Since I started the new thread, I thought I'd take my last post (which was the end of last week's thread) and repeat it.

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Good morning all,

Today is my free day so I thought I'd pop in and say hello. I'm doing okay with my math studying, but probably not well enough. I see summer school in my future, but that's okay. Everything else is going well. The food is on plan, the exercise is great. I'm really starting to get into the lifting. More so than I thought I would really. I suspect it's the change in exercise, but my weight loss has been very consistent the last few weeks. Even during TOM, which is almost never is.

And the weather has changed enough that I really do think that spring is on the way. Some of the garden beds are clear of snow and the daffodils are starting to spring up. We're seriously discussing pool opening dates (as the ice is kind of mushy on top of it) and will probably pick one at the end of next week. I've got lots of seedlings going in the crawl space, and the hanging geraniums (that came from seed) are ready for a first cut back. Yep, spring is on the way.

I've been trying to spend less time behind the computer (except for studying), but I have been dropping in and reading everything. I'll still be scarce for the coming weeks, but I'm always thinking of you gals.

Heather - I've been trying to pay attention to my body lately. It's something I've been very bad at in the past. This week I decided that two rest days were a good thing. Although I'm not sure that I've really been resting, just not exercising. Take care of yourself, and get the rest that you need.

Terri - I'm hoping that your wounds are healing from your insane involvement in the dog fight. It must have been a bad week for animals as the two cats had a screaming/growling/hissing match earlier in the week. The big one started it (Gus), but the little one (Shadow) finished it, and didn't forgive his brother for days. It sounds like the work stuff has been bad for you, but is it possible that this is a cost cutting thing implemented? I know sometimes companies push 'low raises' at bosses, and some just aren't smart enough to pass that information on to the employees. I'd rather have a better review with little to no raise, but some bosses don't get that. Ouch, I just saw your later post about it. My mother found that in her final job position. She could do no wrong until she reached a certain age (over 60), although that came with a new regional manager and a slump in the industry (real estate). She maintained, and even increased her market share of sales, but it suddenly became not good enough. I mean, if you go from having 15% of a market to 22% of a market, it's not really your problem that the market is worth less than it was the year before. She was still the manager of the top selling office when she was retired. She fought (and won) a slightly larger settlement, but in her case, that's what she wanted. I definitely thing getting them to pay for your CPA exams is a good thing.

Ruth - I hope you're feeling better.

Val - Good for you on resisting your temptations. I got sucked into a bread starter thing by one of the neighbours last week. I made five mini loaves with pecans and dried cherries, and gave away 4-1/2 of them! I did work out the calorie count (which wasn't bad) so instead of doing the starter route again I used the extra cup and made 5 loaves today. I'm thinking it's a bad thing, but we'll see. It turned out to be a nice change from my usual 12-grain bread at breakfast. I finished off the last ice cream bar Friday, and I don't think I'll be getting any more for a while.

Lilion - I've heard good and bad things about WW. I have a friend who is a lifetime member, and she loves them. Another one doesn't like the reaction she gets if she's up on a weigh-in. For some people maybe the official weekly accountability helps. I suspect that I'm just too cheap to spend the $40. Don't work too hard today. It's wonderful that you're so dedicated. I hope (even unpaid) that you are appreciated by the bosses.

Toofull - I can't speak for others, but I find that I'm more successful in not thinking of what I'm doing as a weight loss program. I've found a new way of living that I believe I can do for the rest of my life. I'm eating better and moving more, and the rest takes care of itself. Good luck!

Bearcub - I'm not a cleaner by nature. I've tried to get myself into the spring cleaning mood, but have only been slightly successful. I need to push myself a little harder to get rid of some of my junk. Hope you had a good weekend with your friend... and your cleaning.

Angela - we don't scold people, we try and encourage. I did notice that my last slide (from 282) started when I stopped posting here. Oh, it didn't happen all at once, but that accountability seemed to get easier to ignore. Just try making a good decision today, and another tomorrow. You don't have to go back to perfection, just make a few better choices. The magic number I've seen mentioned by a couple of people is about 90% compliance. Nobody is 100% on track all of the time.

