Support Groups - The Halloween Hustle and the Sprint O' the Spirits

Aria, that is also an inspiring and useful quote :lol:

Hello all!

well, not that today was so much better than yesterday but I certainly felt better about lots of things.......

and believe it or not.... at the end of the day.... the director came to me and said " need you to fix something......sweetie".... and it was a tiny thing, I made someone's date of birth in 2005 instead of 1945 or whatever but the fact that the woman said "sweetie" which I have never heard say to anyone b/4 ( very quietly, I nearly didnt hear her).... which made me feel that maybe, just maybe... I need to give myself more credit for what I'm doing and quit comparing myself to folks who been doing the job 3, 5, 7 yrs....
Hmmmmmm

Almost believe that yesterday was almost a "letting go of steam" kind of meltdown....

Could it be that if I did some more physical activity I'd feel more balanced...

HMMMMMM ..... wonder how I know that song so well......

Hmmmm....

Yes, I miss the thought of the day too...

Lets do it all together this time.....

As you can see, its tough for me most mornings to get here and it began to seem silly to me to post the thought of the day at 8 pm......

I do like that Nike quote... very much....

in fact.... might tatoo it somewhere..... hmmmm....

just kidding!

See, I told you I was seeing things in a different perspective....

TIme to make the lentils!

:smug:
Thanks for all of your support....

"My writing group, likewise, when I get fed up with job, suggest that I quit and find something that fullfills me more completely, follow my bliss Too bad I've got to follow the $$ instead ..." ~ Arabella

Me, too, Wood Nymph! :)

K, I'm glad things went a little better Friday and hope you're havin' a good weekend so far!

:queen: s, dost thou realizeth that we've had not a single postie today in the palace? The Towel Boys are gettin' depressed and are mutterin' amongst themselves in the larder. They need more to do (being a dedicated lot, they live to serve).

I am the worst offender at not being in the palace much. Seems the depression monkey's been on me back again today. Hmmm, had another three pieces o' Cerretas candy ... wrote about this in the journal in the land far far ... mustn't keep lettin' that refined sugar back in me life.

A little brain dead right now ... really think we DO need to start up the qod thingie and have everyone contribute as K saith. Doesn't have to be first thing in the a.m., IMO, just any ol' time would seemeth to me to be ok. :)

Here's a mystery quote (sorry for the depression theme, but that's where I am) ... I can't remember where this comes from ... a book, but which?

"It ought to be the easiest thing in the world to be happy. I wonder why it isn't."

Dunno. Might not return to the palace until I have somethin' cheerful to say ... not sure where all this blah stuff comes from ... send in the clowns ... hello?

It's awfully quiet in this here palace, guys!

I've heard that quote before too, Amarantha. Can't remember where though.

The powwow dinner Friday night went well, lots of leftovers because there weren't as many people as I was told. Close though. Yesterday was the actual powwow and I didn't get to participate much because I was busy preparing for the art show reception that's happening today. Have I mentioned that next week we're going to the beach for a couple of days. I can't wait!

Hi, E!!! I saw ye over in me journal in the land far far ... yea, I will heed that advice about the "gateway" chocolates!!! :lol: Thou be wise!!!

I've decided the quote must be from one o' the Anne of Green Gables books, in fact I'm sure of it. Not sure which one. I read Anne a lot when I was a child ...

Congrats on thy impendin' trip to the beach ... be careful, though. Saltwater taffy could be lurkin' 'round there. Aaaaaaaccccck!

Got up early to work on stories, decided not to.

WHO HAS A QUOTE OF THE DAY!!!

Let's liven up this PALACE and have a Sunday party!!!!!! Or even a gripe 'n gloom fest.

Hello all

Gorgeous weather yesterday and today... cool, sunny, no humidity, light breeze.... I was so impressed w/ how much I got done by 9 am I kept moving from 15 minute time chunk to the next 15 minute. Much of my efforts were concentrated in the kitchen so the outcome was instant gratification as the results were instantly obvious.... And so much of it was just simple rearranging...
and really putting to good use of "everything has a place"....instead of just a
"for now postion".....


At the end of Friday, a very important person in the office hierarchy came to me to make a correction....I have worked w/ this person for years but do not know her well socially...... The mistake I made was one that is very common....
I listed someone's date of birth as 2005. But the acturials were seeing stars...
Her approach about it was so kind and thoughtful .... one word was used that made me stop and rethink the entire job situation....
So.... I am rethinking....

But meanwhile, Dh is again at work today so I continue w/15 minute tasks w/ 15 minute "breaks" .... I am inspired by a friend's home that I saw last weekend... nothing fancy, but obviously all well loved.... The bottom floor of the townhouse had been setup as the living room and a big, big kitchen.... There was no "pretending to be a tiny dining room" as I attempted here in my similarly designed home. Instead, the "Dining table" with an attracitve cloth covered by heavy duty plastic....was for both eating AND to use as a group meeting table....very close to the computer, fax, large filing credenza, and bookcase. In short, the room said " This is what I am..... and these occupants are comfortable here"....

So, I have been inspired to get over the "ideal" setup for a house and arrange things as I use them.
For the longest time, it didnt make sense to me that a computer should be part of the kitchen area but.......doesnt it make sense?? Isnt that where we have our phones???
I guess I was trapped in the "traditional " mode....

And guess what, the longer I sat in this man's ( I was w/ DH .... believe it or not, this was a business meeting)... "kitchen/office" the more I liked it....
I enjoyed the the fact that he there was "tilted" floor towards one corner...which he never explained nor seemed to be bothered when he went to the fridge to get me a glass of water.... I enjoyed the obviously worn "linoleum" floor, the plants in the windows.... the baskets of fresh tomatos and peppers, the prominent display of a few special photos....
It was a wonderful, wonderful lesson in comfort and "less is more"......

hmmmmmmm.......

There's the timer.....

;)

K, I like your idea about 15/15. I will employ that today to get my last (long) story of the weekend done for the paper ... I am so massively burnt out with journalism and was goin' to bag it until Monday but really need to do it and that's a great idea you have ... BTW, my office was in the kitchen for years and years until I dedicated a room to it ... it's an excellent place for a computer, IMO!!!

Empress.... did you even have trouble w/ kitcheny stuff sticking to the machine, keys, etc. and ???
I don't know why I think this would be an issue.... I smoked around ours for years and never gave a second thought...

Guess now that I'm not smoking, I can see how much just general cooking tends to deposit itself on things....

hmmm
.

Nay, :queen: K, just wasn't an issue. Having it in the kitchen worked great. And for a few years I didn't even have an AC unit in that kitchen ... and this is Arizona ... go figure! No problems.

But mine wasn't right next to the stove or anything. I had a desk in the corner.

Hello all!

Entire weekend sped by w/o a single nap... This morning that's the first thing that came to mind! But the kitchen still shows my efforts so I will continue to do 15 minutes at a time in other areas and hope consistent effort will add up and make a difference.

*******

Thought of the day :

"If you say yes to yourself, if you let your imagination fly, if you open
one stuck, fear-warped door, other doors you never even noticed fly open,
pushed by a spirit strong as a hurricane."
--Beverly Donofrio


Question of the day :

"Do you mind flying ?"


*****


Here's to a great day for all!

Kaye

Good Morning Ladies!!

Party went smashingly. She loves all of her presents. The only hitch is that my MIL didn't show up until the end of the party. My FIL came and was bewildered as to why his wife was not there since she left hours before he did. Apparently she had made plans with her girlfriend as well for the same day. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO YOUR GRANDCHILD????? :?: And of course when she got there, it was ALL about her. Not about Sydney's birthday or anything.

Anyway...I have pictures to post that we got done at a studio, but I have to scan them first. I forgot to do that.

Oh, and I lost 1/2 a lb. I'm never going to make 30lbs by Halloween!

Let's see if this works...

Oh, my goodness! Isn't that birthday girl SWEET!!!

What a cutie!! And I really do mean Sydney!! You can tell she's a royal right away!


:) :o

Sydney is one cute little princess, Froggie!!!! :)

So cute! I LOVE those little pig tails!

Sydney is just beautiful and charming, frogger!
Thanks for sharing!

frogger-little princess sydney is soooo cute!!!!

I'm off to the beach for a couple of days, so I'll see you this weekend! :) Love!

Hello all!

Isnt it interesting how so many things are exactly the same yet can be so entirely different with a different perspective???

Yes, I know this is one of the my constant refrains.... Guess its a lesson I'm trying to learn....hmmmmm.....

My point is this.....

Things are heating up both at work and at home again but somehow its not so overwhelming .....or at least not the past couple days.....

Because DH worked very late last night, I again tried to do 15 minutes at a time and put together a thick red sauce w/ lots of veggies for the crockpot,
big pot of brown rice that is now frozen in meal size servings, etc, etc....

Feeling very much like the ant in the story who was always looking ahead....

So, Q Eydie, I am w/ you at the beach vicariously.... enjoy...

And to all... Greetings of the day....

Anyone for tea??

****************
Thought of the day:


Wind against your face

The faster you move forward, the more the wind blows against your face. When you encounter much difficulty and resistance, it is because you're in the process of making significant progress.

Those who have no problems are those who never venture out to accomplish anything. Those who face the most challenges are those who end up creating the most value.

When a particular problem arises, it is because you have progressed to the point where you can deal with it. When a challenge comes along, that's because you are truly ready for where it can bring you.

See the obstacles as gateways and you'll see their true value. Each new challenge is a stepping stone, a waypoint on the journey to real and meaningful accomplishment.

Feel the stiff wind as it blows against your face. And know that what you're feeling is your rapid movement forward

**********
( I believe this is by Ralph Martson but not sure)


KETTLE IS ON!

Have fun at the beach, E!!! :wave:

Thought o' the day very appropriate for me right now, K! Thanks.

I am up to work on stories but decided not to so am aimlessly puttering around until it's time to go to gym. I will rest and putter the rest of the day as it's likely to be one of the few days off I'll have for awhile.

Need to start my decluttering challenge again. I am dysfunctional when the house and yard are in chaos.

So many are missing in action in this palace, seemingly! :)

It's active, but I miss so many o' the :queen: s who don't post as much or not at all, or the :queen: s who have wandered in out of the cold and then wandered out again.

The Towel Boys are missing 'em, too.

Can we have a Halloween Hijinks Houseparty and will all :queen: s PLEASE sign in and report on thy wanderings!!! :)

Else, Amarantha might think thou be mad! :lol:

I got that way today ... coworker I see only on some Mondays and Tuesdays was all friendly in the a.m., turned cold, curt 'n distant by afternoon ... I kept examining it mentally and wondering what I'd said or done to make her angry, decided nothing and that it must be her problem and even if she were mad at ME, it wasn't my problem 'cause I didn't DO anything.

My blood sugar is extremely stable right now but I am hungry ... it's the middle o' the night, though, and I'm going to hang on and not eat for awhile just to see.

Wish I could sleep like normal folks.

Oh, normal, what is that?

Ah, my question indeed! Still trying to figure out what "normal" will be around here.

Have been hitting lots and lots of food this last two weeks so trying at least to scan and hope that others successes will impel me back to at least checking the schedule for the wagon! Wouldn't be strict with me yet at this point but at least not as wild as I've been. Mostly I've been concerned about dh's food but some restrictions have eased a bit so it's time to work on me a little too.

A dh update would be so me-me at this point and so downing that I leave that for some appropriate time. We celebrated our 47th anniversary yesterday - and celebrate was the word. I did make me a crabcake for the occasion and we shared a Little Debbie cupcake (he likes those) but it was just the joy of having him here that made it momentous.

I have learned something about me these past few months. I don't mean I haven't had my really bad days, I have. But overall I have found out that I am a happy person. Even on the bad days, some sunshine would sneak in here and there and I feel that, in my core, I am happy no matter what. Yes, I know. Pollyanna. But it's a nice thing to know about me.


So, if ya hear of a wagon trailing through central PA any time soon, let me know so I can think about hitching on. I think I'll go clean some celery. That always makes me think I'm eating healthy, esp. w/ pb.

Hi, Pollyanna!!! :wave: I am glad thou has identified thyself as a happy person and it is, indeed, nice to know. I do think I saw that wagon headin' east as it speeded it's way through Arizona. It was travelin' at an amazin' rate o' speed towards the mountains and reports were that no one here could even grab a foothold ... it was a blur ... so keep an eye peeled.

have fun at the beach, eydie!

kaylets-loved the thought for the day, thanks. good timing--something i needed to be reminded of too.

anagram-happy anniversary!!

amarantha-"normal" is a relative term, alright. sorry your sleep patterns are challenging. i sure sympathize with that, empress, believe me.

thinking about all in the royal court. i am hanging on to food program by a dainty fingernail. sometimes i wonder when it will ever feel like smooth sailing on this front. ah well! the point is to keep forging ahead, and i plan to do just that. portion control better so far today. one thing i do hang on to, no matter what, is my exercise, and that feels good. well, take care, all.

The Wild One returneth! :wave: Hello everyone!

Anagram, belated Happy Anniversary to you and your beloved! So glad to hear he is home at last.

So, this is the weekend I am supposed to meet my Irishman. Supposed to. I had to cancel our plans because my cousin is getting married on Friday and I will have loads of family in town, and of course there is a huge Thanksgiving family dinner now...*sigh*...my original plan was to go to the wedding Friday and fly out Saturday morning, but apparently others had different plans. It is a weekend-long festivity now. I know it is the right thing to do, but I so want to just hop a plane anyway. BUT we have agreed he will come here instead for the weekend of December 9. Between both our schedules, that is the first opening. So I just have to be patient a while longer. I don't do patient well...especially after nine years of waiting. :D

I don't remember what my challenge was for this thread, it's been so long since I was here. I have lost 12 pounds since then, though. This is usually the point where I falter, having had some success I get comfortable and before I know it, I'm back where I started. So, now that I have a good start I thought it would be a good time to check back into my room at the palace where I can be accountable. 65 more days until Dec 9th...I'm going for another 15lbs and I'm going to need ALL of you to keep me on track!

I've missed too much to even try to catch up, so I'll go forward from here. I am going to check in daily. My wagon is headed west...anyone want to join me on this journey?

Yo, Wildfire 'n Wsw (the Darin' W Duo) be in the Palace!!!

Wildfire, sorry thou missed thy time with the Irishman, but glad a family fiesta is happenin' fer thee!!! CONGRATULATIONS ON THE 12 POUNDS :cheer: ... that's fantastic!!!! Would love to see thee here daily. The Towel Boys would be happy also!!! :)

Wsw, I guess "normal" would be dull ... I'm ready for that, though. Just want a dull, quiet life where I sleep at night! :) Congrats on hangin' on to thy good food program ... it's really important! You are doin' great.

I don't feel really well right now and have to work the meeting from h*ll tonight, so will go back and lie down. I did my Thursday spinning class, followed by abs class followed by stretch class, so I'm pooped!

Let's keep up this Palaceparty 'n get everyone in here daily again!!!!

Here's a quote o' the day that I know we all know, but I, for one, forget it a lot: "The world is so full of a number of things that I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings." ~ Lewis Carroll

Ibid.

Dear Wildfire - hang on. I'm so sorry your gettogether needed to be postponed. Yet there is that interesting thought of 15 more pounds off by then. I'm sure the Irishman is great motivation -

About the "happy me' thing - I just think it's amazing that we can learn something from almost any experience and that's what I've decided I've learned from all this. Besides that I'm stronger than I thought and I love the guy to bits (I did know that last part but it's been so reinforced).

Hope the rain's not spoiling your party, Eydie. You and Gary deserve a nice little getaway. Envy you that one!

Hope the job turns out to be less stressful with recent kind turn of events, Kaylets.

And that job and life turnarounds have you feeling like chasing towel boys soon, Empess.

I just needed a good "checkin" at the palace today. A quiet moment or two. Life does seem to be settling into a sort of pattern. Progress is being made albeit slowly. Impatiently to the dh who's really still to weak to get the whole picture. though EVERYONE who saw him WHEN raves about how far he's come. Male-like, he's mostly concerned with how far will he be able to come back. Well, me too, but it's like weight loss - one step at a time.

Feeling the approach of the rain. Looking forward to rainy Saturday morning with no nurses, therapists or even children expected. Am burning a little scented oil thing from DDIL and enjoying. Think I'll go for a cup of soothing tea of some kind. She keepeth me supplied.

;) Hello all,

Timer is on but I have 30 minutes due me so I plan on enjoying myself....

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ANAGRAM.... and yes thanks for the inspiration to light some candles and find make this time here w/ you a celebration... even put some music on too....... so we are ....

and yes, Anagram, I can relate.....even when things feel to be the worst, I too find a moment of joy reminding me that there is a counterbalance.....

SOOOO Glad to hear DH is improving.... and yes, I can imagine how lovely Saturday must seem for the two of you to be alone, doing hardly anything but just enjoy the day stuff.....especially on a rainy Saturday too!

and of course, now that the ALL HANDS ON DECK adrenalin switch has turned off for you, I can very much see how food is now beckoning......

yup......

For example, DH's also gotten results of his many testsa nd for the most part its " Wait and see" ... "If you're seeing some improvement, the MRI's don't show anything contradictory" ... AND I don't want to jinx anything but believe it or not, DS nearly skipped in the door last night becuase he has 2 jobs... one very close to fulltime hours in a restuarant kitchen and a parttime at a former employer .... a gas station/convenience store... BTW, DS clms he is 2 weeks into clean and sober....
and what did I do today....succumb to chocolate....lots and lots and lots....

in fact, that was lunch and supper....

And as far as I know, there's lots and lots left.... so tomorrow will be a real test.... but I am not upset.... I am not guilting... I have to admit.... I was craving a binge.....and now ..... have had it... and to top it off...this was totally free $$ wise....we'll see how I feel tomorrow when I 'm hungover w/ sugar....

Empress....yes, coworkers are a hard to read.... I am so silly about all of this stuff....I keep forgetting that most of these folks have no interst in me outside of work yet I am upset if I think someone isnt speaking to me at work...
actually, the ones that are obviously not interested in dealing w/ me are at least honest... instead of some of the "posers"..... interesting how again we are thinking parallel thoughts....

Wildfire... oh dear, I think I'd rather get on the plane too! And congrats on 12lbs down!!.....


HI WSW!!~ How is life treating you??

Everyeone!!! Let's do this... slow but sure, but following Anagram's inspiration and trying to find the joy even when its buried.....


Ah.....there goes the timer...
guess I should just type and not think when here....

Hmmmm

Anyone for tea??

Ketttle is on!

***************************
LET'S MAKE FUN OF POLITICIANS NOW...

Five surgeons are discussing who makes the best patients to operate on. The
first surgeon says, "I like to see accountants on my operating table,
because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered."

The second responds, "Yeah, but you should try electricians! Everything
inside them is color coded."

The third surgeon says, "No, I really think librarians are the best;
everything inside them is in alphabetical order."

The fourth surgeon chimes in: "You know, I like construction workers...those
guys always understand when you have a few parts left over at the end, and
when the job takes longer than you said it would."

But the fifth surgeon shut them all up when he observed: "You're all wrong.
Politicians are the easiest to operate on. There's no guts, no heart, and no
spine, and the head and butt are interchangeable."

*****************

:lol: :s: :dizzy:

YEP, K, I'm all for findin' some joy. :)

Why is it so hard?

Well, my love, I think for myself, sometimes I'm my own worst enemy....

Either I have set standards that are very tough to meet or higher than I'd expect from a friend....or sometimes I get a little dramatic about the not so great times and run around like Chicken Little.... not realizing that its only an acorn and not the sky falling....

sometimes, I feel like one of those metal detectors at the beach....

searching for the bright spot.... sometimes I 'm out there awhile.....

And that gets old....


..................

Oh, I would love to keep the towel boys happy ;), so here I am again! Hope you are feeling better after resting and the meeting wasn't quite as h#llish as expected.

Anagram, my Irishman is motivation in most things. He loves me just as I am, of course, but I wouldn't mind being closer to goal before we meet. His words of wisdom (there have been many) come to me often when I think this challenge or any other is too great..."Focus on the solution, not the problem." Simple, yet profound. A quiet, rainy Saturday morning sounds quite cozy. I was burning a scented oil tonight while I cleaned...Satsuma from the Body Shop. It is orange, my favorite. When DH came home from work he said he could smell "clean" when he reached the front steps even though the doors weren't open!

