Morning gals,

Monday, Monday! Start of a new week and new opportunities to be healthy, wealthy and wise. Gee, I'm not sure I'm any of those.

I had trouble waking up but I made myself get up before 5:30. I did 40 minutes of exercise. It was mostly low key. I could lay back down on the couch and fall right back to sleep. I blame that mostly on being awake at 3:10 and then getting into the wrong sleep stage for when the alarm went off. Hopefully a nice hot shower will help.

I don't think I mentioned it but I posted the black bean dip recipe over on the recipe thread. I am going to see if DH will make that for me this week as an afternoon snack. This week my goal is to continue with my journalling. I have done seven days now which is good because I normally fizzle out on Thursday and start again on Monday. We've got our menu planned and it is much more SBD than our first week.

We tried a new bread this weekend. Sara Lee's "45 and Simply Delicious". Its 90 calories and 5 g fiber for two slices. Very soft slices and does not feel like you're eating cardboard. Some of those high fiber breads are very sturdy. But this was good for being on SBD and for the occassional sandwich or toast.

The dogs are about to faint from hunger so I better go feed them and then hit the shower. Or else I may be laying on the floor with them having a nap. Wouldn't that be a shame!

Let's keep up our momentum this week. No regrets from last week. Only learning experiences. Hoo-rah!

to all!

Good Morning Ladies!

Terri, you did the exact opposite of me this morning. My alarm went off at 5:30 and I finally crawled into the shower at 6:30. No excuse, other than I took a flexeril before bed and I think I was still groggy. DH brought home that same bread yesterday! I'm looking forward to trying it. I usually buy the Sara Lee Deliteful multigrain - but some sandwiches just really need white bread!

My bathroom is not yet finished, but it is mostly painted. I still need to touch up two walls. Considering we did two coats of primer before the paint, I'm not surprised it took so long. We did get the second coat of paint on the wall that has the light fixture, so hopefully it'll go up tonight. DH bought a tension rod so we can start showering in there again, even if we don't get the doors on right away. I'm SO looking forward to being a two-bath family again. After all, it's been months! We are so lazy.

Bad thing is we ended up at Ryan's yesterday. Nothing like a buffet to ruin an OP streak. I did do better than usual. Had a big salad, a small steak, a piece of fish and some green bean casserole. Then I had bread pudding and a roll - drated bread. But considering how much and what I usually eat there, I'll call it okay.

Scale is barely down....but down. About 245.5 today. Wanted more, but when you consider how darn bad my diet was this weekend....not BAD any day, but never GOOD. And today I forgot my lunch darn it! Now I have to try to buy something that won't be tooo bad!

Well, work awaits! Later ladies!

Good morning all! I had a pretty good OP weekend and am planning on a very busy day, as most Mondays are for me and my eBay business. Everyday is busy, but I think Mondays are the busiest, since I do a lot of packing and shipping, photographs for listings, item descriptions and scheduled postings for the week. But, I enjoy it for the most part. It sure as heck beats working in a meat room for 20+ years! YUK!!! Man, I hated that job! I got sucked into it because of the good pay and being a single parent and all, it was good money. Once my son got married and left, then I got married, I realized that maybe, just maybe, I could do the eBay thing full time and make a decent living with it and finally quit a job I hated doing since day one. So, I threw caution to the wind and quit! Not easy for a middle-aged woman to do! I still have a pension coming, but not til I'm in my 60's, if I make it to that age! Look at my blabbing on and on, stopping now!

I have been looking for a good bread to buy, this Sara Lee sounds like it may be a good one!

Have a great day everyone and will check back in later this evening!

TERRI - BRAVO on the successful journaling and ever improving menu, PLUS the early-bird exercise! I simply MUST try harder to follow your lead there.

LILION - Hoorah for you're bathroom progress. Ours has been in progress since before we were married - 8 years ago. Of course, considering that Bill's only home 30 days a year, he's making good progress. I can paint, but he's in charge of all the re-plumbing that has to be finished first. In our defense, we HAVE the new sink/vanity, it's just not installed yet. * And on Ryan's - yikes! We went out last night and were trying to figure out where to eat. DH suggested a buffet, and I told him I just couldn't face that challenge yet. Aren't they murder?!

