Hi G.G.s,
Another cold, snowy day here. Once again most everything is closed & the roads are treacherous, so we didn’t leave the house. Looks like it will be awhile before anything starts to thaw, afraid I might get “cabin fever”.

Thanks for the volunteers to smack SO. He thinks it’s pretty funny, but says don’t post his picture on here. He said he’s afraid he’d be walking down the street, & strange women would be coming up & smacking him. (I’m pretty sure I’ve got a picture of him around here somewhere……)

Gayle, these men think they’re so funny! At least your DH will walk with you. SO pitches a fit when I park waaay out in parking lots, & he has to walk a few extra steps. My cats love sitting in “their” window too. I keep a couple of chairs in front of it during the day so they can watch the birds at the bird feeder. Are those azaleas in your pic, or maybe hibiscus?

Bobbi, count me in on the “I hate to exercise” club. But, since you love to ski, are you sure YOU qualify? Isn’t that exercise?

Zoe, Yay! for you for staying OP & resisting those cookies! I like your idea of exercise! Getting in & out of my car - I can do that! About changing your eating habits, you touched on my biggest fear “never can count on what you might do tomorrow”. I’m afraid one day I’ll wake up & just start eating everything in sight! I guess you never really KNOW if the change is permanent.

Donna, thanks for being in the smacking line (you know, as I picture that in my head, I sorta think SO might ENJOY it - he loves attention, hmmm….., might have to rethink this). Guess with your bad leg, Zoe’s form of “exercise” is out. Hope it stays better. And I think that snow blower is a great idea!

KarenFL, your chick peas sound good, I’ll have to try them. Sounds like the South Beach plan is really working for you! And, cloudy but warm sounds wonderful right now. I’ll be really homesick for FL by the end of Feb.!

KarenMO, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t even be able to do virtual hula hoops! Is your treadmill very noisy? Mine is! That’s one of my excuses for not using it, but I can come up with lots.

Night Everyone. Time to go in search of my nightly snack.
NCNancy

Hello there! Still cold here tonight and I could really do without it! They are saying if you don’t need to go out then don’t-- but at least it stopped snowing now.

Bobbi, I love to watch the Biggest Loser but I know I wouldn’t be able to handle being on the show at all. First time they yelled at me I would cry and be on my way home!! Right now I have it recording because Tim like to watch the other channel so I will watch it later on tonight after I go to bed. I can never get to sleep right away so I like to watch TV Tim just rolls over and goes to sleep! I have a lot of Leslie Sansone DVD’s too but I’m liking being able to walk or run with the Wii Fit and explore the Island!! Not nearly as boring. Today I did another hour with it and so far still loving it!

Rosey, what did the Dr. have to say today? I’ve been thinking about you all day. I imagine if it is this cold here what it must be in Alaska. BRRRR!

KarenFL--how are you doing? Are the leg cramps better?

Gayle, love the picture of your kitty.. She is really pretty. You should post her pics on Facebook too! I used to have cats when we lived in the country years ago. I don’t have any now even though I like them but both my brothers are allergic to cats so guess I will probably not get anymore since I kind of like having family around! So glad that things worked out with the IRS and your family. Stress just isn’t any fun at all!
I usually try to write my personals with the Microsoft works program. That way I can write and then go back and forth to 3fc to see where I am and who I’ve missed.. Also less chance of losing a nice long post that way!

Donna, I have always been teased about my height! I used to be 5’ and was glad that I was able to put that on my drivers license when I was 16! But I just barely made it to 5’ then! But I still think I would be happy to be at 125lbs. Guess I will decide when I get there. By the way, the son went to court this afternoon and all the charges were dismissed and we got our bail back!! YAY!! That was the good news-- the bad--- he says they are going to get back together! I hope he realizes that she isn’t staying here---not even one night! We’ll probably have words over that ‘cause I think he thinks I will soften if she is really here! NOT THIS TIME!! I hope your leg feels better soon. Have to tried rubbing aspercrème on it?

Mary, hope things turn around for you soon and you can get back home. I know how frustrating it can be waiting on car parts! We did that one year -- waited 3 weeks for them to replace a clutch in our motor home we had-- then ended up having my brother drive us home because they still hadn’t got it done and Tim had to get back to work! When they did get it done, my Dad went and picked it up and advertised it for sale for us! It was one of those little Winnebago LeSharos with a Renault engine.. It was cute when it ran!! LOL!!

Zoe, good job on your food choices today. Hope the family feels better soon. I’m trying to do at least one new thing on the wii every morning. Today I added the free run and that was kind of fun too.