Kaylets, I hope this will be the turning point for DS. My DD is 18 now and is we are starting to see hopeful flashes of a human being again. Wasn't sure we'd make it! Where did all this chocolate come from? Where is Punkin with her little friend the worm who would take care of such matters for us? Loved the joke! :lol:

Counting housework as my exercise for today...all that vacuuming, mopping, polishing hardwood floors, hauling laundry up and down two flights of stairs has to count for something! Not to mention the sweat I worked up scrubbing the inside of my microwave. Why I think anyone will be inspecting my microwave is a mystery, but I get a little nuts when I start. :dizzy: Oh, and I did some dumbell work for arms and shoulders. :workout:

No work tomorrow because of the wedding, so I'll finish the housework early in the AM. Am thinking a nice long walk just as the sun comes up, with the mist still in the fields would be good first. Speaking of fields, I came home this evening after driving DD to a friend's and popped the garage door to put recycling bins away. There in the middle of the garage was a field mouse...poor thing was running in circles, not sure which way to go, finally darted behind the bikes in the back of the garage. I came in and left the door open for a little while in case he wanted out. I don't think he's been in residence long because we haven't notice the garbage bags being chewed or any of the usual signs...hate to have to resort to traps. I got close enough to him to see his soft, round, brown ears and wee paws. I don't know what it is about mice that scares the living daylights out of some people. He was certainly more afraid of me! I don't want them in my house because of the damage they can do, but they don't frighten me. :mouse:

Anyhoo...let's do our best to make tomorrow a success! Focus on the solution... :)

HEAVEN HELP ME I'M A VACCUMING ADDICT!!! :lol: I vaccumed at 5:30am this morning before leaving for work. I'm wearing these new gouchos that have glitter and sequins on the waist of them (and of course they couldn't sew the sequins on) SO they ended up all over my floor. And now I sit at my desk here at work, covered in an array of gittery bedazzle and I'm picking them off, 1 by 1. Victory shall be mine..... :dizzy: (Dear god, I've just found them in my underpants........) :eek:

Welcome back all!!!!

I fear I'm not going to make goal. I'm not even trying. WHY??? I don't like not fitting into anything. I have tubs of clothing that I purchased when I lost all that weight that are just sitting there because I cannot even them close enough around my waist for the button or zipper to meet. We're not talking an inch or two. Like 5 inches or more. Waisted money that's what that is. I don't like myself anymore. I don't like the way people look at me. I ran into a person I used to date yesterday. Someone I dated previously right before DH. We chatted but the way he kept looking at me. He's like my you've changed. My excuse? I had a baby. Dang it, she's a year old. I can't use that excuse for too much longer! I know I know, I shouldn't dwell on how I look to other people. But I don't feel good. I haven't even shared this with DH. But there are times I get bad chest pains or I'm not comfortable intimatly. My knees hurt so bad anymore I just want to scream. I have the "apron" if you know what I mean, from my C-section. How do you even get rid of that? Doctor said it would go away. It's been a year!!!

Sorry for the me me me. I'm just at my end.

Yea, Kaylets, sometimes I'm "out there" for awhile as well. :) Ah well, we soldier on.

Wildfire, the meeting wasn't as h-ish as expected but was not a comfortable one for anyone. Hope thou hast fun at the wedding. If thou wisheth anymore housework for exercise, I'd pay for thy ticket south ... :lol: Good job ... it IS exercise, Fitday PC says so!!!

Froggie, no need to be sorry for me-me posties ... all of mine seem like that these days. Might I EXTREMELY suggest that if thou be having chest pains thou shouldst IMMEDIATELY go to the emergency room or AT THE LEAST make a doctor's appointment. I am very serious, Froggie. This is not something you can afford to ignore ... you have the Little Princess to think about and you need to check out chest pains. Of course, I know thou hast probably done that (checked it out), being a sensible person, so I apologize for giving unsolicited advice and if I sounded harsh ... :)

This may sound kind of extreme but if the "apron" isn't gone in another year, maybe lipo .... ?

Don't worry about thy weight, though, it looks good from thy tracker ... just please talk to doc about chest pains.

Gotta go ... never ends ...

BTW, the conditioning from the spinning, abs & stretch class (105 minutes twice a week) must have kicked in as I felt like running around the indoor track today for the first time in ages.

"It gets to be part of your everyday routine. I expect to be there on Sunday. I expect to be there at practice. I think back to when I first started school in the first grade and how long it seemed to take to go from first through 12th. You figure in ninth grade you're never going to get out of high school, and you couldn't wait. Here I am in my 14th year and going on 13 for not missing basically a day of school… Part of it is being able to escape injury, overcome some injuries but also be able to play at a high enough level for so long to still be here doing it. The streak itself doesn't stand out to me that it's something I have to continue. As long as I'm a Green Bay Packer, I expect to play. I expect to help this team win and be a tremendous leader. And I expect that to continue until the day I don't play here anymore. ~ Brett Favre, commenting on his consecutive-game streak in an article by John McClain, "Houston Chronicle", September 26, 2004.

:s: :s: :s: :s: :s: :s: :s:


?

Frogger, my dear, I have been where you are, and still stop to visit that place now and then. Some days I just feel like a huge, ugly blob and what's the point of putting myself through the battle to get fit and lose weight because I'll never make it anyway so somebody hand me a chocolate bar. Yep, know the place well. We all do. If only I could loan you an Irishman... :D Seriously, though...his words are perfectly applied on days like this. Focus on the solution, not the problem. Do one thing today for your health. Go for a 20 minute walk, drink an extra glass of water, pass up a high-calorie treat, just do one thing. You have to take it one step at a time, and those steps will add up if you keep doing them.

It can take a full year for your body to recover from pregnancy, so let's say it has. Sydney (she is ADORABLE!) is a year old, so it's time for a fresh start now that your body is ready. In other words, put the struggle of the last year of trying to lose weight where it belongs...in the past. Your fresh start begins right now. Not Monday. Spend the weekend doing those little things and making the best possible decisions. Eating out and there is nothing diet-friendly on the menu? Then order something and only eat half.

You CAN do this. You deserve to be happy and comfortable in your own body. Come on...back on the wagon! :grouphug: We're right there with you!

Good early, early, early Sunday morning. Been up off and on since three and will pay later, I'm sure. Actually got some rest yesterday and don't think my body knows what to do with that any more.

I'm looking for that wagon. Hope it didn't go by so fast I missed it. I'm back on prednisone at the moment (didn't go into a bad flair but didn't want to either so started p. at first sign) so am chasing food and getting too darned good at catching it). So I'm taking Wildfire's advice and doing one thing for my health. I think it will be water. I'm enjoying my tea but maybe too much. I think I need water - and celery. And maybe music.

I love the Irishman's advice. Solutions will be my focus. I have been finding some/many/not enough but onward is the only direction.

Avant, Queenlies! :wave: Love it that the palace be a-buzz with so many royal personages these days ...

I'm not up to much in the way o' postin' fer awhile ... seems the depression demon's got me 'r somethin' ... when spirit returns from dark journey will be back ...

Hello all!

Frogger---- not to worry, I don't think a single one of us hasn't felt the same way !! And believe it or not, I was just thinking nearly the same thing just a few days ago.... "what's the point?"
But as the other Royals have already said so well, the point is YOU ARE WORTH IT!! ... The good news is that you'll notice results right nearly right away...
You'll feel more energetic....
When you've lost 10% of your extra weight, your knees will have aprx 30-50% less pressure on them.... so it stands to reason that even w/ a 1% loss, your knees will be the first to feel it....
The less your knees hurt the more walking you can fit into your lifestyle which will help tighten up the tummy area....Stair climbing will do that for you too....
But just like Wildfire said, small decisions lead to great results.... one extra glass of water, one smaller portion, one extra trip to put something away, ALL of this leads to feeling better.
In fact, feeling better is something I forget when I get so obsessed w/ the scale and what size I'm wearing....

My suggestion .... pick the easiest thing for you to do... more water, extra veggies instead of fries, etc, etc... and start...
and there you are.. you've begun....

Even if it seems like the Wagon has long gone, there's always another due any second now....

Anagram.... Sorry about the Predisone (Spelling?)...
You sure had a rainy Saturday to cozy through....

Yesterday, DH and I did some Thrift Shop searching and we found a very nice sportsjacket for some more formal work related functions...

Today, he's at work and I'm trying to do 15 minutes at a time but got sidetracked. Nearly threw in the towel to take a nap but put a new crockpot soup together and sauted lots of onions and peppers and am feeling much more virtuous ( sp?)....

Now for a shower and a short trip to the store....
or maybe that nap afterall....

But before I go, Wildfire, FOCUS ON THE SOLUTION is so good I nominate it for Monday's thought of the day too!!

Empress....((((((((((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))) ))))))))))))

Anyone for tea??

Amarantha, sorry I didn't see your post yesterday. We were typing at the same time, and I hit "post" and left. Glad you survived the meeting, and I might take you up on that ticket south say about...February when we hit -20C! :D Cast those demons aside and lounge in the Royal Den for a while. There is a nice quiet armchair in the corner with a cozy wrap and a great book, and of course a personal Towel Boy to turn the pages for you and pour your tea. (It's slow in the spa these days.) When you are feeling up to it, come back to the kitchen and join in the chatter.

Anagram, you did well with the prednisone last time, so here's hoping for a repeat performance! Good to hear you had some well-deserved rest. Sleep can be an elusive thing at times.

Kaylets, the Irishman is a very smart guy, isn't he? ;)

Having a wonderful weekend here. The wedding on Friday was lovely. The bride marched down the aisle to bagpipes with a piper in full Highland dress. It was a small wedding, maybe 60 people or so, but really, really, lovely. Her dress was stunning...corset lacing all down the back, and she is a tiny thing anyway. It was so nice to see family I only see a few times a year, and then last night we had a family dinner at my aunt's house. Today it's just us and have had a quiet day, tomorrow we have a bachelor friend coming for Thanksgiving dinner.

Speaking of dinner, I better rescue tonight's from the oven!

Hello to all...:wave:

WOULD ANY :queen: s CARE TO JOIN ME IN A ONE-WEEK PLATEAU BUSTIN' & POST IT IN RED ON THIS THREAD CHALLENGE? S'OK IF YA DON'T HAVE A PLATEAU TO BUST ... IT CAN JUST BE A CASE O' THE BLUES OR THE BLAHS YA WANNA DUMP!!! My challenge is to reach 138.5 by Sunday (I started on Sunday) AND to end the week with a weekly calorie average of no more than 1658!!! All winners will receive a personal snail mail certificate from an anonymous Towel Boy (aka, I'll send ya a card in the mail tellin' ya you did a good job if you want to pm your address to me, there will be no monetary award as the Towel Boys are suspected of havin' swiped the petty cash box to lark about the village). TO WIN, YOU HAVE TO DECLARE A WEIGHT RELATED CHALLENGE AND STICK TO IT FOR SEVEN DAYS, AS WELL AS POSTIN' ABOUT IT EVERY DAY IN THE PALACE ... red capital letters would be nice to set the challenge apart from re, but regular ol' text would be ok, too!!!!

BTW, MY OWN CHALLENGE STARTED SUNDAY (well, I said that) AND ANY :queen: s WHO ARE INTERESTED ARE FREE TO START RETROACTIVELY ON THAT DAY ALSO. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE.

IF NOT INTERESTED, JUST IGNORE.

THE HAG EMPRESS ENTITY KNOWN AS AMARANTHA WILL not BE CRUSHED AND SINK BACK INTO HER BLACK HOLE O' DEPRESSION.

Really.

I'm back!!!! We had a great time at the beach but it's nice to be back too. We walked about 20 miles in 2 days on the boardwalk and we ate really well. Only ate out once for breakfast; everything else was our own healthy food. It was only when we got back that I started eating poorly. For the last 2 days I've eaten with no awareness whatsoever----strange.....

And danged if I'm not 7 pounds above my goal weight. :( I'm so tired of this and my fear is that these 7 extra pounds will turn into 17 and so on. So YES, Amarantha, I'm with you and will be posting!

Hello all!
Great idea Empress!!

What am I trying to do?? The hardest of the hard.... I'm pulling myself up that wagon step, inch by inch..... still feeling that Chocolate binge wanting to continue....

So that's my CHALLENGE this week....to get beyond the binge... and get clean!

....

;)

Well, after tonight's Thanksgiving dinner, I feel like a stuffed turkey! :chicken:

I'm with you, Amarantha!

For the next six days I pledge to log my food/water and get intentional exercise in some form every day! Would like to see the scale go downwards, too! :goodscale

Hi Eydie, welcome back!

Hi Kaylets!

That's 'bout as witty as I get at this time on Monday night! :cool:

Huzzah 'n sis boom bah!!! :cheer: We have a challenge, :queen: s!!! Welcome aboard to Wildfire, Kaylets 'n E!!!!! The towel boys are formin' a certificate mailin' committee ready to spring into action as each o' us finisheth her appointed task!!! Huzzah!

My cals were at 1683, Sunday was at 1568, making my average weekly total 1626, right where it should be!!! :s: The good thing about calorie averaging is you can go up and down and still feel successful, but the success of my challenge is both to have a weekly cal average by Saturday night of less than the 1658 AND to be at the goal weight, so I'm also going to up my intensity when I do the long cardio, abs/core, stretch class combo tomorrow before goin' off to the mountains to work. No exercise today as no time and it's also part o' my plateau busting strategy.

My eating was clean also today, K, except for the South Beach 100 cal cookie packs ... these are actually low glycemic, or ostensibly low glycemic, anyhow. Dunno, just had the urge to try 'em as I'm pretty loosely on South Beach Phase II now. It said you should have no more than two packs of these as snacks per day ... I had three and my blood sugar seemed to spike (I didn't test it, though) ... I do not think the ingredients in these cookies are true to the real South Beach diet and I think they are a sell-out ... I gave 'em away. I MUST go back to no sugar eatin' ...

Wildfire!!!! :cb: :cb: :cb: I am not sure of the significance of the Three Bananas, but I am so glad you are aboard!!!!

E, don't worry about the seven pounds ... come back with a challenge plan ... LET'S GO, :queen: s ... LET'S BUST OUTTA THIS RUT (for those of us in a rut) ... we can do it.

I'm in - in a most modest way. I'm back to the basic. More water. More water. Oatmeal, Cottage Cheese.

I had a gorge out last night. One of those really lacking in intelligence blowouts that are strictly emotional and out of control. I've been pigging out but not like this. Maybe eating too much but of "better" foods. This was truly immature and out of control. I'm ok with it in a way because I think it brought things sort of to a head. I need to face life as it is and move on and I can do that best if I can get/stay healthy. Ok, some's the prednisone but a lot is just not wanting to face all of reality. It's a fine line sometimes between being negative and seeing reality and remaining upbeat and optimistic. We're working on solutions here, folks, And trying to remain true to our Royal Roots.
So again, it's water, oatmeal, cottage cheese, etc. With an added dash of dignity, selfrespect and courage. There was nothing dignified about last night. Nothing joyful. Nothing helpful - a real wrong direction cataclysm. So, humbly, I turn towards the only direction that will carry me where I need to be. I'm not even looking for the wagon yet but will trudge back to sanity to try to gain strength to catch the wagon at a future time. So my pledge for this week is small "strengthening" steps. :kickcan: :kickcan: :kickcan:

This is a frantic couple of weeks for me. We went hiking in Fundy with friends, a couple that we've talked about doing a weekend "date" with for a while. It rained pretty much the whole time, but we had fun anyway. Hiked a couple of hours in the rain on Saturday and then a shorter hike, through really spectacular terrain on Sunday. Also had time just to relax, read, play games. And had nice dinners together. It was very relaxing and rejuvenating -- I was so frazzled on Friday, driving there, that I didn't know if I could wind down to the point that I'd be able to enjoy it, but it was great! And it was nice to find that we were as compatible with our friends as we'd hoped. We'll do it again!

Then, yesterday, I had friends and family (32 in all) in for Thanksgiving dinner. We did potluck and used paper plates, but I was surprised (as I am anew, each time :rolleyes: ) at what a big production it was. This is the only day this week that there's nothing major going on -- tomorrow I've got voice class and writing group in the evening, Thursday evening going out to celebrate a friend's birthday and Friday we leave for Toronto predawn to celebrate MIL's 90th birthday. I'll be glad to get back and have nothing much happening for a little while...

A challenge sounds good! I lost .6 more last week and will do my darndest to get 2 whole pounds off by next Wednesday, which is when I return from Toronto.

Let's GO!!!! :cb: :cb: :cb: Love to all!

Quickie hello to NEW SEVEN-DAY CHALLENGE MEMBER Arabella!!! Let's go, INDEED, :queen: Wood Nymph!!!! This seven-day thingie is gonna pave the way for happiness 'n joy when we finally get to Halloween and then mayhap we can sis (or is that ziz? boom 'n bah to some other milestone !!!!! Since all challengers seem to have started on a different day, we are the more blessed 'cause we can stretch this thingie a little further and I, for one, might do a SECOND plateau bustin' super week ... just a thought!!!

I DID add some sis boom bah intensity to my cycling class in honor o' my PLATEAU BUSTIN' SEVEN DAY WONDER here!!! Unfortunately, I regressed on sugar and had a Krispy Kreme donut ... Eydie, I need SUGAR ANONYMOUS!!!! Oh well, I entered the cals into Fitday and will have a good cal day nevertheless.

Let's go, challengers!!! Report, report, report!!! :cheer:

Yes, I'm starting today [tuesday], yesterday was just weird. And unexpected looong work day, but I'm very proud of the fact that I did a 30 min. step video when I finally got home, especially since I wanted to completely blow it off.

My challnge today is staying awake! I had a sleepless night, thinking of all the LITTLE things I have to do at work. So I got up at 5:30 this morning to be there by myself and get some things done, now I'm sleepy. We had to give tours to 1st graders today--I gave 6 tours since it was such a big group, and tomorrow is the board meeting and I have to make lunch for that. Just lots of little details, you know, that I'm responsible for.

I have to go to the market to get fresh stuff too. Haven't ben since we've gotten back from the beach. I feel like I'm living on bread, cheese, and soy stuff and that doesn't make for a very light feeling in the old frame.

KRISPY KREME! Horrors! :o

...
KRISPY KREME! Horrors! :o

It flew off the shelf and ATTACKED me, E!!! I am not responsible!!! :devil:

Yo, WELCOME to our Noble Seven-Day Challenger, the famous :queen: E!!!!! I can't believe ya did SIX tours with little kids, Eydie! That qualifies as exercise for the whole week, IMO!!!! Thou art stalwart!!!! :cheer:

So very tired... :yawn:

Did my 30 minutes with weights and abs tonight. Short but heavy session. Food today consisted of a turkey sandwich and leftover veggies/turkey for dinner. Certainly reasonable calorie-wise, but need to plan better.

:wave: That's it for today. Suddenly can't stay awake any longer.

HEllo all,


Am home today, using a floating holiday or personal day... not sure which, but for sure its not a sick day. ;)

**********So... here's pretty much how my challenge is working for me...
Sunday night, had a small binge meltdown at the bowling alley....
Ate 3 packages of those little peanut butter crackers... ran over to the vending machine to get something else and lo and behold....
The machine could not process my $1 bill... hmmmmm.... universe working to keep me in check....

Then Tuesday, I decided to do a hit and run, eat whatever looks wonderful from the cafeteria as my reward for starting early and working thru lunch in preparation for being home from work today...
And what did I find in the cafeteria??? A lovely yogurt/strawberry, oatmeal parfait.... And focaccia bread... I took the medium piece of bread and was pleasantly suprised that the garlicky buttery flavor satisfied that urge for something different....so... another binge avoided....

This week so far seems more like what I've been able to avoid.

***********

Thought of the day:

"Just think how happy you'd be if you lost everything and everyone you have
right now, and then,
somehow got everything back again."---Kobi Yamada

Question of the day :

"How many times a day do you use the telephone?"

*********


Here we go Wednesday, here we go!!!

Huzzah, SEVEN DAY Challengers!!!! :wave: (And all :queen: s who dwell herein)!!!! We have STERLING REPORTS O' ECB (Exemplary Challenge Behavior) in the past few days, KUDOS TO ALL WHO HAVE SET THEIR ROYAL MINDS TO THIS NEW SPIRIT THAT IS ABROAD IN THE PALACE (the Towel Boys are excited)!!!

Hag Amarantha shall add her own report here: Lessee ... yesterday's cals were 1488 despite the freakin' Krispy Kreme (for those who dinna know, Krispy Kreme is a brand of Evil Donut with the unique ability to open the door of the shelving case they reside in and attack totally innocent bystanders ... they are on my Most Wanted List right now ...). Today's exercise (so far) was an hour at the gym: 20 weights (fairly light, total body), 10 minutes treadmill, 20 minutes walking indoor track, 20 minutes jogging indoor track)

OK, WE GOTTA PUMP THIS CHALLENGE UP TO THE 'NTH DEGREE HERE QUEENS, LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO, LET'S GO ... sis boom 'n bah, rah, rah, rah, yay team :cheer:

Let's go. :coach:

And to all who have signed on to the CHALLENGE PARTY, HAG A WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY

:welcome:

Morning all!! Not avoiding the forum. Just trying to get things straight. We have another party to plan! DH birthday is next Saturday the 22nd. So it's party time again!

