Welcome to Amknorton! Boy, that is the struggle, isn't it? Finding time for ourselves. I'm sure it is even worse when you are a single mom. My husband is self employed and works a lot of hours, so I do a lot of the kid stuff (girl, 14 and a boy, 12). It is fun, but it also eats up the hours in a day. Too bad I have to work!! When I've been really good about staying on track was when I made exercise a part of the day, something you always just do, like brushing your teeth. I've been having trouble getting back to that mindset, so this is more of a "do as I say, not as I do".

Clyde, glad you had a good day for your birthday! Sounds like you were able to make good choices.

Rennie, you haven't said too much. I'm sure you're able to be on the front porch now, but maybe the neighbors aren't entertaining this year! Ha!

Tech, sounds like a good ride anyway!

Sillycat and Toni, good job on your losses!

Clyde, you're a crab? Me too. Matter of fact, the great birthday crunch starts Friday, another on Tuesday, then Thursday, then the following Thursday and the following Wednesday. There are two wedding anniversaries in there too.

One of my brothers says I'm the only reason he can give any credence to astrology because he says I AM a crab, through and through. At least I'm not a bull headed Taurus like he is!

Anyway, the thing about people who stop waaaaay back. Out here I am waiting, I can see it happening, it's just a matter of time. Somebody who got stuck in traffic, starts to go around and sees one of those holes. One of these days somebody who is driving by say, the turn lane is going to decide screw that, there's a spot and try to dart in to fill the gap. Maybe I've been lucky and just haven't seen it yet. The way the folks around here try to jump the line when traffic is moving it just seems inevitable that they'll try to jump the line when it's stopped too!

My weight is almost back up to my all time high. I gained three pounds in one day eating less than 1500 calories. It's stress, I know it's related to the job situation (can anybody explain why these people pleasing ninnies who know nada about the job keep getting promoted to make the rest of us worker bees miserable with their rah-rah 'positive attitude' inane, inappropriate bs?). I found a way to stay busy, it involves going over to another group and volunteering. It's a good 15 minute walk with three secure doors between here and there. Going to make for interesting days as I bop back and forth between the two places, but heck, they're dying for help and I'm desperate for work to do. Maybe having something of value to do will help with the stress and the weight. Maybe! Can't hurt to try.

Kappy - hang in there! You'll get this all under control and finding work to do that is adding value is never a bad thing - maybe they'll transfer you over there! As for promotions / etc - I've observed similar - I think it's just corporate america these days..

Toni - good girl!!! Congrats!

amknorton - you have come to a good place for support and help - and it sounds like you are in a good space inside too - you can do this!

How are you doing shy? you've been quiet - hopefully out enjoying the summer!

C.

Glad you are here amknorton, you will find encouragement and friends aplenty!

Hey everyone. I've been meaning to post for the last week or so but just have not had a moment. But here's my moment, finally.

So everything was going pretty well, food-wise and exercise-wise, but I fell off the wagon over the weekend. We went to a Mets game and I indulged in a pack of M&Ms and a medium sized bag of kettle corn. Pretty bad.

Yesterday I had a wicked earache that came out of nowhere and was painful beyond belief for about 3 hours. So I didn't sleep well and was really running on fumes at work today. I thought that I'd rest for a bit when I got home and then exercise after dinner. but that didn't happen. When I got home, there was a message on the answering machine from my OB/GYN (I had my annual chekcup last week). Her message said she had test results. I'm assuming she means my pap smear and truth be told, I think she's got bad news, since usually, if the test is normal, they just send a postcard saying such.

So I am pretty nervous. Of course her office was closed by the time I got home so I can't call her til tomorrow. Now, I'm trying very hard not to put two and two together and get five, but this does not bode well. But I won't know until I talk to the doctor so there's no sense in getting all worked up just yet. It's like my mammogram; every time I get one, they call me back for another go around, because I have some scar tissue in my right breast from reduction surgery I had in 1993. So I've learned not to get bent out of shape when they call and say they see "something" on the mammo. I'm trying to do the same for this.

