LA Weight Loss - LAWL Losers & Friends - April '05

:crazy: :crazy:TGIF!!! :crazy: :crazy:

I second that!!! It's been a crazy week, and I am looking forward to sleeping in tommorrow. The radio station my fiancee works for is having a Tax Relief Party at local bar tonight...so hoping I don't get pressured to drink alot.... :rolleyes:

Good morning, chickies!

My DBIL went into the hospital last night, it seems he lost feeling in his left hand, and they were fearing for a stroke? I know we have chickies with medical training, could that be right? Anyway, all the good wishes please! He's only 46.

Thank you all for you trying to cheer me up on the taxes. . Cathy, I wish I could find an additional deduction or two, but it doesn't seem to be happening. Good luck with you finding yours!

Jen - I hope this works for you! (They may suggest cutting the exercise down - don't accept that option if you don't want it)

Mandy, I have done the same thing in the bathroom after being POP for a while and then an ice cream binge. . all that fat at once really hit me.

About the exercise thing - I am at least at the point now where I feel guilty if I DON'T do it - I'm still not as regular as I should be. . . I'm going to be away for a few days this weekend, not far, just out of my home, but Monday will be a fresh start!

Cathy -I've heard that same talk about the WL formula. I wish they would tell us what is is :?: However, I do think that cutting out those little things like the hersheys is a good habit, anyway - they should be treats, right?

Haylo- WTG on dinner last night!

Carmen - I think being an overweight kid is really tough (I was one) but it was also really hard dealing with what I perceived as my parent's disaproval (which actually was concern). The thing with boys is that they get their growth spurt later, and he probably will grow out of it. But I would clobber your DH.

Melissa - I also got my AAS late- I was 36. .It took me about 8 years to get it - I did stop out a few years.

Irish - wine is fine, and WOW! You went through a whole party, with just fruit! That's terrific!

Karen/RWF - wow, under one of those 10 pound markers too! Sounds like you've got a great weekend outside planned.

About being late bloomers - well I am one, too. I have just decided that I will be in the bloom after others have faded.

I agree that there are a lot of skinny ugly people out there! Now,where can I find that bumper sticker???

Hugs and skinny TGIF vibes to everyone!

Julie

Irishgirl...You are allowed to have a glass of wine...I know it counts as atleast one fruit but maybe someone can help you with that. I don't have the list with me...You can ask your center for a list for the alcoholic beverages..So, no need to feel guilty... ;)

Thanks chickies...I feel a little better now. My co worker just went to dunkin's and I usually get a bagel...but yet again resisted the urge. I did have him get me though a small decaf with one sweet n low, and skim milk. Nothing to feel guilty about there..... :)

For any that are interested I have posted my wedding website links :-)

Theknot.com Website (http://weddings.theknot.com/pwp/view/co_main.aspx?coupleid=3242085547309790)

Wedding channel.com website (http://wedding.weddingchannel.com/pwp/gui/pwp.asp?pwp_view=0&wauid=200141187)

Audit: I'm very proud of you for going back to school. When will you graduate? Is it this semister? I went back to school but it took me 10 years to complete my degree - but I didn't have kids and didn't get laid-off (yet). I know how hard it was for me, so my hat is off to you! Way to go! I feel your frustration about the LA thing. I've been doing the same thing for so long and not losing any weight, I'm about ready to bail. With only 7 lbs to go for it seems like 7 months (really about 4) - I was at my wits end yesterday. I said screw it and purchased a bag of Wow BBQ Chips and justified eatting the entire bag and (secretly) count them as my starches. Guess it could have been worst as I could have eaten a 1/2 gallon of ice cream and enjoyed it much more. I don't see a change since they switched me to the Blue plan, I don't see if working any better or worst than the Gold.

Irish: You can save your fruits in place of wine. Did you ever try Bully Hill wines? Their labels state they are wines without guilt. Try that next time if you can find it in your area. Love my Goat is very good! Cheers!

Audit: I loved the bumper sticker. LOL!

Karen/RWF: Have a great weekend and your doing great on WW. Good for you.

Julie: How are you doing?

Fiona: Where are you girl?

Hugs to all, Sy

WTG AUDIT!! :wave: :bravo: :cp: :dance: :balloons:

Morning everyone! :coffee:

DH challenged me to do TO this weekend and then be POP next week and see if I can scare off FIVE pounds before next Saturday...about average for me when I do TO...if I can do it I'll be in ONE-DERLAND and I'll get to buy a new outfit for a wedding we are attending next Saturday. Woo hoo! Just the kick in the pants I needed, I think!

This is going to sound crazy, I know, but I think I actually overdosed on Mountain Dew this week. :dizzy: I woke up this morning just CRAVING plain water, and the thought of pop makes me kinda sick feeling! Who knew? :lol:

Another beverage I've discovered that's really good is the Minute Maid "Light" drinks...there's a plain lemonade, and a raspberry one, and I think a couple others but I'm not sure what they are. They are sweetened with a combination of aspartame and sucralose (NutraSweet and Splenda) and are 5-15 calories per 8 oz (depending on how much actual JUICE is in it!). And they're actually good! Diet Rite kinda got old a few weeks ago, so I will have to stock my fridge with these for the summer. :)

Have a great day!

Fiona

I actually seen the bumper sticker on a car. I cracked up when I saw it and haven't forgotten it.

The point is: we are beautiful no matter what! Some people are just ugly and there is no hope for them......

Fiona...That sounds like a great challenge...Good luck.. :cool:
I have to really stick to this plan too. My step-daughter graduates next month from high school and I have to be able to fit in something... :lol:
The last time I lost weight, I gave away all my fat clothes..Now I don't have too many dressy clothes to chose from.. :o
On the bright side, when I get about 20-30 pounds off, I'll have all kinds of clothes to chose from. But, when I get to goal, I'll have to buy all new clothes.. :cool:

Julie - Deepest prayers for your DBIL. My DF had the same symptom, but in addition he was dizzy and disoriented, and he had had a minor stroke, or a TIA (don't know what it stands for). This was 2 years ago, and he was fully recovered after about 7 months. The good thing for your DBIL is that they caught it early and that he didn't ignore the symptoms IF that's what's wrong with him. But again, we will pray that it is not.

Karen and Julie - thanks! Please note, DH has been sufficiently clobbered. I am still so ticked. This is going to be a long Friday and Saturday, then Sunday will be okay because I will be home alone.

My DS is 11 yo and he's about 5'1 and weighs 120 lbs. He gained ALL the extra weight he is carrying within the past 2 years. He has broad shoulders and a broad chest. He's not grotesquely fat, but he is chubby. He's like I was when I was about his age. He wears a size 20 H jean. I have both DSs enrolled in swim class, the oldest one for the exercise (he's a good swimmer) and the youngest one to improve on his swimming technique (can't swim a lick). I know that he wants to lose weight, because he has asked me to help him, plus I notice that he goes outside to play a lot more - he's out everyday whereas he would previously go out maybe one day a week. I make it a point to keep healthy options on hand for him. I also feed the entire family grilled dinners and veggies but DH tires of them quickly. So many times when I get home from work, he has already started dinner for himself and the boys, and its usually something UNhealthy. I just don't know :dizzy: .

Carmen: My son was kind of chubby when he was 11 too. But when he started growing up, everything worked out. He is 15, 5' 9", and 165lbs. He wears a 32 in the waist and is broad shouldered. It sounds like your DS is going to be tall and stout instead of scrawny. Nothing wrong with that, especially if your DH wants him to play football.....Maybe you should remind your DH what professional football players look like.....

Carmen - it seems to me that you need to tell your husband that he is NOT helping when he cooks meals like this -- there has to be a medium between a LAWL meal and an unhealthy one. . . But the swim class is a great thing, plus your DS seems to be getting the hint that activity is a good thing. It's important for him to learn not to STOP doing things because he's embarrassed, or that he feels he can't do it as well as his brother. These rivalrys are so tough, aren't they? It was so hard for me to be the one continually on a diet in a family of skinny people, that I empathize.

Hugs,
julie

Good Morning!!!!
Well TO is DONE YAY!!!!! I was so hungry last night lol. Anyway i just got back from WI and i was down another 1.75 lbs so that makes a grand total of 3.5 lbs this week YAY!!!!!!!!! I have had such a great week and this is just the icing on the cake!! Oh wait i guess that isnt the best analogy i could have used lol. Anyway you know what i mean. Oh yeah and I got a box of Carmel bars today and they said they are different. :o They gave me a sample bar and if i dont like the changes then I can bring my box back and exchange it just a heads up for some of you. That is my fav bar and I will be so ticked if I dont like it now lol.

Mandy~
I am going to school for Elementary Education K-6. I thought i had 3 semesters left but now i have 4 :( lol its ok i will graduate someday.

Julie~
your family is in my thoughts and prayers! Oh and you forgot to mention Fiona's new car too lol.

Carmen~
if im not mistaken children on LAWL till the age of 18 i think are to be on the orange plan. I have an ebay copy (old version not the free to live version) if you would like i can email it to you just let me know what your email addy is.

Karen~
I am 27 and i took 2 yrs off from school to "work" and when i went back i have changed my major and schools a few times lol. But i am sticking with my major!!!!!!!

Irish~
Just to help you out 3oz of white or red wine = 1 fruit

Fiona~
GL on your challenge for the next week I will cross my fingers for you!!

Ok well i have a few things to do here in the office and im leaving early today so i better get some work done. Ill check back in later and tell you how different the carmel bar is.

Britt

How exactly do you do the TO? I have never done it, and I don't understand from what is in the book that I have.

Britt - Elementary education hunh? God Bless you lady! My DM is a retired high school teacher. Its hard work with long days and long nights and very little sleep. I admire your drive and patience. Thanks for the offer on the orange plan. I am going to take you up on it. I have sent you my email addr.

Karen - I totally agree about football players. DS isn't huge. You know how you see some boys and you think...yeah, future linebacker? He's not like that. He's got 2 cousins his age who ARE like that, but he's about half their size. He's not a thin kid, but he's not huge either. I think football would be perfect for him because of the running that's involved. I really am very upset because I feel like DH took a low blow at him.

Julie - Believe me I will let him know about those dinners. I didn't know he felt so strongly about DSs weight. Either way, I don't want the issue to be that big of a point of contention, because I don't want DS to feel bad about it. Plus, I'd get evil. It wouldn't be good for DH. Nope, not good at all.

Karen/Metalchic - TO (Take Off, named after the LAWL juice) is basically a modified juice fast that can be really helpful for jump-starting weight loss if you've stalled out, or been off plan for several days and want an nice loss to get you back on track (like me!). Basically you drink a jug of this juice over two days, and eat only proteins and green veggies...and fats and your morton lite salt, and drink your water! No fruits, no starches, no dairy. The LAWL juice is (last I checked) $26, and you can get an almost identical product, Knudsen's Morning Blend, in the organic section of the grocery store for $4. Hope that helps!

I'm on a roll - got my first 24 ounces of water in already. I think it's the most water I've drunk in, oh, weeks!

Fiona

I go in this afternoon for my first Weigh In :eek: So far for water today I've had one bottle, and two cups of green tea decaf of course.

I do have one question...I bought Morton Salt but realized after I got home it wasn't Lite salt.... :dz: If I use 1/2 the portion of the regular morton salt would that equal the Morton Lite salt?

Irish - I honestly don't know! I do know that the Lite salt is a mixture of sodium and potassium, so it can be a source of potassium if you're not getting enough from your food choices. But I've never been a big salt eater and I almost NEVER get my "required" 1/8 or whatever tsp in unless I'm cooking something that calls for salt in the recipe, and it doesn't seem to have affected my ability to lose.

Fiona

well, it turns out that my DBIL did have a minor stroke - this is not good, since he's a carpenter by trade. . .thanks for all your prayers and good wishes!

about the morton lite salt - I am not a big salt user, either. I always thought that the point about the lite salt was to give us something else to use instead of table salt, since the diet stresses low sodium?

FYI - the other version of TO is two lites, 6oz of protein and 2 cups of green vegies with the juice- No fat, dairy, fruit. . .

Britt, you are so enthusiastic I am sure you will be a terrific k-6 teacher. WTG on the WL! Have fun this weekend, and you're right, I forgot that Fiona got a new car, too!

Fiona, good luck on your challenge! I may do one next weekend - we'll see how this week goes. . . I REALLY want to be under 190 by the end of April . .

Britt-Congrats on the loss and enjoy eating today. :) I usually crave fruit and tomatoes after TO. Actually anything sounds good after take off.

Julie-My prayers are with your DBIL and family also.

Fiona-Good job on the water, you've just reminded/motivated me to go drink some. :) Also good luck on the challenge. You can do it!

Ladies I just wanted to let you know that a few days ago I bought the free to live plan off ebay, so I have a lot of info also. So if anyone needs something posted or e-mailed about the plans just let me know. I also have a bazillion recipes that came with it. I'll start posting some soon on the recipe thread. I haven't even gone through them all yet.

I maintained yesterday and that is totally fine because the day before I lost close to a pound. I feel myself getting a little crazy again though. I just want to lose the last of this weight! Anyway, I'm just going to take it easy and try to keep busy with other things.

I might be going out of town Saturday and Sunday to see family. I have to have a strategy going in or else it could be trouble. I guess I'll just eat lots of fruits and veggies and fill myself up with water. We have a bit of a drive, but I can resist the fast food. I know it! That reminds me did anyone else have a horrible fast food habit? I really did. I used to eat at McDonalds at least once a day and sometimes twice a day. That was/is the hardest thing for me to change along with the coke drinking. Now when I go out I usually get a sub sandwich or something that is on plan. I TRY to stay away from hamburgers because I always want fries with them. Anyway, just curious.

OK talk to you chickies later. Hope you're all having a great Friday!

Mandy

Mandy...Mine isn't so much the fast food. It's the buffets..I love buffets... :lol:

Happy Friday all!

Another dismal day, but I am feeling semi-motivated none-the-less! Headed up to the DBF's house for the weekend this afternoon, so trying to get lots done today. Good thing is, gives me a reason to drive up by my LAWL center (I joined by where I work), so I can go WI.

Julie - sorry to hear about your DBIL, but glad to see it was caught so readily. I will be thinking of you and your family.

My impression of the Morton Lite Salt is that it helps replace potassium...although I am not sure the amount of potassium in it really does much good?

Mandy - I used to have a fast food craving a long time ago, and loved Mickey D's! Have you watched Super Size Me? Great documentary about McD's. In fact watching it was part of the impetus to really do something about my weight. I love recipes...so any you feel like posting would be greatly appreciated by me. I had bid on an LAWL cookbook and got outbid. Think I may just bite the bullet and get one today when I go by there. :rolleyes:

Irishgirl - good luck with the first WI!! It's always exciting! And I looked at your wedding pages...what a great idea! Thank you for sharing them.

Okay, back to cleaning my house. Have to go on landmine patrol in my yard soon too. :faint: Will check back later - this is like a terat, getting to read all the posts during the day!

Karen/RWF- mmmm buffets :doh: I went to one when I first started the program. That was like torture! So much good food. :T

Cathy-I did watch super size me. Just out of curiousity. Anyway, I had already mostly given up the McDonalds habit by then, but I still love a good burger :mcd:

Thank you all for your continued good wishes.

Karen/RWF - I love buffet's too - my only defense is to fill up half the plate with salad, and to try not to go back the second time - but then what's the point?

Mandy, are your family food pushers? If not, then they should understand your food choices. I won't give you Star's advice since you're happily married (which was flirt with the cutest guy there), but the best thing is to try to distract yourself around the food. . .Thank you for offering to share the new plan with us. I'm interested in seeing the new recipes too.

Cathy - I have to ask, what is landmine patrol in your yard? Is it as bad as it sounds????

About fast food - my prob is not Mickey D's - its KFC or Popeyes- love fried chicken, and only get it about once or twice a year. I think KFC's fried potato wedges are AWESOME.

Irishgirl - Good luck at WI!

Julie

Alright chicks I had the new carmel bars and ummmm i dont know i mean they were ok i did eat it but it seemd to be heavier if you know what i mean. One of the things i liked about the carmel bar was the fact that it was lite but the consistency of the new one seems to be thicker i guess. more like a granola bar i guess. I dont know its ok ill see what i think after i have a box of them. LOL and NO not at one time!

Julie~
Sorry to hear about your DBIL hope all goes well. Will keep you in my prayers.
LOL you commented on me being enthusiastic I used to be that way all the time but I have noticed that lately i havent been so much. HOWEVER this week has been such a great week for me and i have been all enthusiastic i guess lol didnt realize it would come through on a post HA!

Mandy~
I agree with you anything sounds good after TO :lol:

Solo~
you are exactly right the morton light salt is to help with K (chemical symbol for potassium) and if we are not using it properly as in at all haha that would be me then we are supposed to take a K suppliment but i dont and i have never been a big salt person either.

Irish~
I would just take it back to the store and exchange it for the morton lite salt. I have had to do that with different things before. My mom got the big idea when someone had tuna on sale to get a bunch only she didnt get low sodium so i bagged them back up and took them back and exchanged them lol i had to pay the difference but I wanted to stick to plan. My mom thought i was nuts lol. GL at your first WI!!!

Carmen~
I will be sending you an email after i finish this post. I love kids so its not a big shock to me that i wanted to be a teach i used to always say when i was a kid that i wanted to a be a teacher and i had such good teachers over the year. I want to teach K or 1st maybe 2nd but i like the younger ones cause well hello they have NAP time haha. You know if you sit down and think about it teaching is such a rewarding job anyway but man the PERKS are excellent! I mean you get all those holidays off, two weeks at christmas, extended thanksgiving, sick days, off two months in the summer you only work M-F (except for anything you take home to work on) you are generally out of school by 3:30-4pm i mean im getting all excited just thinking about it :lol: Anyway I had a professor the first time i was going for Education (yes i changed my major but look i came back) and she was the best professor i have ever had as far as enthusiasim goes she was always upbeat and energetic it was great. So i am excited but not looking forward to student teaching. Im not sure i really like the professors in the department now. I love my advisor but havent had much experience with the others yet.

Ok sorry didnt mean to ramble haha!!
I will try and check back in before i leave in about an hour or so but if i dont ill talk to everyone MONDAY!!!! Im gonna go see my Honey!!!!

Britt

:( DH just confirmed his suspicion that he's NOT going to pass Hebrew this semester. (In case you're wondering why anyone in their right mind would take Hebrew, DH's religious studies major only allows four options to fill the language requirement - greek, latin, hebrew or sanskrit - and greek and latin were full when he decided on his major...:p ) Anyway, he's going to try and petition out of the language requirement, but if that fails he'll have to take it over again next spring, which means commuting from wherever we're living back to DT Minneapolis 3-5 days a week. YUCK!!! DH SHOULD be graduating a month from today, except for this one class, so everyone keep your fingers crossed that the powers that be at the school agree that three semesters of a language you're never going to use in real life is enough and that they let him graduate!!!

Fiona

:D Yep Julie, it's as bad as it sounds! I have two big dogs and they love to make sure I have plenty to do in my "spare" time!

Fiona - hope it works out for your DH. Seems like there is often a glitch at the end of your studies!

Mandy - I like a good burger too! I did buy ground sirloin last weekend and made homemade BBQ burgers. Tasted soooo good! I had mine on one slice of lowfat/low carb bread and was actually pretty tasty! My daughter who lives with me is thin as a rail and can eat anything. SHe had burgers and fries about a week ago and I asked if I could have "just one" fry (which I did). :lol: She ended up scolding me and telling me I can't cheat on LAWL.... gotta love the support system! :smug:

Hi Chicks,
Julie..Yes, we are the buffet queens.. :lol: Mandy, you are welcome to join us... :p
Cathy..I know what you mean about the landminds...I have to take care of some over the weekend too... :( Thank goodness I just have the one..
Fiona...Good luck to your DH on the language... :dizzy:
Britt...Being a teacher sounds like a great job. I remember liking all of my elementary school teachers. They were always so nice... ;) I also would like all that time off... :D

I almost forgot to tell yall that on the way home from the bank i stopped at my local scrapbook store cause they were having a tax day sale and I got some great stuff!!!!!!!! If you spent 100.00 you got 25% off and they also paid the tax so i got a great deal today!!

Britt

Britt..That would be great around here to have someone pick up the tax..Geez, ours is 10%. Isn't that awful.. :s:

Hi Everybody, :wave:

Well I just got back from a v. long lunch with some buddies that I used to work with, but we all moved on to new departments. We had a good time. We went to Houlihan's (love that place) and I had that fantastic salad again. I eat grilled salmon on top of a green salad often at home, but they do something to theirs that is just heavenly.

