Hi ladies! I'm in need of a little encouragement this morning.

I was doing really well this week, hit the gym every morning, experimented with cutting my calories back to around 1400, and by yesterday morning I was down to 156.6, which I was happy about. Yesterday was also my birthday, and I had a really, really lovely day. But it ended with a big delicious dinner cooked for my by my amazing girlfriend, and this morning I was 158.8. I don't feel too guilty about one big meal, since it was so tasty and it was my birthday after all. But it's still frustrating, you know? I was finally on track again after that weekend when I went totally OP, and it sucks to see a higher number again.

Sorry to whine, I KNOW it's not horrible, I knew what I was doing, and it's important to let yourself splurge now and then (though I probably could have not had seconds) and I know it'll be gone again soon. But I kind of need someone other than me to tell me it's really true...

Hey, congratulations on the original weight loss, I'm sooooo glad you had a wonderful birthday, and don't beat yourself up for celebrating on your birthday for pete's sake. You did what we all would have done and you'll drop that tiny weight gain really quick! You'll see. Happy Belated Birthday, Jackie

Coldbright~HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I wouldn't worry about the scale for a few days. I doubt you ate 7000 calories over your bodies needs in one meal! It's probably just water weight. I try not to weigh the morning after a splurge. The scale is always up, but then goes back down.

HippieGrammyLara~ Lol. Congrats on the scale movement!!! Yay!

Kim Chi is a Korean dish similar to sauerkraut. Well similar in how it's fermented with salt. I make a typical winter cabbage Kim Chi, but it can be made with many vegetables. It has lots of garlic, ginger, scallions, a special kind of chili flake, and a little bit of fish sauce in it. I absolutely love the stuff, although I think it's probably an acquired taste. I used to live with a girl from Korea.

As far as the Mujadara, I have made it before. I love lentils! I've heard it called other things, but I think the name varies depending on what the country of origin is. It's very healthy and has a comfort food vibe to it, at least for me anyway. I actually haven't made it in awhile. I'll look in my recipes and see what I can find.

Irish~Congrats on the loss! That exhibition sounds cool, but can you try things on there? I can't buy clothing without trying it on, brands are so inconsistent these days.

I feel like I want to crawl back into bed. I was woken this morning by a firefighter asking if the jeep parked in front of a fire hydrant was mine. It's not mine. So I got woken for no real reason and then I just stayed up since I had a meeting at work today. I'm off for the rest of the day, so I think a nap is in order. Then errands. Yawn! I hope everyone is having a great Thursday!

Enygirl ~ I keep telling myself that I only have about 5 more years to go. LOL! I never caused my parents grief but I definitely didn't have my act together until I was 24. They had a little but not every single day. Mine was a couple times of year when I would have to be rescued because my EX beat me. He did it regularly but usually nothing to call for help. Well it was but I wouldn't admit it until I finally walked out the door.

I live in Shepherd which is just south of Mount Pleasant where the Soaring Eagle Casino and Central Michigan University are located. I work at the University.

Freezing yes. My eyes actually felt cold the other day by the time I got to my office. LOL! My face tingled. I hope that is behind us. They say last night was supposed to be the end, we shall see.

Irish ~ LOL! I didn't notice that about our height and weight. WOW! That would be a fun shopping trip. If I were you I would buy some of the smaller sizes even if you aren't where you want to be. That way you can be encourage to keep going.

Zenor ~ Actually lentils are a comfort food to me that I really enjoy but they don't always like me. My Mom a couple of times during the winter would make a big pot of split pea soup and lentil soup. I always enjoyed it. I bought some Progresss split pea but it just wasn't the same as Mom makes. So I may get her recipe but I think I would like it paired with rice.

I think I would be finding the owner of that Jeep for the firefighter. LOL!

OH, not a fan of ginger. I would like to try to make it but does it put off a bad odor? I know my Mom mad sauerkraut when we were kids and my Dad made her get rid of it before it was done because it smelt so bad.

Coldbrightday ~ Happy Belated Birthday! It was your birthday and I am sure its just bloat and you will be all better tomorrow. What counts is you enjoyed it.

HI TINYGRAMMY! How are things going?

Well I have to get going. Shopping then home to feed animals. I usually have three faces looking at me waiting to be fed and two dogs having to go tinkle. I was going to go to Curves but I think, once again, I am cutting. Maybe next week. I should have never joined because I prefer to exercise at home.

well I just had a bitter sweet moment I put on my favourite shirt and its WAY too big!!!! so I tied it at the back I refuse to get rid of it I love it so much and its a very hard shirt to find (you can only buy it at halloween in the disney store its nightmare before christmas) but its exciting to be smaller

:wave: Hey gals!!! It is so beautiful out today.

