Hi ladies,

I'm still alive and kickin'. Sort of.

I've been having round 2 of that respiratory infection that I had back in September. Although, not quite as bad as I still have my voice. But lots of sinus crap and coughing. Maybe its just a cold. I haven't had this crap in years and now I've had in twice in four months. What's up with that? Wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that the last six months have been my worst at exercising in years?

Starting today, I am going to give Medifast a try. The gal we bought the alpaca's from did it and lost 105 pounds. I'm up for something to help me get a grip and get focused. I need to see success on the scale. I'm caught in this vicious cycle of not being able to commit and not seeing success so why try all that hard because its not going to work anyway but I'm really tired of being at the weight I am and I really don't want the scale to keep going up but it keeps going up so why bother but I'm going to get focused on Monday again. You know that cycle. I'm going to give this a go knowing that it is only a TOOL and that I have to make permanent changes. Which is true no matter what I do to get there. I just haven't been able to get into the permanent changes mode. DH kind of makes that hard in that he's the cook and as soon as I make a plan; he does everything else but follow the plan.

We've been having some health issues around him the last few weeks. He's been tested for conjestive heart failure and thankfully the blood test showed no indication of that. He's having a lot of fluid build up in his feet and legs. Hopefully related to him sitting with his feet down too much and him not drinking water like he should. We've been in to do a chest x-ray and they want to now do a CT scan on his chest and an eccocardiagram. The doc said to "rule things out" so I'm hoping that she didn't see something on the x-ray that she's not telling us about yet. He's also going in on Tuesday night for a sleep apnea test. I'm 100% certain that he's got it because of the way he breathes at night. The doc is thinking that the other issues he's experiencing are due to the apnea. She hasn't said it, but his weight has got to be an issue now that he is so unmobile now. I've got to invest in a hand cycle for him. Something that he can use to keep his muscles going. But he's got to be determined to do it as well.

The llama's and alpaca's are doing well. We added 3 more alpaca's to even out the herd so we'll have 6 llama's and 6 alpaca's. Daisy and Danni each got chased out of their pasture. Which was pretty fun to watch the alpaca's get after them especially since Daisy won't go in or out of the pasture except through the gate so she had to do laps around the loafing shed until I could get to the gate to let her out. Duke is obsessed with them. He has figured out how to get into the pasture and thinks they should be something he can play with. They have gotten after him but he keeps going back for more.

We had an okay Christmas. Neither one of us felt good and we had really icky weather for several days. So we stayed put for four days. We didn't even really have a big meal so overeating wasn't much of a problem for us. Other than the cookies I made. I'm sick of them so that won't be a problem. But Santa brought me a new western purse and fun boots. And animals. So I'm happy.

Its back to work for me today. I'll probably be taking off sometime during the week to help DH get to the additional tests at the hospital. Other than that, its a short week again. Love those.

to all!

I was able to get back on track yesterday...it felt good and my hands are not as swollen this morning. A few more OP days and the scales should be back to normal...Its scary what just a few days of BAD eating can do to the scales and to how we feel!! I was so sluggish the past few days.
I am keeping my granddaughter today and she is the only kid I have...so its special time for us!

Terri -- I hope you feel better soon. Good luck getting back on track!

Debbie -- STAY on plan -- you know the rewards are worth it!

Well, I apparently enjoyed my food a lot this past month. Scale is up a few pounds. I haven't been tracking, and that's always a bad idea for me. So, I'm recording everything today and planning to get back on track TODAY.

Hi Ladies!

I'm back to tracking today as well! I haven't tracked my calories in about a month and the scale is showing me the results...I do not like them one little bit! Exercise has still been good, could kick up the cardio a bit. Food has been not good...particularly with sweets. I became a sugar addict all over again and I'm seriously having hard time kicking it.

My 40th Birthday is on June 10. We are going on a cruise to celebrate. I want to be 199 by the big day! That's my focus right now. It's going to take some major commitment. 2009 was not quite the weight loss year I'd hoped. The past 6 months have been more maintenance, until the past month which was more gain. Man those pounds are hard to get off and too easy to put back on!!!

I got a Wii Fit for Christmas. I'm looking forward to adding that into my exercise routine. My husband actually used it for about 5 minutes. I'm hopeful that he will join me in a healthy lifestyle this year!

Terri - It's good to see you! Feel better soon!!! I hope all Ronnie's test turn out ok! Keep us posted!

and to everyone!!!

I'm in the office today enjoying major peace and quiet. No one is here and I've actually gotten quite a bit accomplished. Back to it!

Talk to you later!
Barb

I also quit tracking about 3 weeks ago - scale shows the results. My exercise has been good - I won't end up averaging 1500/month for 2009 as I had hoped but certainly was a major change in my behavior this year.

Barb - great to see you.

Be well - be warm.

Good morning,

I survived day one on Medifast. It actually was okay. You definitely have to get into the mindset that the food isn't going to be high quality and remember that the additiction to food is what got you there in the first place. I wasn't hungry so that was good. The peach oatmeal was really bad but other than that, I enjoyed the "meals". I'm all set for day two.

DH is having his sleep apnea test tonight. I get to stay all night with him since it is a small hospital and they have an extra bed. That way I can take him, get him inside and situated and don't have to drive the 30 minutes home in the dark. And especially not have to do that at 6 am the next morning. Which is good since we're supposed to get another storm tonight.

I'm off to the shower and get my food together. to all!

Good Morning Ladies!

Dang it's bitterly cold here today! Brrrrr....I've been in the office for an hour and I'm still chilled. About to go get some egg whites and hot tea.

