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Jodi: Wow, that is such a great point to come to, when you really start feeling that eating healthy is a nurturing thing and not deprivation. What a great feeling! I am really glad to hear it. We spend so much time thinking about our exercise and eating habits that sometimes we neglect our thought patterns. Sounds like you have made a huge leap in that area!

Debbie: Sounds like you are doing great on plan. Can you tell us more about the flax seed? What benefits does it have? Is it anything like wheat germ?

Holly: Glad yesterday was a peaceful and healing day for you. What is pleasurable besides eating? Great question! I am going to think of this in two categories: intellectual/emotional and body-based, because it seems to me that food is pleasurable in those two ways. So in the intellectual/emotional category: reading, going to theatre, acting, watching birds hop around, drawing. In the body-based category: dancing, sex, getting a pedicure, wearing really soft fabric. It’s funny, when I think about it: so often I eat instead of doing these other things that are equally pleasurable. Hmm, something to ponder.

Susie: Ugh, work stress can be the pits. Sounds like you made a reasonable decision with the options you had. It’s so hard to be flexible when life does not go according to plan!

Girlie: Glad your back is feeling better. Sleeping can be so weird; I have heard that a regular sleep cycle helps with weight loss, but I don’t know much about it. Yeah, the appeal thing is feeling very personal, partly because I am just sensitive, and partly because the student is taking a rather hostile tone. I am trying to just brush it off and remember that it’s not about me, it’s about her not doing her work and then whining about the consequences. I just don’t want to eat in response; I don’t want another person to have that much control over my life!

Today will be a little bit hectic, so I am hoping to stay on plan despite the busyness. The biggest challenge will be getting my exercise in. I am going to promise myself an episode of Monty Python while I walk – that should be good incentive!

Hello All...

I was a bit dissappointed at TOPS last night, I was up 1/2 lb. I had two bad eating sessions, and have not walked for an entire week due to bad weather, and no one pushing me to go. Excuses, excuses.

So today has been a free for all.......eggs for breakfast, mexican for lunch, a piece of birthday cake for a co-worker. I suck!

HOWEVER tomorrow is a new day and I am not going to suck. Besides I have to fast until my doc appt at 1:00, so they can draw blood and check all my stuff.

Got to get going....Susie, so sorry about your job, that has to be miserable.

Take care, and sweet dreams!

Annie

hello everyone,
checking in 2 times this week!! things must be getting in better order here. so i did a lot of thinkoing last night about what i wrote, it is true i guess. it is becoming more routine, taking care of ME that is. my house is resonably clean, the bills all got paid, my car is clean, my desk at work is in good shape, my eating is good. all of these things are related in my life. when i have things in order all around me i feel in good control. when i am scattered, and all the things around me are a mess then, i am a mess too. i wore a hoodie today that at one time was very tight around my middle. today it is loose and long on me. my body is changing faster than the scale is moving. a little weird for me.

spores- have fun with the python! good incentive to get your exercise in. other than my regular everyday and some gardening i still just don't get the exercise. it will come though i'll just keep trying. hope the hectic day went off with out a hitch!

holly- glad your dinner was nice, hope you are feeling well today! what is pleasureable besides food? spending time talking with friends, any time spent with DH, watching my kids do their thing....whatever the thing of the moment is, good books, good movies, sex, gardening...wow really so many things!!

girlie- glad the back is better! about the sleep stuff? i can't take a nap during the day it just screws up my whole night sleep pattern. like spores said getting good sleep is supposed to be really helpful for weightloss. i know myself when i am tired i really start to crave carbs especially. the body is amazing really it just knows that is what gives it the fastest energy spurt.

mychoice- sorry to hear about the worries at work, it is tough making on your feet decisions when you aren't really sure. hope you get it all worked out soon. don't let it get to you!! you have been doing a really great job!

speaking of work, my boss sent over a pound of fantastic chocolates for Administrative prof. day today. damn him, he is such a nice guy! so alone i sat in my office and ate 4, grrr!!! the next person that walked through the door went home with the rest of them! oh they were so good!!

debbie- you are doing a great job!! keep it up!!
hello everyone else hope you all have a wonderful night!!

hi annie!
don't get discouraged. the scale goes up and down for too many reasons to count. keep giving it a try everyday you can do it!!!

Hello Chicks,

Sorry haven't been on in a few days. Maggie is up and back to speed. (Just about). Been staying OP, even tho TOM is here, and causing me to be grumpy. Really would love just to eat that snickers candy bar. Decided to hold out and see if I can make it without it.
Holly, glad your day was a celebration, there are usually tears, but I am glad you enjoyed it, and relished in the moment. Good For you.

Jodi-- isn't that fun!!!!!! I bought a outfit to wear on vacation a year ago. It just always felt uncomfortable, so decided to leave it home. Yesterday, I got it on, it felt great.... and reinforced why I am doing all this hard work for. CONGRATS

Annie-- Don't beat yourself up!, It is ONE bad moment. It isn't the end of your plan. Get back in the groove, you know what you want long-term, this is a millisecond in your plan, you know it was bad, now jump up and get back in the game. You got the right idea.

Susie-- Yikes, I really feel for you when your job can be stressful. So sorry to hear about that. We are here for you if you need a vent. Sorry. Surely I don't have all the answers, but I remember last year, my job was just the worst. I stuck it out, and things really turned around. This maybe is just a speed bump in the road. What do you do in your job?

Girlie--Sorry your back is giving you trouble. There is just nothing worse than a bad back, unless it is your feet. UGHHHHHH.

Spores--What do you teach? We are in the final days of school, three weeks to go, and taking all the little ones to ANNIE tommorrow at the University. Should be interesting. Some of them have never been on a bus, so that is what they are looking forward to. I love days like that. Seeing the little ones out of a school setting.

Debbie- I love it when you are posting your meals. It really gives me some idea's instead of a spinach salad everyday. I have eaten that for 2 weeks straight, it is easy, and quick. I am going to seek a variety.

Sorry if I missed anyone, school is very hectic, my family is busy, DH is teaching hunter's safety class, DS is his student with over 23 other little 12 yr. old boys, OH, I am loving it, Last nite, got the comment, " You know this is fine I am doing this, but the business is suffering when I have to leave early, and I am stressed with the tight schedule, blah, blah, blah," I am thinking to myself, "YEP, know what you mean. I do it EVERYDAY."

Happy Hump Day

Sandi

Forgot to mention, weighed in yest. NO LOSS. (sigh :?: ) Marking it up to TOM. Didn't gain, didn't lose.

Hello all,
I'm afraid I might not make it here tomorrow, so I wanted to take some time tonight to post..then I'm goint to get some sleep.

I want to thank you ladies for your support when I wrote about the bad time I was having with my job situation. It's really hard for me ever admit--even to myself-- that I'm struggling with something. You were all very supportive and I am so thankful for this bunch.

I think it was SiouxCheif who asked what I do. I work in the claims dept for a company. I knew it was a stressful job when I took it but I'm usually very good in those types of situations. My stress comes from that each case is different and office/sales politics come into play a lot and it makes it even more confusing. My boss is really great most of the time; very open to making suggestions and backing decisions, however there are times that they want us to see how far we can push the "no" before it turns into a yes and that's hard for me. I will discuss this with my manager the next chance I get.

Girlie: Glad to hear that your back is feeling better.

Jodi: You are in the zone girl...you are taking care of your body and it's responding...I know that has to feel great!

Spores: Did you get your exercise in?

Debbie: How are you doing?

Sandi: Sorry to hear the scales didn't move..but I'm sure it has to do with TOM.

Annie: Don't despair about the scales...you can change them next week...don't forget tomorrow is the day you are getting back on plan!

Holly: What is pleasurable besides eating? Feeling the tops of your jeans rest on your hips because they are loose in the waist!

OK..of to bed for me.

Susie

Good morning,
I had another good day. I ate my usual b-fast. At lunch I had a couple of wraps. They were like the lunchables my dgs eats but it is South Beach brand. It even had sf jello with it. In the summer I don't like to eat anything hot. Dinner, I had crockpot roast. I was careful to eat a palm size piece of meat. and a fist size of veggies, I try to watch my carbs but I love the pot/carrots/onion thing. yummm.
My home life is very boring. Not much to post. Dh is putting in 14-15 hr days. Ds's still live here but don't spend much time here. Hey they are like the stray cats that took up here. They
know where the food bowl is. LOL!!

Susie: I am proud of you staying op
during such a stressful job. They change our policies daily we never know when we tell a customer something if it will be backed up or not. We have a lot of that "Good old boy" thing happening.
Car dealers are a real hard bunch to keep happy.

Sandi: No gain during TOM.. That just as good as a loss.

Jodi: I'll agree when I'm eating right and taking better of myself it shows in every area of my life. House stays cleaner ect.

Annie: Be kind to yourself.

Girlie: Glad back is better. I can't remember the last full nights sleep I had. I've been doing the hot flash/night sweats thing for a couple of years. Hope it passes soon.

Spores: Flax is suppose to be good for the heart.

Judy: How are you?

Holly: Family time is pleasurable. You realize this as they get older and they start to get more outside interests.

I have to go get ready. Its my long day. I try to think of it as a good way to get exercise.

EVERYONE HAVE A GREAT DAY

Good morning everyone.

My back is feeling better, thank you. I went to the gym last night and di 45 minutes on the elliptical, barely made 4 miles. I felt really good doing it - like I was flying - but it's just a matter of me getting tired of the repetition. I have my music and the TVs and do a lot of people watching to get me through the time. I think the elliptical helps my back because I'm standing up straight and holding myself up while "running", and I think it helps strengthen back muscles. I also try to twist at the waist while I'm "running" and that helps the spine. I slept pretty well last night, but my back feels a bit sore. I have to keep reminding myself to sit straight up in my chair here at work and not lean forward.

It's just about TOM - a bad time for the scale in general. I was up like 4 pounds last night - i'm attributing it to TOM. I have been eating terribly, but I never gain weight like that. So I've resolved to drink only water for the next few days, exercise at least twice by Sunday and weigh again then. One month until I see my mom...I'd really like to lose a few pounds before then.

Spores:
Yes, flax-seed is a good source of fiber and new studies are showing it to be helpful in lowering cholesterol and maintaining a healthy heart. It's also good for people with IB symptoms. Trader Joe's has these great flax seed and soy tortilla chips. They have a ton of fiber in them.

Debbie:
Good job on limiting the pot roast. I like pot roast. I kinda suck at making it though. Wow, your Dh works long hours - hope you are keeping yourself busy :)

Susie:
Claims departments are very stressful - plus, you have to use your own judgment a lot in the cases, and it's hard to make such a huge decision based on the information that you have - plus trying to please the customer, the company, your bosses, etc!


Jodi:
Good for you for taking care of YOU. I tend to feel good when the house is clean, my car isn't cluttered, etc. It just feels good.

Spores:
I liked your ideas of what is pleasureable. The funny thing is, each of my "pleasurable" things is linked to something negative in a way. Like, clothes are pleasureable, but I don't feel like they look good on me. Sex can be pleasurable, but not if I don't feel good about m body. Lying down and reading can be pleasurable, but I always have to have something to nibble on. Pedicures, manicures, salons are pleasurable but not if I don't feel good about the rest of myself. It seems like everything just points to losing weight.

Sorry not to get to everyone, gotta start my morning reports. It will be a busy day of billing the client today!

Girlie

Hi! Once again I spent to much time laughing, sighing and pondering all the posts I missed over the last two days to actually respond to them. I'm okay, trying to get things under control at the office, and preparing to leave town again, just for a couple of days. I've been slipping a bit this week, with sangria and various yummy tapas last night, and baby shower cake this afternoon. I need to put several 'gold-star' days together to stay on track.....

I'll do personals n Sunday, and tell you more about my very exciting life :D In the meantime, keep making good choices!

judy

Annie: Ugh, post-weigh-in free for all! I know just what that feels like. Well, tomorrow IS another day, and I know you can get back on that horse!

Jodi: I too tend to either have everything together or be in total chaos. I am working to find a better balance. If only everything could just stay clean and tidy on its own for a little while, I could catch up! It sounds like you are in a really good place right now. Good for you!

Sandi: I teach english composition and lit at a community college and creative writing in an online master’s program. I vascillate between enjoying it and loathing it. When the students are bright and interested and fun, I love it. But when I get complainers who don’t show up to class and do their work, my job sucks. Your field trip sounds like fun – it’s so great to get out of the classroom and do some interesting things!

Susie: Good for you for seeking support when you needed it. I too hate to admit when I’m having a hard time with things. I want to pretend that I can do everything perfectly all the time with no trouble. I think recognizing when we need help is a huge step!

Debbie: Sounds like you’re doing great; glad to hear it. I will have to look into flax seed; sounds like a good thing. Mmm, pot roast. It’s snowing and cold here (no fair!), and that sounds like a delicious meal. I too tend to overdo the potatoes. And the gravy!

Girlie: I know exactly what you mean about all the pleasurable things being linked to feeling negative about the body. I get that too. I am really tired of using my weight as an excuse not to do things I love – can’t get a massage because I feel too fat, can’t audition for a show because I’m too self-conscious, etc. I feel like I’ve been waiting so long to lose the weight so that I can live my life! So I’m trying (not doing that well, but trying) to go in the reverse direction: just live my life and do stuff and try not to worry about how much I weigh, and maybe the weight will start coming off. Maybe.

Judy: Wow, you are really on the go! Hope you get some time to rest soon!

Okay, so I have this fantastic excuse for why I’m not exercising right now: my feet are killing me. I started a new job (school’s almost out, so I needed something for the summer) at a salon, and I am on my feet for eight hours straight. And I know that other people stand all day long, but for some reason (bad shoes? not used to it? just too fat to stand comfortably for eight hours?), my feet are absolutely dying when I get home. Walking on the treadmill sounds like torture. Even standing at the stove long enough to cook dinner is a nightmare. Anything that involves using these hurtey lumps at the ends of my legs is out of the question. I’m not sure how best to deal with this. I don’t want to just forego exercise, obviously, but I’m going to have to figure out a strategy. Any ideas?

Hi Chicks,

Wanted to post a quick note, back from fieldtrip, it was a play at the local university, ANNIE, my 1st gr.'s loved it. The 2nd, and 3rd, grade went also. All was well, until it was time to pass out the sack lunches. We were short 15, and then when we looked in them, the ONLY thing in them was................................a bologna sandwich and a cookie. That is it. It was very hard to ask kids to share the lunch when they had so little themselves. But of course, they are kids, and were happy to do it. So, needless to say, it was a tough ride home with hungry children. And of course, all of the teachers together, brought a total of 13 dollars and didn't really know how to handle it, because then you run into "why does he/she get that?" or "why don't I get a lunchable?" OR, you get the picture. So, we just tried to split up the lunches with the kids, and hope for the best. I just don't know how you can be 15 short? I had 4 of my own students who were ill, and didn't attend. So, really we were alot more short. It was a rough day. Amazing how kids, really don't care. They were hungry, but they managed to have a good time.

I am totally disqusted with the whole "school lunch" program. My DS packs a lunch everyday, so I don't really worry about him, but the system as a whole is not the best. It is definately something that should be addressed.

Question of the day????? Does anyone else see this in their local school districts? Tell me the positives and negatives. I am tommorrow going to join the Health SAC, to see if I can make a difference. It is a group who tries to make some policy's changes. We have alot of them, MATH, Lang. Arts, Science, ect. I am joining the Health one and quit nagging about it, and do something.

Anyway just a vent. Sorry.

Sandi

Good morning,
I feel like I still doing well with my plan. I'm keeping my portion size's down, drinking my water. I'm hoping for another drop when I weigh mon.
My supervisor is doing Atkins. She is so obsessive its funny. There was a b-day cake yesterday. When they asked if I wanted a piece I told them maybe in a little bit (I didn't eat any) She yelled out "You know I'm on a diet and can't have any" and acted very childish about it. I hope I never acted like that on a diet. I don't like anything that severe and restrictive. I've done that and know it just sets me up to fail.
I've got to go. I'll do personals later.

EVERYONE HAVE A BLESSED DAY

Judy:
I know that you are my kinda woman - we'd have a blast together in the city, sipping wine and checking out restaurants. I love tappas! I've never had sangria before, but at the tappas restaurant, people order it by the pitcher! We can still have fun and be mindful, ya know? Have fun this weekend!

Spores:
What a predicament. Considering you are on your feet all day, you are still getting in exercise, ya know...you are burning more calories than you would if you were at home and not working. Maybe it would be helpful if you simple did a good 15 minutes of stretching when you get home. That would help you lengthen your muscles and keep good circulation in your body. A friend of mine started a PT job in the evenings a few months ago. She's on her feet all evening, and she was otherwise quite sedentary...and she's lost 20 pounds by doing that and just eating less at dinner.

Sandi:
The thought of a bunch of 1st graders on a field trip sounds so cute. Reminds me of when I was in 5th grade and we went on a trip to NYC. We ate our sack lunches in Central Park and we had the opposite situation - they totally overpacked the lunches of sandwiches and cookies (we had four small cookies in each bag). We had TONS of sacks left, at least 30, and we gave them to the street performers and homeless. Sad at the thought of the hungry kids! I think you guys handled the situation quite well. If we were near a store, maybe I'd have bought enough bananas so each child could have one. I have no kids, so I'm not into the local school system here...but I'm sure it's just as messed up! How could they have been so short ya know? It is a travesty!

Debbie:
Funny observation about your coworker. Many women on diets are like that. I think the main thing to realize is that we have the power to control what we put in our mouths, and it come down to that. If you tell yourself you CAN'T have any, you'll be more likely to want it and eat too much. Otherwise, if you tell yourself you CAN have it, but realize you don't want/need it, or just have a tiny bite and say "I had a taste, it won't help my body in any way, I'm done".

People who are overweight tend to ignore their bodies and listen to their feelings. Unfortunately, feelings can't gain weight...bodies do.


I dropped Dh off at grad school last night and went to the bookstore and looked through the gossip magazines like InStyle and Us Weekly. I was reading the diet tips of the stars and started to think about the tips that they gave and the samples of meals. I need to eat more greens. I should try to have greens with at least lunch or dinner each day. Salmon and romaine, grilled chicken and romaine, etc...any meat/seafood goes well on top of romaine, not necessarily with salad dressing...but just instead of serving it on top of rice or with potatoes. I want to try this this weekend, I love romaine but never have any. I'm going to buy one of those huge 3 pound bags of prepared romaine so all I have to do is throw it onto a plate and top it with whatever. I've been eating too much sugar and starches.

I'm still feeling bloated today - hate TOM. I have a softball game tonite so there's exercise. I've been tired this week - can't wait to sleep in on Saturday...and I want to see if DH will take a hike with me!

Talk to you later!

Girlie

Hello, hello HELLOOOOO!!!!!
My modem got blasted in a big lightening storm Wednesday night. I miss you all soooo much. I was just plain sad last night because I didn’t get here to read and post. I journalled at home this morning for a few pages in word perfect.It felt good to write it but it is no the same as here.

DD has her dance recital tonight.Both sets of Grandparents are coming. The dressed rehearsal last night was chaotic and stressful.
I am looking forward to the weeknd.
I did weigh in at tops on Wed before the layout meeting. I was up to 235. I haven’t weighed this in months. My scale says I am 229 today. It may have been a sodium blip!!! I have been much more aware the last week.
Just 1 toddler right now. We are soon off to get some healthy groceries for the weekend. I am at the library right now. I come again tomorrow aft. They are closed on Sunday. Sigh.
HUGS DEAR CHICKS!!!! I will do a bit of reading!!!

Edit This Entry

Hi ya ladies. Just have a second....My doc appt went well yesterday. Everything good except Colestrol(SP) it was 259, I was down 6 lbs from last month, which she was very pleased with. Wants me to be down 10 lbs in two months at next check up end of June. The best news was my BP was 112/80. The lowest it has been in months. Had chinese for lunch, not the best but ate mushrooms, greenbeans, several crab rangoon (bad), and many shrimp. It was all very good. Don't think I will have dinner tonight, as I am way too full.

Have to work both days at Kohls this weekend, whew wee.

Everyone have wonderful OP day.

Hugs

Annie

Hello,
I had another really busy day, but I think I'm getting to the place that I might have things in order again...at least until I go in on Monday. My job is very hetic. I knew it would be when I took it. What's killing me is that I'm handling 2 territories--midwest and west. They are looking to hire a west claims person, but can't seem to find the right person for the job. My Western Sales Reps don't want to loose me. They say I'm doing a great job (so do my midwest reps). I'm trying my hardest, but it's starting to get to me. Just trying to keep the paperwork straight. I'm usually very organized, and I am now, it's just that it takes a lot of time to keep it that way.

Tomorrow morning I'm meeting my TOPS area coordinator along with 3 other women to plan a TOPS walk. I'm very excited about being a part of this.

Know what else I need to get excited about? Getting this weight off. I want to..but I'm in the frame of mind, that I'll start tomorrow. Well, tomorrow I am starting. I need some accountability here ladies...don't let me get by with not starting and staying the track. I really need your help!

Thanks!
Susie

Morning.
Not sure if it is good or not. I woke up rested and quite happy. Played a game of cranium with the kids.
Now our satelite is out. Hmmmmm. Maybe it is a message from the Gods saying we are too dependant on technology.
DH woke up in a flurry. He has had a LOT to say about ever little, miniscule, tiny thing I do ar say. I am not amused. I asked to come upstairs and talk about it in private instead of criticizing continually in front of the kids. He went outside. Good place for him.
He hates his job. Nothing new there. He went on and on repeating himself for an hour and a half last night.

Instead of watching Law and Order after a BUSY day. I listened. He did have an interview on Thurs but felt it was odd. the manager didn’t say anything so DH just talked about himself.
Anyhow, on to nicer things. The dance recital was FABULOUS. The choas of the dressed rehearsal was MIA.
I felt inspired to get moving. The senior students were worthy of any big stage production i have been too. I mpressive. DD did great, was monumentally cute and all the GP’s LOVED it!

I am quite proud of the fact that while on the phone with a Tech I opened my computer tower and took apart my modem, reconfigured stuff......... This is definitely a new acheivment for me!!!

I am off to buy a new external modem for way less$$ then Dell. I am hanging out in the PEACE of the library.I am liking this.... a LOT!!!

Foo, water has been good. exercise had only been running up and down the stairs 500 times a day. Apparently thats not enough.
Have a wonderful day. I will try to get back tomorrow if I am not in jail for murdering my husband.

Good evening,
It's been a full day for me. I went to the planning meeting for theTOPS walk that our area captian is trying to get going. It was a lot of fun to start the planning and we have a date and place in mind. We should be able to find out this week if the date is available at the park we choose, and then we will be able to move forward with it.

After the meeting I met a friend who lives in the area that we were in for the meeting and she and I had lunch at O'Charlies. Then we went over to the Mall for a look around. I bought some really cute note cards at Michaels (and they were only a $1.00 for the packs!). Also bought some cute post-earrings to wear in my ears when I'm not wearing earrings that go with an outfit. I needed something for just whenever. They are "diamonds" in the shape of a triangle. I also bought some new lotion at Bath and Body. It's called Ylang-Ylang Myrrh. It says it's "Sensuality" soothing body lotion. It smells so good and it does seem to have a calming effect. It felt nice to "pamper" myself. It reminds me of the lotions they used when I had my massage.

I did pretty good with the food and water all day. Only had one "sugar" snack and that was some cookies and milk. I had them after dinner. I thought about having them when I got home from my trip. I was really tired and when I get tired I associate it with being "hungry". So I told myself to lie down and take a nap and if I wanted the cookies when I woke up I could have them. I didn't want them until after dinner, so I feel that's a step in the right direction again.

Tomorrow is a new month lady. Feels like a new beginning to me? What about you? I'm setting a new goal for myself. My new weight goal will be to be at 229 by June 7, (my 40th b-day). Also, May is going to be my "Kick off to Summer Sensuality". I LOVE summer and I want to be ready for it. I want to look good...feel good...feel sensual. So that's my focus this next month.

Anyone else have a plan?

Holly: I'm so very proud of you for taking that computer apart! I have one of those "great hubby's". Mine is the sweetest, soft-hearted man...but when he gets frustrated, there is no living with him and we can really make each other miserable. Sometimes I just want to tell mine to grow up when he's acting like that. I don't have an answer to solve the problem, but I do want you to realize (and I have to make myself understand this as well), that when they are in that frame of mind, it's not our place to fix it, put up with it, and we certainly didn't cause it. It's not our place to add to it eithier. So I just tell myself (and him) sometime, that I know he's frustrated and that I love him, and I support him, and if he needs something from me to help him move from that frustration I will try to provide it, but I can't do it for him.

Ladies, I'm going to go put on my new lotion, brush my teeth, wash my face and get into bed with some of my magazines and relax and fall asleep.

Good night.

Susie

Susie~ thanks and I agree!! What a nice post!! You goal sounds perfect!!!!

I didn't murder DH.I was kind of a b*tch yesterday.
A funny B*tch, but one none the less.
I think it is PMS.Could be my husband or non stop yipping kids.
Anyhow......
I simply just did not want to hear or talk to anyone and they ,of course, did not disappear. I did get lots of laundry done. I was going to paint but my heart wasn’t in it so i went out side to think and ended up moving some primrose that were taking over my bluebells to the north side of the house. The smell of the wet earth was good therapy.
DS went for a sleep over. There is so much less drama when he is out. A nice break. DD fell asleep at 6:30, hence the monumental whining all day. DH made a brilliant effort not to be a knob.
We watched Hidalgo together. Viggo( LOTR) was delightful. Good movie. Some beautifully shot scenes.
Wen to bed at 10. Read for an hour. Clara Callan( Richard B Wright) is FANTASTIC!!!
Slept well! I am teaching SS at 9. I have hair appts in London all aft. (not thrilled but must be done).
Is is really May????? Where did April go??????????????

Goals...hmmm? didn't even get close to the last one, not sure I ever started. Must think!!

I've just taken some time to really read through your posts this week, instead of zipping through them like I've done at work. A lot has been going on!

Girlie--I agree that the elliptical trainer can get to be boring. Have you tried alternating with the backwards motion? It's really hard for me, if I do five minutes forwards, I can do maybe two or three backwards before switching back to the normal motion. When I use the aerobic machines in the exercise room, I tend to do 10-15 minutes on the most boring (bike) and finish up on the easiest (treadmill), for at least 45 minutes total. I actually managed 15 minutes on the rowing machine on Friday, a personal best for me!

Hey, Spores! I'm so sorry to hear about your feet! :( Can you invest in some really comfy shoes? When my feet hurt, I put them up in the evening and rub them with soothing peppermint lotion. The only exercises I can think of that won't aggravate your feet are the bike (boring) and swimming. I hope your feet adjust soon.

Debbie--I'm a flax meal person, too! I put a spoonful in my smoothie, and sprinkle it on cottage cheese and yogurt. I laughed when I read about your cranky dieting co-worker. I feel like snapping sometimes, too. One of my favorite colleagues is about as big around as my thigh, but she's always plying me with french fries and cookies, a natural way she has of being generous and showing affection. I finally spoke with her very seriously about my long-term goal, and why it's so important to me that I get down to a healthy weight. She's been very supportive ever since.

Susie--I hope things go well for you at work on Monday. Thanks for getting us to think about new goals. Mine is to be 225 or under. Not quite as sexy as "Summer of Sensuality," so I'll think of a zippy tagline or slogan this week!

Annie--I really relate to overeating after a "bad" weigh-in. I've done it, and wondered what was going on to make me add insult to injury. Anger, I guess. At any rate, clearly you've had mostly good days last month. Congratulations on losing 6 lbs, and making the doctor smile!

Jodi--I'm still astonished that you were actually able to give away chocolate, chocolate that was a gift (meaning that diet rules don't apply :devil: ). Good for you, tasting a few and saying good-bye to the rest. You go, girl!

Sandi--I don't have kids, so I don't know much about the local school system. But they print the breakfast and lunch menus in the paper every week, and trust me, these kids aren't getting bologna sandwiches! The selections are quite a step up from the fish sticks and mystery meat I remember from years ago.

