Support Groups - I need a challenge - again!

This is a search to catch up with my old pals - I'm really missing you all and could really do with some friendly "faces" at the moment.

Jo, Chris, all of you, I hope you're all out there.

I'm gonna keep this fairly short, just mainly a chance to get back in touch.

As you can imagine, life has been pretty crappy, and it seems to get harder as the reality of it all starts to set in. I'm missing Marc so much, and only just starting to feel the impact of his death.

I've stacked on the weight - too much comfort eating, and I really need to get myself back in some semblance of control.

The kids are ok - Becky's too young to know what's going on, but Josh is struggling. It's hard because we are both finding it harder now as time goes on, so our patience is not the best at the moment.

I hope you're all ok and thanks again for all your emails.

Take care and look forward to getting back in touch.

Lynne

This is not comforting! Only kidding... :-)

You're all probably as busy as me, so I might email you instead.

Take care Lynne

Lynne,

I am here. I had stopped checking in cause no one was ever here. Glad to see you are back, now if only we could get Jo back in here. I havent talked to her in ages!

I know things are hard on you, but I hope that the knowledge that people care about you is some comfort. I will continue to remember you in prayer.

Things here are going well. I am in my 30th week of pregnancy. Just really starting to get to the uncomfortable stage. I had a terrible sore spot in my belly yesterday. Couldnt walk, couldnt stand up straight. Finally I laid down and started feeling it and realized that it was rock hard. That is when I realized that the baby was laying right there, so I started to gently massage him, trying to get him to move off. Finally he did and the pain went away. That was a new experience for me. At least next time I will better know what it is and take action sooner.

I have the nursery all done. Just waiting for baby showers now to get the things we have not gotten yet....and there is still plenty, believe me. I never realized how much STUFF a little person needs--Geesh. I told Barry that we might need to buy a bigger house--LOL

I really cant remember how much I have told you guys, so if I repeat myself I am sorry.

We are having a little boy. At least that is what the ultrasound said and the tech was pretty sure of it. We are naming him Brooks William.

I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes 2 weeks ago. They are controlling me with diet right now and if all goes well will continue to do so thoughout the remainder of the pregnancy. They have told me that in all likelihood it will go away as soon as I deliver Brooks. I am very borderline with it and as a matter of fact they just lowered the exceptable number range last year. My dr told me based on the old numbers I would have passed.
Regardless, I look at this as a good thing. The diet has forced me to start eating better (it reminds me a lot of ww) and has made my weight gain taper off. At my 6 month appt I had gained 25 lbs already. At my 7 month appt I had only gained another 1-2 lbs. So that was much better.

Well, I had better go. I have got tons of stuff to get done around this house today, not to mention work demands.

I will check in more often now that I know you are back, Lynne. I hope Jo will return soon as well. Do you have her email? If so, email her and tell her to get back in here!!!!! :D

bump

Lynne & Chris--Just checked the old sights tonight and found you both again. I've really missed checing in and getting some support. Having a terrible time weightwise. Going thru meno. and not sure if thats accounting for the gain. Im FAT and feeling terrible. The old acid reflux is back in full swing. Had a bout of the stomach flu all day so decided maybe tomorrow is the day for new beginnings--haven't kept much of anything down today---Just maybe my tummy will shrink a little :LOL: and staying on track will be easier tomorrow. I am still walking 3 times a week--but it's getting tougher with the extra weight. Talk about de ja vu--got a WW flyer in the mail yesterday---I am leading toward re-joining--hate going back when I've been such a failure at keeping the weight off--but I can't let that keep me down. We/ve had our usual hecktic summer here--lots of traveling and trips to the lake weekly--so I'm back to the eating out far more than is healthy for me.
Lynne--hope your taking care of yourself. What is your home life like now? are you still loving close to your folks?? I'm probably not the one to give you any lifestyle suggestions==but think about your children--your all they have now and they need you at a healthy weight so you can care for them for many years to come. I'm sure money is tight--but exercise is free and taling to Chris and I is too--we're here for you--
Chris--the count down is on. No I didn't know it was a boy--congratulations. Sounds like your doing well with your program--even if you are feeling fat now--it isn't the time to diet--just eat sensibly and walk, walk, walk!!
I really will try to stay on touch--I miss talking to both of you. I do still get an occasional email from Sandy--in Canada. Her life is full and she seems to be enjoying it--heard from her tonight. If we get this site going strong again I'll ask her to re-join us with her words of wisdom--sounds like Lynee and I could both use it!
Jo:wave:

JO!!!

It was so nice to see your post! I have missed you gals. I have been trying to check in from time to time to see if either of you had posted, so it was a real treat to see your post this am. I am so sorry to hear that you at the stomach flu and that you are so down about your weight, but you know what you have to do to fix that. You have all the knowledge and the tools.....we just have to help you find that motivation again. You can do it.
I havent heard from Lynne lately. I hope she comes back real soon. I am sure that she has a lot on her plate right now.
I love that you still keep in touch with Sandy. Please tell her that I said hello next time you talk with her.

Yes, I am in the short rows now.....6 more weeks, WOO WHOOO!!!! I have gained about 30 lbs and that is on top of the 20 that I had gained back before finding out I was pregnant. I have not been dieting of course, but needless to say I am anixous to start WW again just as soon as the doctor says I can. I have not been exercising...I know I should, but I am soooo tired and have so much stuff to do all the time....busy, busy busy with getting nursery done, shopping for stuff to take to hospital, nesting, showers, etc. I will have to make myself get back into that.
Barry and I are both very excited about meeting our little man! It seems that these last weeks will never pass.

Well, I had better run. I hope to hear from you and Lynne soon .

Chris--I will try to email Lynne direct tonight. Sometimes it doesn't go--other times it does--COMPUTERS:shrug: Having a good week so far--the end of the week will be the tough part. Two big events at work where I won't have control over the food served--I can only eat it in moderation. Thinking about WW next week. I go in for my yearly physical on the 3rd--so I'll find out then if any of this gain is due to the problems I've been having with Menop. My blood levels have been way low for several months now so maybe my body has been telling me to eat more to get them back up----a nice thought anyhow. Sure can't be MY lack of motivation:LOL: I'll try to contact Lynne tonight--hope we can get her to re-join us--we all need the motivation--talk tomorrow.
Jo:wave:

Chris Lynne--where are you two? I'll keep checking in to see if your back. Hope your both well.
Jo:wave:

I'm here. Sorry, keep forgetting to check in. It has been so long since we have all been here that it is hard getting back in the habit. :o


Everything here is fine....just ready to have this baby. 5 more weeks!! Will they ever pass???? I had a dr appt today and tried to talk him into going ahead and inducing (not seriously of course), but he wouldnt go for it.
Baby is in the head down position and starting to drop. Not starting to dilate yet, but I am starting to soften. He is guessing the baby is going to be in the 7-8 lb range. Gosh, I hope he is right....I certainly dont want one any bigger than that!!!!!!

I have ABSOLUTELY no energy today. Some days I have lots of energy, but today....zilch! I would really love to be able to go take a nap, but I still have 30 minutes on the clock and then mom has invited me over for Pinto beans. No one makes a pot of pinto beans like momma!!! Would not miss that one for the WORLD!!!!!!

I hope you both are doing well. Jo, did you try emailing Lynne???? Did you go ahead and start WW again. I think I might stop in at the meeting tonight on my way to moms, just to see the old gang and let them know I will be back soon! Besides seeing this big ole belly of mine should make them all feel like skinny minnies!!!

Take care and I will talk to you soon. If I go MIA shoot me an email to get me jump started again. Cferguson_rehm@yahoo.com

Hey ladies! Chris--the 5 weeks will go fast. I did hear from Lynne--regular e-mail. Her puter is down so she's checking it at her mom's. Hopefully she'll join us soon. No I haven't joined Ww yet. I went for my regular yearly on Friday. I'm up 15 lbs. from last year :( But she isn't too concerned( but I am! Anyhow--the good news is she's having a weight gain/loss seminar in Oct. for menop/pre-meno women and then will have private weight loss classes after that. Won't be covered by insurance but she is keeping the cost at the minimum. Will also prescribe drugs is she thinks their necessary. I'm going to the seminar--then I'll decide about the drugs. WW special will still be going on so I can join after that if I don't think I've learned enough from the doctor about keeping weight off during menopause. She said that the new studies show that the average women gains 6 pounds a year--every year she's in pre-meno and then another few after menopause:rolleyes: can it get any worse????? Oh well---by the time your back in the program--after Mr. Brooks makes his appearance--we'll get serious about this weight loss thing--in the meantime, I'm just going to take baby steps trying to get back in the rythem slowly--being conscience of what goes in my mouth and buying healthier choices--and of course--still walking before the weather gets too cold. And the heck with the stats--I WILL NOT GAIN 6 MORE POUNDS THIS YEAR :LOL:
Lynne--hope to hear from you soon--computer problems are the pits! Chris--hang in there--baby will be here soon enough--and then the real fun begins. How is your weather--any problems from Frances??
Jo:wave:

Hi to both of you!

This will be very short, but wanted to let you know what was going on here.

Found out yesterday (10/1) that Brooks is breech and they feel it is too risky to try to turn him at this point. My official due date is 10/7. They have scheduled me for a c-section for this coming Tuesday am 10/5. I took the news hard to start with, but have come to terms with it and while I am still a little nervious ( I have never had any kind of surgery before) I am doing a lot better with the notion now and am keeping my eyes on the prize which will be my little baby.

Keep us in your prayers.

I will not be checking in here I am sure for a while, so if you would like email me at cfrehm@yahoo.com
I will try to check that as much as possible.

Love to you both!!!

Chris

Well, I am back, but from the looks of it I am the only one! HO HUM, it is lonely being me--LOL.

We have a beautiful baby boy, Brooks William. Born Oct 5th at 7:56am, 7 lbs 13 ozs and 20 inches long. A head full of blonde hair and the biggest blue eyes (of course I guess they could change, but with Barry and I both having very blue eyes, I doubt it).
We are both doing well. I only have to get up with him twice during the night....well really only once cause the last one is around 7am and it is just about time to get up then anyway.
I have started back to work already, but with my working out of the home I just didnt see the point in taking a bunch of time off. And also my boss said he would cover for me anytime I needed to take some time for a nap or dr appt or whatever.

Well, I guess that is about it for now considering that basically I am taking to myself here---LOL

COME BACK YOU TWO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rollpin:

My doctor said I could start WW again in 6 weeks....I cant do this without you guys!!!!

I just wanted to say congratulations!!!!!!


Dale

It's ME! Kermie....I'm still kicking, and doing the "scale" dance, step on - step off....I care about losing weight, I don't care....but of course, I DO care and will lose again.

Since last post, approx. last spring, I've managed to pile on about 10 lbs., and it must go. Have joined WW for 10 wks., lost about 7 lbs., and gained it back again...too many lunches out with pals, and too much eating out altogether.

I'm happy I found you guys again, and am definitely "Up for the Challenge".

Kermie (aka Sandy)

Trixi: Thank you!


SANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is so great to cyber see you again!!!!!! How have you been???? Have you talked to Jo lately? You two have kept up with eachother via email, right?
Anyway, it is great to have you back....please keep coming. As for the scale dance...you will get it together again.
I will be glad when I am able to get back on program. I am at my all time heaviest----((((sigh)))), but I guess with good reason. I think the breastfeeding is helping some. Barry says to be patient and give it time after all it has only been two weeks (as of today) that I gave birth. I just dont have any "normal" clothes that I can get into and I am sooooo sick of maternity clothes.

Well, better run...Have to take Brooks to the doctor. I noticed a foul odor coming from his cord stump and need to have it checked. I think it is infected.
Why dont they give out owners manuals with these little babies? It would make things so much easier---LOL

Dearest Wannabe: How old is your baby????? My dear daughter had a wee son 2 wks. ago yesterday, and he still has his umbilical cord too....it's wonderful to hear from you, and congratulations on your wonderful new baby....

Hugs, and kisses to you and your Babycakes...

Kermie...

Hey there Gang! What do you say we set ourselves a goal of 10 lbs. by Xmas time? That seems realistic to me, and I will start charting myself today....I have missed the gang here.

Chris, thanks for your very valueable e.mail, I've passed it on to my daughter and she's relieved she's not the only one in the world doing the bottle/thing....

10 lbs. by Xmas...who's UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

And I am writing down my present weight today, and charting the lbs. and oz. as they come off....will do that in private for the time being.

Jo, I'm still on the "good" side of 200 lbs...BUT not by a lot...it's scary how quickly it piles on again. Lately tho, I've been in "hibernation mode", I find every fall I crave heavy breads, homemade soups, and the like, and nothing like carbs (with butter added) to pile on those extra, unwanted lbs..

Good luck to all, and Lynne, if you're around and "out there" we love you and are thinking of you - so come on back into the room, and get your hugs...

Kermie (aka Sandy).

Hey Kermie & Chris--good to hear from both of you. I've tried the last few nights to get back to you but the site is sooo sllloow--I don't have the patience. I,m still hanging in here. My craft boutique is this weekend. Came up way too fast. Ive been under the weather lately with female problems--don't know if ;they'll ever end. I,m going to a menop. seminar next week--maybe that will answer some questions. I started a new med this week--hopefully it will get this bleeding under control--that's the biggest problem--I'm so tired and sore all the time from the low hemo. counts.
Congratulations Chris--send pictures when you get time. WW will be a good thing for you--you,ve done so well there in the past. And with the nursing==the weight will come off quicker. Hope your little guy is ok.
Kermie--I know how you feel. I string a few good days together then down hill again.
I have been faithful to my walking--until this week--will get going again next week after my new meds have a chance to kick in. Are you still going to TOPS??
After my appointemnt next week I'll know more about what route I should take. My ob/gyn said that weight control and weight loss will be part of the seminar,. I hope soo--I'm tired of being FAT!
Will talk soon--I'll be busy the next few days but I'll keep you both in my thoughts. Stay in touch--you can support each other until I return__early next week.
Jo:wave:

HI Jo and Chris: Weighed in again this morning, still the same as yesterday, and am going out to dinner again tonight...but will attempt to be more astute (sp?) than I have been as of late....

