Hello everyone! I agree, summer is almost here. I live in the Ohio Valley area and we are getting much warmer days and less rain. I hope everyone has a pleasant week. :)

Wow! What an evening. Tornados started just south and west of here and missed us as they began a long destructive path across Oklahoma. Barely missed fiance's place east of the city. Amazing footage and pics. We saw a van blown over and around, live, as it happened on our local news. Scary. I am so tired from the adrenaline rush of getting home and worrying about everyone. So glad all of mine are safe and sound tonight. So far there are 4 confirmed fatalities, I honestly expect there will be more.

Will check back in tomorrow ladies.

I weighed in this morning for the first time in over 2 weeks (no scales available whilst i was away). Happily i'm exactly the same as before, which i'm putting down as a major achievement considering i've been Hotel-ing it for 2 weeks.

I have to say that it was much harder to find healthy options in Canada compared with Australia. Everything is ridiculously loaded with calories, and the portion sizes are huge too. Most foods seem to be not very flavoursome, or the flavour comes from fat and sauces, and choices aren't very varied (eg hamburgers everywhere and steak everywhere!!) whereas we get much more asian influences here with fresh light tangy tastes from herbs and spices from thailand, vietnam, malasia, japanese etc which provides lots more variety without guilt!!

Petra - you said that you see a number 3x on the scales before you adjust your ticker. Sounds like a good idea. Is that the norm around here or is that just something you do?

I'm in the same boat as Annie and Becky with some lapsing going on over the weekend, but i'm feeling motivated again this week (at the moment at least).

Toomuchmoxi - do you live near a gym that does aerobic classes? I started doing them a couple of years ago and they're great. Treadmills and cardio bikes drive me nuts too but the classes are good fun.

barb - must be tough having to bake cookies for your guests! Especially with the smell....... at least i can just avoid buying any sweet stuff so it's not in the house to be tempted by.

motivatedchickie - kept meaning to tell you what fabulous work you're doing on your diet. Top work.

annie: just saw the news stories on line and checked in to see if we'd heard from you. glad you and yours are ok!
hydra: good to see you!

I got up to use the restroom and moments later heard a big kaboom before all the lights went out. not storming and no sirens so I'm guessing a transformer blew...the bang was loud enought to scare me half to death so now I'm awake : )

ICU—I hope you figure things out and don't become one of those rats! Either the events in your life have to change or how your react to them...something. Try to focus on some of the good things that happen randomly too. That helps me when I'm feeling that life is getting to be out of control. Hang in there.

Petra—glad the 219 is sticking!

Motivated Chickie—good job getting in the maintenance mode. Keep up the good work.

AnnieDrews—such pretty pictures, and cute boys. :) I hope the weather changes soon and you don't have to live in fear of Oz.

Wizzie—I think you're wise to get a second opinion. I'd not want to just “wait” if my numbers were so far out of line. I hope you get some answers.

Peanutsmom—I know what you mean about loving celebrations but being glad when there's a break, I find eating well much easier when I'm not around celebratory food! Enjoy your regular routine!

angelskeep—that much be hard to be “on call” for your house! I can't imagine. I also can't imagine baking cookies all the time. Besides the fact that I don't like to bake, I do like to eat! I'd have trouble smelling fresh baked cookies constantly!

Toomuchmoxie—great job reducing the nacho craving to something good for you! And welcome! :)

ange—wow...stayed the same while on vacation...yay! That's an accomplishment to be proud of.


Decent day yesterday. I need to get a little more focused on what I'm eating. I think I'm doing okay, but I think I'm not paying enough attention. When that happens, little things creep in to my diet that I don't notice. So back to noticing. Also, I haven't been taking my vitamins.

I did have a nice walk with my dog yesterday. She and I were both happier after that.

Time to start the day!

slroth - unfortunately a work trip, not hol, but not all bad as i sneaked in a touristy trip to niagara falls!
i have a dog too and walking him twice a day is a top priority and also something i really enjoy both for some fresh air for myself and also to see a waggy tail and happy trot! Not to mention now knowing all the other dog-owners in the area. Really rewarding. Everyone should do it!!

Annie-I was checking in on you this morning after seeing the news footage this morning. I"m glad you and your family are okay although certainly very sad for anyone who was affected.

ange-I have to laugh about your unhealthy food in Canada comments. have you ever been to the US? I've been to Toronto several times and other parts of Ontario at least once. I would have to say in general, I think the culture is more European in Canada and as a result there are definately better food choices there in general. I've never been to Australia so I don't have the comparison.

Toomuchmoxie-welcome to the group. This is a great group for motivation and support. We have another Philly girl and I'm originally from the Philly area although I don't live there anymore. I grew up in Wilmington, DE, lived in Philly for awhile after college and lived in the Lehigh Valley for several years before moving to MS almost 4 years ago (post Katrina).

Wizzie-if your LFTs are that high, and I'm assuming you don't drink much alcohol, you definately need to get that checked out.

Hydra-good to see you. Hope you are doing well.

Barb-yes, my vacation is about a month away. I also have some long weekends coming up. The weekend of the 21st I'm going to New Orleans for the weekend because it is the annual American Psychiatric Association Meeting. It lasts longer than that but everyone wants to go and we can't all go at the same time so I'm just going for the weekend. And the weekend after that is Memorial Day and I'm not working that holiday so I get a 3 day weekend. And boy do I need it.

