40-Something October Chat ~~ Week Two
 

Hubby and I got up early and did my Workout 1. To save time we only did 8 counts and not the 16 I have done before. It still took an hour. I got to 'play' personal trainer and remind Hubby what the exercises were and how to do them correctly, but I had a good time. LOL, I'm not sure Hubby would discribe it as fun though.

We get to go to the dentist later today and do some running around plus grocery shopping.

Hope everyone is ready for the new week.:D

Hi, everybody! I'm on vacation this Monday and Tuesday. Today I have an appt with a dermatologist; tomorrow's the followup for my thyroid. My mom called me yesterday - she was being admitted to the hospital for viral bronchitis. Now they're hanging on to her because they're suspecting COPD. Smoker, drinker, overweight ... sigh. Her dad was diagnosed with COPD at 67 himself and died from it several years later. She's a stubborn, smart lady who knows the consequences of her choices. I'm sure many of you can relate to this dilemma.

Marie - your new baby is adorable! What a happy-looking pack they are!

penguin - I don't think there's anything wrong with lose/maintain/lose/maintain/lose/maintain. All things in their correct time! I so envy you your willingness to work out ... I haven't done it yet and I'm a pound from my (preliminary) goal! Better health is better health - whether it's incremental or sudden!

I've beat the cold, and I'm headed for the pool tonight. This week I'm just going to stretch out and make sure everything works. :)

Hope everything is going well for all!

CruiseCAT: I find it so much easier to not eat out, too. And it used to be such a source of pleasure that, for awhile, there was a fair amount of grief that came with this realization. Now, it's getting to the point where I would just rather eat at home and do so as often as I can work it out.

Marie: I'm glad the doggie introduction went so well. The pictures are lovely -- you have such a happy pack. Yay for another pound!

Onmyway: glad you're feeling better!

patchworkpenguin: can't remember which books I mention on which threads, but the Judith Beck books are the ones that got me to just do it. That it's not about motivation and willpower, it's about behavior and strategy.

Hydra: So sorry you aren't feeling well. Hope the doctor can help out.

ICUwishing: Thinking of you and your mom -- parental illness is tough. Have fun at the pool!

Okay, time to get to something productive. I'm play with a time management system that I've just learned about called The Pomodoro Technique.

Hi Everyone.. another week another goal! I am trying to get motivated or should I say STAY motivated here-- was out of town for a few days with my fiances family and they are all about RED MEAT ( which I dont really process very well) between that and the crap they have laying around ( snacks etc-) really built character QUICKLY when I saw the scale when I got home last night. -- Ugh.
I stayed on all my WW points last night on the drive home from up north ( 8 hours- as its so easy to snack in the car on long rides)

My fiance left for a week as did my son who went to his dads so this is ME week to work and get back on track. I diet so much better when I am on my own!

When others are around its easy to "eat for fun!"

Not good.

I just want to feel balanced again.
My dad is coming into town in a few weeks and I have tons of work this week to process which is good.
I am getting the house take care of for fall., which is fun, I just feel a bit anxious these days.

It is a lifestyle, i have to say THIS TIME... I hope that i can work it. Sometimes I eat because I feel pressured to "fit in" ( Everyone ELSE is doing it.. Ordering steak. etc.. so why not me?) when in turn it makes me feel awful~

Anyway, its nice to be here and share, I am new here. I hope to find alot of support and a place in which to be accountable!


I

LessThanZero welcome!

Marie, your new dog is beautiful and I'm glad everyone is adapting well!

ICUWishing I hope all goes well with your own dr's appts, and that your mother is alright...

Penguin How nice to exercise with your DH!

Me, I'm largely housebound again. My youngest son was home sick from school a couple of weeks ago, and now he will be home sick again. He's got a fever, and I took him to the dr, where they swabbed him for swine flu. We'll get the results in a couple days, and until then he has to stay home. Which he would have anyway, given his fever. DH left for a couple-day trip so I'm on my own.

Newleaf - best of luck with nursing the illness! Not envying you the timing of DH's trip - eek! Stay healthy!

lessthanzero - enjoy your week alone! I'm the opposite - I behave better when under at least a small level of scrutiny. ;)

Dermatologist appt was fun - 2 nurses and 1 doctor tell me I have great skin! He burned off my one aggravating dark spot (leftover from pregnancy) up on my cheekbone with a little electrical wand - it's just pink now! Oh, how I hated that spot ... if I'd known it was going to take 60 seconds and $55, I would have dealt with it years ago! It was my 20# reward, though. :) The other blotchy patch on the other cheek doesn't lend itself to that treatment - I got a prescription fade cream for that. All in all, a fine experience. It doesn't even sting. Cool!

