Amber - I know exactly what you mean about it making your problems seem smaller. I've been whining all morning about DH and I having a fight last night and then to come and read these posts puts things in perspective. (It's becoming harder to begrude him a stupid $100 tv remote, but I'm still mad )

Heather - Hugs sweetie! I'm so sorry about your grandma. The guilt of not being there will lessen and you'll be able to focus on your good memories eventually. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.

Nori - I'll also keep Nolan and his family in my prayers. I hope he makes a full recovery.

Anna - Ouch! I've only had strep once but it's not an experience I want to ever repeat. Although I did lose 15 pounds in a week without trying. I swear I lived on water and popsicles for that week.

Lisa - We have some strange mega-cold thing going around down here. It takes about 3 weeks to recover. I'm still working getting over it.

Vix - I lost a ton when we did our work challenge. No one wants to do it now though. Congrats on seeing a virgin scale number.

Purple - Dang! Those are some great numbers! With that many inches lost you must be loosing your clothes.

Chellez - I hope your feeling better soon.

Selina - I hope you get the baby back soon, and get to keep him. I really don't think I could put myself through what you do.

Rhonda - Have you gone back to using the creams yet? Any better?

Who'd I miss?

Thanks for you well-wishes. He seems to be doing fair. He was unconscious for a long time and they don't know the long term implications of any head trauma yet. He broke both arms in a couple places and knocked out almost all of his front-ish teeth. I imagine by that that there is possible some broken facial bones, but don't know that and hope not. It's a little early on yet, but it does seem that he is a lucky one.

Anna - Oh, I feel for you! I had strep last summer and after 6 days of misery I finally went to the docs. I never did get any better. I got a penicillin shot (pretty old school, I know - but I was WAY sick) and was healed within 24 hours!

Lisa - we do tons on those rapid flu (and rapid RSV and rapid strep!) tests in the peds office I work in also. So far this area hasn't been terribly hit with the flu. Of course it always hits the youngest and oldest and those with weak immune systems. My DH works in a hospital (Endoscopy Dept) and they have had some bad *pneumonia-ish* bugs though. Like people off work for 2-3 weeks at a time! My DH is diabetic (controlled with diet and exercise), so is considered high risk. Anyways, he NEVER sets a foot inside our house with his scrubs on - acutally he works out after work so showers there.

Selina - fingers crossed for you sister!

Theresa!!!!!!!! WTG - you are rocking this joint! Those are amazing numbers! Now I have to go check out your starting pic. I'm sure it's not as bad as you think!

I also really want to see a noticable difference between start to finish. I've only lost 14 pounds this challenge, and that's hard to notice by itself when you're talking this amount of mass, but inches talk! Speaking of numbers. For 2 days now (yes, I'm back to weighing myself daily) I've been at 253-254!! So I've lost 30 pounds now since November 28th.

Well, I got to get more work done today!

Hi everyone. I'm so sorry to hear about everyone struggling too, and poor Nolan, bless his heart. Let us know how he is. I'm happy for those of you losing those inches and pounds! Woohooo!!!!

We are working on the Gerber situation. Not sure what will happen. His attorney and the child advocate want us to have him but of course getting thru all the stuff with CPS is another whole story. The judge also can order it. So we have to wait til next week to see what they say. You never know. It's so hard that thinking about weight loss just seems like a grain of sand in the whole ocean of life. Not that important right now.

On aa similar note, there are some books that Tatiana and I want to read. One is Intuitive Eating, where you let you body lead by it's own cravings which probably are telling you of things you need to eat, etc. Haven't read it but we joined a support group for eating issues and it's good. Images issues too. If anyone wants a link to it, let me know. Lots of women, same issues as these. Talking about it may help me get my thoughts in order so next challenge I can come kick some butt!

Have to get boys from bus, hugssssss, Selina

PS Rhonda, even tho things are hard for you right now, I'm so glad to see you are coming to chat and also posting personals, you are a big part of this group as Chelle and each member here is and to know that you both are here for us still means alot.

Oh and Anna! Im sorry you are sick. I've had that b4. I haaate it. So sorry!!!

Hugs, Selina

I understand. What good are you if you're not being the best you can be? Taking care of yourself. Of course, I don't think you're giving up or anything - but our thoughts are so sneaky. And for me, hindsight is 20/20. My niece and nephew were kidnapped 1 year ago by their father (married to my sister) and taken to Hawaii. I had started to get healthy before that, had lost 30 pounds, and I gave up on my health because of that stress. I remember feeling guilty actually when I took the time to work out and plan my meals. So instead I stuffed my face. And spent the next few months off plan.

On a side note, my BIL has actually been on trial since Monday for the kidnapping - it should be wrapped up by tomorrow. My little 7 yo niece had to testify yesterday. She did so well - considering she hasn't seen her Dad since he was arrested in front of them, and hopefully will not have to in the future. She told it like it was though.

