LA Weight Loss - LAWL Losers and Friends July, 2006

Day 2 of TO is going fairly well. Even though the juice I'm using is far fewer calories, my calorie intake is still up there (yesterday because of my cheat with ice cream) and because of the LA Lite bars!

Britt - I don't remember what other flavors they had for the fish, if plain was even an option. I do try to limit them, because they are expensive, and frozen!

Debbie - yep, you got it. the blackened grilled cajun fillet. Soooo good. Those days would be extra water days!

Evette, Dawn, Erin, Christie, Lindsey, and anyone else - :wave:

Sherry-the last time I added it up, with the Knudsen's, 2 protein, 2 veggies, and 2 la lites-the calories were about 1200. You don't want to go under that. So be careful!

Lea Ann- That is a great idea. My old chiro put me on CalMag/Zinc for firbromyalgia. Maybe I need to get back to that.

:carrot::jig::bravo::cp::hat: :dance: :goodvibes :goodluck: :cheer::balloons::preg: CONGRATS TO DAIRY AND DAWN :preg: :balloons: :cheer: :goodluck: :goodvibes :dance: :hat: :cp: :bravo: :jig: :carrot:

Yeah I'm definitely eating at least one frozen meal a day for the sake of convenience b/c all I have is a microwave and a fridge and a chic-fil-a...you get the idea ;)

So I am confident that as soon as I get to cook my own meals again things will move along nicely and I'll be trying on wedding dresses in no time :o

I am so glad I finally decided to post, I've been reading for so long and wishing I had the kind of support you guys have in each other, because sometimes I feel like the counselors at my center (one in particular) looks at the scale with a disappointed face if I'm up even an ounce or two. Then I want to cry.

But, I'm working out 5 days/week and doing pilates in the mornings...as soon as I get moved to my apt I'm going to start setting small goals because I want to learn to run! But I'm also being careful about not overdoing it, because that doesn't help anything.

Sorry for the long post, I feel like I've known you all for so long but there's still so much to say!

Oh, and Greenville is a hot, sticky place.

Hey gang! Just wanted to jump on and say hi - then I'm off to the mall (YUCK- can't stand the mall) to go clothes shopping. DH got me a gift certificate last year for our anniversary, for when I lost the weight, to JCPenney. We have a big business trip coming up in a couple weeks that requires more than my standard jeans/t-shirt wardrobe. Soooo I get to go buy myself some new pretties in a new size! We're headed to Sacramento, so I hope I can still find some summery, dressy outfits.

Have a great day, and I'll check back in later!

Lindsey - no apologies! Your post is short compared to some of our missives! Jump right in!

Thanks again to everyone for such a warm welcome and some great ideas to get veggies in. I have to WI today and even though I was soooooo good this week, I am really retaining water from the heat and PMS, so I am not expecting a loss.

Just have to share that I made over my first big hurdle this weekend. My husbands company had its annual bbq and I only had a plain burger, fruit and water. No beer was tough because it was 118 on Saturday! Needless to say I drank A LOT of water.

Hope everyone's day is going well and I will let you know how I did on the dreaded scale!

hello everyone just got back from WI down .4oz but i had an idiot counselor today. she wanted to sell me the very expensive new cookbook. says that this 1 is a "real" cookbook the 1st 1 was more like "common sense". ahh they just irritate me. she refused to change me to green like the other counselor suggested (the other counselor being the store manager) because she said i need to be atleast 5lbs away from 128 to be changed because green starts at 128. I didnt want to argue because she's 1 of those that will keep doubting you so i just said whatever. i usually weigh with jeans on and i dont know if she realizes that my body weight without clothes is about 133lbs or even less. then she refused to measure me because she wants the same person that has been measuring me to measure me and that person is on vaca. they are so damn inconsistant. I have no idea why we have to see these stupid people 2-3 times a week. I was already in a bad mood from not losing so much and then she gives me all this crap. ahhh

Going to go change my ticker.

Thanks for letting me vent a bit. chat with you gals later.

Lindsey yours is definately short compared to some so no apologies. You will do great at the new apt. You are right dont overdo it because you are cutting down on food also so you dont want to go really low on calories with too much exercise. We're glad you joined in.

Lori have fun shopping.

Gibby great job on resisting, the more we do that the easier it will get. 118 is hot, hot, hot. Try some lemon water for the water retention.works great. I'm not sure if you read how we do the lemon water but its:

poke holes in lemon with fork and microwave in a bowl for 1 min then sqeeze all juices out. use 1/2 the amount of juice in 16oz water (i've done it warm and cold and it still works) and then 1/2 hour later use the remaining juice in 16oz water. 1 lemon counts as 1 fruit in my book (gold) but i think some girls on here dont count it as anything. I also recently put 1/2 the rind in each glass of water. It wasnt bitter. A counselor told me to do that.

goodluck at WI.

Just checking in quickly. The boys are napping. We didn't get the other placement so it's still just the two of them! So far it's a OP day! WHOOO HOOO! Nothing much else going on here! Later chickies!

Katie--it's certainly worth a try and if it helps your fibro--what a bonus!! Plus it's a cheap way to make sure we are getting enough calcium--which I think we all agree we don't get enough of on LAWL--I refuse to have a hump later in life because of a COD rule!

Debbie--sorry about the COD woes--at least you have us!! I hate to make matters worse but my COD said if I ever wanted to get to their version of my "ideal weight" (138) they would put me on Green at 143--I said no thanks. I am 5'6 so that may make a difference since I don't know your height. Hey--we should all put it in the area of our avatar because I am always curious--it really makes a difference in a lot of things. You may also consider going to WI in shorts and a tank--heck I shave just to feel my lightest--no jewelry, no shoes, and barely any clothes! LOL. I have to agree on having the same person measure you though (it sucks when you are planning on it and it doesn't happen) because even the slightest difference in tape placement can send you into a tailspin. Cheer up!!

Lindsey--post all you want--that's why we are all here. Things really will be easier when you are out of the dorm--I did Nutrisystem in college and dorm life is **** on healthy eating (IMO). Great job exercising--I am just now getting regular about working out (haha--a week--which is regular for me!). Good luck with the move!

Lori--woohoo--a shopping spree! AND a new size--even better!!! I bet right now not only will you find cute summery stuff but it may already be on sale so they can start stocking for Fall. I am having heck right now finding workout wear for school that's NOT shorts or capris and I want long because we will cool off fast come Fall. When is your trip?

Gibby--resisting at the BBQ is what we call a NSV (non scale victory) and sometimes they are greater (and more plentiful) than a scale victory--way to go!! I say hit the lemon water for the bloat--it really helps. I cheat and buy the bottled lemon juice and add some to my crystal lite lemonade and drink it hot--very filling and helps with water retention.

We are having a lazy day, should be cleaning AGAIN--my house is a dust MAGNET! Got a new vacuum cleaner so I am only enjoying vacuuming right now--lol. Pity.

Thank you Lea Ann. I just changed my profile, i'm 5'2''. They are so inconsistant. I guess with the height difference it would work out. I weigh in jeans because i want to be 125lbs with jeans on. Maybe i should go back to weighing in yoga pants. Its like difference of 1 1/2lbs. It will help in the winter when i have to go WI in jeans though so i dont show a gain during stabilization or maintenance. i'll be cheerier soon i hope. I'm glad i have you gals also to make me feel better about things.

Okay, I listed my height. Now you can see why I wear 4 1/2" platforms all the time. I am short, short, short.

Debbie- No, really, tell us how you really feel, LOL.

Lindsey- I'm sure being able to cook will make a big difference for you.

Lori- What? Did you just say that you HATE the mall? Surely that was a typo....

I just got back from the Grocery Store. I hate to go when I am on TO but oh well. I did find the new Wishbone Salad Spritzer. I bought the italian vinagrette. I hate reduced fat or no fat salad dressing, but I have acquired at taste for vineagrettes. It is Yummy, sprayed it on my celery!!


Just thought I would share.

Those are good. I like the balsamic vinagrette on all kinds of stuff.

Hi Guys, just checking in- OP so far today- I was feeling like crap this morning- my body was craving healthy food after all the bad eating I did last week. I just feel so much better physically and mentally when I am on plan. I feel in control.
Now to catch up on all the work I did not do last week.:mad:

Oh no, Katie - not a typo. All those stores for stick-thin 16-20 year olds and no stores for a fat 40-something!:p

I didn't have as good of luck as I had hoped - one of the "events" we are going to is a pool-side party. Dressy. No swimwear..... (whew!). Anyway, I went with a specific idea of what I wanted to buy - something lightweight fabic, summery, breezy and couldn't find SQUAT! I did find a simple black dress to wear for the final banquet - now to find some shoes - did I mention I need a personal shopper? When all you wear is jeans and t-shirts, it's hard to know what shoes goes with what! I also found a really cute pair of light summer-weight pinstrip pants (periwinkle blue and white - go get out your box of crayons to see what color THAT is!) and spent a whole hour looking for a shirt to go with it. Not overly happy with the shirt I got, but I might go get a spray-tan or something to even out the farmer's tan I've got going. (dratted t-shirts, again!)

Anyway, the shopping saga continues maybe on Thursday. I am shopped out!

Hi women,
Just saying hi. Oh gosh, after a tough weekend (let's talk about fair food, a barbecue where no one brought any salads/fruit except for my on-plan coleslaw, a company function with appetizers and drinks and a birthday party) of trying to be OP and failing I was up 2.5 lbs by Monday morning. AAGGHHH!!!! I was so frustrated, but realize that that is real life and sometimes even the best of choices aren't going to be good. I've been POP for the last two days and was down 1 of those pounds this morning. It really is true that it feels better to be good than not. Yesterday morning I felt like I was coming down with the flu and have realized that it was just all the crap I had eaten. I'm with you Lisa, when your body is used to eating healthy it doesn't react well to garbage food. I've been having lovely 'gas problems' since - my poor DH. (sorry if that is TMI, but I'm wondering if anyone else experiences this???) That does it - no more fried foods/starches for me.

Debbie~ I'm with you on the idiot counselors. I weighed in last friday first thing and just wanted to smack my counselor - the center's assistant manager. She was so condescending and talked to me like I'm an idiot. I spent the whole day just crabby because of her. I'm still thinking about calling the manager and letting her know she needs to remind her people to speak appropriately to the participants. I do think if I were you I would let someone know that you were frustrated and just irritated. Consistency is so important in this thing - if they can't all get on the same page how are we supposed to???

Lori~ I'm here chuckling over your shopping saga. I have total empathy - when I go with an event in mind, I NEVER find anything that is what I had in mind. Even with your difficulties, you can't tell me that you didn't have fun looking at smaller sizes.:D

Lori,
Am thinking of what you want for your pool party ensemble. Have you ever shopped at Coldwater Creek.com? They have such great stuff and when you described what you want, it sounds like they could have something perfect. I really like that when they have things on sale, they are really on sale. Their sizes run pretty true to size, and if you don't like it when you get it no problem returning it. Just a thought, go check it out for fun...

Marilee, I forgot all about Coldwater Creek - we used to have one of their outlet stores here - hmmmm I wonder if they are still out in the outlet mall..... I will have to take a look online and see what I can see. Thanks!

Marilee--I LOVE coldwater creek--and yes, there "outlet" items have great prices. I really like them and QVC for true sizing and easy returns. Sorry your body is torturing you--hope you feel better when it's all out of your system.

Lori--bummer! Keep trying. You can always go white with the periwinkle. I want photos of the little black dress--woohoo.

About the COD and condescending counselors--I had one ONCE that argued that the number of calories don't matter (when I was only getting about 1000)--really ticked me off because they really do. Anyway--I just called the number on the products, told them what happened and got a call from the regional manager the next day. I think they NEED to hear when their employees are not doing their job--how else can they fix it?

That Is So True!!

that post got away from me...oops.

it's really true about the counselors. Somehow when I go to WI it never fails that I get the same woman who always says, "now you don't do the lites, right?" and she makes me feel very confined to the scale. It seems that the numbers are more significant to her than how I'm feeling or my circumstances or the effort I'm putting in. I'm always really down on myself if I get stuck with her and I don't lose.

Speaking of WI, I have to do that tomorrow...we'll see how it goes. I've been....well I've been ok. Not POP but working out and watching my portions and making smart choices given what I have to work with.

Anyone ever feel like they're making excuses when things don't go right? I feel like that alot...

Anyway, I refuse to be down tomorrow except for on the scale!

Hi everyone!
I have been MIA I know----I have been doing this 4 week Reading Clinic for my Masters in reading. It has been okay--a lot of work. Anyway, I am done on Friday!! YEA!

Went to the COD today. They are not real happy with me because I decided NO BARS I am sick of bars and I am out of them anyway. So, they put me on the Purple plan.....
and tried to talk me into Tri-max.
have any of you tried it? I think it is expensive (I didn't ask) and
I really don't want to take anything...just me, my food, and water.


Hope you all are fine!!

Of course I found what I wanted at Coldwater Creek online - but they don't have it in my size, I think. But, now I am armed with a picture and can ASK someone if they have something like it. Thanks, Marilee!

LeaAnn, I got a white "vest" type of top to go with the pants, but it's sleeveless, and I have about 3 different tones of tan on my arms.... gotta get that evened up!;)

WI tomorrow - I hope to goodness that I am down. I feel stuck:p

Lindsey--I know I make excuses (my current is TOM and new to exercising--we'll see how long I can use it!) and I'm sure many others do, too--it's human nature, especially when we are eating right and the scale isn't being nice!

About the counselor you don't like--DON'T SEE HER!!! It's hard to be firm but you have to remember they work FOR you. Either call when you are on your way and request someone in particular or when you sign in put someone's name out to the side. Mine recommended that to me--plus, I just let the manager know I didn't like one in particular and since she was usually around the desk she would either automatically take me or ask another gal to. I felt awkward at first but realized it's MY money and MY feelings and MY right to leave feeling decent about the visit regardless if I lost or not. Good Luck at WI tomorrow--speak up!

OK, I've decided YOU all get the not-so-easy task of being this girl's personal shopper. What kind of shoes go with this dress?

http://www.geocities.com/fire_godess_e35/loridress2.jpg

OoOOoo Lori, i love the dress and you look great. i'm horrible with fashion so i wont even answer that question.

