rainbowsmiles - it's an interesting thought (although I'm in Canada, we need to do some of the same things). On the weight loss, well, it was lower and after an illness I slipped back into (almost) the same bad habits. So right now I'm losing weight I had gained back. I likely won't take any real pride in it until I'm down below 280 (the lowest weight last time). Hopefully I've learned enough about it this time to avoid the problems I had last time.

Annie, first off, I hope you start feeling better soon. Nothing worse than having the flu. Second, how dare that guy try to pass a bill like that. Do they think we enjoy being like this and then to go to a restaurant and get turned away! How humiliating!!!! I'm sure it's not going to pass.

Sharon, sorry to hear you having a rough time right now. I hope you can get it under control soon and hopefully that self help book will help you figure things out.

Carol, I hope adding more protein will do the trick for you. Give it some time to work it's magic

rainbowsmiles, Ok, catch me if you can!!

I'm off to do WATP dvd.
ta ta!
Debbie

Julee, you must of been posting the same time I was!

The reason I asked that question, is because I want to know how long after I ate something it would take to show up on my body or how much of it gets flushed out. I know that all the carbs, fats, proteins, etc. all make up the process but it would just be interesting to know how fast it goes thru/stays in the system. My main goal is yes, to lose the weight, but I would also like to know about the mechanics of my body , and how these things affect it and when. I just get curious about things like that. I thought it might be an easy question, but i guess not, and glad to know that others are wondering too. Thank you for your take though.

I’ve quickly read your posts and I hope each and everyone of you is keeping well!

Well it’s been a crazy week, but I am focussing on being back on track now and I made it to the gym today for a good workout! Food has not been so good past week but I am getting it and myself in order right now!

A few personals before I try and scrounge up some chicken to make a chicken salad for dinner! Although what I really want is some Taco Bell! Blasted commercials!

It’s getting really nasty outside again. If it keeps up (snowing) like they say it’s supposed to, I don’t think we’ll have work in the morning. We live right by the lake, and we get that WONDERFUL Lake Effect snow coming from over Lake Michigan. Ugh. It’s the worst kind of snow, I’m tellin’ ya!

I think I might be getting sick. I’m not feeling so well, and I’m burning up. I do NOT need this right now, ya know? Especially after JUST starting my new job!

Well, I hope you’re all having a GREAT Wednesday!

Cyn – That’s definitely good! Now you won’t be tempted by those evil M&Ms since they taste disgusting now!!

Annie – Whoa. I can’t believe that lawmaker! I’m going to have to go and try and find some articles. I just can’t believe it!!! I hope you’re feeling a bit better now!

Sharon – I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling so down. Take all the time you need, and join us when you can. Happy early Birthday! I hope you have a good one!!

Rainbowsmiles –We are a little family here. Some of us (myself included) may disappear, but we’re always welcomed back with ‘open arms’ so to speak.

Debbie...I can at least try! haha (chasing debbie)
What part of Washington do you live in? I visted there in the summer of 2006 and I just love Oregon and Washington. I drove all the way up the coast from Cresent City California to Astoria...and then headed inland to Tacoma and Seattle and up the space needle! I have never before seen a Tsunami warning posted before I came to Oregon. And I was amazed at all the teeny tiny coffee huts everywhere. You guys must drink tons of coffee! Nigel was please he could get a scone with his coffee. Another thing that amazed me was a delicious treat...all the wild blackberries just growing nearly everywhere. I literally picked some from sitting in the car and rolling down the window! I saw my first free whale swimming off the coast. I have seen them in captivity but never just free in the Pacific. Amazing!! Made me think of freeing Willy! I went to the little place called Bob's Java Jive in Tacoma and took my picture in the doorway of the teapot! Cool little dive. If it didn't snow so much I would love to live in Oregon. Hope you have a great evening.
peace
rainbowsmiles

happy birthday heather

rainbowsmiles, I live in Skagit County which is about an hour north of Seattle. We just moved here about 5 years ago. I'm a native Californian so it was a big change for us. I love the weather here though. We don't get alot of snow, and what we do get, is usually gone in a day or two. It's just enough to make it fun. Also, the summers are so mild. After coming from a place where it could be a 100 degrees for months, this is just beautiful weather. We live on 10 acres, and have tons of wild berries. Come pick them whenever you come this way! Yes, there are lots of thoses coffee places. So many, I don't see how they all keep in business but there are just as many coffee drinkers here to keep them all going. Have a great evening!

