Good morning everyone, and thanks for the warm welcome!

I`m doing well, the eliptical is fast becoming my new best friend. Wed. I did 16 min in the am, 16 in the evening.... Yesterday I was up to 20 minutes in the am. Gonna try for 25 this morning.

Unfortunately this has been a tough week, my time of month, first one to put up with since I got serious.... Been eating very well, and drinking water, but my rings are tight and the scale shows an extra pound or two, so I`m not letting it get me down. I`m heading over to the scale addicts thread, LOL I really hope to stay off til next wednesday (my offical weigh-in day) and hopefully be pleasantly surprised!! My goal is 218 for next week.

I managed my cravings with a slimfast chocolate bar, and some baked chips (just a serving instead of whole bag!) Salt cravings really got me early this week. I did eat out Wednesday, that is my "anything for dinner" day, as well as my weigh-in in the morning, that way I have a week not to even notice that wednesday night treat.

My husband works away for 2 weeks, and home for 2. I`m realizing I have a harder time when he`s home than when he`s gone... He likes to cook, where I don`t... so when he`s gone I make the kids their dinner and eat a Lean Cuisine. He is in shock I have not had a "real" coke in a week! I was like an addict with that stuff. I would never, ever drink water... soda all day long! I`m loving the Diet Pepsi Vanilla and sparkling flavored water, not to mention plain water. My skin is looking absolutley amazing, and for this time of month, thats great!!!
Im just seeing so many changes already that make me more motivated, I`m more energized during the day, I sleep better at night, clothes are fitting better already, it`s just a good feeling and I don`t want to go back to feeling miserable ever again.
I remember back in January my sister and I went out for a few drinks, and I squeezed myself into a size 18 skirt that I thought didn`t fit anymore (I was right!) I felt miserable all night, bulging over when I sat, just no longer comfortable in my own skin. That was my first realization that I`m totally losing myself and had to do something. Every day I`d plan to start it would all end in a small slip up, usually by or before noon, and once I slipped or ate something I thought was "bad" I`d eat everything that appealed to me, thinking "i`ll start again tomorrow, or Monday, or the first of the next month". It is such a big thing when trying to do this to remember...and I love this sig...
"A slip-up isn`t a reason to give up!" That is the most important thing I have learned.

Wish everyone a great weekend. I`ve been reading here everyday and you all are very sweet and helpful.

Good morning Ladies,
I showed a tiny loss at the weigh-in last night...down .75 lbs. I'll take it!
I've been so busy with everything. I need to start learning how to manage my time, because right now it's managing me. I have some committments right now that I have to see through, but I'm saying no to everything else.

I know it's important for me to do that because when I'm overwhelmed, I overeat..and ladies, I'm so tired of being overweight. I'm very please with my efforts so far, but it's time to get down and dirty and really get the rest of this weight off. If something is going to interfere with my concentrating on that, then I'm saying no to it from now on.


Holly: Thanks for sharing your feelings. I hope to be in touch with mine some days as much as you are with yours. I think they are a key to this weight loss journey.

Caro: Thanks for sharing the time when you came to the realization that you wanted to do something about your weight. I think that is an important thing for us to remember, especially when we are on this journey for a long time.
As for the quote" A slip up isn't a reason to give up" came from Debbie on this board..but I loved it so much I put it in my signature.

I'm thinking that maybe we should all take a look back at the reason we decided this time would be the time that we would finally get real, be serious and loose this weight, and how we can use that to remotivated ourselfs.

Think about that and then post it. I will if you will.
Susie

hello there chickies!!
the work week is done for me, i came home and changed and went outside for a little bit trying to figure what to do with the garden. major overhaul coming this spring. it has been 6 years since i first planted it and everything needs split and spruced up. lots to keep me busy. going to pick up kids from school soon, DD has a softball game this evening. kids are going to their fathers tonight DH and i are going out to dinner, it was a busy week and i miss him. i have done everything according to plan for 13 days straight, there is hope! i am going to do this! going to WW to weigh in tomorrow TOM started so i am not expecting much, i have a good feeling inside because i have taken the best possible care i can of ME for the past 2 weeks. i can and will keep moving forward.

i will post personals over the weekend! hope you all have a great day!!

