh yeah, kayak camping week after next. I plan to read, work in my darkroom, sleep late, that kind of thing. I am giving a big birthday party for my friends fiftieth birthday in mid-May (hey that is just around the corner!)

Ah - state of the diet. I am sticking with it but there are days I feel frustrated. I post on a support board for BRx and I am sure without that my doubts about this WOE would overcome me. But, what I am experiencing is exactly where I should be in this cycle. Day before yesterday I calculated that I had eaten 2800 calories. that was kind of a heavy day but it is alway over 2300. On this diet I can eat a whole avacado if I want to. It has good fats and 10 grams of fiber. But you see what I mean, how could this be a diet? I am lifting heavy weights, heavier everyday and my muscles are actually starting to show through the fat I carry and they feel really hard. I am almost through week 5 of the WOE, I haven't gained and depending on which day I weigh have even lost a couple of lbs. The next 6 week go around is not a losing phase either, during this time I should notice my muscles becoming more sculpted. Some people say that phase 2 is their favorite. Then phase 3, I think this starts June 22, is when the weight loss is supposed to occur. I so can't wait for that! I am hoping to lose about 15 lbs. during that period and I hope I am not being overly optimistic. In reading other peoples weight loss stories, people who have lost huge amounts of weight, it seems that they usually did not do it on a body building diet, rather lost weight and then took up this lifestyle. I have to tell you that I am sometimes tempted by those stories because this is certainly the slow way, at least for me it is. BUT, I look better now that I have in a long time. Enough so that other people comment fairly often - if it weren't for that I am sure I'd be really discouraged. Those are my musings on where I am with all this today.

Just a quick note to say there is big news in NH today. Our state symbol, The Old Man in the Mountain crumbled and fell sometime during the night. I just saw pictures on the news and there is nothing left by the cables that were holding it together.

ledom, that's great your muscles are starting to show some definition. Would you feel less frustrated if you concentrated more on how you look rather than weight loss? You really are doing so well.

Hey judi & Cheryl.

Hey Alice, I saw the crmbled mtn on the national news. Wow, that's too bad. Do you think it has anything to do with the hard winter you had. In our town we have these exposed bluffs, right in the downtown. A couple of times there have been landslides after a freeze and thaw.

Yeah, I'm trying to keep everything in perspective. I'm better off than I was this time last year. I have worked hard for several months now - need to go back and look for sure how long I have done this type of eating and exercise - it's working. It is just slow, hopefully there will be a point when I'll see a real surge of progress.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

I was surprised that the Old Man made the national news. It was a rock formation that was made 10,000 yrs. ago in the ice age. People are acting like someone in their family has died. They do think the winter we had with all the record cold temps. and the rain we've been having had a lot to do with it falling apart. It's going to seem really weird driving by the area and have nothing there.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Good Morning girls - Judi, where are you now? Hope you can check in soon. How about you Cheryl - what's new?

It's finals week here and my last week of work - woohoo!!!!

Hey, I have decided to add some aerobic activity to my workout. The new Cooking Light has a training plan for running a 5k. It looks like something I may be able to do so starting next week I am going to give it a shot. It takes 6 weeks and you just gradually add time and/or intensity each week. I hope it will help get the scale moving again. Anyway, it looks doable and fun so I am in.

I wish you all could see little Brody. He is growing so fast. His legs are so long that when he curls up to sleep his head is resting on his back legs. He also has teeth and claws like fine needles so my arms and hands look like they have been in a battle. He doesn't hurt me on purpose, he just hasn't learned to be careful. Love him anyway!

ledom, I was thinking of you earlier this morning when I was watching GMA and they were doing the weather. It looks like you're under the gun for some severe weather. Puppy teeth are like needles too. I found some of Lacee's puppy teeth after they had fallen out and saved them. Usually they swallow them, or so I've heard. I'm glad I have a momentum of her puppyhood. Good luck with your cardio work.

Hey judi and Cheryl :wave:

Have a good day all.

Oooohhh, the sunburn! Spent the week-end at the lake fishing. Didn't catch much of anything (we caught about 7 fish all together and I caught the biggest crappie of the four of us!!!) but I got a minor sunburn. My nose is a lovely shade of red.

