40 Something - November - Week Three Chat
 

I think you guys normally start your new thread on Sunday and since this is going to be kind of long, I figured I'd start the new one. I went to my yoga workshop this afternoon and I told you I wasn't sure what this was going to be all about-well it was intense. It was an introduction to the Yoga Sutras and then she integrated some of the themes from this ancient Hindu religious text into some of the physical aspects of yoga. All I can say is Wow! The Yoga Sutras are apparently written in the form of poetic verses which have been interpreted in various ways. It is a short book. Apparently has 4 chapters. She summarized it sort of like this: The first one is about acknowledging the darkness we all have within ourselves, the second chapter is about confronting the darkness and fixing it using various tools we have at our disposal.

One of those tools is finding balance in our lives. She used this as in intro into the physical part. We did a whole bunch of sun salutations to warm up and then she got us to try a whole bunch of wild balancing poses. See pictures, I hope. She then talked about the second two chapters which are she summarized as being about becoming grounded in your new life, shedding your old bad habits and sowing new seeds (like farmers), and lastly, becoming transformed individuals. She used these themes to get us to do some intense hip opening exercises. I'm not very strong, but I am flexible so I didn't do well with the balancing exercises, much better with the hip openers. She has inspired me to read the Yoga Sutras. Great way to spend my Sunday afternoon.

Great job at the meet ICU.

That sounds wonderful! I love yoga. It's the most peaceful feeling in the world to me.

Well, I got off my unmotivated butt and did a WATP video. Go me!

way to go petra and cassie! I hope I can start doing yoga again soon.

icu: good job on the swim meet, I'm so impressed!

Why do weekends fly by so quickly???
 

Petra - glad you enjoyed the workshop - sounds like it was an interesting experience

Cassie - did yuo do your WATP video yesterday?

Marie - glad the dermatologist gave you an all clear and the chiro appt went well - amazing how far you have come, when you look back at where you were - and snowshoeing...wow!

LOVE the pictures!!!

---
Woke up to another pound gone..18 pounds. I know Marie is pushing to get to the 130's, I'm laughing...i'm excited because I just pushed into the 230's! LOL - and it felt good. Goodbye 40's....

Today I start Week 5 of the C25K...another day, another workout. :)

Great pictures Marie. The site seems to be acting up again so don't know if we will be able to get on later.

Good morning and Happy Monday! DD woke up with a stomach ache so I was easily swayed to stay home with her from school. Sometimes you just need to spend the day in your PJ's!

Marie, I enjoyed your pics! The snow is beautiful. My favorite family pic is the one where the dogs are misbehaving and your DH is laying on the ground! I think it would make a great card! Glad your visit to the dermatologist went well. Now to just get that spine stuff taken care of!

Lambchop, Congrats on another pound! You should be celebrating, each pound puts you one step closer to your goal!

Petra, The yoga workshop sounds interesting! I have never done yoga but hear it is great for flexibility.

Cassie, welcome to our group! Way to make yourself get moving with the walking video.

ICU, great job on your swim meet! You should be very proud of yourself. Hope DS wasn't too miserable waiting for you!

Hope everyone has a great Monday! Hopefully the site will be working better soon. This has been a little frustrating!

omw - you go, girl! Good day for some peppermint tea and PJs. Best wishes to DD for it just being one of those temporary kid things. DS10 now fully understands why I choose to time at his meets :lol: !

marie - Thanks for the pics! Your family is delightful and I second OMW's suggestion about having a card made up with that pic. :) Great job on taking care of business with the dermatologist, and may you see rapid results from the chiro! Snowshoeing is on my list of things to try this winter, along with x-cntry skiing.

lambchop - yay! EVERY pound lost is a celebration, no matter where you are. It didn't fall off by itself - you worked for it!

Petra - you're making me want to take up yoga again. Sounds like you've got a great instructor who can put the exercise into context. What I remember most about yoga was the way it cleared my head for hours (which sometimes made the drive home a little interesting!)