Julie - so sorry about your DBIL. Thank the lord it was a minor stroke and for the fact that he is so young. That will work greatly in his favor as he recovers.

Britt - Thanks for the plans, and good for you about the scrapbooking store. There is something about a fantastic bargain that sometimes can make your whole world feel good (yes I am a shopaholic).

Fiona - bummer about your DH. Let's hope he has good luck with his appeals to the school. There is always something. What's the word on the house?

Mitchypoo - how is the job going?

Thanks everybody...Carmen, the word on the house is THANK GOODNESS we hadn't gotten around to putting in our offer yet! If DH does end up having to take his class over, we will probably find a house to rent for a year that is closer to DH's job and convenient for him to take the bus into town (which the house we were considering isn't). But for now, we're just in a holding pattern to see what happens...once we know, then we'll decide what we're going to do.

Fiona

Hi chicks,

I'm signing off for a while. . .

Britt - that's terrific on the deal on the scrapbooking stuff!

Fiona - I am sorry about the Hebrew - I hope something can be worked out for you and your DH.

Cathy, it's terrific that you DD is behind you 100% - now does she help with that yard stuff, too???

Yeah, what has happened to MICHELLE????

Hugs and a good POP weekend, chicks!

Julie

Chklithunder~Day job is going ok, same stresses everyday. That's just bound to happen in the insurance and real estate fields. PT Job is FANTASTIC!!! I love it so much there. Wed. when i worked, we were packed until closing, really amazing and nice to see. There was a group of 10 in the back, there was a group by the fireplace, another group by the other set of couches and the 5 tables closer to the cafe were packed almost the entire night. The time just flew. Think I'm going to buy some sock yarn tonight. It's really cool, it knits into a stripe pattern. I had really great new picking up my taxes today, i'm getting a huge refund (which i wasn't expecting at all!), so i guess i won't feel so guilty about my sock yarn purchase tonight.

Fiona~isn't it funny how those things work out. Sorry about the change in plans though.

Julie, sorry about DBIL. How old?

Solocat~I was also on poop patrol yesterday after work. Ick!! Hate it after the spring thaw but it has to be done and last night was the only night i was home at daylight and it wasn't raining. Fun isn't it?

And guess who left me a message on my answering machine yesterday, yep, the toad who probably isn't a toad after all. He WAS in the hospital for 3 days and i'm not sure of the whole story, haven't talked to him yet, but we'll see what happens.

Michele - Nice to see you again.

Everyone have a great evening! I'm headed home, not feeling so hot.

Carmen...Hope you get feeling better. Have a great weekend..

Hello all! Sorry it has been a while since I posted. Today is my last day at my current job :cb: I've been in this job for a year and wanted out since 6 months ago! But I am proud of myself. Typically when I am celebrating I let loose in eating and just eat what I want. For example, had a going away party at Chili's the other night. I LOVE their southwestern eggrolls! But I was good and got the grilled chicken caesar salad instead. One thing - it doesn't list in the purple program to take out the croutons, so i ate them. That is probably another starch right?

Then today being my last day some friends took me to Bennigans for lunch. I LOVE their Turkey O'Toole, but instead I got the grilled chicken platter with broccoli and a baked potato. I cut the potato in half and took one of the two breasts they give you and put it in a to go box before eating. So when my plate was clean at the end of the meal I felt hungry. Normally if there is food left on the plate I end up eating it. Now I have a hole other meal for the same price! I know this is basic stuff, but I'm really proud of myself.

I WI again tomorrow. So far I've lost 3 pounds. I'm hoping tomorrow will make it 5. But I'll have patience.

I was telling my girlfriend all about the program and I think she is signing up next week. It will be great having someone do it with me! My goal date is her wedding date and when I told her I plan to lose 50 pounds by her wedding she said, "You can NOT be thinner than the bride!" So now she is kicking it too! :) HAHAHA

OK, so question about going out. I am going out with my friends tomorrow night to celebrate my new job and leaving my cruddy one behind. I plan to be good on food and all, but really want some drinks. I rarely go out and do this so I do want to live it up. Can you just not eat your fruit or starches or something so you can drink more? Or if you do that will you definitely gain weight? I plan to be POP the whole rest of next week, it is just that one day. What do you all think I should do?

FYI - What does DH, DBIL, etc. mean? I'm still trying to understand all the abbreviations. I know have TO, WI and POP. Anything else you all typically use?

You all are very inspiring and really keep me on target. I love this site! :flow2:

CruiseinJanuary~I think you should go and enjoy yourself and then get right back on program. How often do you do this? You've done so well, this is one of those life happens moments i think. And the DH is dear husband, and DBIL is dear brother in law, DM is dear mother, DD dear daughter, etc.

Amy...These Chicks here know how I am. I say, eat, drink and be merry. But then again, I didn't do so hot on LAWL... :dizzy: You might want to get the advice on that from someone else... :lol:
I was going to answer the abbreviations but Michelle has already taken care of that... ;) Yeah, it's all D (dear) whoever... :D

Amy - there are guidelines in your purple booklet on how to count alcohol on plan...I think basically 3 oz of wine is a fruit, 1 oz of hard liquor is a starch, 12 oz of beer is a fruit and a starch (but lite beer is just a starch)...but when I go out with full intentions on consuming alcohol, I don't count, I just enjoy myself and pay the price later, because I really like mixed drinks and who knows how much of which stuff goes in those?!? :lol: In any case, you could just save up all your fruits and starches for the day and that should relieve SOME of the guilt! :dizzy:

Fiona

This day just gets better and better...DH just called to tell me that his grandma is in the hospital, they think they've found a tumor in/on her colon. She's been in and out of the hospital a lot over the last year for various things, but this is the most serious, I think. Say a little prayer for him if you would...:angel:

Fiona

Prayers coming your way for DH and grandma too.

Grandma's are great. Sending prayers your way.

Julie...Sending thoughts and prayers your way as well..

Geez..I just took a sinus pill and I feel like I'm about ready to jump out of my skin.. :crazy:

RWF cold and flu medicine does that to me sometimes. Midol is the worst it actually makes it to where I shouldn't drive. Wow 10% tax? I don't even like paying 7.7%

Fiona- I'll keep your family in my prayers. Hope things get better for you.

I just bought some pita bread and other yummy healthy food at the store. Now I want to go eat it all :) Too bad I'm done with starches for the day.... but I can't wait until tomorrow. Yum.

Amy, I think that is a good plan. Eat perfect all day and save up your fruits and starches. I'm also thinking that the next day you should drink a lot of water. I don't know if it'll help, but it seems like good advice. :)

Julie-you asked if I have food pushers in my family. Luckily I don't. So it will really just be about me not wanting to eat what everyone else is eating. We are going to see DH family. Now my stepdad can sometimes do that. I think he's learned not to though after a year of me losing weight, but when I first started it was horrible. He would try to get me to eat sweets and all other sorts of things. I think he was doing it to be funny, but it bothered me.

Well, I'm sure most of you chickies are away for the night. It's only 3:30 here. I think I read on someones profile that they were from Salem OR. That is only a couple of hours from where I am, so that is cool. A fellow Northwest chick.

Talk to you later.

Mandy

Solocat-It's you! You're the one who lives in Salem. :) I just read your post in the april goal thread that asked where I lived. Sorry I didn't respond earlier. I just now read it. Anyway, I live right outside of Vancouver WA (which is right across the bridge from Portland). So I'm about 20 minutes out of Portland. How far is Salem from Portland. Is it 1 or 2 hours? Or is it more? I can never remember. :) Anyway, glad to have you here. We can talk about the rainy weather and such.

Mandy

Hello everyone, I just got back and lost .6 ounces which isn't a lot,but it is something.

Karen: I took the supplements today, and my sinus headache went away. Like I said before, I don't know if is coincidental, or maybe it is in my head. I know what you mean about sinus pill making you loopy, I sometimes have that problem also. I often wonder if my headaches are migranes because sometimes I get so sick from them it makes me nasuated and pukey :p . I am going to continue test the TriMax plus supplement and see if it helps get rid of headaches. I will let you know.

Fiona - Prayers for DGM(IL).

Hi all. Feeling a bit better. Had a diet soda with dinner and it has me just a bit bloated. I was going to WI tomorrow morning but I think I will wait until Monday. I see myself checking in periodically over the weekend, so I will see you all then if you're here. Everyone have a great weekend.

Carm

CruiseninJanuary: I'm very proud of you at making such great choices in your celebration dinners, and you will be rewarded today at the scale.

Julie: I'm pulling for your DBIW, my gosh - they are so lucky he had a symptom and got medical care so quickly. Heart diease is nothing for fool with and the sad thing is that it doesn't matter on your age, or your physical condition. I'm including him in my prayers.

Star: I know your having a wonderful time in CA. Thinking of us I'm sure, NOT!

I went to WI yesterday and suprised myself to be down 1 lb. I told the lady that I was so frustrated. I said, yes I'll be back on Tuesday and probably up a pound so I can lose it and be down another by the end of next week. She is thin and to be honest, doesn't look like she ever did the LAWL plan. She said she had been trying to lose 5 lbs for 6 months. Okay, that's nice for her but I need to get to my goal at some point (and I'm paying for it and she
not). So, if all goes well this weekend - I have 6.4 lbs to goal.

Have a great weekend everyone. I'll check back, and I have to admit I need to go back and read some posts that I only glanced at.

Hugs, Sy

Good Saturday Morning- Been awful busy - sorry girls. I have two grandchildren this weekend plus I brought all there laundry here to do it to help out my daughter. Almost done with that. DGD has yet another double ear infection. She barely got over the last one but they think she never really got over it. THis is her third one in almost 4 years. Not bad. Step DGS has new glasses - he's just soooooooo handsome with them. I'm taking him for a hair cut today- my mom does that for us. DGD had a head ache this morning. She kept looking at herself in my big mirror and raising up her bangs to look for an owie I guess. I said whats the matter and she said "this" hurts pointing to her forehead. I am sure glad she can tell me whats wrong now. I gave her some tylenol, pulled the shades in the bedroom and laid her down to watch cartoons. She was up and happy in about 1/2 an hour. Still in her PJ's though but thats okay when your under the weather. I made a cake already and two loaves of bread. Just a going this morning. Nearly missed my AM snack - but I got it in. Hard to believe dinner is only an hour away. I'll have left over chili I guess. OP Chili that is - no salt.

Well I better get going and check on the kids. I am more determined than ever to get the last 20 pounds off. I still have many new pants I want to get into before summer is over and I get soooooooo mad at myself for cheating. :rollpin: I have no problem doing the exercises - imagine that - :tread: Its the cheating I have a problem with. But I'm trying real hard now.

Okay I"m rattling on - :blah: Maybe I'll catch someone later if I get a minute to myself - not counting on it though. Bye Bye.

Sy Good Job on the pound loss. I'm crossing my fingers for you that it'll stay off. I have 9 pounds to goal. Yesterday it was 8.8, but I'm up .2 today. I'm feeling a bit bloaty so I'm thinking that is why. I'm trying not to let it discourage me though because once I get a tiny bit discouraged I just give myself an excuse to make poor choices and I don't want to get over 160 again. I just got below it and that was a HUGE deal for me. Anyway, good luck this week.

I'm going to visit family this weekend, so my weekend goal is to just stay on track and keep that goal weight in mind. Hitting my goal will feel so much better than eating whatever I want. Right? :)

I hope everyone is having a good weekend so far. It's pouring down rain here today. Kind of nice though because I feel all warm and cozy inside.

Mandy

Beverly-Can I come over to your house? It sounds so nice and cozy. :) Cartoons, baking, pajamas...

I Went for my first weigh in last night afterwork. I lost 1lb in 24 hours!!! I was feeling :dance: 1 lb down, and I feel great that i lost 1 in 24 hours!!

Hello Chicks,
Sy and Irishgirl...Congratulations on the losses. :cool: :cool: :cool:
Haylo...Keep me posted.
Mandy...You are right about Bev. She is always baking something. Me and Star have always told her that we want to come live there too. And she's sweet as she can be... ;)
Hi Bev...It sounds like you are as busy as ever and having a great time as usual..How's the plan going?
Well, Our friends made it in from Iowa. I still cant believe that they drove over 900 miles to come here and drive laps around Talladega. We took my car there today instead of the truck. We just went to watch them go around for their laps but when we got up there, they let us go around again (this is what we did last month in the truck) But anyway, my DH had my car going around the track at 110. That was just the coolest thing ever. I had just as much fun this time. Then our friends left to go back home but they'll be back in two weeks for the race. We all camp together for 5 days. I can't wait for that again. We have a ball. :D :D
I got on the scales this morning and I was down .2 :cool: That puts me at 5 pounds now. I sure am loving these 160's but I'm ready to get to the 150's now..I know, I know, don't rush things... :lol:
But anyway, I'm off to change my ticker.
I'll talk to you all later..

Hey everyone! Happy Sunday!

By the way - GREAT job IrishGirl! congrats on your 24 hour loss!!! :)

Hello everyone, hopefully everyone has had an enjoyable weekend.

karen: I will definatly keep you updated

irishgirl: congrats on the loss, ,keep it up

mandy: don't get discouraged just because you went up .2, I am sure you will be able to get it off, don't let such a small gain coherece you into feeling discouraged and wanting to eat things off plan. It probably has something to do with the fact that you are feeling a little bloated.

Happy Sunday Everyone!

I was bad last night....my friends had a little wedding party for me and i had two lite beers. Good thing, the only thing I had yesturday was my bran cereal, dairy, fat, vegtables, and had the 2 starches, and fruits left over. I made up for it by just having a salad for dinner. But today is a new day, and I just have to look at it that way. I think this week will be really easy b/c I don't have any parties, or functions to go to.

Irishgirl: it is not bad to have two lite beers, they would count as one startch eat. I have had beer on plan also, and although I feel guilty about it, I have to remind myself, Hey it's like eating bread. So don't worry.


I too was a little off plan today, I went to a picnic, I think I did pretty good though I had a sandwich and counted it as a carb cravers. I was a little bad and had some chips though, (maybe I will count them as a startch.)

Okay, back at home and don't have enough time before bed to read how everyone has been over the weekend - I hope well though!

Managed to stay fairly well OP at my DBF's house. It was cute to have him ask what I could and could not have. Tomorrow will be the test though - WI day! Went on Friday and was surprised to have a 1.4 pound loss for 2 day! WOW! Big diff was really sticking on plan and using my treadmill with an incline. So, if I have a holding pattern, or even a gain tomorrow....I'll come home tomorrow night more determined to be POP and to exercise.

Mandy - Salem is about a little over an hour from the Vancouver bridges. Not too terribly far!

Oh! I did buy the cookbook finally! There are some great recipes in there, will try to add some to the recipe section as I go along.

Best wishes for the new week!



[

Hi ladies. Did everyone has a nice weekend? It was beautiful here in the Syracuse area. Yesterday, DBIL and I went on a 20 mile bike ride. It was great, first ride for me this year (bikecycle, not HD like Star's ;) ). What a great workout. I have to admit - it pooped me right out and I slept like a baby and feel great today. I work out at the gym, but it's funny that the body has to many spots that can hurt after a different type of workout. LOL!

Karen/RWF: How was your weekend? Did your friends love the ride on the track at Taladaga? We it worth the ride down from Iowa? Karen, your doing great on WW. Glad you finally found something that is working and you can stick too! The 150s are just around the corner!

Julie/Text: How is your DBIL doing? I hope he's back home and doing well.

Oh, I have to tell you all this, in case there is someone out there that has medical conditions and is not aware of the additional benefits from reducing weight. My Mom is 79 and was diagnosed with diabetes last fall. She has been watching what she eats, elimated sugar from her diet, she only eats whole grains breads, and she started walking 15,000 steps a day (measured by pedometer) and she has lost over 20 lbs. She went to the doctor's on Friday and was taken off her diabeties medicine, and took her off the water pills (as she has high blood pressure). She is still taking her one of her HBP medicine. She is so excited. We made her buy some new clothes to show off her new look (as her pants were so big on her). It's so cute, I love my Mom!

I also had a pretty good weekend OP. Well, have to get to work. Hugs, Sy

Welcome GEMJLO/Gretchen (she posted on the BIOs board). Gretchen, when did you start LA? Hope you find us over on this thread (I send you a PM so maybe you'll be reading this soon).

Sy

Good morning, chickies!

Had a good creative weekend with friends, which is always good - ate out a little too much, spent a little too much, but was proud of myself that I didn't eat myself to stuffness, and tried to make the best choices I could - well see what happens at WI.

My DBIL is doing better, he may be released tomorrow - it seems that he also has type 2 diabetes, and high bad cholesteral (although his total level is good) and this may all have been brought to the surface by severe migraines! It's amazing how everything works together, isn't it!

Sy - I haven't been on a bike since they stopped making them with foot brakes - I just never felt comfortable with hand brakes and gears -- I'm supposed to pedal AND do something with my hands?? I am so happy that your DM is doing better!

Cathy- sounds like your DBF is a keeper.

Haylo - sounds like you did good at the picnic - now, if those chips where fried - they'd be a starch and a fat. . . Drink lots of water today to fight any extra sodium.

Karen/RWF - WTG on 5 pounds down. It sounds like the this racing thing may be something I have to check out.

Fiona - so sorry about your DH's DGM - I'm really beginning to believe that it never rains but it pours - please keep us informed as to how it goes.

Michelle - glad that the knitting thing is going so well! - and a phone call from the mystery man yesterday. And a tax refund! And sock yarn! Now, does life get any better?

Carmen - hope those toes got painted, and you had a wonderful Sunday by yourself.

Hi Amy! There is a list your center can give you about alcohol and exchanges - but I think the other chicks already gave you the info. You are doing great, chickie - being down 3 before Saturday. Hope that WI went well for you. And I did the same thing with dinner on Friday - had vietnamese grilled meat, and saved half of it for yesterday. I felt very proud of myself.

Beverly - I think you are in the wrong business. I think you should open up a B&B for people that want to experience the Wilderness first hand. Then you could bake to your hearts content, have people eat it, and your DGD could entertain everyone. Now, everyone, wouldn't you go to Beverly's for a long weekend for that? And go bear watching?

Mandy, how did your weekend go?

Hugs to all, and skinny vibes!

Julie

Happy Monday fellow chickies :wave:

I am so tired today, we stayed up kind of late last night. Had a BBQ at our neighbors' house last night. I have a question for everyone. My neighbor knows I am on LAWL. So very nicely, she tried to accomadate my needs. She made a fresh bruschetta. She took a french loaf of bread cut it into slices so they were about a the size of a ritz cracker...then she put a little bit of low fat moz, Green & Yellow peppers, spinach, artichoke, and just a dash of garlic. I had about 4 of them. Anyone know how we should count this? Yesturday my eating schedule was way out of wack too. I had a birthday party sat night, and didn't get home until late, and My fiancee was out of town so I didn't sleep well..didn't fall asleep until 6:00AM..I woke up around 1:00pm. My downstairs neighbors whom we love were outside having a cup of coffee so after I showered I joined them, and then our neighbors next door who we think of like our second parents were outside, and we all sat outside talking, and drinking ( they were all I stuck to water all day, then had a light beer around 8:30 or so) when my fiancee got home. I have more to vent about but I may need another thread in order to do so.

Sy - That is great to hear, diabetes runs in my family, and that is just one of the reasons I am trying to loose weight. My Aunt has diabetes, so does two of my great aunts, and my sister has problems with sugar levels sometimes. I've never been tested although sometimes I think that I should only b/c I find if i don't eat, I get shakey, and tired really fast.

Irish we all vent on this thread - it makes us more friends, if you know what I mean . . .

It really does help me eating more often during the day - it's a tough habit to get into, but it makes me not eat too much at any one meal, and I don't get too hungry so that I scarf everything in sight when I do eat. . .

So nice of your friend to make that special snack for you - I'd probably count it as S, V and D? what do you think? ( I always tend to count those things as higher than they probably really are - so for myself it would have been 2 starches)

Julie

Morning gals...!

WTG everyone on their good weekends! I myself was not so good, but dug out my Knudsens juice and am ready to face the music.

Irish, I read your vent thread and wish I had some advice for you! I've managed to avoid community living except for one year at college, I don't think I'd be a very good tenant - I think I'd be kinda high maintenance about exactly the kind of stuff you're dealing with - I just wouldn't be able to deal with it. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. We found out that DH's grandma has a tumor on her bladder, she and her family (3-4 sons, I think) haven't determined what they want to do yet. I think my in-laws are going to try and get in touch with her doctor today to find out the options.

