So I woke up this morning feeling much better. No I haven't exercised yet and quite honestly I probably won't. My DH (I just learned some of the acronyms for this forum, I'm so happy) has gone to help his dad take down a tree, I have a friend coming to see me from out of town and I've started looking for some recipes to help me get started on a healthier eating plan. I'm not into counting calories or points, I just think if I cut out junk than the weight will start to come off. I think I'm finally at a point where I realize that it has to be slow. No more quick fixes for me. Slow and steady wins the race and my daughter learning how to eat well and keep active is the most important thing I can teach her.

Aunty EM, I'm glad you had fun at the wedding. It's always great to go somewhere and have a good time.

MsRD, keep your chin up. Everyone has bad days, yesterday was mine. You will get through it. So this time you're wearing something you "settled on", next time you'll find something great. Just keep at it, you'll reach your goal. But remember if you can't be happy with yourself now, you'll never be happy with yourself skinny.

Have a great day everyone. See you tomorrow.

Congrats TBJ333!
My hubby and I do the same thing. Do a great grocery shop and than eat out and it's hardly ever healthy. We're working on it. I'll keep you in mind as inspiration. If you can do it, so can I.

Food was not good on Friday. I let hubby talk me into the local pizza deal, being a medium 1 topping pizza, an order of breadsticks, and a 2 liter for $8.99. A terriffic deal, but I didn't need those calories! Especially since I'd already had a buffet this week. Between the two of us, we polished off the whole thing, 50/50. So, anyway, I'm up half a pound, and my "clothes-o-meter" hasn't changed.

Weekends are the toughest for me to deal with because there's less structure for me to plan meals and exercise. My sleep schedule gets off because my body is compensating for getting up at 5:30 during the week. I wish I could take a nap at work! The food curfew was hard to keep, too.

I did, however, get a chance to work out on my stability ball yesterday. Boy, I forgot I had all those muscles! I was so stiff this morning, that today was a rest day from exercise.

8. I bought a set of 3 lb dumbells and a jump rope today. Not to use together, of course... The dumbells to use with my stability ball (which I HOPE to use every other day now), and the jump rope to alternate with my morning walks. I figure that at 5:30 in the morning, it's too dark outside for anyone to see me making a fool of myself with the thing until I get better at it.

9. I just bought 2 new pairs of shoes last weekend: a pair of walkers, and a pair of cross-trainers. I didn't really have the money to spare, but getting my exercise is important to me, and I don't want to ruin my feet. I figure that if there's one thing I'm going to invest in in my life, it's going to be my health.

---------------

TBJ-- Latin phrases are just an odd curiosity for me. Ever since my dad would tell me "Non carborundum illegitemi" when work was stressful, I thought phrases like that were cool, so I searched online and found a treasure trove of sayings and such that I use for signatures, screen savers, etc. Oy, scrubbing tile can really take the wind out of your sails. Truly back-breaking work. If Tilex can't get the grout clean, I've heard rave reviews from co-workers about Oxi-Clean. I've not tried it yet, but I know several people who swear by it. I'm going to try it on my bathroom floor soon.

Teresa-- Welcome! The more the merrier! There's plenty more weeks to go, so you're not too late at all.

Flirtigirl-- I'm glad your feeling better. I know it's VERY easy to get down on yourself when you start to get out of a good habit, but the best way to get back into it is to stop thinking about those missed days, and just pick up where you left off. Easier said than done, though, I know!

MsRD-- Clothes shopping can be the pits sometimes. Especially when you're between sizes. Once I drop another size, I will have no good clothes anymore, but I still won't be the size I want to be, so I'm torn as to whether I should spend any more money on nice things.

Aunty Em-- I'm sure that dancing did make a difference and combat some of that extra food. Logging really does keep me mindful. I think twice about some snacks because I don't really want to write all that down. Call it vanity, but I'd rather skip one treat than look bad on paper

Elisha-- I hope you're feeling better in the morning. I get down quite a bit, too. Not always about anything, either, just the general blahs. I'd love to see the hair coloring. It sounds pretty

Evening All!
I have tried to read through the posts but I just have run out of time! I see that there are a few new members! Yea!

Let me first say that MY TRIP WAS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!! AND...I hiked TWO mountains of the four!!! It was hard work, but I must say that it wasn't near as difficult as I thought it would be! I just didn't want to push it by doing the other two that WERE much more difficult! I am so proud of myself for this accomplishment of hiking and it has renewed my confidence in myself knowing what I am capable of doing! I am going to try to post a picture (or two) of me at the top of the mountain if I can reduce it small enough to fit! (OK, there are three. There are two of me alone on Thursday, the 2nd hike (yellow shirt). One is of me on TOP of the mountain and the other one is of me at the bottom of the mountain. Going down was more of a challenge than going up, really! The other one is of me and my sister on the first day! I look very happy, and I am! I think I was walking on air when I finally made it tot he top of a mountain for the very first time! I'm in the purple shirt.)

I am going to start tomorrow with a modified Weight Watchers plan until I can get started with the program! I announced to hubby that "we" were going to start tomorrow! He wondered who I was talking about!!! LOL....I just told him that we all need to start eating healthier!

My sister is still here and I will be taking her back to the airport tomorrow. I have all/most the laundry caught up, but have to go to work for a few hours tomorrow! DRAT! I am excited, though about getting started again with the fitness part of this journey. Although my foot or back did not bother me during the hike, my foot was pretty achy most of the time. I just medicated, taped and got tough! Guess that's the key! You wouldn't beleive the people that I hiked with who told me they also have/had plantar fascitis!! I got a new exercise to try, also for it!

Anyway...I'm happy to be back here with my chickies and am glad that you all are still here. I haven't seen a Lisa or Jennifer post but didn't read through all of them. Anyone know their whereabouts???

I'm ready to start this journey again and remember that even though I may fall, I can get myself right back up again and keep going!!!! (Remind me of that when I am starting to get down in the mouth!!!)

Hugs to all!

Hey Betani, congrats on working out on the stability ball. I try to use mine as much as possible but it really is hard and you really do feel it the next day. It was funny, my parents came up for a visit this weekend and my step-mom had never seen one so I told her just to sit on it. That in itself is hard to do if you're a first time user. Well she did great for about a minute and than she tried to join back in on the conversation and lost her concentration. She almost fell off. After that she told me how proud she was of me for using it at all. I told her it gets easier with time and practice.

And your right, I just need to get over it and get back to it. Tomorrow!!!! I already have my gear out and ready to go. I'm glad it's Monday, because like you, my weekends have no structure and planning meals and exercise are next to impossible. It's also the only time I get a chance to sleep in b/c my DH gets up with my daughter.

Welcome back Hikein2005, where did you go for your holidays? Nice job on the hiking. I used to do it all the time when I was younger. I'm not sure how well I'd do now.

Well I wanted everyone to know that I am getting back on the saddle tomorrow. I even spoke to my husband about starting to eat healthier meals. I think I've been using his picky eating as a scapegoat for eating well myself. He told me to make whatever I wanted. If he didn't like it, he could make his own meal. He even promised to wait until I was done eating and off doing something else before he made some tempting food. My DH is really supportive, I need to thank him for that more often. Heck, I need to realize it more often.

It's the start of a new week, everybody who fell off the train over the weekend,
"All aboard" we're moving again.

Morning chicks!

Welcome Teresa! Of course it's not too late, just jump right in!

Julie, welcome back! Glad to hear your hiking trip was a success and your foot didn't trouble you too much.

As for me... bleh. Every weekend, too much food. I've decided that next weekend I'm not doing ANYTHING at all except sitting around taking care of myself. I've just felt so depressed lately, and I haven't had any time alone to manage all the crap that's in my head.

I've decided that I really need some new clothes. Every morning I look in my closet and I hate my entire wardrobe. I know it would help things out if I lost some weight, but really, I just need new clothes. I don't want to buy anything though, because I don't want to spend money if I'm just going to lose weight and have to buy more clothes anyway.

I don't know. I'm just discontent with everything right about now.

Today is one of those days where I just want to exercise and lift weights and eat only healthy fruits and veggies until all the fat is gone from my body. Of course, I have absolutely NO energy to back up that statement (because I couldn't sleep at all last night), but that's my mental attitude. I get so sick of being overweight. Today I don't even want coffee. I just want to abstain until it's over. But I know that can't be done.

And I know Dani is going to want me to go to lunch with her today, and I'm not going to. I'm glad she will only text message me instead of calling, because I think that if I actually had to speak to her I would get mad and yell that I don't need to spend the money and I don't need to get any fatter, so we need to stop eating out.

I feel like a time bomb today.

And here I sit at work, not wanting to be here, not wanting to do anything but sleep, not wanting to be fat and uncomfortable in my clothes anymore.

I want something to happen with the house (it's taking so damn long!), and I want something to happen with my weight (again, it's taking so damn long!), and I want something to happen with Steve (umm... do I really need to repeat?).

I need something to change. I changed my hair, hoping against hope that that would help in some small way, but now I just have a hair color that I'm not crazy about and still don't feel any better. I do that to myself occasionally--change something insignificant in the hopes that it will change something more significant inside my head. It never works, but I keep trying nonetheless.

I just don't know what else I can do. What is it going to take to get somewhere else?

Bleh... sorry for the rant. I'll stop now.

Kari, I use the same excuse--Steve is eating it (or any other family member or friend). That's no excuse though. I have a stability ball that I never use. I really should. I have a few routines that use it, but I never do them.

That reminds me... I did go through some of my Self magazines this weekend and tear out those cards they have with the workout routines on them. I might try some of those routines tonight. I need to do some cardio--thinking about mowing the lawn, it really needs it--but I need to start focusing on strength-training too. And stretching, yoga or pilates. I've got to get moving again!

Julie (again ) Haven't seen Lisa or Jennifer around in a while. I wonder where they have gotten off to... Now that your hiking trip is over, no more excuses! Let's get back on track together!

Betani, I had to laugh at the image of using the jump rope and dumbells together... I think I would end up falling over just from confusion trying to hold everything together. So pizza is your downfall too, eh? It's an easy trap.... I don't want to cut it out completely, but I always end up with too much.

TBJ, I've got a scale that measures body fat. I'm not incredibly sure of it's accuracy, but it gives me a reference, and I guess that's all that matters. My family does the same thing with fruits/veggies, so we've just started buying small quantities at a time, and frequently. It's helped some, and we are trying to make a conscious effort to eat more fruits and veggies, so we're getting better.

Aunty Em, glad you had fun at the wedding, and good job with all the dancing! That definitely burns calories!

MsRD, everything is always the wrong size and the wrong color, or too expensive! Sometimes I think the only reason shopping exists is to remind us of what we're not--skinny, golden tan, and rich!

Joy, I too, am trying to work in more active social time, like playing catch with Steve. And that certainly qualifies as a "new" physical activity to me! I don't want to think of that kind of thing so much as exercise, just as something to do, you know what I mean? I want it to be part of my life, just how I live. I don't know that I'll ever get to that point, but that's what I'm shooting for.

Chickies, we need to find a way to navigate weekends. (I think I said that last Monday, ) Yes, posting our intake on weekends is a good idea (which reminds me... see below), but I'm not sure it's enough. I mean, I still ate a TON of food this weekend. Something's got to change.

Sunday:
Lunch (Bob Evans)
2 rolls w/butter
2 g. sweetened raspberry iced tea
salmon w/garlic herb sauce
grilled veggies
mashed potatoes and gravy

Dinner
3/4 Long Island Iced Tea
water
9 chicken wings with garlic and butter
celery w/ranch

OK, my brain is empty now. Guess I'd better start working now.
Have a good day, chicks.
~Elisha

Hey! I'm having a little better of a week, at least so far. Me and Jesse worked a lot on the house Friday and Saturday, we FINALLY got the electric done! YAY! That takes so much stress off the both of us.. now it's just drywalling, painting and furnishing from here. After a year, it's finally starting to look like something. Then Sunday we just took the day to get away from everything, we went to the Grafton Dam and Valley Falls and Pricketts Fort to feed the ducks.. then it started storming, but it was nice to just be me and him and away from all of our problems plus, I got him to talk about our wedding a little (he tries to avoid the subject!).

Eating went pretty good this weekend... we were so busy, I didnt have time to snack a lot. I did eat cheese fries last nite, and Elisha since you're moving here, if you haven't eaten at Mom's Place.. stay away. I love their cheese fries!

I haven't been exercising as much as I should be. I work all day in a kitchen making pizza's. It's so hot.... It feels like when you open the oven and all the heat rolls out and hits your right in the face... that's what I work in ALL day long. It's pretty bad when you'd rather be working outside in the 95degree heat.

But, that won't be for long... My old job called me and wants to me come back, they told me they would give me a 10-6 M-F shift and get mybest friend on the same shift if I would come back. HECK YA! I'm happy to go back cause I really need the money and I didn't mind the work I was doing there. Me and Jesse's having a lot of financial problems lately with the house, wedding, my credit cards and to top it off, he never paid his dues from when he got in a lot of trouble in Pittsburgh about 5 years ago, and if we don't come up with $500.00 by Friday, he's going to jail to pay off his dues! I'm glad he's changed so much since then, He drives e crazy now, I couldn't amagine how he was back then. I'm also gonna start to sale Avon today to make some extra money for our wedding. Elisha are you an Avon buyer? You want some? :-)

Hikein - Glad to see you made it! That's awsome, I don't think I'd be able to make it, I get so hot and tired fast. but I need to start setting goals like that for myself, like whitewater rafting or I'd love to be able to run a little marathon one day, everyone in my family has been a runner except me, it would be cool to be able to do the same. Maybe I'll think of something and post it later.

And Everyone else - Keep it up! You all seem to be doing to well. We all hit rough spots, but you can never give up or you're gonna end up back at the starting line on a stretcher (sp?) and it'll be hard to get back up on your feet. I've done it once, and let me tell ya, it's easier to jump on the bandwagon and ride to the end. Just don't let the horse crap make ya jump off!! Anyways...

Well, since it's my day off, I need to go have a meeting with Leslie Sansome and Mya from Yourself!Fitness! I forgot how good if feels to get up the mornings, turn up the music and exercise or in my case DANCER-CISE! Later Chickettes.

Not much time to post but I wanted to post week 3 tips. Suffice it to say I'm up 3 pounds (tom is here).

Julie - I'm happy for you and proud that you got it done YAY

Gotta go.... be back later.

I have been good, but I am up 2 pounds! (same as Joy - tom is visiting). Anyway, I am ticked right off!

I will write later when I'm not so mad.

I have to go to a whole big cleaning on my house.

Good Monday morning, everyone, if that phrase isn't an oxymoron.

Yesterday was OK in the food department. I ate at a restaurant, but I stayed within my calorie limit. And Hubby and I spent all day working on the house, so there was plenty of physical activity.

We didn't go grocery shopping last night. As a result, I am eating out for lunch. That meal will make two restaurant meals in two days. Reducing restaurant meals has been so instrumental in weight loss that I don't want to give up the new habit. I hereby pledge to eat only home-cooked meals from dinner tonight until my w/i on Friday.

AuntyEM -- Sorry to hear about the 2lbs. Everybody seems to gain or maintain around TOM. That gain can be a bummer, but you'll probably see a nice loss afterward.

StarAngel -- Congrats on your new job. Life is much more pleasant when you don't mind going to work. Work will probably be fun with your friend around. Your employer must really appreciate you to give you a good schedule. And what is it with men and weddings? Hubby was the same way. Of course, I was a little wedding crazy... something like 25 bridal magazines over 10 months. Have you checked out www.weddingchat.com ? That board can be just as addicting as this one. Finally, I checked out your blog. It's nice.

Elisha -- Go ahead and buy those new clothes. Yes, you might need new ones in a little while. BUT, first, you can buy just a few things, like neutral pants and shirts, and combine them to make several outfits. And second, when clothes get a little loose, they tend to fit better. So even if a new pair of pants is loose in a few weeks, you can probably still wear them and look good in them. Plus, in my experience, loose-fitting clothes are a confidence booster. Sorry to hear about your bad mood. It's totally understandable to want everything to change right NOW.

Hikein2005 -- Hey, now I understand the meaning of your screenname! I thought you were a fan of Heinikin (sp?) beer or something. Wow, what an accomplishment for you. You've literally been up a mountain.

Flirtigirl -- I hope that today's back-in-the-saddle day is going well. The first day back is always the hardest. Thanks for all the compliments about the change in diet with respect to restaurants. Little changes really do make a big difference. Since consciously trying to cut back, I've lost 20 lbs. over the past two years. That weight loss was slooow, which is why I'm here on the boards and counting calories now. But small changes will get you where you want to go in the long run. The one that helps the most, IMHO, is to cut back on restaurants. If you are making a few changes at a time, that change would be the one I would recommend trying first.

Betani -- Heh heh, you'll have a lot of fun jumping rope and walking in the morning. If people dare to make fun of you, you can tell them that you're one of those kick-butt boxer types. I like Latin phrases, too. In addition to being a classics major, I also have a law degree, and I like the way Latin sums up complicated ideas. The release command for my Old English Sheepdog is "judicata."

