I figure, half the people who see me workout are bigger and more out of shape and the other half are smaller than I am but still more out of shape. Ha, ha. That leaves no room for anyone who is in better shape than I am. Actually, most people who make comments are very encouraging and I wouldn't/don't pay any attention to discouraging or nasty remarks because they usually come from people who should be out there with me. Anyway those kinds of people are always on someone's back about something and soon go on to torment someone else. I'm not that confident I'm BRAZEN!!!

Shannon
Do you know my children complain about folding towels. TOWELS. I tell them that folding towels is the job everyone gives to the blind, deaf, DEAD person in the family that really wants to be part of the family and help out lol.

dg
That bending over and stooping and twisting can really get to you can't it lol.

good weigh in today..its a day early but im taking it as my weigh day..-1.8 so im 234.8. We are going wedding dress shopping today with my daughter and i want to be able to relax and enjoy my night without worrying about my weigh in tommorow.I do still plan to be careful about what i eat,,,but know i will be eating much later than normal for me.

That's great dgramie--almost 2 pounds. Actually my scales are in .5 graduations so that would be 2 pounds on my scales. And, yes you're so right about being careful even though you've weighed in. Remember after you get the blushing bride all fitted out you have to find something ravishingly beautiful for the mother-of-the-bride. Have any ideas yet on what you'd like to wear?

Go you! :carrot::carrot::carrot: Have fun shopping with your daughter. Wedding dress shopping, just about the best kind of all. *sigh* I am a sappy sap. I love weddings.


I had a great day, yesterday. On track, got my exercise and drank enough water. So, I'm happy. :D

I think I may weigh in on Monday, this time around. I'll see how I feel about it, come Sunday.

I hope that you are all having a terrific, on track day. Hugs for anyone who might be needing or wanting one.

Later, gators. :D

Good morning ladies-
I've been OP all week, weighed in this morning at 123.5, down (1.3) from when I started maintenance. I'm feeling pretty good today. :)

Retire - LOL...

Dgramie - congrats on the loss! Have a great time shopping for the wedding dress, and you absolutely have to look for a great mother of the bride dress! :)

Rain - good job being OP yesterday!

Shy - I used to complain to my mom about having to fold towels... she inevitably made me do something worse every time I complained about them, like vacuum... I really hated that...

Have a great day everyone!

Shannon, down 1.3! Yay! You! :carrot:

When I was growing up, in addition to helping with all the household chores, washing dishes was my own "special" chore. And we had no dishwasher and a big family. Oh, how I hated washing dishes. Still do! But now, my husband and son help with the dishes, so it isn't so bad. I would kill for a dishwasher, tho. :D

Well, now, don't kill for a dishwasher. Make that you're special treat when you get to goal. Maybe you could put a dollar or two away for every pound lost and then when you're at goal you'll have the money or most of it for a dishwasher. :)

Hello :wave:everyone....

I thought i would check in today, i haven't gotten to read all the post i wanted to say congrats to every1 that has stayed OP. For those that haven't My favorite motto is now ....Tomorrow is another day!

I have lost 1 lb last wek, and i have been OP so far so good this week. I my weakest day was yesterday, where i di not eat too well, i do blame it on TOM symptoms. I feel so bloated.

Hope all is well with every1 though.

hi everyone,
thanks for the congrats on the loss..
I am not even thinking of looking for a dress for myself till after christmas ..I still want to lose another 30lbs before the wedding.
i will let you know how it goes tommorow...have a wonderful weekend everyone

dgramie, I'm hearing you on that one. You'll be one chic mama.

dgramie, waiting until after Christmas for your dress makes perfect sense! Maximize your hotness for the wedding! :)

Alas... I live in a rental. Landlord made some lovely rumblings about installing one, once. But never followed through. :club:

Yeah... What she said. :D


I am doing well, today. And I seem to be posting like a madwoman, too. :hyper: On track and got 50 minutes of cardio done, too. I doubt I'll get to exercise this weekend. It is almost impossible to carve out the privacy I need for an hour on the weekends, in this house. *sigh*

Ah, too bad about the dishwasher. I guess you'll have to put pressure on the landlord.

I'm going to jump in here and say hello. :D My name's Thelma, I just started actually counting calories yesterday after deciding the day before that I couldn't hack Medifast anymore. I weighed myself this morning after forgetting to yesterday (hectic day, I had class, ended up with a migraine, etc ugh) and I guess I'll start playing with calorie ranges this week, as I've read that's the best way, right? Anyways, I don't have anything else to say really haha. :)

Well my daughter only tried on 5 dresses and loved 2 of them...she ended up going very traditional. She got her bridesmaids dresses as well.
I ended up low on calories after all yesterday and scales were even lower today.:O)
My son and his expecting wife are coming home today so I have to cook a big meal today..maybe cycling calories from yesterday.LOL
well hugs to all ..

dgramie - Ooh...a wedding coming up and a new baby? Your house is going to be busy with celebrations :)

I think I might be getting a sinus cold or something because I have a headache and my teeth hurt. For some reason, whenever I get head colds and whatnot, my teeth always kill!!! I am going to pop some advil or something and then go to the gym. I'm on "front door" watch this afternoon. Haha...my dad is painting our front door because the house just got sided and the door now doesn't match. They have to leave the door open a bit throughout the day to let it dry, so I have to make sure that I'm home while that's happening.