Tomorrow is a watercolour workshop (away from fridge) for the day, and hopefully, will have a light dinner (alone) at home....and then Sunday will have my children and the new grandson over to dinner...and my son and his expectant wife here as well...babies, coming out of my ears....the 2nd grandbaby is due mid Feb., so it'll be fun in my life after Dave's death last year...

Will now go and do 20 mins. on the treadmill - Jo, that's your doing - you have been faithfull to walking, well - I've been faithful to cleaning out my garden, etc., and any kind of planned exercise has taken a back seat, and it's amazing how soon those calf muscles shrink if you don't use the treadmill or another form of everyday kind of exercise.

Have a good wk. end you guys, and what do you say - 10 lbs. off by Xmas? Or is that too lofty a goal for us...

Kermie (aka Sandy).

WHERE are my challenge pals?????

Kermie...

Hey Kermie--sorry--craft boutique was this weekend so I've had three very long days---glad it's over with for another year. 10 pounds sounds wonderful. Hubby was just diagnoised with diabetes so it's time for a change in our household. We see the diatician on the 4th. I'm pretty ignorant to a healthy diet for diabetes. And with my sweet loving, pop drinking husband it will be a challenge:( I also see my ob/gyn for a menopase seminar on tuesday. She will also be discussing the best way to fight weight gain during menop.so maybe I'll get some answers. I got home from Church around 4 pm today and we walked to our local Subway for dinner. Figured it was a pretty healthy meal and with the approximate 2 mile round trip it was a little exercise thrown in. Yes I have been pretty faithful to my walking before work--except last week--too much bleeding going on to even think about walking. Started a new med to control it some--hope it doesn't have a side effect of weight gain :lol: Loved the picture of your new grandson?? what is his name? Very beautiful baby:)
Chris--how is Mr. Brooks??? We'd love to see him.
Gonna run--I'm pretty worn out from the boutique thing. I'm going to put my feet up and read the newspaper. Will talk tomorrow. Your on for the 10 pound goal Kermie--We can do it!!!
Jo:wave:

Dear Jo! You sure have things on your plate! I hope the Tues. thing is helpful and tells you something you don't already know (and gives solutions). And a diabetic diet is a healthy diet, and exercise that goes with it...

Chris: Yes, I'd love to see your baby Brooks also...take care, we love babies and I trust all's well with you.

Are you up for the 10 lbs. Challenge before Xmas?

Kermie...

I'm here!

Good to see you again JO!!! Hope the doctors get you straightened out soon!!!

Kermie: I am DEFINATELY up to the 10 lb challenage! Thank you for issueing it....maybe it will get me jump started. Right now I am having a tough time keeping out of the halloween candy. I wish those trick or treaters would hurray up and come get this stuff before I eat it all.

Brooks is doing good...Great actually! I will email Kermie some pictures as I have her email. Kermie, you have my permission to email them to Jo. I dont have Jo's email addy, but I believe you do.
I just hope they are not too dark for you to see them. We have a digital camera, but we dont have the light that goes with it yet, so our pictures are coming out dark a lot of the times.

I have to go....Brooks is crying....((((sigh)))) I really need to get him settled so that I can get a shower.

Love to you all!

Hey Ladies--good to hear from both of you on the same day. Looks like we're all ready for this challenge. I haven't had the best day today but I didn't try to either--sorta my last horrah before D-day tomorrow. I haven't had a problem with the Halloween candy--mainly becuse I haven;t opened any of it. I know that if I do it would be one bar at a time until it turned into one bag at a time:shrug: Just praying for lots of kids this year because I did buy a lot. Figured hubby would take the left overs hunting like in the past--but now with the diabetes diagnois that isn't the best plan any more. I am looking forward to tomorrow night--hope it/s informative. She did tell me in August that the average women gains 6 pounds every year during peri menopause and menopause. That would expain this giant pouch I'm carrying! I'm also interested in the right vitamins etc that I should be taking. After this seminar she is going to offer weight loss options in her office--including Meridia? The office calls and drugs probably won't be covered by insurance but I don't care--I need to have some type of support system behind me and that would be it. Stepping on the scale in her office every month would keep me on program. In August we had talked about a 3 month committment to get me started in the right direction--and then we'd go from there. I can do anything for 3 months---RIGHT????
Chris--you must be getting close to being ready to go back to WW. You did soo well there last time. You can send the pictures to me also--if you would. My E-mail is craftwomanJo @cs.com. I would love to see your little bundle.
Kermie--is TOPS still an option for you?? I continue to keep my eyes open for a convenient meeting time close by but no luck. Everything is closer to where I work and I'm not going to get back in the car after dark and drive 25 miles for a meeting. Once I get home in the evening--I'm home---wish I could find one at 4 pm--then I would go on my way home--and I would go--same with WW. I was going on Thursday mornings at 7:30 am--which was fine--but I had to cut out the last 15 minutes to make it to work on time. I did it for a while then quit. I found myself missing most of the lecture--which is the part that I needed the most. And with WW I liked the idea of weighing in in the morning--It seemed like a more accurate weight. I KNOW--as long as I weighed the same time every week it would be accurate--all mornings or all evenings--but I have a hard time accepting that....
I am taking off work to go with Hubby to his diatician meeting. He is really stressing out on this diet thing. He is very uneducated about nutiritional things. Can't get it thru his head that he can still eat very well--just different than he's used too. Hopefully they can explain the different food groups better to him than I can. He just called from the lake and today has been an eating disaster. He's way too heavy on the breads--ok on protein but dairy has been non-excistant:shrug: oh well--some day he'll catch on. Now if I can convince him that vegetables really is a food group and their are more vegis than lettuce and tomato on a burger:lol:
Gonna run--I have lots of housework to catch up on--talk on Wed. I know I'll get home too late tomorrow to touch base but I will be thinking about you both. THINK THIN!!!
Jo:wave:

Hi Chris & Jo: Well - we're on for the 10 lbs. before Xmas...and that gives me direction, knowing I'm not doing it alone...I'm running out the door to my daughter's...going to feed and bathe the baby...and I'm showing up with a soother, hope she doesn't kick me out...but waking up at 3AM every night, then even after feeding he still screams bloody murder can't be fun. Chris does your bambino have a soother?

Jo, your husband will have to get a soother instead of digging into the grub, guess he's stressed out about the diagnosis....BUT....reality bites, and don't we all know it.

Chris: Will send the pics of your dear Brooks to Jo...right now.

Love ya guys...

Kermie

WOO WHOO!!!! Stepped on the scales today and I have lost 20 lbs since giving birth to Brooks!!! Of course I am still WAY over my goal weight, but hey, have to take comfort in small steps right? I am now at the weight I was when I originally joined WW a few years back. So I figure I need to lose about 30 more lbs give or take a few. I need to update my signature to show my current stats.

Jo, Your hubby will get the picture eventually. It really isnt that bad of a diet....having been on it for the last 4 months or so of my pregnancy I speak from experience. He can still treat himself here and there, but will have to learn to pair carbs with protein. For example if he eats something sweet then he needs to eat something high in protein (like peanut butter) with it to counteract the carb. I am sure the dietician will make it make sense to him. Good luck!

Sandy, What is a soother? Is it the same as a pacifier? If so, then YES!!! We did not want to give Brooks one, but that rule was one of the first ones broken. He was given one (we call it his Nuk-Nuk) within the first few nights home. In my opinion it is better than him sucking on his thumb or fingers. After all, you can always take the paci away, but the fingers are there to stay.
I can say that I am blessed in the fact that Brooks usually goes right back to sleep after his late night, early am feedings. I dont normally have to much problem with that. After he finishes feeding I rock him for about 5-10 minutes and he is sound asleep again.
My breast milk has dried up and he is on formula completely now. Is your daughter supplimenting with formula at all???? If she is not opposed to formula feeding then that may give her some relief at night as formula is heavier on the babe's stomache and will help him to sleep better and longer between feedings.

Well, I need to run....I have at least gotten a shower and washed my hair today----yippee!!! I now need to put on makeup and get ready to go to wal-mart for my weekly grocery shopping trip. I am not supposed to start WW for another 3 weeks, but I am going to buy some of my old favorite WW foods tonight when I go shopping and start trying to get back into the groove slowly.

Good luck to you both working your programs---WE CAN DO THIS!!!

Has anyone heard from Lynne???

HI Chris and Kermie--Chris--didn't get any pictures with your e-mail--nothing attached. Did get the pictures from Kermie but haven't seen them yet--they just finished downloading--I'll check them out after I've signed off. Glad to hear your both doing well--20 pounds is GREAT Chris!!!:spin: Hope the rest comes off easily too. Can't talk long--dinner is almost ready and hubby should be thru the door any minute. Last night was very interesting. Didn'
t learn a lot about weight control but did pick up a lot on menopause--including a breakdown on just about everything on the market to help with the side-effects. Very informative and worth while. Can't get into my doctor until Dec----:( so I guess I had better get started on my own--happy to say my halloween stash is still stashed and un-opened-----a new record for me!! Hurry up Halloween! Haven't stepped on the scale since I started this new med--but not feeling too bloated so hopefully weight gain won't be one of the side effects I'll experience from it--weighing in tomorrow--and getting started toward my 10 pounds by Christmas--
Talk later
Jo:wave:

Chris--nope--nothing attached again. I did see the pictures from Kermie. They are a little dark but I can see him. Bet he's already getting big. WHo's personality does he have--or can't you tell yet??
Having an ok day. Didn't get in a lot of walking this week....the weather has been terrible--rainy, drizzly and just plain ugly. Hope the weekend is a little better so I can get in a good walk. We're actually in town. Got a call back from my doctor today on her weight loss classes. Can't get in to see her until December 17--but I took the appointment. I'll just have to get started on my own until then. Still haven't stepped on the scale--don't want the sticker shock:lol:
Kermie--where are you? Thanks for forwarding the pictures of Brooks. And thanks for the picture last week of your Grandson. He is a cutie!! What is a soother?? I don't know that term either.
I wrote to Lynne last week--e-mail--but so far no response. She may not have a computer yet. The last time I heard from her she was using her Mum's. Wish we would hear something. I may go to the "Buddy" site tonight to see if she has started another thread.

What a gas--just got my "You've got mail" notation and it's from Kermie--guess your still around. I'll check here later to see if you've posted. If not--I'll talk tomorrow. Hubby just called and he's on his way home and Hungry!!! Gotta rustle something up for him.
Jo:wave:

Hey--It's the weekend!! Very warm today--so now we're under severe thunderstorm warnings. Cold tomorrow. Only in Minnesota and Canada--right Kermie??? Ok week for me--really feel like I've been dragging. I get that way when I don't get in my walking. I will get in some this weekend--even if it's only at the mall. Hubby bought me a new pedometer the other night. I'm having a devil of a time figuring it out--wish he would have bought me an easier one to use--like the last one I had--I may end up taking it back and picking out something I can figure out myself. I don't really need a stop watch, pace setter, date time year calories burned etc--I just want to count my steps. How is the life changes going girls--sounds better than diet--doesn't it??? Mine is not going well--haven't gotten motivated yet---but I will. Talk tomorrow or Sunday. Have a good weekend.
Jo:wave:

Dear Chris & Jo: No word from Lynne....here....A soother is a pacifier...and my family called it a "loo loo"....Chris. Will tell my daughter about the supplemental formula at night feeding - and thanks for that information.

Jo - I've done 30 mins. on the treadmill today and that's a big deal for me, the trick is to get on by 7:30am or I just don't have the time when I start all my "day things"....so I have that info now as well.

Chris...20 lbs. is great...good for you gal! Would love to drop 20 lbs., but have to start with one lb. first.

Glad we're here, and Jo let us know if you've found Lynne...

Kermie.

Kermie--no word from Lynne yet--I'll try again soon to her regular e-mail. She may be without a computer at home using her mom's--I know that was the case the last time I heard from her. Hope she is doing ok--widowhood at her age has to be very difficult--especially when you factor in the financial instability--and 2 young children.
I haven't gotten too motivated yet--still pretty bummed that I can't get in to my doctor until December--and now more menstal problems--of course that could be a blessing--maybe I'll get to see my doc. sooner and can bring up the weightloss problems on that visit:devil:
One pound at a time does sound more managable than thinking about 40 or 50- so that''s my plan too--one day at a time and one pound goals at a time. Rainy again today--but I'm sure hubby will get the bug to get out soon and we can walk at the local mall or something. Just running around amounts to some exercise. I am going to return the pedometer he bought me and pick out one that I can figure out how to operate. I had really wanted him to just pick out the kind I had before (and have somehow misplaced) One of those things that disappeared during out move last year. As soon as I relace it the other one will show up I'm sure.
Chris--how goes it for you??? Are you finding work and baby stressful?? It does help working out of your own home--as long as your disaplined. My daughter has done it for several years now with 4 children--but she does have live in help. Still she has to stick to her daily planner as well as she can--can't give in too often to unplanned walks in the park etc. Is your hubby pretty good about watching the baby when he gets home from work??
Gonna run--I've been doing a little long neglected housework--how can dust get so thick so fast????? Looking forward to hubby's appointment with the nutritionist next week--maybe it will help me get started on a diet also. He is feeling better now that we have his sugar levels a little more stable--but so far we don't have the prescription for a monitor so I'm not sure how stable I have him. His eyesite has gotten much better and he isn't getting the light headiness and headaches any more so I know we're going in the right direction.
Talk tomorrow. Good to hear from you Kermie and thanks for the day brightners you sent. How is your weather now?? We are cooling down--but yesterday was in the 70's--un-REAL for late October! Today only expecting 52 :( and rain.
Jo:wave:

Jo: Weather has been wet and cold...but today is brighter and NO RAIN.

I had a pretty bad wk. end, baked a ham and my company couldn't make it, just flushed 2 litres of Ice Cream down the garburator...vanilla with white chocolate in it...and froze the remainders of the ham, now I'm ready for bear! Going for a pedicure in an hr. so this will be short too....still doing the treadmill, find it best at 7:00 am, then it's done!

Be well girls, and Jo, take it easy, Dec. will be here very soon, and get your hubby a monitor....being in control of our lives (and having the right attitude, and equipment makes it ALL easier).