Cassie - welcome aboard, and on getting off the couch!

Thanks to all for the support on the swimming! I'm glad to have this option back in my life, and to not be cringing at the thought of being in a swimsuit! Next meet won't be until January, when the season really gets going, so I have plenty of time to get stronger.

I've been less than rigorous about logging food this month, so my current focus is to get everything written down. Ticker is starting to creep in the wrong direction and I can't say with 100% confidence it's because I'm building muscle. With only 10 days to Tgiving, I need my good habits back!

ICU and OMW, I love the pic when the dogs knocked DH over. I put it on my work laptop desktop so I could enjoy it for a long time. DH wasn’t thrilled with that one for Christmas cards so we chose a different one, but I also had a 5x7 of it printed so I could frame it. :D


ICU, so you're getting started for your January meet? I think it’s so awesome you raced this past weekend. It’s like taking a piece of your life back, isn’t it. That’s the way I felt about downhill skiing – I’d stopped for about 5 years – too fat – and when I started back up I swore it was for good. I love it too much so I get your wanting/needing to swim competitively. And I bet you’re looking great in your swimsuit!

OMW, ooohhh a day in PJs. :carrot: I’d love that. Enjoy the time home. I agree the site has been a bit frustrating. But since it’s free, there’s no room for complaint. Besides we all should have a few other things to do instead of surfing. Alas, I kept hitting 3FC this morning until it let me in. :o


Petra, the site does seem like a minute to minute adventure. The joys of technology.

Lamb, YEAH!!!! On the pound gone. :carrot: ICU is so right – you worked for it! Every new decade of pounds is like a celebration so enjoy it!

I suppose back to work and hopefully post this before the site vanishes again. :o:dizzy:

Marie

Lamb-congrats on the lb!

ICU-the clearning my mind thing is probably the most appealing part of yoga to me. You can imagine all the garbage I have to carry around in my head-not just my own but a bunch of other's people's too. It's very therapeutic for me. I'm impressed with your ability to swim competitively again. Can't imagine having that kind of discipline at this point.

OMW-a day in PJs is always nice.

I had my first pictures taken today. I am having a lady at work take a picture of me every month so I can document my weight loss this time. I'm going to put them on my blog when she sends them to me. I didn't take a deliberate "before" picture so I'll have to look through what I have and see what works. That should be interesting.

Marie: thanks for sharing your pics, I'd forgotten how beautiful the snow can be!

LC: you're doing great!

Cassie: welcome!

ICU: I've never been good at planning and working towards a goal, I'm quite impressed!

Thanks for the welcomes, ladies!

I did it again tonight! Woohoo! I just love those watp videos!

Marie: Those pictures are beautiful! I'm sorry your asthma was bothering you.

Hey everybody! I have not been around because my bf has been having health problems. He is in the hospital and should be coming home tomorrow. I will keep you updated as to how he is doing.

I have been grabbing pretty healthy food on the run and I will weigh in on Wednesday. I hope you all are well. I missed you guys.

Giv, Just read your post but time does not allow me to respond as I should. I promise that I will after work, but know that my heart goes out to you.

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday!

Giv- i'm sorry you've gone through struggles and painful situations, and have more to face...but we must go on. (hugs) I understand hibernating and isolating, but it doesn't help anyone - even you. Get out for just a tiny bit, do things with your boys - make yourself move - it will help you stay in a better place. Find things to celebrate, and try not to look at only the difficult times- because sometimes those tiny victories and thigns we're thankful for can offer us so much strength in teh moments we need them most.

Ran last night - weight steady - otherwise not much going no. I have work to do, since i get to play next week in Florida...will check back later to catch up with everyone

hydra: sorry to hear about your bf, hope he gets to come home soon! good job eating healthy while you deal with that : )

giv: wow, so sorry you've had all that to deal with : ( will keep you and your family in my prayers!

missed my bus so I'm back home briefly. appointment with my endocrinologis tomorrow, see what she says about how I'm managing my prediabetes.