Marilee, i know what you mean. in the beginning i listened to them when they had a suggestion but being on the plan and knowing what i'm doing now and talking to you gals i learned alot and now whenever they say something it just doesnt seem right to me. the same girl i was talking about said to me "its free to live for some people". you know because LAWL motto is "free to live". she was telling me this because i was stuck and she wanted to sell me some supplements. she's the only one that pushes their products on me. i dont think i'm sitting with her anymore, she just annoys the **** out of me. i'll be requesting other people from now on. ohh you got me started. LOL. i wrote in my diary that i had the broccoli & cheese soup and she asked me what i counted it as and i told her and she asks me what i counted the chicken broth as...i was like what do you mean, it doesnt count as anything. she then started looking thru the cookbook to see what broth counted as. i said like 3 times that in the other soups the broth dont count. maybe that was her way of showing off the new cookbook so she can try to sell it to me. she's been there as long as i've been on the plan and she needs to check the book to see what broth counts as, what idiots. they should know these things.

Holy cow Lori--that dress is smokin'!! You look terrific--I bet DH is drooling. Since I live in tennies and flip flops I am useless for shoes but I would guess black and strappy. I'm gonna agree--because I like you so much! that you have a definite farmer's tan going--nothing a little self tanner can't fix. I really like the new ones (I use Jergens) that do the gradual tan so you can coctrol it. I hope you can find what you want now that you have a photo--I'm jealous you have a store nearby--love the website. GL @ WI!!

Stacy--congrats on your reading clinic almost being over--what a relief for you. Saty strong with the COD--it's your plan and you should get to do it your way. Honestly, I tried the Tri-Max and saw NO difference--it may work for some--not me. I know someday I will have to wean myself from the bars--but I like them! I've only been having 1 a day since Friday, I was supposed to go to a shake to substitute the afternoon bar but just haven't been having anything. I just mark a shake with fruit in my diary and just have the fruit--liar liar.

Lori - You look great in that dress!! You are just disappearing before our eyes!! :)

Shoes -- can you wear heals? How about some black strappy sandals with a little heal on them. Casual/dressy at the same time.

Yes, I say strappy sandals too, and you can find some without much of a heel (unless you are more graceful than I)

Thanks Lea Ann for your response--
I paid for 10 more weeks and want to be successful, but I dread going to that place!!!! So I put it off and then 1 week becomes 2, I dont know why I bother paying for the weeks......

Lori- for sure go with heels- if you do not do well in heels at least do a little kitten heel. Also I would just do a nice bigger pair of earings and a bracelet. You will be smokin'

Lea ann- I am not sure if you talked about this before since i did not read the old posts from the last week, but what is your new exercise plan? I need to start up with exercise again. I have been watching that new show on Bravo called Workout, I love it, it is making me think that working out can actually be fun.

Well I can say I was POP today, and I am going to bed now so I don't screw it up.

Lisa--I am doing the Beachbody Power90 series. It just alternates between Cardio/ab days and strength/sculpt days so I feel like I am getting a good allover workout. They aren't long workouts (43 and 30 minutes) but I sure feel it. I REALLY like it though and feel stronger even after just a week--I can see a little toning in my arms. I am really dedicated to seeing this through for the 90 day duration (you guys will have to help me!) It's a 2 DVD set so I will move up to the harder one in another week or two--it looks just to be basically the same routine just faster and more weight and reps. 200 abs instead of 100--UGH. Probably more info than you wanted--haha. I just know I need to do SOMETHING active--it seems to have stalled the weightloss though but I guess that's to be expected for a while. I am trying to get into the habit now so when school starts I will be more apt to drag my butt outta bed to get it done. I hate to admit I feel better during the day and I don't require as much sleep--so cliche, but true. I'll have to check out the Bravo channel--surely I get it. I don't know if I'll ever thinks it's fun but I like the guy who does this DVD--DH and I did this a couple years ago so I know all his little jokes and stuff and yet I still smile. I am so glad you are back with us--

well today is done! I was on plan today and I am happy about that. Gearing up for tomorrow! LOL See ya'll later!

ok, have any of you ever had a plantars wart?
I have one on my left foot and it hurts soooooooo bad.
I wanted to start walking again in the evenings, but I honestly don't think I can until this stupid thing is gone.

I start back to teaching the third week of August, and I have to have it gone by then......I can't stand up on it for 8 hours that's for sure.

I used this stuff called Wartner on it--have ya heard of it?

Good Morning Everybody! :wave:

Well, I get to go face the scale later this morning at the COD. I just weighed myself now at home, but I have a towel on my head. Even with that and TOM, I should be ok. But as we all know, our home scales aren't always in cahoots with the centers!! Send me some :goodvibes: :goodvibes:

I didn't do too well on TO. I was POP (which is actually good for me because I haven't been that POP for quite a while now), but I wasn't in TO mode completely. I did the 2nd day with V8 splash, but I also had a homemade cheeseburger (with bun -- was trying to avoid starches), and a Slim-A-Bear Bar, and some homemade cheeseburger macaroni (about 1/2 cup), 2 LA Lites, hard boiled egg, a cucumber, and water. 2 of the bottles of water I put lemon juice in.
In my effort to avoid starches, I ended up having 3 of them. Only the COD scale will tell ...

:goodluck: and :goodvibes: to everyone else who has WI today.
I have a class in a little while, and then I'm off to WI and do some shopping!! :D
DH and I are supposed to hit Ground Round for lunch (more red meat), but at least I won't have to WI for another week then ...

Have a great POP day everybody!! :cheers:
:dust:

Stacy - never heard of Wartner. I know that there's something out there that's supposed to freeze the warts (over the counter). If you don't have much success this way, then call your physician so they can give you something, or even treat them within their office.

Good morning all!

I have been MIA for over a week due to bronchitis. I am on five different meds, and the narcotic cough syrup they gave me makes it difficult to read - kind of like when you've had too much wine and then go on the internet. So, I've been using the computer just for work. I will try to catch up on everyone later tonight from home and do personals.

Have a POP day to everyone!

Wow ok yall were chatty from yesterday afternoon till this morning lol.

Well first off good morning! Sending lots of :dust: everyones way.

I am leaving in a few to go to WI. I got on my scale this morning and it had me at the same weight I was at the center on monday but we will see what the COD says. Ok so I have a bit of a problem or rather a question I have to ask... Yesterday I was POP (YAY!!) and i was finished eating by 6:30-7:00pm. Later in the evening i got hungry. I knew i didnt have anything else left to eat so i didnt have anything but i was still hungry. Im hungry now too but i have to go WI first. This is the first time since i have been back OP that i have been hungry like that at night. I started to drink an extra bottle of water but i just didnt feel like that. Any suggestions on what I should do if this happens again?

~Lori
What a great dress you look HOT!! I would go with strappy sandles as well!!!or strappy heels!!! Ohhhhh i like cold water creek too they have some cute things and one thing i like about that store is they are for everyone in their sizes!!!! To many stores discriminate against us ladies that have more love!!

~Cassi
hope you feel better soon!!!

Ok so im a bad chickie lol i didnt make notes about what i wanted to say to the rest of you sorry!!! Ill check back in later and be sure to do personals lol. I gotta go WI now so that I can have my slimfast!!!

Stacy--no idea how to help but I hope you get it fixed soon!

Sherry--GL @ WI!!! Sorry about the slip--we all do it--after the first bite it seems to all go downhill fast! Today is a new day. Hope you enjoyed lunch with DH--I think Mik has a sleepover Friday so we can have another DATE! woohoo.

Cassi--hope you get to feeling better soon--it sounds horrible. I will get sick the first week of school--it's a tradition for me--I rarely get sick but for some reason the first week of school, being around all those germ carriers LOL--gets me every time! Good luck with Gold--let me know if I can help (I'm a fine one since I about to start whining later in this post!)

Britt--Good Luck at Wi today--then you can eat something--I have to be "empty" too so I like to get it done fairly early. I'd say if you are hungry have some veggies or a light string cheese--they both get me through and if I put them in my diary the center says it's ok--obviously I neede something and it was better than most choices.

Okay--now I need to whine. Sorry. I have been so good now since all the trips are over and this week the scale is being evil!! Could it still be the exercise? I feel so good because I am working harder and i think I have to be losing then this AM I am up a pound from yesterday!! Sometimes I gain during TOM, sometimes I don't--my own body hates me! With the Blue plan this week I have basically added a rice cake and a string cheese for the extra starch and 1/2 protein--110 calories--but I am burning a lot more than that with the exercise. WHAT TO DO?????

Morning all!

Lori- Great dress, you look awesome!

Britt- Tea or decaf coffee at night helps take the edge off.

Stacy- I feel for you, I had an outbreak of them on my foot once years ago. There was over 20 of them. The Dr. swabbed this horrible smelling poison stuff on my hip, which burned the skin, made a terrible itchy rash. After the rash healed he had me start swabbing the same stuff onto the warts, and within a week they had all fallen out and gone away. Apperantly my body built up an immunity to the poison, so when I used it on the warts my body attacked them and sent them packing.
Not really fun, but it did work.

Cassie- Hope you get to feeling better soon!

Sherry- GL at weigh in!!!

My tummy is still bad this morning, and I am up 3 lbs. How crappy is that, hahaha. More later!

Good morning ladies, home to do a few things. Had a rough day yesterday and could have eaten anything that crossed my path. I did eat more veg and starches. What are the different levels I see you all talk about, green purple and such.
When you have a CC meal does that totally replace a meal and then you do not get the fruit, etc?

Do use some of the recipes it looks like you have to borrow from another meal to make it fit. I am playing with this and hoping that I am doing it right.

Have a great day one and all.

Linda

Good Morning to all!! I'm not doing well today....mentally. I'm just really irritated that the scale is not moving!! I'm still stuck here at 159 and I'm having trouble getting all my veggies in. Any ideas?

Anyhow.....

Lori: Wow! You're looking fabulous! I would suggest going with heals, but since it's summer and all....buy some cute strappies!!

Britt: To take the edge of, I usually chew on some sugar-free gum. Sorry, that's all the suggestions I have.

Stacy: So sorry about your feet. Hope you find I sure for it soon.

Cassie: Hey girl...I hope you're feeling better. :)

Sherry: Hope the WI goes well. Good luck

Lea Ann: Awww. don't worry girl, that weight will come off. I think it's because you've started working out. You know what they say....Muscle weighs more than fat.

Katie: Sorry:( about the tummy and the 3 pounds. It'll be all good, soon. Take care chickie!

Winkie--we seem to be in the same boat--trust me--if I had any ideas I would certainly share.

Winkie--we seem to be in the same boat--trust me--if I had any ideas I would certainly share.


We are!! It's so fricking frustrating, isn't it? I'll pray for us both!:D Good luck to you, my friend!

Britt-i swear by the little cups of sf jello and maybe a little cool whip. They are really filling . . . .

OK, I've decided YOU all get the not-so-easy task of being this girl's personal shopper. What kind of shoes go with this dress?

http://www.geocities.com/fire_godess_e35/loridress2.jpg

I would find some cute black strappy sandles, small heel, nothing outrageous. CUTE!

Good morning all,

Lori - you look great in that dress!
I agree with the majority - black strappy sandals.

Just did T/O the last 2 days to get a hold of the runaway train that is my appetite. This w/e was extravagant...seems every w/e is. I've been losing the same 3lbs over and over again for months it seems.
Not able to buckle down and drop the last 3lbs.
Maybe I should give up the '130s' obsession and be content @ 141.
Can't help it though - I'm a stubborn mule.

Enough ranting - have a great POP day everyone.
-S

Lori - you look great! I agree w/ everyone else, black strappy dressing sandals or slides definitely w/ a heel. Heels make legs look thinner (I wear them all the time just for that reason).

Morning everyone.

GL to all going to WI today.

Linda - a carb craver meal is 1 protein. you can use your exchanges any way you like. you can have a starch, fruit & dairy for breakfast, a lite & fruit for snack, a protein, veggie & fat for lunch, a lite & fruit again for mid PM snack and then the rest for dinner. use it however you like just make sure you get it all in. i hope that was your question. The different plans (blue, green, gold, purple) depends on your weight and amt you want to lose, when you sign up they evaluate your #'s and choose which plan is best for you. you either get more food or less food depending on the plan. what plan are you on? when i started the counselor i signed up with preplanned a few days with me so that i can see how it works. she didnt write what i had to eat but just like Protein, starch & fruit for breakfast etc. you can do that and then as the day comes you fill in what you ate or you can preplan where you write down exactly what you are going to eat and just follow it. ok i'm rambling. here's a pic of a page in my diary.

Okay, I have decided to do unlimited TO for a couple of days. Not for weight loss or cravings, but because my body is feeling so toxic and gross. I just need a chance to clean out. I am using OJ. Hopefully this will help me get thing moving in the right direction. I am also drinking a Detox tea. Wish me luck!

well well debbie look at you getting all technical lol adding an attachment!!!

WI was alright today down .2 will certainly take that at least I have had a loss each WI for the past 2 weeks. Im really happy with that. I need to adjust my ticker. Oh Katie i forgot to say thanks i saw you post to someone else i think it was last week a quick way to adjust your ticker boy is that faster lol so Thanks!! Have to decide what im gonna fix for dinner im thinking about a big grilled chicken salad maybe a greek salad.

~LeeAnn
my COD said to give your body up to two weeks for the exercise. dont you just hate TOM:devil: He should arrive here this weekend will probably play a role in my Friday WI hummm might have to skip that lol.

~Katie
thanks for the tip on the tea as well!! I will have to try that next time. Sorry your scales are being so :devil: !!! GL on TO!!!

~Evette
Have you done TO lately? I thought about the gum also but didnt have any.

~JulieMarie
It seems my brother ate the last jello and didnt tell anyone cause i thought about that too but then couldnt find it!!!

~Sznn
how was TO??

Thanks for all the tips ladies :hug: glad to see that I thought of some of them as well. Well i have to go to the bank in a bit so i better get off here and finish making out this deposit lol. Check back later...

Britt - T/O was OK.
Dropped the 2lbs I gained on the w/e - so back to square one.
I feel better though - a little purified.

-S

Britt: The last time I did TO was about a month ago. I'll probably do it again, although I really don't want to. :( Ya know?!! Would it be too early to do TO again?

Lori- You look awesome in that dress!

Katie- Hopefully the OJ will get you going. When I do TO with oranges, I get cleaned out by the 2nd day.

Lea ann- Patience girl! I know, I know- it's hard. But with the exercising you are doing great things for your body. I have heard that it takes up to 2 weeks for your body to adjust to the exercise routine and then you will start losing again. Keep it up.

