Hey All!

Doing my evening check in! Just got done doing my exercise for the night. Tonight I worked on arms and abs. Last night my right shoe skinned the back of my ankle so it's pretty sore. No walking out in the cold for me tonight, but I feel like I got a lot done this evening. I let BIL sleep since I know he has to get up in a few hours for night shift. I'm still keeping a log of everything I'm doing at work and home without him so I can show him.

Tonight DH and I had to eat at two different times. He has band practice again tonight so he made himself a quick salad while I was taking a rest from running to 4 grocery stores this afternoon to pick up my sale stuff. Luckily it is in a complete circle so I wasn't really wasting any gas driving up town and down town. I had an amazing salad! I made a salad with blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, cucumber, slivered almonds, a little shredded parmesan cheese, and made a home made creamy lemon and poppy seed dressing. I knew I needed some protein so I ate a boiled egg on the side. I have never been one to like egg in my salad, but it wasn't bad on the side.

plucky Congrats on DH getting a new job!!! More $$$ is always a good thing!! Also glad that you are clear of cancer. I had a friend in high school who had to get her thyroid removed from cancer, she was so young, but she's alive and well from what I hear. I didn't keep up with her much after high school.

Jane Glad you are coming near an end with the hardwood floors and you'll be able to enjoy them soon. Hope your cough doesn't turn into anything worse!

JPiper Welcome to the group! Sounds like you did quite a lot of exercise today. Good job!! The pea soup sounds wonderful! Which also reminds me that I have 3 bags of split peas in my cupboard that I have yet to use

Fiona Thanks for the encouragement. You are right about the muscles...They probably are swollen some. I can feel it!! I hope your tests tomorrow turn out well.

Erin Hi!! Sounds like you have a pretty good DH on your hands there. So sweet of him to make a recipe you wanted to try. Welcome to the group! Can't wait to hear more about your journey

Larry GREAT JOB on building that BBQ all by yourself and in one day!! That's a lot of man power right there! WOO HOO!! Thanks for the pat on the back with the b-day party. The cake was staring me in the face again today in the fridge when I went to grab my salad...Still did not give in to temptation

Chris High 5 for staying on plan today!! I think even the little things like making it through the day and staying on plan deserves to be recognized as well. I am indeed still on top of the world. I hope I don't fall off any time soon

Betsy I have got to agree with you. Reading everyone's posts each day definitely gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. I love seeing everyone's progress and give the encouragement and love that everyone else gives one another . BIL is definitely a keeper and I have to say I'm really surprised that he offered to help, but I am definitely not turning it down!!

PJ WOO HOO 3 day weekend!! That's always nice! Great job with staying POP!! I am really happy that for once in my life I have a good support system with doing something I have been trying to do my whole life. I feel hopeful that this year I will make BIG things happen.


I think I got everyone! If I missed anyone I still send big love out to you and hope everyone had an awesome day!!! Tomorrow is FRIDAY! YAY!!!! So ready for the weekend...I'm going to go get my hair cut on Saturday and hopefully sign up for health insurance since I've gotten everything straightened out with that...Night everyone!!! <3

Larry ~ I agree Walking is great exercise

merstopher ~ LOL

Ubee ~ What would you like to know?

betsy2013 ~ Your welcome, Yeah I try to stay busy through out the day

pjvw34 ~ Thanks for the encouragement

I didnt get three of the things I said I would do when I posted last, I havent gave Clyde a bath yet, I havent straighten up my room yet nor have I worked out tonight but Im still planning on working out before bed but I'll probably give Clyde a bath tomorrow and straighten up my room tomorrow as well. Hope everyone is having an awesome night

Well, I've already had a serious set back.

I've been very happiest I've ever been for the last year or so. Out of a horrible marriage, laid-off from a great job, but rebuilding my life and totally NOT interested in finding a boyfriend, I met the greatest guy I've ever known. He was kind, generous, incredibly thoughtful. He made me feel like the most beautiful woman that ever lived. Getting lost was reason enough to have a good time, he found joy in everything and shared that with me. We went to Lexington, to see Trans Syberian Orchestra, to bull riding, enjoyed ever adventure we could fit in. I learned to love again and trust again, and we looked forward to getting married.