Rhonda--I have never thought about me inspiring anyone, honestly I feel I am struggling a lot lately so I don't see the inspiration...but I also know people who inspire me on here don't see themselves in that light either. It is nice to know though I know your time will come...IT WILL! IT WILL!

sweetpeas--SO sorry to hear about the kidnapping, that is so scary...I cannot imagine what the kids go through. I am glad she was strong enough mentally to testify though. And yeah, the picture is THAT bad I plan on that outfit looking looser next time though.

Selina, i wish you the best and hope this comes out in your favor. I still think you are an angel to all these little babes that cross your path...you know it is not an accident or just the way life goes, each and every one comes your way for a reason. Something wonderful is going to come your way in the end, making it all worth it. I truly believe that.

dixie--My clothes are falling off, literally! When I started at 257 over a year ago, I was busting out of a 24, but refusting to buy any 26s. That was my wake up call. When I started this challenge I was wearing an 18 but they were big. I bought new pants about 6 weeks ago and am in a 16. But, I was in my new jeans today and hubby asked why I was wearing my old jeans and I said "these are the ones I just bought" and he goes "oh, well they're too big on you." That felt really good.

ferrari--that is a lot of work to do yourself! Isn't it amazing how we allow things like that happen? You'll get it done though, you seem dedicated to it.

Hey Anna, just watch those babies. It's quite contagious and my dd's usually pass it to me in the first 24 hours before we even have them diagnosed. Usually they feel bad, sleep with me, and boom, 3 days later I have it. Maybe your nursing one won't get it, but I worry for the older one.

Always think of yourself as succeeding and confident. Never forget - you can if you think you can. There aren't any conditions that affect success. If you can think of something and have faith in it, you can accomplish it. And if things are going badly at the moment, keep your mind focused only on winning. Never allow doubt to cross your mind. Always think success.

Go Blue!!!! We can do this!!!!

Thanks Nori, I know you are right. I am glad to say that even tho not focused I haven't been finishing my plate of food once I'm full, etc. Trying to listen to my body. Hope it keeps me sane for the time being. If I start gaining more tho I will be forced to get back to counting very closely. I'm so glad I haven't had to go thru a kidnapping. Our families would have freaked out too! Sorry that happened. Glad they are back now.

Purple, thanks so much. I hope my kids all remember us. We always hope that the ones who have gone on will come back one day to see us. I put in the back of all their lifebooks I make them (that I send on with them) a page about how proud we are of them and how we know they'll do great things in life and I put our name, number, address, etc. A friend of mine later warned me about that saying they could go on to be abused somewhere and not remember who did it but have only our info and assume it's us (I guess bc we have such small kids, their memory wouldn't serve them.) I just can't be scared tho. I want them all to find us again! I have other friends who foster who won't send their names and addresses with the kids for fear of something happening later. So sad. I so hope we get our baby back. He just belongs here.

Well, going to bed, big hugs to each of you, Selina

Little one weaned a few weeks ago actually. I came home from my sweat, and there was not enough milk to keep her happy.

I actually am stunned that I have it. My sister and I were roommates for several years out of college, and she is a walking strep factory. I never got it from her.

I am standing here sweating through my third shirt of the night.

I am going to see the doc in an hour. Not my doc, which bums me out. His mom is really sick, I guess. He has been my doc since I was 18, and we enjoy arguing with each other. Worst case...the rapid strep comes back negative, they do a culture and it's viral and I just have to suffer. The only reason I am going now is that Will's 6th is Sunday, and I have to be well enough to shove Star Wars action figures into icing.

I am home with antibiotics. Still deciding whether to take them or not. Fever broke during my last post, and I am peppier. I cleaned up the kitchen this morning, which desperately needed it. (Why can't men wipe off counters?)

The sub doc was quite a lovely person. She showed sympathy, which was a shocker.

Was it strep? Glad you're starting to feel better anyway!

I didn't take all ten days of my antibotics and thats how I ended up with bronchitis...

Take the meds woman!

Yes, it was strep. The rapid strep came back with a big ol' plus sign immediately. If I decide to med up, I will definitely take all of them. Not reason to contribute to the creation of super germs!

Woohoo- my sisters soon to be ex was just found guilty of kidnapping. 5 day trial and the jury was only out 40 minutes! We're so relieved that she will not have to share custody with him any time soon.

Boy, s l o w day around here!

I had a so-so day. I was rushed this am and wasn't prepared with good food so rushed out the door with a shake, an apple, a Balance Bar and a serving of Fiber One cereal. Too much product vs. good whole foods. It didn't satisfy me. I was so hungry by the time I got home and course everyone else was also. So we had pancakes, eggs and sausage for dinner. At least I skipped the potatoes!

I spent 200$ on Amazon today. I ordered a HRM. The Polar F11. My personal trainer has been bugging me to get one for awhile now so I really know what I'm doing cardio-wise. I just know that I have to really push myself hard in intervals on the elliptical to make it worth my while now and get my HR up there. I also ordered Jillian Michaels book Winning by Losing and the The New Rules of Lifting for Women They should be here Monday! I'm excited.

Hope you all are starting out the weekend strong! I'm hitting the gym early in the morning.