[CJ]

Good morning ladies:

Well, here we are - the 1st of November already!

Did you all have a good time with all the trick or treaters last nite? Did you have a lot? We don't get any as we live on a private road and it would take them forever to get to our little place in the middle of 40 acres! Soooo .. we go into town and watch all the cute costumes ... I didn't know our town had so many kids! LOL ... next year, we are going to bring our antique fire truck into town and park with the fire dept and hand out our usual boxes of cracker jacks. Hubby and I might even "dress up" too.

We have a new gal in our group ... Her name is Connie ... she has already posted on my November weigh-in thread and has enterered her Bio also (thank you Connie and WELCOME)!

Slyvia:
Did you have a good time with Gino last nite? Did he get lots of "goodies" ???

Peggy:
Are you back from your vacation? Post soon and let us know how much fun you had!

Sharon:
I know you are a busy gal but please come and post .. we miss you!

OK ... got to get dressed and go to the Post Office ... have a package to my sister to get out and a couple pkgs from QVC to return. Then when we get back I have 1/2 bushel of apples staring at me .. have to make applesauce for hubby! He loves my applesauce.

Hope we have a busy week in here ... talk to ya all later.

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK LAST WEEKS CHAT THREAD ....

Love, CJ

[up4it]

Hi Ladies........I found my way to the regular "board" Hurray!. Thanks for the welcome CJ. I will go back and read last week's chat at least and look forward to "belonging" here.

[sweet tooth]

Yes....I am back from the short vacation, but barely. Here's how the weekend went...

We took one of our cars to Calgary to have some work done - $3600. DH's brother did most of the labour, so that was a help, but it really did need a lot of work. We plan to give the old thing to our DD, so want it in good shape before we take it to her. We haven't driven it for so long, we had forgotten how bad it really was.

Then we went to check in on our apartment. Someone had left all the windows open and turned the heat off. The realtor checked it after we took possession and there was no problem then, but obviously, someone has been in the apartment since that time. AND, while we were closing windows and turning on the heat, one of the neighbours had our car towed. Welcome to the world of city living. What is much more frustrating is that he has 2 city bylaw infractions in his front yard... Hmmm does that give someone evil ideas?

By the time we got the car out of impound, the day was pretty much toast. But, we did celebrate our anniversary at the top of the Calgary tower in the revolving restaurant. It was a great evening and as much OP as I could make it. When I ordered no potatoes and extra vegetables, the waiter told us that he was from New Brunswick and there they order no vegetables and extra potatoes.

On Sunday, we went to meet DH's twin brother and their family for brunch. Oh yeah, we got there an hour early. Dah!!!

Then, on the way home we blew the transmission in the car. Just icing on an already deplorable weekend. However, we did come back to an emptier house, since DS and his girlfriend moved out while we were away.

I did gain 2 pounds over the weekend, so it is back to Phase 1 on SBD for me this week. I was careful most of the time, and did exercise a couple of times, but not as much exercise as I would have done if home...and more off program foods than if I were home, too. So, the 2 pounds isn't too bad. It is still within the 5 pound allowance that I plan to give myself when I reach goal. I would just like to reach goal before I start using the 5 pound weight allowance. That will come and I am hoping that it will be this week.

Halloween was OK - I treated myself to a couple of Halloween goodies, but I stopped before it got out of hand. We had a few kids, but everyone was saying that they were down in numbers this year...except for one fellow who said they ran out of candy by 7. It was his first year in his new house, so didn't know what to expect. I will need to put the candy away when I get home so that I don't get into any more this week. I still think that I may have frozen candy from last year at the bottom of the freezer, so the new batch will be keeping it company. I have been teasing DH about getting a little tummy (he has never had a weight problem), so he has been cutting back on the sweets, too. That just means that we have too much candy around.

I have an appointment with a specialist tomorrow morning, so am hoping that it goes well. I will know more tomorrow, I suppose.

By the way, welcome to Thin Group, Connie. Hope you have a great time with us. I know you mentioned what eating program you were following, but I can't remember. Is it going well, so far? Talk to you soon.

[CJ]

Good morning everyone! I'm in a lazy mode this morning - haven't even gotten dressed yet! But, one can do that I guess when they are retired, eh? Have to get out and Vote today ...

