Bernice - I don't think it's about never buying things out. It's more about being prepared so you aren't shocked when you get home. My absolute favourite evening snack lately seems to be a bowl of fruit salad with two small biscotti. I'm always disappointed the nights I don't have enough calories for the two biscotti, so I try to make sure I do. Congrats on the WATP! I bought the 5-mile one, but at the moment I'm not using it. I changed my other things so it just didn't work in. I will get back to it at some point though.

TheWalrus - I'm like you, I like food as well. I love cooking. I make my own jam. This weekend I'll make some cracked wheat bread. The only thing I can suggest is maybe your husband can help you work out some lower calorie meals. Specifically ones you might find easier to make. I admit I prefer to work in the kitchen on my own, but, because of that I cook all the dinners. Even when I was working and commuting I did the same. Try giving him is as kind of a challenge. I know I really get into it when I'm specifically trying to work something out. What are you eating the nights he's too tired to cook? Consider getting him to double the recipes, having the rest a couple of days later. I make some things and freeze them for later (stew, chili, meat sauce, lasagne, mixed but not cooked meatloaf), and always have frozen meats (chicken breasts/thighs, pork tenderloin, steaks, meat for stir-fries), and even a few frozen sauces (tomato/wine, curry). It means I can throw something together without a lot of fuss. As to the eating too much in one sitting... plan, plan, plan. Know what you're supposed to eat for each meal, and stick to it. That you're going to have to find within yourself. Sorry.

Annie - the pictures will be interesting. Except for one shirt which I found recently, I don't think I have anything from my top size. I'm not even sure it was. Oh well, that's not such a bad thing.

Story - congrats on reaching the 100 lost mark. Your ankle is still sprained from October? That just can't be good for you. Is there any non weight bearing exercise you can do instead of walking. Swimming comes to mind, but there must be other options. You mentioned a nurse, so I'm assuming you've seen a doctor about the ankle, right? Do take care, and again, congrats on the 100 pounds lost.

Julee - (can't think of any encouraging words, although I'd take the 95, really)

Cyn - my advice is try everything. Maybe not all on the same day though. Find something you like, or mix it up each day. And enjoy the pool.

Anne-yeah I know but I don't think that shake was worth the calories......I'd much rather prefer the WW chocolate raspberry cake at Applebees and it is under 300 LOL My girlfriend from work said they were lighter........after I looked it up I realized that she is concerned with fat grams not calories LOL yes it is lighter in Fat grams versus their regular shakes LOL ...........if I did it again it would be instead of lunch or all my snacks......and quite honestly it wasn't THAT great LOL I would rather eat several small snacks for that much calories LOL

Dh came home from work and told me lets go! We went to Applebee's........since I had close to 1400 calories I ordered my favorite! Shrimp & spinach salad a full one! plus tomato soup(only ate 1/2) spinach & artichoke dip (ate about 1/4 of the dip) and dessert!!! WW chocolate raspberry cake YUMMMMM! With us alone this weekend I wish he didn't have to work but we are having quality "alone" time (he just ran to the corner store to get some diet soda!

toodles poodles
your
sis-in-loss

Good morning Peeps - I just finished the 5k challenge - it was my first and have never done that distance before - in fact had never done more than 2 miles. My goal was to do it in less than an hour - I did it in 55:33. Although now my arm is hurting really bad from patting myself on the back.

I've been looking forward to today all week. DH's sister from New Mexico is an artist and is exhibiting at a Southwest Indian Market here this weekend. We don't get to see her much - they are the only two family members who keep in touch. She has always been very reserved about her work so we've never even seen it although she has sold pieces for substantial sums. Can't wait to see her - her work will be nice too - but really need to see her. DH is off so he is actually going to go to something he thinks is pretty girly.

Move your bodies, drink your water and SMILE.

