Hi Everyone!

This is going to take a while, because I have a lot of catching up to do. I have missed a couple of days, as we have been busy with out visitors. It has been wonderful to see my FIL and his wife again. The last time we saw them was 6 and a half years ago. They didn't recognise me at the airport, which was great, and they have had lots of compliments to give me since they arrived.

I was a little concerned about TOM arriving so early this month, but it seems to have just been a 'trick' of my system. Nothing came of it, so I have another week of the scales sitting in the same place, or even going up, before TOM does show its ugly head. GGRRRRRRRR!

We took our visitors to a beautiful Australian wildlife park yesterday and they got to feed and pat the kangaroos, hold a wombat and pat a koala. They had a lovely time. Today we walked around Fremantle, which is a major Western Australian port, for about 6 hours. We did the usual touristy things, and are now very tired. Tomorrow we plan to walk around the city, then Sunday we are off to the zoo. This is going to be a hectic last week and a half of my summer break.

Ammi - Things are surprisingly pleasant, weather-wise, here at the moment. By now we are usually having some VERY warm days, and I was worried that our visitors would bake, but so far the temps have stuck between 80/90F, which is fine. Mind you, things will probably really warm up just as the kids go back to school. We usually manage to have to try to teach them in 100F+ temps.

Thanks for the info on TOM. It doesn't seem to be relevant at the moment, but I am going to remember to not panic if things don't fit the routine I am expecting them to in the future.

I hope you managed to get a good night's sleep. How come you managed to not get to sleep until 4am the night before? I would be falling asleep standing up if I wasn't in bed by then.

Catherine - Thanks for the update on the wedding and honeymoon. It sounds as though things were just beautiful - including the bride. Do we get to see pics?

It sounds as though your new hubby is going to be simply wonderful in supporting you with your new lifestyle. It certainly won't hurt him either. Other than losing TOO much weight - sad huh? - I'm sure my hubby is much healthier because of the new way we are eating.

Kayley - You mentioned a Criminal Justice course you are doing. Is this part of a larger degree, or just something you are interested in?

Katie - It is great to see you here. I'm really new here, but so far I have found everyone here to be so supportive. I'm getting much closer to my goal now, and find that I am needing more support than ever, but I still wish I had found this site at the start of my lifestyle changing journey. You are right - having a goal is certainly the first step. The night-time snacking was something I found hard to cut out, but it helped that DH and I just said one day that we would no longer bring 'rubbish' food into the house. Once the pantry was clear of junk, that was it! I would still have treats if we went out, but the temptation wasn't around the house. Good luck with your journey and I hope to see you posting here often.

Luan - Congratulations on the weight loss! I can't wait to be able to post my next loss. At the moment, I wouldn't all be holding your breath for that one. I'm actually surprising myself by 'kinda' accepting the fact that these stalls and slight weight gains are hormonal and out of my control. They still depress me a little, but I'm getting better about it.

Sharon - Sorry you are having problems with the kids. Can't be much fun - especially when your husband is not exactly being supportive. Perhaps he needs a good swift kick somewhere to wake him up to what you are having to do.

Well, I'm sure I've missing some things, but I have to go get ready for my afternoon session on the exercise bike. I probably don't really have to do that after all the walking we did today, but it is so much a part of my daily routine that I would feel 'lost' if I didn't do it.

Take care all and have a wonderful Friday,

Zelma

Ammi - Congrats for staying OP, and definately for NOT eating in the middle of the night, out of habit! I don't know why I haven't been able to sleep lately...but that had been about the 6th day in a row with less than 4 hours. Last night, I went to bed around 8:30pm, which is the earliest I've gone to bed in years! And I managed to sleep until 6am, so I'm getting my sleep schedule back on track...as I have to get up early most days. Hope you enjoyed your walk!

Ladyhawk Hello, and to the forum! Hope you are able to find the support you need here!

Zelma - Right now, I'm working on my Associate's degrees (yeah, I'm getting two...lol) for Legal office and Medical office, and then once I have those, I'm transferring to Indiana University, to be in their Paralegal program. I originally wanted to be a lawyer, but I don't want to have to take the bar...lol. So this is about as close as I can get to lawyer without being one. I'm only in my second semester, so I have a while to go! Sounds like you are having a lot of fun! Enjoy your time off!

Photos are coming, I promise. I left my scanner behind in St. Pete, and I was given two throw away cameras that are still in my backpack. One of the guys at the wedding was shooting digital, and he promised to burn them on a CD. He's an older guy, and probably is giving us space this week out of respect. I will give him a call. Someone did voice concern that the photos might not come out because of all the flashes and the mirrors. We shall see. He actually moans seductively when eating dinner, even when he eats it leftover for breakfast. This boy definitely likes my cooking. I'm going to have to explain that even healthy food eaten in large quantities isn't so good.

Jill: Let us know what you think of the ball. Two of the ladies at my WW meeting have them and love them, though they did say not to be too close to a wall when you sit on it as you can get a good bump on the head!

Vickie: Fantastic that you can wear a seatbelt now! I have received 3 tickets for not wearing mine and I was too embarrassed to go to the Doctor to get a note so I wouldn’t have to pay the fine. I now wear mine and even have 2 inches between my tummy and the steering wheel!

Brenda: I read in a fitness magazine that a good way to break a plateau is to completely change the foods you are eating. So if you usually have cereal switch to yogurt or if you usually have a salad switch to a sandwich etc. Also change your exercise if you do aerobics do walking instead. They said if you do these changes for a week your plateau should end.

Felicia: Can you come and get my house into shape like yours is? Wow it sounds like you have everything running so well!

