[Jello]

Jo sneakin' back in here! Boss may appear at any moment so if I sign off quick, that's the reason.

I am now craving chicken, whole grain rice and salsa. Yum. Sounds good, Tiffany! Hm, and for dessert.... run, little banana, run!!!! Giggle.

Cafe, I'll second Tiffany's opinion. The holistic information is very interesting. Bring it on! I'd like to try one of those ideas for a day like giving up processed food for a day or drinking only water for a day, etc. Sounds ... "cleansing". Does that make any sense?

Tiffany, I commend you on your patience and how you handle the boyfriend's ex. I'd have exploded and let her have it by now but you're better than that. Congratulations for not stooping to her level! I wish I could say I'd be so good.

Reminds me of the time when the witch (also with a capital B) who works here made a comment about my weight. Don't remember exactly what she said but it was childish and stupid, I'm sure. I went off on her saying things like "Oh my God! I'm overweight!?!? No! I never would have noticed! Thank God you told me that!!! I've been going to Weight Watchers every week for over a year now and spending $12 bucks a week and here I was thinking it was because I was too skinny!!!! Well, thank God you were here to tell me I was overweight!!!" I went on for at least 10 minutes asking other people who stopped to stare "Did you know that I was overweight!?!?! My God, why didn't anyone tell me!?!?!" OK, looking back, it was kind of embarrassing but at the time, it made that old *itch feel this big . Some people!

Anyway, gotta run. Every time I come in here, I get the urge to fill my water bottle or get up and kick in the metabolism or something. Thanks!

[Tigerlily]

Oh man, have I been a ditz lately. Maybe it's lack of M&M's. LOL! I took the oldest son to ftball camp last night and it doesnt start until NEXT week. I was yell'n at the kids to hurry up, we were gonna be late, yadda, yadda...I'm sure you know the drill. On top of that, when I took the boys to the swimming hole (is that redneck enough?) half way there I realized I didn't have my bathingsuit bottoms on! I had on the tankini part with bibs from earlier in the day. Good grief. Scattery ditz. What do I need to eat for brain power? carrots? fish? I have got to get myself together.
I haven't been overeating, but my choices could be much better. I bought some sundried tomato tortialla wraps today. Looking forward to a yummy lunch tomorrow.
Last night of baseball tonight! woo-whoo! It's been fun watching the boys play, but I'm ready for it to end.
TIGERLILY VS. THE CONSESSION STAND one last time!
Tiff, I have to admit...I too do the secret happy dance when I see someone that has gained more than me. I'm evil.
ttfn

[Tiffany123]

Tiger,

Two words:

Ginkgo Biloba

But you do have to take it for a few weeks before you notice a difference.

Tiff

[jen519]

Hi there.

I took a little unplanned camping trip this weekend with my daughter and her friend, so I haven't been on-line for a while. Last night I actually went out after work for drinks. (They don't have any calories, right? I never count them anyway!)

Jo. If you are feeling that badly and it's gotten worse, definitely go see your gyn. again. Make sure he listens and understands. It's sometimes difficult for male doctors, even the good ones, to realize that you know your body better than he possibly can. I don't want to say anything scary because it may be true that there's nothing to be done. I just know my sister put up with unbearable pain for years until it because constant, even when she wasn't having her period. Still, her male doctor could find nothing wrong. She finally got a second opinion and ended up having a surgery that could probably have been much less involved if not completely unneccessary had she been diagnosed sooner. A friend of mine also had symptoms similar to yours and ended up having surgery as well after hearing for years that there was nothing wrong with her. I, too, believe that many things can be treated with herbal remedies instead of typical Western medicine. If that approach doesn't seem to help, though, be sure to get checked out. BLAH BLAH BLAH. Can you tell I feel very strongly about this? Sorry about preaching.

My lunch break is over. I'll have to get back on-line at home later.

Jen
238/228/140

[Tigerlily]

Ginkgo, heh? I could try that. I've always had an occassional spacey day, but now I have spacey weeks!

More Reasons to loose the weight...
So my legs fit more easily under the keyboard drawer thingy.
So my legs fit under the dining room table comfortably.
So my legs don't get ripped off when I get in the car after DH has driven it and lowered the steering wheel all the way down. How men drive with the steering wheel all the way down with legs spread is a wonder to me.

jen, I probably need u preach'n to me too. I haven't gone to the gyn for a couple years. I haven't been to a doctor of any sort. Well, the dentist. But he doesn't weigh me.

I skipped exercise yesterday. A repairman was coming and I didn't want to get caught shake'n the house! So, I'm off to do my taebo video.

[Tigerlily]

Reporting in...2 days exercise complete. Must make four, chug, chug, I think I can, I think I can. Choo-Choo.

Has anyone checked out ediets? I don't use it, but I do get their junk mail. It has ads for their diets ofcourse, but also has interesting articles. Todays had to do with 'how to be who you want to be'. Just thought I would share incase anyone is interested.

Mr.Roger's playing in my head...it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood....

[Jello]

Shh!! Boss is skulking around somewhere. Who me? I'm working hard here! And speaking of working hard, I went to the gym last night and was a woman possessed! Whooo Hoooo! A little sore this morning but it's a good hurt.

Jen, I don't think you're preaching at all. I asked for opinions and advice and that's what I got from all you smart gals. I tell ya. At the time, I swore I was going to call my gyn. first thing Monday morning and tell him we have to fix this NOW! But as Monday rolled around and I felt a little better.... You all know how the story goes.

Actually, I have to make an appt. with him in September for the usual poking and prodding so I think I'll sit him down and talk to him then. I figure I've got only one more period between now and then. Besides if it's bad news, I don't want to hear it until I get back from my vacation. How's that for an adult attitude.

OK Tigerlily. Take 2 M&M's (but only 2!) and call us in the morning. We simply cannot have you swimming out there without any bottoms on! Glad to hear the battle with the "confession" stand is almost over. Now you can declare victory!

Tiffany, I tried Gingko once but it didn't seem to do anything for me. Hm, could I be beyond help???

Yes.

I made an appt. with the weight loss center at my gym for tomorrow evening so I'll see what they say and what's involved. I guess I need some sort of structured plan.

Better run now. Hope you all have a good one!

It's a beautiful day for a neighbor, would you be mine, could you be mine....

Oh thanks a lot, Tiger!

[Cafe976]

Hey, Jen, hope you had a nice time camping!

Okay, Tiger, that's 2 check marks in my planner for you!

Uhm, I still haven't been to the gym this week. I am such a bad girl!!! I told H I thought my achilles needed another day.

Actually, it WAS a bit swollen on Sunday and Monday and I was concerned. Probably wearing heels to church on Sunday aggravated it, but my normal shoe was rubbing monday in a painful way... However, I wore sandals without a back yesterday and was FINE. I could have put on my tennis today. It was irritated last Friday morning and I worked out anyway...

The thing is that I will NOT succeed unless I combine BOTH diet and exercise. I *know* this. I have to renew my determination and resolve because if I start down the slippery slope it won't be good. [without a loss, motivation drops, without motivation, loss doesn't happen - I can't be going there!] I simply HAVE TO get out of bed and exercise, no excuses or half-steps. If I just do these two things at the same time I will get exactly what I want. Why do I procrastinate?

Trying to get myself fired to quit fooling around and do it.

Still, I'm OP with the diet, and I'm in a transition period (2nd week since adding food control). I can't be so hard on myself that I get discouraged and give up. But I feel like I can't be making excuses this early in the game, know what I mean?

So, all in all I'm doing fine, but I kinda feel like I need a kick in the butt at the same time. I'll feel better after going to the gym tomorrow. I, Cafe 976, will (God willing) get out of bed tomorrow morning betwen 5:15-5:30, haul my a$$ down to the gym and work out good and hard. Now I am accountable to all of you, so if I go into hiding tomorrow...

[Tiffany123]

My eating is fine today, and good yesterday too. I haven't walked yet, but I will tonight when it cools down. I like walking in the cool evening when everything is quiet. I can really think then.

Here is what I am thinking about.

I am 32 years old. I have an Associates Degree in Telecommunications, which means nothing. I have worked in the clerical field for years now and I basically am capable of doing office manager type stuff, but I usually work as a secretary/receptionist. I am bored. I want more. I am smarter than I give myself credit for and I feel like I am wasting a talented brain.

I have been out of work for a little over a year now. I have been enjoying my time at home, while halfway looking for work. Now, I have made a decision.

I am going back to college for a 4-year degree in Early Childhood Education. I want to teach. I know I won't get rich doing it, but I want to enjoy college as an adult...not a partying teenager. I really believe I can put forth the effort and make great grades and really enjoy teaching. There seems to be a lot of schools in the area that are hiring and I hope after school, I could get hired locally.

I also think, that I could be eligible for financial aid, which would save my life. And I could go back to working part time in a restaurant to help supplement the family income while I am going to school.

My question is...do you think I am too old for this? I am 32 now. I will be 36 when I graduate...almost 40 before I started working as a teacher. So many of them are working right out of college. Am I crazy? Is this stupid?

HONEST opinions needed. Don't be nice, tell it like you see it. Too often, I rush into something and wish later I would have had some good advice.

Thanks,
Tiff

[Cafe976]

You're going to be 40 anyway.

Why not be 40 AND be a teacher?

[Lizzo]

Been lurking but not posting lately. Things going fine. No time to post a catch up right now, but want to say....

My mom said almost the same thing to me that Cafe said to Tiff... when I was applying for graduate school, I commented that I'd turn 30 a few weeks before I finished my masters degree. Mom said "You'll be 30 anyway. Might as well be happy." Highly recommend the new plan, Tiffany! I had a business degree and a string of jobs I hated. Then went back for my Masters in Social Work. Okay, right this moment in time, my job is not happy (but that will change... just part of the natural flow) but I love being a social worker. I hate having all my student loans but it's still worth it. Being happy in what you do for a living makes a huge difference in life... GO FOR IT, GIRL!!!

[Tigerlily]

Tiff, when I was in college the best students were the REAL adults. I wish I had waited for college. I have a BFA. Haven't used it once. I'm glad that I graduated from college, but could have gotten more out of it. You are probably the right age, will make a better student, and the outcome could be a better teacher than all those young wipper-snappers.
In the back of my mind, I've been thinking I will try to get a job at my sons school when the youngest starts 1st grade. Maybe a substitute or something. When I find my own time some day, I'll pursue my arts.
We have an overnight guest tonight. So, should be interesting. 3 boys, it's gonna be loud.
off to fix din-din

[Jello]

And I'll echo Tiger's opinion. When I was in college, the best students were the "grown-ups". There was an older man taking some of the english courses that I was in. (I have a degree in English - means less than a degree in telecom.) Anyway, this man was the best student! He wasn't taking the classes because he had to fill a core requirement. He really wanted to ... gasp ... learn stuff!!!

Tiff, my brother went back to college and just got his Master's. He's 42 and has also just gotten a big promotion. Ask him and he'll tell you that he'd do it again in a heartbeat.

You've set a goal, girlie, now go get it!!! The day you decide you're too old to learn anything should be the day you die.

Hm, that didn't come out right. But you know what I mean. You're smart ... obviously.

[Tigerlily]

Goodmorning! The friend spending the night wasn't as noisey as I had feared. But, I did sleep in this morning. The crew was snooz'n on my livingroom floor and didn't want to wake them up. Now, my back is achy from hang'n in bed too long. On top of that, I'm not wanting to do my video with a guest in the house. Hope I can get it done after he leaves today. Gotta get my four days in!
Tiff, are you feeling any more confident in your idea? I soo wish I'd have been an adult when I went to college. I would have done things a lot differently. Who knows, maybe I'll go back some day too.
Heres to a good day on plan! Cheers!

[Cafe976]

Yes, here's to a good day on plan!

Hate to say it, but I didn't go to the gym this morning.

Still, I'm doing well with the eating and that's a step in the right direction. Been scale hopping and it's like a ROCK - not moving at all. That's just proof to me that if I want to lose diet isn't enough - I've got to get moving. So I recognize, accept and embrace that. I was just extremely tired this morning.

I've decided that to remotivate I'll have a conversation with my delinquent gym buddy - if she just says she'll be there it will be enough to make me show up. I'll also have a talk with H about shoving me out of bed when I say I'm going to the gym instead of resetting the alarm and letting me sleep until 7 with him. If he knows I need him to do this he will help me.

And I'm doing to take some garlic because for me to be zonked at 9 p.m. and totally reluctant to wake up at 7 a.m. is a little weird. Maybe I'm fighting something.

Isn't it funny how working on doing without an emotional crutch like overeating suddenly gives us the realization and motivation to change our lives in other ways? It's all related, and there is no better time than the present to make plans and begin moving forward.

But so much change is hard - sometimes I just need a fat-free bubble bath or something.

Let's keep moving away from stagnation together - in our bodily tissues and in our lives.