Hugs,
Carol

Well no loss for me this morning at weigh in. Thats ok though.....I know that pasta was salty as i woke up thirsty during the night. Lesson learned!! I also came low on calories this week and didnt drink enough water a few days. I will do better next week. I still cant convince hubby I have to eat more to lose weight. He knows in the past i have had to starve to lose so he doesnt understand how i can eat a huge plate of veggies and still loose. He made a comment that kinda hurt my feeling this morning..he said i knew you ate to much this week. I came in low on calories 4 days of 7. I mean like 400 low and i think that hurt me.
I have a walmart list made and added a pedometer to it. I want to know how many steps im actually taking on a day that im not walking. I think it will be fun to track.
Well i have to eat something and then hit my bedroom and do our summer clothes and clean out drawers...I have put it off long enough.

have a wonderful day...
way to go carol on the 5k....I think that will be on my agenda for later today. Im hoping hubby is up to walking it with me.He is still feeling bad.
debi

Hi all:

Feeling better today -- sorry for the rant yesterday, just frustrated, I guess. I know it's lame to complain that someone else isn't preparing the right food for you We talked last night about how having a plan is not only better for us physically but financially -- we'll see if that makes a bigger impression?

We've been walking about four blocks every night -- feels great to be moving again!

Happy weekend to everyone!

Well I got a phone call a little while ago from my SON!!!! OH it was sooooooooo good to hear his voice!!! I got choked up wanted to cry! He actually called me first (before his girlfriend!) LOL

Well we talked all about his training and his PT test and how good he is doing on all of his tests he has had to take. His platoon got a 2hour pass this afternoon because they "smoked" everyone else in the PT Test yesterday LOL

I asked him if he had recieved our modivational package....
He said yes and it was like show and tell in 2nd grade LOL
The drill Sgts make them open any packages infront of them so they can make sure they dont have contriban well when the Drill saw the little posters he said WAIT a min let me see those! The Drill loved them and he made my son stand on the platform and read & show each one to the platoon!!! LOL My son (you gotta know him) LOL said he stood up there proud as could be reading each one and then lifting it up for everyone to see the picture we drew! LOL a couple of the guys afterward said stuff like "Sorry man, your girlfriend really embarrassed you with that package huh?" My wonderful Son said NOPE not at all and it wasn't JUST my girlfriend! It was my Mom's idea and her and my little sister helped! He also told each of the guys that made a negative comment like that.....that HE LOVED THEM! LOL he did ask me about one of the quotes he thought his GF did it.....when he describe the one he was talking about I said OH that is one I did......He said "Mom did you know that is my favorite quote?" SHOOT I didn't know that boy knew what modivational quotes were let alone had a favorite!!!! Made my day all over again that I drew his favorite one!!!LOL

I got to talk to him for 33:54 mins!!! (YES I checked) LOL it was wonderful! his sisters' bdays are coming up and I got to ask him if he wanted me to get them something from his pay for their bdays .....and I offered to get his GF flowers or something if he wanted me to ......He said he had just wrote that in a letter to me! LOL (do I know my son?)

He was so upbeat I am so excited!!! I can last the rest of his basic off of that one phone call now! I just had to hear his voice! His last letter was kinda blue and I needed to hear him to know that he was ok!

Ok so now I am off to clean my kitchen and work on my Tshirt for the 5K!


Oh he also said he can't wait till graduation to see the new me!!! He is excited that I've lost so much.......I told him I don't see a drastic difference but by the middle of may there should be a very noticable difference from the last time he saw me! LOL

DMPLS-When my oldest was in Navy boot camp, he actually had his 18th birthday while there. Yeah, that was hard letting a 17 year old leave home. Anyway, we contacted the drill instructor to find out what we could send him because we had heard horror stories about that from other Navy moms. They are allowed no food at all in packages. I finally sent him an astronaut pen. They write lying in their bunks at night by the light of the red exit signs, so I thought that would make it easier. I sent two. One for him, and one for his DI for being nice and letting him have his present.