Well ladies, I think that's me caught up here. The bread is out of the oven and cooling down. The chili is made (cooling until I freeze it later), so now it's off to do the laundry....

Hi ladies,

Sorry for not starting the thread this morning. I had to get dogs out, fed, and sorted out for the barn as we are having storms today. Youngin's are out in the barn tearing up who knows what while Danni, Zeke and Ruby are hanging out with DH inside.

I spent all day Saturday cleaning house. Dusted, laundry, cleaned carpets, bathrooms, mopped floors, etc. We had company over for dinner that night and I didn't want the house to look like seven dogs live there. Even if it was just for one night! We had a nice dinner although she is a bit too opinionated about what I should or should not be doing with the dogs and the horses. However, she is a very nice woman and wouldn't intentionally hurt anyone's feelings - just talks too much.

Spanky, the big horse, went with the farrier on Saturday. He called Saturday night, farrier not Spanky, to say that Spanky needs a lot more riding before he would feel comfortable for me to take him on trail rides. He went on and on about how Spanky just didn't know enough, etc. I told DH that probably three things are happening 1) Spanky is a jacka$$ sometimes and tests the person even though he knows the right thing to do 2) He hasn't been ridden hardly at all this winter because of the weather and 3) he's young. So, we'll see in two weeks to see if he's doing better and I expect that he will be. I'm anxious to get back to riding and he is my first prospect. Phoenix will need more refresher than Spanky. Better to be safe because I don't need the horses trying to do me in because the dogs are doing a good enough job at that.

Yesterday was a slug day. My back and knees were killing me from tripping on the steps and all the housework. So I moped around all day. I didn't even go to the fitness center. It was a crappy, cool, wet day - perfect for moping like a 3 year old.

Tonight I'm going to the fitness center and getting my head back on track.

At lunch today, I've been online with a couple of nurseries and ordered stuff for landscaping and for the garden. Might as well order too much and then make myself crazy trying to do everything, right? What would I do if I didn't overcommit myself?

I better get to work. to all!

Today has been one of those days when I do a lot but nothing is very active. I went into school to mentor my teachers and found one of my young teachers letting his students "play' around for 20+ minutes with nothing to do. Good for him that it was me coming in and not the principal or another evaluator. We talked for some time about what he needs to do to find meaningful activities at the end of a unit for students to work on when they have finished everything. 25 teenagers in a classroom with nothing meaningful to do is kind of like Terri's dogs let loose to play together without a leader! LOL After I observed a couple of other classes I left and did several loads of laundry and now I'm off to do some home teaching for a couple of hours. No time to get to the fitness center. That's tomorrow morning before I go to my other school for mentoring. Standardized testing begins for the middle school kids this week. Poor things. Glad I don't have to do that any more.
Have a good week all.
Terri I hope your wounds are healing well. Keep an eye on them - bites and scratches from pets can be pretty nasty sometimes. Look at me - you probably know better than me. Just being an old worry wart! Hope things get better at work.
Bearcub

Terri - we called the pool guy today (I'm sure he thinks we're nuts) because the ice isn't really ice any more on the pool (kind of slushy). And if the rest of the snow would melt in the backyard I could go trim back/tie up the boysenberries, and plant more raspberries in the bed I dug out last fall. Or I could go water the couple of hundred seedlings. What is it about spring that makes us over commit ourselves to things?

Bearcub - if that had happened when I was in high school I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have still been in the classroom. I was a bit of a holy terror.

Nothing much going on here today. It's milder, but raining off and on. Although I suppose this might get rid of more snow. This slightly above freezing weather (with rain) is to be with us for most of the week. It looks better for the week after, but I always count it as a guess really.

I haven't decided if I'm going to study more, or resign myself to a make up course. We'll see how I feel later in the week I suppose. Just playing hooky before it's time to make dinner.

Take care all, and have a good week.

Hi everyone!

I'm short on time for personals these days, but just wanted to say hi!

I feel like I'm getting back on track with the eating and exercise... we'll see how long it lasts, but it's okay for now!