Evette- Sorry the scale isn't moving for you either. As far as the veggies- How about V-8 juice or if you eat them cooked you can have half as much. I love stir fry and can get all my veggies in one meal.(usually go over too, but what the heck) baby carrots are an easy way to get them in too. Celery with PB or laughing cow lite cheese. 1/4 cuke(1/2 if you have the new serving sizes)

Stacy- Never had a wart, but it sounds painful on your feet. Hope you get it gone soon!

Cassie- You sound miserable! Rest and get better.

Gibby- Awesome on staying strong at the BBQ. Keep that mindset and you will be a big loser!!;)

Sherry- Good luck at WI

Britt- Congrats on the loss. Anything is better than a gain!

Debbie- Sorry about the COD fiasco. There is one counselor at my center that just rubs me the wrong way. And it always seems if I am up a bit that she is the one that I see. I don't get upset with being up 2 or 4 oz. because I don't weigh in at the same time or with the same clothes all the time, but she sure makes a big deal about it and then really rips my diary apart. I was up 1 lb. one day and she asked me if I was really eating what I was writing in my diary or was I just filling in to make it look good. Boy did I let her have it!! I think everybody in the whole building heard me that day.

Day one of TO is finished and gone. Day 2 going OK so far. I will probably go do WI before I go to work here in a couple of hours.
Have a great day ladies!!

So you can use Orange Juice instead of the TO stuff the COD sells? (that would be heavenly, that stuff nauseated me)

I had my WI today, and I was down .8 :carrot:

But then the counselor (who was the ONLY ONE THERE) of course was the same one who's been giving me a problem. She went so far today as to say that I won't make my goal :( talk about discouraging. AND she said that maybe if I didn't talk so much about my weight loss stuff to my fiance (who holds me accountable) that maybe he would "compliment" me more and eluded to the "results" of losing weight in relation to your bedroom life...like that's any of her business!

GRR :devil: that's just wrong. Needless to say I had a sobfest as soon as I got away. This is the part where I really want to stop going to the COD...

*Sigh* Hope you ladies have a good day, mine's better already as I've had lunch and am watching the Young and the Restless :cool:

Back later!

Lindsey: What a b*tch that counselor is. Ewww, that makes me mad. What the heck does she know....well, apparently NOTHING! Don't waste your tears on her. You're doing great, that's all that matters. Keep your chin up!

Debbie: Thanks for the suggestions. Baby carrots!! I'm gonna get some.

Lindsey--seriously--you need to call the corporate number--or at least your local center and talk to the manager--her "tactics" are unacceptable and you should never feel so horrible when you leave--she does not have the right to make you feel that way. There job is to be supportive and helpful.

Katie--good luck with your TO--I still think you should try the cal/mag we talked about. I read an article in Self this morning about how the muscles in the pelvic floor get tense for numerous reasons and cause constipation and the little light bulb went off in relation to the magnesium being a natural muscle relaxer. I'll keep taking them as long as I keep going like I am.

Winkie--we can do this!!

Sznn--I know you aren't happy with the number but it's awesome and obviously you can splurge and still maintain--quite an accomplishment in my book. Why do we let that stupid NUMBER rule our lives?!?

Britt & Debbie--thanks! I know in my heart that the exercise benefits have to outweigh the crappy side effects of the scale going up but my mind get get over it!! I'm going to hang in there--I may never love exercise but I love the way I feel afterwards. By the way--I got my butt handed to me today! Went up to the next phase--whew!

Everyone else I missed--sorry and a big HELLO for a POP day! See ya later.

HAHA LeeAnn good workout huh??? Im getting ready to head to the house to do my 20 min on the treadmill. Got a bit of bad news my friend that was supposed to be coming in this weekend called and she has pnemonia ( i know i spelled that wrong lol) so she wont be coming which is fine i want her to get better she can come visit later lol. But darn that means I wont be off friday from work now lol.

ill check back after my exercise...

Lindsey-DO NOT PUT UP WITH THAT!!! You need to call the manager or do what Lea Ann said and call the corporate number. You do not pay good money to them to be spoken to like that. They are working FOR YOU!!! Ooh that burns me up!!!:devil:
On a lighter note. We went over to our neighbors for a BBQ last week and some of their family was there that I haven't seen in a few months. They were asking me about my weight loss and male neighbor looks at DH and quietly says "Are they talking about your I get more sex diet??" Didn't think I heard that one. MEN!!!!:dizzy:

So Debbie--are you saying you are a little more free with the love??? ;) Yes, MEN!!!! Gotta love'em--well I do. It does seem the less I hate my body the "nicer" I am.:D

Ooooh, me too!

oops--computer dittoed the post

You guys are gonna love this...

So I was sick last week and only went to WI Monday. I missed Wed. and Fri., and wasn't really on plan since I felt so bad and was on all kinds of meds. I go in this Monday and I'm down 2 lbs! Life was good.

Mon. afternoon after WI I went back to the doctor and he gave me a different narcotic cough syrup with an antihistimine and a shot of prednisone in my hip, to be followed up with 6 days of pills.

So... the prednisone's side effects are headache (I had that bad yesterday), weight gain, contipation, increased appetite. I also am really flushed - I look like I have sunburn.

Now, they moved me down to purple on Monday, so yesterday was the first day on the new plan, which I followed perfectly.

I go to WI today, and I am up 2.4 lbs.!!!!! Oh yeah, it is also TOM - I'm a complete mess right now.

Now, I know that it is because of the prednisone and all the other meds (they gave me a total of five prescriptions). Also, I am having bathroom issues, I was starving yesterday (but didn't give in). Do you know what my COD counselor said? She suggested that I buy the Excel and whatever the lineolic acid tablets are.... for $106! Then she suggested that when I was done the prednisone next week I should do TO, and did I want to buy the juice too, so I was ready to go with the supplements and juice as soon as the meds were done!

I told her maybe we shoul wait until the meds were done and then move to purple, but she wouldn't hear of it. I told her I am not buying anything until the meds were over, but it still pissed me off. I'm doing their friggin' lites, and I use other products, but, Jeez, that was not the time for a hard sell.

The good news is that before LAWL, I would have been really upset about the gain, but now that I can see what I am actually putting in to my body, I know it's the meds. I haven't had any problems with my COD before today, but I think that's because I've been following the plan, taking their suggestions and all is working out. Once you throw in a medical condition, they don't know how to handle it other than to look at it as an opportunity to sell. I know they are a business, but they are serving people, and this is a rather personal business to be doing.

Anyway... sorry so long, but thanks for listening (reading) to me vent.

Lindsey that counselor is a B*tch and you should not sit with her again. let the manager know and say that you dont want to see that counselor again, what is going on with COD lately?? everyone is being so nasty. I think they forget where their paycheck is coming from. Please dont put up with that, you are doing great and do not deserve that disrespect.

Debbie thank you. I cant believe the counselor asked you that...i was up 2lbs once and they never said anything to me. she is so rude. i'm glad you gave it to her good, must have felt good and she deserved it. they think the have some power over us or something when they dont know jack schitt.

hello to everyone else.

Cassi-

How annoying! Why can't they just say-"hey, don't worry about it! It's the meds, it's TOM, let's just let it lie and see what happens . . ."

And what other folks have said about getting ripped a new one when the "gain" .2 or .4. As far as I'm concerned-that's maintaining. And it's gonna happen. Gimme a break!

If you stay on plan-there's probably no reason to even plan to do TO. I think you're right. don't change anything and wait it out.

Cassi: So sorry to hear abou the stupid COD's. Sometimes I think I'm better off not going to one. KWIM? I really do hope you feel better though. I know how meds affect weightloss, so no worries on your part.

question for all of you.... Is anyone here sensitive to dairy and soy products? I break out in cycts on my chin!! eckkk!!

I just found out that I am, now I don't know what to do for my dairy serving? Do I just eliminate it all together? I switched my program so that I'm doing (don't know the color)a plan similar to Gold, but without the lites (or Luna's because of the soy) but adding 2 more ounces of protein and a serving of vegetables. What do you guys think?

Hey ladies!
Thanks for all the helpful advice, I got a pair of low heel strappy sandals. I really wanted something long and tall (4" sex-me-up pumps or something!) but I tend to walk like I have a corn cob in a certain place it isn't supposed to be in shoes like that. I also went to Catherines (a plus sized chain like Lane Bryant) just to see what they might have on sale in their SMALLEST sizes!:D I got a really nice floral print skirt that is very summery, and know what I want for a simple top. Now, just gotta find it!

Thanks too for the compliments - that was a very flattering picture for the body image! I tend to be larger front to back, than side-to-side, so that pic looks really slim, as long as I don't turn sideways! DH's reaction was HOLY SH**!, so it must be a good thing!:o

OOOOOOhhhhh - nasty http://www.geocities.com/fire_godess_e35/troll.gifs at the COD make me sooo mad. All of these ladies are right - you don't have to see them, and every once in a while you need to remind them that THEY work for YOU. I sure have my favorites, but I have gotten used to each one of them over time. One still marks up my diary every time I see her (havoc on my rigid Tpe A personality!) even though I've asked her not to.

Evette, have you tried the lactaid milk?

Ok, gotta run!

Okay, I need to vent. I have a really tough time with my inlaws, especially MIL. She has hated me the last 10 years, and will tell anyone who listens all about how terrible I am, with some pretty colorful language as well. DH has had a bad relationship with her for many years due to a million things. Anyways, several months ago DH decided that he did not want to keep all of the drama with them in his life anymore, and we have not seen them. Unfortunatley, we have still been hearing the narrative of their constant attacks on us from other family members. We recently avoided the birthday party of a niece to avoid seeing them. We visited her a few days before her birthday and took her a nice gift instead. I guess at the party my MIL was especially vile, and called me everything she could think of. She always blames all of her problems with DH on me, and says that I am keeping her from seeing her grandchildren. This is just not true. DH can see her all he wants, and take the kids over there too, but he does not want to. Anyway, there is another birthday party coming up on Sunday. We told Scotts brother 6 weeks ago that we would not be coming, but would love to come and visit before hand. He was really nasty on the phone to me about it, then flipped me off on the road later. He called yesterday to see if we had changed our minds yet. I backed DH up, said no, but we would like to come and visit on Sunday (They live 1 1/2 hours away). I was very nice, but told him that DH wants a break from all of the family drama, so he said that he did not want to go to a party where his mom and step father would be. Well, DH calls a few minutes ago and says that his brother called and talked him into it, so we are going. I told him to take the kids, go have a great time, and that I would stay home. He had a fit, insisting that I have to go. I told him that I really do not want to go hang out with people who hate me, and that I am really wondering why it is that he does not seem to mind them being so mean to me, and about me. He is all mad now. I don't know what to do. I REALLY do not want to go, but if I don't he is going to be mad. What would you all do?

evette-That is what I have to do as well. For some reason I am now allergic to soy, when I first started I was fine.

I am on Gold without Lites???!. When I started LAWL in the center they called it purple w/o lites increasing the protien 2oz. and 1 veg serving a day will counteract the loss of calories from the bars.

I now do it on my own as I have completed the process once.:) I am not sure if it has changed or not in the past year.

Hope that helps
Krystal

Katie, that stinks. I certainly would not go. I wonder what BIL told DH to change his mind? I've been caught like that and gone, been polite (not worth the effort), been sicky sweet (fun, but again, not worth the effort!), and stayed home. The later was the best choice for me. It's just not worth it to ruin someone else's special day, or to make yourself miserable. It may cause some tension in your house for a while, but it seems DH has seen what's really going on, and will get over it pretty quick.

Katie - I feel for you, I really do! I have had a wonderful relationship with my in-laws, but I did have a BF years ago whose mother insisted that I was stealing her son, and talked about me, etc.

If you think DH will be mad but get over it, then don't go. He can deal. But... if you think he will be mad forever and won't let it go, maybe you can suck it up and go, but agree on an arrival and departure time. Tell him you are making this sacrifice for him and your kids, and tell him that this is his ONE chance to back you up if any drama happens. If he doesn't, you will NEVER go with him to see his family again. Maybe it's not what you want, but you will force his hand to be more supportive, and maybe by you being the bigger person and supporting him first, he will in turn support you.

Just my .02. Good luck, girl!

Katie sorry to hear about all the problems. We are kind of going through this right now in our family long story. Anyway my mom doesnt want anything to do with cousin anymore. And she hasnt said much to her when we have been at family functions (hasnt been to many lol) But we have one this weekend and I told her she just needed to be on her best behavior. It always depends on the situation and I cant imagine being in the one your in. Verbal attacks are just not the answer. Im so sorry you have had to deal with this for what did you say 10 years. Thats just awful. I really dont know what to tell you. On one hand if you go so that you can be there for that persons bday putting their needs first you will probably be subjected to verbal attacks and on the other hand if you dont go you know there will be some verbal attacks and someone in the family will be sure to tell you about it. So really your hands are tied your damned if you do and damned if you dont. Good luck making your deicision. I agree with lori would be interesting to know what your BIL said to your hubby to make him change his mind.

I agree with Cassi - if you go, demand that he stick up for you, or this will be the last time you go! Good thought, Cassi!

Cassi--bummer about the scale changes--blame TOM--that's what I'm doing. Maybe they think they can sell you more when you are sick--low resistance--ha. I hope all the meds kick in and you get well soon--no fun in the summer.

Evette-no advice on the dairy but if you eliminate it all together be sure to up you calcium intake.

Lori--glad you are finding things for your trip--makes it a little less stressful to pack! And in the SMALLEST size no less--wtg. We need a photo of that too--we'll critique it--lol. LOVE the Peace Frog--I have a T-shirt and window sticker on my car from when we were in Myrtle Beach--LOVE HIM!!!

Katie--That totally sucks about the MIL. How childish of her. You are definitley stuck between a rock and a hard place and only you know what you need to do. I think this is one of those situations where you have to talk it out with DH and come up with a compromise. I agree with Cassi--if he says it's really THAT important to him that you go then tell him you fully expect him to back you if MIL starts up with the trash talk. It's hard to be the bigger person but is it just MIL or has she brainwashed the whole tribe? Is it possible to suck it up, be nice, and let everyone wonder what's wrong with crazy MIL? No one would like to be in your shoes (platforms and all! lol) but ultimately you have to live with yourself and DH. I am a compromiser by nature so I know I would just do it and then make him owe me for eternity--that's just me--haha. Good Luck with your decision.

Hope you ALL are having a great day!