Alice saw the demise of the old man. Bummer. Saw it at 3 this morning when I got up to check on how the weather was doing. Had a total brain (excuse my language) fart and was like "The old man in the mountain.....Which quarter was that?" DUH!!!

Ledom--Keep your chin up, lady! You'll see results if you stick with it. Don't do like me and get discouraged and give up! That walking/jogging program you're talking about sounds a lot like one I started doing. Mine is called Couch to 5k and it's a 9-week program. I got it from a great website called coolrunning.com You should check out the site if you have time.

Judi--hope you're doing great!

Cheryl

ledom, hope you didn't get that violent weather they were talking about yesterday morning.

judi, whatcha been up to? A lot of shopping?

Cheryl, yes, it was tragic what happened to the Old Man, but nature built it, then nature took it away. Some people want to restore it, but I don't think they should. They should put some sort of memorial there to show what once stood there for 10,000 yrs.

Have a great day everyone.

Alice,

Have you tried to check in on Low Carb lately? For some reason our thread for this week is locked. I posted a message on Monday in the one for last week, and then when I went in late yesterday afternoon to see if anyone else had posted, my message had been move to a thread of its own and BOTH of the threads had been locked!! What's up with that?

Sent you a PM

So far my area of the state has dodged the bullet on the bad storms. How are you doing up in your corner Cheryl?

We did finally get some much needed rain. I am late on getting my flowers out for the summer but have finally started working in my yard. I have a small electric chain saw and yesterday I cut two huge holly bushes out of my yard. I have one more to cut but have to wait for the family of Mockingbirds that are nesting in it to get their babies flying. The nest is well protected by the sharp leaves, but the nest is at eye level and D and I have really enjoyed watching this little family grow.

I am all but finished at work. I have to go in today to accept a late assignment and also to help D get her heavy stuff moved out of her dorm room. Graduation is at 9 on Sat. a.m. and then I outta there!

I have some fun things to do this week and next. Book club tonight, tomorrow the girlfriends are getting together and driving to L.R. for dinner out to celebrate a birthday. Next Th. my kayaking friend and I are going out in the boats and camp on an island. I'll be getting my break off to a good start. Also have to clean and tidy house and yard for a cookout at my house on the 17th.

Cheryl, thanks for the running link. What you described sounds very like what I am planning to do - are you doing that training now? I plan to start on Monday.

Alice--Glad I'm not the only one!! Hmmmm.....

Ledom--we've been hit pretty hard up here. Fortunately, there were very few injuries (only one of them serious). It stormed again last night. Needless to say, I didn't get a solid night of sleep!!
Sounds like you have a full week-or-two planned! Enjoy yourself!!:)
You're more than welcome for the link. That plan does sound like a good one! I'm doing it by time, rather than by distance. I'm guessing I'll have to repeat some weeks throughout the program, but I'll get it evenutally.

Judi--Hey chick! What's up?

Cheryl

We are having a beautiful day today. We've already been out for a little walk. We could go farther and faster, but Lacee loves to go with us so much that I don't want to disappoint her.

ledom, glad that you didn't get any of the nasty weather. I saw on the weather this morning that you were under the gun today also. You sure have a busy schedule planned. I bet you are anxious to get your summer vacation started. Have fun at your bookclub tonight. Where will you be going out to eat tomorrow?

Cheryl, sorry you had such an awful night with the storm. Did you get a lot of damage? That's great you are so enthused about running. Keep it up! I haven't seen any posts from the other two ladies on that thread, so I wonder if somebody will start it up again? Meanwhile, we can keep in touch on this thread.

Hey judi, :wave:

Have a good day.

I forgot my password and the 3FC had my old email address so I couldn't sign on...

Sorry to hear about the storm...I was wondering if it got anybody! How scary!!

We arrived home today. We had 3 days holiday in Las Vegas, didn't gamble but had fun enjoying the sun, SHOPPING at a Saks off rack and eating good food.

Hmmm, it is safe to say I am not on a diet, at least for the last 13 days. I am going to stay away from the scale.

