Just did another 35 lengths swimming, my exercise goal this month is 1000 minutes so I'd better crack on!! I am doing more of my lengths as front crawl which I find really aerobic gets my heart pounding! I can feel the different the exercise has made to me body wise, its great

yay i heard from Ammi. she has had root canal work done so has been in pain and sleeping alot! plus limited online time so i thought i would pass the word on to the other 3fcs wondereing where she was.

dreasam: I know how you feel, I have PCOS aswell. Sharvanne: Congrats on the gazelle!!! How exciting! DJCJRun, what a great weekend, I'm sure what I am imagining those falls to look like is nothing to be compared with the real thing! Peggy, my goodness, someone is trying to test you today aren’t they! Metachick, I hope someday I can be in that place where I don’t ‘feel’ like eating chocolate!!! Like peggy I am also a chocoholic . EmilyMay, wow you are off to a great start with this months exercise goal!

Just a quick hello before I set off on my 2 miles on the treadmill, thanks a bunch for the warm welcome

Jill: Thank you, thank you, thank you! We're supposed to leave on vacation in a couple of days, so I probably won't make it until I come back, but thank you! I can't wait to make it and try it!

Peggy: I see, that makes sense. I don't calorie count or anything, just eat according to how hungry I am and how full I'm feeling as I eat. It sounded to me like you did a good job, stopped eating when you were full and had only one bite of dessert. That's what I do when I accidentally overeat before I get to dessert. I just have one wonderfully delicious bite and then have the rest for later. I love eating out sometimes because those huge portions they serve at restaurants will serve me at least 3 meals. Trouble is, by the time I get to the third meal, it's not necessarily tasty anymore.

MetaChick: What you're doing is similar to what I'm doing, it sounds like. Trying hard to listen to my body and break myself of bad habits.

DJCJRun: You had never been to Multnomah Falls?! They are beautiful, aren't they? I went for the first time when I was 14, was in Oregon visiting my father. I got to see them loads more times after I went to live with him a month later. I never get tired of Multnomah Falls. Sigh, just one of the items on the pretty short list of things in Oregon I miss. I never made it to the Greek Cuisina the entire time I lived in Portland. I was told I should go several times, but never had anyone to go with. I only went to OMSI the once, but it's fantastic, isn't it? It really sounds like you guys had a good time! Some days I miss Oregon and Portland, but it'll probably be a cold day in you know where before I ever go back.

PCOS is Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. It's characterized mainly by having cysts on the ovaries (which, to my knowledge, I haven't developed yet), but then also by a host of other symptoms. These include, insulin resistance, hirsutism, darkened skin under the arms and breasts, and most importantly, a lack of regular menses. I sometimes go amennorheic for months at a time, once for six months, and twice I've had to go through a course of progesterone to force menstruation. This is what causes my fun of going through PMS but then no M. I'm feeling rather normal today, not so cranky, no cramps, so I'm guessing I've had a ghost again. I can't remember the last time I had one, but I've never been very good at keeping track. It's probably been a couple months or so. In fact, now that I'm thinking about it, I think it was February. What's sad about PCOS is that it causes a woman to be overweight and have a difficult time losing weight. In addition to that, the hormone imbalance that is caused by carrying extra fat also exacerbates PCOS. It's a never-ending cycle! Anyway, I'm done with my rant.

As for me, I've still been doing pretty well. I'm still drinking sodas and doing some light binging on candy, which I know isn't good. We're supposed to leave on vacation on Friday, but we're waiting to hear on my husband's license. Some idiot had reported him to the Medical Advisory Board, said he couldn't drive because he was depressed, so they suspended his license until he had a complete psychological evaluation. Well, we've done that, gotten the bill of clear mental health and submitted the paperwork to the MAB. We're just waiting to hear back on his license so we can head out. We're hoping they've finished by Friday, we've got our vehicle reserved and everything, but I'm trying not to get my hopes too far up. We're very anxious to go.

When I go, I don't know how much time I'll be able to spend on this list, but every internet chance I get (which probably won't be much), I'll be updating my family blog. You can see it here: Dharma Family

Andrea

Thanks for all the kind words. I apparently over-did it a little on the gazelle, or didn't stretch properly, because my calves have been really tight today. Almost cramping, but not quite. Please tell me it gets better.