I'm not really sure how to sum up my day so far other than it's been busy and the plan I made last night has not been followed. I had a hard time sleeping last night so when my hubby got up for work and he asked if I was getting up to workout, it was a resounding "no." Then I woke up with my daughter less then an hour later. Around 730am. She must have had a great sleep because she didn't stop moving once. It was hard keeping up with her and trying to clean up the house. Then my MIL called and asked if she could take her for a few hours. Of course I said "yes" She was picked up at 2pm, I finished my "cleanup list" and then took a nap. I've just woken up recently and realized I have to pick up my husband from work. But I thought I'd check in here first, even though I really don't have the time.

So I've nibbled all day on fruits and veggies. Only thing I had time to eat as I ran around the apartment. And of course the physical activity was running around after my daughter. Typing it all out like this makes me feel like today was more of a success than I realized. Yah for me

Well I should go. Tonight I'm going to have some alone time with hubby, but than we have to pick up Emily (my daughter). All good things must come to an end.

Later chickies!

Evening Chickies...Thought since there are so many new faces, I would quantify/clarify my hiking trip!

Back in January of 2004, I started "training" to do this hiking trip I just went on. My intention was to hike all 4 mountains in 5 days. We stayed at a lodge in the Adirondacks and drove to the mountain each day (usually about an hour away), hiked up the mountain in about 2 hours and then down (sometimes 2 hours also). Well, in the last 3 months, I have had some problems with my back and my foot (plantar fascitis) which has led to me to slow down considerably (more like stop) the training because of pain!

When I left on Saturday, I had made up my mind that I would hike at least ONE mountain (the easiest, Hadley) on MOnday and would see from there how it went. Well, I did just that, but because the temps were 90+ degrees in the mountains, I got just a bit overheated and it was QUITE a difficult climb for me. I was not feeling so great by the 2nd half of the upward hike! So, I finally rested for about 10 minutes and continued on. It seemed to be better the last 1/4 of the hike even though I was about 45 minutes behind the first group of hikers who had made it to the top, ate lunch and started down just as I arrived at the top!

I decided not to do Tuesday's hike since it was the hardest one scheduled for the week and I didn't want to push my luck, so I rested that day and did some retail therapy! Wednesday was our "day off" and my sister and I drove up to Lake Placid...a great trip!

I decided that I would try the hike on Thursday and see how it went. Suprisingly, it was considerably easier than Monday's and I wasn't as overheated (it was much cooler that day, too). I poured water on my head about 1/2 way up which was a good thing and wore a bandana the whole way. It was such a beautiful hike and I was so happy to be hiking again that when I made it to the top only 15 minutes after the first ones arrived, I was a VERY happy girl!!! I decided not to push my luck and stay back on the hike on Friday. I probably could have done it but there was a lot of "climbing" onto rocks and down from rocks and I just didn't know how that would go with my short little legs and the back! I did some more retail therapy that day too!

If you have never been hiking and you live in an area that has mountains (big or small) find one and try it!!! Start with an "easy" one (if there is such a thing) It will amaze you, truly! It was an awesome experience and although I did not reach my goal of 4 mountains in 5 days, I will some day go back and try again! There is a group called the 46er's out there. Their goal is a little more ambitious than mine...they hike mountains that are 4000 ft elevation change or bigger...there are 46 of them! The mountains I hiked were in the 3000 ft. range with about 1500 ft. of elevation change (which is the part that we actually hike) with a round distance of about 4 miles!

Now...more about my day today and how I'm feeling with this challenge. Since I really just got home this weekend and said I would start today, I did! I did not start counting calories yet, but I ate fairly well. I took my sister back to the airport and since her flight was cancelled and no connecting flights going to her home town, we came back home. I missed 1/2 day of work, but hey...the sacrifices one must make for a sister! We did meet my Dad and my brother for lunch since they were meeting us at the airport anyway...so I did kind of mess up there and ordered a Reuben! And had some chips with it! Breakfast was an omlette which was fine and a piece of toast with some blueberry spread. Supper was a yummy salad with all the fixins (grilled chicken, boiled eggs, green peppers, cheese) and a few glasses of wine while hanging out with my family! So, not a total loss of a day, but it could have been better!

There was no exercise in today's day. I think I'm still recuperating! Actually, if I can get to bed here soon, I will get up early and ride the bike for about 20 minutes in the morning. I think that, more than anything, is my focus for the week. Getting up daily at 6am for exercise or meditation.

I will also focus on the stress eating and pay attention tomorrow (and journal it) to when I eat because of stress (or habit which is more likely the case for me). I will also take a snack tomorrow for my afternoon "carb fix"! I have some whole grain crackers, which should do the trick!