Lea Ann, I have a star-spangled Peace Frog t-shirt that I've had for years (one of my favs) and now it hangs like a sack on me. :( I may start using it for a nightshirt, and order me a new one from the website - that's what I was doing on there today, looking to see if it was still available. It is - yay!

Britt-
You know, at WW you can have unlimited green veggies--so if I am still hungry after being POP I eat veggies, it can't be that bad!

Well, I had WI today. Down 1 lb. I will take it! Considering TOM, and I know that I'm retaining water. My rings are tight on me!

Cassi - I hope you are feeling better soon!! Sorry about your pushy salespeople at your COD! In the meantime, until you are done with your meds and feeling better, do what's right for your body, even if it means NOT moving to purple just yet!

Britt - When you're hungry later in the evening, if you used all your allowed food, it wouldn't hurt anything to have extra veggies. Did you know that they changed the portion sizes on some of them? A couple that were changed for me is: 3 cups lettuce = 1 veggie; 3 stalks celery = 1 veggie.

Evette - I'm not sure how you feel about veggies, but you could eat a whole cucumber, and that counts as 3 servings. Nice & light for the summer! :)

Katie - :goodluck: with TO. Fruit juice alone should help things moving along for you!
I am sorry to hear you are having a tough time with your inlaws. What would I do? I'm not even sure. :hug: :hug: to you! Maybe follow behind in your own car, make an appearance, and see how things go. If the drama gets to be too much, quietly leave, and DH should be understanding that at least you have tried (again) to appeas his family. I hope things work out for you!!
I also agree with Cassi. Especially about agreeing on an arrival & departing time, and the departure time can always be changed to later if all is well.


Lea Ann - Your success may not be showing on the scale because of all your exercise. I'm sure you're getting toned up over there, and sometimes numbers shouldn't matter. Go by how you look and feel!! If you need reassurance, take a window shopping trip just to try on clothes, and I'm sure you will see the difference then...

Lindsey - Congrats on your loss!! Is your COD by appointment or do you walk in? Next time before WI, I would call ahead to see if another counselor is in, and could be available to take you. YOU are paying that center, and they are supposed to be there to support us and encourage us!! Try talking to the manager, and if that doesn't work, call the corporate office. In your center, there should be a phone number for the regional district manager as well.
I am curious about something though -- is the center you go to a franchise?

Lori - Frog Wild ... My DD LOVES frogs!!

:wave: to everybody else!!! Hope everyone had a great POP day today!!

Question for anybody -- At COD today, they asked me if I needed lites, told them I was almost out, but not in a position to buy any right now.
Can someone please tell me what else (food wise) I'm supposed to be adding in place of the lites?
:thanks:

Sherry - I love "dumb, ugly frogs" and have quite a collection of them going - everything from windsocks to garden art.

Sherry - we must be posting at the same time! When I stopped doing the lites at the center, they bumped me from purple back up to red - a difference of 1S and 1/2P. So, I would say that 2 lites=1S, 1/2P

Can you try Luna Bars, or another alternative?

Lori--I have the retro one with the swirly rainbow colors--love it!! Definitely sounds like it''s time to retire yours and get a new one--you deserve it:D . I think I will order the flag one, too. My mom will try to fight me for it--but i want the pink ribbon one for her. I just saw the sticker so surely I can get the T online, too. They are all too cool. Never have seen them here so I get a lot of comments. DH says he looks like he's grabbing himself (the frog -not DH--haha). I wish they had a catalog--some of the pictures are hard to make out on the computer.

Sherry--congrats on the pound!! :carrot: You are right--I'm actually gonna go put on my Lucky's to remind myself how good I look--HAHA!! I just binged on watermelon and will have to roll myself to my closet!

Lori - When I told the girl at the center that I was almost out, it's like it didn't even phase her. By next WI, I will be completely out.

yea, I probably could try the Lunas, if they have them at SuperWalmart, reasonably priced. I'll have to check tomorrow when I'm out running around again. I just bought another pack of Slim Fast Optima.

Thanks!!

Lea Ann - I wish my binges were as healthy as yours! LOL

Oh--I have my faults!! I need to eat my supper before I eat something I shouldn't! I also like the Kashi Go Lean Crunchies, they usually run about .96 cents--better than the lites.

Honestly, I have no idea if the center is a franchise...I wish I knew the blasted counselor's name!
Maybe she was having a rotten day...she just seems so fake, you know?
Anyway, thanks for all the positive vibes ladies, I've been POP today!!
*happy dance*

Moving all my stuff to Greenville Friday...I miss Chapel Hill already.
But tomorrow is my birthday and one of my coworkers from last year sent me a message from England (he's doing study abroad) at 12:34am there, so it was "officially" my birthday. So sweet!
It's going to be a good day, I know it!

Hi all, so, after me and DH being mad all day at each other over this stupid birthday thing, we have decided to stick with plan A, visit them earlier in the day, and not let them manipulate us. Works for me. TO is going great, tummy still upset, but things should be a lot better tomorrow. I went to Albertsons to buy mroe fresh squeezed OJ, and they had fresh squeezed tangarine juice. Same calories and everything. I bought it, and dang is it good!

evette-That is what I have to do as well. For some reason I am now allergic to soy, when I first started I was fine.

I am on Gold without Lites???!. When I started LAWL in the center they called it purple w/o lites increasing the protien 2oz. and 1 veg serving a day will counteract the loss of calories from the bars.

I now do it on my own as I have completed the process once.:) I am not sure if it has changed or not in the past year.

Hope that helps
Krystal

Thanks for your help, Krystal. I didn't know if it was Gold w/out Lites, but Purple w/o lites makes sense and is exactly what I'm doing. Thank you again. :D

Sherry: Thanks for the cucumber suggestion. I love cucumbers and will have to add that to my list of things to buy. Thank you!!

Good Morning Everybody! :wave:

Katie - glad you and DH worked things out. I hope he realizes that he has to live with you, and not his brother anymore! So of course, your say & opinion should rank higher.
I know how frustrating it is to be around people that are talking about you. For the longest time, my DH brother hated me, and wouldn't even talk to me, but talked about me. Now, we get along. He got over it, and realized that I wasn't going anywhere, and that my DH is happy. So at least we can all get together and do things now, but it took some time!

Evette - glad I could help. I love cucumbers. Good way to get in 3 veggies at once, and Morton Lite salt. I also, now and then, get in the mood for cut up green peppers. But another alternative to veggies is low sodium V-8. I wouldn't have that too often though because of the sodium.

Not much going on today. It's early, but so far I'm POP. That's an accomplishment, because there is a tray of brownies sitting on my stove that DD made last night. :hun: [Step away from the kitchen ...]

:welcome2: to any newbies I may have missed along the line.

:goodluck: and :goodvibes: to all those who have WI today

Hope everyone has a great POP day!

good morning all!

It's a busy day around here. i am taking care of that sweet little girl again due to an emergency situation with the other foster mom. And then we got a call yesterday about another little boy. So he's moving in tomorrow. So I'm taking down bunk beds to put up another crib. So after noon tomorrow we will have a 19 month old, an 8 month old and a 5 month old....whooo hooo..and that folks will be a full house!

Katie, glad to hear that things got worked out. Family stress stinks! My FIL is a constant source of it around here.

Princess Heather, you and your family so totally rock. I really admire what you are doing with all the foster kids.

thanks Lori...we get sooooo much from the kids...more than we can ever give them! I seem to forget what life was like before I was driving a mini van and hauling car seats everywhere. It's a joy and a real blessing what these children give to us!

Good Morning Everyone -
I was trying to keep up yesterday, but had no time to post. Sounds like mostly good news for everyone. Way to go!!

I have a question, and am hoping you guys can help. I have found that protein for breakfast is the very best thing for me - fills me up, gives me energy,and really seems to help me not be hungry. Problem is that I am really getting tired of eggs/egg beaters every morning. I can't see myself eating meat (outisde of disallowed bacon and ham) at 8:00 am, so am kind of stuck. Any ideas??

Lori - gotta say I love that dress, and strappy heels (not too tall) was exactly what I had in mind, too. Glad you found a fun skirt for the party, you'll find a cute top, I have no doubt.

Katie - had your dilemma in mind all night, and came in to work this morning to find that you and DH had worked it out. I'm glad. Bottom line is that you have enough going in your life, you don't need all that negative upsetting BS shoved at you. I do think that going forward, you and DH need to come to an even greater understanding of how seeing his family will work in your lives and how you feel when you are treated that way. I do have one question, when you are being targeted at his parent's, does he stand up for you and tell them all to stop being disrespectful to his wife, the mother of his kids and their grandkids?? I think that a direct hit from him, would be much more effective than anything you could say or do.

Evette - sorry about your dairy problem, I would really miss my cheese and yogurt. I'm with everyone else, just make sure you are getting your calcium. I buy the Viactiv caramel calcium chews. They have a few calories, but I have two a day and they are like a little treat when I eat them.

Sherry - Step away from the brownies!!!:dust: Remind yourself that a minute of chocolate isn't worth all the other times you've denied yourself in order to make this program work.

Lindsey - HAPPY BIRTHDAY :wizard: :balloons:



To all my other computer buddies - Sommer, Heather PSunshine, LeaAnn, Lisa, Christie, Princess Heather, etc.... Hope all is well with you - here's to a good day - stay cool everyone!!!!!!!!

Smiles,

Good morning all- I am finally back to working out again!!! I ran on the treadmill for the first time in a month this morning. It was so hard, I felt like I was going to be sick at one point but I toughed it out and made it through the same workout level I was at a month ago. I have to keep it up, no matter how hot it gets, because even though I am up only 1 pound, my clothes have been tight the past week.

Debbie- try the luna bars, I have been on them for the past 3 months and even though they are not as chocolatey as the lites, they work. I do not know if I could do it without lites or lunas because I need my sweet fix at least once a day.

Katie- glad your DH backed down and is going with the original plan. Good thing you gave him time to come to his senses.

Heather- I applaud you, I had 3 kids under the age of 3 and it was just crazy, but I got through it. When things get overwhelming all you can do is just take a step back and laugh. God bless you!

Skipper- Have you tried peanut butter for your protein in the morning? I used to have it with an apple and it was pretty filling. I always find if I use my protein in the morning I am really missing it with my lunch or dinner- I am on gold and only get 2.

Lea ann- I am sure you are thinner now than you were a few weeks ago- try on those Lucky's and see. I am about the same weight as I was a month ago and I feel so much fatter because I have not worked out. There is a new health club being built about a mile down the road from me and they have really good deals right now before it opens. I am going to join and hopefully finish this journey I started last fall.

Have a good day everyone:hug:
Be Strong:strong:
Lisa

skipper-another pb breakfast idea-a piece of toast with pb and sliced banana. Yummy and very filling . . .

Katie- That sucks about your MIL situation. For that reason, and others, I am glad that we live 12 hours away from all of our family. That way we only have to deal with them a couple of times a year. I had/kinda have the same situation with my MIL only that there is no woman good enough for her little boy. Everything that went wrong in our lives was my fault. DH was really good about really talking me up to his mom all the time and she kind of stopped with the trash talk. Probably only because I went postal on him about the situation. He just kept saying that that is just her way. Sorry, I don't live like that and am not going to put up with being treated that way. I would do what everybody else suggests and make him stand up for you or else just get the heck away from them.(Inlaws that is.) You don't deserve to be treated like that!!

Marilee- How about cottage cheese and fruit, or ricotta cheese and fruit or a crepe with ricotta cheese and fruit, homemade turkey sausage on toast,apple pancake (haven't tried it but Katie says it's yummy), french toast from the cookbook(have tried that and I think it's yummy) counts as 1/2PSF, I could post recipes if you don't have the new cookbook.

Lindsay- Happy Birthday!!!:hb: :gift: :woo: :balloons:

WI went good yesterday. Got my fave counselor, the one that we saw camping. I got measured since it's been about 2 months. I am down a total of 22 1/2" and was down 1 lb. from last time. She was so positive and kept telling me how great I was doing that I walked out of there ready to take on the world and more determination that I can do this. Everybody should have sessions like that all the time.

Ok chickies, got a question for you....
I can't get the caramel deluxe or the chocolate brownie lites at our center. I won an auction for 5 boxes of the caramel deluxe on ebay, but she emailed me and told me that they goofed and only had 2 boxes of the caramel and the rest were the chocolate brownie. Do they taste like the double chocolate? I can get a refund on the 3 boxes if I don't want them. You guys that can get them, what do you think of them? If they taste like the double chocolate, I don't want to waste the money on the shipping for them.

Thanks guys, for all of the good advice. Major temptation today. One of our daycare toddlers brought these amazing lemon cupcakes from Albertsons for her birthday. I just handed them out, there were 6 extra that could have inhaled. I licked a little frosting off my fingers, cut the extras in half and put them on the table and headed to my bedroom. Ooooh, not the stuff to have in the house for TO!

Deb - I know what you mean about having a good day at the COD...I had a good one too; down a pound and the meeting always seems to go well. I felt so good I even bought the new cookbook to reward myself. Looks like it had a few too many ingredients for my easy cooking lifestyle, but I'm sure I'll find a few things to whip up.

I've not had the chocolate brownie lite, but I love the double chocolate (nuked for 12 seconds on 1/2 low fat graham cracker...yummmm).

Katie - glad you worked out your situation at home...but then, it's only Thursday....hope things stay on plan. If not, I agree with Cassi's plan that you have a set schedule and that DH be prepared to speak up if need be. It sounds like we all have a family member we could live without! (for me it's a psycho SIL who needs to be committed!).

It's hot and humid in GA. I'm avoiding going to a class at the gym right now. I do so much better with working out in the morning, but lately I've avoided that too. I know this weight is not going to come off without some added activity...I need the WPD fairy to come my way for sure!

Okay, I totally suck. The kids did not finish the freaking cup cakes. I wolfed down 1 1/2, the literally ran to the dog kennel with rest to avoid further damage. Dang it, dang it, dang it.

boy you guys have been too quiet today!

Katie- forget about the cupcake and move on, we all have our slip ups- you just can't let it mess you up for the rest of the day- get right back on track and count it as your starch.

I have so much energy today from my workout, and I have not been that hungry either. I still have my dairy, starch and fruit left and it is almost 7:30- I better go have that before it gets too late.

quick question, how much extra food for gold without lites?

