Thanks for the well wishes!

My DH came home from work to take care of me in other words kid duty and I got to nap. Slept for almost 3 hours and I feel a bit better! Let’s hope this craziness just goes away I’m not a person who likes colds.

I’m not eating so much - foods neither have a taste nor smell - so I guess that’s ok right?! Maybe the scale will say surprise and give me a teen number soon - one can hope!

Anyone have any fun plans for the weekend? I’ve got taxes and then date night! It always amazes me how little time an accountant takes to do your taxes and in the end the amount of the cost. I think I was in the wrong field all along when I worked. Hah. The good news - we have our lottos for the weekend - wouldn’t it be fun to win? So back to date night. I haven’t had one in a while so I look forward to such.

Happy weekend all! Maybe it won’t be quiet here over the weekend.

Hey guys, I’m checking in on my phone (my least favourite way to reply) but I’m determined to not let the day pass without say hello. It’s late here, like almost 11pm and I’m watching the Winter Olympics. The Curling unfortunately, which seems endless. But I already watched the figure skating and i’m Waiting for the downhill skiing which I also love. So instead of shaking my fist and scoffing at the curling I’m checking in. The last 2 days have been... not killing me with excited plan-wise. My weigh ins have been total busts even when I’m eating under and I know I could do better. Fitness has been okay. I’m not quite at the 5days a week I want but I’m at least running every other day and I’m seeing improvements so there is that.

Uberrrr!!!!!!!!! Heyyyyy welcome back! I’m sorry the journey has been a “beech” but I’m glad you’ve found a method that’s working and that you’re back on here.

Lemon: I’m sorry you’re under the weather. Hopefully it blows over soon and you and your family are back in the pink of health. Please take it easy as much as you can. I’m glad your husband is helping out a bit so you can nap. What would you do with the lottery money if you won? The idea of hundreds of millions of dollars is so fantastic (as in a fantasy... not fantastic-brilliant and wonderful, although it’s brilliant and wonderful too), that I’m not even sure where I’d begin. Bali is in April and work is hectic- you know how you have your actual to do list and then you have the meetings and distractions that mean you don’t get your actual work done, it’s like that. I actually have 32 states left to visit (I’ve visited 18 states and DC already- lived in 2- Louisiana was the other one for grad school aside from Mass.)- I’ve done Amtrak from DC to Dallas a few times to visit people but the dream would be to get the month pass for 12 rides and just plan to go to a bunch of places. Do you have any places in America you particularly want to go and haven’t been to yet? How many states have you done? Any travel planned for this year?

Jenni: Yayyy the 230s!!!! I hope this decade zooms by for you! What are your carb cycling plans. Maybe I need to shock my body as well. I’m really interested if you don’t mind sharing. I almost put Colorado down because every Coloradan I’ve ever met has nothing but lovely things to say about it. I can’t believe you live in Oregon, what a coincidence- so you’re one of the cool people. I’m officially cool by association. Hawaii is definite #vacationgoals . I’d love to go as well. I’m sorry your Friday vibe was taken over by work. That must feel like the equivalent of having a weekend stolen.

Diane: Let the whooshes keep coming, Amen? Amen!!!! I’m so pleased that the scale is cooperating. I’m nervous about the weekend too. They tend not be my finest hours. I’m going to try really hard this weekend though. I can’t wait to hear your hair reaction. I have a feeling you’re going to love it but then if you don’t, you can always fix it till you do, but crossing my fingers it’s epic and you’re left saying “I should’ve done this ages ago!”


Okay guys, I seem to have accomplished doing personals and a check in on my phone without losing everything (yet) Although in fairness there’s been a lot of copying the text and pasting it in notes just in case. I’m not setting any weekend goals beyond not eating myself sick. Wishing all of you a wonderfully blessed weekend. Hugs to everyone!

Hey all. Me again. Sorry I haven't been around. I'm doing a lot of sitting on my butt and watching Netflix. I would love to say I've been eating healthy, nutritious food, but other than the occasional piece of fruit, that would be a lie. On the up side, it seems that my gallbladder was doing nothing at all, as fatty and spicy food are not different at all. I haven't wanted anything healthy. I feel fine, just tire out easily. In fact I feel so well I really feel lazy, which is part of the problem. I'm bored, and being bored makes me want to eat.

I'll live. I'll weigh, probably tomorrow, and see how much damage I've done.