Giv - Wow, that's a plateful. Thanks for letting us help share a tiny bit of the burden, and if it feels better to write it, you know we are here. It is incredibly difficult to focus on yourself during times like these, and it even may seem wrong or selfish. However, it's imperative to treat your body as well as you possibly can, because it will help nourish your spirit. And as you said, your boys need you. You are their role model and they will see your strength as you navigate these choppy waters. Don't give in to the desire to retreat - get as much bright sunlight as you can, feed yourself with the foods you were designed to eat, and acknowledge the moods. Write about them, cry, and FEEL. Get some 3rd party support if it seems right. YOU WILL BE OK!!! :hug:

Hydra - Glad to hear your bf is coming home soon, and that you were able to make the good choices. Missed you!

wlw - good luck with the endo tomorrow!

Back to my eating plan, and did the planned swim last night. Pleasantly surprised not to be dogged by "food hangover" from the less-than-stellar choices made recently. Instead, I just feel good and in the groove again.

Hi, everyone. Checking in... I've been busy, just hamster-wheel stuff.

Giv so sorry to read about all of the hardships you have faced with your family... :hug:

Marie the thing that is so great about that final pic where the dogs go crazy is that you can sort of feel the stress building to it in all the previous pictures. I loved it! And I can't believe the snowshoeing... I am so not ready to be thinking about winter...

Here, I just finished working and paying bills, so I'm on my way down to the basement and the elliptical. The weather has been great here lately, and we went on a nice 6-mile family bike ride on Sunday. Nothing too strenuous, but DH and I are just so glad to be able to get the whole family out doing something that we all enjoy... We've even gotten my MIL to join in!

Giv, :hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:many hugs to you. I am so sorry about the loss of your mother. I can only imagine how much you miss her. And your father, a double whammy. You are doing so excellent in spite of the stress and pain in your life. I love that you're looking to the future for you children and that you need to be healthy. You are a strong, loving person. :hug::hug::hug:
Marie

Petra, that’s a great idea to have a friend take your monthly pictures. I don’t have hardly any pics of before since I was quite sure the camera lens would shatter.

WLW, snow is pretty – just not when driving on a pile of it that’s built up on glare ice.

Cassie, actually my asthma wasn’t bothering me – DH was worried that it would since the snow as 16” deep. I have exercise, illness, allergy, cold air and elevation induced asthma. With the cold, exercise and elevation, DH wouldn’t take a chance so he led all but maybe ¼ mile.

Giv, my favorite (by far) WATP video is the 1 mile jog. When I first got it I didn’t think I could do it but I tried and it quickly became my top favorite. I bring it on vacations so I have something that elevates my heartrate a little. You should give it a try. BTW, I love, adore, worship summer. To live through winters without depression taking over my life (I’m bipolar) I had to adjust my thinking. I love downhill skiing and so I put it back into my life. And snowshoeing is like a summer hike in the snow. Adding the outdoor activities makes winter actually fun. I cannot believe I actually wrote winter and fun in the same sentence. AND Way to go on the 2.2 pounds and moving into the healthier BMI!!!!!!

Hydra, congrats on picking healthy foods during a stressful time. I hope BF recovers quickly.

Lamb, great job on the run. You are doing awesome.

ICU, I really like food hangover. I’m with you on the not so stellar choices. I’m staying in my calorie range but the dark chocolate monster has inhabited my body for nearly a month. Yesterday I chose my 100 cal portion of M&Ms instead of a 100 calorie apple. Bad me. Today I’m trying to make better choices. Since the choco monster is lurking loudly in my ear, I need to be strong.

Newleaf, enjoy those excellent times with your family. Your bike ride sounds so inviting and fun.

Like Newleaf, nothing new here – just the rat race of the work week. I so need to find a way to become independently wealthy so I can play all day. Work, how I hate it, I’d much rather play (I believe my favorite saying is Horton Hatches the Egg from Dr. Seuss, my favorite author).
Marie

Wow. A lot going on here today. I had a very stressful day and I'm glad its over.

