Hi Joni,
Speaking of the extended hot weather days - I bet you are really enjoying your new air conditioner...
I am going to a bra fit consultation today. I have not done that in a long time. I am anxious to see how far off I have been in choosing a correct size for me. I have heard that wearing the proper size bra can make you look pounds thinner and make your clothes look better. We will see...

I have been on Plan 2 since Friday, 7/27 and as of today I am down 1.8 pounds. I went up .6 at first. I think I turned the corner now.

I caved in and bought 3 of the new packaged meals. I am getting sick of the same old, same old menus I come up with each day. They are $3.99 each and I was told that you can have 2 a day. I don't plan to do that. I understand that there are 15 choices. I got the Vegetable lasagna, Chicken Chili and Mushroom Risotto.

Boos Mom - I don't know. I guess I will have to try that. The problem is, I don't know but one of their names. I need to start doing that because at my last measurement day the counselor that measured me is about a foot shorter than me I don't think she got it right at my bustline. I don't mind showing a loss, but I want it to be a true loss and not operator error.

It is SOOOOOO Hot here in HSV where I work and so miserable outside. My DH is in the logging business and I know it has got to be very hard on him. It is suppose to be 101 on Thursday. Any suggestions on how to stay cool outside anyone? I told him to take a wet hand towel and keep on him, but I don't know how long that will last before the water in it reaches boiling point.

Does anyone know what has happened to MTDebster? Haven't seen any posts from her in a while.

Good morning everyone :)

Well, it looks as if it is going to be a skorcher here today too....highs are supposed to be 102.......EW, so I guess I will continue cleaning my basement. I guess that's not necessarily a bad thing. Also, after talking with DH last night......I think I may pursue my sewing ideas. I did a bit of research last night, and it seems that I can own a web domain for pretty cheap and try marketing that way. I can also use ebay, and try to bring some of the fancier samples (miniature bride dresses) to some specialty shops to see what we can do. I am kind of excited. I will dig around in my basement to see what I have down there before I go tear up all the fabric stores :) Fabric stores are a bit of a weakness for me.

So I was thinking that we shoud have some sort of a party for Dan for making it to 100 lbs. Maybe Angie could make him a cake............lol.

Where the **** is Kim(phin)???? I miss my sarcastic, dirty minded little friend.

Lettie..........I did get your PM, just haven't taken the time to respond.....but I am thinking of you :) XOXO

So, do you think Wendy survived her birthday? And what happened to the other Wendy anyway? She she blow away in the wind (skinny)?

Alright........I must get going..........and I am going to have to get my kids on an earlier schedule, as school starts in one week. We are total slackers around here......and we are lovin it :)

Have an OP day today eveyrone :)
XOXO

Oh, Amy.....your poor DH. Fortunately, when you always work outside, you tend to survive it better than those who are in air conditioning all day long......but 101 is tough on ANYONE!!!! Everyone who has to be outside......please be careful, and listen to you bodies!!!!!

Our pool water is so warm it is almost gross.

Good morning from Denver... Just a quick check in while I'm online getting my timesheet done...

We're doing ok, plan wise.. It's been tough, but we haven't had to make any major transgressions... We both decided we're not going to have the same old grilled chicken salads if we can choose something else...

Anyway, we'll see you soon...!

Good morning all!

Katy- I am right there with ya. TOM is lurking it's evil head and I have had the worst case of the "nibbles" for the past two days. These pre TOM few days I NEVER feel full and all I want are things I can't have. Luckily I didn't go too overboard but needless to say the scale hasn't moved.

I think I will skip w/i today and go to the grocery store to stock up on legal items.

Lynn-are you going to a specialty shop for your fitting? My bras have been fitting horribly but when I tried to get back into the size I was wearing when I was thinner it still didn't fit. I'd be interested to see what size they'd put me in now...let us know how it goes.

Nicole-good luck with your start up! Word of mouth is the best advertisement. My grandmother makes baby blankets and over the shoulder burb rags that she sells at craft sales/ boutiques. After a few years she stopped going to the boutiques and people started calling her for orders. Now she can make them as they are ordered. She has so much fun with it. I'm sure you can't wait to get started.