Love ya.

Kermie (aka Sandy).

Hey Sandy--we checked into the monitor today. He tried reaching his doctor--only to find he's on vacation. He is seeing the nutritionist and diabetic educator on Thursday--so I guess we wait until then for the monitor. Just doing the best we can until then. I had a pretty good day. Walked before work--Did 13000 plus steps. Yes I did finally find a pedometer I liked! So far eating today has been in control-so one day down. Did get on the scale today--the same as last month so no dmage done on the new meds--or if there was i've lost it. Planning on weighing once a week--it's better for me that way-- Talk tomorrow--having a busy day--election day and all. Hope it goes the way I'm voting!!
Jo:wave:

Jo: One good day of eating under my belt too....so we're on the right track Jo. Must tell you, when I was going to WW, Tues. was my day, and the stress feeling would be building by now (Mon.), I'd starve most of Mon. and eat nothing til after my weigh in Tues., bad - bad....but that's the way it was....stress - stress...I'll weigh in a couple of times a wk. at home and track it on a chart....

I have a BIG date on Dec. 10 (VERY formal), got my long black skirt today and a couple of new tops...it's a gourmet dining group of men (13 of them), who have done this for yrs., and once a yr. they take "their ladies" along, very posh...tuxedos - the whole bit...so I'd like to drop 10 lbs. before Dec. 10, and am really giving it the old college try....am going with a real gentleman - who's tall and slim, and feel quite excited about the whole experience.

Wish me luck, and I'm going to make it happen!

Good luck Thurs. with hubby, monitor, etc.

Kermie (aka Sandy).

Hey Ya'll!!!

I just read your posts and I wish I could say that I had one good day under my belt like ya'll have, but alas, I cant. I can say though that I am feeling stronger and sent Barry off to work today with every single left over piece of Halloween candy that was in the house. I had oatmeal for breakfast and a cup and a half of black coffee, so, so far only 3 points consumed! Yeah, for me!!!!

This is going to be a short post....my computer is doing something funky. The cursor keeps jumping around and sometimes deleteing things I have already typed. Been doing that for a few days now....dont know much about computers. Will have to have Barry take a look at it soon.

Weather here has been sunny and in the 70's over the last few days. Absolutely beautiful!!

Good for you Jo, getting in all those steps. I wish I could find time to do some sort of excerise, but things here are soooo busy all the time!!! Maybe soon.

Sandy, I know you can lose those 10 lbs by Dec 10th. Stay focused and drink your water. And good for you as well for all the time you are putting into the treadmill!!!

Well, better go before I lose this post cause of this dang computer. Besides, I need to write some thank you notes, shower, clean the fire place out and OH the little prince is starting to scream bloody murder---((((sigh)))

Love to you both!!!!!!!!

Kermie & Chris--gald to see a post from both of you. I'm on bedrest so your giving me something to do. Ended up in the Emergency room early Tuesday morning then in surgery for a D & C. This one really took it's toll on me. Came out of it with a hemog. count of 7.9. They didn't give me a transfussion--because my docotor says I've always been such a good blood rebuilder on my own. Really feeling it today. Very headachy, sluggish and SORE from my head to my toes. Turned out to be almost 2 hours of surgery--followed by 3 hours of diareaha and vomiting--not my best day:lol: Taking it VERY easy today--and tomorrow. I will go with hubby to his appointment--just so he gets everything right. We did test him at the pharmacy last night and his blood sugar was 130--not too bad. The doc wants it at 120 or lower.
Gonna go--have to get my feet back up.
Your fancy party sounds wonderful Kermie--good motivation. Just think about how great you'll look everytime something tempting to eat comes along. Chris--good idea giving the candy away. I think I may do the same. I will send part of it hunting with my son this weekend. Right now it doesn't sopund good to me--I KNOW I'm not feeling well when chocolate doesn't call my name ;)
Jo:wave:

Hi you guys!

Chris: Spent the day with Allison yesterday, and we took the wee man grocery shopping, and he slept thru it. She's got him sleeping in the car seat all day and all night...I feel he'll have curviture of the spine, but she won't listen to me...and gets cross when I mention these things...I know about the screaming...where do they get THOSE voices? They have such impact!

Jo: A D & C, yikes....that was a real ordeal....and you must feel like a truck hit you!
And you have to keep going....yikes...what a girl...hope things go well with you and your husband....please keep us posted...

My weight program is going well, all I needed was something to look forward to....my life is good, am counting points...and still treadmilling....seem to be heading the right way on the scale...down....

Kermit...

Kermie--feeling better by the hour. Slept most of today but I am moving around more tonight. Sat on the deck for a while to get some fresh air --think maybe that's what I needed to clear the rest of the anesthia gas from my system. Also drinking lots of water. Headache is finally gone. I have a freind who let her daughter sit in the car seat and let her sleep in it too for several months. Her spine is fine--but I know it worried me too at the time. Can't be too terrible comfortable but it must be some sort of secure feeling for a baby. Does your daughter have one of those rocking seats for in the house? I can't remember what their called, but its a low sling type chair that runs on batteries and gently rocks the baby--I'm babysitting my 4 grandchildren the weekend of the 19th. Looking forward to it. We haven't seen much of them since early September. I got on the scale Monday and it wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. Weighed this morning and I was up a pound but I'm pretty sure that has to be caused by 16 straight hours of IV's. As soon as thats o;ut of my system maybe I'll see a little loss. Appetite is better tonight--but I'm having to watch it--1 med you take with food, 1 on an empty stomach and one 2 hours before my iron pill or calcium---it's almost easier not to eat for a while!!! Haven't taken any pain pills today--just regular tylenol. I figured the extra iron pills are constipating enough without throwing in the codine which also causes constipation. Taking tomorrow off too. My blood preassure is still very low and my hemog. will be for several weeks. Glad to hear you like the scale these days---is this a new gentleman friend your going out with?? My husband has his 40th class reunion in May--so maybe thats what I'll set my goal weight loss for. I should be able to take off quite a bit in that amount of time--especially if I toe the line to make it easier for him to stick to his new diet. 6 months--5 pounds a month--that's do-able!
Chris--how are you feeling?? Brooks will get his schedule down soon. Do you have family support close by??? If not--maybe you can hire a sitter for an hour or two a day until you get your work/baby schedule working out to both of your satisfactions--
Gonna run--or walk SLOW! Hubby is due home and I haven't even made the bed up--no sense when I was in it most of the day!
10 pounds to go-----
Jo:wave:
Chris

Hi to you guys I just read some of your threads I sure would like to lose 10 lbs by Christmas Grandma3 I have been a yo-yo dieting all my life up and down I am sorry to hear your husbby was diagnoised with diabetes.....well I have 2 sons with diabetes one was only 6 years old and the other was about 12 years and now my Hubby has just found out he too has it but not on insulin yet just diet and boy it isnt easy .So you really have to watch the food in take and excerise so it is good you are going to see a dietian if you have any ???? feel free to ask if I can be any help to you Jean

Jean--thanks for the response. We are seeing a diaician today. So far he's feeling pretty good. He is having vision problems that have him very concerned. We are going to a optomoligist as soon as we can. Once he gets his monitor it should help also--we are playing it by ear right now. His doctor is on vacation and won't be back until te 11th. Hopefully he will get the prescriptions today for the monitor and testing strips. Right now he is on Amaryl. We did test him at the pharmacy the other night--1 hour after eating and he was as 130--not great but better than the 362 at diagnoisis.
Kermie--I'll post later to you. We/re about ready to head out the door. I am feeling better today--still light headed when I stand to quickly--but that is to be expected.
Jo:wave:

Dear Chris, Jo and Grandma! Glad to see a new face in here! Welcome Jean....

Jo: You're doing good girl, resting and staying low....and relaxing...you will surely be ready for hubby's reunion in spring....and

Chris: My daughter won't allow her baby to cry, I think that's bad, she thinks it upsets the dog, the cat and her husband (but I'm sure it's hereself it upsets the most), baby's need to cry, it's good for their lungs or something (and gives everyone else a headache), but if they can't talk or bark or meow...they have to do something...am I scewed on this one?

I'm still "on program" had lunch out today, had my salad and NO homemade hot breadsticks...I did well...pat - pat.....

Be good, and we'll all be 10 lbs. lighter by Xmas...I find my 20 mins. on the treadmill just flies past now.

Kermie.

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Hi again Kermie just notice you are Canadaian too eh :lol: I am in Sault Ste Marie Ontario Hope every one is having a good day I am trying hard to stick to eating right I was down to 174 this summer and now I am 179 not good but going to keep that 10lbs gone by Christmas :D Jean

Hi Kermie & Jean--dang--had a post started to you both and I think I lost it--went back to check on something and it wasn't here when I returned--Kermie--loved the shower post--SOOOOO TRUE!!! Jean-glad to see your sticking with us. We love to hear from new people--let us know a little about yourself--I know you have 2 sons and a hubby--how old now--if your a grandma--they must not still be 6 and 12:lol:
I have 3 adult children 35, 33 and 29. My oldest daughter is married with 4 children--so I'm really grandma4 now but never changed it--- I live in Minnesota--just north of the twin cities. Work in Human Services with handicapped adults. My husband is semi-retired--works 2 days a week. Empty nesters these days in a new home we built last year. Enough info about me
Kermie--I am laying low. Worked all day yesterday and came home exhausted--in bed by 7 pm. Hubby and son are hunting this weekend--so I only have to worry about me. Planning on a little early Christmas shopping this afternoon but I will take it easy--and not over do. The good news is DOWN 2 POUNDS THIS MORNING!! Just hope it doesn't take surgery for the next 2 pounds :devil:
Heard from Lynne this morning---she hopes to re-join us soon. Is having sporatic computer problems still--Said she is doing ok. and misses us all. She is up for the Christmas challenge. Hope to see a post soon.
I agree with you Kemie on the crying thing--but your daughter will have to learn on her own---or have a very spoiled baby!
Chris--how are you and your little guy??? Haven't heard from you lately.
Gonna run---or walk slowly---maybe there are two post from me today--not sure where the other one went.
Jo:wave:

Hello again well I have 4 grand kids One is 23 today and one 19 the other two are 10 and 7 .Well I had three boys oldest 44 and 2nd one was 39 when he passed away then the youngest is 36 . One lives about 7 hr.drive and the other is about 3 hrs away so I dont see them as much as I would like .I have been dieting all my life up and down .But now I think I am going to do ok just have to put my mine to it I like to walk and I have a excerise bike and Leslie Sansone walking tapes so no excuses for me I am 62 years young and weigh 178 lbs so hoping by Christmas I will be 168 ...... well thats it for now Jean

Hello strangers! :D

Firstly, THANK YOU all for your thoughts and kindness in remembering me. I had tears in my eyes tonight from reading that you hadn't forgotten and wanted to know how I am - it makes me a little less lonely!!!! :grouphug:

Secondly, I've had to change my name cos I couldn't remember my password, and then they gave me a new username, but the activation wouldn't work, so I had to completely re-register! :mad: But that's cool, cos it's kinda appropriate to be starting new.....

Although it's only been a few months, it feels like a lifetime ago since I talked to you all. My life before Marc's death is such a blur, and pretty much everything since then has been too. But I'm attempting to function, mainly cos everyone expects me to - I've got children, I'm not allowed to crawl into a corner and mourn for months! Pity...

Life is slowly taking shape again. I've gone back to work, which was hard. I got a call from a recruitment agency that I was listed with, asking if I was interested in a part time job they had. They knew I wasn't really looking at the moment - I wasn't going to consider work until next year - but they said the job would be perfect for me. It was really hard to say yes. I get panic attacks every time I try to do anything that takes me out of my little cocoon of safety at home with the kids and my family. But I'm so glad I did. I started 2 weeks ago, am doing 15 hours a week, and really enjoying it. I really thought my brain was too mushy to be much help to anyone, but it's actually got the old wheels turning again, and I'm finding I haven't lost my touch.

I signed up for a gym membership just before Marc died, and I started back again a couple of months ago, and discovered they're offering a deal at the moment where you can have a personal trainer who helps you with your diet and exercise for a 12 week period. I have always wanted to do that (oh the envy of people like Oprah!), but because I inherited some money from Marc, I was able to afford it. I've been doing it now for 5 weeks. I haven't got very far with weight loss, but it has certainly helped me get back on track with food awareness and regular exercise. The last couple of weeks have been hard, cos of starting my new job and being really emotional and stressed, but coming out of that adjustment and trying to find my feet again.

I hate the fact that the sadness won't leave me, and it creeps up on me at unexpected times, like hearing a song in the car that gets me crying again. People find it so hard to deal with, they either pretend they don't notice, or immediately start suggesting counselling. It's a very lonely time, and I'm trying to deal with it as best I can cos people expect me to, but sometimes it really pisses me off.

Although it's not good how it happened, Marc's dying has lifted the awful financial burden off my shoulders. I'm now completely debt free, have a car, and my house and gardens are actually looking really nice. I was able to pay for a gardener to come in and get everything tidied up, and get a few bits and pieces for the house so it doesn't look so much like a garage sale!

I still have to pinch myself, cos it all feels like some really bizarre dream where really good stuff and really awful stuff has happened, but now I'm getting adjusted to the fact that the dream won't end, and this is my life now. I hate being a widow at 34. It doesn't seem right.

The kids are doing ok. Josh is coping a lot better now - oh the joy of being a resilient kid! - we are able to talk about Marc and our memories without him feeling he has to blame himself for what happened. Becky is now 20 months, very little, very cute and certainly knows her own mind - 3 very independant, stubborn people in our little family! :lol: It makes me sad that Marc is missing out on all of this.

Anyway.. now to you guys...

I'm really really really really happy to see you all here still - I think that's SO cool!