Holly, good question....I take pleasure in reading, in losing myself in a good novel or a long feature in a magazine like the New Yorker. I love playing Home Spa (which I did this afternoon), luxuriating in suds, smells and softness. I love cooking, so I like to spend time grocery shopping and cooking up a big batch of soup or something, that I can freeze in portions to have later on. Besides the slicing, stirring, etc., I love the way the smell of good food lingers in my little apartment (unless it's fish or cabbage, and even then, I'm cool with it). I enjoy walking, particularly among flowers and trees, or along the water. And i'm beginning to really enjoy my attempts at yoga and meditation.

Hope everyone's week gets off to a fantastic start! Take care--judy

I have had a hard couple of days emotionally. I have had 5 big things to deal with sort of under the surface of every day stuff and I just kind of broke down today. DH was great and stepped in. i spent time with my grandma and DD. It is 1 am I have to be up in 5 hours and I cant turn my brain off. I have been crying.I called a friend who does reflexology yesterday I guess i knew it was building up but we couldn't connect.
Tomorrow is a new day.

Good morning everyone.
I can't believe it's Monday already. I feel like I need one more day to myself!
I did have a good day yesterday. My Sunday afternoons are usually taken up by Accounting Homework. Well, I didn't have any yesterday and I made a decison to use the day for me, instead of trying to get ahead by reading the next chapter (most of you know this Accounting class has been a real challenge for me and I can't wait for it to be over!). Instead of doing Accounting related things, I cleaned the car out. Read a magazine. Went to the tanning bed, and went and worked out. It felt so good to be doing things I really wanted to do!

Holly: I'm not surprised you didn't have a breakdown before now! You are an amazing woman, who takes on a lot of things. I think that's really just a part of your personality and for the most part that works, but even you can get tired and overwhelmed. I hope you are feeling like your usual self this morning. Remember every day to take a little time for you.

I'm off to work. Have a good day.
Susie

Good morning:
I was doing well on my plan till dh decided to bring home an order of nacho's that would feed a small town. You know how that story goes. I'll have to eat VERY good today. I weigh tonite.
I made it to curves 4x last week. I'll need to pack a bag and move in there if I keep eating like I did last nite.

Spores: It'll take time for your feet to adjust. I have bad feet and have to wear arch supports. They now sell them everywhere. You might try some and see if it helps. A good soak and rub is always a good bet.

Holly: I am wishing you a day of peace and tranquility. Big hugs.

Annie: CONGRATS! 6lbs down. fantastic job.

Sandi: After I read your post about the kids lunches I checked to see what dgs was eating and It seemed to be well
balanced. When they have field trips they are told to bring a sack lunch. The school provides lunches for the kids on the free lunch program and make a few extra to allow for the ones who forget to bring one.

Susie: I admire your ability to deal with school and a stressful job. You rock.

Everyone have a great day.

I was up til after 2 am. Thinking ,crying, writing...... I feel much better today. I had another exchange with my Sis.

My good friend Madcat said sometimes we need to rise above. I have been told that before and i am not sure what that means exactly or how to do it. My family oftens says that, but they mean, tell yourself all the lies you can to make yourself the winner no matter what. It is no wonder they all drink a bottle of wine to get to sleep at night.
Food has been quite good. I did have a donut yesterday. DD came to London with me. It was nice. We stopped at Tim Hortons for a drink and donut. It was soooo much fun. She thought she was quite grown up.
DS has had a good morning and off to school.
I am off to clean the kitchen.I have asked DH 3 days in a row for help. There are no clean pots right now. I am not sure what he thinks I will cook his dinner in. LOL!
My strike in the kitchen didn't really work.

10:30 am.....I am feeling quite liberated. I feel as though I have worked through the emotions of the Grandma thing, the son things, the troll at church thing, the death of friend thing and I feel able to face the world. I have done the dishes and it didn't hurt and i have made phonecalls for the church directory and I will start working on the title pages today!!!! That is the fun part!
4 girls watching Cinderella and 1 baby boy sleeping!!!

I included the exchanges with my sis in my journal if you want to read them.

Hi all. Sorry this wil be a quickie, and I will have to do personals later. Had a bad weekend food-wise, but was nevertheless down 1/2 a pound at weigh-in this morning. That makes me feel good. This is the final week of the semester, so I am hoping to get my workouts in despite the insanity. Im feeling kind of blah abut everything right now -- food seems boring, exercise seems impossible, etc. Maybe I will get with it as the day goes by.

Hope everyone is well. Thinking of all of you!

Morning, everyone.

Food-wise, I didn't eat the best of foods, but made good decisions. For example, DH and I were going to order out a pizza but we decided to go grocery shopping and make a DiGiorno spinach and mushroom pizza instead - which isn't exactly great, but would be better than ordering a pizza. It was good. Also, had salads with grilled chicken on Saturday and I made a great salmon bake last night.

Wal-mart has these frozen individual servings of wild salmon that are $1 each! I am going to majorly stock up on these. The wild salmon doesn't taste as "fishy" as the farm-raised I think...and DH likes it. He's not usually a fish person. And it's loaded with Omega 3 fatty acid - the good stuff!

Went to the gym last night - 50 mins on the elliptical. I should have gone 10 more to make an hour. I will try for that next time. I am pretty sure I spied my ex boyfriend there, and that made the time go by quickly since all the cursing in my head made me forget all about the fact that I was exercising! LOL

Talk to you all later.

Girlie

Good morning,
I was down 3lbs at weigh-in last nite.
I guess going to curves 4x a week must help.
I'm still working really hard on my portion sizes. Drinking lots of water.
I had dh underfoot yesterday he took the day off. All we did was run errands. I have to go back to the boat registration place again today. I'm just so excited I can't hardly control myself.

Girlie: I'm going to walmart today. I'm going to look for that salmon and get some. We really love it. Ds's don't care for it so the single servings would work great.

Spores: CONGRATES..On your loss. Bored SPICE IT UP.. Works for food also.
I forgot to mention when your feet hurt roll around a ball or a bottle with them. It streches out the tendons.
I hope they feel better soon.

Holly: mother/daughter day out sounds so nice. Family is way short of girls. I have a sister but she lives 1000 miles away. Taking the guys is sure not as much fun.

Susie, Sandi, Annie and anyone I missed: I hope you are all doing well.

BIG HUGS

This is the email I sent to my family...
I received an email from Margaret today that stated she had spent most of the week at Grandma’s doing everything that no one else wanted to do. I quite frankly take offense to this and I am wondering if it is time for our entire family to take a look at Grandma’s care and reassess how it is being managed.

It is certainly news to me that were any jobs to do and that there was a new oil tank coming etc.

No one told me that Grandma’s house had been broken into. Couldn’t do anything to help with that either.

I do get tired of the negativity I do hear about Grandma. She is no Saint and nor is she perfect BUT she is a kind woman who went above and beyond( especially for Margaret well into her adulthood) as a Mother, Grandmother and Aunt. I GLADLY and WILLING LY give my time, lover and energy to her care in her old age. We are blessed in her good health and general presence in our lives.

I will remind you that I do Grandma’s hair and feet biweekly, I do her laundry and make frozen meals. I have also been discreetly helping Grandma with her incontinence. All without complaint.

Brenda and Kevin get Grandma’s groceries.

I will also remind Margaret that she has a retired Brother and Sister in law. Grandma has two biological Grandchildren and two step Grandchildren and their spouses who would willingly help out.

Communication is key. No one has asked Margaret to martyr herself.
It is discouraging to be criticized and shot down when you do give assistance. I am mostly able to ignore it for Grandma’s sake. Others, I know, have stopped offering help because it is never good enough.

Margaret has done a wonderful job as Grandma’s primary caregiver for several years. Maybe it is time for someone else to take over or for Margaret to delegate some jobs and “allow” others to help her.

I have gone and picked up any of my personal belongings from Grandma’s basement.


Let’s keep Grandma’s remaining years as enjoyable as possible together!!! H


This is where I am at today......LOL!
5 toddlers toddling and a happy babysitter and Mom.

I am feeling great!!!!!!!!

Did a lot of processing. The cyber waves were burning with heated exchanges with my sister. It was soooooo good to say the things I did.
In the end she told me I was right. All the secrets and backstabbing was not right.
I was on the phone most of the day it seemed.Church stuff. Babysitting stuff. Tax stuff.

I felt clear headed and I wanted to do everything. I have been “making” myself do the housework etc. I Finished 1 title page for the directory and I have 1 more to do and then the cover layout.Fun.
Big kids in school. DD is going to the Theatre to see a Jillian Jiggs play.
5 kids ages 3 and under. I love this age group. Dont talk back and sleep all aft!!!!!
I gave the framed pic I put together to S last night of her and Ben and kids. She told me I was “better than a friend. She couldn’t find words to describe me.”

Sis, Mom and Aunt M are very close.I call it co dependant. They all talk on the phone almost every day. Sis bought a house one street over from my Aunt. They kind of feed off of each other.
They called me Friday night. Mom and M were there for a sleep over and they were drunk and giggling. EW!
I cant imagine spending my Fri night with two 60 year old family members partying. The whole thing is unhealthy, to me. Sleepover??????

Still haven’t heard anything from my parents or M. I think that is weird too.
Maybe they are having a family meeting to decide how to deal with me! Funny but true it has happened more than once. In hushed voices, how are we going to handle H? She is soooo overly sensitive. Will you talk to her? NO, you should do it.
What will we tell other people if it comes up? Lets get our story straight.......Blah,blah.blah!!!!
Best go toddle with the toddlers.

Hello Ladies,

MIA lately. Seems to happen when I am doing an awful job at exercising and eating. Silly, but I think this is when you need the most support.

Have been out of control on eating for about 5 days. Each day I get up and say it is going to be better then I lose it and eat. I need a mental attitude adjustment.

Have worked way too many hours the past week, which may be why the out of control feeling. Tired and can't think. Plus they are monitoring our email and internet use, so it is very hard to get anything personal done. haha.

TOPS tonight and fear the scale!

Will check in later......

Holly - you do a marvelous job with your grandma!

Later chickies.

Annie

Mornin' Girls!!!! How is everyone doing????

Good Morning everyone!

Holly -
I think family situations like yours are, unfortunately, some of the hardest in life. Your family should be close, loving and non-biased...unfortunately though, I think families judge the most, have the most separation and cause some of the most stress in our lives, which just doesn't make sense! I admire you for getting through all that you have.

Annie:
Sorry to hear that you aren't doing as well as you had hoped - me neither, but I think the most important thing is to continue to post, and to continue to be conscious that you aren't making the best choices - it's better than to just become uncaring and oblivious. So you are still on track mentally! Keep your chin up.

I am doing okay - ate too much at dinner out last night but had a simple salad with FF italian for lunch and an oat bran bar for breakfast so hoping it evens out. Had trouble waking up this morning. Going to the gym tonite and going to get a good night of sleep before my morning interview - it's a 2nd interview with a small local marketing group. I think I have to basically meet with the whole office tomorrow and that's very nerve-racking! But the owner of the business apparently liked me, so I'm back to meet the group. The office is very casual and creative, so I'm going to dress a little more casual, a little more creative and artsy - a little more ME than my suits. I bought this bright spring trench coat with splashes of pink, yellow and blue, and it also has some black in it, so it's very versatile. It's a new thing for me but I feel good in it and have black slacks, heels and a simple yellow cardigan sweater to go with it. Wish me luck!

I'll update you all tomorrow.

Girlie

Hey everyone,
I though I would do a fly by posting. I'm at work and have a few moments.
I made it to curves this am. Doing fair on food. Except for the b-day cake I baked for a co-worker. I ate a small piece


Annie: Know that we all have days like that. forgive yourself then go do something nice for yourself. This is a life long war not a few days battle.
BIG HUGS



more later

Hi Ladies,

Weigh-In last nite was good, down 2.4, I can live with that. HOLLY, You have had a week, and it is only Wed. Sorry for you. You are doing great positive things, take care of you.
Annie, Sorry you are struggling. I can feel that way sometimes too, you are at a good place for support. Take a bath, maybe a cry, then get back in the game. Sometimes girls just need to do that. I always think of that story someone sent to me a few years ago, called the Awakening. Have you read it? You can do this, not in one day, one week but in time. Take the time that you need. (((HUGS)))

Girlie- Good luck. I am rooting for you. It is nerve racking. Is that the place you really want to work? I hope it all works out.

Debbie, Good for you. I am happy for your loss. I have thought about joining curves, but I have just been doing my treadmill. Tonite I am stressed out, I usually can do 40 min, but my calves and legs have been aching so terribly, I think I need to do something else. I haven't missed my treadmill once since the first week in March, I do it everyday, and walk for 40 minutes during the day, at lunch. I think I am just whipped. I am scared to quit doing it for only a day, because I am afraid it will be easy for me to say, " I'll do it later" and then not get back into it. Any advice I would love to here. Our closest Curves is over a hour away. No other gym, except at school.

Spores, your poor feet. I bought a pair of shoes about a year ago, that someone told me would feel great. They were a leather Merrell's mule. I LOVE them, I have since bought 2 more pair in different colors. They are a bit pricey, but I will pay that just so my feet don't hurt. If you are looking for a Tennis Shoe, I just bought a pair of KSwiss, and I have had no trouble with them. They give good support. Good luck.

Just checking in. Kids are counting down---11 days left of actual school days. I am counting also. I am ready for summer, but I am worrying about a few of my little people over the summer. My son and I are going to be BIG golfing partners this summer, so I am excited to spend some time with him, and not have a bunch of other kids around, although it does seem like we sometimes seem to have a few extra's around.
Take care, Happy Hump Day.

Wishing you all a day of kite flying.

Sandi

Just popping in to say hey to everyone. I've been having a fun social life (for a change!) but making so-so choices. This week I have been struggling with painful shin splints, so I'm a mite depressed that I will have to cut back on the walking.

But I can't complain! I'll come back for personals as soon as I can. Take care--judy

Hey everyone,
I overslept so this will be brief. I'm still doing ok. Drinking lots of water.
Its raining here. I really hate working out in the rain. Don't mind the rain but the markers we have to use to write in the winshields of the cars don't work well on water. Trying to get them to try something better. Our sister auction in seattle uses another brand. You know it rain there all the time.
Oh well, you know bosses.

I'll do personals later. Just know I'll be thinking of everyone. Have a blessed day.

Deb~ I slept in too. On purpose tho. I knew i didn't have a busy morning.You are on such a positive roll!!!!!
Judy~ ouch!! Take good care of yourself.
Sandi~ great LOSS!!!!! Wow, we have 2 months more of school here. About the lunches, we dont have programs like that here.
Girlie~ how was the interview??
Annie~ I fall apart with food and exercise when I am super busy too. I am the last one who gets taken care of and I run out of time. HUGS!
Spores, Susie, Jody HI!!!!!!!

My clothes smell like fresh air!!!!
Hung out the wash yesterday. This morning as I was doing the mad dash I kept smelling something glorious. I was sniffing at kids etc, couldn’t figure it out.It was ME!! Aaaaaah.
Thanks for the support on the family stuff. It is not the biggest thing in my life but it one of the things that is underlying and “eats” me.My theory is if I let it out, face it, handle it effectively I will not over eat. It is definitely a thread throughout my life. At times it was the biggest thing. Dont give them that much of my personal power these days.
The positive stuff in the last few days have been huge. Has me smirking. The feedback and emails from fellow school council members on my parent handbook have been stunning and very nice to hear. They come from people actively involved in the community resources for kids etc..... very nice. I also had a nice visit from my co SS superintendant. I wrapped up the photo directory!! Looks just peachy.
My old rocker friend is stopping by tonight with her 2 kids.

I was down 2.5 at TOPS last night but that is still UP 4 from the end of FEB!

3 little guys here today. I should have 2 hours to myself this aft. Lots to do. I need to pick one thing. and veg abit too.
I finished Clara Callan( Richard B Wright). A must read. So incredibly enjoyable to read.
I am starting No great Mischief by Alistair Macleod. The first paragragh describes the route we take to go to Dh’s Bothers. I could picture every bit.

Sun is shining. Will get these kiddies outside and dig in the dirt this morning!!!!!!

Hi! Just popping in at lunch for a quick hi. It's been a very busy week (it seems to be that way a lot these days!). Despite being busy, I've done well with the food and exercise this week. I've also been acknowledging a lot of things to myself. I'll share more on that this weekend when I have some time to post and catch up.

Sorry I've not been around to support you, but you all have been in my thoughts. I'll catch up this weekend.

Susie

Good morning,
I had a real "pig-out" day yesterday.
I ate my yogurt for b-fast. Then lunch came and I let my friend decide where we ate. She picked a mexican place with a very small selection. I ate nachos. I won't go into details but it was definatly not on my plan. Then Dh had pizza waiting on me when I got home. He had Mushroom. My favorite. I ate 4 slices. Today needs to be a salad day.

Holly: CONGRATES ON THE LOSS...I also hang my clothes on the line when I get the chance. everything smells so great. They can't bottle that.

Judy: AH.. A social life...only a sweet memerory. Have FUN girl.

I got to go. Every one have a great day.
TGIF

I have had a FULL week of kids, which also means lots of pay!!!! DH still hasn’t been paid for the last house he built. The new guy short changed him several hours last week. This guy asks DH to be there for 8am(most builders start at 6:30-7) then he doesn’t show up till 11am, then he gives DH grief for leaving at 6(home at 7), which means DH eats dinner alone and has no time with the kids.......hense DH is very unhappy,feeling unvalued, lonely.,........ he was monumentally sad last night,went to bed at 9, wasn’t talking this morning.....sigh. It is hard.


I am doing great. Yesterday aft I raked and mowed part of the front for a couple of hours. Nice!!
Had extra kids for dinner.Watched Survivor and ER.
Still working on the mountain of laundry.
Tomorrow at noon I am going to London to give an afidavit about conversations I had with Ben about his relationship with his mother. The kids will spend the aft with S and the boys. DH is driving to Windsor( 2 hours) to try and get his $$$.
For mother’s day we are making stepping stones, pouring cement into pie plates, and popping in some glass beads, shells etc.

Playgroup this morning till 11.

Sun is shining, birds are singing...........

Debbie~ back on the wagon today!!!!!!!
Susie~ thinking of you too!!!
Sandi~ nice loss!!!
Judy~ a social life. DO tell! I can live vicariously!!!

HI GIRLS!!!!!!!!

Girlie: Good for you for going to the grocery store instead of eating out. And hitting the gym!

Debbie: Congrats on your loss. Sounds like your work at Curves is really paying off!

Holly: Sounds lik eyou are embroiled in family madness! Hope it clears itself up soon. Good for you for speaking your mind.

Annie: I also tend to keep to myself when Im not doing well, and you’re right – that is just when we need the most support! I wonder why that urge to hide pops up. Fear of failure, for me, I think. It’s like when a kitten is hiding behind a pot waiting to pounce on something, and it thinks it’s being sooooo sneaky, but you can see its tail waving all over the place. It’s like, if I don’t look at something, it’s not there. If I don’t talk about my problems, they don’t exist. If no one sees me fail, I am not really failing.

Sandi: Wow, you have done your treadmill every single day for months?! I am in awe. *Bows* I am lucky to get in once a week lately! The thing that has worked for me, when I am doing the treadmill, is TV shows on DVD. I rent or buy a season of a show I love and promise myself that I will only watch them when I’m walking. This is especially good because I don’t have cable and we get terrible reception, so all the shows I love I never get to see when they air. I walked my way through Kids in the Hall, Mr. Show, and The Office, and now I am starting on the complete set of Monty Python. So I am guaranteed to walk for at least 30 minutes because I want to see the end of the show, and then walking is like a treat when I get to watch my comedy. I have tried movies, but they’re a little too long, and I hate stopping a movie halfway through. I was also thinking of getting one of those headset phones and talking to my mom when I walk. We tend to have long converstations, and she doesn’t mind if I am huffing and puffing. Thanks for the shoe ideas. I went shopping this week and, after a loooong time searching, found a pair of danskos that are pretty cute and comfy. I will try them out at work tonight and see how I do.

Judy: Yikes, shin splints! Sorry to hear about that. Hope you’re feeling better soon.

Hi to anybody I missed! Hope all are well.

Well, once again, I have been offplan and off the radar for a few days. Eating out a lot. Not exercising. Not sure exactly what’s going on with me. Part of it is being tired. I haven’t had enough sleep for a while, and I’m not sleeping well. Part of it is being busy and a bit stressed about lots of little things. My jaw is killing me – clenching in my sleep again. I am wanting to find a way to help with that without buying one of those mouthpieces. Does anyone know of any good remedies for TMJ symptoms?

So my insurance offers this weight-loss program where they send you a binder of info and exercises and you meet with a phone nutritionist every week for eleven weeks. I did this last year. The six-month follow-up phone consultation was today. I was disapointed that I didn’t have much success to report. I am starting to wonder if a structured eating program would be good for me, but they all seem so expensive, and now that school is ending, my salary is going to drop signifigantly. So I’m not sure what to do. I am sort of lost these days on what to eat. I am feeling sort of lost in general. Not quite sure how to figue everything out. I feel like I need to ask for help, but I’m not sure who to ask or where to go. Maybe I am just craving an outside authority figure to tell me what to do. Which, I know, is a cop-out. I need to be my own authority figure!

Anyway, thanks for listening, you guys. I have a busy weekend, and I am going to try to find some time to write in my journal and just relax a little. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Hi Girls

Friday, ahhhhhhh. Only 2 more Friday's and we are out of school. The kids are now counting down, as am I. I went to the first Health SAC, about the school lunch program. What a waste. So, I decided that instead of tackling it from a Lunch/Snack program, I am going to (with another teacher) implement a walking program for 2 days out of the week, during recess for 25 minutes. Any kid who will do the walking program will get little prizes after so many miles. Next week, we will present it to the student body for suggestions. Any kid who doesn't want to won't be obligated. I am up to 22 kids now walking with me, and I walk everyday at recess. And, there is less spatting on the the playground. Hope it all goes well.

Spores, About a plan with meals included. Our school's sect. just finished with Jenny Craig, she lost all of her weight on the meal plan, and now is going back to reg. food. She has already gained 7 pounds back in the first month. I was also considering that, but decided that I really have to get in control of the meals I prepare, or eat. It is very difficult, because we LOVE to eat, and we like GOOD food. It has been a struggle and really is a constant battle everyday. What has helped me tremendously is I read the label for carbs, and serving size. THAT'S IT. I only eat 2-4 carbs per meal, and only what the serving size is. That way I am getting what I want, but really staying with how much is a serving size. 1 carb is 15 grams. I haven't really added reading for fats, because I am a carb addict. I needed to get in control of those, and work my way up. I have done very well, and I do slip up at times. I definately would take up the nutritionist calls, and advice.

Holly-- Great loss for you. (happy dance). You really stay so busy, I don't know how you manage to take care of you. You truly inspire me.

Debbie-- I think Curves and you really agree with one another. Congrats on loss. YIPPIE.

Girlie, You are doing well also. You made great choices. Hip Hip Horray. I love salmon too, and it is soooo good for you. We eat fish every friday here, so I would stock up on that deal if I found it. We don'thave a super Walmart here. I wish. We do have a super target, but it is a hour away.

Anyone I have missed, I am truly sorry. I am whipped, and my DS just got home from his golf meet, they took 1st. (proud mom), and he is begging me to help him install MSN chat so he can chat with his GF. UGHHHHHHHH. Not happy. But I love him, and I will monitor his every move on his computer.

Tommorrow, DH is hopefully going to test run his new racecar. I went to the Body Shop tonite, and he and his employees, were all standing around it wondering what was wrong. They fired the engine for the 1st time since it was dropped in the car. It is making a noise, they think transmission. I heard a few cuss words, so I left and came home to the treadmill. He came home and has said little since. Not sure what all that means.

Have a great weekend. I hope everyone's is filled with joyful plans of whatever they want. Happy Mother's Day, to all the mom's out there.

Sandi

It sucks to be me sometimes. I am feeling incredibly happy and at peace.And I feel guilty.Is is "bad" to be happy that my boys are not home?
DS left right from school for a Bday party and DH is going to a friends straight from work. DD and I will go to gymnastics. There will be no drama.I will make some lentil soup and cut up veggies for supper. Nice and light. Hardly any dishes.
I still haven't heard from the family and maybe I wont. I feel really relieved that I had my say but worry a bit about what they think and are saying behind my back. Maybe they just dont care.
I took 5 kids to the play group, came home and made 5 stepping stones with concrete and glass beads, fed them lunch and a couple napped. I cut grass for an hour and then had a glorious soak in the tub. I feel envigorated and calm and clean. And there is a little niggling at the back of my mind saying I shouldn't be this happy. Go Away little voice.

This was last night. DS came home had an exhausted post party fit. DD puked in the middle of the night DH was an *******. I woke to DS whining at me about something arg!!! They are soooo annoying sometimes.
I did have a good sleep, regardless.
It rained over night so I think I will paint this morning and then go to London and then rake this aft.

Holly--same thing here. DH and DS are teaching/taking Hunter's Safety, DH says to me, "what are you going to do with all the "free-time" you will have on your hands 3x a week while they are out til 9:30-10pm? I haven't done A THING. I am for ONCE putting myself first. If I want to read, I read, If I want to soak in tub, I will, if I want to do nothing but sit in my formal living room that is too girly for them and do nothing I did. And I did feel guilty about it, but have since gotten over it. I think we need to pamper ourselves and let go of so much of that guilt. I have a big problem with guilt. My priest laughs at me in confession, and says to me, " Sandi, some of these ARE NOT sins, but just your guilt. You have to let it go. Do you think that my Hubby/Son, are stressed out and feeling quilty? I assure you they are NOT". I am taking that as they don't confess anything I worry about. So, I am letting go. Try it, you are on a good start. HIP HIP HORRAY.
Wish I could see the stones you and DD are making. I am jealous. With you and your drama about your family, and mine with my family, you and I could be Best Freinds. If we lived closer I see us as inseperable. Happy Weekend.
Love to you today.
Sandi

Been to the lawyer's
whoosh....I was fine when I was there but when I got into my van I shook.

I talked for an hour and a half giving my statement about my conversations with B about his relationship with his mother. They were from last spring.Clear as a bell for me except he was alive then and now he is not. I feel compassion for this woman BUT I also know his wishes. It is a long convoluted story but I KNOW for certain giving this afidavit is the right thing. Lots of thought and prayer has gone into it.
Emotional. Sad.
I stopped at Grandma’s and took her some flowers for mother’s day. She asked me why I wasn’t at the folks with everyone else. Apparently my Aunt, sister,her hubby and son are at my parents for dinner for mother’s day. It hurt’s. I’d rather be here, but still.
DH is still very unhappy and is gone for the night to try and get his $$ from that builder and then go and hang out with his bro.
Rough morning with DS.Some effective behaviour modification and tada! He is out for the aft with friends. DD is quite sick. Has the runs now. Weak.
My plans for the day are all shifted around. It is simply gorgeous outside but she is laying down and wants me close. So I am doing some much needed cleaning instead of gardening. Bummer.

I am feeling sad.I think I will go hug my little girl.

Sandi, I really needed to hear that right now, HUG!!!!

The sunlight is streaming through the trees and the dew on the grass is twinkling.Yellow tulips are smiling at me.Kitty is rubbing against my legs.All is quiet and peaceful and my coffee tastes delish!!!!