For now I'll just leave you guys with a Hello and hand in there all!

Lil: glad to hear your doing ok. Tired comes w the anesthetic working its way out. Usually it can take up to a year so enjoy your naps as you take them!

Toasted: curling, I KNOW right! That’s all that was ever on during the day because NBC here micromanages to keep the “hot” sports in primtime and then the crappier ones live. I mean, I get curling, I was just reading locally it’s been taking off again as their are curling clubs in the area - but geez —reAlly? That’s all they can show?

As for travels: I eat and looked at a US map and if you include the lumbering Amtrak trip it boosts my states up there. I have been to 27 - so thank you for making me realize I have visited half the US. The things you see - like going over a crazy bridge in Maryland that was built so tall ships could go under - I swear I was going to die looking down ant the Chesapeake and it being a 2 lane no shoulder road, beware of gusts type bridge. It was the tallest and scariest. The next weirdest one was tunneling under the water near Norfolk. Odd. Especially if you thought about water rushing in at you. Beautiful was CO from the train and seeing the tunnels built during the WPA years still in use, the countryside, mountains and waterways. But my own state is still right up there with its many different terrains to explore, throw in all 4 seasons and you have a smorgasbord to choose from.

And my lotto: I have things in mind for family and for my community. One always needs to have a thought or two when they buy a ticket just in case. One of my siblings always said if they won they’d just call each family member and not to ask questions when they’d tell you to go your nearest international airport - just pack your bags we’ll meet in bora bora. Hah! I’m not the only one who has ideas about a win.

I use my phone a lot to post. I don’t feel like firing up the computer some days.

Ok - I’m off to go make a homemade pizza for DH and I as my MIL took the kids. Woot! A simple pizza with garden tomatoes I slow roasted in August and opening ceremonies (I guess Tonga man is back) and just hanging out. Sounds like a good evening ahead. Some days it’s nice when the kids are off visiting and life gets a bit slower and quieter - but what are the things you miss when they are gone - exactly!

Happy evening all!

Hi everybody, thanks for the welcomes!


Lil: Glad you're doing well after your gall bladder surgery and I think it's pretty normal to want to rest a lot after surgery. My brother had his gall bladder out last year and he didn't have any digestion problems either.

Toasted: I love the figure skating!!! Hope I get to watch some this year.

Lemon: I love road tripping in the US. I've been to most states-- although I'm still missing a few in the Northwest and Southeast. Good luck on the lotto! You never know!

Diane: Very exciting about your new do! I've been thinking about that myself. Mine is shoulder length and "blond" but what a nightmare to maintain and so expensive, especially since my very curly and thick hair has transitioned to not so thick and weirdly enough, not that curly, so I now do Brazilian blow outs and wear it straight and it's just so much time and money and chemicals. Ugh. My mom never colored her hair and I always thought it was pretty with her blue eyes. The only reason I don't do it is that I have a son in 6th grade and I don't want people to think I'm his grandma (although maybe they already do, LOL) Can't wait to hear how it goes! Your weight is looking good!!!

Lemonthyme: I absolutely love road trips in the US. I've been to most of the states, although I'm still missing a few, mostly in the southeast and northwest. I drove from South Dakota to Wyoming last year and then from Maryland to California-- both really fun trips! My favorites? South Dakota and Wyoming. I just love those wide open spaces.

Toasted: Thanks for the welcome! I love the figure skating, but curling? Ha! Maybe it's fun to play, but not so much to watch.

Jen: so glad you broke the plateau!!! Are you a daily weigher? I am, and it always makes me crazy when I just hover at a single weight. I have tried to talk myself into weighing less often, but I just can't help the impulse to jump on the scale.

For me: took my son to In-and-Out tonight and I felt like I was literally taking a sauna in the smell of french fries and burgers! I had none because I'm still on a liquid only diet for another week. I did feel a little sorry for myself. Besides that, I'm feeling pretty good. I'm at the tail end of a big project, so I'm going to be doing some work this weekend, but taking my little one to b'ball games in the morning. Should be pretty relaxing. I'm looking at the math trying to decide if I can afford to FINALLY join my local gym. I want the one with the pool so I can swim, but it's so pricey that it's hard to pull the trigger.

