It is RAINING again! Will it ever stop, will the sun ever come out again........... At least it almost the weekend

SusanB, believe me it will be over soon and be a faded memory. I am so bad with waiting, I drove my realtor crazy. What is taking so long? The apraisel? These days they can get done a lot faster than they use to.

Well I have decided to get back on track I am going to make myself a work out chart for each day of the week and change it ever other week to get that variety. I do good with charts, it helps me not to skip because I do not want to fail or mess my schedual up. I felt bad yesterday about the 8 lbs I have gained and decided not to let it go any further. I am also going to pre-make my snacks and lunch to make it a little easier for me time wise. I made a day schedual with my 6 meals/snacks timed out and also to make sure I get my 8 glasses of water a day. This has lost me overall 50lbs and I think with mixing up the exercise and getting back on a good eating habbit I can get off this 34lbs. Wish me luck. I will start tomorrow (grocorie day ) It is so hard with day light savings time and then colder weather to get out but I think I made a good work out schedual that I can keep. I have a step block for the step arobics, a treadmill, hand weights, a polati's DVD (i can't spell?) and a running track accross the street at the high school.

How are you Vermontmom ?
Keep dancing Aphil that's the best exercise!

Have a great weekend every one


Amie

Check out my family's web site. It is set up for my family in Maine to see what is going on here in the Carolinas and to see Taylor grow up. Take a look.....You can see a family shot of me a year ago and one now. The weight difference is huge!
Aphil check out my daughters halloween costume, I made it from skratch with out even having a pattern. I wash so happy with it! It is on the "what Taylor is up to" link then at the end of those pictures.

www.home.earthlink.net/~amiemoses

Amosos,

I checked out your website. You are right, there is a big difference in your pictures. You look beautiful in both pictures and you have a beautiful family.

Deb

debbiejarrell Thank you I think it is fun to see family pictures, even more so, when you talk like this online and have never seen each other. I am always wanting to see what they look like or what there children look like that they talk about etc. I is the end of a long work day for me and I am sleepy I up by 5:30 AM drive an hour both ways and do not get home till about 6:05- 6:15 PM!

Have a nice week end.......

Amie

I'm sorry the days are getting short too. I love to walk after supper. There is nothing on TV but I would sit in front of it and eat anyway!

Hi!

Amie-your pictures are great! Your little costume turned out great!!!! BTW...you did know that my name was Amy didn't ya?

Things are going pretty well here. We have troupe practice this weekend-and we are getting our photos taken for our upcoming website. I will definitely get the link up here for you to see when it is ready...so you can see me and the other dancers-and check out the costumes that I have worked so hard on.

My bathroom is going together great. The floor and painting is all done...I restained the baseboards before we put them back in so they are nice and bright looking...I bought a new shower rod, liner, rings, and outer curtain. I still have a little more to do-I need to pick out something for the walls...new towels "for show" , and some other decor. I am happy with how it is turning out though.

I have started my holiday shopping...we are trying to pare it down this year and not spend so much on everyone. Soo....I am going for quality over quantity this year. Going for practical gifts everyone can use (like new Rubbermaid containers) or something small but indulgent (Bath & Body Works bubble bath), or letting them pick something themselves (the good ol' gift card).

Debbie-how are you doing with the little change in your plan? I am right there with you. We are going to bust this plateau together. I am really paring down my diet and trying to eat clean...and get my 5+ produce servings each day in my calorie limits...really refining my diet. Thinking of food as fuel and not comfort. I am ultimately aiming for lean fish and chicken, soy, yogurt, fruits and veggies...and complex carbs like whole wheat pasta instead of white...oatmeal, etc. and limiting my treat calories to 100 a day.
I had whole wheat pasta last night for dinner with tomato sauce. The rest of the family ate regular white pasta-so I took my box of whole wheat-and separated it beforehand into individual little ziploc bags. I bought rotini/corkscrew-so it was easy to separate into the individual servings. This way...I don't have to measure it out when I make it every time-I just boil mine separate in another small pot.

