Lori, that is so great. I'm headed out to walk this very minute. Where do you work, that you work weekends?
e

Hi Elyse,
I work at a steel company, but I dont work weekends, thank god Thanks for the support, and have a great walk!!!

Lori

Doing well this week! OP for the day


Great Lori on 2lbs lost.....This must be your week to loose.

Welcome Allison

Amie

Hello ladies!!!

I sincerely apologize for being MIA for so long; just busy with work and yard work here!

Aphil, congratulations on your membership acceptance! You surely deserve it, you're so talented!!

Congrats Lori for those hard-earned missing 2 pounds! glad you had a great time at the birthday party, and that you have some sun and warmth now also.

Hi amie! love the idea of the 3FC Pack, lol!! yeah, customs are SO expensive!! nice, but expensive. Do you know our HOUSE cost us just in the low $40,000 range 19 years ago!

Hello to everyone else! Bingle bug, of course we remember you...so sorry to hear that your surgery has taken so long to recuperate from. sincerest wishes on feeling more energetic soon!

Lissi, your dry humor cracks me up every time! I hope the motorcycle noises don't bother you too much!

cc, congrats on the new grandbaby!

Hope I got all my "catchingup" info correct..

I now see all the leaves I left from last year, ugh. We have hardly had any spring rain, and that makes it easier to do the raking/clean-up, but I should be wishing for rain, as it's very dry. I've been watering my emerging peonies by the gallon, as I know I'll be rewarded in June if I water them now.

Have been doing so-s0 with eating. DH is totally off SB, is back to buying chips and ice cream, etc

I have been riding ALOT!! coldest yet was on my way to work Tuesday morning at 4:00 am, it was 34 degrees. I figured out the windchill at 50 mph (yes, I'm slowing down since that last speeding ticket AND a warning I got a week later - more on that below) and the windchill factor is "feels like 0 degrees" brrr! but I thawed out once at work, and then in the afternoon it was 70! so it was worth it.

We rode to southern Vermont on Saturday, to meet two guys from our online motorcycle forum, for barbecue. It was a great day! over 200 miles, meeting new friends, and good lunch

oh yeah - the speeding warning! I was driving to work (in the car) upset because my husband said I talk to online friends more than him. Well, I turn to the computer when he comes home and collapses on the couch to watch TV. I try to initiate conversation, and when he hardly answers, and keeps watching TV, then sure, I will use the computer. So, He picks the time that I'm literally out the door to work to bring this up....nice timing

I didn't realize I was going 65 and I NEVER saw the cop by the side of the road...but then I see those blue lights behind me, s*%t!!! I pulled over, and had already started bawling by the time he comes to my window. I had JUST mailed my $156.00 speeding ticket payment THAT morning!!

well, he was awfully nice, and actually more concerned that I was so upset and crying, he thought there was something deeper wrong...kept asking if there was "something he could do for me". Guess he thought I was abused or something but I appreciated it. Just told him it was marriage problems. He even asked if I would be OK driving the rest of the way to work, if I wanted him to escort me! I said I would be fine, and would slow down.

Wow! I really didn't think I'd get off. and truly didn't cry to try to get off, that just came by itself.

So husband and I have been trying hard to be considerate of each other. It kinda stinks to have to work so hard at getting along!!! it should just come naturally. Which worries me...sigh.

well, it's still chilly (like 35) but nice sun and blue skies, so I should work out, rake leaves, then ride!

Hi Holly,
Yeah you would think it would be easy to get along. But after living with anyone that long it is hard. I think it is the same with 90% of couples ofter the first few years. My DH will say I don't spend time with him, that I am always up stairs working out but when I am down there he is watching TV and never answers or will give a one word answer! My Friend and I talk about this stuff all the time. Glad your back and SLOW down girl!