Hi everyone
 

I feel like a lurker, even though I hardly ever come on anymore! ;-(

I just can't keep up when the threads get long, but this is manageable.

I am doing okay and Marie, you are not kidding, its a slow laborious process. I have people all around me dropping very quicky using shakes and cereal bars, but I don't want it to come back this time. I got very small by starving myself about 4 years ago, and this time I want to do it right, because the minute I ate something, I gained it all back, but it is slow.

I missed the pics of your puppies, how many dogs do you have now?

Newleaf, sorry your son is sick, its so hard when family gets sick.


Gardenjoy, pomodoro, I have to check that out. I just stated using quickenonline.com for free! So far it saved me from overdraft this month!

ICUWishing, I am not sure I know what COPD is, I have to look it up. I am sorry you are dealing with that.

Penguin, at least you have a buddy. I think I might try to get up early to do a workout. That might kick this thing in gear!

Take care all.
dm:hug:

Looked up COPD, I think my dad had that. Not good!! He smoked for years too.

Patch - very cool that you and DH are working out together. I know for me having a workout buddy really helps.

Welcome LessThanZero, You've come to the right place for support. The life style change was key for me this time. I didn't go on a diet I made a couple changes; I started counting calories and exercising. Although daily treadmilling and bowflex are my primary workouts I am enjoying more outdoor activities including hiking most weekends. BTW - You are in a GREAT area for hiking. I just did Mary Jane Falls last month and LOVED it!!! Mt. Charleston has 20+ hikes ranging from easy to strenuous. I would be on that mountain several time a week if I lived in Vegas.

Heidi - sure hope DS is feeling better.

Becky - Nice reward and well worth it.

dmc - We're here.... check in when you can. We all understand life gets busy. As for those around you they will not be able to maintain. I think most of us can go on a "diet" and drop a bunch of weight but a true life style change is necessary if I am going to have long term success. I can live my life watching calories and exercise I cannot live a life of shakes, bars, or cookies..... yes cookies..... the latest "diet" my sister was on.

Have a good night ladies!!!

Quick update on Mom: COPD was ruled out (thank God), but it appears she's having a weird reaction to the prednisone nebulizer - it's making her blood sugar spike up. Blood oxygen still too low, but at least she's not coughing up blood any more. Specialists are now involved. Thank you, everyone, for the positive thoughts!

Becky - GREAT news about your mom.

I'm moving a little slow this morning; didn't get up until 4:45 when two of the pups had enough of my ignoring them and decided to take a more direct approach by jumping on the bed.

They are calling for rain today and I'm planning on crawling back in bed with a book; this of course AFTER I take the pups out and wear them out. I still need to get on the treadmill but no cleaning today. The kitchen is all that is left of the "deep" clean and I plan to do that tomorrow.

Well Hogan will not leave me alone so I guess it's time to take them out.

Marie: hope you and Sasha work out the pack walking thing! That sounds like a real challenge.

lessthanzero: Welcome! Lots of good insights you have there -- you have a great start on this journey! My husband is allergic to red meat. It started with just not feeling good and eventually turned into hives all over his body. That was enough to get family to always provide an alternative!

newleaf123: hope you can find something relaxing and/or rejuvenating while being at home with a sick boy.

ICUwishing: so glad the dermatology experience was great for you! Glad there's some good news on your mom.

dmc2009: I'm finding I have to be pretty selective about 3FC. I follow this thread in the morning, the Beck diet thread in the evening, and that's it unless I have some unexpected free time and am in the mood to browse. I post on an exercise challenge thread, but I ignore all the other participants. I don't feel too bad because only a few people use that thread for conversation.

I have chicken stock on the stove. Later it will be applesauce. I'm also going to do a little garden clean up and make pesto from the rest of the basil. Feels like fall!