Chris, congratulations on your little man. I wish I'd been around to talk about your pregnancy and upcoming birth. I had caesars with both mine - Josh was breech too - and I know how hard it is to deal with being a first-time mum when you're recovering from an op! Sounds like you're coping really well! Josh went on bottle when he was 7 months, cos we were having so much trouble with the b/feeding, and Becky only lasted 2 months. My opinion - formula these days is so close to the real thing that if that is what makes mum and baby happy - GO FOR IT!! I agree that formula fed babies seem to be a lot more content, cos if the milk supply is slow, baby can get distressed and unsatisfied. Mind you, Josh got TOO much milk and ended up with chronic wind.
I really wouldn't be stressing too much about not losing weight - it's only early days! Be kind to yourself and your body - you've been through a rough time and you need to look after yourself. Don't push yourself too hard, otherwise you might burn out when baby starts having growth spurts and waking you 2 - 3 times during the night!
Watch out with the dummy!!!! With Josh, he wasn't interested, and took to the thumb right away. Which was great, cos he slept so well, and has kept him happy the last few years - admittedly he's only just stopped, but he was only doing it at night, so that didn't bother me. I didn't realise how lucky I was - Becky was given a dummy after birth to help her settle, and it started a pain in the bum time of it right up until she was about 1 1/2 - she'd keep losing it during the night, and there would Marc or I be some god-awful time in the night, crawling around under the cot trying to find the darned thing!!!!! It wasn't until she was 1 1/2 that I got fed up and attached the dummy with a small piece of ribbon to a small dummy clip to her pj's that I actually started getting a full night's sleep! Obviously you've got to be careful that the ribbon is short to prevent choking, but she could actually find it herself and resettle. But my god the dramas we go through if I won't give it to her (she's only allowed to have it at sleep times). I'd love to be able to toss it in the bin, but I know I wouldn't get a moments rest if I did!!!

Jo, what is a D & C? Sounds awful, whatever it was, and I hope you're now ok. Sounds like you're having a rough time of it in general. Sorry to hear you so down - you're always such a motivated optomistic person! Still busy with your groups too. Hopefully you'll have a quick recovery and will be able to absorb all our renewed motivation to get you moving!
Sorry to hear hubby is having a rough time as well - you 2 must make a right pair! Good luck with your appointments.

I really need to get myself a treadmill or something. It's so hard to get the walks in - it's supposed to be spring here, but it's been raining all week! :mad:

Kermie, lovely to see you in here too. What's this dinner you're going to? And who's the man?! You sound like you're doing really well - I think we all need to take a leaf from your book! I totally agree with what you said about babies - you can't creep about and not make noise and freak out the moment they cry. You have to try and have as normal a lifestyle as possible, and don't fly off the handle the minute they make a squeak, otherwise you'd go crazy! It was really funny when Becky was born, cos I was pretty casual about it all, whereas Marc was the frantic first time parent, and he kept saying he was glad that at least one of use knew what we were doing! ha ha

Jean, welcome to the group - hope we can help you gain your goals!

Ok, hope I've got everyone up to date. I feel like I have to get to know you all over again....

I'm really glad to be back. It's nice to talk to people who are in the same boat as me - I'd forgotten how much I appreciate it!

Here's where I'm at:

I'm 113 kilos, which is 248.6 pounds
I'm 34, 170cm tall (luckily I am, helps carry the weight!)
I want to get down to about 75 kilos (165 pounds), so I've got 38 kilos to lose (83.6 pounds)
It's a lot to lose, but one thing I am finally learning is PATIENCE. I have finally accepted that this weight will not come off quickly, but each kilo I lose brings me just that one tiny step closer to my goal. I am learning to accept that it is not easy, changing a lifetime of bad habits, but I am reintroducing myself to regular exercise and healthy eating that I used to have as a child/ teenager. For example, I'd forgotten how much I love almonds (not too many tho'!) And I've discovered dates. I've started keeping multiple bottles of water in the fridge so I can just grab a new one out without thinking. I've reconciled myself to the fact that white bread is JUST NOT GOOD FOR ME! I've bought a Crock Pot so I can make meals for when I get home from work, so I don't grab crap because I'm too tired to cook. I've taken to carrying a "snack bag" in the car everywhere, which has meusli bars, boxes of dried friut etc, so that I won't buy chocolate. And the list goes on!
At the gym I am actually improving - my trainer, Kerrie, got me to go up and down 3 flights of stairs 4 TIMES last week! The fact that I was almost crawling by the end is beside the point! ha ha

Definitely up for the challenge - I'm sure my trainer will love to see the scales move when I have my next weigh in! Maybe we should do what we used to do, where we have a weekly focus. Would I be right in saying that EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE is the one?! :lol: Should we make a promise to exercise at least 4 times over the next week, and then compare notes at the end of the week? Make Sunday's our catch up and compare time? Then Monday can be the first day of the next week in our challenge. How does that sound to you all? :tread:

I'd better sign off - sorry this has been so long - bit of catching up to do!!!

Missed ya, love ya, will be back real soon!!!

Lynne :wave:

WELCOME BACK LYNNE--You have been missed. Glad to hear things are turning around for you. I had been very worried that your financial difficulty's had increased after Marcs. death. Glad to hear the opposite is true--even if the circumsances of your windfall are horribly sad. Now to get your state of mind in an upward swing. Good for you going back to the gym. I would love to have a personal trainer. Still just me and my walking friend. I know that some light weight training would speed up the weight loss but don't have the time or the convenience of a workout place close by. Can't take you up on the exercise thing this week--still re-couping--but the week after this I'm on. I did do a little walking yesterday--while shopping--but it was exhausting. My hemoglobin counts are still extremely low as well as my blood pressure. I see the doctor on the 17th and if she clears me for exercise I'll be with you. Can't get enough exercise with the holidays coming up. What kind of a job are you doing? Just being with adults may help lift your spirits.
Jean thanks for the info. Sorry to hear you had lost one son--was that due to the diabetes?? Walking is the best exercise around--you can do it anytime you have a few extra minutes in your day. Many of the so-called experts are incouraging 5-10 minute spurts of exercise--as being the way to incorporate it into our busy lives. I try for 30-40 minutes before work--3 days a week and then any additonal walking I can get in above that. I may be fat--but otherwise I'm pretty healthy. No bone loss, heart problems etc--just this darn female stuff:rolleyes: Bought a pedometer last week--to replace my misplaced one. It is a great motivational tool. You can see how far you've really walked and keeps you striving to do a little more the following day.There are many days I feel I haven't sat down--but then when I see the numbers I know it isn't true and it's motivates me to take a little walk after dinnner--even if it's only out to the mailbox.
Kermie--how has your weekend been? Mine has been ok--eating pretty sensibly and taking it easy otherwise. Read a little and shopped--tough life--HUH?? I did buy a new pair of jeans yesterday--getting too cool for capri"s--and they aren't as big a size as I thought I'd need:D: So that was a day brightner. Actually washed them before wearing in hopes of shrinking them a little. That is a FIRST for me--I usually buy them tight to force myself into watching what I eat to fit into them in a few weeks. That's what I did this time--bought the size I thought would be tight--but they weren't.
Gonna run--just got home from church a little while ago and have a few thngs to do around the house before my energy runs out and I need a short nap! Hope the rest of you can take up Lynnes exercise challenge for the week--I know you've been on your treadmill Kermie--keep it up!! My own goal will probably be to walk for a little bit each day--increasing as my stamina comes back---
Jo:wave:

Hi all!

Jo, sounds like you're doing really well all things considered! I surely don't expect you to be jogging around the block after what you've been through - I think you're doing a great job! Good news on the jeans - what a cool surprise!

I've been trying to get my hands on a bike or treadmill today, but no luck so far. I was hoping to pick one up second hand, but there's a huge demand for them so everyone around here has sold out. I'm gonna go to my local big department store and buy one new - luckily they aren't hugely expensive - depending on what I get, somewhere between $100 and $200. I figure if I'm gonna be committed I might as well get one to keep rather than hire.

Had gym this morning and did really well. Kerrie "upped the ante" on the training, making me do more repetitions in a shorter space of time. I must be getting fitter cos I didn't without too much of a strain! I also did the usual 10 minute treadmill warmup before we got started, so I've had a good exercise day today. Eating was so so, but I'm gonna work harder at it tomorrow. Definitely want to get the crock pot going!

My job is PA to a Director of Agricultural Biotechnology! It's full on! This guy is part of huge group of scientists etc who come together to advance the understanding of genetics in food and animals.... and that's about all I understand so far. It's world wide and really impressive. My job is fairly standard stuff - phones, diary organising, filing etc etc. But it's really nice to be in my office, on my own, just getting the job done. I really miss it when I'm at home at 6pm with Becky whingeing in one ear and Josh rabbitting on in the other!!!! :lol:

I'm off to try and get some decent shut-eye. I'm going to leave a message on the old thread forum just to make sure everyone finds us here.

Night all!
Lynne :wave:

Lynne--sounds like your ready to commit to working out. Hope you find a bike to your liking. I have one here--but rarely use it--don't know why--guess I prefer walking outside better. Feeling stronger every day--all though I am exhausted when I get home from work..Hope to start walking again next week. I do have more energy when I take the time to exercise.
Jean, Kermie & Chris--how are the 3 of you? Thanks for snowballing me Kermie--did you have to remind me how close the holiday season is???? Gee , I went shopping on Sat. with the thought of getting a little early start on my Christmas shopping--but alas--I only shopped for ME:devil:
Ok week for me so far--hope to see some results on Sat.--think that will be my weigh in day-
Talk tomorrow.
Jo:wave:

Good evening guys!

I'm posting early cos I want to get ON MY NEW BIKE! :D

I bought one new today that doesn't have wheels, but all the bits are in a sealed section at the bottom of the bike, and it just has 2 stands, front and back. It's really good and I'm about to go and do my first workout on it. My plan is to get up earlier in the mornings and do my workout before the kids get up.

Today was reasonably good. I've recently discovered bbq chicken with alfafa sprouts on soy and linseed bread (with low fat margarine of course) - and it's so yummy! I used to HATE alfafa sprouts! All these new foods I'm discovering! I've also vowed never to buy processed meat again, or white bread, after watching a show called "You Are What You Eat" - this nutritionist in England has been going around to homes of people who are not eating well and have weight problems, and showing them where they're going wrong and what they need to eat to improve their health and lifestyle. It's really good, and I've learnt quite a bit from it. Like what she told us about eating white bread. I LOVE white bread, but I was totally put off by the fact that she was saying that it's pumped full of extra yeast to make it soft, and when squooshed together just becomes paste, and that the yeast just sits in your system doing nasty things - well, that was enough for me! And as for where processed meat comes from!.... GROSS! So no more fritz, processed chicken slices, ham... only ham off the bone, bbq chicken (no skin!) and tuna!

I also have to go and record what I've done today - my trainer gets me to keep a record of what I eat so that we can make sure I'm having the correct portions of each food group - very similar to WW. I guess the few Fantales I had after lunch don't count???!!! :lol:

Jo, I definitely prefer walking outside too, but I find so many days where I run out of time and the kids are in bed at night before I've had a chance to stop and think about exercising! That's why I reckon doing it in the morning would be better - get it out of the way!

I'm quite proud of myself - this year I've had the chance to do quite a bit of the chrissy shopping already. Josh's birthday is coming up, and then christmas, and then Becky's birthday, so I really need to start stocking up on pressies from about August onwards. Luckily I've been able to afford to do it this year.

Well, I'm off to put on the sneakers.... catch you all tomorrow.

Lynne :wave:

PS It's so good to know I've got you guys to "report" to at the end of each day - keeps me feeling motivated and "good"! :D

Woo hoo! They've fixed my original user name! Sheeeeee''''sssss bbbaaaaaacccckkkk! :lol:

Hey Lynne--great to hear you so motivated. No time to post tonight--but I'm thinking about you all. Morning workouts are the best Lynne--I've always said that and then if by some miricle you have a little extra time in the afternoon or early evening you can work out again. Congrats on the new bike and the early Christmas shopping--I'm jealous!
Jo:wave:

Okay, what did I do?? :lol:

Where are you Kermie and Chris? I hope you get in soon!

Another positive day - don't you love it when you have times like these, when you feel like you can conquer the fat forever! Pity it's hard to maintain, especially at TOM!

I had gym this morning, and Kerrie really pushed me - I love pumping weights, it's so satisfying when you start to increase what you do. I discovered this afternoon that I HAVE MUSCLES!!!! :strong: Josh was very impressed - in fact he wanted to know how long it would be before he had muscles like mine! ha ha Pity they're surrounded in a layer of FAT! *chuckle*

Food was good - finally got to test run my new crock pot. This is what I made:

4 chicken breast fillets rubbed with low fat margarine
Sprinkled with salt, paprika and lemon pepper seasoning
1 cup of chicken stock poured into pot
chicken layed in stock
1/2 packet of frozen mixed veggies on top of the chicken
8 peeled baby potatoes in amongst the veggies
5 garlic cloves pushed in amongst the veggies

Cooked it for about 6 hours on the higher setting, and the chicken was so soft! Really cool. Not quite sure about the meal - bit too much like hospital food, but definitely worth working on. I served it with rice, and the kids enjoyed it, so that's one good thing!

I'm off to hop on my new bike, so I'll catch you all tomorrow.

Nighty night!
Lynne :wave:

Hi everyone! Warning...this is going to be a quick post.

Lynne!!! It is soooo glad to have you back!!! I have missed you!

Jean, Welcome to our group!

Sorry I have been MIA, but I have had my hands full.

Brooks has Acid Reflux. He is projectile vomitting EVERYTHING he eats. He is on two different meds right now. I have to keep him upright for 30 minutes after every feeding, only feed him every 3.5 to 4 hours and now we are getting ready to start adding rice cereal to a few of his bottles per day.

I can not even put into words how stressed I am. To make matters worse, I am a stress eater.....so needless to say I have been eating anything and everything in sight.