Hi Thelma. Welcome to Calorie Counters. This is a good plan. Once you get your calorie range figured out, which can take a little tinkering, it isn't that complicated. Nothing is off limits, tho eating clean and healthy foods is a good plan to follow, as much as you can. And it is a plan that you can modify to work in maintenance after you reach goal and stick with for the rest of your life. Keeping a food journal, either online or in a notebook is extremely helpful. Mine really helps keep me on track and accountable. Good luck and I hope that you post often. :D


Good morning, counters. Yesterday was a good day. On track, exercise and water done and in. I am going for a good on track day and all my water down, today. Unfortunately, it looks as though I will not be able to carve out enough private time to exercise. Probably for the best, my bod is asking for a rest. Monday will come soon enough and I can exercise again, then.

Weigh in is Monday, too. I think I am actually beginning to look forward to it. Maybe. :^:

Have a great day, everyone.

Hi Thelma. Welcome to 3FC and the Calorie Counters. You'll love it here.

Wow! Your DD picked out her dress in one trip. Amazing. And got the bridesmaids dresses, too. That must be some kind of record. Ha, ha. Have a nice family dinner today.

My teeth hurt, too when I have a sinus headache or cold. I've got something wrong with my ear the last few weeks that keeps coming and going. I should see about that.

You're really staying on plan lately. I'll bet you'll lose lots come Monday. I know what you mean when you say you're looking forward to weighing in--maybe. That wonderful anticipation and anxiety all at the same time.

Good Afternoon every1,

YEsterday was an absolutely horrible day for my plan. I do not want to even talk about it. Today i will start over again.....

I found the root to one of my problems and it seems to be my parents house. they arfe so very very vey unhealthy there. I had to go there for another birthday party yesterday and it was terrible. For now on i am going to bring my own food over there or just show up for the presents and cake and ice cream. (at least if i just show up for that i can plan for a small serving of it instead of everything else) Today is better. I have to do better on working out. I have slacked off considerably and it makes me feel awful. Why do am i not doing something that makes me feel better about myself, that is just stupid to me. I am smarter than that lol. Oh well, i will get there.

Hope every1 is doing better than me.

Don't beat yourself up. You hit a rough patch. It happens. It shows strength and determination that you are not willing to let this tough spell keep you down or defeat you. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and hit it hard. We all believe in you and know that you can do this! :hug:


Good morning, counters! I had a good day, yesterday. On track. A little hongry and ended up chomping down about 300 extra calories. But, they were quality, good food calories. And my body needed them. So, it got them. I was still very nicely within loss range and I am happy about it, this morning. :D Drank all my water, too.

I gave myself a day off from exercise, yesterday and I feel sooo much better, today. My poor old bones needed a little rest. I am ready to move again and am going to try to find a quiet spot where I can get in a gentle workout. Can't let myself get all stiff and lazy, again. ;)

I hope that everyone is having a good day. Happy, on track and feeling fine. See you all later. :D

morning
I didnt get any exercise all weekend long and i can sure tell it this morning. Today after i get done with my babysitting job i am driving to the town where my daughter is in college at and help her pick out flowers for her wedding. I also get to see the church and stuff. Ihave a feeling my life is going to be a whirlwind from here until the wedding is over.
She is wanting ideas on fingers foods that can be made ahead of time...any ideas anyone???

Thanks for the hug. I am def not trying to beat myself up about it. I know i cannot change the past, only the future. I am determined to make this work. thanks again.

Dgramie - at my wedding We did alot of food ourselves. We made fruit trays and vegie trays (these you can slice ahead of time and put in ziploc baggies then put them on trays before the reception) We also did meat an cheese trays, (same concept). You can also do finger sandwhiches (like eggsalad and chicken salad) these can be refrigerated and made the day of the wedding.
We hired a friend of my sisters (highschool) and paid him a little cash to set it all out for us while the ceremony was in progress. I gave him a diagram of how i wanted it set up and he did very well.
We also did things like meatballs in advance and pu them in foil pans. We got the Sterno warmers at a party store and used those to warm them up. Hope this helps some.

nonva- thanks for the advice..i may ask my daughter about having a group at school to work her reception and donate the money to them. It would be alot cheaper than actually hiring someone and would help a group at college out as well.