LT0, welcome to our group. You will get lots of support. Newleaf, I hope your DS recovers quickly. With the flu warnings, it’s a scary time to be sick. :hug:
ICU, you’re selling me on going to a dermatologist. It sounds like you had a great visit. I think the mole on my back has grown and I decided to call one. It’s a bit of a drive but then I can ask about the cosmetic stuff and find out the cost. Thanks for the info! And I’m glad your mom has specialists on her case now! DMC, you have your head in the right place. You’re not in a race with your friends – you’re in this for your health. And I have 4 huskies now. I do believe this is my limit. :dizzy:
Cruise, I echo your words on counting calories and exercising for life. I can do that – I can’t give up good tasting food for fat-free yuck or weeks of grapefruit. Enjoy your doggie walk. My pack and I had our first training with Liz yesterday. After 15 minutes of Sasha and Kai, she described the concept of my Sunday walk with all 4 as suicide. :o BTW, by the end of our walk (a 30 minute walk that took 90) Sasha was a little princess on the leash and Kai was still a little mule. I asked if she had plans any night this week or could she walk with me. We’re supposed to get your rain as well so the training might be delayed but it is so worth it. Since my life revolves around my pack and specifically Sasha’s adapting to her new home, that’s about it. Things are really going well with them and I even heard in my DH’s voice last night on the phone an interest in Sasha. Cool!

I had a huge post typed out then the electricity blinked just long enough to shut the computer down!

Joy, I was flipping through a Beck book at the store and found a sentance like "when a think person is stressed or upset they would never turn to food for comfort because it would never occur to them". That thought has me reeling because although this isn't the first time I've heard this concept its the first time it stuck. So what do thin people do when stressed?? probably exercise!

Marie and Cruise, I have this one voice that says 'losing weight isn't that hard and you've done it before you can do it again" the the OTHER voice says 'you'll be deprived and unhappy, you won't be able to keep the weight off, you'll just fall back into old habits, so whats the point it losing it only to gain it again?" I used to have an exercise mantra; 'who do I want to be?" It refers to do I want to be the 'overweight unhappy person who sits on the couch ' or do I want to be the 'fit happy energetic person?" Maybe I need to dust it off and figure out who I want to be again.

ICU, eeek on your mom's med reaction but glad to hear she's better. How nice to hear that you have great skin. Nice reward! I think in my case its more of a lose/regain/lose/ regain. :o. I was a confirmed couch potato so working out started with a WW tape from the library. It ws 20 minutes long but I acted like it was a marathon. Over the past few years I joined an exercise forum and have gone overboard with my life revolving around exercise or doing nothing at all to somewhere in between. Most recenlty nothing at all. Once I stop for a while such as the recovery from surgery, I find it very difficult to restart. I do get the endorphin high but have to work pretty hard to get it so in some cases I feel there's no 'reward' to the exercise even though I know it helps my body phyically. I've gone through stages of only doing cardio, to trying to lift the heaviest weights I can, to a balance of the two. I feel the balance works best, as in most things.

DMC, sadly, the workout buddy is very sporadic. He says he wants to workout but can often find something else to do. I find if I workout in the morning I'm less likely to skip it later in the day.

newleaf, Hope your DS feel better soon.

LTZ, I find that I do better sticking to my eating during the week when Hubby is at work. He has a much faster metablism than I do and either wants to eat every three hours or stuffs himself and eats two HUGE meals a day. Neither approach works for me, since I eat so many meals alone and was raised to eat meals together I want to eat with him on weekends not alone again.

Patch, Sorry for the lost post! I'm sure it has happened to each of us at one time or another. You'll figure out what you really want and I'm guessing when you do there will be no stopping you!

Marie, Sasha is a beautiful addition to your pack! I can't imagine walking 4 dogs at once!

Gardenerjoy, Pesto sounds great. I have a huge amount of basil and I'm thinking I need to try making pesto. It is definitely fall!

Cruise, LOL 4:45 is NOT getting up early! How many days til Mack returns?

ICU, Hope your Mom is doing better. Glad to hear they have ruled out COPD.

DMC, slow and steady is the name of the game. Unless you WANT to eat diet bars for the rest of your life. Those that lose quickly on fads usually gain it all back and then some.

Lessthanzero, Welcome! Hope you find lots of support and encouragement here.

Newleaf, Sorry to hear your DS is sick. Hope it's not H1N1 and that he feels better soon!

Took a day off today. Went car shopping with DS20. Found and bought a used car. Very nice, low miles, loaded. Was not really planning to buy a car today but felt it was a great deal. I'm still waiting on my biopsy results and expect to hear in another day or 2. Waiting is hard. Hope everyone has a good day!

Marie.... I think youve inspired me for the doggie walks, thats a good idea. !
Its like a building has to fall on me or something for inspiration!
Duh!
I had a good day yesterday, I stayed on plan, at the end of the day ( as I am combining Medifast and WW..) had 4 medimeals and a good recipie for cabbbage soup so, that worked and I had 8 points left over so I dug into some fresh dates with a few pecans as a treat.
So far so good.
I need to drink more water...
I have a Wii fit here at home. I think ill give that a go. It was discouraging once I got it, my son used it more than I did!

