Support Groups - Diet, Exercise and Support #6B

Hey Ladies

I started a sister thread to the one Initial C started since it was lost in the crash!

Hope you gals are doing well on your plans.

I am sticking to my goals so I am excited for what this new year will bring.

come and post soon and let me know what is going on.

Hey Newie...did your hubby get the job? details please.

I chatted with Lisa on msn last night and she is doing wonderfully well...so that's cool.

well gotta run

Cyan

Hi Cyan...

Good job keeping up with your New Years goals.

Things here are going well. I had a cold last week and I'm doing my best to make up for the exercise that I missed out on last week as a result of that. I'll be just about completely caught up by Saturday. I'll be so glad.

The students came back to school today...and there's the bell so I had better run.

eep. not only is the thread gone but so was my account!
:( I had to reregister. D'oh! :(

Hi ladies! Missed all of you lately. Just cant seem to find time to get here then when I finally did, the forum was down. :( I went to the chatroom here tho last nite and ended up meeting some cool people there. I was wishing I had some way of contacting all of our group to come there also. It was alot of fun getting to know all of them. Everyone there decided that we need to keep coming there and not just when the forum is down. There was actually about 15 people in there last nite when I showed up.

How is everyone doing? I blew it during Christmas bigtime. Still dont have my eating under control very well, but I have exercised daily for almost 2 weeks now. Havent lost a lb since starting back but going to keep trying.

Cyan, good for you for sticking to your goals. You're my inspiration.

Lobacal, glad to hear you're feeling better. Hope you had a great first day back with your students.

Initial_C....sorry you lost your membership but at least you were able to re-register. How are things with you these days?

I miss the rest of you ladies also!! Come post as soon as you can so we can all catch up since the holidays are finally over.

Better run for now

MIKI

Well I have been keeping my eating under control but aside from shovelling snow, I havent done any intentional exercising either.

I know...Miki...it would have been great to chat with you last night...maybe we should set up some kind of schedule...let me know.

I chatted with Lisa the other day...she is doing fine....health and school and life...so thats great!:)

I havent heard from Reina is awhile...she must be very busy with work and family...come back Reina!!!!

Sorry to hear about having to reregister Initial-C...how are you doing with the diet and exercise?

Lobacal...I wish I weighed what you do...I would already be at goal...slowly I will get there.

Well I gotta run

Cyan

Come back and post now.....:cry:


I am fine...working as ususal

Cyan

Sorry I haven't written ladies, been busy. DH went back to Taiwan Dec. 27th, as of today I have 17 days left in the states. Sad to be leaving, but oh so happy to get back to dh, my house and schedule. I am now at 14.5 weeks preggo and still have the occassional puking and still tired (well, have 2 boys to watch doesn't help the fatigue part much). So much to do in so little time.
Hey, I am back on MSN Messenger as we have a webcam and that is how I chat with dh, though for some odd reason we can't get microphones to work. So maybe you all can give me back your id's--is that the word? I am under deanapan@yahoo.com for right now. I would love to chat with you all again.
Weight wise, well, I always gain alot and have small to average babies, not big babies, just get a bigger BOB (Big Ol' Butt). When I get back I will ask my dr about exercise as it will be better at my own place. I have Quick Fix and a stepper of somekind, dont' know the technical name of it:)
Well, I haven't read all the posts recently, so I will start back from here. Hope all is well with everyone now that the holidays and all are over. The 22nd I think is Chinese New Year, Year of the Monkey--so my baby is a Monkey:0 We have a Tiger (well, 2 if you count me as well) a snake (dh) and a horse (ds2) in our house. WE have a ZOO :p
Gotta go see if Josiah is up from his nap. We need to get them hair cuts and maybe go to get much needed shoes.

Just have one quick minute to post.....just got home from a basketball game and it's late. So far this week, I have managed to keep my calories under 1500 per day finally and I only missed one day of exercise. I feel like I'm on my way back on the right track at long last.

Deana, so glad to hear from you!!! My msn is PhilandMiki@hotmail.com....add me if you want to. :)

Cyan, we'll have to work on setting up a chat time for everyone soon. I'd love that.

Well, really need to go for now, but I"ll post more tomorrow.

Miki

Miki,
I just added you on. Maybe I will see you sometime. My sister has met someone from Egypt, so they talk like 2-3 hours at a time sometimes. We have had to learn to readjust our schedule for her. All is well, just the boys and I need DADDY!!!!!
I can't wait to get back to exercise when I get back to Taiwan. Take it easy,but not food wise and exercise wise gals.

Hi Taiwan! Just signed into MSN and it showed you were on. Evidently you arent tho so sorry I missed ya. We'll try again soon tho.

Cyan, I'm with you....everyone needs to get back in here! Way too quiet around here!

Not really any news, just wanted to touch base again.

I hope things are going well for everyone thus far in the new year.

Miki

Miki,
Sorry, my son was playing computer games and didn't know what the message thing was and didn't tell me. Sorry I miss you.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I had/have a bad sinus headache and Josiah took his nap early, well, on the way back from church and has been going nonstop since 1pm. I am ready to put him to bed, but he would wake up early. It's times like these I really miss dh!!!!

bye for now

Another weekend flew by as usual...and once again it is monday morning...and another week ahead of work work and more work...its been snowing here so when I go home tonight...I will have to shovel out my driveway in order to store my car which was left outside last night..I got home late and didnt feel like shoveling :lol:

Foodwise was good this weekend...I seem to be averaging two meals per day on weekends...I have a brunch and then dinner...both are on the big side...but I wake up too late to eat breakfast.

Exercise wise...I am still struggling with intentional exercises...I have to recommit to this and take it seriously...or else I will never reach my goals. I will have to sit down and have a word with myself.

well I look forward to hearing from you soon

cyan

Hi everyone!

Taiwain, it was cool getting to chat with you last nite even tho it was for just a few minutes. Pregnancy definitely agrees with you...you looked even prettier on the webcam than in your picture on here.


Cyan, if we could both just get it all together! :dizzy: I have no problem with the exercise part, just still not great with my eating. Not just terrible but also not exactly the best either.

Where is everyone these days?? :?: Hopefully everyone will be back soon. I went to the chatroom again last nite and there were several people in there again. It's pretty fun.

Well, guess that's all for now. See ya tomorrow!

Miki

Hi, all--have been struggling the last week or so. Hubby still doesn't know about his job. It's driving me crazy! Last Thursday they asked for information about why he left his last job--we told the truth in an e-mail; it shouldn't make a difference. Typesetting computer work in his old job and auto assembly don't have any connection with each other, and he wasn't a bad employee--not a troublemaker, a slacker, or anything else negative. We just can't figure out what is going on. I will be really upset if he is turned down. There are legal things we may consider if he is. I've been not doing really well with food these last couple of weeks--not quantity, but quality. I haven't weighed myself since New Year's--don't want to know. I did buy more 14/16 pants, tho-, so that's a good sign. I've got another cold. A first grader coughed on me last week. I knew I'd probably get it as soon as I felt the breath in my face. Got to go now. Keep us in prayer, all. Bye for now.

Hi Girls I am still here albeit in a deep freeze...its minus 30 degress celcius withouth the windchill....sooooooooo cold.

I will write more later once I have thawed out

Cyan

Brrrrrr, Cyan!! It doesnt look like we're even going to have a winter to speak of around here. We've had a very few days where it got down to freezing or below, but today it was more like Spring. I had on a cotton long sleeved blouse and was a little too warm outside. It was probably close to 70F.

Newie, still keeping my fingers crossed for news of dh's new job soon! I cant even imagine the anxiety of waiting and waiting. That alone is enough without having an aggravating cold on top of that. Very stressful, I know. Just hang in there...and remember we're all with you in thoughts and prayers!

Ok everybody else...Get in here!!! I miss hearing from everyone!!!

Miki

hey ladies...I have been in a deep deep freeze the last few days...if it gets any colder....I will become a block of ice...I think I am halfway there.

Again...no intentional exercising...just necessary walking outside in extreme cold weather...so cold...your legs burn...your finger tips have no feeling and your eyes tear. Why did I leave my bed...I should be at home wrapped up in my down comforters watching the frost grow on the inside of my bedroom window. Even my poor cat who likes to go out on the balcony refuses to go...I opened the door for him and his little head snapped back and the wind slapped him in the face...his eyes squinted and his jaw slackened...he looked at me and if he could talk...he'd say...Man...its sooo cold...but his face alreday told me that...next time I looked...he was underneath my bed covers warming up.

Food wise has been decent..I am keeping steady.

Newie..have you heard from your hubby's job?
Miki...how lucky you are enjoying nice weather...send some up here..will ya?
I received an email from Reina...she is super busy with work but she will be back amongst us soon...hurry back

Well I gotta get back to work..later ladies

Cyan

Hi, everyone--I'm doing pretty well tonight--cyan--you must absolutely be living in a freezer--we've had it pretty easy in Chicago this year--a few cold days, but nothing serious--not much snow either. I wouldn't want to be where you are for anything.

Nothing on the job yet. John will call tomorrow. I'll let you know what he finds out. We're thinking if he was going to be turned down, that wouldn't take too long to do. We're hoping maybe since they are hiring 175 people that notification would be by letter. Who knows? Anyway, he has this "relationship" with a personnel person in the corporate office of this company (in Michigan), so he can call her to find out if she knows anything. I'm getting to the point where I've just put it in God's hands.

Did I tell you all that I am in the process of actually being hired for next year
in the school where I am subbing now? I've been so off and on lately that I forgot if I told anyone about it. Principal mentioned it to me last week, I told her I was interested, and I am getting my documents together for her--resume, teaching credentials, other letters of reference, copies of certificates, applications, etc.--it's a lot of stuff. It will be somewhere between 1st and 5th grade. That will be a load off myself.

My cold is better. I have these heavy duty expectorant pills that I got from my doctor that keep my larynx and bronchial tubes open--I have a history of laryngitis, bronchitis, and pleurisy with colds--miserable, so I really try to take care of myself. I am kind of tired this week, though, from the cold and doing report cards. Also, the kids have been so noisy this week--just NEED to talk whenever we change activities! John has been taking wonderful care of the house for me when I am at school. I am actually looking forward to dishes and laundry on the weekend.

I haven't gained any weight, despite some odd food choices. Last night I ate chocolate--I know I needed some type of emotional upper. Too bad I'm not using exercise for that purpose. But winter and exercise don't get along too well for me.

Well, ladies, it was great to read your posts; I wish I could respond to all individually--too tired in the brain though. More later. Take care, all :)

Its been such a cold week girls...I am so glad this week is over with...all I want to do is go home...get underneath my covers and stay there until monday morning. I hope the weather improves a bit...although I have my doubts.

I need a cyber kick...I have been soooo lazy with the exercising and last night I did not do good with the eating...my Dad brought home a big mac...and yes...I ate it....I know...this self sabotage is not helping me at all...why did I eat it...I am still trying to figure that one out.

Newie...I will keep my fingers crossed for you and your hubby...let us know how it turns out. Congrats on your teaching position.

Miki...how have you been doing...let us know

I feel so tired right now and I am dreading the walk and bus ride home...I wish I could just beam myself home...or better yet...somewhere warm...ah the thought of it...how sublime.

Ok Ladies...my brain is mush but I still have 35 minutes to go before my weekend starts...I cant wait...it feels more like three hours to go...I want outa here now

later

Cyan

Hello Ladies

As usual..the weekend flew by and once again its monday morning.

Food wise this weekend..I did reasonably well...I even turned down a free big mac and fries from my Dad...I said...sorry I just cant eat that..and he took it away and gave it to one of his buddies... :cp:

I shoveled snow and that was all about the intentional exercise I got this weekend..my challenge for this week is to get over my mental block that I am in concerning working out and get over it...just do it..like nike says! yeesh.

Where is everyone...get back in here and post...looks like this group is falling apart...come on ladies...lets get motivated...its still the new year...lets make it happen..lets lose the remainder of the this weight and lets start our maintenance programs for life...are you with me?

I can't hear youuuuuuuuuuu.

big hug
Cyan

Cyan, glad you're still popping in! Where is everybody???? Maybe in a slump like me??? I have got to get myself on track!

Ladies, if you're in a slump, get in here and post! We're all in the same boat and we cannot let ourselves give up!!! That's an order!! lol

I miss everybody bunches. Hope to hear from everyone SOON

Miki

Ah its only tuesday today but I guess I should be grateful to be alive and experience another tuesday of hopefully many more to come.

So far I am doing fine food wise...dont know what I want for christmas although I do have mahi mahi defrosted and ready to go..we will see what happens.

I still havent motivated myself to exercise...I think I am having a crisis of sorts..time to have a meaningful word with myself..or perhaps self administer shock therapy by way of trying on clothes that dont fit anymore :s:

Hey Miki...looks like it's you and me in here...but hey...I am still plugging away at it even if its just me left here in this ole post.

like Dido sings...I will go down with this ship! I wont surrender.

Well once again...the last thirty minutes of work feel more like 30 hours although I have absolutley no complaints...my work environment is amazing..and my co workers and boss are fabulous...for real :D

I am just in a mental slump...I think I am suffering from SAD seasonal affective disorder...this past christmas I bought Ivano a sunrise clock and he swears by it...he used to suffer from SAD too and now he says he is much better and can get up without headaches...I think I need to get one for myself too but they are kinda pricey at 207 bucks..ouch! I guess I will wait and see what happens..maybe for next winter.

Cyan my little fur man wanted to sleep with me last night so as usual, for a feline..he sure takes up a lot of space in my bed...so tonight...I dont care how pitiful his meows are to be let in..he will sleep downstairs...and thats final...unless ..ofcourse he meows very sadly..I am such a sucker. :^:

Ok...gotta go

later ladies

Cyan

Hi Cyan!

Sorry I got disconnected or whatever yesterday when you and Lisa were on MSN. I hated that. Dont worry, I'll be right here with you for the duration. I am not giving up on this weightloss journey nor can I afford not to come here and post. This is a large part of what keeps me going.

Today was an extra long busy day for me. I went in to work at 8 am and didnt leave til 6 pm. I had no break at all...not lunch or otherwise. I was swamped!! Needless to say, I am tired and havent exercised tonite. :^:

The one good part was that I had no time to eat. lol

Well, better run for now. Just wanted to be sure to check in.

Miki

PS...I love that Dido song...very cool lyrics!

:censored: I just tried to post and got "unlogged in", and my post was deleted!!!!! :mad: I spent a long time on it too! :?: Anyway, I'm here, not doing the best on food and not exercising, but hanging in there. More soon.

I mean wednesday...get your minds out of the gutter :lol:

I slept so well last night....out like a light...it felt good...it was like resorative sleep.

food wise was good...I have added more protein to my diet after many years of eating more carbs...my goal is to even them out..so I try to have protein with all of my meals..last night was portuguese stlye broiled chicken...soooo good...my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

lunch today was peanut pad thai with shrimp...it was ok but now I am craving pizza :jeno: which I will walk through the urge...so dinner...hm what to have..I think I will have tuna ...we shall see.

Miki...good to hear that you are sticking around...we will not surrender to a life of fat...we will not surrender to a life of inactivity.... :cp:

ok I have two hours before I head home...looking forward to getting out of here...weeeeeheeeeeeeeee

Cyan

Its kinda empty in here...oh wear oh wear have my cyber gal pals gone..oh wear oh wear have they gone.

:bubbles: its rather lonely in here all by myself.

well...food wise...verrrrryyyyyyy bad yesterday...I binged..its been awhile but I did it...my best friend's Mom is in the hospital and it could be generalized cancer....she has been like a second mom to me and now...her too she has fallen ill. She keeps asking for me to go visit but with work and taking care of my Mom...its hard to go during the weekdays...I can only go on the weekend...also, my Dad will lose his driver's liscence starting feb 2 because of cateracts ...thank goodness my cousin...the laywer is taking care of that for me...I also have to take my Mom in to see her doctor this monday because her highblood pressure is too high...as well...she is due for another blood test....and she is more agitated lately....ahhhhhhhh :stress:

I dont know why I ate at 9pm...I just opened my mouth and inserted the food and then gulped it down with three cans of full fat soda.

So today I am paying the price with bloatedness and generalized feeling of unwell...I think I am retaining lots of water...ugh :dz:

ok I gotta go...two more hours and I cant wait to go home and hide underneath my blankets

yes I know its where...not wear

bump

Hi, everybody! I am still here; I've just been having trouble logging in and staying logged in. My messages have been getting deleted. I fixed my cookie settings after posting a help message to Suzanne, so I am hopeful now things will be better. :^:

Just to let everyone know that hubby finally got the call about his job on Wednesday--HE'S 100% HIRED!!!!! :dance: Thank you, God!! There isn't a set start-up date yet, but he will be called when it is time. He was told to check in at the beginning of February if he hadn't heard anything before then. That is such a load off my mind. I was really starting to lose it :stars: --too much unemployment over the years. I just couldn't take it any more.

