Hi Everyone!
Long day today some really good some not so good. Just life and death thankfully not too close to the tree. Not sad just yuck. Food started great and moved to not so good just like my day. Glad to know you are all here.
Welcome Emily!
Betsy you have your cards out already? I bought mine last year on sale after Christmas does that count for something?
Sam I want a no sugar report tomorrow. Stop it. You are headed down a slippery slope. I know your toot was embarrassing but I got a needed belly laugh out of it. Thanks for sharing!
Silent no need to feel weird that is my job. As for me I just enjoy you hanging out with us and I like to think we are good for your mental health. (There should be a Betsy joke in here somewhere but I'm not with it enough.)
Tami how is IP going?
Terra I think going back and forth between the two exercises is brilliant.
Fi your post was needed medicine tonight. Thanks.
shan I admire your cake resistance strength. Healthy obsessing is not a bad thing.
Bllondy no more McD's, you are too nice to do something so naughty. Yes, I love cheese. Hmm may be why I am not losing. We eat a lot of cheese every week. Like a pound a person on a slow week. Wow that looks bad in print.
I need a good nights sleep and I know tomorrow will be a better day.
Nighty night.

Good Morning!
New day and a greatly improved attitude. Sorry for the bummer last post.
Lot's to do so off to get coffee. Hopefully back to chat later.
Have a peaceful day and remember you are loved.

Welcome, Amy! This is a great time to join this thread, because posting often (daily, if possible) will help you be accountable for your food choices during the holiday season. People here are really nice, so don't be shy. =smile=

OK, now for a couple of collages... As usual, if you click on the image, you'll get a lerger version. The first is a 6" x 9" postcard titled "oblique-lined dottyback": if you read the text underneath, it explains the title.

The second is the big project I did to make a collage on 11" x 17'" fiberboard, titled "fur people day at the water exhibit".

I'm not all that happy with how the second one turned out. I have a strong desire to jump up from 6" x 9" postcards to making larger pieces, but maybe I should be more patient and learn about how to make eye-pleasing compositions on an intermediate size like 7" by 11". Or maybe it's my muse who needs to be more patient! =laugh= It's kind of like when a writer jumps from writing short stories to writing novels: larger sizes allow for more complexity, which is challenging to pull off.

Good morning all. Going to the doctor this morning to see if the connective tissue between my toes is webbing that's started to develop from all this rain! Thank heavens it's not the 60s any more with either cans of hair spray in the first part of the decade or else waist-length hair by the end. Either way, with all of this wind, it would spell a disastrous hair day. Me thinks the first sign of sun deprivation disorder common in the NW at this time of year is making its appearance. I'm definitely a little over the edge today. But happy!

Emily -- Welcome to the chat group. Join in, share more about yourself when you feel comfortable doing so, and look forward to lots of support and good wishes.

Ubee -- Of course it counts when you bought the cards after last Christmas. Double credit if you can actually find them a year later. And it does make a difference when you live alone in terms of getting done what's on your list as opposed to everyone else's. Totally understand the starting out great and ending up kaput. Now, personally, I do think if you're eating a pound of cheese a week it could explain a lot. Of course, that is probably a citizenship requirement for a Wisconsan (Wisconsiner? Wisconsinian?) person. However, that much cheese would bind me up something fierce (to put it delicately). Glad today is starting off better for you.

Fi -- I like both collages, but I love the fur people. It may be because it tickles my fancy, it's more literal, fur people appreciating art makes sense to me. Who knows. Anyway, good job!

Off to the gym and then I really am going to get the pictures hung today. Yesterday was spent cooking up low carb things that can be frozen (muffin tin quiches) and investigating insurance companies. Ugh! My agency got sold, and the new one sent me a quote for "improved insurance at a lower cost." Of course, the company they selected has a horrible customer service record and the coverages on my current and the proposed are no where near the same. So, I've contacted my current company and am getting the run around and just to cover all bases started looking at other companies. Found that I can finally afford Amica which is consistently rated at the top for service. Just what I need to be doing at this time of year.

On the diet front. I'm sure that some day I will actually truly start on Atkins and still be on it by the time I go to bed. I have made up one of the desserts because my sweet tooth is getting the better of me. Now, I just need to make sure that I only eat one serving instead of the whole thing.

Have a great day everyone!

Its going .... I didnt have the greatest past two days but I WILL get back on track this evening at dinner time and remain consistent for the rest of the week until my weigh in on Monday!

Hello Everyone!!!

