Ooo hoo! Yeah, I work in a field that's mostly men too (computer programming). I'm the only female on my team and while I don't get overt sexism or any remarks, I do get babied and talked down to a lot. I don't know if it's that I'm a woman or that I look really young, most likely a combination of the two, but people tend to assume that I don't know what I'm doing and when I prove them wrong, they are so surprised. It's really frustrating having to prove myself all the time.

So, while I don't have to experience the sexist environment to the extent you do, I still feel your pain. And, man, I'd die without a lunch break! I don't know how you do only 20 minutes...and you're driving twelve hours too! I have an eight hour drive coming up on Friday and I'm dreading it. I really admire you for being able to tough it out on the job like that.

I don't know how much I'll be on in the next few days. Tomorrow we're going to the Redwings/Stars playoff game, then I'm *supposed* to leave on Thursday after work to go up to Kansas. I don't know if I'll actually leave then or not. It's a long drive...8 hours like I said...and I haven't even packed yet. I'm not going to have time tomorrow because of the game. I would have started yesterday, but we just got the tickets last night, so I thought I'd have today to do laundry and tomorrow to pack...bleh!!!

Anyway, I won't be back home till Sunday so I might not be able to be online much until then. If I don't talk to you all, have great week! Stay strong!! <3

OK this is the first week I lost ZERO! I have been spoiled with fairly consistant weight loss- now zero. I am completely bummed.

Sexism, Favoritism, Nepotism. That place is a schism of ism's. They don't make comments and such. I'm from Rock Springs(sorry I forgot you asked awhile back) so, I can tell dirtier jokes than most of these LDS breed "gentlemen". And, I can say the "F" word 5 times in a sentence. I know how miners are and I knew I was applying for a mine job.

But, the discrimination is ****!!!! These guys honestly think we can't do anything physical or that takes a brain. For Pete's Sake, I'm an equipment operator, but god forbid any of these dinks even so much as test me on equipment. That might just blow their fantasies about what women can do all apart. But, a Guy hired a month after me got put on equipment and raised to operator B scale and he sucked. Do they honestly believe I can't tell what an Operator looks like. Ofcourse, this guy is sleeping with one of the bosses daughters so I guess that makes up for his incompetence.

I've also been an oiler for two years and ran all over this valley fueling and changing oils on equipment. But, 3 Guys newer than me with no experience were assigned fuel attendant when they created that position. I was never even asked. The women on our team are expected to drive truck and that's it. And if one of our trucks goes down, there can be 10 guys on the ground doing nothing, but we get put on the next thing running just to keep us out of contact with anyone and prevent us from learning anything. It's a total load of Bull!!!!!!!!!!! And if I get told one more time that I might get dirty or hurt, SOMEONE is going to get hurt, but not me.

I did get up the nerve to go talk to the mine manager and supervisor about it. One of the jackasses told me that they had women working up here in WWII. OMG, I informed him that there were Rosie the Riveters all across the country. It was part of the war effort. Besides that was 60 freaking years ago. Then he tells me that women weren't interested in working here when they had to start out on track gang. EXCUSE ME!!! 1st, that was 20 freaking yrs. ago, which was 20yrs after my mom was told she would never be more than a clerk at the PO because she have to lift those big ol bags of mail. She retired as a Postmaster and was still throwing those big ol bags of mail around when she was 60. I have carried stuff that weighed anywhere from 50 to 100 lbs and more all over work sites. Worst of all, the SOB called me a "Frustrated Woman" who would die frustrated. Ofcourse I'm frustrated. I'm not being allowed to use my talents and skills or being allowed to learn. What could possibly be frustrating about that.

I know it was worse for mom and you. People would call her a "quota b****" to her face. Then, when she became post master and took over a small post office in WY, if the customers didn't like the rules she had to enforce(because she had some a** above her looking for the chance to bust her) the customers would try to go over her head to the clerk, Chuck. But, she thought she was paving the way for me and my girls. Well, not in Utah.

Sorry I let loose, but this place is pathetic. I HATE MY JOB. I just put in for a mine up near Gillette and I also saw an opening at the power plant there. Also, today I found out that one of the mines in NV is hiring about 3-400 people. I might check into it, but I still would rather go up closer to my girls father. He's been in mining 28 yrs. at a PROFESSIONAL mine. ****, he knows more about this mine than 75% of the people who work there do. He's an excellent source of job and safety info. In fact, he's now the safety director.

OK. I'm going to calm down now and go to bed. I HATE GRAVEYARDS, TOO!!!

Love you guys. Keep up the faith.

Hey Amazing--Try not to get too tense about the slow down. Hopefully, it is just your body trying to reset its set point. It's OK. If it should continue for too long, the MF plan reccommends just eating from the leanest list of proteins for awhile. But you've really been dropping so maybe you should give yourself 2-3 weeks to see how it goes.