I'm thrilled to report a totally ON PLAN day yesterday! I ate smart, stayed w/in my calories and got in 90 minutes at the gym. Oh...and chasing the dog down the road. Ugh. It was my first 100% on plan day in weeks and it felt GREAT! The scale was down this morning...a trend I plan on seeing more of!

Today I'm hitting the work gym for cardio at lunch and tonight I hope to get some play time on my Wii Fit! Pretty much all the holiday junk is out of the house. There are a couple cookies left that I'm hoping DH eats. I asked him last night if I could throw them out. He said "If it keeps you from eating them go ahead". Yay...some support from the DH! I ended up leaving them there challenging myself not to touch them. I have to learn to control my actions with food! Of course he proceeded ot eat 3 (yes, 3) ice cream bars in front of me. Thankfully they don't do anything for me.

My focus word this year is BELIEVE! I believe in myself, I believe (and know) I can do this! I even found a cute little silver ring with a stone in it that says "believe". Hearing and seeing the work helps me with my focus. Do you have any words, phrases that help you??

Terri - That's great the hospital is going to let you stay for the test. I hope you are both able to get some sleep.

Guess I should grab my breakfast and do some work! I'll talk to you beautiful ladies later!

Make is a HAPPY and HEALTHY day!

yesterday didnt go as planned!!! Hubby came in with pizza and cheese sticks...need I say more.I was mad at myself afterward for eating it. I woke up at 1 am with heartburn. I use to wake up nightly with it. I am sure glad I dont have to deal with that when eating healthy!
I have my pedometer back on today...not sure when I stopped wearing it...around thanksgiving I think.
Heading out to walmart and buying a new set of pots and pans with Christmas money. THen home to clean out a few cabinets and then off for a walk even though its freezing outside. I need fresh air to clear my head and my body...im in a carb fuzz!!!

Hi everyone !

I haven't been around 3FC in ages, but am looking forward to checking in on a regular basis to keep myself motivated and going in the right direction.

I hope you have all had a good holiday.

The last month and a half I was pretty much just maintaining, which is okay. Now with holidays, I did over-indulge a bit, and know that I have put a few extra on.

I am now ready to get seriously back to it, and get the exercise part going. I really just hate exercising ! I know that's not good, and I know I need to exercise to get the weight off.

It's so nice to see your familiar faces still here. You are all my motivation and inspiration !

Christina - great to see you!

I'm struggling get a grasp on healthy eating - exercise and water remain good. We still have 3 holiday celebrations coming up this weekend - I'm not sure but I think I have the "I'll start when they're over" mentality - a very dangerous mindset for me. I really am craving grilled chicken and steamed veggies - that's my dinner goal tomorrow night. Carbs and sugar are evil for me - I'm sad they found their way back in - oh yeah - I guess I let them in.
I will start tracking on Monday - 1/4. I will not eat my way to 1/4. Thats about as far as I can commit this moment - it's a start.

Be warm - be well.

BRRRRR! It's freezing here. At least I can count shoveling as exercise.

If I can remember to wear light weight clothes to work tomorrow I plan to go to a WW center after work and w/i since our meetings, normally on Thurs. night, were cancelled last week and this week. I'm praying for no gain but if there is one I have no one to blame but myself. I've been totally OP for 3 days but that box of candy probably did me in.

I have no holiday plans so I hope to avoid celebratory challenges this weekend.

TERRI: Glad to see you post. Hope your DH's tests don't produce a problem. I missed out on the llama arrivals. How neat. We have several llama and alpaca farms nearby.

CAROL, CHRISTINE, DEB: We can all put the plan pieces back together and succeed. Just get thru this holiday and it'll be smooth sailing for a while.

BARB: "I Believe." I love it!!!!! What a great reminder that if we don't love ourselves we need to look inside and learn the we matter, no matter what our size, and that if we believe in ourselves all is possible.

Back tomorrow.

still struggling...I gave in and ate what I have been craving for a week.I then cut all the country ham up into small peices to use for seasoning thru out the year. Just a tiny peice can sure make a pot of beans taste better.
I am doing good with water and even getting some exercise but food...well thats another story!! I am going try again tommorow. We have no major plans this weekend...so that should help. Tom is lurking so that isnt helping matters any!!
The scales are UGLY to say the least!! I am back to having one kid tommorow so that should help me focus on my schedule.
WE CAN AND WILL DO THIS!!!

my saggy skin is starting to fill back out...now thats a scary thought!!!!

Howdy Gals!

I'm winding down a great day! Work was nice and quiet and I got a bit done. It felt very relaxing. After work DH wanted to go out for Mexican. At first I wanted to say "no". I agreed...ordered chix fajitas (no oil), ate only one tortilla, gave the kids the cheese, it was delicious! I did eat a few too many chips, but my calories are good for the day. It was good exercise day too...got in 45 min cardio at work and then 45 min on the Wii Fit tonight.

I need to drink more water. I drink tons of liquids...but that includes Iced tea, hot tea and crystal light. Mostly decaf and I only use Splenda, so not too bad, but I need to get more of the clear stuff in.

All in all I'm feeling great about the past two days and am excited to have my focus back.

Tomorrow I plan on prepping meals for the next several days. We have no New Years plans. Just hanging out at home, the gym, maybe a movie, taking down decorations, etc.

Christina - HELLO! great to see you!

Terri - Hope you are sleeping well! (and your hubby)

Judy - I 2nd the "Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!" No snow here, but darn cold!

Let's go girls! We can all do this! Believe in yourself. Make the commitment to good health!

I'm off to bed! I still have a 4yo bouncing off the walls. I'm going to curl up with a book and let Daddy get him to bed.

G'night!