I was thinking this morning about the fact that I have not gotten nearly enough studying done for my big test coming in Oct and that I may need to take a break from a few of the extra things in my life for awhile-so I don't have excuses not to study. That doesn't include you guys. That includes the yoga studio, the weight loss coach, etc. Things I feel guilty about not doing if i have free time cause I'm paying for it. I need to let it go for awhile so I can focus on studying. I can exercise at home with my Wii and my dogs and I have been doing lots of yard work for a few months. I know what I need to do to keep my weight loss on track. It's more or less second nature at this point. The extra accountability is helpful but not required.

Just a quick check in with a pic someone here in OKC put on their Facebook page today. This hail fell just southeast of where I am!:dizzy: So glad I didn't have this coming down on my car or my roof!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...&id=1347047569

Will check back later. Thanks for all the good thoughts!

Annie - Glad you survived the tornadoes & hail. Tornadoes are a strange entity - you can't see them coming, but they do a lot of damage. A few years ago, I went for a long run and noticed it was weirdly windy. Then I took a walk around my neighborhood & tons of trees were down everywhere. I narrowly missed being swept up in a tornado by only a couple of blocks. Weird.

Ange - I'm inspired that you traveled for 2 weeks and didn't gain any weight. I go on a trip soon to a festival & my food options will be of the fattiest and unhealthy kind (hot dogs, burgers, fries, and eek, funnel cake). I haven't quite figured out how to plan my eating yet, but I'm trying.

As for me, my big trip is coming and I'm freaking out. I have to get my job squared away & do a lot of shopping. I think I'm going to use an online task organizer to get things done. On Thursday, I have to go to small claims court to get a deposit I put down on a house back. The home deal fell through, but the owners claim they deserve the money. I'm nervous, but it will be empowering to have my day in court & get my $1,500 back.

Weight program still on plan and I'm thrilled with how I look. It's taking longer getting ready for work in the morning b/c I stare at my back in the bathroom mirror. My back is now my favorite part of my body - so svelte & I now appreciate my broad shoulders.

petra - yes, i've been to USA a few times, and yes you're right, the choices and food sizes there are even worse than Canada! It's awful, and sad. And there doesn't seem to be the demand to change. Aus is a bit better but there's also heaps of fast food and burgers here too!

motivatedchickie - your trip sounds very tough food-wise. Any options for buying supermarket food? eg tins of tuna/salad/veggies/cupasoup, or getting hold of fruit as snacks? Or maybe you're just going to have to do the best you can, but try to eat regularly rather than getting too hungry and then pigging out. The important thing is to get back to your healthy choices again after the festival. And hopefully squeeze in a bit of running. You're sounding busy! Funnel cake? What's that? (We have funnel-web spiders in sydney and they can kill you, so hopefully different ingredients involved.....)

Hello fellow Chickies! I'm a re-newbie. It's been over a year since I last checked in, and I've gained about 30 lbs. I can't do it anymore. I'm not at all happy with myself, and I absolutely need to do something about it.

I walk my dog everyday, at least 2 miles, but it's not very aerobic. My dog is very large and getting old, so he doesn't walk very fast any more. But I think any walking with him is a good thing - for both of us.

I look forward to getting to know all of you. :)

Lol Ange, funnel cake is the ultimate fair/festival food, that and elephant ears! Deep fried, high carb, sprinkled with confectionar's sugar...major yum! I gained 5lbs just thinking about it : )

MC: sounds like you have quite the trip planned! what festival are you going to? think portion control: share the funnel cake w/ 2-3 others. All you need is a taste, not the whole thing. What about turkey legs and roasted ears of corn? Much healthier I think and still yummy : )

Welcome IDBigbird : ) you're right, any walking is good for both you and your dog!

Well I haven't made it to the pool or fitness center here at the new apartment but the trip to work includes more walking, including a hill and some rougher terrain. Got some adjusting to do as I have to leave earlier and am getting home much later : ( hoping it will be worth it in the end!

A quick drive by this morning before school! I promise I'll be back this afternoon for some very overdue personals! Sounds like everyone is plugging away. I've got a great lunch packed and I'm looking forward to a great day!

Welcome back, IDBigBird!

Ange - Funnel cake is batter/dough that is poured and cooked in pan of oil and deep fried and covered with powdered sugar. From your comments, I definitely need to rethink my eating plan. I'm going to be with other people who will see no problem with living off beer, pizza, fries and burgers all weekend. I'm going to need to find a produce store in Detroit & do some of my own food prep in advance.

Weightlosswanted - Walking to work helps me stay fit, but I do other stuff too like running and dancing. But I'm single with no kids, so I have more time than most. I used to watch a lot of tv online, but I've given that up for exercise instead. The festival you asked about is an outdoor dance music festival in Detroit on Memorial Day weekend. It will be filled with music & opportunities to dance for several hours each day. Exercise won't be an issue, but in the festival they have your typical food/beverage stands of junk food & "healthy" things like sugary lemonade.

Well friends, I have to fess up. Last night I had a big binge, which reminds me that I still have binge eating disorder. Here's the food list: 4 candy bars, 1/2 pound of tuna salad, 2 oz. pita chips, 8 oz bag of nuts/trail mix, french fries dipped in guacamole, and maybe something else, can't remember. I felt sick last night and this morning. But I have dealt with this disorder long enough to know that the best way to deal with it is forgive myself and move on.

I never weighed myself after binges b/c of the shame, but got on the work scale, which said I was only 1.25 pounds heavier than yesterday. That is a comfort and is a reminder that one binge is not going to derail my diet. So today, I recommit to my plan and hope to have a productive work day.

Hope you all have a good day. :)

Quick howdy here. Have to make 4 dozen cookies this morning for an event here in town. It's been rainin since yesterday and I'm hoping it will clear up b/c I need to get out and walk along the river or something for a bit today. Back later to catch up.

Barb