Dance-it will be a long trip but we are taking a 3 days to go down so we can stop at different places and explore. I'll def. be able to wear the coats when I get back. Not looking forward to the snow.

Vicky-love the coats. Funny how we miss exercise, right? Congrats on 3 days chocolate free, you can keep that going. Glad your interview went well. Sounds like you have a shot at it. I think next year will be a good year for all of us. You are 35 from goal, Dance is 15 and I am 37. We can do it. So happy the three of us have stuck it out here together. Love you girls

It looks like the scale is the same for all of us. Mine was up a couple this morning. Gonna eat on plan from today until we leave for AL. Gonna eat sensibly on the way down too. I have healthy snacks to take on the trip.

I have the boys later today and all day tomorrow. Gonna get some walks in the next few days. I didnt get to yesterday. 186 needs to get here. I have a week before we leave so that gives me a chance to at least get back to ticker.

Have a great day.

Hey girls - I was down a pound yesterday so that's something. Didn't weigh myself today and also could NOT make myself go outside and run in the 20 degree weather I cleaned up like a madwoman though this morning before coming to work so maybe that burned off a few calories, running up and down the stairs.

What's everyone up to this weekend?

Dance: Yea for 1 lb!!! I'm sure running up and down the stairs burned more than a few calories! I ran around like a mad woman last night scrubbing floors and cleaning up toys. Squats have to account for something right?

Allison: You have a week to get back to ticker and you can definitely do it! We're starting to all get back on track, so we can all do this! I kinda miss the family trips we used to take (IL to Oklahoma) to visit family. Don't do that as much now with Maddie and work and all. I really should find time.

This weekend will be a busy one for me. I have physical therapy this afternoon, get out of work and then go get Maddie's birthday presents, wrap them. Then tonight I have to make her centerpieces for the tables, finish her goodie bags, and get all the supplies together for her party tomorrow.

So, Maddie's party is tomorrow - gotta pick up the balloons, the cake and then drive the 45 minutes to the venue to set up. Party is from 12-4 with 40 guests. Sunday is going to be my relax day while I kick my hubby in the butt to finish our kitchen floor. Then I'll have thank you cards to do - fun times! I love watching the look of wonderment on Maddie's face so the work is completely worth it.

Hope everyone has a fabulous Friday!

Dance-Im sure you burned some calories running around.

Vicky-sounds like you have a busy weekend ahead of you. Happy Birthday to Maddie!!!! You are a great mom and she will have a blast. Cant wait to see some pics.

I was down a lb this morning too Dance. I ate on plan yesterday and am doing the same today. 1 more lb to ticker weight. I'll have to do some of the same exercise I did yesterday. I walked a mile before I had to pick up the 4 y/o. Took him home and did some work with him in his preschool books. After dinner, I walked another mile and then played soccer with the boys for 20 minutes. They watched spongebob for a while then we all went downstairs and ran around for half an hour. Just gotta keep moving and it will start coming off again. I dont have to pick them up until 6 today, their grandma is home for the weekend so she has them til then. So that gives me a chance to get my to do list started before our trip.

Hey girls! I'm not doing well on the exercise front this weekend but I'm struggling with a cold - just what I needed as I start a new job at work, *sigh*. I threw a surprise party for my sister's b-day yesterday - a 'Wigging Out' Party where everyone wore wigs - mine was a huge Amy Winehouse style one with a huge pouf on top and long side bangs. I'm thinking about getting side bangs at my next haircut - we'll see. What is everyone else up to?

Working from home today and keeping my cold germs out of the office. I got in a short walk (maybe 30 min total) to the dry cleaner and back at lunch just to stretch my legs. Can't wait for this cold to be over and get back into running !!

I haven't received the rest of the wig party pics from my mom but here's a quick one of me

Grrr, the scale just wants to hang onto 189 this week. I have to kick it into high gear and start burning more calories. Its been almost 2 years. I should be at goal by now.

Dance-love the wig. Hope you feel better tomorrow.

Hey girls!
Went to the dr's this morning and was happy to see that my bp is nice and low at 110/70. It's always been on the low side but as I had gotten heavier it was creeping up higher.

My cold is better but still not gone, unfortunately so probably no exercise for me today except maybe walking to lunch to a nearby panera. I'm planning on a 3 mile walk with some girlfriends on Thursday night after work and a run on Friday morning (or a walk/run) if my cold is pretty much gone by then.

What's new with you?

Dance: Love the pic of you in the wig! I love parties like that. Hope you get over your cold soon!

Allison: Don't be too hard on yourself, this whole "weight loss thing" takes time. What matters is that you are still doing it and not giving up. One pound at a time.

