Good afternoon all,

I think I hit the proverbial wall this morning. Went out to do a small amount of shopping and figured I would come home and knock off my 60 mins on the treadmill. I was going to decide later if I was going to do 90. Well, I managed the first 30 and then I really didn't want to do any more. In fact, while getting to the point of doing my time I convinced my mother to do some herself. She's decided to do it 3 days a week until she starts working in the garden. She does 30 mins at somewhere near 2.0 mph. Just to walk a little really (she doesn't need to lose weight). I did force myself back on, but the lack of energy is a big issue. I'm going to heed the advice of the lifting book I've been reading and up my calories to 2200 daily, 2500 on lifting days. On the whole this is about 150 cals more a day than I've been taking, which won't make a difference overall. I just know that if I don't get the energy level up that's more of a problem.

It's not a bad day here - above freezing with a little sun even. From what I see in the case of long range forecasts this is a fluke. It may warm up a little next week... with rain. After that, more cold weather until the end of the month. The forecasters seem to feel that we'll have a more average April (which means warmer). I'm pretty sure most forecasts are only good for about 6-12 hours in the future though. :)

Catherine - that sounds good. It turned out to be pretty much a half lamb cut into pieces. We played a little 'identify' the cut this morning, but more than half of it is divided up in the freezer. We'll have some fresh tomorrow for dinner, so I will try marinating it as you mentioned. Thanks.

Kayleystar - very sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother. :hug:

Debbie - erratic sleep patterns are not unusual for me. Eventually you get used to the fact that you just don't always sleep as well. When I was younger (and heavier) my mother used to tell me it was because I didn't get enough exercise. She doesn't say that now. I've come to the conclusion it's a family trait, as she sleeps about the same way. At least your bite is only a little swollen. One of our cats freaked out last summer when we were trying to take him to the vet. I ended up with a partial bite on one finger (near the knuckle). The finger swelled and it was weeks before it didn't look odd, and even longer before it didn't feel odd. He goes in the cage now. Well, they have to both go in the cage, at the same time. Separate trips to the vets created hissing/growling/fighting matches that had never been seen before. The big one (Gus) attacked the little one (Shadow) after Shadow's visit. It took two days before he wouldn't attack him on site, and then he found out that his little brother held a big grudge. Oh, and I do hope the meds help you mother. Knowing what's wrong should help them find a good treatment option for her.

Bernice - mutton comes from sheep and has a much stronger taste. My mother dislikes mutton completely (had a lot when growing up), but she likes lamb. It is a bit of an acquired taste, and you really have to trim it as some cuts can be quite fatty. Silly us, but it was on sale, and we felt it would be nice for a change. I think someone else has corned beef brisket on this week in honor of St. Patrick's Day, so we'll probably get some of it as well. I'm not sure how I manage the water, although I've always drank a lot. However, I don't drink milk or coffee, or any other fluid. I suspect on the days I exercise I sweat out a fair bit, so it's replacing some of that as well.

Tina - congrats on the house! I'm kind of with you (on the moving). I believe I swore that I'm not moving out of this house ever, or if I do, I'll just sell it furnished. We even got rid of some things, although we came from two households into one, so of course we should have. I built shelves (pre-drilled ones from Ikea) in the crawl space and now we have lots of shelves with well-organized stuff. Just too much of it. I re-organized the garage in the summer, getting rid of the old shelves that came with the house... and found things that I think were on them when we moved in ten years ago! Good luck with the move.

Cyn - sounds like a fun day. Hope you found a movie that you both enjoyed.

Carol - it's late enough in the season that I can tell you what I usually say at this time of year - ignore it, it will go away. It's melting/compacting around here and some of the items on the patio are peeking through. The only thing I remind myself is that we're at the end of the winter, not the beginning. I know what you mean about wanting to keep things to yourself. Years ago I used to go to the office (well plant really) gym in the morning before work. Most weeks I was out before anyone came in, until two of the women I worked with decided they would join me. I really missed my alone time! However, just think - you may have inspired your sister. That's a good thing.

TheWalrus - the good news is that you can walk on it, just remind yourself of that.