I just got back from the Dr's office where I weigh int. I'm down a half a pound. Which I should be happy about, but considering I lost 8 last week? Oh well, I know from my Weight Watcher's days that this is par for the course.

I am awefully proud of myself. I went to the grocery store for salad fixings for lunches, and all I could think about was my biggest binge food: BBQ chips and onion dip. BUT I didn't even want it when I got there. I just picked up some toilet paper, veggies, english muffins, yogurt and crystal light and got out of there. This is big for me. I used to eat that crap at least twice, if not three times a week. And I mean a whole huge bag of chips and two containers of dip.

No wonder I felt so sick all the time! Anyway, I'm off to do some light weight training. See you all soon!

Jill-My father grew up in NYC, and he was a rabid Yankees fan from the time that they were called the Highlanders. When he was 13, he was going after a Babe Ruth foul ball, and he fell into the Yankee dugout. He was apparently on the roof of it. We used to listen to games together out in the garage on the radio when I was a kid. I still prefer listening to the games on the radio, and MLB.com has this program where I can listen to the Yankee radio broadcasters over the internet home or away games. It is the one thing I insisted on having up here in the frozen north to remind me of home. For my birthday I got a Yankee St. Patrick’s Day hat. When I lived in St. Pete, that was the one game I would allow myself to go to every year. Spring training games are lots cheaper. The one thing I remember most is how big the players are. On TV, because they are all the same size, you don’t realize how big they are. Spring training games are so much up close and personal, you get closer, and the buses let the visiting teams out right at the door, and they walk right by you. They are just huge, and I’m not exactly small, but felt like a dwarf. When I was reading your post I said something outloud about Red Sox’s, and my husband didn’t get it until I said it would be like someone from Edmonton marrying someone from Calgary. Then he got it. He said, “so if I had been a Red Sox fan, would you have married me?” I couldn’t answer.

DJCJ-don’t take 20 pounds too lightly, that’s 70,000 calories burned. Plus, it is just the first 20. I love Greek food. When we were in Banff, there’s a Greek restaurant there where one night a week they have the whole 9 yards, including breaking plates. They definitely have a zest for life.

Peggy-Visualize melting all those eggs in the microwave and then dumping it over your boss’s head. Just visualize, don’t do unless you have another job lined up. I was always the family dump. Stuff that people didn’t want anymore, but didn’t want to throw away, not just food, got dumped in my room. I guess normal people just assume that we are walking garbage disposals.

Ammi-Ouch! I remember having that, and I didn’t want to be online either. Get well soon.

Emily-My exercise goal took a major hit. It started snowing here again, and it set off some bursitis in my left shoulder, so situps ended up being excruciating. I’m counting the days until I can hit the pool.

Hi girls
had a mini meltdown today. I am in the ... habit of buying small bags of no sugar added chocolates. Unfortunately for me, it shows that I am still not ready for treats. I ate the whole bag today. Not all at once but still the whole bag (about 12).

On the bright side, I worked out again today. My friend came over and we did the biggest loser 2 workout. Its pretty intense at parts and I am sure that I burned most of the calories I overindulged in but it is hard to show a loss when u do stuff like that. I should know better. I was having a good week. I have to be a diet angel tomorrow because I need to weigh in on thursday this week instead of friday because the centre is closed due to good friday here.

Anyway, just got home from work and wanted to confess my sins before I head to bed. Have a great night...

Brenda

Whoa, jumping into this thread reminds me of trying to hitch a ride on a speeding train! Not that I actually know what that feels like, of course.

Anyway, I’m finally taking a few minutes to do some personals, as there are quite a few things I wanted to comment on before I forget or get even further behind!

Brenda, wow, I’m so impressed (and a little envious) that you went bellydancing. I wish I had the nerve to do that! I think bellydancing is so … sensual and exotic. Was it a class specifically for ‘plus-size’ women or was it a regular beginners class? Does the SF candy not give you an upset stomach? I’ve overindulged in that myself at times, but then I always pay for it afterwards. But at least you got in a good workout! I hope tomorrow is a better OP day for you.