NCNancy--Sometimes hubbys can be so silly at times. I think I would like to be one of the ones in line for the smack down -- if y’all can then come to my house!! My DH is MAYBE 147lbs soaking wet and 5’10” -- never has had a weight problem and is an authority on how to lose!! But then most men seem to think they are authorities on everything anyway!! But I still think I’ll keep him---Yes, the treadmill is kind of noisy but I just turn the TV up a little louder! At least I'm downstairs and shouldn't bother anyone!

Well, guess this is enough of a book for one night. If I missed anyone I didn’t mean to and I will catch you next time. Ha

Hi everyone, tummy flu day here, no work, no food, couldn't even keep water down, but I just did, so am on the up side. Had to check in and see how everyone was doing. Sounds like lotsa good stuff happening.

I really missed my kitty today, he would have been curled up next to me and made me feel better. (the rest of my family gave me a very wide berth today, no one wants to catch this--don't blame them.

Bunti-- Feel better soon---- That bug just really seems to be hitting everywhere this year. Take it easy and don't try to overdo!

My Goodness!

I have a LOT of catching up to do! This is a quick check-in - planning to go back and read everyone's posts after I post this.

Returned from FL yesterday BEFORE the snowstorm. Actually I flew over it while it was hitting Atlanta.

Plows have already done my parking lot. I may try to meet my bookclub & see the King's Speech this afternoon.

My DD did it! 26.2 miles!!!!!!!! She walked/ran for 5.3 hours and raised $5,000 for LLS. Her DH and I cheered her on.

I came back from FL the same weight as I left - 150 lbs. A LOT of eating, and a LOT of walking.

Check back with personals later,

Lynn

OK - just read all the posts. Here goes -

Hi Karen 3,Tough being in FL at this time of year. Everyday, I went from a winter jacket to no jacket and short sleeves back to a winter jacket.

Sorry your tournament got cancelled. Hope you can find another team to go with.

I am thinking about a couple of weeks of South Beach also. Problem is I ALWAYS gravitate toward carbs. I NEED to up my protein. I cannot stick to high-protein diets for long, but I ALWAYS lose quickly when I go on one.

Hi Lily,
A while ago, you asked about the best dieting tip we have had success with. For me, it is limiting white foods (rice, pasta, potatoes, bread) - this cuts my appetite - and cutting my portions in half - this cuts my pounds.

Hi Zoe,
Interesting about NOT being asked to meetings if you let yourself slide. If I had known about that, I would have slid/slid/slid! I HATED the meetings I used to have to go to!

My DD's marathon was on Sunday - cool, but no rain. On Monday, it poured. We were VERY grateful that the rain waited until Monday.

Hi Gayle,
I am sorry about your DD's dog. Last year, I got one of those calls from my DD about her cat. She has no children and LOVED that cat. I agree. Nice to be close enough to give comfort.

How did that purple stuff taste? Not sure about that.

I LOVE your Meso. BEAUTIFUL!

Hi Bunti,
About popcorn being a "hungry pill" - for me, all the white stuff (rice, pasta, potatoes, bread & popcorn) is a HUNGRY PILL. Calories are Calories & that's what determines weight loss, but carbs press the hungry button for me.

About "remembering" what everyone writes - I use NOTEPAD. I keep it open while I am reading the posts & switch back & forth from reading posts to writing responses on the NOTEPAD & then cut and paste to my reply.

About your ticker - change it when you want to. We have NO "ticker rules" here. Whatever helps you lose is what you should do.

About exercise - did you watch BL last night? Guy who could not do treadmill bc of injury sat on bed & did shadow boxing & lost a LOT of weight. Just MOVE. Any type of movement will work.

Sorry you are feeling bad. Hope that flu bug moves on quickly.

Hi Karen 31,
How are you doing with the WII? BTW what does "WII" stand for? Do you need to have special exercise equipment to use with it?

You are such a TECHY! I am REALLY impressed with your Iphone image!

Be CAREFUL with kettle balls. They are TOUGH on your shoulders.

I am with you about the BL - I watch it, but I would NEVER put myself in that situation. First time they yelled at me I would be OUT-OF-THERE!

Hi Gonna,
WELCOME! GOOD idea to concentrate on smaller weight-loss goals.

GREAT that you are following your "movement" plan. Weight loss is VERY scientific - exercise away more calories than you eat and you WILL lose.


Hi Bobbi,
I guess we are officially on rival teams. I never got online while I was away. At Disney, it was $10/day for connection. I decided they were getting enough of my money.

I have to go back over to the Challenge Thread and read through the posts and figure out what we do besides post our Sunday weights.

PLEASE tell us those !@@##%^& headaches are GONE!!!!!!!!!


Hi Gayle,
Stay AWAY from those Cadbury eggs. Let me know if you want me to PM an "image" to you that will help.

