Hey Ladies. I got a little break from the boys tonight. Their dad came and got them for about 3 hours. Hes gonna drop them back off to me at 930. I didnt get a walk in. It was dark by the time I got back home. Im gonna get a workout in before they get back though.

I want to walk 4 miles tomorrow. Trying to get in as many as I can to get ready for the 5k. Im gonna try to run some of it but I know I wont be able to run it all. Nothing fun happening here. Gonna get some groceries tomorrow, need some veggies. Theres a farmers market on Wednesday when I have the boys. Need to go to it. It will be done soon.

Slow board...

Allison: good for you doing the 5K, regardless if you have a walking buddy or not. I need to get some walking in, I'm sure I'm not doing enough right now for my rehab. Gotta get around the block at least tomorrow.

Managed to get through the day without any pain killers, so that's a bonus. I gotta learn to live with some pain, I can't drive and work on the meds they gave me. I also managed to drive to and from Maddie's daycare, so my hubby won't have to worry about that when he returns to work tomorrow (he's been home with me since Thursday).

The hubby has been a trooper, he's Mr. Mom, Mr. Nurse and trying to get the house ready for the carpet installers this weekend. I don't even want to think about the amout of work we'll have to do in the next few days to get ready. Plus, he's still working on retiling the kitchen, which has to be done before Saturday. Life is busy for him and I feel horrible that I can't be more help. I can't bend at all, and he is already yelling at me for doing too much.

Go back next Wednesday to see the doc, so we'll see how I'm healing. I'm able to move around better, but really want to get back to the gym, which I won't be able to do for a few more weeks. Jeff has been really sweet and checking in on me though - one of the few friends who actually texted "good luck" to me the day of the surgery and then had a texting conversation on Friday to see how I was doing.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Hey girls - missed you all! We just got back from our quick trip to New Orleans last night. It was fun but it was a tough place to try to eat healthy - lots and lots of fried stuff and very few veggies and fruits.

burgundy - your 5k plans sound great!

maddiesmom - it must be so frustrating waiting to heal - hang in there!

So, yesterday I took an exercise break to give my feet a chance to recover from all our walking in NO but today I'm going to get in a run at lunch. What are you guys up to today?

Hey everyone. I only have a few minutes but wanted to check in.

Vicky-glad your hubby is taking good care of you. Hopefully the healing process is easy and quick for you. Take care of yourself and dont try to do too much.

Dance-we missed you too. Glad you had fun. Bummer on the no veggies and fruit part.

Gotta get to the boys house soon. Seems like thats all I do lately. Still need to get to the grocery store. Hope the farmers market is still going on today. Its a little rainy out. The scale was nice to me again today. One more lb to 50!

burgundy - Lucky you - our farmer's markets shut down at labor day - I wish they were still around. How exciting to be that close to the big 50 - how are you planning to celebrate?

Dance-it was a rainy day so there were only 2 booths set up at the FM. I got a few veggies but not as many as I wanted. Guess I'll just have to get them at the grocery store. Gonna work in the yard today. Gotta get a tree cleaned up that fell a few weeks ago. Maybe I can get Chris out there today(he might want to wait til Sunday). Ready for Saturday to get here, wanna walk that 5k!!!

Ok, girls - I suck! I've been a lazy bum since I got back from New Orleans and I'm turning that around as of today. I think it's TOM or something but I've been kind of low and wanting to eat bad stuff. Enough already! I'm going to get out for a run this afternoon and am only going to eat healthy stuff this weekend.

burgundy - what are you cooking up this week? I'm thinking I need to make some veggie soup.

maddiesmom - hope you're doing okay with your recovery!

Dance: I am so not motivated, it's crazy. Since I can't work out, you'd think I'd be watching what I'm eating - NOPE! I guess for me, exercise and eating well goes hand in hand. I need to start watching what I eat again.

Back is ok, not great, but not horrible either. I'm dealing with the pain (I have to live with it, right?) rather than taking the pain meds. I don't want to come reliant on them. Flooring comes tomorrow and we still have so much to do. I feel horrible that I can't help my hubby more, but I'm doing what I can. I was sitting on the floor of the closet putting my ebaying clothes in suitcases since we're getting the closets recarpeted too. I'm a bit sore, but I'm thinking it's because I haven't used these muscles in awhile.