No real w/i as I’m lounging yet in pjs but I have that weigh 223.2

Uber: I only have done the eastern side of sd nearest the falls. They were pretty but very sulfur-y in smell. I’m hoping in the next few years to take he family on a road trip to Mount Rushmore and the badlands. Taking Route 66 to experience the slower pace of road travel intrigues me - I don’t necessairly need to do the full route - but at least some I think would be neat. One of the things I like to do is to find roadside art - usually done by non-professional artists - rather someone who just had a hobby. Here in my state the kohler foundation (yes the toilet family) has taken over a lot of ours for maintenance and care so we don’t loose these treasures.

I too am an older mama. In our small district I’m an anomaly not only w/ age - but I also don’t sport multi tats, multi colored hair, multiple baby daddy’s, wear pajama bottoms to school events etc. the hair with its whites will just have to be. with your hair (I too have natural curl) would it help to cut it all off and not process it and see what happens with it? I know something drastic, but I used to perm (it was the 80s) and when I finally stopped, cut it shorter and just saw what it would do, the curls came to life about 6 mos later. I’ve left it since - various lengths and styles of course - but letting it do it’s thing has been fun. What’s challenging is finding a stylist comfortable working with it. Let me tell you I’ve met so many that try to flat iron and on me it looks HORRIBLE as in a drowned rat or cat just bad. I embrace the curl these days. I encourage you to think about it.

Hello all!

Am: my lottos - I only buy one chance per draw - hey it’s like that joke about the blonde and asking God to win the lotto and in the end he says you could meet me halfway by actually buying a ticket. Alas - it’s always fun to dream what you could do with such. I see there is a lot of hubbub in NH over that large winner who wants to remain anonymous. Sadly most states want your name and likeness for their promotion. I tend to agree anonomyous is better and more of a protection and it’d be lovely if all states adopted such. Mine does not. Alas, the most I have ever won is not much but still it’s fun to take a chance and have a fleeting thought.

Watching ski jumping right now. Oh how fun that would be, but I have a fear of heights since I aged. So I will live vicariously through these men flying through the air. I thought the opening ceremony was just ok. Had a laugh how the press described the cauldron lighting - dear god but sadly true if you watched front the side which I noticed NBC switched from in their editing quite quickly. What I miss w the parade of atheletes is that in all the past years they used to incorporate what historically was national dress. Now it’s all drab uninteresting snowsuits and wooly hats. Nothing stood out to me except for the Nigerian ladies and of course Tonga man, the one country with the unique hat (I want to say it always one of the Stan’s) and Bermuda with their shorts. I miss the uniqueness of all the countries traditions. And what was Germany thinking with their drab drab colors?

See - this is why I’m not an announcer!

Alas I should keep my commentary to myself I’ll end for now and wish you all a nice weekend of melting fat!

Maybe we can all become Olympic commentators for the next two weeks. What’s everyone’s favorite events? What do you enjoy? And I will concur - curling drives me bonkers.

237.8 on my official weigh in day! Holy cow I feel like I am officially in the 230s. I'm excited! Once I hit the 220s it will be 3 years since I have been there! Today is my 7 year olds bday party and she is super exciter! I wish I was still that excited for my birthdays but I am approaching 40 in the next couple years and seems like that just shouldn't be right! This weekend is pretty busy with parties and kids things and next week I have to travel for work 2 days. I need to prepare my foods so I stay on plan!

Lillion:. I sure do hope you feel better! Netflix is the best when your healing!

Lemon:. I hope you feel better too! I have got the olympics recording but haven't had time to watch them! I also hope you have a great weigh in despite being sick! And homemade pizza is the best!

Toasted: I could talk all day about traveling I just wish I had the money and time to do it! Carb cycling is when you have days of low carb under 20 carbs and high carb 200 carbs in a week. You eat strict on the low carb day and still healthy on high carb but you allow one thing in one high carb day that you wanted all week. Currently I do Monday and Tuesday = low carb Wednesday= high carb Thursday and Friday = low carb and Saturday and Sunday = high carb. Let me know if you want more info and I will give you some websites!

Diane: Hair cut day! Cannot wait to hear! I love hearing about your hiking too! I can't wait to start hiking again! And so glad the scale is moving downward for you! We both had great weigh ins this week!

Uber:. I tend not to be a daily weigher. My weigh in days are Saturday but I couldn't help myself on Friday! In and Out oh my gosh that would be torture to not eat! Every time we go to Cali we have to have it. How is the liquid part going?