Peggy:
Oh dear, what a weekend you had! Eeks! I'm so sorry. But, at least you got to have your anniversary dinner as planned ... the tower sounds wonderful. Did you wear your dress w/speggeti straps?? 2 lbs isn't too bad .. knowing you, you'll have that gone right away! Aren't neighbors grand?? lol .. you can get good ones (a rareity) but there's always one in every neighborhood that's a "bad apple" ... Good luck with the specialists today .. please do let us know ... am keeping you in my prayers.

Connie:
Don't be a stranger now that you have found us ... once again, a big welcome to our group.

Slyvia:
??? where are you girl. Are you still watching your parents house? Post when you can!

I think we may have another new poster with us .. Alana. Ahw posted on the weigh-in thread and I asked her to come and post here with us too .. So hopefully she will ... Welcome Alana to our group!

Well ... guess I better go get dressed. Talk to ya all later ... have a great day everyone.

Love, CJ

[SRR]

Good Morning Everyone;
I'm a newbie.. I joined yesterday and I started the first day back following my WW material. I went to bed last night at 8:00pm, mostly so I wouldn't eat.

If nothing else I will be well rested...

Decided to do things a little differently this time around. Instead of writing down what I eat at the end of the day, I have started to write down the night before an entire day's food. this way I kind of feel like if it is not on the list, I won't eat it.

I know... takes away the flexibility.. but lately I've been too flexible.
Anyhow... day two...
downing my water and praying...a lot..

All the best
shaun

[CJ]

Hi ladies! Not much happening today ... kinda tired as I stayed up until 5:00 this morning watching the election results! What was I thinking???? Getting ready to put a batch of apples on for applesauce. Was going to make some pies too but hubby wants LOTS of applesauce.

HI Shaun - Welcome!
So glad you found us. Your new plan of action sounds good ... that would not work for me, but, then, that's me. I hope it works great for you - I'm sure that it will. That was a good idea going to bed early to keep from eating! Drinking lots of water is a good thing ... actually, I need to drink more than I have been lately.

OK ... just wanted to report in and say hello. Will check back later .. Hope everyone is having a good day.

Love, CJ

[SRR]

Hi everyone...
week is slowly crawling by. I don't know if it is me but I am finding this first week back on the diet hard.

I know I need to commit more. Last night I did pretty good...
but should have went to bed early.
I've noticed that my worst time is at night.

Still...
hanging on though...
hope all is having a good week..
shaun

[Elanajel]

Originally Posted by SRR

I went to bed last night at 8:00pm, mostly so I wouldn't eat.

If nothing else I will be well rested...

Yes, I have done that trick several times myself! I am having a pretty good week staying OP. I have gained (small amounts) for 3 consecutive weeks, which is aggravating, but I am getting on top of the slip-ups and monitoring my habits and attitude closely. My next meeting and weigh-in is on Sunday.

I am also drinking more flavored seltzer to keep the water-drinking interesting.

Hope everyone is having a good week.

[sweet tooth]

Well, I finally made it. When I weighed this morning I was exactly at goal. WOOOOHOOOO. This is a great start to the weekend.

Shaun - It is good that you are writing your food down the night before. I think there is nothing that takes the place of planning. You are right that it takes away the flexibility in eating, but for most of us, I think the flexibility in the first place caused the weight problems that we have. WTG.

Elanajel - Keep being persistent with the program. You will find out what works for you, and also the slip-ups that don't. Good luck on your weigh-in.

CJ - How are you doing there? Sounds like you are spending retirement like I would enjoy spending my days. I would rather have something completely unstructure, rather than the schedule we have been on these past few weeks. DH and I are planning to take it easy this weekend, but we still have my mom's and one of the kid's birthdays to celebrate - we missed them last weekend when we were in Calgary, so have to fit in this weekend.

Me - I'm pretty much worn out. DH and I have been on the go for a few, not to mention additional stresses that we have had to deal with lately. However, we can see a light at the end of the tunnel now. I was at the specialist on Tues. and he said that he can't see any signs of the cancer in the latest tests that he has done. But, he did take a biopsy. Sooo, I am hoping that the news will be good at the end of next week. He has still scheduled me for surgery, but I am on the normal wait list unless the biopsy shows abnormal cells. At least he is taking precautions.