So, carpeting all day tomorrow, then moving back into my own house in the evening. Taking Madeline to an apple orchard on Sunday - it's over an hour away, but my mom's been taking me there since I was a kid, so I want to have that tradition for my little one. Pony rides, hot apple cider, pumpkin and apple picking and homemade, hot cider donuts (my downfall, but we're not buying a lot of them). Should be a fun day as long as the back holds up. It's supposed to be 60, so should be great.

Anyone else have plans for the weekend?

maddiesmom - holy cow! for someone who's recovering from BACK SURGERY (!!!), you are one active girl! Love the idea of the apple orchard - what a nice tradition to share. I so know what you mean - when you're exercising, you just automatically make better food choices. I'm hoping to get on that bandwagon ASAP ;)

Nothing too exciting on the schedule for this weekend - I have friends staying with me that are in town for to manage sales at a holiday market of sorts and we're having dinner with them tonight at an asian place with healthy options. And Sunday my sis, my niece and I are going to that holiday market to get some early xmas shopping in.

Hope you all are doing great

ETA - after three lazy days, I finally got a run in :)

maddiesmom - how did it go with the carpeting? Hope you're loving it.

Ugh - I don't really feel like running but I know I'll feel better after. As an incentive, I promised myself a quick stop at a discount store on the way to run errands at Costco if I do my usual loop. Ah, the games we play with ourselves...

What are you girls up to?

Dance-I made a turkey roll yesterday so we had leftovers from that tonight. Havent made anything else. Chris wants a roast and veggies tomorrow. Did you get your run in today?

Vicky-you are a trooper dealing with your pain without the meds. Did you get your carpet in? The apple orchard sounds so nice. Wish there was something like that around here. I'll have to look into that. That would be good to take the boys to.

Did the 5k, it was just a walk. Not a walk/run like I thought. No one was running so I just walked too. Didnt have a walking buddy but did meet 2 of the nicest ladies from Kentucky. It was nice to talk to some other southerners today. We were the 3rd team to the finish line. It was a lot of fun and a great cause too.

Me and chris' cousin decided we are gonna have a costume party this year. Last year we had a fall festival for all the kids so its our turn this year. I got my costume today. Gonna be Sally from Nightmare before Christmas. Its cute. I'll take some pics. Got it in a size 12!!!!

No plans for tomorrow. Need to do a few dishes and straighten the house. Maybe I can rest some. Will have to take the pups for a walk today. I didnt today, just let them run around the yard. I'll have to boys Monday so probably wont get a walk in.

Hope youre all having a good weekend.

burgundy - woohoo for skinny halloween costumes! Will you be dressing up the dogs too?

maddiesmom - did maddie decide what she's going to be for halloween? I can't remember if you guys already decided.

Just got back from an early run with one of my houseguests so the week is off to a good start. It's dark and chilly now in the mornings - hard to believe the year is zooming by so fast.

Okay - food plan for the day:
B: fruit, yogurt, grape-nuts
L: tuna & ww crackers, grapes, carrots
D: tillapia, green beans, salad

What are you guys eating today?

Hope everything is good with you....

Hey girls - miss you guys! Hope everything's good with you all.

Stuck to plan pretty well yesterday. Food plan for today is:
b: yogurt with raspberries, coffee with skim milk
l: chicken stir fry with brown rice, strawberries, apple
d: tillapia, broccoli, green beans
s: grapes, raw carrots and pea pods

I'm planning on an exercise walk with the girls tonight after work and am going to try to run tomorrow - anyone with me for miles?

Dance-I will join you for miles today. I need to get a workout in. Didnt walk Sun or Mon. Had the boys all day yesterday and it was cold so we did Halloween crafts inside. I'll have them again tomorrow so I dont know if I will be able to walk then. I bought a box of crunch and munch the other day and have eaten too much twice now. Gonna take the rest over to the boys tomorrow. Gotta get it outta here.

