Good Morning, Looks like it's going to be another great, summy day. A bit warm for my taste, but after all the cold days we've had I'm not going to complain. The kids are here this morning so that means a trip to the park or a bike ride. One thing about kids, they kind of force activity! And i am so thankful that I can enjoy playing with them and going for the bike rides.

laurie, i saw your Before and after pictures. So amazing. You are looking good girl! And deserving of that new wardrobe!

Jay, It's so easy to "store" stuff and forget about it. They say put it in a box and put it away. If you haven't needed it in a year, get rid of it. I am guilty of this too, but getting better at letting things to. Crazy holding on the things i no longer need or use that other people might need.

Make it a good day, Freda

Good Morning from another 'pack-rat'. It is soooooo hard to get rid of stuff.

Last night the forecast was saying we'd be getting cooler and drier air for today -- this morning they seem to have changed their minds and we are right back to hot and muggy; with one change (and I'm not sure it's a good one under the circumstances) . . . it's sunny.

Hope the rest of you have a glorious day . . . :grouphug:

I've made no progress on the boxes--and the reason why is obvious. Given a choice between sorting through boxes and getting work done... well, there ya go!

Not much to report here today. It hasn't RAINED yet today, what's wrong??? :lol: But, it could still happen.

It's my off day from the gym. I have to tell you, I was actually disappointed when I realized that! Now how strange is that? Well, at least I did get my walk in today.

Jay

Hi all - a quick fly in. Storms coming in and they sound nasty. i think I will unplug the "electronics" shortly.

Another good day - still staying below 130 :) which I'm really hoping will be a "bumper" weight for me.

Oooh - thee goes another one - and it is close - gotta run!


Have a great day all & Jay - I love your attitude about exercising at the gym - awesome!

We could really, really use some rain around here . . . looks like another hot and sticky one for us . . . :mad:

I saw something so interesting on my walk! I was walking under a camphor tree, and suddenly water started falling on my head. What is this, a very local rainstorm? I looked up, and there was something rustling around up in the leaves, knocking all the dew and drops down.

It turned out that two birds were up there, taking a shower. Now, there are plenty of puddles of water from all the rain, so they didn't have to be showering. Each bird would jump onto a branch with a clump of leaves around it, and then shake itself and the branch along with it. Water would fall off the leaves onto the bird (and hapless passersby). Then the bird would fluff up its feathers and preen. Then hop to a new branch and repeat. Both birds were getting thoroughly wet.

I have never seen birds do this before. I wonder if they prefer this in camphor trees. The camphor leaves have camphor oil in them--perhaps some of this is picked up in rain or dew, and feels good to the birds. Plus it also helps get rid of parasites (though the birds don't "know" this).

So that's the most exciting thing so far today. :D

Jay

Bet they do . . . :yes: . . . Not the way 'we' know it, mind you -- just instictively, somehow.

Jay - how cool to stumble upon! We have birds taking baths in our pond, but that is just way cool!

Linda - I got your rain again. I walked to the dentist this morning and then to work. A pop-up storm came in and I was pretty wet by the time I got to the office. Glad I had an umbrella with me or it would have been "drowned rat" time.

Gotta enjoy the sunshine we have now - so I'm off to make supper and get some gardening done.

:)

Hi, I've read some of your posts, and this group is amazing. Counting Down. I sure hope that my journey will be as successful as yours. I appreciate all the helpful hints that you have.

Hey water lily! :welcome2:

Nice to see you posting!

Jay

WATERLILY -- :welcome: to our fun and happy little group and, of course, :wel3fc: also. So glad to have you joining us. :hug:

And a glowing GOOD MORNING for everybody else, too . . . :D

Still waiting for rain around here -- forecast is for another hot and sticky day, though -- :shrug:

Hi, Thanks for your warm welcome. We had storms come through here last night. I'm starting today counting calories, I see many of you count calories. I've tried all sorts of diets in the past, I lost weight but never seemed to keep it off. I'm so encouraged by your progress. I hope to be posting losses soon, but I've always been a slow loser. Thanks for your help.

Water lily :welcome2:
Thank you for your kind words!

I really felt like a snail losing the weight - a half lb. here, a lb. there - it SEEMED to take forever. Keep at it, and you WILL make it. The folk on this forum are a big part of my success. They are wise and wonderful cheerleaders.

Calorie counting is GREAT! Let us know if there is anything we can do to help.

What part of MI are you from? I'm in the north-west part of the LP.

Gotta fly - this weekend is our "Arts Fair" and DH and I are going down to the park to see what goodies we can find - as well as listen to the local performers. I just love seeing all of the wonderful arts and crafts for sale and usually pick up an item or two. If I can just ignore all of the unhealthy FOOD that they also have available.