Glad you are off work Ledom:cool:

How are all the kitty cats and Miz Lacee???

I am tired....

We missed you.

Ah jeez - I spoke to soon. When I got to work this morning I discovered the building I teach my classes in was flooded last night after a flash flood of 6" of rain in less than 3 hrs. There had been 2 1/2 feet of water in the building and it left everything coated in mud. Lots of destruction! It was not a good day. And now of course, not my last day. I won't go into detail because I am tired and just sick of thinking about it. I am going to give the maintenance crew a couple days to clean before I go back in to figure out what all was destroyed. Sigh.

Ledom, So sorry to hear about the flooding. That is awful!! I hope nothing too important was harmed.

It is four in the morning and I can't sleep. Just glad to be home I guess.

Oh, ledom, I am so sorry about the destruction in your building. I have seen on the news what this storm system is doing. We're lucky because by the time it heads our way it has lost some of its steam. I hope when things get cleaned up there will have been minimal damage, and hope things will be back to normal soon. Please keep us posted. :grouphug: :balloons: (to cheer you up)!

judi, welcome back! We missed you. Glad that you had a little vacation is Las Vegas and had a good time. I was going to take DH there for his 50th birthday, but we had a very sick Shamrock at the time and my late Dad was not doing well either, so we never made it. Now we have Miz Lacee and we're kind of limited on where we can go. Putting her in a kennel is out of the question.

Hi Cheryl, how is the running coming along?

Have a good day everyone!

Ledom, sorry to hear about the damage to your school. Looks like we're gonna be in for it again over the next few days---Be careful!

Alice, I sprained my left ankle REALLY badly over a year ago. Since Sat. I have almost turned it again twice. When I got up this morning it felt very tender, so I think I'll definitely be walking--not jogging--for awhile. Won't be long before I'll have to start getting up early, 'cause it's gettin' so humid here :( I am not an early riser by nature, so I'm not looking forward to that!!

Judi, hmmmm..... shopping is one of my fave passtimes!! I completely understand the need to stay away from the scales after a 13-day-long vacation :):) :D Get some sleep, lady!!

Cheryl

Are you still getting all that rain, ledom & Cheryl? I saw on the news yesterday all the flooding. I hope you guys are ok. We're getting rain, but not like what you guys are getting. Hopefully our's will clear up today. Tomorrow is supposed to be the better day of the weekend.

judi, I think you and & were posting at the same time yesterday. I bought the new Atkins book, Atkins for Life, from Amazon last week, and hopefully it should be here sometime soon. It's a little bit different from his regular Atkins Diet books. I don't know if you have to do induction first, which I won't do anyhoo. From what I've read about the new book is you count carbs like you would points on WW. I figured that any reduction in carbs would help with weight loss. It might not be as fast as if I did induction, but slow is good.

Have a great weekend everyone and a very Happy Mother's Day.

Alice, is it possible to just eat fish, eggs and cheese, no meat and go on Atkins?

I still haven't weighed:( ...whose in denial?

Did anyone see the first Miss Dog beauty pageant last night on tv? What a hoot!! I just loved the singing French bulldog.

How is the building Ledom? What about you Cheryl? What crazy weather,eh?

My DH is home, it looks like they want him to keep working but work from home, so we are building a computer lab downstairs now. It is nice having him home. Last night he did dishes:p and he makes the morning coffee:cool:

Have a good day ladies:cool: !!

Judi--is fish not meat? Looks like meat when Stewart is skinning and gutting (blech). He wants me to learn how, so I'll be more "Country." I told him I don't need to be that "Country," thank-you-very-much! If I gave in and cleaned fish, the next thing you know, he'd want me to help him clean and gut a deer!! No thanks!!
He always makes the coffee in the mornings, mainly because I don't drink the stuff, and also because he gets up at an awful hour (4:30-5-ish).

Alice--No rain yesterday. We're not supposed to get any today, either, according to the local forecast. The sky, however, is forecasting something totally different--dark and cloudy.

