ICU- i like to zone out with computer games when i've got a full mind - so i can relate to your video games

Marie - hope Tahoe is great, and congrats on your son's wedding! Hope it's a magical day for everyone

Losing 80- Welcome - looking forward to getting to know you more

Chubster - remember, each day is a new day....put what you did behind you, and move on...it's life. Congrats on hitting the gym again.

Jeanie - the Walk Away the Pounds videos are really a nice alternative, enjoy!

On My Way - what a nice idea with the slide show, and smart thinking making stuff ahead

Peanuts- you'll be surprised how fast you rack up your time! 3 months will go super fast

Cat- love your to hike list idea...not sure of distances, but if you've not been to Sedona - it is AMAZING, and beautiful

WLW - shhh, i'll tell you a secret, I keep a notepad open and respond one at a time on it as I read, then cut and paste it to the reply box. Easier to remember everyone this way!

NewLeaf - i need moderation too...i can't do all or nothing, or i go into panic mode - really proud of how great you're doing on your stairmaster

Petra- wild boar! Wow, let us know what you think of it...glad you safely arrived home

Hydra- great job staying on plan, and enjoy the family time

Cassie- great surprise, and you could be at goal by then too!
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Ran my first 5 mile run last night...and amazingly didn't wake up sore. I'm excited I did it, but I was exhausted when I finished! My weight is holding steady, and I decided to have my special brownie last night after my run. I figured my metabolism would be fired up like crazy, so it was a good time to finally enjoy it - and as a reward for finishing a 5 mile run! (my first ever!) - it was so good, but it was plenty, also - didn't feel like I needed more - just enjoyed the nice treat.

OnMyWay – I hear you re: for the sake of the marriage. That’s why DH and I have agreed to never paint a room again, and it’s been 17 years since we painted the last one!

Petra – Welcome home! I’m glad you had a great trip… I have not read Omnivore’s Dilemma, but it’s always been in the back of my mind… Maybe soon.

Hydra – Hi! I’m glad you had a great holiday, and nice job for staying on plan! How incredible it must be to have 4 generations together… That’s not something that I have ever experienced. Enjoy!

CassieRoll – Enjoy planning your cruise! We only go on them when my father-in-law takes us; they are taking us on an Alaska cruise this summer. We are all really excited about it!

CruiseCAT – I hope your hike today goes well and that you have a wonderful weekend!

LambChop – Wow, a 5-mile run!! That’s something that I haven’t done since my college days. You are such an inspiration! Let me just say it again, Wow! I can’t even imagine… And, I’m glad you enjoyed the brownie; it sounds like the whole affair was splendid!

Here, I’ve been spending my morning reflecting on the year, and what a great year it’s been. I feel very fortunate. I’m looking forward to a wonderful 2010! Happy New Year, everyone!

Lambchop-congrats on that 5 mile run! you go girl! Glad you enjoyed your brownie.

I'm going to pick up my babies shortly. Will be nice to have them home with me. I'm planning on making some very mediterranean things this weekend for future use-a chile paste called harissa, pomegranite molasses which you make from boiling down pomegranite juice, and preserved lemons. Very popular in moroccan food which is my favorite of all the mediterranean cuisines-and really my favorite ethnic cuisine period. I'm making my wild boar in pomegranite cherry sauce. Should be interesting. I think I probably won't be eating a lot of pork in the future-finding clean sources of pork is probably the most challenging.

I also want to try to eat more soup this year. Soup is unusually filling for any of you who have read volumetrics. One of the tricks of that approach is to eat a cup of soup before lunch and dinner to fill yourself up with mostly water and gives you that headstart on your brain registering that you have eaten. I also have a hard time getting as many veggies into my menu as I would like and this is a good way to get some extras-provided it is a vegetable based soup and I like soup. I'm going to try to make 1 soup a week. We'll see how it goes.

Hi everyone!
I've been lurking more than posting lately but, now I am posting my news everywhere on this forum - or so it seems. I just hit onederland!
I posted my thoughts on a new thread in the 40's support titled "I reached my first goal" I even posted a couple face shots.

Thanks for being here - You've all helped me more than you know.

Congrats Alley! and what a great day to do it!

So, who knew that the ENTIRE WORLD would be out grocery shopping, going to the post office and liquor store this afternoon??? I was caught completely by surprise by that...

But anyway, I noticed for the first time ever that the supermarket carries one of my most favorite candies ever -- those fancy licorices from Australia. I thought they were harder to come by; sometimes Target has them, sometimes not. And this one little gourmet grocery I occasionally buy fruit at. I looked at them, I pondered them, I reminded myself that the problem is that I can't stop at one, I walked away from them, I thought about how maybe this time I could have just one a day until they were gone (ha!), I reminded myself that it's a special time of year, I reminded myself I could always get them another time if I so desired, I finished my grocery shopping, I went back to that side of the store because I forgot a loaf of bread, I thought about them again, and...


I walked away!!

Way to go Newleaf! That's a major NSV if I have ever heard of one!
I too was amazed at the number of people at the grocery and post office today! In Missouri personal property tax payments must be post marked by today so I'm thinking that is why.

Alley, Welcome to Onederland. That's a huge milestone and a great feeling!

Petra, I am a big fan of soup! One I agree that it's filling and 2 it's easy to toss a bunch of stuff in the crockpot and dinner is done while you do other things!

Lambchop, Glad you enjoyed your brownie. I couldn't remember who was saving the brownie! I think that;s a great story!

Cruise, I'm with you, no big plans for us tonight.

Hydra, great job staying on track thru the holidays! You are doing so well, 40 pounds is when I first started getting comments about losing. Hope you are getting some compliments!

Cassie, a cruise is a great incentive to stick to plan!


Busy day cooking ahead for Saturday's party. Spent some time with the Wii before meeting a friend for coffee this am.

Hope everyone has a great New Years!

Newleaf...what you did in the grocery store was fabulous!!!! I hope I remember to summon it next time I'm in the freezer aisle thinking about Ben and Jerry.

Lambchop...congratulations on the 5 miles!!! My husband has run 3 marathons (finished 2) and says that if you can run 3 miles, you can run 26. I know you are training for a half, and you will absolutely do it!! 2010 will be your banner year...

I have been pretty good the past couple of days, working out and eating pretty clean. I feel better, and I know there is no magic pill...just meal by meal; day by day. And I am feeling confident that a little slip-up will not sabotage my whole effort. That's thanks to all of you, who I see are able to see the big picture.

I'm really grateful I found this site...I have very good vibes that a good mindset and all of you will set me straight. And as I said when I first joined...I look forward to paying it forward!!!!

Happy, healthy new year everyone!!

Happy New Year all! My plans fell through so I watched the ball drop home alone, which is ok : ) I was disappointed because I don't go out much and spent more money then I should have on an outfit. (not super dressy and I can wear it to work or wear the pieces w/ multiple other items) Am busy watching a totally inspiring marathon on ustream...strides across texas (www.stridesacrosstexas.org) where a dj from houston has been running across texas in support of children with cancer. 30+ miles a day for 13 days. Almost 500 miles total! Now that's some dedication! Kevin ran in memory of a family friend who died of cancer at age 6 on wednesday and little Ryan's family as well as my niece and nephew went out to join him on part of the run. Maybe next year I could actually go out and run a mile with him....

I came across this website on forming new habits today http://6changes.com. Towards the bottom of the "quick start guide" is a link for a mantra in pdf that you can print out. I thought it was kind of neat : )

Lamb, Newleaf and Ally, way to go!
Hydra, good to see you!