It should be a fun evening :)

Hey! Happy Saturday...

I'm on my way out to trim the bushes this morning before it gets any hotter. Not that it is exactly cool now... but better than it will be.

I also have to work this weekend to get caught up. But, hey, I'm self employed so my time is my own, right? :rofl:

Hope you're all having a good day--

Jay

Hi . . . :wave:

We finally got a little rain and since it is still overcast, I'm hoping there may be some more yet to come. :yes:

A fun day overall. Got some cleaning done, then spent most of the day at the Arts Festival by the lake. A late lunch at a favorite coffee house and then back home to get some gardening and outside chores done. Finally a fire on the patio while we watched the fireworks over the lake. :D

Enjoy your Sunday all!

HI . . . :wave:

Hi Counting down, I'm from Sterling Heights the east side of Detroit. I love northern Michigan and vacation there often. I want to live there when I retire. You are so lucky to live in God's country. The great lakes are so amazing so crystal clear and so many shades of blue. Every season is so gorgeous, I can't decide which is my favorite. Thanks for all your support. I hope to stay focused this time. I'm a stress eater.

Good Morning all, I had to work the weekend but I'm off untill thursday. It was a good weekend, nothing much happening. Just like we like them at work!!

I did well, ate healthy. No exercise but I took the stairs a lot. You do what you can. Little things make a big diffrence.

Counting, I love those little art fairs. You can usually find some really unique items to tempt you. But the food..keep me away from the elephant ears. I have to keep reminding myself "it's just deep fried dough with white sugar sprinkled on". sometimes it even works.

Lily, We're neighbors. I live in center Line. That's in the middle of Warren. I'm a stress eater too. With my job (i'm a nurse) that means most of the time! It's an ongoing struggle but i'm dealing with it.

Jay, I have a bird bath and I love to watch the birds groom. It had to be so interesting watching them take a shower!

make it a good day, Freda

Happy Monday! :chin: Well, maybe...

I got those bushes trimmed on Saturday, plus some other cleaning up outdoors. Sunday it was work, plus a Sunday Dinner--nothing over the top, just some boneless pork chops with herbs de provence, steamed summer squash, and cooked mushrooms.

Today it's more of same--no exciting revelations on my walk, but on Sunday I saw a bird's nest fungus in an outdoor potted plant I've been watering for my neighbor. So cute! The mushrooms look like little nest-shaped cups, and inside are four to six tiny white "eggs" that are actually spore-producing bodies. When water drops land in the "nest," they spread the spores. A nest is only about 3/8 inch across. They can often be found on decaying wood. I haven't seen them in nature before!

Nice to have you report in, the slim me. Greetings to meowee, CountingDown, and water lily! :wave:

Where are the rest of our folks? Hallloooooooooo!

Guess it's back to work... :book2:

Jay

Hi all!
Freda - Oh, I hear you on the elephant ears! How did those become so popular anyway? No nutritional value at all!

I'm headed down to southern MI (Rochester) the first weekend in August. Another Trader Joe's run. And probably a stop at Birch Run for CLOTHES! I promised myself an outlet shopping spree when I hit goal :D

And - for the record - I gained about 80 lbs by stress eating. It was a very, very difficult habit to break. In fact, some days, I need to eat veggies because I can't seem to not eat when I am stressed. I am doing SOOOO much better than I was a year ago.

A good day today - very good balance :D Work, meditation, exercise, chores, grocery shopping and leisure time (fire on the patio)

I hope you all had a wonderful Monday as well!

Hi . . . :wave:

We finally got rain . . . unfortunately it is the tail end of the Cristobal storm and is coupled with thunder storms and windy conditions . . . in fact I never did get on-line yesterday. The same stuff is continuing today, but at least it is relatively quiet out there right now so thought I'd get a round of 3FC done while I can. :yes:

See you later . . . :crossed:

Good morning!

It's Tour de France time--and it always amazes me to see how thinned down those guys get as the race progresses. They can't eat enough to sustain their body during the course of the entire race--they are burning 9,000 cals a day. :yikes: Of course, they do eat a lot, but while actually on the bikes, all they seem to have is chewy bars of one kind or another and liquids. So by the last day, they pretty much all look like starvation cases.

I suppose it fascinates me because of the sheer drive involved. I'd never do it in a million years--I don't see the point! But for them, it's a living I guess. It doesn't seem to be a lot of fun.

Not much else to report today. Looks like rain is imminent to the west, but we'll see.