Hi all, long time no chat with. I'm been doing great the last two weeks with my trainer at the gym. He likes to kick by butt harder it seems each time I meet with him. I had put my LAWL on hold thinking I would just concentrate on my exercise and then go back to them in Oct or so. Well of course I guess that gave me reason to think I could eat more and still lose weight, NOT. I went back in Mon wagging my tail between my legs admitting I still needed them. I lost a little over 3 lbs between M & W, but still not below the 190 again. So now that I'm trying to be back on plan for the 20th time I hope between the exercise, weight training and trying to eat on plan I will see some improvements and keep at it. I still have to change my ticker and I will soon, but I thought I'd drop in to say Hi.

I've still been reading daily and glad to hear your all are still doing great and working hard. Welcome everyone that is new.

Katie I'm happy you and your DH worked it out. It's hard when family is in the middle, but in the long run it's about what both of you want. You got some great feedback. Sorry to hear you gave in to the cupcakes, but OH can I RELATE. Having that will power is so hard sometimes. You've done great though and I'm proud of you.

Heather I hope your doing good missed you posting the last couple of days.

It's been to long since I've done personals so I'm not going to even try tonight, but do know I've thought of you all and proud of you.

Thank goodness the weather has cooled where I live I finally can stand it.

I have a weekend function away and I hope I can stay a little stronger with as I WI on Mon.

Wishing you all a POP evening and day tomorrow.

Okay - I admit, I watch the show and I'm miffed right now that Allison got booted off. Natalie and her were equally talented, but Natalie is overly emotional about EVERYTHING and has an injury to boot. I know she's passionate about her dancing, but so is everyone on the show. Oh well, I think I watch hoping I'll burn some of the calories they do....no, I watch because I really enjoy it!

Gamababa3 - how often do you meet with your trainer? I'm doing great with the eating and bad with the exercise and think it might be time to take the PT plunge.

Katie - I think you did good by stopping yourself and chucking the rest of the cupcakes...I've been putting a lot of "red light" foods down my garbage disposal lately; I just know I'm weak and for now it's the best solution.

I have a frozen LA Slim (vanilla) in my fridge for tomorrow...any good suggestions on what to eat this with? I have a few strawberries and I'm wondering if I added them to the slim and blended it up if it would taste like a strawberry milkshake?

[QUOTE=LottaMe2MiniMe]Okay - I admit, I watch the show and I'm miffed right now that Allison got booted off. Natalie and her were equally talented, but Natalie is overly emotional about EVERYTHING and has an injury to boot. I know she's passionate about her dancing, but so is everyone on the show. Oh well, I think I watch hoping I'll burn some of the calories they do....no, I watch because I really enjoy it!

Gamababa3 - how often do you meet with your trainer? I'm doing great with the eating and bad with the exercise and think it might be time to take the PT plunge.QUOTE]

I'm in the West coast and you think you can Dance hasn't been on yet, but I usually like to know in advance:) As for how often I meet with the trainer I see him twice a week. I had bought 12 sessions and today was number 4. I'm thinking of buying another 12 more session as I believe it will help. I need to do better at the cardio I am now doing 15 min on the bike when I first get there and then 15 after I meet with him. He wants me in a few more times a week I told him I think I need to make an appt as I'm better with them then just dropping in. I was good with the food in the beginning also, but the last couple months has been the pits. Glad to here you’re doing well with the food. I decided on the PT and more exercise due to the women on here and how hard some of them work. After losing 40 lbs I don't like all the extra hanging skin, so I hope this will help.

As for the LA slim down I usually just eat it partially frozen I like it kind of thick. I think it would be great blended with strawberries. I think its petty filing by itself.

Good Morning Everybody! :wave:

Lindsey - Hope you have a safe move! Happy Belated Birthday, too by the way!

Heather - Did you get your new baby in yet? How are things going with three?

Skipper - I used to get filled up on 1 T. peanut butter on lite whole wheat bread. But peanut butter can be very addicting (at least to me) and my COD suggested I cut down a little because it was slowing my loss.

Lisa - I don't know how you do it -- working out in this heat. The sweat alone from the heat should count for something, right?! You will be losing again before you know it!!

Deb - glad you are fortunate to have a good COD. I've been pretty happy with mine as well. Everybody is always so supportive and friendly all the time, even when I'm sitting there thinking it was (only) a pound. They are all WooHoo! Another pound gone! I wish the others on this board had the same support and motivation that you and I have gotten from our centers!
I still believe that some of it has to do with whether the center is corporate or franchise.

Joni - here's some :dust: for you to get your workouts going again!
I haven't tried blending any of the LA

Katie - today is a new day. Don't dwell on those cupcakes. Everybody has their days. One day won't break you. Look how far you have come. You are still an inspiration to me - cupcakes and all!!

Barb - Good to see you again!! With all your workouts, though, don't get discouraged by the scale.

Hope everyone has a great POP day today!!

quick question, how much extra food for gold without lites?


Hi Debbie....I'm doing gold without the lites and have added 1 extra serving of vegetables and 2 more ounces of my protein. (Instead of having 6oz of chicken, you up it to 8oz to fulfill your 1 serving for the day, with beef, instead of 4oz you up it to 6oz to fulfill your other serving for the day) Everything else stays the same. Hope this helps!!

Hey girls!! Happy Friday! I just wanted to ask those of you who do have a COD. When are they going to be updating the Frozen Entree selections in our plan book? The reason being.... I heard from the Hungry Girl site that Kashi's new frozen entrees are out and here's some of the dishes and their opinions:

Kashi's frozen meals have arrived...Woohoo!

All natural and made with 7 whole grains, these brand new entrees rocked our socks off! We chewed 'em, and now we're telling all. Here's our official review...


Sweet & Sour Chicken


(320 calories, 3.5g fat, 380mg sodium, 55g carbs, 6g fiber, 25g sugars, 18g protein = 6 points)

What It Is: Sliced chicken with roasted green beans and yellow pepper, red pepper, crimini mushrooms, onions and edamame (soybeans), served over Kashi® 7 Whole Grains Pilaf, and topped with a light, tangy sweet and sour sauce.

What We Think: This is one of the best-tasting frozen dinners of all time. We couldn't believe how fresh and AWESOME the veggies were. And the sweet & sour sauce was unbeatable. The edamame was a fantastic touch. We loved the whole grain pilaf. Yum!

Overall Score: 9.5. We will be buying this one again. And again. And again.


Lime Cilantro Shrimp

(250 calories, 8g fat, 690mg sodium, 33g carbs, 6g fiber, 8g sugars, 12g protein = 5 points)



What It Is: Shrimp with roasted green peppers and red onion, red bell peppers and carrots, served over our Kashi® 7 Whole Grains Pilaf, and topped with lime ginger cilantro sauce.


What We Think: This meal contained FIVE impressively sized shrimp, and they were far and away the best frozen dinner shrimp we've ever tasted. It was a bit saucy. So much so, that we think you could easily add a slew of steamed veggies to it and have more than enough sauce to go around. It tasted creamy, too. And don't worry -- the cilantro wasn't overpowering, so if even if you're not a fan of the stuff, you'll probably still enjoy this entree.

Overall Score: 8.5. A shrimpy good time!

Black Bean Mango


(340 calories, 8g fat, 430mg sodium, 58g carbs, 7g fiber, 11g sugars, 8g protein = 7 points)

What It Is: Black beans with roasted red onions and green peppers, red peppers and carrots. Served over Kashi® 7 Whole Grains Pilaf and topped with fire-roasted mango sauce. A delicious dish that's Vegan, too


What We Think: This meal wins the award for the most original frozen dish ever. This sweet, bean-y, veggie-packed dish had huge chunks of yummy onion and hunks of mango, too, which made it a tropical taste sensation.

Overall Score: 9.5. Two yums up!!!


Southwest Style Chicken


(240 calories, 5g fat, 680mg sodium, 32g carbs, 6g fiber, 3g sugars, 16g protein = 4 points)

What It Is: Chicken marinated in lime juice, cumin and olive oil, grilled then sliced. Served over our Kashi® 7 Whole Grains Pilaf, tossed with fire roasted onions and corn, green and red peppers and topped with southwestern sauce.

What We Think: WOW! Talk about a microwavable Mexican fiesta! We LOVED this dish and were WAY impressed, not only with the tender chicken pieces, but with the veggies' fire roasted flavor (and actual grill marks!). Awesome!
It even had an impressive spicy kick...

Overall Score: 8.5. We'd chew it again for sure!

Lemon Rosemary Chicken


(330 calories, 9g fat, 640mg sodium, 45g carbs, 5g fiber, 1g sugars, 17g protein = 7 points)


What It Is: Chicken marinated with lemon and rosemary, grilled then sliced.

Served with baby Portobello mushrooms and sugar snap peas over our Kashi® 7 Whole Grains Pilaf, and topped with lemon rosemary sauce.

What We Think: While this dish is definitely best suited for SERIOUS rosemary lovers, it's an all-around solid meal. The lemon flavor was pretty much overpowered by the rosemary, so fans of lemon chicken may be a bit disappointed. In fact, we think the name should be changed to Rosemary Chicken. We loved the mushrooms and sugar snap peas a lot though. Did we mention this meal is better for people who really crave
rosemary? It is.

Overall Score: 7.5. But that's because we don't like rosemary as much as some other people do.


Chicken Pasta Pomodoro


(280 calories, 6g fat, 470mg sodium, 38g carbs, 6g fiber, 5g sugars, 19g protein = 5 points)

What It Is: Chicken and roasted vegetables over whole grain pasta and topped with fresh tomato garlic basil sauce, parmesan cheese and Kashi® 7 Whole Grain Flakes.

What We Think: To us, this one was pretty much a standard frozen chicken and pasta meal. Sure the whole grain pasta adds fiber, which is great, but we
found this chicken to be a bit saltier than the chicken in the other dishes. There was lots of basil and garlic flavor in this one, too, so if you're a big fan of those things, you may very well groove on this entree. We prefer the
meals that feature Kashi's famous 7 Whole Grains Pilaf, though.


Overall Score: 7.5. Not bad, just not spectacular like some of the others.

There you have it! I'm excited to try some of these. I just wanted to know if you guys think it would be okay to try these when they do come out to our stores.

Oooh, yum. Thanks Evette. I will definitly be trying!

Thanks Evette! A couple of those aren't too bad on sodium either!

Barb- So good to hear from you! Glad that the training is going so good.

So, a funny story last night. We were at DH's shop really late doing a truck bed. I was standing next to the bed liner machine watching DH work on it when I noticed somthing on the floor by my foot. It looked like a crumpled up piece of black paper. I was going to pick it up and throw it away, but nudged at it with my foot first, and it spread out little black wings and skittered across the floor. It was a little bat, just a little bigger than a mouse. I turned into a total crazy lady, running, screaming, cussing, ran behind DH and even clung to his back. I woke up all 3 kids asleep in the back of the car. My heart was pounding so hard, I was even short of breath. I have no clue why that scared me so bad. DH threw a rag over him and picked him up, he was making this weird little hissing noise. The kids loved him. He was really cute, when I calmed down. We sat him in the grass outside next to the shop and he flew away. I will probably never live this one down! I blame it on all of the chicken I have been eating, I must be turning into one.

ROFL!!! haha!! That's a funny story Katie!! I was trying to find the little "smilie" for laughing, but I couldn't find it!!:D

TGIF
Gamabama - I'm going to check into the PTs at my gym next week. Can I be even more nosey and ask what you pay for a 12 session package? I know it's not cheap, but I also know I cannot afford $50 for a half hour session.
Also, my apologies for not realizing the time change and giving away the finish last night; I promise not to do it on the finale night! I was just really upset; I still am.
Sherry - Thanks for the Will Power Dust - it must have worked as I made it to the gym this morning...did 15 minutes on the stairmaster, 20 minutes upper body and then 30 minutes (2.1 miles) on the treadmill. I swear the hardest part is just getting out of bed at 5:20 AM. Once I'm up and dressed, I'm good to go.
Evette - I saw the HG site this morning too (I love her daily emails) and had actually seen a couple of these Kashi meals at Super WalMart the other day. I'm going to print off the nutrition info and ask tomorrow at the COD. I'm guessing it can count as a protein and a starch, like most of the others. We'll see.
A diet is the penalty we pay for exceeding the feed limit. ~Author Unknown

Joni--love the quote!

Katie--YIKES!!! I just had to deal with a newly dead (aka warm, limp) groundhog my big bruiser 4 pound dog brought me--yyyeeewww. That stuff gives me the heebie jeebies.

Everyone else--good morning--well, I hope yours is good--mine sucks. Went to COD, KNEW I was up and they just confirmed it. Love the counselor then find out tomorrow is her last real day (she's a teacher). I was up to 161--AGAIN. Crap. She still feels it's the exercise and I want to believe it but it's still such a mind game, she shows me my before and of course I start crying--really ticks me off I was built too close to the well. Anyway, then she says someone neted I am out of weeks, REALLY???--I have been since May. Anyway, I stand strong and say I am NOT buying more weeks I have spent enough, I should have been on maintenance a LONG time ago but 2 pounds a week is obviously not doable for everyone. I said take them from my maintenance weeks or from Scott's file since he never goes anymore but that one thing I do know is I won't buy more. (I was quite proud of myself--sometimes my backbone gives in before my mouth). She said she understood and since I have tried all their changes, moving things around, etc., she agreed and would clear it with the regional manager (who was there today) that if they insist on "more weeks" to take them away from somewhere else. Anyway, we'll see, I am concerned that tomorrow is her last day so who knows...

Okay--nuff griping. Tony Horton is calling my name!! (power90)

later gals.

Thanks Joni!! Definitely let me know. I'm anxious to try them.

Hellow everyone-
No time for personals...i have so much catching up to do!
DH and I went to Kings Dominion and had a ball!
TOM is here and the scale is up of course...
172.8.....

Hope you ladies have a wonderful day...

Thanks Kristi. I guess I can use the one's listed as a guideline. I have tried the LC Panini sandwiches and loved it!! Too bad it was soooo small!! haha! Have you tried the new LC Pizza's yet? I haven't and was wondering if you had.

Katie - :rofl:

Lea Ann - good for you to stand up and not let them pressure you into buying more weeks!!

Hey chicks I know it has been a while but Ive been lurking. Keeping up with the posts.

Lori – Wanted to say you look great in that dress!!! Hope you found some great shoes to go with it. Your other outfit sounds great too!:flame:

Katie – How was takeoff? Glad your husband came to his senses. I can so understand the family drama. I feel very uncomfortable with my inlaws. My husband thinks I have to go with him every time?! Too funny about the bat, I can just picture you running around screaming. LOL :lol3: Hey went to Jackpot last weekend for my free birthday dinner. Had a good time. Thought of you!