Lilion, goodness, it sounds as though you’ve been a busy little chick lately! I find that I sometimes get more of a workout from doing things around the house than plain exercising, too. At least my aching bones and muscles think so!

LAnne, it sounds like you are healing nicely from your surgery! How wonderful that it’s given you some newfound pride in yourself – like the commercial says, you’re worth it!

Linda, sounds like you might be allergic to grass – have you ever been tested? I’ve never baked anything with Splenda before – does it have an aftertaste at all? Did the kiddies even suspect anything? I imagine not, especially if icing was involved!

Carrie, the scales can be so temperamental! It’s definitely frustrating, but try not to let it bother you too much. I know some women find it better to chart their progress by taking their measurements or just by how their clothes fit. Exercise will definitely help – I hope you can find something that is conducive to your knee situation.

LeeLee, welcome! I’m fairly new to this board as well, and am loving all the camaraderie and support I’ve found here. Truly a wonderful bunch! And congrats on the weight loss – I bet it feels good!

Peggy, that doesn’t sound like too much of a backslide to me. In fact, I’d say you stayed in control of the situation! Being aware of our choices and making conscious decisions is half the battle. And you’re right, this is for life – quite literally! I’m glad to hear you didn’t let your choices derail you into a true backslide. But oh, bad, bad, boss! Chocolate is my weakness, so it would be torture for me as well – perhaps someday I’ll be able to resist it, too, but for now, it must stay far, far away. Perhaps you can play early Easter Bunny and put some chocolates on everyone’s desk til it’s all gone?

Catherine, that red flour sounds so interesting! Be sure to let us know what it’s made of when you see it again (and what you make from it!). The MP3 player is definitely helping with my motivation – I feel like that woman in the water commercial who imagines all the Hollywood hotties staring after her, hahaha.

Nancy, it sounds as though you had quite an emotional weekend (isn’t it always when family is involved? Hah) and I’m glad to hear you’re back OP. As for the possibility of living with your stepmother’s aunt, well, that sounds like something you could quickly get in over your head with, or get more than you bargained for. But you seem like a smart gal and since you apparently have some prior experience in this area, I’m sure you’ll make the right decision for YOU.

Andrea, your Easter ideas sound marvy! I bet the kids got a real kick out of it – much more fun that just plain old candy. And I sympathize with your possible TOM weight gain – the same thing has happened to me! Not letting It bother me though and just keeping in mind that it’s temporary. Sometimes I think I may have PCOS but my periods are as regular as clockwork – still, I have my OB/GYN appointment next week so perhaps I’ll mention it just in case. PCOS sounds like a PITA! I’m sorry to hear you have it – is there any permanent treatment or will you always have it? I may have missed it, but where are you going on vacation?

Sharvanne, folks seem to love their Gazelles! Glad to hear you’re enjoying it so much. I sometimes think about getting some kind of workout equipment for our house just so I could do some exercising whenever I felt like it – especially when it’s cold or rainy outside! And good for you for resisting one of your temptations! It can be so hard to pass up that stuff in the store, but it’s easier to do it there than when it’s in our cupboards.

Jill, that recipe you posted sounds delicious! I may have to give it a try. And by the way, your ring is beautiful! My ‘right-hand ring’ has sapphires – don’t you just love the way they capture the light? Congratulations once again.

DJCJ, it sounds like you had a grand time! And the Greek restaurant – what fun! It is so good to let that adventurous side of ourselves come out, isn’t it? My only complaint is I don’t do it often enough! I’m glad to hear you made conscious choices about your food and feel good about your decisions – that’s so important.

MetaChick – wow, such willpower! I am in awe – if that bag was in my desk I would eat and eat until it was gone. Much better (for now at least) that I don’t put that temptation in my way. But kudos to you!

Emily, it sounds like you’re working hard! Swimming is such a great workout – it’s my favorite physical activity (well, second favorite ) but unfortunately I don’t have access to a pool nearby. I’m sure you’ll have no problem meeting your April exercise goal!

Toofat, thanks for the heads up about Ammi. Even as a new member of this board, I was missing her presence, so I’m glad to hear she’s (relatively) OK – root canals, ugh!