We will need to go to Calgary again next week, so have taken next Friday off work to make it a longer weekend. We had hoped to get out to see the grandkids that weekend, but won't be able to accommodate that until closer to Christmas. Grampa needs to put a skating rink in the back yard this year because they have decided that they should skate over the Christmas holidays...maybe Grampa will get some skates from Santa so he can go out with them.

I have finally finiahed Christmas shopping, will try to get gifts wrapped this weekend, then will need to start the Christmas baking. At the end of Nov or beginning of Dec. I will decorate the house, then sit back and enjoy the season.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Remember....stay OP. You can do it.

[CJ]

Good morning ladies! How's the weather in your part of the country? It's pretty cold here ... I think we're suppose to get "snow" again this weekend! I made 3 big batches of applesauce for hubby yesterday and today I'm going to finish up the apples by baking 2 Dutch apple pies. Then, I'm going online and finish my xmas shopping ... I'm a little behind this year - usually am all done by this time!

Alana - Welcome to the group! Glad you found us and look forward to knowing you more. Post often!

Shaun:
You're doing good .. keep up the good work. I know it seems very hard at first but stick with it - it will get better. I have to tell myself that too .. am trying to get back on my low-carb faithfully. Each day gets a bit better .. remember, WE CAN DO THIS!

Slyvia:
Where are you? Post soon - miss you!

Peggy:
You too girl ... am waiting to hear how your appt went .. and am praying for you!

Sharon:
MISS YOU! Hope you get in here and post soon!

Connie:
Did we lose you? Hope not .. post soon please.

Well ... guess I'll get dressed and get my baking done ... have a great day everyone - I'll check back later to see if anyone has posted.

Love, CJ

[CJ]

Hey Peggy - I think we were posting at the same time! Your post wasn't there when I was sending mine, then "ta-dah" there it was! So - a big WTG on getting to goal! You are our inspiration! Stay with us - we need you! I'm glad to hear it was good news at the specialist! I cannot wait until the end of Nov (or maybe a bit sooner) to put up my xmas decorations. Of course, since we're in a much smaller place I can't put up all of them, but I'll put up as much as I can. Most of my stuff is packed away until we build, which hopefull will start next year!

OK ... now I will go and get dressed.

Later girls ..
CJ

[CJ]

Just a quickie to say good morning and hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I baked 2 beautiful dutch apple pies yesterday ... my Son and DIL are up and so is my nephew and his friend, so I guarantee you that by tonite those pies will be gone! Putting a roast w/veggies in the slow cooker for dinner and apple pie for dessert ... if I have any it will be a very small slice. I have to taste it don't I???

Well ... hope to hear from you guys! Have a great weekend everyone!

Love, CJ

[Elanajel]

Hi everyone--
Finally,after 3 frustrating weeks and 6+ pounds regained, I lost 1.2 lbs. this week. I exercised 4 times, wrote down every bite and used 16 of my 35 flexpoints. So I feel great!

If I can be at this weight for the next 2 meetings, I will probably consider it my new goal. The goal I originally picked was too low, and impossible for me to maintain. As I gained small amounts, I just ended up feeling more and more like a failure at weight loss. Not a great way to self-talk during the day!

One thing that has made a big difference is eating much more during the day at work. I teach 6th grade, and it's a very busy day. I am finding that a 10:30 snack, and a large 1:00 lunch works well. Then I get home with enough energy to deal with my own kids (ages 12 and 7), make dinner, supervise homework, etc. and not start stuffing my face with cold cereal. If I come home hungry, it's a bad scene around here!

Thank you for the nice welcome to the group! I appreciate the support.

[CJ]

Good morning ladies! Hope everyone is having a great Sunday! We all went to the Casino last nite .. wasn't doing really great - between hubby and I we were down $200 ... then as we were getting ready to leave I decided to play another $20 on the poker machine and I won $1,000! Yeah, I'm a happy camper! Went out to breakfast w/ son and DIL and hubby of course (lol) this morning - my treat of course!

Elana, good job on losing the 1.5 lbs! I'm still at the same wt as last week and the week before so I need to get myself geared to a little bit stricter eating plan. Wow, you teach 6th grade ... my hat goes off to you!

Well ... we had some snow flying this morning ... don't know if it will accumulate or not .. let ya know later.

Gotta go ... later!

Love, CJ