Coldbrightday! Sorry I missed it! I gorged on pasta on my birthday in January. Don't feel bad. Just get back to doing what you were doing.

Enygirl, join in on the fun. I wish you lots of luck on your continuing journey! We're here for you.

Kimchee: yummy, I love that stuff. With a little white rice, or in our case brown rice, I'm good to go.

Zenor- Thanks for words of encouragement. I need to still post the pic of my ring too, it's getting resized and inscribed at the moment. I will have it probably by next week. As for dresses, since it will be very lowkey, I'm looking at tea length dresses, maybe be birdcage veil or one that goes down to my shoulders since it will still be summerish when we tie the knot.

GrammyL- I want to thank you too for the wonderful words of encouragement. Calorie Counting does work for me. It has been the only thing that has. Buffets are horrible. Though there are times when we can't decide what we want to eat so we go there. But after this last weekend. NO WAY! I felt so bad and bloated. LOL!

Tinygrammy- I don't know if I properly said hi, but hello nice to see you on here! LOL!

Ok gals, gotta run, I will talk to you later tonight! Take care!!!

Tinky~We went low key as well, although not as low key as I wanted. Families are funny in how they want the big party. I got married, that's all I cared about. Anyway, I wanted to tell you that I bought my dress at Macy's. The season after we got engage was a year with lots of ivory and white dresses in the winter formal/prom section. So if you are on a budget you should look at the Department stores. It's around prom dress time isn't it?

Tinky ~ DH and I walked through Macy's this weekend and the definitely had lots of formals and beautiful dresses. I saw one that would be a beautiful wedding dress. Both was weddings were very low key, court house. LOL! We had a nice reception afterward. DH and I actually had a hog roast and my MIL made a bunch of Mexican food along with tortilla's, boy that went over really well. People just loved it.

My DD just got hired a couple of weeks ago and McDonald's and I am really shocked at how they cook even the grilled chicken. She said 4 squirts (can't be healthy what ever it is) of butter on the grill so that it doesn't stick. Burgers, frozen when they go on and she said they are really gross as they cook and blood is still coming out when the time is up but there is carry over cooking. I will still eat their but we don't do it very often.

Irish ~ Nah, don't give up your favorite shirts. I just let mine hang because I don't feel comfortable tucking them in or tying them in the front. It is always nice to see how far you have come, nice reminder. Keep up the good work!

OK, DH is making progress. LOL! He felt guilty about eating a Calzone. I told him guilt doesn't fix it but thinking before you eat it all will help. I said eat half and have a salad. Well he didn't learn his lesson because he went and got another last night. ARG! I would say the guilt, although bad, is a sign that he is starting to pay attention. Hopefully soon he will start making healthier choices or eating smaller portions of the bad and including good with it.

I found a tea last night that I am hoping will help my digestive track. Its Togi Tea Stomach Ease. I am getting used to the taste and as long as its not to strong I am fine with it. I think its helping already because my insides aren't gurgling. LOL! Lentils and beans just tear me up but this eased it up last night after eating a big bowl of lentils with a chik patty. This morning I had a black bean burger for breakfast with 10 grain hot cereal and my insides are quiet and I feel good again today.

Zenor ~ I bought a can of Amy's Split Pea Soup last night. It was really good but not the same as Mom makes but for big healthy reason. Mom used to put a lot of ham in her Lentil and Split Pea soups.

Grocery shopping was kind of funny. Here are all these organic and vegetarian type foods and then came the big old slabs of meat. LOL! The people were probably thinking I am a little confused. DH has to have his meat and I will have some with him but I buy the super lean for me, he has to have marbled meat. I don't like the taste of animal fat and never have. I can remember when I was a kid cutting it off and others at the table eating it. It was just sick. DH claims my steaks are like shoe leather but his are a pile of goo to me.

Ok, didn't take my measurements, forgot and wouldn't have had time. I just keep getting slower and slower in the morning or time is flying faster and faster. Can't figure out which.

My official weight this morning, 172. WHOHOO! Now I am determined not to flub this weekend up. If DH wants to go out to eat, fine but no buffets or it has to be one I can order a meal at. I would like to at least be down to 171 by next Friday and would do a happy dance for 170.

Well I better get going and talk to you all later.