I've had another piece of information about my status at my school. I will be teaching there for the rest of the school year. This week some very bizarre events took place. First, I heard on Wednesday the teacher whose place I am taking wants to come back. The principal has told her she must not come back on a part-time basis (what this teacher wants to do), that she has to wait till she can come back full-time. There are various reasons for this, the first of which is the children. The other teacher and I are completely different in our teaching styles, and it would be very traumatic for them to have daily interruption in their schedule. Anyway, she could come back as early as two weeks from now, depending on what she decides. That made me sad :( because I have become attached to my first graders, and to the school routine, and even though I will be there full-time next year, I didn't want to leave my little ones so soon. Moving on in the bizarre--shortly after I learned this teacher was coming back, I learned that the teacher who was leaving at the end of the year for retirement (and who I am being hired to replace) had suddenly become very ill and was in the hospital in ICU. I was shocked and sad to learn about this, and at the same time thought that maybe I wouldn't have to leave the school so soon after all (maybe they would need a long-range sub to take her place while she was getting better, or maybe for the rest of the year if she decided to retire early because of her health). I let the principal know I would be available to help if she needed it, and she told me she was already thinking that same way. Later in the day, she did tell me that when the first grade teacher did come back, I'd move to the other classroom for the other lady for the rest of the year. Anyway, here's the really difficult part of the whole situation--later that day, the sick teacher died!!!!! I didn't know her well, but she was a close friend of my hubby's brother's wife, which is how I originally met her a number of years ago, and she had even talked to me about her own retirement and that I should look into the opening at the school. It's so weird that's she's gone so fast, and even more weird that I benefited by her sickness and death. Yes, I wanted a job, and yes, I was glad I wouldn't have to leave the school so soon because I really like it there. But to get a job because someone dies!!!!!--that is very creepy. I don't know how to feel about it. :?: I guess it's not an easy thing, and one feeling doesn't really cover it. I am very sad and feel the loss of this lady. I feel sad she doesn't get to retire and enjoy her life in some leisure (her hubby died about 2 1/2 years ago). But at the same time, I am glad I get to stay in the school because I feel it's where I belong now, and I didn't want to leave after the first grade teacher came back. I also feel guilty for being happy about my good fortune because it comes at someone else's expense. The only thing that really helps me resolve those feelings at all is when I think of that old song/biblical reference: "There's a time for everything under heaven." I can only look to God's plan and think that it was this lady's time to go home to heaven, and that God was calling me at this time to a new direction in my life, which is this job. I guess it was just time for it all to happen. I feel a very strange mix of feelings though. :?: The principal is a very sensitive woman, I must say. After school yesterday she came to talk to me to ask me how I was doing. I told her I really didn't know the deceased teacher very well, but that I was feeling very strange at how I am getting this job, not realizing that was what she was referring to when she asked me how I was. She knew it was a very weird position for me to be in. I am glad to have that type of support. :goodvibes:

Anyway, getting on to food--I've not been doing well at all this week--eating cookies :cookie: --not many, but for me any can be too many--cravings. Last night in the middle of the night I had quite a lot of pretzels. :hun: I think it was the stress :stress: of the week, and I had/have a migraine headache :headache: as well. I did discuss with hubby about me going back to my Atkins-like program after he was hired, so I am going to take advantage of that now. I really want to get back on track. Perhaps the new beginning in my life can also include a me who weighs less and feels healthier. :crossed:

Well, ladies, I am so sorry I have gone on and on like this. :blah: As you know, I am a frustrated writer :write: who sometimes works out her problems through words. :thanks: Thanks for bearing with me, and even if you look at this huge post and think to yourself, " :yikes: Oh, my goodness--there she goes again!!----that's too much for me today!"--you've helped me deal with life and food just by the fact that you give me permission to talk. I hope everyone is doing okay. I miss the posts, though I've read from Miki and Cyan. It has to be the winter blahs. I know I feel like hibernating at times myself during this time of year. Take care. Bye for now. :wave:

Hey Gals

Its tuesday..I took my mom in to see her family doctor so I did not post yesterday...looks like it dead in here.

Eating has been average at best and exercise..non existant..I have been in a slump for awhile now...I am working on it but it is proving to be challenging.

I will keep you posted at to what happens next on this journey of mine

Cyan

Hi ya'll! Hope you havent given up on me. I was out of town this past weekend and have been working from 8 am til 6 pm lately so not much time to get in here. Josh had a basketball game out of town tonite so just got home from that.

Got email from Taiwan yesterday. She is having probs like Newie was having. Every time she signs in and tries to post, it kicks her back out saying she isnt signed in altho at the beginning she always gets the "welcome taiwan" note. She has decided she'll work on it when she gets back to Taiwan which is just a few days away now.

Newie, I am sooo happy to hear your hubby got the job!! :cp: That is great news! About YOUR new job....you mentioned how you feel guilty being happy and getting a job at someone else's expense but think of it this way..I have a feeling if this lady is the type teacher I think she was to have stuck with it to retirement age, then she was a caring teacher who loved her students and I am sure she would be thrilled that you were right there to help them make this transition. I just know she would be very grateful and appreciative to you, especially knowing she actually mentioned that you should apply for her position.

Cyan, I gotta get out of this slump!! I am so gungho at one minute then the next I am eating a handful of junk. :?: I am not even very regular at my exercise these days which makes me in a bad mood. It's so stupid to skip doing something when I know that doing that very thing makes me feel better afterward.

Maybe everybody else is having those sign-in probs too. Kinda weird that they'd all disappear at once, dont you think? :dunno: I miss them all!

Well, better run for now. I hear hubby calling me. I havent seen much of him these days, we've both been so busy.

Miki

Hi, all--hope everyone's doing okay. Cyan, I'll help you hold down the fort while everyone struggles through this winter. I started back on my "Atkins-like" plan--not sure how well it's working--don't plan to step on the scale for a while--but yesterday I did wear a pair of slacks that were looser through the waistline than they were last week. I too am NOT EXERCISING--no motivation at all. I've always found winter to be the worst for me for weight. In some past years, I could easily gain ten pounds from October to February. In the last couple of years, I just had as a goal NOT TO GAIN. I bet that SAD stuff touches most of us to a degree.

Well, I've got to go--my daughter will be getting up in 20 minutes, and then the day starts in earnest. More soon. Barb

P.S. Hey, I came back because I saw Miki's last message after I posted my reply, and I wanted to acknowledge and reply to that. Miki, thanks for your insight into my situation at school. What you said is part of what has helped me feel better about the situation. Also, I talked to my principal at length about the topic of me moving to the other woman's class class after I finish my present assignment, and that was one of the areas we discussed. I also have been able to put together an understanding within myself that all of the events of the previous six months, starting with my resignation from my previous job and continuing to the death of this wonderful lady, really were under the control of a Power much greater than myself (God). Things have just fallen into place too easily for a human being to have planned this out. I have come to the conclusion that God has called me to be here, in this place, now because I was going to be needed. It's my job now to do what I have been called to do here. That has given me a lot of peace. I hope I don't sound too religious and spiritual, but it's those beliefs that keep me going day by day, through good and bad.

Also, for Taiwan and others having problems logging in--I have fixed my problem. I'll try to explain it here, but if I don't make sense, look at a thread in the forum early in the index--I can't remember exactly the title of it, but it's one where you ask questions of the administrators if you have trouble understanding how to use and navigate the site. I submitted a post titled something like, "Having trouble keeping logged in...." Suzanne told me that it was probably a problem with my setting for cookies. I went to Internet Options in Tools to the General tab, where she told me to delete all my cookies (I guess my cookies for 3FC weren't the most current ones???? :?: ) Then I went back to a place where I customize my security for cookies from particular sites (I've always had to customize my cookies for 3FC because our computer security is set high.) and made sure 3FC was still listed as a site from which I would accept cookies. Once that was done, the correct cookies were downloaded the next time I came to this site, and all my other cookies from other sites were redownloaded automatically, and now everything is OKAY. I don't even have to manually log in any more. It sounds harder than it is to fix the problem, and I was scared I would mess something up on my computer, but it all worked out fine. Believe me, I am no computer expert at all -- I press buttons and see what happens :dizzy: . Luckily common sense is in charge most of the time, so I haven't destroyed too much. But if I can fix what was wrong, everyone will be able to straighten it out. Miki, if you hear from Taiwan, spread this info to her, okay?

Well, really have to go now. Bye. ;)

Let me tell..this past weekend was very challenging for me...My friend's Mom is in hospital and was diagnosed with metastisized lung cancer...please say a prayer for her and keep her in your thoughts. Her daugher, a friend of mine is schizophrenic and she had a break down this weekend because the doctor tried new meds on her with less side effects and they dont work for her...so I had to nurse her back to health with meds that work for her. I took my Mom in to the doctors on monday for her check up...so needless to say I am pooped :yawn: ...so now I have a cold sore on my lip from all this stress...but I am hanging in there.

Hey Miki..I know how you feel...I am having a hard time getting over this slump...but together we will do it...I will push you over the slump and you thrown me a rope from the other side...deal? :smug:

Hey Newie..glad to hear that all has worked out for hubby and new in the jobs department...a little faith goes a long way...and all things happen for a reason so I am sure you are where you belong and need to be. Congrats once again.

Well, my eating has been ok the last couple of days and besides walking to work, I have not done any intentional exercising...it continues to be thorn at my side.

have a great day ladies and I will be back tomorrow with more news..I am going to the hospital tonight to visit Lisa's Mom...she has her first chemo therapy today...so please say a prayer..send good energy..anything is appreciated.

Cyan

Where is everybody yeeesh..come on girls...get your arses in here and start posting...dont make me open up a can of woop arse!

Hi, it's me--sorry, Cyan, to not be here for a couple of days. I'm not forgetting; I've just had a lot of papers the last couple of days and haven't slept well for the last two nights. The first night I fell asleep on the couch at 9:00 p.m. and when I woke up a couple of hours later to go to bed, I couldn't go to sleep. So I ended up doing some schoolwork and only slept about three hours. Then last night I went to bed just fine about 10, and at 1:30 a.m., one of our smoke detectors went off. I checked to make sure there was no fire, just a low battery, but didn't do anything about it. An hour later it went off again, and hubby and I were searching the house to see which one had gone off so we could temporarily disconnect it for the night. Well, once that was all over, so was my sleep. Now it's Friday, and I have no requirements for the evening, so I'm here. Thanks for your good wishes about things in my life. I'll let you know when my hubby gets his start day info. I hope it's soon. He's getting pretty crabby at times being home. An upside though--he has started organizing things, which is great by me. There's a lot in a house to organize for one person to do it all.

I've been trying to work my pseudo-Atkins plan. For the most part, I've been doing okay, except for a couple of cookies yesterday and three pieces of pizza at school today as a celebration of Catholic Schools week. Lunch was bought for us, and we received 20 extra minutes of free time in the lunch room. During that time, two moms took my class, and the kids cleaned out their desks, straightened up the room, and signed me this huge card. It nearly brought me to tears. My 26 little ones and I had a really tight group hug. It's possible I may only be with them one more week. I think the regular teacher is coming back on February 9th, so then I will be going up to the fifth grade. Next week, I am going to spend the week doing certain fun things with them that I've always wanted to do since I got there, but didn't because I felt I should be following the other teacher's curriculum. Next Friday is the 100th day of school, so we'll have a big celebration that day. That will be perfect timing if it is my last day with them.

Anyway, it's been quite cold here--hovering around 0 degrees F. for the last few days--not as cold as what you are used to this time of year, Cyan, but pretty cold for us here in Chicago. The last few years we haven't had much really cold weather, so I guess we're due.

Hey, everyone, pop in and say hi! Cyan (mostly) and I (a little) have been holding down the fort, but we need more people!! Take care. Bye for now.

Hello Cyan and Newie :)

Got email from Debee...she's having the same probs that Taiwan and Newie had signing in. She is working on it and hopes to be back soon. They both are able to read posts, I think, just not reply to them. Debee says she misses everybody.

Not really time for a long post...I'm working on my taxes and just decided to take a short break. Looks like we'll get a refund so I'm happy about that. :D Still have to do the State one tho.

I have to work tomorrow. I've been working lots lately, especially considering I am "part-time". Dont know how I could ever work "fulltime" if it would mean working more than I do now.. :dizzy: The extra hours really come in handy tho since Christmas.

Ate too much and didnt exercise today...so what's new huh? :^: Ok, Monday is a new week. If I dont get on track by then, Somebody needs to give me a big cyber KICK! :s:

Everyone have a great weekend! Better run for now

Miki

Hi, Miki! Great to get your post this morning! You aren't the only who ate badly recently. I had my third night in a row of not being able to sleep right, and in my frustration, I ate a bowl of corn flakes and another of pretzels on purpose because I know that carbs will help me fall asleep if I am having trouble. I guess I don't need an OTC sleeping pill. Talk about using food as a drug!! :( I seem to remember last summer I had trouble at times sleeping when I was doing the Atkins thing. But of course I'm not exercising to help things that way either. I also have on my mind the change in my teaching assignment. I've got both 1st grade and 5th grade curriculums in my mind, and that's an awful lot to be thinking about at bedtime.

Miki, do tell the other girls about how I fixed my problem with the site if they haven't seen what I added to the thread the other day. The problems Debee and Taiwan are describing are exactly what I was going through. Deleting my cookies was exactly what was needed, and it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

Cyan, hope your weekend is going well. Talk to everyone soon.

Love, Barb

ok, I am on my dh's computer in Taiwan. And it's ok now. I guess maybe the problem before was the cookies (aren't cookied always a problem--Oreo's for me:p)
Anyway, back in Taiwan less than a week now. If Josiah gets his times ok, I will ok. He's not waking up in the middle of the night, just at -5:30am and going for 5 hours, taking another 2 hour nap and then going to bed at like 7pm. Usual betime is 9pm and sleep til 8am. Hope that returns really fast.
Went to the dr and all is ok with me and baby. The dr said 90%chance it's a BOY!!!!!! oh my! well, the usual response from people are OH NO another boy!:) Healthy is all that's important.
Now I gotta get eating back in line now that we're back in Taiwan. Getting my water consumption back under control. I will ask my dr next check up about some exercises. I don't want to gain too much weight. I always gain 40lbs and have a little baby, so it's all me that gains weight basically.
Girls, we gotta get our eating and all under control. Hey, before I left I bought Dr. Phil's book "Ultimate Weightloss Challenge". Haven't opened it yet though as I can't diet while preggo:) one good thing about being pregnant.
Well, I should go take a rest. Very tired. Glad I can finally write again.

Hey Ladies good to hear that you guys have been posting...the weekend was over before I knew it and now its monday again...Oh how I wish it was friday again...did you guys watch the super bowl..or survivor...I was so pooped last night that I went to bed early...its so good to sleep..I love sleeping

I had sushi over the weekend...soooooo yummy...I love sushi :lol:

I did exercises but not indoor ones..I shovelled snow and cleaned my house...foodwise was fine too. I shopped a little and bought two trousers both in a size 12 one of them petite size...so at least I have not gone up in cloths sizes :^: I havent weighed myself in awhile...to afraid to but I will once Tom is finished.

Miki, Newie, and Taiwan..glad to have you back and I will be responding to your posts soon..I just have to get going on my day at work now but I will be back soon.

cyber kicks to everyone who has fallen off the wagon...myself included.

Cyan

Hello everyone,
I hope you are all having a great week. As I read in the previous posts, I shouldn't be hiding if I am not on track. Seems like everyone is struggling a little bit. Well, in my case, a lot....

Well, things are always as crazy as usual, but I am finally coming to the realization that, that is just how my life is. But leave it to me to keep adding to my frustrations....
I AM BACK IN SCHOOL.... I was so eager to start, I just jumped right in and enrolled. I am in school twice a week, and I am hoping once this weather starts to cooperate, I will be working out again at the curves which is 2 mins away from home on the other nights.

I have to say, I just can't get myself motivated, one min, I am ready to go the next, I am shoveling food and snacks in my mouth! It is horrible....... :s:

I so miss you all, especially my daily conversations with some of you on MSN.. But the hospital has strict IT regulations and I just can't seem to get around them.

I do have to make myself get in here more and post and be ACCOUNTABLE :D for my actions, but it is easier said than done!!!

Well, I am almost done for the day, if you want to email me, I am usually quick to reply, you can email me at reina.fernandez@earthlink.net

Hope you all have a great week,
Miss you all,

hey Reina...welcome back...I know what you mean...I have had a hard time with intentional exercising...man...the eating hasnt been bad...I dream a lot about cakes. doughnuts and chocolate but I dont give in to these dreams...once in a blue moon to keep me grounded. Thank goodness for that.