So far this morning Total Cals 270 (yogurt and teddy grams which are quite yummy swimming helplessly in my black cherry yogurt). NO WATER!!! Why you ask? SOMEONE TOOK MY WATERBOTTLE!!! I work in a federal building, would this be a federal crime? :lol: Anyway, I have a really nice plastic eddie bauer sports bottle with a screw on lid. I've only had it for lets see...since the first day I worked here. So a year and some. And now someone desides to take it? Have to look for something else to use. I have a coffee cup, that seem comical doesn't it? I have to walk a long way for a couple of gulps of water from that cup. :rolleyes:


Off to fill my cup I guess...be back later

Froggie, that is a HEINOUS crime!!!! My sincere condolences ... do you have a suspect in the EB water bottle heist? :)

Sheesh, some people!

D'ye know, once someone stole my Christmas tree! I couldn't believe it ... who would steal someone's CHRISTMAS tree?

The world is truly evil.

Think I may know why I was SO tired last night. Feeling like I might be coming down with a cold. Trying to kill it early with echinacea, vitamin C and zinc, but I have the chills and my cheeks feel hot, but they aren't red. Crap. I hate being sick so I REALLY hope it's just the damp weather. Maybe?

Calories so far at 1060, have some haddock baking in the oven for dinner. Pasta for DH and DD with the fish, but I think I'll pass and just have extra veggies and lots of water to drown whatever germs are planning a mutiny. Was going to go for a walk, but it's cold out and I'm colder. Will do some floor work/dumbells instead.

Frogger, our DHs share the same birthday, Oct 22nd.

Amarantha, those donuts are getting smarter by the day! :lol:

Have to check on dinner.

We're doing so well---thanks for starting the challenge, Am. It's FUN! :D

Hate to bring this up but it's something to think about......The blessed holidays are coming up [already started for Wildfire and Arabella!] and we need to come up with strategies that won't leave us heavier by January 1. Plan how you're going to handle things now! It's been 2 years since I've had candy corn and I don't miss it---and I used to live on the stuff this time of year! :o

coffee w/ 1/2 and 1/2
ww mini bagel w/ cream cheese
3 veg. 'sausage' links

brown rice w/ veg. chili, ff sour cream, 1 slice cheddar
steamed brocolli
peanut butter-whey protein 'truffle'

whey protein shake w/ mango and flax seeds

boca burger w/ tomato sauce
green beans
3 whey 'truffles'

water: 4 glasses
calories: 1300
fruit/veg: 5 servings

exercise: 35 min. upper body weights
3 miles treadmill
20 min. Pilates

coffee w/ 1/2 and 1/2
2 veg. 'sausages'
apples and sweet potatoes

ww mini bagel w/ sun-dried tomato cream cheese
grapes

brocolli quiche w/ oat crust
apple

2 ww w/ cheddar, spinach, red peppers, onion
green beans

strawberries w/ fruit-sweet. fudge sauce

water 6 glasses [must drink more!]
calories: 1400
fruit/vegs: 8 servings

exercise: 30 min. bellydance video
3 miles treadmill [high incline]

I loved my food today--beautiful stuff! I kept the calories down and I ate ALL DAY!

We're doing so well---thanks for starting the challenge, Am. It's FUN! :D

Hate to bring this up but it's something to think about......The blessed holidays are coming up [already started for Wildfire and Arabella!] and we need to come up with strategies that won't leave us heavier by January 1. Plan how you're going to handle things now! It's been 2 years since I've had candy corn and I don't miss it---and I used to live on the stuff this time of year! :o

Yup, t'is the season to CHALLENGE OURSELVES NOT TO REGRESS!!!! I propose MORE DEDICATION, MORE CHALLENGES, and speakin' fer myself, less Krispy Kreme!!! I had another one today, even though the rest of my eating was good. I thought I was freakin' OVER the KK's ... no more, that's it. This will be the subject of a future seven day plateau buster for me!!!!

I need to be sugar free by November, E!!!! That's one strategy that I'm proposin' for me ... right now I'm eatin' it as a part of my plateau buster, but come next week ... back to sugar busters.

And that brings me to recipes ... I'm taking another day off tomorrow and have bought some pumpkin and I'm goin' to work on a totally "legal" pumpkin bar ... I need my "sweets" to be good for me ... I'm also havin' a special visitor who will be bringin' my "new" car and I want to be in good control of food so's not to slip up ...

I was talkin' to someone at the gym today (a trainer) who said that, well, the body has a set point beyond which we can't lose weight. I somewhat agree and somewhat disagree ... I think the "setpoint" thing always kicks in when our inner child (mine's named Maisie) simply wants to go back to the way things were when we (I) lived on refined sugar or potato chips or whatever ... I think we all reach that point and drift back into that state and I think that's fine ... really ... BUT what usually happens, and this is ok, too ... is that the state that was supposed to be temporary continues and we start to gain weight and lose fitness, then we age a little and we think it's all over and of course, all the critics are right when they said it's pointless 'cause we have this setpoint and hey nobody who loses weight keeps it off, etc., etc., ibid ..

I say, that's cr*p.

:queen: s don't have to believe that nonsense ... let's start challenging ourselves and get it in gear for the new year ... E, thou be SO right ... we need to call in all the Towel Boys to help, eliminate the Demons, solicit help from the Friendly Village Fitness Folk ... visit the Royal Spa (it's got mold growin' in the pool and ivy with thorns all over the walls so we thought it was gone, but methinks it's still there ... ) AND FORM A COHESIVE GROUP WITH A PLAN OF ACTION SO THAT NO :queen: FINDS HERSELF IN THAT UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION O' FACIN' 2006 AT A WEIGHT OR FITNESS LEVEL THAT SHE DOTH NOT LIKE!! That would be no fun at all!!!

Hello all!

Eydie, our thoughts running parallel courses.....

Most of us don't have to buy for 'teachers' but I think there's a lot of related issues in the following post:

" posted this on another board and wanted to post it here…

Homework: Do you make holiday food gifts? What do you make? What need does this fulfill in you?

<Scrooge of Xmas Past is putting on a Grinch Costume and climbing up on a soap box now…>

I seriously ask you to reconsider the food gifts you give this year.

I ask you to reconsider for your own good. Last December… There were several posts on this board and MANY, MANY posts on the WW boards along these lines, “Help me!!!! I’m making 17 dozen cookies to give as gifts to neighbors and my children‘s teachers. I’m surrounded by cookies!!! I’ve already eaten 5 and I’m posting because I can NOT eat one more cookie!!!”

I ask you to reconsider for MY own good. (For those of you without kids, just insert neighbor, mailman, etc… any place it says “teacher”)

1. As a teacher, I have been the recipient of thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of calories gifted upon me. I appreciate the thought, but I need platters of cookies and bags of spiced nuts and fudge logs like more holes in my head.

At one point, I was teaching 3 band classes and had about 70 students. I’ve been thinking about it and I think that I received almost half a million calories one year… empty calories. I got 4 cans of nuts (I remember these because dh said, “Honey, How cute! You are literally working for peanuts now!” Yep. Will work for honey roasted peanuts and smoked flavor almonds, too…) I also remember a one lb box of See’s Candies… because ds and I ate it for dinner after class. I’ve gotten homemade spiced nuts along with the recipe in case I wanted to make more calories at home… And I remember one of those giant tins of Danish Sugar Butter Cookies - the ones with 300 small cookies… but don’t remember who gave it to me. Don’t remember who gave me the cheese log and salami… I also don’t remember most of the kids who have given me platter of cookies, rice crispy treats and other homemade food gifts. 2. Personally, I throw homemade cookies/candies away. I know other teachers who do this. I don’t know if you or your child washed his hands or picked his nose or licked his fingers before/while decorating those sugar cookies. I view these homemade goodies as vehicles for germs and viruses.

And I just don’t need the extra calories and neither does my family…

3. I find it sort of ironic that parents who really dislike that sugary foods are served at school parties are often the same ones who will spend a week baking 18 different kinds of cookies to give as gifts to their children’s teachers. Not to be mean or anything… but… Do you adhere to a double standard? Would you be very upset if your child’s teacher gave candy as a reward? But at the same time, do you give the teacher a pound of your family’s secret recipe Killer Karamels?

4. That reminds me. 67% of the US population is overweight. That goes for teachers and your neighbors, too. Many of the people you are baking for have their own health issues… diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol issues. Most of us eat more than enough calories and saturated fat, without them spontaneously appearing at our doors.

Nearly EVERY person on this board feels a lot of stress when cookies and candies suddenly appear in our environments. You may LOVE making cookies for your friends. Is it possible that your friends, teachers, etc. are silently thinking, “Oh great my cholesterol/weight/cholesterol hit an all time high this year, and here comes the cookie lady”.

I’ve never actually said to anybody, Holy cr@p!!! Are you trying to kill me??? Just how many frigging calories and grams of saturated fat are in this jar of fudge? - but I’ve thought it…

5. We teachers all have bunch of our own family recipes and traditions involving chocolate, cream, butter, sugar and white flour… When we leave the classroom in December we go to our own kitchens and bake and cook up our own favorite extra empty calories. We really don’t need more calories given to us.

If any of us are feeling a little like we may be in need of a few extra calories… we can always go to the teachers’ lounge. Most parents and students have never been there, but at the 6 schools I have taught/subbed at… EVERY flat surface has platters of cookies and candies and appetizers during the entire month of Dec… not to mention buckets of fried chicken, etc., etc., etc. Teachers have the fine art of pot-luck DOWN! Believe me, we generate LOTS of extra calories all on our own.

During the holidays I go to 4 potlucks, a dinner out with friends, 3 dinners with my side of the family, 3 dinners with ds’s family, PLUS Christmas eve, Christmas day, New Years Eve, New Years day. I have AMPLE opportunity to have dessert without my students or next door neighbor making them for me and delivering to me at my place of work and home.

6. Have you considered that by making and giving tempting food gifts… YOU are a food pusher…???

OK… granted gifts made in the kitchen are (sometimes) economical and heartfelt… and I believe that the people who give homemade gifts get a lot of personal satisfaction (they also appear to be VERY stressed sometimes… but they seem to enjoy creating something). And I’ve seen many posts where people post, “I LOVE making fudge for my friends and giving it as gifts! I LOVE baking during the holidays!!!”

IF you have some uncontrollable urge to bake and feed people less than healthy food… by all means do it for yourself and your family. I bake for my family. But consider that you may inadvertently be causing stress as you deliver fudge and cookies to people who are struggling with weight and weight/health related medical issues.

Can you change you tradition and give you friends a healthy batch of soup or a casserole? Many people are stressed for time during the holidays and would appreciate dinner being made for them.

There are many My VERY favorite “teacher” gift of all time… a parent took a piece of sheet music and had every kid in the class sign it and she framed it. It wasn’t a professional framing job. She might have gotten the frame at the Dollar Store. It was a piece of music that the kids worked on REALLY hard and represented a lot of effort and learning on their part and that has been my all time favorite gift in the past 6 years.
And now, I’m proactive and I tell the kids that it embarrasses me when they bring me gifts. I tell them point blank, “I’ve run out of room in the kitchen for more “Teacher” coffee cups and I don’t want to gain any weight this holiday - but I LOVE homemade cards. If you make me a card, I have a place where I keep them all and I’ll remember you always.”

Thought I’d be proactive HERE - because the week of Dec. 19th is too late… when everybody is posting, “HELP ME!!! I made 20 lbs of fudge, but I have to make more tomorrow because I ate 5 lbs for lunch!”

OK… jumping off the high horse now! (Whew!! It is windy up there… long winded… ) PS… I found the book “Unplug the Christmas Machine” really helpful in scaling back on Xmas spending and activities and stress.

Many “Frugal Holiday” books or magazine articles can kind of promote this “Let’s make/bake all of our gifts this year!!!” mentality - but this book isn't about being frugal... it is about having a more joyous holiday.

I especially liked the chapter on Women as the makers of Xmas and Men as the supporting cast.

It is obviously geared toward Christmas… but I think that a person of any faith could read it and get ideas for sorting out the winter season holiday stress, expenses and expectations from that which is truly joyful.

Anyway, this is the time to read it and start conversations with friends and family and coworker, etc. about expectations for this holiday.


and then my comment :lol:
On that same note, if you're spouse is a teacher, or someone gave your family a food gift PLEASE don't bring it into work. All the vendors are sending trays, boxes and baskets w/ everything imaginable and there's already too much food for the amount of people there.
And its very hard for some of us to resist, much less, have you ever noticed how much ends up in the garbage??
****************
****************

The other point I'd like to make about food gifts is this....
Do you know the person well enough to know what food allergies they might have?? or the food allergies a member of "their" family might have ??

I don't have teacher's gifts but do have some special people in my life and I plan on using my coupons for teas, coffees, etc w/ ingredients listed on the box so no one has to guess.

This was a great topic.

thanks



food for though!!

Kaylets, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! What a great post! :)
I know that I used to make hundreds and hundreds of cookies to give as Xmas gifts, and ended up keeping [and eating] so many myself.

Hey, let's all start thinking about the cookie/candy alternative as gifts and sharing ideas. :gossip:

Some thoughts I have: fancy soaps and body washes. Hmmmm, even that can be tricky though. I've been to folk's bathroomes and seen the same things languishing away for years! I think the idea is for it to be usable and consumable, not decorative.

Cofee and tea, maybe with a TRULY unique mug. You can get a mug made with a favorite photo at some photo counters. Oooh and you can get a personalized calendar made at photo places too. How cool would that be for grandparents or pet lovers?

Maybe some stuffed dates. I have a GREAT recipe that I could share for these. Or make a big batch of lightly sweetened granola that's heavy with all kinds of dried fruits and nuts.

A box of clementines---A friend gives me a box at Christmas and I'm always so grateful!

I love this one....a gift of some of the more exotic salad dressings and maybe toasted slivered almonds or chopped pecans.

2 or 3 fancy salsas w/ some exotic chips? Mango salsa, peach salsa, corn and black bean. And for people who like things really hot, you could get them 3 of those pepper sauces with the wild labels.

This is kinda fun---I'm feeling better abot the holidays already! ;)

Wow, what a happenin' palace! Sounds, too, like the mood is absolutely right for gearing up our efforts -- OH! Who remembers the "Christmas Lites?" :) Remember Joanie and Dena? I wonder how they are? So far, holidays are going well. Thanksgiving passed with no extra eating, no breadstuffs or dessert, just turkey, healthy veggies and a glass or two of wine. I had an "iffy" day yesterday but am psyched again after reading here :cb: cb:

Eydie, thanks for the seasonal reminder -- how many times have I been preparing for some Christmas party, trying on something and thinking "Oh, if only I'd been paying attention a couple of months ago, this would have fit A LOT better!" Not this year! :nono:

Kaylets, that was a truly inspiring post! I have never actually done much -- if any -- holiday baking, but I really know the impulse to buy or bake something "for someone" that ends up being the slippery slope for me. The idea of people pitching out homemade items was pretty compelling for me -- as a secretly lazy person, if there's one thing I HATE it's wasted effort! :lol:

Insanely busy today, getting ready to go to Toronto for MIL's 90th. Laundry, shopping, packing, making sure the house sitter has what they need and knows where everything is. Have to get up at 4:00 a.m. so must be packed and RTG tonight. And am having dinner with friends. It's been a mad, mad whirl, I tell you!

Must away! I'll try to pop in from time to time while I'm away. In the meantime, let's all remember to REALLY take care of ourselves. Love to all!

Hola!!! How's it? :wave:

Doing extremely well today. Gloomy day but ever invigerated for some reason. I've been invited out to lunch again, anywhere I want to go. I'm going to be EXTREMELY careful of what goes into my belly. I REALLY want to go to this great Irish pub because they have the BEST fish and chips EVER. But I think I'll have to pass on those and look for something less greasy. Ruby Tuesdays sounds good too. I LOVE their white chicken chili.

Still no waterbottle. I forgot to bring my other one today. Will only drink water at lunch today to make up. I'm a big drinker at meals. Have to have something to drink.

Still haven't heard about that other position. I *hope* :crossed: that they are still considering me.

More later...

Reportin' Seven-Day Challenge Results: Yesterday's cals 1787, higher than the challenge goal but acceptible. Today's exercise: 45 minute spinnin' class, 30 min abs/core class, 30 min dynamic stretch class. RED TEAM (that's those who've declared a seven-day challenge, not the men on The Biggest Loser tv show, who are WAY less cool than us, let's keep the momentum goin' and report, report, report ... huzzah, sis boom 'n bah ... RECOMMITTAL TIME ... yahoo ... er, words to that effect ... :coach:

Yeppers, Wood Nymph, I do remember the Christmas Lites ... I remember the spirit and dedication of those challenges ... and I agree with Eydie and Kaylets that we are all thinkin' along those lines ... might I suggest a LONG Royal Christmas Lite thread to follow the Halloween challenge, but maybe with everyone declaring weekly challenges or 21-dayers or somethin' ... whatever, maybe we can get a cohesive format goin' and have a list ... really get deeply into it ... dunno ... let's keep these great thoughts comin' and hocus pocus focus focus :wizard: ... or somethin' ...

Kaylets, I loved the post re the Christmas goodie type presents ... I would rather someone gave me a 30-day supply of the low glycemic convenience food sold by "diet" programs like Nutrisystem ... it's something I would not buy for myself, but I've tasted some of it and it's not bad and would be fun ... but no one ever does that for me ... people keep giving me food I don't wanna eat ...

Froggie, sorry you didn't find your water bottle. Have a great day. You are doing well ... the white chili sounds good.

I love the idea of a Christmas thread after this one. 'Twill be here before we know it!

I really want to eat A LOT today. Must be close to that time of month. I'm hanging in there and drinking lots of water though.

Me, too, E. I want to eat a lot. Actually, had Cerretas chocolates again, having sugar each day this week, it seems. No more next week, but cals and general eating are good.

Too bad there's not a Christmas icon or two on here yet.

I was thinkin' how many :queen: s we've had here in the past, some still around and some long gone and some just not around much ... some I really miss and wonder why they went away, some that seemingly were just passin' through but we'd like 'em back ... was wonderin' if anyone could list 'em all off the top of their heads ... I tried but couldn't ... oh well ...

Meditation: You are just comin' in from work (or wherever) and it is that beautiful time o' day when the house is a little in shadow and a little in sun and it's quiet and clean and the dog (cat/bird/fish) is there and nobody else and you go into the kitchen to fix a snack and there, emblazoned on the wall in giant glowing golden letters is a number that someone you instinctively know is your WEIGHT IN 2006 and you note that it says ... ???

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

I'll answer if somone else does! :)

Well if its my weight in 2006, it will be just like the biggest loser scale...

the numbers will move around and around and be hard to read sometimes but

when the numbers slow down.... they will read 140.....

I'd prefer they 'd read 135-138 for the "cushion" but I was too hungry all the time at that weight....


who's next??


Eydie-- the salsa's are a great idea! So many uses today for salsa you wouldnt even have to include chips....
I am thinking of things like Infused Olive Oils... w/ garlic or hot peppers.... I asked a good friend if she had a recipe to make them but she said she never tried as she was afraid she wouldnt like it and it would be a waste of money....Dh loves hot pepper oil, he even pours a little on his salad....

Personally, I couldnt tell you the last time I ate a date.....maybe I should experiment...

I'm also thinking about sugar foot/body scrubs in scents that invigorate....
dh loves spearmint and often needs to soak his feet.....saw a recipe for a Peppemint Bath Salt that makes 12 "jars" of the scrub for about $1.50 a jar...
I'm not sure how much the cost would be for the sugar scrub... I already have about 10 lbs of sugar in my cupboard that would be much better as a scrub than inside me! :)!!

so....

today.... did ok w/ food... not great but ok...

A silent figure lurks near the palace walls and skulks in and sinks in a quiet corner exuding one big sigh relaxation. Ah, the peace and calm of the palace.

I'll venture my weight in early 2006 to get to 190. I'm probably dreaming because, while I improved slightly this week, I'm in dire need of taking me in hand.

I've hired someone to help w/dh's care starting next week. I've been hard at it for a month almost and it had to be that way. But now, in order to take care of me as well, I'm going to have some help. I can't send someone else to my doctor's for me or to get my hair cut or to exercise my limbs at the pool. We've seen some improvement but not nearly what I'd hoped for. He's still on potent IV antibiotics which seem to knock him so I'm hoping when they're done next week he may have more strength. Can't get enough calories in him yet either.

Then tonight I had turned in, fallen asleep (just) and the dialysis machine alarmed. It turned out to be a simple fix but when I went back to bed MY internal alarm was on. So back to the couch in the family room, dh restless and now i think all sleep has fled my body for a while. All sorts of goodies are calling me - much in house because in an effort to get some calories in the guy, all medical restrictions are temporarily removed. Can you imagine trying to ADD calories to everything for him and RESTRICT calories for me? No wonder i'm confused.