Another thing I have been doing is buying dry/in the box sugar free fat free pudding and making it. I make it with skim milk and divide it into 4 little dishes-so it is already in individual servings. Making it this way is healthier than buying it already pre-packaged. As far as I know-the prepackaged ones are not sugar free...I have only seen fat free anyhow. So...it is less calories per serving and has more calcium. (15% RDA per 1/2c. serving) That has been my "under 100 cal" treat once a day for the past few days. *I am hooked on the pistachio...it is a childhood thing. *

Question...does anyone here eat pomegranates? I have been wanting to start eating them while they are in season (TONS of antioxidants in them) but I am unsure about the whole process. I do drink pomegranate juice occasionally though.

I am strength training today...and going to be doing a little mending/sewing as well. I have some dance things coming up here soon...and lots to do to get ready for that.

I really need to kick my workouts into high gear...the yearly Christmas party at Jason's work is December 6 I believe...it is always a formal affair...fancy gowns and catering...you guys who have been around have heard me talk of it the last 2 years. Well...the dresses that I have bought and worn the past two years are both too big...so I am on the search for a new one. Actually...my area thrift and second hand stores have a great selection of used formal, bridesmaid and prom gowns...I am gonna check those out first. The two years ago my gown was a 16/18W, last year a 14/16W...this year it will probably be a regular 14-in misses not plus sizes. It has been slow going guys...but hey, I'll take going down 1 size every year for the next couple years.

Hope you all are doing well...get to exercising and stay on track! We have holidays coming up!

Aphil

Aphil,

I am doing great. I have been staying at or below 1500 calories and 30 grams of fat. I went to the doctor Wednesday. When the doctor weighed me, the scales showed that I have lost 6 lbs in 3 weeks,(I was at my doctor's 3 weeks earlier). I was very surprised at this. My scales a home show that I am down 2 lbs. I don't know what's going on with that. Time will tell. I'll just keep on "keepin on." I did not do very well at keeping my calories below 1800 last Saturday, (normally my day off from counting). I am going to do better this Saturday. I have been lifting weights 3 days per week for 30 minutes and working out on an elliptical trainer 5 days per week for 30 minutes.

It sounds like you are doing great. You seem like such an organized person. Going down 1 size per year is great. When you loose weight like that you are more apt to keep it off, which I am sure you will do.

Thanks for all your help.
Deb

Hi!
I can try to do a little explanation about the doctor scale thing...were your two appointments at different times of the day? If they were-your weight fluctuates at different times of the day...you will obviously weigh a pound or so more right after dinner than you would first thing in the morning after an all night fast...so it is best when weighing yourself-to do it on the same scale...at the same time of day each time. For me-it is once a week first thing in the morning. I always do it in my undergarments as well...so I don't have to think about if I wore shorts last month when I weighed in...and now I am in a heavy sweater, boots, and denim.

I am glad that the little tweak in your plan is working out...if you are using your own scale and counting it as 2 pounds down...you are doing just great. Good for you.

Aphil

One dress size down .... two pounds down ... it's all good!

My computer keeps crashing!!grr. I'll post when it will let me. I am thinking of you all. Let's see if the great void eats this reply!!grrrr

Hello ladies!!! been awhile since I've talked...finished the summer/fall job, now into the winter one, and had to buy TWO used cars in ONE WEEK too bad we can't ride our motorcycles year round!!

amie, thanks for sharing your family pics!! the one of you outside, in the red sweater - you're so pretty!! and yes, one can really really see the weight change! congratulations! what a nice house also, I'm happily jealous

aphil, belated Happy Birthday!!! Now you get to stay at 29 forever, girl!

Hi debbie, Susan, Irish Tart also!!

I've been slacking big time. I've been exercising, but eating what ever is around...and it's showing now. Just got on the scale, expecting bad news, and its shows 151.

My self-control is out of whack. I'm feeling pity for myself, and blaming it on my husband who has gained even more weight in the past few months (very very big now) and there are snacky cake things, candybars and chips around all the time now. This is so hard, even without that!!! Tonight I have to kindly beg him to please not bring it home. I don't know when he will look at himself realistically and see how big he is, and at least healthwise do something...let alone think of being physically appealing. It's very hard for me to be critical that way, 'cause he was always saying i looked fine no matter what, but I never got so big that I was worried about a stroke or heart attack.

