Thanks tuende and kirjava!

stargzr, that sounds like alot of water but it makes perfect sense that your body should want more when you start running. Do you mind me asking how you got started running? Did you just decide to do it one day or use a program like C2 5K (sp?)? And how far do you go? Sorry bout all the questions, lol. I enjoy running but not really sure where to start.

Kirjava, I am a teacher. I am subbing right now so every day is a new "adventure". What grade do you teach?

I teach Grade 6. It's ESL, though, so the subject matter is around Grade 2 or 3. I'm teaching in a small Inuit village in northern Quebec.

Where are you teaching?

Wow it sounds like everyone is doing so well!! I kind of dropped off here because of my WI last week....I made terrible food choices and had 3 pounds of water weight!! It was so terrible!! Luckily it's gone now and I'm still at 169. Maybe this will be the week to be at 168!!

oh stargzr! beautiful beautiful goal! i think it's totally natural to let your hair down (and belt out) a little after you've just accomplished so much, but it really does sound like you know you can't live loosely and maintain all that you've done. your dinner sounds like something i'd eat! yum! the damn grocery store! that's what's on my mind too...i haven't had fresh veggies in a week, just been living off cheese and black bean burgers. oh boy. you'll be back to it in no time!

hi lulu! man that pesky water weight! it really brings me down to see the scale jump like it does. and theeeen i stress/sad eat. hafta work on that crazy part of me congrats on bringing it back down.

lulu welcome back!!

stargzr I definitely would have done the same (and probably will when I reach goal weight!) No shame in that. hehehe

Kirjava, ESL in an Inuit village sounds challenging but fun. You want to know something ironic? I was teaching third graders a social studies lesson on Monday and we were reading stories about kids around the world and one was about a kid from Canada who was Inuit. Small world!
Right now I'm subbing in the Seattle area. I get all kinds of random jobs, which keeps me on my toes .

stargzr, I am right with you this week. I have also made a few less-than-stellar food choices and right after I was on such a roll! I think mine has more to do with stress- I have a job interview on Friday and I was rehearsing possible interview questions and freaking out a little bit! I am also a creature of habit and have no semblance of a routine with this crazy work schedule (or non-schedule) I have going. But, you said it and I will too: I WILL beat the 160's. We can do it.

Oh, it's challenging, alright! There's no parental support at home for about 90% of the students (extensive drug and alcohol problems village-wide). I only have 11 kids, yet 6 have special needs or behavioural problems. I've got some really bright students, but most underachieve because they don't see the point of education in a village where there are virtually no jobs. Most people survive on handouts and freebies from the government, so there's no real sense of working for anything. The kids always want rewards and free stuff for no effort. They can't work independently on anything... I'm talking asking for my help while doing a wordsearch!

Before I sound like I hate my job.... I don't at all. I love teaching, many of my kids are a joy to teach (most of the time), and seeing little successes in the kids who really struggle has been known to bring tears to my eyes. Despite the issues, this community is extremely friendly. Everyone says "Hi" to you as you walk by them in the street, and the teachers are the most helpful and welcoming bunch I've ever worked with.

Good luck on your job interview tomorrow!

This afternoon we're splitting the primary kids between sledding and skating. I don't have skates, so I'll be sledding. Running up the hill a couple dozen times should get my heart pumping!

Lulu – You can do it! 168 is just around the corner for you!!

Party – You poor thing, no fresh veggies… although your burgers sound pretty good!

Tuende – Good luck on the interview! You’ll have to let us know how it goes. And you’re right… we WILL beat the 160s!

Kirjava – Your job sounds really interesting and like you put your heart into it. I think that’s when you know that you love your job.

Thanks for the vote of confidence from all of you! It really helps! I ate my planned dinner last night and it was GOOD! Sometimes I forget how good I feel when I eat a healthy sensible meal… sad I know, but true. There’s still a little bit of the eggplant parmesan left so I put another slice on a plate this morning for dinner tonight. I’m not sure what I’ll make to go with it, but frozen corn is sounding tempting. Well, needless to say TOM is here and the scale is not being friendly. Up at least one pound at any given point is new for me… this is the first time it’s gone up, usually it just stalls. I’m not sure if it’s due to me being in a healthy range for my height or just the luck of the draw. Either way, it’s acting as great motivation to stay OP and crossing my fingers for a whoosh when TOM’s gone.

I hope all of you are having a lovely day!!

I know what you mean about forgetting how good eating well feels, stargzr. I find when I eat junk food, it tastes amazing at the time, but I feel like crap later. If I eat healthy, even if it's something I don't particularly care for, I feel amazing later, and the amazing feeling after a healthy meal always lasts longer than the amazing feeling while I'm chowing down on chips and greasy pizza.

I hope you get your whoosh after TOM!

Hello ladies! I miss all of you! The girls in the 150 thread are really nice but I am all the way at the end of the 150's and want some company so hurry and join me!

Wow Kirjava, that sounds tough but rewarding! It really is the little things that can make it worth it sometimes. Although, I subbed in a middle school today and I forget how kids that age try my patience! Yesterday, a second grader drew a rainbow for me. Why can't everyday be like that?

With that being said, I am confessing to skipping my workout today. Consciously, I realize that this won't help me get closer to my goals, but those darn kids wore me out. AND I was wearing heals! I am trying to stay focused on eating well today...so far so good. Some days, I can't do it all...

Thanks for the encouragement on the interview. I've been practicing possible questions all day. I'll let you know how it goes!

Sun thanks for the encouragement!! I Hope I make it to the 150's thread before you leave it!!