I hope I didn't miss anyone I am on my phone! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

You all inspired me! I found a beginner Hiit 4 week program. Just completed the fist one and I feel good! I have missed working out!

Jen: good for you on the exercise. That’s one thing lacking in my journey currently but it will happen as I need to finish cleaning the basement. Haven’t gotten there yet - really if everyone including myself were well I’d have it done by now. But ny plan once it is done is to walk daily and see if my body can handle it and add minutes as I go along. I know that when the body behaves it’s beautiful how you can feel as the day goes along. My problem is when I finally land or rest before bed and then it feels as if everything has frozen.

Hello all!

Am: date day went well, we skipped the movie portion as we are both hacking. Time together was nice. We have the taxes done in our favor which is always nice to find out.

Disappointed once again what nbc is doing to show the olympics. They probably could have made more money and had happier viewers. Alas, I’ll grumble like I do every two years. I’m of the camp that’s glad costas isn’t on any more. He would drive me nuts. However I read today how many people are disappointed in that.

I hope tomorrow to start working at getting back on track both with diet and with feeling better. I’m to the point right now if DH starts to cough I follow suit. Ugh. I’m ready to box this illness off to the world and be done with it and get to spring.

Just checked my plant babies. I’m having luck in that department. They are looking good and growing and it feels good to see that happen. As I said I’m ready for spring but good.

Alright - so totally a post not about weight. That’s ok - sometimes our focus doesn’t have to be so heavy on the scale I think.

Happy weekend all!

No w/i

Think illness is moving on out of here but it has left me with one of the foulest tastes in my mouth with whatever I eat or drink - everything is bitter the last two days from coffee to cake, it’s horrible.

Chasing my kids around to get their missed homework done and trying to get some laundry and cleaning done and a project for church. And the day is 1/2 over. I’m not super successful.

Tomorrow I hope to get back on track with it all AGAIN and get moving on down the scale. TOM never materialized - I hate peri - I just got the need for chocolate for those few days and then poof - nothing. So I’ll just keep moving and deal with it if it ever shows. In the meantime I know that darn sweet tooth will tear it’s head.

Happy Sunday - so not ready for the week ahead. Alas I’ll have to be.

222.8

Well I’m bringing it back down and for a Monday weigh in - it’s ok. I have come to the conclusion that currently doing my IF on they weekend does not work well - yes I know I’m the one who puts food in, but with DH and kids home I find it doesn’t work well from DH making meals to having to run out the door etc. so I will focus hard during the week and see what happens. Come on teens.

Illness I hope is on its way out. Currently it’s just coughing up all the crap in my lungs. It’s lousy but if this is the end of it and get on with feeling better - LETS GO. I tend not to medicate my way through unless necessary. Thus far it’s still doable on my own but I’ll be glad to be done with it.

So my short term goals this week: stick to IF each day this week, once again add water back to my day as coughing subsides, and get my basement done so I can walk even if it’s a bit at first.

Happy day all. I’ll pop back to say hello over once y’all get your days started. Have a good start to your week ahead!

Lemon: Those are really good goals. I understand how hard it is with IF and the weekends. Luckily, my DH is at school for half the weekends so I don't have to smell his good food until Sundays. I sure hope you are kicking the yuckies. I hated that cough, it stayed with me for 6 weeks...ugg!!!

Well my daughters birthday went great, and I did not even have any of the ice cream cake. I was going to allow myself some and I was so proud of myself. Yesterday was busy, I took my daughter places to spend her money, cleaned, helped my daughters do their valentines for their classes. Almost 100 Valentines between the 3 of them......oh wow!!!!! I have been on my carb cycle plan and IF all week and finished my second work out. Today is a rest day and a low carb day. I have a really busy week with work and I have to travel 2 days. It's a 2 hour commute back and forth for a couple days. Gearing up for that and will make sure I have all my meals prepped. The 220s are looking so good right now...I WANT to get there soon!

Have a great day ladies. I did my other personals above

257.4

Jen: Yay you! That's great that you got some exercise in and you had a good weigh in! That's such a good thing, to keep you motivated and moving forward, too. It is amazing how good you feel when you work out. It always is tough getting started or getting back to it, but it gives you such a good feeling!