I have decided that the time without the boys has been a gift and I need to to receive it. DH was gone over night and Ds was out all aft and eve.
DH left mad as heck but I called him a couple of hours later and he was chatty and calm and then he called me at 9pm to tell me where he was at. He is in a better place and was hanging out with an old roomie we haven’t seen in a couple of years.I chatted with him too.
DS went 4 wheeling and hung out at the crick and tried to catch minnows and crayfish. Happy little man.
I have the house tidied and well sorted ,dusting and vacuuming today. DD seems better.
Church this morning. Then hopefully some gardening!! Raking at least. It is exercise too!!
I loved sleeping alone with kitty, just like the old days. I wonder if kitty was thinking wow this used to be so cool! LOL!
I set my alarm for 6:30 to be up and alone.Kids will sleep til 7:30.
I ate most of a frozen pizza for supper last night. It was enjoyable but too much. The rest of the day was okay.
Because DD was sick, it was the first time in 9 years I only cooked for myself.
For the 15 years before that I only ever cooked for myself and the 5 years before that I cooked all the family meals at my parents house. I just did the math. I have been cooking dinner for 29 years. Yikes. I love doing it. I actually dont remeber ever feeling like I didn’t want to do it.

I cant wait to see the cards the kids made at school. Much sneaking and hiding has been going on.
I sent my Mom an e card. I will call later, I suppose.

Have a wonderful day dear chicks!!!!!

Hello All,
Finally a chance to catch up, well sort of. I just got through reading all the posts. Thank you to all of you who share your struggles and advances here. I'm not just talking about the weight struggles, but life...it helps me to see where I want to be and how to get there.

I know it's important for me to deal with those types of things for I am truly an "emotional" eater. I use food with both good and bad emotions. Good ones I use food to boost that feeling, bad emotions, I use food to cover up those feelings.

I had a talk with my boss on Friday and he's going to get me some help. He said that he had already looked into things and the numbers show that I was handling 1 1/2 more claims than the Eastern Region. They have interviewed someone for the West and while we are waiting for that person to come on bored and start training them, my boss is having the eastern claims rep take on some of my claims. I'm grateful, because it was taking up my whole life!

The next bump I'm getting over is school. Just 5 more weeks and then I'll have the summer time to myself. That should help a great deal.

I've been losing and gaining the same 5 lbs since the beginning of the year and it's important to me to get over these 5 lbs and back in the race for 199.

I'm not waiting until the next 5 weeks are up. No..I'm getting right back in there...today! I've just made up my mind that "yes" that sugar will help me deal with an emotion, but it won't get me to where I want to be...taking a walk, doing some crunches, reading a magazine, writing a letter, breathing, will help me with the emotion and I'll be on track for my race to 199.

I'm ready again...really ready....

I hope all of you who are mothers have a wonderful mothers day. I wasn't given the privelage of having my own children, but rather I am loaned them from my friends and I am a "mother in my heart"..that's what my little 4 year old friend tells me. So, while this day always brings a bit of an empty feeling, I will celebrate that I have been loaned these other children and I will celebrate that.

I will post this week at least a couple of time. Please know that I'm thinking of you all and routing you on, and in five weeks you will see more of me, but for now it will be off and on. Please hold me accountable though..don't allow me to slip through the cracks. I've been "racing" along side you for so long now...I want to stay in the pack so we can all cross that finish line.

Susie

Good morning all!!! Tried catching up on some of the posts..

Hollyhock: just read a couple of your posts..love your description of the mornings...very calming for me!!

siouschef: you go girl!!! you dont do anybody any good if you dont care for yourself. ENJOY!!

choice2bfit: sounds like my you are bogged down with claims like my hsuband except his boss is a meanie! won't acknowledge that my husbands has twice as many claims (because he is the only one licensed to handle certain states), won't get anyone else licensed..so hubby's stress is my stress.

I'm glad you mentioned emotional eating...trying to overcome that..

But good news: my first week on WW behind me and I've lost 4.5 lbs! yay!!!

catch you all soon

Mother’s day was nice. Kids were happy. No squabbles.DH was happy. I was happy. Church was nice. I raked,weeded and seeded 1/2 of the front lawn from 10:30-4. It is looking lovely.
The work felt good. I am sun kissed and glowing.

Quiet evening.
I just heard a kiddie coming down the stairs. Now the work starts.

My monthly morning weigh in was 228.....still up 3 from Feb but down 1 from last week. The right direction!!!!


Called my Mom yesterday. She was all cheery, telling me about her perfect little weekend,after a half hour I asked if she got my email. she said hesitantly ,"well, yes.
I,I,I, I dont want to be involved. It has been this way for 5 years.There is nothing I can do to change it.” My Aunt did call her accusing that she had told my parents 3 years ago about some work that was needed to be done. Never asked for help tho........ My Dad apparently asked my Mom what he should do and she told him to just forget about it. I may call my Dad. It is his Mom after all.He does care.

Anyhow I have a philosophical discussion going on in my head about the intent and energy something is done with. My grandma is very well cared for. If the care is done with negativity and bitterness is it a good as if it is done with love and affection?
My feeling is no but the rest of my family disagrees.

Good morning, everyone. The weekend weather here in Illinois was beautiful. I spent most of it inside, watching movies, reading, checking email etc....all this in absense of DH. He came back last night and it was nice for him to be back...although I enjoyed the two nights of sleeping alone with my cats without his snoring :)

I did make it to the gym both Saturday and Sunday, and with softball on Friday, that was three days of exercise in a row...which I see very rarely these days. I hope to make it again at least 2-3 times this week. I'm feeling it, and feeling good...I love getting off of that machine all sweaty and having whooped some @ss!
I did the elliptical for 30 minutes on Saturday and 55 minutes yesterday...working my way up to an hour again.

DH has an interview - I'm so excited, it's the first and only job he has applied for before graduating. It's a federal job...wish him luck all!

Hope everyone is well. I'm having a frozen meal for lunch here at work. It's not a lean cuisine, it's pretty high in calories, a pasta dish. I have eaten half and I think I'm going to throw the rest away and find a snack. We have pretzels, snackwells cookies and granola bars in the snack machine. This dish isn't good and eating it wouldn't be right since it won't satisfy me, nor does it taste very good.

Holly,
Don't feel too bad about the pizza. You were caught off guard with having to cook for one, and at least you didn't eat the whole thing :) Today is a new day. Perhaps it would be a good idea to get a couple of Lean Cusine pizzas - they are pretty good, and those would be on hand for you in case this situation happens again :) I got a couple of them for over the weekend because I knew I'd want "comfort" foods. I noticed that the Lean Cusines have categories for their foods now - like hearty classics, and "comfort foods" - of course, pizza is under that one. Interesting.

Spores,
Have you tried weight watchers? It's structured, but it's not...you have choice within certain boundaries. I should get back into it myself. They also have a no counting plan that is basically a list of all the foods you can eat and all of your choices should be within that range/portion size for the day...it's basically a low-carb type diet.

Susie,
Hope you are feeling better about work and life in general.

Holly,
Your weekend sounds nice. I hope the situation gets resolved with your family. I've been messing with the same 5 pounds since January as well. We've gotta get this going.

Chocolate:
Congrats on the loss!!!

Sandi:
I'm with ya on the confession thing. Isn't it funny how we do that to ourselves? Guilt ourselves out?

Have a great day, ladies!

Girlie

Sandi: Yes, the danger of an eating plan is that it is easy to go back to old habits without that strict authority. I too want to take control for me. I love carbs too! I am trying to switch to whole grains instead of refined stuff as a start.

Holly: Oh, I know what you mean about feeling guilty for feeling happy! I think we all get so tangled up in doing stuff for other people that we have a hard time giving ourselves permission to be happy to be alone. You deserve some alone time! No guilt necessary – just enjoy it! Like Sandi says, we have to learn to priortize ourselves. Not one of us here gained the weight be being selfish – we gained it by always putting other people first.

Susie: Glad to hear work is starting to get sorted out. You deserve a breather! Good for you for re-committing now and not putting it off for the future. You can do this, and you can do this even in the midst of stress and chaos. You have it in you!

Chocolatecatz: Congrats on the loss! Sounds like you are doing very well. Keep it up!

Girlie: Good for you on the exercise! I have thought about Weight Watchers, but am not sure I want to spend the money. But maybe it would at least help me get a jump on things. I am wallowing in a slumpt these days. Your softball team sounds like fun. Is it through work or a gym or what? How are you guys doing?

Well, I did poorly on food and exercise all week, and then I weighed this morning and ws down 3 lbs from last week. How weird is that? I hate that I can never give myself credit for success – I always doubt it, or it never seems like enough. But I am going to try to let myself feel good about this. Even if it’s just all water weight or my scale is bonkers, it is progress in the right direction. This week is the last of school (hooray!), but I will be left with lots of unstructured time, which can be a bad thing. I tend to lapse into laziness and depression when I am not constantly occupied with other things. I am going to focus on exercising this week. If I can get in a few workouts, I will feel more motivated.

Hope everyone’s Monday is going well!

Good Evening Ladies,

My boys are taking the Hunter's Safety Test tonite. DH is glad it is the last nite. Cutting into his racecar time. I am glad he and son had had this time together. Besides, I have really enjoyed the time off, and the "alone" time. Weekend was nice, weather wise, it rained, but did manage to get up early both days, and walked Maggie Jane, over 2.5 miles each day. I was happy, and felt good afterwards.

Spores--glad school is coming to an end for you too. I know the stress that can be, I am taking some classes over the summer, and of course have 2 workshops I am going to take on Autism, so that will keep me busy. My company really needs someone here to get things shaped up a bit. (I hope the staff will see it that way too. I am lucky to have good people), so I can still teach. I am going to try switching to whole grains. I just count carbs, never really thinking of the grains. I will read some labels. PSSSTTTT---be happy for the loss of 3 pounds. Take it as a gift, and enjoy it.

Mychoice2bfit-- emotional eating, I think we all suffer from that don't you? I think somewhere, sometime, we have found comfort in food, instead of relationships, and have not put ourselves in a category of being first. We friend, are forever trying to make people happy, at our own cost. Mother's Day, I loved your insight on that. My son has adopted a lady next door, who is 82. She is his "great" Mom. He sees her a few times a week, and when he was younger would tell her all his woes. If anything ever happens to Esther, our lives would be soooo sad. She is lovely and caring to him, and he just thinks the world of her. If I come home sometimes, and he isn't here, I will call over there to see if she knows where he is, and lo and behold, he is with her. I am grateful, to have such a caring person help love and mold my son.

Holly--Glad to hear some things are a bit better. I still don't know the whole story about Grandmother, but your statement "If the care is done with negativity and bitterness is it a good as if it is done with love and affection?" is quite the thought provoker. For you, I would think definately no. But most people are in such denial about many things, and maybe your family is also. Not sure. I do know this, your caring ways, it would be bothersome to you. You can only do what YOU have control over, and you never should compromise your thoughts, feelings, or words, for anyone, if it is not what you truly hold in your heart. Your grandmother sometime, will see that this is true, if she doesn't already. Also, your family will have to answer for this. Maybe not today, or tommorrow, but trust me, we all have to be accountable. Do what YOU can do, and be who YOU want to be. Don't let someone's negativity hold you back. ((((((HUGS)))))) to you. This is rough. Hope a rainbow comes your way soon.

Choc. catz-- WAHHHOOOOOOO, down with WW. Great job!!

Girlie-- I am going to have to try an eliptical. I still haven't gotten over to do that. Dang, you are whoopin it. I am soooo proud of you. I did 45 on my treadmill yesterday evening, and I was so proud of my self. I started first week in March, going only 15min a time. Now I do it twice a day, and the least is 35. I am trying to walk Maggie at least once, and do the treadmill once a day. My shins are killing me. So, I am not really sure what is causing that? I went to see the trainer at school, who works with the highschool kids. He gave me some advice, and it is helping. Great job!! You inspire me. Saying prayer tonite to St. Joseph. He is the Patron Saint of Husbands, and Providers. I hope the job goes well. Good luck.

Weigh-in is tommorrow. Wish me luck. Rainy today, and tommorrow, so recess is indoors. YUCK.

Love to all
Sandi

Good morning all,
I will be brief this am. I have to work today and didn't set the alarm early enough. Sounds like everyone had a great w-end and Mothers Day. I'm still op. I weight in yesterday and I'm down 4lbs.


Sandi: great job walking... I'm glad to hear Maggie Jane is up to walking again.

Spore: CONGRATS!!! 3lb down.. WAY COOL... Tackling one change at a time is easier to become comfortable with. I'm fond of brown rice and wild rice, But it took a while to get used to it. Now I don't even consider white rice. It just takes time.

Girlie: good luck to dh on job..

Holly: I bet your yard does look wonderful. Ours does till mid july. Then it gets so hot everthing dies. We water but it's never enough. I hope everthing settles down with your family. Stress can be so damaging.

Chocolate: WOW!!.. Fantastic loss 4.5 lbs Now thats a real moral booster... Good Job.

Susie: Welcome back. I'm a long ways from 199. But I really enjoy all the company getting there.


Everyone have a blessed day.

Good morning everyone.
I quite pleasantly dont have much to say! Good day yesterday. Good sleep. Good morning so far!!!
Supposed to get rain today which will water the grass seed I planted!

Spores~ have you looked into holistic exercises etc for the TMJ? If you are losing then you are doing something well. Embrace the success!!!!!!

Sandi~ I am on School Council but it is general. we have 300 kids in the whole school.
I LOVE being a part of it tho.Thanks for teh time and thought you give my ramblings. I aapreciate the feedback. My Grandma is aware of the negativity and thinks it is a joke(water off her back) I guess I wonder more abut it on a deeper level. I realize most people dont think this way. I do know that I wont and never have played along with the "rules" of engagement in my family because it hurts my heart.I am okay with all of this. I put it out there and however it ends up is okay with me.
What I do know is I dont have to drink a bottle of wine every evening to get to sleep to quiet the voice in my head.My inner voice is usually quite peaceful.

Susie~ I have noticed that I buy "treats" for the kids and I truly believe at the time that is what I am doing , then I eat it at night. So now I am asking. Who is this really for?
I have always had a close relationship with an older woman who never had kids. She is a dear, dear friend and w will always share a special bond. These relationaships are WONDERFUL for everyone involved.

Ccatz~congrats on the loss!!! A great success.

JODI&ANNIE DO CHECK IN!!!!!!!!

Debbie~ had to go out for the bus..... You are doing great,losing steadily. 4 lbs is fantastic!!!!!!!!!!

Sandi: Wow, I can’t believe you walk twice a day! That is impressive. Maybe that’s why your shins are hurting. I think we tend to forget to stretch the muscles there (I don’t even know what they’re called!). Stretch stretch! And maybe read up on shin splints – I don’t know much about them, but I think they can be a problem with walking a lot. Thanks for the words of encouragement; I need to claim my success!

Debbie: Glad to hear you’re doing well op!

Holly: I have not heard of holistic TMJ exercises. I’ll have to google tht and see what comes up. My dentist suggested putting a hot washcloth on my face at night, but all it does is get me wet. Glad things are going better for you today.

So yesterday I had a funny setback. I dragged myself onto the treadmill and managed to get going at a pretty good clip and all of a sudden BAM! the power goes out and the treadmill stops! I just about broke my neck! The power came back on in a few minutes, so I started walking again, but about ten minutes later, off it went again! I decided I’d better stay off the treadmill for the rest of the day. So when BF came home, I asked him to take a walk with me, and it was very nice. We walked and chatted and enjoyed the beautiful weather. I am so glad I did that instead of getting frustrated and giving up.

Also, I had stopped recording my food because I ran out of pages in my journal. So yesterday I broke out my FitDay software and started using it! It’s been fun, and I’m glad I didn’t just give up.

Hope everyone is doing well this day!

Dagnabit, I hit a weird key and just lost a lengthy catch-up post. Let's see if I can remember...

Debbie, Spores, Chocolate and whoever else is losing: :bravo:

Holly, I'm so sorry to know that you have to deal with family shi-stuff. Nobody can cut you to the quick as well as your loved ones, right? I know that you won't let somebody else's pettiness get to you.

Sandi--I've been moping around with shin splints for over a week now. My calves are really strong, but I'm not good about stretching the front of my legs, and I really stepped up my walking this past month. This has happened to me before, so I cut back on the long walks, ice my shins and whine a lot.

Girlie, you sound like you're doing great :cb: Susie, I hope you're having a good day.

My TOM weight came and went last week, hooray, and I should be able to post a lost this weekend, despite not going to the gym much (shins hurt like the dickens) or doing a lot physically. I'm back to my normal eating plan, now that the hormonal craving for sweets is gone, and my social life has slowed up a bit. On Friday I have a job interview that I feel really good about. Even if I don't get (or want) this job, I'm happy thinking that by mid-summer I'll have a different job situation. This year has been filled with stupid stress--as opposed to productive, adrenaline-rush stress. I don't intend to let this happen to me again.

Sorry to be gone so long. Keep up the good work, ladies!

judy

Hey everyone,
I've messed around this am and don't have time for much. Just wanted to wish everyone a great day. I've stayed op, except I did't make it to curves yesterday. I plan to go this am. If I get the move on. I'll do personals later. Off to the shower....

BIG HUGS TO ALL

I sat down and couldn't get up!
That was me last night. Everybody and their brother has been cutting grass out here since the weekend. Lots of pollen floating around.My head is foggy!!!
Good day yesterday. Took the kids bike riding in town after supper. Met another family and the Mom and I walked. There is no place to walk or ride here so I toss the bikes in the van and go to town.
I sat down to watch Idol and didn’t get off the couch till 11.It was restful to say the least. I did gather the trash for this morning.


Finished the revision on the handbook but my printer bunged up, arg! Council meeting tonight.
Only 3 little people today. All of them nap in the aft!!!!!
I ate icecream last night.
It was steamy and humid all day but we didn’t get the rain. I wanted it for my grass seed. Sunny and clear today.
Might do some weeding.
I will do yoga!!!!!!

Have a funky day!!!!

Judy: Glad to see you back, and glad to hear things are going pretty well. Yikes, sorry to hear about the shins. Take care of yourself!

Debbie: Good luck making it to Curves this morning! Go go go!

Holly: Good luck at the council meeting. You do so much amazing stuff!

Yesterday I surprised myself. I had expected to work 8:30 to 4:30, but the evening person called in sick, and my boss asked me to work 8:30 to noon, then come back and do 3:00 to close. I thought I would spend those three hours off eating lunch and messing around on the computer, which I did, but I also got my walk in! Usually I would use the extra work hours as an excuse not to exercise, and I am so pleased I managed to overcome that habitual thinking.

Unfortunately, I turned right around and ate junk for dinner. Chipotle AND Dairy Queen! Bad idea. But here’s a cool thing: This fitday software I’ve been using is pretty detailed. You enter what you eat and what activity/exercise you do, and it calculates all kinds of stuff for you, including this neat graph that shows calories consumed versus calories burned. Now, usually after a fast food binge, I am all discouraged and the week goes downhill from there. But I diligintly entered my fast food naughtiness into fitday, and even though I was WAY over on the calories I’d planned to eat, my calories consumed were still under (barely) my calories burned. It really allowed me to see in black and white (well, blue and pink, really) that falling off the plan does not mean some horrible failure that can never be rectified.

I’ve been feeling quite positive all week (I know, it’s only Wednesday, but still). Maybe it’s because school is out. Maybe it’s because I have started taking a multi-vitamin with plenty of B-6 and B-12. I dunno. But I’m feeling good about it. Thanks to all of you for your support!!

Spores~ ride that wave!!!!!!!

hello chicks!!
no i didn't drop off the face of the earth. i have been spending all of my used to be computer time puttering around outside. by the time i come in the house at night i am bushed! i have parts of the garden planted, weeds are semi under control. the pond is running smoothly and the fish are very happy once again. i had a really BAD week last week eating like a crazed woman. TOM came and i am better now, thankfully moving my butt around a little more helped keep the gain to a minimum. i am doing so far so good this week, taking the best care of me that i can. still busy with baseball and softball games most days after work, fun but time consuming. i really feel like i have been neglecting you all i am sorry. i think of you all very often! i hope the moms all had a nice mothers day, i did. we just puttered around all day. my dd made breakfast and dh made dinner. very nice day!

holly- sorry to hear the family is giving you a hard time. hope it all gets sorted out soon.

spores- good for you walking when the dreadmill gods kept cutting off your power! ROFL keep making good choices!!!

girlie- keep up the good work girl! good luck to DH with the job!! how's softball going?

judy- good luck with the weigh in! sorry to hear about your shins! take it easy!!

debbie- great job!!! keep up the good work!

mychoice- good for you getting some help at work!! i hope sunday was nice for you we are all mothers at heart! the little ones in your life are very lucky to have a special friend like you! i too have gained and lost the same 5lbs for way too many months!! heck i could of been done by now if i could just keep at it. the race is still on! we are going to make it!! stay positive!!!

madcatz- you rock!!! great loss keep with it!!
i have a feeling that i missed someone if i did sorry! big hugs to all!! have a great week!!!
xoxox

Hello Everyone,
It's been a very busy week, but I've not been crazy with it! I've left work all this week by 5:15 pm. Yeah for me!

I haven't gotton in much exercise this week. Only 2 days, but I've got to remember I told myself for the next 5 weeks until school is out, I am only accountable for 3 days of working out, and 3 days of posting. If I get more..great..but somewhere I have to keep that balance.

Hoping for good things at the scales tomorrow night.

Holly: Did you get the thing your were working on printed out? I can't wait until someday when you are a famous writer and all of us "Race" girls come to your book signing.

Debbie: You are doing so well! I'm so happy and proud of you.

Spores: Great job with the fitday and the exercise...keep making those little changes..you are working on a lifestyle here..so they count!

Judy: I hope all goes well with the new job.

Ladies, it's storming here and my Dh is freaking out because I'm on the computer.

Got to run!
Susie

Good morning everyone,
I did fair on food Yesterday til dinner. I made fried chicken, And I ate 2 pieces. I
had a very active day so maybe it won't be so bad. I also love fit day. I keep up with it for a few days then forget about it for a while. I'm going to try again.
Very busy day today. I'll get plenty of activity.

Susie: Take time to take care of yourself. I hope the storm wasn't too bad.
We can have really rough weather in the spring.

Jodi: great to hear you are doing so well. keep in touch.

Spores: Yea!! Keep up the great work.

Holly, Sandi, chocolatecat, and Judy:
Hellllooo.
I just saw how late its gotten I have to
be ready to leave in a few minutes.
Have a great day

I emailed the handbook to the principal and he printed it. I want to thank everyone for their concern about the family woes. It is really okay. I talk about it here because they are one of those niggly things that are in my head, that if I dont let it out it eats at me.It is not the biggest thing in my life.
Our glorious principal is retiring this year and our new principal was at the meeting last night. She seemed very keen and interested. She has been offering to come to school events from now till the end of the year!!!!!!
She wants to call me and discuss the handbook. Cool.
She had good hair and funky jewellery(LOL).Her name is Vivianne(thats cool too) I liked her a lot.

I ate comfort food yesterday(again).sigh.

Gotta feed the boy. Have a good day.

Holly: Thanks for the encouragement!!

Jodi: Glad to see you! Glad your gardens are sprouting; it can be so nice to get out into the dirt. Keep up the grat attitude – you’ll nip that gain in no time.

Susi: Glad work is calming down. Good for you for the 2 days of exercise. You have succeeded right there! Don’t get discouraged – you’re on the right track.

Debbie: Hope your active day is going well. Don’t feel too bad about the fried chicken – today is a new day!

Well, ate badly last night at dinner, but am back on track today. Found out last night that BF has high cholesterol! Yikes! He is awfully young to have any health concerns; we’re not even 30 yet! And his dad was just diagnosed with colon cancer, so he is rather worried about his health. Poor guy. I really want to help him with this and be supportive. No more french fries and cheeseburgers. I am going to really commit to cooking healthy low-fat meals and not giving in to fast-food cravings. It’s funny, I am terrible at doing that for myself to lose weight, but now that it’s a concern for him, I don’t think I’ll have much trouble. It’s funny how easy it is to do things for other people, but when it’s just for me, I balk. We are going to start walking together too. I’m rather excited at the thought of doing this whole healthy/active thing with him. In the past I have not wanted to bother him with it (not that he would mind), and I felt shy and self-conscious about it. But the prospect of doing it together, as a team, makes it so much less daunting. I just want him to be healthy; and me too, of course.

Good morning,
I just realized when I was typing that it was Friday the 13th!! Makes me want to go and rent the movie.

I had my TOPS weigh-in last night. I was down .25 lbs...not much..but I'll take it.

I've got a busy weekend. My family reunion is tomorrow, and it's suppossed to rain. We are having it at the local park. At least we have a shelter house. I just hope the whole day isn't a wash out.

I also have a take home Accounting test. I know that sounds easy, but it isn't. The problems take a long time to work out, that's why she lets us take them home. The last test took me 4 hours to complete.

My TOPS group put out a challenge for next weeks weigh-in that we have all losses. The last two weeks have not been good for us. So, that's the challenge. We are calling it, all in the black...meaning that the weight recorder will not have to use her red pen. So, I need to work hard on that this weekend.

Holly: That's great about the handbook.

Spores: I'm really excited about you and BF being able to work on this healthy lifestyle together. I think it will be a big help to you.

Jodi: I missed responding to your post the other day. You should take a picture of all your gardening for us. I'm starting to get interested in it. I"m not much of an "outside" chore person, but I'm starting to like to look at flowers and such and I think to myself, I should just try that. I did some planters last summer and will be doing some more. My Father-in-law loves to garden and plant, so he's helping me.

Debbie, Girlie, Judy...and anyone else I'm missing....hope you are all doing well.

Ok..ladies...got to run.

I won't be around much this weekend. Hopefully I'll make it here on Sunday.
Susie

What am I stuffing down?????
I have been eating things like icecream mid aft and again before bed.I made roast beef, potatoes and gravy the other night. Definitely comfort food. As with anything it is never simple or any one single thing. Physically it is allergies. This is the worst time of year for me. Meds help but I drag and I get a little down. I just plain dont have my usual energy. In the evenings all I can do is lay down and rest by about 9pm.
I feel frustrated. I think I am craving carbs for the energy. If I was thinking I would grab some fresh veg!
It makes me sad that my family does not value me. As a parent I can not imagine not going all the way no matter what it was my kids needed.I dont make it about me and as exhausting as it is I never dont want to be the best parent I can. My son is a royal pain in the ***. I cant imagine thinking, saying or behaving as if it was too hard to be his parent. That was my childhood. AND i was not as difficult as my son.
Breaks my heart.
So 40 years into this life I still have underlying feelings of ......... something. Loneliness. Disappointment. Why am I so hard to love?......
The upside is that I am true to myself, totally love myself, deeply loved by hubby and my kids, loved by the friends who matter......................it is good balance.

Anyhow those are today’s thoughts. I will give them wings and not eat icecream for lunch today!!!

Hello Ladies....

I have missed so much I cannot possibly do personals, however I read every one of them. You all sound great. Even the negative isn't that negative. Congrats to all.

I was sick last week with the URI, ear infection, and sinus, missed one day at my new job. I hated that. I felt guilty but was truly sick. This week has been better, however have ate like a pig, and am starting to oink.

Did not make it to TOPS last week, was sick, and this week I had my standing hair appt., which I got moved from Tuesday to Thursday, so I won't miss anymore TOPS meetings. A little scared to step on the scales, for fear of failure. I can tell it will be bad cause my panties don't fit me well.

Anyway, all have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs Annie

Annieeeeeee!!!! missed you. You have til next Tues to pull it together. Start right now!!!!

Hello everyone...I'm SO sorry for being so...well, gone!
Today has been kinda crazy. Computer crashes, billing and I accepted a job offer...

...so the next two weeks are going to be crazy with trying to roll over my projects and duties to someone else and getting everything updated and ready to transition.AHHH

BUt I start vacation on May 25th, and will be gone until June 4th...then I start my new job on June 6th.

Very eventful and stressful yet exciting. I just keep thinking...two weeks from today, I'll be in rural Virginia, enjoying the mountains, the small town and southern home cooking....GULP...did I say that?!!!!

Our computer crashed at home as my husband was working on his final paper to graduate from grad school...so, I doubt I'll be able to update at all this weekend.

So have a great weekend all, and I'll post on Monday.

girlie

Hi, I've just joined up and I'd love to be 199 sometime soon! I'm trying to focus on getting fit and eating more fresh fruit and veg rather than following any particular plan. I'm just about able to run 5km now, so I'm hoping to keep that up to get the weight falling off. It's worked so far, so I'm hoping I can keep it up!