KAREN, you are a stronger woman than I am. I made it 6 days in a meat room once. Have your hands warmed up YET? I wish you ever increasing success with e-bay, as well as on this Diet Express!

We went out to eat last night and ended up having broil scrod w/salad & baked potato. I told asked the waiter not to bring my bread, and although I enjoyed part of my 'tata w/sour cream, I didn't finish it. I'm sure i had a few extra calories, but for the day did very well.

Today is going great - cottage cheese for b-fast, green beans, yams & chicken salad for lunch, and I bought a couple pickled eggs to keep in the frig @ work, in case I want a snack sometime this week. I just really need to rev pu the exercising again!

Busy day here - I hope you're doing well!

Morning all!

I'm feeling much better today (no more snot factory) and am trying to get a lot of work done. I have a tough week ahead and several "business" meals out. But I'm back on the exercise track tonight with Yoga!

Scrod - couldn't someone have come up with a better name that this?

Sorry, but its year-end weirdness.

Morning ladies,

Up and about again. I was a good girl and did my exercise this morning. I didn't get anything done last night. I had good intentions but geez, right after I got home, we had a thunderstorm of all things. Then I was so tired I could barely function but yet I was restless. Not sure what that was all about.

The dogs ate the truck payment bill this morning. I had left my office door open since I have done so much reoganization. I was allowing them more space to be in the house. Except one of them decided to lay his head on top of the desk and see what he could find. Yes, that would be that gorgeous face whose pic I posted on the last thread.

I need to go feed them and kick them out for awhile. And I better get myself off to work.

Have a great day!

Terri, those pups sure do have a passion for paper! At least you don't need a shredder - just give it to the pooches!

Great changes in my chemistry - I actually not in the mood to eat absolutely everything I can lay my hands on anymore. I'm already feeling and thinking totally different than I was while I was still full of sugar and refined flours. Has it been a week yet? That’s what it took. It’s not determination & will power, it’s not medication or motivation, it’s nothing more than NOT drugging myself up with the wrong foods (and the wisdom to know the consequences if I do.) So for the last 2 years, over 700 days, even knowing what I do about myself, I didn’t get this far. Two years wasted, while my heart worked harder, my joints took more pounding and I couldn't ride my horse like I want to. Not that I’m suddenly ‘cured’ of course. Sweets will always be a temptation and an addictive poison to me. Surely I will fall off the wagon again someday. But not today. Not any time soon.

Wow, looks like I'm having another good day! I have more energy today than I have had in a really long time and am actually feeling pretty good. I agree with you Valerie, I feel like I've reached some sort of inner calm I have not felt before....for today anyway!

Terri, your pooches almost sound like a Keystone Comedy! Or the dogs from a Christmas Story! I bet they crack you up a lot of the time, at least when they're not getting on your nerves! Thunderstorm in the winter...creepy, right? We get those every once in a while, weird.

Heather, happy to see your feeling better and your "leaky" nose has stopped leaking! I hate that! It gets all red and sore, Ouch!

Well, back to work. Try to stay positive everyone!!!

Good quick morning girls! Down 3 pounds this week. It WAS 4 yesterday, but you know how the scale knows it's weigh-in day. I'll take it and be very happy!

Found my 10 & 5 pound weights, so I don't have to use the 20 anymore. It was really too much at this point, and that discouraged me from picking it up.

LILION, I see you're really working that IM! Go girl!

KAREN, let's just keep on with that inner calm. Fantastic!

TERRI, What are the Keystone K-9's up to today? HA!

HEATHER, I hope that cold/flu is gone or close to it. Tough to face a new semester with that hanging on!

RUTH, Good Morning! Haven't heard from you this week. I hope you're out and about and doing well!

