Morning Violets!

Giggles: how is the walking going? It will pick up from you, add a few minutes each time out, or if you aren't timing and counting blocks, go one more length down the street. You'll be surprised how quickly you can start adding miles. I use the recumbent bike - the old man who gives me "advice" when we are there together told me I should enjoy my 2 miles I ride. I said, sir, I bike between 11-13 miles in my 45 mins. He was flabbergasted. He's a pile of bones (about 90) and he walks 2 miles every day on the treadmill when he's not traveling. I think he thought rounder me couldn't do something like that, but I do. Keep up the good work!

Les: I challenge you to try three new veggies the next time you go shopping that you haven't had before or at least in a while! I was looking at these strange items in the Mexican specialty veggies - bright lime green with indents up and down the shape, somewhat ovoid. I couldn't find a name to match them up with on the sign but they were by the flat cactus. I have no idea how you'd even prepare these.

Did you see where they are saying pictures of food on instagram are wrecking peoples diets?! Your cookies and baked goods are the culprit Actually really your photos inspire me to do a better job decorating as best I can w/the school cookies.

How's your scale?

Mam: See, I knew you were logging a lot of movement w/work! the only problem I could see would be that your body is use to those amount of steps and you may have to add extra to really get your weight moving. Is this something you could post in the exercise forum for guidance? I don't want you to feel frustrated you are moving so much but not seeing the benefits. For me if I become too complacent w/time and speed I don't really move things myself. Just a thought.

How are your projects w/Marley beginning?

Hello Violets!

AM: Has anyone had carpal tunnel work done? I have been dX with both tendonitis and slight carpal issues. I haven't seen a specialist - just my family medicine doctor. Any who, at what point do you start to look at surgery? When you can't use your hands anymore? Or when the numbness is more than 50% of your day? I don't want to loose use, but geez, its kind of frightening for me as I use my hands for so much.

Diet - BAD, well, good but BAD. Dinner last night was good - recommend the chicken apple sausage (but I guess they have confirmed all processed meats are cancer causers). The veggies were great 1 1/2 cups veggies and a sausage came to 334 calories - I am guessing in part due to olive oil - but it was sure good and my DH who hates veggies - gobbled it all up! Even better. I know my scale is up - thats the bad. I have a very hard time w/TOM and sweets. I tried my darnedest but didn't hold my weight back. I hate that you can do this work and loose and then that darn thing visits and it's right back up there. I have to do my after coffee weigh in today just to kind of see. I haven't had breakfast yet, just a banana. I am disappointed.

So, if anyone wants to do the Veterans day loose 5 post your weight tomorrow morning. I sure as heck will be, of course I am re-loosing the same dumb weight I did two weeks ago - but I aim to get comfortably into the 230s, not the cusp, not 240, not 239. I shouldn't be grumbling until I actually know what I am at. I am guessing currently.

The only good news - when shopping yesterday my jeans were squirming around my waist and I was having to yank them up as I went along. Yeah for the waist being loose. That I will continue to take!

Happy day to you all - as I struggle I am reminded that you all too are on this journey as well and we all have our ups/downs. Today mine is sideways with the hope of righting itself once again. My best to you all!

my scale update: is up - 239.2, so today I will work extra hard to get that to go back DOWN. Sadness, but it's a mere bump in the road on this journey. I hate them, but hey, we all have them, and it's pretty standard looking at my weight graph - for the past few months. Get over it and just GET GOING>

Les: is powdered icing sugar the same as just regular old powdered sugar?

Yes, totally the same thing, Lemon. Sorry about the scale but hopefully it goes down soon. Mine was up today but I have expected it this week. Everything should be balanced out by next week. That doesn't surprise me about food pics online, they always make me hungry!

I'll add my weight tomorrow for the 5 pound challenge. I'm very snacky today so hopefully my weight doesn't go up too much tomorrow. I hope everyone is having a great day!

Hey violets,

Today was 10,000 steps. This fitbit will help me stay accountable.

Les your pics of the cookies on FB are awesome. Wish you were closer. I'd order some for Marley.

I don't have Marley much during the school year. Hopefully we will have a sleepover soon.

My days to weigh in are Saturday.

Lemon don't worry about having a hard time with your TOM. We all do. Just try the best you can to limit the damage.

I feel for you 2 so glad I no longer have mine.

Well it's movie night with my love.

Eating has been fantastic.....

LG

Thanks so much for the welcome Walking was good today, I did 2.44 miles, that is five laps around my block. I am using mapmywalk I like that it breaks down miles, steps, calories burned and it was free I would love to get a fitbit I will save up for one.

5 lb challenge

SW: 197.4
GW: 192.4

Back down a little today even after eating everything yesterday, haha.

Vet Day Challenge:
SW: 238.6
GW: 233.6

Morning Violets!