Ideas for what to keep in the car - I keep NuGo protein bar, a snack bag of almonds, SF gum in my car for emergencies.

Hi Nancy 27,
WELCOME! Congratulations on your retirement.

Hi NCNancy,
Not to worry about 2 Nancy's - GREAT to have your photo. Helps us to know who's who.

The HALT strategy is a good one. Another is that you get up and exercise when you want to get up and eat. I have actually gone as far as driving to the gym and spending time on the treadmill instead of munching.

CONGRATULATIONS on new LOW weight. BTW - your avatar is BEAUTIFUL! Keep up the GREAT work!

A Chinese buffet - YIKES!!!! - good luck.

Hi Lola,
WELCOME! If there are particular problem foods for you (mcd french fries - haagendaz - See's candies) I can help. Let me know if you want me to PM you some images that will help.

Hi Freda,
We have been "through a lot together" haven't we? I cannot wait to actually meet everyone at Zoe's retirement party. I am definitely closer to our Golden Girls than to some of my kin!

Be CAREFUL! Sliding through a light is SCARY! HAPPY you made it home safely!

What kind of movie is TANGLED? We saw several 3-D movies at Disney. I LOVED Avatar, but NOT the ones where things fly out at you. With Avatar, you felt like you were entering in to the movie.

Hi Donna,
You and I are on the SAME page - those carbs trigger me also.

Hi Rosey,Have the doctors given you a list of specific foods to eat? Are some things better/worse than others or is it the portion size that matters?

I know you make quilts and baby diapers, and snowmen. How about clothes? I think it is time for some new (SMALLER) clothes for you!

Hi Mary,
SO HAPPY to hear from you. Sorry you caught the bug & had vehicle trouble. Have a SAFE trip home.

Glad to have you back Lynn. I'm on my way out the door, doc appointment. Later!


[QUOTE
For years, scientists on both sides of the Atlantic have been trying to unravel the "French paradox" - the finding that despite a high-fat diet, the French appear to have a lower rate of heart attacks (as well as a lower rate of obesity) than other Western countries, particularly the United States. While no definite explanations are available, it may have a great deal to do with how the French approach eating. These eight tactics are the norm in the typical French diet - consider changing your approach and attitude toward eating by adopting these strategies and see if it makes a difference in your life:

1. Eat smaller portions.
2. Avoid snacking and eat only at mealtimes.
3. Eat a wide variety of food.
4. Don't skip meals.
5. Enjoy your food and focus on dishes made from fresh, locally grown, quality ingredients.
6. Stick to your internal cues. When you no longer feel hungry, stop eating.
7. Eat less sugar. The French eat less than half as much added sugar as do Americans. Recent research indicates that sugar, rather than saturated fat, may be a key dietary contributor to heart disease.
8. Eat meals with family and friends so that eating becomes a pleasurable experience as opposed to something to "fit into" a schedule or feel guilty about.

][/QUOTE]

Morning...Off to PT in a minute but just had to say NAH NAH NAH we're the only state in the Union without snow! Boy will take come back and bite me in the fanny hugs, karen3

Good Morning! Well, I just finished another hour on the Wii.... I had Tim take some pictures this morning so I could post them here... he didn't get the balance board in the picture but will try again tomorrow to see if he can get it all in! The pictures of me are terrible-- but I guess they will work ok for before pictures 'cause I definitely want to be able to post after pics too!! And a few progress ones as I go! Gosh, you can tell by looking at my living room around me that all I did was get up and start the Wii!!! I guess I need to attack the house! The other picture, well it is cold! And it has gone up 2 degrees from when I got up!! But at least it is blue skies and sunshine today!

Lynn, I don't know what the Wii stands for. I guess I never thought about it before. Probably a japanese name or something!! LOL!! Anyway, with the wii console you need to buy the WiiFit game and balance board. Tim got me the Wii console for Christmas and it came with the Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort games. But I went and bought the Wii Fit game to use for exercise. I had thought about buying the Biggest Loser game but found out that you could use the balance board with it too to make the exercise more intense. So decided it was best to get the original wii fit and then go from there. We also connected the Wii to the internet so I will be able rent some of these games when I decide to try them before buying them. I'm loving it though. I did a downhill ski deal the other day and that was a lot of fun. On the Wii Sports they have bowling and several other games on it. I did a watercraft one with Tim and that was fun. So I guess I am moving more.

Oh, and I think for now at least, that I will hold off on the kettlebells. It just seems like I have plenty to keep me from getting to bored with the things that I have downstairs.

Well, going to go and enjoy a cup of coffee and then clean house and do laundry... ugh!!