And DH seems pretty confident about the petition thing working out - he's also got support from some big names in our church, like our Conference bishop who is the wife of our church's newly appointed pastor. :crossed: In any case, if the petition DOESN'T work, he's just going to toss Hebrew out the window and start over with Latin. But on an up note, he may be able to take that at a local college and transfer the credits, rather than driving downtown (2 hours round trip) for one hour of class a day.

Well, the boss is back in town (he was on vacation the last two weeks) so I have to work a little harder at looking busy...catch you all later!

Fiona

wwwwwssssshhhhhhh.....

That's the sound of the wind sweeping across the prairie, cause it's a ghost town around here today! Where is everyone? :kickcan:

Fiona

Hi Chickies! I'm kind of relieved that it has been a slow posting day. That way it didn't take me too long to catch up on everything.

Congrats to all that lost this weekend... Solo and Irish :)

Solo-That's pretty cool. I thought it was fairly close. I grew up in Oregon. I lived down the Gorge in Hood River. I have know idea if you know where that is though. It's down the Columbia River and It's by Mount Hood. Anyway, I moved to Vancouver Dec of 99. I love Vancouver because it's bigger than the small town I grew up in, but it's not as big as Portland, but we're still close to everything and only an hour drive from my family in the Hood River area.

I'm thirlled because I went to visit family this weekend (5 hour drive each way). I resisted eating bad and am down .4. This is a huge accomplishement for me. Before when I would go to visit my DMIL I would just snack at eat whatever I wanted. Her house is so comfy and I just feel happy and calm there. So I naturally want to snack it up. :) Anyway, we got there late Saturday night and she had some VERY yummy stuff in the kitchen. I struggled for about 15 minutes, but I managed to think it through and talk it through with my DH. He helped me stay on track, so I did and I am so happy. It's funny how we just have those few minutes of weakness that can make or break a day or week even. Anyway, the next day was my Nephew's baptsim. I knew there would be a dinner afterwards, so I made sure to save up my starches and etc. for dinner. I figured I would eat a little bit extra. But my DSIL was so great. The dinner was pretty healthy. We had yummy sandwiches that we got to put together ourselves. So I ate a turkey sandwich and had lots of veggies on it. I did have a few potato chips, but I made sure to drink TONS of water after eating. Anyway, Sorry about the long story about 1 meal. I'm just so thankful that my DH was there to tell me that if I ate horrible I would really be regretting it in a few days. He also saved me from choosing a crossiant over a hoagie. I was trying to make the healthier choice. Phew I'm glad he was there.

OK one other thing... I hadn't seen some of my family since Thanksgiving. It was really awesome to see their reactions to my weight loss. When they saw me on thanksgiving it was a shock also because I had lost about 30 pounds since they had saw me last (last summer). And now I've lost another 20 pounds since Thanksgiving. Actually seeing them this spring/summer was a huge motivation for me to get back on track in March. Anyway, I had people telling me that I look so slender and that I just look great. I even had a BIL tell me that I look great. It was a great feeling, but also it's hard to take all of those compliments sometimes. I feel uncomforable saying thanks. I feel like I'm saying yea I know, I look wonderful. That's something I've got to work on. Anyway, it was nice. Now I still have 9 pounds to go and I'm hoping that I'll look/feel even better when that 9 pounds is gone.

Sy-That's a great story about your Mom. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Fiona-I hope everything works out with DH's schooling and DH's DGM. If your DH has to take a class again I sure hope he gets to take it locally. That would be not be fun to drive 2 hrs for a one hour class. Wow really? where is everyone. I didn't notice that no one had posted between 8:50 and 1:05... I would have posted earlier, but we had a long drive last night and didn't get to bed until after 2 or so. So I slept in. It was nice. :)

Ok Talk to you chickies later!

Mandy

Hello girls,

Well it has been quiet in here. I went to WI today was down .2 which, although is small, it is a loss. I had the nicest counselor today, I think the mean evil one might have left I heard her talking the other day. I hope so because everyone else seems nice. My counselor asked me today if I needed to buy any bars, and I said no that I was tight on money and was considering buying some off of ebay. I also told her that someone had given me enough samples to get me through the rest of the week. She said, oh I know how that is, she said don't worry. I will give you some more samples and she did, she even told me to hide some in my purse. I just thought that was nice of her, I was actually planning on going to the store and buying some more Luna bars, but now I don't even have to do that.

Well wednesday well be a tough one from me. We are having Fiesta here in San Antonio, basically for those of you who don't know what that is, it is basically a huge party that lasts for about a week and a half, lots of eating,drinking. It is such a big deal here, that all schools are closed and most businesses are closed on friday for the parades and stuff. Anyways, wednesday night I am supposed to go to something called NIOSA, so I am hoping I can plan out my day ahead so I can have a little fun. I told my counselor today and she said. Oh I went this past week and I was totally off plan, she said don't worry I will write it in your chart, that you are planning on going to Fiesta. She made me feel not so guilty.

Well, sorry this is a long one, but I hope everyone is doing well. Good luck tomorrow with the plan and have a great day.

Haylo-Good luck on Wedesday. :) Good idea to plan ahead. I'm happy that you found a great counselor. I had one like that the other day and now I'm going to always ask for her. It really makes a big difference in my attitude when I have a good counselor. Where is everyone today? I've never seen such a slow posting day. It's like an episode of the twilight zone or something. ;)

Mandy

Haylo I like your weight loss ticker. You have good taste. :)

Mandy: you r correct, it is the twilight zone. Maybe, it's just one of those busy Monday's. It is kind of lonely in here. It does help when you have a nice counselor. It makes you feel like they are not out to get you, but to acutally help. She even was sure to show the page with the alcholic beverages, and assured me that it was okay to drink. She told me that she likes to make bloody mary's, using V8,1oz vodka, and celery. She said I not trying to promote drinking, but think about it, you could count it as a 2 vegtables and a startch if you wanted.

by the way I like your ticker also, you know what they say great minds think alike ;)

Good evening!

Glad to hear the good news about all the DRelatives doing better healthwise and school wise!

Went in and did the WI I was dreading (thinking because I wasn't at home I was sure to have gained). Good news is, my ticker is officially at 9 pounds now! I actually lost .6 of a pound! I have to say that ever since the counselor told me any off-plan variation messes up the "formula" for losing, I am a believer!

Today was a busy day, and only got home awhile ago. Going to go try the stuffed cabbage recipe from the cookbook. If it is any good, I'll post it in the recipe thread!

Mandy - I know exactly where Hood River is! My DBF and I go out that way quite a bit to see the falls and drive and look for great places to take photos (he is very good, I am so-so). Did you go to the Blossom Festival??

Best wishes to all!

Good Evening Everyone. I am new to the posts and to LAWL. I have been a member for about week and have lost 4lbs (after 1+plus back and losing again over the w/e). I found your forum last week during a search for more information, etc. It sounds and reads as though you guys have a really great support network going. Looking forward to reading more of your successes and little bumps along the road.



http://www.3fatchicks.com/weight-tracker/img/bar056/fireworks01/lb/259.2/135/255/.png (http://www.3fatchicks.com/weight-tracker/index.php)

Welcome Mobilegirl: Glad to see you found us, this is an awesome support network we have going. How tall are you? Just wondering because of your WL goal being 135.

Hi others! Well, things have been quiet. Must be lots of us are having nicer weather. Suppose to be 80 here today. That is amazing for April in Upstate NY. I'm loving this sunny weather.

Mandy: Great job this weekend at the in-laws. I love when family is supportive of our weight loss efforts.

Haylo: Wow, you did get a nice counselor. I have about 8 LA Lites left and there hasn't been a special in months at my center. I may be checking out ebay as they are too expensive with the price increase. If the Luna bars can sell for 99 cents/bar, LA bars are over $2/bar, it's highway robbery.

Julie: Glad DBIL is doing better.

Solo: Congrats at the loss, you are well on your way to your goal! Keep up the good job!

Have a good OP day. Hugs, Sy

I go in today for my second WI. I was thrilled this morning though. I took out a pair of "GAP" Trousers that my FI bought me for Christmas that were A) To thin to wear in the winter months B) I couldn't really button them without feeling like my middle was going to explode, they were way too tight. I tried them on this morning..buttoned right up no problem...I don't know if it's me of if I did loose more weight..because today they feel great on me. Well I'll find out this afternoon I suppose ;)

Good morning, chickies!

Sorry I was sort of MIA yesterday - I was trying to load some new software on my computer, and having a heck of time - not fun at all.

DBIL update - aparently more serious - he's still in hospital, the diabetes is really out of control - it may be type 1 instead of type 2. But he is getting feeling back in his hand, which is a very good thing.

Mandy, WTG on the weekend - you are on a ROLL! It sounds like your DH is a keeper. My problem with the compliments, is I really don't like being in the center of attention too long - also I think people expect that you can do anything when you've lost a great deal of weight.

Hi Mobilegirl - welcome - where in Maryland - I'm in Virginia! We have lots of fun on this thread.

Cathy - sounds like you're doing great! (thanks for giving your expert advice to Irishgirl)

Haylo - take all those .2 losses - they do add up over time, although it's really frustrating when you get a run of them. . .Good luck at the festival. Sounds like you have a terrific counselor there.

Fiona - sorry about the DGM-IL - I hope all goes well with the doctor consult.

Sy - isn't this weather terrific? It's supposed to get up to 80 today and tomorrow! Very strange for April, even in the almost South.

Good luck everyone!
Julie

Good morning chickies,
Good luck to everyone on their weigh ins. Mine was today. I was at 169.2 so that means I'm at a total so far of 5.4....WooHoo.. :D Today starts week 3. I think this will be a slow process but I am really happy with the program and it seems to be working for me. Usually, I would be up and down on the scales and so far for each weigh in, it's been down... :cool: But, we do all have to find what works for us...
I was busy yesterday getting the camper all scrubbed down on the inside to get it ready to go. DH will leave Sunday night to take it to Talladega. They spend the night so they can be first in line to get our usual spot. So, I'm working on getting it packed now. Oh, and by the way, for anyone interested in racing, my driver (Rusty Wallace) of course, is 3rd in points..This is his last year for racing and he said he wanted to go out on top for his fans..I hope he does well this year..So far so good.. :D
But anyway Chicks, I just wanted to check in. If I get a chance later, I'll be back. This is my last day off until we leave on the 27th so I need to get a bunch done... :o

Morning chickies!

I think I'm down 1.2 or so after one day of TO - I really didn't pay that close of attention to what the scale said yesterday morning, all I know for sure is it was 205-something and this morning it was 204-something so I'm definitely down. :)

Went to the gym last night - that's two nights in a row! - Sunday I did 20 minutes with the incline at 2%, would have gone longer but I started to feel kinda lightheaded so I cut it short. Then yesterday I did the hill program - 0-to-5% intervals - for 30 minutes. I could have kept going but I had to pick DH up from school. It feels really neat to get to the end of a tough interval and NOT want to just lay down with exhaustion. :)

I also spent 15 minutes in a tanning bed at the gym - $5 a pop, best deal around - but shouldn't have gone that long the first time out, and now my behind is a little bit scorched! :hot:

It's overcast and a little rainy here today - perfect for curling up with a blanket and a cat and a book. :cloud9: Too bad I'm stuck here with nothing but a phone and some fluorescent lighting! :lol:

Have a good day everyone!

Fiona

Karen, What part of Alabama are you in? I have to say that you're the first Alabamian I've seen on the boards. I'm from Tuscaloosa. ROLLLLL TIIIIDE!!!!

Keep up the good work. The plan does get easier to follow after a while (no constant checking of the food guide) It use to take me forever to go shopping, now I'm in and out.

hey, just checking in.

went for weigh in yesterday, down two more!! thanks for keeping my motivation up you guys. I don't always have time to post,(checking in mainly at work) but it's good to read your posts, they keep me going!

take care,

iheartsushi...I'm at Lake Martin. It's about 50 minutes north of Montgomery..I'm orginally from Maryland. I saw in one of your other posts that you were from WVA. What part? Oh, and yes, ROLL TIDE..My DH is all Auburn, so we have our little family fued... :lol: Are you on WW or LAWL?

Good Afternoon Everyone :dancer: It is beautiful here today and the last place I want to be is behind a desk. Just got done eathing lunch and I am stuffed!! I had 2 cups of bagged salad, 3 slices of rolled up turkey, and 1/3 cup of whole wheat pasta that I had left over from last night. I think my counsler at LAWL is going to shoot me tonight though. He told me to add beef into my plan, and I am not a huge red meat eater, I prefer chicken over beef. I don't care if i eat chicken everynight for dinner. Is that a bad thing???????

Good Morning/afternoon Chicks,
Well I maintained again yesterday, but that's ok. It's one of the downfalls of weighing yourself everyday. But I'm feeling good and it's just motivating me to eat even better today. (no sneaking a few drinks of coke or a couple bites of my DS's yummy sandwich)

Solocat-I lived in Hood River my whole life (until recently) and have never been to the blossom festival. :) It is a wonderful time of year to just drive around the valley and look at all of the blossoms though. Also if you head up highway 35 you can get some GREAT pictures of MT. Hood. (I lived in parkdale it's about 15 mintues up highway 35 from Hood River Great views of the mountain from up there).

Mobilegirl-welcome. This really is a great place for support. I just found it last month and it has helped keep me motivated and on track.

Sy-80 degrees! I'm jealous. It's supposed to be 70 here all week. I hope it really happens. We've had a few weeks of rainy weather. I like the rain, but can only handle so much of it.

Julie-Thanks my DH is a keeper. :) That is what I don't like about the compliments also. I can say thanks (uncomfortably) but if they keep talking about it I start to feel funny. I'll keep your DBIL in my prayers.

RWL, Scrapmom and Fiona-Congrats on the Weight loss! Also Fiona good job with the workouts. Everytime I read a workout post I feel sooo motivated to go workout. I just haven't done it yet though. Maybe soon. ;)

Ok Chickies. I will talk with you all later.... And as Julie says... "skinny vibes to everyone". :)

Mandy

Irish-I don't think that is a bad thing at all. That is weird that your counselor wants you to add beef. Maybe he just wants you to eat a bigger variety of foods. I think I eat too much beef. I have taco salad a lot. But I'm still losing so I guess it's ok. :) By the way your lunch sounds yummy. :T Maybe just ask your counselor what the benefits are of adding more beef to your plan. I don't think he will be mad though looks like you had a nice healthy lunch today.

Mandy

Well Hello Everyone and Hi to the newbies. :wave:

I am still among the living. I spent all of yesterday nursing my sick DS back to health. Just as I was walking out the door for work I got the dreaded call from the school "come and get your child please". I picked him up, made him comfy and fed him soup and juice...and watched his "little cold" turn into a full blown asthma attack. I should have known this was coming, as it is 80 degrees here today and everything is in bloom. Everyone is also doing their initial spring yardwork...including DH and me. Anyways, I am home with him again today, but today I am actually able to work from home so I don't lose any vacation time. Kewl. My boss is not too pleased but what can you do??? :shrug:

DS is going to be okay, as long as he can get the rest he needs. He may be out of school again tomorrow, but my DM and DD will be available to take care of him b/c neither DH or I can afford to keep missing work (love those parentals).

Anywho, I've been OP this weekend and the past 2 days. I hope to show a loss at WI tomorrow. We shall see. You all have a good afternoon.

p.s. Julie, I am glad your DBIL is doing a bit better. And I DID do my feet! They look right purty!

Hello Chicks,
I just got a call from Star. She's still in CA and tried to post from there but it wouldn't let her log on. But anyway she said to tell everyone hi and she'll be back posting again on Friday. She said to tell you she would be weighing in on Friday morning.
Ok Chicks, I have some more things to do so I'll talk to you later.

Hi chickies,

I'm having one of those days where I'm having a hard time getting all my food in - does that ever happen to you?

Went out to lunch (AGAIN) and had the chicken ceaser, and couldn't finish it. That may be because the lettuce was drenched in dressing - I kept on trying to pick out the 'naked' ones.

Carmen - sorry about your DS! Although, I am GLAD about your toenails!

Irish - About the beef - I'm not sure, but I think it's probably 1) to prevent boredom, and 2) because if we eat the same thing everyday we may be missing nutrients. . . But do ask, because I'd like the answer too! What do you normally eat for lunch?

WTG, Scrapmom! You are doing absolutely FAB.

Fiona - soon they will have a treadmill marked with your name. I am impressed with you doing exercise on TO - it would make me lightheaded, too

Karen/RWF - that's terrific progress on WW. Has Rusty Wallace said what he would do after this year?

Mandy and Cathy - interesting info on Oregon - I'm visiting relatives this summer in Portland, so -- is that close to either of you? I have little idea of geography. . .

Hugs to all,
Julie

Karen - I am so impressed that Star took out time from her busy (!) day to check in on us .. .

Julie...Yes, I was glad to hear from her too...
Now about Rusty. He owns a race team with the Busch Series but he won't be driving. He also has a son that races so alot of his time will be spent with his sons career... :cool:

Just got back from weigh in!!! I am down 2.8 lbs!! :dance: So I am down a total of 3.3 lbs since my start on Thursday 4/14/05. I am so excited!!! It's more motivation when you start loosing and seeing the lbs drop off I think!

Hello to all--thanks for the warm welcome!

SyracuseNY--I am 5'2". The idea in my head is 135, but 140-150 will be good.

Textjewel--I live in Bowie. Where in VA do you live?

It's a bit difficult for me to log on during working hours. So most of my posts will probably be afterhours. But as I stated previously, just reading all of your posts are extremely encouraging.

hello everyone:
Well, this week is going to be a true test of willpower. As I mentioned earlier it is fiesta week down here so, everyone is out and about. And of course, my arm has been twisted ;) into going out almost everynight starting tommorrow. I just have to hope everything goes well. Hopefully, I can control :devil: . I think I might just take a little bit of money with me, so that I can only afford to buy two beers and a food item :D Tommorrow is WI before I go out, so hopefully I am down I am determined not to let this festival week get in my way of all the hard work I have accomplished so far. :hat:

Irishgirl: congrats on the weight loss

karen: I thought you might be interested in this but, the wheather has been changing alot over here in San Antonio, texas. It's the kind of wheather that gives me those awful headaches. Well, today I felt one coming on, but it went away. I have been taking the TriMax Plus and I am really beginning to think they are helping with headaches. I am tempted to not take any on one of those rainy days but I hate having headaches, especially those, so I guess I will have to try it out to see, but not this week, because I have too much to do.


Everyone else good vibes :goodvibes

:angel:

Irishgirl: by the way, I like the information on Irish coffee, and the four food groups. :lol:

Wow, the site is really slow today. Don't know if it's the site or the connection?

Went to WI yesterday, stayed the same after being really good all weekend. Like Mandy, I'm okay with it, but wishing to be closer to goal. Still have 6 lbs and 1 week to make my BD goal. Yikes, doesn't look like it's going to happen. I'm still trying.

Instead of going to the gym yesterday, I went on a 1 hour bike ride. Kind of boring going myself, but I did get out to enjoy that 80 degree weather we had. Looks like a cold front is on it's way from the NW and no telling when we will see those temps again. Could be months. :(

Julie/Text: Wow, having a hard time getting in all your foods in? Not on your life has that happened to me. I'm sure I would have been at my goal by now if I ever had that happen! ;)

Karen: Glad you heard from Star, can't wait to see how her 'girls' trip was!

Irishgirl: Congrats on the loss! I think they want you to get a variety - the reason for the beef. But sometimes you cannot satisfy the counselors. When I eat chicken all the time, they tell to add something different. I add pork, they tell me that I'm eatting too much pork, I cut back and they say to add, it's a merry-go-round at times. I told the counselor that on Friday. Sometimes my head is spinning when I get out of there. This time they recommended that I add fish. Well, I had grilled shrimp on Friday and having haddock for dinner tonight. I'm a shellfish eatter, but I'm limited on other kinds of fish that I enjoy.

Well, gotta run and take the car in for maintenance. I'll check back later.

Hugs to all, Sy

Good Morning Chicks,
I just wanted to say hi. I only work half a day today but I'll be working with the manager. I probably won't get a chance to post anymore today until I get home. I'll talk to you all then... :D

Yeah today and tommorrow are going to be hard. I only go grocery shopping once a week and that is on friday's when I get my paycheck. Well already I am out of salad..I have veggies I can eat. Does anyone know what a tuna fish sandwich on light whole wheat bread, with reduced fat mayo, and tuna in water would could as?