I recently got a beautiful delicate tattoo with forget-me-nots on my left hand & his initials on my ring finger, just under the ring he bought me. Twelve days later he died of a massive heart attack. Next month we would have celebrated meeting just two years ago.

He was much loved by many people besides me. There were over 400 people at the funeral. The procession stopped traffic as though he were the president. It was nice to see how loved he was, but the loss is still horrific. Each day is full of reminders not just of all the wonderful time we had together, but of the fact that it's over. He's everywhere I look, in everything I hear.

One of the blessings is meeting his daughter. She lives so far away that we hadn't met yet, but have spoken on the phone for ages. She said the same thing of him that my family said of me - they'd never seen either of us so happy. She is AMAZING, and SO like her dad. We will have each other from now on, and I love her dearly. We console each other from a distance, but the shared loss pulls us closer.

Another blessing is that I have no regrets. We left nothing left unsaid. We wasted no time in foolish anger. We gave each other everything we had, every day, and we reaped what we sowed. Love.

If you have someone special, make sure you let them know, before tomorrow. Put hurt feelings or anger behind you; it's not worth it. Life is too short, and too fragile.

I lost 12.5 pounds the week I lost him, but now I'm struggling with the urge to binge. I'll keep fighting and know things will get better and I want to be healthier, but it is a struggle. I'll try to keep coming back here, to keep focusing on the future, to do what he would want me to do. He was my best cheer leader and he believed in me - he said so in one of the last texts he ever sent me. So I believe in me too.

Here we go. I'm renewing my efforts to be healthy... just as soon as I swallow the cracker I seem to be chewing - lol.

Fiona - Thanks Fiona. A little about me, well I'm 28 and work with a few other people in a local computer repair/networking service. I've been in a kinda hum drum routine for the last few years and have just recently felt a huge spark to change my life around including going back to school soon on the side to try and expand my credentials in addition to getting physically healthy.

Ubee - She both woke me up and is encouraging my fitness albeit from afar. First time doing any sort of long distance relationship so it's new waters for me. The fact that she is halfway through a 130ish pound weight loss herself adds a strong relatability in addition to our shared interests. When I move to AZ in late April/early May I aim to impress with my progress. Losing the rest together will be a lot of fun I think. I'll have to look into that book, it must have been quite the read to give you that jolt! Congrats on over a year doing the grind, I hope I have your conviction a year from now. Feel free to call me JP or Jesse whichever you prefer.

edoetsch1 - Happy belated birthday! What was the dish your husband made you if you don't mind my asking?

Larry - Thanks Larry! Glad to see another Floridian as well. That BBQ sounds awesome, hard work with a great reward at the end. I can just picture some marinated chicken and veggie kabobs on it. Yum.

merstopher - Ha, thanks man. I'm in Florida at the moment though not for long. I was raised in Vermont though, not too far from the border. I spent a few dozen weekends and vacations in Montreal and went snowboarding at Mont Tremblant a few times. I loved Canada and plan to visit again at some point. I know what you mean about the WTF on the scale and wardrobe issues. A few pairs of jeans have to get put on laying down in bed like some of those TV commercials.

pjvw34 - Thanks for the welcome! 3 day weekends are always good, hope you have fun!

Sam - Thanks! The soup turned out really well having simmered all day, it was a nice reward after a cool walk. That salad sounds yummy, and I agree about the egg being best on the side. If you get the time can you post a link to or say what's in that dressing? I love vinaigrette's, but some variety would be nice!

Terra - Some days there just isn't enough time, eh Terra? I gave my weimaraner a bath today and she didn't fight me as much as usual, maybe she smelled herself and knew it was time too, lol. Does Clyde like baths or does he give you a hard time?

NoLifeWithoutHorses - I'm terribly sorry for your loss! Life can be so cruel at the wrong times... Make sure to keep that bond with his daughter strong, you two can lean on each other for strength and support. Try your best to keep fighting the good fight, but don't put yourself down if you stumble. Nothing is harder than losing a loved one unexpectedly. Again, I'm so sorry and I sincerely wish you the best.

Lol Ubee.... Didn't you understand I was saying most of my clothes were getting too small? Not that I was doing something naked when I weighed myself!!

Nolife - terribly sorry for your loss... . But glad you see the positives.