Hey everyone. I hope all is well with you all.

I am doing okay. Down another five, according to my nutty scale. I'll take it. :D

Dgramie, if you prepare foods like meatballs in advance, be sure that you bring them up to temperature in an oven before you place them on the warmer. Then be sure that the warmer can hold them at a safe, hot temp. Above 140. Otherwise you are risking a bad bacteria situation. Something that could put a damper on an otherwise beautiful day, fast.

I have to run. See you all later. :smug:

I agree, i might have left that part out, we pre-cooked them ahead of time and then just made sure they stayed warm in the Sterno warmers.

Here are a few ideas from my church catering and my own home parties. Most of these savory appetizers can be made ahead and frozen cooked or uncooked and cooked or heated just before the reception.

Warining: Non-diet, foods ahead!

I've also suggested some dessert buffet items that guests can serve themselves. When I make cakes for a banquet or dinner I usually make 2 cake mixes in the same flavor but bake each cake in 3 8-inch pans. That will give me 6 layers, enough for 3 2-layer cakes. For instance, if I have 3 chocolate cakes I make one a German chocolate, the second chocolate with chocolate icing and the third chocolate with peanut butter icing. With the white cakes the first would be a Boston cream pie, the second would be filled with lemon and frosted with whipped topping and sprinkled with coconut and the third might be a Jello poke cake.

Savory Appetizers
-Garlic Fingers
-Pizza Pinwheels (served hot or cold)
-Mini Quiche (served hot or cold)
-Pigs-in-a-Blanket with dipping sauces
-Cheese Puffs
-Anything wrapped in phyllo pastry such as spanakopita (spinach and cheese)
-White meat chicken nuggets with dipping sauces
-Perogies, fried/deep fried with sour cream dip (can be bought frozen and prepared before reception)
-Chicken wings in various sauces
-Don't forget the frozen section of the large grocery chains or Costco/Walmart/Superstores. They carry large selections of pre-made appetizers that could be less expensive to buy than to make. You may want to try these out first to make sure they are up to snuff for a wedding.

Make these the day before:
-Cream Cheese Tortilla Roll-ups (sliced)
-Spinach dip in bread bowls with bread and crackers to dip
-Sandwiches as suggested by other posters

-Pickled egg (can be purchased or made weeks in advance)

Dessert Bar
Ice Cream
–Vanilla and chocolate, etc
-Whipped cream/topping in pressurized cans
-Cones and bowls
Toppings
–Chocolate Sauce
–Butterscotch Sauce
–Pineapple Sauce
-Strawberry Sauce
-Sprinkles if kids are at the wedding

Cookies
–Chocolate Dipped Shortbread
–Chocolate Chip
–Oatmeal Raisin
–Assorted Squares

Cake
–Chocolate Fudge with Orange Chocolate Frosting
–Banana with Vanilla & Chocolate Frosting/Walnuts
–White with Chocolate Frosting
–Black Forest Chocolate Trifle
–Chocolate with cream cheese and strawberry topping

Beverages
–Gingerale and assorted soft drinks
–Sweetheart Punch (frozen berry punch with strawberries and gingerale or 7-up)

Good advice about the hot foods. Hot foods should be served hot and cold foods served cold. Don't want the wedding the news for the wrong reason.

5 pounds!!! WTG. You knew you were going to do well this week and you did.

Rain:

I had to laugh when I read this. Did your parents tell you washing dishes was "special"... :) :)

Just follow your own motta, "tomorrow is a new day". OR should that be "yesterday was a new day", since I am writing this on Monday :)

I am feeling good today... got my walk in at lunch... it is 2:30 pm and I have eaten 740 but that is ok because lunch was my big meal today... I think I am going to have a nice bowl of cereal for dinner... My new snack is 16 animal cookies...YUM!!!

Welcome Thelma! Calorie cycling does seem to be pretty popular - I often end up doing it totally by accident! :) I've been pleased with calorie counting, I've never done any other diet plan, every other time I've lost it has been unintentional calorie cutting!

Wow - wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses in one day! Cool! The first time I got married we picked out my dress in one day, but it took weeks to settle on bridesmaids dresses! And Rain & dlphnmomva are right - anything precooked needs to be reheated to 160 degrees or higher then, held at 140 or higher during service. It is pretty easy to do. (Can you tell I work in food service :) ) Also, hiring some folks from school to help out is a great idea, or even teenagers or college students from the church where you are having the wedding. I've been to several where we did that and it took a lot of pressure off and cost less than a traditional caterer. I can't suggest any recipes, but the ones retire listed sound great!