Giv-congrats on the 2.2 lbs. Sorry to hear about all the difficulties you've had in the past year or so. I don't know what your situation is but there may be some grief support groups in your area or it might be helpful for you to see someone individually for some counselling if you have insurance for that.

Cassie-welcome and good for you for getting your mojo back.

Good evening friends! Another rainy wet day here in the midwest. Keep trying to remind myself that last week we had beautiful fall weather, but it's not easy!
I'm in a good mindset and routine and have done well following my plan since the beginning of the month. DH had a meeting tonight, DD had swim practice so DS20 and went out to dinner. It was nice to spend time with just him, we don't get to do that often. I am very blessed to have a great relationship with him and we had a good evening together.

Giv, Your post really touched me this am. I lost both of my parents very close together. It is never easy to say goodbye to someone you love but you will find it in yourself to get through it. Taking care of yourself, eating right and exercising is the best thing you can do for yourself. I am also not a winter person, I don't like the cold or the dark that comes with winter but exercising regularly can sure help beat the winter blahs.

lambchop, I'm a bit jealous of your trip to FL. Hope you have fun!

WLW, hope your DR. appt goes well tomorrow!

ICU, glad to hear you've found your groove. It's a great feeling isn't it?

Newleaf, you bike ride sounded like fun. Great that MIL could join you!

Marie, when you figure out how to be independently wealthy, please share it with all of us! I'm also not a big fan of work, but I realize I need some of the structure that it provides.

Petra, Hope tomorrow is a better, less stressful day for you!

Hydra, Hope BF is feeling better.

Hi to anyone I may have missed!

I got in a good workout at the gym last night after work. Tonight, I went FOOD SHOPPING! Finally got my pantry stocked with lots of healthy goodies so I can prepare my own meals and snacks instead of going to the cafeteria and being seduced by unhealthy stuff :-) Great way to start off my weekend! Anybody who suffers from the winter blahs is welcome to come down to Charleston for a visit, I'd be happy to have company.

ICU- glad you got your swimming in and the "food hangovers" are gone

NL - that's great about the family biking together - what a great way to spend an afternoon

Marie - hope the work week is going by quickly for you, and you'll soon be playing over the weekend

OnMyWay- glad your plan is working for you - and glad you had a nice evening with your DH

WLW- good job on healthy food shopping and stocking the pantry

-------

Went to the DR yesterday, and this week burned muscle not fat. BOOOooo...so we're changing things up, and switching one of my shakes to cottage cheese and a piece of multigrain bread - since the endurance of my running is increasing, we want to feed the muscle, and not let the muscle fibers burn up

Other than that -- everything is the same. We'll only make one change at a time so we can closely watch changes - what works for me, what doesn't

Getting antsy - I leave for vacation next Tuesday -- oooh, I'm ready now!

Giv, we must have posted at the same time - glad you enjoyed adding music, and so happy you had a better day

newleaf - sounds like you're sticking with it and keeping active! Me too, with the busy ... I spent most of last night picking up a bunch of clutter, and began to think about how much time I have to devote to "stuff" that doesn't advance my goals. (More cave-thinking) I've been piling a lot of it in a future garage-sale area, but now I'm just thinking I'm going to rev up my posting on Freecycle and let it go. It's sunk costs anyway, and then I won't have to spend hours on a garage sale next summer. :D

Marie - I'm with you on the "befores". I can't believe how few pictures I have, and of those, how good I got at hiding behind things and people! My technique with the chocolate demon is to stick to 85% cocoa or higher. It's almost as if I have some sort of a threshold of cocoa that I "need" to be satisfied irrespective of all the fillers around it. Going as pure as possible seems to satisfy me quickly and then the demon goes away. Yeah on the independent wealth! My biggest gripe seems to be the commute time - I am wasting at least 7.5 hours a week getting back and forth to work. Sure, I can fill that time with other stuff like audio books or learning a language ... but nothing that's a priority to me. Ugh! :)

petra - hope today goes better for you!