Anyway. Sorry to be such a wet blanket.Everyone else sounds like they're doing great, staying in control, and that is helpful to read.

Hi Andrea,
I'm new here... still mostly lurking and trying to figure everything out at this site.

Just wanted to pop in and let you know I hope your test results are not serious. I agree that a phone call is scary - but like you said, it could be for something silly. That happened to me recently, and they just wanted to know if I'd had my period very recently - and I had just finished it. I guess it affects the results. I don't know why they didn't just look at my chart and see that i'd written my last period was just a few days before. I don't think medical people realize how upsetting an unexpected phone call is, expecially when they just leave a message to call back, and it's overnight or even over a weekend before you can!

Try to relax tonight - there's no point in stressing over something you can't control, right? And we all know what stress can do to trying to eat well!!

Prayers are coming your way - let us know what you find out.
Tru

Evening girls.

Andrea fingers crossed everything goes well with your test results.

I had my mammogram today fun times. Mind you the technician was very good and I didn't have any discomfort.

Kappy yes I'm a true crab. That hard outer shell and very soft inside. Funny thing is my oldest is Taurus and she's the most bull headed person I know!

Went out for lunch today with my friend. I had gyros with extra tzatziki. I love that stuff. There was only one pita but quite a bit of meat. No idea what the scale will say this week. We'll see on Thursday.

clyde
I never found mammograms to be painfull at all except that I am to short for the machine and the edge of it sticks me under the arm lol.

Tru
Hi and welcome. You are so very right. I remember one time I got a call from a nurse at the end of her work day, after the doc had left. She gave me some test results that I didn't understand and told me to call my gyno on Monday. I was so upset and worried all weekend. My gyno called my doc and just ripped her up. The results were nothing and he said NO one should ever call anyone with results and have no idea how to explain them.

Letsgo
Don't worry early to avoid the rush lol. It could be nothing. Docs offices are wonderful about that kind of thing.

silly
Hi. Have been doing well just busy around here with 5 extra people in the house. Things are going well.

kappy
Keeping busy does help with weight loss. If our hands are busy we can't put food into our mouths lol.

Slash
Nothing going on around here. Two of my neighbors have died and one is sick. I am going to miss all the older people. Going to be time to move as the younger move in because they just don't have the same ( standards ) as older people lol. Would rather have the older nuts than the younger snobs any day of the week.

am
Hello
It can be tough with being a single mother. There is never enough time in the day. I wasn't a single mother but their father wasn't much of a help as I cooked and cleaned and went to school full time with two little ones. Schedule is the answer. You will find you have more time than you had before. This journey we are all on to a more healthy thinner body isn't always easy. Take one step and one day at a time. Change things slowly. These changes will last a life time.

Toni
It is amazing how much someone being there to support you matters. Just the " are you sure you want to have that " really makes a difference.

Hello Everyone,

I am completely new to this forum and I am so glad to have found it! I have been gaining weight rapidly since the loss of my best friend (ovarian cancer) at the end of January. Just this summer alone I have gained about 8 pds. I am 5'2 and about 142. It's all in my butt so proportionally it doesn't look purty! I would really like to get down to between 120 and 125 since I am very petite and small boned. It's just that I have no motivation since my friend has died. I have been eating non-stop and not really exercising. I am impressed by all of you and hoping that I will find the motivation I need by reading your posts and blogs. You all seem like an awesome group of strong women! I hope I can muster up the strength to get myself together and stop eating and start exercising!!!!!!! Thanks!

co
Welcome
All of us have had reasons why we gained weight. For some of us it was all the meads we were on. For some it was hardships and losses we have had in our lives. For some, eating is fun lol. It comes to a point that we tell our selfs enough is enough I AM going to do something about this not just think about doing something about it. You have come to the right place for support and a few laughs.

Happy Tuesday, everyone, and welcome to the newcomers.

