Not planning my meals ahead of time has been an area that has contributed to my struggles lately. When I plan the week's meals at the beginning of the week, I do so much better. I think one thing that has me struggling this time is that I don't want to cook in the summer and I want to eat something light and easy. Since I had my cholesterol checked this spring and found out I have really high cholesterol levels, I have cut back on red meat. I would normally cook burgers on the grill and eat them all week, and I haven't been doing that this year.

Lonnie - I really appreciate all of the work you put into personals! I do have to say that this isn't my first challenge, but I felt out of place when this one started (actually I felt out of place when the last one started also). When we first started this challenge, there were so many of us posting that I couldn't even get them all read let alone keep everyone straight.

I will fully admit that a large factor of my disconnection this time is with me. I almost feel disconnected with myself and I've not had luck yet figuring out why. I'm really gonna work on getting that connection back through some reading (need to take Bob's book seriously) and self reflection (an area I struggle with). I see with others and a lot with myself that when I'm struggling, I don't post as much which is the wrong thing to do. That's when I should be posting the most and I encourage the rest of you to do the same....as difficult as it is. It helps me to know that I'm not the only one struggling. I find it easier for me to connect when I can get a feeling of how another is struggling or succeeding. (I'm a very emotional person by nature and can really relate with other's feelings.)

Anyhoo....that's my 2 cents.

Good morning red!
Happy 4 of July!
Thanks to everyone giving me support with my hubby...we are starting to talk now, still a lot of anger there, but at least we are talking! (and theres less tension for our family...
Its still raining here a LOT (rivers going down the street) So It is nice to just be in town and relax! Started my day with a healthy breakfast, and am gonna have some downtime with my boys today.
My goal today is to get back on track...drink my water and get to the gym!
Im hoping tomorrows weigh in will be good!

Diva-I like that hairstyle! Ive been waiting 3 months to go get mine done...only 5 days to go! I'm thankful you are on our team, I am sorry if i havent been supportive for you, I have enjoyed reading your posts and getting to know you and your flamboyant personality! On feeling invisible....I know that at times I have felt that way too, and probably others have too...but Im pretty sure (imo) that it is never done on purpose....just happens....so keep your chin up girl, and stay with us!
Lonnie-Way to go girl on your loss!! and congrats at excelling on control over food! that is definitely half the battle! (for me anyway)
Karen-Have you ever checked out the veggie burgeres to grill on your bbq? some of them are pretty yummy? Or what about wild meat? Thats almost all I eat and I know its very low in fat compared to most red meat..
Kelly-3 to 6 books a week? wow!do you use the library or just own shares in a bookstore?
Huneb-have fun at the lake! the bugs are really bad up here this year too.....ive even bought a tent for over my babys bed and they still get in!
Danielle-ooooh, night shifts...I used to do 12 hour ones at the mill, they are pretty rough on the body, and the worst is when you are so tired, but just can't sleep when you are 'supposed to'! Hang in there!
heather-mmmm black bean burgers? those sound good! do you grill them?
Tina-Thanks girl......I do love him but there are so many issues this time around....but we will manage somehow....congrats on walking for 2 days! You can do it! Get back on track!(heres your kick....lol)
Shelby-You go girl! You can do it with those goals...and lol I know what you mean about'fudging the numbers'
Stacylynn-I like taking pictures too....do you take more scenery ones or just of everything?
Countingdown-30 years of marriage! woohoo! maybe you can send some tips my way??
Montecrisco-Those pacman games are fun! My son and hubby have already worn out one of them...
Hello to all our other teamies that i may have missed-have a great day!

Hello Red!

Lonnie, you should be proud, control over food is the hardest part of weight loss and you're doing it!!! The exercise will come consistantly when you're ready. My thinking is is that the whole eating right and working out has to be something that you can live with for forever anyways, so might as well take it slow and make sure you can do this stuff for life, KWIM? You're doing great, don't ever give up!

Diva, I'm sorry that you've felt unsupported here. To say that you're only here for Mel sorta hurts my feelings because I feel like I've done my best when it comes to acknowledging your trials & tribulations, as have some others here. It's your own personal feelings, and for sure I cannot begrudge you that, but just like you, I'm telling you how that makes me feel. On a lighter note: I had to laugh, I got all excited when i saw you'd posted links to pictures of the hair. Silly me, I thought oh cool, I'm gonna get to see HER new do. As in.... YOU with the do! :LOL:

Tina, I REALLY hope you enjoy your time with family today and that everyone behaves themselves. I know how much you just want to go and spend time with your grandmother without there being any drama, so hopefully that's what'll happen! BTW, your new avi picture is beautiful!! You look so tan! And yes, definitely get a discount at Kohl's! Why do you think I work there??? My whole family loves this store!

Melissa, I hope the day at the lake is relaxing and fun. After the week you've had I'd say its just what the doctor ordered! Enjoy your time with your girls, the peacefulness of that beautiful landscape surrounding you up there!

Karla, yes you can do this! Get your butt back to the gym this instant! LOL Did that sound harsh enough? Working nights are ok, and pretty soon it wont be really graveyard-y, they're switching our hours to like a 7pm to 2am kinda deal so almost like a regular day for me....even better! Hang in there hon, I know things w/ dh are rocky, but keep workin it, you'll be glad you did!

Karen, I hope that you do get the chance to get into Bob's book this weekend. I think it's a nice gift to give yourself. You have had such wonderful progress up until this lil speedbump and I know you'll get past it. Doing the work in this book will help you tie everything together for you so that you can start having great weeks with food & exercise together again. You can do it!!

