[cottagebythesea]

Good Monday morning! It's brutally cold, so I'll put the coffee on and a kettle of hot water for everyone, too.

I have to meet Cindy and Richard at school this morning at 8:30 for a conference, and I'm thinking I may as well pack my lunch and go right over to their house afterwards, rather than driving all the way back home and then back over in a couple hours. Today is Audrey's last cotillion and I'm not sure whether Maggie has piano or not. I'm hoping not, as it makes it too crazy to have both girls in different places 18 miles apart at the same time.

I had a stellar week and weekend, eating-wise, and am prepared for another great OP week. I have to work on getting more exercise in, though!

Coffee's ready, who wants some?

[Ruthxxx]

Me! Me! I didn't get up until six and have been dabbling away at sorting Christmas stuff. I do plan to go to the gym this morning but have decided it'll be later on these dark mornings.

I hope your busy Monday goes smoothly, Cottage, and that the school conference isn't too serious. Those two girlies are such sweeties, I can't imagine any problems.

So here we go with another week of healthy food and exercise. (Why do I need to kick my butt to get with it?)

[Mmckellen]

Cottage, I want some! It is SO NICE to wake up knowing there are going to be positive thoughts waiting! I have about 1/2 hour to myself each morning to drink my coffee and check email etc...great feeling to know there will be a welcome since I'm never the first one up!

Oh, boy...yesterday's party threw me. I did stay on plan, but the portions were out of control. They actually really had a lot of Phase 1 friendly food. I had grilled veggies, fresh mozzarella balls, the inside of a grilled chicken wrap, celery with ranch dip, some pepperoni. The thing that killed me were the roasted artichokes and the nuts. I went wayyyyyy overboard. It was a kids party but also for adults, and all my friends were there (with and without kids) and they were all eating carbs and drinking white wine.... I did ok for the first two hours until they served cake and then I almost lost it. I made us leave (well, it was time anyway) and was so cranky! My husband told our friends "Give her some carbs, please!!" It was way too much temptation but I did stay on plan even though I overate in the fat and nut department. Dinner was a taco salad that was OP.

It occurs to me that 'Aunt Flo' is coming soon so that probably accounts for the mood and overeating. I'll get back on track today! Have a great OP day everyone!

[cottagebythesea]

Ruth, the conference isn't anything too serious. Audrey's been having panic attacks when there's going to be a test, so we're coming up with a plan of action to help her stay calm. I think she feels the pressure to excel, but she does very well on her own already. The girls ask about you all the time, BTW!

MmcKellen, congratulations on hanging in there at the party yesterday! I'm glad there was a good variety of OP foods for you to nosh on!

[WaistingTime]

Good morning all

Starting Phase 2 today, but not sure I will add anything in yet. Not feeling as deprived as my last two times on SB.

BTW - thanked you all in my blog today. I know that this community has made the past two weeks so much more successful and enjoyable for me. I am so glad I joined in. You women are the best!!!!!!

Today my teen heads back to high school. This semester he has an online class first hour so gets to sleep later. Wish I could but my body seems programmed to be up early. Just gives me more quiet time on here Cycling and then doing my second yoga class at the gym.

Have a wonderful willpower filled day!

[CyndiM]

Good morning Thanks for the coffee Cottage! I needed it this morning. I'm still trying to figure out how to fit 30 minutes of exercise in the morning and still have time to stop by here Must do both but refuse to get up any earlier than 5:30!

Cottage - Hope the conference goes well. My DD had panic attacks after she developed nut allergies. She ended up doing a few sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy which did the trick.
Great job staying on plan! Exercise is tough - there just don't seem to be enough hours in the day for that (though there are more than enough for work!).

Ruth - Have a great gym workout I, for one, am very impressed that you're still doing it. To be honest I hated the gym so admire those who can stick with it.

Mmckellen - Great job making healthy choices yesterday! That's no small feat, give yourself plenty of back pats. It is tough getting through TOM. How about some plain Greek yogurt with PB mixed in?

Waisting - Have a good Phase 2 day! How about a piece of fruit with snack later? Enjoy yoga. I do love starting my day with a little yoga, it's good to start off balanced before the world intrudes

Debbie - Safe drive over the mountain. Hope all is well with your little traveler.

I think it's just another Monday, though I haven't checked my schedule yet. Hope to stop in later to catch up more

[TwynnB]

Good morning chicks! I almost started the thread earlier, but all I could come up with was "monday monotony". And that's not a pick up, is it??!

Cottage - hope you can come up with a plan to help her out, I know that's stressful! I remember in college, I would lay on the floor listening to Enya before a physics exam. Guess you can't do that in lower grades, huh? (it worked though!) Thanks for the coffee!

Ruth - I can't believe you've already been doing stuff. WOW. Ambitious!

MMck and Waisting time - aren't they awesome here? I know they're the main reason I lost weight....almost a couple of years ago! Hope you stay with us!

Cyndi - although I hate getting up to exercise (I couldn't believe it when my alarm went off this morning....already!?!?), I certainly feel so much better that it's over for the day. I'm bad...I get up at 5:30, have some coffee and water and check in on the computer, then 6ish I get on the treadmill. I feel SO much better if I 'wake up' first. I have to be getting my son ready, so outta the shower by 7ish. And, now...I'm awake too, not dragging.