So here's the scoop: I called my doctor's office and was of course put on hold as soon as I explained why I was calling. Eventually the receptionist came back and said that the dr. was in with a patient and would have to call me back. Well...I got a bit huffy and said that after leaving such an ominous message on my answering machine and making me squirm overnight, I wanted to talk to her right now. I guess I sounded a little whack-o because after holding a few more minutes, the doctor came on the line. Turns out the pap smear was fine, but (and there's always a but) I have the HPV virus and will need to go for another smear in 6 months. The doctor explained that the majority of the time, the body's immune system takes care of the virus and that's that, but there is the very real risk that the virus will affect the cells in the cervix, which in turn might become pre-cancerous. So instead of waiting a year for my next pap, I'll need to go again in January to see if either the virus is gone, or if something else has happened. While I"m relieved, I'm not thrilled. As soon as I got off the phone, I immediately Googled "HPV virus" and read all sorts of info. I'm not sure if that helped or hurt. I'll need to do more research and then let it stew for a bit, but at least for now, the doctor is saying that nothing need be done til January. WHATEVER.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to my treadmill after work tonight. I simply couldn't muster the will to do it last night. Thanks to everyone for the support, it was very much appreciated.

Andrea - the internet can be great at times like this but it can also be VERY bad - stick to sites sponsored by hospitals like MD Anderson and Sloan Kettering or things like WebMD - they are all good reliable sources of information that don't try to sell you on expensive supplements to "help" in times like these. Take care - and we'll all be hoping that it just goes away!

CO - welcome - you have come to a great place for support - What is your goal?

Kappy / Slash - how's work going? Hopefully better...

Ok - it's been 2 years since I've dated anyone - just started this "internet" dating thing.. So far it's been fun met several new people.. Not sure that any of them are quite right for me but keeping an open mind and heck even if it's just a bunch of new friends I'm ok with that too. (pushed to do this by my friends who tell me I'm too "great a gal" to not be with someone)... that said... I think I might be ready now because I've finally become happy alone. Does that even make any sense?

Anyway - off to work again...

C.

Sillycat - thanks for the good wishes. I am limiting my "research" to legitimate sites, as you've suggested. There is so much garbage out there in cyberspace! Makes you wonder sometimes!

As for what you said about being ready to "be" with someone because you're happy alone - THAT is what most people absolutely NEVER grasp, when it's actually the MOST important thing of all! It sounds like a cliche, but if you don't like yourself - how can you expect someone else to do so? We are all in charge of ourselves - that means we're responsible for our making own happiness, our own sense of well-being and all that good stuff. Once you've got that nailed, well, then you really have something to offer! So I think it's GREAT that you've reached that wonderful point. When you do meet that special "someone," you will really be bringing something to the table! So, go for it, and enjoy!

Meanwhile, is anyone going to watch the All Stars game tonight? Clyde? Most of the time, I'm not interested but it's literally the only game in town. The Mets are SMOKIN' hot right now, so I can't wait til regular play resumes!

Thanks Andrea - I appreciate your take on things - you articulated exactly how I feel.

As for some of those sites out there I truely believe that there is a special place in **** for people who try to exploit people with health issues - it really bugs me. But you are approaching it right and I'm sure that it will be all right.

Hey everyone. Quick little post while I'm at work!

COMomof2: Welcome! I'm a CO Mom of 2, too! I think you'll like this forum and this thread in particular. Great group we have here!!

Sillycat: Work is back to normal, somewhat. Got the others talked off the ledge for now. There is one who kind of instigated the big blow up and she's been awfully quiet for now. I think once she figured out how mad everyone got and they knew it came from her, she decided to sit and do her work. Amazing concept! When things start to get stupid around here, I just put in my headphones.

LetsGo: I agree with what you said. It always amazes me when people jump from relationship to relationship without really getting their head on straight about who they are and what they want out of life. The lady I mentioned above for the job situation is like that. She was in a relationship way before she ended her 20+ year marriage and then once the divorce was final, she took about 2 months to get married again. Not that there's anything wrong with that, if you are really ready for it. But, here they are, about a year later and they're wondering why they have so many struggles.

Rennie: So if all of your old neighbors are gone, you'll just have to ship your banana bread to me.

Clyde, glad you liked your gyro, but I have no idea what you are talking about with the tzatziki. What is that? (I live a sheltered life here in Colo!)