Hubby is home for a while for now and is leaving for school in maryland for two months later this month...so been busy with him and the kids and havent had as much time to stay online all the time. plus needing to get ready for school to start (i need to register still) and get school supplies for our daughter, who starts kindergarten next month....busy busy summer. just glad hubby is home for most of this summer (he hasnt been home for a summer since 2006 after having our son)....so making the best of things here....
i have a hard time keeping ppl straight so doing personals isnt always practical. i loving reading them but would feel bad if i got someone mixed up....somehow i am always getting roni and melissa mixed up, maybe since they post so much still woking on getting you two straight LOL
I have been doing really well on my food (calorie wise)....but slacking on the fitness..i think some of it bc school is out (we always worked out just after getting kids to school before starting the rest of our day, without school, we wanna sleep in and be slackers) and this TX heat....hope to find my mojo soon on that front....i did make it to 141 lbs yesterday though, so finally outta my bumber number (142-143)....so maybe things are looking up for me yet...just gonna keep watching the food intake and end my days OP and trying to move more even if i dont intentionally exercise....any movements outside causes sweat due to the heat and little to no breeze......so i'm sweating off some of this 100 oz of water i intake each day have to focus on staying hydrated in this heat
well need to fix lunch for the kids and me and let them get a nap to get ready for the day's events we';re gonna go see fireworks later tonight lol

Happy 4th everyone!!

Yes, I agree! I think you look fabulous!

Well the day at my moms went great!!! I walked in and she gave me a big hug and said Happy Birthday I have to say I was very happy that we got over whatever, and had a great day. The weather was beautiful! I"ll try to post some pics for you guys. We take a 5 generation picture everytime we get together...kinda cool! We played some v-ball and the kids swam almost all day long. I ate way too much, but I worked at least some of it off with all the v-ball we played. My arms are killing me!!

Thanks everyone for the compliments on my new pic...ya'll are making me blush! That was taken in Vegas, so I was all dolled up and nice and tan! I don't usually look like that!LOL! I was with my man, away from kids, and ready to get my drink on so I was one happy gal!LOL! Thanks though for all the nice words! Diva...I don't know what you have to be jealous about girlie...your one hot chickie!!!

Danielle- I haven't met on person yet who doesn't like Kohl's...I would go crazy with a discount!!!

Mandey- Congrats on making 141 Keep up the hard work~

Karla- Thanks for the kick girl...just keep them coming! I think I may need a few to get me going again!LOL!

Karen- I'm super emotional also...sometimes thats good and sometimes I'll be honest I hate it. I don't hide what I'm feeling well at all and sometimes that gets me into trouble!LOL!

Lonnie- How's it going? Did ya have a nice 4th?

Tina, you'll have to pm me your address. Several times a year we have friends & family discount, it will save ya some extra.

Lonnie, so glad you guys had a great night out! The name of Bob's book is "Are You Ready!". It's AMAZING! Saved my life, no lie. It hits to the heart in the first half of the book, working on all the dysfunction in your life to help you build up emotionally to lose weight. Simply fantastic and I could not recommend it enough. I won't lie, it took me weeks to get thru those first chapters because what he was wanting me to work thru was extremely difficult and emotionally devastating. But I learned to dig down deep trust the process and went for it. I am SO glad I did. Can ya tell I love me some Bob! LOL

♥danielle

Roni, the whole point of this book IS to confront your emotional baggage. Getting as deep as necessary is what it's going to take to help make you successful in your weight loss endeavors. Personally for me I found the journey Bob takes you on extremely enlightening and empowering and I could not be more grateful for his knowledge and his honesty. Did you know that he was abandoned by his dad too?? He has no relationship with him and that is something that he deals with to this day. I honestly believe that going thru this book and doing the work can be as powerful and wonderful as you are willing to make it. I think by getting down 'n' dirty with it only allows you to heal that much quicker to move on with what's important in your life. I have hung on to alot of past issues to where they were blocking me from reaching success. I have mentioned before, it was not easy, it took me some time to confront it but I did, and yanno, once I started doing it, the more I did not want to stop. The release emotionally is so uplifting and gratifying that you just want to find the key to unlock the rest of it as soon as possible. It's been almost a couple months since I completed his book but I still go thru it and glance almost everyday, reading passages or glancing at notes I've made. I am trying to practice daily all the tools he's given me to succeed. It has truly made a difference in my life, and not only with weight loss! So Roni, it's up to you, do you want to confront your past so you can heal or do you want to keep on with the same ole same ole and have things stay as they are?? The choice is totally up to you.

Lonnie, I think you will love Bob's book. Good luck to you!

Cathy, good to see ya hon!


Alrighty, well I'm off to get my hair whacked off & then grocery shopping. Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th!

♥danielle

Hi Everybody! I hope you all had a great 4th!

I didn't do much, just lazed about the house and tried not to eat everything in sight. For some reason yesterday was a hungry day (probably due to getting up at 5:30, and having nothing to occupy me). But I made it in just under the wire, so it's all good. I did the July 4 5K today, and was able to finish in 47:45, which was a lot better than I did the day before (60 mins).

I was really dreading my official weigh-in today, as the scale has been showing that 2lb increase from vacation everyday, but I was determined that this week I would put it down no matter what it said. I jumped on the scale, closed my eyes, and waited for the beep. When I looked down at the number, not only had I lost that vacation weight, but I had dropped another 2lbs!!! I'm so thrilled!!