Well gals, I think maybe I'll have a nap. Or at least do something like just veg until it's time to finish off dinner. I'm making a cauliflower/bean/cheese chili in the crockpot, which I'll serve with a smoked chicken and turkey sausage. I remember that it didn't reheat well, so I've cut the recipe in half... so I'm not sure how it will turn out. However, I don't need to worry about it until 6pm so I do have time for that little nap.

hello ladies,
my fever is down some today. It was pretty much gone but seems to be creeping back up this evening. Hubby asked me tonight if i could possbilby cook a meal. SO i did a quicky meal.
daughter came home with fever again today. she has been sick for a week today. They changed her antibotic on thursday to cipro. Im hoping it will clear her up.
My eating hasnt been great but i am eating 3 times a day. I know from experience that my antibotic will tear my stomach up without food.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend
debi

debi-make sure you eat some yogurt with active cultures. The anti-biotic kills the good bacteria in your digestive tract at the same time it kills the bad ones. That will make your digestive system a mess. They found out recently that the appendix is where the good stuff is saved to re-populate the digestive tract, but the yogurt does it quicker.

Hi Peeps,

Another bad day yesterday. I dunno. I did well until the evening, and then all heck broke loose. I had some fruit slice jell candies in the cupboard that I bought in advance of my Passover seder. I can never find the darned things when it's close to Passover, so I bought two tubs of them at Trader Joes at a great price. At the time I knew it was a risk keeping them on hand because they're a problem for me. Sure enough, I dug in last night, and didn't stop with the candies. I'm going to throw out the other container of fruit slices, and take my chances closer to the holiday. No one cares about them but me, anyway, and if they are sold out later, so be it.

Today is better, and I think I should be able to close it out as an OP day.

Rainbow: Thank you for sharing your story about Nigel. It gives me hope that love, and a great relationship with a quality man, are possible. You are such a warm and giving person, I'm not surprised that he fell for you.

I haven't dated in several years since my divorce, but I am ready now for another relationship, and hope to meet someone great. With all the fat hating going on, it's hard to believe that a desirable man would be interested in me, especially here in CA where there is more emphasis on being fit and trim than in other parts of the country. I'm trying to hold on to my fabulosity when I put myself out there instead of thinking negatively and thinking I am not worthy because my body is fat and saggy.

As far as recreation goes, I'm not getting as much as I'd planned. The project I'm working on hit some snags, and I'm working today. Tomorrow, a friend is taking me out for an early birthday present. First pedicures, then lunch and shopping, then dinner. I can't wait.

Anne: Do you think you may be overexercising? Just a thought.

Debbie: Ugh, sleep. I have problems on and off, but my eating makes a difference. When eating well, I have a better chance of a full night's quality sleep.

Carol: Oh, I hear you on keeping things to yourself. I like a lot of alone time, too, so am careful about keeping some activities strictly for myself.

Debi: Glad you are feeling better.

Catherine: How's the tush?

Cyn: Planned fun days are wonderful. You need it. Have a great time.


Everyone, have a great OP day.

BattleAx - I have, but I don't really think so. With the exception of the treadmill each day I'm really very sedentary. I thought about cutting it back but I want to be more fit in the spring (if it ever comes). Working out my minimum calories with the lifting book gives me 2200 cals for a no exercise day, which is how I count the days with just the treadmill. I'm under that, and for a couple of weeks I'm willing to go up to it. It's not that much and I suppose the worst that could happen is that I stall for a while.

I feel better this evening, just lazing around the afternoon away. Tomorrow is a complete rest day, and other than some potting up of plants, I have nothing much planned. I'm surprised how much I'm enjoying the strength building routine... and I'm falling off the ball a little less! :)

And boy did I used to love those fruit slices. I know that my mother brings candy into the house each week, but she's been asked to be not so open about it. I've had a few days when I've been tempted to go look for them, but so far I've resisted. I think it's likely better to get rid of them.

I've sorta had a free for all this weekend so far. I've just eaten what ever I wanted. I'm definitely getting back on the wagon tomorrow. I bought some Slimfast because I have such a hard time making myself eat breakfast. It's now got 7g of protein in it. Then I will eat my regular lunch and dinner and snacks. I haven't been getting in my water either. I hope I haven't done too much damage in the weight area. I was up 1 lb this week, and I think I just felt, what the hey, might as well eat. I ate well all week, and still gained a pound. But it's over with now, so I'm ready to get back to healthy foods.
Also had another roadblock in the starting my business. The Eagles won't let me use their kitchen, so I'm back to square one.