I am not posting again, actually just wanted to see my new signature now that I have been here 20 days.

Goodnight all!

PLUCKY - Keep well and wahoo for the loss this week.

RADIO - oh ... I don't think I have seen one over here .. mind you I haven't really looked lol .. I plan on getting myself a pedometer so I can start training for those walks I have signed up for lol .. yay on the scales and the loss. We are going in tomorrow to pick out the new lino for our kitchen .. we had picked one that was in the store but they don't have enough of it and can't get any more so we have to go down and pick another one lol ... once that is done we will hopefully get the kitchen/laundry done asap followed by the hallway

JPIPER - I was going to the gym next to my job at the time for a few weeks ... mainly on the treadmill .. but would occasionally do the circuit too ... now Im not working there the gym is further away .. but Im going to see if I can get back into doing my exercise dvd's if nothing else lol ... really need to start getting fitter though as I have the 6.5km walk in about a month and soooo don't want to be crawling over the finish line lol ..

FIONA - I agree .. Im not a carb sort of person so its not hard for me to ignore them on my plate lol .. when I serve up my meal I am a little pedantic about the order I eat in lol .. veges first .. meat next .. and if I am still ok about eating .. I have the carb This week I haven't gone over 1100 cal .. and that was on the Cottae Pie day .. today and yesterday has been 800 and 900 cal. I do think the heat has a lot to do with it that is for sure .. I have always had really low BP ... I thought that was a good thing .. but apparently not so lol .. good luck on your tests.

TERRA - very cute. I have 4 dogs .. 1 long-haired chihuahua - Gizmo .. her daughter - Baer (chi/daschund) ... the daughters boyfriend - Pepa (papi/huahua) and their daughter - Teagan (papi/huahua/hund) .. okee .. she is a mutt lol ...

LARRY - Its funny ... in NZ it depends on where you are I think as to what yo call it .. in my family it depends who makes it lol .. and also which version (leftovers or mince). Well done on the BBQ Pit

MERSTOPHER - Sweet .. I do agree .. avoiding running into the bleachers is always a bonus to injury repair lol. Glad to hear you are on the mend

BETSY - I met my soul mate and best friend online .. together 12 years and just got married last month I also love the net for offering the chance to meet like-minded people and to be able to find friends around the world

PAM - Love the 3 day weekend working lol .. that is what I am hoping I am going to find in my next job lol. Over-eating has never been my problem to put on all my weight .. just eating the wrong things .. and now that I have cut those out it really shows me how much bad stuff I must have eaten cos the calories had to have been horrific!

VAL - Hun I am sooooo sorry for your loss, but like you said .. no regrets ... he was obviously the gift you needed at that point in your life .. to remind you of the good and the great in the world after so much of the negative and the bad. Im sure he is still around, he knows you need him there, so keep talking to him and allow his memory to keep you strong and secure and to remind you that you aren't just a beautiful woman on the outside .. but you have a beautiful soul that I am sure gave him the light he was looking for as well. Hugs


Today was a good day food wise .. I ate a little extra ... banana & a nut bar for lunch .. and then I made Coconut/Panko Chicken with Carrots, Broccoli, Courgette .. and a baby potato (about 1" diameter lol) ... oh and a lovely big glass of Grapefruit juice. Still under 1000 calories .. just going to chill with a nice cup of green tea with Strawberry ... Didn't do too much today ... was so nice and sunny.. just wanted to enjoy the weather But I did manage to get 3 loads of washing washed, hung, dried, folded & put away ... kitchen cleaned up .. yesterday I got the bedroom rearranged and boy do I feel that in my legs today! Was trying to work out why my legs were sore ... it was from pushing and pulling all the heavy furniture and beds lol ... so a good day .. a little more tanning ... a good Friday night with hunny ... tomorrow sees me hunt for new kitchen flooring after the last lot wasn't available in the quantity we needed .. and then on Sunday .. I am back into my wedding dress for a photo shoot .. just hope the dang thing still fits cos it was a little loose on the day and I have lost about 10 pounds since then :/

Good morning everyone! Hope everyone's day is starting out well! Trying to stay warm here, Can not wait till spring!!