Welcome YP1!!!!! You are doing great!!!!!!!!

To the Dump, the dump the dump,dump dump.........
Spring cleanup day!!!!! The trailer is full for trip 1! I am feeling all the bunged up karma flowing away!!!!! Weeeeeeeee

Going to get my hair done...ALONE! DD is at a sleepover DS is hanging out with Daddy!!!!!!!!!!
Rainy day. I got lots of cleaning done yesterday. More today. Paint those darn stairs.
Had a big long sleep.
I didn’t eat icecream for lunch but I did eat WAY too much bread. One step forward. Another one today.

GIRLIE!!!!! wow and yeah!!!!!!!!!

Have a groovy day chicks!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Morning Ladies,

Boy I have been swamped with school. Late nights getting ready for the last week. 4 school days and counting. It snowed this morning in ND, and my tulips look awful chilly out there.
Weigh-in was Tues. didn't lose, didn't gain. I was bummed. But, I do know I am responsible for that. Last week, was Educators week, and for some reason, administration thinks we would all LOVE food in the teachers lounge EVERYDAY. So, needless to say, nibble nibble, and no weight loss. :devil:

I have missed all of you, and thought I would get to post, so now it is going to take forever to do personals. I will try.

Holly- YOU are loved, valued, and respected. I hope you can take that to heart, and just mark off the other day as a YUCKY day. :grouphug:

Welcome YPI, you will love it here. We are a great support staff and we have great listening ears. Welcome to the Race.

Girlie--Congrats on new job. I am thrilled for you. Bravo

Annie, glad you are back. I have wondered about you. Sorry about your illness, that is no fun.

MyChoice2bfit-- congrats on the loss, any loss is better than a gain. Take it and be thrilled as it was 3 #.

Spores, sorry about your BF family and his cholestrol. You both will inspire each other and be strong when one is not. That is wonderful. Have fun

Hi Debbie- I've used fitday, and i find it cumbersome. I need to take some time and really try to get it to work easier.

justjodi--isn't that the way TOM can be. Last month, I grabbed a small choc. bar, and put it in the jacket pocket that I wear out to recess. It is there still, however, I put there because I wanted to eat it. I knew it was always going to be there, and I have been fine knowing if I want it, it was there. It is still in my pocket a week later, and I am just at peace somedays knowing if I want it, it is there. very weird I know. Obsessive/Compulsion?

Ladies, have a good weekend. Get love, rest and whatever else you need.

We aren't going racing this weekend. It snowed, so we are going to go into Grand Forks, and just do some errands. I'll check in soon.
Love Sandi

Hi, thanks for the welcomes. I'm 3lb down on last saturday, unfortunately last Sunday was a freakily low weight and I ill advisedly took that as my weigh in instead of Saturday (the vanity of it) so based on that measurement I've stayed the same over the week. Still, it's better than gaining.

I've been running and swimming this morning, have just done a bit of light gardening (mowing the lawn) and will probably go for a walk later so I'm feeling very virtuous. The fridge is full of fruit and veggies too, although that doesn't necessarily mean I'll eat them all...

Dear Chicks,
I need you very much right now. I am very angry, relieved ,happy, sad and I want to hug my Grandma.
I definitely know what I have been “stuffing down”.

I received an email form my Aunt and I have replied. It is sooo over.
Here it is. Needing a collective hug in a huge way!!!

H,( this is from the Aunt)
Although I was not going to respond to your emails from last Sunday and Tuesday, I have decided that there are a few things that you need to know.

I will respond firstly, to your Tuesday message.
Perhaps you need to pay attention to your own words of advice and “Do” rather than just “Dish out.” I think, if you went to take a course on caring for the elderly, the very first lesson would probably be that a must is to be very discrete when a person has confided in you.
As far as communicating, I think that has been done.

I will comment on your Sunday email even though I am still almost too angry to do so.
I cannot believe that you were so cruel and inconsiderate of your Grandmother when you wrote all of her business to more than me. How could you do this to someone that you care so much about? If I choose to show her or read to her your email, it would kill her. All this to get at me? The whole email was pretty well irrelevent to anything I said or asked you. I am aware what you do. I am aware of what B does. I am aware of what I do as well. Besides these things that are done on a regular basis, there are other things that need doing. They have been mentioned to you and others and have not been done. The 3 things that I talked about in the email to you were what I did in 2 days(not a week). They were looking after cleaning curtains, arranging for a painter, and cleaning the basement. The only one you may not have known about was the basement. I thought I was doing you a favour by asking you to look at some poles rather than just throw them out. I thought maybe I was doing you a favour by putting them out for you if you did not want them. Apparently not. If you did not understand what I was talking about, would it not have been more appropriate to be in touch with ME to find out what I was talking about?

I am at a stage in my life where I have to look after my own health and have decided that it is time to make some changes. I am just not finding it in my heart to forgive you for what you did to your Grandma. I have also decided that, after about 30 years of taking verbal abuse from you, I am not doing it any more. I have so many friends both young and older who care about me, respect me and don’t really think that I am all that bad. You seem to be able to dish out abuse and then tomorrow is a new day and it is all over. For me, it takes longer to get over the hurt. I have tried to do so to keep peace in the family. I have decided that I am not doing it any more. For now, at least, I do not want to have you in my life. I would appreciate it if you didn’t contact me in any way. I love your children and will continue to support them. I know that it may be difficult at times to be in the same building but you can just ignore me. I have not told Grandma what you wrote, but have told her that you wrote some pretty awful words and sent them out to many people. I also told her that I do not want anything to do with you.

My advice to you would be to be careful about what you write about other people and send out all over. One day you may find it gets you into a lot of trouble. M.

and from me........

Well, that must feel good. I think it is the first time you have ever been honest with me in 40 years. I am quite relieved.
You have accused me of the very same things you have done so I guess it is a draw.(projection?).
I ,unlike you, have nothing to hide from you, Grandma or anyone in my life. I emailed concerned family members, whom you have alienated with your negativity.This is about Grandma’s care and certainly my father needs to know these things. Everyone has had to listen to you for years and has bad feelings about it. It is better in the open.You have NOT communitcated what has needed to be done clearly to anyone!

I was not trying to get at you.I dont play those kinds of games. I was trying to let everyone know that you cant handle it and they need to wake up and step in.

My children do not need your love or support. We are a family unit and come as a whole package. Besides, if you were never capable of loving and supporting me, how can you possible give that to my kids? They are a part of me too.
I also, have many people in my life who love and appreciate me. You will not be missed.

Funny, I have been forgiving you and turning the other cheek all my life. Amazing, that a wise, educated, Christian person like yourself can’t do the same.

We may be on an even playing field now, but ask yourself, how fair was it to to be petty and cruel to a young child and teen? You are 22 years older than me and you were an adult, I was an innocent child.

I do like and admire some things about you. I have genuinely tried( for years) to love you as part of this family.I have also been very forgiving and tried to understand you but it is hard when you are not open and honest with me and ALWAYS play games.

How can you say you love your Mother and say and do the things you do?? H

Holly, I'm so sorry that the drama continues. Here's a hug: :grouphug:

judy

Holly,

:grouphug: I am here for you. I know that confrontations are extremely painful.

It may be a little overwhelming right now, but don't lose track of your self, your goals, your ideas, and your sucess. YOU are strong, she apparently was a weak link. Let it go, get on track, and know you are supported and cared for here. As hard as it is, try not to pull other family members into this. They will see her for who she is on their own. More times than not, they (family) already knew it. :ziplip:

Sending a TON of love to you, :balloons:

Hopefully, tommorrow there will be NO rain.:rain:

Love to you
Sandi

Afternoon everyone,
Hope everyone is having a great sunday.
I've not done too well this week on my food. Bad choices. Still working on portion control. I know when I weigh in mon nite I'll be up. DARN IT!!!
Just been puttering around today. Did some light mending. Good grief.., I lead a dull life. I never have anything interesting to post.

Holly: BIG HUGS!! My prayers are with you. I hope you feel them. Embrace the loved ones you are close to. Know that you are loved and appreciated.
I only have one aunt living and she absolutly hates me and only because she hated my mother. If she had had her way I would not have been able to attend my father funeral. It still hurts to know how she feels. I have no parents, grandparents or aunts and uncles living except her. I have 1 sister and 1 brother. I'm the oldest.
So I hold my little family close.

YPI: WELCOME.. and CONGRATES on the loss.

Sandi: snow? It really makes you realize how far apart we are. I'm running my a/c. My tomato's are the size of golf balls. I've been thru ND several time and liked it alot, except for being in whiteout conditions a couple of times. (A truckers nightmare)
Fitday can be a real challenge. I've never heard of some of the food listed. I had to enter most of my own.

Girlie: I wish I was brave enough to try a new job. Mine is so deadend and
very low paying only plus is the working outdoors and the walking. And thats not a plus in August.

Judy, Annie, Susie and anyone else I missed: Hope you are all doing well.

Hello all…
I would like to join in if I may!?!

I have been on various threads over the past year of so and just saw this one and it fits for me! I was once up to 320, but lost about 80 some years ago…..now I find that when I don’t watch what I eat I fluctuate up to 245-250, but with diligence and work I can get it down to 235….but then seem to get stuck……I am 43 and I know age does not help!!!

Oh well, my goal is to get to 190…a weight I think I could live with…..I once was done to 130…but never could maintain that….I just want to be a comfortable weight, feel good about myself, and not to have to wear plus size clothes!!! Right now I am an XL, 1X, or 18-20, but would love to be a L or 16…doesn’t seem unreasonable does it???

Well like I said I am 43, single, no kids, just 3 cats. I work in education and am looking forward to some time off VERY soon!!!!

I am happy to join you!
Lilybutt

Welcome Lilybutt!! I am not always an emotional trainwreck!! LOL!

Thank you chicks. I adore you.
My emotions have been all over the place today. Swinging from extreme happiness to deep anxiety. Church this morning was very emotional and powerful for me. I am feeling incredibly close to my husband and children. I went to give my Grandma a perm today and was there for 3 hours. It was peaceful being there. I actually fell asleep when she was under the dryer. I feel sad but haven't put my finger on why. I am focussing on the positive things in my life, like you chicks, and the appreciation I get from our minister, and school principal for the work I do there.It seems that every time I let go of part of my past I find a new deeper connection with my husband. I love that.
This is the life I dreamed of as a little girl and the life I waited for and then fought for....dreams do come true. I will let my heart be filled with the blessings of my marriage and sweet babies.

I just recieved an email from my sister. About once aweek I email family to let them know whatw e are all up too. I did email about being sad about the anniversary of Ben’s death.
I am on a low dose anti depressant.
This is just crazy to me...maybe I am crazy.
Here it is!


Hi,

How’s it going? I have received some interesting information that struck close to home. I felt I needed to share it with you. I hope you use it to better educate yourself and don’t dismiss it.

Someone had just recently been dignosed with having anxiety and being borderline clinically depressed. They were put on antidepressents. Unfortunatlly they were the wrong meds or they were miss diagnosed. The person ended up in the hospital on life support after trying to commit suicide.

With doing further reseach I have discovered that this is a serious side effect of most antidepressents( mine being probally the highest ) I couldn’t remember the name of your medication so I couldn’t check it out. I hope you are still working in close contact with your doctor and trust his diagnose.

I would being lying to you if I didn’t let you that a few of your group emails you have sent out have worried me.
They sometimes are a little manic and I am concerned about your well being. I’m here to help and support you anyway that I can even if its just listening.

Talk to you soon, have a good week with all the little monsters. Are you planning to come to the cottage at all this weekend?

Tata for now
B

This is where i am really at!...I had a short deep sleep last night. Woke up with a huge realization.
If my aunt and parents have a problem with me from when I was a child and are still holding a grudge they really need to look to themselves. They obviously did not handle it effectively and certainly did not bring my failings to my attention or discipline me or teach me a better way to be. I have raised myself since I was 10 years old and I learned mostly through trial and error.I did okay as far as I am concerned.

My weight is way down,228 again. I am feeling great and in control. Food has been good, easy actually. No snacking, no sweets.

I do have a bit of an emotional hangover.
Storytime today. A full house of kids(8). It is very tidy.Good place to start from.
I did get the 2nd coat of paint on the stairs!!!! Feeling good about that.

Love to you chicks!!

Lilybutt, you and are have a lot of similarities. My 'set-point' (remember those?) has shifted up a little higher with each passing decade. It used to be around 200 in my late twenties, which was horrifying, and now it's in the 230s, where coincidentally I am stuck this spring. I lost over 70 pounds a few years ago, but couldn't get below 200, and essentially gained 50 lbs or more back. I am fed up with fat!!! If I ever saw 190, I would feel skinny :goodscale , but my long-term goal is settle around 160. I'm looking forward to succeeding on this long journey with your help!

Holly--I'm glad that you're able to focus on the positive today, on the many things that are precious to you and that you can control.

Sandi--Snow on the tulips? How sad! Our tulips came and went a while back, as did the blossoms on the trees. Now it's a riot of azaleas, pansies and all kinds of other flowers.

More later--judy

Holly:
You are going through a lot. :grouphug:
No matter what, you are right, you have your marriage and family to be happy about and support you.

YP1 and Lillybutt - welcome!!!!

Sorry this is so short. I'm so tired today, little sleep...and I guess I'm just worried about making this job transition. I have so many things that I need to do before I leave. I'm just trying to take my time and work on everything slowly until everything on my list is crossed off.

I have a busy week outside of work as well, friends want to hang out, one friend is moving and I'll not see her after I'm back from vacation, and we still need to fix our computer at home and plan our vacation. Even our vacation won't be a total vacation, because we are stopping and visiting family, but we hope to get a couple of "just us" nights in there, hopefully on the VA coast. I'd love to get some time on the beach.

Talk to you later!

Girlie

hi chicks!
i've got no good excuses this time. i've not been taking care of myself. i never want to post when i am not doing well even though i know that is the time i need it most. today is going well so far, i have been doing lots of work outside so the exercise is there but the food. oh yoy the food!! i know what the problem is no planning, giving in to every little whim. feeling like i "deserve" a treat. just plain old not caring for myself. now it is time to put all the knowledge to work and get my butt back on plan!

i am running late so no time for personals at the moment, i'll catch up with you all later hopefully!!

Hello Ladies,

shhhhh YIPPIE, only 3 more contact days, and we are out of school. Wed, is our Kindergarten graduation, I have 3 kids in that class, so that will be a busy day. Thursday my 1st grader, will have her class party, so that will be a huge day. My 2 little pre-schoolers were the hit of the graduation last Tuesday. Summer is soon here, my summer school classes are almost in order. Life is good here. Snow is gone, we hit 65 today. Blessings, blessings, and grace. I love it.
There really is so much to be thankful for in the big picture of life. The people we hold near our hearts, truly know we do, and we see grace everyday sometimes we recognize it, sometimes not.

Holly----Life is really mysterious. I am praying for you, and really holding out that you will survive this. It is a loss knowing you and your Aunt are estranged. But, Life does go on, and you HAVE to do what you need to stay healthy. Be strong, and when you aren't come here, we will help. Love to you today!

Girlie----I chuckled when I read your post about vacation. "not really being a real vacation because of seeing family" . Golly, I feel like that ALLLLLLLL the time. I love my family, but I don't want to have to work so hard to make it fun. It is alot more fun being with friends. Ha ha ha.

judydc--I love azaleas. My pre-schooler parents bought me a huge Martha geranium? It is absolutely lovely. I have it in my garage protecting it from the cool evenings, but hopefully will move it outdoors next week.

Lilybutt----welcome. What do you do in Education? I am in Special Ed. I mainly work with Autistic kids Pre-K-8th grade.

Debbie----I would love, love, LOVE, tomatoes on vine right about now. We don't even have our garden in yet. This weekend. I am soooooo green with jealousy. Hip Hip Horray for you.

Justjodi--- Ok, so you are a bit off track. The ride isn't over. It is just at the blinking intersection with the caution lights annoying you a bit. Roll down the window, turn on the radio, and look at the map. You can do it. We are here for you. ALWAYS. And, we won't tell anyone when you take a wrong turn. Because believe it or not, we are sometimes driving along side of each other. Honking and waving.

I am whipped, got a lot of planning to do in the next day with the Health Sac. So gotta run.

Love Sandi

PS. Our lives are just that. OURS.
Weigh-in tommorrow. Keep your fingers crossed. I have had a great week. Hope it shows.

Hey girls, I know I have been caught up in my own drama these days but I am still with you in spirit.
I am shrugging it of. I am way okay with me and my choices.Just digesting it right now. Tomorrow is a new day.
Hugs to all.

Hello all....

Well weighed myself today and was still at 238.6.....so staying right there....I need to get back into the exercise habit, but it has been freezing here and after being cold at work all day...they turned the heat off for the year??!!??!!!.....all I wanted to do was curl up on the couch with my blanket! But stayed at 1350 cal. today and really had no temptations today....going to be TOM in the next few days, so I am surprised no munchies......I guess I will see what tomorrow brings!

Sandi...I work as a special ed consutlant at a high school. I work with teachers who teach students with severe disabilites...so high school students with autism on occassion....love my job!

Sounds like tomorrow will be nicer so I will get out for a walk!

Lilybutt

Good morning,
It's barely 6am and I just started my 2nd load of laundry. I have to work again today. I'm glad I need the hours. I keep hoping they will put me full time.
The scale didn't move last nite. Just very glad not to have gained. I Only went to curves twice last week. I plan to go this am.
I tried the new diet coke with splenda. I loved it. The other companies will soon start to use it also. I figure it is about time for the generics to start showing up. Splenda has been on the market for several years now.
Lillybutt: WELCOME...I truly know what you mean about the set point. I've only been under 200 once in the last couple of decades and couldn't maintain.

Holly: wishing you a good day!!!

Girlie: That is great that you planned some personal time on your vacation. DH doesn't understand that. His idea of a vacation is visiting his family...period.

Jodi: Good to hear from you. We miss you when you don't post for a few days.

Susie: If you are reading these we miss you also.

WOW.. so many teachers and me with no spell check..

Everyone have a great day.

Good Morning! (literally)
Life goes on.......
I had a meeting at the school at 7 last night with our new principal about the handbook and then scooted to the church for a congregational meeting. We are sorting out some communication issues. Setting up a person to connect with who will connect with the minister.It might end up being me with a team.
Out of the blue after the meeting my co SS person, started talking about what a loving and patient parent I am and how lucky my son is to have me for a parent.She said it bring tears to her eyes to see how much work I put into keeping him grounded and connected and happy. She went on to tell me how much my home reflects how much I love my husband and children and how it is like walking into a warm hug when you come in the door, it is an oasis of love.
My heart needed that!

My daughter was up sick to her tummy from 1am on. I am tired. Lots of thinking time. DH and I were up late talking too. He said all the right things.He “gets” me. That’s a good thing, lol, cause he is stuck with me. We really connected.
I wrote my Grandma a card and mailed it,telling her how much she means to me and how much I love her. I put her pic on my desktop on the computer to remind me of what matters.
I blocked the other’s email and IM.
There is a layer of sadness but not pain.
4 kids today, including DD( should be in school). She just woke up and is laying on the couch.
I really didn’t eat yesterday. Some fruit and crackers, lots of water and tea( chamomile). Unusual because I eat a lot when I am sorting through big emotions. Maybe it is really shifting.

Jodi :( turn that frown into a smile :) .Keep posting, even through the slumps. A big boost coming your way!!
Annie :wave:
Susie :wave:
Judy~ you are right. In my 20's I was always around 170, then up until kids 190, since kids I get down to 228 and dont seem to go lower...... 190 here I come!!! :dance:
Lilybut~ I am in the same boat. i turn 40 this summer and it is IS harder. I have to watch it too or I will bounce up to 240 in a blink. Nice to see you posting :cb:
Sandi~ I HAVE felt your prayers and I am honoured that you give me your time and energy. It is deeply appreciated. :grouphug: I love you level of understanding and insight. I value it!!
Girlie~ thanks for the hug and vote of confidence. :cheer:
Beach time with the hubby sounds devine!!!
YP~ :wave:
My love to you glorious women.

Time for a :coffee2: :coffee2: :coffee2: !!

Holly -
You gotta do what you gotta do to get over this, and move on in your life. People are so complex and sometimes, you may never connect well with another person. Just let go. Words and feelings get intertwined and sometimes silence is the best answer.

Debbie -
Wow, up early and productive! That's good! I hope you can continue to get more hours as well. It can be stressful worrying about that type of thing. Do what you can, take care of yourself and make sure you don't get caught up in a whirlwind. Or at least that's what I tell myself when I'm starting to get a lot going on - like right now!

Lily -
Interesting job! I'd love to work at a high school. There are so many things I'd like to do in general. You must have a lot of patience.

Sioux -
DH and I are but aren't looking forward to the trip. It's nice to get out, but I know we will be totally exhausted from all the family and stuff. He's never met my grandparents, and we've been married for 18 months. So, off we go! I know what you mean though - Dh usually considers a "vacation" going to a national battlefield LOL. But this trip will have a bit for him, a bit for me, and lots of family.

Jodi -
Oh, I know how you feel. I try to make it a point of posting even through I'm not OP...which is usually these days!

Girlie

Howdie All,

I have been so bad lately....moving on from that.

Holly - I am so sorry to hear about your family woes. It is difficult and I really don't know how to comfort you, only that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Lilybutt - welcome to the best journaling support you can find. and I love your name.

Jodi - I know exactly how you feel about feeling rotten about dieting and exercising then stearing clear of this place to journal, when we need it the most. I am praying for us all to gain composure.

I go back to TOPS tonight. I am dreading it, as I know I have gained back all my efforts. So tonight is my "re-start" (like my 548th time). I just wish I could keep the motivation going for longer than a month.

The kids and I are going to Graceland in July to see Elvis. ;^) Only for a few days, however long enough to get away, and come back refreshed. My daughter has wanted to go there since she was about 5, now 19, so it is time I think. haha.

Hello to all I missed, stay focused, and OP.

Hugs to all, extra hugs to Holly and Jodi.

Annie

Thanks gals!!! Annie, there is nothing for you to do. The fact that care enough to read my stuff and keep me in your prayers goes way beyond my wildest dreams!!!!!!

Spores???? How are you?????

Hello everyone, I'm still trying to keep track of who's who and who's doing what on here!

I've been busy racking up my running impressively in the past few days, running 5k regularly and feeling that 3k is a short run, also adding in hills. I'm very impressed, I looked back at my diary from September last year and saw what I was proud of achieving then exercise wise with what I can do now and I'm amazed how much fitter I am. Even if I don't lose a pound more that has to be good for me (and if I carry on running I will do). I've been eating relatively well. Have been struggling with random cravings and a sudden dislike of fruit/veg, but I'm sure it will pass and I'm trying to at least make sensible choices, even if it's not quite what I'd like to eat.

Sounds like everyone's busy, keep on sticking with it!

Hey YP! Race ya to 227!!! LOL!

I'm 227.5 if that gives me an edge...

AW Man!!! :sp: :stress: :ebike: :D

Hey gals,

I am 29 and facing the battle with my weight for the second time. I had lost 85 lbs and saw that wonderful mark on the scale that says 198. Aw, that was such a great day. Then I allowed life to get in my way and here i am again at 276. I have had good success in the past with watching calories and exercising, so that is what I am sticking with on this, my last, commitment. I started three days ago, and I am already feeling better. I have exercised induced asthma, so that makes things interesting, but I truly feel great after working out.

Thank you all for being here. Wow, it is nice to have company on a lifelong journey!!

Annie:
Don't worry about the re-starting thing. That is my problem too. When I could afford to go to Weight Watchers, I would get too embarassed to go back. It sounds silly because places like that and TOPS should be absolutely the most non-judgmental place you can go. But I always fail to go back.

YP:
I am quite amazed at your running. I wish you lived near me and we could to for runs. Well, at least, you could kick my butt and get me to run again. I haven't run a 5K in a few years, not to mention, I'm afraid to try running again. I think of the number 230-something and think someone at my weight shouldn't be running! But I miss the feeling, and it's a great way to beat stress and exercise and challenge yourself. My husband and I used to go for late- night runs when we were dating, and I was around 190 then. Even when I play softball on Friday nights, I run the bases and get a little winded, and feel my shins burning just from that. Do you have any tips for me?

Gonna:
WELCOME! Please stay and hang out with us. As you can see, we talk about everything! A great group here!

Talk to everyone later!

Girlie

hello chicks!
first of all thank you so much!! i know this is the place i need to turn when i can't get it together. all of your support is wonderful! today was good. i think i can do this! i really need to do this. i am the only one stopping myself from reaching my goal. i have a very supportive family who will eat whatever i throw in front of them, diet or not. i also have all of you behind me and that is wonderful. the people at WW are totally supportive and positive. i have a wonderful supportive email friend who cheers me on through thick and thin. so why is it i can find so many excuses not to do this? lol

annie- like you i am at start # 580 something. we are going to do this!! congrats going back to tops tonight! i am going back to WW on saturday am. oooohhh elvis's place? sounds like a blast!!

girlie- thank you!! i'm going to try harder to peek in when i am not being a good girl. maybe someone will slap the chocolate bar out of my hand lol

gonna- welcome!! you most certainly are right on time!! great bunch of support in here!! you can do this!! we are all going to do this!!

yp1 - welcome! great job running!! keep up the great work!!

holly- thank you! i need the boost! good for you putting g-ma first and forget the rest. sometimes family is just too much to worry about. take care of the DH and little ones, all the rest will sort themselves out!

debbie- well aren't you the early bird? good for you going to curves! keep up the good work!

lillybut- you must be very special. my 10yo DS is autistic and all of his teachers are angels. good job staying within your cals!! keep it up TOM will come and go!

sioux- thank you! beep beep big wave!! i might be a lap down but i am still in this race!! glad school is almost done! enjoy!!

hope you all have a great night!! hello to everyone i missed!!

1338 cal today.....and even had an ice cream cone from McD's! I have found the past week or so that my urge to eat has really subsided...not sure why exactly...but I used to not be able to make it to lunch...but now I am so that is good!

Kind of had a bad day emotionally though, my ex BF wrote me a nasty email about how I am wasting my life going out with the guy I am seeing and how I am better than that....just made for a bad night and a bad day....shesh he dumped me for someone else and I really am not sure who made him my judge and jury all of a sudden......Actually from the words in the email....it appears that he has been getting into either my email or a mutual friend's......he used words and said things he had no reason to know....so all new passwords! What a hassle! I am sure he could make a good guess at what mine was....and I know he knows the mutual friends.....so we won't communicate by email anymore! I tell you one more word from him and I am going to a lawyer for a restraining order.....I could purge more here, but I hate to drudge up the past!

YP….I envy your running…my knees just can’t take it!

Holly …..I love your signature “I do not need permission to be myself” I LOVE IT!!!!!

Well sleepy tonight so heading to bed soon!

Have a good day!

Lilybutt

Here is todays epiphany...I am honestly and truly the happiest I ever remember being in my entire life and my family thinks I am abusive and off my rocker. Do ya think they would know happiness if it jumped up and bit them on the ***??? I dont think they want me to be happy.......It would be better if I was stuck with my head up my butt and be the same as them. I just realized how much I shake up their shaky foundation and they are scared and isn't fear what all the negative stuff in this life boils down to?


Anyhow.........Jodster, happy to see you here. I didn't know your son was autistic...did you know he has a very special Mom ,who is an angel too.
I am starting over too, again. And I will keep starting over til I get it right dammit!!!
Gonna~ HUGS and Welcome!!!! You will love the chicks here!!!
Lilybut~That stinks! Dont let the drama get you down. Be true to you!!!!!
Hang onto your success!!!!!

Hugs!
Debbie will be up in few hours!! LOL!