Jay

Good Morning . . . :wave:

Wish I had that kind of stamina and incentive . . . as so easily happens with me, I've been a slackard in the exercise area again -- blaming it on the hot and sticky weather, but it's really just my in-born slug-like nature. :s: At least I do manage to keep the eating part fairly much on track.

It's still raining a bit off and on, but mostly the storm is over and although we did not get hit with nearly as much rain as parts of the province did, my grass, bushes (and weeds) are so green and lush this morning, I think they are glowing. :lol:

Have a great day . . . see you all later. :carrot:

Good Morning everyone, did anyone else have problems with the site yesterday, or was it just me? I tried to post a couple of times and it just ate my posts, so finally I gave up.

Laurie, Perfect time to go outlet shopping. You should find some really great sales. This is turn-over time. I really should get up there and get some things for next year too. And you really deserve a good shopping trip after that hard work you put into losing weight and getting to goal! Hope you find some really great things! I'm a stress eater too, and that's why I gained weight also. It's a constant battle and i still catch myself trying to "medicate" with food. Sometimes I actually have to talk to myself "ok, you know food isn't going to make you feel better". It's usually at home, so no one see's me, or it would prove that i really am crazy!

Linda, It's been raining here every day for the last month. It not during the day it rains at night! My grass is nice and green and sprouting mushrooms!

Jay, I don't know why anyone would put their bodies through that either. Maybe just to prove that they can? I would like to have their determination and drive for awhile though.

Make it a good day, Freda

Hi all - I'm with you on the bicycle race. I have a friend that bikes several hundred miles each week. It is an obsession with her. I cannot relate AT ALL!

Linda - you made me laugh. I'm a former slug. I actually prided myself on being able to do any activity without actually breaking into a sweat. Now, well, it's not a pretty sight. I wish I could wear a hair style without bangs - they are just nasty after working out.

Freda - thanks for your kind words! You have been such an inspiration. You have been maintaining your loss so successfully. I'm praying that I can follow in your footsteps :D

Have a GREAT evening all. Gotta go clean out the shed and clean up the "presents" the dog has left for me.

Hi everyone, I am heading home to visit my mom for a week. I have adopted this new lifestyle of eating and she has not. Time with her is always centered around eating - IHOP for breakfast, pizza for lunch, OUTBACK for dinner. I have lost 25 pounds in two months and I really do not want to gain any of it back.

Any ideas???

I know I am big girl (will turn 50 in August). But she has already planned a dinner out on Friday when I arrive, Saturday, many family member are coming over for a "fish fry" (I haven't had any fried foods in over 2 months). And Sunday dinner at OLIVE GARDEN with my grandma.

HELP!!!!!

Hey sgibson1626! :welcome2:

Three words: Take away boxes. First, don't order the whole shebang. Breakfasts at IHOP can be like large desserts, but you can always order individual items and take home what you don't want to eat in a box or just leave it on your plate. Later, throw it out if no one else has eaten it in a couple of days. (And don't you eat it!)

Same thing for fish fry and Olive Garden. Eat some--then stop. Have only a tiny bit of salad at Olive Garden--it's loaded with calories. Don't eat the bread. Eat slowly. Eat only 1/3 of the entree and get a box or leave it. See above! And as for dessert, skip it and say "let's just share one." If others don't want to do that, then still skip it. Maybe someone will give you a taste, or maybe not. Let them eat theirs--and concentrate on the conversation. I know this will be really hard, but life is full of these situations.

Try to get in some walking or other exercise during the week, every day. If there's a YMCA or other gym nearby, you could possibly get a daily pass or a weekly pass.

These strategies will help you minimize the damage. Don't worry about throwing out food--it's better to trash it than wear it on your hips. ;) Good luck!

Jay

Hi all, Hope everyone is doing well today. Looks like we're going to have a nice, sunny day. Yestrday was sooo beautiful! It was cooler and we had a nice breeze all day. Easy to exercise when the weather cooperates!

Laurie, I know you will continue to do well and maintain your weight loss! You are determined. And, besides, it's just so much more fun to shop when you can get things you really like and look good in them!!

Sgib, I have to second what Jay suggested above. We all have to get through situtation that we can't controle. Do the best you can, get all the exercise you can and move on. One thing you might want to do is, go online and check out re calorie counts on some of the things the restaurants have. It might help you make some better choices. And one thing I still do when I go out to eat; ask for a carryout contained BEFORE you start eating and put the portion you aren't going to eat in it. If I don't do that I will sit there and pick at it untill I've already eaten more than I wanted to eat. And if you can order soup and salad, dressing on the side, you can usually be pretty safe and still get full. Good luck. come back and visit us.

make if a good day, Freda

Hi Neighbors,

Daily Accountability thread for August has been posted. Come reserve your spot today! Thread begins on August 1 when Linda will move it to the Sticky area.