Myself, I’m having a pretty good week, considering I’ve been dealing with wicked cramps. Still managing to stay OP although I’ve been craving chocolate something bad! I do have an emergency bar of Ghirardelli dark chocolate in my freezer so I had a small square of that and that, along with SF pudding cups, has seemed to satisfy my cravings. I’m pretty proud of myself when it comes to that bar of chocolate, actually. It’s been in my freezer for at least two weeks and only has two squares (about ¼ of the bar) gone. Of course, it could be because it’s dark chocolate and not gooey sweet stuff that is my typical weakness. If it was chocolate cake in there, it’d be a different story entirely!

I also had a job interview today for a position at a local library. I worked at a library where we used to live and absolutely loved it, so I’m really hoping I get this, even though it’s only part-time. I bragged about this in the NSV thread, but I wore my standard interview suit (really the one decent outfit I have for that sort of thing) and the pants were too big - a nice little perk telling me I’m doing something right!

Well, I’m off to bed. Tomorrow is supposed to be another rainy day and since my niece is on spring break, we’re thinking about going to see that new Disney movie – has anyone seen it yet?

I just wanted to say a quick "hi" before off to bed, but to also thank you for the encouragement I have gotten already just from reading a few of your posts. I just signed up for this over the week end and can't wait to become actively involved. It's nice to know that I don't have to walk (eventually run lol) this journey alone. Thanks for providing a safe place to share with others that understand. Have a wonderful today everyone, I'll talk to you soon.

Hi everyone, I heard from Ammi too, it was such a relief, I was worried she had some delayed reaction to her mum's death & the surrounding events. Annie is also ok, she has family staying AND has been ill, Ammi sent me an email letting me know they are both ok, if being ill & having root canal work is ok, lol!!! At least they are getting better & being busy with their families.
I have been really struggling, but yesterday I turned a corner & got back TOTALLY OP, whew!!!!
I can't remember what else I wanted to say BUT Brenda, I'm just the same, it's better for me to just keep chocolates out of the house or buy stuff for my boys which doesn't tempt me!xxxxxx
Lisa, how's your liquid diet going? I hope you're doing better than me!xxxxxxx
LaAnne, how are you feeling now? I have thought about the surgery a few times, but in the UK it's very expensive and rarely done free on the NHS (the UK has a free health service, Drs, hospitals, consultants for everyone & anyone who wants/needs it) unless you are so overweight it seriously endangers your life. Did you have to drink special formulas at first? I bet you are excited abot your 'baby food' purees you get to eat now!! How long before you get to eat 'normal' foods & will you need to take vitamins for ever? Good luck with the healing & WTG on the make-up! Post some piccies!!!!xxxxx
Nancy, good luck with moving, whether it be with your Aunt or elsewhere, I hope you find a nice sunny spot where you can be happy and comfortable.xxxxx
Xena, how are your studies going?xxxxx
Mechelle, sorry about your hubby, though I bet there won't be any lasting damage. I'm glad your kitty is ok, animals & children being ill is so upsetting as they can't tell you how they feel & rely TOTALLY on us to makle sure they're well & happy. Give hubby lots of hugs & kisses, being careful with his wound!xxxxxxx
Well I have to go to the shops, to get a few bits and it gets me some walking in too, have a good day everyone & AVOID THOSE CHOCOLATE EGGS AT ALL COSTS!!!!lol A thought might be to donate any you have to local hospitals, care homes or schools to prevent any temptation!
Sandy, Valerie, Nightkatt.... WHERE ARE YOU GUYS?????xxxxxxx
xxxsharon

Morning gals

Just stopping in while I munch down breakfast. I have to work both jobs today and thinking about working out in between.

lesley~ yeah they bother my tummy.. sometimes that isnt a good enough reason not to eat them What bothers me the most is that I could have taken those 600 cal and used them somewhere else! Or better yet, not at all! The belly dancing class is just a beginner one. I have gotten in the mind frame that fat chicks have just as much right to do what they want as much as skinnies. I was hesitant for sure but once I got there... that was gone. There were other overweight gals as well as some ladies that were over 65. The main thing was that it was fun. Personally i think that is the BEST kind of exercise.

ok, I have to run for now. Will try to stop in b4 I head to work tonight.
Brenda

Hey all! Just a quick pop-in. I shouldn't be here at all - I'm SO late getting started at work! Helped my friend move - more - last night. Tonight is the last time I will ever have to go to her old house! I swear! I'm so tired of moving this woman, no matter how much I love her! Ran to the mall after to buy DS b-day gift - it's Thurs. and he'll be 12 and we aren't even getting him a cake! I feel like such a bad mom! We've just been so busy! But we did get him a cell phone, which he's been begging for for YEARS now and we've always turned him down flat. We'll be doing Olive Garden for dinner - his favorite place to eat, so I'll have them put a candle in his cheesecake.... still feel like such a bad mom!

