Hi, everyone. I am so happy whenever I log on and see your familiar posts, it makes me feel like I'm not alone in my struggles.

Deb, thank you for your good advice. Yesterday, I ate nothing but fruits and vegetables and a protein bar, plus popcorn (but no butter), and today the same but with some string cheese and lean turkey. I am dying for sugar, but am determined to stick with it to see if I can get rid of the craving. Glad you are feeling better, too.

Maddie, I know what you mean about the numbers. Although I am not having the success you are with eating, I am sometimes stuck on what the scale says. I thought that not eating any junk yesterday and today would suddenly reflect on my scale, and it showed that I gained a pound! I was horrified. But then I read Deb's advice, which is to note body changes, and I think I am really going to do it, and use a tape measure to keep track of where things are.

Blueflower, I am glad you have a workout buddy, and that she will be with you on your camping trip. Of course, nothing could get me to camp except maybe falling out of a plane into the woods, but to each her own. I did see that you were here in San Diego, hope you enjoyed our fine city. The weather has been really nice, though hot where I am inland. I will be heading to San Francisco for an art exhibition in October, really looking forward to that, but it will be hard staying with my sister and staying on track food-wise.

Kittehmomma, so happy furbaby is better, too bad about that rat, but I bet he had it coming.

Eulila, welcome and let us know how you're doing. And Jackie, all I can say is, HATS and water. I am extremely prone to heat exhaustion, and the only thing that helps me is to wear a hat outdoors and drink plenty of water before I get thirsty, because by then it's too late.

Okay, bye for now. Success!

Stopping by to say hi.

Been kind of hiding somewhat. My best friend of 30+ years lost her husband last week in a freak accident. Her husband was like a brother to me so just feel like we are all still in the twilight zone. It's been rough, funeral was really hard on the emotions. Watching my friend hurting so much was almost more than I could take.

Hope everyone is doing well, I haven't had a chance to read back yet, just wanted to say hi & wish everyone a good week. I'll be back when life starts feeling real again.

Onaboat - so sorry for your and your friend's loss. Hang in there.

foodfighter - good for you for fighting those sugar cravings - you will get there!

maddie - love the hubby/butt comment - you know you're making a huge difference when the men in your life notice

lambchop - that's so cool about your BMI testing - I love the idea that you're burning so many more calories with that extra muscle.

Doing okay here - off plan a bit this weekend with some comfort eating but back in the game. Went for a great walk tonight. Hope everyone's doing well...

Wow, OaBoat, that's horrible... Please take care!

I cannot believe that I havent had any TB for 23 days. I just cant believe it.

Hi FFighter, we were inland a bit, the Lost Abbey Brewery is in San Marcos, then Stone Brewery in Escondido. The Toronado was in SD, proper. Then we camped at Onofre Beach, we never saw the sun. I do LOVE camping, this weekend will be up in the Sierra's, and it will be COLD, so I have to be extra careful.

CAMPING FOOD: Cant be too difficult, too messy, quick lunches out on a trail... I'm going to start a list of our better meals. Traditionally it's sandwiches and steaks.

Happy Hump Day!

Hi everyone! Things are going okay here. I have just been obsessing about getting this last 12 pounds off of my body! I had hoped to be at goal by now, but am happy with my progress anyway. I am going to shoot for Christmas to be at goal. If it happens before then, great. I hd to buy some clothes and I kept telling myself that I wanted to be down another size when I reach goal, but I really need the clothes, so I bought them. Although I want to be a size smaller, I hope I am not wasting my money.

I ordered our Trans Siberian Orchestra tickets last night!! Can't wait! It has become a tradition for me and the boys, we've gone 4 years in a row now.


Eulila-

Maddie-Hang in there, you are doing great!

Foodfighter-I get encouraged reading here daily, too!

IOAB-I'm sorry for the sadness in your life right now. We lost our neighbor out at fiance's and are having his memorial this weekend. It's tough.

Hi Dancer!

Blueflower-23 days?! That's awesome! I missed the camping food question, but there was a thread floating around somewhere a while back on that topic. I love camping too and haven't been for a long time. Had promised the boys we would go this summer or fall, but haven't gotten to it yet. Not sure when we will get to go.

W1W3 in the bag! Had to go running alone ... but I did go running. I like this program.

Dee: so sorry about your friend. I understand about that feeling of unreality, I still feel that sometimes even now, two years later. Take care of yourself, and take time to be with people who love you and will let you talk about your loss.

Blueflower, way to go with 23 days, I'm in your corner all the way.

Annie, I have finally decided that I have to have clothes that fit me NOW, not when I weigh what I want, so I just buy as inexpensively as possible without buying junk, and I'll deal with size if/when I get smaller.

Guess what? Today is day 3 for me without bingeing, in fact without any junk food at all! I've been eating all fruits, vegetables, lean turkey and string cheese, rice cereal and, of course, coffee! I dreamed last night that I bought 2 venti frappucinos and drank them both, but it was, thankfully, only a dream.

I am getting my strength from 3FC and 40 somethings everyday, so thank you all.

Morning All!

Crazy crazy day yesterday so not time for posting or reading. Today is a much slower pace which suits me just fine!!

