Hello everyone!

Quillie, I think I dislike counting calories so much because I've done it so many times and i always seem to miss one weekend and the next thing you know I can't get back on track and I end up gaining more weight (oh wait, that's every plan I try LOL!!!) But seriously, I personally just hate playing the numbers game, feels like a ball and chain around my ankle, but it's what I know I need right now. I've got too much freedom with the "YOU: On a Diet" plan, so ball and chain, here I come! lol (Interestingly I've lost somewhat significant amounts of weight in the past at both extremes. I lost around 10 pounds or so counting calories (yes, that's a "significant" amount to me!!!) and I've lost about 17 pounds following a spiritual plan in which the only thing leading me was the Bible, daily lessons, an accountability partner and my stomach, true freedom of eating. Unfortunately neither was permanent.)

Enygirl, hope you're not coming down with anything! Take care of yourself!

OK, scale was unkind again this am, really going to have to stretch it out to get below 145 in the next 2 weeks, but I can do this.

I am going to rejoice in the fact that I am off this week, I can exercise all day if I want and I can plan my meals because I have time. It can be all about me in my house.

I went for a long run Saturday and included a huge hill (over a mile up). Perhaps I should have picked long run or hills but not both. Yesterday, I was so sore...DH wanted to go on the motorcycle, I went but you should have seen me getting on & off.

OK, I'll be back in a bit, but I have to go shower. Have a hair appt first thing this morning.

Good Morning Everyone~I weighed this morning. The Scale was not good to me. I took the week off from exercise thinking if I ate op I would be okay. Not so!!!! I gained 3 pounds!!!!!!!!! My shoulder is much better, the numbness in my hand and fingers is gone. My hip feels better, my knees don't ache. So I am going to start exercising again; I have to loose this 3 pound gain. I am headed for the 170's. Eny~How did you do? I will catch ya all later Pat

The scale gods are apparently mean to everyone right now! I didn't workout yesterday - my body needed a break after 10 days in a row of hard workouts. Yesterday was also a completel binge day - but I'm ok with that. This morning the scale was back at #187.6. *sigh* I have to start working hard again today... I WILL see the #170s!!!

Hard a hard time sleeping last night, and woke up feeling nausous this morning. I know TOM is supposed to be on his way, and I'm trying not to get my hopes up that it could be a but I have to admit that thought is in my head!

Here's to a better day girls!

*hugs Eny* I had a hard time sleeping last night too, I had bad dreams all night long. Weird.

Oh well, new week, new chances!

Ditto on that mean scale! I'm back to my starting weight! But it's my own fault. I'm the one who didn't stay on plan and didn't get any exercise. GRRRR!

Oh well, today is a new day. I'm going to be counting my calories to see if I can smooth out the wrinkles in my plan.

Dixiemae, glad you're feeling better!

Eny~!! Can you take one of the ept's to see for sure? Then you would know, and know what to do next. Please let us know. My 2nd cousin is having her baby boy today. I am waiting for my sister to call and tell me he is here. Pat

TOM's due on Thursday, so if he doesn't show up then I'll take one first thing Friday morning. I desperately want a but Joe is one of those "if it happens, it happens" kind of guys. We aren't actively trying, but not stopping it really either... so we'll see.

There are 6 people around me that are pregnant right now.. which only makes it harder on me. But when and if it's my time it'll happen... I know that.

Good luck Eny!
Babies are wonderful. I hope it's your time!

Dixie, welcome back to the world of exercise.

Maybe we should perform a ritual to please the scale gods? What would they like? A sacrifice of tomatoes?

Blue serenity, I hope you will do even better on your YoaD diet, I'm going to google and see what it is all about! I don't mind the ball and chain so much, except when dining out, that's why I calorie cycle, that way there is never a problem.

LOL!

Thanks Quillie. On YOAD you cut out (or cut way back) stuff like white flour, sugar, high fructose corn syrups, saturated fats and eat more whole foods and good-for-you fats, limit your carbs (carbs is the area I think I'm having trouble in). It can be hard to cut out those products when eating processed foods - they're in everything! But they aren't really that good for you anyways, so I don't mind doing it. I'm trying to eat healthier to avoid diabetes (runs in the family).

What is calorie cycling?

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Blue~I like your new avitar. It is beautiful. When did you start this YOAD diet. I am not sure I have heard about this one. I, too, will do a web search to check it out. I need something. I am not into weighing and measuring everything.

Quillie~I would sacrifice a tomato if the scale would be nice to me. Something has to give!!

MM~I am back!! I did 50 min stepping. With brisk "walking" during commercials. Normally that is when I would jog. I think I need to hold back on that awhile longer. Then work it back in slowly. I feel good, everything seems to feel okay. I want to try exercising on my big ball using a small ball for ab work. Not a bender ball, but something like one. I have a dvd using this mini ball for pilates. That just might be the ideal thing. MM you are a genious!!! Okay back to the treasure trove for some more digging.

Eny~How are you doing?

Shaker~How are you? Got your server fixed yet? How is training going?

Everyone have a good night. Catch ya all later. Pat

The scale didn't move at all today, so there will be a ritual slaughtering and eating of a tomato later!

BlueS I thought about cutting out processed food, but so many things are, even healthy things. Like crackers and fatfree ham. I could not live that way I think, though the idea is very tempting. Calorie cycling basically means that you don't eat the same amount of calories every day. You have high and low days that way you metabolism should speed up. In the past eating a lot of calories on one day has helped me break through plateaus.

Eny, you've made us all very curious, I hope you realise that.

Well I'm definately not pregnant... Which is good. i'm in a funk though - and I knwo that OTM is playing a HUGE role in that! I need to focus on a few aspects of life right now. I'm going to make a plan that incorporates time management, financial management, weight loss, house cleaning and work.

These are all aspects of my life that are completely out of control right now - and it's killing me. I'm so stressed about so many things, that I can't focus on anything! AHHH!!!!

It seems every month I get into this funk around this time, and I let other things take control of my best intentions. i HAVE to nip it in the butt NOW! It's time to refocis - look at everything I'm doing, organize it.. revamp and get sh*t done! I have to recommitt to losing weight and eating better! The last 2 days have been HORRIBLE - which is better then a week - but I need to stop it NOW!

I haven't worked out since Saturday. I purposely took Sunday off for a break - but yesterday there was NO reason for it! NO MORE!! I'm making a list of EVERYTHING that I need to get done today - and I WILL DO IT! Even if I have to put a time limit on myself in order to get it done! AHHH!!!

Eny, we've all felt that way, heck, we all feel that way today.
One step at a time. OK, so you aren't pregnant? That means you have time to focus on you before you get there again.

Let's all commit to eating well from now til we go to bed tomorrow night, then tomorrow we can decide on another goal. I am going to be 100% OP from this minute until tomorrow night. I am also getting at least a 30 minute exercise both days.
I think I will follow Pat's example and get on the elliptical whilst I watch my beloved, toilet tanking, NY Yankees.

I also cleaned my upstairs bathroom yesterday, just stripped my bed and I am going to go spiffy up the bedroom. Pick a small room and get something visible done, laundry put away, counter cleaned, something you can see that makes you feel more in control.

We can do this. TOGETHER!!