Hello Chicks!
It's time for bed, but I wanted to say Hi. I am sad to say today was not a stellar day. I let the stress at work get to me and did a little emotional eating tonight - the worst part was I knew I was doing it. DH took the day off work and got us a new game to play on the computer so then I skipped exercise and was way too lazy! Well, enough of that - one night isn't a horrible slip up, but tomorrow is a new day!

SANDY --- WELCOME BACK!!!

Kerri - WELCOME to a wonderful group! Looking forward to getting to know you!

Michelle - It's great to have you back more often!

Gotta get my zzzzzzzzzsssss

xoxoxox
Barb

Hey gals Not much I can say as I'm feel sleepy ;p

Sandy - Welcome back!, Kerri - Welcome to the group!
Everyone Else - I hope you all are keeping up the great work!

Today I had yummy oatmeal for breakfast, a big yummy grilled chicken ceasar salad for lunch - dinner was kindve big kinda "naughty" ravioli casserole stuff.

Water - I'm just about to finish 32oz (why is it so hard for me to drink water on work days?) Maybe I can squeeze the other half before bed

Workout - Well I decided to try my mom's old Bellydance (Veena and Neena) tape. Man it is harder than I remember! Its not so much that its "vigorous" but it really really works your muscles.. I don't know what quite to call it? Toning? Anyway I did that for 30 minutes. I didn't quite feel "satisfied" to call that a work out (even though it was exhausting and hard) .. so I did the WATP 1mile 15minutes so 45minutes of exercise all together. I'm feeling happy about it.

Now I'm going to put it in my journal and hopefully snooze soon. I've been super tired today - even fell asleep in class.

The good news though! Is that from Wednesday until next Tuesday I don't have work or class - so tons of time to focus on working out and drinking water and whatever else. Then All next week I don't have class still, just work for 12 hours so more time to focus This will hopefully mean that I'll definitely get in a workout 2times a day like I've been wanting.. maybe even 3 if I'm up for it.

Love you all! Have a wonderful evening.

Hi all!

Just got in not too long ago from a $150 dinner! Yes, it was another of those "this is an awful job, but somebody has to do it" situations. So sad!

Honey has already gone up to bed. I think I will head there in a few. I have a lunch date with a friend of mine on the other side of town tomorrow. Then a "bank job" and I have to go be a "showgirl" in the afternoon for Polar Express.

Kerri: Glad to have you here. Welcome! Hope to see you around alot. We love new-comers and have quite a few here lately. Glad you've joined us.

Well, my dears. I'm headed to dream land. I've got to download some paperwork for tomorrow and then off I go. You all have a good night. Love ya bunches.

Leanne... please keep telling us about your deep water walking. Between you and both Barbs sharing about their swimming... it is bound to get me back to the pool too. I am sooo jealous. It is such a great exercise for overweight people. I miss it.

Sandy.. your kids are just adorable. They have grown since the last photos I saw.

Angela... I don't like to cook AT ALL anymore. Once my kids left home... I was ready for a break. LOL I still cook of course... but only becaue my hubby likes home cooked meals.
I do like to host finger foods for football game gatherings... and do Thanksgiving and Xmas... and Easter and such. "Special events" are fun. It is the everyday cooking I hate. LOL

Kerri... WELCOME !!! We would love for you to join us. I think you will like it here... I sure do.
My daughter is a Dr Pepper addict. LOL She switches to Diet Dr Pepper... but if she ever gives in on a diet.. it is usually for a REAL Dr. Pepper. LOL
It sounds like you are doing awesome. Keep up the good work.

Barb... you are right... One day is not going to do you in. Today is a new day.
I hope work eases up on you soon.

CD ... it sounds like you are doing awesome too. Congrats.!!!
You are going to be an exercising machine doing it three times. WOW !!

Thin.. glad to see you telling us about you again.
I really feel sorry for you having to do those $150 dinners. You poor thing. LOL

Lucky and Terri... you guys didn't give me anything to reply to.