JPiper: Thank you for the B-day wishes! My husband made me Broccoli Rabe & Chicken White Pizza for my B-day dinner. Here is the recipe: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/br...p.YrOMIcX7C0Xb
Was really good, but next time I may add some pecans or walnuts for a crunch.

NoLifeWithoutHorses ~ Im so sorry to hear about your fiance

JPiper ~ Nope its not that there isnt enough time in the day, I just couldnt get my self off the computer LOL. Yeah Clyde doesnt like bath's, Its hard to rinse the soap off of him on his belly, I usually stand him up to do it but if you know a better way I would love to hear it.

Nightkatt ~ Thats cool that you have a pure breed too and that you have 3 other dogs that have chihuahua in them. How old are your dogs? Clyde is 15, He'll turn 16 on Aug. 1st.

edoetsch1 ~ Im so sorry I didnt wish you a happy birthday sooner but I hope you had a wonderful birthday anyway

This morning my day started at 7:30 am and my plans are to straighten up my room as soon as my boyfriend wakes up and at 11 am Im gonna do my 45 min walk for the 1st time today and then at 2:30 pm I'll walk for a 2nd time and then tonight I'll walk for the last time. Thats all I think of today. I went ahead and gave Clyde a bath last night so I dont have to do that today. I hope everyone has a super day.

Hi everyone! I hope that everyone has had a wonderful week. I'm new here, just joined 3 Chicks and immediately found my way to this club. I'm not completely comfortable posting anything; I'm terrible with computers for one, and terrified of how much weight that I have to lose for another. It's amazing what putting it down in black and white looks like! Anyway, just wanted to say hello! Thank you for being here!

Valerie I am so sorry for your loss. I'm glad that you have no regrets and that you were so happy together. The best thing you can do is what you're doing. Take care of yourself.

Betsey My Toby is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his "booties" so he can have the same freedom his kitty has. (Bassets have spine issues and sliding around isn't good for them, so traction booties help).

The weather has warmed up, hopefully it will last through the weekend! I have two vehicles to clean, a wall to touch up in the living room, (not to mention putting the living room back together) and a bedroom to finish painting. I'd like to have next week completely to myself to maybe get a head start on the floors in one of the bedrooms.

I ate a few too many carbs last night, but all in the form of good green veggies, so I'm not too upset. Down another .6 this morning.

Good Morning!
Val, I am so sorry. I am glad you are back with us. Thank you for sharing your pain so we may all be reminded to live life to the fullest everyday. Not when we retire, lose weight, have more money... What wonderful memories you have.
Fi thinking of you. Hope it all goes well.
Welcome Rhianna! Some of us started out shy. I lurked for a long time. Take your time to warm up. It does not take long. We are a pretty relaxed and understanding group. Share more only when you are ready. Don't worry about that number it will get smaller but it does take time. Good luck!
Terra, what kind of work are you looking for? What do you like to do in your spare time? (Never let me know it is OK to ask questions. We could be here all day!) How did you get Clyde?
Erin, that pizza is so something I would love! I would never think to add nuts to a pizza. What a great idea. I was thinking about you last night. (Yeah I think about all you guys during the day.) I am so happy you joined us and I love it when someone breaks through a new big number! I am very happy for you!
Katt did you always have so much energy or did it improve with weight loss? I love how bubbly you are! I hope you don't mind but I did notice in your wedding pictures that your hubby is a bit of a cutie... good catch.
Chris, You've only been here 20 days??? Hmmm seems a lot longer. Guess I was the one with my mind in the gutter. Isn't the first time won't be the last. Thanks for being a good sport about it.
Jesse, that is so cool about your new relationship! It is nice to have your mate trying to be healthy also. Wow I thought only girls knew how to lie on the bed to pull up the zipper. I am learning so much... We were going to move to Arizona but, life happened. A little jealous.
Sam you are doing great keep it up! I too would like the salad dressing recipe if you are willing to share.
Pam sounds like you are burning the candle at both ends. Take care of yourself. I also like self help books.
Betsy how did the co-op go? I hope your finance person told you to live it up and spend some of that money! Maybe a trip to Disney with the grands? Good job fighting off the munchies! I just wasn't hungry yesterday. It is like I have a new body to figure out. Last night I woke up to get hubby some cough medicine and my stomach felt weird. I thought is that hunger? I never did figure it out.
Jane please send me some of your energy. Good job on the loss!
Another cold spell is coming. I have so much to do but... Food is good but I still have to work on portion control and exercise. I notice the steps are getting a little harder and I can not have that!!! I hate the winter blahs. I have to remember Spring will come and if I want to weigh less then I have to work on it now!
Have a good day!