Now its sitting.... Grrr I am sure my fiance isnt thrilled about that...

I do love it though.
Frustrating, the phone rings, son needs help, dog jumps all over me and its in the living room and i dont really want to do it in the living room you know. But I cant move the entire Wii into the bedroom so I need to use it the weeks that My son is at his dads and fiance is gone.
I guess its all really excuses but to ME it matters.

I am excited to weigh in next week. I just want to feel better about myself, I guess I am feeling sort of reclusive lately because of the extra weight.
Does anyone ever feel like that.

So much of my life has been dictated because of my weight.
Ive literally QUIT JOBS because ive gained and felt like people "talked"

Insane yes I know. I don't think I have ever admitted that to anyone.
But in hindsight its all true.

Another day another challenge...
How is everyone elses day going?

Onmyway: waiting DOES suck, I hope all turns out ok

Group: I am trying to catch up on everyone and i am sending support to one and all and hope to get to know you all! I am reading through the posts and everyone is so great!!

(((((((((hugs to all)))))))))))))

Thanks Ladies!
 

These threads do get long!

OnMyWay, my positive thoughts that your biopsy is negative! I missed what is going on with you, but that is enough information alone to know that I need to send you warm thoughts!

Marie, 4 doggies, wow, and I thought I had enough with 2 cats, a G. Pig and a fish named Sushi! ;-)

Doing pretty good, need to stop eating at night, but last night had some pb with preztels, not horrible, but not the greatest either.

Walking every day, and even today someone noticed my loss! Its starting to show.

Well, better get back to it.

Good luck and Will Power to all!
dmc

I got the treadmill out for a steady state walk. I watched Cathe's Butts and Guts while I walked, for some inspiritation, and I was thinking of doing the DVD next week. The DVD made my workout 1:13min which again was longer than I thought I'd ment to do, then I joined Cathe and Co for the stretch. 7,500 steps at about 3MPH, which come to think of it is about what my distance said, I think?


LTZ, If Hubby and I plan to workout together that's fine, but have him walk in on a workout and I get freaked out!

Told to me by my friend's 16 yr old son. Your snack made me think of it.
Q: Why did the banana take the prune to the prom?

A: Because he couldn't find a date!

I think we've all done things that we normally wouldn't do based on our weight.

OMW, Sounds like you two found a nice car.

DMC, LOL, on the fish named Sushi!

OMY - Mack comes home on Friday; I'm not looking forward to the drive to LAX but very excited about him coming home. I'll need to work on getting back on my regular schedule of getting up at 3am and not sleeping in until almost 5:00.

I hear ya on the waiting; my biopsy is scheduled for the 27th and just waiting for that day to arrive is no fun. Then like you I'll have to wait again for the results.

The rain has yet to fall here; not sure it will actually make it here to the desert. I did get my workout in and now I am debating on getting my running around done or starting on the kitchen. Guess I should do my running around so I don't have to go out in the rain, IF it comes.

LTZ - I can relate to being reclusive. One of my first post here on 3FC I talked about that. I'm happy to say that I am not that same person.

Hi, everyone!

Cindy, yay for Mack coming home! Having been to LAX once - I can appreciate the lack of enthusiasm for that part!

patch - well done on getting the treadmill out! Mine's still in its corner ... but I did get in the pool finally. Nice joke - I don't know too many clean ones that I can share - too many years in the assembly plant, methinks!

dmc - excellent on the walking! You'll get to goal - it just takes more time than it used to. :)

LTZ - sometimes it takes a while to find the groove! I've figured out what works for my eating, but me and exercise still don't get along too well. :)

OMW- Wishing you patience and lack of worry! It's a very good thing you took care of it while it was still a question ... the worst would be thinking it was all good until it fit the description of known trouble. Hugs!

Marie - oh gosh, it sounds like you've got your hands full with the 16 legged-puppypack. They are so lucky to have you. And glad to hear you were motivated to make your own call. :)

gardener - I love pesto too - yum! Really, can anything with pine nuts and olive oil be bad? :drool:

Mom's going home tomorrow. I spent a couple hours with her today and while she's still short of breath, she's much better. She's dealing with a bit of pleurisy, which is fluid between the lung and the membrane that surrounds it, but they believe it will be OK soon. Apparently, they do call a whole bunch of respiratory-type illnesses "COPD" - it's a pretty broad brush. Really appreciate your good wishes and sympathies - thank you, everyone!