Great topic for discussion. I will give some thought, and post, later. Holly-sorry to hear the grief is poking its way back into your life, although it never really leaves us. Just like the daffodils in garden, so are memories in our hearts.

Caro, Great job. I have never used an eliptical. I just use my trusty treadmill, and go, go, go. I should maybe try one. I would like to do some upperbody strengthening. Any one got some idea's?

Spring is here in ND, very windy,and grass is coming. I am happy about that. DS is having a sleepover tonite, (3) 13-yr-olds, BOYS, so I hope I survive. I do love it when they feel ok about coming over and being at our house. Keeps things in perspective. They planned a golf game for after school, so that will keep them busy for a while.

I will definately think about the posting question and get back. Thinking of you strong women, motivating women, and compassionate women, who really are here with a helping hand, shoulder, and heart.
Blessings for a wonderful weekend, whatever that may be for YOU.
Sandi

Reasons~I KNOW that even though it doesn't affect me at all now my wieght will cause me ill health as I age. This is also part of the trouble I have with losing weight because it is not detrimental to me at all.
It is a body, mind, spirit issue for me. I truly believe that a healthy fit body, emotional health and spiritual enlightenment go hand in hand.That is my goal.

Thanks to you gals for listening to my rambles and taking the time to comment. Dont ever doubt it is meaningful!!!

Hello Everyone.....

Speaking from the heart is so comforting coming from a great bunch of lovely women. Thank you for you honesty and thoughts.

Not going to personalize as it is very busy here at work. You all are always in my thoughts and at times, thoughts of you keep me from falling off the wagon. For that, I thank you all.

I am doing great on eating, have not walked as much as I would of liked this week. Rainy two days, and my walking buddy had a wart taken off of his foot, therefore he did not walk and I needed that boost to get my tushie out there. Next week will be better, and I so look forward to this beautiful, warm sunny weather. My brother's band plays tomorrow night and I plan on dancing my tushie off. Well I call it dancing, questionable in other's minds, I am sure. :^)

Everyone have a wonderful weekend, one day at a time, one moment at a time.

Hugs to all

Annie

Hi, ladies! I hope that the sun is shining on each of you today

Holly--I've been thinking of you, and how much emotion you are trying to process. It's great that you have a family, a garden and a strong sense of yourself to help you through it. I'm glad that we can be here for you, too!

Caro--Good luck with your scale jones! I do jump on mine every morning, just because it reminds me of my mission. I've finally gotten to 235, in really annoying half-pound increments! When the scale freaks you out, though, I think it's better to focus on behavior for a while, and then you will be pleasantly surprised when you get back on the scale in a week or two.

Speaking of behavior, go Jodi You are in the groove, girl!

Sandi, I used to have an elliptical trainer. I loved it, too. And ohh, what it did for my calves! Quite sexy. When I relocated I sold it. Sometimes I use the one in my building's exercise room, but I have to work to get back into the swing of it.

Susie--Remotivation! I do it every day. I remind myself that I can do this, that I know what it takes, and that there is no mystical force making me overeat, that it's all in my head. I want to go to Beijing for the 2008 Olympics, and I will not be lugging all this extra weight around with me!

judy

Good Day everyone!
Just a quickie for now. I am anxious to get work done and get out into this BEAUTIFUL day!!!!

Caro - good for you on the elliptical! Soon you will be up to an hour like me I had to work my way up as well!

Sorry this is pathetically short. I want to get everything done and not be rushed by 5pm. I have a phone interview at 5.30 and a softball game at 7p! Hope to get some cleaning out done this weekend.

Talk to you all soon!

Girlie


Jodi - you can do it too - make use of that one in your building I need to get myself on it more often!

Annie - It sounds like you have been doing quite well!

Holly - what an emotional week! I'm sure you handled everything quite well. You do SO much and sometimes it's hard to balance all of your roles.