Christmas already, holidays already? Of course that time is at hand. Well, I'm skipping Halloween this year for sure and who knows what the other holidays will bring. But hopefully I can get back on a healthy track for them so I'll look forward to the challenge(s). It's pretty much a given that I have to be healthy and do healthy things to stay up to my current physical challenges. Motivation on top of motivation yet i'm still lollygagging. Lots of yogurt, cottage cheese and oatmeal in this house too. I just have to put labels on - MINE - HIS - and keep them straight. It's like this cheerful stuff - I know it's better for me.

I'm a little scared tonight, queenlets. Scared I won't be able to keep bad things away from dh (as I haven't been able to do all year really). I remind me i'm just a human, though indeed a royal one, and that one human cannot keep all evils from others nor herself and that she can only persevere in the royal one step at a time mode and do the best she can do at the moment.

Ah, my kingdom for some shuteye.

If I am a really good girl, lol, I could get to 145 by 1.1.06 :cloud9:, but then, maybe I am only dreaming...

'Tis the transient nature of the internet...the wandering through the palace I mean.

Anagram, take care of yourself too. Dh won't get better without you being strong too....of course the nearly full moon can't help much with the sleeping right?

I'm just racing through...caught up on posts yesterday...had the vacation from ****....nobody's fault, just the way my life has been since February...I'm seeing how I cope. More later. Scale is a stranger as is walking right now...work beckons constantly. I have the gramma day today...she's 97! So I'm off again. Will post later when more time.

Ta!

Ceara

I'll take a crack at it...2006 weight is exactly the number it says at the bottom of my signature. 165. That's what I want to be and that's what I'm getting at sometime in 2006. :p

The only one off the top of my head that's a missing Royal is Cerise. I miss hearing about her and Ramon.

Yowza, so many :queen: ly posties in the palace today.

Yea, the palace be a place for wanderin' through but thinkin' back, seems it's been here for a time now ... I know I posted heavily here in 1999 and since have transitioned back and forth and here we all still are ... that's sorta nice, anyhow, dinna yet think, :queen: s?

Ceara, enjoy thy grandma day, that's a great age and she must have wonderful things to say to thee.

Anagramatic, I wasn't sure if thou meant keep bad things that dh wants to eat away or just keep bad things that might bother him away ... but I know thou will succeed in whatever thou triest, remembering, though, that ultimately, doing thy best is all anyone can be asked to do. Thou art truly stalwart ... and as for thy fitness goals for 2006 ... thou will ace 'em, I know that, too. My crystal ball tells me!!!! Take care, friend. Thanks for participatin' in me lil meditation quizzie!!! :wave:

Great job on thy challenge report, K!!! Thanks for the answer to my "meditation" question. The sugar scrub thing sounds fun ... re salsa, hast thou ever tried a drop o' balsamic vinegar in the mix? Adds something ...

Aria!!!! :wave: Thanks for the "meditation" participation ... I dinna think thou art dreamin' ... seems like thou are always pretty much on top o' thy goals!!!

MY MEDITATION ANSWER: The scale says 125 ... but it probably won't happen until the middle to latter part of the year, saith the Oracle Amarantha!!!

Seven-Day Plateau Bustin' Challenge Report: Thursday's cals 1690, exercise previously reported (I think) ... 105 minute class (cycling, abs/core, stretch).

THIS IS FRIDAY!!! The Towel Boys have urged Amarantha not to go to gym today as she be a trifle overtrained and no one ever busted a plateau when overtrained.

Going to work.

Yowza, there's :queen: Froggie hoppin' on in with a MEDITATIVE answer and a great prediction re that ol' Demon Scale in 2006 ... you will do 'er, Frogperson!!! You are doin' great ... hop on!

I miss Cerise as well. Om shanti, Cerise, wherever thou lurkest!!!

Dear Anagram...if only the palace was in real-time and we could all keep each other company in the dark of night when elusive sleep is beyond our grasp. A nice pot of tea and a friend to chat with would make the unknown a little less burdensome. As our wise Amarantha says, you can only do as much as you are able. This is all part of a greater plan than we will ever have the privvy to determine. Glad that you are getting some help next week. You need some time to look after you, too, and the time you do spend with your beloved will be more enjoyable because you can focus on him and not the mental list of things you still need to do for him that day. Have I ever told you what a courageous, strong woman you are? You are truly an inspiration. :yes:

Amarantha, I plan to reach 140 sometime in 2006. Certainly not by New Year's, but before the end of the year.

Missing :queen:s...Cerise, of course, our Punkin is AWOL again, I remember Seecat...there were others who came and didn't stay, but I don't recall names...It's really been "us" for the most part.

Think I'll work on a menu plan for the coming week.

Last night I was just too tired to do anything but be a slug on the sofa. Tonight I'm going for a bike ride. :bike: SO relieved the work week is over!

Thanks for the response on the "meditation," Wildfire!!! What great and noble numbers we are conjurin' up for the comin' year ... methinks all goals are wonderful and inspirin' ... we all have varied numbers floatin' like sugarplums in our heads for the comin' holidays, but the gist o' it all is the same ... healthy bodies!!!

My "number" for today is in the 1500s, exercise as previously announced was just work stuff ... two days left on my plateau-bustin' seven and then I think I will do another, but with a NO SUGAR focus ... had TWO donuts today ... what's up with that?

Wildfire, I also hope to see Punkin soon ... sometimes I am awol also but during the Christmas Lite season I hope to be around more and dedicate meself to the CHALLENGE ... I also remember Seecat ... Molly, I thought her name was ... I think she still posts at 3FC ... also there was a Yahoo from England? And Virginia Woolf? And way back with the Lites there was Joanie and also JoJo, who is a regular poster in the land far far ... a wonderful lady ...

Have fun on thy bike ride, I WISH my work week were over but it's just beginning ... I need to get control o' that job ... today stayed away from office and just did the streets ... was wonderful as I did not have some of the toxic stress from coworker ... I did not go seek out people that I fight with (re job) and that was also great ... got done two hours early and came right home without just sittin' in the office gettin' all stressed ...

I will be gettin' my nephew's car soon, probably next week.

A plan, a plan - at last I have a toehold to start my climb back to the wagon. The occupational therapist who came yesterday suggested I take her time here as an opportunity to bolt (well, my word - not hers). Too short for any real errands but ideal in my mind for a walk. So Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next 3-4 weeks I will be planning a walk whate'er the weather. I'm hoping for great central PA fall weather - we've had none so far. Of course, those are the same days I have someone coming in mornings so I can do real errands. That is changeable of course but I'll see how the first week goes. Won't be going anywhere the first Tuesday as far as the errands are concerned. But looking forward to haircut, pedicure and other "necessities" of life.

Thanks for the kind words, Wildfire, but 'tis just being queenly, doing what one knows one must, and putting that one foot in front of the other. And that other queenly trait - hanging on by the screechy fingernails.

So happy to see ceara back - have been wondering how you're recuperating. Glad you were ok for a vaction even if it turned out to be "tvfh". How great to have a gran with such great genes. All the more reason for you to ride the wagon. Does she have any longevity secrets? Esp. any pleasurable ones like a wine or two a day? Or is it just her sheer joy of living?

Empress, glad to see your enthusiasm again relected in vibrant colors and challenges!!You fuel my faltering engine. As do Kaylet's inspirational musings. Missing Cerise as well, and Punkin - two primo queens. So happy to hear from Wildfire and Wood Nymph though. And concerned about wsw with all this rainy weather her way - can't be good for her technical difficulties. Frogger's Sydney reports brighten the way and remind us of the joy of renewed life and all the excitement ahead for both of them.

Aaah - such comfort in the palace. Later.

Yo, Anagramatic, methinks that be a fantastic Tuesday/Thursday plan. Re my enthusiasm, I think my anchor of cardio followed by the hour of mind/body, all with a pleasant group and leader, have revved that up quite a bit (wouldn't hurt if I met my challenge of 138.5 tomorrow, but don't think I'm there) ... so it seemeth to me that the T-Th days you'll have for a cardio anchor will serve thee in that regard also ... just somethin' about gettin' cardio on those two days, dependably, that stretcheth to the rest o' the week.

You mention Wsw and I was also thinkin' on her this a.m. and hopin' for a postie ... I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT THIS BE A PARTY/OPEN CASTLE DAY IN THE PALACE AND THAT THE TOWEL BOYS GET OUT THE SIGN-IN SHEET FOR EACH AND EVERY QUEEN 'N VISITOR WHO HATH EVER LURKETH HERE TO SIGN IN PLEASE ... VIRTUAL (calorie free) CHIPS 'N DIPS, AND BROWNIES AND WINE, WILL BE SERVED (if the cooks cooperate) ... THERE'LL BE A SPECIAL PRE-HALLOWEEN BAG O' TRICKS GIVEN OUT TO ALL COMERS ... well, it's a VIRTUAL, do-er-yerself BAG O' TRICKS ...

It's actually a meditation to finish a sentence: My bag-o-tricks to survive the Halloween candy season is ...."

My answer is: STARTING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16, I WILL GO BACK TO STRICT AVOIDANCE OF HIGH GLYCEMIC FOOD, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REFINED SUGAR IN ANY FORM AND REFINED WHITE FLOUR, WHITE RICE, CORN, AND ET CETERA, ET CETERA AND SO FORTH.

I will be starting my second seven-day challenge on Sunday also, which will be weight loss related. The avoidance of the aforesaid sugar is just a lifestyle/blood sugar thing, but it does help with weight management as well.

This is a little late but my floating golden numbers read 133 pounds! I'll take it! :)

I'll hop on later---must away now!

Beautiful number, E!!!!! Floatin' gently in the halycion (sp?) wind o' that WONDERFUL year 2006!!!

It'll be our best ever, :queen: s ... and our FITTEST, no matter what actual number appeareth on the Demon, in the end!!!

But it's fun to have a number to play with, dinna ye think!!!????

Yoeth! My floating golden number for 2006 doth read 165, the number at which, coincidentally, I do look my slender and lovely best (Hey Froggie!). I can't be disturbed by the fact that I am now heavier than I was when I joined this site. I had a hard few years, dropped down 30 odd pounds and then bounced back more when life turned difficult. However, the major factor in my gain was NOT weighing in for looooong periods of time. I would never have allowed it to happen if I had allowed myself to see that it WAS happening. :rolleyes: Never again :nono:

So, here I am parked in a Comfort Inn in Scarborough. Going to go for a walk, do some tai chi and yoga. Tonight's the big party for MIL. Despite crushing fatigue yesterday I held strong and ate wisely and got a good walk in, besides the endless airport trudging. :cp: :cp: Today I will do likewise and tonight I'll make wise selections. :yes:

Anyhoo, I must away, else the day will escape me. Love to all!!!

Oh, for got to say -- Empress - love the idea of a long route to Christmas, broken into weekly challenges. Really think a weekly (if not dayly or hourly) goal to hocuspokusfocus is what I need! I'd go so far as to suggest a WI thread, to be updated weekly? What sayest thee, Faire Amarantha?

Methinks thy number be EXTREMELY lovely and faire, Wood Nymph!!! I love the diversity of the numbers we've all seen in our heads, provin', I think that a number CAN indeed be a thing o' magick!!!! Huzzah!!!

I think we've all gained, lost, gained, lost, gained, lost, whatever, in the fullness o' the years since we've posted in this palace, but be that not HIGHLY significant? As the point is ... we've all managed our weight and fitness during all this time ... weight and fitness be not ONE number only ... a number is a pivot point and a way o' tryin' to get all this into context as we search for health in body and mind ... or like the folks in New Zealand (or so I was once told by a New Zealand friend, apologies if all folks in NZ don't say this, which probably they don't, but anyhow) ... when we go "walkabout" we walk and we walk until we meet ourselves ... words to that effect anyhow.

I do seem to be postin' up a storm here lately and plan on focusing on the palace in my online life and in the coming challenge and I want that ENTHUSIASM (good word to remind us o', Anagramatic) to carry us all on the long haul into 2006 (remember, it's gonna be the best year ever)

Yea, WN, I love the idea of an OVERALL long challenge to Christmas or New Year's (or whatever floats anybody's boat) consistin' o' weekly (daily, hourly, etc.) challenges ... I would also think a second thread with just weigh-ins (or whatever measure one might be using ... say if you were only wantin' to maintain in a pair of jeans or maintain a set of measurements) would be good ... what say all :queen: s?

Here's the recipe I'm workin' on for my NO SUGARY LIFE starting tomorrow ... just a narrative as I haven't analyzed it yet:

Mix one cup 100 percent stone ground whole wheat flour with one cup Scottish porridge oats, one fourth cup canola oil, few drops liquid saccharine (the only artificial sweetener I think is safe), and a little water; mix and pat mixture into a cake pan; bake at 400 for 10 minutes and remove from oven, mix one can pumpkin (no sugar added), one serving cup eggbeaters (to equal two eggs), drop liquid saccharine and pour over crust, spreading with spatula; sprinkle one-half cup oats over the pumpkin mixture, bake at 400 for approximately 20 minutes or until it's kind of a cookie bar thing.

Quick reply as I am supposed to be in the shower and getting dressed to run errands with DH. Heading to the Reuse Center to rummage for a couple of old lamps I can clean up, rewire, then put lovely new beaded lampshades on. Why pay retail when I can get a pair for about $5.00 AND the satisfaction of putting my personal touch into the finishing? Also going to buy the dreaded halloween candies to make treat bags for the many goblins who stop here for Trick or Treating. My plan is to buy stuff I don't like so I won't be tempted. :s:

I like the ongoing Christmas challenge, too. Of course, my personal challenge will be Dec 9. I like a weekly weigh-in to keep up all honest, too, whether it's here or in another thread. Let's get serious!

Much to do today, better scoot before I get in trouble! I'll be back tonight. :wave:

Yes, and yes and yes...

That is, I agree, would love to see a Sign in sheet of all royalty who come by....... and I'll be first to extend my hand for the virtual brownies... can you believe even though I know they are virtual, my mouth is watering!

and I also agree that our Q Anagram is very courageous and very wise to take advantage of the time the Royal Assistants are there .... and yes, twice a week plan to only walk, nothing else... walk and ok.... perhaps to think but of nothing worrisome... that is a very wise plan... hmmmm.....

and the third affirmative is about the Holiday Lite thread w/ weekly weighins

makes so much sense....

How do you eat an elephant?
One bite at a time....

hmmmm

got myself a brand new electric pressure cooker yesterday for $10....
never used. still in its wrapping...

Now...
anyone got any tips?/

Its my first pressure cooker experience!

:lol:

Ooooh, Kaylets---a pressure cooker! I love mine! What size is it? You're going to love it. You'll be able to make the most succulent bean soups in no time. I can make a lentil soup in 45 minutes that tastes like it's been simmering for days.

First rule is to forget all those horror stories you've heard about pressure cookers. The new ones have so many safety features now.

Have fun!

I'm really excited to have all the extra queenly support during the holidays! :)

I'm in a silly giggle mode at the moment. Read Kaylets "how do you eat an elephant? ..." and my mind changed it to "How do you become an elephant? One bite at a time." So a bite less here and there and I won't need to worry about becoming an elephant.

Do I sound silly giddy? Feel it. Prince Charming (in the guise of ds) showed up yesterday and gave me some time to run around - got the haircut and got brows waxed, got cash, food, took some sickroom supplies back, bought two new fall items for kitchen, PLUS a Powerball ticket. Must check and see how much I won.

Anyway, I hadn't been expecting him and I don't think he was planning to come until I mentioned in an email that Friday had been tough. Then he wasn't planning to stay overnight but ended up doing so and I had the best night's sleep in a while. Whether because he was here or because dh didn't seem to be fighting as many demons in his sleep or what, but I am grateful for it. The plan was that he and DDIL would come next week and we'd all take dh on a leaf-peeping tour. Some may remember we're loony on that topic and dh so wants to go. Fingers crossed.

And I'm looking forward to so many improvements this week - well, let's just say I'm giddy.

So thrilled too to see so many weekend posts. I think it's the season when our :queen:s become ever so lively and glad to see resurgence of spirits (of all kinds).

May have some out of state family drop by but other than that it's football/sleep for dh except for meals, meds, dialysis. And all time in between is my own. I'm going to try to stay away from that list of "musts' and look for more normal stuff (like lots of thank you notes, etc. to do).

On the "nice" side - last year i bought a pair of black slacks and could get into them if I didn't try too hard to breath. Ended up not wearing them. Have them on now, very comfy. So even though I haven't lost much, it's still going, an oz. here and an oz. there.

Looks like my kind of weather outside - may sneak in and out and do an outdoor chore for the joy of it.

Huzzah, all!!! Anagramatic, it be so wonderful to read o' thy fun day and of thy recent accomplishment re the "comfy" black slacks!!! That's the way to do 'er!!! You're doin' great!!!

Re the resurgency o' the :queen: ly spirit that lately hath come about in the royal environs, methinks it be the crisp autumn air and the waft o' holidays to come in the air, along with a reminder by our :queen: E that we'd better start a'thinkin' o' that "deadline" to come ... 2006 ... once we get past the Halloween candy season and the season o' ho ho ho, let's eat mo' ... hmmm, anyhow ... here's my challenge report:

Amarantha's Seven Day Plateau Bustin' challenge was successful (except for a tiny .10 of a pound that she didn't lose) and her weight is 1.2 pounds lower ... not perfect but we are callin' it good in A's house. When everyone else in the challenge reacheth their seven days, please announce it and pm me with an address, as A meaneth it when she said she'd send a card through the actual mail ... can ya believe they still mail stuff that way these days ... oh well!

THIS BE A'S TWO WEEKS TO HALLOWEEN POUNDS BUSTIN' CHALLENGE!!! WHO WILL JOIN ME (either after their seven-dayer, consecutively or dumpin' the seven-dayer). THE TOWEL BOYS WANT A TWO-WEEK COMPETITION TO SEE WHO HAS THE MOST HALLOWEEN WEIGHT BUSTIN' SPIRIT IN THE PALACE: So, the challenge is to declare a goal (weight, health or fitness) ... then every day for the next two weeks, endin' on October 30, said Towel Boys are askin' for a postie in sienna (or some such color) that refers to the Halloween spirit challenge re weight or fitness goals (this could include maintenance or even weight GAIN, if anyone wants to do that, for some weird reason, or just health and fitness ... which includes just about everything in life, actually) and tells what we were successful at that day in workin' towards that goal. Daily posts in the a.m. where we DECLARE what we will do, as well as weekly posts with goals stated are encouraged.

Everyone who posts even one successful day receives a virtual Halloween goodie bag (noncaloric)! The TBs have also invited everyone to vote at the end o' the challenge to see which :queen: showed the most AMAZIN' :queen: ly Halloween Weight Management/Health/Fitness or Other Spirit!!!

What is it someone said up above: "Let's Get Serious!!!"

Let's go out there and kick some Demonic Weight/Fitness Blah B*tt for Halloween (or other spiritually correct October holiday that floateth thy personal boateth)!!!

WHO IS WITH ME????

Yes?

Ok?

Please?

Ok, Amarantha, I'm with ya on this. My Two Week Plateau Bustin' Goal is 136.4 ... I will reach that weight on October 30. To do that I will (1) eat no more than a weekly average of 1650 calories, with the caveat that some days I will eat higher BUT in the SPIRIT of forgin' ahead, I will do all that I can to keep 'em down most days, and retaining the right to reconfigure this number next Sunday if it is not workable; (2) eat for the first week only, with the option to renew the pledge but not the obligation, NO refined sugar or white flour and generally also try to stick to low to medium glycemic eating, though not strict Sugar Busters; (3) exercise 5-7 days formally and try to be more active the rest of the time with the stated intention o' BUSTIN' THIS PLATEAU ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!

Further, Amarantha hath pledged to post a :welcome: to any :queen: who declareth herself herein as an OFFICIAL HALLOWEEN SPIRIT TWO-WEEK CHALLENGER!!!

Ok, Amarantha, but what about all those SEVEN DAY PLATEAU BUSTIN' CHALLENGES THAT AREN'T OVER YET 'CAUSE THEY STARTED LATER IN THE WEEK?

No prob, Mysterious Questioner, 'cause it's all good and Amarantha be eagerly awaitin' the results o' all those challenges AND be thinkin' also that those who dinna want to do a TWO WEEK HALLOWEEN SPIRIT CHALLENGE, should at the end o' their SEVEN DAY THINGIE, JUST POST THEIR OWN TIME PERIOD ... so long as we're all kickin' Demonic Weight/Fitness Blah B*tt here together so there's no nasty surprises come Christmas time!!!

For clarification of the foregoing Towel Boy challenges, please contact TB headquarters, conveniently located in the Palace basement.