Lindsey –:D Hi and welcome to the group. Did you ever call the 800# about your center?

Cassi _ sorry you haven’t been feeling well its so hard to deal with so many prescriptions and dieting. Especially the steroids.:hug:

Winkie- Don’t know what to tell you about the dairy:shrug: . Sorry. On the Kashi frozen meals I think I would try a couple but if it messed with the weight loss not do them again. Some of those sound good!

CandlePrincess- You must be BUSY with those young ones:bb: ! Sounds like fun though.

Skipper have you tried the slimdowns/slimfast high proteins in the morning?! Maybe that will help?

Ljackson – congrats on getting back to excercising. I need to do that too!!


MTdebster_ You are doing so great. Its great to get a positive counselor!

MiniMe – Sending willpower dust your way! :dust:

Gama – YOU CAN DO THIS! (TELLING MYSELF THE SAME THING!)

LeeAnn – Don’t buy more weeks. They should honor the deal if you have stuck to the plan they are supposed to give you more weeks to match the guarantee. Arent they?:chin:

Hi to all the other chicks!:wave:

Norissa Im calling you out! LOL

Thanks guys--and Kristi--I tried on my jeans yesterday--haven't had a long pair of pants since May!! Anyway--glad to say they fit fine, maybe better than May even though I have a few more pounds--must just be in different places. I felt decent when I left about the weeks thing working out--guess we'll see after she is gone. I can be very stubborn. Today, bless her heart, the counselor tried to cheer me up by showing my "before" photo--ok--you can tell me I need therapy--because I see the same person I see everyday in the mirror in that photo. WHY can't we accept the good things that are happening and not let the stupid scale put us in such a downward spiral?? I have decided scale numbers or not I am going to continue the exercise--I feel too good afterwards to stop (note--afterwards, not during!) I am going to continue with Blue since I am averaging 40-45 minutes a day--even though it's not 5 hours a week, and she wants me to try to have 1 starch at each meal (I am bad about having 2 at a time--sandwich). We'll see.

Thanks again for the support! WE CAN ALL GET THROUGH THIS!!!

Mrs. Beanie - :wave: Good to see you again!

Hiya chickies!! I know I've been so bad by not posting lately - I've had more computer issues at work - I will not even try to catch up on the posts - I did notice a few - especially evette talking about the kashi meals - I tried to go and find one for lunch today - but our Super Target didn't have them - I was fairly dissppointed. I had gotten an email from hungrygirl today describing and rating them.....they look so good.....
Anyway - I'm doing good -just been concentrating on some personal issues going on - but everything is okay.

Barb - Sounds like the PT is going great - good to see you posting.
Katie - Girl don't you worry about those cupcakes - they are gone and over!!
Dairy - wanted to say major Congrats to you - Here's to a happy and very healthy pg!!!!

I'm headed to see my grandma this weekend - she is not doing so great. Just found out she has diverticulitis - but not sure what the dr. is going to do as far as treatment. I haven't seen her in months and each time I've planned on going - I'm always on call with work. So, I'm headed out tomorrow morning and coming back on Sunday - It is about 3.5 hours away.

Anyway - :wave: to all the other chickies - I know you guys are so busy....everyone enjoying the summer time (not the heat) -

I will keep in touch I promise (not over the weekend ) but hopefully I will be back in full force by monday!!!

Heya Beanie! Good to see you. DH wants to go to Jackpot tomorrow night. He is so overworked and overstressed right now, it would be a great thing to do. We will have to see...

Purple girl- Cute, cute, cute! Love the new pic.

WOW Heather you look GREAT. I love your new pic. I'm so jeoulous of your skinny body:) Sorry to hear your grandma is not doing so well. Glad you are able to go out to see her. Will catch up next week. I have to get back to work was only taking a peek. Chat more with you all later.

HeatherPP: Loving the new avatar!! You look terrific!

Heather - Love the pic! You look awesome in it. Did you get your hair cut too?

Sorry to hear that your grandma is not doing too well. My prayers are with you! :hug:

oh chickies - you guys are too darn sweet - you know it??

Thanks for all the compliments -

Sherry -actually it is funny you asked about the haircut - No, I didn't in that picture. I was supposed to get it cut that day - but forgot and scheduled the beach trip( I just happened to be having a good hair day). BUT - I did finally get it cut and highlighted again on Weds. I should get some more pics this weekend and I will share the "new do"......

You girls almost brought tears to my eyes - !!! :hug: :hug:

Kristi - Trying to find my sunshine(it is there a little- just not as bright as uaual) - - I've been really stressed and just burned out altogether - with working , working out, trying to be POP - and everything kind of just got to me - so I had to step away. I still been doing good - just needed a mental break!!!

I have missed you chickies alot in the past week or so!!!

Lea Ann - I agree with you; keep up the exercise - it's good for the heart and the mind! I think my biggest worry is the long-term plateau...I'd love to see good things that folks have read on the topic of plateaus -- especially good things that have worked! I only had time to find a couple things and they are very basic: vary the foods you eat; exercise more; log every bite, make sure you are getting in all your portions, etc.

And until those pounds start coming off again, focus on how much better you feel vs the scale!

Thanks Joni--I'm working on it!

HeatherPP--good to see you girl. I understand the need for a break. Take care of yourself and the rest will fall into place.

Hope everyone is having a good one--about to run errands--seems to be the story of my life lately.

Okay - I got wrapped up in Plateau Busters and there's a lot out there...even on this LAWL site Barbara put a Plateau Busters thread out there. In addition, I read things like:
I'd cut out as much processed food as possible, make sure I was exercising for at least 30 min every day, and I would make sure I was eating a good number of calories - not too much, not too little. Try to make a few goals that aren't scale related to get you through this tough time.

eat small, frequent meals, and keep up both the weight lifting and the cardio.

Try zig-zagging your calories or having lower carbs days interpersed with higher carb days, just to keep your body guessing.

You will lose weight, just give your body some time to adjust to it.

Howdy ya'll!

Heather Sunshine - you are just so dang cute! Love your new pic!

Katie - yikes! I had a bat bonk me in the back once in college.

Barb - good for you, with the PT - I am soooo jealous. Keep workin' it girl!

Beanie - good to see you back! Post more!

Lea Ann - you go girl! Stand up for yourself! Keep up the exercise - you'll see the difference soon! You are a better person than I am.

Everyone else - HI!

oops---sorry BOOSTERS--didn't mean to post to Kristi over there--didn't realize until it was too late!!

Lori--NO--trust me, I am not. I am a bear today and no one wants to be around me--really. Anyway--still lovin the frog--HE makes me smile!!

Lea ann- sorry you are feeling fustrated today- I am too. I can go 3 days POP and then I break down. I understand the mental thing too- I feel just as big as I did a year ago. I see it every time I look in the mirror. I can look at my before pictures and tell a difference but I just do not feel it. And i am getting kind of embarrassed posting on here because I have not moved in my weight in at least 3 months. I know you guys don't think that is bad but I am sure people lurking on here think some of us are a joke, we are not succeding at this, we are just hanging on. I am sorry if that offended anyone- it is not meant to single anyone out, I just couldn't decide the right way to word that.
Sorry I am so negative- I just needed to vent.

Lisa--feel free--I have done more than my share lately. Hey, don't feel bad about not losing in 3 months--neither have I. On the up side--we haven't gained either--and that is SUPER!!! Even though I am determined to lose to goal it will not be life alterating if I don't. I look and feel better than I have in 15 years so I really don't have the right to complain--just the desire-LOL. If anyone thinks we're "jokes" because we aren't successful--who cares? We are successful--look how far everyone on this site has come so far. And with an almost 30 pound loss then if "hanging on" is all I can manage--I'll take it as long as I am maintaining and getting fit.

Don't stay away because you are embarrassed--that's crazy--obviously you are making the effort and that's what counts. No one is perfect ALL the time (I apologize if someone is--I commend you) but I can honestly say no one I know is. Anyway--stay with us--we need you--perfect or not.

Well.....I havent lost (or posted, LOL) in about , lets see....4 months...and I have gained from my original goal low (mainly due to exercise and the gain is a big 3 pounds) but I do NOT consider myself a joke and neither should you...we have seen the end in sight and keeping it off is the real lesson here. It sure is nice to post every day with a "I lost another 2 pounds, wow, I dont even know how I did it" but for everyone at some point or other, it slows down and even though some of us are "stuck", it by no means undercuts all the victories we have acheived...y'all arent alone!

Thanks guys- I know, I know, I have accomplished something losing 27 pounds, and the summer proved to be a road block in my progress. I know I will get back to losing soon, it is just not going to be as easy or as fast as the first 20 pounds were. I have to remember that to keep this in perspective.
thanks for your encouragement.

GOOD MORNING CHICKIES!! Well, my home scale is looking good....we'll see what the COD says when I check in a bit later this morning. I'm trying to figure out why a 2.5 oz Morningstar Veggie Burger (which is very, very good in my opinion) counts as 1 protein.....I could have easily eaten two, but my book says ANY veggie burger is 1 protein. Doesn't seem fair. Guess I'll ask today.

I know that posting this on a weekend will probably bury it, but hopefully we can spread the word.

One of the other message boards I belong to is holding it's 3rd annual holiday ornament exchange, and I thought it might be fun to organize something like that here.

Good grief - am I talking about December already? Gross! But, it does take some planning, so here goes:

It works like this. You PM me your real name, your real address and what type of ornaments you like. Then in October, I will send you the name and ornament preferences of an exchange buddy via PM. You would go out and buy or make an ornament for your buddy. Put a holiday card in it with your real name and 3FC name. All gifts must reach the person prior to a predetermined day in December. Then on a predetermined day in December we all will open our ornament. We will post a description of what we got and thank the sender.

We send the packages anonymously (no hints in the return address), and don't open them until the big day. The anticipation of looking at the mystery box and wondering who sent it, is almost as much fun as getting the ornament! Last year I got an ornament from Australia! And the year before, from Boston.

It doesn't have to be expensive. Just something you really like and think they would. It can be homemade or store bought.

I believe past participators had a great time with it. If you are interested please send me a PM.

Lori--what a fun idea! We all already feel like we know one another. Now, put your photo back up--I love that picture. When is the trip to Cali??

DH and DD went out to town for the day to visit some of his family--I am supposed to be doing some "alone" shopping--apparently I complain that I never get to, so here's my chance, it's noon and I just got out of the shower!!

Good afternoon Chickies!

Bronchitis seems better. Only today and tomorrow on the steroids. All other meds are done! So, with all the meds and TOM here (TMI moment... I am on a pill that TOM only visits every 12 weeks, not every month, so when he's here, it's with a vengeance!), my week went like this:

Monday - down 2 lbs. from last weeks WI (I only went once)
Wednesday - up 2.5 lbs. COD moved me to purple, told me I should buy Excel and something else, and TO juice. I declined.
Friday - down 3.8 lbs. COD (same counselor) actually said "Holy S**T" when I got on the scale. I'm guessing she didn't really believe me on Wed. about the meds and TOM.

Anyhoo... Just wanted to check in. I spent all yesterday catching up with the last week and a half of readin.

Lea Ann - Hang in there. You have done such an awesome job of changing your way of life, and a few pounds either way cannot take that away from you. You're going to set a great example for your PE students!

Lisa - Same thing to you, too! None of us think you are a joke or a failure. Your "stick to-it-ness" is actually motivating!

Lori - Great idea on the ornaments. Sounds like fun. (Oh, and the others were right - you look smokin' in that dress)

Heather PP - Love the avatar. You are just cute as christmas!

Heather CP - Hope all is well with your full house. You and DH are a real inspiration.

Katie - Hope all goes well with the family b-day party!

Sommer, Britt, Debbie, and everyone else I missed - HI!!!!!

I saw a few newbies also this week. WELCOME!

Well.....I havent lost (or posted, LOL) in about , lets see....4 months...and I have gained from my original goal low (mainly due to exercise and the gain is a big 3 pounds) but I do NOT consider myself a joke and neither should you...we have seen the end in sight and keeping it off is the real lesson here. It sure is nice to post every day with a "I lost another 2 pounds, wow, I dont even know how I did it" but for everyone at some point or other, it slows down and even though some of us are "stuck", it by no means undercuts all the victories we have acheived...y'all arent alone!

Sure do miss ya around here, come visit now and again! :hug:

Cassi--so glad you are feeling better. I had pneunomia a couple summers ago (stupid teacher--got in in May but that's too hectic a time to go to Dr.!!) I seriously wanted to die and without the steroids and vicadin I think I would have! WTG on the losses!! Goofy counselors.

Had a good shopping day--me and everyone in the tri state area was at the mall--ugh--I hate crowds, but since I was alone so it was bearable. Got some clothes for school and a cutie new bra at Victoria Secret--I always felt so weird going in there so I never did, today wasn't so bad.

Hope you've all had a great one--POP and all.

Well it's been a weekend and it's already Sat. night. I went to WI today and was down another 4 pounds! WHOO HOOO!!! As we were leaving WI to go shopping for baby clothes we were rear ended. Scared us more than anything...I was turned around putting the pacifier in the baby's mouth and so I'm a bit sore because I wasn't sitting straight when we were hit...but other than that all is well.

On Friday my 8 month old went to live with grandparents! I miss him so much but he is home with family and where he is supposed to be! I did tell grandpa and grandma that I am always free to babysit! So instead of the full house I thought I would have I am back to having 2! But our name's on the list and ya never know when you'll get that call. The new baby is a doll! He is 5 months old and just as sweet as can be. I am sure he thinks our house is eventful...taking one child home yesterday and a car accident today....wait till he sees how boring we really are. He has some medical concerns...mostly because it seems he wasn't taken care of properly in the other foster home he was in. That just really gets me going....it's one thing having these kids taken away from parents for abuse or neglect but in the foster home they are supposed to be safe....anyway..i'm off that soapbox. He's here now and about to find out how great life can be! I intend to spoil him just as much as I did the other one! LOL

Well I'm off to bed...I am expecting pretty sore muscles in the am! Talk to you chickies later!

Heather- You are so great! Those kids are so lucky to be taken care of by you. Even though you had to say good bye to the 8 mo old already, look at how much you did for him in the short time you had him. He went from only taking a bottle every 2 hours round the clock to eating table foods and being on a normal schedule! Those grandparents are lucky you straightened him out before they got him.