Spring has Sprung!!!!
There is no doubt!!!!! My willow tree out front has turned pale green with buds.My hedge sprouted tiny leaves yesterday.The bulb plants are bursting in radiant yellow!!!!
We all slept in til 7:30. Just enjoying my first coffee!!!

Apparently, not eating mindfully will cause one to gain a couple of lbs. I do not want this. I WILL focus on my food intake. I will be getting LOTS of exercise in the yard, digging, raking, moving rocks etc. That should help. I WILL not eat at night. I WILL not eat at night.

Yesterday was nice. No headache. DD stayed home so I got to go to Grandma’s alone!! It was a great 3 hour break from here. I grilled up some burgers at 4pm and the boys went to watch hockey. DS puked when they got there. He had been at a Bday party, didn’t eat his lunch but ate cheesies and cake..............
DD played outside and I sat on the deck, in my “new” chair enjoying a tea. She came in for a bath and I did dishes and cleaned the kitchen. DH went to a friends. I asked him to stay out LATE. LOL!!! The kids were zonked by 8:30 and I had the house to my self. I watched decorating shows and puttered.Went to bed at 10!!!
Life is grand. NO headache today!!!!!!!
I arranged the new patio stones where I want them. I will start digging that out this aft. I need to paint 1/2 the basement floor and it is done. I will do the stairwell during the week.
The fam has asked for pancakes. I will get at that in few minutes.
OH, DH got 1/2 the $$$ owed him. He has stopped talking about it at least!!!! yahoo.

Have a brilliant day!!!!!!

Girle~ as long as I let it out I do just fine!!! Journalling and the threads are a true gift!!!!

Busy day planned here too. Going to do yard work today. Already off my treadmill for the morning and going to put some lattice up on the patio. I survived the teenage boy sleep over. Made a batch of cookies for them, then sent over the rest to another teacher's house who just had a baby on Friday. Made lasagna to go with it. Feeling extremely ambitious today. Hope it lasts. It is only 9AM.

Been thinking about the question posed earlier. The reason I think I am losing this weight has nothing to do with the NOW. My mom had a gastric bypass 20 + years ago, and has suffered life long problems from it. As of late, she recently was hospitalized again with complications from that, and ended up on a wound vac, and had a gaping hole in her stomach the size of a large cantalope. She was on that for over 8 weeks. Her knees are shot, she can't be on her feet for any length of time, and is very immobile. This is a life I do not want. I do not want to have to rely on my only son to have to care for me later in life. I want to be able to be as active as I want, and not have to worry about how little I can do. I also want to have a fufilled life. I don't care if I am skinny, I want to be FIT. I want to be able to go hiking with my kids in school, and not feel exhausted by the whole experience, rather I would want to come away feeling exhilarated.

I know it has taken me 20 + years to get to the shape I am in now, I think I can afford to give it at least a year or two, (for the weight loss, not the lifestyle) to see if I can get back into a FIT body. I find myself getting caught up in the here and now, but just tell myself, I can afford the time and work it is going to take to get to where I want to be. I am really not sure where that magic number is, I just know I will know when I get there.

This is a journey for sure. Mindfull eating, exercising, and trying to "live in the moment", with mind and spirit are my main goals. If I can focus on that, I can do it.

Happy day to all you great gals who are such a support to all of us. Tulips and daffodils to all of you today.

Sandi

Sandi~ great post. I hear ya!!! on the reasons. It is not about now for me either.
I am the queen of casseroles( LOL!) for new babies, funerals, birthday's etc....it is the a good to gift to receive and give!!!!!!!!
Your weekend sounds great!

Happy weekend! I've been outside as much as possible, running errands and gazing at the blossoming flowers and trees everywhere. I got a pedicure this afternoon, then went searching for good summer sandals. I walk alot, so it's about comfort, not cute...although I'm trying to find a few pairs that don't look as if they were designed by Roman gladiators. I bought one nice pair today at Macy's. I wear size 10.5 (European 42), so this isn't easy! Next weekend I'll try DSW, and if I have to I'll pony up some money at Comfort One or one of those other places that specialize in hard-to-fit sizes. I've been EPP all weekend, and mentally preparing to spend three days on the road this week--lots of opportunities for mindless munching and throwing my plan out the window. My goal is to work out while I'm away, and not to gain weight.

