Hi you busy chicks, You all are so good to check-in daily and your post are funny and inspirational, I am always so suprised when I think I have missed a few days checking the posts and it turns out to be over a week..yikes...

I am also doing an april Challenge on the South Beach site so I am trying to keep up with both.So far this month I have lost 3 pounds, I had set myself an 8 pound goal for April so I still have 5 to go. I think I need to up my water intake.

One thing I have been doing is taking advantage of the great weather in Michigan the last few days...Going to a local Metropark and hiking with my son...Today maybe some yardwork will break up the exercise ho hum!!!

Keep up all your good work everyone!

*Does a great big happy dance in her spastic dancing manner*

I AM FINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *does some more happy dancing*

I just got back from my Dr's appt. WOOHOO!! He said I had a small cyst on the left one, and it popped on its own and thus the bleeding and pain, and now I'm FINE. He also told me that the tri-monthly **** of my cramps is from the patch, so I'm going in Tuesday to get the Depo shot, which will hurt my arm for 5 minutes and then he said I probably won't have my TOM =AT ALL= anymore. Bad part -- some women gain a little weight. Good part -- every time they tell me this about birth control, I end up LOSING 20 lbs. So I am totally psyched about this. No pills, no nausea, no stupid patches pulling off the skin and peach fuzz hair on my butt... *Sighs happily* I AM SOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!

Haven't worked out today. I went and got my hair cut, though. Just a quick trim, and now it's uber cute and I'm gonna dye it this afternoon.

I think I'm gonna go do a quick 20-min stepper session, dye my hair, grab a quick light lunch (salad & some meat or cheese) and then hop in the shower super quick.

4 tapes to do today, as normal, but hopefully they're quickies. If not, I'll handle 'em Sunday afternoon.

Anyway... thanks to all of you guys SO MUCH for being so supportive and wonderful while I was freaking out about my test results. Only thing that's wrong with me is my borderline anemia, which has always been there, and probably always WILL be there, and my super-low cholesterol that they tell me to go eat a tub of Crisco for. *Yeah, right*

Today's food is kinda funky. WE went quick shopping last night for some food (we kinda ran out? ), and I got a box of grapenuts, 3 green peppers for snacking, more salad, more apples (fave fruit), a bunch of skinless boneless chicken breast, and...

BROWN RICE. Aren't you guys proud?! I wasn't able to get the whole-wheat pasta, because there was one kind and it was WAY too expensive (I'm sorry but $5 for 16 oz. of pasta is STUPID), but I got a bunch of good stuff, anyway. I feel a lot better.

My bad buy -- a box of strawberry poptarts. Since they're fairly decent (at least they have vitamins in 'em? ehe?), I can have one for a night-time snack if I need something sweet. I think it's a good idea for me... Better to munch on that than eat a bowl of ice cream!!!

Ummm other than that, I'm gonna go work out and eat my lunch now!!

Hope you guys are having an awesome day!! WOOHOO!! FRIIIDAY!!!

Good afternoon chickies!!! It is SO BEAUTIFUL HERE IN GEORGIA TODAY!!!
I love this weather!!

I have had a really good day. My Kindergarteners and I baked cupcakes (we cook every Friday). They decorated them to look like butterflies on the top (since we are studying about butterflies). They were Devil's Food cupcakes with chocolate icing. MMM....but, I didn't eat one!!! Yes!!!! Boy they smelled good!

I didn't eat one, because I am good and sore from my exercise. I rode my bike for another 30 min. last night (That makes every night this week!). It has been hard to fit the exercise into my schedule, and I am trying not to cancel out my hard work by eating badly. Well, we have got to rejoice when we are strong!!! Just keep me away from the Reeses!!

I plan to do the bike for 30- 40 min. tonight. I am reading a good book, and the time is flying for me. I am proud of my exercising.

My food is right on points today. We are going for Mexican tonight, and I will get the grilled shrimp, which is pretty healthy.

Lucy - I was SO EXCITED to hear your good report!! Good for you! I have the same problem you do with anemia. It is a pain in the butt!! I have always dealt with it. But, you are doing a fabulous job staying on track with everything, and that's GREAT!! Hey, post us a picture of your hair!!!

Julie - Hope you are having a fabulous day chickie. ((((JULIE))))!!
Jennifer - Ditto. ((((JENNIFER))))

Angel - Good to hear from you!!! 3 pounds is great!!!