Ledom--I made my reservations for my week in Hot Springs yesterday. My sis and her three kids are gonna come with me. I checked the internet to see what's up the week we're coming and it looks like NOTHING! Figures. I'll be there from Aug. 11-Aug. 15--if you have any suggestions of things we can do around town, please do tell!! How's the jogging coming? I walked 3 miles last night (my ankle's been bothering me) and then I couldn't sleep! Too much energy, or too much blood flowing, I guess!

Cheryl

It is ungodly hot and humid here. I haven't been back to my building. They have hired professional disaster cleaners to come in. I was also told they were cutting the sheetrock walls to up above the floodline for replacement. I know it will look like holy he!! when I finally go back tomorrow to access my damage in terms of lost equipment. I am feeling very sorry for myself over all this extra work. Will try to start looking for a silver lining.

Our dinner last night was lovely. We went to a fancy restaurant. I didn't eat too much (food was beautifully prepared and portions were not small, but not huge) but I did have two drinks. It was a special occasion. My girlfriends can be so funny so it was a real hoot - I hope we weren't too raucus. The birthday girl has the most fabulous garden. It has a long rock path with a wooden beamed trellis that is quite long. It looks like a picture of something you'd see in Italy. She has over 30 Colette rose bushes that are growing up over the trellis and they were in full blown bloom last night. They are a light pink, fragrant rose. Anyway after dinner we spent some time in her garden and it was just perfect, so sweet smelling and beautiful. It was a fabulous end to the night.

Ah Cheryl, Hot Springs in August is just plain hot. Lounging by the pool and drinking in the lobby would be good. One of the things I'd enjoy doing but it's hard to do when it is you own home town. But, my favorite Hot Springs activity, the thing that makes it so unique are the hiking trails. They all start at the Arliington too. You just need to get up early and head out because of the heat. They are all safe. Another wonderful new Hot Springs attraction is Garvan Gardens if you like that sort of thing.

I won't start my running program until Monday. I think I will be like you and take it slow, I thought I might do each weeks plan twice. It isn't so much that I want to run a 5K as it just seems an interesting way to add some cardio back in. I guess I like plans or projects and time progressions when it comes to fitness. If there is something I can mark off and if things are spelled out for me I can motivate myself more easily.

judi, sounds like a lovely new phase of your life is opening up.

Ledom, I know exactly what you mean about liking to have things spelled out and being able to mark them off!! Actually, I may take that to extremes at times--on the Couch to 5K plan, I got a tiny little notebook and wrote down every day's plan, as I do each cycle, I mark it off. Seeing the progress seems to make the work-out go by more quickly! I think I picked the totally wrong time of year to start trying to jog. It's hot and humid here, too. UGH :(:( Last night I waited until about 7:00 to head to the park, and even then it was still stick-warm. If the wind hadn't picked up, I would've been miserable. I just walked 3 miles last night, due to ankle. I think I'll be walking only for a while, maybe after I lose a little weight the ankle won't take it so hard!

Yes, Cheryl fish is meat.

Sorry to hear about the extra work Ledom. Your girlfriend's garden sounds lovely. What I liked when I was in Ca. was all the lilacs in bloom, I have some here but poor things they have to struggle because of the damp. Roses in my yard struggle too...hmmm, come to think of it a lot of things are struggling except the dandelions...they thrive.

How is Atkins going Alice?

Not much happening here, just having a lazzy day. Got my nails done but not much else.

Have a nice Sunday.

We had a really nice Sat., and so far today is just beautiful. It's supposed to cloud over later on and we're supposed to have showers up until Wed.:(

judi, I haven't got the Atkins book yet, but soon, I hope. From what I've read about it, this book is more about *controlling* carbs rather than very low carbs. I would think you could do Atkins with fish, eggs, cheese, & veggies, but you wouldn't have much of a variety. That's good news that your DH will be working from home. Whenever DH doesn't have much work, he'll do the dishes too, but it seems he only volunteers when we only have a few dishes. But, when I use a lot of pots and pans, it's MY turn. HMMMM.....

Cheryl, how is your ankle doing? It's probably better for you to walk rather than run in the heat you are experiencing.

ledom, DH & I were out for a ride yesterday and by one of the rivers I saw quite a few vehicles with kayaks strapped on to them, and a lot of people milling around. I thought of you right away. Have you gone back to your classroom to assess the damage?