I saw my first Curves here in montreal!! How cool is that...I was wondering about it but I am not sure if I should join..I need something to motivate myself though..I will have to think about it some more and see what happens.

ok ladies have a good day and drop in soon and let me know what is going on..lots and lots of details :lol:

big hug

Cyan

Its Wednesday...where is everybody....anyway...I am going to get up early by 30 minutes and exercise! either cardio or weights...I will keep you posted

later

Cyan

Hello everyone,
Hope you are all doing great today... I am only working a half a day today, we have a big event tonight called the First Look For Charity... It is a Black tie event which raises money for 16 different charities, at the Chicago Auto Show.... I am really excited, because they are allowing Flav to go with, and I get to see him in a tux again!!!!! :dizzy:

I can't say that I have gotten any better this week, I am in the same mode. I had an exam last night, and I don't think I did all that great on it. I just can't get MATH. I really think I have a learning disability when it comes to math!

Oh well, I will talk to you all later.

Cyan, Take a look at curves, it is a great place to work out, and I hope to get my butt back into mine. It is not like the normal workout facilities, it is more private, smaller groups and IT WORKS.....when you go! :D

talk to you all soon!
Reina

Hey Ladies...woohoo its thursday!!

Reina..what are you taking in school and why did you decide to go back to school..details please.

I am looking forward to getting back to exercising ...I think tonight will be a good night for me to cycle cycle cycle.

I have been concentrating on eating very healthy foods and I am doing well. I am eating good quality, less refined foods. My latest kick is mixed berries...raspberries, blackberries and blueberries...which I buy frozen...they thaw and down the hatch they go...I swear....soooooooo good and it totally satifies my sweet craving...and I love the idea they they are filled with tons of nutrients and antioxidants...and very low cal!!!

well I have to be honest..I am yet to get up early to exercise...I keep thinking about it but have yet to do it...argh!!

well its 3.20pm and I wish it was 5pm so that I could go home and chill chill and then chill some more..oh yeah...good tv night...survivor and friends...woo hoo

I am not sure what I want to eat for dinner...nothing really stands out at the moment...but I think I will have a tuna sandwich for lunch tomorrow.

tonight possibilites...wow...I dont know...I guess I will see when I get home tonight.

Cyan

Hey its friday ... the weekend awaits....not quite sure what I will be doing ...we are expecting quite a bit of snowfall so I am sure I have shovelling snow planned for my weekend activities...thats if I want to drive my car..which of course I sure do.

lunch today is tuna sandwich...yum yum...oh yeah..dinner last night was tuna sandwich with a sardine thrown in for good measure...tasty tasty tasty.

I love fish. I think this weekend I will broil some sardines once they have marinated in a lemon coriander sauce...should be good with a salad and boiled potato...yep I think this will be sunday dinner.

Well I hope you ladies post soon and have a wonderful op day.
I am still working on the exercise black pitt I am in...I hope to climb out of it soon.

Cyan

Hi everybody!! Things are sooo hectic at work lately I just cannot seem to find time for everything else in life these days. Everyone is cross-training, duties are being rearranged, I am training someone and being trained almost at the same time, really stressful :dizzy: I work from 8 til 6 most days lately and only a few days have I even found time for a lunch break. I keep thinking any day now things will slack off and even out a little.

Anyway, I miss everyone bunches!! I have withdrawals when I cant get in here to post. :( My eating is a little better, mainly because I cant find time to eat. :lol: Tired by the end of the day tho so still no exercise. :^: I think in a couple of weeks my work should slow down and I'll be able to go in a little later and have time to walk again in the mornings. I really miss that!

Reina, happy to hear from you! :) Cyan, Taiwan, and Newie, hold down the fort til I can get back fullforce ok? ;) Everyone else...hurry back!! It's not the same without ALL of us! (including YOU , Reina...try not to be a stranger ok? :p :lol: )

Well, better go. Hubby is calling and believe it or not, we are actually home alone...No Kids!!! WOWWWW!! :D

Nite all..

MIKI

Hey Girls...Its monday

The weather has warmed up over the last few days..thank goodness...except yesterday..it wasnt as warm but much better than the month of january which had a ten year record high of -15 degrees celcius...ahhhhh!! Anyway..lots of snow fell on saturday which ofcourse involved me shovelling lots of the white stuff.

Also, my phone line was very staticky for about a month..that finally got resolved this saturday...it took the repair man 3 hours to sort everything out..apparently there were a few problems with the line...yeesh! but now...the line is now clear once more..thank goodness.

Foodwise..yes I had my sardines with chickpea salad and broiled potatoes for sunday dinner..that was tasty. I also had get this...a low fat no bake cheese pie topped with mixed berries...that was soooo good...I made it myself...I used low fat cream cheese, sour cream and coolwhip ...very little sugar and strawberry jam.

Hey Miki..nice to have you back and sorry to hear that your work is keeping you uber busy...hopefully you will be able to catch your breath in the very near future.

Reina...ditto on what Miki says...glad you are still here.

and the same goes for all the ladies that post here.

hugs

Cyan

:dz: I am not too sure how I feel about tuesday..its just a day of the week thats there...monday...well just about everyone hates monday...there are even songs written about this....wednesday...thats hump day...thursday...its payday...friday...ah yes..the weekend awaits...everybody loves fridays...saturday...you get to catch up on your own things...sunday...a day to relax but dread is looming...cause its monday again :lol:

So you see..tuesday...its just there!

I just had sushi for lunch...yum yum...dinner last night was 3 thin slices of pork loin, rice and potatoes..very good.

again, I confess no exercising...I have a big big probem with this right now...help me get back on my bike.

have a good day everyone

Cyan

Hi, ladies! Sorry to have been gone so long, but the last week and a half are pretty much a big blur to me. There's been so much going on. Last Friday I finished my sub assignment in the first grade, and Monday I moved to my new room and am teaching 5th grade!!! I didn't get most of the 5th grade stuff till Friday and didn't look at any of it till Sunday night. This week has been mostly just hanging in there a day at a time--organizing my classroom, trying to figure out all the books and schedules and different responsibilities that go with being a 5th grade teacher while actually teaching lessons (I also teach 4th grade English and Social Studies, but no 5th grade math--not yet, that is--or 5th grade science--which I will never have to teach.) I also found out that next year I will be the permanent 5th grade teacher. That's good, because as soon as I walked into the room and started working with the kids, I knew this age group was the one for me. I will say two things about how I am feeling physically--I am very tired from all I am doing, and my eyes are killing me--eye strain at all the things I am reading. (I have been farsighted with weak focusing muscles since I was a kid--have worn glasses for reading since I was 13 and now wear a no-line bifocal with no prescription for distance but gradually stronger correction as things are closer because my farsightedness has gradually grown worse over the years.) Anyway, when I read lots and lots, even with the glasses, my eyes get so tired and ache and burn terribly. I am going to try to give the kids seatwork whenever possible so I can rest them today. My eating has been mixed. Overall, I am not overeating; however, I have been eating vanilla and chocolate sandwich cookies. I have been having 3 for lunch each day (they are quick to pack in the a.m.), which isn't too bad, but then for the same reason--quickness--and also for a quick good feeling when I am dead tired, I have been eating some in the afternoon and/or evening. Yesterday I think I had 5 or 6 in the evening--not good, for my weight or for my overall general health during this stressful time. I'll try to do better, but I'm not going to beat myself over what I've done so far.

Also, in regard to my new job--I've been looking for a new teacher's store where I could buy supplementary supplies. (I'm certainly not going to my old place of employment.) Up to now, I had to go to three different stores to find what I was looking for--there are lots of stores of that type in the Chicago area--and still I wasn't finding everything I wanted. I was doing a lot of driving too!! But there was one store I passed on the way to my daughter's flute lesson each week that I had never explored because of their closing time. Also, my former boss said the store was messy, so I really didn't have very high expectations of it. WELL----yesterday I made time to go there, and it will be a one-stop shopping place for me. This store has everything I could want--much greater selection than where I worked--more books than I could ever want with publishers I wanted my former boss to carry, and she wouldn't. I could literally stay there all day!! I think I will one day soon. It is a little cramped, but not messy by any means.

Also, hubby got his start date for his job--February 23!!! He is very happy. The only bad news from me is that one of our cars was hit while parked on the street two nights ago--sideswiped on the driver's side. It's a '97 Ford Taurus; both doors damaged, as well as the body panel where the doors fit. The back door can't open, so something has to be done. The rotten thing??? After hubby lost his job, we cancelled the collision coverage on that car because of its age, so we will have to pay out-of-pocket for repairs. I guess that's what that home equity line of credit is good for--emergencies like this. It's weird. I think I must've gotten very used to things going wrong--and I mean big things--when hubby showed me the car (he was quite upset) I was aggravated about the money involved, but other than that I hardly flinched. It was like, "So let's take it to the body shop and get an estimate." The car is only worth about $3000, and we're not thinking about getting a new one at this time, so we're going to ask the body shop to make it decent rather than perfect because we need to keep it. I say this because to replace the damaged side body panel would involve replacing most of the side of the car--no, thank you, I don't think so. I'm hoping they will be able to reshape the damaged portion. Anyway, such is life! Well, I've made up for my absence by writing another novel. I hope I'm not boring you ladies. I feel much more able to begin my day, even with my tired body and eyes. More soon. Bye for now. Love, Barb :)

Hey Newie..welcome back...good to hear that you are enjoying your teaching job and that your hubby starts his new job soon. Oh Dear on the car getting banged whilst parked...someone did that to my new beetle last summer ...the right back fender which is made from fiberglass was badly scratched up and it cost 300 bucks to resand and repaint...those crummy b--tards...most probably drunk driving.

Anyway, I cycled for 4 km last night...I got back on that bike and did it...I am hoping to increase my distance tonight my about 2 km

big hug to everyone post soon

Cyan

Hello everyone,

The weeks are getting crazy..... I am taking an basic Alegbra course as a requirement for my degree, but the bad thing is, I CAN'T HANDLE MATH!!!
This is the 4th time taking it, and I just don't get it.... :?: :?:

Eating has been so so... I am not forcing myself, but then again, I don't have time to eat half the time.

Alex's 5th Birthday is on the 25th and we are planning a party for him, so that is alot of fun.

I have yet to get to curves, BUT it is my goal to get there before Alex's birthday!!!

WE WELL SEE>

Talk to you all later!
Reina.
PS, I am so darn sick of winter already... Can't it just go away! It has been so darn cold out!

Hi, everyone! Just something quick before school--I'm very tired--so much going on this week. No school for students tomorrow--just a teacher in-service meeting at a school about 15 miles from here. I'm going to carpool with some other teachers, and we're going out for lunch afterward. Things are starting to calm down a bit, so I hope next week will be a bit less hectic. No school on Monday either--Presidents' Day. That will give me time to rest/catch up. Hubby and I are going to the Chicago Auto Show tonight. He wants to see those new Ford cars he will be helping to make parts for. I hope I don't conk out at 7 p.m.!!!

Food is fair to middling--I only ate 5 cookies yesterday, rather than 8 or 9. I guess that's progress. I really need to get some easy, healthy snacks around here--perhaps some of my Atkins bars.

Well, bye for now. Talk to everyone later.

It's a bird ... it's a plane ... it's ... walnuts? Don't laugh. The humble walnut, along with a dozen other dietary choices -- from beans to yogurt -- is no less than a "superfood," say some health experts.


Steven Pratt, MD, is one of them. In his new book SuperFoods RX: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life, he goes into detail why he thinks these foods are so potent.


Pratt, an ophthalmologist who specializes in ocular plastic surgery at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, Calif., says he became convinced of the power of these basic foods when he saw the positive results of a few simple diet changes in his patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration -- a leading cause of blindness.


"Whether you're trying to prevent cataracts, macular degeneration, cancer, or cardiovascular disease, the same type of preventive dietary measures apply," he says. "The whole body is connected: a healthy heart equals a healthy eye and healthy skin. You'll hear about all these special diets for special health needs, but really, the same diet and the same lifestyle choices prevent the same diseases. With rare exceptions, you don't need 20 different preventive modalities -- just one really good diet."


And that "one really good diet," Pratt says, should be founded on these "superfoods":


Beans
Blueberries
Broccoli
Oats
Oranges
Pumpkin
Salmon
Soy
Spinach
Tea (green or black)
Tomatoes
Turkey
Walnuts
Yogurt

When incorporated into your regular daily diet, these foods, says Pratt, can stop some of the changes that lead to diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's, and some cancers. "I picked them out after researching all of the world's healthiest diets: for example, Japanese diets, Mediterranean diets, and even some of the healthier dietary patterns in the United States," he says. "I noticed that it's the same food groups wherever you live."


Walnuts: The Good Fat


Every nut, even macadamias -- the fattiest -- has been found to improve cholesterol, Pratt reports. "Walnuts are among the superstars. They're an excellent source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids," he says. Salmon is another great source of these heart-healthy fatty acids.


"Studies show that you can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease by 15% to 50% if you eat a handful of nuts five times a week. If you found a pill that did the same thing, you'd make a fortune." Of course, chowing down on a huge tub of walnuts can be counterproductive, so as always, watch your intake. A handful of dry, roasted, unsalted walnuts -- about 14 walnut halves -- has about 150 calories, and is enough to yield "superfood" benefits.


Add Some Color to Your Diet


It is true that good things come in small packages. Used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes, blueberries are a tiny fruit that combines a wide variety of nutrients. "Blueberries don't have a huge amount of any single nutrient, but they have the synergy of multiple nutrients," Pratt says. "There's vitamin C, folic acid, fiber, carotenoids, and hundreds of other compounds in this one small fruit. Blueberries also have a very thick skin, which is where nature packs most of its nutrients."

When you're thinking "superfoods," think color, says Beverly Clevidence, PhD, a research leader at the USDA's Diet and Human Performance laboratory. That means foods that are deep blue, purple, red, green, or orange. They contain health-enhancing nutrients that protect against heart disease and cancer, and also improve our sense of balance, our memory, and other thinking skills.

Nutritionist Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, director of nutrition of the WebMD Weight Loss Clinic, offers these tips on how to add some color to your diet:

Top your cereal with almonds or berries; add tomatoes to sandwiches, soups or stews; layer your whole grain bread sandwich with slices of peppers and fresh spinach.
Pack a snack bag of nuts, baby carrots, raw broccoli, grape tomatoes, and bell pepper slices for a nutritious pick-me-up between meals.
Fruit and nut granola bars stash easily into briefcases for quick energy and a tasty treat.
Soy for Cholesterol

"No, adding soy to your diet does not mean pouring more soy sauce on your Chinese food," says Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, LDN, director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. It does mean adding soy foods such as tofu, soy milk, soy nuts, or the green soybeans -- called edamame by the Japanese.

Not everyone is convinced about soy's heart-healthy benefits but its cholesterol-lowering benefits do seem powerful enough. A study reported July 2003 in The Journal of the American Medical Association showed that a diet of soy fiber, protein from oats and barley, almonds, and margarine from plant sterols lowered cholesterol as much as statins, the most widely prescribed cholesterol medicine.

Tofu takes on the flavor of foods that it is cooked with, says Zelman. Try a stir-fry of colorful veggies and cubed tofu with a light Asian sauce for a quick meal. You can also find cereals at the store loaded with both soy and fiber. Serve with skim milk and you'll get three super nutrients for breakfast.

Take a soy protein bar for a quick snack or lunch during the day. Soy nuts are another great portable snack option.

Edamame (Japanese name for green soybeans) are snacks even kids will love! Find these nutritious nuggets in the freezer section at your supermarket. Serve them plain or with a low-fat dip.

Fiber for Your Whole Body

Beans and oats are great sources of fiber. Fiber helps keep our cholesterol and blood sugar levels low and our bowels functioning smoothly.

Studies show that dietary fiber -- including foods such as apples, barley, beans and other legumes, fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, oat bran and brown rice -- clearly lower blood cholesterol. High-fiber foods are also digested more slowly, so they don't cause spikes in blood sugar levels like white bread, potatoes and sweets do. Of course, everyone knows that fiber helps keep you regular. High-fiber foods also help us feel full, making it easier to control weight.

Read food labels to find whole grain breads and cereals that provide three or more grams of fiber per serving, says Zelman. A bowl full of bran or high-fiber cereal is a great start. Whole fruits and veggies are great for a healthy dose of fiber. Aim for five to nine servings of fruits and veggies a day for a healthy dose of fiber. Juices don't contain as much fiber as whole fruit. And beans are loaded with fiber and protein, so add them to soups, stews, salads, eggs, and salsas.