Kermie, I know what you mean about your not being able to tell your daughter anything cause she gets upset with you. My mother does the same thing to me and it drives me crazy. She was over here last night when I gave Brooks his meds and she says things like " he doesnt like that" or " he is gagging" or my personal favorite " he is holding his breathe". I reply with "well would you rather I didnt give him his medicine and then he can spew all his food". Then later when it was feeding time, I didnt warm his bottle up enough to suit her. She commented on that as well. I asked her at that point was there anything that she felt I did good enough for my son. I love my mother, she is my bestfriend in the whole world. But I am hanging on here by a thread...I am doing my very level headed best and I am trying to figure this all out. I swear before she left last night she told me no less than 3 times to be sure and give Brooks a warm bath and he would sleep better-----GEESH!!!!!!!
I think that the thing with your daughter and myself is that we are trying to do everything the right way, but when people try to suggest something it feels like they are being critical of us and we are already so critical of ourselves. Does that make sense??
As for her not letting that baby cry....I totally disagree with that theory. I let Brooks cry for a while before I run into pick him up. I will go in after he has been at it for 5-10 minutes or so and reassure him that mommy is there and he is ok and then I leave the room again. His crying is not going to bother the animals or the husband. And if it does then they will adjust. He needs to expand his lungs some.
Barry and decided before he was born that we were not going to keep the house perfectly quite for him. We go about our daily business and he adjusts to the noises.

Well I have to run....this was a much longer post than I expected.

Love to you all!

Chris

Chris & Lynne--glad to see your both hanging in there,. Sounds like you have your hands full Chris. Are they looking at medication only for treatment--something he'll grow out of?? My middle daughter was my spitter-upper. She didn't outgrow it--but it did improve greatly with age. She was however the one who always got carsick etc. Good luck--I know it's very freightning and you feel pretty helpless---
Lynne--good for you trying out the crock pot. I use mine a few times a month--more so in the winter. It is wonderful to come home from work and find dinner almost done--I like cooking small roasts or stews. Chicken noodle soup or beef stew are both wonderful in the crock-pot--and everything gets so tender. I usually cook on low all day--Keep up the bike riding--and going to the gym--is that on non-work days?? You go girl---your heart is loving you for the effort:spin:
Kermie & Jean--where are you two? I know I've had a terrible time getting on the site the last few nights--thought it was my computer but maybe not--and thats why we haven't heard from you two.
Feeling good about my eating this week--not sure how much I'll lose without the exercise--but by next week I should be able to get back to it--feeling stronger each day and not so tired.
Talk tomorrow night
Jo:wave:

Good evening all!

Had a busy day at work today - my boss is going to New Zealand next week and no one had yet organised his accommodation as of Monday! So I had to try and rush bookings through so I could have his itinerary ready by the end of today! I think it's typical of my life that the first thing I have to do in my new job is deal with a trip to New Zealand. It was very hard to look at the maps and talk about Auckland, which is where Marc was from. It was so hard not to burst into tears every time I talked to someone about the bookings....

On a brighter note, my food has been quite good today.. apart from the small bucket of wedges I had with lunch.....

Chris, glad to hear from you. I know it's hard with a new baby, so it's not surprising if you don't get in too often. I'll give you a very good piece of advice that I was given when I was expecting Josh. Almost everyone you talk to will want to give you their advice about child rearing - this INCLUDES those who don't even have any of their own! You just quietly acknowledge and thank them... AND THEN DO WHAT YOU WANT THAT FEELS RIGHT! It's not so much that people are being critical of you, just that they think that because they've had the experience they know best. And sometimes, just sometimes, the advice they offer can be helpful. But don't worry about your mum - mine's the same. You just stick to your principles and what you've been taught, because you have to be comfortable with the way you raise your child. Don't worry about your little one - it all passes. When Becky was born, she kept bringing up a lot of her milk after feeds. It would freak my out, because I was worried she would choke. But it did finally settle, and she doesn't do it anymore. Little ones just have a hard time don't they? Josh used to feed too quickly because I had so much milk that he had wind problems for months. I was having to sit him up for a burp 5 minutes after starting, and I'm sure you can imagine how impressed he was with that! Both my kids ended up on the bottle cos it got too difficult. It's interesting that you put rice cereal in the bottle - is that how you guys start introducing solids? Anyway, hang in there. The first 6 months are the hardest, and then by about 12 months it really does start to settle down. The biggest hurdle is getting them through that baby stage. It's hard to know what they want at the best of times, let alone when it's the first time!

I'm so glad that Becky's coming out of all that. I've got the toilet training and bed introduction to go, and then we can cruise. I really don't want any more kids after this! :lol:

Jo, I do go to the gym on my days off. I've got quite a busy schedule now - Monday afternoon I work, Tuesday is gym, chiropractor and cooking, Wednesday morning work, Thursday gym and chiropractor and Friday work all day. And somewhere in all that extra exercise, housecleaning, gardening and spending time with the kids!!!!! Oh yeah, and remembering to eat right and record it all! DOH! :lol:

I'm going to go and enjoy a glass of wine, and yes, I confess, a cigarette - will keep my mind off the fact that it's a Friday night and I'd normally be enjoying quite a few drinks and some kind of very yummy but very fattening foods....

And yes, I will be getting on the bike like a good girl. I was on it for 10 minutes last night while I watched Law & Order in my bedroom - works out really well. Got the remote and glass of water next to my on top of my ironing board! HA HA

Do you guys get any Aussie tv there? We've got heaps of American stuff of course. I love all the law stuff. And of course we're now just seeing the last episodes of Friends and Sex & the City. *SOB*

Have a great night, and if not before, I'll catch up with you all on Sunday night for our "weekly review"!

Chris, I just want to say that I know what you mean about the food - don't feel too hard on yourself - this is a crazy time for you, and you're allowed to be a bit slack - however, in 6 months time we're gonna get on ya case babe! ha ha

Bye buddieeeeesss!
Lynne :wave:

PS I want to write this article to you all:

"MORE FRIENDS = LESS STRESS

Think you couldn't live without your girfriends? Well, you're right. Not only are they good at force-feeding you Kit Kat Bites when you're upset, they also help reduce insane stress levels. What the...? According to a study done by Pennsylvania State University, when faced with a stressful situation, women tend to seek out other chicks. Men, meanwhile, cope with it alone. The study shows that seeking out your female posse when you're stressed releases a chemical called oxytocin that has a calming effect. Of course, they're also good at telling you honestly when your bum looks big in something - but you knew that didn't you?"

Lynne--great to hear your doing so well--no I don't get any Aussie tv that I know of--of course we get so many different channels--who knows-maybe I haven't found it yet--
I'll be weighing in tomorrow--my own scale--not expecting a loss because of the no exercise this week--but we'll see. Hubby and I bought another new vehicle--supposed to come in tomorrow so we'll have a busy day--company on Sunday so the weekend will be gone before I know it. We have to sqeeze in some grocery shopping sometime this weekend. Cupboards aren't too bad--but I am running out of the basics--milk, bread, fresh fruits etc.
How is everyone else doing on their Christmas challenge??
Jo:wave"

Hi to all every one sounds like they are doing realy good I am still hanging in
trying hard got to get more outside walking neen the freash air . I need to give my self a good talking and hope I will get moving got to get that 10 lbs off by christmas time is moving fast . Jean

Hey everyone--Jean--glad to hear from you---now get away from your computer screen and start WALKING:D: Weighed this morning--down 2 1/2 pounds--not sure where that came from--but I'll take it!!!!! Thats a total of 4 1/2 toward my 10. Before I get too cocky--I need to remind myself that i can GAIN 4 1/2 easier than I lost it--so no celebrating with a food reward:devil:
Lynne--how goes the weekend??? Your coming into summer now--right??? Wish we were instead of winter--but that's ok--I love the snow also--just not as much as warm and sunny. Today is beautiful--low 50's and bright. Are you losing any weight yet??? I know your eating healthier and working out. How are the kids?
Kermie--where are you?? Haven't seen a post in several days.
Gonna run--I still haven't gotten to the grocery store and the day is almost gone. We have company coming tomorrow--and I do need to feed them!
Jo:wave:

O.K. It's Monday and I'm back to walking before work. Went about 2 1/2 miles this morning. Tired me out but it felt good to be back at it. Walking again tomorrow. Not sure what the weather will bring later in the week so we're trying to get in 3 walks early on. Usually we walk, rest, walk etc. We're striving for M-Tue Thurs this week. But that could change.
How did everyones weekend go??? Mine was alright. Pretty sensible in the eating department--now to string a few good days in a row during the work week.
Talk tomorrow. Hubby is home and ready for dinner.
Jo:wave:

Good evening folks!

Jo, GREAT JOB on the weight loss! I think we are all too quick to disparage what we achieve, so BE PROUD of yourself - considering what you've been going through, I think you're a CHAMP for being able to stay focussed and lose weight!!!!!! :dance:
Glad to hear you're back on the regular walking - makes a difference doesn't it?!

I haven't been out for my walk cos I've been so busy, so all the more thankful for my bike. Haven't been on it in the last couple of days = been really tired today. I hate the mood swings I go through, but just gotta keep going I guess....

I don't know whether I've lost any weight. My scales died, and I won't be weighed at the gym till Thursday. I'm not feeling hugely optomistic, but you never know. My progress has fluctuated quite a bit, so my weight has probably remained fairly much the same.

Work's going well. I went into head office today to be shown their procedures on petty cash and stuff. It's so interesting going into a new office and seeing all the procedures that they are used to where you can see some room for improvement and change - that's one of the areas I enjoy the most - being able to go over Admin procedures and processes and help improve and streamline them. My theory is that the job should be as simple and straightforward as possible so that if you aren't there, anyone who's familiar with the field can take over.

I went shopping yesterday. I'd promised myself I wouldn't buy myself anymore clothes until I lost some weight, but have found that I don't have very many nice summer clothes, because haven't really been able to afford to buy anything for a while. I love all the colours in at the moment - my favourite colour is pink, and all this season's clothes are pink, lime green, lilac and white. Great! So I bought a light pink skirt and a lovely floral summer top to wear under a jacket for work, and a couple of 3/4 length pants in hot pink and lime green. Love it! Sucked that I'm a size 22, but at least I was being realistic! I'm not sure whether you guys have the same sizing there?

Well, I'm going to go and read a book and relax.... Hope everyone is doing well.

What was the summary of people's week with the exercise? I think I managed to do 4 or 5 days? Definitely can improve on that. My problem is still the food, as I slowly get used to having to plan my meals better around work.

Gotta go, catcha soon.

Lynne :wave:

Hello well I am getting my walking going a gain it is so hard to get back on track but no more excusses I do my one mile tape every morning and try to go out for a walk in the after noon or do biking but I havnt any lbs off yet.....Christmas is comming fast and if I want to eat some cookies I have to have 10 lbs off well that it for now Jean

Hey--glad to see a post from Lynne & Jean---hang in there ladies. I go back in for my check up tomorrow--will find out if I'm cleared for more strenuous exercise. Walked this morning--2 days in a row. Back to wearing my pedometer--helps keep me motivated. Planning on walking tomorrow--then any other days I get in this week will be a bonus---
Good for you Jean working out to your tape. The more you work out--the more energy you have. The experts are telling us that 2 or 3 shorter workouts a day are just as beneficial as a long one--so keep it up--before you know it, you'll be:strong:
My eating today hasn't been the best--came home starved and had downed the leftover spaggetti before I knew I was in it:devil: Oh well--a new day is coming! Breakfast and lunch were on program.
Kermie & Chris--how are you both doing? Chris--any change in Brookes? Hope the meds are helping him keep things down--are you back to WW??? Re-joining during the holidays is a good idea--your still really motivated so you stay on program so much better during all the parties etc.
Gonna run--I'm going to settle down in front of the tube--it's been a long day.
Jo:wave:

Hey everyone--another foggy day here in Minnesota. Haven't seen the sun in days:( Did walk before work. It was a struggle. Hard to get motivated when the weather is so crappy. Went to the doctors after work--didn't find out much--just donated more blood samples. Should know something by the end of the week. I do know my hemoglobin count is still only 8.6 so no heavy exercise yet. Just walking at a mid range workout--no fast walking or running. Oh well--at least it's higher than 23 weeks ago. Hope you are all fine. Will post tomorrow.
Jo:wave:

Hey everyone--another weekend almost over--why do they always go by sooo fast and the work week crawls??? Babysat the grandchildren this weekend, so I didn't weigh in yesterday. I was lucky to get in a shower--the sun is finally out today--going for a walk when i sign off here. Predicting clouds again tomorrow. Christmas is coming up fast--how goes everyones challenge???
Jo:wave:

Okay, where did that week go???!!! :eek:

It was Josh's birthday, so with work and organising that, my week went haywire! Most of the week was pretty much a write off, so I'm trying to start again this week.

The training program that I've been doing at the gym has not been a huge success. I mean, from the point of view that I'm getting more educated about my food choices and have increased my exercise, that's all good. But I had a bad time there for a few weeks, so in the whole time I've been doing this, which is about 9 weeks, I haven't lost any weight. I haven't GAINED weight, which is another bonus, but would've been nice to see some SCALE results. However... I have to remind myself of the good and move forward. I'm really going to try and be strong and focussed over the next few weeks before christmas. I'd like to have a little loss at least before I finish the program. I've got 3 weeks to go.

Josh's birthday was a headache - 8 year old kids can be a right royal pain in the butt!!!! :mad: VERY demanding and expecting everything they liked IMMEDIATELY! They were worse that little kids! I was feeling very tired, grumpy and unappreciated by the end of the day!!

Jean, it's great to hear you are trying so hard. The exercise will definitely help you! What are you doing about food control - do you follow your own program or are you doing Weight Watchers or something?

Jo, I hope your appointment went well. You are certainly trying hard that's for sure!

Chris, hope you and family are well.

I watched a really interesting episode of Dr Phil today about handling babies and toddlers, especially kids who scream and cry all the time for attention. It was nice to sit there and say "hey, I do that! Dr Phil would be proud!" hee hee I love that guy, I think he's got some amazing advise. What's the feedback from you guys about him? Does Oprah hate him or is that just a nasty gossip magazine rumour?

I'm going to go and put some washing on before it gets too late. I'll try to get in tomorrow night and let you know how my second day of week 10 went!