Amy-good luck at the COD today.

LeeAnn-pedis and shopping sound like fun!

Everyone stay cool out there! It has finally cooled down here after a couple weeks around 100. Those A/C bills are brutal!

Check back later!

Where is MTDebster? TNDeb? Jillian? Hope you all are doing well!

Here's to a POP effort today!

I'm Back for the COD and my weight is down 1.6 pounds from Monday and with all that extra food. Yeaaaaa. I am so happy. It had stayed the same from last Wed to Mon so I told her to add some more food. LOL (makes sense to me).

Anyway got the munchkin counselor that I don't like and she also told me that they weren't running any specials on the add on weeks so I told her I guess I would be moving to stabalization next week and it made me SO MAD :mad: Cause I know they can do it.

I think I will make an appointment next Thrusday to speak with the manager and see what she can do.

Time for lunch and then to run some errands for work. Thats the best work day for me is to be out of the office. :D

Amy - one of the large department stores here is having a "fit clinic" with representatives coming from the large companies that sell bras. So I thought
it would be a good time to check this out. I have mixed emotions about this. It like looking for a swimming suit. Although last week I went to Lands End summer clearance tent event and I found a lovely swimming suit for $17, regular price $65. It is one size too small, but that is ok.

I just came from exercising at my fitness club so I have to go get cleaned up and get over there during the 2 hours that they are doing this. The same store is also having big sales today so I will look around a little as well.

Later....

I don't want to work........I just want to play on this site all day...........

That's why we miss you so much when you are gone....

hey everyone. just a quick check in. not much to report right now. things aren't going that great life-wise right now, but i'm trying to hang in there.
i've been doing this new plan--plan #4 without lites since last thursday, and it's been ok. kinda feels like starting over again, with new stuff to figure out about the plan. i seem to be doing ok without the bars, so we'll see. i really don't miss the lunas that much. kinda got sick of them. but it'd be nice to drop to plan #3 with lites instead so i wouldn't have so much stuff to eat!

anyways, i'm still holding at 210, so we'll see what tomorrow brings. i'm off and since that's my only day off til next wed, i'm gonna WI tomorrow. plus TOM is due to show up in a few days so hopefully, i won't show a gain.

anyways, sorry for being MIA for a while. just haven't felt the greatest.

Oh, Jillian.......you know that is the worst time to stay away......when you are feeling down. You can always just post a, "hi.........I feel like $hit....how you doin;?" and we'll all know you need a boost and some cyber hugs!!!! Thanks for remembering my B-Day, by the way.........very sweet :)
XOXO

Lea Ann -- Way to stick with the kick boxing! You are doing so well with that.

Renee -- Wowsers! Good job on the 3.6lbs.

Lynn -- I was so excited about the packaged meals, I thought they had them in our COD this morning, but it turned out to be a 'portion plate', like a kids' plate with sections for each type of food. I learned that we are going to the new numbered plans at the end of August...I can't wait. I need a change. Congrats on your 1.8lbs! Let us know how the bra fitting goes and how the dinners are.

Amy -- My DH works outside too, so the hot weather is really hard on him. The good thing is that he's installing pools, so more often than not there is at least a hose available to cool down, if not an actual pool.

Nicole -- I make quilts and blankets, so I'm a fabric store junkie too. I have a chest full of fabric that I have 'plans' for in our basement. Sure! I'll make a cake for Dan!

There are a lot of people missing lately. It's so hard to tell the difference between missing and on vacation, lol. Debster, Debbie in TN, the Wendy's, Kim in NY, Lettie, Danette. Many others too, Libby, Evette, Sara, UK Sarah....I could go on and on.

Congrats to Renee and Amy-great losses! I wish I could join in your celebration but I stayed the same today.....

Lynn-let us know how the fitting goes!