Totally off plan today but i had fun. We drove up to Michigan and picked 19 pounds of blueberries, then we went to the beach on Lake Michigan. It was a beautiful and very hot day! The beach was the best place to be. Now I am making 2 blueberry pies for company we are having tomorrow. I know I will not be on plan tomorrow either- we are having 25-30 family over- kind of an impromptu reunion. I am ordering fried chicken. i will be too busy to think about being on plan. But I promise to jump right back on Monday.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Good Sunday morning - I was down a pound at the COD yesterday and they confirmed that my tiny Morningstar veggie burger is, in fact, one protein. They also gave me the following frozen meal guidelines; right off the bat I can say use your best judgement since my favorite Lean Cuisine frozen meal (approved and listed in the LAWL menu plan) is the Sesame Chicken and it's 340 calories (it fits all the other guidelines).

To be able to eat a frozen meal according to plan it must:
- have 300 or less calories
- have no more than 10 grams of fat
- have at least 14 grams of protein
- no more than 1,000 mg of sodium

So, I intend to eat a couple of those Kashi frozen meals and count them as a protein and a starch.

Cassi - hope your brochitis continues to go away and that the steroids don't have too much of an effect on the scale!

Heather - ouch on the rear ending. Hope your aches aren't too bad today. Your threads make me laugh and cry. I'm sure you'll have your new little one in good health in no time.

Lea Ann - did you model your new purchases for DH? Glad your shopping went well. Is there such a thing as a BAD shopping day?

Lori - I really like your idea and have sent you a PM. Here in Georgia one of the radio stations was playing Christmas music yesterday. That just wasn't right.

Well, I had a few treats last night at a friend's birthday party. Nothing too bad, but plan to be POP today. So far so good (okay, I've only been up for 45 minutes!).

Good Morning Everybody! :wave:

Lisa - Hang in there chickie! Lea Ann is absolutely right. no one is perfect. And it really shouldn't matter what any "lurkers" think. We're the ones that have gotten to know you, and know how challenging certain times may be! :hug: So, please continue to post, loss or not!!
Glad you had a great time at the beach! Sounds like such fun. I don't even know when the last time I went to a beach was ...

Deets - I wish you would post more. You have lost sooo much, and although you may not be exactly where you want to be, you are still an inspiration to us. It goes to show that the program works, and you are living proof of that!

Lori - what a great idea, with the holiday ornaments! I will pm you my info shortly.

Cassi - glad you are feeling better. :dance: :dancer: Congrats on your loss!

Heather CP - :dancer: :dance: :dancer: Congrats on your loss too!! 4 lbs is awesome.

Joni - Congrats on your loss!! :dance:

Not much going on here for me. DH is at work for a few hours, then we are supposed to go to a car show. Hopefully it will be a good day! It's still a little cloudy right now. I'll take it though, since it's been so blipping hot lately!

Hope everyone has a great POP day!!

HeatherCP--hope you are feeling decent today--so sorry about the wreck--how scary for you. Take some advil and stay on the heating pad. Sounds like you are enjoying the new baby and you are a much better woman than I am being able to give the other to grandparents--it takes a lot of heart and you have it. CONGRATS on the 4 pounds--that's awesome.


Lisa--can I come?? Blueberries seem to be my current addiciton--YUM. Enjoy your company--tomorrow is a new day. This is life and this is what's important!

Joni--thanks for the frozen food guide--it's a good rule of thumb even if some of the "approved" meals are over--good to have while shopping. Keep us posted on some tasty Kashi meals--I am stuck on lean cuisine pizza. And yes, DH loved the new stuff--unfortunately (sometimes) he's a little too easy to impress! I should be thrilled that "love is blind" b/c he truly doesn't seem to see the excess!

Sherry--hope you get to go to the car show--sounds fun--DH is bummed because there is no Nascar today. We were supposed to go to a baseball game (minor league I think or farm or something!) but it rained--DD was not happy, she was so excited about going--poor thing.

Have a good one!

Lisa--
I totally know how you feel! I lost 15 and now have gained 6---
and I do care (I think....) but it is just so hard to get motivated!!!
I went ahead and payed for 10 more weeks at the COD (who has had sooooo much turn over I don't know anyone who works there!!!)
and got some lites too.
This board helps alot even though I don't post a lot-----I lurk and feel that I know everyone here and don't feel that I am alone in this weight loss crisis I seem to be having.
Going to the store today buying all POP stuff, and I bought the new cookbook at the COD, It is good

Goodluck today!

Hello! I'm on my very first day of LAWL! I burned my eggbeaters and the coffee is disgusting, but.... I'm sure there's better days ahead! What's a good short term goal? I have 98 pounds to lose, but that's so big.... any suggestions on a smaller goal to keep me motivated?

~Jenni~

:df:

Jenni:

I try to plan my short term goals about 10-15 pounds at a time! And I usually make it about a six week time period. For that helps because then if I fall off plan I don't worry too much about not making my goal..I allow enough time to make up for the slips! Welcome to the boards.....and yes it will get better! We're here for ya! We are right about the same amount of weight to lose...so let do it!

btw: I changed my goal...at least here, I haven't with the COD but I am going for 175...seems a better weight for my body type and my height....so 175 here i come!

I like the mini goals--large numbers are scary! Reward yourself after 10 or 15 whatever you set for a goal--pedicure, manicure--something just for you.

HeatherCP--how are the bones feeling today? I feel for you. I'll even take a little nap for you LOL.

Hello ladies, I'm going to start Take Off tommorow. I have been reading you guys for awhile and took the plunge. I really want to lose the weight this time. I have tried so many ways. W.W, slimfast, curves,ect....This seems to be the best because I will have someone to finnaly help me be accountable. I think I need some of that "will power dust" I've heard soooooooo much about.:D

Welcome, Kelly27! Here's some willpower dust for you!!
:dust: :dust: :dust:

Heather - how hard it must be to give one back. You sure have the right frame of mind! I've said it before, but I'll say it again - you and DH ROCK!

LisaJ - HOLY COW!! What in the world are you going to do with 19 lbs of blueberries????

Sorry, I just wanted to know some of the abbrv. you guys use. What are the following?
COD?
DH?
POP?:flow1: :thanks:

Kelly- Check out the sticky thread for newbies at the top of the page. You will find all of the abbreviations there. Welcome aboard!!!

Lori- Great ornament idea!

HeatherCP- Oh I feel for you chickie. Sounds like a pretty tough weekend. What a wonderful woman you are.

Jennie- There is nothing worse than burned egg beaters, no doubt. Why is the coffee nasty?

Lea Ann- Whoo hoo on the shopping. Victorias Secret? It is just a dream to me, LOL. Glad that you got some alone time.

Joni- Thanks for the guidelines. That is very useful information to have.

We ended up taking a fast trip to Jackpot Nevada this weekend. Gambled too much, ate too much, and drank WAY too much. Had a great time. See you all in the morning!!

Thanks Katie. Well, I guess I better get some sleep. Today is officially "THE DAY I CHANGE MY LIFE"!!!!:yikes:

Good Morning everyone!! No time for personals, I still have to catch up on all of the posts. I have some good news.... I'm down 2.5 pounds from Friday!!! Whoo-hoo!! I'm at 157!!

Hope everyone has a great POP day!! Stay strong gals!

hiya chickies!!! Wow - you guys were busy this weekend!!!

Lisa - Girl - don't get down on yourself - just like Lea Ann said - no one is perfect - I truly think that is impossible myself!! I haven't actually "lost" in a while either and I truly understand how depressing it is!!! Hang in there - you have accomplished too much to let it go by the wayside!!

Wow Winkie - 2.5 since Friday - darn girl - what are you doing? Did you do TO or just stay POP? I was going to do TO today, but then I got to work - I don't have any juice or oranges or anything for the fruit - then on top of that the microwave is broken!! It is just NOT my day!!!

LeaAnn - You go girl with your little shopping spree and getting you some nice things. I went a few weeks ago and got a few new bras and undies - I was in desperate need myself!!! You deserve them!!!

Cassi - Girl, I hope you get to feeling better soon!! Thanks for the comment about cute as christmas - that just made my day!!! Hope you get to feeling better or hope you already do by today!!!

Kristi - Girl - I'm so frustrated with the darn scale - It don't make alot of sense being my clothes all fit fine? I need to just throw the damn thing out the window. I worry about everything - what I'm going to eat - how it will affect the scale - worrying is probably my biggest problem!!!

Katie - Hey chickie!!! Sounds like you had an absolutely wonderful weekend!! I like the "drank way to much" - I need one of those weekends myself!

Lori - I love the ornament idea - we did something similar when I was on a pregnancy board - we did a baby shower type present!! I'm game!!!

Wow - okay, if I missed anyone - please forgive me - trying to get caught up at work - my pc has been acting funny all week last week - then this morning - my monitor went out!! OH well - had a great weekend - visiited my grandma - she is doing OK - no great ....- got to visit with my aunt, uncle and cousins as well - so that was fun!!!

okay, going to do some work?? maybe - hahaha - Hope everyone has a great POP day!! and one more thing

THE PURPLE SUN IS BACK, BRIGHT AND SHINING !!!!

Good morning, ladies!

Jenni, :welcome2: !!! I KWYM about big amounts to lose. I usually aim for monthly goals ... and I try to pick significant dates. For example ... an anniversary, a birthday, a trip, whatever. It helps keep me motivated. I started out with a LOT more to lose than you have, so don't be discouraged! You'll get there before you know it! The important thing about any goals is to keep them SMART ... specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timebound. The specific and measurable parts are easy, because that's what weight loss is all about. BUT, make sure they are achievable and realistic!!!! And stick to your times! You may need to play with it at first ... like a 5 lb goal, and see how long it takes you to achieve your first couple. Then you can build up from there! Good luck!

Kelly, will power dust your way!!! I definitely need it as well! It was a somewhat tough weekend for me!

Katie, how fun!!! Glad you had a good time in Jackpot ... I'm sure with your diligence you will be back on track today without any trouble!

evette, congrats on 2.5!!!! Woo hoo!!!

Deets, excellent points. 3 lbs is 3 lbs, and I'm SURE it's discouraging. Glad to see you are doing great, though, and I'm sure you're right that the exercise has caused the gain.

Lori, the exchange sounds fun!!! I'll PM you later!

Lea Ann, sometimes we need lazy days more than shopping days, right!

Cassi, that is so funny about the COD!! Glad you "showed" her with the WL!

HeatherCP, glad to hear your accident wasn't too bad! I'm sure it's so bittersweet with DFS. I'm sorry he is gone, but you are right, it's great that he is with family. (Though you guys are doing such an outstanding job with your little ones ... you are an amazing family!)

Sherry, did you have fun at the car show?

As for me, I need to do an intervention on myself. Bad habits are beginning to resurface! The last couple of weeks I have been stealing little bites of this and that, grabbing a few pretzels, etc. I need to STOP it now! Also, this weekend we went out to eat 3 times! Ugh! And while I ordered OP foods, last night they brought me the salad with the dressing already on it ... and it was ranch ... and I used it as an excuse to eat what I really wanted (ranch dressing). Luckily for me, the scale only showed me up .6 today. But I can see the bad habits resurfacing and need to stop them now! I think I am going to do TO Wednesday & Thursday of this week. I need to get back on track!

Have POP days, ladies!

Hey HeatherPP: Thought I'd answer you real quick. Nah, I didn't to TO, I just stayed POP. I was stuck at 159.5 for about 2 weeks and then all of a sudden I get a weight loss. I truly believe that I lose my weight in clumps! It's just very frustrating being stuck at a weight when you know you're doing everything right! KWIM? argh! But, I'm glad I just stayed POP and the weight finally came off.

Sorry about the microwave and all, I'm glad you're purple sun is back and shining bright!! Have a great day!

Hey all--sounds like everyone had a good weekend--OP or not. Hey, it's life--that's my mantra. It's too easy to start obsessing over every tiny thing and I am at a point where I won't let it rule my world. I let it last week and I was totally miserable and I have absolutely no reason to be--so I am up a pound or 2??--the earth will not stop turning, the sky will not fall in on me. I have an adoring DH and 2 beautiful, healthy, happy girls--WHY am I crying over these last 10 pounds?!? Well, no more. There--I feel better already.

Kelly--welcome and good luck--you CAN do this--look at the successes right here on this board!!

Lori--don't ya wish we were with Lisa--we could sure help her with those blueberries--YUM

Katie--glad you got "away" and you're right--it is often very much needed. You'll be right back on track in no time. You had fun with DH and that's all that matters. And, hey--if I can darken the doors of VS you certainly can!

Evette--CONGRATS on the losses! woohoo--I am waiting for my clump (but I think it's true about loses in spurts--I did---when I was losing--lol.

HeatherPP--no more extended breaks away--we miss you and your purple sunshine! We are stronger and healthier no matter what the stupid scale says. We need hypnotherapy to drill this into our brains. My COD said Friday that she thinks part of my stall is mental because way back in January I said I would be content if I got inot a 10 and now that I am (mostly!) my brain say's "I'm done!"--hmmmmm. Glad you had a good family visit. Don't work too hard. Come out and play!

Erin--I LOVED your SMART goal setting--I am going to "borrow" it for my classroom. Good luck on your personal intervention--I totally understand--especially with kids in the house, it's so easy to just grab a souple animal crackers--unfortunately for me a couple turns into many more. You are doing soooo great!!

Everyone have a great one--off to the dungeon to meet my DVD personal trainer--yeah--he comes right to my bedroom! LOL.

Hey Everybody! :wave:

Not much going on here. Feeling very tired today. I took a couple Benadryl last night because I kept sneezing and couldn't breath, and I think they are still in my system!
Saturday we hit a couple bars in the neighborhood, just to check them out. Met a guy from near my hometown. He gave me his phone number (for me to bring back some kimmelweck rolls). DH was not to happy about that.

Went to a car show yesterday. It was ok. They had some crafts too. I love looking at crafts, and trying to get ideas of what I want in my house. I only bought a couple of light switch covers for the kitchen, and 2 for the basement (DH's room).
Of course I wasn't POP this weekend. Back to being POP today. Already got 2 of my fruits in!


Jenni - :welcome2: you will find lots of support and motivation here!!

Kelly - :welcome3: you're gonna love it here. The program works, and everybody is always so supportive and offering suggestions (as I'm sure you have already read!) :)

Evette - :dancer: :dance: :carrot: :cheer: Congrats on your loss!!

Heather PP - glad to see that you are back and with your sunshine!!

Hope everyone has a great POP day!

Good morning all!

A few quick personals and then back to work.