Take care and enjoy your Sunday.

Alice, I went in yesterday and planned to start making my lists. My rooms have been gutted and sheetrock ripped out. All of my stuff has been packed up and moved to a storage building. Since it was Sat. I couldn't get to it. Ah, just as well. I have a lot to do this week w/ a camping trip and a party to get ready for so I told everyone I'd come in next week to do it. I mentally need a week away from work and no one seemed to think otherwise so that's the plan.

Our hot, muggy, miserable weather broke last night. This morning it is clear, dry air, and cool. I am spending the day potting all the plants I went out and bought on Friday.

Today I am starting the cycle 2 of BRx. I am happy for the changes it will bring. I am not losing weight yet, not supposed to until the third cycle, but I have to say I feel impatient and hopeful that this plan I have committed to is going to do all I need it to.

Yes, Cheryl I agree about not running on a sore ankle. That happened to me once and it seemed to take forever before I could jog. Walking has great benefits too. I am not sure how these old bones will hold up to this running plan I am going to start. Like you, I will be noticing how it affects me and if I don't like how I feel I'll quit. The last thing I want is an injury. I plan to run on a cinder track to avoid the jarring of pavement even though I have a great place to run just outside my front door.

Ledom, Good luck with your next phase cycle 2. I had better quit being in "denial" if I am going to reach the goal we have planned for Jan. 1 2004. It still can be done if I start now. I

Alice, I might take a look at Atkins too.

That is cute about "when" your DH does the dishes:lol: THey do have their ways. I like it when mine makes morning coffee, he is an engineer so he is precise on things, his coffee is ALWAYS great. While I have the more "loosey goosey" approach to things...so since he has been at home coffee has been consistently good.

They have been predicting rain for us but we have had the more glorious sunny weather for the last four days. Can it last???

How is your ankle Cheryl? Better soon, I hope.

Nothing much happening here, just had a nice day.

Our rain came in during the afternoon yesterday. Last night it was pretty wild with thunder storms all around us, nothing hit us though, but Miz Lacee was all upset which didn't make for a good night's sleep.:tired:

ledom, good luck with phase 2 of BRx. You really are coming along well with that. It sounds as though you have a busy week planned. At least the party and camping trip will take your mind off of what you have ahead of you. How is Brody doing? Is Beatrice still "mothering" him?

judi, I saw a post on another site about the new Atkins book, and they said the carb count varies in this latest book and you can use up your carb allowance however you wish. I'm not certain if this is a"new and approved" Atkins diet, or just his maintenance plan. Hopefully the book will come today. Along with the book I bought the Atkins Carb Counter book. I haven't been doing so well in the diet dept. myself. That's funny how your DH is so precise. DH is a machinist, and like your DH does everything "just so" and it carries over into everyday life. I am more like you, so that sometimes leads to very interesting arguments and he ends up finishing up projects by himself.:s: He never learns!:lol: How are Marley and Esteban? Any stories?

Hey Cheryl, how is the possum coming along? Have you gotten your kitties yet?

Have a good Monday!

Hello there!!

My ankle does feel better, since I've cut out the "jog" part of my "walk/jog" program. So, I guess that for now, I'll just stick with walking 3-miles-day. Maybe by the time the weather is cooler (consistantly) I'll be in shape enough to try the jogging again.

Stewart let the possum go (after it bit him three times :) ). Can't say that I'm sorry. Yesterday he showed me a rabbit's nest that he found while doing yard work. Talk about cute!!

The lady that I was supposed to get the kittens from gave them all to someone else. I was slightly peeved, because she had already told me I could have them--but what could I do? They were HER kittens. I'll have to look for some more. I shouldn't have trouble finding any, unfortunately unwanted kittens are usually in abundance around here.

Ledom--isn't this weather great? Enjoy your school-free week. DON'T STRESS!!

Judi--I'm sorry, I knew fish was a meat--I was just being a smarty :) Your diet does sound Atkins-friendly!!