Bernice, I don't sing but Jim does. I just like to go and listen. I'm way to shy to get up there and sing in front of people.
Shampooing carpets is definitely a workout in my book!

Tina, that's wonderful news about the house. That's so exciting! You'll have to post pics of the new place.

Carol, oops, that's too bad your sister is going to invade your domain. No chance of talking her out of it huh? Well, just remember to go at your own pace.

TheWalrus, great news about the leg....well...sort of. At least you can get around more and exercise some.

Anne, I think the weather has alot to do with alot of us feeling no uumph to get things done or to exercise. I know I'm having a terrible time, but then again, I didn't do too much of it last year either. I'm hoping to get out the DDR again since this is what I really enjoy. It just doesn't seem like a real workout to me though even though I do work up a sweat.
Anyhow, hope you get past the wall and I hope upping your calories will do the trick.

Battleax, sometimes I wonder if the sleep issues are a woman thing. Men never mention anything about not sleeping well. I find that when I eat well, I tend to sleep better too, and also if I don't eat close to bed time.
Sorry to hear your still struggling.Those gel thingies wouldn't of lasted long here either.

Have a great night!
Debbie

Originally Posted by CatherineM:
Walrus-I had a non-walking cast when I was 16 that I was just telling someone about yesterday. I'd had ankle surgery, and they cut a porthole in it so that they could change the dressing and take out the stitches. It was soaked through with goo, and I had it on for 3 months in summer in Oklahoma. Man, did that thing smell, and we lived down wind from the slaughterhouses, so I knew from bad smell. He wanted to know if I wanted to bronze it when it finally came off. I wanted to put it in a biohazard incinerator.

Hee hee -- this cracked me up. Thanks for the laugh! My husband has been in a pissy mood for a few days, and now so am I...grrr...the extra two weeks of castage was the last straw. BUT, tomorrow a whole new week starts, AND I'm going to finally go to the knitting store and beg someone to help me figure out some pattern inconsistencies. Then I'll be halfway done with three sweaters. Um, that means that technically I've gotten one finished right? If just in time for summer? ;)

Hi Debbie....so sorry to hear you can't use the Eagles Kitchen. I know your business will be successful because you ahve such determination. Another kitchen will turn up, just keep the faith. I can so relate to just sneaking in a weekend of splurges with eating. Sometimes, as long as one is studious and gets right back on track, it doesn't effect the weight loss. Kudos for planning to get right back on track and for making sure you get in breakfast.

Anne...keep resisting the slices!! And KUDOS to you for doing so well with your exercises. I too went out and bought supplies today to repot some plants tomorrow. I will be thinking of you then my potting friend!!

Sandra, thank you for your kind words. I will keep you in my prayers and trust that God can and will lead the man into your life that will sweep you off your feet....Cinderella! :)
oooooo pedicures....lunch...shopping and dinner too....oooh lalala oh wait, i hate shopping! no I loooooooooooooooooathe shopping!! haha
when is your birthday?? Mine is March 29th! I love birthdays!


Debimitch....so gald you fever is down and that you are feeling better...hugs to you...:hug:


Kayley....I am so sorry to hear that you lost your grandmother. I know that is not an easy circumstance to handle but I know that your grace will see you through. My Nana passed on last year and I am so thankful of all the wonderful memories I have. Special prayers for you.


Catherine....biohazard incinerator....you crack me up!!


Bernice...thank you for your kind words. I am so blessed and if I can just give a tiny spark of hope to someone else, that would mean the world to me.

Hope everyone has a wonderful evening.
rainbowsmiles
carol sorry i missed you :) try again!!!

Battle-My tush is better which is a good thing since I spend most of my time on it.

Rainbow-I joke that my husband is a walking toxic waste dump, so I've looked into adding an incinerator to the boiler. Himself didn't find that as funny as I did.