A couple of my added pounds might be fluid, as I haven't been doing my water intake either My clothes don't feel noticeably tighter...but I haven't kept track nor felt accountable for any eating lately. some bad habits creeping back, like a bowl of cereal or two pieces of toast in the evening, when I'm not hungry at all, just having something. I'ts hard, isn't it. It's hard for me to keep trying denying myself treats, when husband does not deny himself anything. Oh man, so much of this is psychological!

Nothing to do except accept what I saw on the scale, and admit that I haven't been trying! It does help to come here more often, and I will, to selfishly help myself and try to help my sistahs

aphil, WTG on the bathroom decorating!! I need to fly you here for advice for our homey wreck

We had the first snow on Friday night, and EEEKK!!! I had my first "fishtailing" of the year...there was about an inch of accumulation, and I was going up a steady incline, and jeez, don't have the studded snows on yet...the rear of the car started sliding back and forth, EEEk again!!

The snow is gone now, it got into the '40's the next day, but it's cold again now. But you know, that first bit of snow is a good kick in the pants for me, at least...now I see the priorities, like getting the snows on the cars, finishing the leaf raking, putting the lawn mower away, finding the snow shovels in the garage and getting THEM out, finding all the gloves, mittens, snow scrapers, BLEH.

yeah, buying TWO used cars in a week....we knew we had to replace one car, that wasn't worth putting the money into to fix it back in March, and that was when husband started riding his motorcycle to work, so I got to use the remaining car for work, then when it was warmer we both used out 'cycles, and worked off the one car for groceries, when it rained, etc. Last week,as I was taking that remaining working car to a different mechanic, was told that the head gasket was blown ("you mean your other mechanic has been around this car, and didn't notice anything" he asked me) and that it was pretty much junk.

At least this new mechanic had a couple of used cars to chose from, and I'm glad that we had the cash to get them. But our bank account has taken a serious strike. We'll be OK as long as nothing else major comes up in the next two or three weeks (KNOCK ON WOOD FOR US!! )

Well, I've been all over the place in this post had to get some things off my chest, will finish up then select a tape to do.

aphil - 'fraid i can't help with the pomegranates query - have only had them once or twice, and don't want to buy them now, due to a scene in a Stephen King novel

can I ask you what is the serving size, dry , of pasta? On the package is says "2 ounces, dry" but I don't have a little scale. I know a cooked serving is a half cup, right? but how much dry makes a half cup cooked? It is SO easy to make too much, isn't it! and I don't want it around.

Good Afternoon All

Thank you, Vermontmom! I was wondering were you were. You sound just like me....I have really let go with out actually giving up. I gained and just this weekend feel like I am back on track. We did a bike ride Sunday. We had the nicest weather! Finally I thought the rain would never go away. I think as long as you don't totally give up and keep up the fight you will get back on track My husband is has gained weight too. He is only like 30-35lbs over weight but eats sweats like crazy. I can believe the cakes and things he eats. He get mad at me becouse I do not bring home junk food. He is aware of his weight though and go through spells were he will loose 10 lbs but then gains it all back???

Aphil is right about the weight thing. I like to check my weight at the same time once a week and have done it twice in a day and gained 3lbs! I also do it in the morning after I am awake and before I eat. I am 2 lbs heavier here at work, there is a big scale at the bank in our building? I am going with mine it is the one I have used from the first day a year and a half ago.

I am going to get out for my lunch walk, everyone have a good week and take it one day at a time.

Amie

Hey everyone...quick note here...

Holly-I take my dry pasta and separate it by how many servings are in a package. If it says 8 servings-then I try to divide it evenly into 8 ziploc baggies...then I don't have to measure it each time. I am sure you could do it with spaghetti by tying it in little sections with string, maybe?

We are getting our dance troupe website going soon-it will be finished in January.

www.zweena.com

VermontMom,

My BF, who lives with me, does the same thing as your husband. He brings in junk food because I don't buy much of it, then I can't stay out of it. I know my limitations, if it is in the house and I want it bad enough I will eat it. Potato chips are a real problem at our house.

Aphil,

How are you doing with the change in your plan? I have figured out my problem. It's the weekend. I am not doing well at all on Saturdays and can't seen to get it. Too much fat and calories. Monday thru Thursday's I do great. The rest of the week I struggle. I will keep working on it. I will get it eventually.

I hope everyone else is doing great and sticking to the program.

Deb