Maggi, Joy, Ladyrose - Keep on kickin butt girls!!!! Woo HOO!!!!

Let's all be a bunch of losers next week, o.k.????? WE CAN DO THIS!!! IT IS DOABLE!!! WE'RE GONNA DO THIS THING, AND WE'RE GONNA BE KICKIN SOME BUTT ON THOSE SCALES.

Ok a little change of plans. No workout..... no time today!! *ack!*

Nothing too terrible, though. Could have been much much worse!! I am craving chocolate like mad, though. Since I have been pretty darn good all week, and under calories EVERY SINGLE DAY, I am thinking I may reward myself tonight with something. Maybe, maybe not. We'll see.

Lisa - I just might post a crappy webcam pic of my hair hehe!! It has funny color, though. My hair is about 10 minutes away from being "flaming red" Feria color. I always do reds... kinda fits me naturally. This one is pretty darn red, though. I'll hafta see how it comes out. Anemia sucks, doesn't it!! I take vitamins w/ extra calcium and iron and it seems to help a bit. I've found that iron supplements don't help at all, so I don't bother taking them anymore.

Lucy, the iron supplements don't seem to do a thing for me either. They just upset the tummy!

Angel, congrats on the 3 pound loss! Way to go!

You can still reach your goal for the month, chickie!

Keep up the hard work!

Magnolia- enjoy your mini-vacation away- relax and have a wonderful time..we'll be here to tazer you when you get back.

Julie- with the Smart Start cereal, I measure a heaping 1/4 cup measuring cup (so about 1/3 cup) of the cereal, and that ends up being 14g carbs. The soy one- I've had that twice, and use that when I don't want to deal with the addt'l ounce of cheese with breakfast, or something like that.

Lucy- so glad you're ok- posted in your journal about it. I wanna see the new hair & do!

Lisa- you sure are blazing a trail on that bike, girlfriend! That dress is going to be falling off you at this rate! Did you decide on an upper body workout plan yet?

Classwork & laundry beckon tonight...and it is definitely soup for dinner, so I can multi-task. I'll check in later, chickies...have a great night & weekend!

Jennifer - I am doing 5 pound weights for the upper arms. I don't know the exact names of the exercises, but my DH showed me about 3 to do. I am sore, so maybe I am doing the right thing. I am also doing some toning exercises, like those you do with the Bally rings - have you seen those?? They make your arms feel like Jello when you are done!!

I am nervous about the dress. I am VERY MODEST!! I am thinking about saving the dress for next year and getting a newer, less revealing one. Hmmm..... DH thinks I am insane, and won't even discuss the issue with me any longer!!! MEN!! I just think I need some major toning to pull that dress off by May 1st. What to do????

Can one of you chickies come here to Georgia, look at the dress, and give me your opinion?? LOL!!!!!!!!

OK chickies...I must say that this has just been one of the worst weeks for me food and exercise wise! I don't know what has happened to my motivation! I really need some words of encouragement here!

Today was another write off! IT SUCKED! I started the day off alright...usually do and by lunch time, I had eaten 3 pieces of pizza! Yikes! Then, for some stupid reason (don't even ask me why!!!) I weighed myself! Now, what did I figure???? I am up 2 lbs from last weigh in (Monday)...Back up to 173!!!!! UGH! So then, what do you suppose I did? Certainly not go exercise or stay away from the food! I figured "Screw it...if I work so hard and this is what I get, then I am going to eat whatever I want!!!!" And I did...I found the nearest chocolate and started with a handful of cadbury robin eggs and malted milk balls and then another handful, and another! As if that wasn't enough...all I could think about was to go to the store and buy a big bag of something sinful and just pig out (but I didn't)! I did, however manage to eat one of those sinful Lofthouse icebox cookies with the yummy frosting before I went home!

I went and got my car washed and vacuumed it out then headed to Target to get a bridal shower gift. (We are going up North this weekend to my hometown for a shower, so probably won't be checking in til Sunday) Came home and had a quesidilla (turkey & cheese) and some coleslaw! I would have eaten another 1/2 pizza, though...I was so hungry!

I know that I am making these choices. I know that I need to get things under control and I know that I have to get back to planning my food daily! All these things I know! But I certainly was pissed today when I saw that gain! Darn scale! It just made it all seem so useless to me! I have struggled for 3 & 1/2 months to lose a measly 10 lbs and then I gain back two!!! I just wanted to scream!

