Well my eating has been ok today despite last night's fiasco. I've been working on the novel a lot today cause it gives me something to do in my free time. I'm hoping I'll have some motivation to get on the treadmill tonight after I get home. I know Daniel called earlier and said the puppy was still having poopy problems but that they looked better than yesterday.

I talked to my mother in law yesterday because he schnauzer has allergy problems and she said she gives him a benedryl every other day and he seems to be fine. Have you ever known anyone to do this and everything be ok?

The food that she's on right now is Nutro Max Puppy. I'm not sure of the corn content but I've heard that the first three ingredients in any cat or dog food should be meat and not corn or starches. I'll have to check on that when I get home.

I'm really sorry I cant' be much of a :cheer: today because of all of this. I'm hoping by the time I get paid again Monday I will have forgotten about it. :^:

Marianne - Where have you been hiding today? I was looking for comments on my story from you and there are none! :nono:

Chellez my dog has food allergies. She is on science diet and if I ever get something different she gets bladder infections and ear infections. The vet said those are classic food allergy signs and to keep her on the science diet. I dont know about the benedryl but my cousin has to give her dogs baby aspirin for pain. And my mom's dog has severe allergies and has prescription medication for them. I would say best bet is to call the vet. Because even if you give otc its gotta be childrens or baby versions. Benedryl is so hard on kids it just makes them comatose I swear, I wouldnt want that for the dog.

Hello ladies & John :wave:

KAREN...no problem! I have been wearing red on Friday's in Support of the Troops for a couple of years now. Someone circulated an e-mail about RED FRIDAY's Support the TROOPS! Of course it is usually a red shirt that actually says "Support Our Troops, Wear Red on Friday"

PURPLE...:woohoo: :bravo: good job on the loss this week! Yay for the dvd's! I have the 2.5 mile Walk and Jog and love it! Of course I have quite the collection of the WATP's and hope to be adding more. I love her workouts!

CHELLE...sorry to hear about your puppy. :hug: Hope she gets better real soon.

RHONDA...sorry to hear about you MIL, ouch. Glad she is okay. And WTG on Day 4 of counting calories! :carrot:

GINGER...hugs to you missy. Sorry you had an off day and hoping today is a better day for you. Hang in there. :hug:

DIONNE...WTG on the take off section today! :carrot:

DIXIE...I will have to check out Kohls sales once in a while. They are like Penneys..always having a sale. Just hardly ever go to them. I have heard the Asics are good shoes but expensive so sales are always good! I have been wanting to try them.

NORI...not a silly question at all! Good luckw ith yout training session today, hope it didn't hurt your lower body too bad.

HIYA everyone else :wave:

QOTD: I wear New Balance 411 and wear them for everything, my walking and workout dvd's...even around town. This is my second pair-too many miles on the other pair-at first they felt different even though they are the same ones I had before. But I have gotten them broken into and they are great! I still wear my old ones from time to time but try not to because they are worn out!

Nothing much going on today. Woke up to snow this morning, ugh! I've lived in this state going on 10 years now and we have never had this much snow in a year...this is about the 4th snow storm, if you will, we've had since November...too much! I think they said we got about 5-6 inches today...my cute lil doggie is like alittle kid, he loves playing in it. Anyway, did 30 minutes this morning, and just finished another 30 of walking on the treadmill. Aiming for 90 minutes today...nothing else to do, lol...trapped inside and I am not going out in this weather. Well, except to shovel the driveway some and the walkway...so another workout. All in all I am looking forward to WI Sat and am very confident of a loss this week!

Hope everyone is having a good day, and stay warm ladies!

Chelle -- My sister actually used baby Benadryl for her dog until the allergies got so severe that she switched to the stuff from Drs. Foster & Smith. My vet suggested it over the summer when Franny had a little reaction to a bee sting. You might want to check with your vet to see how much Benadryl to give and whether it would be better to use the "baby" stuff or the regular stuff. My sister's dog weighs about 18 lbs., and she used half of a baby Benadryl. My dog weighs almost 30 lbs., and I used half of a regular Benadryl.

Hallo Bluesers! Hope everyone is having a good Thursday. My food has been the PITS so far today, but I think I'm going to try that yoga video again tonight, so all is not lost!

