Thanks for all the lovely comments, Ladies. :)

Originally Posted by Sgrealtor1:
I am asking for the fitbit for my birthday the end of the month. As soon as i have it I will join you!

Still not turning to food to deal with the stress... I am kind of in disbelief LOL. What has IP done to me LOL. I actually forgot to eat my afternoon snack yesterday :o I was working at the office and really busy, DS called for a ride home from Golf practice and I looked at the clock at the office and it was 4:30....snack time was 3! LOL So I ate my snack on the way to get DS. Honestly in a million years I would have never though I would ever forget to eat!

So glad that you are finding other methods to cope with the stress, that's a major breakthrough! Hopefully it carries forward into maintenance and helps you in future, Sue. :)

Originally Posted by CenTXChk:

Still playing around with MFP and checking out my sleep patterns with the Fitbit (much better sleep when DH isn't snoring ;) ). The Aria is amazingly close in weigh and % body fat to the IP scale at my clinic which is good. I just love seeing those few less lbs on my old home scale....inaccurate as it was.

Still no movement weight wise :( Since my last 2 WI. No diet fatigue here but I know it can set in quick with no or low losses. Has anyone noticed a trend on their losses? I usually am one a 4wk cycle of big loss, smaller, smaller, no loss (or slight gain) and then repeat.

My loss pattern has been similar to yours. 2 weeks up and down every day, but no real loss and then whooshes. Not sure if this is down to the running alone or just the body's pattern. I have noticed that on the weeks when I don't lose lbs, I DO lose inches and body fat percentage consistently goes down, so I suspect Lisa's mention of the evacuated fat cells filling with water and holding onto weight is very accurate. So glad she posted about it, as it helps keep me focused.

Glad you're not letting it get you down, and are focusing on keeping going. You keep me strong, too! :)

Originally Posted by oneuh2:
Wearing a khaki suit today that I had bought at Talbots several years ago and had never worn - still had the tags on it -- size 14 petite.

The pants will fit for a bit longer, the jacket is perfect, and it made me feel great about having to stand up and talk at our quarterly All Hands meeting today... :)

And the great thing is... there is another pantsuit in the closet of many sizes, same size, also from Talbots... light olive khaki with slightly different style.... I am ready for Spring fashion - the styles are classic enuf to be fit right in with the current fashion trends, too!

I remembered to wear my fitbit today -- it's just after lunch and I am close to 4000 steps... this is very good, considering that I am usually stuck at desk most of the day.

Awesome, Cheryl. New pants. Don't you just love rediscovering old (new) clothes in the wardrobe? Khakis are ALWAYS in fashion - just have to roll them up a bit higher this year for knee highs rather than capris. :)

Looking forward to some new pics of everyone in their smaller clothing! I love seeing all the success stories coming through as people reach goal, it's SO inspiring and it really gives me hope for the future.

Sadly, I've got through the last size of mine (had a 16 up to a 26) and am now thinking hard about what I actually NEED to replace, and what can be altered. Part of me really wants to hold onto some favourite clothes, but the logical part says "no, they are too big, donate them to a charity and be done with that size for good!". Contrary. :)

Congrats Oneuh2 for being able to shop in your closet - plus look and feel great in the process!! :)

I was at my former size so long I didn't really have much to "fall into" - the couple of pieces I did have went into the donate pile a couple of weeks ago!

Briael - donate, donate, donate!!

I have to go to a funeral this weekend and realized that I have no black pants that fit. I was happy to run into Talbot's (the one near me only sells regular and petite sizes) and walk out a few minutes later with 2 pairs of black pants - on sale. It hadn't actually sunk in before that I could really shop in a "regular" store. I had to take a bunch of sizes into the fitting room - I really had no idea what size I needed. I think the sales woman thought I was a little nuts!

Originally Posted by CenTXChk:
Briael - Your wedding dressing is absolutely lovely. You are looking so skinny!! WTG!! :)

Still playing around with MFP and checking out my sleep patterns with the Fitbit (much better sleep when DH isn't snoring ;) ). The Aria is amazingly close in weigh and % body fat to the IP scale at my clinic which is good. I just love seeing those few less lbs on my old home scale....inaccurate as it was.

Still no movement weight wise :( Since my last 2 WI. No diet fatigue here but I know it can set in quick with no or low losses. Has anyone noticed a trend on their losses? I usually am one a 4wk cycle of big loss, smaller, smaller, no loss (or slight gain) and then repeat.

Hope everyone is having a great OP day!