Alice--I feel for you on the stormy weather!! Hope it gets better soon!

Hey girls, judi - it will be an absolute miracle if I make that goal of ours. I'm sticking to my diet but I'm not losing weight. Everyone says have faith, unless you buy into it, it doesn'y work. So, I have bought in and just hope and pray that on June 22 when I hit C3 that the weight loss kicks in. I have upped my protein to 1.25 grams per lbs. of body weight and 45 g. of fiber a day. Yesterday, i was forcing myself to eat. The exercise also kicks up a notch and the old timers say just to wait, my appetite will increase w/ the extra training. I think this diet may cure me of food and when I finish I'll just be relieved not to eat. Doesn't this sound crazy?

Ah, Brody is just the best. He is so cute and sweet. Bea may be getting a little tired of him. I know she enjoys getting away from him sometimes. He plays like a demon and then falls into the deepest sleep. Bea is getting a LOT more exercise these days. If she is tired of him, he doesn't notice. He adores her. He hops on her, chases her, bites her, licks her. He is very friendly to D and I until Bea walks into the room and then it is all about her.

Well, gotta go do that workout now.

It has finally stopped raining and the sun seems to be trying to peek through the clouds.

I started walking again, sans Lacee, now that my back is better Walked 2 miles and counting! Hopefully this will start the scale moving again. I've been sort of stuck in neutral, thankfully, not gaining.

ledom, you'll make the goal, as you are doing so well. I don't know if I will make it, but I'm trying. That is really cute about Brody & Bea. They must be a riot to watch.

judi, I got the Atkins book today, so I'll be doing some reading.

Cheryl, glad that you ankle is doing better. I hope your BF wasn't bitten too badly. The rabbits must be so cute. Sorry about the kitties.

Have a great day everyone.

Cheryl, you had a possum?? I must have missed that somewhere in the post. They do have mean looking teeth. At our other house one liked to live dangerously and walk the very narrow top of the fence, we had two Akitas at the time. Finally one day they brought him to show us in a not very good state (totally dead and I had a good look at their teeth then).

Alice, Marley is very frightened of storms too. He has slept through two minor earthquakes though...even though they say "animals are supposed to sense things", he was oblivious.
Good for you for walking 2 miles! Give me an Atkins sample menu when you start of what you are having.

You are amazing Ledom! All the things you do!!

Dh and I are enjoying these days. Yesterday we went down to the cove, sat out an had breakfast at a patio cafe and watch people catch the ferry to work. I can't remember when he has been more happy.

The cat and the DH are waging war...the cat is determined to sneak outside and the DH is determined to keep him in.

judi, I am so glad dh is happy. Sounds like a great breakfast activity.

I have been planting my flower pots and I am also digging a new bed. Today is my planned kayking trip. I guess it is still on but the weather is looking iffy. I may just put my friend up in the spare room overnight if it seems as if it will be too stormy. I have a lot to do to get all my stuff together.

Brody is sitting in my lap now. He has taken this over from Bea who used to sit in my lap while I was on the computer. He fits a lot better.

As you can tell, I don't have a lot of news today - hope all is well with you guys.

It's still dark and dreary here. Hopefully it will start to clear today. This is getting old pretty fast.:D

ledom, were you able to go kayaking? Hope you didn't get anymore storms. It's nice having a cat curled up in your lap when you're sitting down. One of our cats used to know whenever I would wrap a present. She'd hear me get the wrapping paper out, come running from wherever she was, hop up on the counter, and lay across the paper. Cats are sooo cute!

judi, what a nice way to start the day, having breakfast at a cafe with your DH. That's wonderful that the both of you are happy. Lacee is usually oblivious too unless I mention the word "cookie" DH & I have to spell it. We definitely will be in trouble if she ever learns how to spell :lol: I have skimmed through the Atkins book. There is a story about a person who is a vegetarian that lost weight doing Atkins. I'll read about him and let you know what he ate.

Hi Cheryl, how is the walking going? Are you still walking 3 miles?

Have a good day.