Good morning, chickies--

Sy, I understand about not liking fish - I don't like it either - but I do like steaky kinds of fish like tuna and swordfish - Once I had bought fresh tuna, broiled it, put it in my diary, and the counselor asked if it was low sodium. I explained that it was fresh - and she'd never heard of fresh tuna before. I hope I helped the next person who had it! Sy - SEVEN pounds is so close. You can do it, girlfriend! Have you started training for the bike ride already?

Mobilegirl - I'm in Alexandria, around the other side of the beltway. .We do have lots of fun here, and I'm glad you can read during the day.

Irish - you're doing great! I'm with those dancing bears!

Haylo - nothing is better for staying POP than success! You deserve the best choice available - so don't sell yourself short.

Karen/RWF - The one thing that I've noticed is that once racing gets in your blood, it stays there forever!

Okay, what has happened to Beverly??

Hugs and skinny vibes to everyone!


Julie

Hi Irish - I think you can have the whole can of tuna (you're on purple, right), as 1 P, the light bread would be 2 S, 1 tbsp(?) of light mayo is a fat. .it may be 1/2 tbsp of mayo for the fat. It's a lot of tuna for two poor pieces of bread...

Julie

Hey chicks!!!

sorry i have been MIA the first part of the week i have been sick since sunday and busy with work and school. But i have about two weeks left and i will be out for the summer!!!! I was the only one at work on monday so i didnt go to WI (i only WI in the mornings) but i have to run to the bank this morning so im planning on going then. My scales at home were really nice to me even though i am on meds for my cold or whatever it is lol. It says im down 24.6 !!!!!! and last friday i was only down 20.5 now i know that my scale and theirs are a little off. So im hoping thats its close at least lol.

Im glad that everyone seems to be doing so well. YAY to all the losers! & those that maintained. If you did gain over the weekend ....jump right back POP and it will be off in no time.

Ok here is a question for you.... Since they have added juice to the fruits list do you find yourself drinking more juice? Since i got back OP last week i have noticed that i am drinking a lot of juice. Simply Orange is great! As some of you might remember i was having a hard time getting all my fruits in for several months. Well now it seems to be a breeze i try to get them all in at breakfast with juice now lol. They havent said anything about me drinking to much juice yet and im wondering if they will lol oh well. The only problem i would see with it is the sugar content. But if you eat an orange you get sugar too. Its a natural sugar so it should be different right lol.

Well i need to finish getting things ready to go to the bank and to WI so ill be back in a little bit to let you know how it went. Oh darn im supposed to get measured today too. LOL wish me luck.

Britt

Hi Everyone. :wave:

I am back in the office today. DS is with DM and DF. Given how his breathing sounds, he will not be back in school until Friday. :( It's funny. It seems as though the folks around here actually missed me. Wow.

Anyway, I have WI tonight. I hope it goes well. My DM remarked that I looked great this morning when I dropped off DS. She said I was wasting away! I don't see it, but I sure won't argue with her! :lol: After losing so slowly and then only maintaining last week, I hope WI shows some movement in the right direction tonight.

Britt - I am pushing for you. Summer is almost here!!! About the juice, I totally agree.

Julie - there have been many days where I could not get all my servings in, and then of course the scale wouldn't show any victories and the counselors insisted that was why. I drink the low sodium V8 at night if I find that I am lacking a serving of anything. Guess we'll see how it works out.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Hey gals!

Well, not too much to report on the diet front, but GREAT news on the "home" front! :hyper: We still have two to three weeks to go before any decision will be made about waiving DH's final semester of Hebrew, but if they do insist that he complete the language requirement, we found out that he can take Latin 1 and 2 online! No driving downtown! Woo hoo! AND the seller lowered the price of the house we want another $2K - double woo hoo! So now I'm just waiting for a call back from our mortgage guy with our preapproval so we can hopefully submit our offer before the end of the week. :crossed:

Fiona

Im back!! Just got back from WI and can i say im so pleased!!! I was down 3lbs :dance: im just so shocked cause i know i wasnt POP over the weekend and I have been sick. Of course this means i have to be POP the next two days cant have a bad WI on friday! They also did my meaurements and i was only down another i think 1/2 inch but i think she added it up wrong cause she would tell me if i was the same , down or up as we did the meausremnts and my waist was down 1.5 my hips were down .5 and thigh was up but i dont remember how much and my chest stayed the same go figure lol. surely my thigh wasnt up 1.5 oh well i will look at my chart next time. Anyway i wanted to share the good news with everyone!!!! Im starting to feel kind of bad so i might have to go lay down on the couch for a few minutes and rest before i get back to work.

Oh and Carmen she did comment on my juice lol. She said look at you drinking all your fruits first thing but she didnt say to stop doing it lol.

Is anyone else having friends and family night on April 29th at your centers? We are and im thinking about talking to my dad about signing up. I have a coupon that will be good for 50% off his program and i will get $50.00 lol a little perk for me haha. Wonder if i could talk him into it.

Ok im gonna run for now im drinking lots of water! ill check back in later have a POP day ~~skinny vibes~~~~

Britt

Fiona thats excellent news!!!!!!!!! I hope you get this house you sound so excited about it. Also hope things work out for you DH with that class i know how that can be lol. By the way how is his DG doing?

Britt

Hi Britt, thanks for asking - she is hanging in there. I guess they are going to do a surgery that will hopefully leave enough of her bladder intact (or something) that she won't need the catheter/bag setup (sorry if I'm grossing everybody out). She is 87 years old, and I don't know about you, but I think that if I were in her place, I'd choose whatever options would give me the best quality of life for however long I have left, rather than jumping through hoops just to buy an extra year or two, you know? Anyway, I haven't heard any info on how long they're giving her...if it's a slow-growing cancer, she could live a number of years yet. Who knows?

Fiona

Hi everyone. I'm posting on my lunch, hope I don't get anything on anyone. LOL!

Fiona: Thanks for the update on DGM. You know, it's so tough getting old (having the recent experience with my 88 year old aunt). Great news about the house price being lowered, and that DH can take online course. Wow, I wouldn't want to have to take Latin online unless it was instructor led.

Does anyone know anything about being a Power of Attorney? I think if I go to see about getting my aunt Medicaid I need to be a POA or bring her with me (which is out of the question). I didn't want to be her POA, but I may not have a choice. I'm asking because my sister that is in a nursing home, prior to that my neice became her POA and she is still getting hassels about overdue bills - back-payment from the first nursing home she was in (this was after she signed the check that she got for selling her Mom's house over to NYS).

Britt: Congrats on the shock. I wish I was shocked that way at WI. Keep drinking your fruits if that is what is working for you. I'm not a juice person myself, rather have the 'real' fruit. I haven't heard anything about April 29th being Friends and Family night. I'll ask my center. Our center is having a $50 off (their products) if we have a referral that joins. Maybe it's the same thing, but our's is doing it differently?

Anyone's center having specials on the LA Lites? Mine keep telling me no, and I'm just about out. Not sure what I plan on doing yet as far as the bars.

Chklithunder: I love getting non-scale victories (NSV) like you got today. It's so exciting when someone notices. Keep up the great work!

Hugs to all, Sy

Off topic...

DH and I have always planned to get a dog or two eventually...a larger one, husky, boxer, something big and friendly. :) DH has an especially soft spot for Alaskan Malamutes (I think it's the fluffy tails, lol!) Anyway, we were thinking maybe 6 months or so after we get settled in our new house, where- and whenever that may be. But tell me, who could resist this face?

http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?action=2&pet=4318160

We're not for sure going to take her, but I'm making inquiries anyway. I have NO patience, I live for instant gratification. :p

Fiona

Fiona: Tinker is very cute in a malamutish way. LOL! How does DH keep up with you? I would wait until your settled into your new home because it doesn't sound like it's an apartment type of dog (from the description - very active or something like that).

Sy

Hi chickies - back from WI - down another pound! Total 36 lost - really glad, since I've been so social lately. The counselor suggested more chicken and fish (sound familiar, Sy??)

Carmen, it's so nice when people give us compliments (until they get tiresome) we are such contrary creatures, aren't we?

Sy - about the POA, I can't help you, but know that you probably need a lawyer. Is she living alone? Or in a home of some sort? If she's in a home, the people there may be able to point you in the right direction. There also may be some forms in one of those legal document packages (the ones that have the simple wills, etc)

Britt, WTG on the loss and the measurements!

Fiona, I think you are compleletly changing your life. Do you do this type of massive change over often? I agree with you about quality of life for your DGMIL, but it's really her decision - my grandmother is 94, but still doesn't seem to want to leave this life.

I guess I've thought about this lately, with all the Terry Shiavo stuff that happened a couple of weeks ago, and have really thought about a living will. And a will in general, I don't have one right now.

Hugs to all,
Julie

Hey Chicks -
I'm still in Calif. the weather is fantastic! My family in MI tells me the weather there got nice as soon as I left :?:
Sy - Looks like you are getting closer and closer to goal - you go girl! (As I get further and further :devil: )
Fiona - you are one busy girl - do you ever rest your mind? You'll have to PM me when I return and tell me all the new things going on in your life. Does DH have a hard time keeping up with you :lol:
Rusty - Sounds like your new plan is really doing well for you and your right we all have to find what works for us.
Julie - I only read afew pages back and I didn't see anything from special from you but I did see your 35 pound avatar - and that's all good!
Well I'm going back to center on Friday, weighing in :devil: , getting lites and telling the counslors I'll do whatever they instruct me to do. I'm gonna get to goal now, it's really silly to be so close and yet so far away and for so long :dizzy: I could be 20 pounds from goal now, not sure. I did weigh the morning of my flight here, so I'll know if I lost or gained while here. Plus being around my thin girlfriends made me realize I shouldn't be so content to stay right where I am.
Well we are gonna go out to breakfast while the cleaning ladies are here. I'll catch you chicks on Friday if only to report me weight and my new official start.....It will be good to be back in the game ;)

Hugs,
Star

irishgirl: WTG!

text: i completely understand not getting all the food in. it's hard! i have to buy groceries for all four of us, example: two apples left, kids come in, MOOOOOOOM, can we have an apple? Of course you can (no more hoho's in the house) there goes my fruit. grocery day isn't everyday, too $$.

oh well, i will probably blow WI tonight. My wallet was stolen out of my car at work yesterday, and i was so upset, :( I fixed my comfort food, spaghetti and cheese. i didn't measure, i just ate. I guess we're gonna have those days. Trying to get a lot of water in today before i go. :)

better get back to work. have a great day!

Sy and everybody - you guys are hilarious! Sy, we currently live in a house with a fenced yard, so getting a dog now wouldn't be a problem, space-wise. ;) Dollar-wise, maybe! :lol: Sometimes I feel like I've been hibernating for the last few years - I haven't done much of ANYTHING life-changing wise, so now I'm trying to get all caught up! :D

Fiona

Hello everybody,
It was fun reading all of the posts today.

Irish and Britt- Congrats on the weight loss.

Julie-I live about 15 to 20 minutes North of downtown Portland OR. I live just over the bridge (over the Columbia River) in Vancouver (southwest Washington). Solo lives about an hour away. I think it's south from Portland. I don't know if you've been this way before, but it is absolutely beautiful here.
I've also had some problems getting all of my food is. It's usually a fruit or a veggie that I don't get in though.

Britt-Thanks for reminding me that they've added fruit juice in. I literally think it's been a year since I've had orange juice. I'm going to go buy some this week.

Fiona-Sounds like things are going great for you right now. What a CUTE dog. I say go for it. I love Malamutes. I had a husky malamute growing up. He was a great dog. Also I'm so glad that you are looking at adopting a dog. I think that is the way to go. We adopted our dog and cat. There are just so many unwanted adorable and sweet animals out there.

Chkli- we went out of town this weekend we drove about 5 hours each way and I thought of you often. Everytime I saw a no u-turn sign. ;)

Well, I'm down .2. I guess it's better than maintaining. I have 8.6 pounds to go. I thought I only had about 5 or 6 weeks left on my program, but I guess I have 8 weeks left. Do you think I should just try to lose for the remaining 8 weeks or stop after I get to my goal (hopefully in 4 weeks)? I wouldn't mind being about 145 or so, but I set my goal at 149.

Well, I took some excedrine migraine (couldn't find the tension headache today) So I'm feeling funny. I guess it's the caffiene in it. I drink caffiene all the time in soda pop and it doesn't seem to affect me, but I'm sure feeling affected right now. :dizzy:

bye bye for now!

Mandy

Hello everyone,
I just got back from WI and I cant believe it. I am down 3 pounds since my Monday WI. I think that is great, but I also think part of it is because I went earlier in the day and hadn't eaten lunch yet. So I won't be suprised if it is up on Friday. But, either way, it has just motivated me to keep on going.


Congratulations everyone else on their losses and good luck.

Sorry my post is short, but I have to get ready mentally, and physically for today's festival.

Hey everyone.

Its raining cats and doggies out there right now and I am getting ready to leave the office to take DS to the doctor. Not looking forward to the drive out of downtown. I normally take the bus. Oh well, I'll take it slow... :crossed:

Sy and Julie - Yes the NSV felt very good. I don't think I'll ever get sick of the compliments. Not from my DM anyway because I know she is being sincere instead of just being polite. You know?

Mandy - I think the no u turn sign is sooo fitting for this program because for me it really signifies a new beginning. No looking back... Only thing is...I am really anxious to turn that avatar into a 20 lbs lost one! ;) Oh well, tonight is WI. Everyone has been doing so well, maybe some of that will rub off on me today. Let's hope so!

Everyone have a great evening.

P.S. Sy - how nice of you to take time out of your busy vacation to check in on us chicks. Way to go on deciding to start fresh with the program upon your return home.

Carm

Well, I have been lurking for a while but I feel ready to join the party.
I joined LAWL last week. I have lost 7 lbs so far-- not too shabby!
I am on Purple but am switching to red for a week as of Sunday because I won't be eating the lites during passover.
I am feeling really good about the program right now which is great because after speanding all that $$$$ I started freaking out that I had just been conned.
I can't stand the super hard sell but hopefully that will pass soon.
Anyway- I look forward to learning from you experts!

Welcome JulieSD! Your doing awesome! About the hardsell, well - it does get better but I don't think it goes away (as far as the counselors) but we all learn to live with them. LOL! If you want it buy it, buy it - if you don't - well, just stick to your guns. I think after dealing with the counselors at LA, I could almost be brave enough to deal with a car salesperson. :lol:

Julie/Text: Thanks for the advice, I will talk to the social worker for my aunt at the VA as I believe she has the paperwork I may need. I will be calling my aunt's son who lives in Chambersburgh, PA and see if he wants to be her POA before I go any further with this (but since he lives so far away and is not in good health I'm sure he'll pass on that and leave the responsiblity to us living close by my aunt). Sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do, and I believe that I'm the only one here willing to do it for her. I hope I'm doing the right thing! :( Your right about the will, DH and I need to get that done this year too! Thanks for the reminder.

Chklithunder: I think you meant to address your comment to "hifromcallychick", aka "Starlynn", not me. LOL! Thanks for the compliment!

Haylo: WOW! Being down 3 lbs is great no matter what time of day it is. I know what you mean about being the time of day, as long as you know that and are prepared of what may happen on Friday if you make a later WI - you are nobodys fool!

I'm still upset that their are no specials on the LA Lites. I only have a few left and will be forced to pay those highway-robbery prices. I guess I will get a bulk rate, but come on - they would sell more if the prices were not so high. Has anyone purchased the LA Lites off Ebay? Just wondering as I have never purchased anything off ebay before. I did like the idea that they can transfer the LA Lites from 1 center to another as I'm leary at purchasing food products from people I don't know (as it brings back the Tylenol tampering scare from years ago). I'm I strange at thinging this?

Mandy: Your doing great!

Fiona: I'm proud of you at making all these life changing events happening this year as I know you have been holding out for DH to complete college and getting a FT job. Things are falling into place for you and I'm excited for you!

ScapeMom: Too bad about the wallet. I know what you mean about the groceries. I feel like I'm at the grocery store every other day for more fruits and veggies, but you really can't buy everything ahead or it's bad by the time you get to eat it (as fresh stuff spoils so quickly).

Starlynn: I guess you just needed a vacation to get you back on track. I'm so happy for your determination. We can do it this! Have a safe return and can't wait for Friday's post.

Hey MetalChic, where have you been?

Have a great day! Hugs, ~Sy~

Sorry about being MIA...

I've been sick :(

I have good news though.....

Went to WI yesterday :goodscale I was down to 144lbs! :dancer:

Only 4lbs left!

And, I went shopping this weekend....
All 8s :cloud9: :dance:

I'll catch yall later! SKINNY VIBES........... :wave:

Good morning chickies,

Finally, my azaleas are budding. They should be out this weekend, or by Monday.

Sy - about the POA - you may be able to have two people with the POA (you and aunt's son), but I think it could be tricky if you two didn't get along. . and didn't want the same thing for your aunt. It also may be possible to get a limited POA?? One that limits the scope of authority? (I'm picking this stuff out of my memory - don't know if I've heard it on TV or from a real person.) About buying the lites off ebay, if you go that route, ask if the boxes are sealed. There is an option to email the seller. I have bought luna's from ebay - those were separate bars not boxes - and some came a little crushed, but still edible.

Scrapmom02- so sorry about your wallet -that would be enough to send anyone in a tailspin. And you went to WI? - I'd probably still be in the depths of dispair and frustration!

Fiona -I think 45 was like 25 for me - there are some birthdays that signal life changes.

Star - glad that you remembered us out there in Sunny CA - The people in my center have almost totally changed in the past month - hopefully you'll have new ones when you go back.

Mandy - I've never been to the Northwest, so I'm really looking forward to it. Haven't figured out yet how much time I'll be able to spend there yet, since I have other places I want to go (Idaho and Montana) - what is the weather like in mid to late July? Good golly, you'll probably drop another size in 8 pounds, and will LAWL let you change your goal?

Haylo WTG! How did the festival go last night?

Carmen - I understand what you mean about not turning back.Truthfully, I've stuck to this program longer than I have to any plan in the past decade.

Hi JulieSD - finally another Julie on the board! (Did you post in the bio thread yet?) I was wondering about what happened during Passover - what do you use for starches? Can you have matzho? Seven pounds in one week is terrific! I agree with you that the hard sell was not pleasant, but the plan does work, it is balanced, it is liveable. I agree with Sy that the hard sell does go away (until there's a new counselor at your center)

Hugs to all and sending skinny vibes to the universe!

Julie

Karen, that is TOTALLY AWESOME! WTG chickie! All EIGHTS???

Julie

Thanks Julie!

I purchased three pairs of dress paints, a blazer, two Levis capris, a pair of Levis jeans, white button-up blouse, and pink and gray tight-fitting blouse. ;)

It felt soooo gooooood! :D

I might go shopping again this weekend.. :s:

Hi Everyone! :wave: Welcome to JulieSD.

Well, I went to WI yesterday, and I was down 1 lb. I think I lost more than that and I may have been having an "off" moment. I will go back on Saturday am and try it again. Last night I had the only counselor who was actually on the plan and what a visit! We were able to talk candidly about a lot of things, and I left the center feeling a renewed dedication to the program. They were having an open house and they had samples of this and that available to everyone. The counselor I spoke with brought in some swedish meatballs with noodles and they were simply delicious. She told me how to fix them, but I will wait until I have made it at home before I post it on the recipe thread so that I can also add the portion breakdowns. But if anyone else wants to try it before I do this weekend, its made with frozen turkey meatballs, a packet of LAWL cream of chicken or mushroom soup, water, and whole wheat linguine. She said she used onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper for seasoning. Again, I'll post it as soon as I make it at home. It sure would be nice to get a sticky on that recipe thread b/c there are so many new ones out here it is getting hard to find.

Karen - how awesome is that? Congratulations. You have come so far. How inspiring it is for someone like me with a lot to lose to see folks such as yourself and Mandy and Sy, who are so close.

Julie - you've come a long way too. You're almost halfway there! :dance:

Haylo - Congrats on the loss!

Sy - You're right. I did mean Star. I was rushing to send that last post before I scooted out of here yesterday. Anyway, I wish you luck on handling your aunt's affairs. We should all be so blessed as to have family like you. I have bought the lites on ebay. I got 2 sealed boxes of 14 bars for $48 including shipping. Not much of a discount I know, but every little bit helps, you know? I also got a mixed lot of lites for $20 that had ten soups in it, about 5 chocolate snack shakes, and a couple of tropical peach drinks (horrible). It was packed very well and I didn't have any problems with the items. I did inspect everything to make sure all the packages were sealed though before I used any of it.