Giggles: good for you on your walking, slow and steady and keeping up with it will be a big help for you. Do you have any issues that pull you off track? We each seem to be identifying what can be our nemesis'.

Les: yeah for you in Onederland! Keep up the good work!

Mam: 10000 steps is wonderful! How is your body recuperating now that you have been to work for a bit? I do hope the tireds start leaving you soon enough and you get in the swing of it all quickly. How was date night w/DH? What movie do you recommend?

Hello all!

AM: Went down, just a smidgin. I have recorded on my app so I know where I am at and if I did my math correctly, the 5 lbs lost is above, but I loathe math, so I am generally wrong!

Ack it's starting cold and flu in this house - LO had his bout and DD has the beginnings of crud, which in turn is making me feel icky. Alas, no biking last night. I wish that were easier for me to do. I used to be the gal up at 445 in the morning to go swimming 3 days a week, since that time, getting early has been too hard, and trying to fit it in after kids bed time is hard as well. By then I just want to collapse into the chair myself. And during the day is a no go - no sitter, no car means no gym. I am still on the outs with walking as it still tends to flare my hips. Oh geez - I sound like the oldest woman in the room w/my excuses!

Ok - so I have my date night and had nothing to wear and no weather appropriate fabric on hand. I haven't really bought anything new for myself in 5 years, other than some replacement long sleeve plain ts. I went on line to see what was on trend for 40+ ladies - boy I am surely out of place. Even my shoes look totally dated, not to mention my hair, my jeans etc. Can larger ladies wear skinny legged jeans? I swear they'd make me look like a bubble butt but I haven't tried because in the past I get sad as the numbers go up plus we didn't have the budget. I am afraid I am going to have to be that gal - the one I complained about that doesn't dress up (well the way she used to) - the Up North dress up.

So I aim to be better, I aim to keep trying though today I am feeling like giving up would be easier. You have days like this - that's why I turn to you all to remind why I'd like to stick with it

And my new small goal - besides my Vet day one - to get rid of the big old ugly, multi hooked tall bra I am wearing - I have three of them, they were ugly then, they are still ugly now and they frankly keep reminding me I am heavy.

May the day lighten in mood here! I am hopeful someplace under all these gray clouds and rain - currently my mood matches.

Lemon, all women around here seem to wear skinny jeans. Thin, overweight, young, old, everyone. As long as they feel good on and make you feel good, go for it! Yay for the scale drop! Even small ones make my day. Enjoy your date night!

Yay for the 10,000 steps Mam! I have really been slacking but hopefully will get in a good walk today. If you were closer, I would definitely make cookies for Marley! Hope your date night was great.

Giggles, great job on the walking! I would also love a Fitbit. Maybe I'll get one at Christmas.

Hope you all have a great day!

Vet day challenge
SW: 268
GW: 263
I can do this! 263 would put me so close to the 250s and that will be a happy day for sure.
My kids went walking w me after dinner last night I wish I had their energy, my son literally ran circles around me as we were going around the block.

Fantastic to see you all posting weights Violets!

We can shed these pesky pounds and if this helps us all, I don't mind setting up one following. You all need to let me know your thoughts. Perhaps with these little challenges we can get into the safe number zones and drop the terms MORBIDLY OBESE from our doctors notes. Hey - morbid - what a fantastic term. I am labeled w/so many derogatory terms that I should be able to sue someone I'd think. I digress . . .

Having hard time right now. I WANT CHOCOLATE. Drinking water instead, not hitting the spot, but hey - working on burning a few more fat cells instead. DS and I had breakfast for lunch, he's not been eating well since he was sick, and I can always get him to eat eggs. So that's what we did - a hardboiled, some peanut butter toast and split a banana. That way I get a bit of sweet without wolfing the whole dang thing down.

I will have to think on the skinnies - I hate ballet flats, the toes are too rounded for my fat toes and pull back on them and I don't have tall boots to tuck skinnies in them. God blessed me with calves that are reminiscent of the Eastern European I carry in my genes, needless to say I am already visualizing my flaws, or perceived flaws! I just feel so dated and not on trend. I am not meaning to be a fashionista, but I guess w/weight and budgets that were too small I gave up.

Good going gals on all the walking and movement! More later, life is nuts here, the trees are bare and the leaves traveling down the street. I don't want winter any time soon.

Hey violets,

Vets challenge:

SW:301
GW:296

10,000 steps again today. Today I made sure to take extra steps so I would get all my steps in. Instead of lunging all my equipment all at once I took it by piece meal. Mop pail, cart, etc. It adds up a lot going from one side of the floor to the other.

Work is much easier now Lemon (thx for asking). Not as tired. But today all of us were tired rainy dreary day here.

Using the fitbit and My fitness pal and having a protein drink after work. Have really helped to start moving the scale down. I started on Saturday and have lost 6 pounds already this week. Yahoo. Of course my aha moment helped a lot. If I get tempted to get something I shouldn't I just think of how uncomfortable I felt in the movie theatre.