Kisses and hugs
Lynne :wave:

Lynne--don't despair--at least your showing up at the gym--and without it you probably WOULD have gained weight. Don't envy you with the b-day party--glad those days are past for me.
Got some more test results back--very depressing. One year ago my blood work showed that I had started menopause. All of my hormone levels are back up this year---which explains the heavy periods again. Doctor says it is highly unsual to go back out of menopause but not abnormal---Yea, right. So I'm back on yet another medication to try to shrink the rapidly growing fibroid tumors and stop the floods! If this medicatatiion doesn't help it will be hystorectmy time-- oh well. Just hope one of the side effects of this medication isn't weight gain:(
Gotta run--oven timer is beeping at me--time to get the rest of dinner going. WIll touch base tomorrw. Hang in there--one day at a time!
Jo:wave:

Okay, that's really annoying - I posted yesterday, but it's not showing! I can't figure out what's happened, cos I know it was there before I quit...

It was a lovely motivating post, and now I can't remember what I said! :mad:

Guess WHAT???? I got up at 6.10AM!!!!! and got on my BIKE!!!!!! and did 15 MINUTES of exercise!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so NICE to do it in the morning, when I don't have the kids around but aren't leaving it till the end of the day after they've gone to bed when I'm too tired and just wanna veg. So... BIG PATS ON THE BACK FOR ME!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

Eating was good too - helps doing the exercise in the morning, cos then you want to be good for the rest of the day!

Hope everyone else is doing well... I'm going to go and make myself a chicken sandwich (on multi grain bread of course!)

PS it is SO HOT here!!! *gasp*

Lynne :wave:

What is going on??? Now there's the post, plus yours Jo.... wierd!!!! We'll have to report it if it keeps up.

Lynne--I got your post yesterday and todays--but I know what your talking about with the posts not showing up. This site is getting very slow again--with all the pop-ups. Good for you getting up early to exercise. Thats what I/ve been doing for the last 4 years--then it's out of the way, you have more energy for the day and it feels good to get moving right away before your too tired. Had an ok day myself. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here--so there will be lots of eating--but thats ok. Back to basics on Friday. I'm having it here--so I'll be sending leftovers home with the kids. But right now it's pretty unbearable. Just finished baking 2 pies and it smells wonderful in my house:devil:
Will talk later in the week. Keep up the great work!
Jo:wave:

This site is getting very slow again--with all the pop-ups.


:?: Have you scanned your system for spyware lately? I've added a post to the Help forum to explain that we limit pops, and give information about programs that might cause more pops than come from us.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49738

Yay! I can see you all again! Suzanne was being very helpful in trying to find out what was going on, but I've scrolled through the pages which seems to have made a difference.

Jo, I used to have pop-ups coming up all the time, but not any more thank goodness! I agree with you about the early exercise. I did it again this morning AND went to the gym, so I'm pumped! I've been so energetic today, which is quite amazing considering how hot it is. We had 35 degrees today, will be 36 tomorrow, and then pretty much the same for the rest of the week. I'm not sure what that is in your temp, but it's darn hot! The house is foul. The kids are coping ok so far, keep them with as little clothing as possible, lots of ice and a spray bottle to keep us cool. Yuk! I bought an air conditioning unit to put in the window, but it hasn't been installed yet, so having to cope with a couple of fans! :(

I've gotta go and load my new dishwasher, and then off to bed. I don't want to go to sleep too late if I wanna get up in the morning again. Working all day tomorrow temping as head office's receptionist, which should be fun. At least I'll be in an airconditioned office!

Have a good night folks, and talk to you soon. Kermie, Chris, hope you can post soon.

Lynne :wave:

Read Suzannes post. I'll have one of my kids down load for me later today. My hubby does visit a lot of political web sites--which explains the tons of junk e-mail I get everyday. Todau is Thanksgiving so I've been up since the crack of dawn cooking. Well maybe not the crack of dawn but pretty early. Good for you getting in your exercise. If it's hot there now morning exercise makes even more sense. Will post later today after my company has gone. Take care. Where is everyone else????
Jo:wave:

I’d love to know how everyone is going as well. Although it’s not surprising Chris can’t get in very often – babies are rather time consuming aren’t they???

I’m VERY glad to be exercising in the morning considering the heat. Mind you, it only got down to 26 degrees last night, which would normally be a nice warm spring day!!!! Suffice it to say I was feeling rather WARM as I peddled along on my bike in my bedroom. RATHER glad to be sitting down with an icy drink after!!

Just to give you an idea of how hot it was today, it got up to 37.00 degrees Celcuis, which is 98.60 degrees Farenheit – and we’ve got a whole week of it!!!

Hope everyone's had a good thanksgiving - it's sort of a lead up to christmas isn't it?

I'm off to watch Notting Hill which is on TV - love Hugh Grant!

Have a good weekend - I've got a wedding to go to tomorrow, so won't get a chance to post until Sunday, SO BE GOOD!!! ;)

Nighty night!
Lynne :wave:

Hi everyone!!! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!!!

Sorry I have been MIA lately, but you would not BELIEVE what we have been going through here. I will try to give you the short story....

You all know that we have been treating Brooks for Acid Reflux for the past 3 weeks. Well it has been getting progressively worse and he was projectile vomitting everything he ate. I mean we were changeing him and ourselves 2-3 times everytime he ate which was every 3-4 hours. It was HORRIBLE!!!! Well on monday I demanded tests be run and we found out that he didnt have reflux afterall. Instead he had a condition called Pyloric Stenosis. It is a condition that effects 1 out of every 1000 babies and while it can effect female babies it is most common in the first born male. The only course of treatment is surgery. So they transported us by ambulance Monday evening to a childrens hospital about 2 hours away and on Tuesday morning they did the surgery. The results were immediate. He has only projectiled a few times since the surgery which the doctors said was normal for a week or so.
We came home Wednesday evening and I mean to tell you this baby is a completely different child!!!!

Anyway, that is my story. I have to scoot now....I hope you are all well!!!!

I'll be back soon!

Wow Chris--you have had a run--but a wonderful Thanksgiving with the surgery success I'm sure. Glad they figured it all out--makes you wonder though how long they would have let it go if you hadn't insisted on the additional tests--poor Brookes------
Lynne--yes 98 is a bit warm for exercise. Hope your summer levels off soon--we didn't get much hot weather this summer--just lots of rain. Today it's snowing--and it's beautiful. I'm planning on putting up my outside lights etc. Not sure how cold it is--but it can't be worse than my experience 2 years ago. I know I told you guys about that. When I went to put out my light-up deer and trees the ground was so frozen I couldn't get the stakes in the ground--i ended up using hubby's blowtorch to soften the earth and then hammered them in. In the spring i had all these brown burn marks in the yard--quite the sight! Hope I don't run into that scene today--don't think so--it's been pretty warm during the day. Thin layer of ice on the pond out back.
Thanksgiving was very pleasant. Had only my own children and 1 grandchild here. Played cards and dice after. Quiet group overall--no little children with too much energy! Hubby left for South Dakota pheasant hunting today. He'll be gone until Monday so I can get a jump on my holiday stuff. Usually try to get most of my cards written out etc. In the past I have gotten up very early on Friday morning to hit all the big sales--but not this year--just didn't have the energy. I'm sure it's because of my low hemoglobin counts. Don't want to think about getting on the scale tomorrow--but I will--haven't weighed in 2 weeks.
Kermie--loved "the fork" it is so true-----thanks for sharing.
Gonna run--the snow is calling. Hope you have fun at the wedding Lynne-
Jo:wave:

Oh my gosh Chris, how awful for you!!!!!! Poor little bubs. I'm glad he's better, but far out, having to go through surgery at his age!!! :( Big hugs and kisses to all of you for a speedy recovery and chance to return to a "normal" household again - as normal as you can with a baby anyway. Becky was very sick after she was born, and had to have antibiotics administered by a drip which kept falling out. It was awful, so I know how worrying it is when you are just trying to deal with being a new parent.

Jo, sounds like you had a nice thanksgiving. We don't get snow here, so it's hard to imagine the type of cold - and a frozen pond - sounds so romantic to me! :lol: I'm sure it's a whole other story when you're living in it! The only time I got to play in the snow was when I was 21 and went skiing in New South Wales. I even made a snowman! We went to the snow in New Zealand when I was a kid but don't really remember it. I could do with some right now I can tell you!

It was so hot last night I ended up camped on Josh's bedroom floor, cos we've only got 2 fans at the moment - one for each of the kids - so I was lying in my bed sweating until about 3am before I got fed up and moved.

Anyway, I'm off to do a bit of shopping before it gets too much hotter. I can't believe we've gotta go to a wedding this afternoon, up in the hills where it's bound to be hotter. I'm taking up Becky's little inflatable pool so the kids can cool down for a while. I'm sure they'll be the envy of all the adults there!

Catcha tomorrow!
Lynne :wave:

Lynne, Would think it should be cooler in the hills--but it's not huh??? I love the colder weather. And the snow is beautiful. Went out early and shoveled a little--don't really have to do it though--we have a service that takes care of the shoveling--but I've always enjoyed it. Very icy under the snow--which I don't enjoy:( Finally got moving enough to get out shopping. Got Birthday presents for 2 of my grandchildren--but didn't get any Christmas shopping done--just not in the mood yet--stores were crazy--toy departments anyhow. Maybe after church tomorrow. Isn't there anyone around who can help you get your new air conditioner in the window?? Nothing worse than trying to sleep in the heat. Do you also have high humidity????
Well the scale wasn't very kind to me this morning--back to the weight I was at 3 weeks ago:shrug: Guess I had better REALLY kick it up a notch if I'm going to make 10 by Christmas----9 to go-----how is everyone else doing???
Gonna run--want to get a little start on Chirstmas cards--gonna curl up with a cup of fat-free hot cocoa and a good book after I make a small dent in them. Take care all--and try to stay cool Lynne
JO:wave:

Bump!!!

Hi guys!

Sorry I've been out of action - Becky had gastro, which we discovered when she threw up in the car on Sunday on the way to the swimming centre!!! She's been sick since then, and is only just tonight starting to show signs of improving. Poor little munchkin! You can tell when they're really sick when all they do is lie around.

Food has been pretty bad, cos it's been hot and I've been stuck in the lounge most of the time keeping an eye on Bec, so I'm sure the scales would scream at me if I went near them! Managed to get on the bike this arvo for about 10 minutes, but didn't get near it all weekend. :( I got my period today, which I wasn't expecting, cos I didn't suffer PMS as much as I did last month, which is a good thing, but it certainly explains why I've had a chronic craving for chocolate over the last few days! :lol:

Anyway, I'm going to go and relax with a book - my favourite pastime I must admit - Jo, sounds like you've got the right idea!

And yes, it does get pretty muggy sometimes - did today cos there was lots of cloud and then it rained. Enough to wet the ground, but I'm sure it's not a great help to the farmers! Here, a lot of the time, the further out you get, the hotter it gets. Especially where we are, situated between the hills and sea.

I'm going to tackle my chrissy cards next week, but I've gotta think about some pressies cos I want to get some off to New Zealand, and they can take ages to get there.

I've gotta go say goodnight to Josh, so I'll catch you all tomorrow.

Take care
Lynne :wave:

Hey Lynne--sorry to hear about Becky--sick kids are no fun. Did a little shopping on my way home from work--really having to force myself--I know my hemo counts are still down'. I'm exhausted at the end of the day. Did find the one toy I've searched half the town for---YEA!!!! Guess I can manage one store a night and in no time I'll be done. Also having terrific acid reflux lately--think it's from the iron pills but I don't dare stop taking them yet. I see the doctor again on the 17th I will be glad when I can go off them again--not very pleasant side effects when you take them at such high doses,
How is everyone doing on their Christmas challenge??? I'm ok so far. Finally got rid of the leftovers from Thanksgiving--and have decided to not do any baking this year. Neither hubby or I need the sweets--too tempting.
Talk tomorrow. It's a walking day so I have to get up early.
Jo:wave:

I'll be hopefully posting again tonight, but I read your post Jo, and wondered if you guys have "Rennies" over there - they are minty flavoured tablets that you chew, and they are FANTASTIC for heartburn - I used them both pregnancies, and even sometimes use them if I eat too much or something......

Anyway, catcha tonight...

Lynne :wave:

Lynne--no I've never heard of Rennies. I have been taking Tums and they help sometimes. I didn't take my iron pills last night or today--and no heartburn. So I do know thats whats causing it. I am going to try to get a lower dose at the pharmacy tomorrow. I'm taking 324 Mg twice a day--which is a LOT!!! Maybe I can take a lower dose 3 or 4 times a day and not have the side effects. If the ones I'm taking weren't so small I'd try cutting them in half. How is Bec--any better??
Hope to get a longer post off to you tomorrow. I did do a little more Christmas shopping tonight on my way home from work. Got hubbys big gift bought. I think this will be the way to shop--one store a night and one or two gifts at a time. that would get me done in a week or two.
Where is everyone--Kermie, Chris and Jean??????? How is your 10 pound challenge shaping up???
Jo:wave:

Hi everyone!!!!

I dont have much time (seems that is always the case now-a-days), but wanted to pop in and say hello!!

Lynne---How's Becky? I was sorry to hear that she had been sick! Hope she is doing much much better now!!!
It always amazes me when I read about your weather....hot there just when it is starting to get cold here. It is still pretty nice here during the days, but in the morning I usually fire up the gas logs to take the chill out of the house.

Jo----Sorry to hear about the heartburn. I had the worst heartburn when I was pregnant with Brooks. I kept a big container of tums in the house at all times.

We are all doing well on this end. Except for the fact that we all have colds. I have to put saline in Brooks' nose and suck him out everyday and he HATES it. Screams and Screams. I hope the neighbors dont hear or they will call child services on me.
Since his surgery he is growing like a weed. His little face has really filled out and I can tell he is getting much heavier when I hold him in my arms.
It is also a much more peaceful house around here now that he is well. I must admit that during those 3 weeks that he was so sick and projectiling ALL THE TIME, I thought about taking him back to Wal-Mart and asking for my money back, but I couldnt find my receipt :rofl:
I am happy to report that I am finding out now how wonderful it is to be a mom! He is a little Angel!!!!!

