I have had such a horrible day...

I worked two shifts today. I got to work at 10 am, and it's now 8 pm and I just got home. It's tough, but I do it all the time. So I've worked for 10 hours today, and how much did I make?? 30 FLIPPING DOLLARS. That's $3/hour, if you don't want to do the math. I waitress, so my daily income changes, but I've NEVER made that little working a double shift. I didn't get a SINGLE tip above 18% (my normal average is 20 - 25%), and my final average for the day was below 15%. Now, pretty much bare minimum I expect is 18%, and I know that I'm a really good waitress, so I usually expect 20%. Most of my tips were around 15% today, with some even at 10% or below, and it was also a very very slow day. Also, I work at a pretty nice restaurant (not 5 stars, but it's definitely not casual), so to receive low tips is NOT normal. People come in expecting to spend $$.

Now I'm feeling pretty crappy about everything....especially having to make myself dinner and go to the gym. I usually like going to the gym, but tonight I'd rather curl up in a ball on my couch and eat 43 pounds of cheese. I don't even know what I'm going to make for dinner...I feel like I'm so out of ideas for food.... :-\

So sorry arts, i definitely know how you feel!! I can say i've probably never made $30 on a double but i have made it recently on slow nights. The economy is hurting us right now...but we'll get through it!! Sorry you had such a crap day but i hope your workout made you feel better!!

beach -- the workout DID make me feel better...unfortunately after the Celtics won the championship last night the completely ransacked the part of Boston I work in...ripped CONCRETE things apart and damaged the restaurant I work at, so people were really unhappy today at lunch... ugh. I have the next 9 days off, though (I'm taking a class) so THANKEVERYTHINGTHATISHOLY I don't have to work for a while. I feel like I'm about to snap with people.

Note to everyone: Since all of you are wonderful, nice, supportive people as far as I can tell, this probably doesn't apply to you. Some of you have probably even been servers/worked in the food industry, but one thing that really really gets me is when customers treat me like I'm stupid and everything is my fault. I'm not stupid and it's usually not my fault. If you have a crappy server, then by all means, let them know, but don't treat waitstaff (or anyone, for that matter) like a lower-class citizen right off the bat. Most of us are college-educated, hard-working, very capable human beings, and we are treated like absolute crap on a daily basis by the general public. Just a reminder to all to remember that even grocery cashiers, janitors, toll workers, everybody are people, and should be treated as such!!

arts I was a waitress too. It sucked. 2.15 an hour and tips. I made very little. I did, however, really enjoy working for starbucks.

This week has gone well - fathers day went ok. I had too many glasses of wine and then there was brie - but I have done better than I ever did at a family get together.(And there was an hour hike included) and I didn't even have seconds on anything - including dessert!! I even gave half my steak to my fiancee.

On monday I had jury duty and had no idea it would last all day and I didn't bring lunch or cash and the fiancee had the credit card - so I didn't eat from 7am till 5...and then we went out to chinese cause I just didn't have it in me to cook.

I got back on the train yesterday - worked out with the trainer and I worked out today and it's a goal of mine to stay really strong until my birthday (July 10th) have an off day on my lifestyle on my birthday and then continue the journey the following day.

I really didn't want to get back on track yesterday - it took all my strength not to go to wendy's. So I went to the store and bought an artichoke. I love those things and I ate it plain and totally enjoyed it.

I also tried brussel sprouts for the first time today - I loved them! Just boiled them in water and put some mrs. dash on them - YUM!

ADDED: I also tried mini babybel light cheese and for 50 calories you get a little wheel of semi-soft cheese which goes great with a kiwi and grapes for a snack! So I just had myself a little cheese and fruit plate and it was awesome!

Taylor - Mmm your cheese and fruit plate sounds yum!

So I've been VERY low energy and I thought it was maybe because I wasn't eating enough (which is hard to believe though). Turns out I'm anemic so I started taking iron pills and am feeling great YAY!

Hi everyone! I just wanted to pop in and say hi and sorry for disappearing on you. I have been crazy busy these last few weeks, but I will come back later and read and reply to your posts! :)

I'm in Philly on another trip for my intership. I would like to say that eating has been going well but that would be a lie. I was doing ok yesterday but then I started drinking margaritias because they were on special which is a ton of empty calories. Then today we were at a event and I finally was able to eat and all that was there was pasteries, then they ordered us cheesesteaks for lunch (because we had never had true Philly cheesesteaks) and finally for dinner italian. But at least at dinner I had a small salad and then just ate the chicken and artichoke from my pasta dish and one or two bites of pasta. Now I'm laying in bed thinking tomorrow must be a better day.

don't sweat it remember, it will all be OKAY. It was just a day.

arts, so sorry about your job's damage. At least you are off for a while. I totally know how you feel about that!