Good morning,
Yes, Holly. I'm up. Dh is out the door. Once again it is quite. I had a good day yesterday. I made it to curves. Ate fairly well. I had my carb freedom yogurt for bfast then ate the little south beach chicken ceasar wraps and sf jello. Dinner
I had turkey, very little dressing. and broccoli. oh yeah, and a small spoon of cranberrys. I ate it on dgs's mcdonalds plate. That the smallest plate in the house. After dinner ds1 and I went for a walk. I have a great place to walk. Our lane is a 1/2 mile dead end. If I go right out of the drive it is a 1/4 mile gentle down grade. Great for a warm up. When I turn and pass my drive the climb gets steeper, so It's a bit of a challenge. Then I have a chance to cool down on the way back.

Ypi: On the way back down that hill. I decided to try running. I might of gone 500 ft before I gave out. It felt good so I'm going to try adding a couple of little sprints in the middle of my walks. I have to start very slow. I'm 50 and weigh 274.


Holly: Good move shutting out all the negative contacts with your family. Get yourself to a happy place. Your immediate family needs you...and us. :>).

Lilybutt: great job keeping cals under control. I'm just trying to get portion size under control...PHOOIE on ex-bf.
Do like holly just shut him out. You don't need the negativity.

Gonna: WELCOME!.. We are about the same weight. Oh, I wish we were about the same age ..lol. I'm trying to get to 250 before 9/1.

Sandi: I'm sure you are very busy with end of school stuff. I wanted to say hi.

Spores, susie: Hope ya'll are well. We miss you guys. Hope to hear from ya'll soon

I'm going to curves again this am. Got to go start getting ready.

BIG HUGS EVERYONE

Good Morning, Good Morning....Thought I would post before boss gets out of meeting today. ;^)

YP1 - Wow, all that running, you impress and inspire me. Getting out to even walk is major for me. haha. Great job!

Gonnabefit - Welcome to the most wonderful place for support, not just fitness, but any kind of fitness, mental, physical, emotional, you will absolutely love it here, no one is judges, and all are happy to help.

Girlie - Thanks for the great support, and yes, we will re-start as many times as it takes to do this.

Jodi - We can do this re-start, oh yeah, you, me, girlie, hollster, may the forces be with us! Let's gettem girls...

Lilybutt - Sorry to hear about your ex. Sounds like it is best he is an ex. Probably regrets letting you go, so wants to make you feel bad about your new relationship and make you the bad guy. Poo poo to him.

Holly - You go girl. Joy to the World. The heck with negative, unsupportive people/family. If you and your DH, kids are happy, that is all you need.

Debbie - You to inspire me, going to curves regularly, then walking at home, you rock! Using a smaller plate is a great idea too!

Spores, Susie and all others - hello and how are you?

Well....TOPS changed their weigh in time due to an area meeting somewhere else, and I missed the weigh in, then there was no meeting, and missed it all mostly because of the stinkin' construction traffic on 465. What normally takes me 20 minutes, took me 50 minutes, however, the re-start is in day 3, feeling good, going strong. I am going to do this. YES YES YES

Got to get to work, boss will be here in 4 minutes. haha

Have a terrific day!

Hugggggsss Annie

Okay, girls, I got on the scale at the gym last night and that glorious thing had decreased!!! 3.5 lbs. I know part of it is probably water weight coming off, but I will take any sign of progress I can get ;)

Hope everyone else is feeling well today. I feel much better than I have for months. I always feel so much better when I exercise, more energy, more alert, everything.

I have finally picked a time in my schedule that looks like it will work consistently for exercise. DH switched jobs and now has to be in bed most nights by nine, so off to the gym I go. No guilt to deal with, just a great workout!! I have always hated feeling like I was avoiding other things, or planning other things I should be doing in my head while I am at the gym. Last night I was just able to do my workout.

So, now on to work for the day. But hey, it's all good. Smile!!!

Thank you all for the warm welcome. It is nice to have people that "get" what is going on with you!!!

:strong:

Good morning ladies,
I've really been missing you guys..just a few more weeks and I'll be back here more.

I'm having trouble with my back. I went to the Chiropractor on Monday and I'm still in pain but not so much as on Monday. I'm going again today. It's really slowing me down.

I'm doing ok with the food..but this week the exercise is not happening.

I'm reading all the posts. Sorry for no personals at this time. Just wanted to thank you all for keeping me inspired.

Susie

Hi, everyone who's interested in my running - it's amazing how quickly your fitness can build up if you just do a bit more each day. No need to take it too fast (both in terms of building it up and literally - most people would probably consider my speed more of a jog, but for me it's a **** of a lot faster than I ever dreamed I could go so I'll call it a run. Although on that point what I used to consider fast I now do consider a jog, so I'll get there eventually!). I never dreamed I'd ever manage 5k, let alone be seriously considering running further. There's no hurry, and the jiggle isn't too bad if you have a decent sports bra, honest! ;)

Hollyhock - see that tracker? ;)

hello chicks!
not a bad day here today! sun is shining it's a little chilly but i love the sunshine. food was good today, i had to re-re start since i couldn't stop myself from eating junk last night before bed. no biggie really, i know as long as i give it my best shot every day eventually it will click. i got a card from WW in the mail today since i missed 2 meetings in a row i guess. i am going back on saturday if it is the only good thing i do for myself all week. i always feel good after i go. it is getting there that's the hard part.

yp1- running or jogging good for you for MOVING!! keep up the great work!

mychoice- hope your back gets better quick! sending hugs your way!

gonna- you are awesome!! wonderful loss keep up the great work! congrats on finding a good time for exercise! i know how difficult that can be.

annie- too bad about the meeting, you sound very positive though! we are going to do this!!! keep it going!

debbie- great job getting to curves! sounds like you have all your ducks in a row!

holly- thanks you are a sweetie! yes my baby (who just turned 10 last month yikes!) is autistic, he is a very special little guy. i am very blessed. i think you hit the nail on the head today about your family. from the sounds of it you are not conforming to "their way" therefore, in their eyes there MUST be something "wrong" with you. if life is good and you are happy then all the rest just doesn't matter! some people just aren't happy unless they are stirring the pot. don't let them get you down!

lillybut- sorry to hear about the ex, don't let it get to you. good job sticking to your plan! keep up the great work!

hello to anyone i missed! have a great evening!

Hi Ladies

Just a quick post. One more day, then one day of meetings, then DONE. Will catch up on weekend.
Weigh-in great, down 3.2

Staying OP. Went to parents house for supper, and all those favorite comfort foods, but really just was fine, being very selective, and cutting all servings to 2-3 bites. Really was happy, didn't overeat, and felt ok.

Still grieving a bit about not eating the foods I love, want, and don't need. But I am committed, and decided that I can control portions, and be healthy. Will take the second one, with loss any day.

Will do personals over weekend.

Sandi

Good morning everyone,
I'm up but not really awake this am. Dh will pack his lunch and stuff and let me sleep, but this time of year he puts in so many hours I like to get up with him so we can have some time together.
I made it to curves and did fair with food. Chinese at lunch, but I stuck to non-fried, less starchy, more veggies, less sugary stuff.
My boss has been gone for 3 days. It's been so quite. She's a loud, has to be the center of attention individual. She's nice. Just much more peaceful when she's gone

Sandi: CONGRATES... That a great loss. Keep up the good job.

Jodi: Restarting is not bad. It's giving up that is.

Ypi: You are a real inspiration!.. I've allowed myself to get in such bad physical condition that before curves. I was having trouble walking and barely could climb stairs. So running seems so far off. but I plan to get even in better shape. When I was young I loved backpacking and one of my goals is to get in good enough shape for a 2-3 day hike.

Susie: Take care! Try some gentle stretches when back feel better.

Gonna: GREAT LOSS!.. I love Oregon. We use to go to Portland a couple times a month or more. I love watching the eagles that nested on the river just past the falls. I really miss the drive thru the Columbia river gorge.

Annie: Yes! you go girl....

Holly: Hope all is well this am. Wishing you warm gentle breezes.

I will may not get a chance to post again til sat so everyone have a great couple of days. Just know that ya'll are in my prayers.

Sun is shining. Dh cut the grass last night the yard looks all fresh and new.
I took the kids for bike rides after supper.Saw some friends.Had a good walk myself.
Got some weeding and hedge trimming done in the aft.
Just 2 little guys today.
Sandi~ WOOHOOOOOOO!!!!
Debbie~ I think it is nice you get up to see DH!!!!
Jodi~ keep restarting honey!!! Someday we will get this right!!!!
YP ~ I am 227 this morning, race ya to 226!!!!!


DS needs a cuddle!!! That is where the heart is , baby!!!!

Woohoo! I actually got out of bed and made it to the gym this morning. I can't go tonight, since the season finale of CSI is on, so I had to compromise. Oh, well!! (oh, and I lost another pound!!!)

Wow, everyone sounds like they are really motivated right now, that is awesome. YP1: I can't even imagine running at the weight I am at today, but I can't wait to be at that point again.

Mychoice: definitely just do what the chiro tells you, been there!! ;)

I can't believe that the final installment of Stars Wars is in the theaters. It seems like it was never going to get here. Now I have to scrimp together my dollars to go. I am not a huge Sci Fi fan, or anything, but Stars Wars is something that I shared with my dad when I was little, and I think I have seen at least the last four in the theaters. Can't break tradition.

Hope everyone has a wonderful, fulfilling, productive day!!! :dizzy:

YP ~ I am 227 this morning, race ya to 226!!!!!


Gah! No chance for a rest!

heeheeheehee :D :strong: :ebike: :wl: :yes: :tread: :goodluck:

Hi, y'll--

If I do personals, I'll never get this posted, so right now I'll just give everyone a big shout-out, and let you know that I have peeked in this week to find out how you're doing. I'm okay, walking a lot, finding new routes from our office's new home, and going to Curves. My eating has been a little scatter-shot. I went to the ball game Tuesday night, and splurged on ballpark food. Yesterday was a gold-star day, but today I ate a sugary scone during a breakfast meeting, and two little cookies at a lunch meeting. Actually, that's sort of par for the course for this whole journey this year--some days are better than others, but even my "bad" days are much, much healthier than before I started.

My job interview on Friday went well, on Monday they asked me to schedule a "final" interview next month. :crossed:

Keep up the great work, ladies! You are my 'sheroes'.

:cheers:

judy

Hello all!

Well feeling a bit better about the ex.....but not really....got me down again today.....but I know that his crap is really his way of dealing with the mistake he made when he dumped me....now he wants me to look bad, instead of him.....oh I need a big boost of self esteem!

Anyway.....doing fine with the eating......but have had headaches the past few days so just not up to par like I should be. I found the new Diet coke with Splenda....I REALLY like it...so went back and bought more today....Yummy.........

Okay I am just going to let the stress go tonight....just because others may think or say nasty things about me does not make me those things......I am my own worse enemy! As Holly says: I do not need permission to be myself

Thanks for listening! Lilybutt

Zippadee do dah. I am feeling light hearted!!! First day in a while.
I am actually having trouble eating enough. It is soooo foreign to me. I am feeling REAL hunger and then going to the kitchen and look around, I grab an apple to think on it, and go about my day. I feel like something inside of me has changed.

My oldest friend told me abut a website for people dealing with Borderline Personality Disorders in their families, her MIL is a LOT like my Mom. She was around my family every day in highschool, so saw parallels. She bugged me for 3 days to read this stuff. I reluctantly did. At first I thought it was pretty extreme, then I got to the message board for people with BPD Mom’s, every person there who talked about their lives, experiences and how they live now, could have been me. So whether or not my Mom has the disorder she definitely has the traits. As far as my “healing” goes I have done most of it on my own over the years but knowing what it is and how it affects me helps lift the guilt and sadness of cutting ties quite a bit more.Which I feel is necessary to my happiness. It also explains my Dad’s role, the Sis and the Aunt who is a lot like the Mom.
I am feeling lighter in spirit and know I will be more fulfilled even if it is hard.
Is is good for me to hear from here and from 2 close friends that my family is odd, I have been told all my life we are superior and everyone else is f*cked. I never bought into it but I have struggled with it. I love these people. I do think they are wonderful in many ways. My issues are more emotional and psychological. Hard to pin point and label.
My Dad told me my “facts” were wrong when I told him my “feelings”. The fact is my feelings are right because they are MINE.
A lot of what goes on for me is a gut reaction. I need to believe my gut. My gut has been telling me for several months that there was something going on under the surface and I was right. I know myself well enough and am in tune well enough to know this and I need to honour it.
Right now this feels like a last piece of the puzzle. I have worked very hard in the last year and a half to put my priorities in order for my fundimental happiness. It started with sorting our friendships, wich evolved into healing some hurts in my marriage, finding support to manage my son’s behaviour and finally letting go of a toxic relationship with my extended family. I still need to establish what the terms of “letting go” are. I am thinking holidays. I have deleted the BXB’s emails etc. I will keep in touch with Dad every couple of weeks with an update of our lives. Just the details no “feelings” involved.I will start there.
I feel taller, I am breathing easier, I am clear headed, no anxiety of waiting for the other shoe to drop......I feel peaceful and empowered.

DH forgot to reset the alarm this morning when he left. It sure is interesting to wake up and realize that the alarm never did go off, and you have fifteen minutes to be out the door. Successfully done, but unsettling nonetheless. DH is very sorry, of course. He leaves for work at 3:30 in the morning :dizzy:

Did okay with food yesterday. We went out for dinner, but I had chicken, though probably way too big a piece. So, onto another day.

Not used to everyone's names yet. Having problems keeping them straight, but it will come to me. Hope everyone has a good and healthy day!!!

Is there an easy way to edit the tracker in the signature, or do you have to recreate it every time you lose weight? TIA for any suggestions.

Lynanne

Hello everyone. I'm quite down in the dumps today. I don't know why. The office is empty today and I'm the only one back here. I've got a couple of articles to write for our company newsletter and I'm not getting any information for my research from people...I'm totally last on their totem poles...so I'm going to try to have to use what I have and try to make something up. I feel a lot of pressure to do this...and I'm not getting much direction as far as how to write these...so I just feel very low and neglected. Not to mention the fact that I have only 3 more days of work here. I have a great new job opportunity but it's kind of sad and depressing to leave here after 7 years, thinking of how I wanted to move up in the company, etc. It's kinda like leaving something "safe" and going onto something new and scary.

I feel sad and neglected, not to mention so busy trying to wrap everything up and make sure everything will be okay when I leave. I just can't help it.

Plus, I'm so worried about money. DH is looking for jobs since he just graduated. Our computer is still down. We have vacation next week and have a good amount of money for our trip, but once we come back, it's all gone and I don't know how we'll make it. I'm thinking we should just cancel the trip and be able to live off of that money for another month while DH looks...but I need to see my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousin and my mother.

I'm so worried everyone. Just about everything. I hate this so much. I was paid today but want to cry because I know once I get home tonite and write out the bills, I'll have next to nothing left.

I know things will get better. It's just where I am, it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Sorry for the really depressing post. I just want to go home and lie in bed all weekend and do absolutely nothing.

Girlie

I haven't been on the boards much lately. One reason is that I've just been extremely busy with work and school. It will be that way until June 14, then I really plan on spending a lot of time with you gals!

I have also been dealing with low back pain this week. I've had adjustments 4 times this week. I'm starting to feel a little better and I can now stand up straight..still lean a little to the left though. I had an x-ray yesterday and the lady who was taking them, came in to check me to make sure I was laying straight, well, I was, but my spine was crooked in the films!

I told myself that when I get back to feeling like I can walk and such correctly, I'm going to begin taking care of my body. I will make my core strong so that my back stays in place. I will loose this fat of my stomach, so that it doesn't pull me out of line. I will never again take my body for granted!

How's everyone else doing? I hope you have a great weekend. My church is celebrating a 10 yr anniversary. It's a huge celebration. We have special music tonight, with fireworks afterwards, Saturday, more special music, picnic on the grounds, and on Sunday more special music, and then a homecoming service that night. The church started 10 yrs ago with 8 people and we now have 1,050 every Sunday..that's our average.

Sorry for no personals, I need to go back and read them, but I want to send out a (((HUGGGG))) to Girlie. It's tough to start something new, and it's scary. So, it's ok to feel that way..but don't let it control you..instead use that energy to work it to your good. I left a job that I had been at for 13 years, some days I miss it alot..other days I'm so glad I left.

Life's about changing...nothing every stays the same!

Have a great weekend!
Susie

Awww Girlie, I am so sorry you feel so badly. Its when you hit rock bottom that you finally come back up. I threw myself down on the floor and just bawled and prayed to God he change things in my life, and lo and behold things changed in my life. I thank the good Lord every day. I pray that you are in His favor and everything you touch is prosperous. He has been so good to me, I know He will be good to you.

Don't mean to get on the religious thing, however He is always there for you.

I have not done well with eating today, and am dissappointed in myself for that. Exercise is non-existant. Get to go to TOPS next week on Tuesday and truthfully looking forward to some structure in my life where weight is concerned.

Leaving for Michigan tomorrow morning to go to my Aunt's (she is 75), wedding. My uncle died of cancer about 6 years ago. My aunt went to her high school reunion and ran into her HS sweetheart about 2 years ago. They have been together ever since and now they are getting married. The look and act about 60, golf every day the weather lets them, go on vacations, really spry. Didn't lose the weight I wanted to before the wedding, but oh well going to have a great time anyway.

Everyone have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs to all, special hugs to girlie.

Annie

Hello everyone, hope you're having a good weekend so far :)

I really gave it some in the gym this morning. I ran/jogged a whole 6.75km (a bit over 4 miles I think), then did weights, then a swim, and my reward is another pound gone. Preferably forever.

Big day of tidying the house and not drinking or doing anything unhealthy, then have to drive over to manchester at stupid o clock at night to pick my mother up from the airport. Who gets flights that land in the early hours of the morning then expects people to go and pick them up???

Hello Ladies,

whew, school is out!! YIPPIE,:dance: I am happy, kids were all happy:D, life is good. I am exhausted, but am happy we had a good year, and I learned alot. Amazing what kids can teach us if we listen.
YPI--Great workout. I feel a little lost without my schedule, but I am determined to keep at it.
Annie--Have a great time at the wedding. DH grandpa, did this a few years ago. It was hard on DH's mom, but since everything is fine. DH grandma died of cancer a few months before we married.
My Choice--Sorry to hear you are having low back pain. Have you ever considered PT, for strengthening? When I had DS, 13 years ago, same thing, terrible low back pain. Went to chiropractor for 4months, and would get instant help, but would be back in a few days. One day at school, our Physical Therapist was working with me and a kid, and she noticed I was having trouble. She showed me some excersises for stretching my Spinal Cord, and building the muscles in my back. I haven't had trouble since, other than yard work, or muscle strain, ect. Continued with her program and it really gets better soon. Just a thought.
Girlie--Ughhhhh,:stress: I am sorry you are feeling in the glooms. Life usually does work out. Don't give up your trip. You need that, and I am sure things will get better, and your new job will be so rewarding. You wouldn't have taken it, if you didn't feel like you could do better. Will pray for DH. Ask St. Joseph to guide you.
Gonnabefit-- Great loss!!!:cp:
Hollyhock--HELLLLLOOOO. Isn't it amazing when the people you live with at one time see things totally different. My older brother and I have had some weird talks in the last few years, and boy is his take on our life soooooo different. :shrug: It is amazing. Good Luck
Lilybutt--Thanks for comment on dt.coke with splenda. I will have to try it. Trying to limit myself to ONE pop a day. Doesn't always happen tho. Here is a HUGE dose of self-esteem. I am throwing it over to you. Catch.
judydc-- I hate, HATE, HATE it when there is food in the lounge, or at work. Yesterday at our end of the year meetings, they had a huge tray of donuts, bagels, and scones for breakfast. Then at lunch it was pizza heaven. I almost died from the temptation. But I decided, I Am bigger than this, I can say no, not participate, and make a different choice. Said no for breakfast, ate a yogurt from fridge, for lunch, just said no. I knew I had to leave and run to the University, and decided a Subway sub would be alot healthier, and portioned controlled. But I do relate, it is extremely difficult.
justjodi--hello, just want to let you know I was thinking about ya.:cool:
Debbie--Southbeach? I don't know what that is? Never heard of it, where do you find it, and what exactly is it? I am curious. Hope all is well with you.
SPORES--I miss you. I hope all is well with you, and your world is just keeping you away from us because you are so busy. Check in so we know you are ok.:?:

Staying OP, and am happy. I am going to start a weigh training program with our schools guidance counc. So I am excited about that. He of course is a young punk kid right out of college, but he is hysterical, so this is going to be interesting. He is doing a toning/strengthening class for HS kids, I am going in before the students come. THANK GOD. Then I can just go on my own. It is nice that we have a weight room at our school, and we can use it anytime we want. Wish me luck.

Didn't get to race the car tonite. DH is frustrated. Weather isn't cooperating. It poured yesterday and this morning. I on the other hand, got lots done, and had his help. Nice that it worked out a bit.
Hope you all have a peaceful Sunday. Next week is going to be a rough one. I have to check in with my other business, and see what is happening, and what is going to change. I am sure some stress will come, but it usually works its way out. Wishing you all blooming begonia's.

Love
Sandi

((((((GIRLIE))))))))
((((((SUSIE))))))))
Sandi~ you sound great!!!!!
YP~ is that really 226 I see. HMMMMMM.....
Annie~ enjoy the wedding!
Jodi~ how goes starting over?
Debbie~HI!
Spores~HI!
Gonna~HI!!
Who did I miss? HI!!!

I am having a very hard day emotionally. I had an email from my Dad. He is very hurt. This it the first time in my entire life he has ever talked about anything of significance with me.It shook me up. In a way it is a blessing.
Did some gardening, reading, talking with DH, biking and cuddles with the kiddies.....
I feel in a way I am mourning because I know that things have shifted for my family. I know it is what is best for me but it is sad.

Plus, I'm so worried about money. DH is looking for jobs since he just graduated. Our computer is still down. We have vacation next week and have a good amount of money for our trip, but once we come back, it's all gone and I don't know how we'll make it. I'm thinking we should just cancel the trip and be able to live off of that money for another month while DH looks...but I need to see my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousin and my mother.

I'm so worried everyone. Just about everything. I hate this so much. I was paid today but want to cry because I know once I get home tonite and write out the bills, I'll have next to nothing left.

I know things will get better. It's just where I am, it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Sorry for the really depressing post. I just want to go home and lie in bed all weekend and do absolutely nothing.

Girlie Girlie, keep your head up. And if you believe, turn it all over to God. My husband and I have been in the same boat, over and over again, and it all comes out right in the end. You just have to follow your hearts with your choices and listen to the little voice in your head that whispers the truth.

I have had a great day. Saw Star Wars with DH. Yippee!!! Went to the gym. Didn't do so well on the food though since I splurged and ate movie popcorn. Not too worried about it though, since we only go to the theater once every six months or so, if that often.

Hope everyone has a great Sunday!!! Take care and keep the spirits up!!!! We can do this!!!

Hi
I am single, 44 , and live in southern Maryland.. I would so love to see 199!!! I mainly watch my carbs & sugar and calories and walk .. I live in the sticks so the nearest gym is @ 18 miles each way..

ive been walking 4-6 miles per day and lately i was begining to feel like i was losing my motivation so Ive made a promise to myself to step it up!

Welcome curlylocks!!!

Girlie~ I have been thinking about you too. I feel bad for needing to sort my own stuff out..... but this is what I KNOW about money issues and change. It WILL come together and work out okay. I have been where you are as a single person and a married one. It is really hard but every single time we have come through okay, intact, and without any big debts.Spend the time with your family. It will nurture your soul. Things will fall into place for DH too. Dont give up hope. HUGS!!!!


Off to church in a 1/2 hour! Having a lovely long weekend so far with hubby and the kids. We may have another family over for a fire tonight.DH and I stayed up late last night cuddling and talking.
I woke this morning feeling refreshed and peaceful. My weight is down to 225.

welcome curlylocks
you will find alot of support here.
Sandi

I am new here and really exited to envision getting below 200 lbs! It has been a long time since I have seen the scale show that low!

I posted an intro, but no one responded, so here's a little about me:

I am a Licensed Holistic Health Practitioner, educator, massage therapist, nutritional consultant, yoga instructor, writer and and mom to an amazing 12 year old girl and I am working on losing 100 pounds, gained after a terrible car accident left me broken, broke and in despair several years ago. I am ready to make changes and am working at it steadily. I am so glad to have found this forum as it's just what I need right now!

Welcome fatvegan~ I am nopt sure your last intro made it here...cyberblip!! Glad it worked this time!! Nice to meet you. I am a yoga gal and use holistic measures when ever possible. I have 2 kids- son 6, daughter 4. Best wishes for your recovery and weight loss journey!! We have a couple closet writers here.

HI Sandi!

Hello all....

Finally a nice day here! Yesterday it poured, and I mean poured, all day! It was miserable! I ended up sleeping all day! I suppose I needed to...the stress of the ex and the stress of work was starting to get to me! But today...BEAUTIFUL! Got up at 8, went to Target, now I am going to start laundry so I can hang it up outside and weed out the fower beds so I can get some planting done!!!! Later I will go for a walk and maybe go tan.....I like tan fat better than white fat in the summer, you know how that is! I am not big on the tanning thing, but I do it once in a while just so I am not so strark white in the capris and shorts! and I hate to lay outside!

Curylocks! Good to see you over here...the 40 somethings has been slow, but thios board is always moving! I so want to be under 200.....I just can't seem to get there.....lots of support here! By the way how was the date.......?????

Well I need to start on my day! Lots to do on a beautiful spring day!

Lilybutt

Welcome Fatvegan, I am new also, been here almost a week. I love that everyone tries to respond and give you support. It's hard sometimes to get that in the real world. It sounds like you have accomplished so many things already in life, you can totally do this!!!

Welcome Curlylocks!! Walking can be fun if you make a challenge or game out of it. I walk my dog a lot, and I have to come up with different things in my head, or that same road looks so horrendously boring!!!

Hollyhock, I am having trouble with my father also. Hope everything turns out the way that it needs to for you. Family can be so hard. As everyone says, you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family. But I believe you can definitely choose what you can deal with :(

Hello to everyone else on this shining Sunday. Broke down last night and flat told my husband that I HAVE to have his help in order to make my weight loss work. He is severely overweight and diabetic and it makes it so hard to stick to things when he is not. And I told him how scared I am of losing him. His blood sugars are not in control like they need to be and I am terrified that I will lose him young, like he lost his mother. She was only 40, and diabetic also. So, we will see how that goes. Deep breath, loud prayer and onwards we go.

Took husband to the gym with me yesterday and he pouted the whole time he was there. Messed up my Zenlike feeling I get when I am there. Got to figure something out there, too. He says he wants to go, and then pouts when my routine takes to long. Hmmmm....

Anyhow, small breakfast and off to the gym. Have a good one all!!!! ;) ;)

Let me in on the fun! I'm a stay-at-home mom to 5 great kids. My eldest just moved out into her first place. I now have just 4 at home ( ages 12 yrs-19 yrs) all great kids. I recently had a birthday and turned 43. I decided in early March of this year that I was sick and tired of being fat. I joined WW online and I have lost 21 lbs.

I want in! I'm currently at 235, with a final goal of 150 by May 2006. I'm a 20 year old college student who works part-time, and never can find the time to exercise.

Hi I would like to join too :) I'm a 25 year old SAHM and Navy wife. I currently weight about 245 (haven't even had the guts to weigh lately). Looking forward to getting to know everyone here :)

Danielle

Danielle~welcome. I am a SAHM too. I babysit fulltime as well.
Dakota~ welcome to you too!
Gregsgirl~HI! You ahve you hands full. You are doing great so far. The support here will keep you going! I turn 40 in July. That has been a motivator for me.Both my kids are in school now and I feel like I am part of the big world again too.
Gonna~ seems like you have your share of worries. Good for you for taking care of you. That is the the one things you CAN control! Love that zen feeling.
Lilybutt~we have finally had some nice weather too. Tanned celulite is much nicer, lol!

Girlie, Susie, Annie, Jodi, Sandi,Debbie....anyone else I missed, howzit going?