Today has been CRAZY for me - starting with sleeping through my alarm (whoops)! I've been on a big deadline today, but the grant application I was working on is now submitted. It was the first one I've ever done, so I'm proud that I got it in, and now stressing about how it will turn out. :dizzy:

QOTD: I loooove my New Balance shoes! I used to wear 766s, and now I'm onto the brand new 768s. They're like marshmellows for my feet, all soft and comfy. :lol:

Chelle - Awww, honey, I'm sorry about your furbaby. I hope she's feeling better soon. :hug: Sorry I haven't commented on your story yet - been crazy at work, but I'll read it while I eat my lunch! Also, I think we are the same person - I'm at 200.5 this morning, and expecting TOM to start up this week too!

Karen - Thanks for the reminder about Wear Red Day! Fridays are wear-red-for-the-troops days in Canada, too, so it'll be two birds with one piece of clothing. :D

Well right now Lexi is only 23.3 lbs but she is expected to get to 50 to 60 lbs

I think I'm going to save the Benadryl as a last case resort. I'm planning on putting her on Banfield's (the vet at Petsmart) Optimum Wellness Plan once I get some money together. We had our cats on it their first year and it really works out for shots and getting them fixed. I think the lady said its like $100 up front and 19 a month but it keeps you from paying $55 every time you walk through the door.

Plus since I remember some the nurses over there it won't be like I'm walking into it blindly. I know their procedure and stuff where as the vet I took her to last night was like a panic scenario.

Cristina--I think the one I have may be the 2.5 mile. It is just called Walk & Jog, but since it says 30 min. long I assumed 2 miles...but I guess with jogging added in it would be different than the times on the walking videos :exercise: I love her videos, too! I can't wait to try the pilates, something different from her.

Chellez--Sad to hear about the pup having problems. I am glad you are taking good care of him, a lot of people don't these days.

Oops - the only red piece of clothing I own (besides panties) is a Alabama Crimson Tide (thanks DH) sweatshirt and I cannot wear that to work tomorrow.

QOTD was to check and see if I was the only one with like 5 pairs of different brands of running shoes! I have an odd sized foot at 10.5W, so shoes like Nike aren't even an option. The only ones I HATE are my Brooks. They felt so good in the store and then after like 15 min of working out were KILLING my feet and left them bruised for days. I have an old pair of NB that I simply cannot part with and they are good for run-around shoes - but not good for workouts anymore. Something changed in the NB last and they do not fit my foot any longer.:mad: I then tried Saucony Grid and they are "fine" for me. But I wear my Asics Gel-Nimbus 9 all the time at the gym now. They are so cushy. I'm have a super-high arch, so I'm a supinator/underpronator and these feel like they were made for me!

Oh yeah, and I only have running shoes including some trail runners for hiking. Unlike DH who has basketball, soccer, running, heavy duty hiking, fashion athletic... But you should see all my "regular" shoes. I do have a fettish.

Chelle, I have had several allergy dogs and all have been on Benadryl at some point. My little one now gets one whole benadryl (we actually use the generic brand from Costco, 4.99 for 100 pills!) with both breakfast and dinner when she is super itchy. The only things to be aware of if you do start using it is not to keep them on it all the time. If they get it for long periods of time it can suppress the immune system a little bit, but for a couple weeks or months during allergy season it is fine. Obviously it is easier to take them off the benadryl if the allergy is environmental rather than food. Hope your pup is feeling better.

I wear asics most of the time. Right now my running shoes are the asics kayano and I love them. After a running shoe gets about 250 miles on it, it gets demoted to an everyday shoe and I get new ones for working out. I know they could probably tolerate more miles but I like to get new shoes!

Hi Bluesers!

Karen, Thanks for the reminder about wearing red tomorrow. I'll also send a reminder out on the 100lb club. My favorite color is red, so I have a lot of selection. Nori, I have a Florida state shirt you can borrow. Surely they won't say 'no' to you wearing this one! :D

A long time ago...before the massive weight gain...I was a Nike woman. But, Nike seems to run kinda narrow, so they don't feel right anymore. Then, I feel in love with New Balance. I overpronate and need a lot of stability and motion control. Unfortunately, shoes for my foot and gait are usually the more expensive models. A couple of months ago, I ended up buying Asics and I love them!