Even though my 7-day challenge ends Tuesday, I want in on the 2-week Sprint to Halloween. Honestly I've forgotten what my 7-day goal was :o ---I really should backtrack and check, that would be the honorable thing to do!

I'm declaring the goal of getting closer to my goal of 135 pounds. If I'm not there, I plan on being pretty darn close for Halloween! Also, I'll be working out every day for the next 2 weeks and I'll be posting my food journal with no slacking even if things get ugly [which they won't! :cool: ]. And I'll be trying out that calorie cycling plan that I'm so fascinated by. I'm thinking 1200 calories one day, then 1350 calories the next day, then a big 1500 calories day, then cycle back to the start. It may work, it may not. I may go mad from lack of calories and become a slavering beast, but this way I'll know for sure.

Iwent back and checked out my plan for the last 7-day challenge and discovered that I had no plan. Pretty sneaky.... :s: Just a declaration to start whittling away at the 7 pounds I'd gained since July. When I started 7 days ago, my weight was 142, I'll weigh in Tuesday and let you know if any magically "melted away".
I hate that expression--I've never had anything 'melt away'! :lol:

Still here in Toronto, getting my fill of DH's relatives, mostly it's been pleasant but more interactive-intensive than I need. Looking forward to kicking back and getting some work done tomorrow :lol: at MIL's place.

Could have been a disasterous weekend, foodwise, because there were 3 gatherings with almost entirely high-fat, white-flour-based, high sugar foods. And little to nothing otherwise. Ugh. Last night i just made the best choices possible from what was offered and didn't eat much of anything.
Today I just ate a handful of chips because there was, at both parties, literally nothing to eat that wasn't full of white flour and/or sugar and I just needed something in my tummy. But forewent the pizza, chocolates, etc. Then came back to the hotel and had some roast chicken and salad. Should be easier to control what's available from here on in.

I'm in for the 2-week challenge, but taking it right to the 31st and overlapping with my current 7-dayer which I'll be WIing for on Wednesday. I think that gives me an extra day on my 7-dayer and one less on the 2-week, and it will more or less even out.

Lots of walking -- a couple of hours yesterday and Friday. Today DH and I walked down a trail we found close to the hotel that took us right down to Lake Ontario and the stunning Scarborough Bluffs. Beautiful, huge cliffs, multi-colored leaves. There was a wonderful, big sculpture down there too. Rugged and steepish path down to the water, strenuous going back up. So much nicer than my highwayside walking yesterday. Tomorrow I intend to go back down there and do some tai chi and back up again.

K -- must turn laptop over to DH. Love to all!

The weekend is over and there is still so much I wanted to do....hate having things hanging over my head. Ah well...can't do anything about it now, will just have to whittle away at them during the week.

I'm thinking my 7-day challenge ends tomorrow? Tuesday? Hmmm. Why is it such a bother to go back and look? I'll declare it tomorrow because I'm eager to start the new Two Weeks to Halloween challenge! Didn't do terribly this last week, but definitely room for improvement. Seem to have won the battle of whatever bug was trying to infest me, so this week I'll feel more up to exercise. I can't do daily morning posts, but I can do daily sometime posts, most likely evenings. Two weeks...I'm going for five pounds...might as well reach high if I'm going to reach! Dec 9 is approaching quickly.

No luck on the lamps at the Reuse Center yesterday. DH found a brand new ceramic butter dish, though, for $2.00. Excellent find, because I've been using a tupperware container to keep butter in, and this lovely domed butter dish looks MUCH nicer!

Also an excellent find on your pressure cooker, Kaylets!

Anagram, so glad to hear you've had a good rest and enjoyed your day!

Huzzah!!! A hearty Towel Boy kind o' :welcome: to the TWO WEEK BE-THERE-OR-BE-SQUARE-GONNA-KICK-SOME-HALLOWEEN-DEMON-SOMETHIN'-ER-OTHER CHALLENGE, to Wildfire (tomorrow, and hey, the daily postie thing was just the Towel Boys blatherin' ... post when ya can, Wild Thing!), Arabella (sorry they fed ya white flour and sugar, don't ya just hate that, you did good), Eydie (great goal and you will do 'er 'cause ya always do and calorie cycling really helps, E, lookin' forward to the menu postin')

Kaylets, I'd love to have a pressure cooker. Thou inspireth me.

Aria, be thou out there? :)

Hallo to all :queen: s, mentioned or un ... let's have some fun!!!

LET'S GET SERIOUS!

I wanna wear a bikini in 2005.

Really.

Oh, forgot my own report: ON DAY ONE OF THE TWO-WEEK, ETC.: calories 1770 (high day in the calorie cycle), exercise minimal ... I logged 20 minutes of housecleanin' into Fitday, but needed to rest from formal exercise (rest is also good for the body and for weight loss), because it is a very long workday tomorrow I may not go to gym, I usually don't on the two long Mondays, we'll see. No sugar, no refined white flour. Over and out. Towel Boy Number One is around here somewhere ...

Don't know if this be late night or early morning post! Would like to say it's my enthusiasm for challenge that has me up but the dialysis machine alarmed at 3:20 and sleep again eludes me. Going to have to do better about all this.

Anyway, my 7 day challenge was sort of vague and while I wasn't GOOD, I at least was better and did finally come up with a toehold (walking plan). So I'm declaring that one done and embarking this morning on my renewed, refreshed, rarin' to go Halloween Happiness Hike. Not being strict with me - just improving diet, water, etc. I.E., I have one HUMONGO bag of frozen broccoli in the freezer - I declare it will be gone by the end of the challenge - I have been veggie impaired. Fruit impaired as well. DHs diet alone has been a challenge and I've been piecemealing around it. I hereby declare that I will now pay attention to the health needs of both of us, opposite directions though they be.

So, ok, that's a lot of back to basics. I've really only been ROTTEN the last four weeks and, with the help of my weight lifting (DH), have not gained a whole lot. Last weigh in still decent. But of course I think of how much better I could have been. Anyway, I'm in.

And I must confess I don't feel a bit bad about the PUMPKIN flavored ice cream I had yesterday. About a lot of other things I had but not that one. And I think that's how I'll get through this - if it's something REALLY SPECIAL that isn't always available, I may have it. Otherwise, it's eating not so much to lose weight (though that's always such a thrill) but to be in a healthier mode.

AVANTI --------- :crossed: :crossed: :crossed: :goodluck: :goodluck:

Good morning, Queenlies!

I woke up early, draped the bedside lamp with shirts to keep the light from disturbing DH and here I am -- Monday, Monday. The wireless connection is magically working again so I'll try to get some work done whilst the royal consort doth gently snortle away. We check out of hotel this morning and go to MIL's for tonight, so it will be good to have this little bonus of time to accomplish stuff.

Methinks I didn't articulate mine Halloween challenge. Weight-wise, it's in the penguin ticker (love to see that little guy make progress and think the ostritch with head in sand is a very appropriate starter :yes: No more of that!) Behavior-wise, I'm committing to:

mind/body: meditate daily, some m/b exercise daily
lotsa water
1 hr. aerobic exercise daily unless ill enough that I shouldn't (and do all in power to keep that from happening)
weights 3x weekly
at least 7 fruits and veggies, trying to stay mostly low GI
no wheat or other nasty white stuff -- possibly small amounts of 85% dark chocolate, which is good GI-wise and satisfies with a tiny piece. Truth told, it's likely much better for me and lower GI than the date treats I make myself.

One good thing that's happened to me since I started trying to cut out the sugar is that I really don't care for most commercial chocolate anymore, even Godiva :eek: too sweet for my taste. Can't think that's a bad thing.

Anagram, so sorry that the dialysis alarm woke you! That must be an awful way to come to consciousness! Are there any calming rituals that you could do when that happens? I don't think I'd be any more successful at sleeping again after that happened. I hope you'll be able to nap later or at least pamper your royal self somehow. :grouphug:

Wildfire, thinking of you since I'm in your neighborhood again. I wish we weren't so time-crunched. There hasn't been time to visit anyone other than DH's family. I guess that makes sense since the visit's really for MIL's b'day.

Amarantha, I think you're right -- rest, when that's what the bod needs, is very good for weight loss. Fatigue, I know is very, very bad for same as is feeling under the weather (at least in mine own experience and I've heard many others have the same experience). All in all, I think if we focus on our health our bodies will find us a good weight to be at.

Hmmmm.... I feel boring today, nattering on. Might as well go do some work. :lol: Love to all! Let's make this a good one!

And a hearty :welcome: ... well, a double :welcome: to our newest TWO-WEEK-HALLOWEEN-HIKE (stole that, thanks Anagramatic) challenger, Anagram!!!!! Huzzah!!! Thou be an inspiration, Ms. A ... hike away!!!

AND, congratulations to Anagramatic for the successful carryin' out o' the seven day challenge. You really are doin' well!!! Rock on!!

Arabella, methinks natterin' on be called for right now and I love it when though natters anyhoo ... methinks we need to sound the drum, natter and yell and voice our opposition to the IMPENDING ANNUAL HOLIDAY FITNESS/WEIGHT MANAGEMENT dilemma we be facin' so we'll all arrive (or stay) at our favorite weight and the year 2006 at the same time!!! And, I do think you are right ... take care of the bod's health and the weight will take care o' itself. There are many lovely weights to be at, IMO, the GOLDEN NUMBER, for me, is just somethin' to get me mind around, to give form to the quest. It is about health and feelin' good and we must never lose sight o' that ... and I AM takin' another rest day from exercise so I can feel like doin' the spinnin' tomorrow.

My mini-goal for today in the interest o' the TWO WEEK CHALLENGE is to cycle cals downward so that the WEEKLY AVERAGE (which appears in the calendar as I update Fitday PC during the day) drops to the 1600s. THIS IS DAY 2 of no refined sugar, flour, etc., THE NEW INITIATIVE. It's no prob ... did it for seven months straight and can do it forever if need be.

WooHoo! Great to see so much enthusiasm---we're going to do this thing together, my friends! :D

I'm not sure that I mentioned this---but it finally happend this past Friday. I had my first sugar in over a year. :o We were at my favorite restaurant and they brought us a compliementary dessert. They were so kind and earnest that I couldn't refuse it.
It was tiny anyway! It was simply a strong sweetened ginger tea in a saucer with a small quarter-sized piece of silken tofu floating in it and they sprinkled brown sugar on the tofu. And it was served warm so it was like a spicy custard-thing. It was really good and comforting---and it didn't trigger me to crave more sugar at all, so maybe I can lighten up here and there within reason. I'll not be ordering dessert or buying chocolates :) anytime soon though.

coffee w/ 1/2 and 1/2
1 veg. 'sausage'
apples and sweet potatoes

mini ww bagel w/ lite cream cheese
1 protein 'truffle'

2 whole grain bread w/ cheese, spinach, red peppers, onion
lentil soup
Clif 'nectar' bar

smoothie [oatmilk, choc, whey protein, banana, peanut butter]

calories: 1575
water: 8 glasses

exercise: 20 min. Pilates**15 min. yoga
2 miles treadmill

Hello everyone!
Just hanging in there. :dizzy:
Love the new "welcome" greetings!

Hmmph. Got on the scale today and it has not BUDGED, not an ounce. I lose 12 lbs, come back here and nada...that isn't how it's supposed to work!! :tantrum: Whatever...I'm too stubborn to give up now. :sumo:

anagram, what is pumpkin ice cream like? It sounds revolting (sorry), but I'm not a big pumpkin-anything flavor fan. There has been a whole pumpkin pie in my fridge for a week now and I'm not even tempted to smell it, never mind eat it. I bought it for DH for Thanksgiving dinner, and he hasn't had any yet. If it's still there on Wednesday, it'll go out with the trash. If I was going to cheat with ice cream it would be filled with chocolate pieces and peanut butter and caramel swirl...so I think we can call your pumpkin ice cream a good choice. :lol:

Arabella, I figured you would be on a tight schedule while here, visiting family and birthday partying. One of these years I do plan on getting back to PEI for a week-long beach vacation. Perhaps you and I and any other queens could book a cabin and spend a week on a real patio, sipping real tea and solving the world's problems. :)

Amarantha, I simply must insist on one thing for this challenge. This lovely blond towel boy assigned to me just won't do. I've never been a fan of blonds; my towel boy MUST be tall, handsome, and Irish. (It's in my contract...fine print at the bottom.) Here's to bikinis :hat: or at least being brave enough to venture into the dressing room with the scary mirrors and an armful of swimsuits to try on. ;)

Eydie, you're such an adventurous eater! I look at your menus and think I wouldn't have the nerve to even TRY half of the things you eat on a regular basis. :eating2: You sugar-free gals are awesome!

Hi aria! :wave:

Cripes...it's heading for 9pm and I'm just starting my "second job"...doing books for a cousin's business. No wonder I'm always tired.

coffee w/ 1/2 and 1/2
1 egg, 3 egg whites, scrambled w/ 1 oz. cheddar
strawberries

2 serv. lentil soup
whole grain crackers
apple

smoothie [orange juice, mango, flax seed, whey protein]

veg. "chicken" patty
green beans
mashed cauliflower
2 whey protein 'truffles'

water: 4 glasses
calories: 1315
exercise: 3 miles treadmill
30 min. upper body weights

The mashed cauliflower is pretty amazing--so much like mashed potatoes. Just steam cauli. till it's very tender, add milk, butter, sour cream, or whatever you'd add to mashed potatoes and blend in food processor till smooth and the consistency of mashed potatoes. A friend told me that a hand mixer works well too.

Wildfire, we posted at the same time. I'm weighing tomorow and I'm afraid I won't see any difference either. I have the kind of body that hangs onto every ounce. What's up with that?
I know what you mean about blonds; not my first choice, but if I must....... ;)

"Hey, don't forget about me......"
she called after them, nimbly highstepping over her parcels and bags that the footmen had dropped as they started slack jawed at the "Welcome sign"...

"But your majesty,"the Butler stuttered..." You have not been announced".....
but then he decided he best begin his own highstepping as the nimble as the Q Kaylets was down the hall, and turning the corner to climb the stairs to the basement.....
"Majesty, " he called after the Q Kaylets breathlessly, " let me announce you.'

The Queen turned for a moment and felt compassion for the butler as he was trying valiantly to keep up but he wasn't used to stairclimbing as she was...
She stood for a moment on the 2nd landing and looked up as he cautiously looked around before putting his foot down.
"Majesty, you don't know who's been keeping an eye on the doors to the basement... This time of year, all sorts of wildlife try to come inside to find a place for the winter"...

But the Queen just laughed and said," Then we best be along and see exactly what things look like ! Besides, if you move quickly, we might not miss the evening songfest the Towel Boys are so well known."

With this the Butler just shook his head and said under his breath... "First she forbids any of us to use the elevator unless we are carrying something heavy, and now she thinks Towel Boys singing Karoke is not to be missed."

But the Queen could hear and laughed out loud....

**********

So anyway....

I'm on my way.....

My goal.... hmmm... I believe it was to get off the sugar and get some time inbtwn the last binge .... which I managed to do albeit I have been waking up to use the facilities at night and having to have an apple or two so I can go back to sleep....

Oh my, apples and sweet potatoes sound divine... OH MY....

I am wondering ...

I too, would love to get a poound or two off so I am not so close to the top end of my goal weight. Its nervewracking....

so...

that's it....2lbs...

take care all!

I weighed in at 141 pounds this morning, I was soooo hoping to be at 139 this AM. :(
I'm feeling pretty bad right now; I mean I've really been working it. I want to scream to heaven, "WHAT MORE CAN I DO?" :dunno:

Nothing to do but soldier on, I guess......

How come when I eat less, after a few days I weigh more?!! I've been seriously counting my cals over the weekend and into monday as a little experiment. Nothing over 2000 a day. (I eat WAY to many calories for sedentary life). Yesterday I only topped off at 1400. I weighed this morning, I've gained 3 lbs in the last week. Maybe my scale is wrong....

Anyway, nothing so far this morning...No coffee no breakie..Not in the mood to nosh.

Be back later when I'm in a better mood.

Well, I had way too many calories (mostly in the evening) but it was all of a more healthy variety than I had been choosing. So no applause but no real bad negative either.

Was feeling a tad sorry for myself, I think, and more than a bit isolated. Strange it hit me on a day when 3 of my family had been here to visit. Dh out of it though and I think it's his company I really miss.

New aide here today and I'm happy with her so far. Won't be long until I'm out running a bit again.

:welcome: TO ALL CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS AND CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS IN SPIRIT BUT NOT READY TO PARTICIPATE!! I think that covers it! :lol:

This is DAY 3 for me, might be a different number for some challengers as we started on different days, but nevertheless I think we're doin' SWIMMINGLY!!! My cals were higher than I wanted yesterday so did not make my mini challenge of bringin' the average to the 1600s, but it was a cal day in the 1700s and that's good for the AWFUL production day from heck that it actually was. Gotta go back up there and finish but will stay steady. No exercise yesterday, still resting. Today did the 105 minute cycling/abs-core/stretch class. No specific challenge related mini-goal today. Still off sugar ... this is day 3.

:queen: K, a special :welcome: sign hath been posted in the GREAT CHALLENGE HALL fer thee as I do believe the Towel Boys saw that thou wast occupied with the butler in the basement earlier and let thy presence be known to the challenge committee, which consist solely o' Towel Boys, of course. :)

Wildfire, that cherubic young blonde TB hath been recalled to Towel Boy Headquarters. Seems they want him to work in the Royal Spa on the other side o' the Queendom, so methinks there's been a mixup. A mysterious Irish personage arrived for TB duty earlier this week and has been askin' around tryin' to find thy location.

If ya see a huge, muscular gentleman o' a certain age with blazin' red hair tinged with a wee bit o' white at the temples, please direct him to Amarantha's chambers as she hath need o' towels.

Eydie, the Weight Loss Hag Eldretha J. Crone, latterly o' the deep dark diet dilemmatic hut in the scary weight loss wood, hath taken a look in her amazin' accurate crystal ball and seeth a droppage o' avoirdupois in thy nearest future!!!!!

Ibid, Froggie!!!!

It will come, enjoy the journey, :queen: s, as we soldier on.

:queen: ARIA!!! :welcome: It be wonderful to see thee here at CHALLENGE CENTRAL!!!! And, no one is better than thee at "hangin' in!!!" Hang on ...

Anagramatic: I'd say healthier eatin' be a major cause for applause!!!!!! Good for thee.

I often feel sad when I should be happy also, as when relatives come.

Nature o' the beastie, I guess. :)

Huzzah, all! Needeth to go to work.

I'm in 'til the 30th too! Goals...I don't want to step on the scales until then...I need an obsession break. I want to do more walking (I did this am), drink more water (what's that?!? :o ), watch my food intake (not just watch it go in!), and do something every day for me. That is inspired by Anagram. Today I finished reading the Da Vinci Code, for the second time which was enjoyable but is technically for adult book club at work tomorrow night. What I actually did for myself was finished planting my dark purple, almost black tulips and planted some Alium.

I'm off to training class, so I need to bath the baby and leave. That counts as exercise too.....the bathing and the training!

Will chronicle my selfish things that I do each day...

Ceara

My self (ish or sustaining) thing I did today was get in my walk. It wasn't fast - it was more savoring and it was just around the block but it was great. Therapist coming again tomorrow so I'll do it again. Thursday I'll have the aide for three hours and will either walk again or go running around doing errands like I have all the time in the world. Actually I won't be able to be gone long - depends on when I do DHs IVs. But that's the day scheduled to be the last of them unless yesterday's tests show differently.

Again, too much food but not as bad choices. Not enough water yet though more than I had been doing. I need a few good days under my belt before I want to hit the scale as well. And I need a serious talk with me about why I've been sabotaging ME. Yes, there's incredible stress but the last three plus months have had that and I lost. It must have something to do with being here constantly with food about the only diversion from the stress plus feeling the need for energy to keep on going - oops forgot about the prednisone which screams to be fed.

Well, anyway, sort of content this evening - one step at a time - just need to be pointed in right direction. Nice to see you, Ceara.

Hello all!

Dh and I went to bed very early, he woke up rested at 3pm, I followed about 4:30am but we now I am hot and flashing, and feeling rushed ..... amazing how we still find time to kill !!! :dizzy:


************
Thought of the day :

"A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to us."
---Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, French writer and aviator, 1900-1944
__________________________________________________

Question of the day :

"What event has changed you ?"
_______________
*************



Anagram-- that was exactly my goal for the week--
Not to look backwards, not to look too far forward, to focus on this moment, savoring details, BEING in the moment.....

To everyone, HERE WE GO WEDNESDAY! HERE WE GO!

KETTLE IS ON!

Hello everyone! :goodvibes
1460 calories yesterday

Good morning, Queenlies!