Amie

EXACTLY! sigh.

and yes, I am slowing down. Yup

Vermontmom glad that things worked out for you. Sometimes the cops really can show a different side and be so understanding. I had a similar situation last year. He just warned me and let me go after an nice chat about the speed limit in that area. At least your hubby and you are talking things out that is a big step. Good luck!
Elyse congrats on your wt. lose. Its so hard sometimes but when those numbers move it feels so good. Sense of accomplishment.
Allison welcome!
Everyone else hello! Keep up the efforts with the exercise and good food choices.
I have notived since I increased my exercise I am so hungry. I guess this is normal and I just need to get it under control. Recently I lost 4 lbs and it helped motivate me to exercise more to reach my goal. I have walked 10 miles total since sunday including a workout at the gym. Any good ideas ?
Thanks, cc

Hi, group! HELP!!!

Here's my story: I woke up one morning and found myself at 175 (how on earth did THAT happen???) I started on WW but only ate lean meats, vegetables, lowfat cheese, etc. and lost 15 right away. Waited a while to maintain that, then started over again last fall on WW Core. I lost another 10-12. Now I'm stuck. I recently kicked the Coca-Cola habit and replaced it with Diet A&W root beer. I know that will help a lot! I also do 30 minutes on the Gazelle 4-5 days a week, more for cardio than anything else. I need to get my butt back to the gym on the machines to strengthen but just can't seem to find the time.

You guys seem to know all about this calorie counting ... anyone have any suggestions? I've been trying to stay around 1200 calories but maybe that's not quite enough. I just want to lose to at least 145 (prefer 140-142 range) and STAY THERE.

Hi, everyone! I'm a newbie and glad to have found you. I'm going to keep this short as I want to be sure I'm doing this right before rambling on. I'm 42 years old, struggling with the same 20 pounds. I've gained it and lost it a few times in the past 15 years. I'm finding it's harder and harder to do as I get older. I'm going to try it "The old fashioned way" this time. I started a calorie journal, and started back on the treadmill today. For the past two years I've been joggin for an hour every morning. I haven't improved with speed or endurance, and I haven't been able to keep my weight down, so I'm going to try something different. When I lost 20 pounds two years ago I did it with ww and running on the treadmill. So, I'm going to try again, but without ww.
I'm looking forward to meeting you!
Suzanne

Suzzane welcome! This is a good site I find reading everyones postings is always motivating for me. I tried many different ways to lose wt. and the best for me seems to be calorie counting and increasing my exercise. I am a bit older than you and I have been losing so its a bit slower perhaps but not bad. Maybe since you have been jogging for so long you need to mix it up with some other types of exercise. I belong to a gym and exercise there but also enjoy the outdoors to walk or jog. I try to stay around 1500 calories a day, but everyone is different. Good luck to you. I went to the gym on sunday and worked out. It was a rainy weekend and I did some sewing finally finished a retro quilt I have been making. It was a paid project so the pressure was on to finish it.
CC

Welcome Suzanne and Kathy My stepdaughter who just had a baby is Suzanne. We are a busy group (well, maybe I'm not always so busy). My tip is keep reading the posts. Being part of a group helps me. This weekend we headed out to a barbecue and I found myself thinking "what would those girls do?".

We thought we might get our introductory flying lessons at that event but it was too windy .

DH & I spend yesterday touring Savannah with visitors. Went too long w/o eating. How do people do it. All had breakfasts at or before 9am, around 1pm had ice cream and frozen yogurt (me) and a few free sugary treats. Didn't eat until around 6pm. Yet I got really hungry and for them it is normal.

I had peeled oranges with me and a protein shake. Next time I'l take my own advice.