OMW - yup, there's serenity in the groove! Almost like autopilot - no thinking, just doing. And I've lost the 3lbs of bad-food puff in 2 days. The plan works - work the plan!

wlw - it really does help to have good stuff readily available at home. I've heard nothing but great things about Charleston, so be careful what you wish for! :)

Giv - keep up the good days! Cleaning and fresh air ... and yes, tunes! Music is the great mood-changer of all time. :)

lambchop - doing great!

Nothing much to report. Spouse returns from hunting tonight, DS has choir and swimming, and I will be back in the pool myself. Just groovin'!

ICU I'm a huge fan of freecycle, too. Garage sales just aren't worth it to me, and this way I can get rid of things 1 item at a time as I come across it. Easier to stay on top of the unwanted junk going out the door that way...

LambChop sounds like you are in a good groove; sorry to hear about the muscle loss. Sounds like a good diet change. WTG on paying attention to all these factors!

TLC I'm glad to read you had a good day yesterday... :hug:

WLW Glad to read that you are making the switch to doing more cooking yourself. It really makes a huge difference in the diet... Funny you should mention a getaway to Charleston; I just suggested going there to my DH a couple of days ago! (You may recall from when you first joined -- my nephew goes to CoC).

OnMYWay glad to read things are going well for you. And so nice that you and your DS20 are close. I hope things turn out that way for me, too! Hard to picture have DS in their 20s, when they are only 8 and 10, but I know how fast the years flip by...

Petra I hope you have a better day today... stress-free.

Marie Do share your wealth tips when you find them!! It sounds like a lot of us agree, work as a means to an end. It didn't use to be that way for me; I was very career driven. But having kids and changing my lifestyle has changed that.

Here, spin another cycle on the hamster wheel. I'm on my way to the basement and the elliptical, having finished up work for the morning. Yesterday I went to Wal-Mart for grocery shopping and I've become really disappointed that they seem to have gotten rid of a lot of grocery choice by clearing out a huge amount of shelf space for their own products. And, their fruits & veggies all looked terrible. I was pretty disgusted with it all yesterday, so I think this afternoon I'll have to go to the grocery store...

Petra, I hope today goes much smoother for you than yesterday. You’re in a stressful specialty and I would think there would be some unbearable days.

OMW, Isn’t it cool when our children get to their 20’s. I really love the time spent with them as adults. I agree work gives structure but I’m thinking I’d rather volunteer work to do that. :D Today I absolutely am mad at my boss. Enough to not care about money and walk out the door. But then the mortgage would come due and I’d be in biggie trouble. :(


WLW, ditto on being careful what you wish for. I just love the Carolinas!

Giv, my kids also think we’re made of money and there are many times I’m sure they have more accessible cash than I have. I’m glad you had a good day yesterday. Music is fabulous!

Lamb, to combat muscle fatigue when I really upped my aerobics, I added whey isolate protein powder form GNC to my mochas and fruit smoothies. I can send you the specific name as it adds a creamy taste to both and has few calories. It was a quad saver.

ICU, I gave up on garage sales after my first one. Now Goodwill gets all and I take a tax deduction. I hated the time involved in setting it all up. I also go for the really dark chocolate. Usually the little taste is enough but I think it’s SADD that’s causing the reaching for chocolate. The dark and dreary has gotten to me. :( Ever since the time change. I hate that it’s dark after work. I’d much rather dark in the morning. Enjoy your swim tonight. It’ll be fun.

Newleaf, enjoy your 8 and 10 yo. The time truly does just fly by. I clearly remember like it was yesterday when my kids were my grandson’s age.:o I love my 40’s, wouldn’t want to go back to my 30’s or 20’s, but I would like to have more time with my kids at every stage.

I suppose I should work no matter how irritated I am. Bummer I’d rather chat with you all. But writing here definitely took the edge off my irritation. There are days I think that perhaps working for a school district isn’t worth the hassle and low pay. Maybe it’s time to start perusing the wantads… :dizzy:

Marie

Nuts ... lost a whole rambling post while the site loaded again. I'm getting very, very tired of these performance issues.