Arrived home late last night and have a miserable cold (almost predictable, given the activity and stress levels over the last couple of weeks). THAT's not even the bad news -- get this: I weighed in this morning SIX pounds up from last week. I don't believe it for a second. :no: I did have one run-in with cookies and birthday cake day before yesterday and that's probably to blame, but not going to make me gain six real pounds when I've been walking hours a day (yesterday 1.5 hours aerobic walking, plus 1.5 hours wandering through a science exhibit plus all the airport walking) and eating lightly. I'm not going to change my ticker, uh-uh. It just can't be so! Still keeping same Halloween goal and dedicating self to task. Looking to the GI index for guidance.

Anagram, if you weren't turning to food, it would be a miracle! What else is so comforting, so readily available and convenient, so socially acceptable? And when our options are limited, we turn to the familiar. It's hard for you to get out to do other things. However, your self-nurturing is exactly what the doctor ordered. I'm trying to get myself focused on non-food treats and hobbies. Because my hobby of going to the kitchen for a "break" never did work out very well. I know food has been my drug of choice :rolleyes: For me, extreme stress isn't what makes me look foodward but "coping" stress.

Think I must limit computer time as possible today. Love to all!

Morning, Queenies! Nice day here today. Taking dh to yet another doctor so will be out and about a bit and looking forward to my afternoon walk when therapist comes.
Physical therapist coming this morning but no call yet from provided bath aide. Good thing I had the additional one yesterday and scheduled for tomorrow as well.

Calories again not good. Choices not great but better than last week. Working on fruits, veggies. Nothing I'm REALLY craving. figuring out stuff dh will eat is whacking out my brain. Started a med again today to increase his appetite. We'll see.

Sleep going to be a problem. He called me at 3:00 a.m. again this morning. And of course what sleep I got after that was pretty minimal. A lot of similarities here with bringing a new baby home....................

Break time over - time to leave the virtual palace and see what I can get done here at the reality palace.

... I don't believe it for a second. :no: I did have one run-in with cookies and birthday cake day before yesterday and that's probably to blame, but not going to make me gain six real pounds when I've been walking hours a day (yesterday 1.5 hours aerobic walking, plus 1.5 hours wandering through a science exhibit plus all the airport walking) and eating lightly. I'm not going to change my ticker, uh-uh. It just can't be so! Still keeping same Halloween goal and dedicating self to task. Looking to the GI index for guidance. ...

Huzzah and hurrah, Arabella, for this wondeful "save" ... you caught the weight management reality factor in your brain before the Evil False Gain Demon :devil: e'en got a toehold there. I just think that :devil: was a'testin' thee ... rock on! GI be an excellent rock to cling to, IMO, BTW~~~

Sounds like you've got a great handle on things, Anagram. Sorry you are missin' out on some sleep, but it's great that you'll be able to get a great walk in today. See ya!

Glad thou be IN LIKE FLYNN TILL THE 30th, Sword Bearer!!!! I love your goal of doin' somethin' fer yerself each day, enjoy ... :welcome:

Hello everyone! :goodvibes
1460 calories yesterday

Great cal count! Ride on, Ms. A!!! :moped:

Hello all!

Dh and I went to bed very early, he woke up rested at 3pm, I followed about 4:30am but we now I am hot and flashing, and feeling rushed ..... amazing how we still find time to kill !!! :dizzy: ...

Hope thou feeleth better soonest, K!!!

Well, Noble Challengers, Amarantha dideth not mean to be a thread hog today, but finding herself with an unexpected whole day off again, she be a postin' fule this a.m. ... my challenge report: Day Three Calories (Tuesday) 1467, exercise was the 105-minute cycle/abs/core/stretch thing, Day Four (Wednesday) Cals TBA, exercise was weights 45 min, walk/jog on treadmill (and a bit around the indoor track) 15 min. NO SUGAR.

Hi Amarantha!
Is the other piano teacher (I am sorry I forgot her name!) still around? I am now listening live to the finals of the Chopin Piano Competition straight from Poland! :smug:

[b]Hi, A. I think that was avwoolf ... not sure if I got the user name right ... but she hasn't posted for quite awhile. Maybe she's out there and will see this. She was very interesting and it'd be cool if she came back!! :wave:

Arabella.. :yikes: Six pounds! :fr: Gotta be water...didya fly? Even driving I find the ol' bod just stores it up. I bet you drop it in a flash.....or a pee. :lol:

Thing for today for myself...I started reading the new Sara Paretsky just because I wanna. Am on page 100 and am going up to read some more. I get a 2 hour supper today...found I was in an overtime position under the collective agreement...so rather than pay me, I get a longer supper...Geesh. I have adult book club tonight, and I had 2 class visits this am...so that was enough to bump me over.

You're all doin' great. My food choices are better, and I'm workin' on the water......no walk today. Maybe tomorrow.

Ceara

coffee w/ 1/2 and 1/2
brocolli quiche w/ oat crust

smoothie [orange juice, blueberries, whey protien, flax seeds]

tomato soup [homemade]
soy 'chicken'
mashed cauliflower

tomato soup
whole grain tortilla w/ humuus, feta, spinach, pepper, onion

red pepper strips**sugar snap peas
1/4 cup almonds

water: 8 glasses
calories: 1465
fruit/ vegs: 9 servings

exercise: 30 min. bellydance
25 min. Pilates
10 min. abs stuff

Calorie cycling is tricky! Still trying to get the hang of it. :dizzy:

coffee w/ 1/2 and 1/2
brocolli quiche w/ oat crust

whole grain tortilla w/ lite cheese, spinach red peppers, onion, goddess dressing
tomato soup

choc. protein drink w/ flax seeds

boca burger w/ tom. sauce
green beans
cauliflower

strawberries w/ 2 tbsp. fruit-sweet. fudge sauce

water: 9 glasses
calories: 1250
fruit/veg: 8 servings
exercise: 3 miles treadmill
20 min. yoga
20 min. Pilates

It's a bit early yet, I'll come back to edit if anything changes--but I think this is it. Pretty good for 1250 calories, huh? A lot of food!

:welcome: ... ok, I KNOW we welcomed everyone to the challenge but I just like the sign!!!!

Huzzah to Ceara and E for their great days so far!!! :cheer: :dance: :cb:

I've been messin' about on my day off looking for new jeans that I can wear when my brother finally gets here. I am wearing the same ol' ratty jeans all the time as I seem to be between sizes and can't find any I like in a suitable size. I don't like the popular styles (like "low rise," which make me feel half dressed or boot cut, which flop around below my ankles because I'm so short waisted, or those "slim" ones that make one's legs look like pencils) ... I just want comfortable, dull jeans in a size that fits without strangling anything but does not make me look 100 years old.

It used to be so easy to shop for jeans, Amarantha, lol!
Thanks for the info, be the way.
Arabella: did I see 6 pounds??? WOW!

I know, Aria. Those we're the good ol' days.

I'm trying some on My Virtual Model online right now. Might find something soon. They stopped making the brand of jeans I prefer and I am simply out there in a whole new world ...

I can't cope!

Very tired, very busy, but hanging on! :wave:

Ever mindful o' the VERY SERIOUS NATURE O' THIS AMAZING TWO-WEEK CHALLENGE 'CAUSE SHE WANTIN' TO BE ON TOP O' HER GAME BY 2006 AND THIS IS PRETTY MUCH THE LAST MONTH SHE'S GOT TO SC*EW AROUND, Hag Amarantha hath snuck into the :queen: ly abode this Wednesday night and scrawled a message on the wall o' the GREAT HALL (rhymes):

"Hear ye, hear ye, all who abideth within, JOIN ME in a special challenge this night to NOT EAT AGAIN from this time forth (whatever time you see this) UNTIL THE FAIRE SUN again peepeth over the yard arm ... or until mornin' comes, if it's dead dark when that happens where ye are. There's no prize, just the satisfaction o' a job well done and a jumpstart on the next weigh-in!!!! WHO'S WITH ME!!!???"

I am w'ye, Hag Amarantha!!! I pledge to not eat again until mornin' (unless it be a medical emergency such as an actual blood sugar issue, which isn't likely as all that seemeth right 'n tight) ~ Signed, Amarantha

Ho de Ho! Continued to improve food choices yesterday - and, Lordy, did/do they need improvement. Right direction, feeling better about it. Still low on water - how easy to backslide there when all these entrancing teas are here. Still, do need pure H2O too.

DH too tired for OT after doctor's visit so she was cancelled which meant my walk was. Howsomeever, she's on for this PM so I'll be out and about then. Also heading out to grocery store (yowza, yowza, yowza). Even the so mundane becomes exciting under the right circumstances. Actually, it'll be Wally World as I have some things to return there, some things to look for and a few groceriesto bring in. Not my fave for groceries but when time crunches.....

Spirits good today - mine, not necessarily those afloat in the Halloween atmosphere though they be not bad but mayhap naughty. Frequent trips to the palace are good for what ails me.

Spritely halloween wishes to all- be not fearful of the playful spirits - just avoid those dreaded bags of fun size bars.

I'm happy to be home again and settling into routine, picking away at getting the house in order again. Doing yoga today, will go for a walk, meditate, track food, drink water, etc.

Aria, yes you saw six pounds! Unfortunately, that was (an apparent) six pound gain :eek: after a week of good behavior and lots of exercise. Not real, though, and I won't believe it. Shall be gone, soon, with interest :yes:

Eydie, do you make your own goddess dressing (of course, it's goddess dressing as befits your divinity!)? I remember "Green Goddess" dressing fondly -- looking for a healthy, reduced fat version. I think some use buttermilk?

Ceara, thanks for the commiseration and tip on flights. Yes, we just flew into home airport at 11 the night before WI. And I noticed all the previous day that water intake and output were not coming close to balancing. So, between the brief sugarfest, a cold (my face always gets puffy when I have a cold, what can it be but water?), unaccustomed hillclimbing, lots of standing around at social events, and a flight, that could account for 6 pounds anyway.

Amarantha, thou beist astute as usual! True, :devil: was just testing me. And I'm glad I didn't fall into his trap and eat up until weight gain was permanent. Good luck on the jean hunt! I concur, avwoolf was a very interesting :queen: and is missed in the palace. As are so many of the royals on walkabout...

Punkin, :queen: of Kabota, did you hear me? I thought of you the other day, out for an early morning walk in a park. It was a lovely clear morning, still dark enough that the full moon was retaining a bit of color and light enough that the brilliant leaves were displayed to full advantage. Wished I'd brought the camera.

Anagram, enticing teas all count too! I agree, though, that some pure H2O is good to really flush everything.

Kaylets, hope the flashes leave you in a flash! I'm getting tired of them, myself.

K, hi ho hi ho... Love to all!

Sorry, Arabella, I read what I wanted to read, lol!
But you are absolutely right: it has to come off soon and it will!

LOL!! Funny, I tried to read the scale the same way but it wouldn't cooperate!

:lol: Arabella!

Ok, here's the :welcome: sign again!!! I can't get enough o' that smilie!!!!

Huzzah, CHALLENGERS, everyone looks alive. I am pooped ... the 105-minute cycle, abs/core, dynamic stretch class at 5:30 a.m. really got to me today. Took nappie, goin' shoppin' ... workin' the meeting from heck tonight and I need to crash a few hours before as it taketh a lot outta me ... so will be gae brief today, Lassies, and just say hi!!! Cals yesterday: 1777 (I think! Too lazy to click Fitday right now, but that's approximately the number)!

Arabella, doth K come from Kubota? Where be that?

Kaylets, missin' thy daily hidey-ho.

Sorry for overpostin' yesterday :queen: s ... lots o' time on me hands as I did no work.

Anagramatic, sorry thou missed thy walkabout but Wally World's good exercise ... when it's hot here, I often use it as a walkin' track ... and get my shoppin' done in the bargain.

Huzzah, Aria!!! :wave:

And a hearty huzzah to all CHALLENGERS AND :queen: s, mentioned and un ...

I love the SPIRITS we've been generatin' in this last march to the Halloween holiday ... and the PRE-2006 HULLABULU ..

Re the pumpkin bars I posted ... discovered that if I freeze 'em and microwave for two minutes, they get hard and crunchy like biscotti! NO SUGAR!! Next batch, though, I will add allspice.(sp?)

coffee w/ 1/2 and 1/2
2 small whole grain pitas w/ cheese, soy 'bacon', spinach, pepeprs, onions

2 fruit-sweet. fig bars

brocolli quiche w/ oat crust

smoothie [oat milk, mocha whey protein, banana, flax seeds]

brown rice w/ veg. chili

water: 11 glasses
calories: 1430
fruit/vegs: 6 servings

exercise: 2 1/2 miles treadmill
30 min. step video
30 min. bellydancing

Wee hours again. Not good for healthy eating. They say sleep so important in controlling appetite. Got a glimpse of Oprah the other day showing fatty "aprons" = should have been enough to make me never eat again.

Did get walk in in the afternoon when therapist was here as well as my Wally world walk in the a.m. It is a trek to get from one end of that place to another. But the afternoon walk is the one I'm pledging for the Halloween Hike. Still eating too much (though again at least trying to eat more healthy stuff) and getting a bit more water though not enough. Sigh!

In the last couple of weeks, I've acquired two new grandnephews. Just learned the latest, Luke, has heart problems. He's six days old now and they're still testing, I guess. His pictures show an absolutely beautiful child with a real mop of curly hair. Such a sadness - yet I gather they don't know yet whether it might self repair. I understand intervention possible. Just holding him close in my heart and hoping it will help.

Hello all!


Was awoken about 1 or 2 am by smoke detectors blasting.... DS asleep in the living room as a pan burned on the stove.... house was full of smoke... took me a long time to be able to go back to sleep.....
This has been a longstanding fear of mine w/ him....
I know DH is waiting for my comments....

House still smells of smoke....

BUT...
it is Friday...
And I have doubled up some on Black Cohosh and Magnesium... hoping that I will be more comfortable physically as well as mentally....

And because its Friday, here are both Thursday's and Friday's thoughts of the day....

*****
Thought of the day:

"Use what talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds
sang except those that sang best.''
---Henry VanDyke


Question of the day:

"What is your favorite song?"


***********



"The past does not equal the future.
Because you may have failed a moment ago,
all day today,
or for the last six months,
or for the last sixteen years,
or for the last fifty years of your life
doesn't mean anything.
All that matters is
what are you going to do now?"
~Tony Robbins

********


Here's a group hug for all of us.... I need one so I am initiating...

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))))

Anagram.... Sending lots and lots of good thoughts about the baby!


Kettle is on.

:welcome: ... ok, I gotta have that sign again!!!! Sorry, I be in brevity mode now as running vastly late!!!! Huzzah to all :queen: s and challengers!!!

Anagramatic, that is indeed worryin' news re thy grandchild, but there's so much they can do these days in these situations. Crossin' fingers and toes but know all will be well with the wee one. Good for you for doin' your walkin' ... yea, Wally World is a veritable walkin' paradise ... I like to walkie about and scope out what I need and then after a good brisk hike, I start shoppin' ... which also burns cals!!! :)

Kaylets, that's scary about the fire. I can't tell ya how many times I've done that kind of thing (leavin' a pan on the stove) ... glad you're ok.

E!!!! :wave: Great menu. I will post my super simple turkey loaf recipe here soon ... you could use soy. You're doin' great and are gonna ace this challenge!!!

My challenge report: 1673 for yesterday, exercise previously posted. Today's X was 25 min weights in the gym (general light workout) and 20 minutes walking, combined indoor track and treadmill.

Yes, very scary, Kaylets! Methinks DH probably knows what thy comments are/will be. Doubt you need to actually elucidate. Probably has a few of his own too. What are DS's? Is it somehow going to be someone else's fault? Any apology or sense of being responsible?

Wee hours again. Went to bed around nine to "get a good nigh's sleep" - awoke at midnight (that's the problem with trying to drink more water". While still awake an hour later I hear a voice on the monitor "are you up?". Well, more or less. So I came, repositioned, Pepsi'd, retucked and here I am almost an hour later, still up. So I 'm here for a palace prowl. And then hopefully back to bed.

Was a tough day. DH b.p. way low - I suspect overmedicated/over dialyzed. Well, not suspect, sure. Steps in place now but I've been mentioning it forever it seems. Nurse came in to take out line for IVs yesterday (yay!!! done!!!) and was able to take b.p. in arm instead of thigh and was much lower. Hoping he'll pick up a bit now from med correction and no more antibiotics.

Rainy, rainy, rainy here and through the next few days. No walking until Monday at least. DS staying home this weekend (the fourth time since June 8th - I'd say he's earned it - will come if I change my mind) - DD coming tomorrow w/ princesses for a bit.

I have really lost my relaxation techniques - lack of practice I guess. But gonna go try again.

Huzzah, Anagramatic!!!! I was up at all hours workin' (and now off to do photoshoot) and I empathize with your lack of sleep. It's a pain. Keep trekkin' ... sounds like dh is doin' better and better ... paraphrasing Coue (sp?): Every day in every way he's gettin' better and better.

And so are we all!!!

HERE YE, HERE YE, TWO WEEK HALLOWEEN CHALLENGERS, WE ARE MORE OR LESS SEVEN DAYS (we started on slightly different days, but that's the gist o' it, methinks) INTO THIS AND THE SPIRIT OF PARTICIPATION WAFTIN' THROUGH THESE ANCIENT (ok, not ancient, as we're all so young) ROYAL HALLS HAS BEEN HIGH ALL WEEK AS WE CONTEMPLATE OUR :welcome: BANNER GLOWIN' WITH MAGICKAL NEW SPIRIT, REMINDIN' US THAT THIS, AFTER ALL, IS THE START OF OUR MARCH TOWARDS A WONDERFUL SVELTE BOD TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR!!!!

Let's go, Challengers, let's make this the most dedicated challenge weekend ever. The Towel Boys have laid out the best silver in the GREAT HALL and the amazin' Royal Spa Cook (Hag Elbertine Crone, 100-years-young and still a size 14 packed with GLORIOUS low glycemic muscle), hath laid out a spread o' endless weekend goodies (all calorie free, of course)!!!

Come one, come all, report, report, report, let's keep the participation high this weekend so's all our fellow queenlike cronies can bask in our reflected glory ... huzzah!!! No deviations from the program

I am testing some Nutri System Nourish program foods I bought off coworker yesterday. These are ostensibly low glycemic but have some ingredients I don't like, however, they are good in a pinch and very appetite suppressing ... some have a bit o' sugar in 'em but they are mostly "legal" on SB ... good for on the go, which is where I need to be!!!

Huzzah!

Forgot my CHALLENGE REPORT: Friday cals 1754, exercise previously reported!!!

DON'T FORGET :nono:

:welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome:

HALLOWEEN (THEN CHRISTMAS OR WHATEVER FLOATETH THY SPIRITUAL BOATIE, THEN 2006 AND WE WANNA BE AT OUR BEST WHEN THAT HAPPENS, SO NO DEVIATIONS FROM OUR PROGRAM SHOULD BE TOLERATED ... THIS MEANS YOU, AMARANTHA, 'CAUSE I KNOW YOU WANT A DONUT! ~ Signed, Officer Right Eat o' the Universal Dietary Law Consortium Secret Police Force (Our motto: "We KNOW what you're thinkin' o' eatin' and we aren't gonna let ya!!!)

Ok, I had a Nemo cake!!! Sheesh!!! NOW, I'll go back to bein' sugar free!

I TRIED to resist that Nemo :devil: ... it flew OFF the refrigerated shelf at Walgreen's and landed on my shoulder and proceeded to whisper sweet nothin's in my ear until I was unable to fight anymore.

These Nemos are EVIL, :queen: s, please be careful as ye go out 'n about your :queen: ly duties.

That is all!

Well, Empress, I had a great nap this rainy afternoon. Weighed in this a.m. and was happy to see any gain had been only temporary. Nothing more lost yet but at least was still at that nice little number in onederland. Was afraid I had botched that up big time. People all around telling me how much weight I've lost and there's certainly been none recently. Hmmmm! Must be something to wearing clothes too big!

HOORAY FOR :queen: ANAGRAMATIC!!!! :cheer: Good work on the great weigh-in, Anagram! And a maintain is a loss in my book. That's great that people around ya are mentionin' the weight loss ... these things really do show in the bod before the scale tells it's tale, so you likely have lost and it'll stablize down even futher soon.

I am just about to take a nap as well, even though there is no rain here ... just endless sun, which is good, as I hate rain! :)

Well, actually, it DOES rain in Arizona ... don't wanna mislead anyone thinkin' o' movin' here ... and it's crowded in the metro areas and there's always a thermal inversion and it's verra verra hot in the summer (plus the spring and fall, usually, not this year), so hot you will fry and moan and cry until thy blood thinneth, which takes years, unless you go up north each summer and return in the winter, which lots do, but then they don't really need thin blood.

