camaswa, thank you & I was a little taken aback at first but slept on it & i'm okay now. They did tell us about the cost of the HNS's at the consultation but we had just come from the beach and he had had a few drinks so his head probably wasn't quite where it should have been to take it all in, I had also bought the big 3 and he said he thought that was the required items that I had to buy. he looks at the HNS's as food and "the lady said you didnt' have to buy their food" I don't think I will be buying the big 3 again so that will help with the cost. He is very frustrating sometimes because "he is never wrong" or so he thinks lol. I was able to explain it to him by breaking down the price of the HNS's to what they cost a day which 3 a day is around $5 so that is no worse then a starbucks habit or fast food habit & much better for me. We can afford the program but that cuts into our "fun" time which if I don't get this weight off there will not be any "fun" time eventually. He is okay now and is supportive and as he sees the program working for me I'm sure he will understand even more that I need this.

I have had a very successful weekend my bestfriend graduated from nursing school and I must admit I am a bit of a lush for alcohol & I went out with them friday night & saturday night with everyone else drinking & I had water :) we went tubing today (another normal big drinking occasion) & again resisted the alcohol, & beach day tomorrow & I'm sure there won't be any drinking for me. I think I finally have my head wrapped around it all and the desire to really lose the weight this time. :) I am healthier than I was 3 years ago & much more physically active but this weight has got to pack it's bags, hit the road fat & don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more! lol

you can say that again :D

Aw8, ok, whew, I felt terrible, really. It sounds like you are getting started really great. Alcohol is definitely my downfall, so I commend you for abstaining at two social events in a row. Pretty soon those friends will start seeing your results and they will be so impressed.

About those HNSs, when you learn about the science- that is why the extra protein is important, it will really seem worth the cost, which as you said, isn't all that much more than a daily Starbucks habit.

Nyght, good job getting ready for the week! It makes such a difference.

I got the Artic Ice that Teacher Lady wrote about. NOT a substitute for ice cream in my book, but it did allow me to mindlessly eat something cold and creamy while watching tv. I know we are supposed to learn to stop want ing to do that, but hey. Anyway, it was expensive - over $5 a pint, and not great. I may try a different flavor at some point because I like the idea of it so much. Recommended with reservations, as they say.

I have my lunch salads made for the week and dinners planned out. I ate (and drank) off plan quite a lot this weekend. But it's July now, my month to refocus one more time for a home stretch of5-8 pounds before my birthday in August.

Have a good week everyone. Hope it cools off for you.

Ladies, thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support! After 2 1/2 weeks, I'm going back to the center today. It's not going to be easy, but it has to be done.

Allergies are kicking my butt right now. I think it's allergies. Non-stop tickle in my throat. Mom thinks it may be mildew in the air from all the rain we got from Tropical Storm Debby. We were some of the lucky ones...high and dry. Across town, not so lucky. Lots of flooding and washed out roads near me. Dreading August/September. That's when tropics are the worst.

Stress eating - AGAIN... so last night I did HORRIBLE off-plan - we're talking sugar cookies here, people... It threw me because I ususally have something planned, jump back to eating great and move on.

But, we're getting ready to leave for a hiking trip to the Yellowstone area. We're going with my mom and dad and my mom is a CONTROL freak. She had called 6 times within an hour, making sure I had packed jeans for my kids, suncreen, chairs, and that I didn't pack my tablecloth because we're using her's... this was all while I was trying to finish packing (we're camping) and I.went.nuts. Grabbed the cookies and sat on the couch and just ate.

What was I thinking? Now, I'm worried about spending the week with her... will I be able to maintain some control? I have planned a few off-meals at some restaurants but, with the stress, I'm hoping I don't go nuts!

So, feeling a bit down today... and worried... and not confident at all... blah...

reminds me of my oldest sister...she has to plan every single thing and it drives me crazy!! big camping trip last weekend and she wanted everyone to tell her what they are bringing and wanted to know the exact time we were going to do everything - OMG, and this starts 3 weeks before any event. there is a reason that i'm the only one that moved 8 hours away! i never reached for the cookies around here but found myself going in the camper and taking a huge sip of beer. then back again and again!! my brother gave me a mini bottle of tequila for emergencies around her. hahahahhahahahahaah!