Kayley, stay warm and dry and hope there are better days coming your way

Alison, sorry to hear your struggling on the food front but so glad you made it to the gym.

Jim and I did the DDR again today. His foot was hurting from all the stomping we do during the songs. I think I will invent some shoes to wear during DDR to cushion the balls of the feet...yeowwww, they can sure hurt!! I'm going to try and get some WATP going here at 7 and then I will be back to post my exercise minutes.
I started counting my fat intake. I want to see if I'm eating too much fat and that's why my weight is going up and down. I read in my calorie book, for my calorie intake, I should be eating about 50 grams of fat a day for a 1800 calorie a day plan. I've also been tracking my weight daily, on a graph. Along with my food journal, I'm hoping this will all help me to understand what I'm dong right and wrong.
toodles,
Debbie

Hi Peeps

Lots of good things going on here - and here's mine - I got in 1700 calories today. It was a little carb heavy but it's definetely a start.

Rainbowsmiles - glad you're here. It's great getting to know you. I too loved Oregon/Washington when we were there 10 years ago. I couldn't believe the majesty of Mt Ste Helens. I was so in awe. I have a few pieces of pottery made from the ash. They are treasures. I also saw my first free whale along the Oregon coast - then we went on to the Oregon Coast Aquarium when Keiko was actually there before they freed him.

Debbie - save some of those berries for me too! We are actually talking about another trip to the northwest - maybe next summer. You go girl - invent those shoes. Remember - Catherine was going to invent support wear so our excess skin doesn't flap around and hurt us.

Kayley - careful with all the shoveling and lifting the kids - take care of your back my friend.

Anne - you are an inspiration - how do you do that much time on the treadmill?

Allison - great to see you. WTG on getting to the gym. Stay strong.

Annie - so what did the doc say? Maybe "Annie, take care of yourself". If he didn't then I am. Annie - take care of yourself. Strep throat is awful. Should help get your fluids in at least. Hugs to you.

Sharon - big ole hugs to you. Happy Birthday girlfriend.

Ammi - where is your smiling face?

Peggy - Hiya! Always great to see you.

I just can't believe this weather - it was 70 on Monday and today schools were all cancelled because of snow - there are lots of sick people around with the big fluctuations in weather. Eating healthy, exercising and drinking my water has helped me stay away from all the little bugs. Another benefit!

A big hug to all the lurkers - post when you can - we miss you!

Oh yeah - Heather - another Happy Birthday!

Hugs,
Carol

kayleystar - I'm hoping that tomorrow morning some kind neighbour will have cleared our snow. Technically the girl who parks in the driveway does it, but her dad usually helps. Also, we have two new snowblower owners, and they seem to do everyone's driveway when the mood hits.

Debbie - I've noticed that the last week or so that my weight's been a little flat. This is the problem with a daily weigh-in. I'm (so far) going to do nothing about it for the moment. It's way to early to start using the P word. Good luck on what you're doing.

Carol - Being unemployed helps. I get up and look for work, have breakfast, look for work, use treadmill (once or twice), have lunch, use treadmill again, look for work, make dinner, watch tv, sleep. The only really good thing is that my sleep patterns are quite good. It will be at least a minimum of a month before I know if I've been accepted into the college program(s) I've applied to. It took a while, but I decided I should use my unemployment as a perfect excuse to work on my weight loss. With 100% hindsight I could have started 6 months earlier. The one thing I will give myself credit for is staying away from the food in the house. I'm still quite surprised that I've found the strength to do it.