So I wouldna advise movin' here ... I'd advise Minnesota or someplace! :s:

I am ramblin' ... let's get this party rockin' ... I saw a post by Punkin on another part o' the forum ... Punkin, art thou here? Sign in, please. I, for one, miss thee.

Ok, nappie time. I'll turn the sign back on and leave a light in the window at the top o' the belfry ... there are bats up there, so be careful.

:welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome:

Hmmm, I see I am postin' too much again! :) Sometimes I get a little too enthusiastic about the palace or a challenge or a thread and post too many in a row. Gonna take a little hiatus and save space for others ... still dedicated to this goal, though.

coffee w/ 1/2 and 1/2
2 eggs, 2 egg whites, scrambled
mini. ww bagel w/ lite cream cheese

rice and refried beans [at Taco bell]
small ww pita [smuggled in]
2 fruit-sweet. ww fig bars [also smuggled]

2 no-sugar oatmeal cookies

brown rice w/ veg. chili
2 clementines
a few cashews

water: 8 glasses
calories: 1640
exercise: 2 miles treadmill

Anagram, are you having trouble sleeping or are you up in the night attending to your DH? Glad to know you're still in 1-der-land!

Amarantha, I'm much relieved we don't have Nemo cakes around here. Altho I was hypnotized by some sugar-free mint milano cookies today--yes, I purchased them but only had 2 but it would've been so easy to triple that! I'm buying an occasional sugar-free thing when I'm feeling nostalgic these days. I don't feel great about the mallitols and splenda and all that, and still much prefer my homemade naturally sweetened stuff though.

Went to a vegeatrian restauarant today that serves alot of meat substitutes and I had a "fish" dish today. As a long time vegetarian it was actually a little too much like the real thing---freaky! Not that there's anything wrong with eating meat, it just took me by surprise!

I have news! Yesterday I stepped on the scales again and I'd suddenly lost 3 pounds! :D That's how it is with me every time. Nothing and then bam! a few gone all at once. So I'm at 137 now. That would be so cool if I could get back down to 135 by Halloween. Probably a touch unrealistic though.

A combination of both, Eydie. I'm up now because I heard him on the monitor asking if i was up. Fortunately, I had gone to bed early and had a good six hours sleep in. Came down, got him out of bed, rearranged and back in. Now he's sleeping, I'm not. I'll prowl a bit and then go back to bed but likely won't really sleep. Yesterday it was me. Sometimes, it's his machine. Sometimes I can just hear that he's restless, often he calls out. Isn't really aware of time but I'd rather he calls than have him uncomfortable. Even his in-bed mobility is limited though better than it had been.

Been having a low blood pressure incident (dh) the last several days. Think it may have been a part of a problem. Suspect some overmedication. Long story but it may bring him a bit more back when we get it sorted out. Also being off the strong antibiotics should help. We had a nice day yesterday. No one came except a neighbor who picked up some groceries. Only one medical phone call, etc.I got a good bit of rest (relatively speaking) and then more than six hours of sleep so far. Wow!

Congrats on the 3 lbs down! 135.something probably very doable and I think that falls within the Palace rules (or mine anyway).

Empress, I had posted (apparently lost) that it's your posting enthusiasm that keepeth me going so please do not hiate from same. I love when you're on your weekend, "I'll do anything to postpone this work", rambles and ruminations. I NEED your SIS BOOM BAH! When you share, a tiny bit comes East and reaches Central PA and I grab as much of it as I can.

Good morning Royals!

Happy Birthday yesterday to Frogger's DH!

We celebrated my own DH's birthday yesterday, too. He's such a practical sort...all he wanted for his birthday was some new work duds (now that he's changed from IT guy to Shipping Foreman at work, the dress shirts/pants just aren't appropriate while crating and shipping!) and wanted me to make his favorite meal. He went in to work some overtime at 7am yesterday, met me at Walmart around 1pm to pick out some work clothes, came grocery shopping and helped me haul in a tonne of groceries (cupboards were BARE), then we had a relaxing dinner and watched a movie. More of same today is on the agenda. Thinking we might venture to the pumpkin farm to pick up some pumpkins for carving if the rain holds off. I needed a break...last week was too busy!

I really should get outside and pull up the annuals from the front beds and plant some spring bulbs. Here I go, filling up the day already...

I am reading an interesting take on the weight loss/fitness deal and it makes a lot of sense. My daughter went to check out Good Life fitness center and they gave her a book written by the owner during the orientation. It is a very back to basics approach and one that believes you don't have to kill yourself or have all these fancy fitness gadgets to get in shape. 20 minutes, three times a week, and a mixture of cardio and weight training. It is refreshing in the barrage of "latest and greatest, THIS is the answer to your fitness challenges" type promotions to see one that brings it back to simple science.

Eydie, congrats on the 3lbs!!

Yowza, Anagramatic! I posted on here earlier that I really appreciate your words and that I was gonna start a challenge-a-week thread, which I did, but am gonna delete. Doesn't seem like a relevant idea right now. Sendin' good vibes thy way. You are the greatest.

Eydie, congrats on the three pounds! :cheer:

Wildfire, sounds like an interestin' book. I know I need lots more than 20 minutes of exercise three times a week to be fit but sounds like it would be good for some.

Good Morning ladies! DH thanks the ladies here for all the good wishes for his birthday. He had a good one!

I have not been avoiding the forum intentionally. Guess what happend to me? I woke up on Wed. morning, got ready for work and was just about out the door when I felt a rumbly in my tumbly. Long story short, I had food poisoning from the dad blasted pizza that was ordered the night before. I was SO SICK. I thought I was doing so good to when we ordered! I only had 2 slices and really couldn't finish the second one. I was the only one to have mushrooms on mine, so thank goodness baby and DH didn't get sick. All is well now though.

And you know what? Even after all that getting rid of the pizza thing, I haven't lost a pound. GO FIGURE!

Well, I'll be around catching up on here. (Not at work) No one missed me here.

How cute are these? :) :lol: :carrot: I just saw them.
Tootles

Oh my, frogger, that is soooo unfair! :dizzy:
Losing one pound is a must compensation for this kind of thing!
Hope you feel better!
:)

Congrats to Eydie on dropping those 3 pounds! Have a :carrot: :cp: ! Frogger...how disappointing! Motor on...see where it got Eydie?

Empress A...are thee sure that thoust should delete said thread? Mayhaps it is a sign from the goddess? My 1 week challenge until Hallowe'en is to walk 5 times the road, drink at least a litre of water/day and to eat in moderation. I'll weigh on the scale Hallowe'en morn. I still haven't braved that demon. Not ready yet. Thus far, Day 1 is good.

:) :lol: Walk :) Water :lol: Food
Day 1 -- *
Day 2 --
Day 3 --
Day 4 --
Day 5 --
Day 6 --
Day 7 --

I'd post this in the challenge section but I'm not sure of its status.

Anyway....Arabella, news on the sudden increase? Is it as sudden a decrease? Anagram, glad to hear the good news on DH...recovery takes a long time....as you know.

The rest of the Royal Court...You're all doing so well....Wildfire! You go girl!

:wave:

Ceara

Urg -- still feeling a little bloated and cold-ridden, still behaving well, so waiting until I feel "normal" to WI. Must admit, that surely freaked me out!

Huzzah, Ceara, that's a great challenge! You've set out some great goals!!! Re the challenge section, I just didn't feel enthusiastic about it, I'm weird and moody ... today someone said to me, "You take things so personally!" Yep, how could she tell? :)

I couldn't delete the thread, so if anyone wants ta take it over and make it their challenge home, so be it ... or vice versa! :lol:

I don't know where I am with challenges ... started a new journal in the land far far with my plateau bustin' initiative ... I need to bust that s*cker! Is s*cker a swear word? Dunno.

NOT having a good workin' experience right now but must go finish!

Hi, Wood Nymph!!!

Good Morning! What a crappy weather day. Pouring rain, chilly and windy. BOOOOO!!! When's it going to stop so that I can decorate for Halloween? :)

Forgot my lunch today...Hopefully there's some good soup across the way.

I feel totally drained! I guess it's from being sick. I am in no mood to do anything. I guess it's a good thing that I don't have anything to do here at work. :lol: Still have not heard on the position I interviewed for. I'm so sick of not having work to do. Spending $ on a train ticket (almost $300 a month) to come and sit and pretend to be busy). There's A LOT of things I can do with that $300 a month instead of sitting here letting my but spread from lack of moving.

Anway....What a gloomy guss I am today. Maybe I need some coffee.

Back later

hello to all dwellers of the royal palace! i have missed you one and all. i had pneumonia and so have been down for the count for a while, but i'm starting to feel better now. this past year has not been a banner year for me with any weight loss, but even though there is less than a week left in this challenge, i am in! i'm climbing back on the healthier, smaller portions wagon, plus daily exercise, and listening to meditation tapes several times/week minimum. will brave the scale tomorrow to see what damage has been done while i've been sick. well, so good to be back in the palace once again. take care, everyone.

So nice to "see" you back, wsw! Hoping you'll be able to stay on the health wagon as well as you do with the diet wagon. Maybe a nice loss will compensate?

Good to see Ceara and wsw again! Frogger, 300$ a month just to get there! Ooooh, that would haunt me!
Halloween's getting close--how's everybody doing? :)

coffee w/ 1/2 and 1/2
1 slice veg. pizza w/ 1 scrambled egg
1 clementine

2 ww w/ cheddar. ff cheese, zucunnin, onion, peppers
bean soup

a few cashews

barbecue soy 'ribs'
salad [lettuce, vegs, goddess dressing]

water: 3 glasses
calories:1385
exercise: 4 miles treadmill

coffee w/ 1/2 and 1/2
brocolli quiche w/ oat crust
clementine

lo-carb Balance bar

a few cashews

bean soup
2 ww w/ cheddar, ff chese, zucchini, onions. peppers

ww bagel w/ cream cheese, red peppers, onion
clementine
a few cashews and unsweet carob chips

water: 9 glasses
calories: 1560
exercise: 30 min. upper body weights

Got in a 25 minute walk while therapist was here. Felt good. She won't be here again until Monday but I hope to get a walk in then too and that will fulfill the only real goal I stated for the challenge. Not that i'm not working on other stuff too but that was my starting point.

tomorrow night is trick or treat nite here but I'm passing this year. Will just leave the lights out. Those who know us will know why, those who don't - well, what can I say?

Hello all.....

Ever feel really low and miserable and then find out that you've been coming down w/ something ..... what a relief to know I've either got an awful head cold or just a bad fall allergy thingie.....

Monday I called out sick feeling draggy and low and by Tuesday, just sitting upright makes my nose run.... I'll spare the details....
And I have dark circles under my eyes that look like I've been in fight.... well, I'm being dramatic, but you get the picture....

Monday night, both DH and I went to bed at about 7 pm and this was after I had taken a nap earlier in the day..... And I slept nearly straight thru....

So why am I suprised today that I am still miserable...
My guess is I thought I was a slacker....
Today was a scheduled day off and a day to give a speech which I
was not well prepared and it showed.....

Also am feeling this cold snap .... have put a 2nd quilt on the bed and have been wearing sweats and sox to bed and to hang out .... there is a frost warning near by but supposed to warm up this weekend....

so....

Guess its time to share how I sat Monday afternoon and emptied a Peanut Butter jar ( about 1/4 full) by dipping slices of apple into it.... took two apples...
and by the way... scale says I'm up 2.-3 lbs....
hmmmm

so....

I am now officially not feeling guilty that I'm not keeping up w/ everything....
After all... I don't feel so hot....

sorry I've been away so long but I havent been very cheerful....

And now I know why....

**************

Thought of the day:

"Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win."
--Jonathon Kozol, Author


Question of the day :

"Can you play your favorite musical instrument? Do you wish you could?"

***************


Hope all are well....
WSW, glad to see you're feeling better... I've been worried about you.

Anagram... our door too will be dark...

Let me go back and see what else has been going on....

Sorry thou art under the weather, K!!! Glad you're gettin' a day off ... and there's nothin' wrong with a 1/4 jar o' pb and apple slices (IMO) ... a very healthy low glycemic snack.

Hi, Wsw!!! Sorry thou wast ill also ... glad you are better. :wave:

E, you're lookin' good as usual ... I'm journalin' more or less in the land far far and on Fitday PC ... it does help ... I'm gonna do calorie cycling this week and today is the "high" day, though I haven't posted about that yet.

Anagramatic: :wave: ditto on the dark door ... I work that night and can't be bothered and I don't approve of kids wanderin' around and gettin' candy from strangers anyhow, even if the parents are with them.

Gotta go cover the meeting from h*ck!

Good Morning Ladies!

It's SO HOT in here (office). They must have the heat cranked up to 90!

Weighed in yesterday. Nothing. Not up or down.

I again am in a foul mood. :( Heared about the job I interviewed for. The govt. person I would be working under is leaving so the company scratched that position. I am eternally damned to sit here doing nothing forever it seems. :mad: We really need the raise too. I forcasted out to christmas and we WILL NOT have any money for gifts let alone any emergency situation. We *May* just get by with normal expenses. Notice *MAY*. I took this job because of the *advancement* opportunities after just one year (or so they said). As you know, nothing...

I'm sorry about the me me me post. I just haven't felt this stuck since the end of that job I had been with for 5 years.

Log so far....a rough start, but yesterday was a three star day!

:lol: - - - - Walk - - - Water - - - Food
Day 1 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - -X
Day 2 - - - - - X - - - :) - - - - - X
Day 3 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :)
Day 4 - - - - :)
Day 5 - - -
Day 6 - - -
Day 7 - - -

The job sounds quite frustrating Frogger! There is nothing like feeling underappreciated. I think we have to be responsible for our own self worth...and recognize it.

The things that I have been doing for myself over the last while....keeping a positive outlook...this is harder than it sounds. I am consciously banishing negative thoughts all the time...not necessarily about me, but about anything....just call me PollyAnna :lol: Also, taking more time to coddle...having a bath with a book....reading if I feel like it and reading what I want besides the WORK reading. Cleaning a small area a day in this house...I should try that 15 minute rule thing you guys do...Kaylets? Educate me on the method?

I've got the eiderdowns on the bed too Kaylets...find myself kicking them off mid-night though. Good job on the walk Anagram...every little bit helps the mental outlook! It is good walking weather here...not too breezy and the sun is shining...beautiful colour on the trees...lots of spiritual food.

Gotta go and clean a small area or maybe vacuum...I need to bathe a dog too...hmmmm.

Tomorrow is :lol: :) Day...where thee'd be O Punkin O' Friday?
Brekkie day too....

Avanti! Hang onto the wagon straps! Pick your colour of seatbelt....mine is purple for the day!

Ceara

I'm in an orange mood today! Soooo pedestrian.

Me, too, Anagram! :) Not pedestrian at all! :)

Ceara, that's a great idea about banishing all negative thoughts ... man, that is HARD work.

I'm on a secret mission, details in my journal in the land far far. :)

Can I mention a product? Probably not, but anyhow I found these whole grain (brown rice), gluten free crackers that are to die for. Their website says they are developing brownies ... dare I hope these will be sugar free? Probably not.

Later ...

Hello all,

Well, its always so much fun be working when you're head is pounding and nose running....
and the antihistamine you're taking is just barely cutting it......
YIKES...

I went to the cafeteria promsing myself icecream..... and guess what.... universe took action again and they arent selling it anymoer.... the big open freezer, ...gone....
so I wound up w/ lofat choc milk.... only a pint but it helped...

Frogger... try and not let the frustration drag you down... keep looking around... now that you've made a contact w/ HR maybe you can ask them for other openings that may not be on the website yet.....Keep smiling, keep asking around.....especially if you are looking for more to do... what a great interview "I'm looking for more challenges, more growth"

As for the holidays, I am going very much w/ things I can put together from things I already have w/ some creativity....
I may spend some $ on postage but will still be way ahead on not spending for the gift too...
also am trying to think of thoughtful things to do with the computer...
perhaps a favorite song printed out in nice font in a frame so he can enjoy the lyrics w/o the music.....
perhaps cute bookmarks w/goofy photos-- quotes....

I would love to make a flag to outside of a bowling ball for dh but not sure if I can do it by hand so that it could resist the weather.... my machine needs work and for sure DH would wonder why suddenly I wanted the machine fixed......
But for sure, I can put together some foot soak salts and whathaveyou that he will use. He has to soak his feet sometimes 2-3 times a week and pretends he doesnt "need" the herbal salts but he didnt argue every time I put them in the water. We found a jar cheap at a yard sale that was scented w/ peppermint and the whole jar is gone now....

and I will try to think of some other ideas for DH too......

still only want to eat, eat, eat... but am trying to remember what the author of " A Million Pieces" ... somebody Frey... (sorry, I just can't remember)...

"Hold on"... sooner or later, the feeling will pass...
"hold on"....

Mornin' all! It's F R I D A Y !

Gotta get the guys out and go do my walk...brekkie with the parentals this am.

Yesterday was good....

:lol: - - - - Walk - - - Water - - - Food
Day 1 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - -X
Day 2 - - - - - X - - - :) - - - - - X
Day 3 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :)
Day 4 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :)
Day 5 - - -
Day 6 - - -
Day 7 - - -

Kaylets...glad you are starting to feel better....one day at a time. I think our bodies wanna store fat for the winter at this time of the year...hard to fight unconscious impulses. Wsw good to see you on the road to health again.

Well this is the color of my seatbelt for the day!

Ta! Carpe Diem!

Ceara

Good Morning lasses!

Just wanted to say GOOD JOB :carrot: to ceara on your commitment. You're really sticking to it!

Kaylets-I'm not sure if this would work but it's worth a *try* for your DH flag. How about iron on backing? I think it may be called heat transfer or something like that. (I obviously do not know much about sewing!!) It's used on clothing (which would go in the wash and dryer, so I'm sure it would be weather resistant). Couldn't you bond your designs to a base fabric *flag* and go from there? Maybe just a few tacks here and there after that. Or maybe fabric glue or hot glue? (Are these weather resistant?) I hand sew rips and hems, I don't really make anything though so I'm probebly way off on this one!

Kaylets, I'm having trouble picturing the flag on the outside of a bowling ball, but agree with Frogger that bonding fabric or bonding glue might work.

Mornin' all.....brevity mode...I have to work today and the baby needs to go out and play. So...yesterday was good...thanks Frogger for the kind words.
I have already marked today's walk even though I've not yet done it...it will happen very soon.

:lol: - - - - Walk - - - Water - - - Food
Day 1 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - -X
Day 2 - - - - - X - - - :) - - - - - X
Day 3 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :)
Day 4 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :)
Day 5 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :)
Day 6 - - - - :)
Day 7 - - -

We had a frost last night...the grass is crunchy. Going to a fish fry tonight...perch. I hear it is good.

I have been going to bed early these past days...am tired and my stomach pooch seems to be swollen...it goes down overnight, but still. I see the Dr. on the 7th.

Gotta run....:wave: or walk........

This is my SEATBELT today.

Ceara

THIS IS MY SEAT BELT FOR TODAY - MATCHES MY OUTFIT!

:) :) :) :) Been a tad rough the last day or so so I'm hanging on and double belted. Having a caregiver come in today so I can have an hour or so at the grocery store (& other). Sometimes seems more trouble than it's worth - at least the last time was. But I need the break. A few minutes stopped at a park en route or just a couple of deep breaths between stores should go a long way.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

These pumpkins are nice, but I think they'll all turn back to mundane smilies when the holiday is over.

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Sort o' like Cinderella in reverse.

Sigh.

Funny thing...I was thinkin' the same thing today! Great minds think alike and fools seldom differ!

Ceara

Anagram...breathing is GOOD.

Ceara

Hello all....

Sorry for the confusion regarding the flag... the bowling ball and/or pin would only be "images".....

similiar to the way folks fly a flag of their favorite sports team.... this would be for DH's favorite sport....
**********


Double belted is a good idea Anagram... I know a double belt plus a shoulder belt is just what I need... and more so.... I just don't understand why all the old tricks arent working.... could it be I need new tricks???


Frogger.... yes, you are brillant... I could put the flag together w/ the fusing and or hand stitching and then later, reinforce w/ the machine....

hmmmmm

so, this morning saw at least a 2 lb drop and it was amazing how my mood improved.... Must, must, must have the royal printer get some NO GUILT cards printed up as I am sorely in need a reminder.....

seems like many...