Holiday monday for us here in Canada! Queen Victoria's birthday.
Feeling a lot more Hollyhockish today!!!
Out of my head and back into my life. Holy processing stuff batman!
I am feeling good about how I have handled myself and the things I have said. I WAS honest and sincere. The people who really “know” me get that.

We have been having a really nice cosy family weekend.
Dh and I have puttered around the yard and have gotten lots of piddly jobs done, all the grass cut. The kids have been playing well, have had playdates with friends and friends dropped in here. Had a lovely glass o wine with a mom midaft.
We had a “party” with the 4 of us last night. It got quite cold so our friends didn’t come for the fire. We had chips and dip and iceceam cones and roasted marshmallows. The kids swung,played tag, chased the shop cat all over the yard.
No trouble getting them to sleep. I watched Desperate Housewives and went to bed to read. I slept in til 9am!! Decadent!!
I am feeling calm and peaceful. I have still been eating small amounts of food. Even with the “party” food last night. We do not normally have that stuff around. Big treat for all of us.

I am enjoying the day off today.No plans at all!! I may even lay about and read.Shocking, I know.

Have a relaxing day!

sahm? what is that? Am I one? LOL

Ahhh, it is Monday, and I don't have to go to school.:flow2: Had graduation here, we had over 13 openhouses to try and go to, but ditched them, the food, and just sent all the cards instead. Worked out well. I got a long bike ride in, and did my treadmill yesterday. It was a beautiful day out.

This afternoon, I am checking out my other business, (sign Co.)SC for short)
to stop in and touch base. :idea:

Hope all had a nice weekend. Holly, your sounded fun. I LOVE to roast mellows. YUM

Have a great Monday.
Has anyone heard from Spores?

Love Sandi

Yoohoo SPORES??? Come out and play!!!!

Sandi~ sahm is Stay At Home Mom

Walking can be fun if you make a challenge or game out of it. I walk my dog a lot, and I have to come up with different things in my head, or that same road looks so horrendously boring!!!


to keep my pace i sing the song Bingo... lmao B I N GO B I N G O and bingo was his name O

Hey everyone,
Sorry I haven't posted since last week. I got so over heated thurs and fri. It was 99 fri and 100 sat. I got so sick sat I had trouble getting up and doing anything. I ate like a pig all day sat thinking it would give me energy. WRONG...
I only made it curves 2x last week. This week they will be closed sat and mon for memorial day. so I won't be able to go my 4x for the next 2 weeks. The scales haven't moved in 2 weeks. Better get my butt in gear. The hotter it gets the harder it gets to stay active.
Everyone new: A big welcome, This is wonderfully supportive place. Glad to have ya'll here. I'm the granny chick of the group I'm 50 and trying to loose 115 lbs... asap.
I missed all you guys. I'll have to do personals later. Got to move new kittens to a safer place. They are cute!

A Personality Quiz
I found the results interesting, thought ya might like to try it.
here’s the test

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

Hi everybody,
It's going to be hot again today. When I grow up I want to be a "snow-bird". Live in the far north in the summer, and winter in the south. I absolutly hate the heat.
Enough of my complaining. I have a lot to do today. I need to get out and get the weeds out of my garden while its cool. I plan to go to curves. I decided that when curves are closed sat and mon to do WATP.
I tend to forget about it and just skip exercise on days I don't get to curves.
I ate fairly well yesterday. I had my ususal yogurt b-fast. then made a tuna and spinach wrap for lunch. Dinner was a BBQ pork chop. Still working on portion size.
I do feel like I have kicked the sweet tea problem. It's been a long time since I had sugar in my tea. I now use crystal lite or just put splenda in it. One challenge at a time.

Holly: I took the test. No suprises there. It said I was a ISFP type, introvert, sensing, feeling and preceiving.

Everyone have a great day... Look out weeds here I come.

Debbie~ you can winter here if you want, got room for a trailer out back!!!

NO drama, moderately dull life!!!
Weeheeeeeeee!! No nasty phone calls or emails. A blessedly beautiful long weekend with my husband and kids!!!!!!!!!!
DH started work last Thurs wiht the family business who did our roof a few years back. The Dad/grampa is the owner, sons and grandsons work but they need an extra. The owner has always respected DH as a equal(which he is) I am hoping there is enough work for at least the whole summer/fall. This has been the slowest and worst spring he has ever had. We are feeling the pinch but we will also be okay.
I am thinking of selling Avon. No one in this community does.I will research it today.
My weight is still 225.Very happy for that. Aiming for 220 now!!!!! It’s been 7 years.
I am feeling incredibly blessed with the friends I have here at 3fc and with my sweet little family. Love to you all!!

Good Morning Ladies,

Debbie--come and live in ND. We have alot of snowbirds here. You wouldn't believe it. Most of them are from the Harlingen area, and some from Arizona. They come right around Memorial Weekend, and leave around Labor Day. In the little town I live in there are lots of houses for rent, or you can move in a RV. I can send you the website.

Holly--Glad to hear you had a great weekend. Peace, nice huh. Peace is also something we give ourselves. Sounds like you did. Blessings.

Newbies--You have come to the right place. Welcome aboard.

Gonna--Congrats on the talk with your hubby. Scary, My husband is diabetic also, but he has his sugars in great control. He has his A1C every 6 months, and the doc's can't believe how well he manages it. I am happy that he can do it too, I know what a challenge it is. His sister is diabetic also, and she is NOT in control. Has trouble many times a week. It is very scary. And, she is a dietician. So, it just tells us that no matter what knowledge we have, we must act on it. I think it is wonderful that you both are going to fight this together.

Hi Girile!!!!!;)

Managed to get the treadmill out of the way. I have to weigh in tonite. Not looking forward to it, as it is TOM again!!!! Been struggling with this. I think the older I get the worse it becomes. YUCK.
DS got up EARLY to go fishing with is buddies. It now is raining, wonder if he will be coming home soaked. I need to run up to the school and take care of some little things before the morning is shot.
Have a happy day.
Sandi

Quick Post!!!!!

I just ran up to weigh-in, because I was out in rain, and wanted to get it over with. To my surprise I have lost 6.2 pounds this week, and it is TOM. I have NEVER lost during this time. I have increased my activity alot, I am biking at nite with DS, and really trying to incorporate more movement.

I also joined a challenge for walking, which I love to do, so that has helped alot. Anyway, had to post, just for the sheer excitement of it.
Sandi

Woohooo, dancin along with your sheer excitement....amazing!!!!!!!! Go Sandi!!!!!!!

Hey ya'll
I made it to curves and almost didn't make all 3 rounds. I had got up at 4:15 and ate my yogurt early. Then worked pulling weeds in the garden. I put out bug killer using a broadcast spreader on 1/2 acre. I think I should of had lunch before working out, it drained me and left me shakie.

Holly, Sandi:
When you go thru the desert of arizona
in the winter it looks like a huge rv park. The have huge parks with all the
luxuries, pools ect. But you will see people just parked in the middle of nowhere. Our home is paid for, kids grown. I don't see any reason not to take off. Dh drove truck longhaul for about 27 years, I can't interest him in travel. His idea of a vacation is going to see family.
You never know.. Maybe sometime I'll show up there. I've been in 48 states and Mexico but never Canada. When we drove we took many loads to the border and another truck took the load on over. Dh didn't want to mess with the permits and red tape.
Later

Sandi: WOW!!
F A N T A S T I C !!!

GREAT LOSS. YOU GO!!!

I slipped and ended up at Chili's last night....ended up eating chips and cheese sticks. Could have been worse, but now I've got to make up for it. Weighed myself this morning {I'm compulsive, daily weighins} and I gained back all the weight I lost since Friday.

It's going to be off to the gym for me....as soon as I find a decent one.

My inlaws go to Arizona for 4 months every winter in a RV. I guess if you are escaping the heat you would come here in the summer. Our hottest days get up to 90F and only a few every summer. Humid tho.I like it around 70f.

Keep going Dakota.

Holly: The temp sounds nice. Dh and I were talking about the highs there. That would be very tolerable. My sister lives in northern Georgia in the mountains and they have about the same
temps in the summer. Some summers they never turn on the a/c. It's a big tourist place and everything is so high there.

Dakota: Think positive... Maybe you just gained water from the extra salt intake. Drink lots of water to flush out the system. Who knows. Your weight maybe down tomorrow. Never give up.

Could someone who goes to curves tell me a lil bit about it??

Quiet morning here. I actually dont have anything to say. Feeling happy and at peace.

HUGS to all!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holly, glad things are good for you. Sometimes that is the most awesome feeling!!

I am a little troubled today. I went to the gym last night, which I have been doing now for a week and a half on a regular basis, lifting weights on an alternating schedule, upper body one day, legs the following, etc. And I have noticed that I am really sore. When I am lifting, up to last night, I was able to complete my reps and feel pleasantly tired. Last night, before I even got to the gym, I was experience pain/fatigue in my arms. I went ahead and went to the gym. (I have a history of making excuses, real or imaginary not to go.) So, I was lifting and had to severely reduce the weight I was lifting (machines) or stop half way through. Not sure what is going on there. Think I may have to not lift weights and just do longer cardio for a few days.

Other than that things are good. I have been able to step out into the sunshine a few times today. And it is so beautiful. I don't like HOT weather, but I sure don't mind beautiful weather with a small breeze, mmmmmmmm.

Hope everyone is well and having a good day!!!

Lynanne

Ladies:

I'm super duper busy...on my way out of work on my last day!!! I'm getting excited...now starts VACATION!

We splurged for an oceanfront hotel in Virginia beach, so I hope the weather stays good!

I will check in as soon as possible!

Take care and make positive choices each day - that's my plan for the next two weeks...that's all I can do.

Girlie

Hey, it's me! Congrats on all the lost pounds over the last few days!!! I have been very erratic, totally out of all of my patterns, and feeling a little angry. I haven't seen a number lower than 232 in weeks, and most mornings it's a pound or two higher. Very few gold star days, and a couple of black hole days....I'm feeling a bit fatigued about the whole thing, although still wanting to reach my goals. Help! I wish I could afford a week at one of the spas to get back on track. I will try to do the equivalent for myself over the long weekend.

Re Curves--it's an extremely user-friendly, women-only circuit training program. The weight machines are hydraulic, so you don't have to bother with setting the pins or whatever, and it's hard to hurt yourself. Women of all ages and sizes participate, the atmosphere is friendly and non-judgemental. The staff is very helpful. The total workout time, plus stretches (which you really should do) is about half an hour. You should go every other day, and do cardio or other activities on alternate days. I have been going since late January, and have been satisfied. No showers or spiffy amenities, but that's okay for now. Curlylocks, do you have particular concerns?

judy

Hi everybody! It's been ages, I know...I think almost two weeks now since I've checked in. :( I have really missed you guys. I'm sorry to have been away so long. No great excuses except busyness and mopeyness.

Food-wise, I have been going back and forth between staying op and piging out. The good news is, BF and I went out and bought a healthy cookbook (Canyon Ranch Cooks -- anyone heard of it?) this weekend and planned out some meals. I am right now cooking an Autumn Vegetable Shepherd's Pie -- smells good so far. I am feeling more committed to cooking and eating good, nourishing food.

Exercise-wise, I have been a lazy bones. I managed to walk once last week, and that's it. I think it's because it's hot -- got past 90 last week. Even with the a/c on, I am just a slug when it's hot. I need a boost to get going again. Any ideas?

Weight-wise, I haven’t gained, but I haven’t lost either. Kind of disheartening to see the same number each week.

Rest-of-life-wise, I have been working my part-time job at the salon, which keeps me busy a few days a week. The rest of the time I have been working on my magazine (next issue comes out in just two weeks!), doing around-the-house stuff, and moping. I’ve been a bit depressed, I think, though I don’t have any specific reason why. Also – and this has been occupying my thoughts almost entirely lately – I got a haircut. A bad haircut. Baaaaaaad. Before I got it cut, my hair was a couple inches past my waist, mostly one length, with the front sort of angled. Since I hadn’t had it cut in six months, I wanted to have it trimmed a bit, have the front angled again, and maybe get a few long layers just to give it some volume. The girl I have gone to before was super-busy and I kept getting bumped (the rule at my salon is that if a paying customer wants your appointment, you have to give it up, since we get services half off), so this other woman offered to do my hair. I told her exactly what I wanted, and I emphasized several times that I did NOT want to lose any length, and that I wanted the front angled with a few shorter tenrdils on the sides, but I did NOT under any circumstances want actual bangs. Well, she proceeded to completely ignore me, cut off six inches from theback, give me major-league bangs, and then did this weird layering thing over the rest of my hair. I was devastated. I look ridiculous – like Rod Stewart morphed with a muppet! And of course, I work with this woman, so I feel like I have to pretend that I’m not compeltely angry and horrified. So I went out and bought some hats and I’m hoping that it will grow back in a couple years. So that’s my hair drama.

I was so glad to read everybody’s posts over the last couple weeks. Hope everyone is doing well and feeling good. I am re-committing to posting every day so that I don’t miss you guys for so long!!! Welcome to the newbies and hugs to all.

Curlylocks, do you have particular concerns?

judy


I guess my question about curves is have u seen results from the program? I live in a rural area and the only gym is 18 miles each way, and they have opened a curves @ 9 miles away from me.. when i took this journey before, I mainly walked and went to step jazzercise...

Oh my...the end of the year=picnics and treats and little parties after work=a sick tummy for me! I decided to try and eat just a little bit of the treats and not abstain completely...well that back fired and I have had a tummy ache for two days now! I will get back on it tomorrow but I am so disappointed in myself…not going to weigh in until next week and I am under control again. Going to start walking again tomorrow too! Oh my I feel like one step forward and then 5 steps back!

Lilybutt

Hi everyone-just wanted to stop in and give you all a little more info on me than the blurb I wrote before. I am 25 and have lived in CA most of my life. I've always been overweight-although never as heavy as I am now. I went through a pretty bad round of post partum depression and gained almost 80 pounds after having my daughter two years ago. I am just now getting a grip on life again and trying my best to work on the weight issue. Its tough, because I'm lazy and of course its easier to have hubby pick up something on the way home than cook! But I'm getting better. Little steps, I keep telling myself.

We are in the process of moving from CA to TX. My hubby is in the Navy. I purchased the Firm workout system and tried it out yesterday-and I hurt so bad today lol but it was a great workout. I am shooting for 3x a week at this point and then once we get settled in our new place (our first house!) I will work on increasing that.

Anywho, just wanted to sort of say hi and I'm really glad I found this place. Oh and I weighed myself and I was 2 lb less than I thought, that was nice lol. So where do I go to make a cool ticker? :D

Dani

Oh my I feel like one step forward and then 5 steps back!

Lilybutt
DITTO...

Good mornin everyone,
I made it to curves yesterday. I didn't do as well with food. We had a training session yesterday so they brought in pizza and snacks. I ate 3 small pieces of veggie and 1 cookie. As bad as that sounds. A few months ago I would have done much worse.
Dinner last night was pork chop and 2 fried eggs.


Holly: Big smiles to you :) :)

Dani: Welcome, You are right, It one step, one challenge at a time. Go to user cp and click on signture for the tickers. Where are you moving in texas?

Lilybutt: Keep those steps forward..you can do this.

Curlylocks: I've been going to curves for a couple of months now. The weight loss has been slow, but that my fault for not staying op. I have lost 10". Curves is great for people with health issues and those who are really out of shape like me.
a couple of the women go around more than 3 times, one of them comes when its the slowest time and stays twices as long on each machine. I really enjoy it. I go early and a lot of times I'm the only 1 there. I strongly recommend it.

Spores: Good to hear from you. My hair was also below my waist. It kept falling out, so I got this not so bright idea to try it short for a while. I've alway had very slight waves in my hair, but when I cut it that time I came out with CURLS. It's grown out some now. I going to keep it at least to the middle of my back. Short curly is not a good look for me. Too fat and old! How's was the shepard pie? I love to cook.

Judy: It's really hard sometimes. The goals seem so far of. All we can do is just keep trying. Have a great w-end, then back on plan. You can do this.

Girlie: Have fun on your vacation..Good luck with you new job.

Lynann: Good job working around your soreness. It could be a sign of a virus or something. keep up the great work.

Everyone I missed: Hello!!

This my long day so its off to the showers for me.

BIG HUGS TO EVERYONE

Thanks debbie... I was curious if anyone had seen good results from curves.. I am on a tight budget and just trying to make sure it is worth the cost ( or my best choice)... 10" sounds great ..



Lily... come on lets get our battle gear on .. and attack the chub! ive been kinda slack myself these few weeks and i can see i am not doing as well.... my downfall has been "o ive done so well i deserve a treat" plus ive been to lazy to go to the grocery store! But I am off tomorrow and will stock up on my good food!

Curly: Check with you local curves, They have some kind of special going here. I don't know all the facts, but its like 1/2
off service fee if you and a friend join.
They may give you a headsup on special coming up. Mine told me of a food drive for service fee and I waited for a couple of week to join when the special was on.
If you let them draft your bank account it $10 less a month, but its a year contract that way.. Check it out

PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I’m not cute or built to suit a model’s fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I’m telling lies.
I say
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees.
I say
It’s the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say
It’s in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say
It’s in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need for my care.
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.


Nice day yesterday. Ended up with a sinus headache from allergies.
I made spaghetti casserole( family fav) using ground turkey and LF cheese. Still yummy. Leftovers for tonight.
Both kids started baseball last night, on the same team this year.DD’s shirt hangs past her knees, cute.First game is tonight.
DS ha s a BIG trip to African Lion Safari tomorrow. He is very excited.
Saturday they are each going for sleepovers with friends and hubby and I are throwing a mattress in the van and going up north to see some friends. Weeeeheeee. Last time we were out together was last July, before that was the previous Jan. Man, we are dull.

Hope everyone is having a phenemenal day!!

Spores~ happy to see you here. I too have long hair and have suffered from bad haircuts. I am licensed stylist and had a huge longhaired clientelle so when others start to cut my hair*sigh* I know it is gonna suck in the first few minutes!! I have one friend who lives 3 hours away ,when we see each other about once a year we always cut each others hair. I have been cutting my own lately.May not be perfect ,but not dorky anyhow.
It is not even so much about how it looks but about how it feels.
I feel pretty and sexy when it swings against my back.

Hello to everyone, glad to see you all posting!!!!!!!!

Good Day Everyone :flow2:
Ive been here awhile but now just finding these wonderful groups.
Im 34 Married mother of one who is now 90 pounds overweight im sitting at 240 trying to topple that over and get below 200.
I would love to be way below 200 and Im working at it everyday.
Im on my own change of habits diets.
I eat right and move more. I have been at this my whole life but I think I got it right this time. I have lost more than I have ever lost and all my trigger foods have been shot down every time they have been offered to me .
My husband and I are both working at this and he is doing really good to.
I cant wait to get below 200. I know its going to take alot of time and effort and im more than willing to put in the effort.
My intrests are Gaming computer games, Working out :ebike: and having fun with my family just enjoying life Im a shy person but very goofy and fun natured.
Good to be here. :wave:
Pics .. I have to update these as these were a couple years ago but it will show some of my starting weight pics.Cindys Pics (http://www.wideopenwest.com/~tazdrummer/cindyspics.htm)

Thanks everyone for the support!

I woke up at 9 am today, have a few days off, and felt good, no more sick tummy, felt well rested and relaxed, AND on tp of feeling good, it is a nice sunny day! So it is a package deal today!

I am doing an all about me day today...watching the View, then going to run a few errands, get my nails done, get a hair cut, and then watch Oprah! WoooooHooooo. Tomorrow I will do some things around the house!, Today take care of me!

Tonight I am going over to my boyfriend's. He is making dinner, so I will eat light all day, he is a great cook!

CurlyLocks...I feel we are soooooo alike LOL...single, 40 something, a kitty lover, and fighting the good fight!


Holly......Love that poem....thanks for reminding us!

Everyone else...Thanks for the support and throwing it back at you!

Lilybutt

Well...started WW this week...next weigh-in is on tuesday. They've got me set at a goal of 23 lbs to lose {10% of weight}. Gonna work with that, and then try to go another 10%, which will put me at 191 lbs.

Curlylocks: Hi, nice to meet you! I have not tried Curves yet, but I have heard from other people that it is a great program to get you started doing strength training. Some have said that they outgrow the program after a while, but if you don’t currently do any strength training, it is a great way to get started because it’s very simple.

Lilybutt: Hi! Glad to meet you! I know what you mean about all the little parties. It’s so hard to find a good balance. But then your system reminds you that sugar and butter are painful!!

Dani: Welcome! Wow, moving is such a huge deal – it must be hard to stay OP in the midst of that. What is the Firm? How does it work?

Debbie: I had wavy hair too, and now it is majorly curly! I have been trying to weight it down with product. Ugh. I think this bad haircut is a good motivator to lose weight – being a fat girl with great hair was tolerable, but now I am just a fat chick with a bad haircut. Good for you for not pigging out on the pizza at work. It is great to recognize how far we’ve come – even if we’re not yet perfect! Oh, the sheperd’s pie was great – all veggies, too!

Holly: Thanks for posting the poem. I taught that last semester and it really seemed to connect with everyone. Wow, being a stylist must make you extra-aware of how your hair looks. Now that I work with a bunch of stylists, I get the impression that most of them really prefer to cut hair short rather than long. Hard to find a good one.

Morticia: Welcome, glad to meet you. Sounds like you are doing great!

Well, the stylist who chopped my hair was in today, and when she saw me, she said, “Oh, why do you have your hair pulled up? I’m sad, I wanted to see it.” I usually avoid confrontation like the plague, and just smile and keep my mouth shut, but I am sick of feeling like a doormat, so I told her how I felt! I didn’t completely unleash and tell her how angry and hurt and sad I was, but I let her know that I didn’t like the cut and that it was too short. It felt good to be honest and say what I felt.

Food is good today, but exercise is...well, not really happening. I had planned to do the treadmill, but every fibre of my being is resisting it. I just don’t wanna. I don’t know how to get motivated to move again. Anybody have any brilliant ideas?

Hi to anybody I missed!

Hi Spores,

Motivation for me on my treadmill, I found a great CD I love to listen to, I only can listen to it if I am moving on the machine. So, before I know it, the CD is over, and I am sweaty, and glad I did it. I have finally gotten comfortable with closing my eyes and just trying to relax while I do it, and funny, it is working. Maybe you could try that. Glad you are back to posting. I know what you mean about a bad cut. The gal I usually go to is leaving the hair business, she is going back to school to be a nurse. So, I am in search of someone new after 8 years. In the 3 cuts I have had, all three were not good. I am beginning to think it is me. But why could the other gal just do exactly what I liked? That is coloring also. I am still on the search. Good Luck. I am proud of you for saying what you thought. I have a hard time doing that also.
Post recipe for sheppards pie. Sounds really great.

Lily-Great job on the ME day. Sounds fantastic.

Morticia-- welcome

Debbie--((hi)) just wanted to drop you a note.

HI HOOOOOLLLLLLYYYYYY. Glad to see you are doing great.
Will do more personals later.

ttfn

Sandi

Good morning, good morning, good morning!!!!
Yowza, the sun is so bright I need shades on in here!!
Calling for rain today but none in sight so far.
DS is off on his big school trip to the Lion Safari. He is one excited little boy.
I have 9, yup, count em, 9 kids here today til 1pm and then 4 go home. I offered to take 2 extra for a friend and then 2 Moms changed their hours. Yikes. I hope the rain holds off so the 5 olders ones can stay outside. I can do meals out there too.
Lots of cashola,$180. Not a bad days pay.
The Avon rep is coming today to sign me up. Should be fun??!! with all these kids.
Went to bed early , had a good sleep.
Not much else going on. Feeling freespirited and happy.
Oh, the fat on my back is going away and my waist is noticeably smaller.
Had a lovely dream about Kalan. Lol!
Treated myself to the new Jann Arden cd, for a nice non food reward.

Have a groovy day!!

I am down .02 lmao i will take that its better than up! but i am kinda stuck at 265 .. maybe next week.. I am off today and have a bunch of running around to do.. Tomorrow I am driving 4.5 hrs each way to meet a friend and spend the day at the zoo!! so lots of walking tomorrow

I am going to get layers put in my hair tonight eeks my car looks like a trash can inside so i better get that straightened out...

hopefully i will have some time this afternoon to catch some rays! on these chubby pale legs.. hahaha

have a great day all!


Oh Lilybutt u mentioned kitties did i ever give u the link to my pet page? http://www.geocities.com/my_tabbies

ha ha we are a lot alike I'm just missing the BF... but im working on that!

On the road again!!!!!
In my former life as a really cool chick I went on road trips almost every weekend.
I LOVE road trips. It used to be to festivals and concerts etc with other groovy people but a bday party in the woods with good friends is okay too.

The kids PUMPED about going on sleepovers with their friends. I must confess Mom is pumped too. They are fed and 1 is in the tub, 2nd to follow, bags to be packed and then bye,bye.
I will have a few kidless hours at home to putter and then up to huron county we go.
We dont need to be back til lunchtime tomorrow. I am hoping to plant the veggie garden tomorrow aft.
Yesterday was a good day. All the kids were great. DS had a wondeful time on his class trip. He just glowed with a calm radiant happiness when he got off the bus.
Took DD to gymnastics.
Oh, I signed up to sell Avon yesterday. I did some networking at the gym. I am the queen of networking!!!!LOL!! Look out town, you are next!!! Weeheee!!!!!!!
I bought and ate a chocolate bar last night. Weird for me, yummy, and it wont be repeated.I was super tired, maybe I needed the boost. An apple would have been better.
Oh well, best go tend to the kids. 2 1/2 hours til semi freedom.

Congrats Curlylocks!
Hi Saaaaaaandi!!! LOL!
Madly waving HI to everyone!!!!!

Hello Everyone,
Remember me? I hate not having time to get here and check the board. Only two more weeks of my crazy schedule and then I will get back to being a regular.

I don't know if I told you all that my back was giving me problems a week ago. It was really painful. I'm finally getting better. I have been having regular adjustments and I have exercises to do for it, to help keep the spaces in the spine opened up.

My x-ray showed that I have a disk that has thinned (it's the L5) and I have a bone spur on it. That's why all the pain when I was out of align (sp?)

I'm doing ok in the weight department. Haven't lost, but haven't gained.

I'm going to try to get a lot done this weekend, but also relax. I'm going to try to catch up on my emails, read some magazines and I want to get some flowers planted.

I miss you all and I think about you a lot. If there's something that someone thinks I should know or you want to share with me, would you please PM me? I wish I could go back and catch up on the posts, but right now time doesn't allow...however a quick PM would keep me up to date.

Ladies, it's the start of summer! I know that I dreamed of being thinner but I'm not going to let that get me down. I'm going to take advantage of how I want to eat less in the summer (I guess due to the fact that there's so much more to do?)and that I get out and move more. Let's let it work for us and at the end it could add up to a few more pounds off.

ooooooooooo my aching body! let me tell ya'll what i did yesterday! Im so proud of myself! First let me explain that where i live is at sea level and everything is flat....

I hiked "the star trail" in roanoke it goes down the side of a mountain... and it also goes back up!!! the elevation is 1800 foot!!

in total @ 6 miles id say but the climbing up was the killer! and I am asthmatic.. But took our time.. rested along the way

And i did it!!!!!! on my way home I stopped and had the regular cheeseburger at mcdonalds cuz I earned that bad boy!!!!!!

and yep I even had the bread!!! hahaha


the pic tho not real clear shows how high up we were!

Good time had by all.
It was fun and relaxing. Got pleasantly drunk in the aft, laughed lots. Had a yummy free range grilled dinner(including caribou) with salads at 9pm,campfire, more laughter, in bed by midnight and had a peaceful sleep.
Need to weed the veggie patch then DH will till it. Gonna get some plants and seeds when I go to get the kids.
Life is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!

Helloooooooo????? Am I the only Canadian here...working hard today!!!!
You chicks must be out enjoying the sunshine eating low fat yogurt and fresh salads!!!!
Happy Memorial Day!!!!