Greeting everyone :D ,
Metalchic: congrats on the size 8's

TextJewl: fiesta was good, I did deviate a little off plan but not to bad, I ate a hamburger w/only one bun, a chalupa with was pretty skimpy, a beer, a wine, and a strawberry crepe. I know I had to many startches but considering the enormous amount of food around me I think I did pretty good. I guess, I am not used to eating some of that stuff anymore, because my stomach was a little upset this morning. Interestingly, I was so full I couldn't drink all of my beer, and ended up throwing half of it away.


Today, I am going to something called Battle of the Bands, it won't be bad, because all they sell there is hotdogs, and I am planning on eating before I go. Tomorrow will be another challenge, I have some friends coming in from out of town and we are all supposed to go to a concert, but once again I am going to stick as close to plan as possible, and take a limited amount of money.

Sy: thanks for the insight on the whole WI thing and going at different times ;) , also I have never bought La Lites off of ebay, but I did buy a CD of the cookbook, and I had fast delivary and good results. I agree with Text Jewel just make sure that the boxes are sealed, or in some sort of container. Yesterday,my center told me I could post date a check for the end of the month so that I could buy some bars, they are not having a special, but it was ten boxes for about 135.00 dollars. I too am a little weary about buying food items off ebay, but as long as they are sealed I don't think it would be too bad. What do you mean, they can transfer things from one center to the other? If you buy them off ebay from someone who has them at a center, they can transfer them to your center?

Sy- I used to sell my lites on ebay and I am trustworthy. ;) But I never did buy them. I would just make sure that they are sending fresh bars. A lot of time the people just pick them up from the center and mail them directly to you. That is really the way to go. Just look around at different auctions.

Metalchic-CONGRATULATIONS! size 8's!! only 4 pounds left!!!!! I'm so excited for you. I'm fitting into tens right now and some 8's (have to be stretch jeans). I'm hoping that when I get to goal in 8 pounds that I'll be in a comfortable size 8. Way to go.

Julie/Text- I think lawl will let me change my goal. I did it before I think. I remember it being 155 at one point and then I changed it to 145. I actually think that is what it is at right now. So I guess I probably don't even have to worry about changing it. I've decided just to finish up with my weeks. If I lose at 2 pounds a week I should be around 145 when I'm done, but I don't know what my body is going to do once I get closer to goal.

Carmen-thanks for them comment today. I had a bad night last night where i just wanted to give in. I didn't, so instead I was in a bad mood last night and I'm kind of feeling down today. It's making me feel so much better to read these posts today.

Actually that is why I came to post this morning. Last night I just wanted to get some pizza or fast food and eat it with the family. Problem was I had already eaten all of my food for the day. It was so hard not to give in. I did some late night grocery shopping and almost started crying in the aisles. I knew I would be picking up some fast food for the family on my way home, so I had to make the decision to cheat and feel bad in the morning or not cheat and feel miserable all night. So I chose to feel miserable and that I did. When I got home I couldn't even put my groceries away. I was close to have a mental melt down. Now I know this sounds petty, but I think it's just day after day of being OP and trying to reach your goal. It can be tiring. I just didn't want to give in though. I just don't want to back track right now. But I'm hoping soon to find a balance between eating healthy and allowing myself to enjoy yummy off plan food every now and again. Usually I try not to put myself in the situation I did last night, but DH worked later than normal and was really wanting some fastfood. He hardly ever gets to eat anything like that nowadays. Which I guess is a good thing. :)

Anyway, sorry about the rambling today. I'll talk with you all later.

Mandy

Mandy - don't sweat it. I'll bet that after all is said and done you feel better having made the right choice than you would feel if you had caved in. Yes its tiring and so difficult at times that its not even funny. Just look at it this way: today is a new day with new food servings! Have a garden burger and fries CC dinner. I plan to! I want some fries in the worst way, but I will get a grilled chicken salad for lunch and then have what I really want for dinner. Again, I do so admire how far you've come. It ain't easy girlfriend, but you are doing a fabulous job. You're almost there.

Just think of how different it will probably feel when you are on maintenance and you are free to make more choices than we have now. You're working hard toward that mark and your efforts are paying off. Don't let that get you down.

Good Afternoon Chickies!!! Sorry I've not been on yet been a busy day so far! I go for my WI this afternoon after work. We went to a friends house for dinner last night, and I kinda at more than I should have. Granted it wasn't bad food or food not on my plan. I had a salad, about a cup of broccoli, 8 baby carrots, and Chicken that was marinated in a fat free citrus marinade. Then When I got home I was still starving so i made some brussel sprouts. My Fiance laughed he me and goes when most people want a snack they get ice cream or cookies you go right for the Brusell Sprouts. He was cracking up at me! I do feel a little guilty for eating so many veggies though!

Karen - Congrats on the weight loss, and getting closer to meeting your goal! That is awesome!
Congrats to everyone who is meeting this weeks goals!

Thanks so much Carmen. ;) I'm not going to be down today. You are so right today is a new day with new food servings! Your lunch and dinner sound yummy. I think I need to work on eating a bigger variety of foods. I get stuck in a rut and usually eat close to the same thing every day. So I need to mix it up a bit. Have a good day!

Mandy

Thanks Everyone!

I have had many comments today on my weight loss at work. I am actually wearing some pants that fit.....

I went at lunch and got highlights and a cut. My hairdresser styled my hair straight. It looks GREAT!

Tonight I am going to see Motley Crue!

I'm having a good day so far, I wonder what is gonna happen :shrug: It is one of those days where something has got to ruin it.....

Mandy, it will all be ok... I promise. You showed alot of self control last night. Self control that I bet you didn't have before. You shouldn't let it get you down. It's only fast food...

Remember a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips....

I don't remember who posted that before, but it stuck with me.

MetalChic: You put a big smile on my face today. :D I'm so happy for you and your shopping experience at getting all size 8's with only 4 more lbs to goal. You are an inspiration to me and I will continue the fight as I know it's possible! 85+ lbs is just amazing and I could cry I'm so happy for you.

Text: Thanks for the info on POA. I called my cousin and left voicemail message about my aunt/his mother (can you tell they are not close). Kind of strange that he is 71 years old and his mother is 89 - almost like being brother and sister at those ages. Know what I mean?

IrishGirl: Glad that DF has a sense of humor, and if you are going to go over on anything, veggies is the best choice. Keep up the great job!

Mandy: You did have a trying day yesterday. Almost seems like it could be getting close to TOM - that is when I have petty parties for myself (not that you were - and you were very strong to not give in, I probably would have). What determination! I bet you have a great WI. And here is a big LAWL hug for fighting off that food devil!

Haylo: I read on e-bay yesterday that the person purchased her LA Lites in bulk and quit LAWL and wants to get rid of them. It said to save on shipping she could have her center call your center to have the LA Lites credited to your account. I'm thinking this would be the best way to go as I can't get the Tylenol think out of my head. If I had children, I don't think I could stand them eatting Halloween candy received from people I didn't know. I just can't get passed it.

Back to work, Sy

metalchic-you are so right it's only fast food. But sometimes it seems like more than that. You know what I mean? I guess I just need to keep that it mind. "it's only fast food, it's only fast food." That's so great about getting the comments at work. I'm sure wearing clothes that fit makes a big difference. Congrats to you!

Sy- It isn't my TOM, but I definitely was having a petty party for myself. I actually just got back from my weigh in and I told my counselor that lately I've just been feeling sorry for myself. Anyway, that is no way to try to get these last pounds off... feeling sorry for myself because I can't have a quarter pounder with cheese! :( :burger: I've got to focus on the positive. So at my weigh in I was 4 pounds down for two weeks. (I haven't been in in a while). So that is good. We're about the same amount away from goal aren't we. I'm 7 pounds. Aren't you about 6 pounds away or so?

Hope you're all having a good afternoon.

Mandy

oops I'm 8 pounds away. Don't wanna get too ahead of myself.

Shush - Irish - don't worry about getting in more than 4 serv of veg (if that's what you're supposed to have ) I usually have at least 6 - I don't even really measure them - I mean really, how many calories does a brussel sprout have? (You didn't dip them in melted butter or anything like that, right?)

Mandy - I am so proud of you chickie! I know that rebelious feeling very well, and it is tough - I mean if we were diabetic and had to really watch what we ate, it would be almost easier, right? I'm sure that with maintenance things will loosen up a bit more, and you can have what you want. I really think the big thing is to plan for it. Like Carmen! I really think I'll have to watch it for the rest of my life, but we know the tools, now, right?

Karen/ Metalchick - what, no gold jewelry???

Hi Carmen - I've still got over 40 to go, but I'm closer than I was. . .I'm definately over 1/3 of the way!

Haylo - did you get the double boxes at 135?? That's a terrific price! Sometimes they count the boxes at 7 in a box (like the shakes and hot drinks)

Sy - you are earning points for the future with all that you do for your family. It's sad that sometimes family is not close enough to do all the things that you are doing. Besides your good heart, I can tell you bring a lot of energy to do the work to all this.

Julie

You know, when I hit these pity parties it's usually when I'm tired of being the good girl - the one who always does what she's supposed to - also I think it may be mid cycle -

hmmm I think it is mid cycle for me right now. Maybe that was the reason for the pity party. :) Maybe I'll just track that on the calendar and have one planned for next month. I really almost was in tears a few times last night. I had almost wished it was my TOM, so I had something to blame it on.

Mandy

Mandy, no matter what the reason, it is frustrating to buy fast food for someone you love and not be able to eat it yourself. It would be one thing to smell it on their breath, or to see the wrapper in the trash (or the car) but I would have been tempted to tell him to go himself and to take your DS with him. . . (but then, that's probably why I'm not married!)

Hugs,
julie

Thanks Everyone :thanks:

Mandy, I know the last of the pounds are the hardest to get off and seem to be the hardest to deal with. After you eat a certain way for such a long time, you feel that you deserve a treat. I have found that using the CarbCravers Pizza helps me keep from getting this far too often. Otherwise, I don't even really want the fast food anymore. You should try buying something just for you; for example, some new clothes, have a pedicure or manicure or BOTH, jewelry, makeup, shoes ;), or whatever makes you feel good. It might help with trying to get out of the mind set of food as a treat. I don't do things like that due to finances most of the time, but every now and then you have to do something for yourself. With children it makes it hard to think, you need things too. Go out and buy yourself something. It doesn't have to be anything expensive, but something that is going to show you why you are putting yourself through all of this and to show yourself that you are SPECIAL! You have almost overcome your issues with food, you showed alot of self control, you deserve the benefits of all your hard work, just remember it's only fast food....

Julie, no jewlery recently. I'm not a real jewlery person, the only thing I wear is two sets of gold hoop earings and my ENGAGEMENT RING! :D

BRAVO - Karen - that's what I was trying to say. . .

Julie (I make up for no engagement ring with other jewelry - lots of it!)

Hi gals :)

Well, I took my mom's advice (gasp) and contacted the owner/agent of the house we want...just let her know that we are still very interested, and also asked if she'd consider doing a lease-purchase if we couldn't get the financing to work out. We shall see. She's lowered the price twice in the last week, I think she's getting impatient, so hopefully that's good news for us.

Fiona

Hello all!

Reading today's posts was just what I needed! Way to go "team"!! :cheer:

Mandy - I'm thinking maybe it was a NW mood! Despite the beautiful weather, I went for a WI and was up .4 lbs. Arggghhh! Found my old sabotaging thinking kicking in ("Go ahead, just go to Starbuck's and get a coffee and a treat...."). Managed to ride the wave and come home and wear myself out tackling my yard... :flow1: I guess the frustrating part was having tried to stay OP and using the treadmill and walking the hounds. The counselor was supportive though - she did ask how much sodium my salad dressing had.

Julie - Sorry this is belated. Salem is about an hour south of Portland on I-5. I agree with Mandy, the country around here is awfully pretty! July should be relatively warm, but then we are the PNW, so you never can tell!

MetalChic - wow! You are an inspiration!

Well, on to making dinner and then washing my poor car. I have been trying the recipes in the LAWL cookbook. So far most are good, a couple could use some more spices....will try to post some soon!

Hello All,

Mandy: Interesting thing about the fast food, I just got home and had a similar experience. My mother wanted chalupas so my dad and I went to pick it up, and then one of my worst cravings happened. I wanted a bean and cheese taco really bad. At first I was angry, because I couldn't have one and then I felt sorry for myself. :?: Then I remembered, all the hard work that I have put into everything so far, and that a bean and cheese taco was not worth it. I guess I try to think of how much money I have put into LAWL and then it stops me from being :devil: I hate to think that I put so much money into something, for it to not work because I chose to eat bad stuff. I also try to think about, how much healthier it is to make more appropriate choices. I know I will be there someday so close to my goal, yet so far. I guess it's just one of those things we have to take one step at a time. :D


Sy: no they were not double boxes , that would have been nice if they were, basically I have saved any money besides about 5 bucks. I am not allowed to buy clothes until I lost my weight I sometimes get the need to go shopping and do bad things (you know buy stuff off plan), but I have decided to stick on plan and spend my money wisely. I guess I just didn't want to have to hassle with getting bars any other way. I like the Luna bars, I just felt like I want to get the bars from LAWL and kind of switch them out with the Luna bars every once in a while for variety.

Hi everyone.

Starlynn should be back today, but I'm sure her desk will be filled with work after being gone for over a week and being the only person to run that office.

The past couple days, I have been trying to switch things around as far as what I eat and when I eat them. I tried haddock fish Wed for dinner and did okay as far as not being hungry afterwards. Yesterday I had tuna for lunch on slices of onion (I know it sounds gross, but that is how I always eat canned/bagged tuna). Also had oatmeal as my starch for lunch and won't be doing that again. I don't know if it was the combination or what, but I was hungry by 3 - and my stomach felt so fat and bloated it was as if I had gained all my weight back. I hate that feeling. Feeling okay today after drinking some of the magic tea and have results in the BM area today. WI again today and gotta get some lites.

Later, Sy

Hi, Everyone -

Did a lot of reading this morning - when I should be getting ready for work! Made it down to DC over the weekend to see BIL at art show. Julie, great weather! And we did get to see the last of the cherry blossoms.

Anyway, back to work this week was a real b**ch. However, tried to stay on plan within reason and not resort to comfort eating - as in that jerk, I think I'll have a chocolate shake!

Mandy, you are a bit younger than me, but I seem to get pms sometimes 10 days before TOM, and boy I can get weepy! I agree with Karen/MC and the others you did great not having the fast food. If you did have it your bad mood would have lasted that much longer. I also agree with non-food treats. Around here a fast food meal can cost about $6.00 or so, so maybe you could buy bath oil or bubbles and take a bath while the guys are eating their dinner? Or buy a magazine or paperback book? I usually use the library, but sometimes splurging on a mag or book gives me the same or more satisfaction than a slice of pizza.

Sy - try the NYS Bar Association website - www.nysba.org, they might have some information under the public resources tab regarding POA, etc. Or legal aid might have some information on elder care law.

Congrats to all of us for staying on plan, losing, maintaining and trying to make good food choices.

Here's another quip - Nothing tastes as good as thin feels!

Have a good day
Melissa

Happy Friday Everyone!!! :wave: Well I went for WI last night. I was just wondering if this has ever happened to anyone else. When I went I had a pair of Jeans, a sweater, and a tshirt on. My last weight in was 188.9. I was shocked when I got on the scale and it said that I was 189.0 even! My counsler said that the last time I weighed in I didn't have the type of jeans on I did at my previous weigh in. He said it is safe to assume that I have lost another pound b/c Jeans alone can weigh up to 2 lbs, plus the sweater, and Tshirt. Has this happened to anyone else. And if I did loose 1 lb why wouldnt' they mark it on my chart? I dont' know what to think here, and feeling a little frusterated. I would feel better If I knew I actually lost a pound. Did I??? :shrug:

Good morning, chickies!

More typical April weather around here today - cool and rainy. Good for the plants though!

Star should be back today - hope she had a terrific trip!

Irish - I think the LAWL people can only go by what is on the scale itself. I always try to wear the same sort of clothes when I go to WI, so that the scale reflects a truer story. I do know some people who carry a set of WI clothes with them and change before stepping on the scale. Just like going at different times of day can make a difference depending on what you've eaten or drank.

Sy - I think I'd like tuna that way too - never thought of it. I found some of that Mrs Dash's marinade yesterday - I'll try it this weekend.

Haylo - I do the same thing - try to find a OP treat. Yesterday at the grocery store I got some of that Mrs Dash's marinade and a box of chai tea for my treats. It helps me stay out of the ice cream aisle if I allow myself a little treat like that every couple of weeks. I also switch out the luna's with the lites. I bought them in bulk throughout the WL weeks not maintainence - when you're supposed to still have one a day, and thought this would make them last longer.

Fast food in general is tough! I think it's because as a kid I only got McDonalds as a real treat - the smell of the fries just brings it back to me. And a milk shake. I can almost do without a burger if I just have those two things.

Hi Melissa - glad you saw DC when it looked pretty - this is the best time of year, I think!

Hugs and TGIF everyone!
Julie

Good morning Chicks,
Star...Welcome back. You have been missed around here.. :D
Chicks, I don't have alot of time to chit chat today. The boss is back in town AGAIN. I sure wish he could run this place from LA where he lives.... :lol:
But anyway, I got on the scales this morning and no loss. I stayed the same. This is the first time for that but atleast it wasn't a gain... :dizzy: I'm still really liking this plan and I will be sticking it out. I'll just wait and see what I weigh on Monday... :^:
I have to work this weekend so if anyone is going to be around, I'll need some company.. ;)
Beverley....Where are you.... :?:
Ok Chicks, Got to run... :)

Good Morning Everyone!

Irish: All kinds of things make a difference. I have seen people bring clothes to change into before WI. I try to wear the same type of clothing when I go WI. Jeans do weigh more than other types of materials so you must take that into consideration. As Julie was saying, the time of the day, BM yet, when you ate last, if you have went to the restroom lately, etc. make a difference in your WI. I usually try to wear the same or something similar when I go to WI; and when I get there, I go straight to the restroom (it can make a difference). I try to go around the same time of day, which is after work; and I try to eat my lunch on WI days around the same time.

Karen - I do the same thing - sign in, head to the restroom. I also try to watch my fluids for an hour before I go. . .Maybe that's why they ask about the BM? I always thought it was to push their stuff. . .

One of the counselors did tell me that anything I ate two hours before WI would be digested and not affect the scale. Not sure if this is true?

Hi Karen/RWF! I'm wondering about Beverly too.

Julie

Hi Everyone. :wave: TGIF!!!

Although its been a somewhat short work week for me, I am exhausted! Let's see...yesterday I had to work through lunch so I did not get my chicken salad. But I went RIGHT home and made my CC meal of baked fries and a gardenburger. I ate some cauliflower and drank some V8, but I didn't get in any fruits at all. I am hoping to do a little better today.

I will go to WI tomorrow morning. Both my DSs are on punishment (again), so that means no swim class for them. That's a plus, as they've both been sick lately and tomorrow we are supposed to be getting some more snow. Can you believe it? 80 degrees out on Tuesday and snow with accumulation tomorrow. Go figure. Maybe I'll just wrap up real good and spend the morning and afternoon window shopping after I WI. Who knows.

Sorry for rambling...everyone have a great day today.

One of the counselors did tell me that anything I ate two hours before WI would be digested and not affect the scale. Not sure if this is true?

Julie, in my personal experience, your counselor was doing a classic LAWL maneuver known as "pulling 'facts' out of thin air." :p As a result of my weighing-myself-five-times-a-day scale obsession, I have weighed myself immediately before and after dinner, then at bedtime and then again first thing the next morning, and usually by 4-6 hours after eating I'm back to my pre-dinner weight (IF it was OP!), but I always seem to lose MORE weight overnight. Wierd, huh?

Fiona

I will have to agree with Fiona. I do believe it takes longer than a couple of hours to digest your food. I think the reason we are supposed to eat so often is to keep our bodies constantly digesting food during the day, which is supposed to increase metabolisim. I also weigh alot less after my shower every morning than at WI. I have a slight scale obsession myself, and I find myself on it before and after every meal if I am at home. Food and fluids do increase weight throughout the day. That is why I try to WI with similar circumstances each time. If I wear similar clothing, WI around the same time of day, eat around the same times that day, and hit the restroom before WI, I know that it is the most accurate weight measurement that I can get to compare.