Calcium for Your Bones


Yogurt and other dairy products help keep your bones strong and lessen your chance of fractures as you get older, calcium also keeps teeth strong, helps your muscles contract, and your heart beat. Recent studies have even shown that calcium may lower your risk of colon polyps, and help you lose weight. Researchers at Purdue University found that women who consume calcium from low-fat dairy products, or get at least 1,000 milligrams a day, showed an overall decrease in body weight.


Dairy products are the best source of calcium. Choose skim milk, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese to avoid saturated fats. A single serving can provide you with 20% of the 1,200 milligrams a day you need. You can also add calcium to your diet with calcium-enriched cereals and orange juice. Foods such as dark green vegetables, dried beans, and sardines also contain calcium.

Start your day with café au lait made with half skim milk and half strong coffee, says Zelman. Add a bowl of whole grain cereal topped with skim milk and fresh fruit for a breakfast of champions. Snack on low-fat yogurt or cheese between meals for an energizing treat.

Another plus for the "superfoods": they can all be found in pretty much every supermarket in every town in America. You might not be able to buy bok choy everywhere, but every grocery store sells broccoli. Both dark green leafy vegetables with similar health benefits, broccoli makes the "superfood" list and bok choy is one of its "sidekicks."


So are "superfoods" for real, or just another diet-book gimmick in a market flooded with them? "I think it's a good message," says Beth Kitchin, MS, RD, assistant professor in the department of nutrition at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. "There's good data to support the health benefits of all these foods. They're what we might call 'functional foods,' because you eat them for a very specific purpose. The walnuts and the salmon are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, yogurt is a great source of calcium and natural bacterial cultures that help maintain a healthy digestive tract, and tea has been shown over and over again to have a role in preventing some cancers."


Can you lose weight on a "superfoods" diet? Of course you can, says Pratt, although that's a side benefit. "The Superfoods way of looking at things is a lifestyle choice, not a weight-loss program," he says. "But if you make these foods a lifestyle choice, you'll feel better and you'll look better."


With reporting by Carol Sorgen


Published Feb. 2, 2004.

Hi everyone! Just a quick minute to post but had to come tell you all that I FINALLY exercised today!! It has been forever since I was motivated enough to do so and honestly I had no intention of doing it today either BUT....our trusty Cyan was online when I signed in this morning and after a pep talk from her, I got off here and headed onto to my AirWalker for 30 min of exercise! Before I did that tho, I called my sis and gave her the same pep talk so she did her exercise also! Thanks Cyan!! :) Wanted to pop in and report in hopes maybe some of you might be inspired to do the same thing. Cyan made a deal with me that she would match my 30 min on her bike. From that one conversation with her, she, my sis and I will all feel much better today because we made an effort to get back on track. I feel great now that it's done and I just know the rest of you will also...so let's all do it ok?? Have a great day everyone!

MIKI

Good morning! I just read your post about exercise, Miki, and how ironic it was that I was thinking as I couldn't sleep last night for the NTH time in the last two weeks that maybe a little walk would help me sleep better at night. It's worked before when I was stressed. I really want to do it outside. Maybe I just need to put on my coat, scarf, and gloves and just GO, especially in the afternoon after school. It IS light out when I get home. Would somebody give me a cyber kick out the door PLEASE??????? I need help!!! :( :(

This week has kinda gone by quick! Hey Miki thanks for encouraging me yesterday morning with your air walker session! Its good to have you around ... :grouphug:

Whats on tap for me this weekend...hmmm not quite sure...but I am looking forward to my beloved weekend...oh I love weekends..I certainly do.

lunch today is a meatloaf sandwich with a diet cola.

dinner...dunno yet.

I think I will roast a chicken for the weekend ...thats always good.

and of course..I will continue with the exercising.

oh Newie....POWWWWWWWWWW you just got your cyberkick! So get moving...willl ya! Ok then...all is fine now. :lol:

Have a good weekend

Cyan

Ugh its monday...I dont really like mondays...weekend was great...rented two movies...alex and emma and in the cut...both were good. I also saw a movie at the theatre...50 first dates and that was good too. Its been very cold again so lots of indoor activities.

I also had sushi on sunday and boy was it good....once again only housecleaning and not intentional exercising.

ok gotta go
later
Cyan

its me again...tuesday...anyway...I cycled last night for 6km...it felt good! Food wise was ok...I think I did pretty well.

Today I have an eye doctor's appointment...I need a new prescription for contact lens and glasses although I am seriously thinking of getting lasik eye surgery and correcting my vision that way...anyone heard of scary outcomes? let me know

have a great day everyone

Cyan

Hi, all--I'm doing okay--sleeping better--not because of exercising though. I think most of it has to do with getting some relaxation time over the long weekend and getting more organized for school. I still need to get started on the exercising. Food is not too bad in quantity, though I am having issues with Valentine's Day chocolate around the house. I'm trying to eat low carb when I can. Well, it's time to get ready for school--my older daughter is staying home today--she has a head cold and is pretty miserable. She has allergies, and takes allergy medicine, so I'm not sure what I can give her for the cold other than her meds--maybe just rest, liquids, and chicken soup, plus a little ibuprofen for discomfort. Well, got to go. I hope everyone is doing okay. Love, Barb

Hey Ladies..it wednesday already

I cycled again last night for a distance of 6.1km...woo hoo...I have to admit that it was very very hard...my legs felt like jelly...but thank goodness the music was inspiring and it kept me pedalling.

Food wise was good too...although ...like Barb...newie..I am have serious issues with valentine's chocolate...none of which I bought but was given.

Also, at work, there is these valentines chocolate boxes that are there just calling out for me to eat them...thank goodness I have had the strenght not to eat them...especially since they are not mine...hehehe anyway...tonight I will cycle one more time and see what happens

stay strong and motivated everyone..later

Cyan

once again it looks like its me in here all by my self...hohum :(

Anyway, food yesterday was good but I did not exercise so I will tonight.

food today has been good thus far although I am not sure what I want for dinner...not really feeling like much...that cant be good.

anyway my missing in action cyber friends...ger yer butts back in here pronto and post

love ya

Cyan :s:

Hello Myself and noone else ...cause its just me in here!

I exercised again last night...cycled for 6.1km that was good...food wise was great too...let the pounds melt away

have a good weekend Me and no one else

Cyan

Hello Cyan and Newie! :)

Sorry I still dont get in here much but I do think of all my 3FC friends often! One of these days, life around here is going to slow down a little, I just know it. Still far from being on track...that one day of Airwalker isnt going to do a whole lotta good. :^: Cyan, I need another pep talk!

Newie, happy to hear about dh's job and sounds like you are enjoying yours also even if it is a big adjustment.Hope your daughter is feeling better.

Reina, how's that Math coming along?? I dont envy you..I have enough trouble helping Luke with his and he is in 6th grade. :dizzy: lol

Where are the rest of the ladies?? I miss everyone!!

Hope all of you have an extra nice weekend. I'll be back when I can.

MIKI

Some times I lurk and don't post. I'm still learning the board, but I stick around for motivation, to listen and to :lol: . Because of all of you, I'm sticking to it and exercising for the first time in months. This is my first pc and needless to say it was a great decision.

Happy to be here :goodvibes:
Donna

Hi, ladies--sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Sorry to have left you all alone in here, Cyan. Good to hear from you, Miki; I know what it is for life to get so hectic that you don't seem to have time for anything personal. Take care. Donna, have I met you? Perhaps I've been so busy this month that I missed your posts. Glad to have you with us. I too sometimes lurk but don't post. I read the other day, but was too tired to think of anything to say.

I'm doing fine with my fifth graders--getting organized is the key--that is happening slowly but surely. I've got my third cold since November--not immune to all these new kid germs I'm coming in contact with. It's not a bad cold--just mild nasal and chest congestion--more annoying than anything else. I gave the last of my kid Valentine candy (that which I received from students) to hubby--I was going to those little Hershey's kisses every time I felt stressed or needed a boost--not good at all!!! :( I'm hanging in there though. I still haven't exercised intentionally. I paid no attention to your cyber kick, Cyan. I'm sorry. :sorry: I suppose the fact that my new classroom is upstairs in the school gives me a little exercise, but not enough to matter in weight loss. The weather is getting better--in the 30's and snow melting, with sun this morning--maybe I'll get out and walk this morning.

Last evening I had an Atkins-friendly wrap at Subway--called a Turkey-Bacon Melt, I think--it was very good and very filling--10.5 net carbs only!!

Hubby starts his new job tomorrow. I know he's excited about it. Now we'll have another routine to get used to--I'm so thankful he has work, though; the new routine is just another learning experience.

Well, got to go ladies--hope everyone we've not heard from is doing okay. Talk to you all soon. Bye for now. ;)

Welcome DonnaD:) Nice to meet you. As you can tell, we need some activity in here. Since Christmas we've all gotten busier and it's hard to get in here as much as we'd like. Cyan gets lonesome so drop in anytime...she'd love it and so would we. Besides, we need motivation too....I'm sure we'll get as much inspiration from you as you have been getting from the site.

Cyan, way to go on cycling again! I promise SOON I am going to get back on a regular workout schedule. My sis and I are trying to work out a time we can get together again at least 3 times a week. That's better than nothing I guess.

Newie, I had Subway wraps twice this week...in fact I had one today. I had the Chicken/Bacon/Ranch one...I love it!!! The wheat tortilla they wrap it with is much better than that thick bread to me. You know they can wrap any of their stuff in it rather than using the buns. A friend of mine got the Steak and Cheese in a wrap and loved it also. Happy to hear your husband is finally going to get to start his new job. Can't wait to hear how it goes. Sorry to hear about your cold...hope you're feeling better soon.

I wonder if Debee, Lisa and Taiwan are having problems getting back in here still. :?: I cant imagine not hearing from them in so long unless that is the reason.

Reina, how are things with you?? Check in when you can.

Well, guess I'll run for now. It was nice getting to drop in again. Hopefully I'll be back soon!

Miki

Hello Ladies

Donna :grouphug: welcome to our little corner here on 3fatchicks...so good to have new cyber faces....hey tell us a bit about yourself? what are your weight and health goals...are you married...how old? kids? how much to lose? There is so much to know...I hope I am not being nosy :lol:

Anyway, its great to have you hear with us.

Well I had sushi last night for dinner...I love sushi!!!...I am trying to cut down on the carbs and I think I am doing well with that..I discovered these whole wheat and soy bagels...and they are low in carbs and wow are they good...I was very impressed with their texture and flavor.

Food wise was decent this week..I did not eat after 8pm and I did not binge either. I went to my friend's one year old bday party and as usual, lots of delicious foods there...I was very very good and controlling my intake..I did have Paul..her husband's amazing honey garlic ribs :hun: but only two of them and a thin slice of Luke's bday cake which her Mom...Faye did..she used to be a pastry chef and boy was it ever good. Needless to say it was very nice.

Saturday I rented two movies...runaway jury and lost in translation..both good...I also had dinner with a great friend of mine who got to meet Brian Mcknight whilst he was here on tour in Montreal...she even went with him on tour until New York...that was back in September...but let me tell ya girls...the man is hot hot hot and apparently a very good lover...lucky her :o

Hey Miki...I hear your air walker screaming at you...it feels neglected and it doesnt like just on its handle bars...get it there ...go on!!!

Newie..let us know how your dh's first day back at work went...and you too Missy...get back to intentional exercising...come on ...we can do it

My Challenge to you...to do at least 30 minutes of exercising of any kind...post here tomorrow and brag about your success

big hug and have a great day everyone

Cyan

Hello Ladies...I exercised again last night...I cycled for 9.2km and did some calisthetics..spelling? Anyway, it all went well...once again I am feeling the benefits of regular exercising and I always wonder why I dont keep it up when it feels so good to do it ...especially afterwards...I really benefit from all the extra energy and muscle strenght.

Food intake was very good...I had 4 small meals through out the day with the last one being protein although it was at 9pm...but I was really hungry so I had a protein snack and that did the trick.

Well I am looking forward to hearing from you so get your butts in here and post post post

later
Cyan

Wow It seems like this week is progressing along at a normal pace..I have experienced each day ..you know how it is when some weeks just fly by or those that drag drag drag...yeesh.

Anyway...food wise has been good..I am sticking to my calorie and fat allowances ...I also cycled for 10 minutes as a warm up then did calisthetics...weights push ups sit ups etc etc. It was all good..this morning my arms feel a little sore but that's to be expected.

tonight I will be cycling..mostly aerobics.

well I am waiting for you to post and tell me how you are doing...so get yer butts on in here

Cyan

Hello Ladies

Well last night I cycled for 10 kms....yep...thats right...it felt good. Food wise was good...I stuck to my aloted calories.

Tonight I will do calisthetics with a quick warm up on the bike.

Well I sure do hope that this thread hasnt become a one person thread...feeling kinda lonely in here.

later

Cyan

Hi, I'm still here--just worn out this week. I've been working a lot in my classroom--putting up bulletin boards, rearranging desks, going through closet, cleaning desk (not fun going through a dead person's things), plus doing the whole teaching thing during school hours. While I still haven't exercised intentionally, I've climbed up and down the stairs at school countless times, gotten up and down out of a chair to unstaple and restaple stuff for two 20 foot long bulletin boards above my chalkboards, and wrestled with 28 student desks filled with hard cover texts and spiral notebooks as I dragged them around my classroom to find an arrangement I liked. I feel like I've been exercising all day every day. Food is so-so. When I am tired, I tend to eat more, but I don't know if that is the case this week or not. My weight is up a little--about a pound--but I expect my period soon. I know there's some water retention involved in my sore breasts. My fingers are swollen too.

Also, last night I bought the book The South Beach Diet. I've read about it, and I think it may be a little closer to my liking than Atkins. The principles are similar, but there are more food choices, especially at the beginning. I tried to start reading it last night, but I fell asleep after about 3 pages. Maybe on the weekend.

Well, got to go--time to get ready for school. I am so-o-o-o-o glad it's Friday!!!

Its friday woohoo....I exercised...cycled for about 20 minutes and then did situps..and various floor exercises.

I had sushi for lunch today and boy was it good....I had grilled eel and soft shell crab and salmon ...yum yum yum.

but tonight I have to be very careful...its a friend's bday dinner party and the restaurant we are going to is an upscale asian restaurant and its buffet but they prepare it for you and bring it out...and they dont stop until you are full!!! yikes...so I gotta be very careful.

well ladies have a great weekend.
Hey Newie...good to hear that you are keeping busy with teaching and any kind of movement is good for you. How is your hubby's new job coming along...let us know

Cyan

Hi everyone!

Had a small victory tonite. Hubby and I were going to eat Chinese buffet tonite....went into town and instead decided to just rent a movie and come home to eat a warmed up chicken breast and some salad. :) That is very unusual for us especially since both kids were gone and that's when we like to take advantage of eating out alot..lol

Gotta work tomorrow so not a great weekend coming up for me. Hope the rest of you enjoy yours. Gotta run for now. Just wanted to pop in a minute.

MIKI

Hello all!! ;) How is everyone. I'm sorry I haven't been posting, but I'm not really trying to lose weight at the moment.. :lol: To update everyone, I am going to be induced on May 12. I had a second sonogram this past Monday and surprise.... :o what we thought was a girl is really a boy!!! :dizzy: Oh well....We had finally decided on a great name for a girl...but now, we have no name for a boy. I like Joshua...what do you think? :^: School is going good. It helps the pregnancy go by faster. It's a struggle sometimes because I'm so tired and so huge. We're inducing early, because the baby is already big. I'm eating like crap and I've been having some really bad low blood sugar episodes, but other than that...I'm doing okay. I miss you guys and think of you daily. I'll try to come and post more often.

Lisa

Hey Ladies

Hope your weekend was fun filled and OP.

Hey Lisa...man you must be looking forward to your new arrival especially as the due date approaches. A little boy..congrats...Joshua sounds very nice.
I send you a very big hug and hope your delivery goes very smoothly for you.

Yay Miki on not going out to chinese buffet...what will power...I had chinese last friday...a friend's bday..so I couldnt back out...but I did do pretty well considering.

well I gotta get some lunch so I will say good bye and check back in tomorrow

Cyan

Hi I'm still around, but a little disgusted with myself. Eatings been pretty good. Was better when I was exercising. Lately, I'm having trouble getting up in the morning. Keep hitting snooze. Need to go to bed earlier but not tired. Any suggestions would be appreciated.......Thanks :thanks:

Hi, all--just wanted to check in. Lisa, good to hear from you. Hang in there and take good care of yourself for these next two months. Cyan, to let you know--hubby likes his new job. Right now he is training on different assembly lines; he should receive a permanent assignment pretty soon. It's wonderful to have him working again. Donna, I wish I had a cure-all suggestion for you for the sleeping difficulty you are experiencing, but I am a sleep challenged person myself. Going back many years, I've struggled to get to sleep, stay asleep, sleep long enough, be rested. What I can suggest is to try to find the source of what's going on--stress, caffeine in the evening, not enough activity overall, too much activity in the evening, pain somewhere in your body, hunger, female hormonal goings-on, etc.--and try to address the cause. That's what I do. For me, that helps.