We're planning a costume party for the 30th so I would like to be 186 or possibly 185 by then. Thats 11 days. Gotta get back to working out everyday.

Vicky-saw your pics on FB. Maddie is just so cute and you look great.

Hey ladies,

Still on my butt not doing much since my back is still sore. I see my doctor tomorrow for a follow up and we'll see if I have to do physical therapy or not. The numbness is still there along with the weakness, so I don't know how long it will be until I work out again.

Dance: Glad to see you are back on plan and planning your meals, I need to start that. How has your knees been with the workouts?

Burgundy: You could be 185 by your birthday. You can do it! Sorry I wasn't able to get to the 180's with you as we planned. Once this whole back ordeal is over with - I'm back on plan and having Jeff kick my butt again!

Thanks for the compliments on my pics - Madeline is the love of my life and she brings so much joy. She's a handful, but is wonderful!

I'll let you all know what the doc says, then it's back to work on Friday!

maddiesmom - I hope all goes well at the doctor's. You'll be right back in your workout groove soon, I bet.

burgundy - Ok, we are ON for miles! :) And you are going to be zooming past me on the scale at the rate you're going. I need to get seriously back in gear or I will be hanging out in the 160s for ever. I'm dying to get to a healthy BMI so I need to stop wishing and start doing, right? *sigh* Where's a magic wand when you need one?

Am going for a run later this morning and my knee seems to be cooperating pretty well so far this week. I'm back to tracking my calories for a while again to see if that helps me stick to plan. Food plan for the day:
B: oatmeal and berries
L: leftover chicken, stirfry veggies and brown rice
D: salmon and veggies.
S: string cheese, almonds, apple

Hey ladies, quick check in this morning. Gotta get to the boys house in about a half hour. Gonna get my miles in with the 4 y/o, Dance.

Vicky-you will get to the 180s. Let us know how your dr visit goes.

Scales still at 187 this morning, just waiting to see 186 but I need to up my workouts to get it there. Its just so nice to type 187 and not 200 or more. Need to get dressed. Been lazing around this morning.

Doc's visit went well - I'm healing as I should be, but the weakness and numbness are still there. He said the numbness could take a year to go away, there's no guarantees. What worries him is the weakness, so I'm starting physical therapy twice a week for the next 6 weeks, then it's a follow up with the doc on progress. Hoping something good comes out of this mess!

Food is still not good - I think I'm depressed from not working out, therefore, I'm eating like crap. I gotta stop and get moving - even if it's walking.

On the brighter side, I have a 2nd round interview for the job I want, it's with the VP of HR (who I know since I currently work in HR now). Keep your fingers crossed it goes well (interview isn't for a couple weeks).

Hope everyone is doing well.

One of these days we'll have to get on a three way call while we're all out walking and we could keep each other company ;)

maddiesmom - glad the doctor thinks you're healing okay. Where are you feeling the weakness, in your back or legs? And walking can be a great way to maintain some of that calorie burning without putting your body under a lot of stress. My (very slender) mom has back troubles but she has been a daily walker for years and it seems to really work for her.

ETA - had a great run - I did intervals of faster running with slower recovery running in between and it kicked my butt but in a good way ;)

Morning, girls!

We went out for a nice dinner last night and I stuck to plan - salmon and veggies. I did eat a few candies after dinner that weren't part of my plan but oh well - it wasn't too bad.

Plan for today -
- Walk 3 miles
- B: Oatmeal, raspberries
- L: tuna and ww crackers, apple
- D: tillapia, broccoli, couscous, green salad

Anyone with me for miles today (running or walking)? I'm heading out for a run at lunch.

Vicky-good luck with the physical therapy. Hope it helps give you some strength back. Good luck with the interview, you'll do great. Hows food been for you? Have you been able to get out for any walks.

Dance-you'll have to send me you phone number so we can at least text. I text all the time. I have Vickys number already. Good job on the runs. I havent walked the last 2 days since its been rainy and SNOWED for a little bit.

Trying to get everything together for our costume party on the 30th. Got some decorations yesterday. Went shopping with my SIL and the kids. We were gone from 8am-930pm. That girl knows how to shop.