I know I wasn't thrilled when I "only" lost 2 last week. But I realize it's OK. We didn't GAIN either, and that's a good thing.

Keep your chin up and stay strong. Love Ya.

Oh yeah and Lili- Enjoy yourself this weekend at the game. Heck, I'ld take a game over packing.

And don't worry, I take my breaks when I get tired or when they start pulling stuff like cutting down on our lunches. I truely feel no loyalty to these people whatsoever. And, I've NEVER had any other company break my "giveadamn". But these people did it.

Have I told you guys how much I love you? Well, it is true. This is a highlight of my day, checking in here and "seeing" all you guys. Thank you for everything!

Ah, thanks. I feel the same way. I'm not sure if I could make it thru the day w/o at least checking in on everyone.

Operator, when I tell people I teach, most people respond with, "I don't have the patience to teach." While it is true patience is needed, when the kids act like dweebs, at least it is easy to excuse (she just broke up with her boyfriend, he just failed a physics test, etc). Dealing with adult dweebs, though, I have very little patience with. I commend you for your perseverance in a very challenging field. I know I could never do it.

Jana, I come home from work and do 2 things. First I log my meals and get dinner started, then I pop in here to see how everyone is doing. A support system is so helpful.

I've never been to Kansas...I wonder if Lili is enjoying herself.

As for me, 2 more days until my big 1 month anniversary. I expect my weightloss will be 18lbs, as I don't think I'll lose anymore weight by Saturday. Today I'm exhausted and don't feel like exercising (plus I'm nursing some blisters) and tomorrow I always go out with friends after work and tend to eat a few more calories (and carbs) than normal. Oh well. I'm quite pleased with 18lbs.

Hope everyone is well.

Yeah, some of these people are ridiculous. I'm in trouble again. We played trivia last night like we always do on our last grave shift. I couldn't help it. I blew their sorry butts away. Not as bad as 2 years ago though. That time only one other person was able to get an answer in. Alot of these guys really don't believe they're smart. My parents told me I was and that it was OK for a girl to be smart. Parents should let their kids know that, and any parent who consistently tells their child they're not smart are abusers. I really shouldn't dominate like that, but when I'm feeling this way it just feels good to "show em all".

Can't wait for you 1`month weigh in. I'm excited for you. GOOD LUCK!!!

Well, I've got OT tonight so I better get ready.

Hello everyone,

I have been on plan and managed to increase my shakes. Thanks for the advise to double up.

I have lost a total of 15 pounds in 14 days which is good for my body- I usually lose weight very very slow.

I am starting to look at healthy eating for life. I even went to Applebee's and ordered the chicken fajitas and only ate the chicken and veggies. I was not even tempted, even when the friend I was with ordered dessert

Just wanted to check in and say keep up the good work!!!

Hi all! So, I didn't get to leave today like I planned. I had to work late and I hadn't packed yet because of the game last night. (The Redwings lost, which was a bummer! My bf is originally from Detroit, so we were rooting for them.) I'm glad though because I got to check in with you guys! I am definitely leaving early tomorrow morning.

AmazingPlatinum, this is the highlight of my day, too...I'm only gonna be gone for a few days, but I'm going to miss you all! <3

Jen, wow! 18 pounds is awesome for a month! I bet you might lose a bit in the next few days anyway. I always seem to lose when I least expect it.

I don't know...I was a teachers aid my senior year of High School and I gotta say, I don't know how you do it, that experience turned me off to teaching. It didn't help that my little brother was in my aid class. He liked to be a troublemaker for me and would rile the kids up when the teacher left the room. Oh...goodness...and he's graduating college this weekend! I can't believe it!!! That's the reason I'm going up to Kansas. He's graduating from KU. I'm so proud of him!

Uniqleeme, way to go being on plan! Keep up the good work!!!

Operator, thanks!! I'll try my best to have fun this weekend. The drive is what's going to suck the most. I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to work my meals in, not only for the drive, but while living in a hotel for two days. I'm thinking of taking mostly shakes and puddings...things that I don't have to heat up.

I'm also kind of worried about my family's reaction to my diet. I haven't told them about it yet and am kind of afraid too. I remember losing about 15lbs around 8 years ago and ending up at 130lbs. Which I have to admit when I look back now, I looked pretty darn good despite thinking I needed to loose a few pounds. I'd come home for a visit and my parents hadn't seen me since I lost the weight. My dad was so concerned that I was too thin. He didn't believe me when I told him how much I weighed and wouldn't back off until I got on a scale in front of him to prove it! He then stood me in front of my mom and made her guess how much I weighed!! Uhg! It can be annoying, but I know he only worries because he love me. I haven't seen them since Thanksgiving and I think I'm about back to where I was weight-wise back then, so I'm hoping they won't make a big deal about it. If only I could keep the diet a secret...*sigh*

I have a question...has anyone else been super emotional on this diet? I swear I haven't been able to watch the news since I started. I cry all the effing time and I am NOT a crier! I guess it's the hormones from the lower calorie diet and the soy? They say they can mess with your TOM, so I guess it would have an effect on your emotions too? I don't know, but I'm starting to get a little frustrated with myself. I hope my body figures out what new level of hormones to pump out so I won't start crying every time I see a squirrel eating a nut...like I nearly did yesterday morning!