Hello again, everyone!
CC and Elyse, thank you for the warm welcome. I appreciate your kind thoughts, and tips.
I didn't do well at all staying within my calorie range today. I didn't exercise, either. I'm not going to dwell on it, but I am disappointed in myself. Tomorrow is another day.
Here's my plan (maybe if I "publish" it, I will be more apt to follow it!)... I'll jog/walk for 60 minutes on the treadmill before work. I'll eat 2 eggbeaters, low fat cheese and lite bread for breakfast. I'll pack a lunch of yogurt, fruit and a bran muffin I'm meeting dh for dinner and already know of a low cal dinner option. I really need to keep busy. That's the key.
CC, you sound like you have a nice workout routine going. I agree that I need to mix mine up a bit. I'm looking forward to doing some bike riding this spring/summer. That will at least keep me busy.
I hope everyone has had a good start to the week.
Suzanne

Hi everyone! I'm back from my trip!!!

We had an absolutely AMAZING time at Celebration III. Words can't even describe all the fun I had! I am humbled and honored to announce that among some pretty great costumes and talent acts that I placed first in the individual category of the Celebration III Costume Cabaret!!!! That was a pretty emotional experience for me!!!
With our involvement with the 501st, I had some pretty amazing opportunities over the weekend to chat with some amazing people-from one of Jim Henson's (Muppets) puppeteers and creature creators to the film actors-you name it and I got to do it. Just phenominal!!!

It is really going to take me a while to get back into the swing of things after the trip I had.

Now back to 3FC-


Katpo-I do want to comment on your last post. I do believe that if you are exercising regularly, that you should be eating more than 1200 calories a day. If you have been at 1200 for a while, go up just a tad to 1300, and then maybe up to 1400 after a few weeks at 1300. 1200 is too low for most people.

You are pretty close to your goal-and there are a few things that you should consider-the first is whether or not the goal weight you have set is ideal for your height and body type. If you are tall, large boned, or older 150 may be ideal for you and your body could be telling you so. I would love to be 125 pounds just to have that nice number-but it is not in my DNA. The lowest adult weight I have ever been is about 130 and I had to really struggle to maintain that weight in my late teens and early twenties (before children) so ideally about 140 is a more natural maintenance weight for me.

Another thing to remember is that the last few pounds are the hardest to get rid of. You really have to work for them and be patient. Your loss may really slow to a pound lost every month or two now that you are getting down pretty low. Just be patient!!!

Holly-I am sorry to hear about your marital problems. Jason and I went through a really rough patch about a year and a half ago-and it was really bad there for a while. We found each other again, and I pray that you do too. Keeping you in my thoughts. In the end though, my only advice to give is that no matter what-stay true to yourself and your needs. Don't settle for anything less than a goddess like yourself deserves. (And you ARE a goddess!!! )

Morning Everyone,

A BIG WELCOME to Kathy and Suzanne...glad to have you here!

Aphil~ glad to see you are back, sounds like you had an awsome time, good for you! And YAY for you for winning the contest.

Well I have done good staying OP. Been eating good and excersising...Took last night off from the excersise though cause my finace has to work all nights the rest of the week and I wanted to spend some time with him!
Also you girls didnt know, but I am a smoker and I have decided to quit, for my health, I want to be around to see my great grandbabies!! My middle son is soooooo happy to, he has been after me for the last couple years, I havent done to bad, I use to smoke on average a pk a day and yesterday I only had 7...baby steps, baby steps.... I see it happening though....I am so scared I am going to gain all the weight I have lost though so I have been cutting up alot of fruit and bringing it to work with me to snack on, that has helped. My fiance is quitting to, isnt doing quite as good as me but the main thing he is trying and I cant ask for more than that.

Amie~ Where are you?? Hope all is going good...

Well hope you all have a great week.....

Lori

Whoa, how easy it is to slip back. I thought my exercise had made up for excess eating over the weekend and then I relaxed into not writing down my food/calories. Just doesn't work for me. I'm "eating in the dark", head in the sand. And I still can't get the early to bed thing done.

Back to the charts today, yes Suzanne , we start again - I think it was you who mentioned that.
I'm trying to catch up on posts.

Holly - Glad you didn't get that second speeder. Caught the cop on a good day, at least someone was in a good mood.

Aphil - Congratulations over and over. You've worked passionately for so long, and now you have acknowledgement.