Got a nice compliment from my twin sister yesterday(not directly, through my mom) She lives in NZ and yesterday was my moms birthday so they got to talk for a while. She told my mom that she was so proud of me for losing 50 lbs(almost) and she didnt know where I got the willpower from(I get it right here. You girls keep my accountable) She said she weighs 171 so I have 16 lbs on her. She has been a little smaller than me since we were teenagers. It will be nice when I get to see her to be the same size. We're hoping to get to see her maybe next year, have to see how things go.

What happened to Katylil???

burgundy - I hope katylil drops by to tell us how she's doing but I bet she's crazy busy at school. I like the idea of matching weights with your sis as a mini-goal and what a nice compliment from her.

My car isn't cooperating today - probably the battery but could be something else. My bf is going to come by with jumper cables in a few hours but it's definitely messing up my plans - argh!

Hope you guys are doing well!

Got a new battery yesterday and everything's back to normal but I ended up being a couch potato for the rest of the day and didn't get my run in. Unfortunately, I did not stick to plan foodwise either - ugh. I'm planning on getting some exercise at lunch today - anyone with me for walking or running some miles?
Since it seems to work better if I publicly plan my meals, here we go again -
b: oatmeal, strawberries, coffee with skim milk
l: green salad with tuna
d: rotisserie chicken, broccoli, couscous

Hope you all have a great day...

Oops - did not make it running yesterday. We walked to dinner but that was only 2 miles. I start off okay in the morning and then I get totally unmotivated about eating right by the end of the day - does that ever happen to you guys?

Dance: Happens to me all the time, especially with all the Halloween candy laying around the office. Ugh. I heard that studies show more people gain weight around Halloween due to the amount of candy laying around than Christmas and Thanksgiving! Crazy! I'm still trying to get back on track from my 2 weeks off. Hard to jump on that wagon when your back won't let you!

Things with me are crazy. Therapy twice a week, work is INSANE - I'm out for 2 weeks and all of a sudden, I'm getting dumped on with no assistance, and I still have to do my 2nd round interview. The sucky part is that even if I get the job, I have to keep doing my old job on top of it until they hire someone, and then I have to train them. I'm hoping they'll give me overtime, but no guarantees. We're implementing a global program in the next couple of months which means I have a lot of prep work to do. So, I won't be able to check in here at work.

Other than that, not working out, will start walking per the therapist's suggestion. I'm doing the PT exercises, but they don't seem to be doing much. Guess time will tell.

Girls we gotta snap out of it. I do good until the evening too then its all downhill. The munchies set in and I cant stay out of the kitchen. Havent been able to walk the past few days cos of the weather so I know that has some to do with it. Plus I have been kinda lazy and only turned the wii on once last week. Not good not good. I was hoping to be down to 186 by the party. I have 4 days, gotta do it. Bouncing back and forth from 187 to 188. GRRRR.

Looking on the brightside, since I've had to sit so much, I am now putting all of my old clothes on ebay! LOL i've posted over 60 items, 30 have bids on them. Using the money for personal training and new clothes when I need them. Plus, I want the room back in my closet!

maddiesmom - that's great that you're getting rid of your old clothes! What an amazing feeling - and even better to get some fun money in return. I was so anxious to get mine out of the house that they went straight to goodwill - I don't think anything was cute enough to sell ;) Glad you'll be walking soon - you can burn a lot of calories that way and it may help you handle all the stress you're under. How's the numbness?

burgundy - okay, we gotta turn this around. I'm afraid to get on the scale and see where I am.

I'm going for a run this morning and will come back and post that I actually did it. If you don't see a post later, feel free to give me the world's hardest time! ;)

I hope all our old buddies are doing well - it would be great to get an update on tifftiff, lindy, aj, staccie, katylil and mygrits.

eta - got out, but only for a walk. ok, I guess.

morning, girls!

Add a bunch of cinnamon to my oatmeal today - incredibly yummy. That's going to go into the rotation, for sure.

I have 30 more budgets to review today, aargh. Not my favorite time of year. I'm going on a run at lunch and am going to stick POP today, no matter what.