As far as food goes for me, I am trying, with limited success, to work the South Beach Phase 1--cutting out all flour and sugar basically. I am not able to give up a bowl of cereal before bed. I eat fiber cereal to keep myself regular and so I won't wake up hungry in the night. I also cannot do without fruit. Anyway, I have given up 90% of the flour. Hopefully that will make a difference. I'm still tired, though I got a lot of rest over the weekend. I'm just very behind in lots of stuff--home and school. I did finish one thing, though. All my written application materials for my permanent teaching position are finished and sent where they need to go. Now I only need to complete an on-line background check application. I will do that later this week.

Well, I'm going. We're doing standardized testing in school, so things are a bit easier this week. More later.

hey Ladies...its tuesday!

Hey Donna...try some essential oil therapy before going to bed...put some lavender essential oil with some water in a diffuser ....it will relax you and help you fall asleep..it works for me.

Hey Newie..good to hear that your hubby is doing well on the job. That must be very hard cutting back on the four and sugar...those are my weakness too...especially sugar...I have cut back on the carbs not I could never be as strict with it as in the atkins diet. I do however limit myself to pasta dishes once per week, I eat complex carbs for bread like whole wheat with flax or soya. I do know I feel good health wise..lots of energy so I am hoping to shed some pounds.

I havent weighed myself in awhile because everytime I do I am dissappointed and then I fall off the wagon. So now I am measuring once more.

Ok ladies as usual, I am at work so have a great OP day everyone

Cyan

Hi everyone :)

Lisa, Great hearing from you!! I cant believe your due date is in May...probably not to you, but to me, the time has flown by! Seems like a month ago you gave us the news. I think Joshua is a perfect name...I named my own son that. :lol: (Joshua Michael)

Cyan, how's the exercise going? I did 25 min on my AirWalker Monday nite but didnt get it done last nite. I am going to try again tonite tho. My eating since Monday has actually been fine...not over 1500 calories.

Newie, I am so glad your husband finally got to start work. It has to be a major relief for him and for you also. Not only the financial part but both of you being back in a normal routine.

Donna, dont get too disgusted with yourself. All of us here have the same probs as you so dont feel alone. We do well for awhile then go back a little. I couldnt live without my snooze button. :lol: I am not a morning person so I usually have to exercise at nite rather than in the mornings altho it's hard later because I'm tired by then. Extra tired if I do it but extra disgusted with myself when I skip...never ending cycle. :dizzy:

Well all...better go. Need to go pick the kids up from church.

MIKI

Its Thursday already...the last few weeks have gone by rather quickly. Tomorrow I have my first appointment for lasik eye surgery...I am considering it...I have been wearing contacts and eyeglasses for 20 years!! I think now is the time to finally get rid of them...we shall see. Wish me luck

Hey Miki...I did exercise last night...I used my row machine and did and upper body work out. I am trying to mix up my routine and do upper and lower alternating each day...so tonight it will be the lower on the bike.

I am also interested in trying out pilates so this weekend I will see if there is a good tape at costco's. I remember seeing them there.

Foodwise was good yesteday...I had roast chicken breast with carrots and corn for dinner and lunch was a whole wheat soy bagel with low fat cream cheese.

Today's lunch is yesterdays dinner....I dont know whats for dinner yet...not quite sure what I am in the mood for...we shall see...too early for me to think about it.

Well ladies...have a great OP day...later
Cyan

Hi, everybody! My week has been pretty good. Not too much work at school; we're doing standardized testing this week and next, so my lesson plans are cut by 2/3. I'm getting caught up on grading papers and getting some extra rest. I've been working too hard the last few weeks. I only have been doing schoolwork in the mornings (4 or 5 a.m.) this week. I am a morning person, and by 7 p.m. I really don't want to do anything, especially if I am generally overfatigued. Last night I ate quite a few triscuit type crackers before going to bed. I'm sure it was stress and fatigue that did it. I am really not able to keep up the elimination of carbs right now. I am just going to have to be reasonably sensible right now. I've just got too much going to really work on serious weight loss this minute. It's a never ending process, isn't it?

Well, I've got to go--there's a site I want to go to that will help me generate rubrics (evaluation/grading sheets) for composition assignments. I've got 25 rough draft essays to read in the morning, and anything that will help in the evaluation process is something I want. More later.

Hey Ladies

I cycled last night and did 5km...better than nothing...the music sucked! Anyway, dinner was a beef and vegetable stew with low fat feta...it was pretty tasty.

Lunch today is smoked meat...a specialty here in montreal...it rocks and its low fat too and high protein!!

and after my pre op eye test...my ever faithful friend Ivano is picking me up at the clinic since my vision will be affected and we are off to digest some well deserved SUSHI!!!! yay.

well thats all folks...have a great OP weekend

big hug

Cyan

Hi all....

Just thought I would check back in. I've fought bronchitis on and off since the beginning of the new year, but FINALLY seem to have shaken it for the 3rd time this year. We can hope!! ;-) I headed back to the gym last week and instead of just throwing myself back in full steam I'm building back up to where I was...hopefully that will make the difference between being able to maintain the exercise and getting sick again. Amazingly my weightloss seems to have continued and I'm now down into the 130's. I'm SO excited and SO surprised. 8-13 lbs more to go and then I'll just be maintaining. I'm more than 1/2 way there.

School has been keeping me insanely busy. This week, I'm going to focus on staying on top of papers at school, getting my house clean and sticking with my exercise.

Donna, sleep suggestions, I just read your last post asking for suggestions, so I may be off on my suggestion, I'll go back and read earlier ones and re-respond to this in a moment, but off the top of my head I've found that if I go to bed at the exact same time each night that helps. Also a hot bath or following the same routine each night helps too. I know that when I lie down in bed at a certain time each night I may or may not be tired (originally) but if I turn out the lights and tell myself under no circumstances can do I do anything else and it's time to sleep I generally fall off to sleep (even if I don't feel tired at first).

Lisa---2 more months left? WOW!!

Miki--Sounds like things are going well...I'm glad.

I've got another plan for this week, it is to walk to School in the AM. I live about a mile 1/2 from the school...I figure I can handle that especially since it's been so pretty here lately and then hoof it back home in the afternoon.

Cyan, measuring helps and not focusing on the scale does too. Just stick with those healthy habits and it sounds like you have done well with sticking with the exercise and cycling etc...even 5 kms is better than nothing. Keep it up!! Honestly it had been quite a few weeks since I'd last weighed, I think our focus on sticking with the numbers does exactly what you were talking about when we weigh and they aren't where we think they should be, it discourages us more than helps us.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week....I'm off to soak in the tub and begin my nightly routine. :)

Betty

:coffee: Good morning, ladies! Not a whole lot to report this morning--we spent the weekend trying to get caught up on housework. Hubby and I both got paid (doesn't that sound wonderful?) this week, and we went grocery shopping--$250.00 worth of food!!! We'd really been economizing the last few months. It was nice to enjoy shopping for once. I also bought some clothes yesterday. I've been wearing the same few items to school over and over. Despite my food struggles this winter and a slight gain (1-3 pounds), I fit perfectly in size 14 short slacks!! Also, I bought some bras, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I no longer wear a 42DD. Now I wear a 40D! The only difficulty was that I had a terrible time finding tops. The plus size tops are now way too big, but the XL tops are often too tight through the chest and shoulders. I'm very broad-shouldered. I did find two sweaters that ran big, though, so I found something that worked for me. I guess I'll have to continue losing weight so I'll fit into those XL tops!

Nice to hear from you, Lobocal. Be careful about that bronchitis. I've had winters with it. It's horrible. Once I even developed pleurisy from coughing too much. Congrats on your progress.

Good luck on your lasik surgery, Cyan. I've heard a lot about it but never knew anyone directly who had it. You'll have to let us know what it's about and how it works.

Take care, Miki, with all you're doing. I've started to feel some effects from overdoing myself, so I've been cutting down, even if some stuff goes unfinished.

Well, I've got to go. I need to type up another worksheet for my beloveds. We're still testing for a couple of days, but I have to have a sub in the room for an hour while I give a make-up test to a student absent last week. If I don't keep them busy every second I'm gone, it'll be a free-for-all in the room because the sub we use really doesn't have much behavior control. I saw it firsthand Thursday and Friday when she was in my room for short periods. Have a good day, all!

Hello Ladies
Its monday again. I just got this wireless keyboard and mouse so I am getting used to them right now. The mouse in particular works different. It seems to be more sensitive so I am getting used to that.

This weekend was fun..I went to a sushi dinner party where I got to roll my own sushi!!! And boy was it fun...well let me tell you ladies...I can now roll my own sushi and I am good at it too!!! woohooooooooo

Sunday was a little quiet...just ran some errands and the silverbeega got a bath to wash off the winter salt.

I didnt do any intentional exercising so I am back to that tonight.
OH...I started the southbeach diet this morning so I will let you know how that goes.
at the sushi party I noticed my good friend was trimming down although she is very slim aready but she looked even thinner...so she told me she was on the southbeach diet to lose the last 5 pounds that she was having a hard time with.

So, I think it's time I try it and get serious about this. I havent been able to lose any amount of weight and I have noticed that on fitday, my carb and sugars are way to high. So I have given up my carnation morning breakfasts, whole grean breads, pastas, sweets, fruits for the initial phase of this diet which thank goodness only lasts for two weeks or 14 days...after that I will be able to eat fruits again which is a concern for me because I think they are huge cancer fighters and promote good health.

Well Ladies, wish me luck...its too early to tell you how I feel on the diet...since I just started it this morning but I am feeling a little hungry right now but nothing I cant deal with.

later

Cyan

Hi all...just a quick post to say hello. I'm at work at the moment and just happened to have a spare minute. Extra busy weekend with no exercise and not exactly the best food choices. I'll expound more on that later when there's more time. Tomorrow is my birthday which means cake at work...birthday dinner later in the week at my in-laws, lunch tomorrow with a friend....SIGH....always a reason to eat it seems. Anyway, I'll try not to do toooo bad!! Lobocal, great hearing from you! Everyone else...take care..I'll be back in with a longer post later. Better run for now!
'
MIKI

Hey Ladies

Happy Birthday Miki :balloons: :eating2: :gift: :hb: Let us know all about your festivities!

Hey Lobacal good to have you back.

Well day one of the southbeach diet is under by belt ...I have to be honest...I find it very very hard giving up sugar and carbs...I miss my quick carnation breakfasts...my fruit juices and fruits and whole grain breads!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....but I keep telling myself that in two weeks time, I will get back my skim milk, fruit juices, fruits and whole grains in moderation but at least I can have them again. So, Day two has begun with a fried egg ...I used Pam for the cooking spray and a glass of water. I am now enjoying a cup of coffee sweetened with twin instead of sugar.

Lunch is chili con carne...I made it myself so low fat meats, no oil added and no sugar. My snacks for the day will be chicken breast deli meats with low fat cheddar and olives. Dinner will be chicken breast with broccoli.

so I Hope I can do this once again and hopefully it will get easier until I can make it to phase 2 which will be better for me.

Ok Ladies, Have a great OP day

Cyan

Hello Ladies

I have now successfully been on the southbeach diet two whole days...I am starting my 3 day today.

I now understand what a drug addict feels when they are going through withdrawal...I have this knawing feeling in my brain ...a constant crave for carbs and sweets and sugar...my mouth waters...it is very strange. But I rode them out much to my amazement. I am drinking lots of water, white tea and diet soda...I try to limit my diet soda to two cans per day...one cola and one non cola like diet sprite. I think they are saving me right now from losing it...just having something sweet in my mouht consoles me.

I cant wait to have this phase 1 be done with.

todays breakfast was a hardboiled egg with a glass of water. I am now enjoying a cup of coffee with twins sweetner.

Lunch will be tuna salad with olives and sour gherkins and a diet soda...my snacks are low fat cheese and two more eggs.

Afterwork I am going to pick up some egg beaters..I dont like eating all of these eggs..so I will substitue for breakfast.

Dinner will be grilled chicken witha chickpea salad and a seltzer to wash it down.

Wish me luck and have a great OP day

Cyan

Still only time for a very short post...just checking in. Cyan, sounds like you're really on track these days and planning ahead for your meals and snacks is a really smart thing to do. Good luck! Sorry to report I am still doing pitiful...fine one day, terrible the next. One of these days, I just know I"ll get my mind set right again. Well, gotta run...post more later.

MIKI

P.S....almost forgot...Thanks Cyan for the "happy birthday"...loved the cake, gifts and balloons you gave me.. :lol:

Hello Ladies

Oh you are so welcome Miki...glad to hear that you loved my cyber gifts and cake :lol:

But Miki...remember that the best gift you can give yourself this year is healthy weightloss, lots of exercise because it makes you strong and gives you energy....so dont forget to give yourself the gift of a long healthy life.

OK I hope that wasnt too cheesy but I really believe what I said and I hope you take it to heart and get back on the path and continue what you were doing before...you were doing sooooooo well.

As for me...its day 4 on the southbeach diet....I stayed on the plan and the cravings seem to be getting weaker...so I hope today is even easier but we shall see.

I started off this morning with a glass of water...eggbeaters...less fat and cholesterol. I am now enjoying my usual cup of coffee. Lunch is artichoke salad and chicken breast salad....low fat mayo and just enough of it to have some taste ;) snack will be low fat cheese and a hard boiled egg. Dinner tonight will be yes...more chicken but portuguese style broiled on a open flame with chickpea salad....yum yum yum.

So thats it folks...have a great OP Day everyone and get yer butts back in here and post post post.

Cyan

Hey its me again but I just had to tell you about the amazing artichoke salad I just had for lunch...sooooooo tasty

the recipe:

artichoke hearts...cooked...I think boiling them is good with a pinch of salt
white vinegar...enough to soak them..depending on how many artichoke hearts you have
dijon mustard
parsley
mayonaise I use low fat but your choice
lemon juice
and pinch of splenda or sugar


its sooooooooo gooooooood You should regiferate once all is mixed for at least a few hours...and then, you are good to go

Cyan

Hi, all! Just to let you know I'm still here. Busy week! Just recently got my car back after three weeks of body work because it was sideswiped on the street ($2700!!)--we borrowed hubby's mom's car in the meantime for a second car. Then this past Monday the check engine light went on for the second time in three months! (I've already paid $977 on previous emission repairs.) I found out that the catalytic converter has gone out--$1500!!!!! So now I'm out a car again, probably through next week. The good thing is that I've been walking to/from school--a 15 minute walk each way. Hubby can pick me up if necessary, but I'm actually getting exercise. Food is not too bad. I'm just trying to be reasonable. I am having about 1 cup of animal crackers as a snack after school each day--probably not the best choice, but it satisfies me. Well, got to go--I have to go to a teacher's conference today. Teachers are carpooling, so I don't have to worry about transportation, but I have to get my girls to Grandma's house--two blocks away--and be back home to be picked up at 7:30. My 9-year-old is going to an American Girl doll store with three of her friends and their mothers plus one grandmother for a tea party. She will be picked up from Grandma's. The store is in downtown Chicago, where she has never been. I know she will be all right, but I worry about her--as only a mother would, of course. OK, I'm really going. Have a good weekend, all. :coffee:

Hey Ladies

It's day 5 of my southbeach diet...and so far so good...I am getting excited about weighing in monday morning...worst nightmare...I havent lost a pound..not even water weight :fr: Those are some of the thoughts going through my head as I approach my weigh in.

Anyway...breakfast this morning was egg substitute with a tablespoon of salsa and water. Having coffee right now. Lunch will be crab salad with a mushroom salad...snacks are cheese. Dinner tonight is mahi mahi with spinach and the rest of the chickpea salad.

I have to think about the weekend menu...this is when I usually derail and go out and eat eat eat...chinese buffet...sushi....greek...oh they are all so good...so I have to be very careful not to do it.

Well Have a great weekend and my next post will let you know if the southbeach diet is working for me although I already suspect that the first weeks weightloss is more water loss than anything else.

Later
Cyan

I forgot to mention that I cycled for 7.1kms last night!