Positive day for me - weighed in at goal today! Put on clothes after the shower, weighed again - and was at 152. Off to doctor - got on their scale with the same clothes, and ... 149.5! My scale is heavy! Thyroid is doing well; he added a low-dose of iodine and boosted my Vit D up to 6000 units til my next check in Jan.

ICU - Way to go! You've hit goal. Time to shop for that new Ipod! Even better to think the DR.s scale is lower than yours! That rarely happens! Congrats!
Glad to hear your mom is doing better.

Cruise, 5:00 is not sleeping in! I so wish I was more of a morning person!

Patch, 1:13 on the treadmill is quite a walk. Way to go!

DMC, thanks for the kind thoughts. Congrats on someone noticing, I find that very motivating to keep going!

Lessthanzero, I got out the Wii fit today. Said it's been 129 days since my last workout! I was walking and swimming this summer but I'm planning to start using the Wii again. It's very convenient.

Dr. called this evening. My biopsy was positive for basal cell carcinoma as he suspected. I will call tomorrow to schedule removal. It's a spot on my neck about the size of a dime. I joked with DH tonight that maybe when he goes to stitch me up he can pull things extra tight to help with some of my loose skin on my neck! DH didn't think that was very funny. He thinks I'm way too critical about the way I look.

Dusted off the Wii today and also rode the bike. Was home most of the day and avoided snacking. I'm getting back in the game!

OMW, I'm so sorry to hear that your test was positve. But at very least the waiting is over and you know. and can proceed with treatment. Is there going to be anything besides removal? I thought your joke was funny, when I was having my cateract surgery I was awake for part of it, and I asked the dr if he could do anything about the HUGE floater in my right eye? I got the impression not many patients on the table ask for requests

OMW - Now you have information to work with - a good thing! Get it scheduled, get 'er done, and move on past! I'm so glad you caught it when you did, and I'm sure you'll have a quick recovery with all the good things you've been doing for yourself on the weightloss journey. Will be thinking positive thoughts for YOU!

Yup, it's officially iPod time. :) I dropped another .5 pound - just enough to change that pesky "5". Slow 'n' steady. I'm not going to change anything for a while - I like the way I'm eating and I don't even want more. So we'll see where it takes me - the journey continues! Much credit to the 3FC community ... I have no doubts that I would not have put up with 10 months of lifestyle modifications without you chickies!

onmyway - best wishes. My father's had issues with carcinomas for many years. He just stays vigilant with the dermatologist and all is well.

ICU - congratulations!!!!

Marie - best wishes with the dogs. It sounds like you're doing all the right things.

Cruise - enjoy your last sleep in!

patchwork - great workout! You didn't even know it was so long. I think that speaks to your improved conditioning.

It's my second week at my new job and my cold is gone. This morning I was at the gym at 5:30AM for my workout and I really enjoyed it. I felt proud that I made a goal to be there and I actually did it. Last week, I had a really bad IBS attack - the worst ever. It was at 2:30AM and the pain was really bad. Now I know that dairy and wheat are having a really bad effect on my body. I hadn't had any in a long time and gave in to my cravings. Yikes. I won't be doing that again any time soon. Time to go to work.

Maggie - Glad the cold is gone and WTG on getting to the gym for an early morning workout. I know I feel so much better when I work out first thing in the morning; it's a GREAT way to start the day.

Sorry to hear about the attack. I'm happy to say that since I stopped coffee and started taking the Align I have been almost normal. I'll share more in the "probiotics" thread I started later today or tomorrow.

OMW - You know we are all here for you if there is anything we can do just let us know; my specialty is research.

Funny.... I asked my doc when he removed my gall bladder if he could "pull my stitches REALLY tight"?

WOO HOO Becky..... I love my little 3rd Gen. iPod Nano. I use the cheap arm bands from China I get on e-Bay for $1 shipped. Takes about two weeks to get them but they are great. Mack goes thru one about every 2-3 months because of how much he sweats; mine last about 6-8 months.

Well I had a feel good moment this morning I took my measurements and although the scales aren't moving I am losing inches. I was feeling so good I decided to try on some clothes in my closet that are what I consider my "goal" clothes (mostly size 8). Except for the fact that I couldn't button them.... LOL..... they looked HOT!!! I'm thinking 10-15 lbs. and they will fit perfect.

Well today I am off to DMV my least favorite place to go. And all because of THEIR mess up. I might even stop at the outlet stores on my way back, why not they are RIGHT there. I HATE shopping but I'm feeling real good and I do need a few tops. Then it's to the bank, library, and grocery store.