Good Morning Peeps - what will today bring for each of us? My hope for each of you is a great OP day, lots of water, exercise and SMILES.

Enjoy who you are today.

Hugs,
Carol

good morning good morning everyone
...not so much of a tech savvy chic...what does OP mean?

sending prayers out to all the families that might have been hurt by all the tornados that rolled across the states.

cheerio
rainbowsmiles

Hello everyone, just checking in. We have had a bad couple of days. I swear when it rains it pours.

1) On Tuesday, I am off work sitting here folding laundry, TV was on etc etc. I get a call on my cell phone from my daughter. She says, "Mommy are you coming to get us?" (mind you this is like 12:30) I start freaking out. What is wrong What is going on. All she says is come get us. I race to school, The intermediate school is pitch black, I start panicking like crazy. A teacher is coming out of the middle school and says the kids are over here in the gym. By now, My heart is about to jump out of my throat and I am fighting that feeling to cry. I race in the school. The umm ignorant nurse who I see everyday and have talked to constantly doesnt reckognize me and asks who I am here to get. I tell her. She says they are down in the basement. I am really about to loose it. I go racing down 2 flights of steps and the secretary is there. She says everyone is fine. Still no one has told me what has happened. She takes me in the gym not the basement and there is half of the intermediate school. I am freaking out worried about my son. Who tries to run to me and they stop him because I havent "signed them out". Finally, I get both kids. And I said to the assistant principal what the heck is going on? Well, here is the story....2 hours ago a car crashed into the electrical pole infront of our school, causing a power outage. They fed the kids cold ravioli and evacuated the school to the gym. The supposed principal activated the emergency alert system, which is suppose to contact all parents. Well I was sitting here the whole time. No phone rang!! My daughter begged a teacher to use her cell phone to call me. Because the students were told they were not allowed to use there cell phones!!! Needless to say, When I made it out both kids were crying and I felt like I was going to hit the ground. My son (who is disabled) has been fine. He was scared he says and very hungry. I have never been so mad. It just showed us that none of us are prepared for an emergency. My husband's cell phone was dead. As was my daughters. I am just thankful I am 4 minutes from the school.

Sorry that was long, but just freaked me out. Needless to say my eating has been horrid!! I am starting over tomorrow. I have downed atleast a 12 pack of Drpepper in 2 days. I dont eat I just drink, I know not good.

Well, thanks for listening.

Tina

Yesterday, hubby was still sick and his cough sounded bad. Someone thought that he may be getting pnuemonia, someone thought he had bronchitis. I call a local doctor place.. the only one in town apparently closed down. One in a town 30 minutes away would not take any new patients and the urgent care place 45 mins from here wanted 50 dollars. Brian hasn't been paid, so we didn't have the money. Thankfully, someone lent it to us. We sit over there for an hour to find out he has influenza B. The doctor was saying "You could go back to work, or you could not but only if you don't care about infecting people. There is only one medication for Inf B and there is no generic version. If you take it, 2 more days of this. If you don't, 5 more days". We take the prescription to a pharmacy to see how much it was. 85.00 He didn't get it, we didn't have the money. I thought I was getting what he had because my throat is all screwed up dry and scratchy. It wasn't any worse when I woke up this morning at least so I am crossing my fingers.

Well today is the day. I'm going to the pool here for the first time. If I can work up the courage. The doctor has okayed it. I feel up to going. My swimsuit still fits. I've got my new prescription goggles, so I have no excuse not to go. I even have the leisure pass, so it won't cost any money. I just have to get over that fear of a new place, a new teacher, etc. It's the only exercise I can realistically do with my injuries, and I have to have exercise to lose weight. So it is time to eat, and get my stuff and go. Wish me luck, not that I drown, because I float like a buoy, but rather that no one makes any comments about me that require my squashing them like a bug.