Ah I have missed you ladies!

They started being strict on web usage at work this week so I haven't been able to get on that often at work, which is where I am usually on.
I was up at 8 this morning for training and thought I would stop by just to let you ladies know that I'm still around and doing well. I have to go back to sleep now because I got only 2.5 hours of sleep...

Hopefully I will be back on later to read what's going on with you all. :D

artsnsmarts - I still can't believe waitressing makes you so little in other states. I wonder why that is. Here we get CA minimum wage + tips.

Girls it is getting so hot finally. It is time to get out the cold water & pour it over my head at work.

So, the chinese buffet won yesterday.

For some reason I can only stick to this lifestyle for 3-4 days before feeling so deprived I gotta have something bad for me. The good part is I have stayed with working out and enjoy it now and when I do fall off the wagon I get back on the next day. Also I don't kill the whole day due to one meal anymore, either. I just wish I could out more time between being good and having something bad.

When I am doing well I am doing super well - and when I am bad I am awful. I feel that so much is associated with food it's hard to say no.

Being with family? Wine and food

Being with friends? Drinks and food

Christmas? Food

Birthdays? Food

I do do other things with family and friends like movies in the park, hiking and so forth - and I do bring my own food to family gatherings but I can't be in charge of feeding 7 people because I am on a diet.

When I feel like everything I do is associated with food and I am learning to find joy in other things but food has been such a "friend" to me I feel like I am loosing apart of my life.

It is so hard being addicted to something you can't live without.

I totally hear ya Taylor! EVERYTHING revolves around food. I try to do things with family and friends not around food, but somehow it still ends up leading to food. I mean sure I could go a see a movie, but then I don't get to talk to the people and weather in Chicago is never predictable enough to make outside plans. I tried to go to a book fair with a friend and we got monsooned on. So what did we end up doing? Eating...

Cookie You totally made my day! I thought I was going crazy.

I have declned plans with friend because I know there will be food and I can't say no or have "just one" yet. So then a few days pass and I haven't felt like I have gone anywhere and done anything and then I go to out to eat or eat off my plan to feel "normal" - I know that sounds so bad but besides you wonderful people on this site I kinda feel like I am alone in this.

I did workout today,making my goal of 4 times this week - The eliptical for 30 minutes but only at level 1. OH MY GOD I do believe I will never stop sweating or walk again.

Colaz Glad to hear that you are doing okay! And it sure sounds like everything is falling into the right place. Well, with the working out, I'm sure you will be able to catch up.

Remember With all that going on, you are still going to get to the gym. Wow... Go Girl!

Julie I think we all have done it... If we start now and lose this much, we will be this much by this time. Well, at least I know I did and I'm still doing it...(except the fact that I AM actually doing it, not just thinking about starting)
You will get to the goal before the wedding. Wedding at hotel on ocean sounds so very nice and romantic. It will turn out BEAUTIFUL! Also, as far as meeting the goal, my first mini-goal was to get to 190lbs by June 15. Well, as you can't see, I'm not there yet...although I am almost there. At the beginning of June, I was very anxious but now, I'm okay. At least I am not at 208lbs. Just look at how much you've lost already if you don't get to meet the goal. :)

Taylor About the food and events, I feel the same way. On weekends, we usually go out to eat, at least once in every other week or once a month. That's like the only "event" we have...and I'm still little bit worried about eating out because I feel like I'm going to give in...with all that choices available. Even when I look at the menu before actually going to the restaurant and plan it, I still have problem. So I feel like we can't even have "event"...which I know sucks for my poor bf. :(

Well, I haven't been able to get on the board that often while at work so I just got to read your posts now. =)

For me, I've been paying lots of attention in fruits and veggies and brown rice. No processed food. I haven't been able to work out as much as I would like but Jillian's 30-Day Shred still kicks my butt every day. Today was my second day of the Level 2 and WOW is all I can say. :P I'm planning on going to farmers market tomorrow. Hopefully I will get to find some stuff cheaper than grocery store.