FYI - For those of you who love New Balance, they are going to become harder and harder to find as they have opened their own stores and have started reducing the volumes and selections they send to the sports stores. Just great, huh?

Today we had to go for Aiden's appointment with his cardiologist and he is perfect. There's almost no murmur which the doctor said is really unusual even after surgery and his EKG was great. Plus he has really good blood pressure and oxygen saturation. But I wasn't expecting any problems. He is just so active and normal. We were also told he should do sports. Now it'll be another year till he goes again.

Chellez- I like your novella so far. I've read a few Vampire novels. Mostly the romance ones. Personally I like science fiction the most but romance novels are cheaper if I need something to read at work.

QOTD - I have a pair of Avia's that are my everyday sneakers. Since I wasn't sure if I would continue going to the gym I bought a pair of cheap sneakers from Kmart. I'll probably get a new better pair before too long. The Kmart ones are actually comfortable everywhere but the tongue which is too stiff and digs a bit into my foot if I don't keep adjusting it.

QOTD
everyday--skechers
exercise except running--NB Crosstrainers
running--NB 766

Chellez--It sounds like you have a plan for the puppy. I know things will work out.

Purplefirefly--Based on the detailed review you posted I think I will get Jillian's dvds as a reward for myself. I like "non dancy" straightfoward exercise which is what I figured I would get from Jillian. Taebo used to be like that but the newer dvds I've gotten the steps in one sequence have gotten ridiculous. Granted I cut some of the moves out but still..................
I think you have the 5 dvd set and the 3 dvd set. Any preference? I'm thinking of getting both because I think I can get all 8 for $30 on Amazon.

Rhonda & onthetee--I was told I overpronate. I was analyzed at the running store also.

Things are going well with the Shay Plan. Which after doing some investigating I've realized is "intuitive eating". I'm working on my binge eating also. I think I will look into buying some things from Geneen Roth because she talks about both and I hear fantastic things about her. So now I get to reward myself all of the time by being binge free and meeting weight loss goals. I can't wait!

Oh, I am ticked. I have not been making it to the gym and have had to use the treadmill at home, complete with interruptions from the offspring. Grrr. I was planning to get out tonight, but DH just called and he is stuck at work. By the time he gets home, all hands on deck to get kids to bed before the debate.

So I guess I will go get on the treadmill and pay the consequences of the children. :mad:

Chellez -- I can't remember what they name the plans, but make sure (if at all possible) to put your baby on the highest level plan that Banfield has. If she's an "allergy dog" and you know the situation will probably stick around in some form or other for life, it'll be worth the extra few dollars a month. You can always reduce the plan, but you can't "up" the plan (go from the basic plan to the top-of-the-line plan).

I use Banfield for Franny. It's also much easier to trick her to go to the vet. She doesn't put up a fight because she's like "WHoo hoo! I'm going to Petsmart." Then as soon as we come to the Banfield counter, I can see the look in her eyes that's like "Crap, fooled again!" Same thing happens with the groomer. :)

This has had me chuckling off and on all day!

Karen - So happy you got good news on Aiden!!!:hug::carrot:

I had to take DD to the pediatrician today. She has folliculitis - an infection of the hair follicles. I've noticed for a few days that she had tons of super small, white-headed pimples forming on her chest, tummy, back and butt. They weren't bothering her much so I didn't pay "much" attention to it. Until this am when she woke up and started crying about it and itching pretty bad. When I looked at it was much worse. Started her on some topical cream.

Shay - Geneen Roth is AMAZING!! I enjoy reading her books and can relate to much of what she says - from one binger to another I guess! Anyhoo...I'd love to be able to be an intuitive eater, and I believe that I am in that learning process...but for now I need to count calories.:dizzy:

Mom2--Thanks for the information. I will definitely keep everyone up to date on here. I echo your statement regarding onthetee--there are many times I get on here to read posts and I LOL at hers :)!

I also wanted to say that I think Week 3 is ours. Our Week 2 was similiar to what we've seen on the actual BL. No pressure but based on my "research" and Chellez you can correct me if I'm wrong but I think Blue has always won the overall challenge. We can so do this. I think we are doing a good job of keeping a majority of our team members also (she says as she crosses her fingers)!

Here is a link to my homeschool blog: http://openpath.blogspot.com/ You can see how edible they are!

Sorry about the daughter. That is rotten. Any cause?

Anal Calorie counting question for you all. Okay, so the serving size of most things is listed as a dry measurement (2 tbsb., 1/4 package, etc.) and also in grams. I've recently noticed the grams and servings size don't exactly match up. Are the grams more accurate, or is the dry measurement more accurate?

Wow. Definitely anal. I just use standard measure because I can eyeball that and not have to weigh everything.

Cool site - I bookmarked it for further reading when I have time...

No, all the *normal* causes of folliculitis are not present.

Jordan - grams would be more accurate, IMO. It's too easy to do a *mounded* cup of cereal vs the weight amount! I weigh most of the time.

Thus my 150 calories of "graze" that I start each morning with.

I'm agreeing with weights being most accurate. I have been weighing most everything I can. Gonna have to replace the batteries in my kitchen scale soon as it is getting such a workout.

I am SOOOO proud of myself. I finished my 500 minutes of cardio for the month. The kids helped me to 'esersice' for the last 21 minutes I had to do tonight. I told DH to take pictures but he didn't. They had my stretchy out and were copying all of the WATP moves I was doing. They were so cute. Next time I am going to have to get them on video.

Next goal......let me think.....550 minutes.

LOL! This is exactly how my 2 year old says it!!:D

BTW - CONGRATS on reaching your exercise goal!!!!!!!! WTG!!

I got the 5 box set and the Beginner set which is 2 dvds. I think the black set which as 3 is the beginners plus the cardio that is in the 5 box set (had to do some research to find that out). That 3 set is more expensive and I woudl have 2 of the cardio DVD, so i got the 2 set and the 5, and paid just under $24 at amazon for all 7. It said it would take a month for them to get here, but they came in less than a week.

If you could get them all I really recommend them because the beginners set is a great workout, will take me some time to work up to the boxed set...BUT that cardio kickboxing in the bigger set is well worth the $$! It's fast paced cardio but again, is Jillian style with no dancing around or anything. I sweated more in that 30 min. than I do with the beginners set that is longer! Plus, you pick up SO much information about your body, tips on training, etc. She talks as if she is training you one on one. Then in the cardio she's so real, she's dying for it to be over and let's you know she's feelig it just as you are, I love it.

Thanks for your opinions. I agree, the weight is probably more accurate, not that it really matters that much.

Just wanted to pop in and say good morning to everyone. A new month, another new beginning, and we are going to do this!

Much better than my 3 year old who comes in when I am on the treadmill and says, "Are you all stink?"

Well I'm in a much better mood this morning despite the heavy rain we are getting outside. I'm enjoying my "breakfast soda" since I'm still without coffee :coffee:

Today is Friday and there's a few things on my to do list today:

• Get invoicing done
• Get prepared for the tax audit Monday
• Line up the bills I need to pay
• Clean up the office!
• Write some more of my novel
• Finish the laundry at home
• Hang the curtains in the computer room
• Try and swing by Lowe's to buy some paint
• Squeeze in a workout in there somewhere!

:lol: My mission last night was to get the computer room painted so I could get my desk setup and ready but Daniel decided to drop the bombshell on me that he doesn't want the computer room blue like our bedroom. In fact, he doesn't want any more rooms blue. :mad: So now I have two brand new cans of "Bother Free Blue" (its a Disney paint color) just hanging out getting wasted in my garage. If anyone wants them you are more than welcome to come get them! :lol:

Well at least this gives me an excuse to get creative in the other two rooms. I'll admit I think all the bedrooms in one shade would be boring as well.... looks like I get my green exercise room after all. :s:

Which brings me to another rant... I was watching HGTV before we bought the house and they were showing a remodel of a "fitness room" in one house. They painted the walls a pale blue. OMG :faint: Don't they know that blue does not promote energy but relaxation! :tantrum: Get your chi's right people!!! Green = energy!! Which is much more appropriate for a room you'll be exercising in!

:lol3: Ok now that I got that out of my system.

I didn't get on the scale this morning cause I knew about what it would say. I'm hoping if I get some exercise over the weekend that it'll help my body dump this water I'm hanging on to and I'll at least break even. I'll probably weight through the weekend just so I can be sure.

Shay - I don't think that we have always won but we pull a very strong showing most of the time. We just really need to focus on being consistent from week to week and we should come out ok in the end.

Well I better get moving... the invoicing is calling...

Good morning, Bluesers and TGIF! What are you plans for the weekend?

Purple - Congratulations on losing 3.6 pounds! :carrot:

Yesterday went well. I have managed to teach myself how to use Powerpoint and things just started to really finally come together for me yesterday. It's almost like the lightbulb finally came on and I understood what I needed to do. The formal presentation is not until February 11th, but I just felt like this report was hanging over my head. I am much more relaxed today! And, I didn't turn to the kitchen to de-stress at all!

I’ve noticed the same thing…when I incorporate protein in every meal, I’m less hungry…which is a very good thing! And, Congratulations on making your exercise goal! I think it’s great that your kids do the workouts, too. Jus think, you are teaching them a very valuable thing….to exercise!

Dionne, I apologize, but I seem to have missed something. What exactly is Take of?

I agree! It just seems like everyone is much more upbeat and on-plan this week.

Karen - That is great news about Aiden's doctor visit!
Nori - How is your DD today?
Selina - I'm praying for you, Hon! Just remember that the hard times can help to build our faith. You can do this!
Ginger - Hope you're having a better day today. No quitting after a month this time! This time, its for real, right?

This is day 5 of calorie counting and I must say....this is incredibly easy! I bring up my spreadsheet each morning and plan my calories for the day. Hubby does a spreadsheet, too. It is such a relaxed way of eating for me as there is no guesswork....my numbers are there in black and white as a visual confirmation that I'm on-plan. I'm hoping that the planning will help me this weekend. Weekends are my hardest times for staying on-plan as my schedule is too random. This weekend, one of my best friends who lives right across the street from me, is moving back to Florida. Her daughter is my youngest daughter's best friend...they practically live together and her daughter is almost like another one of my daughters. They leave on Sunday. I've been dreading this day, so I really need to be careful not to comfort myself with food. I thought about changing my official weigh-in day to Friday's so the weekends wouldn't mess up the scales, however, I'm going to keep it on Mondays as I need to be accountable. I still haven't managed to get myself back on the treadmill. I'm not sure why. I really need to dig down deep inside and find my drive to exercise again.

Hope everyone has a great on-plan day! GO BLUE!

Friday's Blue Question of the Day:

How do you stay focused on the weekend?

For me, I've not really been focused on the weekends....ever! I'm hoping that planning my calories for each day will work for me.

I am so busy, there is no time for grazing and snacking, usually. If we have a family gathering, I find out who is bringing what and put it into my calorie calculator before I leave so that I know how much I can have.

QOTD: For me, the weekends are actually easier. Of course, I don't have to worry about kids or anyone else but myself. But, on Saturdays and Sundays, I find it much easier to get to the gym. I don't have to worry about squeezing it in. I'm also much more active outside of the gym. I've got time to walk my dog (we usually do about 3.5 miles on Saturday and on Sunday). I've got time to do yardwork and random little home improvement things.

As for food, the busier I stay, the less I want to snack. As long as I've got distractions, I'm fine. I'm not much of a drinker (I'm a two beers maximum type of girl!), so that's not an issue. I usually go out to dinner at least once (usually) twice during the weekend with my friends, but I always try to pick something moderately healthy off the menu.

Picking healthy off the menu will be kind of difficult tonight as we're going to a new all-you-can-eat cereal bar in town. Basically, you get a bowl and you have 20 different types of cereal to pick and choose from. I figure that I'll probably go into some sort of sugar frenzy. But, calorie wise, I've got about 800 calories banked for this evening. I doubt I could eat 800 calories worth of cereal! But if I do, I just won't have a beer at karaoke afterwards. It's all about balance!

Chelle - both HD and Lowe's will usually take back paint returns, even if custom colored. I know, it's unbelievalbe, but I've been in the returns line when people do it. They resell it, and yes, people actually buy it bc they discount it pretty heavily.

Hiya. Thanks Practice and Rhonda. I actually am proud I'm not gaining tons like I would've done in the past with this stress. I just found out yesterday that Mr. Furley is leaving on Feb. 6th. I'm sad but not as sad as when Tiny Baby left bc I knew Mr. Furley wouldn't come up for adoption, I've been taking him for visits with his family, etc. So it's much easier and truth be told I'm glad a little bc when a newborn comes it won't be so hard on me with only one baby instead of two. So things are working out. Just hope these people treat him well. (The ones awarded custody haven't ever even come to a visit with him, just so happens their homestudy passed so the judge moved him there. He's going to the bio dad's mom, bio dad wants nothing to do with him tho, none in that part of family has ever even seen him. So whatever, no one cares about my opinion. What we see and know and believe for these kids doesn't matter.)

Well, I do have a good thing to say. I measured and am down quite a bit in inches! I'm so excited. I'm 36.75 in the waist and at my heaviest that I measured (was bigger b4 but didnt measure then) I was 49 in the waist. I'm 48.75 in the hips and used to be 61+. So really happy. Also, weird tho, I wasn't this small when I weighed this much last time. So that's strange but ok with me!

Anyhoo, Mr. F has a doc appt for his 9 month check up so better get outta here. Big hugs to you all and hope you have a great Friday.

I'm feeling better about everything. I have to trust that each thing that happens is part of a greater plan and altho I don't know what that is, it's the best thing for me. I will be even better after I get to have my date tomorrow nite. :D :dance:

:lol: That is so cute! Kids are always honest and upfront, but you gotta love 'em anyway.

I used to have a problem with weekends because hubby came home and wanted to go out to eat, order pizza, Taco Bell, etc. I had my weigh in on Thursday so I would have time to work off the damage and I wasn't happy with that, but couldn't make myself make the right choices.

What changed for me was him being diagnosed with diabetes. Literally overnight he could not have all that junk either and the whole family dynamic changed. We have not been out to eat since he was diagnosed and I eliminated sugar completely from our kitchen, and "white stuff" is about all gone. We eat healtheir now on the weekends than during the week when he's not here sometimes!

I know that doesn't help you, but I was in your situation all the way before his diagnosis. I had already made changes during the week, but when he had to change his eating as well it just made it so easy for me. Now everyone is healthier.

Make your own pizza night
 

While part of the loveliness of take away pizza is no time and no mess, we do make your own pizza on Friday nights. There are several benefits to this:

1.5 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup super warm, but not boiling water
1 packet of yeast
pinch of sugar to activate yeast
1 tsp salt

mix, knead for 5 minutes. Grease bowl and rub dough ball with olive oil (or spray with PAM) so that the dough does not dry out. Wet a dish towel with warm water, wring thoroughly and cover bowl. Set in warm place to rise. I put my oven on 200 and put the bowl on the vent burner. Let rise for at least 90 minutes.

Better tasting, better for you and a lovely way to start your weekend!

Chelle: My mother has Bulldogs and one of them has skin allergies like no tomorrow. When Lola's allergies really bother her, Mom gives her benedryl. Works pretty well too.

Hope your and your pup are feeling better:hug:

How do you stay focused on the weekend?

Weekends are easier for me. We get DSS every other weekend, and we usually do something active on those weekends. The other weekends I usually entertain myself with yardwork, and extra walks. Food isn't an issue, because I don't keep junk at the house. Well, I do, but it's on DSS's shelf in the pantry and it's stuff I don't like anyway. We do occasionally go out to eat, but I just choose healthier things. It's the work week that kills me. My office in next door to a Krispy Kreme. Nothing like stepping out of the car first thing in the morning and being slapped by that fresh doughnut smell. Today it was hard not to trudge across the parking lot toward the "HOT" sign.

This weekend is one that we have DSS. I think the "boys" are going to the arcade, meanwhile I'm going to attack the azalea bushes with hedge clippers. It's and excellent workout, and it needs done. I don't even care that it's not the "right" time to clip them back. They look hideous and they need to go.

I'm not seeing any progress on the scale, but I took my measurements again this morning and I've lost another 1/2 inch off both my waist and abs, and 1/4 inch off my arms and thighs. Stupid hips remained the same, and I gained 1/2 inch on my bust. That could be water retention though, of my lousy measuring. Now I've decided to measure the "bra band" too, I think that will be more accurate.