Good Evening!
I am popping back in so I will stop sticking my head in the fridge.
Tami do you feel like sharing what has been going on these past two days? Emotional eating, stress eating, bored eating, diet pity party eating...?
Betsy if I am doing Atkins 90% of the day I consider it on plan. 80% is good, 70% is hanging in there... TMI Alert our family has determined it takes one pound of cheese in one day to cause human plumbing problems. Guess it must be a Wisconsin thing. Love your description of 60's hair. As for me I may have just gotten over the big hair of the 80's.
Fi nice work as always. I liked how you only had one domesticated animal. How are the kitties?
Emily I read your blog and I like how you are thinking/working through to change your ways. I hope you stick around because I feel you would be a great asset and hopefully you would get something back from us.

Very quiet on here today. How is everyone doing?
I've got a busy day tomorrow so I will have to see about popping in. My main concern is that I have an old fashioned country funeral with everyone bringing their best dish. Too much temptation. I will come back on after and report how I did so hopefully that will keep me accountable.

Betsy You are probably right about the flavored drink. It's just about used up so I'm going to get some lime juice and start using that. Yeah I was pretty embarrassed about the tooting...glad I could provide you with a good chuckle...that makes it worth it. I need to check out that website you were talking about and see if there's anything low carb that I'd like. Hope you got the pictures hung today

Emily Welcome to the group! Hope you'll stay awhile! This truly is an amazing group and very beneficial. We're all like a little family and I really love the support system here.

Ubee NO SUGAR TODAY!!!!!!!!!! I did it!!!!!!!! Staued 100% on plan and got to the gym. I can't even imagine eating a pound of cheese a day...I'd never get to the potty with that much cheese...my stomach is very sensitive. I hope your day was better than yesterday and that you fight temptation at the funeral tomorrow. If you can't post that's ok we'll be here when you get back Glad I gave you a good laugh too!

Fi I love the big collage!!! When you were describing it before posting it I wasn't sure what to expect but this one is probably my favorite of all the ones I've seen you do. Thanks for sharing it...how are the babies?

Today started off terrible...my boss was in a bad mood and so I had to walk around on eggshells for most of the day. I like working for her but she's the type you don't wanna get on her bad side. I skipped the gym last night to run some errands but I did go tonight and did my cardio. I won't have another rest day for the rest of the week. Tomorrow is arms and cardio and then I gotta go grocery shopping. DH has his ultra sound tomorrow which luckily only cost me $27 that I paid today. Hopefully they figure out if he has gallstones or what is going on in there.

Been trying to post daily and it's been a lot of help. Love ya'll so much! Thanks for everything you do for me! Gotta get to bed early so I'm off for now. Night night!

I think it is a cross between stress and hormones .... No matter what I ate whether it was completely on IP plan or even if it was off plan NOTHING was satisfying ... I tried sweet, salty, savory, water, tea, etc. Not sure if its because its progress report time for the students and so getting report cards, tests, etc done is always chaotic OR if because this is my first menstrual cycle in about 3 or 4 years.

Hoping to get back on track ASAP .... I'm only down .4lbs since Monday and usually I'm losing about a half a pound a day. No pity party here I recognize that I need to be on plan and will talk to my coach on Monday to see if maybe this is normal or if maybe there is a vitamin issue or something.

Thanks for asking .... maybe someone here will have some thoughts.

Good morning -- although since I woke up at 5:15 this morning, it's a little hard to tell. Terra, your schedule is wearing off on me!

Tami -- Definitely lots going on in your life now! Supposedly, we're supposed to identify what is bothering us and then substitute a different activity to take our mind off of the cravings. My personal opinion is that this approach was developed by someone who has to force themselves to eat each day. Seriously, the only thing I have learned over the past couple of years is to at least recognize when one of the eat-it-if-it-isn't-moving feasts is about to descend on me and TRY to keep it under control. Sometimes that works. And sometimes it's like my brain just gets shut off and I mindlessly eat everything in sight. Hope this stress passes for you soon.

Ubee -- A country funeral. Oh my, there will be enough food there to feed a small country for a month! Stay strong. Eat before you go. Tell yourself you have intestinal problems (probably brought on from eating too much cheese) and you don't want to risk going through the line. Work the room with socializing so that you can't sit down to eat. Give your husband a taser and tell him to zap you if you approach the food table. OK, that may be a little rash. One pound of cheese a week! Gives clarification on where the phrase cut the cheese arose.

Sam -- Please know that I was laughing with you and not at you. There are a LOT of people my age at my gym. Sometimes it sounds like a tuba concert in there there's so much gas being expelled. I'm surprised the building doesn't float away! Hope the ultra sound shows what's wrong with your hubby. Gallstones are a b***h in terms of pain. Sounds like you're getting back into your routine. You're going to be hitting that 100 pound point soon!