Debi, I said I would do my 5k on the treadmill, but now I'm thinking of doing a route outside because it's just beautiful out. Or maybe I'll even try and do WATP 3 miler and do a little extra to make up the .1 I plan on doing mine tomorrow and supposedly it's suppose to be nice until tomorrow night. So we'll see which way I end up doing it. I just know I get so bored on the treadmill.
On the large clothes, I'm going to be there, or be square (or more round) I can't wait to get the clothes just to see how small they are. I'm in a 24 comfortably now so I don't really have that much to go size-wise, but maybe will weight wise. Anywho, I should make it there by next winter if I keep doing what I'm doing.
With TOM here now, I'm one pound away from what my ticker says. So I had gained 9lbs with this tom. I can imagine how your feeling, I felt so bloated and huge the week before mine got here, so hopefully you won't have a weight gain now or when yours comes. I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya.
On the change, I think I've been going thru it the last 3 or 4 years. The mood swings and other little things going on are all symptoms of it.

Catherine, you know some very interesting people, I gotta say that. If your accountant is like that, I wonder how he ever got customers in the first place. Just too funny! I don't blame you for not wanting him to put things away, especially if you would never see them again.

Julia, that's a great idea about the hats. I was thinking of making a big paper sign with my number and stuff on it and tape it to my shirt. I think this is going to end up being a monthly thing from what I read on the other thread.

Anne, I was looking on another thread and the walk/jog intervals are something called "HIIT". I guess our bodies can become accustomed to one speed while doing a workout, and if you add jogging into the mix, then it will consume more calories and get the heart rate going. So I think we're on to something there.

Walrus, rant away. This is the place to do it since so many of us understand perfectly.

Annie, O man, you've got alot to see by tomorrow. Some people are so crazy about yard sales, they will pull anything to get a good deal. And that lady stopping in a day early, I'm surprised you haven't had more than the one. It's gonna get crazy!!!

Story, on making the century mark!!!! WOOOOHOOOO!!! That is such a milestone!! Sorry about your poor ankle though. And hey, we miss ya when you don't post!

Julee, you just make me happier about moving to Washington!

Carol, YAY on completing the 5k. I'm glad you'll get to see the DH's sister. How exciting to have an artist in the family. I bet her work is amazing.

Bernice, that is so wonderful that you got to talk to your son. I'm so glad he loved his care package. How cute that the drill sargeant made him get up in front of everyone.

Today is just gorgeous out. Sunny, and in the hi 60's. Just the way I like it. We went into the next town over and parked waaaaayyy out in the parking lot, and walked those extra steps instead of parking closer. We did that at the Walmart and also at Home Depot and Petsmart. It felt good to get out and walk, but my hips are sore, which is telling me I need to get out and move more.
Jim's out there mowing the lawn...AGAIN...and I plan on going out and cleaning another flower bed out and moving some flowers around to different spots.
We went to the casino last night, and I won about 40 bucks on slots. So that was a nice surprise since usually when I go, I lose everything.
I called on Marilyn, or dog we had to give up, and they said some people have been looking at her. I just hope someone takes her soon, I wanna go back and get her so bad. I know we can't but man, I sure would like to. Sadie is healing up really well, and acting like a little puppy again. Crazy girl!!
Ok, gotta run and get some things done.
Have a great day
Debbie

sounds like you had fun Debbie!!! winning some extra mula is always nice! Growing up in Vegas I saw first hand what gambling can do to a person......however my mother use to take me walking to the 7eleven down the street and she would have $10 to get milk, bread eggs etc....with the change(not any bills) maybe 50cents or so....she would ALWAYS play for 10-15 mins......I cannot remember a time that she DIDN'T win what she spent or even more! LOL I am glad that she taught me NOT to make it a livelyhood but to do it for fun and only if you can spare the money (in loss)

Ok I have a question......I have avoided using mayo at all.....but for a sandwich I just have to have something on wheat bread! ok while looking at all the light mayo's out there.....I bought Smart Balance Omega Plus light mayo .....I do NOT use it daily.....but just was curious what others use for spreads like this?

I made broccoli cole slaw with it tonight for dinner the entire bowl of slaw was less than 300 calories!!!

DMPLS I'm so excited for you hearing from your son. The mother son relationship is something others can't understand if they don't have it. I love my boys differently than I do my daughters. I can't wait to hear about your trip in May when you get to see him again at graduation. Well done for letting him and his platoon know your community is proud of them as am I.