Okay...sorry I guess I'm in a babbling mood tonight! Good job making it through all that!!! Have a good weekend everybody! I hope to *see* you all on Sunday! <3

I am in such a total S**T mood. TOM, on graves, on overtime and the little Jack*** they made a fluffer on the team I worked with had the nerve to ask me if I'ld work tonite too. Is he looking to die??? I'm already working OT on Sunday(graves) and he honestly thinks after a year of not working OT at all I'm gonna screw myself out of a day off when I only get two this week. I don't think so, Scooter!!! I'm a SINGLE MOM. These men have wives taking care of the homelife and they give me the "Well if you can't handle it" look. Hey, half of them only work so much OT because they are avoiding their family responsibilities.

OK. That's over with. I'm proud of you, Uniq. Good job getting your needed meals in and your weight loss. Keep up the good work. I can't even chance Applebee's, YET. Like I have time anyway.

Jen-I'll take the adults. At least these dumba**es have the sense to know that when my eyes start shooting daggers they had best shut up. I SSSOOO appreciate teachers and what Y'all go thru. Although, kid's tend to show me a little more respect than they do other adults, too. Between what my girls have told them, and the good sense God gave them, most realize that as long as they show me proper respect as an adult I'll take care of them and help them out as much as possible. But, I absolutely couldn't handle it on a daily basis. The little sneeks would learn my weaknesses and try to play on them. I know enough to know youngun's are sneaky and devious. Heck, I was.

Lili(If you get a chance to check in)-Check at Walgreen's or something for a hot pot that you can put water in to heat up. I have one. It looks kinda like a little coffee pot(the old percs) and you could heat some water up in it in the hotel room. OMG don't even use the coffee pots they provide unless you completely bleach it first!!! You would lose your mind if you found out what other patrons do with them.

Amaze-You know, I'm totally exhausted. I'm in a S****Y mood. I should be in bed. But, by jimminy, I have to have my 3FC fix first and now I feel alot better. I love all of you freaky chicks for that!!!! I don't know how I would have made it this month w/o you.

Let's all stick together and KEEP THE FAITH!!!

Hi guys-
Wow where has this month gone????? It is flying by...

Operator- Wow! It sounds like you work a lot! Plus dealing with all those jerky sexist guys. I don't know how you do it. Where I work, it is mostly female oriented- so I am very lucky to be away from that- but WOMEN can also be horrible and caddy. I sometimes like to stay to myself rather than get caught up in the drama of everything! Hope you are doing better! You know how I am doing- ticked off and crying a lot- but tomorrow I have some important calls to make about those stupid day care people!

LiLi- I soooo understand what you mean about your family's reactions. My mom is weird like that too. "Don't get too thin.." What the??? Hello, have you seen me?? My coworkers are also not real supportive- if I have an especially stressful day and I am in the least bit emotional- "You need to eat!" So I am focusing on my own self-advocacy. It is my turn to look after me. Don't worry so much what others say or think- ultimiately it is YOU who needs to be happy. And as far as emotional- UM YESSSSSS. I am crazy emotional! I truely think that soy increases estrogen and we become irritable and crying fools. SO you my friend are not alone in this!

Uniqleeme- Good job on getting your meals in. I use the doubling up technique a few times a week- I just get into meetings where it is not ok to just start eating. I haven't found any ill effects yet associated with doubling.

Jen- How are you doing? You still plugging along?? I saw you are at 19lbs. congrats!

Well off to bed. Hope you are all well. Looking forward to saying hi tomorrow.

I'm leaving on a business trip in the morning. When I get back my first Medifast box should have arrived, yeah!

In terms of emotions - I'm an emotional eater. So when I put down the food, all sorts of things come up for me. Plus, I know from losing it before, each layer of fat seems to carry memories that come up for me as it comes off... It's a weird thing. But I am up for the challenge, and ready to be a normal weight and a healthy BMI, by gosh and by golly.

Operator, I give you credit working in such an environment! I am in the computer field (networking and computer support) and in my old place of work my team was mostly men. And although they didn't think so, I felt talked down to. The new place is not like that at all. And I'm loving it.

Have a great week, guys, I don't know whether I'll be able to check in or not. "see" you when I get back....

-miriam

Mirihawk-Let us know when you get back and good luck. You can always share the emotions that come up here. I doubt you can shock us, but you can sure give it a try.