I'm running into town today to look at an assisted living facility for a friend who will turn 95 in January. Also have to go to Home Depot to pick up more stuff for the home repair efforts. The picture hanging is coming along. The biggest challenge was hanging two big pictures over the guest room bed as it has a memory foam mattress and with the base on those things, you can't just move the bed out of the way. Felt like I was trying to move in molasses.

Diet wise I'm trying to get back on Atkins. Stayed 100% on plan yesterday and gained .2 of a pound. Everything I keep reading says to not think of this as dieting, but to think of this as a life style. Again, brought to us by people who gain an ounce and go into an absolute tizzy. I've just accepted that I need to understand that I will be dieting for the rest of my life. To me, a lifestyle is something that one chooses. Eating healthy may be the right thing to do, but what I would choose is to eat a high carb diet. But, those days are gone. I'm not angry although it sounds like it. Just learning to accept what is.

Have a great day.

Checking in....almost forgot! No sugar again today...headed to bed now but will post more tomorrow.

Off to cut down the kids Christmas tree.....always an experience with two little ones included, 5 adults, 2 cameras and 3 dogs! Sometimes it seems like we're starring in a Griswald Christmas!

Have a great day everyone.

Good Morning!
Sam so proud of you for 2 no sugar days in a row, and posting daily. Please let us know what is up with hubby. Mind if I ask how you stay so committed? I mean you are just so determined and stick at it. I know you want a baby but is there more to it?
Betsy love the tuba concert wording. You seem to have the gift of goofy humor. Picturing you hanging those pictures on the memory foam has sent me over the edge. I don't think you sound angry, just honest. I am in the same boat as you with carbs. I love them but I do know if I give up on this journey I will gain back all my weight and a heck of a lot more.
Tami congrats on TOM coming back for a visit after all these years. TOM for me was horrible. I would gain so much weight because I would be overcome with carb cravings and of course TOM is a built in excuse to overindulge. Good luck and I hope you are able to figure out the answer.

I did OK yesterday. At the funeral the desert table was off in the corner and I didn't even look at it. As the day wore on I found myself nibbling often. As soon as I even think something may be a little off/stressful I look for food. I mean within two seconds. By becoming more aware of my fast food reflex I hope to get a better grip on it.
Have a peaceful day and thanks for being here.

Tami ~ Thanks for telling what your name is

Emily ~ Your welcome for the link, Welcome, We love new members joining our Chat threads

Ubee ~ Yeah I think going back and fourth from the two exercises is brilliant also.

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Woke up at 5:30 this morning, Clyde has went outside twice this morning already. I gave him fresh food, He already had fresh water. I also gave Clyde a bath this morning. Its now 9:36 a.m. My plans for today are to do my 40 min. Chair Exercise at 9 a.m. and then do my 30 min walk dvd on noon and then 40 min Chair Exercise again at 7 p.m. tonight. I'm also gonna do my laundry in between of doing my chair exercises and walking dvd.

Betsy Hope you had a good time cutting down the tree!! That's something I miss a lot...when I was little we'd go up to Maryland to cut ours down. My mom and I one year cut a regular pine down from the woods and used it as a tree since we were in SC now and couldn't go up to MD for a tree. It was Charlie Brown like but it was my favorite tree...I still have pictures of it in its beauty.

Ubee Thanks for the encouragement on the sugar front. I'm on day 3 now with no sugar!!! As far as my commitment goes part of it is wanting a baby but I guess I'd say the other part is I just got sick and tired of being sick and tired. I've been fat my whole life...I don't even know what it's like to be thin. And I guess at this point in my journey I've gotten "addicted" to the results. I've never stuck with a weight loss plan this long and have come so far in just shy of a year that I can't give up...I have so much to lose if I gave up and I just can't do it. DH had his ultrasound Friday but we won't know the results until next week sometime. I hope it all turns out ok and will definitely keep you informed.

Today has been a long day for me. Got up early and got my cardio in then went to work for a friend who owns her own hair salon. She needed me to help out around the salon and ended up cleaning the whole salon lol...I got paid $50 so not bad for an afternoon's work. I went afterwards searching for this perfume for my best friend's birthday but the store that I had coupons for so I ended up ordering it online. I also got her a nice cowl infinity scarf. They were 50% off so I got one too!

DH and I are about to head out to finally go grocery shopping!! Lol..hope you all have a wonderful night! Check in tomorrow!