Hey gals. I'm still hanging in here. Still on Plan!
I have a HUGE NSV to share! I've been doing this Richard Simmons "Party off the Pounds" DVD. It's essentially just Sweating to the Oldies with 80's Music. Well, the workout itself is about 51 minutes long (including cool down). Usually I get to the 28-30 minute mark before stopping. The other day I made it to that point, sat down and rested for about 5 minutes and finished the thing. Today I wasn't going to exercise at all. I was feeling lazy. Then about an hour ago, I decided to get up and at least get as close to 30 mins as I could. I thought I was going to stop early, It seemed to be harder than usual. I forced myself through that "midway song" and it was downhill from there. I finished it ALL! I did it WITHOUT stopping. :o

I'm sweaty as heck and tired and I may never ever manage to do this again, but YAY!
:carrot:

Also, I think I've lost about 4 pounds since I posted in here last. It's been a crazy few weeks :D

Well I got the closet done. I had to run out today and get a 3rd box of hangers..but in the end it looks s much better and it feels less cluttered. I did grab a few things to put in the donation pile and feel like I have a better sense of what actually own. Even today, once I got dressed I put on a shirt I have not worn since the week I bought it...whenever that was.

DH's dad called this morning to try to play peacemaker...which means ordering DH to talk to his mother. Check, please.

Battle...I didn't realize you were also Jewish :) It's nice to know that I'll have someone to commiserate with during Pesach. I am so anti-matzah. One year I had my wisdom teeth out during spring break/passover just to avoid having to eat any matzah at all. We're not making a seder. We have an invite for 1st night and will get one for 2nd. DH's folks don't do anything....no, that's not true. They will all get together at an aunt's house and eat lamb on a Sunday and call it Passover. I myself do not eat lamb, so it becomes another night of let's look at Julee who doesn't eat what we eat. We don't have any problems finding Passover candy here...of course...I don't eat it so I don't care as much...but it's one of the nice things about being in LA...and working in a very Jewish neighborhood...no shortage of kosher food anywhere.

I did really well last night at my dinner. I brought a SmartOnes mac&cheese so I could eat my version of what the kids were eating. I'm over the whole self-conscious thing. I'm eating food and thats what is good. If I were doing shakes only or that ridiculous cookie diet...then I'd be more aware that I was sticking out...

I am having a hard time coping with some of my work-related stress. I run youth programs for teens..normal middle/upper-middle class Jewish teens...who have had more than their fair share of problems as of late and it's starting to eat at me because so many of them come and talk to me and because I hate seeing them in pain. I need to figure out a way to deal with it and get some down time scheduled in.

Great discovery of the week...Starbucks Mocha Frappucino ice cream pops. 97% fat free. 2 WW points. DELICIOUS! Plus I know that DH won't eat them :) He hates coffee.

I ate too much at dinner...likely because I didn't eat enough during the day.

Kayley...I am so sorry about your grandmother. I hope you find comfort in your years together and in your fond memories and that you and your family can be strong for each other.

Off to watch a movie with DH...12 hour work day tomorrow...wheee.

Just another quickie, the pc is very 'poorly' :mad:and keeps shutting down.
Kayley, so sorry about your grandmother.:hug:xxxxxxx
Battle, I LOVE the 'fabulosity' quote,;) if you ever feel you're losing it, pop on here there's lots of us who can remind you how great AND PRETTY you are.xxxxxx
Rainbow thanks for the kind words.:hug:xxx Where in the UK does your hubby come from? He's so lucky to be over there, green cards are like gold dust! I'm so glad that you found each other & are so happy.xxxxx
Gg/carol, I'm sure if she goes she'll soon give up, seeing how hard you work will put her to shame.;)xxxxxx
Valerie, one day, when we can afford it I may come over & suprise you & some of my other 3FC buddies!xxxxxx
Well I'm UP again, I was 'being kind to myself' :(whilst the meds kicked in, YEAH, RIGHT!! Gaining about 6lbs or more in a week, what sort of kindness is that? Anyway here I am REALLY being kind to myself by exercising and eating right. How stupid am I?
xxxxxxsharon:hug:

Sharon - ahhhhhhhhhhh - how sweet - unfortunately if she starts she won't give up - just out of spite. I'm hoping she just forgets about it. I told my trainer yesterday - he was so funny - without even saying anything other than my sister is thinking of coming - he blurts out "Did you tell her it's your time B**ch" - gotta love him.

Off to swim - see your all later.