I don't have time to cook dinner these days, with having to race off every night to clean those stupid stalls at that stupid barn. Only 11 more days to go! But last night I mixed a can of mushroom soup & almost a can of water, mixed 'em up. I added a pile of chopped celery, half a bag of fresh spinach, and chunked chicken breast & mixed in a big bowl. I put that in a pan, topped with cheese & a few bread crumbs, & tossed it in the oven. I called DH 40 minutes later. Good thing, cuz he'd already forgotten it. By the time I got home he'd eaten half of it - said it was almost TOO good - irrisistable even. Wow. It was good, but next time I'll add more spinach. It looked like a lot, but it cooks down to nothing. Maybe I'll throw some chopped onions in, too, or peas. And I'll get some low sodium soup - it was a bit salty for my taste. But basically, mushroom soup (w/water), chicken chunks, and as many veggies as you can fit. Top with a bit of cheese & you're done. I already have some packed for lunch, with broccolli. OH! I could add broccolli next time! I love that vegetable!

OMG! I'l late. I should know better than to come here before work!!

Morning ladies,

The K-9 shredded a handtowel I had used to clean the leather furniture. I get to vacuum that up now. At least it wasn't valuable. They are so hard to buy toys for because they destroy everything I buy.

My mind is blank this morning. I'm working too many hours at work again this week. But its still a job and its paying the bills. And things are looking better and more postive these days.

Anyone watching the Biggest Loser? Is it just me or are the people rather annoying? Especially Jillian. The only one I really like is the mom. If Jillian were in my face bellowing like she does, I'd have to punch her or say something really bad on TV. I think she takes herself just a tad bit too seriously. These people had huge losses last week and looked almost suicidal this week if they lost only 3-5 pounds.

Valerie - The chicken dish sounds really good. I'll have to have DH try that some time.

Karen, Lilion, Ruth, Patti, Heather and everyone else....let's keep at this 'cause we're really working at making ourselves healthy. Great job everyone!

Good morning everyone, I know I haven't posted this week, but this is the start of a round of Dr. appts. Monday was a long wait and wait some more day. Why do they put you in those rooms and leave you so long you think they have forgotten you? Anyway by the time I got home I was useless. All wrung out and just wanted a nap. Yesterday I had the cleaning lady (Moms) so I was more or less moving around to stay out of her way and just did not get on the computer. Excuses!

On a brighter note I am back op and doing very well. At least for now . Back down 3 lbs. Gad, if I would just keep that 3,4,5 or even 10 lbs off I could be a real skinny winnie. Add up all of the gains and loses! dummy!.

I had a real scare last night. I was sitting in the den, in the dark, half asleep when I heard the security door off the patio make a sound as if someone had turned the knob. I got up as fast as I could and went and looked and the door was standing open about a foot or so. I was afraid to open the wooden door and close the security door, but I couldn't see anybody and I hated to wake DH, so I quickly opened the door and fixed the lock and closed it. Dh thinks the cleaning lady went out to take garbage that way and just didn't lock, or close it good. Not me. I heard that handle turn! They make an unmistakable sound. Needless to say, I didn't sleep anymore all night, well, I cat-napped, but I sure heard everything that moved.

I will try to get back here tomorrow. Have a wonderful op day. See Ya later. Ruth

Morning All! Hope everyone has a great day! I'm feeling a little tired today, probably from pushing too hard yesterday since I had all that "new" found energy! Started with a nice breakfast of a poached egg, toasted english muffin, orange and coffee. Not sure what's for lunch, but since I shopped yesterday there is plenty to choose from. I weighed myself this morning, even though I wanted to wait til Friday, which is the day I have chosen to weigh in weekly and the scale says down 3 lbs. I thought it would be more, 'cause I can feel myself as less, but I'll take it! Of course I will weigh myself again on Friday, just to be sure!

Hi Val, that chicken dish does sound yummy! It really does sound "illegal" or "too good" as your DH said!