Well, Jess, I'm used to spending my winters in the RV so I don't "pine" for my bed at home so much although I do know that the home bed is more comfortable. What I miss the most is my bathtub and my hot soaks, but I am very adaptable and actually start to look forward to my hot showers in the RV after a while. And most of the time we do have nice hot water...I had one cold shower but that was because I forgot to flip the switch from microwave to water heater so my bad.

Started out cloudy this am but sun is now shining. Still a little breezy and the breeze is quite cool but the weather down here (both in CA and AZ) is beginning to warm up gradually. The part has still not come in so we don't know when we will leave this place and we are trying to just "bloom where we are (temporarily) planted." And of course we will not be going home even when we move...just on to our next destination.

I am only coughing a little now but now my back has started hurting again. I swear if it's not one thing it's another! LOL But with the Lord's help I keep going. My dh prayed for my back last night and I got a good sleep and am better today. This is my first episode since early summer I think and I still have the muscle relaxants the doctor gave me then but so far I haven't had to use it. I think it is nerve pain from shingles but doctor has never quite agreed with me on that. He has come around to saying that my leg pain is likely nerve pain...duh, doctor I've known that for a long time! I don't know whether the diabetes has anything to do with either though and neither does he. And to let him off the hook a bit, all he can do is give me stronger pain meds and he knows at this point in time I would refuse them.

Since we plan to sell our rig when we get home, I've been gradually going through cupboards and tossing stuff and cleaning. Thought If I did a little on the road it would keep me busy plus I won't have quite so much to do when the time comes to get it ready for selling. I do love our RV so it makes me a little sad ...It has beautiful oak cabinetry/cupboards. We bought it new and it was top of the line at the time we bought it.

One of the RVers water pipe froze night before last. I happen to see from my kitchen window yesterday morning that it had burst and water was going all over. Brought it to my dh's attention and he told our neighbor. Then when he (neighbor) started to fix it he apparently broke a main waterline because now the whole park is without water as they are fixing it. This is the second time we've been without water here. The first time was when we first pulled in. But of course, we know these things happen in RV parks and we always have a tank of water aboard for these situations. LOL I just looked outside and one man is working on the problem and 4 others are standing around watching and talking..including my dh! That's what old men do I guess.

My dd gave me a Coach bag for Christmas. It is SO pretty (blue) and is something I would never buy for myself. I haven't used it yet as it seems too nice to carry on the trip, but I take it down and look at it now and then and plan how I will organize my stuff in it. Guess that's what women do...

Here comes another old guy to join the group "supporting" the working guy....

LOL guess I'd better get to work myself instead of yakking so much about nothing...have a good day everyone!

morning everyone..its cold here still.im using a heating pad on my back for warmth..we got back from anch late yesterday..i was so pooped we had dinner and bed..how can i describe yesterday hmmm frustrating sums it up..its a 4 hr drive one way...up and back in the same days is tiring..they didnt have me in their appt book and asked why i was there! my card said yesterday so someone goofed..i saw the nurse,she went over my chart,and new phase of eating,perscribed B12,B1,calcieum,vit d and k..i was weighed and their scale wasnt the same as mine..11# diff and not for the good..i was deff bummed..when i got home we checked my scale.dh weighed on it and so did i..my weight was 294,thats -5# for this week..now whose scale is right.. we took a 40#bag of water softner salt and weighed it..my scale is accurate so im going with that one all in all for what they did i could have stayed home and had an over the phone interview..maybe its there way of charging the ins company more who knows..then my dh wanted lunch so we went to village inn..all that lovely food and i could choose..yay..so we had breakfast and my dh got most of mine.. i had 1 egg,2 T hashbrowns, 2 small bites of ham and one bite of toast..and my tummy revolted.. bummer..i was miserable for about an hr.. we did go to wallmart but dh was anxious to get going so that was rushed anyways was glad to get home.. my new diet is to experiment with normal foods..just chew,small bites etc and no more than 1/4 to 1/2 c at a time..and protein 1st..no beverages with meals..i can live with that..we are going shopping later today no more babyfood or pureed mush..my dogs where so glad to see us they about turned themselves inside out..how nice to be greeted like that like we are the greatest thing since sliced bread,,i love my dogs..hoping you all have agreat day ..rosey

I create particularly disgusting "images" of particular foods that tempt me. Once I get that image, I never want to eat that food again.

WARNING - they are REALLY disgusting. I did it with Burger King Whoppers and have never eaten another one.

Of course, you can do it yourself. Just think of the food & then, think of absolutely disgusting things. Imagine that those things are in this particular food.

Lynn

Its me again..gee Lynn thats a good tool by the way congrats to your dd thats awsome. did anyone watch biggest looser last nite? i was watching but fell asleep i need an update thxs rosey