Wayward! I'm in Idaho too! Boise... To be exact. Where are you from? My mom has worked for Boise Schools for years! Have a great day!

Up in northern Idaho, I work for Washington State University.
Been here the past 32 years, originally from San Diego, CA.
But have to call Idaho home.

Wedding dinner question for next weekend....I think I can handle it but wondering what tricks others have used. I picked the steak which i'm glad I did because the chicken I found out from the brides mother is smothered in some kind of gravy and mushrooms. I'm sure there will be some type of veggie and dreaded mashed potatoes and cake. I feel strong right now that the potatoes and cake will not tempt me, but in case i'm weak that day suggestions on diversions while others are eating?

Wayward - do you feel you are more sore, sorer longer, or more easily sore on this diet? I feel like I am sore ALL the time . . . and I am not doing anything hard core. I was curious if it takes our bodies longer to heal after exercise absent carbs?

Bluedolphin - there will usually be a salad, so maybe bring your own dressing and if you have a significant other tell them in advance not to eat their salad . . . that its yours!! Stash a bar or restricted puffs or something in your purse if you feel munchy. Have an club soda with lime. YOu can add a splenda (bring your own) if you want to feel like you are having a treat or a soda. Other than that, dance the night away so you are too busy to think about food!!

Coliep,

I would have to say it's pretty much normal.
I have some pain on the balls of my feet, and the top of one of my feet that will not go away, but of course I haven't given my feet any rest lately.
It's really hard to say, I am getting older which means I am sore longer to boot.
But as someone who was like 322 pounds back in Feb. and the fact that I have done over 55 miles since the 15th of this month means I expect to be sore.
I am asking my body to do more than it has done in like 15 years.
I have ridden more in the past week then I have in 20+ years, I have walked more in the past week then I probably have in the past 15+ years with the exception of my teaching, but I only put in maybe a few miles per weekend.

But I know I am getting more healthy so I am suffering through.
But how does that compare to you? I don't know if it does, you are much lighter and were much more active than me even when you were bigger.

I know our muscles don't have an abundance of left over stuff to repair themselves while on the diet so that for sure has to make an impact.

Not enough carbs to fully repair the muscles, plus not enough sleep on my part also adds to the length of time of rebuilding.

Sorry to hear about the foot pain. I say, don't suffer through it! Seriously go see a podiatrist. You are throttling forward on an amazing exercise regime and your feet need to help not hinder you. Might be worth an evaluation -- could be just a shoe choice issue, or you may need orthotics. After being laid up with some serious icky foot pain last year, I broke down and got custom orthotics. I went from not being able to run in my shoes to finishing a half marathon . . . pain free. What a difference the orthotics made for me!! Anyway, just my two cents (and of course you seem to have so much spare time I am sure you are just going to run out and do that now lol!)!

Hey there everyone, just got back from my hip dr and he is very impressed with my weight loss. I am walking much better than when I first walked in his door. He said I will have the limp for now until my muscle builds back up from not using it for so long. The lady at the front desk didn't recognize me I had to laugh at her, of course I had to brag on IP...haha. Go back to him in 2 months for a check up. He said the pain I am getting is mostly from my lower back, he said I must have a high tolerance for pain because most people couldn't walk with the way my MRI looks, I told him I can handle a lot of pain he said obvious!....haha....its a great day! I got my graduation pics in today, they came out a lot better than I thought they would. I look sooooo different than I did 2 months ago...ha

Coliep, did I understand correctly from one of your posts that you just had a baby last month? If so wouldn't your body be in a period of change right now anyway?

Oh God No! A year ago lol! I did wean 2 months ago and so there are a lot of hormonal changes going on I think anyway, so there are a lot of factors . . .

Wuv - glad to hear you are up and about! Graduation pics . . how fun!!

That's good, I must have misunderstood when you said about breast feeding. I thought you were really whupping youself if you just had a baby.

Lol, nah I gave myself plenty of time. Part of the reason I joined IP was because I was either pregnant and/or nursing for the last 4+ years and I enjoyed every one of those calories so much that I had no concept anymore of eating as little as I need to lose weight at this point! My littlest chub turned one last month . . . amazing =)

Hey All..sorry..checkin in late..had a long day today..had two meetings this morning on my day off :( Then people calling me at work saying they dont know how to work the cash register(read the manual people!!!) and then spent the afternoon with my DH and my baby girl outside..My hunny bought this remote control plane he bought offline..and he broke it on the first try...tut tut..what a waste of money..

Well..tonights plan: go out to dinner with my hunny for a romantic date night..we have a babysitter(praise god freedom) and we are going to a seafood place..my plan..is to get some shimp or prawns? maybe a salad?

Anywho..got to go primp!

Bye for now!

Have fun and enjoy your romantic night...I don't remember what those are....ha

DH had to take clients out to dinner tonight, I did not go. They went to the ost awesome Italian restaurant and last time I went there and ate salad, it was truly torture, bread, dipping oil, garlic knows and all the Italian entrees. So, he comes home with a gigantic Cannoli and says I know how much you love these and you have been so good on your diet. I grab it and run to the cellar and put it in the freezer and bolted back up the stairs and said "thank you, do you think it will last in the freezer for a few months or more at the rate I am losing? he says "no", not with me in the house and again thanked him. Geeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz. I deserve to lose a BIG number this week!

Wow. You deserve to drop a dress size. My hero.