Evette - Congrats! So glad you finally lost. I knew your hard work would pay off if you hung in there!

Lea Ann - Love the new attitude. Focus on how you feel, your changes in your body and exercise, and not a number on the scale.

Katie - Sounds like a fun weekend. All we did was put up a fence.

Sherry - Good morning!

Heather CP - Congrats on 4 pounds, and the new arrival. Hope you're feeling ok today.

Heather PP - Glad your sunshine is back. Sorry about the microwave and TO. Think of it as a test. Just try to stay POP today.

Lori - Good morning!

Erin - I'm with you on the "bad habits". I seem to be snacking from DS plate when I'm clearing it, and I need to quit too. Thanks for bringing that up. I am going to make this week the week I focus on getting back to basics!

Kelly - Welcome!

Stacy - Good morning!

Flowerjenni - I do what Heather CP does and set goals about 6 weeks away. It keeps things in perspective. Good luck!

As for me... I WI today at lunch, so I'm hoping all goes well. I finished the last of the meds last night, and TOM is leaving, so I am hoping for a normal week.

Talk to y'all later!

Cassi - :goodluck: and here's some :goodvibes::goodvibes::goodvibes::goodvibes: for your WI this morning!!

Katie -
The coffe is nasty because I usually use gobs of the real French Vanilla creamer, and now I have to use non-dairy with splenda..... yuck! I feel the same way about diet drinks..... probably half the reason I gained it all in the first place though!

Everybody else - Have an awesome and Motivated Monday!! We can do it!

Hugs,
Jenni

One more thing...

Thank you to everyone who sent me :goodvibes when I was sick. I really appreciate all you girls here! We are one awesome bunch!

Sherry - WTG getting hit on, girl! Even if you don't act, it's nice to be noticed.:D

Morning ladies!

Jennie- Oh, I see what you mean. I adore my morning coffee. I use 1 T of coconut cream creamer and count it as my fat for the day.

Sherry- Took home a mans phone number? Ooooh, you naughty girl!

Purple- Glad your trip was safe and you got to see some family. I know how important family is to you.

Erin- okay, here comes a big, healthy kick in the butt!!!

My weekend damage was only 1 lb. I am thrilled with that. I guess I will slam the lemon water today and do Heathers "Peeing away the pounds" plan!!

Cassi- Sounds like you are feeling a lot better. Good luck at WI!

Hey gang! Not a lot of time for personals this morning (spent all my 3FC time answering PMs about the ornament exchange - wooohooo - this is going to be fun fun fun!)

We had hydro races in town this weekend... not a big fan of drunk stupid crowds so I've never been in the nearly 10 years we've lived here. Got some free tickets in a private booth this year so we went. LAWL out the window, major sun/windburn going on, and up 1 pound at WI this morning! Oh well, as the wise Lea Ann says "It's life." I'll blame the gain on the beer and hotdogs. and chips...:^: Today is a new day!

Gotta go inventory hockey jerseys before it gets too hot to be in the garage.

As Tigger is fond of saying TTFN~
http://204.185.34.253/TeacherPages/Branch/images/Tigger.gif

Hey Gorgeous Girls!

The weekend was stressful and fast-food filled :mad:
All we did was move furniture 100 miles East of Chapel Hill to Greenville and sweat alot. Greenville is hot!

I did buy my own scale which appears to have me at a weight very similar to my last WI at the COD. So hopefully the two are pretty close!

It appears that after all the fast food and ice cream we had over the weekend I didn't gain :carrot: That's enough for me!

Finally, all my stuff in one apartment, a kitchen with means to cook my own food, and internet access. Life is pretty good.

Been close to POP today, yay! :)

Congrats Lindsey. Welcome to the world of healthy cooking!

Oh yeah... WI went great. I'm down 2 more pounds since stopping the steroids! I have a feeling that will be it for the weight loss for a week or so, since I was catching up, but it's great today!

Cassi--congrats on the losses!!

Lindsey--enjoy your new apartment.

Moment to gripe: I HATE businesses that you need to come and do work and they give you a time frame for when they will show up--UGH. Can't they schedule better than in 4 hour increments?? They were supposed to come replace my windshield between 1-5 today--it's 4:50 and they just called to ask for directions--#%&*. I know I am not working but I am TERRIBLE at waiting for other people. Okay rant over--thanks

Cassi - congrats on another great loss. Keep up the good work (and good health too).

Lea Ann - my gripe is waiting an hour at the doctor for a scheduled appointment...like my time isn't worth anything. I often feel like deducting a "wait fee" from my bill. Heck, they threaten to bill me if I don't cancel an appointment within XX number of hours. So, why I can't I bill them. Hope they got there and did a good job on your windshield.

Lori - what are hydro races? Just curious. Sounds like you had fun and I'm sure you deserved a fun break.

Jenni - I'm thinking of trying this product called Stevia Clear Vanilla Cream
by Wisdom of the Ancients since I used to love French Vanilla coffee mate in my coffee. I was really good for quite a while about not having it, but it is sneaking back into my menu log.....gotta stop before it's too late. I heard this vanilla cream stuff is good. I found some on the web; not too expensive either (http://www.webvitamins.com/product.aspx?id=20678).

Stay focused chickies.....

Lea Ann - I'm with you on that! I started calling the company on the day they were supposed to come to try and narrow it down, and then (if it was a 1-5 window) again around 1 to see where I was on the list. Am I 3rd or 25th? It seems to help.

Hey everybody! I got my plan this afternoon (red). I've lost 1 pound on the juice. (I drank it yesterday and today), Is that normal? My counselor seemed disappointed, but maybe I was reading in too much...

Also, I've been browsing through the LAWL threads but can't find much talk about the "LA lites". I haven't tried them but they gave me the sample box, and said on Wednesday I'd have the opportunity to buy them in bulk, at a hugs savings. She wouldn't tell me how much they were now or with the savings. After reading a thread about the juice being like $26 a bottle, I'm scared! Are the LA lites really that important? Do yall use them or see a difference when you do? DO they taste ok? What's the going rate? My plan has me eating 2 per day.... What do you substitute if you don't eat them?
~Jenni~

Hey everybody! I got my plan this afternoon (red). I've lost 1 pound on the juice. (I drank it yesterday and today), Is that normal? My counselor seemed disappointed, but maybe I was reading in too much...

Also, I've been browsing through the LAWL threads but can't find much talk about the "LA lites". I haven't tried them but they gave me the sample box, and said on Wednesday I'd have the opportunity to buy them in bulk, at a hugs savings. She wouldn't tell me how much they were now or with the savings. After reading a thread about the juice being like $26 a bottle, I'm scared! Are the LA lites really that important? Do yall use them or see a difference when you do? DO they taste ok? What's the going rate? My plan has me eating 2 per day.... What do you substitute if you don't eat them?
~Jenni~

Oh, Jenni - don't stress about being down a pound after Take Off. In the next couple of days it will fall of. Remember to eat lighter choice, like chicken, etc for a few days. I didn't lose anything when I first did TO, then bam! ~ the first week of weighing in, I lost 4 pounds. Everyone one is different.

The price of the lites will knock your socks off. Be prepared for a number of about $1000-$1500, looking at the amount of weight you want to lose. They'll tell you you'll get a partial refund after maintenance if you do the lites, but does the price of the lites outweigh the refund? If you can't afford it, don't let them strong-arm you into it. The lites are not required for weight loss and don't speed it up or slow it down, although they are mighty tasty! If you opt not to do the lites, they will bump you up a food plan, so that you get enough calories. Lots of ladies do not do the lites on here (me included, but that's a long story!) but many also do. The bars are great if you have a sweet tooth, and make a yummy afternoon snack!

Hey Jenni, I do not do the lites either. I have lost as well as anyone else. You need to know, though, that the people are your center are sales people on comission. They will do their best to talk you into them. You are not required to do them, however, so if the cost is daunting, you will have to tell them no, and be firm.

Boy, I gotta remember to include everyone in my replies!

Cassi -waaaahooooo!:carrot: Oh yeah, and glad you are feeling better too!

Joni - hydroplanes are really fast, low-slung jet boats - you can see some pictures from this weekend here: http://www.hydroracing.com/hydros/photos/.
Is your coffee stuff made from Stevia? Katie is a big fan of that stuff too!

Lea Ann, I flat don't wait for them. Did you know that most times when you call for something like that, you can tell them that you have an appointement at such and such a time, and if they can come between 1 and 2, that would be awesome
most of the time they will try to accomodate you. Works for me 'most every time. Lisa's probably glad we aren't at her house - she'd have to go get more berries!

Lindsey - glad you got moved ok! Now to cook up a healthy storm, right?

Evette - wahoo to you too! Nice job!

TTFN folks!

Well, I did ok at sign up. They tried to sign me up for a whole year of maintenance and I was like... Uh.... 900+ dollars is too much for me.... Then all of the sudden I didn't need a whole year, just 6 weeks of maintenance with no eligibility for the refund. HALF the price with the extra maintenance gone! And the whole time they keep saying, "You don't have to use the lites if you don't want to", but now it's on my plan. I don't have a thousand bucks, in fact, I'm late on my mortgage just for signing up in the first place!!!

Lori--great to know--I will use that next time. I am such a sucker.

Thank you all for being so welcoming. OK, 1 day down, 227 to go. Actually it wasn't near as bad as I thought. Ok, the juice is a little hard to choke down, and my god, can my bladder actually hold all the water. OH BOY!!!!:dizzy: I'm floating!!!! Its nice to see all of you guys making progress. It makes me feel empowered. Tommorow is the first WI for me and then I will know my plan. Does anyone know the color vs the weight?

Jenni - the last thing you need is the added stress of not being able to pay your bills if you buy the Lites and that's probably what I would tell the Center. Although I use the LA Lites, lots of folks here either substitute Lunas, Pria Completes, Kashi Go Lean bars. I think I have about 10 boxes left on my bulk purchase (I think I got boxes for about $9.50 each) and I don't intend to buy anymore right away. I may try to do all "real food" for a while, but if I really miss my snack/la lite, I'll try the other bars for a change of pace. Although the Center tells you you get 2 LA Lites a day, at one point my Counselor told me to try to do just one LA Lite a day (due to some indigestion/heartburn I was having). When I asked what extra food I got for only eating 1 Lite a day, she said you don't get anything extra. You only get extra food if you give up BOTH your LA Lites...not sure if this is what the other centers tell you, but that's what I was told.
The program is really good eating and before you know it, it will be second nature to you. I love the fact that I have to go in and weigh three times a week (my center is only a few miles from my house, thank goodness) since it has kept me on program 24 x 7 with only a couple minor cheats. I've been on the program six weeks and lost 10 lbs and feel great. Hard not to like something that's working so well.

I'm on the red plan too.. i wonder if it changes after you lose weight?

Joni--I think it's crazy they don't sub some food for the missing bar--that's 180-190 calories!! I think you should throw in something extra on those days you only have one--you need those calories.

miss bbcake - yes, you change plans after you lose some of the weight - a lot depends on how active you are, if you do the lites, and I'm sure some magical, mystical formula;)

From red, you should go to purple, where you lose 1 starch, and one protien. Your portion sizes stay the same.

Ms bbcake, you go girl, I just read your other thread about carbs. I think that it is normal when your body goes thru withdrawl. But......According to the many women on this site, and men if you're out there chad, take it one day at at time. Don't get discouraged, get determined. There is a reason you want to lose the weight, so don't lose that focus. I have a great family who loves me for who i am, not what I look like, but THIS is for me. I'm selfish in the sense that I want to look "ab-fab". Lets do this together.:carrot: :flow2:

Ok, so just to recap, if I tell them I don't want the bars, does that mean they'll change the plan again? I don't want to have to go shopping all over again!

Jenni - your plan will never change that drastically that the food you've bought would go to waste. Your food purchases of healthy starches, fruits, veggies, frozen foods, etc., stays the same...it's only the quantities that will change and even that is ever so slight.

Ok chickies! I'm back from the weekend. First off thanks to all those who sent well wishes my way. Keep sending them. My back is worse than my neck, but I don't think it's anything to serious. I over did today, but my kids can't stay in the cribs all day, I have to pick them up! Tomorrow will be better. Tomorrow I have to get back on plan...i'm not give back those 4 pounds...i'll drink 10 gallons of water and sit in the heat to keep it away if i have to (no i really won't do that...i am a princess after all!) So back to it tomorrow. I'm helping a friend by taking her daughter back and forth to cheerleading camp so I'm a busy woman...the up side to that is I have a six year old to entertain my kids! LOL I'm back on the wagon...so if you don't hear from me don't worry..it's just a busy week! Catch ya'll later!

Jenni--Joni is right--all the plans have the same food, just different amounts, etc. They will just move you up a color (more food) if you are not doing the bars.

Princess--sorry about the back and neck--ugh--you deserve a massage! Glad you are back with us--check in when you can, know those kiddos keep you plenty busy.

The guy FINALLY came and did the windshield--geez--didn't leave til 6:30--what a wasted day--not like I had anything planned, but if I had.... lol.

Today is registration for the girls (I really am ready for school to start--and so are they), then off to my campus to get some school T-shirts--have I mentioned that I LOVE that I get to wear gym pants and school T's everyday?! Then DH and I are off to the Blood Drive--I love giving blood (ok--don't love the process but love how I feel afterward--I'm saving a life today!) Weird I know--my dad has always been huge on blood donating so I guess I am the only one in the family that got that gene. We are also on the National Bone Marrow List and regular Organ Donation--so if you need me just call!

Lea Ann - Whenever I give blood they tell me make sure to eat a big next meal. Do you have any problems staying POP when you donate?

Princess Heather - Just a little inside joke - They call me "Print"cess Jenni at work because I work in a printing company.... LOL. Maybe I should sign that way here too!

Everyone have an awesome Tuesday!!
Hugs,

Jenni--I will just have some extra protein today--before and after. I am really hitting the water right now--that seems to have the biggest impact on how easy the process goes for me. I am anxious for next week, the center does a basic cholesterol test now with the donation and last time I had dropped like 30 points--I wasn't high to begin with but it was still an improvement. Poor DH was already borderline high and his only dropped a few points. I just like the confirmation that good things are happening on the inside, too.

Hope everyone has a great one--stay POP--we're in this together.

well i feel better today, new month new day. good luck everyone!

Day 2 of TO. Went in for first w/i w/cod. down 1.8lbs. YAY!!!!!!! I hope you all do wonderful today. :dust: to everyone out there.

Looks like they switched to the new thread for August! I'll see ya's over there!