Jillian-Nicole is so right! We are here for ya! I hope things start going better very soon...

well....in spite of my best efforts( i know i haven't been perfect) I seem to have gained those same pounds back...i'm up 3.5. I'm so sick of this. I know before I quit before I was eating less food...(i was on RED with lites) and now it seems i have a ton of food to eat (RED 1 no lites...) I'm drinking all the water...i just don't get what's going on. I now remember why i got so frustrated last time...I don't get to enjoy my food anymore and still I don't lose weight...hmmmmmmmmm

:mad: OMG I am back from my errands and my dress is literally sticking to me all over it is so hot outside. THis made my mood even worse. I had to go back to the COD to get a diary because the munchkin didn't give it to me when I left. Was it her fault for not giving it to me or was it mine for bolting from there when I finally got away from her chatter?

I already had a piece of the cake made for Dan so you ladies need to go on over and get yours.

Sorry just had to vent. COD is becoming my enemy.

Heather - I'm sorry you are so discouraged. My advice is DON"T GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many of us have struggled up and down with a few pounds. Just when you think you can't get rid of it, there it goes!

Question
 

More of my ya, ya about the center.

THey gave me a burnt orange colored diary that says Monthly Diary 1 on it. I have previously been using a green until they deplinish their current stock.

Is this burnt orange one the "new" one for the Feel Full Menu or does anybody know? THis makes me so mad that we pay for a service and we have to get second rate support. :mad:

O.K. thats all my ranting for the day (I hope)

Amy - Great idea! Maybe I'll hide his cell phone! He'll tear up Heaven and Earth to find that!
Heather - It's times like this when the "rubber meets the road"! There have been plenty of times when I just absolutely did NOT look at the scale! I get tired of the same minues and losses... so when I hit those times, I just don't weigh! I watch my clothes and when I feel a difference, I check inches and then pounds. The most important thing is that I'm eating healthier than I have ever eaten in my entire life, I'm making better choices (even if they are perfect), and I feel better! Yeah, I get tired after a busy day at work but I'm refreshed the next morning instead of dragging like I used to. My joints don't ache with every movement, and even with getting back to bowling (I bowled a 201 on Friday night), my knees ache the next day but it's over after a few hours instead of weeks.
You are in this for the long haul girlfriend! You are not a quitter! The pounds will come off. Take a look at your menu and do a change up. Sometimes we get in a rut and we just need to introduce some new veggies, new recipes to fool our bodies into thinking we're doing something different.
You can do this Heather! I know you can!
As for me, I haven't looked at the scale - thus no ticker... My jeans are getting roomier, so I'm happy.
It's 118 on my deck in the sun... good grief! My ODS is working out in it doing landscaping! YIKES!
Some hints for working in the heat... Wear cotton, even long sleeves because once it gets wet from sweat, it's cooler. Keep a wet towel/kerchief around your neck or even in your hat. Same concept, wet is cool. When working in this kind of heat - our PhD recommended that you begin your day with gatorade, a quart. Then drink water throughout the day and end the day with another quart of gatorade. That way, you're "filling your tank" for the day ahead and replacing what is lost at the end, giving your body what it needs and what it loses.
Congrats to all the Losers! You're doing great!
Nicole - Are you kidding?!? My boys wouldn't wear that! :rofl:
Actually, I think you're on to something and from looking at the photo, you're about to be a blessing and get a blessing in return! The outfit is adorable!!!!
Let's see... Mama Nicole's Originals... Originals by Nicole... Little Darlings Boutique... Little Lambs Boutique... Buttons, Bows, and Bloomers... Fancy Pants... Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice... Jill's Frills... Frilly Frocks by Mama Nicole... And of course, my favorite - Lace and Pearls for Little Girls... :lol3:
Okay, enough nonsense... gotta go get ready for work!
Blessings,

Hang in there Heather you can do it. In No Time that scale will cooperate and you will be glad you put forth the effort. And if it don't. Throw it in the river and get you a new one.