Well the challenage has not been going well for me....I am a stress eater as I have said so during the entire sickness, despite my best intentions, I did not show any control over what I ate. I am happy to report though that I went to the gym yesterday on my lunch hour and got in a great workout. I also got a list of their class schedule and marked the days I want to go and what I plan to do when I get there. I have 4 days a week on the plan. Two of which my mom is going to come over and watch Brooks for me so that I can have a longer workout. I also bit the bullet and rejoined WW last night. So far today I am on target. My mom called me this morning and asked me out for chinese lunch today (my absolute favorite) and I turned her down flat! Then one of my girlfriends called and asked me out for Japanese. I told her to pick up her plate and bring it over here and I would pop one of my WW meals in the microwave. That way we could visit and I could stay on my plan. I must admit I am feeling stronger. SOOOO, I dont know if I will have 10 lbs gone by Christmas or not, but I WILL be well on my way!!!! I CAN DO THIS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well got to go jump in the shower. While my darling son is being such a quite litte sweetheart!!!

Talk to you all later.

Hi all

This will have to be a quick one, as I'm just about to head off to bed.

Chris, glad to hear from you and to know that you are all doing better. Don't feel bad about your weight loss progress - you've got plenty of time and it's not your number one priority! Just look after yourself and your family, and the rest will fall into place. I mean, look at me. Becky's almost 2 and I'm only just starting to get back into the swing of it!

We went swimming today. Winding up for the school holidays, organising child care, etc etc. I've got a week off between Christmas and New Year, cos my boss will be on holidays so there's not much point me being there.

There's a big kafuffel over christmas trading this year, with Christmas Day falling on a Saturday. The shops are being forced to close for about 6 out of the 10 days over Christmas, so they're looking for permission from the government to open for 3 straight days, 24 hours running, for the days leading up to christmas - Jo, can you imagine finishing your christmas shopping at 3am???? :lol:

I've done most of mine now.... we put the christmas tree up on the weekend, and even hung fairy lights outside around the guttering of the house. I've also strung some lights around the verandah poles and hung up tinsel - it's looking so nice! Very festive and exciting! We were listening to our christmas music and doing the tree, and I got all excited as the fact that christmas is close started to sink in. I'm really missing Marc though, and am trying not to think of him too much in case I start crying when I'm trying to be happy for the kids. I'm actually taking the kids up to see Marc's tree on Christmas Eve, which will be nice...sad, but nice. I know people say, well you've got your family, blah blah, but it doesn't make up for the fact that I don't have my husband to share packing the kids' stockings, waking up with him on christmas morning, having him help the kids buy me a present, share that first kiss of the new year.... I hate being alone again.

And of course, with all this going on, it's certainly not helping the weight loss factor. I alternate between motivation and determination, with a "who cares" attitude. Sometimes I think, well I'm on my own, no one to impress, I'm bored, sad and what the heck, I'll order a pizza and enjoy a few wines....

I'm okay, please don't suggest I go and see a counsellor cos I'm a bit down, I'm just *****ing.....

Apart from that.... (where did THAT all come from???!!!).... I've had a nice day and now I'm going to bed - WITHOUT the pizza - so that I can get up early and do my bike....

Take it easy guys, see ya tomorrow.

Lynne :wave:

Lynne & Chris--so glad to hear from both of you. Chris--its wonderful to hear Brooks is doing so well. It's amazing how fast little ones recovery from surgery. Congratulations on going back to WW. I'm sure you'll be close to your 10 by Christmas--stress eating is the hardest to control--that's my problem too. I did have 1 1/2 loss this week--still a ways to go for my 10--but I am closer!!
Lynne--good for you getting the decorations up--I'm sure in the long run they'll help with your moods. and the childrens excitment has to rub off. It will be a lonely time for you--but keep your children first--they need to be your priority and goal for a healthy lifestyle. They need you more than ever---and they need you healthy and strong! Please don't take this as a lecture--but exercise is the best way to relieve the blues. Granted--you have every right to feel low sometimes--just strive for more happy times than sad--live thru your childrens eyes---
I'm feeling a little better each day. I did stop the iron pills for a day--and the heartburn disapeared-so that was a relief to me. I can cope with it a little better, knowing that it isn't another medical problem causing it. I have a tendancy to blame myself and my fat body when I have integestion problems--you know--IF ONLY I WASN'T OVERWEIGHT----YADA YADA!!!
Gonna run--lots of little things left to do before the day is done--talk tomorrow. Hang in their ladies--we can all make out 10 pound goal with some HARD work and positive attitude!!
Jo:wave:

This was a very wierd day. Hot, humid, frustrating with computer problems, a nice dinner at my sister's, and still didn't exercise. I'm so tired that I just couldn't get up this morning - I've promised myself an early night!!!

Jo, thanks for your words - I don't take them the wrong way, just have my bad days sometimes! Congrats on your loss - that's 2 weeks in a row now isn't it? Woo hoo!!! :D

I've been reading an amazing book by a women who helps people lose weight and change their food habits - she was on a show called "you are what you eat" based in England, and she's so cool. Very blunt but lots of really interesting facts about food and how it affects you. Anyway the book is about all of that, and it's a real eye opener. I've decided to go organic with my food as much as possible, and start adding a lot of what she's suggested, with more nuts and seeds, and raw fruit and veggies. It's more of a lifestyle change than a diet, but the benefits are obvious!

I am finding that although I haven't lost weight, my ideas and attitude to what I eat is changing, and I reckon in the long run that will help me a lot.

I've got gym tomorrow - will get that exercise going, heh Jo? :)

Well, off to get my beauty sleep.

Catch you when the sun comes up!
Lynne :wave:

Hey Lynne--you sound a little more up today--even if you didn't get in your exercise. I walked at the mall this morning. Still sticking to the 3 days a week.. WOuld like to make it 5--but I have a hard time getting up that early 5 days in a row. Also--I seem to have more feet and leg problems when I walk on that concrete 5 days in a row. No sense in injuring myself and not being able to walk at all---walking outside isn't as hard on my legs--guess asphalt is more forgiving than cement. Can't wait for SPRING!!! Yep--I did lose 2 weeks in a row. The sad news is that I'm at the weight I was on Nov. 3rd. However--I'm down about 5-7lbs. since mid Oct. I've got 2 1/2 pounds down since we started our 10 lb by Christmas challenge. Guess I had better get a move on it---went out to eat tonight with hubby. Only ate 1/2--and it was a low cal, low fat dinner. Will eat the rest for lunch tomorrow--so that is a positive.:D:
Chris, Kermie and Jean--where are you guys?????
Talk tomorrow. Get your butt in gear Lynne and ride that new bike or go to the gym--there's no better day than today!!!
Jo:wave:

Hi guys

I'm REALLY tired tonight - have been all day - so I'm off to bed early, but can't go to bed without a quick hello to my weight loss buddies!!!

I went to the gym to do my session this morning. It's just as well I'm slightly scared of my trainer, otherwise I might have cancelled! I'm glad I didn't though, cos I always feel pumped when I get out. I did the treadmill and then we did weights, which I always enjoy. Makes you feel good when you can lift that bit heavier, or go that bit longer. She mainly focuses on strengthening my back, legs, stomach and arms, rather than trying to turn me into a heavy weight champion! Although I am sporting some rather impressive arm muscles!!! Pity there's a hanging array of FAT underneath - still not prepared to wear tanktops yet!!!! :strong:

Jo, can you remind me - when you say that you go walking in the mall, what's the deal with that? How big is it, and how fast can you walk, and for how long? Also, am I right in guessing you are doing that cos it's snowing outside??? I think you are doing MARVELLOUS job walking as committedly as you do, and I'm sure the weight loss will continue. I'm impressed if you're now weighing less than you did a couple of months ago - that's gotta feel good! :D Also WELL DONE on being so disciplined about your food - saving half of it when it was low fat stuff! WoW! I'll have to think of you next time I get tempted to pig out!!!!!

Apart from the fact that I'm STUFFED!, I also want to be able to get up early and do my bike - I really do enjoy it, I've just gotta make sure I don't stay up late.

I had to do some cooking for mum today - shortbread and rum balls. I avoided the rum balls, but tasted some of the shortbread! :mad: At least it's not the brownie mixture that Marc used to make - that was a KILLER!

Where's Kermie? Jo, are you in regular contact with her? Hope all's well. Now it's someone else's turn to go AWOL! ha ha

Okay guys, see ya later. Might not get in tomorrow. It's Josh's school's end of year picnic, which they do in the evening, where everyone brings a picnic dinner and watches the kids do singing and dancing. Finishes about 8.30pm. Hopefully it will still be on cos they're forecasting rain and storms!

Anyway, if not tomorrow, speak to you later.

Take care all and one

Lynne :wave:

Hey Lynne--good for you working out at the gym today---your on your way. Mall walking is in a big indoor mall near where I work. Yes we walk inside because of the cold, ice and snow. The cold I don't mind--but at that time of morning it's sometimes hard to tell if there's ice on the walkways. We walk the entire interior of the mall twice which equals 2 miles. It is before the stores open so you can go at a pretty quick clip. There are probably 50 other people walking at the same time--but in that size area we don't get in each others way. Many are elderly so they walk slower. Some are speed walkers--who leave Chris and I in their dust!!! Our first mile is usually in 12-15 minutes. 2nd mile takes 15 to 20 minutes. We slow down a little on that one to allow a slight cool down. You don't want to go out to your car for the rest of the drive to work all sweaty--when it's so cool out--
Had a good day. Don't know if I'll see a loss this week--but I am doing all the right things--so I hope so. Have fun at Josh's picnic--that sounds wonderful to me right now--sure would like to be facing summer than winter--hard to imagine that his school year is almost over--here the kids are less than 1/2 way thru their school year.
Talk tomorrow. Keep up the workouts--the results are there--even if you can't see them--your heart is loving you!!!
Jo:wave:

I've had SUCH a good healthy day today! Considering when I woke up this morning I was so tired that I didn't even want to get up, let alone go to the gym and do all the other things I had to do, which included going to the dentist to get 2 fillings - ARRRGGGHHHH!!!!! I HATE the dentist!!!!

HOWEVER, I went to the gym, found that my fitness level has DEFINITELY improved - I did the usual 10 minutes on the treadmill, which I thought I wouldn't be able to manage. And then she got me on the bike, which last time I did at the gym I found really unfortable, especially in my back ... but wait for it.... today I did 5 minutes WITHOUT EVEN NOTICING!!! Those mornings of getting on my bike have paid off! So that got my excited, and then we did weights, which I flew through, and then she got me to do the stairs (going up and down 3 flights of stairs) and this time I did 4 REPEATS!!! I was feeling SO GOOD by the time I left I was all hyped for the rest of the day!!!

So I did some vacuuming, fixed a frayed carpet, had a shower, and then went to the dentist. Managed to do that without totally freaking out, then went and did some shopping - where I bought organic and vegetarian pastas, and more seeds and natural meusli for breakfast, and even some vegetable juice!!!! Supposed to be really good for you, but never tried it before!!!

Josh's concert got cancelled last night because of rain, so they had it this afternoon - I went to that after shopping, and watched the kids do their singing and dancing. Fairly simple stuff. It's quite sad, cos they don't do the whole father christmas thing anymore here. Because our culture is so diverse, I think they've decided that father christmas is a bit one sided, and kids of other beliefs would be left out. So they still do chrissy decorations and stuff, but at the end of year parties they have dancing and singing of other themes. This year each class did a different year, and Josh was doing the 1950's, so they dressed up in costume and did a dance to a 50's song. I wish they did carols like I used to do at school - there's nothing quite like it. The only time you see the whole Baby Jesus thing anymore is if you go to church. Which I don't. But I have fond memories of the midnight service that my parents took me to when I was younger....

Anyway, after that I went to a little Organic shop and spent $50 on organic fruit and vegetables, which made me feel VERY clever and healthy!, and then spent $60 on organic meat. So I've come home and sorted my cupboards out, getting rid of all the crappy sugary things and it's all looking VERY healthy!

I even bought a wholemeal egg tomato lettuce sandwhich for lunch!

Jo, that mall sounds like a great idea - I think it's cool that there's a whole bunch of you with the same idea. At least you've got something to do in crappy weather. Here, if it rains, you go to a gym, which a lot of people can't afford, or you just cross your fingers for decent weather. Luckily even in winter we have nice days still. Our winters are very mild in comparison.

I can't believe kids are only 1/2 way through their schooling- when do they start? How wierd! :lol: Sometimes we have BIG differences don't we?! Over here, it's such a huge thing to finish the school year and then have nice long school holidays. Josh is about to go on holidays, and will be off for about 7 weeks! That's why it's so nice to celebrate christmas and new year during that time. Unfortunately a lot of people still have to work, including me, but I do have a week off between christmas and new year, which will be nice!

Well, enough of me rabitting on! I'm off to have another early night so I can get up and do my bike in the morning! Didn't do it yesterday, so can't miss it again!

Hope everyone's week is going well!

Lynne :wave:

Lynne--your really getting into this exercise thing--aren't you??? I walked this am--then again this afternoon and going again in the morning. They are predicting crappy weather so I went this afternoon JUST in case I'm stuck in traffic in the morning. If not--then I got in 4 days this week. Not going to post much tonight--lots of stuff to do. Is the healthy eating attributed to the book you just read???? I've done sugar busters a few time--really opens your eyes when you start reading labels. I have been reading them closely--since hubby's diagnois. He is really doing well at managing his diabetis. And he's losing weigh a lot faster than me:devil: Isn't that always the way--even when we eat exactly alike and I exercise more----not fair!!
Gonna run--I'll post more tomorrow. You keep up the gym and bike--it will make a difference--
Jo:wave:

Hi guys!

Another GREAT day! Yes, Jo, a lot of this has to do with the book. I tried to explain it to my gym trainer. Basically, for the last 10 odd years I've had a weight problem. And people tell you "do eat this" "don't eat that", but apart from saying it's good or bad, you don't really know more. So after a while, although you know it's not good for you, you have it anyway, cos you don't really understand. But after reading this book, I've got a much better understanding of what foods can do to your body, and how that can affect your way of life. And then she very simply explains what you can do to replace the bad with good, and what benefits you'll get from it. To say I'm inspired would be an understatement!!!