Cyan, That's awesome news about the cycling 7.1 kms tonight and it sounds like you are sticking to your plan very well...just remember weight loss isn't everything, but I just know you will lose weight if you keep at it. Miki hang in there we all have up and down days, but just make sure you get some exercise in every day...b/c Cyan is right the best thing you can give yourself is a healthy self. New Inspiration...I'm so sorry about your car, but that's great that you are walking to school each day. I'm convinced I'm going to start doing that soon...I've just got to get myself out the door in time to do so. It's about a 20 minute walk from here...I think I can, I think I can, right ladies? But that will have to start next week, b/c this week is Spring break!! Yay!! I'm definitely excited about that. I hit the gym tonight, and watched Reba. I was the only one there so I watched as I did the expert level on the cycle. I went about 4 1/2 miles, then ran a mile and lifted weights. It felt good to get more fully back into the swing of things. Tomorrow I'm going to do the elliptical trainer, and stair stepper I think. :) Cyan, let us know how the weigh in goes...well..I've got to get to bed...everyone have a wonderful day tomorrow!!

Betty

Ah yes, my beloved Monday has rolled around yet again :dizzy:

Anyway, this morning marks day 7 of my southbeach diet program...and my first weigh in .....drum roll please...I am down 7 pounds....from 178 to 171. I suspect there is water weight involved but here ya go.

I am happy with a 7 pound weight loss but will only truly be back on track once I hit 163 pounds...the weight I was at before I fell off the wagon a few months back.

I had stopped exercising and was taking in too many calories albeit good food but too much of it.

I also stopped taking the bc pill and my doctor told me I would put weight on...dont know if it was an excuse to do so...I am not sure yet on that one.

Anyway, I have one more week to go on phase 1 before I switch over to phase 2 of the diet which is more my usual diet which will allow for complex carbs and my beloved fruits that I miss sooooooooo much.

Well for breakfast this morning I had a slice of roastbeef deli meat and a glass of water. Having coffee now.

Lunch will be tuna salad and mushroom salad and a sugarless jello.

Dinner will be grilled chicken with hummus and brocolli.

snack include low fat cheese and a few more slices of roastbeef.

I also drink lots of white tea and water.

exercise will be cycling tonight.



Hey Lobacal...thanks for the encouragement. Did you get your exercise in over the weekend? Good to hear that you are on your game.

Miki...nice chatting with you last night...did you start phase 2 of your plan? How was your walk this morning or did you get on the airwalker? So what are you having for dinner?

let us know

Cyan
Have a great day everyone.

Hi everyone :)

Cyan, it was nice talking to you last nite also. Congrats on the 7 lb loss!!!! :cheer: :cp: I'm at work right now so only have a quick minute to post. Just wanted to let you know I did get up and walk...reluctantly, but I did it. It was a cloudy dreary day and I wanted to stay in bed. Walked 2 miles in 30 min. Had a banana for breakfast and grilled chicken salad for lunch. Water with both. Not sure about dinner yet.

Betty, hope you're enjoying your Spring Break so far! :) My kids are out also so other than today, I am taking off to spend time with them.

Newie, Good for you for walking to work! I bet you feel much better doing that. Sorry to hear about your vehicle probs tho.

Hope everyone else is having a good day. Better run for now!

MIKI

Hey Everyone,

Not sure if you remember me. Cyan, MikiG and Lobocal I am pretty sure we were all on message boards before. Well I have to say that I fell off the fitness wagon a while ago. I am suffering from anemia terribly and am very tired and fatigued all the time. My immune system is also out of whack and because I am a counsellor with kids, I get sick a lot and am currently at home with the flu. I decided that I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired!! So I am back. Definitely won't be exercising today but with good reason but promising myself I will get back into it. I really need to follow a good nutrition regimen to get my iron levels back on track not to mention sticking to my supplements regularly. I need your help with that if you will!!

I think in terms of weight I am a similar weight as before. Some clothes are not fitting as well because I am out of tone...which is the major problem. I just want to be healthy again!!

Okay, so here is one positive thing. I found the benefits of steamed Endamame!! What is that you say?? Well they are soy beans in a pod and you steam and eat them for snacks. High in protein and very satisfying. Discovered them at a Japanese restaraunt.

Cyan---Great work on getting back on track--I promise to help give you a butt kick or two if you will kick mine!!

MikiG--Enjoy the break with your kids!!

Betty and Newie--Hello and even though we have not met yet--I hope I can jump in again and get to know you both!!

Talk to you all soon,

Cjunk

:D Welcome back! Where have you been? Anyway, glad to have you back with us.

As you can see its kinda quiet around here so the more the merrier

Yes I fell off the wagon since July really...I dont know what happened really but I became very unmotivated although I tried to keep things in check but still managed to put on 15 pounds from my lowest weight of 163 ...anyway...7 of those pounds are gone so thats good news. I feel too about it.

I took my Mom in to see her neurologist and in the waiting room was this very obese person...at first I thought it was a boy but it turned out to be a girl...she was about 5.4 and seriously ...at least 300 pounds...I felt so bad for her...she was eating chocolate and coke and she could barely breathe. I am sorry but I never want to go there ever....she could hardly breathe...she was breathing as if she was doing hard core aerobics.

Anyway, I hope I havent offended anyone with this story but it really opened my eyes at what obesity can become if you let it get to that point.

So today has been good...day 8 of southbeach diet...breakfast was egg substitue with low fat feta cheese. Lunch was chicken breast and artichoke salad. I had a sugarless yogurt. Dinner will be shrimp and spinach stir fry.

I will also cycle tonight as well.

Have a great day everyone and welcome back Cjunk.

Cyan

Hi ladies!

I'm back. I finally found the time to reset my password and get back in here. I missed all of you and really need the support to lose weight again. The months have flown by ...busy with kid stuff, karate and piano lessons, after school workshops and redecorating our main house and the lake house.

I guess I really just need to take some time for me now...We are going to Florida next month and I would loike to lose at least ten pounds to be where I was last year. Currently, Iam at 135 and would like to get to 125 and hopefully 115 by june. I'm short and every pound shows. I also plasn on joining a gym this time.


Well, I'll write more later just a quick note to say hello again

Thanks for the welcome back Cyan!! I have been reading some of everyone's posts every now and again but not having the energy to post!!!

Lots has happened since I was posting in the past. I got engaged! Tried skiing for the second winter and went out West for a full week of skiing and actually enjoyed myself!! Took a lot of time to get through the fear. Apart from the highlights of this season, as I mentioned it was discovered that my iron is extremely low (suffering from fatigue) as well as very low B levels--even with supplements my body can't seem to absorb them well without nutrition to help me as well as everything else. They are looking at vitamin B shots as well if I can't do it naturally. My immune system is pretty shot so this winter has been cold after cold and flu etc. Just getting over one but still rough so i am afraid that exercise has been really hard.

Cyan--I've Missed chatting with you. How is your mom doing Cyan??? I admire you for staying with your support network and getting back on track. You are an inspiration to me!! Your comments about obesity made me think. Even as I reduce in exercise tone I feel like each task is 10 times harder than it used to be. Kinda like backpacking every day. It makes it difficult to motivate yourself to do anything. Kind of ends up being like a self-fulfilling prophecy. I imagine it may be the same with obesity in a lot of ways.

Welcome Debee--have you been away too?? If I may ask, how tall are you?? 115 pounds seems like such an unattainable number for me--my body just couldn't achieve it easily if I tried as I think my build wouldn't be conducive. I guess we are all built differently --it is what we each feel comfortable with for ourselves. Great work at getting back into the swing of things--keep up the great energy and work!! :D

Talk to the rest of you soon I hope!

Cjunk

Hi Ladies

Cjunk..my Mom is doing as well as can be expected...but now the latest concern are her kidneys..so we will go see a nefrologist to see what can be done.

Congrats on getting engaged...wow!! when will you be getting married? Feel free to share as many details as you like.

How come your iron and b levels are so low...has the doctor looked into that. It must be very hard functioning when you are always tired...when did you start having iron deficiency and such...is it due to nutrition? Let us know.

The way I see it..I have learned a lot about myself and why I am fat since I joined this chat group...there has been times when I have fallen off the wagon but I have learned a bit more about me, so overall Cjunk, it has been a positive experience. Overall improvements since posting have been overall improved health...I dont get sick nearly as often...I havent had a sinus infection in a few years, I make wiser food choices, I do intentional exercises on a regular basis when I am on track which is a good part of the year. I also learned more about why I over eat or binge at times...which is pretty much under control ...I havent binged in a long long time. So, even though I have not reached my ideal weight, I am still coming out on top...the last and hardest battle is to get to goal weight and I think I am finally going to get there soon.

Hey Debee...welcome back..good to hear that life is treating you well. Let us know your plan of attack for the next 10 pounds.

breakfast today was one boiled egg and one boiled egg white with water
lunch will be chicken breast and mushroom salad
snacks are sugarless yogurt and cheese
dinner is a grilled hamburger patty with portobello mushrooms and onions
ceasar salad
evening snack will be sugarless jello and maybe some sugarless icecream...which I recently found out is AMAZING!!! you gotta try it ladies...for a scoop.... it has .08 fat and 70 calories and 10 carbs!!!

Well thats it for me now...have a great OP Day

Cyan

Hi ladies,

I am so happy to be back. This group is just what I need to motivate myself to lose the extra weight.

Cyan, I am so happy for you on your 7 pound lose! It sounds like South Beach is working for you. I love when you post your menus I think it is helpful not just for you to plan your day but also offers suggestions on how the rest of us can eat. I always found you to be such a postive role model for us! I really missed you.

Cjunk, welcome back...I was MIA for awhile...life just got in the way...too much stuff going on and not enough time for me it seemed...but now I am back. To answer your question I am 5'2 and pear shaped on a petite frame...so I never carried extra weight well. It shows in my stomach, thighs and butt and if I wear a A-line dress I can look ok but it pants or shorts forget it...for most of my life I was about 110 but after I had my kids I hit a high of 160 and wore a size 16. Now I am 135 and wear a size 10. Last year at this time I was 125 and felt and looked much better with those ten pounds off. I hope to lose 20 pounds and get down to 115 by June.
Congrats on your engagement...when is your wedding?

Miki, I really missed you and hope that we can get back into the losing mode now that spring is around the corner. Happy belated birthday...remember the 40's are the best and sexiest years of your life...think Mrs. Robinson!

Lisa, you will have a very busy summer with your new bundle of joy...just remember to join us to get rid of the baby pounds after the birth.

Newie, it sounds like your life is back on track with hubby and your new jobs...now is the time to take some time for yourself...treat yourself to those new clothes!

Reina, you better get back in here soon! I missed you and thought of you often...how is school going?

Deena, where are you...let us know how things are going!
Has anyone heard from ladyrider? I hope she comes back someday.

Betty, welcome back ...it seems like the old group is all getting motivated again.

I have to go for now but will be back a little later with my plans for how I am going to start my weight loss journey.

Hi, I'm back.

I was trying to think of ways to make this weight loss plan work and so far I think I will be trying this in the next few months.

1. Keep a food jouranla everyday and try to post here at least 3 times a week. Keeping myself accountable helps me.

2. Cutting out sugar, carbs, junk food and mindless snacking.

3. Planning my meals like Cyan ,knowing what I will eat for breakfast lunch and dinner and having pre-made snacks.

4. When food shopping not buying the junk food and treats that tempt me.

5. Weighing myself every Friday and trying for a two pound loss per week.

6. Now that the weather is getting nicer to walk more...to the bus stop, in the neighborhood.

7. Join a gym with my husband and try to go at least three times a week...try water areobics, yoga and weight lifting.

8. Throw out all my "fat" pants and put on my skinny pants so I know when I am gaining weight.

9. Go to bed before 10 p.m. most nights (it will cut down on my snacking) and wake up an hour earlier 6 a.m. will help me to feel better organized for the day.

10. If tired, bored or thirsty do not eat.

11. If stressed , write ...do not eat.

12. Try for a lifestyle "diet" that combines healthy foods that I like

13. Take time to treat ands pamper myself every once in awhile with bubble baths, massages, fresh flowers, new lipsticks.

14. Combine tasks to burn calories...cleaning house, gardening, climbing stairs to put way landry.

15. Have a winning, no fail attitude, be positive even when I do eat that chocolate chip cookie, just keep trying.

So great to reconnect. I have to say it has been so supportive to have you guys remember me from the time I went MIA.

Cyan, the iron level is currently a mystery, which I think I have recently solved on my own in the past few months. Dr's asked a lot of questions and did some tests, but what it comes down to is that I think I am having 2 full menstrual cycles per month--YIKES!! I never really had that before because I was using the pill--Diane was the name. My sister sent me a lot of damaging research on Diane and although it was working for me the health risks totally spooked me and so I went off it and decided to go Birth Control Pill free and use alternate methods of Birth Control. Since going off the Pill my periods hadn't totally stabilized. After the Dr. asked me about heavy periods, I had said no. But when I sat down and calculated things I now realize that I have had about 2 period cycles every 30 days. They last a short period of time and are not heavy but not light. I think I have been losing a lot of blood and therefore a lot of vitamins and nutrients. I realized this just a few days ago ironically when I decided that I was running out of Pads awfully fast and calculated it all out. Not sure what to do about it yet or how to resolve what is happening to my system as I have been off of the pill for about 7 months now and it has not yet normalized. I think what I will do is make a trip back to the Doctor's.

The result is that I am getting sick a lot. I am tired a lot. I have no energy to exercise or even get up early in the morning and when I force myself to I am not 100% there. I am irritable a lot because I am tired and really want to do the activities but feel like I can't. I am not as hungry but also not awake or exercising as much so I have not really gained weight but lost tone. The iron tablets make me feel nauseous so I have to convince myself each day to take them and frankly sometimes it is a losing battle because my stomach gets just too upset. Right now I am just focussed on getting over this flu/cold and getting caught up on the work I have been falling behind on.

So back to the Doctor's it is. I also have to say that my nutrition hasn't been tops because I don't have the energy to cook or shop for the healthier things. One good thing though is that I just moved to a new office area where we have a salad/sandwich bar so I order spinach salad (which is available every day!) for lunch or a grilled veggie and hummous sandwich on wholewhat pita. So I am at least getting one healthy meal per day. I end up eating a lot of canned soups for dinner because they are quick as well as pasta--not much preparing. I have been finding the steamed soy beans good because they require no work at all other than putting them in a steaming pot. Rice is the same.

When I went skiing for the week I was great. My fiance dragged me out of bed each morning earlier than I wanted to and I was miserable on the slopes for the first hour but once the adrenaline was pumping I was good for the day--so I know it is achievable. I also know that because we were on vacation I took my iron each day and also ate a lot of steak and lean red meat which gives me an instant boost.

PHEW THAT WAS A LOT OF WORDS!

Cyan, congratulations for sticking to the supports. I have to say that you have always been on my mind as you have been a good support network for everyone and constantly. You should be very proud of yourself for all of your hard work and perserverance--and like you said it shows because you are healthier than ever before!!! I admire you for the dedication you show to helping your mom daily as well as caregiving even for a loved one can take its toll on our physical and mental health at times--that is very normal.

Debee, you have a great plan with a lot of things that motivate you that are similar to mine. I love the part about wearing your "skinny pants" so that you will know when you have gained weight. I do that often and it does help me when I realize I am having trouble breathing in them. You have enough energy to carry you and I both!!! I can feed off of that energy of yours and I thank you for that. I also am shorter--which is why I asked your height. I am 5 feet 4 inches and weight about 140 ish give or take the time of the month. I carry all of my weight on my hips and thighs as well but now I am starting to lose my tone in my belly and it is putting on the fat. That started happening in my early thirties. I feel the best at about 125 as well and I know I am healthiest at that weight as physically I can do a lot more. Perhaps we can goal weight to success together!! I tend to lose the first 5 pounds fairly quickly with basic habitual changes --ie. reduce sugar and cream in coffee, cut back on sugared drinks and weekend occasional glasses of wine to 1/2 a glass and beer to light beer, cut out junk food as much as I can and ensure regular exercise. The remaining 10 pounds I tend to lose with vigorous regular exercise and a vigorous diet caloric reduction. I find it hard to stick to that regimen for a long period of time so I am looking for a lifestyle change that is attainable and perhaps a happy medium.

Miki, Lisa, Newee and Betty---look forward to talking to you all and us supporting one another.

Lobocal, Reina and Deena--come back too!! there is support and no shame to be had (I was worried about feeling ashamed and quickly realized there is no need to be--we are all human!).

As for the engagement we are not sure when we are getting married or how. My fiance is a truly adventurous guy and would like an unusual and adventurous wedding. We are up for suggestions and are looking to wait at least a year or so while our work situations get on track. Here are some of the things we both like to do--and no they are not made up!! (when I am not so tired--looking forward to getting back into those things).