Okay.. off to bed. I got my four feathers today. The water was almost short.. but I FORCED that last 20 oz down. I will probably pay for it tonight while sleeping. LOL

I -knew- I would have a good day today, thanks to you lovely ladies!
I started off deep water walking this morning for 50 minutes, came home and managed to do some of my thesis despite having the kids home, total calories for the day is 1275, and I have 2 more glasses of water to drink before I go to bed. Far out, it sounds like I'm boasting , but I'm just so pleased that I managed to stick to doing everything despite being stressed out!

I am feeling so motivated that I wanted to ring up the dietician and get weighed today instead of next monday ...

Kerri, I have to say ... I haven't even tried Dr Pepper, diet or otherwise! I'm not sure we even have it in Australia ... but I do like diet Coke (it's one of the things I would like to cut out in my diet).
Angela good luck with the cooking ... I only like cooking when I'm totally unstressed - which isn't very often!

Time to have another glass of water, and do a little more on the thesis before bed.

Leanne

Leanne, it sounds like you had a wonderful On Plan day. Glad it all worked out for you. I know what you mean about the Dt. Coke. I discovered the Dt. Coke with Lime...to die for I just need to start drinking lots more water.

Thin, a $150. dinner...sounds yummy. What did you have? Would you go back is the question? How was Polar Express, I want to see it, if I can drag the kids off to watch it with me

CD, sounds like you have a plan for the next few days. It would be great to have the time off. My kids are out of school sick, well Lexi goes back today, then they have the next two days off along with the weekend....no rest for the weary. Glad you are kicking butt on plan.

Barb, hey girl you will get right back on track.

Kerri, hi there; I look forward to getting to know you better. Great job on kicking the Dr. pepper habit.

Terri, hey there chicky pooh, glad to see you.

Angela, yes health insurance waiting is a bummer. But the company I work for is small and health insurance is so expensive. We are finally getting a plan in action and I am so excited. I cook a lot, because I have a family of 4, unless I'm feeling lazy and order out (bad sandy)

Okay girlies, I am off to work but will check in there of course. I have to get Lexi out to the bus before she drives me insane. I think I go to work for the break...shhhh don't tell them that is my solitude.

Hugs to you all

Sandy Sandy Sandy!! You and me both! Work is a break for me too! Now that we moved and I'm not working right now my little guy drives me insane sometimes! I love him to death but he is quite a handful for me since he never listens to mommy! Daddy yes, but not mommy! He listens to his daycare moms, his teachers and teachers aides but not mommy! Little devil! I thought I wanted to be a stay at home mom before but after 10 months after he was born I realized I just couldn't do it! I was longing for adult conversation! I would love to work part-time but its not worth it having to pay daycare so for now, until he is in school full-time I will have to work full time.

Leanne doesn't it feel good to have a successful day? Anytime you feel like eating something you really don't want, or not wanting to exercise just think how good you felt the last time you did.

2Cute, I love swimming too! So does my little guy!

Thin, you sent me a file awhile back, I tried to open it again and it wouldn't let me. You wouldn't by any chance still have that information on file would you? Those $150 dinners sound like fun! I did one last week at a place that serves Bison!

Barb you'll get back on track. One day won't kill ya! The important thing is that you are aware of the bad choices you made and you plan to fix what you can!

CD...don't you just love those breaks?

Hello Terri!!

Kerri welcome to our humble group! You will like it here! The support is awesome and you can't find a bunch of better friends than the gals here!!

Kat when you coming to North Carolina?

Angela, I love to cook too...thats part of my problem. I have some of Martha Stewart in me!!

OK I think I caught everyone! If not no hurt feelings please! I will be back!Like a bad penny! I have to go print directions for John, he is going on an interview. Yup! He only used Lowe's to get down here and get the mortgage...he is off to better things hopefully! Plus I need to go find me a neat, pretty looking breakfast!

TTFN Love ya all! Michelle

Just checking in before going to walk and water aerobics. My DSL was out last night and I didn't know what to do with myself.

I had another good day yesterday. 4 more feathers.