Lynn

Good Morning . . . :wave:

The sun is trying to shine for the first time in a few days . . . hopefully it will be a great afternoon for the regular Thursday 'mall-crawl'. :yes:

Not much I can add that Jay and Freda haven't already mentioned -- just read those menus, Chickie -- you can find something almost healthy in just about any restaurant these days. Good luck to you -- it won't be easy, but it will be possible.

Hope everybody has a great day of moving and shaking and cooperative weather, too. :carrot:

sgibson1626 - Agreed - Jay and Freda gave GREAT answers. I always ask for a carryout when the meal is delivered as well.
And - don't be afraid to ask for either a half-order (even if it isn't listed on the menu) or even for something that you don't see on the menu. Most restaurants can do a veggie stir-fry or a simple pasta and vegetable dish, even if it isn't listed. As a vegetarian, I have gotten used to asking for off-menu things. Also - many restaurants will let you order from the children's menu, it doesn't hurt to ask (or call ahead if that is more comfortable). I often order off the sides menu, particularly when we are traveling and all of my meals will be eaten in resaurants.

Freda - our cooler weather didn't last long. Summer is back. But, I'm not complaining because I know the snow and ice will be here before I know it. Even sooner for Linda, I'm afraid!

Jay, Linda, and all of our MIAs - have a GREAT evening!

HI to everyone, My computer has been in the shop for the last couple of weeks. Then, I forgot my password and had quite a time getting a new one. I was able to read your posts, but I couldn't reply.

Counting- You are trully an inspiration, what a great journey. I saw at lot of great ideas in your story. Never quitting has to be your most important message. I have such a hard time staying on target.

I liked everyone's ideas on how to avoid overeating in a restaraunt. Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm also a neighbor of some of you. I live in Troy not far from Sterling Hts. and Centerline. I also have a cottage in northern Michigan. I spend as much time as I can there in the summer and on weekends. I agree it is so beautiful in Michigan. I won't be missing anymore.

Thanks Jay - I already have a membership to the Y and I can go free for a week! I did not know the salads at Olive Garden were high calories. Great idea about the box. I am not a big dessert eater so ordering sweets won't be too hard.

I will have access to the internet - so I will be checking in!

Thanks for your support!

Good Morning . . . :wave:

Sunny, hot, and humid again . . . even after all the rain we had in the past few days . . . strange. :shrug:

Hey, it's really nice to see some of our missing-in-action posters! Greetings to flowingair--glad we didn't lose you!

the slim me, I didn't have any trouble getting on the site last week, but I do know that sometimes the site is busier than others, and one can have a problem...

We're in the process of having a part ordered to fix our A/C unit. The heat pump died last winter, and rather than have it fixed then, we've been waiting until it's the slower season. We used the auxilliary heat the rest of the winter. (Yes, it does get cold enough in Florida in the winter that you do want to have the heat on sometimes.) But the auxilliary heat is essentially some coils that look like an old toaster plus a fan that blows the air through them and into the house. :lol: Anyway, it's going to cost us... but nothing like a new A/C costs.

I'm not feeling well today; neck ache, headache. Feels like I ought to skip the gym and take a nap instead... Maybe I'll do that...

Hope you all have an active weekend planned!

Jay

:wave:

Hi all - hope you are having a GREAT weekend! Got lots of church activities today, so this is a quick fly-by.

Weight is holding at 129.2 this week :D

Northern MI is a great place to live in the summer - I just love our weather in July. DS2 is moving home today - mixed feelings about that, honestly. But, it will be nice to have someone to help with chores :devil:

Hi to all, Jay I understand how it is to wait on parts that was part of the issue with my computer. How hot is it today in Florida?. In Michigan we're in the high 70's low 80's, it's a beuatiful sunny day, and we love it. Our summers could last a least a month longer.

I've been struggling this last month. Every time we get visitors my will power seems to stray. I think being back on line should really help out. I'm always looking for good ideas.

I'm eating dinner earlier and that seems to help keep my calorie count down.

Morning . . . :wave:

About all I did yesterday was try to sleep to escape the migraine from H***. since I couldn't even stand the noise of the A/C or dehumidifier, the house got rather muggy, too. This morning -- no headache so I can turn on my noisy appliances again and get the house a little more bearable. Hopefully I can get a lot more than sleeping done today, too.

See you later . . . :carrot: