I found a great snack! Frozen :cb: I heard about it but never tried it and wow it's great! =)

Thanks Tara...

I was thinking of editing my earlier post for clarity...the crying was really over my frustration about my lung function news...

I have done SO much to control my allergies and asthma, it is very aggravating that it is clearly not working well enough. I had to give up my cat in 2002, I've been getting allergy shots every week since 2005. DH had to give away his cat the month before we got married in 2006 and steam clean or hot water wash practically everything of his that he brought into our new house. We had to do house air filter stuff and hepa stuff and clean like maniacs to live together with his dog. The dog is not allowed in half of the house (bedroom, office, bathroom spaces)....

And still....I cannot argue with the test results...I can see it myself on the computer in the doctor's office...my breathing tests are not good. I am losing ground.... :mad: :( :cry:

Hence...I must try MORE cardio and better weight loss. At least I won't be dragging around 50 extra pounds that have to be fed with oxygen.

:dust: No other dust allowed :lol:

Manick, have you ever researched or pondered the idea of testing and/or an elimination diet to see if food allergies may come into play?

I have seen incredible things happen with making dietary changes. :hug:

Good Morning!

I love frozen grapes!

I agree with Soul...maybe there is somehting dietary that could be eliminated to help reduce your sensitivity to the animals. A good naturopath can help with that.

Mornin' team!

Look like you have all remained busy!

Quirk blurbs - I love frozen grapes too! I wish my abs looked like Glitters avatar. Allergies stink!!! (sorry you are dealing with it on such a grand scale Manick). Wish safe trips to London and Ceegee.

Hello to everyone else. I have to get off to work but wanted to stop in quick. Been on plan with food last 3 day and the scale is cooperating too! Hope to put up a good number (a loss of a couple at least) tomorrow and contribute to the rockin' black team win!

We can do it!

Good morning everyone!

Mmm frozen grapes sound super good right about now. I think I'm gonna pop some in the freezer for a mid-morning snack today. Thanks for the idea. :)

Anyways I woke up and I'm no longer sore and achy so I think it's safe to do my cardio circuit strength training today. I'll just take my time and pay extra attention to my body today. The last thing I need is an injury to knock me out of commission when I've come so far.

Hope everyone has a Terrific Thursday!

Hey Manick - I see a HUGE difference between the two photos! ALL OVER difference!! I was sorry to read about your lung problems. You've lost the weight before, AND YOU CAN DO IT AGAIN!!! This is my 2nd go-round, too. I'm smarter this time, and you are, too.

Theresia - I admire you for all the love and attention you are giving this little boy. I'm sorry he is so ill. :hug: My prayers are with you, two!!

Got a busy day today and a VERY busy weekend. I'll check back as I can.

Take care everybody!!

I love frozen grapes too. They taste naughty but aren't! :carrot:

Hey, I've got a "rant".

Ever feel like it's okay for everyone to express themselves but YOU?

Ever feel like others are allowed to be "fragile" and are deserving of loads of support and sympathy, but if you express YOUR hurts, YOUR sadness, you are chastised, ignored, scorned, removed?

Anyone?

Soul - I hope our team hasn't made you feel that way! :hug:

I stuck my head into the blue team chat yesterday and felt I got yelled at!! I don't notice that here though.

No, our team is FABULOUS!!! :grouphug:

I was speaking in more general terms. Ever feel that way?

I'm sorry you felt yelled at. :( there's no need for that.

YES! I finally got to the gym, drank all my water and ate within my new calorie range!! Yesterday was a success!

Glitter--You are smokin'!

Manick--A picture speaks a thousand words and those pictures are saying very different things! WOW!

London and Ceegee--Have a safe trip!

Theresia--Wow! What a wonderful thing you are doing in this boy's life! You will see many blessings for what you are doing.

Soul--I have felt that way and it sucks. It seems like some people aren't allowed to be anything be strong all the time and it isn't right or fair. Everyone always expects me to be "the strong one," I am never allowed to have a moment of weakness. Yet my sister is allowed to weak one, it's like people expect and come running to her for every little thing. I did any of the things she did I would never hear the end of it, yet she does the same thing day in and day out and everyone rescues her!

Hi to everyone else...GOTTA GO!

TTYL--
Misty

Yeah, that sucks! It also always seems like when you point out to them that they aren't being sensitive to YOU, but are being sensitive to others at YOUR expense, they simply get NASTIER to you, lashing out defensively. I really don't appreciate that kind of treatment. :(

I'm sorry that happens to you too. Do you think it's because we are viewed as "strong" and therefore not deserving of support or something? It's just not right. :mad:

I definitely get "reprimanded" for pointing out the differences in treatment and the fact that I could use some _____ (fill in the blank). It seems to make things much worse!

Also, I definitely think it has to do with everyone viewing me as the strong one. I am always the one to keep a straight head about everything and everyone expects that from me. If I ever fall below this expectation it is not acceptable. With others, there is a much lower expectation, so it is much harder to disappoint. It's almost like they feel like I am so strong that I don't need support. They use their energy supporting the ones that need it. I have heard so many times that they don't worry about me b/c I will find a way to make things work out. And I do, but the point is that you are never so strong that you don't want and need love, support and acceptance. EVERYone has moments of weakness, hurt and need; people should act accordingly. I guess I have gotten used to it. I am the oldest of 3 girls, I think that also has something to do with it. My youngest sister (20 yrs old)is always doing really STUPID things, which ALWAYS turn out bad; she gets coddled and rescued and we should all tiptoe around her mistakes so we don't make her feel bad, etc. It's ridiculous. When I was her age, I did some of the things she is doing, I got ignored and eventually kicked out of my mom's house, whereas she is allowed to do what she wants (the she is over 18 excuse). Oh well, I guess in the end it has only made me even stronger. She is dependent on people for everything and I have learned to become a very self-sufficient person. In the end, that is something to be thankful for.

Glitter - I'm glad your not achy today! You go! Reading your posts on working out is motivational!

Soul & Misty- I feel like that regularly. Having a step son with behaviour issues that very few understand gets me the "Ya so what are ya going to do? Suck it up" attitude from people when all I want is for some one to listen. I can usually solve the problem on my own. But a sounding board loving person is at times sorely needed! I tend to have people come to me for the "strong" "comon sense" advise. I am fairly blunt. Dont like beating around the bush with people I know. And sometimes could use that type of person myself. I really dont have the patience for being rescued! THAT drives my hubby crazy. Opps oh well I keep telling him he knew that before the proposal was made and the ink was dried! I was going to ask you both of your were the oldest in the family. I am the oldest of 4 and helped my mom hold down the fort while she and dad were going thro the divorce. I was 16 at the time and the others were 12,10, & 8. Most of my fierce independence and strength started during that time.

Misty - Go Girl! Glad you made it to the gym! I am doing my WATP after the babysitting kids go home!

Mugsy - They were kinda STRONG yesterday in blue team. Nothing like a Hi, how are ya doing first then maybe a little later asking if ya did your work out then give you a little push!

Many hugs to those who feel the need for drawing on some one elses strengh for a few moments or feel yelled at or anything else.

Misty and Julia, I am a great listener and would lend an ear anytime ya need it (anyone else here too! :) ). Us strong women need to stick together and support one another!!! :grouphug:

I am "blunt" too. I address the crux of the issues without the usual feminine manipulations, passive-aggressive tactics or name calling. I just call it what it is, saying what I observe.

The ironic thing is, I do it more *carefully* than ever, making sure to use "I" statements to own how *I* feel and add in reassurances as needed but apparently I am still "too much" for 99% of the world. Oh well. I am what and who I am. I've watered myself down enough. There's beauty in strength and in truth and I've got both of them on my side. Anyone else? ;) Doesn't mean that we don't need a little support or that we don't deserve the same considerations as others get.

Wild women unite!