Irish: Believe that counselor. I got on the scale once (by mistake) with a jacket, the short kind I wear with slacks. I took it off and weighed a pound less (and of course since they saw the difference wrote down the 'real' weight). Jeans would definately way between 1-2 lbs. I, like Julie/Text and others - wear just about the same thing each time I WI (or I won't WI). I have seen ladies go in the weigh-in room and close the door - those are the ladies who take off their clothes before scaling it. Be prepared next time and dress light.

Hugs, Sy

I wore a blue jean jumper to weigh in one day. It weighed 1.5 So needless to say, when I wore that afterwards, it came off before weighing in.. :lol:

Hey Ladies-
Thanks for all of the Fast food advice. I'm so glad that I have all of you. :) Today I decided to have CC pizza for dinner. I usually try not to do carb cravers because I don't tend to lose when doing it and sometimes it makes me just want to eat more of the "bad" stuff. But I think this time is different. I just need to do it, so I can move on and start thinking about something else.

Haylo-your taco bell story sound oh so familiar to me. It's good to know that I'm not the only one who goes through these things. I'm not crazy after all. ;)

Julie-I hear what you're saying about DH having me get the fast food. He actually said he would go get it, but I wanted to get out of the house and do some grocery shopping, so that is why I ended up going to get the fast food. I ate about 4 frenchfries and had a drink of his coke. That helped a little bit, but my mind was already in a place of feeling sorry for myself and like Haylo said feeling angry that I couldn't eat it. So that is why I just continued to have a bad night.

Solo-you're right it probably was a NW mood that day. Good for you not giving in to the starbucks sabotaging mode. I've been there done that. Why do we do that to ourselves?

videochick-That is such a good idea. I should take the money that I would spend on fast food and buy something that I would actually enjoy. I've been obsessed with reading fitness magazines lately (somehow I think I'll get toned up just by reading them.:)) so maybe I'll get myself one.

Irish- I usually wear light capris and a t-shirt to weigh in. If I wear jeans I don't even pay attention to the number on the scale. Luckily I have a pretty accurate scale at home, so I just really focus on those numbers instead. That is because I weigh myself wearing just my underwear and it's first thing in the morning after a trip to the potty which is the best time to weigh. Anyway, even with the light weight capirs and the t-shirt I still weigh a pound more than I do at home. Jeans are very heavy also with the sweater it's even more. I'm sure you are down in actual weight.

Well ladies, I'm off for now. It's DH pay day, so I have to run some errands. His check is going to be sooo small. It's the first check that reflects his part time status, (since going back to school) so I'm crossing my fingers that it'll be enough to get some bills paid or put some groceries in the fridge. Luckily his student loan will be available on the 28th. We had to wait a whole month to get it (he's a first time student). I'm definitly going to buy myself some sort of clothing item when it comes. Or maybe I'll weight until I'm at goal. Anyway, I'll talk to you chickies later.

Mandy

Hi all :wave:,

I've been having a hard time lately, i've had the mean reds, as Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's would say. Just struggling, and it's showing with my eating. I haven't journaled in a week i'm sure, i got my TOM this a.m. so that contributed and today i'm kind of crampy. But i'm going to go in tonight after work to WI. I have been working a lot of hours now too and haven't been able to go in and WI, so i'm just gonna do it today. They better not say anything to me, i'm just not in the mood...

Or maybe I'll weight until I'm at goal.


Boy you can't tell weight loss is on my mind can you. WEIGHT instead of WAIT.
Also just wanted to add that I'm at 156.4 today (157.2 yesterday). I'm so happy about that. I've sort of been maintaining for a week. It makes me so much more happier that I didn't give the other night.

Mandy

Hey Michelle, I understand completely about the mean reds. Do you think that it could be partly because you have less time to yourself, and then you have a high-customer-interaction part time job now? I know I've done that in the past and then I'm a wreck in about 3 weeks.

About eating often - one thing that I've read is that we actually burn about 10% of cals by digestion - and that eating often gets your metabolism going faster since it's working all the time. . .Plus your body doesn't worry about it's next feeding, so it doesn't go into survival mode.

About scales - I'm thinking Irish that you don't have a home scale? To me, the most true weight is the one taken first in the morning, after bathroom time. . . I know I can drop 2-3 pounds between that bathroom call (depending how well I've done on water the day before). But also, the actual number fluctates from so many variables, that I've finally convinced myself that it's the change in weight, not the number that matters so much. All the scales I use (home, center, etc) are within a 2-3 pound range anyway.

Carmen, which kind of veggie burgers do you like? My fave are the morningstar farms garden vegetable. . .And what do you do for the fries?

Julie

:wave:

Hi Chicks,

Well I had a blast in CA with my two skinny friends ;) We danced :dancer: , ate :hun: , drank :cheers: , talked :gossip: , argued :blah: :rollpin: , walked :tread: , worked out :strong: , smoked :smoking: and drank alot of :coffee: ....... :rofl:

Just got back from the Center of Doom :devil: Haven't been there since January...needless to say I weighed more :o I pledged to follow plan to a T, not tweak and come in 3 times a week. I will now be the :angel: customer of LA. The counslor (new young girl) is having me do the Faststart for two days, tomorrow and Sunday and then she will measure me on Monday. We will also go over my exercise program. For now I am on the Gold Plan. I have to study the book and try to remember how to be on plan :lol:

I bought 12 weeks with bars and the Faststart Drink stuff (just have to stop and pick up the Vodka to mix with the Faststart on the way home from work) :cheers: :rofl: Actually I'm pretty excited to get back on plan.

Hi to all the new chicks - hope to annoy all of you equally. Hey to all you oldies but goodies ;)

Hey Star, glad that you're back! (It looks like you had an action packed week considering all your emoticons!) You will tell them how much exercise you do so they can put you on the right plan, right?!!!!!!

Hugs,
Julie

Hey Julie -
Yes, I had a blast......
Yes, Monday we are gonna discuss my workout schedule and go from there. I'm considering doing what they suggest. I know this is hard for you to believe, but if they say I can only work out 5 hours a week - so be it.....(for awhile anyhow).

Staaaaaaaar! We missed you!!!! :grouphug:

So, my castle in the sky (the house we want, that is) is crumbling down on my head as we speak...! The seller has got another offer on the table, they are just struggling over some of the finer points, and I can't get my mortgage guy to call me back, the jerk, :mad: so that we can have our offer ready to go as soon as the other one falls apart :crossed: :rolleyes:

The company on the third floor of my office building is moving out this weekend, and they brought up some extra pizza they had from their moving-day lunch party, and it's all I can do to keep from ripping into a slice or FIVE out of sheer frustration! :devil:

Fiona

Hi FI - Sorry I missed out on all the details of your house buying ordeal. Hope the 'other' deal falls apart!!!! Crossing my fingers for ya!
Glad to be back FI - it was very bad being around skinny women for a week......

STAR - Welcome back lady! Glad you had a good time with all the eating, drinking, talking, arguing, knocking each other upside the head, walking, working out, and smoking and coffee drinking. I mean, that's the stuff great vacations are made of!

Julie - I like the Morningstar Farms ones too...the Grillers. I use 2 patties on a light hamburger bun with mustard and and a slice of lowfat cheese. I add 20 baked french fries seasoned with Mrs. Dash and that horrible Morton's salt. I count that as a protein (CC), a starch (extra 10 fries) and a dairy (cheese). Then I wash it down with all the water I can hold. WI is tomorrow...:crossed:

FIONA - So sorry about your house. Its really difficult when we have our hearts set on something and it doesn't work out. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that you get your dream house.

Hi Carmen - Thanks - and yes we acted like young crazy teenagers.....lol
As long as we keep doing all that when we get together I figure we can't be as old as we are......

Star: welcome back, you know, I don't know what has gotten into me but Takeoff juice with vodka, that acutally sounds pretty good. I wonder if you could loss weight doing that and at the same time get a buzz so you don't have to pay attention to anything else. :devil: Who know maybe I will be some Knudsens and vodka and count it as a fruit and a startch :lol:


Well, I have to say I love lean cuisine, we are completly out of the good groceries as my house, and I was racking my brain to try to figure out what to eat because everything that I can possibly make is bad. But then I found my savior. A spaghetti Lean cuisine, I never thought I would say this but I love frozen dinners. ;)

Today is WI so we will see how I do, hopefully I maintained especially since I had such a big loss earlier in the week, we will see. I weighed myself at home and I was down a pound in the morning,but after ate I was the same weight I was on wednesday. I am glad to see that I am not the only one obssessed with the scale. For a while I thought I was crazy, because sometimes just to see how the scale changes during the day I will weight myself before eating, after eating, before exercising, after exercising. Sometimes I feel like that commercial were he weighs himself and then runs around and gets back on to see if he has lost any weight. I have been know to do things like that, my mother says stop being like the commerecial your weight isn't going to decrease if you get on and the get off and get on and get off. She is right, I just like to test out the variables I guess I am practicing science.

Haylo - Maybe the Takeoff w/Vodka should be our 'cocktail' of choice when we are forced to be bad.......Just kidding, I'm gonna be so POP now everyone will be hating me.....

Star, welcome back and can i have one of those cocktails after work?...actually i'm ready for one now.

Fiona, sorry about the house...what a bummer.

One of the most fun times in CA was when myself and the other visitor took our hotesses (sp?) Convertable Mercedes to the store for Starbucks (at her request). The other guest drove, when we got to Starbucks she was trying to figure out how to get the key out of the ignition. While doing so we both almost peed our pants becuz this is all that happend; the trunk popped open, her seat moved forward, the top started to go down. So we decided that we would leave the keys in the car, but got scared to do that. Then she decided to wait in the car and I would get the order, just when she took her hand off the key, it was a miracle and the key came out. We were like Lucy and Ethel - it was too funny.....Geez, I'll never get a car like that....too hard to work.

Hi Mitch! - Yes, maybe we should have TakeOff hour on Fridays.....Oh and the car thing happend prior to cocktails.......lol

Star...You are too funny... :lol: :lol: :lol: I can just see you now..

Star - you should probably be glad you missed most of my saga! :rolleyes: It's been the most up-and-down couple of weeks.

Okay, so I had ONE piece of pizza, but that's all. I've gone from blissful optimisim to raging frustration to dull resignation about fifteen times in the last two days...right now I'm kind of in a lull... :dz: :lol:

Fiona

FI - How about taking a new direction? Want to join me in my quest to be the perfect LAWL customer? No pressure intented ofcourse.........hugs

Rusty - I forgot to mention the ride up to Idlewide, CA. Pam drove up to the top of that huge mountain, sun shining, top down, taking those curves at what seemed like 100 mph. I do remember telling her I wish you or DS was with her instead of me. I also ask her how many cars actually go off the curve. She drives it all the time and loves it. Thank God that car hugs the road...............Can we say scared to death?

Gotta love those curves... :lol:

You chicks have a great weekend. Meanwhile I will be drinking my Faststart and missing my vodka, chocolate and bad behavior........my haylo will be bright by Monday.....

Well came back from WI, and of course the scale showed that I had gained about 1. something pounds but, I did remind myself, that the last time I weighed in I went early in the day versus my normal after work time. So I am not dissapointed because I had already expected that. Also, when I told the counselor that I had expected to be up, because the last time I went I went before lunch, etc and she said oh yeah, that definatly makes a difference.

so fo those of you who were wondering about clothes, and eating before you go it does make a difference. I know that when I used to be on WW people would try to be consistent in the clothes they wore, some people would start peeling off jewlery items just to show that they had lost something. In my opinion I think the best thing to do is try to stay as close to what you are wearing all the time to maintain consistency. I don't know about taking off jewlery unless you are wearing one pound earrings, or a two pound watch.

I decided to buy some La smothies, they take place of 1 fruit. I love fruit so I don't have a hard time getting it in but sometimes I just want variety. Plus, going back to what Star said I started thinking I could mix that with vodka also. One of the flavors is Pina Colada so I already am having fantasies of a mixed drink that taste like a Pina Colada. I don't think I will be doing that soon though, because like you star, this next coming week I am going to keep true to my screen name and keep a haylo on my head, but incase I do get a little :mad: and try the LA smoothie as a mixed drink I will let yall know how it taste.

Well Chickies I have officially completed my first week on LAWL.. I went for weigh in tonight and I weigh................

DRUM ROLL PLEASE

186.00 I am down 5 lbs in my first week! :strong: :cb: :dance: :flow2: :dancer: :balloons: 3

I am so elated right now. I never expected to see that much weight come off in just one week! Next week I start walking, and toning....I can't wait to be a buff bride!!

Irishgirl: congrats on you weight loss, Wow 5 pounds in one week, that is great. Keep up the good work. Speaking of walking and toning I will be right there with you. I did not get a chance to exercise the way I like to, but this is a whole new week. Time for me to show those LAWL counselors that I can do it ;)

Hey I just realized I had accomplished one of my missions, I had said I wanted to be at least five pounds down by today, since I am going to a concert and I am. Yeah :cb:

Afternoon all!

I had the counselor I like again at my WI. She was telling me to take my sweater off, my glasses....said she had one lady take her skirt off! Anyways...it paid off! Down a little over 3 pounds...yay! Having a supportive counselor makes SOOO much difference.

Have great weekends. I need to lose the work clothes and get into shorts and finish with my house before DBF arrives.

Irishgirl...Congrats on the loss. :bravo:
Ok Chicks...Time to get my paperwork done so I can get out of here.
If anyone can come out and play over the weekend, I'll be here... ;)

Star: Great to have you back, and it sounds like you had an awesome vacation. Glad your going back to the center of doom, you will be glad you did. Missed you lots girl!

Well, WI was pretty good today. Down .4, so that makes it an even 161 with 6 lbs to goal. I swear those ladies at the center are never happy looking at my diary. Today, with a loss I was told that it could have been better if I didn't have pork and tuna in the same say - too much sodium (I used the bag tuna - didn't have any low sodium left in my drawer at work). :dizzy: Next they will be telling me that I drink too much water. Well, no sale on Lites and I gave in and my the dreaded purchase. To top that off, I only have 3 weightloss weeks left. Geesh, I should just hand them over my paycheck. I will be on vacation in 3 weeks, so I hope to have a better attitude when I return (and actually hoping that I'm on maintenance by then).

Star, the exercise queen (and others). Question. I have been riding my bike this week instead of going to the gym. I have riden it between 4-5 hours, the terrain has been a mixture of flat and up/down hills. I counted it as my regular exercise and I'm feeling guilty as it's a switch from my normal routine, and I enjoy being outside much better than the sights in the gym. I can still count it, right?

Okay, I have to admit that I was hungry on the way home from the center, and my self-sabotaging took over and I ate some RF Wheat Thins that I shouldn't have and purchased some Planter Nuts and had about 1/2 cup on the way home. I just couldn't resist today for some reason. Could it be that I'm actually afraid to get to goal and that is why it is taking me so long to get the last of this weight off? Anyone have that wet noddle? I need a slap on the side of the head. From this point on, I will make it my goal this weekend to be POP. Weekends are the hardest. I'm disappointed in myself because I won't be making my April goal. Sorry, I have no one to blame but myself and my pitty party is over.

Have a great night/weekend everyone. Hugs, Sy

Good Morning Chicks,
Where is everyone?... :coach: WAKE UP..... :rofl:
Well, I got on the scales again this morning and still no change... :^: I'm still the same weight as I was Tuesday morning...I hope this means that I'll have a big drop in a few days... :o Well I can hope anyway... :D
I'm back at work and can play today, I think. The boss was suppose to be in town yesterday..I hope he doesn't surprise me today...They all make me :crazy: when they are around..I like it much better by myself.
But anyway, I hope you all have a great weekend. I'll check back in alittle bit... ;)

Good morning chickies!

Sy- I've never heard that about the pork and the tuna - had they ever told that to you before? I'm still surprised that they haven't referred your diary to the nutrionist. You are so cute feeling guilty about RF crackers! It's like Irish's brussel sprouts. WTG on being down to an even 6 pounds. It is working, even if it's moving like a glacier. I do know what you mean about self sabatoge - one of the things I think about is - what does life look like when I reach goal? And yes it is scary. . .to shift the focus from a goal of losing pounds to one that's maintaining. ..And how will the expectations change - both the ones I have of myself and the ones others have of me?

About the exercise - I would definately say that the bike riding counts! Does the center know that you're exercising 5 hours a week?

Irishgirl and Haylo! - wow! WTG on your first 5 pounds!

Star - the bit with the car is so funny! And the mountain road! That's one of my fears when I drive in the West - I'm poking along in the right lane, struggling to get up those hills, and terrified about going down, and all the locals are fighting road rage. . .Hope you enjoy your TO weekend, and I'm sure you'll be your C-O-D's Star Client. .

Haylo - I have the smoothie mix too - not sure if the Pina colada is really like the real drink - I just put a scoopful in a glass and then add water to fill up the glass.

Cathy - WTG on 3 pounds, that's terrific!

Have a good POP day, chicks!

Julie

Morning gals -

Well, I've been up and down the same couple pounds again for about a week, depending on whether I've been listening to the :angel: or the :devil: on my shoulder :lol: but I was very good yesterday except for the pizza and was rewarded with a big loss this morning - over a pound. So hopefully I can follow STAR'S lead and go back to earning my LAWL halo! ;)

I probably won't have any nerves to eat today anyway, as DH is faxing our purchase offer at 10 a.m. today! (I'll be in the middle of a much-needed haircut.) I did all the paperwork myself and I haven't had time yet to review it all with my boss, so hopefully I'll be able to catch her on the phone in a little bit and just hit the high points - there's really only one form that's worrying me. :stress:

Oookay, got to read thru everything one more time and make sure I didn't miss anything major...catch you all later!

Fiona

Hi Everyone :wave:

Wow its been busy around here for a Saturday. I am supposed to go to WI with SIL today, so I am waiting for her to arrive. The C-O-D closes at 1:00 so I hope she arrives soon. I feel like I have lost though, so I am not worried. I had a very nice NSV yesterday, one of my coworkers pulled me aside and told me I looked great. She said she could tell that I had lost a good amount of weight. I felt soooo good. Other than my Mom and my DBestF and the one counselor at LA, that is the first compliment I have gotten. She was the first person who said anything about my weight that didn't know that I was doing LA!!! I told her I could kiss her, and even started to but thought better of it! :lol:

Anyway I'd better go, as my DS is here, demanding his breakfast. Everyone have a great POP day. I will try to be back on later on today...hopefully after WI!

Carm

Hello everyone,

Well I fell a little off plan yesterday, I went to a concert but before that we went to go eat at a resturant that charged about 20 dollars for chicken, didn't have any salads and only had all the bad mexican food dishes, my friens and I ordered a couple of appetizers and split them all and although I didn't eat right, at least it was shared. Then when we went out dancing I was really bad and had more then my alloted drinks. :rollpin: Good thing is we danced and danced, but I have vowed to stay strick to plan the rest of this weekend and week. I guess everyone has to leave room for error and a little bit of fun. I will be exercising and drinkin a lot of water today and of course staying on plan.

Hi Chickies!
So I had carb cravers pizza last night (using a carb blocker with kidney bean extract that I bought from the store) and I even had one extra piece. I am just up .2, but I'm sure that is because I didn't drink enough water after my meal. So I'm feeling really good today. Also... I JOINED A GYM!!!!!! I'm so excited about it. I joined yesterday afternoon, but had my DS with me and their child care place was closed for the day, so I couldn't work out. Anyway, last night around 9:30pm I decided to go. So I got there and was ready to work out at 10pm. Let me just tell you it felt so good to be back at the gym. I thought I would only be able to do the elliptical trainer for about 15 minutes, but I was able to do it for 35. I also worked out my arms and legs. Boy it felt great! Anyway, I just wanted to share that with you all. I was able to get a really good deal at the gym, but I have an alternate day membership, so I can only go MON,WED,FRI and SUN. But I'm sure that it won't be a problem and it's worth saving about $14 a month on the membership to me.

Anyway, I hope you are all having a good weekend so far.

Fiona-any news on the offer? I'm crossing my fingers for you.

Talk to you chicks later.

Mandy

TextJewel: I tried to Pina Colada Smoothie, your right it isn't exactly like the drink, but I mad mine with more ice then water and it got rid of the craving of a mixed drink texture that I wanted. I thought it tasted pretty good :D

Ok Chicks..I'm almost out of here once AGAIN...I'll be back tomorrow at work from 12-5..I hope someone will be around..
Fiona..Good luck with the house.. ;)

RWF-I'll be here tomorrow. :) Talk to you then.