Lemon and LES maybe you have something that trigger you that will help you when you are tempted before your TOM.

Movie night was great. Lemon we like syfy movies and suspense movies. We just watched the Marvel movie The AVengers. It was good. Have to think a bit on the last good suspense one we got.

What are your favorite tv shows that are on right now? Mine are How to get away with murder. Sleepy Hollow. The big bang theory. Blacklist. And my favorite, Criminal Minds...

Les Marley would probably want you to cook with her lol. She is a real hands on kind of kid.

LG

Mam- Oh, I am so into all of the Shonda shows, and I like the new show Quantico. It feels like a Shonda show even though it isn't. HTGAWM just keeps getting better. I love Viola Davis.

Lemon- I definitely don't wear skinny jeans, haha. Don't feel like you have to. Just because something is on trend doesn't mean it's for everyone. Just try on a bunch and see what you like. Some of the slim cut (but NOT skinny) are working for me, and I also like bootcut jeans in some brands.

I am eating horribly so far this week. I'm under my calories mostly (went over a little yesterday but was under the day before), but just eating lots of junk instead of real food. Frozen meals, take out, sweets. Even though I'm under my calories, I know I need to eat better foods, so I'll start with dinner tonight and eat lots of veggies. Hoping it will lead to some better choices for the rest of the week, haha.

Hope everyone is having a good day!

Les: thanks for the deco advice. I appreciate it and will commence here shortly. Do you have a fav brand of jean? Mine currently are lee's - not the most fashionable, but they work. I have some earls - but those I got only because I had a major coupon from my GMIL. Those are the ones w/the bling that are well, a bit much. And I even got the toned down ones. Did you ever find yoga pants?

Mam: Keep up the good work! I am beginning to find if I don't exercise, my weight is staying pretty static. My calories are down, but the rest isn't just "melting" - oh wouldn't that be nice!

I don't have any new shows I have been watching but project runway. I do watch a lot of reruns of CSI, SVU and of late the first 48. Generally in the evenings I am trying to catch up, using the bike or just plain going to bed. I don't think I have watched an evening new show in years. I know I haven't.

Giggles: How are you doing today? How old are your kids?

Hello Violets!

AM: Today is a busy day w/the decorating of the cookies and readying for halloween a bit more. I have so many things to do - why I keep giving myself projects is beyond me! But I get through them, just not always on the time frame I'd like.

My weight - as I said to Mam - I am beginning to see if I don't get in my exercise my weight just sits there like a big old toad on a log. I wish I could be more committed to going, but some days it seems like a pain. I can admit that. I know the weight needs to come off, I know how I feel when the scale is lower -both in excitement I am doing this and in how the body feels overall, but geez, somedays I feel it's the last thing I want to do.

I aim to go tonight. Hopefully I can do well enough to incorporate the elliptical back in even if only for 10 minutes.

Happy day to you all! Hopefully it becomes a good one for each and everyone of you!

Lemon, my favorite jeans have always been Levi's. Although I am not spending $50/pair until I am at a weight that I am happy with. For now I am buying cheap store brand department store jeans (I like target, Sears, JCP, etc). Usually under $20 with a variety of styles to choose from. Walmart has some cheap Levi's that are thinner than the normal ones, they don't really fit right on me but they are a good deal of they work for you. I do not do bling anywhere, especially on jeans, haha. Turns out I am not a yoga pants person, not yet, anyway. I didn't like how they hugged me but I am uncomfortable with fitted clothes (hopefully I will get over that as I get in better shape). I bought some sweatpants that have a similar shape to yoga pants but are thicker and don't hug my body as much.

I had a new low today of 196.4, even with all the junk I have put in my body the last few days. Even though I am still losing, I don't feel super great so I will try and make healthier choices. Hope you all have an awesome day!

I edited this to add a quick note about my overall progress. In 6.4 more pounds, I will be at 40 pounds lost, halfway to my goal, and will also be overweight instead of obese for the first time in my adult (or teenage) life! This will be a really big deal, and I can't wait to get there in a few weeks (hopefully).

Les: Yeah for you on your new numbers! I miss those numbers - that was in my early 20s! Thank you too - the cookies are underway, not nearly as fun as yours, but they are going to 2nd graders, they look interesting to say the least. I am piping an outline, but having some issues w/the old hands. I hope the next 3 doz go quickly!

AM: I could eat a horse right now. However, I just had some almonds so may they do their miracle of kicking right on in. Deco of cookies is almost done, to keep both kids and a DH away while they dry tonight will be a pain in the butt. NO ONE ALLOWED IN KITCHEN. That will be the nightly mantra.

Still hoping to get to the gym tonight. I do hope I have the zip to do so. Anyone else find issues w/getting the exercise in?