OMG! I totally forgot to post that I WENT FOR MY WALK THIS MORNING EVEN THOUGH MY SHINS AND ANKLES HURT WORSE THAN YESTERDAY! I really really didn't want to go but I made myself. I sat here thinking of how exillerating walking always felt when I was doing it regularly and how I couldn't wait to get out and walk every morning. It was such a routine and I missed it when the weather was really really bad. On those days I did a video. If it was just sprinkling rain out I would still walk then come home and take a nice hot shower to warm me back up! I LOVED IT! And I can't wait to get that feeling back again!

Anyways, Good job Barbg! Exercising really does help the pounds melt off quicker! On weeks when I didnt' get to exercise religiously because of work the pounds melted off but at a much slower rate!!

I had a very filling breakfast again today, 2 scrambled eggs, 2 lite toast with butter spray, 1/2 cup of OJ in a champagne glass, how elegant was that? and a cherry ameretto cheesecake non fat yogurt! Yummy in my tummy! All for 8 points!

I also set 6 mini goals for myself. The first one being to get below the 300 lb mark again so that would be 23.6 lbs, the next my 10% of 32, the 3rd-5th being 10% of my current weight at the time I reach each goal so that would be 29 lbs, 26 lbs and 23 lbs and the 6th goal would be to get under 200 which would be another 13 lbs! Once I have accomplished each of those then I will set new ones till I get to my goal weight. This time I am going to do it. Especially since I have a turkey staring me in the face motivating me! Never get on the bad side of a turkey while he is staring you in the face!! I didn't set any time limits to reach my goals, I will just work on one at a time until it is accomplished! No pressure whatsoever!

I keep hitting something and making my posts post before I am finished! What the heck!!

OK I babbled enough this morning...where are the rest of you chickie poos!!

TTFN Michelle

Leanne ... don't you ever stop sharing about your accomplishments. It is not boasting here... it is sharing and it inspires the rest of us to WORK HARD for our weightloss.
We LOVE hearing success stories !!!!

Sandy... I too used to find solitude in work. LOL
I ADORED my kids... but sometimes it was nice to get out alone.

Michelle .... I am sending lots of luck for your husbands job hunting. How long will you be staying home with andrew ? Isn't he about 4 now.?
I just found your second post. CONGRATS on your walking !!! I don't ever want to discourage anyone from exercising but be careful with those shin splints. Do you happen to have a bike you can ride until that heals.?? Be sure to get LOTS of water... it cushions those shin splints.
Your mini goals are similar to mine. I have weird weight goals... but they all have meaning for me.

Barbg ... I am sooooo HAPPY you keep finding these turkeys. So cute !!!
I had every intention of doing it myself... but never did. I just LOVE them.
A BIG CONGRATS on your feathers. !!!!!

I am getting my exercise in EARLY today. As soon as I get off here.
I have my first 10 oz of water down.
I will eat an OP breakfast after I exercise.
Then I will journal my progress and write 5 minutes too.

Thank you ladies so much for the warm welcome!! I'm really excited to be here with all of you and I can't wait until I have something to show for the hard work besides sore muscles! It feels good, though, because I know I'm working them really good. Monday after the workout at Curves, I thought eh, this isn't too bad. Spoke too soon I'm afraid. LOL!!

I think I'm going to try going back to my old ways of dieting that I did after high school. I didn't really diet, but everything I ate at home was on a smaller dessert plate and if it didn't fit on there, I didn't eat it. It worked then, hopefully it can work now! I am really trying hard to get breakfast in, and I haven't skipped a day yet.

So far so good today. Had raisin bran and on my second bottle of water. Had FIVE bottles yesterday. That's really good for me. So I'm keeping my positive outlook. I don't know why I always try and diet before a holiday, but they're coming this way hard and strong, so I'm gonna have to be strong!

Just taking a little break to eat lunch before I study and hopefully work out

Thin - it sounds like you're having a good time Hopefully that keeps up!