Ubee ~ I havent really thought about what I would like to do for work although my dream job would be being a full time babysitter. In my spare time which I have alot of since Im not working right now I like getting online and watching t.v, in between working out of course. My grandma and aunt got Clyde and his sister and then when my grandma passed away, My aunt give Bonnie clyde's sister away and then when my aunt lost her house I adopted Clyde and He's been mine ever since. I dont mind answering questions so ask away

Terra I see you lost 3 pounds!
I have a hand me down cat.
When I was your age I was a full time nanny. One of the most important jobs out there. I told my family, I will take credit but no blame!
They are all grown up and turned out perfect! Thank you.

Oh man, my stress test was a disaster! It was sure enough a stress, in every sense of the word. Not because I had any chest pain, which amazingly, I didn't, but because they worked me out way harder than seems appropriate, and my bronchi are now mega-inflamed and weeping, more than four hours since the end of the test.

The trouble started right at the very beginning: I said, "I've never been on a treadmill before in my life, so you're going to have to teach me how to use it." They said, "Oh it's easy: you just walk." No teaching whatsoever. No slow start to make sure I had the hang of it—no siree. The other trouble from the outset was that they had a defined program of treadmill speed and slope which didn't take into account the fact that I'm 5'3" and have disproportionately short legs compared to the rest of my body. And of course I weigh close to 300 lbs.

So they didn't give me any advice at all about where on the treadmill to stand and what to do with the bar at the front: they just set the program in motion, and immediately I was practically running just to keep from falling down. Then the two operators started yelling criticisms at me, mostly "Your steps are too short—take longer strides!" (short of getting new leg implants, how was I supposed to do that?) and "You're too far back—stand closer to the front!" and then, as I was desperately flailing my way toward the last ten minutes (high intensity) of the test, "Quit breathing through your mouth!" Suffice it to say that I spent most of the test literally gasping convulsively for breath, that's how hard I was working. I also went into a mild panic attack from the emotional stress of being yelled at by two people, for the whole duration of the test.

And then it was over, and I was sitting on the table waiting for them to take the leads off, still breathing (gasping) very rapidly, and the damn woman kept on yelling at me, "Don't breathe so fast—slow down!" Like that was even a possibility! When they let me get up to go walk to the waiting area, I staggered back and forth like a drunk person, nearly falling down twice. And then, after I got seated in my chair, the damage I'd done to my trachea and bronchi began to hit: as first they were in searing pain, as if scoured by steel wool, and I coughed up a little bit of blood, and then, of course, copiously weeping. Soon I was coughing almost continuously.

And then they took me back into the nuclear medicine room, where I was supposed to lie flat on my back, utterly still, for 10 minutes—and get this: "Don't cough!" So I lay there for 10 minutes feeling my airways progressively fill up with mucus, not coughing, and of course, feeling as though I were slowly drowning. Somehow made it through that, with a huge blast of coughing as soon as the cameras moved away. I was lucky I'd insisted on Bob being there with me, because I was as miserable as if I had the flu, with painful coughing all the way home, and now, well over 4 hours since the test, am still coughing. My abs are sore from coughing so much. When I don't cough, I can hear my lower airways wheezing. And I feel achy all over. It'll be a miracle if I don't catch infectious bronchitis from this misadventure.

All this, and I started out just fine—not a hint of a problem with my airways. Not only that, but that time on the 1st of January when I walked briskly 1.5 miles? I was quite sore the next day, but never did I have the slightest hint of a cough. I attribute the way I feel now to having spent 20 minutes literally gasping, so hard was I having to make each inhale, frightened the whole time because I was losing ground on the rapidly moving treadmill and I thought I was going to fall down, and emotionally stressed by being yelled at the whole time!