Ammi: Good for you! You must be feeling so strong today! Enjoy the walk, I know I am so happy I am finally able to walk without stopping to catch my breath every two minutes.

Catherine: So glad you are are here and the weather is so nice for you! It is usually the coldest in January and February so you are really seeing an unusual sight with no snow and the warm temps. Look for ward to seeing the pics.


As for me I have joined Spa Lady which is a gym for ladies only and had my first session yesterday! I was so pumped to get in there and get going it was quite a surprise to find that I am as weak as a newborn, lol. I thought I was getting in great shape with all my walking and I was barely able to get 10 minutes done on the eleptical machine and another 6 on the Treadmill! Then I had to start the strength circuit and what a giggle that was, all the machines on the lowest weight settings and I am working like I am lifting a 100 pounds. I am glad I know that it won't be too long before I start gaining some strength but I was surprised that I had lost everything I used to have.

I am staying on program and eating very carefully so I can get the 2.8 off this week and get my 50 pound magnet next Tuesday. Then I will stop concentrating on the weight and get more focused on the exercise! I think I will test out one of those exercise balls at the club, I must admit I have been afraid to try one even though they say they are good for 300+ pounds.

Everyone have a great day and Stay Strong!

Howdy Chickies!

Not a lot of time today, but wanted to stop in. I may actually try to get some work done at work today!

Ladyhawke: First, Welcome!!! Second, Is your name after the Rutger Hauer/Michelle Pfeiffer movie? I love that movie! I almost went with Isabeau as my medieval name (I'm in a couple of medieval recreation groups) because of that movie...instead I went with - Lilion! Finally, You'll really like it here I think! There are a lot of wonderful and inspiring women on this board.

Catherine: Speaking of inspiring woman #1 I'm so glad you are happy and DH - isn't it cool, you can use DH now - loves your cooking! That he is so supportive is just wonderful!

Zelma: Inspiring woman #2 I always like reading your posts. I was reading on the "What weight do you want to be" Poll and realized how very much you have done! You've lost more than you weigh! That is amazing! I can't even begin to imagine what it's like.

Ammi: Good for you being OP! Keep up the good work!

Well, all you other inspiring ladies, I must run! Keep it up and get it down!

Good Afteroon Friends,

I didn't get to walk over to the shops today, we decided we wanted to get back quickly, so we got a taxi there. We chose our bed and horray it isn't going to take a month for a delivery, just two weeks, so that's good news. We walked from there over to ASDA and then all around ASDA so I know I got a bit of walking in lol.

Kayley - so glad to hear you got in an early night and slept all the way until the morning. I bet you felt like a spring chicken when you got up.

Catherine - I am sure that out of all those cameras there will be at least one nice photo that hasn't been spoiled by the flashes and mirrors. Hopefully there will be many more especially from the guy who took pics with his digital camera. Fingers crossed.

Sharon (voodoo) - yay I have heard of all those bands, we've even got Eminem's last album, I bought it for Daren for Christmas. Personally I am a big lover of 80s pop as is Daren, but he loves Kaiser Chiefs, Velvet Revolver, Snow Patrol and a whole heap of Kerrang bands I can't remember. It's funny though because he goes to the other extreme then and loves Opera, and musicals. We have quite a range of music choice in our house

Sheri - thank you, yes it's a wonderful feeling to be back in control. It really makes all the difference to my confidence that I can get this weight off.

I know what you mean about getting a surprise at how weak you still are. When I first did my DVD exercise on Monday within 5 minutes I wanted to stop. I was sweating buckets and everything hurt. It was quite depressing. Happily today on my third attempt I didn't sweat too much

That gym you have joined sounds wonderful, I would love to go to an all lady gym. I am sure before you know it those machines will be a piece of cake for you, but until then I am sure all the extra effort to use them will get you to shed that 2.8 lbs you need to get your 50 lbs lost magnet. Good luck.

Lilion - Thanks for the I definitely feel like that when I do good Hope you have had a good day.

Felicia - you will have to tell me how you enjoy using the Gazelle. I have seen that I can have one that takes my weight, and it's quite cheap too. I want one for my birthday in July, by then I hopefully will have lost a nice amount of weight and will need something new to exercise with. Right now I only do the salsasize DVD. I have a Richard Simmons one to do as well, but not for a while, it's too energetic for me As for Leslie Sansone WATP, I have one of those tapes too, but it's the funniest walking I have ever seen, with lunges and skips to side etc etc

Thank you for your enthusiasm over my not eating last night. If I can do it once, I can do it again, and add up all those days and before you know it I'll be lbs lighter. Yay

Ok time for a quick chat with anybody on MSN or Yahoo lol. Take care and I'll be back

Hugs,

Ammi

It's been quite an interesting morning around here. After I had gotten up and done my morning ten-minute exercises and the like, I had to go get some prescriptions refilled. I had to restrain myself from laughing when the pharmacist asked, "Aren't you a bit young to be on some of this stuff?"

Now keep in mind I will be 44 two weeks from this coming Wednesday, and when I asked for the heck of it how old he thought I was, he said "About 30-32?"

I guess I must be doing something right...

Another thing is that I had just had my first music review piece published on a site that I'd gotten an offer from to do such work not long ago, and he also wants me to review shows in my area as well. I have worked as a writer for some time, doing pieces in an array of subjects. Plus, getting creative keeps me the heck out of the kitchen!

Here is hoping everyone has a great day and staying on OP...I know it isn't always the easiest thing to do, but the end result is always worth it!

Well, ladies, I know I'm going to miss a bunch of posts, as I'm going for the weekend, and I know I won't be able to catch up...so wishing you all a great weekend!

Stop! Do Not Post Here Again. Plese Follow us to 300+ and ready to Try Again #811.