So today, I got up and did my bike, and then I had low fat natural meusli with banana, morning tea was sultanas, raw cashews and almonds, and lunch was a wholemeal salad sandwich, raw carrot and WW fruit salad! Oh, and I had a glass of Vegetable juice at breakfast, much to the amusement of the kids! VERY wierd - like drinking cold tomato soup!!! And I've felt perky all day! A lot of that had to do with the mental state of mind, knowing that I've looked after my body - 2 days in a row! :lol: Sounds really sad when you get excited if you can go 2 days without eating anything bad!

Ooops, movie's about to start.

Talk to you tomorrow!

Keep up the great walking Jo= I'm so impressed! You're my guru!!!!!

Lynne :wave:

Lynne--what kind of vegi juice are you drinking. I like V-8. I use it in cooking also. I saute skinless chicken breasts in it. I also heat it in a big mug and drink it like tomato soup--only it has lots more vitamans and minerals. Hubby drinks it almost every morning--I drink it sevaral times a week. I can buy mine in the the regular grocery store--has more perservatives in it than yours probably--but still healthy. It comes in low sodium, hot and spicy and regular. I like all three. I can also get it with added calcium--which I do buy for myself--doesn't change the flavor any--just gives you a little more calcium. Well--the scale looked good this morning. Down another 1 1/2 pounds. Maybe I can make that 10 pounds by Christmas--how are you doing??? Tried on some old jeans this morning--I can get in them but still a little snug around the waist. Thought about wearing them anyhow to make myself more aware of what was going in my mouth--but changed my mind at the last minute. Did some marathon Christmas shopping instead--and wanted to be comfy! I'll do some wrapping this afternoon then I need to go thru my lists again to see what I still need to buy---I must be almost done:devil:
Will talk later. Keep up the healthy eating--I'm really proud of you!!
Jo:wave:

HI guys

This is a really quick post cos it's quite late, but wanted to let you know I'm still here!

I got struck with the dreaded gastro yesterday - hit me over breakfast! EW! Busy weekend, and then that, meant I didn't get to post.

The exercise has been great, and so's the eating - apart from yesterday! Today I ate well, but didn't exercise, but been moving furniture and doing cleaning, so figure that'll help!

Jo, THAT'S SO COOL - ANOTHER LOSS! I just see those jeans calling you! ha ha Well done! :D :D

I drink Berri "Harmonics", which has Tomato juice, carrot, celery, capsicum (red pepper), beetroot and vitamin C in it! It's very nice, but takes a bit of getting used to. I've actually missed having it today, but just couldn't quite face it.

How's everyone else doing? I'm actually showing a loss on my scales (!!!!!!!!) which showed BEFORE the gastro, and as long as I eat well, will only improve by having had the gastro, so I might actually see a loss for the first time in a long time! I'm going to give it another couple of weeks before I say whether I definitely have or not, but it's looking good!

Catcha'll tomorrow!

Lynne :wave:

Lynne--if it takes getting sick to start your weight loss---go for it:lol: Just joking--I know it's not funny. I'm having an ok week. Walked his morning--planing on going again tomorrow.. It's late--so I'll post later. Have a great day--hope your feeling a little better.Jo:wave:

Lynne--don't see a post today from you--hope your not still under the weather. I'm doing ok again this week. Hope the scale says so on Sat. I am liking only weighing once a week--no matter what. I have a doctors appointment on Friday--it will be nice to see where my blood levels are at now. I am getting stronger each day--so just maybe I'm close to normal again. It will be good to step on her scale and see how accurate my own is--I don't always trust what I see--but my clothes are feeling better so i should.
Almost done with my shopping--just a few small things left to pick up. I haven't finished my tree though:( I keep telling myself it looks great with just lights and the angel on top---must be a sign of old age :coffee:
Walked twice so far this week--plus a quick walk to the grocery store the night before last. Still cold here--but not as bad as over the weekend. Walking again on Friday--early meetings in the morning so I'll skip it for Thursday....my feet need a rest anyhow.
How are you doing exercisewise??? Keep it up!! Are the children getting excited about Christmas and Santa--or do you call him Father Christmas there?? My grandchildren are spending the holidays in Florida at their condo--I'm going to miss them but I will see them on the 28th. They are very excited about the gifts gathering under their tree at home and a little worried about whether or not Santa will find them in Florida--but he always does!!!
Gonna run--hope your feeling better and staying on the program. Talk tomorrow.
Jo:wave:

Good evening folks!

Jo, I had hoped to get in last night, but was having a good chat to a friend interstate and got too late. HOWEVER! I have been eating really well and got up and did my bike this morning. I've also started doing girly pushups and situps - keeping it low key, but it's cool that I feel motivated enough, and have the fitness to do them! :strong:

Hope your tests go ok. Don't freak out too much if their scales are different - it's the losses you see on your that count! I think it's great that your clothes are feeling looser - it's the best feeling in the world! My jeans were DEFINITELY feeling looser around the waist this morning, and I stepped on the scales earlier on today, fully dressed, and weighed the same as I did undressed in the morning 3 weeks ago! So I'm sure I've lost, just not quite sure how much. I reckon a couple of kilos - which is about 4 pounds!! I've gotta stop getting on the scales all the time - it's my biggest weakness. It doesn't help if I hide them either - I just dig them out again! And if I don't have any, I go into withdrawals!!!! :rolleyes: I'm looking forward to weighing in at the gym next week, cos she's been recording my weight since I started my program, 12 weeks ago, and I haven't lost any yet, so hopefully it'll show some good results!

I must go, it's late. We've been at my parents helping them put up their chrissy tree - Jo, FINISH YOUR TREE! :lol: Father Christmas (we sometimes call him Santa, but mainly FC), is being awaited with eager anticipation by Josh, Becky's a bit young yet, but she's loving all the decorations and stuff. She was very good today - we got a package from Marc's parents from New Zealand with chrissy pressies for the kids, and the kids very carefully placed them under the tree. Becky hasn't tried to open them, and hasn't been pulling at the tree or decorations. I'm very impressed!

Have a good night. Hopefully I'll get in tomorrow- I'm babysitting my sister's kids up at her place, so we'll see.....

Keep up the good walking Jo, I'll be thinking of you at 6am tomorrow as I drag my bod out of bed to hop on the bike!!!!! :D

Nighty night!

Lynne :wave:

Quick one tonight - I'm stuffed. I've been moving furniture and sorting out lots of stuff. We're having my dad's side of the family here on Christmas Day, so I've gotta make it look all clean and tidy.

Did my bike yesterday, but not today, but with all the cleaning and running about, I reckon I've done my fair share!

Hope all's going well with everyone else.

Talk more tomorrow.
Lynne :wave:

Hey Lynne--at LAST I got on-line. I think my servor must be super busy with last minute Christmas shoppers or something. Couldn't get on all weekend. Things went ok at the doctors--not great but ok. I am down 8+ pounds since early November--so that was great news.:spin: My hemoglobin is still VERY low. Still in the 9's. she doesn't want me increasing my exercising or decreasing my eating any more until I'm back in the 12-13 point range--then yesterday I started spotting again so I didn't walk today. Going to take the week off--I can't afford a period at this point--blood levels are just too low. I'm on medication that is supposed to stop the cycle--but guess they aren't 100% effective--as long as it stays light. I did finish my tree on Saturday. Also finished my shopping..A litttle house cleaning and I'm ready!! We had a little snow today--not enough to cover up all the brown grass but it's a start! Hope we get a little more before Friday. We celebrated with hubbys family on Sunday--went about 100 miles south of here. On Christmas eve my middle daughter and son are coming for dinner. We aren't celebrating until New Years Day when my oldest daughter and the grandchildren get back from Florida. Then the presents can come out from under the tree! Good for Bec not getting into the presents yet--it has to be hard to look at all the pretty wrappings and not open them yet!!! Keep up the exercise--housework is a start--but a real workout is better!!! I'll post tomorrow. Hope the scales are good to you this week--
Jo:wave:

Hey Lynne--this will be short and I probably won't be touching base for a few days--Christmas is almost here. Family over tomorrow so I'm busy cooking tonight,. Not expecting a loss this week--too many goodies laying around at work. One chocolate here--one cookie there--I know they add up:devil: and I'm sure the scale will tell me so tomorrow.....
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas--I know your children will!!! I'll try to touch base sometime this weekend.
Jo:wave:

Lynne--another quick post. Company coming soon. Well--I did have 1/2 pound loss this week--wasnt' expecting it but will gladly take it. Total 9 pounds. Didn't make Kermie 's 10 pound challenge--but close. I think we need to start a new thread after the 1st--New Year.... new challenge. Maybe 5 pounds a month--thats just a little over a pound a week. I'd like to say 8 pounds a month--2 pounds a week but I know thats pretty lofty. What do you say???? Let me know--maybe we can get Chris and Kermie back on board. Have a great day--MERRY CHRISTMAS11
Jo:wave:

Hey Lynne--guess your still busy with Christmas stuff. Let me know when your ready to start communicating again. Ok week so far--busy at work as usual. walked twice so far. Talk tomorrow.
Jo:wave:

Well, here's a belated


MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND A

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

I'm sorry I haven't posted for a couple of weeks, but as you can appreciate, it's been rather busy. We finally got the house all clean - was still at it on Christmas Day mind you!! But it all looked lovely and everyone was very impressed. The back garden is looking so good compared to when we moved in. I think it says something when mum is suggesting we have it at my house because the back garden is looking so nice and is perfect for the kids. Lots of fun things to do. It's taken a long time and a lot of money, but it's worth it! Boxing Day was pretty bad. I was feeling very tired physically and emotionally from xmas day, and was pretty fed up with the fact that I was surrounded by family, but no one offered to help me look after the kids, or ask how I was feeling about xmas without Marc. Everyone just left me to it. I was pretty pissed off by the end of the day and practically forced my parents to take the kids overnight so I could have some time to myself. Felt better the next day, but am still fairly unimpressed with everyone's lack of sensitivity for how I am feeling. NO ONE has asked how I'm coping, or letting me know that I can talk about things if I want to. It's like, because Marc died, he no longer exists. Which is crazy. Yes, he's dead, but I shared 4 years of my life with him and a daughter. He hasn't ceased to exists because he died, and it's really important for me and Josh to be able to remember him. But whenever I bring up any reference to Marc, like remembering last xmas, people look all uncomfortable and act like I haven't spoken. Sorry.... I don't mean to *****, but I've had a gutful of people who say they care, but then can't back that up. You know? Apparently, my sister-in-law spoke to my sister about whether she should say anything to me, and my sister said, "well if you do, make sure you're prepared to REALLY talk about it, cos it annoys Lynne when people ask how she is, but get all uncomfortable when she is honest about it". And guess what? My SIL didn't talk to me about it!

Anyway, had a relatively quiet week last week, and then Josh and I sat up on New Year's watching movies on the TV outside in the back garden - bit like being at the drive in without having to leave the house! It was good fun, but I really missed Marc.

I've made some new year's resolutions this time. I haven't bothered the last few years, but I think considering the shitty year I've just had, I need to make this one count! So one is to make a concerted effort to exercise every day, and try to maintain a healthy diet. Well, at least make MORE of my days healthy eating versus the non-healthy days! So Jo, I like the sound of your plan. I reckon we start the new thread tomorrow, and start the new year with a BANG!

I hope your break went well and you didn't overdo it. Must be frustrating to want to lose weight for your health, and yet be told not to do too much because of your health! :rolleyes: I'm a so TOTALLY impressed at your success before christmas - you are definitely the WINNER in the challenge!!!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance:

I hope we hear from Kermie and Chris soon - I'd love to know how their chrissies went.

I'd better go, I've got a dishwasher to load!

Take care, and speak to you all tomorrow.

Love from your aussie pal
Lynne

PS. On a somber note, isn't it awful about the tsunami! I hope you haven't lost anyone special in the disaster. I wish there were something I could do beside donate money. It's hard to comprehend just how huge the loss has been, and watching it on tv it seems so unreal. My heart goes out to all involved. xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hey Lynne--great to hear from you again. Figured you had been busy celebrating/ Sorry to hear it was such a downer for you. It is hard for people to talk about death--especially someone as young as Marc. Many people "think" their doing you a favor not mentioning your loved one--like that will make you not think about them:( I'm sure they felt it was in your best interest---
I actually had a 1/2 pound loss this week----what a SHOCK!!!!! Still having the bleeding problems and generally not feeling real chipper--but something has to change soon. Are you up to a 5 pound a month challenge???? Or maybe it would be more positive to say a loss each month and not put poundage numbers on it. Eat healthier, exercise and lose weight--let me know--and let me know when the new thread is going.
Gotta run--houseful of company coming in an hour and the table isn't set--the extra leafs aren't even in it!
No I don't think I know any one affected by the floods. My grandchildrens Au Pair is from Tailand and so far she hasn't reached her family--but I don't think they are too close to the affected area. It is indeed a very sad event. It will take many months to recover if not much longer. Many areas will probably never recover--
Jo:wave:

Good evening people!

Jo, I hope your dinner party went well. You seem to have such a busy social life. Mine is so dull. One of my aims this year is to try and get more socially active. I've never had a large group of friends, and as a single parent you really notice it. And because Marc wasn't from here, it wasn't like I could become a part of his social group. So we still pretty much kept to ourselves. I know that people find it hard to talk about someone who's died, but I don't know why. Admittedly, there are times when I want to talk about how hard it is, and how much I miss him, and generally I will cry, but overall I just want to be able to remember him, reminis (sp?) on the good times. And I feel I'm being jipped of that because no one wants to listen. And yet, if it was my 80 year old grandma, it would be totally different. It's so frustrating. And the most frustrating thing is that I hate that this is all happening to me. Mind you, compared to what's happening with the tsunami victims, my problems seem so trivial.

On a brighter note....

Yes, I'm definitely up for the new challenge. I agree that leaving the amount as open is a better idea, because it means less pressure. I get so stressed if I haven't met my "quota" within a period, that I tend to feel like I have failed and give up. So I reckon we just aim for healthier lifestyles with an aim to lose as much is possible and realistic.

So I'll start a new thread and call it "The Challenge to Begin Again!" I'll see you and the others there. Who knows, we might even be able to expand our little group....

Thanks for being such a friend over the last couple of years, and I look forward to continuing the battle with you in 2005! :D

See you soon...

Lynne :wave: