Glad you had a nice relaxing Easter, ledom. Our Easter was very relaxing too. We went out to dinner, and I wish I could say I was good. I had a cherry cobbler for dessert. I've never had a cobbler before, and it was delicious.

Your other cats will come around to the new kitty. When we had cats one of them hated any new addition, but then eventually tolerated the new interloper.

Hey judi, how was your Easter?

Have a good day.

Ledom,

Isn't a kayak one of those little "bobbing" boats that can completely flip over? I think I would be scared to try my luck in one of those! How did you get into kayaking in the beginning?

Cheryl

LOL Cheryl. Some kayaks are like the ones you describe. Those are called whitewater kayaks. I, however, paddle a touring kayak. They are longer, wider, and much more stable - at least mine is. They are used on flatwater mostly though they can be used on slow moving rivers like the Buffalo. I got into kayaking because I live very close to Lake Ouachita which has to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the country. I knew I'd never be able to afford or manage a motor boat and this was a way I could get out on the lake. As it turned out, it became a passion. Offering me lots of opportunities for photography, making friends etc. It is so neat because the lady I have kayak camped with the last 2 summers e-mailed me this week and asked me if I could go again this summer. I am so excited. I think we'll probably go the middle of May when school is out - which is just around the corner by the way. I am started to get excited about it.

How is everyone? Alice, you obviously aren't from the South if you haven't had cobbler before! Isn't it great? My favorite is blackberry cobbler. Oh, with vanilla ice cream of course!

I am in my 4th week of BRx and I'm liking it. Though some days I feel like I am never going to get "there", yesterday was a thin day. You know when you just don't feel as fat? I love days like that.

Oh, I almost forgot. The kitty has been named. He is Brody - after Adrien Brody. We really struggled to come up with the right name. D said he looked like A. Brody and she is right. He is long and lean, has a triangular face and, this is cuter than it sounds, but he has circles under his eyes. Brody seems to fit. He is fitting into the cat family great! He just absolutely called everyones bluff, not scared at all of growling, hissing kitties. Now Beatrice seems to think of him as her new kitten. It is so sweet.

I am not kidding. We are actually having snow flurries. Thank goodness it's not sticking to the ground! This is the winter that just won't quit. This is a little late in the season to be getting this kind of weather.

ledom, I did forget to mention I had vanilla ice cream with my cobbler. DH's mother used to make cobblers when he was growing up, but my mother was not that much of a baker. Brody! I like that name! I wish you many years of happiness with him. Glad you are liking BRx. I like those not feeling fat days, but they are few and far between Your camping trip sounds like a lot of fun. It will give you something to look forward to. When in May does school get out?

Hey Cheryl and judi!

Have a wonderful day.

Hi Alice, Ledom and Cheryl!

Well, everyone is Catholic in the family now, Easter services were wonderful. But after the Easter Vigil ended at midnight the first thing I did was have the DH drive me to a pizza place and I had 2 glasses of Chardonnay.

The DH started his semi retirement this week. He seems to be transitioning pretty well into sleeping late, watching morning tv etc. no worry there

We are leaving for southern California today. When I get there I plan to shop till I drop. DH is going to see if he can still keep the US work.

I am up 2 lbs.

My portions are still too big, when I have spaghetti...I mean, I have spaghetti, not 1/2 cup plus I did go thru 2 boxes of chocolates during Easter. I am going to try to eliminate all but fruit, yougurt or high fibre cereal for snacks and of course try to be more sensible about portions.

Time to pack and get going.

I need more kitty and Miz Lacee updates!!

Will write more when we arrive at DH's work.

Not more snow Alice!? You poor thing, I know you must be sick of it.

Well Brody is Bea's new shadow - they are totally enthralled with each other. It is so sweet.

I think I have finally turned some kind of corner w/ my dieting. For one thing my body is starting to process all that protein better than at first. Also, I have dropped about 2 lbs. this week. After what seems forever! And, beyond that, I can just kind of tell by looking in the mirror that there are changes going on. I am starting to be pretty muscular. I have to flex to see my muscles, but everything is just looking firmer. I have high hopes that this little weight loss spurt will continue a bit before I plateau again. We'll see. In 2 1/2 weeks I start the second cycle and it'll be interesting to see what the differences are then. It is hard to visualize the eating and exercise differences even though I have read and know what they are. Until I do it I don't really understand.

judi - big changes in your life. Congratulations to DH - I hope you guys have a wonderful retirement!

Cheryl - what's up!?

Hee, hee... The USDA is making us go to a "mandatory" training session for a week in Hot Springs. It was optional, but they changed it last week, after bunches of folks were optioning out! Man oh man, a mandatory paid-for week at the Arlington. The only bad thing about it is, since they've made it mandatory, they've also made it "family friendly." There goes my dream of lying peacefully by the poolside all week long Really, though, I should be able to find plenty to do. I'm going to try to get my Mom to go with me.