Penguin, sorry about your post. That stinks when that happens. I only write mine in word and autosave it because I’d lost so many posts when my wrist was broken. Now I just find it easier. Make both browser and word windows half the screen and type away. Also, I clearly remember telling my DH about 2 years ago that I would never lose the weight and I just had to accept it. It was soon after gaining 25 pounds back after losing ~40 pounds. I’d given up. Then August 2008, I tried again. The only difference was making a promise to myself that I would log my foods the rest of my life. No matter what I ate, it had to be logged. That promise is difficult to keep when the munchies inhabit my body but logging for the rest of my life is how I’m going to make sure I won’t gain it back. It seems like a small change in my way to LOSE but it’s a humungous change in my way to know it will never come back. I have accepted I can’t eat for fun, that others can chow around me and I’ll feel deprived. That acceptance isn’t all peachy but it will sustain my health. I don’t know if that will help you in your seeking answers, but I hope you find what you need because I want you to be the ‘fit, happy energetic person’ because that high that comes with that is so much longer sustaining than food indulgence.

OMW, I’m sorry the doctor’s suspicions were right. I’d ask for the skin tightening as well. DH might be right about being self critical but they haven’t walked in our shoes as a fat person.

LTZ, dog walks are the best way to incorporate exercise back into your life. When your son isn’t at his dad’s he can join you as well as your fiancé. The doggie need a walk. Take him. Also when I read your post about quitting jobs because people “talked”. I think we all know how you feel, like a fish out of water because of weight. I remember thinking that and realized that I can’t remember what any of my co-workers wear or couldn’t really tell if they were gaining weight or whatever (I’m not observant) and the “DUH” hit me – if I didn’t pay attention, I bet no one else was either. It was a very freeing realization.

DMC, since the night eating is your downfall, start planning for those calories through the day. Leave room for them and then you’ll lose the guilt over having them.

Cruise, I am jealous that Mack comes home soon. DH will be gone at least another 3-4 weeks. And shame on you for sleeping in till 5:00. Whatever were you thinking??? Get up lazy bum, that 3:00 alarm has rung, no hitting snooze… :spin::coffee::lol::o


ICU (and joy) add me to the pesto parade. One pot of my basil is dying and the other is ok. I’m going to order seeds today. I need more. I love pesto. OMW’s tomato and mozz salad with pesto and pesto pizza. BTW, I took the olive oil out of my recipe and just do a short spray of olive oil pam and the taste is the same and way less calories. I am glad your mom is improving.

:bravo::dancer::hat::cp::cb::broc::coach::cheer:AN D CONGRATS ICU – your goal attained is reason for a big long happy dance! And the dance will be so much easier with your lighter feet and a new IPOD!!!

Presmaggie, I’m glad the job and your health are progressing nicely. And a 5:30 workout at the gum??? Welcome to the morning exercising club. It’s a great way to start the day.

A doggie update… Yesterday Liz was a little late so I took the 4 dogs out by myself and they were good. When Liz arrived, she worked with Sasha a bit, then with Kodiak whose nose is a little tweaked from the pack’s newest member. Today she was scheduled elsewhere so I did the walk on my own. My 4 huskies walked perfectly. All four of them!!! It was the BEST walk I’ve ever taken my dogs on by myself. Ever. Sasha was introduced to the beauty of walking by headlamp. Her tail wagged high so I think she likes that routine. I’m not as fond of evening walks as there’s traffic. Early morning is peaceful. :stars:

Hi, everyone.

OnMyWay - I'm sorry to read about your diagnosis... :hug: Hopefully they will get you scheduled quick and you can be done... I remember when I had that diagnosis, I was very upset by it... the surgery was pretty quick and now (8 years later) you really can't see a scar. Are they doing Mohs surgery (where they test samples while they are performing the surgery right then)? That's what I had, and I found it to be very reassuring.

ICUWishing - GOAL -- woo hoo!!!! Congratulations!! You have worked so hard for this... woo hoo!!

CruiseCAT - I bet it will be nice to have Mack home soon...

Here, my son did test positive for H1N1, but the worst seems to be behind him, thankfully. He is very excited about getting to stay home from school for the rest of the week...

Marie: glad things are proceeding well with Sasha

patchworkpenguin: it is kind of an amazing thought, isn't it? That thin people don't turn to food for stress. I suppose people who rely on alchohol have the same thoughts about those of us who don't.