Mandy

Just checking in. Julie, I couldn't figure out COD until I read it again from Carm's post. LOL! :lol:

Julie, also thanks for replying. I'm doing good today POP (except for the water, today's a hard day to get it down but I'm still working on it). I have never heard about the tuna and pork thing either, I think she just wanted me to know that she was doing her job by reviewing my diary. Or pointing out to me that I will not be making my April's goal. I can't figure these people out. The center knows that I'm exercising between 4-5 hours a week, that is why they put me on the Blue Plan.

I started taking the fish oil things again (the ones that LA talked me into in a weak moment I had a few months ago), and added some Vitamin E as well. My skin have never been this dry in my life! :( Anyone else having this problem? I picked up some new moisturizer for my face and new body lotion - my sister read about them in a magazine, they are for people on a budget. The Nivea Simply Glowing is the face moisture, seems to be working out pretty good as normally I break out with anything that I put on my face and it's not bothering me (or my skin is so dry, that it hasn't reached the layer of skin beneath the surface). I feel like I'm pampering myself everytime I put some on. :lol:

Well, have a great evening. DH and I have to surf the internet for a rental cottage on the Outerbanks of NC. We are really going on a vacation together this summer and I'm really excited.

Hugs to all, and skinny vibes as well. ~ Sy ~

Good Morning Chicks..
I just had to post this morning. I'm down 1.4 :cp: The scales finally moved. I was really starting to wonder if I was going to be at that weight forever.. :lol: This is the first time I've ever stuck it out through a stall like that. Can you tell I'm pretty proud of myself... :o
Ok Chicks, I'll check back in when I get to work.
Mandy...I'll be looking for you. Thanks for keeping me company... ;)
Sy...Your vacation plans sound great. Keep us posted with what you find..If you change your plans, you can come to Alabama and stay with us... :cool:
Oh and I have very dry skin as well. I think I always have though. Atleast as long as I can remember. Let me know if the fish oil helps with that.I didn't know that the fish oil was for dry skin as well. I usually don't put anything on my body but I do use Oil of Olay on my face. :dizzy:
Bye Chicks....

Good Morning Karen: I'm proud of you that you stuck it out and what a wonderful suprise that you were down 1.4 lbs. Keep up the determination! As far as the fish oil and the vitimin E, I just figured that it was oil (fat) and since our diet is so low in fat it's probably having an effect on my skin and that my body must need some moisture (it's my own experiment I guess). In the winter months my skin is pretty dry, but it normally starts feeling good as soon as the weather changes. My face which is pretty oily is dry and the wrinkles are showing up more than usual. I'm usually never use lotions and stuff like that. My face is the worst - as anything I put on it makes it break out (yes, at 48 - still breaking out). Other things that make it break out are oranges and fresh tomatoes. I have big pours on my face, and can't usually use moisturizers. My nose of all things is breaking out, but I'm hoping is was trying some baby-roma tomatoes this week and not the new product. If it gets worst I'll stop. Have a great day. What's it like there? It's been raining here for 2 days, the tree bud are blooming and it's getting so pretty here again.

Hey Star, you live in Michigan, not sure where but last night on the weather they said their was bizzard warnings near the 'thumb' and that area was expected to get over a foot of snow. I'm hoping you live in another area. We have had snow as late as Mother's day - so I'm not suprised that they are calling for wet snow in our area tonight and tomorrow. The groud is too warm for it to stick. TG for that!

Hugs, Sy

Good morning, chicks!

WTG Karen- so glad that you've seen a loss! I'm hoping for the same when I go WI tomorrow - I have lunch at a friends house today, she's a super hostess, and I know the choices will be tempting.

Sy- I have combination skin, but I do have breakouts especially around TOM. Actually, I think all the water is doing good for my skin, my DS has said that it's looking better. Your vacation to the outer banks sounds like fun - I've been there twice and really liked it.

About the fish oil - I think some fat does help our skin and hair - and fish oil gives us added benefits because of the omega 3's.

Mandy - so glad that you had pizza girl! Now what's your fave flavor? I actually like the LC pizzas for when I need that crunchy french bread texture. And a GYM too! You'll be one of our exercise experts. Is there a personal trainer that you can access there, too?

Hugs and skinny vibes to all!

Julie

Good Morning Everyone - I've been reading posts but not responding mainly because I'm not doing the LAWL. But Looks like your all doing great and I"m happy for you.

Karen - your doing it !!! I am so happy for you You'll be able to live with WW - its a good plan. :cp:

I've lost 4 pounds in five days on the 6WBMO and I'm going strong. I have several buddies over on the forum and its a good group.

I miss everyone but I"ll stop in and say hi once in a while. I'm getting ready for a rummage sale - mom is moving AGAIN! and going from a three bedroom 2 car garage to two bedroom and no garage so lots to help her with. BUSY BUSY BUSY.

Have a great Sunday :coffee2:

Hugs

:mad: Well, as hard as I tried to stay OP yesterday, my attempts failed. It's really hard when you have people in from out of town. My cousin, who I don't see very much also called me and we decided to go and eat at Chilis and I was good I had my salad and a beer for startch, but then lunch turned into happy hour and more and more people started joining us. Anyways, I did not follow plan at all. I just ate whatever and drank whatever. :dizzy: I was angry at myself for falling off plan, but my cousin who is going to a personal trainer brought up a good point and told me. Hey, we all have to live a little or else we won't be happy :cool: . So I decided she is right, it is not every weekend that I get to spend time with family and friends especially since I am in graduate school, most of my time is spent at the computer typing looking up stuff or typing away. Anyways, I do feel guilty, but I have made a promise to myself to keep on track this week will be a fresh start.

About the fish oil, I have heard that it is good for you skin and hair and such, I typically have oily skin, but sometimes my skin is dry so my dermatologiest told me to use Cetaphil face cleanser on my face and it makes a difference it does not irritate at all. Also, I have had very dry hands lately, they get really irritated and I believe that I now have an allergy to soaps that are antibacterial so I have resorted to use Dove on the rest of my body and cetaphil lotion on my hands it is nice and it doesn't sting when you put it on your dry skin.

Hello again Chicks,
I'm at work now and have been alittle busy so far. Maybe that will make the time go faster.. :)
Beverley...Just because you're not on LAWL doesn't mean you can't post here. I'm not doing that plan and they said I could stay.... ;) But, I do know how hard it is to try and keep up with two threads. Are you still on 3fatchicks or back on Provida. Just make sure you keep in touch. We miss you.... ;)
As far as the fish oil goes, I think I have some at home. I'll have to look.
Well, today is the day my DH takes the camper up to Talladega. We met friends for breakfast this morning to iron out all the details of the day... :dizzy: DH will come back home tomorrow after they get everything set up. We will then go back up Wednesday night after work. I'm really looking forward to the time away... :D
I'll just be doing the best I can as far as WW and worry about it when I get back on Monday. I will be taking fruit, yougurt, and all good snacks so I should be okay on that part. Who knows, I might surprise myself and be good... :lol:
Ok chicks..As much as I hate it. I actually have some work to do right now. I'll check back in later.. ;)

Hi gals!

Well, we didn't get the house. :( We offered $2K over asking but asked for $6K in closing assistance, and it was a no-go (she wouldn't do closing assistance AT ALL, plus was just generally a $%^&*), so we walked. Oh well! We're looking at another one this afternoon yet, :crossed: and we figure we've got another 6-8 weeks before we NEED to make a decision.

Went to a wedding last night, didn't stay OP but was only up a pound, and I'm OP so far today, so hopefully the impact will be negligible.

I'm off to take a little break before we go look at this other house - it's been a CRAZY weekend already, and I'm pooped! :lol:

Fiona

Fiona...Sorry to hear about the house. I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Your perfect house must still be out there waiting on you..Good luck ;)

haylo921,

Just had to pipe up and say that it's what you do MOST of the time that will ensure your success long term. OK, so you'll hit your goal 2 days later! We do have to live in the real world with living our lives. Better than staying home or feeling resentful. FUN is good for the soul. No regrets! Move forward. Done.

You're doing awesome. (raising my water bottle)

Chris

Chris: thanks for the encouragment it was helpful. Today I went grocery shopping and took some recipies with me from the cookbook, so I am planning on making them. I have been on plan today.

Fiona: sorry about the house

Rusty: good luck being good, and staying on WW ;)

Happy Sundays!

Just got home from my short day at work. I've been in this melancholy mood all weekend for whatever reason - which is a trigger for me. Yesterday it rained all day (even though it was supposed to be showers). Had a veggie sub at Big Boy's and didn't eat the potato salad....so felt good about that. Today the weather was overcast and a couple of showers, but turing sunny...and of course I had to work. :shrug:

I did take advantage of buying some of the Russell Stover sugar free chocolates at the store. The plan says we can have 3 SF candies per day and I figure these will hopefuly be okay. Anyone else have an idea? I could feel a major "pity-potty chocolate fix" coming on.

Haylo - I have been trying the recipes from the cookbook. SOme are good, some are so-so and lack "flavor". My favorite so far has been the chicken in wine sauce. :T Let me know what you think when you try some.

Fiona - sorry to hear about the house, but it sounds like you did the right thing by walking from that deal.

Okay, off to gather some left-overs from dinner and enjoy what is left of the day.

Good morning everyone. Well, I have to say that I was really good this weekend and pretty much POP (except for getting all my water in). Made some turkey/chicken taco to put over salad (made my own taco seasoning to elimate the salt and sugar that is in the prepackaged mixes). It turned out pretty good. Ate it for 3 meals this weekend and having it again for lunch (boring, but OP).

Hey, did anyone get the JC Penny flyer in the mail this weekend? I don't have a charge account there, but got one anyway. The reason I'm asking is that in the front cover, there is a $10 couple if you buy something for over $10 you get $10 off. I get a 3/4 sleeve sweater that was on sale for $12.99 for $2.99 plus tax. So, if anyone has lose enough and are in need for something new, it's quite a deal. The coupon is good from 4/24 thru 5/6 (from what I remember).

It rained here most of the weekend and it's pretty chilly here today. Back to coat weather after several weeks of above normal temps. I'm not complaining as in the mid-west like Michigan and Ohio, some parts got over a foot of snow over the weekend (doesn't the man upstairs know that it's "Spring"? ;) ). Anyone living in that part of the country, I feel your pain!

I read in one of the grocery ads yesterday there is a new 'strawberry' juice being sold. May be good for you that would rather drink your fruits. My sister got some and she said to be aware that there are 2 different bottles one is made with sugar, the other is made with the generic splenda type of sweetener but the later one is NOT labeled "Light" but is 1/2 the calories of the other. 1st was 140 calories, 2nd was 80 calories - so if you see it, read the labels. I'm going to give it a try.

Back to the gym tonight after biking all last week. Too cold to be out riding the bike (at least for me). DBIL wants to do a June charity bike ride, guess I could try the stationary bike at the gym. By the way, I was thinking about my biking riding last week. I think the reason why I didn't know if I should count it as exercise or not is because I don't sweat when riding the bike. The breeze keeps me cool, even in the hot summer months. Doesn't feel like exercise when I'm not hot and sweaty. The only thing I don't like about bike rinding is that my upper body doesn't get too much exercise and I don't feel that my cardio heart rate is up there. Of course, when DH gets me my heart rate monitor for my BD I will be about to judge better. LOL!

Have a great day, Sy

Happy Monday Everyone!!! Well I am PRAYING that when I go in for WI this afternoon that I didn't put anything on this weekend. We were suppose to go away to my Future In Laws and didn't end up going, and we were so busy all weekend I didn't have time to make it to the grocery store. Can anyone tell me if they following menu is completely bad..

Saturday Afternoon we went to ground round for lunch and my Fiance wanted to try this new appetizer:

Margarita Shrimp'dilla
An open-faced quesadilla with margarita-flavored grilled shrimp, jalapeño jack and cheddar cheeses and pico de gallo. Served with seasoned sour cream and salsa.

I just didn't eat any of the sourcream, and counted the cheese as my fat intake for the day.

Then we had a tossed green salad, which I got fat free dressing for of course.

Then for lunch I had.

Orange Grilled Salmon
An 8 oz. Cajun-grilled salmon fillet basted in a tangy orange marinade with fresh stir-fried Asian vegetables, rice pilaf and garlic bread sticks.

I just ate the fish, about 1/3 of the rice, gave the breadstick to my FI.

That was all I had to eat all day. I was so full from that one meal that I literally couldn't bring my self to eat, without it feeling forced. I think I had an apple later that day, and that was it.

Then Sunday is where I really fell off the wagon. I was doing laundry and my sister's house, and she made lunch. She went thru all the trouble of making it without realizing I wasn't suppose to eat what she was making. She made BLT's my all time favorite. SO I had 1 slice of turkey bacon, crumpled up inside the sandwich no mayo, with tomato and lettuce. Then she made a pasta salad with I had about 3 tablespoons of.

Then we had a family birthday party and my Aunt made turkey with carrots, mashed potato's, stuffing, squash, and salad. I had one small slice of turkey, about a tablespoon of potato's and stuffing, 2 scoops of sqash, and my daily intake of veggies with the salad.

I will be so :mad: at myself If I gained anything this weekend. But in all honesty, on Sat I only ate that one meal, and all of my required water. Has anyone else had weekends like this. My Fiance tells that me I am being to hard on myself, and that it's not like I pigged out! Anyone ever had similar times?

Irish: Saturday, I don't think you did too bad at all considering you did eat-out. You made good choices. I would have counted the cheese as a fat and dairy (since it was not LF). If you drank lots of water, I think the sodium is the only thing that would have done anything on Saturday. Then, on Sunday, as far as the turkey bacon, I would have had more than 1 slice, and only had 1 slice of bread. Turkey bacon has just about the same fat as regular bacon (if you compare the labels). It's the sodium that would have killed me - turkey bacon has more sodium than regular bacon too. If you are drinking all your water, you'll do okay. When you ate turkey at dinner, you should be getting at a minimun of 5-6 ozs not a little slice. Did you have 3 T of potatoes and 3 T of stuffing, and FYI, a 1/2 cup of Winter Squash is a starch not a veggie. Still, if you stayed away from the gravy and butter and didn't have dessert, you probably didn't do any damage there either. A little too much starch for 1 day - but if it's better choices than you would have normally had, you did a good job! Good luck at WI.

Sy

Good Morning Chicks,
Well this is my 6th straight day of working. Just 2 more after today and I'll be off for my Talladega journey... :cool:
DH decided to wait until 4:30 this morning to leave to take the camper up to the track. I think we finally have it all together now except for packing the food cooler. We made 82 jello shooters yesterday morning... :lol: Of course then we have 14 shooters for the kids... :dizzy: I am so ready...
I'll be getting on the scales in the morning to see where I'm at. Tomorrow will start week 4 for me.. :o
Ok chicks, time to get some work done. The boss is still in town somewhere. Just not sure where... :lol: I still haven't seen him yet... :s: I'll check back in later.

:coffee: :wave:

Well Michigan got hit hard with the mini blizzard, snow/sleet all weekend, it was ugly :( On the bright side we got alot done around the new pad. Finally got our furniture arranged where we can live with it. The problem is it's too big - I guess this goes along with 'downsizing'.......ugh

First off, progress on plan; Did FastForward Sat and Sunday, it went really well, DH was a big help (he knows the routine). Yesterday I had to go to great nephew's 2nd birthday party at Gymborie, proud to say I passed on the cake and ice cream :angel: Anyhow according to my scale I lost 4 pounds, which for me is fantastic :cp: Today is day one on the Gold Plan. I am suppose to go to COD :devil: But forgot I have an ortho appt, so will have to postpone COD :devil: until tomorrow at lunch....

SY - Ofcourse bike riding doesn't feel like gym exercise, but trust me it is wonderful for the lower body! One summer I used it as my mainstay exercise and I lost alot of weight and had the hottest legs in the apartment complex ;) I was riding fast and about 16 miles 5 times a week. The beautiful thing about bike riding is that it is so enjoyable it really doesn't seem like work - that's why you are feeling guilty :o I can't wait to get on that fitness trail across the street from our place and DH did bring our bikes back home from up north :cb:
About dry skin, I have mentioned before that in my humble opinion, we on LAWL do not get enuf fat in our diets. Hence, bad hair, dry skin, etc. The fish oil is good and if you happen to get an extra fat in here and there maybe that will help. A body needs so much fat to keep everything lubed :lol:

Bev - Way to go girl on 4 pounds down! :cp: I guess you really know what works for you (me too, just don't always do it). Please keep us posted on your progress...........and high-five me on our 'never give up' spirit :cheer:

Haylo - You are so right about "life happens" events. They are what makes us who we are, they make us smile. Someone that can give them up for long periods of time suffer from something for sure and how boring could that be :?: Alittle food :cofdate: and cocktail :cheers: make for happier chicks :lol:

Rusty - So happy you are sticking with your new plan :dance: I know your current motivation is to beat me to 165, the race is on! About Talladega, hope you have a great time and just do what you think you have too. ;) You know how to deal with 'life happens' events and your recovery will be easier this time becuz of your new plan :cool:

FI - Sorry to hear about your house deal gone bad :( That means the right one is out there for you, better than that last one anyhow! Meanwhile if you want to get in on my restart that would be great! But to your credit, I don't think you ever went as far 'off plan' as I was. But it feels good to be back pop :angel:

Julie - Hi chick - About the curves in CA. my friend did say she hates to get behind old people and tourists :lol: I told her I would fit both catorgies there, which she didn't like since she is my age :p

Hi to everyone else.....have to get some work done - later chicks! :comp:

P.S. Forget the urgency about the 'work'. I just remembered it's time for my first LA LITE (Double Chocolate ofcourse) :cb: :dancer: :angel: :dance:

Hi Karen: I'm sure you will have a ball in Talladaga, nice the DH is getting it all setup before you all head down. Jello shots, how do you count them on WW? :lol: Sounds like your doing well on WW so keep up the great job and you do an it by saving all your points for the weekend, and you can always earn some APs to stay on plan. Are you doing Core or the normal point?

Sy

Hi Sy...I haven't figured out the jello shooters yet. I use sugar free jello for the ones I eat. I'll have to check the vodka bottle.. :lol: I fixed alot more than that for the last race and I didn't have any..
I'm doing the flex points...I think I will do really well during the day and maybe not even to bad for the dinners. I have bought all the right snacks that I can have . I should do fine with it. If not, I'll deal with it when I get back. I've even had Shoneys breakfast buffet since I've been on WW and been able to stay within my points.. Now that's really saying something for this buffet queen... :lol:

Hi, Star - Welcome back! Just curious did you find any difference between the new Fast Forward Juice and the old Take-Off? I'm going to WI tonight and my center has the TO on sale 2 for $30 to get rid of them. There's one counselor I buy from once in while to help her out. For the life of me I can't find the Knudsens in the Big Apple!

Thanks,
Melissa

Rusty - you wear it so well :queen: ............... ;)

Melissa - The FastForward tastes better to me, but honestly it's been so long since I've done the old TakeOff who knows :dizzy: they say the new stuff has more 'secret' ingredients in it :?:

Star...Congratulations on the BIG loss... :cp: :cp: :cp: You did a great over the weekend...WTG ;)

Star: You must have been posting when I was posting because I missed your long post. Sorry about that girl. I can see your haylo from here you are being such a good starter. I sure did feel guilty riding the bike last week, what am I crazy? When I ride alone, I ride for about an hour and I'm not sure how many miles I have gone, as my odometer was set in kilometers. Got on the web and looked up the manual for mine, and got it changed to 'miles'. Should be easier to remember and figure.

Video: I'm going to check my center to see if they have any of the old stuff left with the 2 @ $30 special. They were running that a couple weeks ago. I probably missed it. I should try another TO, and maybe I'll be as luck as Star and be down 4 lbs. Too bad it doesn't work the same each time as the first time I did it I lost 8 lbs - it was unbelieveable.

Star, I got lots done inside too, I didn't think there was anyplace on earth who got crazy spring weather (like we do here). :lol: I agree about the fat in our diet and the dry skin. I added Vitamin E as well, that is also good for the skin.

Hey, I'm treating myself to a bikini wax before going on vacation, and asked DH for full leg waxing if he wanted to buy me something additional for my BD. I have this thing about bathing suits and hairy bodies. I waxed my arm pits this weekend, ouch! I know, I'm crazy and it's not like I like pain - it's I don't like to shave (and only do the waxing in the summer months). :dizzy:

I think I have revealed enough about me for the day, check back later. Sy

I might have to do TO when I get back... :lol: :lol:

Hi chickies!

I tell you chickies - I must be really behind the curve on this girl stuff. I have never tried wax, and not sure I really want to. . . But then, I've been without a bathingsuit for decades. . .