Judi--pizza and Chardonnay and up 2 pounds. Hmmm....Wonder why.... Just kidding! Congrats on the religious unity in the family. I really think that's great for you!

Alice--at this rate, it's gonna be snowing when I come up that way in JULY!!! Actually, that would be kind of neat (don't shoot me!).

Ledom, happy to hear about Brody fitting in! Thanks for explaining the kayak question for me!

Cheryl

Had a great day yesterday weatherwise for a change. DH & I took off for Maine for the day. It was wonderful to get away. Today we're gearing up for another 2 or 3 days of rain.

ledom, that's fantastic that you are seeing results from your dieting and exercising. It really keeps you motivated seeing such good results. What happens on the second cycle? Do you just continue with what you are doing, or is there a change in your eating and/or exercising?

Cheryl, Glad to see that you are still coming to RI this summer. I was wondering if you still were. It's funny you should mention snow in July (bite your tongue, girl) A friend of mine e-mailed me this photo someone had taken this past winter after a snow storm. On a deck full of snow, someone had built 4 snowmen, placed them on plastic outdoor chairs, around an outdoor table. They put baseball caps on each one, arranged them so they looked like they were playing cards, and placed a beer bottle beside each snowman. It was titled Summer of 2003 in New England.

judi, you really are having some positive changes in your life right now. I am so happy for you. Have a great time in CA and shop until you drop!

Have a great weekend everybody.

glad you had a day away and nice weather to enjoy it in. Something like that can really boost your spirits.

Yes, cycle two I will increase protein consumption from 1 gram of protein per lb. of body weight to 1.25 grams. Fiber increases from 30 to 50 grams (I think it is 50, need to check), and reduce the number of starch carbs per day. The lifting sequence changes too, more sets and reps with less rest time between. In the third cycle there is a similar change and then the 4th cycle is a maintenance cycle.

I am going kayaking with my friend this morning and will probably work in my yard this afternoon. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

How do you get all of that fiber in? Can you take a fiber pill or mix it in water? Will that take the place of fiber from food? 50 grams seems like a lot to try to get in one day. I was just wondering. Thanks.

Hey there Ilvduke - C 1 is 30 grams fiber, C2 is 45 grams and C3 is 60 grams. In C1 I am getting it from the food I eat mostly - I have started loging my food. You can use Fiber One cereal. I did that at first but I find I can get the 30 w/out it. I think it has taken my digestion system 3 1/2 wks to make the adjustment but it has. It'll be interesting to see what the next 2 challenges are like. There are other fiber supplements you can use but I haven't investigated them = psyllium maybe? I have been making rasberry smoothies as rasberries have lots of fiber.

Thanks Ledom, I didn't mean to intrude, I was just wondering. You guys are so awesome at responding to questions. I really appreciate it. I'm considering going back to the WW fat and fiber plan, that's why my question arose about the fiber. Thanks again.

Ilvduke - you are welcome to join us on this thread and chat anytime you want. We are all doing out own thing here and gossip about as much as we talk about dieting but it's a great little group.

We had a lot of rain yesterday. Our driveway was starting to get puddles and I thought we'd have to take the canoe out to get around. Today the sun is out and it's warming up very nicely.

I hoped on the scale this morning, and I'm up 2 lbs. (SIGH), I guess I'll just have to start counting points again because that really worked before. So, come on judi, let's start counting points again. We can do it!

Ilvduke, you are more than welcome to join our group. As ledom said we talk about everything. I agree with ledom that this is a great group. Many years ago I did the WW fat & fiber program. As a matter of fact, I believe I still have all the books. That was a great plan and often wonder why they stopped it.

ledom, how was your kayaking trip? Hope you saw a lot of nature while you were out there. I was in a vitamin store yesterday and I noticed they were selling the book, Body BRx and thought of you.

judi, hope you're having a good time in CA. The weather should be nice.

Hi Cheryl

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Hi ladies! Nice to read everyone's postings.

I am back OFF Chardonnay and pizza...I am still trying to do a WWJ eat diet. For the last couple of days I have had fish on top of salad. My DH has been having it to.

I have a nice place to walk here and the weather is gorgeous. Plus, I found a church for daily mass so I am happy.

That is cute about the kitties getting along together. That doesn't usually happen but little fellow is still young enough to want a mummy figure.

Yes, we had our first week together. It was very nice. We are planning to take the long way back by going to Las Vegas...no not to gamble but to enjoy the warmth and stay in one of the nice RV parks there and maybe look around and do a bit of shopping.

Alice, we'll count points and whip off those 2 pounds in no time.

I am trying to get a lot of fibre as well. Just 2 pieces of the bread I am now eating has 16 grams of fibre and only 1.5 points. I have gotten to like it. Plus, I also eat "Kashi" cereals the higher fibre ones. But I am wondering out a fibre pill? Would that be a good idea and the same thing???? How many grams of fibre is everyone trying for in a day?

I will check in again in a few days. (Have to go to the DH's place of work)