Anne - When I went from high school to community college, I took the remedial algebra class because I totally suck at that kind of math. I did great in it and the next algebra class before getting cocky in the College Algebra class and ended up with a "C". I was glad I took the remedial because I relearned what I didn't get. Although, I still hate that kind of math. My brain just doesn't function with symbols instead of numbers. Good luck!

I had a great workout at the fitness center tonight. 60 minutes of cardio and then the circuit machines. They are doing an 8 week "Biggest Loser" contest. The first weigh-in was tonight. It was kinda funny because they did the weigh-in in the "spinner" room where no one could see or hear the weights. The owners of the center are doing the weigh-ins because some of the participants didn't trust their team leaders not to spread their weights all over town. I just said, I don't care who knows the number as long as I'm not on TV wearing a sports bra and all the flab hanging out. I take that back, I'd die if Doc Aaron would find out. Is there a swoon smilie? Should be.

Hey everyone! I got up at 5 a.m. and did an hour of cardio this morning!



APRIL FOOL!

I actually got up at 6:30 and had to rush even to get out the door on time. But I had good intentions. Those count, right?

Just wanted to say hello! Back to work with me.

I almost skipped the exercise today. My hip is hurting me. Not sure why, except it hurts from time to time. My hamstring is okay now after I had strained it, but now the hip on the other side hurts. Can't seem to get completely well. But I went in anyway and just did the weights and not the cardio. I'm giving the hip another day to heal. I think I've been lifting too many mashed potatoes! LOL
My sister does a lot of cardio - much more than I do. I have to read a book or magazine while I'm doing it because I get bored out of my mind if I don't have something to do while I'm bicycling or walking on the treadmill.
Terri I'm home teaching someone in basic algebra and fortunately she is really well ahead of this course she's taking. It's really geared for independent work. She really teaches me and I just help her with a few reminders as we go through. I do all the problems right along with her because my algebra is so weak, I doubt I could pass the math section of a Praxis if I had to take one today. Math was always my downfall. But I'm learning some things now!
Must go. The cats want to be fed and are clawing at my legs! Ow!
See you later!
B

Terri - math has always been my good subject, but it's been over 20 years since I took it (other than statistics for work). Sadly, I'll be repeating a lot of the same courses I took in college originally. That's okay though, it should mean I do well. I just suspect I won't do well on the evaluation test, but in the end I'll be okay with that as well. Hey, good luck on your contest. I can understand people not necessarily wanting others to know. I'm pretty sure there's only one person other than here that knows my top starting weight. And it's not my mother. I've told her at times how much I've lost, and hinted about having a long way to go. I suspect she doesn't really know that I went over 400.

Lilion - bad joke, bad. As your punishment..... nah, April Fools it is.

Bearcub - my treadmill is set up so I can watch television, and I always pick something I'm interested in, but not crucial because I don't always keep focus on the television. I'm not sure I could read while walking on the treadmill (too hard), but sometimes I've used the iPod either on an audiobook or some tunes.

Not much going on here today. I transplanted all but one set of seedlings (which aren't even close to ready), and shoveled a little snow off one of the front garden beds. It doesn't get a lot of sun, and it has piles from the driveway, so we thought we'd clear it off a little. And we found two snowdrops blooming under the edge of the snow. It's pretty lucky we didn't shovel them out by mistake. There are a couple of others almost in bloom, but no crocus yet. The snowdrops are lovely, but the white doesn't stand out with so much snow still around.

The daffodils are just jumping up, and the longterm forecast shows up above freezing at least during the day for the next little while. I think it's official, spring is coming to Ontario!

Hello ladies, long time no see. I can't actually see today either. LOL! I had eye surgery yesterday. I had a cataract removed and now I have the fun of going through it again in about two weeks. Add that to the fact I have been having real leg problems and you have a winner. One of many reasons why we should not be obese. As we age these problems just keep coming. To stand or even the act of sitting down has made me scream in pain. Not sure what that is all about.

The eating has been erratic for a few days. I couldn't eat anything Tues. morning or again yesterday moring, so my "diet " was whatever we could grab at mid afternoon. I am not sure, but I feel like I gained weight. UGH! One thing for sure, I am not trying to stand on a scale to find out. LOL! That would hurt!

I will be back when I can see better. Probably be a day or two. Take care, Ruth

Hello...