I went to a friends house for lunch yesterday - found out that an old friend of mine is also on LAWL - she's lost 30 pounds and she looks terrific. She's down to 128-130. She did use all the supplements, but then she's retired and has enuf money! I may have gotten another friend interested, she's also got a good bit to loose . ..And of course, once everyone knows you're on a plan, everyone watches what you EAT! But did good, had chicken, little bit of rice, lots of salad, and only one glass of wine. And fruit salad.

Star, it sounds like you're off to a roaring start, I can see your halo from here. . . Sorry about the weather - we went from the 80's to the 50's, I turned the heat back on last night.

Sy - I do the same thing with stuff I cook, I eat the same thing until it's finished. Thanks for the info on the Penny's ad - I'm going to a wedding in a couple of weeks, and need something a little better to wear!

Beverly -I hope you will continue to pop in and let us know how you're doing. I love the stories about your DGD and the bears, and the baking. . .

Haylo - we all have these times when we just don't or can't care about what we eat. . If we ate perfectly all the time, we wouldn't need LAWL, right? I'm also with you -I spend a lot of time in front of the computer, and most of my social life is eating out with friends!

Karen, sounds like you're doing terrific on the WW plan! Now, what's in a jello shooter. (Am I behind the curve, or what???)

Fiona, sorry about the house, but the right one is around the corner, just like Mira. . .

Cathy - you know, I was wondering about those candies, too? I always figured it was the SF hard candies, not the yummy chocolate ones. . . I do like them, and 3 is a good number. . .

Hugs to all,

Julie

Hi Julie...For one box of jello, you use 1 cup boiling water, 1/2 cup cold water, 1/2 cup of vodka....I then put the jello in the those little 2oz. cups with the lids. Some people even use those little white cups like you put ketchup in...yummy :D

Karen: I went on a golfing bus trip the summer before last, had my first jello shot, well - I think I got drunk on 1. It could be they didn't measure the vodka? Sy

Sy...Funny... :rofl: They usually hit me pretty quick too... :o

Julie - All the 'girlie' stuff makes us high maintenance.....Like before I went to CA this is what I had to do the Saturday before I left;
Bangs Trimmed
Nail & Toes done
Tanned
Eyebrows done
Plus Pennys had a great sale on that I could not pass up.....
It was a busy day.....lol
WARNING: The jello shots are very addictive.....:cheers:

SY - Jello Shots and golfing :?: What was your handicap :rofl:

Okay, I can see that jello shots may be one of my summer projects. Now, they do solidy right? So do you eat/drink them with a spoon? Has anyone ever tried them with rum?

STar, I'm getting together a similar list before I head off for my summer travels - I'm thinking of hair highlighting, nails done, not to mentoin fashion therapy. .

I tried on a pair of 14 jeans today - and got them over my legs, but couldn't zip them up yet! Progress. . . The last time I tried them on I couldn't get them up over my legs!

Hey ladies-
I'm feeling pretty good today. I did pilates saturday and went to the gym yesterday. I officially hit my 80 pound mark today. I'm at 155.8. I started out at 235.8, so I decided to change my ticker to say 236 SW instead of 235. So now it says 156 instead of 155.8. I hate that I feel like I have to state the exact weight or I'm lying or something.

Earlier in a post I read about someone feeling like that guy in the commercial where he runs around the gym and then weighs himself again. That is so funny because I've thought that several times about myself. I am getting better though. I only weigh myself in the morning and before I go to bed.... and just to back up what someone said it really does matter what you are wearing and what time of day it is and if you just ate. It all makes a difference in your weight. So don't get down if you weigh in after lunch and you seem to be up a bit.

Julie the Pizza was wonderful. I had veggie delite pizza from papa murphys. It was so good! My favorite pizza is usually some kind of supreme with mushrooms, olives, pepperoni, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions etc. :) But I haven't had pizza for so long that this veggie pizza tasted just perfect! Congrats on being able to pull up those 14's. You'll be zipping them up in no time! I just noticed that my chest is getting smaller. Yippee. They have been one of the last things to go. I started out at a DDD and am now a D, so I could afford to lose some up there. :) I'm sure I won't get much smaller, but it would be a dream to be a C again.

Anyway, it was fun reading everyones posts. Star it's good to have you back. I love your posts. :)

Mandy

Mandy - :bravo: :cp: :hat: :cb: :gift: There is your 80 POUND GONE celebration ......... ;)

Just wanted to be nice before I get to the bottom of this weight posting issue. You little LIAR - make up your mind, is it 156 or 155.8 :?: Or is it really 355.8 :?: If you can lie about that qtr pound there is no limit to you deciet :devil: Feel guilty about that qtr lb now???
You are so silly :lol: :lol: :lol:

Here is your crown for Loser of the Day.... :queen:

Congratulations Everyone!

WONDERFUL! Mandy :dancer:

I had veggie pizza from the local pizzeria this weekend too... It was heavenly :angel:

Its the TOM for me, we will see if I am down on Wednesday. I have alot of last minute homework I have to do tonight so I can't go weigh in tonight. I have the next to last class tomorrow. I am so happy! :D Tomorrow and then next Tuesday, and I am DONE!

My commencement ceremony is scheduled for May 12.

Julie :cp: :cb: :dancer: :cheer: Nothing better than to see progress in clothes size - Way to Go!!!!

Now you need to get a bunch of fashion magizines and just look and see what all the models are wearing. :o After going thru about 3 or 4 of them you will be dressing like a new chick, a new smaller hot chick ;)

Size 14's Julie that is great - you Rock!

It looks like we have alot of LOSERS already this week and it's just beginning... :bravo: :bravo: :bravo:

Star thanks for the crown :o I'm hoping it's for losing weight and not actually being a loser. ;)
Thanks for making me laugh at myself also. I need to lighten up and those dancing bananas can make that happen for anyone.

So I went and tried some stuff on today. 8's are fitting better and I can fit in to some dress, stretchy 6's (barely). How come I still see the "fat Mandy" when I look in the mirror? Even when I'm down almost 6 sizes from before. I was trying to squint my eyes at my reflection in the mirror, so I could see what I really look like, one time I shocked myself with how I actually looked, but I opened my eyes up wide and thought oh there she is "fat Mandy" she's still here. Overall I'm feeling good. Wish I had a ton of money to do some real shopping, but it's probably good that I don't. I want to wait until I hit goal to do that. only 7 (ok 6.8 ;) ) more pounds to go.

Talk to you chickies later.

Mandy

Metalchic- :dancer: right back at ya! Congrats on being finished with school! Must feel great.

Hey girls, just wanted to check in, I won't be going to WI either tonight I have a big assignment due tommorrow. In a way it's kind of good, that I won't be able to WI, especially after my fun filled weekend. Today I am back on track and am sticking very close to it. I am making those philly cheesesteaks for dinner and I am excited about them. YEAH :D I have been drinking wate like crazy so when I go on Wednesday hopefully I will have lost what I gained over the weekend.

I think in the past post I read something about hot lemon water, what is that? What does it do? Do you just heat up water and add lemon to it? I was just wondering


The jello shots do sound good, I made over 100 one time for a suprise party, they definatly get you fast thought. :lol:

Mandy congrats on the loss and keep it up.

You guys are my motivation.

Cathy: I have tried to Sweet and Sour chicken recipe from the cook book, it was good. I made it with white rice and counted the rice as a startch.

Wow, I missed a lot!

Julie, congrats on the lower size, you will be zipping them up very soon. Great Job!

Mandy, Queen of the Thread! Wow, I'm so proud of you! About your comment about the mirror. I never could understand why skinny people would always say they were or felt fat. I now I totally understand. I think it takes time for our mind to allow us to believe that we are actually thinner. It's very strange. When I'm feeling fat and have my capri sweats on, I'm so suprised that when I do get dressed that my smaller pants still fit me. When they do, I think to myself, why do I feel like I haven't lost any weight and as fat as before? It's all in the mind, and after we get to goal (or as we get closer), we have to start working on the mind. Start believing! I'll be happy with size 10's. I can get them on, but wouldn't let anyone see me in them.

Wouldn't it be great if we all live in the same area, and we could meet once a month and exchange clothes. I'm lucky I have sisters as my younger one passed her larger sizes on to me (thanks sis), and I pass mine to my older sister. The rest goes to charity or someone at work.

Well, I'll be going to the COD for WI on the way home from work today.

Hugs to all, Sy

P.S. Metal, what a relief that your classes are almost over, that is a HUGE accomplishment! You will have so much time on your hands - you'll feel like your on vacation. WTG!

P.S.S. Julie, about the Jello shots - they are solid. I have seen them made in a brownie dish and cut them into squares if I don't have any small containers. I think they make them with vodka because it's normally pretty tasteless (so they still taste like jello). Try them with rum and see if you like them. You could make the jello and add crushed pineapple and count it as a fruit and starch. Hey, orange jello and crushed pineapple and vodka sounds good to me. Maybe next party?! These are finger drinks, no spoon allowed. ;)

Good morning, chickies!

Mandy, you are my idol as well as queen of the thread - we have a couple of 80 pound losters, right - you and Melissa? I'mwith Sy, that mental shift in body image is the last to change; it seems to take forever for our eyes to recognize the change in ourselves. Plus, at least for me, I can still wear my bigger clothes, so that hasn't changed yet. I can't afford a whole new wardrobe in 16's yet, and the 14's don't fit (yet!), so I'm still wearing the 18's. . Although I've not pulling the 1x's out anymore to wear.

Now, Melissa, do you have something new to wear under that commencement gown?

Star, you're right, I need to check out a fashion mag and see what all the super models are wearing!

Sy- thanks for the info on the jello shots. I may just try out various recipes if I get invited to any parties this summer. . . I like the idea of making it with orange jello and pineapple. I guess it's sort of like raw oysters, you just let them slide down your throat!

I'm going to the c-o-d today, keep your fingers crossed for me!

Julie

Good Morning Chicks,
Well, I weighed in this morning. I was up for some reason from yesterday but still down for the week... :o My DH said I should start weighing in once a week again instead of stressing over the up and down weight everyday. So, That's what I'm going to try to do again... :dizzy: My next weigh in will be next Tuesday...Oh, I was at 168.8 this morning. So, that still puts me down .4 for the week..I'll take it though. A loss is a loss no matter how small. But anyway, I've changed my ticker to reflect todays weigh in... :s:
Ok Chicks, I need to see what work I have to do this morning but I'll check back later..
Sy...That would be great if we all lived close enough to meet... :cool:

:wave: :coffee:

Mandy - Seeing the fat you will pass, it is strange how that happens. The best way to see yourself is in a picture, so have someone take one and really look at what you have accomplished. For some reason looking at your image on paper really lets you see what the truth is (thin or fat) ;) Glad you have a good sense of humor so I don't have to behave around you :lol: The crown :queen: is ofcourse for the weight loss ;)

Metalchic - Congrats on your huge loss too :cp: Also for completeing your classes ;) Did you get a degree, if so what is it :?: You have been one busy chick!

Haylo - The hot lemon water is to help get rid of the sodium in your system, it also is suppose to make you feel full and flush out your stomach. You just heat up the water, add lemon juice and drink.......I add Splenda.

Sy- Yes, a 'Chicks Unite for Social Welfare' meeting would be awesome :grouphug: :cheer: :gossip: :cheers: Ofcourse we would get no sleep and our cheeks would hurt from :lol: Where and When?

Julie - Good for you in changing your choices in size (no more 1X) :cp: Maybe it is time to think about getting rid of some of those 'too big' sizes :?:
Will you be buying some new stuff for your trips? When do you leave anyhow?

Rusty - Have a blast in Talledega and have afew jello shots for me :cheers:

I also have to go to COD :devil: today. However, I do like the new little counslor. She is young, cute and nice. It could be that I just went back with a better attitude :o I'll report back after WI. We are gonna talk about me being on the Gold Plan and workout schedule. :strong: I'm even feeling more open minded about that :shrug:

Yesterday was my first day on Gold and let me tell you when I ate my Lites I thought I had died and went to heaven :cloud9: :angel: I'm thinking right now, they are worth every penny :lol:

Oaky Chicks - Later.......Hugs to all.........

Good morning gals! :flow2:

WAY TO GO, big losers! :clap:

I am back on the (LAWL) wagon today! I've come to realize that I'm MUCH less motivated to cook healthy LAWL meals when I have a messy kitchen, so last night I spent about an hour catching up on dishes that had piled up, scrubbing counters, putting away clean dishes that had never gotten to their "homes"...there's actually counter space to prepare food now! :lol: So anyway, I've had my breakfast fruit and I'm working on my morning LA bar, I've got my water by my side and Advil in my purse for the inevitable caffeine-withdrawal headache, got my lunch picked out (thank goodness for that Applebees WW menu!)...I'm good to go! :D (Thanks for the inspiration, Star!)

If it takes me five days or five weeks, I'm going to be POP until I shake this five pounds and get to Onederland. :drill:

Hopefully I'll be doing so well that I'll be able to keep it up and think of a good non-food reward for reaching that point, instead of a "celebratory" meal that will just set me back! :dizzy:

Have a great OP day everyone. :)

Fiona

:grouphug: So glad you decided to join me. I do better with rules too :lol:

Fi- You are only just over afew pounds to Onederland. Come on over the water is fine :cheer: You will feel so good once you step over you won't need any other reward - it's all about the feeling ;)

Fiona...When you get a pre-approval on a loan. How long is it good for.. :?:
Or, I guess what I'm asking is, how far in advance do you need to do this before purchasing property.

General rule of thumb is, a pre-approval is good for 60 days. Sometimes if you are willing to pay a little more in interest (like 1/8 of a percent, or something, a mortgage pro could tell you for sure) you can get a longer period, say up to 6 months.

ETA: Most sellers prefer to work with buyers who are pre-approved, it's a little more security that the buyer can actually afford to buy the house, but a good mortgage pro can take your information and have a preapproval ready in 2-3 days, and as soon as you've got that, you can go shopping. :D

Fiona

Thanks Fiona...I guess it's good to do that first. That way you know how much of a house you can afford... :cool: Thanks again.. ;)

Okay - one of you gals that has the new plan off E-bay....What is the recommended plan for a MAN who wants to lose 30 pounds (SW 175 / GW145)? Probably not doing the bars, currently no exercise. (Can you guess who I'm asking for?) ;)

ETA: Okay, someone stop me before I smack DH upside the head. :mad: He asked me what he can do to support me and help me be successful with LAWL, and I said, "well, it probably wouldn't hurt either of us if you tried sticking to the plan right along with me for a while." His reply: "Yeah, I could stand to lose 30 pounds - I'm going to talk to my endocrinologist (he's hypothyroid) and see if any of those fat-blocker type supplements are safe for me to take." Miss the POINT, much??? :rollpin:

Fiona

Fiona, let me know what your endocrinologist say about the supplements, I am hypothyroid also, the center told me they were okay, but I am a little weary. I do not that they have to be taken seperatly from the thyroid medication because it will interfer with thyroid medication, just like everything else, I was told to take my thyroid medication on an empty stomach in the morning and not to eat until on hour after, and not to take an mineral supplements until four hours after. I am planning on asking my endocrinologist also, but I don't have an appointment with him until the middle of may.

Fi - How tall is the DH? Men, they are so silly. They want us to succeed, they want us to be in shape, but they can't see the man in the mirror......lol
The way I figure is, the bigger DH gets, the smaller I look........lol Actually mine lost weight when I was in Cailf. He was very busy and made several trips up north moving our stuff. AND, the best is, he brought our Harleys home - zoom-zoom.....

Fiona- it says he should do purple or red and that he (or any male) should not drop below the purple plan. Hope that helps. If you need the purple or red plans. I have those too. Just let me know and I can e-mail it to you.

I'm so bummed today. For some reason I got mixed up on which day I can go to the gym. (I have a mon-wed-fri-sun membership). I went Sunday so I guess I thought I had to skip a day. So, I was thinking that today was my day, but really it was yesterday. Oops. Oh well I guess that means I can go tomorrow.

I maintained yesterday, so that is good. I think I have a cycle of maintaining for a few days and then losing a pound or half a pound in one or two days.. then maintaining again. So I guess it's my time to maintain. :) I'm also wondering how working out is going to affect my weight loss. I'm wondering if I'll gain or maintain at first. It'll be interesting to see. I'm going to try to start focusing more on how my clothes fit now instead of focusing so much on the scale. I know that exercising is good for me, so I don't want to get discouraged if I don't see the numbers on the scale going down. Although next time I go to the COD. I'm going to see what they think about me working out now. Maybe I'll have to change plans or something. Who knows.

Fashn-Where are you? I haven't seen you around for a few days. Maybe I'm just missing the posts. Sometimes I do that.

Julie-maybe you should just try to buy at least one thing in a size 16. That helped me so much as I was going down sizes, but I also know that it can get expensive. The smaller I got the less I bought in my new size. Some sizes I stayed in for a while (20, 18,) and some I just shot right through (16's 14's) but you never know how fast or slow it'll be. I've sold some stuff on e-bay and consigned some stuff and I've bought stuff at a consignment store. I don't want to spend too much until I get to my goal size. Whatever that might be.

That would be cool to get together and do a clothes swap. Although I'm one of the only ones on the west coast, so I have a feeling Solocat and I would be traveling pretty far. ;)

Ok chickies have a great day. Thanks for all of the comments/compliments. You guys have helped me so much. I really feel that I'm staying on the wagon because of all of you. Thanks a bunch. :grouphug:

Mandy

Hi chicks,

Back again, I'm having computer problems and was trying to buy some fix-it software. .. we'll see if it works.

Only down .2 today. Like Karen says, I'll take it. I'm pre-tom, so that factors into it. . .

OOO - News flash - I was complaining about the same old lite flavors - there are new coming out - the counselor said something about Raspberry . .. I like chocolate, but really don't want it as a steady diet! I'm past the chocolate binge point by now. .. I got the fruit and oat - they are sort of carrot cake tasting. . . not bad for breakfast, probably.

Fiona - I will say the 190's are pretty cool. I'm trying to convince myself that the 180's will look pretty good, too. . . I'm really hoping I make it there in May.

Sy- I like that clothes swap thing - I actually do that once a year - a party where everyone brings there clothes so there is a mini-mountain - and then we all root through it. It is loads of fun.

Hugs to all,
Julie

Well, I convinced DH to try LAWL with me (Star - he is 5'8") - since I'm on purple I think I'll suggest he start with that for simplicity's sake, and if he's starving he can move up to red. :) I'm really curious to see how well HE does at not cheating! He's got a soda habit too, and a stash of starchy type snacks in his office at work.

Julie - you go! I've got a picture on my fridge from four years ago when DD was just 6 months old, in it I'm probably 180 or 185 - and even that looks thinner compared to more recent (200+) pictures!

There are exactly 5 weeks until June 1 (May 31 is a Tuesday) so I'm setting a 10-pound goal for June 1. If I'm POP (and I think I will do MUCH better with DH working on being POP right along with me - it's easier to make less-healthy choices when the person you're eating with is, and vice versa!) this should be NO PROBLEM!

Fiona

Good Afternoon everyone Went for weigh in Last night and I stayed the same 186.6... If I take off at least one or two pounds this week. That would make me happy

Julie...I would love to go through a mini-mountain of clothes. :lol: That sounds like alot of fun.. :cool:
Congrats on being down .2....We have to take every little bit we can.... :D

Back from COD :devil:

Well for some reason (not due to eating offplan) COD's scale is not the same as my Health-O-Meter at home :?: The counslor said that it is becuz it's middle of the day and I have on clothes. I had told her I weigh first thing in the morning nude :o She seemed to think I'm doing fine. This is yet another new, young girl - and like I had promised I was so nice :angel: Not like the old me at all :lol:

We discussed my workout plan and I'm cutting back to under 5 hours a week. That means I can workout M-F and that's it. :?: If I make it to the fitness trail on the weekends I'll just have to consider that fun activity :dizzy: Okay so we still have some bugs to be worked out. She said she would monitor my progress and if I stall she will put me on the Blue or Red plan. I smiled :) and said whatever you think best :D

I'm due to return to the COD :devil: on Thrusday........I'm so looking forward to that ;)

FI - You probably will do better with DH on plan, makes things like eating out alot and having junk food around pretty much out of the question. Good plan chick! :cp:

Julie - Congrats Chick :dancer:

Mandy - True confession for you.....I really only lost 2.8 lbs, but couldn't state that decimal or .8 on 3FatCk Ticker so I lied and said a flat 3.... :o

Water....48 oz. down, 16 to go. How about you?

Fiona