Onmyway: cool that you and DS20 found a car for him. Sorry the biopsy was positive but glad you have a plan for it -- and a sense of humor! Sending healing thoughts!

lessthanzero: Good job with staying on plan. I know what you mean about the Wii Fit and the living room. I don't have one and that's the major reason. I know it wouldn't live up to its potential because I'd feel uncomfortable using it in the living room. Since that's our only TV, it's the only option.

dmc2009: A fish named Sushi is funny! Cool that someone noticed your weight loss.

CruiseCAT: Warm thoughts in your direction, too, for the biopsy. Hope today's errands went well.

ICUWishing: I congratulated you on the challenge thread, but that deserves at least two congratulations!

presmaggie: yay for the cold being gone and kudos for the morning workout!

newleaf123: hope DS gets well quickly!

I went to my 10 pound reward movie -- Whip It, Drew Barrymore's directorial debut. It was fun and charming.

Heidi - Hope you are right and the worse is over. When you get a chance will you share your experience with us? When and what symptoms presented, was DS vaccinated?

Joy, thank you for the warm thoughts. I feel a little anxious mostly because I have not talked to Mack about it; not something to discuss over Skype.

Marie - I envy your ability to walk all four dogs at once. I can do two at a time but there is no way I would attempt all four at once.

Well DMV was a NIGHTMARE!!! After spending 2.5 hours to get my sticker I had no desire to shop so I came home in a foul mood. Did another hour on the treadmill, had a smoothie, and now I'm going to take a nice hot bubble bath.

Is is Friday yet???

:thanks: everyone for all of your warm wishes. I really appreciate your concern and support. Scheduled my surgery for Nov. 5th. It is Mohs surgery like Newleaf mentioned. I have a coworker who had the same procedure so I have gotten alot of questions answered.

Cruise, sorry you had such a horrible time at the DMV. I think they train their employees to be rude and incompetent. :hug: Here's your hug for your upcoming biopsy. Waiting and worrying is not easy.

Gardener, luckily our basement is finished so I can do the Wii Fit down there. Last winter DD whose 10 told me she would be my trainer! I wouldn't let her downstairs while I was exercising, didn't want to scare her!

Newleaf, Is your school requiring you to keep your other son home as well? Hope you are doing well being stuck at home! Hope DS is felling better.

Marie, great idea about the olive oil spray. I'll have to try that. Sounds like Sasha is settling in nicely. Sorry to hear your DH won't be home for 3 more weeks. That would have to be hard.

Presmaggie, hope you are feeling better. It must be hard to crave something that wrecks havoc on your system. Great job getting to the gym before work. That can't be easy with little guys in the house, Glad the job is going well.

ICU, I like your no nonsense approach! Now, go get that Ipod!

Patch, After removal I am done, just will have to be observant for other spots that may be suspicious.

Thanks again for all of your kindness and concern. Hope everyone has a good evening. Cold and damp here again today, I have on my flannel pajama pants and a fleece top!

GivTLC Welcome! I'm in PA, too (Pittsburgh area) and I can't believe how cold it's been each morning! Although I just dug up a picture of our jack-o-lanterns from last year, and found a picture of them sitting in snow on 10/29. Hopefully we don't have the same weather again this year!

CruiseCAT The vaccines haven't made it to our part of the state yet, so no, he wasn't vaccinated. The good news is that now he won't need to be. Basically, he was sick for a week at the beginning of the month (stomach ache and fever) and even though his fever went away, he didn't truly seem 100% better for a whole 'nother week. Was that the H1N1? Who knows... He seemed well for 2 days, and then he looked terrible this last Sunday -- bleary eyed, pale, fever, terrible hacking cough. This is when I started to worry. Then, that night he came bursting into our room at 3:30am saying he couldn't breathe. He sounded awful, his breathing was really shallow, and his heart was racing, even after he had calmed down and had been just laying there for awhile. Now I was *really* worried. I made a dr's appt for him that morning (Monday) and was surprised to find that our thermometer was wrong and he was sporting a 104F fever. Very lethargic. Still the horrible cough. They did the test for the virus, which came back positive today. Yesterday (Tuesday) he seemed much better. And today (Wednesday) his fever was gone completely although I wouldn't say he is 100% better. The doctor wants him to stay home for the rest of the week.

Denise Austin's Hit the Spot Pilates: Core, Abs and Waist, & Power Abs. Ouch, I can tell I'm going to be sore tomorrow.

I came home from today's luncheon to find Hubby home on the couch. He's wrenched his back again. I made him do some yoga this evening which seemed ot help. Should I open business as the world's only penguin Personal Trainer??