I just put together that my teeth and jaw always hurt with a sinus infection this year. I looked it up and it is a pretty common sign, but one I never recognized. Now that I know what to look for, I have a little heads up to go tot he doctor if I'm so inclined - my jaw usually hurts a day or two before I notice any other symtoms...
Welcome! :)

\
My parents have a house full of unhealthy food too - I have to try really hard every time I go visit them to not go totally nuts. Don't be down on yourself sweetie, you will get back up and back on track! :hug:

Rain - woo hoo! :cheer2:

Okay retire, now I find myself having a sudden craving for finger foods!:dizzy:

I was hit or miss on plan this weekend, depending on who you ask... I'm still targeting 1500-1600, thinking about raising a little since I lost 1.3 pounds on maintenance last week.... I had theater tickets Saturday night, went out for Thai food before hand (where I had a spring roll with my dinner), then had Bailey's and roasted cinnamon sugar almonds at the theater. I still think I came in around 1700, the Thai entree was all chicken, veggies, cooked in a chili paste. They don't use a lot of oil in the prep, I'm not sure how they actually cook it.... Sunday I was OP all day, then DH wanted ice cream and I gave in to it... Came in at 1800 calories, so 250 over what I was targeting.... It was the first serious splurge I've had in a while... I wasn't good about my water or my protein on Saturday, I caught up the water Sunday, but was still a little short on protein... Going to try to get back in balance today.

I did 45 min elliptical on Sat with 10 min ab exercises, 45 min Sun with 20 min cardio yoga, 45 min this morning, 10 min ab exercise, 55 min on the Weider this afternoon. Should come in about 150-200 cals under today to make up for last night's ice cream if I stick to my scheduled plan...

Good day everyone!

Yes, actually, they did. I wasn't dumb enough to believe it. :D

A couple of good, on rack days. For some reason, I am not hungry, at all. And it is hard to get in the minimum required number of calories. I am going to try harder, tho. :smug:

Hi everyone

I am also new to this. Calorie counting seems to be the only one that works for me. I don't like being restricted to what I eat. I always keep the 100 calories snacks on hand.. just in case I get the munchies. During the day I do great with the eating its once I get home from work that the cravings get worse. I have to cook dinner for my 2 girls and my fiance. Whats been helping me when I get those cravings at home is keeping fresh fruit around. Also I am not a big water drinker.. so I always carry the crystal lite packs with me.

So far I have lost 5 pounds.:D

Hello everyone - I've been POP the last few days, actually came in about 150 under plan on Monday (made up for a little of my weekend indulgences). I've been exercising every day, not as much as before, but still exercising. I weigh on Friday and I'm interested to see what happens with the weight at the 1550ish maintenance calorie level with the lower exercise. Might be ramping that exercise back up next week... :)

Welcome Jen & Belinda!

gosh I dont know where the last few days have gone. Eating has been great!! exercise has been NONE!!Scales showed it this morning..i have to exerice to lose!!Im hoping things slow down a bit in a few days...it seems like all we talk about here is the wedding and the baby coming in 2 weeks.fun fun

At least those are fun things to talk about!!! :)

Hi Jen and welcome. Obsessive, indeed. Why would anyone think calorie counting was obsessive-writing down every morsel with the calories, weighing, measuring, figuring out how many calories are in 1/10 of a piece of cake, reading labels, knowing calorie dense and calorie light foods....yes, maybe we are a bit obsessive but it works!!! Ha, ha.

Belinda, welcome and congratulations on the 5 pound loss!

So far this week I've been on plan and eating well. I missed one day of exercise because I had company and I was too tired by the time they left and I got everything else done but I'll get in 5x this week anyway.

Have a good on plan day everyone.

Welcome to the boards and to Calorie Counters. Don't worry about your boyfriend not getting it. My husband doesn't, either. :D I think it is hard for them, if they are not actively trying to work the program. Poor dears. :devil:

Hi and welcome :D 5 pounds, so far is terrific. For cravings, try to keep lo cal, healthy snacks ready to go. Fruit, veggie sticks, popcorn, stuff like that. It is harder when you have to cook for people who aren't working your plan. Hang tough, tho. You are off to a wonderful start.



Hey, everyone. :D I hope that you are all doing well and having good, on track days and nights. You are all in my thoughts, even if I can't get in here, as often as I would like.

I am staying on track and getting my exercise. I am feeling better, all the time and have noticed that little things, like getting my shoes on and picking things up off the floor and getting my housework done have all gotten a lot easier. Life, overall is a little more pleasant. I have a looong way to go. I am not fooling myself, but the progress I have made has really improved my life. I am liking it. A lot. And I want more. :D

Belinda:

Welcome!! Congrats on your 5 pound weight lose...that is GREAT!!! :carrot: :carrot: :carrot:

I will not pretend to know what you are going through with having to cook for the family... I am single with no kids, so I kind of do whatever I want. I do know that when I go to a friends house and they are ordering takeout, I feel like I want to run out of the house screaming to fight the temptation. HANG IN THERE!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!