Thanks Alice, I will appreciate that! It might be time to start something new. Marley comes alive at the word "cookie" too, its funny how he understands that but doesn't understand "get off there!" when he is sitting on a white couch that he knows he is NOT supposed to sit on.

Hope the weather gives you a break and you can a good time kayaking, Ledom.

Just sort of on hold here.

Hi Cheryl!

Sigh...I love animals. I love reading y'all's stories about your animals!

Ledom, all I can say to you is that Brody had better enjoy that lap while he can! Pretty soon, you'll be a lot smaller and he'll be bigger and the lap-sitting will have to go--or be a lot less comfortable for one of you!!!!

Alice--glad to hear your weather is doing better! I'm still walking, although I didn't get to Tuesday or yesterday. I plan on getting some strides in today!

Judi--possums are NOT the cutest animals in the world, but I think just about any kind of baby is endearing. Since we let Pete go a week ago, he hasn't been seen by either of us. No way of knowing if he's dead or alive! He was more than ready to go, tho, and to tell the truth, I don't think I'll miss him!

Cheryl

On the bright side...at least it's not raining!

Cheryl, I didn't get out for my walk today, but hopefully tomorrow. By the time I got going this morning, it was time to go grocery shopping. I got my exercise pushing the grocery cart!:s: :lol:

judi, as to that man who was a vegetarian that did Atkins, there wasn't much information on what he actually ate. He did say he ate fish, but basically he gave up potatoes, pasta, and starchy vegetables. On another board I occasionally frequent, someone asked that same exact question re: doing Atkins as a vegetarian. Someone wrote back and said that they had given up "white" foods, i.e. white rice, white potatoes, white pasta, etc. This person also added that without protein you are constantly hungry. She also advised possibly increasing legumes and peanut butter to make up for the lack of animal protein. Do you think you'd still like to do this? I think I'll give this a try because I was eating way too many carbs on WW. On this plan, the least amount of NET CARBS is 45g. and the most is 100g. NET CARBS are determined by subtracting the fiber from the grams of carbohydrates on the nutrition labels.

ledom, if you were able to go on your kayaking trip, I hope you had a great time. How are things coming along in your classroom?

Hope you all are having a good day.

I did get to go kayaking. We were so lucky, there was about a 36 hr. break in the weather and we happened to get there to enjoy it. Got to the lake about 6 on Wed. night., time to set up camp and paddle a couple hours in the full moon light. Nothing sweeter, the water was as calm as bath water. It was foggy yesterday morning but we went out anyway (actually I love paddling in the fog), we just hugged the shoreline so the fisherman wouldn't run into us. It was a lovely day, the fog didn't burn off for the longest time. We got back to camp about 2 and went our seperate ways. I stayed a little after my friend left and just watched the fish breaking and the birds. It felt like I was finally on summer break.

Alice, my paddling buddy has been doing Atkins for a month or so and had already lost 14 lbs. She looked great. Not many carbs in the diet as she described it. She was really happy with it though. I am so ready to lose and and am so not losing yet.

Cheryl, I like the way you're thinking. I want a smaller lap. Brody is just busy, busy, busy, this morning - attacking everything in sight.

D did a great job of cleaning house while I was away. Gotta love that! I just need to mop, clean bathrooms, and shop for the party today and I'll be in good shape tomorrow.

Take care - have a great day. You know, think I'll start a new thread as then one is getting LONG.

Hi "Plan" members: I haven't visited 3fatchicks in months--but having joined the LA weight loss plan two weeks ago, I was interested in seeing if there were any other LAers posting. I left a thread for other LAers to buddy up with me but have had no replys--so I read your posts and you seem pretty goal oriented and supportive. I have in the past been a life-time WW, having regained all of it and more these past 20+ years--I'm 53 and still struggling with weight control. I was getting very out-of-control and needed structure and someone to be accountable to. I like LA so far--much like WW except I get one-on-one counseling instead of a group meeting. I need that right now, and when I reach my goal and have worked through maintenance I hope to return to WW least monthly to stay accountable. That's nice about WW--you're not done and out-the-door or paying more money out if you maintain your weight loss. I'm sorry I'm getting wordy here and hope you'll welcome me to your "Plan" group.
Cher