I'd love to comment on everyone here, but know that I am just happy to see some new faces here and some "old" ones too!!!

Hugs to all! Good luck to all this week! It's good to be back!

Hello All!

Back to work today after a week off.....yikes! I really felt out of step all day. I came home, had a bit of dinner and then tilled up the back flowerbed....then add 2 miles with Leslie.....and I am feeling pretty good about exercise today! Water was good too.....food was okay until I caved and had an ice cream sundae, but still made only 1600 calories total, so I can live with that!

TBJ333......You are getting your housework exercise in! It is hard to live in a house and make it look like nobody lives there......have you looked for a new house yet?

Julie.....Welcome Back! I am so glad you had a successful vacation.....you hiked 2 mountains? That is just incredible! And you sound like you are ready to pick up the challenge where you left off....... let's go!

Betani.....I hear you, chickie, weekends are the worst. And I always make a big meal on Sunday.....with dessert.....and then feel so stuffed all afternoon! got any ideas how we are going to conquer this problem?

Kari.....Yes, I had a bad shopping day, but I also found the most wonderful shop......it had ever so many clothes that I just loved! since it was a little pricey, I decided that after I get down a size or two, I would treat myself to a new outfit from that store! I can hardly wait!

Elisha.....go ahead and buy something new.....it might just be what you need! Waiting for the house has got to be hard, but try focusing on how wonderful it will be.....your own place to decorate and just be yourself!

Jessica......You are really making progress on that house! And good for you for taking some time away to lower the stress levels! The new job sounds great.....when do you start?

Joy....Thank you for the stress eating tips! They are so practical.......just have to put them into practice at the appropriate time!

AuntyEm......Condolences on the 2 pounds but understand those kind of weight gains are TEMPORARY! Give yourself a few days and they will slide right off!

Got an early morning tomorrow......time to play catch up at work!

Morning ladies!

Hmm... let's see, yesterday. Ah, yesterday. Yesterday wasn't too bad. No exercise (because I was too tired from not sleeping much Sunday night). Water was ok, about 100 oz. Calories came in around 2000, but it was almost all healthy food, so it's ok. I had 3--yes, 3--afternoon snacks yesterday, because dinner kept getting put off, and apparently lunch didn't hold me very well. I had a nectarine at work, a small pb granola bar (about 100 cals) when I left work, and a piece of banana nut bread with margarine at home (I had to wait about another hour on dinner, and I wasn't expecting that). But like I said, except for the banana nut bread, almost all of the food I ate yesterday was decently healthy.

Today, I don't know what today will be like. I'm having coffee with fat- and sugar-laden creamer as we speak, but I kept breakfast rather light so I could have this treat. Lunch is a frozen dinner and a nectarine, I have my choice of string cheese or another granola bar for a snack, and dinner is still open. Water will be good. I am feeling thirsty today.

My weight is up this morning, and for once I don't even care. I had kind of a "yeah, so what else is new?" response this morning. I don't know if that is good or bad.

I started reading Dr. Phil's book last night. I'm intrigued. Learning stuff already. More about that in my journal entry.

I have to go feed and play with my brother's ferret tonight after work. He's at the beach (coming home tonight). I don't particularly like ferrets. I mean, I don't mind them, but I wouldn't get one for myself. Weird little creatures. But I'm supposed to let him run around for at least half an hour, and that seriously cuts into my available time this evening. But, it's the last day I have to do it, so whatever. I might find myself something healthy for dinner while I'm there instead of waiting until I get home. I'm generally hungry by then, and she usually has healthy food available. Or I could stop and get a salad or something. *shrugs* I dunno. We'll see.

Hmm... not much else to say today. I've already rambled too long. I'll be back later with comments. Have a good day, chickies!
~Elisha

Hi there: I am in a real hurry - gotta get ready for work, but I wanted you all to know I have been reading all of your posts. I get a lot out of them and can relate to most of it!

I started a pill yesterday, (Meridia). It apparently suppresses your appetite. I feel jittery on it and you are supposed to monitor your blood pressure while using it - that makes me think it does more than suppress!

I did really well yesterday. Combined breaky and lunch, (I guess they call that brunch), and dinner at 6:30. I didn't have anything else until around 10:00 I had 2 tomatoes. I drank LOTS of ice cold water - we had a real scorcher here yesterday!

Good luck to all of us today.