Hi everybody,

199...SIGH...will I EVER get there. I have been stuck for quite a bit hence my recent arrival and discovery of this site. I really, really want to get to ONEderland. I am 41, divorced...or can I just say single...single sounds nicer and I just recently finished my first college degree. Sooooo next project...get that stupid weight off!!! So I'm in on the quest to 199.

I've spent quiet a bit of time catching up on all the posts, and it's been great 'hearing' all your voices! I've been moping around this weekend, doing chores, catching up and paperwork and trying to wrap my mind around how difficult (not impossible) it will be for me to shed all this excess weight. I really have to grapple with why whenever I'm angry, worried or stressed (which is a constant state lately), I decide that eating something will make it all better :stress: I haven't been sleeping well lately, which only makes me more sluggish, and gets my days off to a bad start.

So I've been keeping to myself this long weekend, reminding myself of my priorities and putting things into perspective. I can get into some of the clothes I wasn't able to wear last summer; I'm still going to Curves three times a week--and looking forward to it!--and I haven't been porking out, jut not sticking with The Plan. The job situation has been a major energy drain, but I will get another job--maybe soon--and at any rate, that's not a good reason not to take care of myself.

Re Spores' question about motivation: I go to the Success thread and look for women who started out my size or bigger, and have taken off 100 pounds or more the old-fashioned way.

Be well, everyone--judy

Hello all......yes it is a nice long weekend....and actually I took off last Thursday and Friday so I have had 5 days off.....it has been great. Today I spent the entire day cleaning my windows...taking off the storm windows, washng them, washing the outsides and insides, and then putting them all back together. It is a nice job to do, because I always looks good after winter! Wreaked havoc on my nails though!

Well back to work tomorrow.....I only have 4 days left until the end of the year! then I leave for Europe the next week! I am so looking forward to being away and seeing things I haven't seen before.....I has been a difficult year, all starting a year ago, so good to go away on "anniversary days" and celebrate my new life! I am having a terible time with sticking to a diet right now, so trying real hard to just keep it in check and not go crazy! I can do that and be ready to really hit it hard when I get back!

(((HUGS LILYBUTT))) Sounds like you had a great 5 days off. You trip plans are exciting. What parts of Europe??
Hi Judy~ quiet reflective time is good for the soul.Hope you found some clarity and a new resolve!!!
Welcome FlannelAnnie~ anyone who likes flannel is cool in my books, lol. I love my flannies and flannel sheets!!!! I was stuck a 235 for a few years but seem to have broken through.Keep posting. The support makes a BIG difference!!

Yes Judy.....I truly cherish quiet time to myself.......If I don't get it I find that I get very difficult to be with!

Holly....I am going to London, Paris, Florence and Rome. It is a tour group thing, but going 2 days before the tour and staying 2 days after, so plenty of time on our own to explore!

Good morning everyone,
Hope everyone had a great w-end. Our weather wasn't great so we just rented movies and stayed home. I've had all the rest I can handle. I plan to go to curves as soon as they open. I didn't do to well with the kinds of food I ate, but I kept portion sizes down. Not a total failure.
I picked my 1st tomato of the season. YUMMY. I had forgotten how fast zucchini grew. I had 2 that had gotten over 11" long. I'll have to check it more often.

BIG WELCOME TO EVERYONE ONE NEW

I'll do personals later. I have several errands to run early... After curves.

wahhhhhh today was my weigh in day... the scale is still not moving!!! lol i am looking at the scale and saying to myself... I climbed a a dang mountain saturday and still didnt lose any weight .. grrrrr mumble of bad words!!!

lmao ok maybe next week!

Keep up the momentum Curlylocks it 'll show next week!!!!
Lilybutt~ sounds wonderful. So much history and art and good food!!!!!
Mornin Debbie~I find it very hard to do nothing for more than an hour, let alone a whole weekend, LOL! You will be well rested for the gym!!!

Great day yesterday. I got half the lily bed dug up and some stuff planted. I am alternating lilies with other perrenials.Right now I am dividing mature plants from in front of the shed.
7 kids today. DS is off to school.
Allergies are quite bad in the mornings but Claritin saves the day!!!! I fell back to sleep this morning. One of the downsides of working in your home- I can literally roll out of bed in my pj’s and still do my job. It is much nicer to have a shower and coffee first. For everyone involved.hee hee
Gonna do Grandma’s hair tonight. DH is lovin the new job. He even got paid the right amount, on time!! It is physically easier because it is mostly renos.
Baseball was good last night.
I should go entertain some young folk!!

Hi Ladies,

Just in from the weigh-in. Down 2.2. I will take it. Was worried it was going to be nothing because of great loss last week. I am definately OP!! but more importantly, I am surviving. I am not feeling the resentment of not having a rhubarb bar, or sour cream raisin bars that my neighbor lady brings over. Yesterday, I did yard work for over 9 hours, and was a little pissy about it to begin with, but then decided, "You know what, I am burning calories the whole time, quit belly-aching".
DH got to race his car on Sat. in the sprinkles, we survived, but it was very chilly, 49 degrees. I had on 4 coats. But the awesome thing about that, is the top coat was one that used to fit me when school started in the fall. Now it is way to big. I loved every minute of it. DS wants to go fishing, he has a freind here from out of town, so they are at times driving me crazy. Just boy stuff, gotta go, gotta go, gotta gooooooooooooo.

Curlylocks--awesome trail hiking. Didn't you really feel like you had "climbed a mountain" and lived to tell about it. Awesome. Great job.
Holly--nice getaway. Caribou? Never ate it, what is it like, how did they cook it? The wine sounded nice. I am a huge lover of wine, but have really laid off of it since I am trying to lose this weight. But I really enjoy a good wine, and a book, and my fireplace going. Happy you got that.
Flannel Annie--Welcome. Single definately sounds better. Sounds exciting. Sounds intriguing. What degree did you just earn? I am in school right now too. I am at UND. Where in MN are you from?
Judydc--Down in the dumps huh? Reflection is good, but remember it is JUST a reflection, you can change your day one minute at a time. Your outcome too. Heads up and look at the clouds. I am cheering for you.
Lilybutt--EUROPE>>>>>>>>>YIKES< I am SO jealous. Me and DS, and his godmother are planning a trip to Rome when DS graduates from HS. A few years away. We are going to go for a month. I told my son, I cannot possibly send him out in the world, unless I show him some of it first. So, we have been saving for over 3 years now. I can't wait.
Debbie--TOMATOES!!!!!!!! Good for you. I was wondering where you had wandered off too. Glad to see you back here with us.


Going to try and hit some laundry. DF came over to drop off hand-me-downs for my DS, one question? Are they hand-me-downs if the price tags are still on them? She brought 7 pairs of jeans, 3 had tags still attached, 3 shorts, 1 had tags, and 5 shirts and 1 had a tag on it. Her son is Picky, picky, picky, and she hates to return clothes. My son is happy, happy, happy. He loves every peice of clothing.
Having some drama in my life right now, and it is making me miserable, cranky, and overall crabby. I wish it would go away, but I know that it is going to linger for a while. YUCK.
Happy day to you strong women.

Sandi

Ive spent some time in MN ... My X was from MN ... ive been there many times, just outside minneapolis, actually ive been to a lot of the towns surrounding minneapolis.,.

Are we all up for a June challenge??????? HUH??HUh???? It's been a while.
Something like lose 5 lbs in June, exercise 3 X's week.

Sandi~ HUGSSS. Sorry about the drama, it can suuuuck the life out of you.
The caribou was cut into pieces like pork chops and grilled. Very tender.Stronger than deer. Yummy.I would consider 9 hours of yard work a gift.LOL!! Congrat on the loss. You are doing very well!!!!

I'd definately be up for a challenge!

Hello all…..
I would love a June challenge but…and here comes the excuse ;) I will be gone 2 weeks to Europe and since this is a once in a lifetime thing for me…..I don’t want to dwell on food while I am there…however, with all theexercise I will be eating, I would not be surprised to maintain or actually lose!


Anyway…good to see everyone…….I had a blood draw for work today…all very good news! YEAH!!!! Blood pressure: 128/2, Triglycerides: 58, Cholesterol: 144, Blood sugar: 90, HDL: 64, LDL: 68…all very good numbers for a 43 year old…….I laughed though…with good numbers like that, I have little incentive to improve my diet……but part of the Wellness plan at work is to get emails from a health counselor to follow up on goals. I set my goal to lose weight of course…..so that may help…..the counselor did talk to me about calorie intake and exercise too…so for a free screening…all good info!

Debbie….I am so jealous too! Nothing better than a fresh tomato…..I buy “spendy “on the vine ones at the grocery store because the actually have a taste…but still not the same as fresh! We get them in August here….I rely on my friends to bring me some, or hit the farmers market!

Curlylocks……think of the muscle you built climbing that mountain!!!! You He-Woman!

Holly…..I have a perennial garden too….love it…so easy to maintain, except when it comes time to separate everything!

Sandi…… :balloons: Thinking of you…..drama is never THAT much fun!!!!
Have a good one everyone!!!

Lilybutt

ok, I am definately up for a challenge. Lets do it. Holly do you want to organize it, or should we quickly get some imput and go for it.
Let me know

Sandi

Okey dokey!!!!

The JUNE CHALLENGE!!!!!!!

lose 5lbs this month
exercise 30 minutes 3X's a week
each week try some thing new eg eat 5-10 fruits and veg ( go wed to wed starting today!!)

My starting weight is 225.

Great day here. I have the afternoon off.
I am trying to get the whole house clean all at once. It has only ever happened once in 5 years,about a month ago. A big old two story house is hard to keep clean. I tidy all the time and half of the house is always cleaned, either up or down but never at once.
If i get this done today I can clean the upstairs windows tomorrow!!

Lilybutt~ my health stats are much the same. Actually healthier than most people I know my age. I am just fat....arg!! I guess it would be too much to bear if I was beautiful, clever, witty, a dynamo mom and wife and thin too, LOL!!!

Hello everyone, I'm back :dancer:

Not too much time for personals, so just an update on what I've been up to (shamelessly copied from another thread for those who don't hang around there, apologies if you do :o )

Very very good holiday. Summary, to be split into the good, the bad and the cheese...

The good:

Our studio was in a typically Greek village on a cliffside. This meant lots of steps, hills, a nice walk to the main town along the cliffside (downhill going there, very much uphill on the way back). Boy did that work my legs. :tread:

Walking up volcanoes. Also good for working the legs. I was one of the first of our (big) group to make it, and very proud of myself. :tread:

Ditto walking up to mountainous headlands to see ancient Greek remains. :tread: Admittedly we parked at the end of the road and only walked the rest, but that's because I was with my mother. I was up for walking the lot, but I can't kill her off just yet. She has many medical conditions and wasn't exactly as keen on the exercise as I was (she didn't do the volcano either).

My thighs. Not even the tiniest bit of rubbing on the days I wore skirts and dresses. The first time I've escaped that on a holiday since I was about 12. Admittedly I mainly wore shorts if I was walking a long way, but one day I must have walked for over an hour without any rubs. And I swear that when I looked in the mirror they almost looked as though they didn't touch under my skirt.

The bad:

Beer. Ouzo. Wine. :beach: I went with a vague idea of only drinking in the evening and drinking water until then. Well, that didn't work then. My resolve crumbled within the first 24 hours. Oops...

Not drinking enough water. See above.

The size of the swimming pool. I say swimming pool. I mean jacuzzi. We were on a cliff side. Just about the only thing they had space for was a tiny little dipping/jacuzzi pool. You could touch both sides at the same time. Not exactly going to get me much exercise. In truth, it wasn't really swimming weather. Lovely and sunny, but more walking around sunning yourself rather than needing to cool off every 30 minutes. So my idea of swimming lots while I was over there kind of didn't happen.

Birthday cake. :hb: Not a Greece thing, although it was my birthday while I was over there (cue Greek birthday cake). But this morning I had to do the buying cakes for people at work thing. Why did I choose cakes I really like? It struck me later that the sensible thing to do would have been to buy cream cakes which I don't really like eating rather than little chocolatey bite things from M&S. Then I wouldn't have been eating them all day.

The cheese :hungry::

My nemesis. Feta cheese and bread (my other holiday nemesis) for breakfast. Peppers stuffed with cheese for lunch (well, at least there was some veg there...) Fried cheese (saganaki is one of the most wonderful foodstuffs on earth. Shame it's essentially fried cheese in batter :nono: ). Baked cheese. We went to one taverna quite a lot (mainly due to the quality of its saganaki :hungry: ). They noticed we liked cheese (my mother would have cheese sauce on her meat. I wasn't that bad). So instead of the little glasses of sweet wine at the end with the bill. They brought us a slice of cheesecake. This cheesecake was seriously the most delicious cheesecake I have ever eaten. Ever. And I've eaten a lot of cheesecake. :hungry: So we had a few more slices over the course of the week. I think I ate more cheese in a week than I have done since Christmas. A lot more.

The damage:

2lb on this morning. I'm quite pleased with that. I reckon I must be retaining some water as I've been drinking nowhere near enough of it (trying to persuade myself that anyway!), so I'd steeled myself for about 2lb of fat and a bit more water. So no worse than I expected, and possibly a bit better if there is some water there. And I trust myself to get it back off again, which is why I let myself do what I want in the first place rather than trying to diet on holiday.

I'm in.

I already started today. Walked for over hour with GF, and went and lifted weights this morning. I will use my Tues. weigh-in as my goal. I like the nutrition part too. I am struggling with the veg's. since I am not in school all day. Will definately work on that.

I have tried to get in 2 containers of yogurt a day, and I think that has really helped my sweet-tooth, and plus the extra calcium is always a plus. Ok, Holly and Curly Let's get it going.

Sandi

Oops, forgot to say, I'm up for the challenge. I'll even go with my hypothetical starting weight of 226 rather than my actual Greece induced weight of 228...

challenge sounds great i am starting at 265

Howdie Howdie.....

I have been MIA and I apologize. No excuses, just shame. I have not been to TOPS in 4 weeks. Yes, I am up for the challenge. Starting weight 256.

Annie

When I had my blood draw the other day they gave me was a weight range that would work for my body....they said 199-179, given my height and body composition, would be a good weight for me.....this made me feel good because that is what I would say I want to be too! I have been down as low as 140 and had a terrible time maintaining it and being healthy....at 170-190 I was healthiest.....so NOT that far away! I can do it!!!!

So for the challenge......sine I will be one until the 21st of June on vacation.....I will say I will be down to 235 by the end of the month....I don't expect to gain weight in Europe....lots of walking involved......but to be realistic...that would be a major success for me!

I leave tomorrow am for an overnight trip for work....so all have a good few days!

Lilybutt

The charts say 165 for me, but i can tell ya when i got down to @ 185 i was looking like a scare crow i was so thin ( wearing 10's & 12's) and i am 5 foot 6......... but I would be dancing in the streets at 180!!!!

Good morning everyone,
Count me in for the June challenge. My start weight will be 274. I've been doing the mindless eating thing again. Don't want to slip back into that bad habit.

Curly: we have about the same build. I'm also 5'6 and look and feel good about 180

Annie: Good to hear from you.

Yp1: Your vacation sounds wonderful.

Lily: The first time my Dr did lab on me.
He was shocked. They were very good. I told him there can't be any fat flowing in my veins, it's all on my hips. At 50, I'm 100lb overweight. I am not on any meds. I always am very thankful for that.

Sandi: You're off to a great start!

Suzie: Hope all is well with you.

Holly: :) Morning.

Hello to everyone I missed.
This is my long day got to go get ready. I'll try to check in tomorrow.

Mornin'!
At my thinnest, working out 5 x's a week ,when I was 24 ,I weighed 170. Flat tummy, toned, bikini. The BMI charts say I should weigh 145. When I weighed 190 I was fit ,happy, not stressed about food and working out. That is my ultimate goal.

4th Glorious day in a row!!!
I LOVE this weather!!! 21C, sunny, light breeze.......aaaaaaaaah.
Yesterday was great!!! puttered in the house all morning. Washed bedding and hung it out. I had the afternoon off. I cleaned the whole house except the bathrooms!!
I will do those and the upstairs windows today!!
I had a good visit with Grandma. Everything is fine with her.That is what
matters. Every time I go I dig up some perennials or herbs from her yard. I
will always have a bit of what I consider my “home” here with me. I brought home some mint and lemon balm.
2 little guys and DD today. Quiet again!!
I have 6 Avon orders already. I am feeling super pumped about it!! I am an entrepeneur at heart. I LOVE networking.weeheeeeee
The cool thing is I haven’t gone anywhere or done anything out of my normal routine. I just pitch it in my daily journey. It sells itself cause people know the products. I may even make some $$$$$ at it.
Baseball tonight.
I was the loser of the month at TOPS , a 6.5 loss. I gained a bit in Apr so now I am back to where I was in Feb.
I LOVE my life!!!!!!

we are missing a few...Spores? Susie? Jody? Girlie, back from holidays yet???

Glad you popped in Annie, stay longer next time!
YP~your trip sounds devine!!! If were on a deserted island there is a good chance I would choose cheese over my DH!!
Deb~ no mindless eating today, okay??
Curly~how's today going?

HI everyone!!!! Let's get moving!!!!!!
30 min of yoga coming up!!

Forgot to say my start weight is 241.2. I am hitting the treadmill as soon as I am done here. YIPPIE. I have no idea what the "magic number" is. I am only 5'2, I am not going to let a BMI chart tell me what I feel is healthy. I am going for healthy and the 5 pounds for June.
Good luck, and lets enjoy it, not take it as dreaded thing. I sometimes think we are "dreadful" when we talk about the weight coming off (how hard it is, what has to be done, meals, excersising, staying OP, ect.). Instead, maybe we should think of it as shedding an "old" us, and looking for someone "new" to poke through. I think that is why I love JUDYDC's little photo. I see myself as a thin women in the shell of a heavy gal.

Holly--congrats on the avon. I will have to keep you in mind when I am ordering. I just got a huge order. I love the hydrofirming bio6 for day and the night cream that goes with it. I used to be a BIG marykay fan, but would get terrible dry patches on my cheeks. Someone told me about this, and I have been using it ever since. I love it. I also just ordered some dishes from there, for entertaining. It was a platter, and a relish tray thingy. I buy alot of gifts from Avon too. Good luck, Hope it all goes well.

ttfn.
Sandi

Avon has a lot of great fitness products also... they dont have my favorite thing now "Natori" perfume oooo i loved that stuff! Ihave been able to find some on ebay and u talk about a money maker! that stuff is like gold now that they dont make it anymore!

Today.. lets see so far I have been to the podiatrist, cuz my long gone heel spur has come back to haunt me! got a shot in my heel and man is it hurting!!!!!

I have to head to work @ noon... stopped at the grocery store, every time i bring a bag into the house now my dog thinks there is a treat for him in it! spoiled lil brat! of course i did get him one!

so not much happening for me today..

Good Morning Everyone!!

The lady from TOPS called me last night and said they all miss me and hurry back. Talk about a guilt trip. Sheesh. I will be going back after next week. I have a hair appt I cannot change that night. My hairdresser of 10 years is retiring, she is only 44. I am about to flip, hard to find someone you can trust. I am going to hate this.

I am 5'9" tall, and weighed 142 when I got married, I looked like a starving ethiopian. Many asked me if I were sick or had cancer. (I had gone from 186 to 142 just before I got married). My doc says my ideal weight is 160, but I look and feel great at 175. So 175 is my goal. 256 to 175, long journey and moving slowly with many slip ups. If I could put all my diet days together, I would be thin. hahah.

Holly - I was an Avon lady for 10 years about 10 years ago. I love their products and especially the earrings. You will do great. Avon sells itself.

Hello to all, have a great OP day!

Annie

Well, I'm down to 230 today! And I'm celebrating my 5lb loss by treating my self to a new workout tape that I won on Ebay! WW workout here I come.

yahoo Dakota!!!!!

Hi everyone!
I'm new to this board and this seems like a great group to join on my weight loss journey.
A little info. about me: I'm 25 and single. I've always been bigger than average-even in high school when I was active in sports. I know I'm not meant to be a little skinny thing! I've been over 200 pounds since (I think) my sophomore year of college. My motivation for losing weight is I'm starting to worry about my health. My dad and one of his sisters were recently diagnosed with diabetes (my grandmother had it as well) and I want to do my best to avoid it, or at least delay health problems as long as possible.
I look forward to getting to know you all and I can't wait to get back under 200!!

Welcome Marie!!!

I did yoga yesterday and now I am achey. I guess I woke some muscles up.
I will do it again today.
Allergies are quite bad. I am very bleary in the mornings til the meds kick in and then by 9pm I am grumpy. sigh.
I had an Avon meeting yesterday with my supervisor. She adores me , lol! My sales are so good I will be receiving a $100 product bonus!!!!!!! Weeheee!!! She was also looking for a place to hold training workshops. I recommended our church.The church is in desperate need or income. Lots of back scratching going on and everybody is happy.I rock!!
I bought frozen FF yogurt cause I am craving icecream. I ate 3 serving throughout the day. Sigh. It could have been much worse but I promised myself I would have 1- 1/2 cup serving and that is it.
Bowling/pizza party for SS tonight.
No “plans” all weekend!!!!!!
We will host a 30th Bday party for a friend next Friday night.
House is tidy, bordering on clean??!!! Madness. Not sure what i will do with myself.
Soak in the tub for starters. Then yoga.

Have a footloose day.

Just found this thread and would love to join the race! The day I see 199 I'll be jumping for joy! I've been dieting off and on for as long as I can remember, even as young as 10 years old. Gotten the weight down a couple times but always has crept back up. Hoping this time will be different. I am definitely more committed now that I'm older. Also more worried about the health affects of being so heavy.

I started this diet almost 4 months ago now. Doing it the old way, counting calories and exercising and have lost 35 pounds as of today. Did have one long plateau that lasted for over 3 weeks but it's over now. Yay!

My starting weight was 272, currently 237 and my final goal is somewhere around 150. We'll see what I look like when I get there.

Good luck everyone!

No Time To Post...

Everyone Have A Wonderful Weekend!!!

((((((hugs))))))

Annie

Good morning,
I am having a great morning. I slept in. I feel rested. I'm having a lot of touble with heat related nighttime leg cramps. They are in the thigh, both thighs at once. You can't walk them out. I had to get in the shower with all hot water to relax them. I Drink lots of water. I don't want to drink the sports drinks too much sugar. I went last night and bought some potassium, magnesium and calcium. I hope that helps.

Djstory: WELCOME.. congrates. Great loss.
This is great place for support, motivation. Everyone is very caring.

Holly: glad you are enjoying the Avon adventure. I bet with your outgoing personality you will do great.

Marie: WELCOME.. good for you taking care of yourself. Hopefully you can avoid any seriuos health problems.
You'll like it here.

Dakota: YEAH!!!! Fantastic loss. That a great idea for a reward.

Annie: This is a life long struggle. Lot's of slip ups. Before, I always would wait till the next month or the begining of the week now I forgive myself and restart at the next meal. All we can do is just keep working at it. :)

Curly: OUCH! I know heels spurs are very painful. 12 years ago I had the endoscopic surgery done. I've not had any problems since.

Sandi: :)

Spores,Susie and everyone I missed: BIG HELLO!

Off I go to curves.

HAVE A BLESSED DAY

Mornin' Deb!
Welcome djstorey!!!!

What can I say.....another perfectly beautiful day!!!!!!
No plans at all.
Ds got up by himself this morning, made a toaster waffle, put on cartoons and let us sleep in. He was VERY pleased ,as were his parents!!!
The bowling/pizza party went on til 10pm. Both kids had a blast and were actually well behaved. Hubby was at a friends. Both kids went to bed without problems.
I unfortunately was asked to bring home leftover pizza, so I ate it!!! ARG!!
I just has veggies at suppertime so I could have pizza later. I did NOT need the extra.
I farted around the house and the read til 1. Slept til 9:15!!!!!
The last week or so I have been experienceing these bursts of euphoric happiness. Like walking to the mailbox, feeling the sun on my face and hearing robins sing and I just about burst with joy!!! Last night the little kids were playing tag with the minister. My daughter ran up and smacked him on the butt. I laughed and again felt pure joy.
I am just plain happy, all day, every day. Delightful!!!!

Enormous hugs to everyone!!!

Yahoo!!!!!!!! I'm in a new decade! weighed myself this morning, to discover that I'm at 228.5! I've been staying OP pretty good for WW, and walking alot, but I'd slacked off the last few days due to TOM, and was not expecting a loss!

I had to weigh myself twice....DIdn't believe it could be true!

Hi ladies

Just a quick note to check in. Sounds like everyone's weekends are off to a good start. Just walked Maggie Jane 3 miles, came home for a yogurt and blueberries, and now I am going to finish an assigment that is killing me, before we go racing. I hope the rain will hold off. It was very damp walking this morning.
OHHHH, I forgot to mention, I had a pamper me day yesterday. It was delightful. I went and had a manicure and pedicure and went out to lunch with my mom. It was nice. At times I feel like our relationship is stressed, and it was just a great day to enjoy each other. I took her along and she had the grand treatment also. She really enjoyed it, couldn't believe the cost of it, but I was happy to do it for her, and told her what would really make me happy, if we could do it at least once a month together. I rarely do things like that for myself, so this would be a great thing for her and I to do together. She didn't commit, but said she really enjoyed it.

Hope all have a fantastic day, will check in after the weekend.
Hugs.
Sandi

Hi guys

hope everyone is having a nice weekend... the shot seems to have helped a lot i have been able to get back to my walking again! Im on my mission to get myself unstuck! lol two weeks now ive been recycling!


I bought those one a day weight smart vitamins and they are yucky.. Im not sure what it is thats in them but they made my asthma act up.. good thing i also bought a bottle of the plain ones..

enjoy your weekend!

Hello everyone...I'm back from vacation, just a couple of hours ago! It was a great time...we did so much stuff in the past ten days, and met so much family, etc. My favorite part was definitely the days we spent in Virginia beach...the water was SO cold, but I just had to go in and play in the waves. So much fun. I was a little self concious about the swimsuit thing at first, but by the 3rd time we went on the beach, I was okay with it. Our hotel was way down on a more secluded area of the beach and I told myself I was just gonna have fun with DH.

I have a nice dark tan and have great memories.

Food wasn't GREAT on the trip. We had so much great food, we didn't snack much until the trip home - we were basically snacking and stopping to keep ourselves awake. I did eat tons of fresh fruit while we were on vacation and DH and I want to continue, and make fresh fruit salads often.

Now I'm back...and start my new job on Tuesday...time to get back on track and have a great healthy summer.

Talk to you all later. Can't wait to catch up.

Girlie

Hello Everyone!

Had a few days away from home for work….glad to be home, but now I am busy getting ready for my trip to Europe…….I have never been that far away OR gone for that long ….so this is quite the process for me. Today I went out and picked up a few more things I thought I needed and then laid them all out tonight to see what I am missing…I think I got it all, but I am going to pick up some of those Brush-ups for when I am on the train and can’t brush my teeth!

Tomorrow I am going to finish up a few things at work and then lay out all me clothes and see what I need there….I think I have plenty of everything! Then Tuesday get my nails done and pack!

We leave early Wed. morning so it is really happening fast! I did get my TOM today!!! Yeah that will be one less hassle to worry about!

Girlie……way to go in the swimsuit……I plan on wearing mine!

Curlylocks…..I have had cortisone shots in my heel too…OUCH….I have found the best treatment for my heel spurs is wearing the BOOT at night to keep my foot flexed, uncomfortable YES, but it works!

To everyone else…..keep up the good work…you all inspire me!

Lilybutt

Ding Dong!
I entered my first Avon order last night. It’s over $400. I will earn 40% of that!!!!!!
Not bad for 2 weeks as a rep and I have spent a total of 2 hours working at it.
Yesterday was purely delightful!!!
SS was nice. When I got home I finished the last part of the basement floor.
Dh and DS went fishing. DD watched a show.
DH went to town to watch a race with the guys. The kids and I went to a bday party.
I love our friends in town. There were about 10 kids and all their parents. The kids swam, bounced on the trampoline and played ball.There was much laughter and festivities. it was 31C here and humid. I had a few beers. It was sooooo relaxed and lighthearted. We are all sunkissed!!
5 kids today.Another hot one!! I will get the sprinkler out.