Brandnewme I'm so so sorry for your loss. Hang in there. I'm thinking of you. Abby & I leave Thursday morning to go to Alabama to bury my mom's ashes. Big hugs to you! Xxoo


Zelma, You are an amazing woman. Thanks for being such an inspiration and sharing such a beautiful experience. Xxoo


Catherine, I saw it was 62 degrees farinheit there today. Glad it's warming up for you.


I know I've fallen off the planet for a little while. I've been totally off program too. It's dreadful.
Things are stressful and I turn to food. I'll break the cycle one of these days.
I wanted to let you know my son is doing well. He took himself OFF the long lasting nitro and his light headedness, increased heart rate all went away. He and my new dil got married 4/2.
It was a cute little ceremony with only family that could make it on short notice were there. And of course I cried. My little boy, all grown up and now a married man. That wedding band sure looks beautiful on his hand.
Abby & I head to Alabama on Thursday morning. I hope to be in Guntersville by 3pm.
I dread Saturday and dread being with my older sister. So much has happened since August between she & I, it'll never ever be the same.


Well, tomorrow is another day. I'm totally pmsing so I'll feel better emotionally in a few days. Sorry no more personals, but I just wanted to say I'm still here.


Hugs to all

Berniece.....
I am so glad that you got to talk to your son. My hubby was in the army reserves for 11 years...I know how wonderful it is when they call!!!!

Julee - i totally agree, and my sore *** and arms and legs that have been in the gym at 7 almost every morning for the past 3 weeks agree too.

im on a study drug for gods sake and i dont even see those results. i think that a lot of people see shows like TBL and think its easy. heres the truth. those people have thier food prepared for them. they work out 4-8 hours a day. thats ALL they do. there is no television or internet. they have no contact with thier families. they have a treadmill. they also make 700.00 a week, which isnt a lot, but it gets some bills paid. so heres the thing.. do you know how many of those people have KEPT the weight off... NOT MANY. when you have to go back to the real world with birthday parties and potlucks and annivarsaries and other food celebrations, its HARD. so dont kick youself because one week you were OP and didnt lose that much. your body doesnt want to lose it. the reality is YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LOSE 100 LBS IN 15 WEEKS!. you will be extremely lucky if you do in a year. most people cant without surgery. all you can do is get out of bed every morning, look yourself in the mirror and promise to do the best you can do. if you mess up, you mess up. its not the end of the world. learn from it. try not to do it again. we are HUMAN. we are NOT perfect. we fail and falter and fall short every day. all you can do is hope you did your best and do it again tomorrow.

PLEASE PLEASE stop beating yourselves up. i know its hard. but what does it get you, now you are guilty for going over your calories, and mad at yourself, and sad, and none of it is productive. did you ENJOY those extra bites? yep! so enjoy them, because next time you want to go over, you can think about the last time, and you already got to indulge.

the thing i am most tired of is people living "fat lives" they dont go out, or they worry what people will say about them, or whatever. YOU ARE AMAZING. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. AND YOU ARE WORTH THE HARD WORK. now get off your ***, its a beautiful day. go take a walk (that was to me)

one last point. first and foremost Julee - go buy yourself something FABULOUS!

Sandy-yes, it was glorious today finally. My keeper let me out in the sun for a bit today. I got to walk next door to the movie rental place and back. I was exhausted by it, but the sun and fresh air were good for me.

Its so cold here today and tonight they are saying SNOW showers. Well today hubby and i went and ate mexican. We use to go eat there once a month and we havent been there in over 2 months. The waiter asked us where we had been.LOL
I didnt do bad...but i know it was salty...but oh it was so good.
I had a smoothie for dinner made with yogurt and fruit. Hubby bought me a new blender so i could make them.
well i found all kinds of clothes in my summer stuff got everything hung up and ready to wear...when it warms back up.
dmps- Im so glad your son called you. I know you are smiling from ear to ear. When my bestfriends son was gone a phone call would make her week.
so sweet of him to be thinking of his sisters and his girlfriend.
Just finished watching a movie on lifetime that was Great!!
I think i will turn in for the night...got a big meal to cook tommorow. Son and DIL are coming home. We are having turkey and all the fixings. I will choose carefully what i eat!!
sleep good everyone and be safe
debi

As of today, it's officially 16 pounds lost since my start in January~