So you know I had the same issue for 5 weeks.... +2, -3, +1, 0,-1 and then finally -4.5 this week....I was always losing inches somewhere though thru it all....The "stall" is killer, but tha 4.5 is a huge motivation.... Although my home scale has me back up, its not up all 4.5....Just keep on doing what your doing...

Originally Posted by loser58:
I have to go to a funeral this weekend and realized that I have no black pants that fit. I was happy to run into Talbot's (the one near me only sells regular and petite sizes) and walk out a few minutes later with 2 pairs of black pants - on sale. It hadn't actually sunk in before that I could really shop in a "regular" store. I had to take a bunch of sizes into the fitting room - I really had no idea what size I needed. I think the sales woman thought I was a little nuts!

Sorry you needed pants for a funeral, but OMG what an awsome feeling..... I am still shocked when I can fit into pants from the womens department instead of the + sizes LOL...I am in a very comfortable 16 now. I don't have a ton of choices in my closet, but enough to get thru the work week.. Fortunatly I don't go to the office every day or see client every day so I can cycle thru those clothes...

In response to the clothes in the closet of many sizes LOL....Mine is getting quite empty. I had a ton of 20's that do not stay up anymore ....seemed to miss the 18's pretty much. I do have a few I can still wear, but for the most part I need the 16's if they need to stay up! I have also noticed that my style of clothes that I want has changed... I want some more fitted shirts instead of baggie ones. I want to show that waist off now that I found it LOL....

Snow on the way to NJ this AM. DS already has a called early dismissal. DH and I have a Dr. Apt this am and then we are in for the day. He has colonoscopy prep this afternoon... I need to go make his jello LOL...

Originally Posted by Sgrealtor1:
Snow on the way to NJ this AM. DS already has a called early dismissal. DH and I have a Dr. Apt this am and then we are in for the day. He has colonoscopy prep this afternoon... I need to go make his jello LOL...

Hope it all goes well with hubby's appointment. :)

I've just been given the jello orders, too, no red, orange or green. Someone tell IP to make their jello another colour! Does hubby have to drink the gallon of Golytely as well?

Happy Friday y'all!! :)

It's a rainy day in central Texas, which although I've been in and out of it, my yard is happy! :flow1:

Having a great day. My boss let me take off because everyone's on spring break and the office was dead all week. So I got up, dropped my son at camp, and went to yoga (ahh!). Then I finally decided it's time to go shopping for an Easter dress, also to wear to a family wedding in a couple of weeks. Not only did I find one dress I loved, I found two! And a couple of tops, plus a pair of capris. All on sale plus I had a 20% off. The saleslady helping me was really sweet and helped me find things, swapped out sizes (because at first we picked too big!), etc. I think at one point I actually twirled in front of the mirror. :dancer:
This afternoon I went for a mani/pedi. :cool:

Amanda and Sue, I hope the appointments go well.

JJTx, it sounds like you had a great day :) and yay for your great finds while shopping!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Amanda - I think you do need to find some of us over on MFP - we have a little group forming nicely, I think. We'll all be glad to see you there :D !!

Sue -- way to go with the -4.5, I bet you wanted to dance a jig!! You are doing SO well, especially so, given the other stuff going on in your life. I very much admire your stick-to-it-ness!!

Loser58 -- your shopping trip sounds like it must have really been fun.

JJTx - Your whole day, not just shopping but the good for you yoga session, and then the especially nice extra of a mani/pedi.... a wonderful day!!!

The rest of the khaki pantsuit story... my soon to depart boss talked on so long at our All Hands meeting, that I had to cut my own presentation out of the agenda... so I was all dressed up with nowhere to go. This could have been an aggravation, but I am always happy to avoid a speaking engagement, so while he was rather thoughtless to step beyond the planned agenda, it was not a big deal for me.

I lost 1 lb this week per the official weigh in - that dropped me just under the 170 mark and 0.1 lb over the end of March goal for my Diet Bet. If I keep on keeping on, I should make it to a safe number in the next 10 days.

Actually as I think about this right now, I need to prepare for my DB weigh in - I will be out of town in SC for a week from 3/25- 3/31 -- I had better have a very good plan of eating on the 9-hour drive home! For me, that's some packet muffins and bagged salad, I think, along with extra freebies like cukes and celery.