Amy - I'm on 3 and my diary is a grayish blue and says "Daily Menu Plan 3" at the top. My understanding is that everyone gets the same Free to Live menu plan and then a different diary based on the plan number you have. Not sure what color the other numbers are.

i forgot to mention that i posted a link to some photos i put up of my WL journey. they're mainly headshots, but still did it anyways. :)

Hey Everybody! :wave:

Back from WI and shopping, and laundry, etc, etc...

WI went ok. down a few ounces. So I've lost the weekend gain. Happy for that. Having pizza for dinner, and a VERY SMALL slice of ice cream cake after (for DD 17th b-day). Counting the cake as my starch.

My new kick with veggies is tomatos & cukes mixed with FF italian dressing. And I've been on a blueberry kick lately too.

Heather - If the scale continues to go in the wrong direction, how about either talking to COD, or putting yourself back on regular red and see if that helps. Maybe you are getting too much food. If you're within 5 pounds of a color, they can switch you (according to my COD, but we all know how many different answers will be given on that one! :) )

Lea Ann - Congrats on your teaching job!! It paid to be an aide for a year, cuz at least you got your foot in the door!

Hi everyone,

Jill - you are so photogenic. I am jealous. I hate having my picture taken. I always seem to smile funny, or something. I never like pictures of myself.

Heather - quitting is not allowed. Besides - what would you quit and do? Think about it. You are at least getting healthier even if the scale isn't moving, and that is worth something. Don't look at the scale for a while.

Tomatoes and cucumbers with italian dressing ---- sounds yummy. We went to a bbq a few weeks ago and one of the ladies brought a salad it was cucumbers, watermelon, and balsamic vinager dressing with some basil. It sounds like an odd combo but was it ever good.

Okay, gotta go, lots to do today. Little cooler here today - which is nice, except that we have an outdoor customer appreciation event to go to tonight - should be a lot of fun, but it will be much cooler this evening than it has been lately. Guess I might have to break down and wear a pair of jeans, or capris. I haven't worn anything but shorts and skirts for like 2 months.

Wow! I just read through all 10 pages of posts and what a wealth of information...and laughs! You guys are a hoot! I'm new to the forum - just registered today.

Been doing LAWL for a week and a half. At first, I wasn't told about the whole sodium thing (didn't get any books or anything - just a piece of paper about TO and the juice and then the LA Express book - neither of which says how much sodium is "acceptable") and I was eating gobs and gobs of it without realizing. At the third appointment, my counselor (same one as the first 2 visits) looked at me like I was crazy and asked why I wasn't drinking hot water w/ lemon or taking a diuretic with all the sodium I was consuming. First off, I didn't know to stay away from sodium and secondly, wasn't it her job to tell me?! Anyway, since then I've added Aquaban to my pharmacological stockpile and voila! no water retention!

Anybody know if there's any reason not to do that on a regular basis? I've read everything on the box and on the internet that I could find (and understand!) about diuretics and didn't see anything to worry about. I drink about 96 oz. of water plus about 24 oz. of UNSWEET tea (yes, in the South even!) per day so I don't think there's any danger of dehydration. I just pee a lot!

First of all - for Amy - my daily menu plan is mostly white with purple and says daily menu plan 2.

I just got back from my bra shopping excursion and it was so worth it. My tired old bras are being replaced. Turns out I was wearing the right size for the brand and style of bra I had on, but there were other companies and bras that fit better and are more comfortable. The manufacturer's representative who was helping me, at one point, said I was small in the bust. I have never been called small in my life. I had to tell her the only reason she would now think I was small was that I had a breast reduction 21 years ago. It was one of the best things I ever did for myself. Insurance paid for it. I am grateful to my doctor for writing the recommendation that it was medically necessary due to shoulder and upper back pain. Anyway, today I ended up buying 4 bras and they were each $10 off, plus there was an additional 10% off because of storewide promotion, and I was given a coupon for 20% off of a future bra purchase and a complimentary pair of panties in a Bali travel jewelry pouch. Total amount spent $53 Wow Wow Wow.
I am happy to report that I had my first "Right Portions" LAWL meal for lunch. I had vegetable lasagna and I was very pleased. I don't like spicy foods so for me the flavor was just right. It almost tasted as if there was meat in it. Lasagna is one of the meals that I have missed since I have been on the program. It counts as 1 protein, 2 starches. I should not have been surprised that it is heavier in salt than I would have hoped. Sodium 620mg; calories 280; total fat 8 grams; fiber 8 grams; sugars 7 grams and protein 17 grams.