OK, here's the truncated version. I hit goal 10/14 and apparently couldn't handle it, began to get sloppy with logging and letting misbehaviors with things like chips and candy sneak back in. Been doing a LOT of thinking lately, what with relationship issues, general need to find fulfilling work, and getting back to the pool. Sunday, a month and a day after goal, I was 5 pounds up. I got pissed off. Since Monday morning, not a bite has not been logged, and the processed crap food is gone. Much water and green tea has been consumed. And today, 3 days later, 4.5 lbs are back off. This tells me that I didn't overconsume on the calories - what I did was eat things that cause inflammation. Low level chronic inflammation is now being correlated with nearly every degenerative disease out there ... and if the newest studies are right, could even be the cause of aging itself. For candy and chips, I very well might have risked shortening my life. Stunning. I have too much left to learn and too many things to do, to voluntarily give up one more single minute. It's all about choices, and this week so far, I am happy with the ones I'm making. :) It's a better kind of happy than was in the potato chip bag.

ICU-what an inspiring post. I have never reached goal but I have a fear that maintenance will actually be harder than losing weight for a whole lot of reasons. More than I want to go into right now. I'll start worrying about that when I get a whole lot closer again. Do you post on the maintainter's board? I bet they would be able to help you with some of those issues.

I wrote a short post yesterday that I also lost. I have been arguing with my ex-boyfriend off and on actually for months. We broke up almost 6 months ago and I honestly don't know why we still talk to each other. I have to say I think it is more him than me. He owes me money-and we're not talking $20 here. I may decide that I would rather forget the money just to get him out of my life. He is coming over today to do some work around my house for.......money! I am going to tell him that I don't want to hear another word from him until after Christmas. I think we really need a break from each other.

NL- that sucks about all the grocery changes - hopefully at the regular store you have better luck

Marie- thanks for the info...i have a big tub of whey protein...2 of them! I used to use it all the time for smoothies - think it's designer(brand name?) whey i have - if adding the cottage cheese and bread don't help, i'll look into adding that

ICU - i hear ya, taking forever for the board to load for me the last few days...

I like your thought process, and am glad you're finding your zone again...and taking control of your choices...way to go

Petra- I hope the break from each other helps you sort things out

-------

Well...yeah.

Ummm, I'm signing up for another 1/2 marathon for the fall. Decided that i don't want to "just stop" and not have a reason to keep working after I get through this first 1/2 in March...

so, I decided to have a goal behind it, so it will keep me moving, and will give me a point to work with. I'll look at what I do in March, and just work to improve it for October...i'd like to know i have something to keep working towards, instead of just "being done" in march...

happy with my decision, and i'm sure in March as i'm going through the 13 miles i'll be like, WHAT WAS I THINKING? but ya know what? if you don't reach for big goals, you won't achieve them

icu: way to go getting back on track!

lc: wpw, not just one, but two half-marathons?! you know you have your own personal cheering squad right here : )

petra: when I moved back to charleston I kind of fell back into an on-again, off-again relationship with an ex, mostly due to loneliness. one day I realized I hadn't heard from him in over a month, now it's been about 18. occasionally I'll get a case of the lonelies and start to reach for the phone....but it was a relationship that isn't going to go anywhere so I don't want to waste time and energy maintaining it. hope the break helps you make a decision!

my doctor's appointment was a bust, they moved the office and apparently it didn't register when I got a letter about them merging with another practice months ago. you would think they would have included the move in their appointment reminder since I haven't been there in four months! I got lots of walking in as planned, wandering around downtown charleston to take pics. even walked up the ramps for 2 levels at a parking garage (someday I'll be able to do all 5!) normally I would have done the stairs but I was pulling my rolling bookbag and dragging up stairs is counterproductive when I use it to avoid carrying weight that will strain my back. I did fall prey to temptation when I stumbled across the Sugar bakeshop and bought myself 2 heavenly cookies...but I also skipped lunch because of it. Not the best choices but hopefully all the walking helped cancel it out!