Anne_ I am so jealous of the pool getting opened and plants growing. I have lots of weeds growing right now in my flower beds and we are suppost to get about 5 inches of rain in the the next 36 hours so I wont be able to work on them till next weekend. I usually have them cleaned out by now.

ruth _ hope everything goes smoothly with your eye.

bearcub_ i have to watch news on tv in order to keep from getting bored when jogging on the minitramp. I cant just do it ...time just drags and i catch myself watching the clock. I have tried listening to music and it doesnt really help either. I can get lost in a 20 min of news and jump.

I had the first part of the week off from my home daycare. I didnt do as much as I had planned and will try and finish it up this weekend.
I am sore today from walking a mile with hubby yesterday and then coming home and lifting. We usually dont do both on the same day..hubby has a dr appointment coming up and he is trying to drop a few pounds quickly. Our dr is a real hard nose when it comes to weight. He lost 50lbs last year and has kept it off but she wants him to loose 40 more and he hasnt lost since his last dr appointment. He is also hoping it will help him get on less glucose meds.
well have an awesome day everyone
debi

Hi ladies,

Its a gloomy day here in MO. Great napping weather.

I went to the fitness center last night. Did 10 minutes on the elliptical for the first time. OMG, thought I was going to die the last two minutes. I think I have a form issue with how I'm moving when using it. I think I have a very slight squat going that is putting the work on those muscles right above the knees. So I tried to be more conscious of shifting my weight from one foot to the other and not suspending myself in a squat. Make sense to anyone? Any advice on form? After that I did 25 minutes on the stationary bike. For the first time, I used one of the toning tables. It felt really weird but it also felt really good. It is one that swings your lower body from side to side and it really stretches the lower back and side hip muscles. I need to do that more often.

The scale is looking friendly again. And I can really feel the change in my body. I might have DH convinced to join me at the gym to use the circuit and toning machines. I'd love to get him on one of the recumbant bikes. Just to keep his muscles from atrophying because of his disability.

More dog drama. Ruby has bounced back mentally and has been very happy to play with the others. We have only gradually introduced her back into the pack. Yesterday, DH was bringing her back inside and Daisy attacked Ruby from behind and started throwing her around like before. That confirms that its Daisy for sure. Ruby was not injured but Daisy got to spend the night at the vet. I won't go into details of how DH stopped it but he did the only thing he could do given his physical limitations and believing Daisy was going to kill Ruby. The thing that Ruby did wrong was that she was going to come in the door before Daisy. Now, Daisy gets to wear a muzzle when they are all outside. Dixie will get one too. But there will definitely be segregation as we can best do given our facilities. We firmly believe that its a dominance issue that results in aggression as opposed to an overall aggression problem. *Sigh*

Lunch time is over; better get busy.

to all!

Hi! (Says Judy as she creeps back into the group hoping no one notices she's been gone for the better part of a year and a half.)

I'm trying to get up the courage to face the fact that I've got to get my butt back to WW before I cripple myself, or worse, carrying around this extra person. I think I'm ready to re-realize that I can't do this alone. I need the support of a physical group and my online friends.

I'm shooting for my return to WW next Wednesday. I've gotten the junk food out of the apartment - Big step. Keeping the car away from the drive thru is going to be tough but I've got to force myself to fix food at home. Maybe I'll have to stop carrying cash or something until I get back on track.

My knees are in bad shape so I may have to start doing chair exercises until I can drop some lbs. so walking isn't a major, painful, project. It'll all come with time. I really miss long walks with the dogs so that is my long term goal for now.... to lose enough that I can get out and really enjoy moving in the fresh air.

I've missed you all. I read the posts everyday but felt like I couldn't contribute if I wasn't trying. I know ... My bad.

I've still got the two Pointers. One is 4. The other 15. Still working but thinking about retiring if the right offer comes along. Even actually bit the bullet and paid off all of my credit cards last month. I think they'll go broke without all the interest I was paying because I procrastinate and was always paying late.

So here I am. Glad to be back here and to be getting my head and house in order.

Yeah for Judy! Baby steps is what it takes and you're doing the right thing. So good to see you!