Ate VERY badly last night. Pizza from Sbarro. That's what you get when you eat at the mall and it's the only place open at 9 p.m. and you haven't eaten since noon! Overslept and skipped work out again.... But Friday we kennel our pups and head to St. Louis for our anniversary. Relief and stress-free weekend! Can't wait.

And since we've completely managed to forget it was going to be Easter, no candy around the house!

Must run...

[B]Lillion[/B- At least you got some good exercise in. I moved to the area I'm in now in 2000 for University. I met my spouse and we like it so much here, we decided to stay. In that time, I've moved 7 times.

No more until we buy a house!

Hi all,

I already weight trained this morning. I am feeling pretty good about jumping back on the horse after my weekend. I did input all of my food from the weekend though. I am proud to say that I never went over my maintenance calorie level, for my goal weight that is! I am so proud of my good choices. I think I am starting to really get it.

MissLeeLee- The falls sure are spectacular, they are right there on the side of the road, you really don’t have to do much walking to see them, although we did hike up. Truly incredible.

Andrea- I know, I know. I have probably driven by those falls literally one hundred times! It took having kids before I was really interested in sight seeing. They are impressive. I am sending you my Greek Cuisina vibes so that you have some. I am sorry that you missed it, it was crazy fun! You know how those Greeks are, now I only say that because I am Italian, and I certainly know how those Italians are. So no offense to you Greek folks out there!
Thanks for telling me about PCOS. I knew someone that had it years ago but never heard the acronym. My heart goes out to you and all who have it. Like we need our mensus to be any harder or more daunting than it already is. And if I had ANOTHER hurdle to jump with losing weight, I don’t know if I could do it.
On a lighter note, I hope your vacation gets off the ground and you have a great time. Oh, and I certainly hope you make it up our way again someday, The Greek Cuisina will be waiting!

Sharvanne- You rocked it out at the store, here’s the carrot jig for ya’

Catherine- Yeah, I guess you are right about the 20 pounds, I should be proud and it is just the start. Thanks.
Oh yeah, a comment about the ‘give it to the fat chick, she’ll eat it’ thing. Lord! I thought I was the only one. People just bring stuff over constantly. Just this morning, my workout buddy of all people offered my kids a whole box of crappy corn dogs. I said no thank you of course, but this is someone I am sharing my workout strategies with. My kids are in no position to be eating corn dogs either and she knows it! When will wonders ever cease?

Brenda- At least you have switched to no sugar choco’s. Just get up and dust off and you’ll do better next time.

Lesley- Thanks, we did have a great time. Yeah, everyday life hits me sometimes and I realize I am not some crazy mountain climber or something. Not that that was ever on the table. But with my upbringing I certainly thought I would have the opportunity to have more fun. Don’t get me wrong, I love my life and everyone in it. It just makes you feel good to get out of it sometimes.

It sounds like you are making some great choices too! Pants that are too big are better than a scale loss any day as far as I am concerned. Great Job!!!!! With the chocolate too- you are rockin’ it out!!! You deserve a little chocolate when you are cramping, that is actually my only treat, and only when I am in mensus or right before. Gotta love those happy hormones!

NewGrammie- Welcome to 3fc, you could not have picked a nicer group.

Lillion-Once again, Whew! I hope you get to sleep this weekend! You are a great mom. No worries.

Okay, personals done. I am trying and succeeding pretty well on keeping up. I really enjoy being a part of this group, so thanks to everyone just for being here. I have lots to do today and won’t be on until late tomorrow, I have to get the kids ready to go back to school on Monday. So I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Love ya’

Carolyn