2cute - I can only hope I'll become a workout machine!@ As I've realized that my eating has really greatly improved, my main need now is to get rid of the pounds that I have from the past -and I'm determined to work as hard as I can! I'm glad you're getting your feathers in

Leanne - Boast away! I know for me reading everyone's successes here often makes me more motivated because I want to sound as happy and goal accomplishing as my friends on here Don't ever feel shy to share, its awesome hearing your accomplishments - and congratulations.

Sandy - Yeah, before I would've been worried about having days off (I'm a lazy college student so I have a lot of them usually ;p) because I'd often just be lazy and not do anything - where as when I work I get tons of walking in. But I'm determined to do differently this time.

Michelle - keep up the awesome work!

Kerri - you and I seem a bit similar In highschool I had this favorite "soup cup" and I would just put whatever would fit in that soup cup only as my meal. It wasn't a planned diet for me - just a habit, but it probably kept my portions really small and healthy And I'm also trying really hard to get my breakfast in I think I've only eaten it the past 3 days sadly, but I'm trying!


Okay, the good news? I've finally found two "snacks" that are healthy and that I really like. Non-fat yogurt with grapenuts and broccoli/cauliflower in a teensy bit of chunky blue cheese dressing.

The bad news? I can't keep the veggies fresh! I'm kinda on the low money side so I can't buy them all of the time and it seems that they only last for a few days. Do any of you have tips on how to keep my produce fresh longer? Romaine and Spinach leaves especially are expensive but I love them.. and they always die out so quickly My mom said to leave the bag open so they're getting air.. but that didn't help - Please help! I'm young and without kitchen experience

Alright now I'm off to study and hopefully I will get a workout in before I leave tonight

So the pumpkin-portobello risotto is awesome, and everyone had better appreciate it, cause I got up at 5:30 in order to cook it before my 8 o'clock class.

Kerri--Welcome!

Barb--Hope today was better.

2cute--Alas, I love to cook. I hate eating frozen dinners, which is what I do a lot of the time. If I can have 6-8 people over for dinner, that's perfect--I make a feast, I hardly have time to eat so I eat like half a regular portion of everything, and there are never any leftovers--or if there are I can always get someone to take them home.

Michelle--That turkey IS scary, ain't he?

BarbG--Good for you! Shake that booty (I love your dancing girl)

cd--You know not to wash your spinach or lettuce until you're ready to use it, right? And yes, it's important to keep it dry. Does your frig have an especially cold spot? If not, are you sure it's cold enough? I can usually keep lettucy things for about 4 days. It's hard when you're the only one eating it. If you buy the pre-packaged bags, maybe you should switch to loose, so you can buy smaller quantities at a time (it's usually less expensive, too).

Sorry I'm not responding to everyone, must run off to the poetry reading and then the reception and you-know-who's apartment. TTFN

The bad news? I can't keep the veggies fresh! I'm kinda on the low money side so I can't buy them all of the time and it seems that they only last for a few days. Do any of you have tips on how to keep my produce fresh longer? Romaine and Spinach leaves especially are expensive but I love them.. and they always die out so quickly My mom said to leave the bag open so they're getting air.. but that didn't help - Please help! I'm young and without kitchen experience

Alright now I'm off to study and hopefully I will get a workout in before I leave tonight [/QUOTE]

I have a few ideas on the veggie thing and I just watched an episode of some kitchen show that got remodeled and they showed how to store this stuff in the fridge. Things like bell peppers and onions you keep in your crisper and not in a bag, just out and in the drawer. Things like herbs or green onions you can keep in the plastic bag but it's better to wrap them in a paper towel in the bag to keep them drier.

For me, I buy bags of precut lettuce and greens and keep them in the crisper unopened. If I open them up I put them in the big ziploc bags and they stay crisp almost two weeks. If I keep my crisper set on the coldest setting all my veggies stay in the crisper almost two weeks before they start getting soft on me or turning colors. Bananas are a big mess for me! I can't keep those longer than about 4 days before they're almost black. Onions and apples no problem. Just those darned bananas... oh and peaches, the same thing! Anyone know what to do about those?