Hi Terri, I'm watching Biggest Loser also. I think I would just laugh in Jillian's face, that would catch her off guard. She's a classic type A, but I think some of those people need a swift kick! What an opportunity they have been given and to not try their hardest is unfair to the contestants who could have been on and are not. I mean, think about it, they basically just have to concentrate on themselves and their workouts and eating. It's pretty much a controlled atmosphere with minimal temptation. Yes, of course there are emotional and physical hurdles as there always are, but they don't have to think about cleaning the house, grocery shopping, running errands, just the everyday drudge we all do. I have no doubt it is hard, but to have 3-4 months to concentrate on just your health and changing your life style would of course be a challenge, but a blessing as well. Like you said, a lot of them are annoying and the husband on the white team...RU kidding me! I can't stand a whiny man! And the black team with the bully older brother. I like the brown team, but they were voted off last night and I like the pink team as well. Don't even get me started with the yellow team! The guy was saying how young all the men in his family die so young and there he was, woofing down extra calories for 5,000.00, which he didn't even win anyway! What an ***!

Hi Ruth, nice to see you. Sounds like you are back on track. I know how those doctor appointments can be. I try to steer clear of them, but when DH goes, he is there for a 3 hour tour! YIKES! I would freak and leave! Your door story sounds scary! Thank goodness you and your family are o.k. I think I would have lost sleep, too. Maybe ask the cleaning lady if she did in fact take the trash out that way, to maybe put your mind at ease.

Well, looks like the sun is coming through the rainy clouds of earlier and maybe it's gonna be a nice day after all. See you all later!

Good Morning Ladies!

A little bird told me they missed my long posts so I thought I'd do better today than I have been with the updating you all!

First, on the diet and exercise front, I'm doing okay. I did have a hungry day yesterday, ending the day with a couple of flex points used, but really, not too bad. After all, that's what they are for. I'd make chicken and veggie stirfry with brown rice for dinner and it just didn't do the trick, so about 7 I ended up with a sandwich and granola bar for dessert. Don't know why I was so darn hungry! But at least I didn't give in and eat a ton of junk...which is what I wanted. I did get up and do 20 minutes on the I.M. both yesterday and today. I just can't get over how much better I feel when I work-out in the morning! I'm more awake and alert and just more here, if you know what I mean. So why is it that I have such a hard time actually getting out of bed when I know I'll feel better if I do it???

The bathroom remains, once again, untouched since the weekend. But Monday we did have a meeting to go to and then yesterday DH just could NOT wake up! He got up about 5:30 and I sent him back to bed because he was asleep on the couch at 6:30. Then I woke him again at 8 and by then it was too late to really accomplish much. Turns out the new light fixture I bought doesn't line up with the existing box in the wall, so we have to wait to get it up and painting by a single lamp bulb, not high on my favorite things. So now we wait some more. I SO want my bathroom back.

Work is killing me I swear! I've had all of three cigarettes since Xmas - all bummed at work. They keep piling on the work and don't seem to care that NO ONE can keep up with the load. Of course, I suppose I could be writing a decision now instead of a post.

About TBL - I've read somewhere that those amazing losses on TBL aren't as fast as they seem either - that a TV week isn't a real seven-day week. Don't know if that's true, but if it isn't I don't see how they can lose 10 lbs in a week after that first big drop happens. It would be nice though, to have someone give you the right stuff to eat and have someone getting you to work-out and not have to hold a job and stuff. I could definately lose weight like that! But Jillian - her I'd punch in the face. I HATE that woman! I don't watch it often, but DH and I caught the current season a week or so ago and I said then, if she talked like that to me I'd say " you, you witch! Talk to me like that again and I'll squash your skinny butt like a bug!" DH actually thinks that's the kind of trainer he'd want! But then it's the whole former-Marine-got-to-listen-to-the-drill-sergent thing! So why doesn't he listen when I yell at him, huh?

Ruth! How scary that must have been! I HATE when I hear odd things at night, especially nights when DH isn't home. I've actually crept about my house scared to death a time or two.

Valerie, WTH is a scrod? I should know, but Terri's right, that just sounds nasty! Your chicken dish sounds great. Kind of like pot pie without the pie part.

Well, I've spent enough time to know that I've got to go now! You all have a good day and I'll try to check back later!