Everything is ready for tomorrow's luncheon, and evening at Renee's.

Champion sent me the most recent try to get the last order right. This one had one right and one wrong also. I'm giving up! Of the two I like I'll order some of those before the sale ends. I am thinking of sending them a letter detailing this fiasco. I expect a well-known company like Champion to get an order right on the third try!

Did any of you see the Thread about Height, Weight, and clothing size? That was very interesting.

TLC, Welcome

OMW, Glad the surgery will be comprehensive and that no other treatment will be needed.

Joy, Hubby and I had a difference of opinion tonight and I got upset, but I remembered that 'thin people don't turn to food!" and didn't eat anything. I'm glad you liked Whip It. I tend to see all of Drew's movies. I loved Never Been Kissed, and Ever After.

Marie, I"m trying again {and I mean it THIS time!, LOL} I'm seeing progress already. Now if I can just keep in that direction. Good job on the best walk ever!

NewLeaf, how scary for your family! Thankfully, it sounds like your son will make a full recovery. Everyone in my family has had the h1n1 but me. DS14 has mild asthma so I was really concerned about him. He spiked a 103 fever with sore throat, body aches, runny nose, coughing, nausea and vomiting. DD22 had fever of 102 with sore throat, body aches, runny nose, coughing, nausea and diarrhea. DH51 had a low grade temp with sore throat, body aches and runny nose.

No, we didn't get tested because the clinics/hospitals don't want you there. But I was watching DS very closely. He has a Dr appointment next week and I will mention it to the Dr. We have all had our regular seasonal flu shots. But need to ask the Dr about the h1n1 shots. Does my family now have some sort of immunity because they had it? Can they get it again if h1n1 mutates and comes around again as they are predicting? It's weird that I never got it. Most people are joking that I must be the carrier!

LoserMom I'm glad everyone is doing better. DH hasn't been feeling well, although he thinks it is his sinuses. I'm worried about him because he has asthma; he's been away since Monday, should be home this morning sometime. I'm hearing stories about the elementary school being decimated in certain classes, with >50% of the kids absent. Overall, the absentee rate isn't that high, but its definitely >10%. My older DS10 and I both aren't sick. Weird.

welcome givetlc! just a drive by, off to get my regular flu shot...not sure I want to do the nasal spray for h1n1 so I think I'll wait for the shot at the end of the month. hope everyone is doing well this week!

Heidi - Thank you for sharing your experience with H1N1. I'm trying to make an informed decision but seems the more information I get the more confused I am.

LM - Good to see you here again..... we've missed you. Was the fever and illness a reaction to the vaccination or were they sick before? I will be traveling next month; including a cruise and a trip to Disney so will be around way more people than I like this time of year. In the past I have gotten very sick from just a regular flu shot so I stopped doing them; with H1N1 I'm torn.

Welcome GivTLC!!!

Patch - Three strikes and they are out of there in my book. Missed the thread what sub category was it under?

CruiseCAT: love your response to a stressful DMV trip! Exercise, a smoothie, and a bubble bath. That's the way to go with it. I'm sorry you haven't been able to discuss this with Mack yet -- that would just about double my anxiety, I think.
I understand that if H1N1 had surfaced earlier, it would have been in the regular seasonal flu shot. My understanding is that's it made exactly the same way -- which makes me feel more confident about taking it. But in your case, that seems like a really good reason not to take it. Are you allergic to eggs?

Onmyway: so glad you have a friend who has had a similar experience. I've been a cancer survivor since I was 23 and it was incredibly helpful to rely on the experiences of a cousin and an aunt.
That's a good idea about Wii Fit in the basement. We've talked about putting a TV down there with the treadmill, maybe I could work a Wii Fit into that process.

GivTLC: welcome! This is a great group for support of healthy lifestyles.

newleaf123: wow that was quite the experience with DS's illness. I'm glad things have taken the turn toward healing. Continuing to send healing thoughts his way -- and strong immune system energies for you and the rest of your family.

patchworkpenguin: yay for thinking like a thin person!

losermom: glad your family weathered the H1N1 storm. Good questions for your doctor.

weightlosswanted: good job on getting your flu shot. There are some temporary shortages in our area, so we're waiting a couple of weeks to get this on our to do list.

I've been gradually letting myself get farther and farther away from eating what's on the food plan that I make the night before. So, today, I planned a bunch of food I really like and I want to stick to it like glue! That should get me back in the habit that's really working for me.