I am wearing tshirt from 2 summers ago when I was down to 226. Last year I popped back up and felt gross. My XXXL tshirt is falling off my shoulder and looks like a tent. So I am in 1X and 2 X tops!!! I feel pretty good.
DH cut the grass in the eve and then we had a wonderful summer thunderstorm. This morning everything is twinkling in the sun and bright green and fresh. mmmmmmmm

Girlie~ welcome home.You sound wonderful!!!
Curly~ I tried those too and they made my tummy wonky. Another woman in the journals was sick too.
Lilybutt~ very exciting!!!!

Have a grand day!!!

Hi, y'all--

I've missed everybody! The crazy period at work is over, hooray, and I will go back to being moderately busy all the time, instead of whipsawed back and forth and pissed off about it. I should be able to check in more regularly now.

I spent the weekend 'power chilling' and feel absolutely great. After going to Curves Saturday morning, I went to the Change Your Mind Day program for people interested in Buddhism and meditation, then trotted off for a pedicure and manicure. Yesterday I had a hard workout and played Home Spa before going to a friend's home for dinner. Between bouts of relaxing, I reviewed my food journals and progress over the past past months, and recommitted to my goals. My weight has been fluctuating between 232-234 pounds, but muscle tone is definitely improving. Despite all the stress and aggravation of the past several weeks, I haven't lost any ground, and have made going to Curves and walking 25 minutes before and after work a routine, so if I am better about sticking with my food program, I will be fine.

Holly, doesn't it feel great to fit into your old clothes? Today I'm wearing a clingy nylon top that stayed in the drawer last summer, but it's sorta flattering now.

Curlylocks, I had a cortisone shot in my big toe a couple of years ago. Not fun at all! I hppe you're feeling better today.

Dakota, congrats on seeing the 20s! I hope to see you there in a few weeks....

I hope everyone's week is off to a good start!

judy

Good morning everyone,
Sorry about being MIA for a few days. Dh has been home and underfoot. Oh, it's been nice just couldn't get time to post. I have a very busy week ahead. This is the busiest week of the month at work. Then this w-end ds and I go to the nascar truck race fri night. Then we are going to the Indy car race sat night. They give out 1500 free pitpasses so we have to be there when the track opens. I'll be about dead on Sunday. But I love racing.
I've not done too bad on food. I didn't make to curves yesterday. I plan to go this am.
I bought some extra supplements. I got some potassium, magnesium, calcium and sublingual b12. I haven't had any more leg cramps and I'm feeling better.

I'll do personals later
Everyone have a great day.

Deb~glad the cramps are better! The races sound great. My dh and son would be jealous!!
Judy~ glad the crazies are over!!!!
Sandi~ pamper me days should be manditory!!! Hope you week is going well!!
Annie, Jody, Susie, Girlie?????? C'mon chicks , i am missin ya!!!
Put my Avon order in!!!
The 40% is cash profit but I also get a $100 product bonus for having a first order over $400!!!!!!!!! I am dancing in the street and everywhere else.
Have I mentioned I rock at networking. It is so effortless. I feel so ME!!! I basically earned $80 an hour for 2 hours work!!!!!!!! yeehaaa. DH thinks he is going to retire soon.LOL!!
I am getting boring with all this good cheer!!
Yesterday was marvy!!!
I put on my brown shorts from last summer that were tight across the belly and crotch and now they are baggy right outa the dryer. Weeeheeeeee!!!!!!
My weight loss is very slow BUT if you compare back to last summer there is a noticable difference in the right direction!!!!!!
I made 2 salads last night.
I am “catering” the school council dinner/ meeting tonight!!
We were going to go out for dinner but not enough funds so for $6 per person to cover costs I am making pastistio, greek pasta salad, cucumber salad, broccoli salad and cheese herb biscuits. A Dad/friend is doing desserts.We actually make an awesome team. We have done this before.
I had an annoying exchange with Mom through email. She got a couple of snotty digs in.I have cut out the weekly phone calls. I thought a weekly email would be okay but it still hurts me so it looks like I will go biweekly for now or just wait it out and let her do the contacting.
There is a 2nd cousin getting married this weekend and it would seem the folks and the aunt are hosting a bunch of family. No one has talked to me for a month so i didn’t know. Hence the snotty comments. Apparently besides being beautiful and clever I am psychic also. Whatever.
4 toddlers today. Lots of cooking happening to get ready for tonight.
We will also be doing a close to final edit of the parent handbook. I have received wonderful response from the kindergarten teacher!!!

Have a spectacular day!!!

Hello everyone, I'm slacking a bit at the moment in terms of keeping on top of everything, but I'm still here in spirit, and still getting closer to the magic number of 199. Only 25lb to go now!

Not much time for personals (or much else), my sister's staying with me because she's come over from Spain to have some sort of nasty stuff done at the hospital after a dodgy smear test so I'm trying to spend lots of time giving her TLC as she doesn't know many people now and is missing her bloke and her pets over in Spain.

Next week I should be back to normal though, for a couple of weeks at least!

Well my bags are packed and waiting at the door.....so I will "see you all" when I get back......best to all of you!
Lilybutt

Good morning,
I had a very productive day yesterday. I cleaned off my china hutch that have been past over lately. Took everything off and washed it. Got some other shelves done also. I didn't realize how bad they had gotten. We live in a very dusty place.
I went to curves and it was my weigh and measure day. I'm down 4lbs and total of 15.50 inches to date. I changed my goal weigh for challenge to 265.

Holly: Ride that pleasant wave of well being and happiness. Don't let their pettiness ruin it.. WOOHOOO!! HANG TEN :)

Yp1: Hope you have a good visit with your sister. You can make a bad experience much more pleasant by just being there for her. I'm sending prayers your way.

Lilybutt~ hope your trip fulfills your dreams!!!
YP~ It is nice you can be with your sister when she needs a shoulder!
Deb~ WOOOOOOOHOOOOOO!! you rock sister!!!!!!!!!

Dinner last night was a success.Less people than confirmed so we have leftovers for dinner tonight.
The meeting went well. Wrapped up yearend stuff. We have a parent training conflict resolution workshop next week, Wed to Fri. I have booked off from babysitting. We will finalize the parent handbook next Thurs evening.
Got home at 9pm last night. Didn’t go to bed til 1:30.
First I kissed my angels goodnight and flitted about tidying, did a load of wash and folded another. Gathered the trash.
I watched some of the Brad Pitt interview. MMMMMM. I adore him. Besides being the sexiest man alive, I love the way he speaks and processes his life and sees it as a gift and journey. It was the icing on a delish cake of a day. Later I watched Canadian Idol and thought through the events of my day and then I read for a bit.

Today I need to “design” a flyer for Gala Days/Turtle Races to go out to the local schools this Fri.
I still have pots to wash from all the cooking yesterday.
4 little people here today.
I need to have breaky.

Have a peaceful day!!!!!

Holly, is it time for Turtle Days already? I hope you can share the flyer with us.

Debbie--4 more pounds gone, woo-hoo!

Just a quick hello between meetings. Hope everyone has a great evening!

judy

Hi Ladies,

Just checking in after weigh-in. Down .6 . :eek: HMMMM. Not very good, but I will take it. I am sure it is catching up from racing this weekend and some beer drinking. Dang it. I need to make better choices. You know it isn't like you can NOT eat and then drink beer, so my only other choice is to NOT drink beer at the track.:nono: BUMMER. I stay OP, with the exception of Saturday, meals I do fine with, but nothing is as fun as sitting at the track and drinking cold beer on a hot summer nite.
I did something really fun today. I went to my girlfreinds daughters house, and took care of 4 kiddies, :twirly: all under the age of 5, 2 of them were twins 6 months old. She had to work in the morning, and then sent her on a pamper day of a haircut, and whatever else she wanted to do. No grocery shopping, or anything like that. Just for her. If she wanted to sit in a park alone she could. I got there at 8am, made a pot of coffee,:coffee: and she went to the office for a bit, then she left at 10am, and had a day to herself. I on the other hand ran like a crazy woman, did dishes, did laundry, rocked babies, and took all the kids on a bikeride/stroller:bike: ride for over a hour. I LOVED every minute of it. She came home at 5pm, looking so beautiful, :queen:and happy. She called 2 x and both times I said, "we are fine" and hung up. Told her not to call again, I had her cell number IF I needed her. (which by the way I could have used her, but didn't call, Big time proud of myself). I am whipped, exhausted, and God is grinning at me thinking You are absolutely crazy lady. :crazy: I even gave all the kids baths when I got there. YIPPIE. I don't know how she does it, other than she is about 15 years younger than me. I know I couldn't do this everyday.
HOLLY--You can relate I am sure.

Decided I am going to do this at least once in July, and once in Aug. before school starts back to let her have a treat day. Her hubby called me a few times, and he thought this was wonderful. I maybe should do it at nite once so they could go out together?

Anyway, I am dead tired, will do personals tommorrow if time allows. Happy day. Angel kisses to all.
Sandi

Good morning,
I did fair yesterday on food, nothing to really to brag about. At curves I did double my first round then single the other 2. Boy, that wore me out I going to save that for days I don't work.

Sandi: You are a angel!! Time off when you have little kids is so important. I was lucky I always live close to my mom.
She was good to take them, or even better stepdad kept them, Mom and I would go out. That was a real blessing.
I think I'm moving to ND. Your right nothing better than being at the track. I was born in NC and lived there off and on. Everyone built cars and were at the track every time it was open
DH doesn't share my love for racing.
I would go every w-end if he did. This fri night Ds1 and I are going to the craftsman trucks then sat we go to the Irl. Of course the beer is just part of it.

Holly: I'm having my iced coffee enjoying my morning. When the sun comes up I've got to go check on my tomato's I have some that should be ready this morning. :)

HAVE A BLESSED DAY.

Sandi: YEAH!! F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C :) :)
Loss. YOU ARE A ROCK STAR.

Mornin'
we are into racing too but it is not nas HUGE here. My family jokes about my hubby being from NC, he is a good ole boy from right here tho. He loves his wrecks and fixing them up. He has about 10 at his folks, 3 here. We live between 2 popular tracks.DS LOVES races too.
I am holding steady at 225.
I have a couple of small grumbles today!
It is not all good cheer today LOL!!!!!!!!!
Yesterday was delightful!!!!!!
4 kids all day yesterday. It was peaceful. I did ALL those dishes and relaxed a bit.
We went down to a neighbours to swim all aft. 31c and steamy hot here. It was glorious. Came home and heated up leftovers.Back down to the neighbours so DS could swim too. I am such a nice mom. Dropped the kids at home, went to the library and picked up an Elmore Leonard book. I keep hearing about him but have never read any.
Spent a couple of peaceful hours hanging out with my hubby. We were up late again.
Here are my minor gripes, #1-I aked DH to bring in the garbage pails and clear the dinner table and he did neither. I just did them while I was getting the kids packed up and ready for school. I was a tiny bit irritated.
Gripe #2- LOL! My good friend’s neighbour asked us to host a bday party for my friend and I gladly agreed.It was supposed to be about 20 eoeple for a fire& festivities, byob and very casual. It seems to have grown from what I have heard from people planning on coming( yikes). My angst is that my house looks like a bomb went off. I have 4 kids today, 6 tomorrow we have baseball tonight and gymnastics tomorrow followed immediately by this gathering. When the heck am I going to get this stuff done!!!!! At least I am not preparing any food.

What I want to do is put together the fort under the stairs in the basement for the kids!!!! The paint is all dry!!!! I will probably do that first and satisfy my creative juices and then do some cleaning at nap time.

That’s about it in my exciting life!!!!!

Have a cool refreshing day!!!!

( thank god for central air)

TurtleRaces/Gala Days

We race turtles...really!!! It is approaching the 30th annual.It is a weekend of Gala with dances, roast beef supper, breakfasts,children's entertainment and the very famous turtle races. Kids go out and catch a turtle in the crick or river and name it , train it and race it, then it is humanely returned to it's natural habitat. it is pretty exciting stuff. ...again, REALLY!!

So far we have had speedy 1, 2 and 3 and none have been speedy!!

The dances are outdoors and LOADS of fun.After everyone wanders around town backyard hopping after 1AM til the wee wee hours. Then you get up at 8, go to the church service, eat breaky and attend the events, like 4 on 4 hockey, bed races,picnic games...... the whole town comes out for 3 days. Gotta love it.

Hey, where is everyone!!!

I really liked this!

“In the Final Analysis” by Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered…
forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives…
be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies…
succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you…
be honest and frank anyway.

What you may spend years building, someone may destroy overnight…
build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, people may be jealous…
be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow…
do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough…
give the world the best you have anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it’s all between you and God…
it was never between you and them anyway.

Hi Ladies

Ahhh, Friday. DS has his BMX race tonite. He is major excited, DH has his Modified race tommorrow. Gotta love those weekends. Me, I am battling either a headache or a weird neck?? I am not sure. Just home from lifting weights and doing the toning program, and walked for 45 min with dog. I am feeling accompolished.

Debbie, Yeah, you REALLY need to move here. We could go to the races together. I love it. This year we aren't taking a family vacation other than when we go to the lake for 13 days, because we are RACIN'. I love it, and love the people, the drivers, the fans. It is so relaxing, tense, exciting, funny, scary all wrapped into one.

Trying to get my little nephew to bike race this year with my son. He is only in 5th grade, but that is when our DS started, so he should be fine. He is so nervous.

Bought him the racing gloves for his birthday. So maybe he will get excited to do it? Not sure.

GF came in this morning to workout together. She likes it as much as I do. NOT. LOL. Hope all has a wonderful weekend. Where is everyone at? We are missing you girls.

GM holly.

Love Sandi

Hi Everyone - Happy Friday!

I have been browsing but haven't posted since Tuesday I think! It's harder to get online at my new job. It's going very slowly here, but I know soon I'll be telling you how busy I am!

I haven't gone back to the gym yet...but my eating has been pretty good. I eat fruit every day - something I rarely did. I've been making fruit salads, and having sandwich bags of fresh, clean grapes to grab to take with me. I've been drinking sugar free tea and water. It's been so hot around here - in the 90's.

At my old office, people munched quite a bit at their desks. They don't here, so that helps with my snacking...and if I do snack, I make it fruit. I have been craving wheat pitas with cashew butter and grape jelly...mmmm!!!! I've been eating this for breakfast and lunch each day, with fruit. Today though, I am having a turkey wrap w/o any mayo.

I am going to try to incorporate exercise into my days next week since I know how my work weeks are.

My dilemma is that it's so hot, I don't feel like doing anything after work...we don't have central air. So if I go home and exercise and take a shower, I get sweaty again. Perhaps I will try going to the gym in the mornings again? It's been so hard to wake up every day this week so far. HOW can I wake up at 4.45a if I can't wake up at 6.45a? I will think of something. These are all just excuses anyway!

Hope you all are well.

Girlie

Good morning,
Just a quickie to let you know ya'll are on my mind. I've been thinking, we are the SISTERHOOD OF THE SHRINKING PANTS.

Getting a little work done before heading out again. I'll do personals later.

Have a grrrreat day.

Hi, Sandi, Debbie, Holly, Girlie, and anyone else out there too busy to post!

I was offered and accepted a new job and I'm as happy as a clam :D I'll start sometime in late July. On Friday broke the news to the two co-workers who are mostly likely to cry :( and I'm not relishing more of these conversations on Monday. Even so, it's the right thing to do, and I'll have a lot more positive energy for things like focusing on the race to 199.

Debbie--we are the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Pants Size, I hope! Someone posted a thread under Success crowing that now she has a butt. If I'd known she was looking, I would have happily FedExed her most of mine...

Keep cool, ladies!

judy

Evenin' Ladies!
I do love my airconditioning but yesterday was a LOOOOONG hot day with 8
kids coming and going. I was feeling sick from the heat outside but the
kids wanted to play in the sprinkler.
All I ate all day was a piece of chicken and an orange. By suppertime I
was famished. Dashed into London for McD's( we go like 2x's a year),
gymnastics and new shoes for ds. He has outgrown the new ones from
march!!!! Dashed home and people started to arrive for S's party. Dh
entertained outside while I tidied and cleaned the upstairs bathroom.
A guy friend brought fireworks and sparklers.
The kids had a pop and chip party in the house.We set off a few fireworks
for them at dusk and they pleasantly went to bed. Then the real partying
started.Much booze, dancing , good music and laughter ensued for many hours.
I dragged myself to bed at 3am. DH fell in at 5am.The stragglers went for
a swim at a neighbours in town!! weeheeeeee!!! This was a wonderful
celebration for S's 30th bday.Feels like a new beginning for her after
losing her hubby and twin bro in car accidents within a few years. It was
joyful!
Up at 8am and the kids and i went out yardsaleing! Our whole town has a yardsale once a year. DS got a golf bag for his clubs,$2.
DD got some new sandals. I found some old window frames for $1 ea that I
will paint up and put mirror in!!!!! Very excited about that!
From 1-5 we swam and R and T's , their son is in
DD's class.I went and picked up pizza. Soon it will be baths and bed for
all of us!
Feeling sunkissed and blessed!!!

If I'd known she was looking, I would have happily FedExed her most of mine...

Keep cool, ladies!

judy

Lmao i could use some.. mines flat!

girlie can u walk in your neighborhood in the evenings when the sun goes down? I try to go later in the evening @ 8ish when the sun isnt so intense

Hello Everyone,
I've been missing for a few weeks. Life, school, work..it just got all out of hand. I didn't do to badly I'm up 2 lbs, but I'm working hard (starting today) to get those off and get moving again.

They have hired a new claims person at work for the West so hopefully in 6 weeks or so, I'll have that territory off my hands. I've been working 10-12 hour days to keep up with both territories.

I finished my final tonight for my Accounting class. I'm handing it in tomorrow. I can't believe I survived 3 quarters of it. It's so good to be off for the summer.

The other thing I did while I was gone was turn 40! Yep...it finally happened. I don't feel bad about it, just sort of strange. I have been thinking though that the next 40 years are for me. For the first 40 years I've always done what others want, or what I thought I should do...no more..I"m doing what I want! It's about time don't you think?

I thought about attempting to read all the old posts but you ladies have been busy on the board so it's hard to catch up. I"ll just jump in and keep moving right along with all of you ok?

I have my own challenge going with myself. There are 13 weeks from today until the Sunday before Labor Day. My challenge is to loose 10-13 lbs and/or show a loss at each weigh-in.

I'm calling it Susie's Super Summer SlimDown and Shape Up. Feel free to join me!

By the way..I love the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Pants!
I'm so glad to be back!

It's so good to be back!
Susie

Good morning,
I'm having trouble waking up. Stayed up and watched "Into the west". Messed around and missed the earlier show. I'm still tired from the weekend. LOTS AND LOTS!!!
of walking and climbing stairs. We went fri night and didn't get home til 11:45. and was back up at 4:30 and at the track by 7:45 we stayed all day. At noon we went back to my van to refill little cooler from big cooler and found I had locked keys inside. Dh had to work so I call him and he was fairly close. We walk 1 1/2 miles to main road so he wouldn't have to drive his truck in that crowd. When He got there he wouldn't have it any other way but to take us back in. It was 91f and we had been walking all morning. It was a very full day. They had a couple of pracitices and 3 races. But my favorite event was Orange County Choppers unveiled a bike for learjet. They had apx 1000 beautiful bikes ride a lap around the track with them.
All three were there Sr,Jr and Mikey.
When the introduced Sr and Jr the crowd
cheered but when it came to Mikey they went wild, you would have thought they had introduced Elvis. He stoled the show.
I had a great time.
I didn't do to bad on food. Way too expensive.
I plan to go to curves this am. then I have a bunch of catching up to do.

Susie: HAPPY BELATED B-DAY!! We've missed you. We have a June challenge of 5lb and exercise 3x a week. I'm sure we will all make that. Welcome home.

Judy: Congrates on the new job. Leaving your friends can be really hard.

Girlie: Glad to hear from you. I also have trouble posting from work. I'm outside away from my desk most of the day. My desk is in a very busy open area, so everytime I look up someone is looking over my shoulder. It's funny, one of the men thought 3fc was a porn site. I set him straight fast. What a knuckle head.


Holley: I think everyone must name their turtles Speedy. Ds has a pet turtle about
12 years old. He is quick on smooth floors.


EVERYONE HAVE A BLESSED DAY

SUSIE!!!!! HELLOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I have missed you!!!!!! Those are loooong days at the office my dear. So glad they hired someone to take part of the load. LOVE
Susie's Super Summer SlimDown and Shape Up !!!!!!!!!
40 doesn't seem like a big deal to me. 25 invloved many bolltles of wine sitting alone on my front porch sobbing for hours. 30 was alife affirming celebration.Very empowering!! 40 kinda feels trhe same. More peace and contentment!!! I feel less driven . Time to ride the wave. I will let you know for sure July 21st.
Deb~ your weekend sound hot but wondeful!!!!!!!!!!
Curly~HI!!!!!
Slept in!!! Power snooze!! Went to bed at 10, fell asleep reading in minutes,woke at 5 when DH was getting up, dozed off, woke for my alarm, dozed off, scrambled outa bed at 8 to dress&feed kids,pack lunches and toss them on the bus. I am HOT and sitting for a moment.
3 little people today. My Avon order arrived. 4 big boxes. Feels like Christmas. BTW ~194 days til Christmas!!
Yesterday was delightful. I went for groceries and errands all alone. it was nice to putter and browze.Kids splashed in the wading pool all aft. I whipped up a quick supper.DH’s cuz stopped in with kids in tow. Squirt gun wars ensued!! Fun!
Today I really must tidy. Sort Avon!!!!!! Collect my $$$. I am going to save all my profits and use it for something big and exciting someday.

Be cool, dear chicks!!!!!

Hello All,
I'm still putting in some long days. Today it was 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but I did take lunch..so that felt like a break. I really have the motivation to get the new gal trained!

Hubby has made dinner. Meatloaf, corn on the cob, baked potatoes. I'm so glad to get something that isn't fast food!

I've done well with the food today and I'm headed for my workout. I can't wait to get my body to moving again.

Debbie: Thank you for the Welcome Home. I can't believe you were somewhere you got to see the OCC guys. My husband flipped when I just told him. He's so into those shows! What were you doing there, where was this? Fill me in on the details.

Holly: I hear you on being less driven at 40. I've made up my mind that for the first 40 years I've done a lot of "should haves, and haveto's" and the next 40 are for me! Watch out world, Susie's going to start taking care of Susie! I gather from your post that you are an Avon lady now? Way cool! They have such neat things...things to pamper ourselves with.

How's everyone else doing? I see Girlie got a new job!!
How's everyone doing with their "race".

It's so good to be back!!
Susie

Just a quick howdy, hoping everyone is starting the week off on a good foot--and if not, hey, you have the whole rest of the week to straighten up and fly right!

I know that drywallers and other guys from the management company have been making a mess of my apartment today, so I splurged on a larger-than-usual Thai lunch and will have a very small dinner (I'm still feelng a bit full after 7PM!).

Time to go home and assess the damage--why are workmen so messy?

jugy

Judy~ they may be messy but incredibly sexy! well at least mine is, makes up for all the mess, LOL!!!
Susie~ two days in a row, how nice!!! Yup,I am a new Avon rep. First Campaign went very well!!

Good morning,
Hope everyone is well this morning. I'm just having my iced coffee and trying to get my wits about me.
I did fair yesterday on food. I had my yogurt for b-fast. I made stuffed manicotti for dinner. I use the meat stuffing, the guys like it better than the cheese stuffing. I ate med sized portion with a salad.
I made it to curves but I was sluggish, and a bit sore from all the walking and climbing this w-end. Maybe I'll do better today.
I've got to get some of my tomatos in the freezer today. I have lots ripe and even
more that will be ready in the next couple of days. I made some salsa yesterday. We moved the garden and it did much much better this year.

Judy: Construction work amazes me, I can watch it for hours especially when its being done by hunks in tight jeans. lol

Holly: GOOD MORNING :) I think being a avon rep would be fun. Glad it's going well and you're enjoying it

Susie: The race was the IRL's Bombardier/Lear Jet 500 and OCC had built a bike for Lear Jet and did the unveiling there. They sold 1000 tickets to bikers to get to ride a couple of laps around the track with OCC. It was a sight.
Sr rode the new bike. Jr was on the black widow bike and Mikey was on his Blues bike As usual Mikey stole the show. He sang "Deep in the heart of Texas". The crowd loved it.

I had my sons when I was young, so life before 40 was just kids and housework. For mothers day the year I turned 40 I got my first Harley and learned to ride that summer. At 42 I learned to drive a truck and spend 6 1/2 years traveling. So turning 40 was great. Now that I'm 50 I'm trying to loose the weight I gained having all that fun.

Spores: Where are you? Hope you are well.

Sandi: What part of ND do you live in?

Curly: GOOD MORNING :)

Good Morning All.....

Sorry about the week long absence. We had a move here at work. All of one side of the floor swapped with the other side. I was the move queen. Coordination thru completion, only had one phone out of 89 associates, that didn't work the next day, and it was fixed in about 10 minutes.

Susie....I, too celebrated a birthday while gone. June 12, I turned 45. I decided when I turned 40, that from then on, it was going to be all about me. I didn't really apply that till I was about 43, I have never been happier. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, SUSIE!

Everyone sounds great and cheerful and doing well.

Going to TOPS tonight, it will be my "re-start", as I have not gone in a few weeks and feel as tho I may be up a few pounds. Will try to check in tomorrow and let you know the damage.

Got to get to work, everyone have a glorious day!

Annie

Annie,
HAPPY BELATED B-DAY!!!
Good to hear from you. Glad everthing is well. Good luck at TOPS. You might be in store for a treat and be down instead. :)

Hello All,
Just got home from the movies. DH and I went to see Mr & Mrs. Smith. Brad Pitt is so hunky! I don't usually like blondes but he's cute and who wouldn't want a body like Angelina. I kept thinking, I bet she doesn't give in to sugar cravings. Got to start doing that "self talk" thing when I want to give in. Ask myself which do I want more...to be able to put on anything and look and feel great in it or do I want the sweet.

I did pretty good today except I had 3 more vanillia sandwhich creme cookies than I was going to allow myself. I had them at lunch (when I was home by myself, or course), so I left my DH a note to not let me have anymore when I got home because I had already "spent" those calories for the day.

I am happy to report that I haven't had anymore and I'm headed to bed here in a little while, so I know I won't be having anymore tonight.

Debbie: I don't know if I want to drive a Harley...but I sure would love to be on the back of a bike with my arms wrapped around Billy Lane! I met him at a bike show in Ohio this past spring...very, very sexy man.

Annie: Happy Belated Birthday. Turning 40 didn't really bother me because everyone always tells me they think I look 28 or 29. I do feel more confident in myself these days..that's a nice plus to aging!

Holly: Is there anything you don't do that's not an success? Girl you have so much drive and ambition! Congrats on your first successful campaign.

Ladies, I'm head off to bed. Have a great evening.

Susie

Good morning,
I had a good day yesterday. I stayed op except... DANG there is always an except.
I ate a piece of toast with syrup.
I made it to curves and worked in the garden. I tried to stay busy.
I work today, its suppose to get to 95f with a level red ozone alert. I absolutely hate our summers. Years ago my brother inlaw tried to get us to move to Dayton,
I didn't want to move that far from my family. I really wish now I would have listened. Their all gone, and now its the dgs I wouldn't move away from.. Oh, enough of my whinning.

Susie: I love the front seat. We sold my bike when downsized after we came home off the road. Our income really dropped. We still have dh's. So I can either solo or go with him....Ditto on Billy Lane.

Holly: Girl, I hope all is well. You almost never miss a day. :)

EVERYONE HAVE A BLESSED DAY