Tell me...am I not working hard enough? Seriously! Do Ineed to be super vigilant? Do I have to be "perfect" with food and exercise EVERY day for me to lose? I want to know!!! Why is it that some people can do this and it be so darned easy and I struggle so much with just losing a few lbs?????? YES, I am frustrated! YES, I am angry! YES, life is just not fair! Yes, I am whining! and YES...you can use the tazer on me or do whatever it takes to help get me back on track!!!

OK...here's the deal! I do want to be in the 160's by May 1! That means 4 more lbs in 2 weeks! Can I do this? Of course I can, but how??? I want a personal trainer and a personal dietician to make up my menus! Anyone want the job??? LOL! Actually, I just need to stay focused. I know what I need to do! I need to bike or hike or workout every day and Ineed to plan my meals weekly, so food is not an issue!

MANTRA FOR THE WEEKEND: Take control! You want the body (like the e-Diets makeover chick)! You can taste it...but not in that (insert food here)!!!! Willpower...I need willpower!!!!

Alright chickies...I should be inspired by all the losses going on but honestly, I'm a little jealous...and that is never good! So, please let me say...you all have worked hard and that is what it takes, so keep up the good work and I will join you! Congratulations, chickies!

Hugs to all!

O.K. take a deep breath Ms. Julie! First of all, you have not technically gained back 2 pounds. Tsk! Tsk! Weighing that soon after you ate is not accurate! O.K., my hip is mighty arthritic, but I will drag myself up on my soapbox.........o.k. here I am! You have not sabotaged anything with a few bad days of eating. True and permanent weight gain comes from continually making poor choices. And...are you PMSing? That will bring on eating like you are describing every time. Now, us chickies must have our chocolate - it is a law here in the U.S. for goodness sakes, but you must now step away from the Cadbury. You need to up your water, up your fiber intake, and kick some a** with your diet. I personally believe that weighing more than once a week messes with the mind, and sends some false signals, but I know it is hard to stay off the scales.

Basically, I know you have what it takes to be successful. You have shown that here. You are doing a great job, and I want you to look at the whole picture and just erase that pizza from your mind. Let tomorrow be a fresh start for you. Dust yourself off (here, I will help you -*dust* *dust* *dust*) and start anew. You can do it.

Here I am reaching through the screen, giving you a big (((((HUG))))). Did you feel that??? Girlfriend, you have your cheerleader swimsuit to get into - don't forget you promised us a picture!! WE LOVE YOU CHICKIE!!! We are in this TOGETHER!!! I'll make a deal with you - I want to lose 4 more pounds in the next two weeks also. Let's do this thing - are you with me????

p.s. I did not once mention the tazer - See? I am not a tazer bully after all.

Julie!!!!!!!

Julie, let's analyze this....

You didn't gain 2 pounds- you weighed yourself fully clothed and stuffed from 3 slices of pizza & how much water from what you drank during the day. THIS IS NOT A WEIGHT GAIN.

Now, since you are following the same basic plan as me, I can tell you how this affects me. 3 slices of greasy, carbohydrate loaded pizza. You are stuffed, but starving. Last time I touched pizza, at my mom's house, I immediately ate a cup of fricking jelly beans, and then the sugar triggered the salty taste, and I ate a paper plate full of pretzels. You just did the same thing with the chocolate and crap. Part of it was the carb overload. The other part is the "Stinkin' thinkin" where you are positive you gained instantaneously. You do this 2 or 3 days in a row, and sure, you will....

For me, the food can be perfect every fricking day, and if I don't exercise, the fricking weight climbs. Crap, I should be burning off a pound a day just existing, but noooo, not that freaking easy, Jules.

You want a personal trainer? I'm here. We plan, you do it. Or I tazer you again. You have been working too hard to throw this away. Don't give up now. You will do this. You just got a kick-*** bathing suit you need to look good in. And then there's Kayleigh- you give up now, what are you teaching her? That if it gets hard, give up, and eating crap makes you feel better? I don't want to sound harsh, girl, but I know what you are going through- I had 175 pounds to lose. I'm nowhere near where I need to be, and this is going to be really hard, for a long time, but you know what? For the first time, I believe that I am worth it. And I believe that you are worth it, Julie.

Take this weekend....go to the shower...and come back on Sunday night, with new resolve and new focus. I know you can do this girl,

Love,
Jennifer

Lisa girl, I live in GA and I'll be right over, LOL!!

Cindi, what area are you in? I live north of Atlanta about 35 miles!!