1. flying--we have bought into a small power plane (shares) and my fiance has his pilot's liscence as a hobby. We also own a glider (plane with no engine). I hope to get my liscence some day.

2. Rock climbing--in spring/summer/fall we like to rock climb outdoors and in the winter we will at times go indoors although we did not this winter.

3. Scuba diving--we both have our advanced certification liscences and have done about 50 or so dives in total.

4. Kayaking--we both own our own whitewater kayaks and kayak in summertime.

5. Canoeing--we love to canoe camp.

6. Backpacking-we have full backpacking gear and go at least 2x per summer/fall.

7. Skiing downhill--my fiance has been skiing since age 4. I just learned last year but we have just started doing some winter trips.

8. Camping/Hiking--we love camping and hiking a lot.

9. Swimming--a passion of mine is to swim (he hates it). It is like meditation for me and I usually swim throughout the winter to keep myself in shape although I haven't this winter (because I have been unwell). I used to swim 2-3 times per week at 1hr each time.

10. Team sports--I enjoy team sports like baseball and volleyball but my fiance is not a fan of them. I plan to join a co-ed baseball league this year but I have to vow not to drink beer after games because that is kind of counterproductive.

Here are some sports I want to try/learn:

Mountain Biking--I haven't rode a bike since I was about 10
Running--I hate running whenever I try it but I think I might like it if I didn't give up right away and let myself progress slowly.
Tennis (I found someone at work willing to teach me and we have tennis courts nearby--spring here I come!)
Squash--never understood that game and would like to learn it
Golf?? Not sure yet if I am interested but will have to give it a try


Gotta go,

Cjunk

:) HAPPY ST.PADDIES DAY TO EVERYONE!!

Hey Everyone!!

Cjunk it sounds like y'all definitely like to do active things! I'm impressed. I'm so sorry to hear about your iron. That definitely isn't fun. Hopefully you can get it regulated soon. I would definitely let the Dr. know you are having 2 periods a month, he may be able to help you figure out something to stop that. Keep us posted.

Debee...welcome back...you are right it is the whole old crew getting back together which is nice. Miki, How is the spring break going? Mine is going really well...I've spent time with the family. I've gotten some Spring cleaning done and I'm tackling the yard tomorrow. Yay!! I want to plant flowers out front and then just clean up all the old pinestraw and such. Then this weekend I'm going to go visit some more with the family up in the mountains.

Cyan--Congratulations on the 7lb LOSS!!!! I'm impressed! I did keep up my exercise this last weekend. Actually I didn't get exercise in on Monday, but other than that, and only 30 minutes yester, but I've done fairly well I think considering it's Spring break. I got my full hour today in. I cycled for about 30 minutes (5+ miles) then lifted weights. Thank you for sharing the story about the girl in the waiting room. You are right obesity is definitely something to not take lightly. I'm determined not to let it become a major problem here...we just all have to remember to schedule time for ourselves to work out each and every day.

Belated Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!! I've not quite gotten down to where I want to be weight wise. Debee and Cjunk...I'm almost the same height as the two of you...and my goal is about 130 or 125. And yes, I'm also Pear shaped. We definitely can all hang in there and offer up encouragment where possible.

Well...I'm off to bed...have a great night all....

Betty

Good Morning! I am feeling a little bit better today physically. A lot of the flu symptoms are gone and now it is just a cold. Went to work yesterday but scheduled no appointments and was pretty bored because I am used to doing a lot more. I have an early appointment this morning and looking forward to it!

Lobocal, great to hear from you!! I am jealous that you are on Spring Break right now. We have what's called March Break here in Canada and although it is this week, I work at a children's centre which means that the place I work at is the place they come to for March Break! It's been hard because with the virus I wasn't able to participate with the kids. It has snowed here a lot in Ontario for the past few days and hasn't really felt like Spring yet but I am looking forward to the flowers here!! I hope you have a great time in the mountains with family. I am happy for a network of supports.

Debee mentioned that she was getting out her skinny pants and putting them on as an incentive and she will be happy to know that she inspired me to put mine on today (fat bulges over the waistline and all--yuck!), and they are definitely going to encourage me to eat less!! Thanks Debee!!! :cool:

Lobocal I think right now I am the heaviest weight I have been yet which is about 142--this is personally for me a high weight because as you have ready I have been physically unwell and I feel that this size/health may be a contributor. I do best at 125-128 and I would say that I would be ecstatic at 128. Right now I am wearing size 10/11 clothes and at 128 I wear a size 7--Big Difference!! Also means an expensive wardrobe. I haven't thrown anything out for a while because I keep buying different sizes--especially pants and bras!! I gain weight in my butt and chest which looks a bit balanced but also looks a bit "rounder." I would say that at 128 I am a B cup with a size medium shirt and size 7/8 pant and at 142 I am a D or C cup with size large/extra large shirt and size 10/11 pant. It ticks me off that there are less and less stylish clothes the larger I grow. Don't they know that the average woman wears up to a size 14 or more?? Isn't that what Marilyn Monroe was?? The hardest part is that my fiance is very tiny. He weighs about 125 (I can't fit into his pants!) and he is very hyperactive as well, which means he eats whatever junk food he wants whenever he wants. He is not health conscious and therefore big buckets of ice cream sit in my freezer--torture!!!

I guess you can say that the chatty one is back!!! Feels good to spill my guts out and it helps me to regain a positive attitude which I have somewhat lost.

Talk to you all soon,

Cjunk

Good morning CJunk, I'm so glad that you are feeling a bit better this morning. Hopefully the cold will let go of you soon too. :) I can only imagine how busy things must be up there with all the extra children at the child care center for "March Break." I teach High School so most of my students have either headed to the beach or other various locations, but there are still many in the neighborhood.
As far as what we usually weigh, I have almost always weighed from 130-135...occasionally I get down into the high 120s and love it when I manage that, but I have to be on top of my game to manage that and maintain it. My high was 150. ARGH! I am about in the high 130s low 140s right now and I wear a size 8. When I get down into the mid 130s to high 120s I wear a size 4 or 6. Size 10s are my all time high. Thankfully I left the 10s behind a couple of months ago. I still *can* wear them if I choose, but they are really loose now. Yay!!

Anyway...I hope that you have a wonderful day. I've made my "To DO" list already this morning so I think I'm going to throw on some yard clothes and get to it!! Talk to you soon!!

Betty

Its so nice to check in here and see all this wonderful enthusiasm and what a wonderful group of motivated, never give up kinda gals we are...I say...kuddos to us.

Cjunk...we love chatter...keep chatting...puts a smile on my face. You know, I stopped taking the birth control pill last julywhich makes it about 7 months for me too...but I have the exact opposite problem...I dont get a regualr period now...my last one was in january..I think...and when I do get them, they are kinds sparse...so I will be making an appointment with my gynocologist to see whats up...although I know I will have to go for blood tests ...and I am needle phobic...oh the thought...but I gotta do it, its been 3 years since my last blood test...so its time again. My gyno advised me not to stop taking the pill cause she thought I would put weight on and all my previous pms symptoms would come roaring back...no pms...hey no period...yikes

Thank you Lobacal ...I am looking forward to weighing again this monday...I am sure I will lose but I dont think it will be another 7pounds! Anyway, good on you for exercising...I plan on cycling tonight my usual amount of kilometers...which vary between 6 and 10 km...we shall see if the music is good tonight.

Hey Debee...love those skinny pants idea...just a sutle reminder to reign it in...great idea. sounds to me like you have your plan of attack...so I am sure you will reach your goal.

breakfast this morning was a boiled egg, water and a cup of coffee
lunch will be turkey deli meat and mushroom salad, sugarless yogurt
snack will be cheese
dinner is chicken breast kebab style with tatziki and portobello mushrooms

thats it folks, have a great OP Day

Cyan

Yet another day of feeling a lot better. Still some mild cold symptoms but otherwise okay. Got a date to meet a friend at the gym tonight for the first time in weeks! Looking forward to it as I definitely need to kick my metabolism back into action. Also took my iron and b12 supplements too which is hard for me to stay on track with.

Lobocal, I have always been interested in teaching and might someday switch over!! A lot of the kids I counsel are kids who are high school age. Believe it or not they have still been meeting with me this week even though they have no school--which I take as a complement. I love working with teens and find their observations very refreshing. I am interested to hear what the "top of your game" is when you are at your lowest weight. What strategies work for you??? I am determined to have a lifestyle change as opposed to a diet as I just put the weight back on if I do.

Cyan, thanks for the encouragement. Sometimes --actually a lot of the time I feel like I talk too much and it may take away from or irritate others. I worry about that really. I do know that I can talk a lot but for me it helps. Funny you went off the pill and I never used to have bad PMS or weight gain and frequent periods and I have them all!! Kind of like a role reversal!! I feel relieved that I don't have all of those chemicals to worry about pumping through my system now though. It is good to go get it checked out. Perhaps set up a reward/treat for yourself for going! That is always a motivator for me. I think it is great how you can stick to things so well and exercise so regularly. I am hoping soon that my entries will start sounding more like yours. I know mine used to sound like that so I can't wait to honestly be back in the game again. Going to the gym today so I am getting there!!

Debee, the skinny pants worked yesterday. Looked great in them--because no one could see the rolls popping over (wore a baggy shirt) and gave me incentive to have soup and spinach salad for dinner instead of junk. Also drank more fluids yesterday. Gotta admit that at the end of the day that top button was popped open by me so I could breathe again!

Gotta get ready for work. TGIF!!

Cjunk

Hello ladies...day 12 on the southbeach...I am dreaming about carbs...guess what I did this morning...I had two slices of whole wheat bread :^: I couldnt eat the egg this morning...just wasnt going to happen...so I had two slices of whole wheat with a tablespoon of low fat peanut buttter...oh the thrill...I plugged that in to fitday and I am still ok with the carbs... I plan on checking out low carb breads this weekend to see how low those carbs are..cause right now a slice of whole wheat has 10 carbs! Anyway..lunch will be chicken with mushrooms , dinner will be tuna with celery and spinach. snacks include sugarless jello and sugarless yogurt. with lots of water
I am enjoying my cup of coffee right now.

I exercised ...cycled last night for 6.5km...it felt good. Tonight I plan on doing another cycle session and some calithetics.

Hey Cjunk...well I never tire of reading your posts...they are fabulous and very encouraging to me. Ditto to everybody that posts here...It helps a whole lot to know that you guys exist. Hugs to everyone. Good to hear that you are heading off to the gym tonight and that you are feeling better...hang in there.

Hey Lobacal...how did that yard work go? So what kind of exercise do you have planned for today?

Hey Miki...Newie...Debee...Lisa...Rheina...and everybody else...where are you? Get back in here and post post post...I miss you.

Ok ...have a great weekend and stay OP...big news for me will be monday morning when I weigh in again....I hope to have lost 3 to 4 pounds ...that would be amazing.

take care

Cyan

Good morning Cjunk and Cyan,

Yay it's Friday!!! I did manage to get my yard work done yesterday. I raked the entire front yard....it took me about 3 hours to accomplish everything, but all the pinestraw is transplanted to it's "proper" locations and today's goal is to finish cleaning the house and to hit the gym. My arms definitely felt the work out from yesterday. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling them...so I took some ibuprofen and that seems to have fixed the problem. :) Yay....and they survived the yard work with only one blister. I'm really pleased about that.

Cyan--it sounds like you are continuing to do well on your diet, that's awesome!! Do let us know how the weigh in goes. And your cycling sounds like it is continuing to go well too. I definitely understand about "having to have carbs". It sounds like you were reasonable with what you ate so I am sure you will be fine. :)


Cjunk--as far as what my "top of my game" is, it's been a while since I've been there, but essentially it was doing at least an hour of cardio every day, lifting weights 3x a week, and cutting way back on the junkfood. For instance I would let myself have one special treat a week. :) I didn't eat after 7 or 8 in the evenings at all. I think that helped b/c evenings are usually when I binge if I am going to. Currently I'm hoping to train for a triathlon. I've been cycling a LOT...I need to start running and swimming more to get in shape for tri-season. I've never competed in one, but I'm convinced preparing for that will get me closer to my goals or so I hope.

Y'all... I seem to have hit a plateau with my weight and I'm frustrated by that. I was talking to one of my friends last night about it. The comment I received was "just work out more if you need to, but don't you dare diet!!" So...I suppose I will be working out more, I mentioned to my friend I may cut out some of the less healthy foods from my diet and of course the response I received was, "you shouldn't be eating unhealthy to begin with." So I figure it's cool to cut out the unhealthy stuff....I'm working hard to get my 64 oz of water in too... I know that's not going to be easy to maintain when we go back to school next week, but I'm going to try...anything is possible right?

Cjunk...I think that is incredible that the kids that you counsel have continued to come to see you even though they are on break. That definitely speaks highly of what they think of you! I'm impressed. I've heard from my debaters over break, but that's it. That definitely is okay though, I think we are all going to be ready for Summer when it gets here. I would have to say teaching school is the hardest job I've ever had, but the most rewarding.

Well....let me get moving, if I'm going to clean house today, I had better get started otherwise it simply isn't going to happen.

I hope you both have a wonderful day...and I will talk to you later.

Betty

WOW!!!!!!! It's hoppin in here!! I've only been gone 4 days I think but man, was I behind on reading posts!!

Debee, I was worried about you! Glad to see you back with us. Miss you.

Cjunk, It has been forever! Welcome back!!!

Newie, Cyan, Betty, sounds like you all are going strong with new plans.

I'm so excited that Spring is here and we're all getting back on track. Spring Break for me this week too so only have a min to post. The kids are keeping me busy. Luke and I are about to go to Subway for lunch.

I'm happy to report that I have walked 2 1/2 miles every day since Monday. Gotta work back up to the 4 I was doing before winter, but I'm feeling much better already. My lowest weight before Christmas was 189...I am at 195 now but I think I'm going to move that scale soon. :D DOWN, I mean :lol:

By the way, I'm not short like the rest of you...I am 5 ft 71/2. I want to lose about 40 more.

Well, Luke is dying of starvation so I better go. I'll post more when I can.

Keep it up ladies...you're all inspiring me to keep going too!!

MIKI

Hi, everybody! Welcome, cjunk! Glad to have you back. I've been in the group since May 2003. I'm 47 years old, 5'4" with a rather sturdy frame. My highest weight has been 200 lbs., when 9 months pregnant with my second daughter, and my lowest weight was 122 lbs.--in 1988--that weight is really too low for me. I would probably be better at 135. Right now I am in the high 150's--I worked Atkins last summer and lost about 13 lbs.--was 170 when I joined the group. I found Atkins difficult to stick with, though it worked for me, because I get sick when eating eggs, and I get tired of meat. Right now I am struggling with food. Both my husband and I changed jobs this winter, and the transition was not easy for us. I quit my previous job on a bad note, and my husband was let go from his position. He was off for 4 months, while I immediately got a sub teaching job that has turned into a permanent teaching position. Though things are turning out good for us, we've had a lot of stress the past few months. I am readjusting to teaching after 15 years away from the classroom--I teach 5th grade. Formerly I taught high school, and the recent job I quit was in a teachers' store--boss treated her employees, including me, very badly. I am working long hours grading papers and planning lessons, as well as trying to keep up with a husband and two daughters (13 and 9, who go to the school where I teach). I tend to eat when I am tired, so I've been struggling with that this winter. Anyway, I don't give up, even during bad periods of time. My exercise of choice is outdoor walking, but I haven't done it much lately, due to winter and working from 7:30 to about 4 each day. I miss it terribly. It does me a lot of good. I could walk indoors, but I hate the treadmill, and I don't keep up with an exercise I don't like. Anyway, I keep coming back and keep trying. Glad to meet you.

Cyan, you are doing so great! I am very proud of your accomplishment in losing the 7 pounds. Keep up the good work! Maybe your discipline will rub off on me. I do have to find some variety of protein for myself with my egg issue---darn, darn, darn the stomach ache I get when I eat them! I even tried Beano, and it didn't make a bit of difference--I was still sick for 3 hours!

Welcome back, debee! Glad to hear from you again.

Miki, how are things? I know you have an incredibly hectic schedule. Take care of yourself.

Well, I'm going to get going. I am feeling ambitious about the weekend. My house is a disaster. Hubby has a toothache, and the dental appointments take time to get. He was there yesterday, got an x-ray, antibiotics, and pain medication, and will go back Monday. It looks like root canal and replacing a crown he's had for years, or worse. Of course, this couldn't have happened after his new insurance started--after May 23! So that's something else we'll have to pay for, now that the car repairs are all done. Ah, life! As my mother-in-law says, "Who has more fun than people?"

I'm really going now--got to get the cat out of a box of teaching supplies!! What can she want in there?