Lemon: Glad you are feeling better! That's so hard to be sick when you have little ones that need care. My own little advice would be that you still take it easy. You don't want to give it a chance to rebound! That's nice that you had some time together for a date night. Always nice to remember that you're a couple and not just Mom and Dad.

Uber: I totally understand being an older Mom. I was one too, but now that they are in their 20's, I don't have to worry about it! Ha! I remember when you first started doing the Brazilian blow outs. I honestly didn't know that there were chemicals involved. How naïve is that? Yeah, at some point you just get so tired of working so hard to keep it a certain way!!

Toasted: Impressive! Typing all of that on your phone. I have trouble with that, especially since I have a smaller phone. It is almost time to replace it since it is now having trouble holding a charge. Ugh. I hate having to make changes like that. I have no interest in these things, but then I'm supposed to make choices. I'll take my son along to help!!

Lilion: Well, at least it is coming along. I am sure it hard to be patient with recovery, and to be tired is no fun. Try to rest a lot yet, so you can feel that much better!

As for me, I had an awesome weigh in. Down 4.8 pounds. After having a .2 pound increase last week, this was much better. I made it into the 250's, so I am pretty happy about that. I had a good weekend with keeping disciplined. I should be able to do that every weekend, but well, you know... So hard.

I didn't get any exercise in all weekend, since the weather wasn't great, and the hair appointment took forever. But, I'm ok with that. I love the way it turned out and I'm so glad I did it! I'll try to attach some photos, but I'm not a wizard with technology. If I can get it attached, there will be a photo of before, after (straight), and after (curls). The stylist was great. It is more of a blonde right now, which I kind of like! But the next appointment will be going more towards a gray color. That won't be for about a month. Right now, I'm enjoying the blonde! It is a huge change, but I really like it.

Went to Spin this morning. They were all shocked. Ha! Tomorrow I'll do some weights. We'll see who else will be shocked!!

Ha! I did it!

Diane Oh my gosh! Wow! Your hair is so long! And I love the blond, and the curls. It's beautiful! That's the color mine is, more or less. I do think it's fun being blond. I was a towheaded little girl and then it got browner as I aged, but my coloring is super fair and I have blue eyes, so everyone assumes I'm a natural blond and I feel like I'm getting away with something! And ha! Yes, the Brazilian blow out is FULL of chemicals, and I do it anyway. Such is vanity. But I do do a lot of public appearances as an author so that's how I justify it. But how do you go from the blonde to the gray? My hairdresser said I'd have to cut, and I don't want to. And 257! What a whoosh! With the hair and the weight, you must be feeling stylin!


Lemon Glad you are finally feeling better! And you are running around like crazy, but goal setting which is good! It's hard to do much of anything when you feel terrible. As for the curls/not curls... I rocked my natural curls for the first 50-odd years of my life and my hair was very thick and very curly, so blow-drying it out or flat ironing was just too much of an ordeal to even try. But now, it's the opposite, to make it curl nicely it involves gel and a diffuser and if one single thing changes, like I pull it back, or it gets wet or humid, or too dry, or windy, it doesn't curl anymore, it's just frizz. Ugh. So, I kind of enjoy this new me with the straight hair... but eventually I'm sure I'll chop it off and wear it much shorter. My mom was the same way-- her hair is straight now and when she was younger it was curly.

Jen Sooooo great to be back in the 230s. That's when I start to feel like I'm getting somewhere!! And 100 Valentines, LOL!!! I remember those days. What a pain! But they have fun! And as for your birthdays, young lady,from where I sit you are a spring chicken, and waaaaaaaaaaaay to young to stop celebrating those birthdays! But I know how it is with work and young kids, it's so hard to find a moment to celebrate yourself-- but you need to!!! Happy Birthday!

Toasted Weirdly enough, just drinking liquids has not been that bad. Supposedly the surgery cuts out the part of your stomach that makes hunger hormones. I wasn't sure how that was going to work, but I definitely feel less hungry-- or rather, I think I feel just as hungry before a meal, but then after a small amount I'm not hungry anymore-- which is quite different from my usual bottomless pit! :-)

Weighed in at 264 this morning for a total of 19 since mid-Jan! Right now, I'm still inside my yo-yo zone-- for the past five years, I've just gone up and down, up and down, between low 260s and mid-280s over and over again. I think once I get below 250 I'll start to feel like I'm making progress. I've picked up the walking but no heavy exercise yet. I'm looking forward to starting swimming soon.