Me - yep, exercise is done. Very proud for having 3 meals made at home yesterday...without a sink! (at least I have a stove!) Today, probably won't....since I don't have something planned, and we have A LOT to do before flooring and cabinets are in. But I'll still chat with y'all, even if I'm being bad!

[zeffryn]

Cottage - stay warm out there today!

Ruth - want to come and sort my Christmas stuff? I put it all in a tote to "deal with later"....later may very well be July.

Mmckellen - sounds like you did a great job! a little extra fat isn't nearly as bad as half a cake!

Waisting Time - Wow, highschool online! Who would have thought! Hope you have a great day

Cyndi - hope this Monday treats you well!

Twynn - I want to see pictures of that renovation! Good job on the exercise this morning.

--

DH started school again this morning. It would be nice to have a few more days of vacation, but it will also be nice to get back into the swing of things.

DS1 has a pre-op appointment this morning. My MIL is coming along to watch Connor. I'm dreading having to hold my baby down while they draw blood.

Have a great day, guys and I'll check in later.

[Lexxiss]

Good Morning Everyone

We had a safe trip to the Eastern Slope of Colorado this AM. Its normally a 2 hr drive, but we stopped at a nice grocery to get my big bag of organic fruits and veggies. The store in our little town stinks for produce, and I don't want to have to drive another 15 m so I can have lunch. I stopped at the house to unload and wash the produce so I'll be ready for an OP lunch. Plan, plan plan...my SB mantra.

I read everyones posts, and it cheered my day, but now it's time to buckle down and get a year's worth of paperwork on quickbooks so we can get everything to the CPA(and be back over the hill by Fri AM for water aerobics). Our company office is at my Moms house, and I'm extremely proficient at QB, so I combine work with 3FC, FB, email, ebay and anything else that seems interesting. So, no time for personals, but I'll see ya'll later.

[jenne1017]

Morning chickies-

Busy morning at work. Got in later than usual (it was too cold to leave bed!)and didn't Wii Fit this morning also bought something "quick" for breakfast (I have to eat some processed food b/c of my ischemic colitis issue) and realized it had potatoes So I gave it away Which is a good thing! I had a cheese stick and yogurt (my snacks) instead.

Cottage, yay for stellar (great word!) weekend eating!

Ruth, hope you had fun at the gym!

MMcKellen, great job staying OP in the face of temptation!

Waisting, happy Day 1 of Ph2!

Morning Cyndi!

Tywnn - we don't ahve a sink right now either. But that's because it's full (literally to the brim) with dishes!

Zeff, stay strong and let us know how he did (and you did) with the stick!

Debbie, I need to buckle down too. Off I go!

[Shimmy Slim]

Good afternoon, chickies!

I weighed in and despite being almost totally inactive, I have lost 7 pounds. I'm so pleased! Once I drop three more pounds I'll be back to my lowest SBD weight and into losing "new" weight rather than the same pounds over and over. I am really hopeful that I'll be lots slimmer by our big holiday in March/April.

I went to the chiropractor on Thursday and am a lot more mobile since that visit. The nerve is still trapped in my leg and walking is hard as my toes aren't working properly on my right foot Poor DH has had to do almost everything on top of going to work and having a cold, which really sucks for him. I am going to try and chop some veggies for dinner to help.

[Kim_Star060404]

Good afternoon, everyone. It's been one heck of a morning. Our incumbent county judge has a challenger this year for the democratic primary and he's a complete, well, every bad thing a local politician could be with no experience. So, my boss just informed me that if this gentlemen was elected, he would quit leaving me in charge of everything and having to deal with the new county judge and his board. So, needless to say, I put a quick phone call in to DH and we're having a budget meeting this week to get a contingency plan in place in case I quit working after this year. Fortunately, we'll know if he's going to go on to the election, we'll know by March 4th at the latest, so at least we'll be able to plan ahead. I'm a bit stressed and am turning to food for comfort and I need to quit that. I've got to find a better way to deal with my stress!

I hope everyone else is doing ok!

[Pearlrose]

Good afternoon, quick flyby for me.

WFH as Ds had to go to court for his traffic ticket, $200 later we are done, yikes court fees where $125 of it. Now to just see how much his insurance goes up when premium is due in March...never ends.

Tonight going to get my hair cut and the rest of the week I go into work. Still op only lost 2lbs this past week but it is better than nothing and I am on my journey, hopefully will get to my lowest SB weight soon and continue on.

[sophie]

Hi Chickies,

Had an appt with an eye specialist today and he really put me thru the wringer. Had three different eyedrops put in. Then when he was going to tell me the results, he asked if anyone was with me and asked my DH to come in. Well, that almost made me pass out. The end result is that everything is fine and I don't need to see him again my optometrist just felt that it was time to have a thorough check up. But I came home with a huge headache and the drops took some time to wear off.
take care
Sophie

[Lexxiss]

I'll see all you chickies in the morning. I'm ready to rest my eyes for awhile. My internet reception isn't so hot here. I'm going to get a headstart on dinner.

Ruth, Cyndi, Cottage, Pearlrose, Kimstar, Jenn, Twynn ,

Mmckellen, I think you did great at the party. Give yourself a thumbs up for eating OP foods....and leaving when the cake came out!

Waisting, congrats on a successful P1!

Shimmy, congrats on WL. Hope you get better soon.

Zeff, sending good thoughts for DS1.

Sophie, your post scared me for a minute, too!