Sandi, thanks for sharing your reasons. I'm also afraid of having the same physical problems as my mom and some of the other women in my family. I like your attitude. I know you can do it!

Holly--I laughed when I read that you all "slept in" until 7:30AM on a Sunday morning! Bless you and all the moms of the world. I got up early for me--8AM--to get to the laundry room before the crush of tenants jockeying for machines.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day.

judy

Hello chicks!
hope you are all doing well! i had a fantastic weekend, lots of time outside moving plants and taking care of the garden. not done quite yet more next weekend! i went to my WW meeting yesterday and was down another 2.4 lbs. i am so happy! i know what i have to do to keep it going. i am going to work really hard at staying in the groove this week. clothes are washed, house is passable, shopping is done, meals are planned. i feel good!

judy- good luck sandal shopping! hope the week goes well for you!!

holly- everything you have describes lately sounds so beautiful, glad you are in such a great state of mind. keep the good vibes flowing!!

sandi- thanks for sharing that. i have many of the same reasons for this journey. i want to land in the same spot as you also, i just want to be healthy and fit. the number isn't so important to me. you can do it...we are all going to do it!!

girlie- how was the interview? and the softball game?

mychoice- congrats on the loss! hope you are doing well with the time mgmt! if you have any pointers throw them my way! there are never enough hours in the day!!

hello annie, caro, spores and everyone else i missed hope you are all gearing up for a fantastic week!
xoxox

Hey everyone;
Just a short post to let ya'll know I'm thinking of everyone. I've been busy tryin to get garden in shape and doing a lot of yard work.
I only made it to curves 2x last week.
I have not even stayed op. I am very disappointed in myself. I must do better than this or I'll never made my goal. I've been very mindless about my food choices. I have a headache and
I'm kinda ran down. Well shoot... there is always tomorrow. I'll post personals later after Tylenol does its thing.

Deb~ tis the season for gardening and allergy headaches for me.I think it a joke from mother nature. The gardening is good exercise. Pay attention to your food today!!!
I always eat poorly when I have a headache.

Jodi~ I need to translate the good vibes into good food. I did great most of the weekend!!! Mindful. Hope your week is just peachy.

Judi~ in the good old days I used to go to bed at 7am. LOL!!! I am a Birkenstocks girls. I wear them everywhere and with everything( wooly socks too). I wear them as house shoes all winter. I am a wide size 10. I did find another brand that were contoured last year that were prettier( German brand) for $150. I didn't but them tho.

Girlie~ hope you enjoyed your time outside!!

Annie~dancing style is interpretive to say the least. Hope you shook your butt all night!!!!!!

Caro~ you are off to a great start. How was the weekend??

Susie~I wrtie everytihng down i need to do the night before, I even scedule computer time, dishes, All My Children........ The kids know I have a 1/2 hour on here at 9. They dont bug me anymore. It really helps!!!!!!!

Is it Monday?
She asks all bleary eyed.
That weekend FLEW by!!!!
I am achy from digging and placing patio stones. But it was so much FUN!!
DH and I worked together all day. He was SWEET and tender and romantic. Wow!!
Our path to the house is beautiful. It says ,Come on in!!

We made it out of patio stones that look like a slice out of a tree and squarish stones with leaf inprints in them!! then I spread wood chips in between and around them. It is so heartening to do the finishing work after 5 years of doing the labour that was necessary but doesn’t show.
I ate very well yesterday. NO bedtime snack.
Kids seem great!!
5 kids today. Storytime. Must do yoga. I still need to paint 1/2 the basement floor. may do it at nap time.
It is supposed to be nice again today. I may end up outside with the kids, then I will play in the perennial beds.
Best go get dressed and mix up tuna for DS’s lunch.

Have a spectacular day!!!!!