HELLOOOOO LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Boy, have I missed you guys!! It has been a while and I do have to blame life for this one. With school and work, and Alex keeping me busy, I don't have a moment for myself....

Let me start out by saying I have truly missed you all and without all your great support in the past, I would have never got where I was. Needless to say, I fell off the wagon the last half of the year, but this year, I have really tried to get back on the saddle again. The usual up and down rollercoaster. I just wish I had the lifestyle to keep me going. It just doesn't work out that way. I am however, in my 2nd week of Atkins Phase 1 again. I love this phase because it does jumpstart me into the diet mode that I need to get in.
But to be honest ;) I vowed I can't weigh more than what I weighed last year on my birthday, which is right around the corner. So I am 6.5 lbs away from that goal....If all goes well, I will be at 189.5 on my birthday, and to most of you, if you remember. That will have 1. broken my plataeau of the 190's and 2. I will have beat my weight by .5lbs...And nothing can make me happier on my Birthday......

Cyan, Congrats on the 7lbs in the first week. I am very happy for you. I remember the struggles we all had with just getting down the 1-2lbs per week during our weigh-ins...Boy I do miss those. They made me accountable for my actions!!!!

Debee, I hope you and the family are doing great. I miss you and think about you all often! I still have your pics on my fridge! Got any new ones. I have a new address, email me if you want it. reina.fernandez@earthlink.net.

Lisa, Hope you are doing well, you should be ready for that baby pretty soon, right?

Newie! How have you been dealing with the crazy Chicago weather? I can't wait for spring. All this blah weather makes me want to eat! That's my excuse and I was sticking to it.

CJUNK, I had to look twice when I saw your post. It has been ages.. Congrats on the engagement!

Betty, How are you doing? What plan are you following..

I really hope I can get in here nightly. My husband has taken over my DSL line, so I barely get a moment on the computer at home, and at work, forget it. Security is so darn tight there, I can't even search something on Yahoo!

I will try to really get my butt back in here, boy do I need it.
Has anyone read the Dr. Phil book, I just got it in the mail and the first 2 chapters are amazing! I would love someone's opinion if you read it.

I will leave you with my Daily To do's
1. Drink 32oz of water at work
2. Drink 32oz of water from the time I get home to before I go to bed
3. Learn to eat another carbless item in the day
4. Do not get on an elevator during business hours. THAT'S WHAT STAIRS ARE FOR!
5. Do not give in to the evil Carb Delight Devil on my left shoulder.... I am 6.5 lbs away from a major achievement with 9 days left!

Well, ladies, I hope to talk to you all soon, it was great to write. If you would like to email me, please do.
Take care and think Thin!


Which reminds me. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, MIKI!! Hope you had a great one.

Reina!!! Welcome back!! I had forgotten our birthdays are close...I had mine on the 9th. Happy Birthday in advance in case I happen to miss posting on the actual day. My birthday wish for you is for you to make your bday goal.:goodscale How is school? Did you ever finish that blasted math course?? I dont envy you with college math when I have trouble at times helping my 8th grader with his. :lol:

On my way to walk...sis is on her way...so better get going. Just wanted to pop in for a sec and wish everyone a wonderful weekend. It's 8 in the morning and 70 degrees F and sunny...great for walking! Got a ton of kids coming over tonite for an "end of spring break" get-together so I was praying for nice weather so it can mainly be an outdoor gathering. ;)

Bye for now....I'll post more later.

MIKI

Wow! What a lot of great posts the last few days! And I have to say that everyone's positive attitude toward low carb eating is inspiring me to not give up, even though I am struggling and even though I was successful with it last summer. I just went grocery shopping, and I made sure I had certain low carb items that will give my diet variety--some nuts, a low-carb salad dressing, plenty of low carb veggies, and a General Foods International Coffee Sugar Free/Fat Free French Vanilla--which will satisfy my craving for something sweet without a lot of carbs. I find the Phase 1 of either Atkins or South Beach very hard for me--I can't completely give up dairy, fruit, and grains for two weeks. With my egg issue, my diet would just be too limited, and it would drive me crazy. What I am doing is allowing myself 2 slices of whole wheat bread at breakfast, and no other bread the rest of the day. I will allow myself 5 water crackers at lunch, and 2/3 cup of Fiber One cereal with skim milk in the evening. I get constipated easily and must eat fiber regularly. I will not eat rice, potatoes, pasta, or dessert for the time being, nor any other item made with flour. I will restrict myself to one piece of fruit and one glass of skim milk a day. I may eat cheese, including cottage cheese. I will eat lots of salad and plenty of lean protein. I will avoid breading on any meat or vegetable. I will allow myself to eat carrots in moderation, despite their high carb content (as far as veggies go) because they are my favorite veggie, and it's just too hard for me to give them up. I don't know if I'll be able to lose on this regimen, but I will keep everyone posted (no pun intended). I will try to post often and let everyone know what I am eating--Cyan, I like how you tell us what you are eating every day. I don't know if I can be as faithful as you, but I'll try.

Hi, reina_mia! I know what you mean about this Chicago weather. I'm planning to make a bulletin board in my classroom this week about spring in Chicago--it's going to say, "Spring in Chicago--Always Something New Happening!" And then I'm going to make cut-outs of raindrops, snowflakes, suns, and clouds that look like wind is coming out of them to put on the board. It is so unbelievable--you can start the day, have it be warm and sunny, then a couple of hours later it's windy and warm, then a few hours after that it's cloudy, windy, and cold with snow. Yesterday for a couple of hours I just wore a sweatshirt--no coat. Today during the lake snow showers, I was wishing I had a scarf, gloves, and hat to go with my coat! Miki, we'd love to have some of that 70 degree weather you've got down in Arkansas. Send a little up here, please!!?? Well, I'm off, got to get some jeans out of the dryer, do a few other things, and then take a nap before beginning to grade papers. No school tomorrow--teachers' conference--so I won't have to do lesson plans till Monday night. Maybe I can make a dent in the big stack of papers I have. Bye for now, all!

Its sunday night and I am posting on fitday what I ate today...doing pretty well at 1363 despite going to a buffet...I had roast beef with no gravy, pork tenderloin and smoked meat with steamed broccoli, and bok choy..a chinese vegetable...jello for dessert with water...brunch was egg substitute with canadian bacon low fat cream cheese and low carb bread!!! wooooohooooo I found some here in montreal...anyway...tomorrow is my big weigh in...I hope to lose at least two more pounds if not three...I would be thrilled with four but I know by body loves to hold on to it mass :dz:


Anyway, its great to see everyone in here posting away.

Reina ...welcome back..good to have you on board..I know what you mean about falling off the wagon...I lost sight of my wagon...so I decided to get aboard a new wagon and start all over again with the southbeach diet..so far so good.

Newie..I know what you mean about phase 1 being hard...I cant wait to start having all bran cereal tomorrow morning...I am pretty tired of eggs..yeesh...and at first I found having meat with every meal rather hard...but its getting easier. I too love carrots but have been very good about not having them...for me its the fruits...I love them so much so tomorrow I have a cup of wild berries for dessert..boy I can't wait.

Well I be back tomorrow morning to post my weight

breakfast tomorrow will be a serving of all bran cereal with skim milk

lunch is 6oz of tuna with celery

snacks will be cheese and wild berries

dinner will be scallops about 6 or maybe 8 oz with spinach and black olives.

and of course a diet soda, tea my usual cup of coffee sweetened with stevia and water.

thats it folks

Have a great rest of weekend

Cyan

Hi everyone,

Hope you all had a great weekend. Lot a lot of time to post individually to everyone as I am running a bit later this morning than usual. Tried to post on the weekend and spent almost a half an hour posting and my computer hung and I lost it all before sending. I will have to re-write it when I have a bit more time tonight if I can.

Friday was great--went to the gym and worked out 1/2 hour on steep incline treadmill and also did abs and arms workout for 1/2 hour afterwards. Went out for Vietnamese food after that and enjoyed a shrimp and broccoli meal (very healthy one at that).

Have plans to go to the gym again today for lunch. Promising myself I will go this time as I often back out of daytime workouts--laziness the only excuse as the gym is only 5 mins. from my work.

My fiance is still sick with the flu/cold I passed on to him after me so I have been taking care of him now (he took good care of me too!). He wasn't hungry this morning and neither was I but we made each other eat breakfast together. Feeling much better now that I did.

Gotta Run!!

Keep up the positive attitudes today and I will connect with you all later!!

By the way REINA-MIA---Welcome back!!!

Once again, its anothe Monday...it was very hard getting up outa my comfy dwon covered bed..oh well...gotta do it.

Anyway, I weighed myself this morning and I have lost 3 more pounds! :high:
so I am finally cracking the 160's at 169...so now that I have started my phase two of southbeach, I should slow down for a two to one pound loss per week until I reach my ultimate goal of 140. But my mini goal will be 160 which I am aiming to be for the end of april.

I had my all bran cereal this morning with milk and boy that was yummy.

I posted my meal plan for today on sunday so I wont repeat it again.

I will cycle tonight my usual distance and do some stretching exercises afterwards.

Hey Cjunk...my weekend was ok...I went to the movies and saw Taking Lives...it was filmed in front and in back of my office building...so it was cool to see it on the big screen. They passed off the Chateau Frontenac as being in montreal but its actually in quebec city...h :sssh:

Anyway...looking forward to hearing from you lovely ladies soon.

Have a great OP day

Cyan

Tuesday Morning

Not much to report today...still sticking with it

breakfast was subsitute egg with canadian bacon, water and coffee

lunch will be a whole wheat sandwich with cheese and chicken breast deli meat
snack sugarless jello
dinner is stuffed sole with crab and crispy spinach and dessert will be sugarless ice cream and mixed berries..one cup

I cycled last night for a distance of 6km...tonight I would like to do calisthetics.

Have a great OP Day folks

Cyan

Hi ladies,

Cyan, I saw Taking Lives with my husband saturday night and was thinking about you in Montreal. I thought it was pretty good...a few surprises. Keep up the great work...three pounds! You are motivating me to eat less carbs...I had a lot of tuna since reading your posts.

Cjunk, you sound like you and your finance led such an exciting and active life...back about 15 years ago I started going for my pilots license but stopped...too many other things got in the way. This summer I plan to do a lot more activities at our lake house...rowing a caneo or rowboat and maybe taking up tennis this year...my husband and best girlfriend are great players and I am afraid that they will hit me over the head with the racket if I played. My 8 year old son is even better than me but I think I am going to try to talk him into playing with me with summer. Hey, I always have to unbutton the "skinny pants" by the end of the day but they do help to prevent you from eating!

Reina, I am so happy you are back here! My birthday wish for you is to lose that weight and to get a new lifestyle change. Let's try to think of one together! I found that listing every week what I did right and did wrong and how I hope to improve helps me.

Miki, you need to get in here and post more! By summer we all should have a goal to buy a bathing suit in a smaller size. Remember posting here will keep us honest and accountable to eachother..we won't let anyone fail!

Newie, thanks for helping me think about low carbs...your weight loss motivated me to give it a try. We do need to try some of the new low carb products and maybe pass on reviews of any good products...I tried the adkins potato chips and chocolate bar and it was pretty good.

Betty, it sounds that we are about the same size and sometimes those past 10 -15 pounds are the hardest to lose.

Well, here's my update on how I did last week

What I did right

1. Tried to eat less carbs
2. Walked more...to bus stop, parking spaces that were away from the stores
3. Tried not to buy junk food when food shopping
4. Did not eat any junk food (McDonalds) out for lunch this week
5. Wore skinny pants (no elastic bands or sweat bands)
6. Donated a bag of "fatty" clothes so I must wear my skinny clothes...no going out to buy new clothes until I get to goal weight.
7. Went to bed earlier three times during the week.

What I did not do well on this week

1. Did not post as often as I wanted here
2. Ate a lot of chocolate at night...must stop this habit.
3. Did not join the gym yet.
4. Did not plan as many meals as I wanted.
5. My scale broke (the one that records body fat..still have the old fashion one so I am not sure if I had a loss)

This week I plan to :

1. Join the gym and go.
2. Plan my meals (this morning I had cyans tuna and celery and am not hungry yet, plan to have a small salad for lunch and some chicken for dinner.
3. Get a new body fat scale
4. Get a goal--some coming up include Florida in April, a wedding in May and my birthday in June...all eventsw that I would like to lose weight for
5. Start planning a "lifestyle" change for better eating, exercise, organization, time management and maybe even deciding what I want to be when I grow up.

Hey ladies,

Hope you are all doing good this week. I am plugging along here with 5 more days to go to end Phase I of atkins... Oh, how I hate this diet!, but it does work, so I must keep plugging along...

Although, My family is taking me on on my final day of Phase I for my birthday dinner, and guess where we are going?? A very nice italian restaurant! oh, what to eat????

Cyan, Congrats on the 3lbs! Keep up the good work.

Debee, I so want to take up tennis, I heard great things about a whole body workout!

Cjunk, any tips on getting back into the Gym. I am treating it like the Plague. I just can't get my body in that place!!!!

Miki, I need some of that great weather down here!!!

Newie, how you doing on those papers. I love your idea of the Spring Bulletin board for school.

Well, ladies, I have to get back to work, so you all have a great day!

PS, a good friend of mine, gave me a See's Chocolate bar, which is sitting on my desk until Monday, when I can crack it open and have a piece!!!! I can't wait!!!!

Take care,
Reina

Hey who want to start Diet, Exercise and Support 7!!

This one is getting too long...Spring is here...new thread...right?

Well I did it!! I made it to the gym today. Felt good too since I had a really tough and stressful day at work with a few crisis. Went to a boxing aerobics class. Mostly a core workout and not as aerobic but man was I sweating. My girlfriend convinced me to try it and frankly, I was pissed off at her when the class started because it was so hard, but at the end of it all, my stress went away and I appreciated her coaxing so much the better. Man am I out of shape! It hurts to cough now and my abs haven't even seen the day after yet!!!

Debee--how did you like the pilot lessons? Were they worth trying?? It takes a lot of time and energy I know. My fiance has his liscence and we are partners in a small 2 seater plane with many other people. My concern is that if he runs into any troubles while we are in the air that I will not know what to do or how to land the plane! Want to take the lessons more for self-preservation. A few years ago I tried tennis for the first time and I took an adult class. While the adult class at the rec. centre had such poor turnout that they paired us with the 10-12 year olds class and man could they play!! They kicked my butt!! Meant that I got a lot of good exercise chasing the ball though!!! Good for you for planning to get back into tennis. It is one of those exercises where the better your opponent is, the better your workout!!

Cyan--Congraluations on your 3 pound loss!! You are on a track to success!! I too saw Taking Lives at the movies this weekend and thought it was pretty good. Made me jump a lot. People asked me what it was about and I can't think of how to describe it without blowing the movie for them!! I think it is neat that it was filmed in Montreal. My sister lives on Rue St. Denis in Montreal and occasionally sends me the "BEST" coffee from the Brullerie St. Denis. No fat in it and decadent--called the Equatorial Blend. Expensive but like a good glass of quality red wine. If you are able to pick some up you will enjoy it!! Cool that the movie was filmed showing your office building.

Reina-Mia--I have been scheduling the gym in my day-timer like an appointment and treating it like that so that if I cancel I have to mark it as cancelled in my work daytimer. It is very helpful because if I see more than one cancellation per week it helps to get me back on track. I already have one cancellation from Monday because I procrastinated, so I planned to go tonight --which I did--yaay!! and Thursday and Friday. I also plan to meet someone there so I am committed to be there. If none of my friends are going I tell the instructor that I will be at the class so that if I miss it she is sure to comment. I also joined a gym that is 5 minutes from my work and opened 24 hours so I have no excuse for working late. Basically, I know my own tricks so I am out-duping myself with strategies. This message board is great because I can promise you guys I am going this Thursday and Friday and you will help me to be accountable to it!! If I am totally low energy, I go anyway and pick an easier piece of equipment to start out on and ultimately I move to something harder once I get into it. Hope that helps. Oh, and I also put an extra set of gym clothes in my car permanently and an old set of running shoes, just in case I forget my gym bag.

NewInspiration--how did your conference go??? And your paper marking??

Betty-how is it going?? I understand your plateau frustration--I hit it myself at around 132 pounds. I can challenge you to swim times if you'd like. I enjoy length swimming but have a hard time motivating myself to go. There is a pool near my work that has 12-1:30pm length swims each day and I likely can incorporate one swim day per week into my schedule so if you want to pick a day we can commit to it together and report back on our progress. It might help your Triathalon training too! I always though Triathalons are neat but can't bike or run well at all. I am also a very slow swimmer but I enjoy it.

Look forward to hearing from all of you this week!

Keep up the positives!!

Cjunk

Ok, Cyan
Starting a new thread.........