Well, they said they got good data. I won't know what the results are until I meet with the cardiologist again next week. =sigh= I just hope I'm not deep in some full-blown flu syndrome by then. I'm drinking, and inhaling, echinacea tea, even as we speak. =cough cough=

TERRA - Gizmo will be 12 on April 7 ... her daughter Baer will be 11 on April 7 (yes I know .. the odds are incredible lol) ... Pepa turns 7 on March 31 .. and Baer & Pepas daughter Teagan will be 6 on June 22. They each have a special dinner on their day .. well . they all have a special dinner really lol .. and when Baers dad comes over (Jedi - a Chi/Daschund my daughters dog) we celebrate his birthday too (march 7). My dad has Teagans brother Buddy ... so its great having all of the family still together lol.

RHIANNA - Welcome on in ... I have been a member for years .. and initially I didn't really post much at all .. with well over 100 pounds to lose it did seem impossible ... but I have hit the 100 now ... even if it has taken years lol .. but keep coming back and catching up .. even if you don't post you may find inspiration or encouragement just by reading the posts .. but look forward to seeing you on the boards too

UBEE - I don't know if its energy .. its more a case of glass half full ... one life to lead and all that lol. I will admit it wasnt really the case until I turned 25 .. suddenly lightbulb moments made me look at things differently. From what my family says I was always the Sunshine in the family .. I would perform and joke all the time .. I just wanted everyone around me to be happy ... the teens hit and things sort of went off the rails for a while .. confidence left .. and belief in the world did too ... but I saw an episode on Oprah when I was home sick one day from work just after I turned 25 and it started something changing in me .. from there I became more interested in the smiles and the laughter rather than the frowns and the tears. I figure life is too short to hold on to the gloom .. 1 minute of anger or sorrow is 60 seconds less of happiness and joy Don't get me wrong ... I do have bad moments .. I am just very stubborn and refuse to let it get to me for long .. when my nephew passed, my sister was almost killed in a car accident and then she was diagnosed with cancer too .. to say I went a little off the rails would be an understatement .. but then I had to kick myself and felt selfish in my sadness when others were affected too. So whether the weight loss has been a part of it I don't know lol .. I know it gained with my emotion so maybe the more bubbly or happy I am the better the loss is .. at least that is what I am thinking cos I can't work out why its working this time so easily (sort of). Thank you for the compliment about my hunny .. I told him and he blushed lol .. I think he is adorable and every day it just seems to get better .. which after 12 years together is a real good thing His only gripe is that Im losing weight and he isn't cos he just HAS to eat all the baking I make when testing my recipes for the cook book rofl.



So we were supposed to go and pick out the lino for the kitchen .. but hunny is too tired .. and as we have a photo shoot to do tomorrow he is taking a chill day .. so I will go and pick it on Monday lol ... he trusts me .. I have yet to tell him what colours I want for the kitchen when we revamp it lol ...

Soooo today its back to baking trials ... I have been working on my Almond/Lemon cake and I think I just about have it right .. just want to know a few more calories out of it using the coconut sugar instead of caster .. although I will have to use a little of it in the whites as it dissolves better but that should bring the calories for it down a bit more then I will write that one up .. going to make some sourdough bread for hunny to go with his eggs for dinner tonight ... ummm I am also going to attempt to make a lower calorie biscuit fudge which is my hunnys fave .. but I don't like the amount of sugar his mum uses to make it .. its never going to be a low calorie treat for him .. but if I can cut some of the calories/sugar out of it then at least it won't be quite so bad for him .. still deciding if Im going to even try it though lol. Oh also going to make some drop cookies .. well.. Im going to make the mix .. roll it into logs and then I can freeze it to make cookies whenever we want just a few ... its a good basic mix that can have fruit or chocolate or nuts added to it for variety .. and if I do it right then they are little chewy cookies ... like I said .. trial and error .. just as well I have a 4-5 months before I have to get it in to the printers lol .. Oh and I do bake gluten and dairy free mainly too .. that way I can send some of the end results to my sister as her and 2 of her kids can't have dairy So the only thing I still have to attack is the sugar content and get it down as much as I can .. LOVE using bananas for the sugar .. but they can't work in everything lol .. going to try date puree at some point I think . but want to work with coconut sugar and dark cane sugar for a bit first to see if I can get the measurements right

Have a great day all!