Here's my food plan:
B: oatmeal and skim milk
S: apple, peanut butter
L: ham sandwich, fruit salad
D: rotisserie chicken, broccoli, tomato salad

Girls, I wish you guys lived next door so we could get each other out for walks and cook up big batches of healthy dinners :) Hope you're all doing well...

Dance: It WOULD be great if we were closer to each other. Shame that we're stretched so far apart. How was your run? Knees doing ok?

Halloween candy has been my downfall this week - really gotta stop. I know it's the stress that is doing it to me (3-4 major projects to do this week, and one is for the company on a global scale - lots of pressure). Tons of deadlines and no option for overitme - so I eat chocolate. I know I gotta stop - haven't been on the scale since the surgery (I was at 196). Almost scared to now. Never want to be over 200 again.

Therapy is ok, I'm doing the same things I did before, so I feel like it's a waste of time (and money). They should just give me the exercises and let me go home. Still no feeling and still have the weakness, but at least the weakness is lessening.

Nothing else exciting, I'm going to ARP on Saturday with Jeff (therapist said it couldn't hurt, but ARP is pretty advanced and it seemed she never heard of it), so I'm hoping that it will help strengthen my muscles faster. Gotta start walking more as well...I feel so lazy because I'm not doing my 3-5 day a week workouts.

Any exciting plans for the weekend?

Vicky-I wish I wouldve thought to put some of my clothes on ebay. I took most to the thrift stores and gave some away. STEP AWAY FROM THE HALLOWEEN CANDY!!!! Could you do the therapy exercises at home? Hope ARPing helps you out.

Dance-the scale is still holding steady for me at 187, thank goodness. I just need to get back to working out more(dont I always say this) It would be great to hear from our other buddies.

Well I had fun plans for the weekend. We were having the costume party with one of Chris' cousins but yesterday she called and said she had to cancel it. It would have been ok if it were her party alone to make that decision but it seems like I was the last person to know. I spent a lot of time and money planning this thing. So we decided we are gonna have it at my house with whoever wants to come. Cant imagine telling all these little kids there will be a party and then just up and saying nope not gonna happen(yea I am a little mad) So now just trying to get my house decorated and goodie bags made(gonna stay away from the candy)

Gonna get out for a walk later. Need to go to my SILs sometime today and clear a spot in her garage to put Chris' motorcycle for the winter. Her garage is packed, that should be fun.

Happy Friday. :bat:

So we had our party yesterday. One here at my house then chris' cousin felt bad so we played some games at her house too. It was a fun day. Im trying to upload some pics on facebook. Did some grocery shopping today. Walked a measly half a mile. It was so cold out today. It snowed for a while, I am not a fan of the cold. Then I played a little soccer with the dogs, when I could get the ball from Bandit.

I am gonna turn the wii on later and workout. I am maintaining at 187 but need to get back into a routine. I have 3 weeks til our trip to Alabama so I gotta get into gear. I'll have the boys Mon, Wed and Fri, gonna try to get them out for some walks.

How was everyones Halloween?

burgundy - love your costume pic! How fun!! Glad you had fun at your party.

Sorry I've been so MIA this weekend. I took Friday off to hang out with my aunt who's in town and go discount shopping with her and my mom - such fun. I got in a good run and a walk on Friday, ran with a friend yesterday morning and got in a short walk yesterday so doing okay on the exercise front. Yesterday was more fun than I expected - we went to a friend's house to see her kids' costumes then hung out on our porch with my neighbors chatting, drinking wine and handing out candy to adorable kids - how can that not be fun?

Hope you guys had fun too - would love to see pix of Maddie in her costume!

Today, I'm meeting an old high school friend for lunch and am planning on getting in a run as soon as it warms up a little. What do you guys have in your plan for exercise today?

Food plan:
b: oatmeal, strawberries
l: brown rice, chicken and veggies at chinese place
d: leftover salmon, veggies and ww pasta
s: apple, almonds, string cheese

Will check in later....

Still no working out for me - but I did walk around our block twice yesterday when taking Maddie trick or treating (of course I gained all those calories back with the Halloween candy!). Allison, just can't stay away. I NEED MY WILLPOWER BACK!