Well, in my world, went to therapy and they kicked my butt yesterday. They had me doing lunges, which i haven't done in awhile, so of course I was horrible at them. They said I could go back to the gym in December - hoping that's true. I'm going back for therapy tomorrow and then I am giong to ARP with Jeff tomorrow night. HOping to get some feeling back in my leg/foot soon.

And.....I GOT THE JOB! I haven't "officially" been told yet, but one of the managers let it slip, so at least I know. I'm supposed to find out by the end of the week, but it's still nice to know.

Food for me has been horrible - I really need to get back to the gym. I know I'm up more than the 2 pounds I was before - starting to feel a little hopeless. I just really want to get back to the gym. Gotta get that willpower back again and start eating better.

maddiesmom - woohoo! Congrats on getting the job! That's big stuff. I hear you completely on being off plan. I've been living on pineapple popsicles for the last few days - and we're not talking sugarfree ones!

Doing okay for food so far today - B: yogurt, grapenuts, berries, L: apple, chicken noodle soup, whole grain baguette, D: not sure yet but I think leftover chicken satay and green beans.

At the risk of boring you guys to tears, I'm going to keep posting my food plan because it keeps me accountable

No exercise today (still in cold-ville) besides walking to a restaurant at lunch.
B: raspberries, grape-nuts, lf yogurt
L: Salmon, veggies, 2 pieces of sourdough (oops!)
D: chicken, green beans, leftover potstickers
S: apple, tlc peanut bar

Thanks to you girls I have my mini-fridge stocked with healthy yogurts, string cheese, peanut butter and fruit and a drawer full of teas, soups, soy nuts, tlc snack bars (yummy!).

maddiesmom - any more news on the new gig or not till later this week?

burgundy - you leave in a few days, right? Are you getting excited?

Dance-good news on the blood pressure. Goes to show all your hard work is working. Good job stocking that fridge with all those healthy snacks. We dont mind you posting your food. We leave on Fri morning. Im ready to get outta here. Its been cold and rainy all week, so not great walking weather. Its gonna be in the high 60s and 70s there. Cant wait.

Vicky-I was having a rough time with the scale popping back up to 189. Its still there but Im not gonna stress about it. I have recruited my sister to walk with me while we are in AL. Shes a smoker so Im sure I wont get her to jog any. I bet you cant wait for Dec to get here to get back in that gym. Congrats on the job.

Got a lot of errands done today. Have a few last minute things to do tomorrow. Seems like my to do list is getting longer instead of shorter. The boys mom keeps texting me to keep them. I told her 2 weeks ago Monday would be it for me this week, but I ended up having them for 4 hours yesterday. She wanted me to keep the 4 y/o for an hour. Good thing about staying with them, I get lots of exercise. The 7 y/o loves soccer so we play for at least half an hour every time I am there. Glad I have my niece in AL to run around with.

I am trying to plan ahead so I dont gain while I am there. I know there are no guarantees, but I am gonna try my hardest not to. It would be wonderful to lose. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Burgundy - weight loss fingers are now crossed! but you don't need luck, girl, you got skills!

Ok ladies, the announcement went out yesterday that I got the job. I got a really nice increase in pay and I'm eligible for an annual bonus. It's a really great opportunity. I don't fully take over the position until 1/1/11 because my days are still full of some really important projects. My boss is sad to see me go but happy that I was promoted.

Went to therapy yesterday and I'm still weak on my left side, but my last session is Monday, so I'm hoping to be able to go back to the gym. She wants to ask for 4 more sessions, but I don't think it's necessary. I can always build up strength in the gym. I think I'm starting to get some feeling back in my foot, which is great.

Went to see Jeff last night and ARP'ed. The ARP really helps, I think. I feel the bioelectrical current going through my leg, so that's something. I'm going back on Friday. Hoping to join his class again next month. I tell ya, I miss working out with him. I'm 5 pounds up now and I really have to get disciplined. I know working out with him will definitely help me shed those pounds. I feel lethargic and I know it's because I'm eating total crap and I'm not exercising. Gotta get back on that wagon! I'm nearing 200 pounds again and I REALLY don't want to deal with that.

Words of advice would be appreciated. I'm kinda down and out and need to get back up and dust myself off. Thanks ladies! You guys are the best!!

Maddiesmom - happy dance on the new job stuff! that's great! I'm with you on the five pounds up - this cold (and the accompanying insatiable need for popsicles, and crunchy things to scratch my throat) has me above ticker by about that amount - argh!! My goal is to get back to ticker by xmas - wanna join me? It's a crazy time of year to try to be disciplined, but hey, we did it last year, right?