Next week will be a bit trying with the trip -- mainly the drive down and back. While there we are in a 1 BR condo we have there, and we always do most of our eating there, rather than in restaurants. Although there are lots of good seafood and healthy veggie choices in Hilton Head. And, miles of good beach for walking, to keep up my exercise. This is really a working trip to get another rental property lined up for sale, plus we have an annual owners' meeting to attend for the condo. But I should be able to make healthy, smart choices without too much difficulty. I will continue to be online, so you all will have to keep an eye on me... :D

Originally Posted by oneuh2:
Amanda - I think you do need to find some of us over on MFP - we have a little group forming nicely, I think. We'll all be glad to see you there :D !!

I'll start logging my food and exercise on MFP then. :) Nag me if I forget and just plug it all into SP.

Originally Posted by Briael:
Hope it all goes well with hubby's appointment. :)

I've just been given the jello orders, too, no red, orange or green. Someone tell IP to make their jello another colour! Does hubby have to drink the gallon of Golytely as well?

Yes gallon is done! LOL.. He is snoring soundly now and I will wake him at about 6:45 to shower and we will leave to the surgi center! Fingers crossed we need some good news...

One- Safe travels and you will do fine. I was supposed to leave for vegas tonight but instead I am home with hubby. Other than my boss who I was traveling with no one at work knows I am not going to vegas....I could not handle millions of questions last week so my boss said lay low and take the week away from the office. Of course my clients can still find me so that works.... DH told me to go do some retail therapy next week instead LOL..gotta love that!

Ok off and running today. Have a good book for the waiting room and my IP snacks in my bag...

Good morning and happy Saturday!

Just checking in while I wait for DH to get up so we can head to the cabin. Day 1 of Phase 3 and just finished breakfast. It was pretty good and overall a nice change, though I do like my IP pancake :)

One, you sound ready for anything :) I'm sure you'll do great at staying as close to OP as is possible. I love reading about your dance classes, I have two left feet and a lack of rhythm, but I do enjoy the odd time I get out and dance, though I hate having to put up with the drunk bar crowds.

Sue, our fingers are crossed for your husband

Have a great OP weekend everyone!

Finally broke through a two-week plateau. I am down 6 pounds in the past 5 days ...

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Sue - Good luck to you and your DH today. Prayers for the best possible news!

Back at my folks since Thurs night. Amazing how few steps I can take in a day when I am here. I know I fell into the "sedentary" category but barely breaking 1000 steps in a day is tragic. Today it is pouring rain but I may need to get out in it if for no other reason to MOVE. My mom's 76th bday is tomorrow and I want to make her her favorite dessert so a trip to the grocery store may be in order...even if we'llbe lucky if she'll eat a bite.

A least I can do is make sure I am 100% OP and getting all my water in. Having shrimp for dinner but throwing my foodie dad for a loop....no butter, no pasta. Egads! The man can't wrap his brain around EVOO and S&P. ;) Maybe I'll get crazy with some Brussel sprouts.

Originally Posted by Briael:
I'll start logging my food and exercise on MFP then. :) Nag me if I forget and just plug it all into SP.

That is so extremely supportive - maybe you want to plug in your exercise on MFP and can you enter summary into on the food? You have been doing your food log in Sparkpeople for awhile, I know -- I hate for you to lose that continuity. Check out the optional ways to use MFP.... maybe there is an app link?

Originally Posted by Avalon1957:
Finally broke through a two-week plateau. I am down 6 pounds in the past 5 days ...

Fabulous, Avalon!! It is hard to be patient through the slow spots and unexpected upticks... I seem to be there for the remaining journey to goal. The only good thing about this is the fact that I have a pretty good routine going with P1 and I am not missing anything in particular. (Friends brought in a birthday cake for DH today... lovely looking choc cake with whipped cream and choc dipped strawberries on top... but I am really not tempted!!! Don't ya love that about IP... the cravings just don't have their former power).

Avalon, did I let you know I have adopted your recommendation re Ultimate Flora - it's working very well.

I have not adopted the Yerba stuff yet... but I have it on the counter waiting. Do you think using it with decaf Constant Comment tea by Bigelow would be ok?
What time of day is best for this? And for the daily Ultimate Flora? I have been doing the capsule at night before bed. Lemme know what you think.

CenTXChk - I know this is a tough time for you emotionally - I hope the weather clears and cooperates so you can get out to walk . So great that you are there to help the family. Hang in - please know you are in our thoughts and we are hoping things go as well as they can.

Sue - hope all goes well for your DH today -- it's a drag to drink that stuff in prep for the procedure but it's a smart move to get it done. And how great that your boss is so empathetic and supportive! That kind of support makes so much difference. Got you in my thoughts and prayers!