Went to the gym on Saturday and did an ARP strengthening for an hour! IT doesn't hurt, just works the muscles. Must be working, I'm starting to feel stronger. Nothing yet in the numbness department, still there.

Dance: How was the lunch with your HS buddy? I just talk to my friends via FB, but I know I'm smaller now than I was back then. Some of them want me to drive to our home town to see them, perhaps I should make the 90 minute trek to get there.

Anyways, just letting you know I'm alive - and not on plan very well!

maddiesmom - wow, smaller than high school! You rock! I have a long, long, possibly not achievable way to go to get to HS weight - I think I weighed around 115-120 back then. *sigh* It was nice to catch up with my buddy though.

Hang in there with the recovery process!

ETA - Yikes! Big changes afoot at work. My mellow schedule of working from home and writing lots of reports has just changed totally. Lots more travel, no more working from home looks like how it will be now. I'm a little concerned with how it will affect my ability to stay on a good food and exercise plan. Any good advice? I'm panicking a little. I don't want to undo all of my progress in the last year and a half just because I have to adjust my lifestyle a bit!!!

Dance-did u find any good deals discount shopping? I am going to buy a winter coat this weekend. Old Navy has theirs on sale or there is one at Burlington that I love. Think I might hit up some of the thrift stores for some jeans. I wore a size 14 yesterday and Chris said they looked horrible, he said I need some tighter ones, LOL. Guess its time to get a few more 12s and get rid of the 14s and 16s. That sucks with your work situation. Just make sure to take your lunch and keep planning out your meals. Do you work in a office building with stairs. If you do, on breaks or lunch, go up and down the stairs. Just keep moving.

Vicky-what was Maddie for Halloween?

Finally getting back to a walking routine. Went 2 miles yesterday(had the boys, they rode their bikes) Also did some ab exercises yesterday. Today I did a power walk/jog and shaved 8 minutes off my 2 miles. I need to get batteries for my WII remotes so cant do that until I do.

I had a moment last night of "is this journey ever gonna be over?" Then I had crackers and peanut butter. Not the worst snack in the world but I didnt need to eat it at all. Today I feel better and know that going slow(even though its way slower than I want) with this process is the best thing to do. Just wanna lose a few more lbs before we leave for AL on the 19th.

Ive been thinking about buying one of those kymaro body shapers. I saw them on tv a few weeks ago then noticed they have them at Kmart for $10. Might pick one up later this week and see if it helps camo the muffin top. Has anyone seen or tried these?

Dance: Sorry about your work situation - it's tough going from one to the other. The best advice - plan plan plan! Matt and I plan our dinners every day and I pack my own lunch. I have the same thing, that way there's no choosing. For lunches, I know you're used to jogging, but perhaps you can go for walks? When it's cold, my coworkers walk around our huge building.

Allison: Madeline was Minnie Mouse for Halloween - still have to post pics to FB. Kinda behind since ebay'ing has taken over my life! As for body shapers, I found some at Kohls, one was a tank top that went from my chest to past my hips and it works really well at "sucking it all in." I don't wear it all the time, but when I want to smooth everything out under a dress or dress shirt, it looks nice.

So, the first round of ebays are done. I sold 50 items (not even half of what I need to sell) and I made $320! Not too shabby. Now I have to ship it all! Did better on meals today, really can't complain. Candy situation is better too. Starting to get my willpower back.

I know it seems that this is never-ending, I was thinking the same thing. Was also thinking - why can't I be happy where I am now? I've put a lot of work into myself, but I know I can lose more. I did have a random person in my office say that she's seen how much I've lost and thought I looked good. Made me feel good, but I know I'm only about 30 pounds from goal - and I really want to do it. That's why I'm still here - you guys help me so much!

maddiesmom - how cool about your ebay sales - you internet mogul, you!

What good advice from you guys. I'll try to start fitting in stair-walking and will work on meal planning. Sounds like I need to start cooking for the week again on the weekends and bringing lunches. I'm bringing breakfast this morning - berries, grape-nuts and yogurt - so at least I'm off to a good start.

Hope you all are having a good day...