If anyone else has tried one of the other meals, let us know.

Sherry - I have a patio tomato plant in my little garden and almost every night I go out and pick a tomato or two and then cut them up and combine them with raw peppers for my 3 vegetables for the day. I like a little ff caesar dressing drizzled on top of the veggies.

Heather - I think Pearl's post says it all....just think how much better you are treating your body. A couple months ago I had a very high cholesteral reading. I got retested a couple weeks ago, and I've dropped 40 points. My weight really hasn't dropped much, but I'm obviously eating a little better. I still have to get it lower, but it's going in the right direction.

Welcome Heather115. Dan's our Sr. Salt Advisor...maybe he can help you out, but he's going to tell you to lay off the salt.

Sherry - I like your new picture!

Jillian - Hope things get better for you....are you missing your babies???
So, when it's 110 degrees in the shade, do Starbucks sales go down?

Nicole - get that basement cleaned up and set up shop! Do you think if I lose all my weight I could fit into a pillowcase top???

I'm going to get very frustrated with all the new plan name changes....I only know gold, purple and blue....geez...I may have to rejoin just to figure out the new plans....

Just wanted to drop in and say Hi. I have a great week so far no CHEATING at all. It has been 1 week since my last WI so we will see what tomorrow shows. I will let you know when I get back. I do know that I was able to fit into a skirt that I haven't been able to wear in 1 1/2 yrs. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a great night everyone!
Joni- I forgot to tell you I picked up colon care the other day at the health food store, I was there picking up my kids vitamins and I saw it and I thought I would give it a try, I was surprised when I got it home I realized the directions were to take 4 three times a day. I started with only 2 the first day and I have increased it to 4 because I haven't noticed a difference. Who knows, maybe it will just take awhile for my body to adjust to it. I will keep you updated.

Nanette - fitting into old clothes is the BEST feeling ever.....
I'm sure the Colon Care works differently for everyone...so many things can factor into how it works....I started by just taking one, and then took two one night and WOW..it worked. But who knows...maybe I had a bunch of other fiber that day too. I can't remember. Thanks for the reminder...I need to go take one now!

Suzanne (moderator) has an alert post for New Yorkers....

Attention New York Chicks.... NY Post wants you

The New York Post is working on a story about the recent study suggesting obesity may be socially contagious. To learn more about this, go to http://www.time.com/time/health/arti...646997,00.html

If you live in New York and would like to be interviewed regarding this study, and would be willing to be photographed, please send me (Suzanne at 3FC) a PM right away.

i think my biggest thing with any weight loss plan is the food. I used to love food....I know i loved it too much...but I enjoyed it....and now I hate eating. I hate all the planning and the loss of fun that goes with my food. So tonight to "celebrate" my 3.5 pound GAIN....my DH and I went to Cheeseburger in Paradise.....and once again...food was GOOD! It was fun and I'd already gained 3.5 pounds so I could eat and not worry that every bite was adding a bit of fat to me again. I'm not sure what I'm doing. Hopefullly I will wake in the am and re group and get back on plan......Thanks for all the words of encouragement.

haha Joni! to answer your question about starbucks sales in the heat..they only go higher and higher. it's frappuccino frenzy i tell ya! i just got off work and we did numbers like it was a friday, not wednesday! whew! i'm exhausted. thanks for being concerned about me. and yes, i miss my kids more than ever. less than a month til i go and visit again. i'll make it. :)

No! We're losing her...HEATHER come back to the land of the healthy....I

have been "missing" food lately too but when I really think about it food is not making me happy..it's the instant gratification that I miss. Today as I sat at worked and struggled to finish my home made salad with intalian and turkey meat on top, I literally could have lept over my desk and grabbed the taco bell burrito supreme right out from under my skinny co-worker's skinny little mouth...but I didn't....and guess what, I'm fine! The icing on the cake (pun intended) was when she later revealed to me that she's gained 5lbs this summer. I wanted to scream back at her, "maybe it's all the freakin fast food you guys bring in here everyday like it's a trophy!" but I didn't. I just smiled and told her it's so hard to stay away from those quick fixes!