It sounds like everyone is doing so well, even when you fall off the wagon you've been dusting yourselves off and jumping right back on! Reading y'alls posts is so motivating, especially since I'm not normally a goal oriented person. Today's going to be a house cleaning, laundry washing, cooking day. I'm thinking I should do my big batches of spaghetti etc and just freezing 1 meal portions so I have no excuse about not having time to put meals together before I leave for work...because I can always go to the cafe or deli. For some reason getting my stuff together the night before just doesn't happen. I'm not good at being organized...was thrilled when I learned that a lack of organizational skills and motivation is due to my learning disability and not a personality flaw. I've adapted well in lots of areas but some things just seem to be more of a mental block.

Ok, so I need to eat breakfast before my blood sugar drops out...10 hours of sleep last night but I'm still moving slow : ) I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Not sure if any of you are familiar with "Simple Truths"? I got this in my email today and thought I would pass it on, it has to do with developing a winning mentality. I think it applies to our weight loss journey as well as athletic performance! http://blog.simpletruths.com/recover...ning-mentality

ICU, great job on the logging. I wish I had your full post. Try typing your responses in Word and copy/paste them in 3FC. I’d lost so many posts that now it’s habit to open Word at the same time I log into 3FC. Anyway, very interesting on the inflammation. I know junk food causes me weight gain but I didn’t know about the research.

Petra, good for you on the decision to stay away from BF. Just from the little you wrote, it sounds like he’s using you. You are worth a real relationship and never forget that. As I keep telling my kids a relationship is 50-50. They had both been in an 85-15 and swallowing their pride. One worked it out with their GF and now they’re getting married (and now I’m comfy with that –before, no way). The other has split and the custody battle has begun (first hearing yesterday). Never give up who you are to have a person in your life. Everyone deserves to have self esteem.

Lamb, YEAH on adding the continuing goal. I think that is like maintenance. Once there it’s easy to slip from good habits. Having goals beyond it like ICU does with the swimming is a key. Enjoy your half marathons. Better you than me as I HATE running.

WLW, making and packaging your own spaghetti is a great idea. Then you have control over you intake. Plus it tastes better.
Marie

petra - I started lurking over with the Maintainers a few months ago, and am starting to post. Near as I can tell, maintenance is just like weight loss, only you generally get to eat a slightly higher level of calories. For what it's worth, you might as well get used to the idea that some quantity of your attention is ALWAYS going to be devoted to your food and your exercise forever more - that you will have to give up the past carefree lifestyle around food in order to continue having the benefits of slimness. But the pros ... wow ... so very, very, very worth it! I think everybody would benefit from reading Maintainers, because you're going to spend a much bigger percentage of your life maintaining than you will losing. :)

lambchop - you rock! 1/2 marathons ... incredible! Looking forward to hearing about your training this winter!

Marie - I lovelovelovelove keeping up with the latest studies. Many of them are small but well-designed, because they're being done by independents and nonprofits. I get my best info from Life Extension Foundation, a nonprofit. It's the best $75 I spend each year, and I read their magazine cover to cover. On another forum, I heard somebody express it this way - we're being "farmed" by the food industry, the insurance industry, the FDA, and Big Pharm to have lifestyle illnesses ongoing so that profit can be made - they don't want you dead, but just to not feel well enough to go without treatment and pills. That kept me awake a few nights. Until I figured out that again, there are choices and I can choose to opt out of that whole system. Hm. :)

wlw - it's always an adventure to recognize the limitations we believe to be true about ourselves, and to see what happens when we lift those blinders. That's part of this whole weight-loss thing, I think. For many of us, tackling the pounds represents the first major task (and victory) in our lives!

Sorry to me MIA. My computer has gone crazy and won't let me log in at Chicks. I'm at a friend's . Hope to get the prolbem fixed and back soon!