Glad to see that everyone is doing fairly well! So sorry to hear about the losses some of us have suffered. I've had some of those and it really throws you for a loop.

I am still on track and even managed to increase my walk with the dog by 15 minutes today. I am also doing some hardcore housework so that should be good for some extra burning!

I know that many people mentioned support from buddies/family/etc but has anyone made a challenge or bet with them? One of the reasons I am doing soooo well (besides that a lot of my yeast is killed!yay!) is that I told hubby that if I can get down to 150...then he should be able to quit smoking. He agreed (I'm sure thinking it wouldn't happen for a loooong time). 'Cause I am one of those uber competitive people and when there is a challenge, I refuse to lose! Also like to have the last word too.

Have a great day!!!

FF - you've got this!!! each day will get easier - avoid those processed sugars girl! Your cravings will slide away

Dee- i'm so sorry for your loss, what a tough thing to go through

Dancer- glad you enjoyed your walk, comfort eating kicks my rear often

Blue- way to go on 23 days!

Annie, it will come, just keep working towards your goal - love the Trans Siberian Orchestra music at Xmas time

Becky- isn't it awesome? It builds you perfectly - legs/lungs/confidence! Way to go

Maddie, creative ways are always great! Hope you get DH to stop smoking

---

I fly out next week, and my belly is getting nervous realizing my next half marathon is a little over a week away. I don't feel prepared this time, so reality is inching in on me. I'll do what i can, i'm fine with that -- but my body has to go through this fun process each and every time i do one.

Food choices are staying pretty consistent...no chocolate, binges, etc...yeah and just moving forward - going to do a lot of short runs this week with one long run - just keep consistent

to share from the first one I did in March - (trying to "build myself up this week") - This October marks 1 year that I've been running consistently.


princess-1 by 4deb, on Flickr


princess by 4deb, on Flickr

Hey everyone! Weird things going on in my life lately. My boys' Dad is in intensive care. From what I've heard, it sounds like he may have a viral infection around his heart. Hope we know something soon. Even being sick and in intensive care, he still called and was yelling at me last night. Long story....but the boys are with me until he gets out of the hospital.That, coupled with trying to make plans to get out to fiance's for the memorial service for our friend is just stressing me out! We had pizza for supper (with breadsticks...what a combo, huh?) last night. I still weighed in at 151.5 so I am hoping it holds until tomorrow and I can change my ticker!


ICU-Great job!

Foodfighter-Congrats on the 3 days! Hope today is good, too. What a dream, huh?

Maddie-Great job on upping your walking time! I'm glad to hear about hubby's commitment to quit smoking. When I reach goal, that is my plan, too. Fiance says he will quit, too.

Deb-Don't let the upcoming run get to ya! You are getting to be an old pro at this. Seriously, I've said it before, but have to say it again. You (along with the other runners here) are such an inspiration to me. Thanks for posting your lovely pics.

Hi all! Just a quick post. I hate when work actually expects me to work Things are going well. Lost 3-1/4 pounds on Tuesday at WW and considering I was far from perfect, I was really happy with that! Busy weekend ahead, so I'll try and keep my head down and make good choices.

Annie: I saw your post about Trans Siberian Orchestera. My husband and I LOVE them and saw them a few months ago in Philly. They were touring with their first non-holiday CD - haha almost wrote album. Old habits die hard.

I saw your later post and hope you hang in there.

Deb: Good for you and the run. I have a few friends who run and at this point, I can't even imagine trying it. Hat's off to you!

Maddie: Way to go with the challenge. Great idea to keep you motivated and benefit both of you!

Foodfighter: That's awesome about the binging. That's definitely a big one for me. I have a habit of opening the kitchen cabinet and just grazing there for awhile.

Have a great rest of the day!

Madeleinesmom-Good to see you and congrats on the loss!!

Things are still weird here. Going out to fiance's tonight instead of tomorrow for the service. The boys' Dad is getting out of the hospital (I still don't know what is going on there, but I guess they would not release him if it wasn't safe). So they are going to his house until Sunday while I am out at fiance's. I really need to be at my house working on getting organized but it will have to wait. I DO NOT want to spend the entire day Sunday working and I probably won't. Not happy with my progress on the house, but it will get done eventually I suppose.

The scale was up to 154 this morning. I'm not going to panic as I think I had too much sodium last night and that may be the culprit. I am going to have to be very careful this weekend as there will be lots of funeral food. I will enjoy some of it, but can't go willy-nilly on it.

Have a good weekend everyone.

May I just jump right in? I think I will make this section one of my homes here, since I am definitely 40-something

I can't take the time to read all these pages in this thread, so a little about me:

Wife, mother, homeschooler, worker, RA suffer, and FINALLY gonna do something about my weight.

I am finalizing my "plan" which will basically be an exchange system. I read and read and read here to 2 days now, and I have gained a whole lot of helpful information.

So "Hi Everyone" and I hope that I can eventually contribute some things of substance, and not be the "newbie".

~flamanette~

This is my 2nd post. I am easing into this. I will be slow to get to know everyone (my apologies). Also, I often times cannot stand to type. I have exercised fairly regularly this week, My weight is the same, which is actually good since my eating has been questionable. I am trying to avoid drive thrus, take out, and fast food in general. I guess I need to get one of those tickers.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

eulila