Heather-look how much you have lost so far! I really hope when you wake-up-the new day brings back all of those reasons you wanted to lose this weight in the first place! We don't want to lose you. And Karen's right-what are you going to do instead? You had your night in Paradise...now back at it!

Jillian-hope you are doing ok! Sounds like you will be workin' hard this upcoming week so I hope it goes by fast for ya!


Goodnight everyone!

You know........the other thing about food...............yeah, it's a pain in the butt to have to plan your meals and take the time to prepare them EVERY STINKIN DAY.........but, in my weeks of not being OP......I found that I wasn't really enjoying eating at all........like I didn't really taste and enjoy and appreciate what I was consuming.......i was just eating to eat. So Amy is right, Heather.........this is just a bad day. Don't let it determine your future.......just this day. :)

check out our 30 lb watermelon :)
http://thumb5.webshots.net/t/64/464/...5rNaLBR_th.jpg
http://thumb5.webshots.net/t/55/455/...5ZNMgwi_th.jpg
Oh, and I couldn't leave out the keeper of the canteloupe :)
http://thumb5.webshots.net/t/62/462/...5gLLTew_th.jpghttp://thumb5.webshots.net/t/58/458/...5ptrmSi_th.jpg
and yeah, if you are wondering why I am posting pictures of my children and fruit..........they (the fruits) are from our garden, and the kids are sooooo proud. (we are pretty excited ourselves....who knew it would work out!!!!)

My goodness that thing is huge! Wow, in a couple more lbs I will have lost that watermellon?? YIKES!

Goodnight!

and a big a$$ watermelon at that!!! Good night :)

good morning everyone. i have the day off today, so i'm going to the COD to WI for the week. TOM is here, so any loss will be fine with me. :) ah, we'll see. we're still in an excessive heat warning and have been pretty much all week. the humidity is already @ 77% and with that it's about 90 out right now...going all the way to 105 today. ick.
be back later today.
have a good morning

Heather -- I think many of us share the same love of food that you do. In less flattering terms it is called an addiction...lol. I hope you can find whatever motivates you to lose weight. Sometimes we all lose sight. Have you got a copy of Deb's cookbook? There is no reason at all for food not to taste good. Maybe you can make up a bunch of her yummy recipes and freeze them for later. There are always carb cravers too. When you feel like you need something 'sinful' check through those to see what appeals to you.

Jillian -- Is it hard to resist the frappucinos yourself? When I was in highschool I worked in an ice cream shop, and I didn't eat ice cream for about 10 years after, I was so sick of looking at it. have a great day!

Nicole -- Love the fruit, and the sweet little guardian of it.

Amy -- Great point. Let's all post how much we've lost and ask Nicole to take a picture of produce from her garden that weighs as much. I bet I've lost two canteloupes and 5 cucumbers!

Good Morning!

Hope everyone is having a great day. Here in the mountains of NC we are supposed to be at 95 today which is HOT for us. Can't imagine the 105 Jillian. Stay cool!

Wow Nicole, you guys have some garden! That watermelon is huge - Amy I've lost 1 and 1/2 , almost three, of Nicole's watermelons:)

HEATHER! Calling Heather! COME BACK! We need and want you with us on the journey. Nicole is absolutely right, one day doesn't make your future or probably none of us would be here. You can do this! I remember telling my husband that I had to think about food so much more now than I did before and I think that is the point...you think about it, you don't just eat.

I better run get to work. Hope everyone has a great POP day!