Well, my lovelies, its a good evening for a gathering in the royal fun room...
w/ a big cup of something decaf in front of the fire.....

so....

how is everyone??....

hi all!

have been feeling like i'm back op more comfortably now. also adding to my food plan: eating less sweets, including the "diet" items. (not ready to completely give up refined sugar, but definitely less sweet stuff for me.) i am also sticking with those smaller portions (woo-hoo!)

had situation which scared me this afternoon, even though nothing bad happened. when i went out to my car, there was a big dog which kept running around near me and my car, not growling, but running around in circles, going in to the bushes then digging quickly, then coming back and circling me. there was no one else in the parking lot, and i thought trying to get all the way back to my condo. walking as slowly as i do (with my cane) didn't seem too smart, so i calmly (well, appearance-wise, not actually!) opened my car door while the dog was back in the bushes again, and just as i started opening the door, the dog ran up behind me and jumped in the backseat of my car, and remained there. it really startled me. mind you, this was no cuddly, gentle dog just wanting to be petted, and since no one was around, i decided to start walking away from the car slowly, and finally the dog got out, ran back in to the bushes and i jumped in to my car, really creeped out. i did my errands, and it was gone when i got back home. i feel lucky that it didn't hurt me, and that it has never been around before, but because the parking lot is usually empty when i am out during the day, it bugged me. of course, in the almost 2 years that i have lived here now, i have never seen that dog. i think i am extra sensitive to what happened too because i don't really feel all that safe here to begin with, and the trash bins are at the far end and around the corner of the parking lot in a kind of deserted area. believe me, i am careful, and always keep my cell phone with me, but just needed to say all this out loud so i don't allow it to spook me. well, that was my spooky story. i guess it is kind of appropriate in light of it being halloween weekend, but i definitely don't want any repeats!!

speaking of halloween, i hope everyone is having a good one. in the end (literally) of this challenge, i am glad to finally be back on track, and hoping the scale will start to
reflect my efforts. well, take care all.

kaylets-congrats on the 2 lbs down!

Wsw! Gald to hear you are safe and sound. Strange dogs do need to be dealt w/ cautiously.... and the one you encountered seems a confused. although it sounds like he wanted to go for a ride....
glad to hear you 're such a smartie to always carry the cell phone w/ you....
its become part of my armour too!

:)!@!

Wsw, glad you're ok. I wonder if maybe someone abandoned that dog ... maybe his behavior was a cry for help or he mistook you for his owner. Very strange.

K, congrats on the 2 pounds down. That's great. :cheer:

Am braindead right now ... so good-night all.

Mornin' all! We've fallin' back this am...although MI hasn't yet...I wonder how that will affect things?

Yesterday was good...walked, drank and ate well. Have logged today's walk 'cause I'm leavin' in a few minutes.

:lol: - - - - Walk - - - Water - - - Food
Day 1 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - -X
Day 2 - - - - -X - - - -:) - - - - - X
Day 3 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :)
Day 4 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :)
Day 5 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :)
Day 6 - - - - :) - - - :) - - - - :)
Day 7 - - - - :) - - -

:wave: wsw! Glad you're doing well...that dog sounded abandoned. My first Bouv went over to the neighbours' and hopped in their car once, ready to go for a ride. I had to go retrieve her.

Kaylets! 2 Lbs...good for you! See Eydie had the same sorta experience.......just hung in there. I've abandoned my scale routine until tomorrow...I am seriously thinking of the Empress thing...1 weigh-in a week...and Mondays, because I am often away on Sunday.

Where's our Nymph? EOM? And Punkin was missed on Friday...well maybe she'll show up on Monday...it is her day after all. How's things in middle Ont Wildfire? :wave: Aria!

Today this is my seatbelt colour! What's yours Anagram?

All :queen: s present or MIA...:wave: Avanti!

Ceara

Hope all are well, and all is well, within and without palace walls (I think that about covers us!). Sorry to have been AWOL. Sick and overworked, again. The usual :devil: On the way back up again now and determined to make sure I don't do that again. I really need to learn when to say "no," even to myself, so that I don't get overbooked, overstressed, and then ill. It's so much easier to stay OP when I feel well and rested, not overstressed. Will work on that :) Oh, here's something I've been working on, my latest quiz (always like to do something seasonal!): http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,289893,sid9_gci1136349,00.html

Aaaanyway... will WI tomorrow and will be happy even just to have maintained the original 7-pound loss. With that stupid six pound gain, I'm still a bit freaked out about WI but will do it anyway and whatever the result will be ready for next challenge. I was reading a fun chick-lit book yesterday "Good in Bed," about an overweight young woman. I was struck anew about all the unnecessary pain and shame that goes with this problem, the way it takes over one's life, so -- speaking for moi-meme -- I tend to use way too much of my time, thought, and energy thinking about how fat I am or, conversely, food (in one way or another). I thought of the whole problem, in sort-of shorthand as "being fat." My new motto is "I'm done with being fat." And will remind myself of that regularly. I just have to stay being done with it and, after enough time elapses, it will be done with me, as well. :carrot: (I do not fully understand why we have dancing carrots for Halloween, but, um, whatever -- they're cute!)

Found out last week that it looks like I owe ANOTHER few thousand in taxes -- looks like the tax program I used didn't have any constraints that ensured that mandatory federal pension plan payment would be made. :rolleyes: I felt like crying, but I guess if I've got to pay it I can do it in installments. That's about 10 thousand dollars that I've had to pay in unexpectedly this year though. Brutal. No wonder we seem to be getting behinder the further ahead we try to get.


Kaylets, whooo--hooo! on those two pounds gone. Of course it takes longer when you're close to ideal, but perseverence will pay off!!! You mentioned "A Million Little Pieces" -- I read that this summer. What a harrowing book! I was surprised that Oprah chose it, although it makes sense, in retrospect, with its themes of addiction and redemption. James reminds me all too much of an old boyfriend. Just goes to show, no matter how desperate a situation is, one should never lose hope. I do hope, wherever he is, that my ex has recovered.


Ceara, thanks for calling me! (feeling a sudden yen for a "flying bat" smiley to illustrate my voyage back to the palace) I LOVE "falling back." I look forward to that extra hour with great anticipation and feel like I've got more time all day when it actually happens. Got to get up at 4 tomorrow morning to take DH to the airport, so am v. glad that it'll seem like 5 to us, which is not far off when we get up normally.

WSW, what a scary experience with the dog! It sounds as if you really dealt with the situation perfectly. You just never know and it's always better to err on the side of caution.

Anagram, I'm loving your seatbelts -- great colors! You're right, even a few deep breaths, even a few minutes stopping for a break, are really helpful. Wishing you more respite! You're a very brave woman to look after your dear one at home. In terms of intensity, it seems much like having a newborn to look after but of course, emotionally, a much more somber type of experience. Nevertheless, it seems a gift of time that, because of your courage and willingness to do your utmost, offers up its own rewards. :grouphug:

Amarantha, you mentioned sf and wheat-free brownies somewhere back... I've seen recipes for black bean brownies that are sweetened with stevia that everyone swears taste absolutely decadent. I intend to try them at some point and will report back :yes: I'm finally getting a handle on how to use stevia -- which from all accounts is supposed to actually be GOOD for us! I made my usual pot of oatmeal -- large flake oats cooked in sf soy milk -- and added about a tsp. of stevia and some steamed cranberries (if you cook them in with the oats they make the soy milk curdle) and spices. It was delish, perfectly sweet with a little tartness from the cranberries.

Frogger, so sorry about your job frustration! Don't you just hate it when you've got your hopes built up for something and then find out it was never even a possibility. I'm sure that something else will come up. Just keep your chin up and have faith -- it really can work wonders!


Eydie, look at you, with those three pounds gone!!! You're fabulous! I'm getting back to SF status. I really think refined sugar is poison to me and wheat as well. Also very hard on immune system, which I must build up. I was thinking, though, since I've been trying to be sugar free, I've developed an actual aversion to most chocolate (and non-chocolate candy has never been a problem for me). I just find it too sweet, as I discovered last Halloween. And at Christmas, I found that Godiva was also too sweet, which I was a little sadder about, but what are ya gonna do? :shrug:

Wildfire, when's your new "date" for meeting with Irish? Why do I always picture Liam Neeson? Oh, yeah, it's because I like to! ;) Mmmm, yes, I'll be enjoying that vicariously.

K, darlings, now you're probably wishing I would go away again :rolleyes: Off I go -- it's a brilliantly sunny day today and the leaves have changed color. I'm going to go over to the park and do some tai chi. Love to all, mentioned or un- Let's make this a good one!

:lol: Liam Neeson, huh, Arabella? That wouldn't be so awful. ;) But no, my Irishman sports a clean-cut look, with hazel-green eyes and black hair, 6ft tall and slim, muscular build. Also not so awful. :D We are set to meet December 9 if the universe decides not to interfere! I know exactly what you mean about the time wasted "being fat". Sorry to hear about the taxes. Ouch.

I've made a decision, girls. Seems my weight loss has stalled yet again at the 12lb mark. How many times has this story played out? Talked with a co-worker last week about her Atkins journey. She lost 35lbs and has kept it off for almost two years now. She did it healthily, not using it as free reign to eat bacon and cheeseburgers at will, but making sure she followed the plan and getting in all the veggies and later, good carbs. She has never been one to push the whole Atkins thing, just said it was what finally worked for her after trying all the other things. So I'm going to give it a go. I bought the book and have read it, and am mentally prepared for those first few awful days of withdrawal. I'm going to give it the two weeks for induction and if I see results then I'll keep going. My co-worker, we'll call her M, has offered her support to keep me going. Some day this week I'll start. I'll know when I'm ready.

Also took a HUGE leap this morning. You will remember how I love to skate, but hadn't for many years. When I ventured out onto the ice last year I could make my way around without falling, but the confidence I once had is gone. So I e-mailed a local skating club this morning to inquire about their adult classes. I've missed the current one, it started the first of October, but another starts in January and runs until March. If there is still an opening, I'm going to sign up!

Laundry calls...back later.

Quick me-me postie as I still have lots of work to do only to get to the place where deadline day is manageable ... no hope of getting actually DONE today as I have too much and don't feel well.

Lost .80 and am happy with that ... details on journal in land far far.

Arabella, good idea about the black bean brownies ... I just saw some recipes on another board. They used Splenda. I don't use either Splenda or stevia ... just a tiny bit of liquid saccharine ... oddly, it's the only sweetener I think is safe ... splenda puts dextrose in it ... and well, sorry, but I can't stand stevia.

Wildflower, congrats on your decisions re Atkins and the skating ... you will succeed, I know.

E, I don't know if I congratulated thee on the three pounds down so will say it again: :cheer: ... you're doin' splendidly.

Ceara: Thou art really rackin' up those punkins!!! :) Great stuff!

Gotta go ...

Arabella, please share the stevia brownie recipe? :^:

Congrats to Kaylets and Amarantha for their 'releases' this week!
That's strange about the dog, wsw? I remember getting in my car to go home once and there was a big dog huddled on the floor on the driver's side and then there was a dog that was hiding behind our hot tub on the porch and seemed paralyzed there. Maybe that dog was just spooked by something--very odd behaviour.

Wildfire, good luck w/ your new adventure!

One more day on our challenge---stay away form the candy corn, all!

And, I did not mean to be a downer on stevia, Arabella ... :) ... just never have been able to acquire a taste for it. But I would like the recipes also.

My brownie recipes were made with stone ground whole wheat flour and cottage cheese as a base, not beans. Beans are a good idea.

Just popping in to note my seatbelt color choice for the day. Feeling fallish. Loved catching up on the posts and will add more anon. For now, it's back to bed for a while.

Last day of the challenge. Expect to get in walk with OT here. Such a doll to think of letting me out for a breather. I forgot I had also made a promise to me to finish off a huge bag of frozen broccoli. Made progress but not finished and too much salad, fruit etc in fridge to gorge on the broc today.

And with tomorrow being start of new month (ergo, new challenge) I'll be working up a few more promises to me. But first, there's today andthe end of the Halloween challenge.

Hugs to all :queen:s!

Good morning, good morning! Have WI'd for end of Halloween challenge and am at 7 pounds down rather than the 15 I aimed for. But glad to be 7 pounds down after that horrid, inexplicable 6 pound gain. What shall we do next -- How about the solstice, with weekly challenges? I am, BTW, still absolutely done with being fat! :carrot:

So... WI had me up one pound from the ticker low. However, my Tanita friends said that my body fat was down 2.5%, muscle mass was up over 5 pounds and water was up almost 6% since the start of the challenge. All makes sense to me. I can feel the muscle. This seems to be the way it always goes for me when I start (at least in these, my latter years :rolleyes:) -- weight loss is slow but my body composition seems to change a lot. And, honestly, I wasn't paying enough attention last week when I was sick. But now? Full speed ahead, and damn the torpedoes!!!! :carrot:

Eydie, here's the recipe I originally came across: http://breadbox.typepad.com/breadbox/2005/01/imbb11_a_black__2.html I didn't see if anyone on the thread had actually tried the stevia version or not and I sort of wonder whether it would be likely to work or not. Seems like you might need something else, volume-wise? Here's another one: http://www.altlondon.org/londoncoop/recipebrownies.html That one only calls for stevia, but there's no way you could use 1/4 c. of the stevia powder. I would think a teaspoon would be loads. I think we might need to tweak and experiment, but -- hey! We ARE creative types, are we not?


Wildfire -- oooooooh!!! I know just the kind of Irishman you mean -- I've always had a weakness for them. Yum! And kudos to you on the skating lessons. You've inspired me! I'm going to see if I can find same here. I got new skates last year after not having been on skates since I was about 24 and I could get round the rink, but not that well. Lessons would be just the thing!

Anagram, I hope your weather is as nice as ours -- so far, at least, we've been blessed today with a mild fall day. It's clearing and the leaves are still in the process of turning here. Enjoy your walk!

Amarantha, don't give up on stevia yet! I had the same reaction to it, but found that it was a matter of getting just the right amount (and it's an incredibly finicky substance in those terms -- just a smidgen too much and it's got a nasty and lingering aftertaste, but with just the right amount it's sweet, very similar to sugar but with a cleaner sort of taste and absolutely no bitter edge or aftertaste at all.) I found that by erring on the side of caution and adding more very gradually, I could get it perfect. And I'm so happy to be able to use a sweetener that I can feel all-around good about. That said, I added a scant teaspoon to a big pot (week's worth) of oatmeal with cranberries this morning, and it turned out to be too much, so I'm going to have to add more of everything else.

K, must fly before you are all thoroughly sick of me! (Where IS my broom?) Have a wicked day, All! :lol:

P.S. What do pumpkins turn to at midnight? :shrug:

:coffee2:
:) :dance: :)
Congratulations on your weight loss, Athletea!

I got on the scale...Arggh!!!! I think it must have been what you felt Arabella when you did it a few weeks ago. Oh well now I know where I am...although my body doesn't feel like that...and I know where to go. It isn't anywhere near the ticker...but...it will be. The upside is that it isn't near the top of the ticker either........

Overall this past week was good....water... excellent, walking...excellent (goal was 5x and I did 6)...and then the crux....FOOD. Too bad we can't live without it. However, this week-end was a potential eating landmine...fish fry Sat pm, congregational lunch on Sun, pasta, and pasta again last night. But, no wine, not a lot of sweets and no after supper snacking, so I'm proud of that. Now to get back into my own routine and motor on. Goals for this week.....1 liter of water/day(minimum), walk 5x/week, and tweek the food choices. Weigh-in next Monday...The grim details will be revealed then. The food should be easier this week....no "out" eating planned.

Good for you Arabella! I'm gonna be hot on your trail..and tail! I see you like your new machine!

Empress A....congrats on the fluffy release!

My seatbelt for the day.

Gotta go walk....feel obsessive....do you know there are approximately nine weeks 'til Christmas? ACK. Two pounds/week...

:wave: to all :queen: s.....nice to see you Punkin. Enjoy your day! And Wildfire!

Ceara

Thanks, Ceara and Aria for the weight loss congrats and thanks Arabella for the stevia advice. Maybe I will give 'er another go.

And Wood Nymph, congrats on the seven pounds lost this challenge!!! That's excellent. :cheer:

Have a great walkabout, Anagramatic.

I am late, must go ... :)

hello alll....

Just came back from my weighin and the 2lbs are evidently back....

ah well....
could be much worse.... The minute I knew I was above my goal weight I've been like a basketball bouncing across the floor... Hitting bottom once wasnt enough, I just wallowed around .....

just ate a sweet potato now hoping to being detox....

As for the avoiding the candy corn.... ah....well...
nope...
all that was avoided was what fell on the floor...

it was just one of those things... I found it in the office kitchen and lo and behold... hand was quicker than the eye and had that bag opened and in my mouth...

and so on....

Danger danger Will Robinson... danger. danger....

Congrats Eydie, and Empress on the losses....

and to everyone for participating which really is the important thing....

I need to email my resume to an ad I saw....

Cross your fingers for me!

Didn't lose any more weight at the end of the challenge, but wasn't expecting to. I'm still at 137 pounds and am ready to throw myself into the next challenge. :) When do we start?

Didn't lose a thing! Didn't gain a thing either so it all works out in the end! :lol:

So shall we discuss the starting of a new thread for a brand new challenge? I personally am looking forward for the trek towards turkey day. I have high hopes for a loss this time ;)

:carrot: to all who made their goals for a since past challenge (or have at least lost something however brief that loss was!

Brevity-mode pop in: I think that was the first sugar-free Halloween in history. :carrot: Last year was the discovery that I don't really like sweet chocolate any more. Nevertheless, I continued the experiment long after I'd gotten results. This year -- well, I had a big bowl of mini-bars that began their siren song (despite feeling quite firm in my lack of desire for them). Resolutely ignored same and carried on SF.

:queen: K, don't forget where you are -- you're already a MAJOR success!!! Sending good vibes for the job :crossed:

I volunteer to start a solstice thread. How does the palace feel about that? I'd be inclined towards a Solstice big goal with weekly challenges...

K -- work and DGS beckon. Love to all and kudos to all who made progress during our Halloween push. All right, now -- let's go!!!

Oh, and -- if anyone else wants to look after the next thread, I'm more than happy to bow out!

Tomorrow is the big day...starting Atkins induction...so wherever we go, and whenever is our next goal is good with me. Just leave breadcrumbs...er...nope, not allowed...how about a cheese trail? :D It's going to take everything I've got to get through these first few days...having my last cup of coffee now...:coffee: I'm in the right frame of mind...have a LOT of chocolate and candy left over from Halloween and I don't want any of it. I'm more concerned about the coffee and weird cravings I know I'm going to have. M told me that on her third day she sat on her kitchen floor crying because all she wanted was cookies, and she didn't normally eat cookies to begin with!

Arabella, I wished we lived close by, then we could skate together! I've been asking around and can't find anyone brave enough to join me on Saturday nights for the adult-only skating.

Okay, ladies...we're all warmed up and ready for the new challenge...let's go! I love fresh starts! :carrot:

Quickie, flyby, me-me post to wrap up the challenge. Did walk each time the OT was here - one of my goals. Said I'd eat the big bag of broccoli (10 servings) - did about 7 servings. Added more water - not nearly enough. Made some better food choices but not nearly enough.

Still - a start.

Good morning, :queen:lies! Just popping in, too. I'll wait until we've had most people pop in and give their yea or nay on the Solstice thread before I post. Things continue OP here, although I've allowed myself to eat watching TV and I really think I tend to eat more when I do that. So vowing off again! :yes:

Wildfire, I guess we'll have to settle for virtual skating together! Nevertheless, I do feel encouraged because you're doing it -- thanks! I've done a number of carb-sparing induction things and always feel very well after a short while. Clear-headed, energetic, positive. Hmmmm... It's a bit hard to get my head around not eating fruit & etc. for a couple of weeks, but it might be worth doing again...

Anagram, good for you on the broccoli! I'm starting to focus more on those lutein-containing veggies because I really want to ward off macular degeneration.

Ceara -- OMG -- I saw "nine weeks" and looked at my calendar in disbelief. Where I saw, to my shock and dismay, only EIGHT weeks from this Sunday past. Oh, time to push push push! I'm going to aim for 15 again, and really work for the 15 full-time. :yes:

K -- actually slept in this a.m. (stayed up watching Sex and the City last night :rolleyes: ) so must away and get with it. Love to all, mentioned or un- Let's make this a good one.

Hi, :queen: s!!! I be in a massive quandry re scheduling and all the vortexes o' my universe seemingly havin' collided at the same time and in danger o' my head comin' off, so this be a quickie mode.

Wood Nymph, I think a Solstice Thread would be lovely, of course, I'm prejudiced as Solstice be my most favored thing of all ... of course, thou must start it and bowin' out be not an option ... I'd say go fer it full-speed ahead 'n let's get her up there!!! :) I can't imagine any :queen: s would say thee nay to such a good idea ...

i agree, a solstice thread would make an excellent new challenge. ended my halloween challenge with getting back on track mostly in the last week with healthier, smaller portions, daily exercise, and stayed the same weight. onward and downward now. hello to all the royal kingdom.

I say "YEA!" Time to get on with the gettin' on as we say around these parts!

We'll make those healthy multi-grain crumbs: If any dost lurk here, please be advised that we've moved on to:
The Royal Procession to the Solstice (http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1007726#post1007726)