Hugs,
Carol

Carol...I just love your trainer!! Ring me back sometime today....;)

Sharon....Nigel is from Brighton and his mum and dad sitll reside there. I love Brighton. We spent a month touring Europe on our honeymoon...and I absolutely fell in love with Mevagissey. We would love to move there after he retires (hopefully). He has been a resident of the states for 20 years and loves it here but his heart is and will forever remain in England. He was able to show me all the major downtown London sights, and I had such a blast riding in the double decker buses and those fab black taxis! I have never walked so much in my life as when we were in London! I went to Harrod's but OMG....its pricey! Didn't buy much, mainly some jewelry and some shoes! I love shoes! haha I adore the pubs and ooooo cornish pasties from the west coast! I so enjoyed the changing of the guards and just seeing all the royal places...and the old buildings and churches. We we able to do the downs, and see the white cliffs of Dover and visited several castles and traveled all the way to land's end and st michaels mount...and then one week we took the eurostar to paris and I have to say, a few of the parisians were rude as can be to me! They certainly don't take too kindly to over weight american ladies I can tell you that! The eiffle tower was a cool place to visit....not as romantic as the movies portrait it to be! I much prefer London over Paris. I have never seen such a bustling city as London...and I have been to all except 4 american states...and to most major cities in th USA...including LA, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Memphis, Miami...and nothing compares to London at all! I love the round-abouts...and while there are a very few in the states, they are not that common....although they make much more sense to me than all the traffic lights. I found the people so endearing and lovely in England. Everywhere we went, I was treated so kindly. I learned to drive!!! on "your" side of the road! I was not difficult on the motorway but on the b roads...ooooooh my, there were some tiny narrow lanes! When we went down to Mevagissey and St. Ives...(reminds me of a nursery rhyme....as I was going to St. Ives!!) I thought Nigel was driving in the wrong area...it was so narrow, and right smack dab through the middle of the shops...I could literally have leaned out the window and touches the sides of the buildings...and we had to watch for people popping out of the shops! AND....it was a two-way lane!!!!!! As you know, when you see or meet an oncoming car, someone has to back up to a passign spot in order to pass each other! It was hilarious! I laughed so hard..and Nigel drove so fast....zipping up and down lanes...stopping for sheep to cross!!!! Hahaha. I loved the coast...it is absolutely amazing to be bounding over hills and around curves...with the side of the road growth of vines etc...talle thena the car itself...and not truly being able to see much...then all of a sudden bursting out into an opening with the most amazing panoramic vista view of the coastline and a tiny coastal village at the bottom of the hill....and you'd pray that the brakes worked well as you meandered through the tiny tiny narrow streets to park along the coastal floor!!! (when the tide was out) parking is such a premium. We literally parked in damp harbor inlet bottom! Mindful of the tide....of course. That reminds me...Mind The Gap...catching the various trains...always seeing the words...Mind The Gap...posted on the concrete floors of the train station....so people would make sure to see the gap between the train and the edge where you board. Oh and ... in London...painted on the streets...at the roundabouts...were the words...LOOK RIGHT... !!! I love England! Thanks for asking...about Nigel...and allowing me to travel down memory lane of yesteryear...hugssssssss to you.

Heather...KUDOS to you love for finishing that exercise video...! It gives me hope that one day I can make it all the way through too! I can ride 10 miles on my bicycle, 20 on the stationary one without stopping, but still have yet to complete richard simmons without stopping! Way to GO!

hugs everyone
rainbowsmiles

OMGosh! I am awol a couple of days and it takes me forever to catch up!!

I am mentally feeling better and made myself go bicycling yesterday before the rain came through. It took 2 hours for me to get up the motivation, but it was nice while riding. I also didn't push myself and reminded myself to enjoy the scenery. I rode 5.6 miles at a fairly slow pace. Baby steps, right?

I am trying to get my water intake back up so I don't get dehyrdated as well.

I have added some omega-3 fish oil because a guy at work in an NIH diet study is taking them and dropped his triglycerides 103 points!! One more pill to the morning mix won't hurt me. I'll see how my blood work is at the end of March when it's time to get it done.

I've also tried a new recipe to get my dreaded veggies in. It's a recipe by a WW woman (I haven't calcuated the points) and it turned out pretty good!

It's a pureed cashew base (just water and raw cashews), steam an onion and small potato, then add broccoli and cauliflower and fresh basil. Add some veggie boullion. Salt and pepper to taste. Puree the veggie mixture. Add the cashew base. It's filling and tasty. She also suggested replacing the broc/caul/basil with spinach/kale/thyme.

Hugs and Luv to all!
Ratkitten

PS.. anyone watching ACC bball?? I can't believe Clemson did well on Sat! :)