Wow, no one on here yet today huh ? You must all be busy. I’ve got 1.5 more hours of work and then the weekend !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TGIF !!!

Still no soda for this girl…so I got that going for me, lol

Sitting here at my desk having some pistachios right now and my green tea …suddenly I was starving…dh and I are splitting a steak for dinner, so all that protein should make the hunger go away. We always split just a single steak, keeps costs and calories down, haha.

Well I hope you all have a great weekend…looks like it might rain here shortly.

See ya !!

HI Everyone,

It was so nice to be off work today. Both me and DH took the day off for my birthday. I slept in until 9 then got up and opened my presents from DH. Then we did a bit of house cleaning and I read a book and napped. Tomorrow night we are going out to dinner with some friends to continue celebrating. Thank you Dee and Carri for the Happy Birthday greetings.

I'm still dealing with UTI like feelings. It is improving each day but taking longer than I want it to.

I didn't weigh-in at TOPS yesterday. I worked until 6:30 p.m. so I missed the meeting.

Carrii: You are doing great with with the no soda and making those small changes like splitting the steak..this will get get that 7 lb gain off you in no time.

Dee: You are so right that it is so hard to not backslide and re-gain weight that has been lost. The fact that you haven't gained back what you gained shows that they way you did it, the contract to yourself, making a small change every day is the way to do this.

Hi Tori, Lyssa!

Morning Ladies, you must've all had a great weekend because no one popped in here. I had a really good one, went to a friends yesterday for a cook out, I did over do it some but that is the only meal I ate all day so I think I was still within calorie range somewhat ...it's so hard in the Summer with all of the cook outs huh ?

Still no soda...yesterday at my friends house she had Orange Crush which is another of my favorites and I didn't have one, so staying strong so far

I got some bad sunburn yesterday from being outside so much, need to get some sunscreen and just have it on me...I'm very fair so normally I stay out of the sun altogether and I thought I was yesterday ( I was under an umbrella ) but it must have still got me.

Hope you all have a great Monday !!!!

Hi Girls
I just finished a salad w spinach & mozzie cheese.
But I'm stressed about a close family member phoning me & bi*ching about a $400 puppy that is 'teething/biting on her hands' that she begged me for; I gave it to her for free on a puppy placement contract. And I wish I could stress-eat, but I gave that up years ago & praying hasn't relaxed me. I'm so sad & this is the one person I wish was Not in my family, she is all about thinking She Is the smartest/knows everything & belittles me. She just has a GED & is very, very spiteful, that's why I caved in & gave her the puppy; nasty people Scare me for real so I tell them yes, even when it makes me miserable. I can't handle her drama.

Carri, I'm soo happy that U won your soda battle. I still battle w potato chips, they weekly call-out my name so I buy the Lays low sodium & eat the whole bag w low-fat plain yogurt in 1 day using all my daily cals for it, once a month. Sorry about your sunburn, ouch! We had company all weekend & I'm still sleepy from them. I love the 'sweet chili pistachios' I wish we all lived within a 2 hour drive so could hang-out & spend the day together a few times a year. Keep up the wonderful routine w your food, U r getting there.... Baby steps daily
Susie for Friday & your wonderful weekend! I hope U got just what U wanted

Lyss, Tori & Lee Anne I hope U r doing great!

Girls B GOOD to yourself & Enjoy the week

Happy Birthday Susie! You looked so cute on facebook! You know whats funny i was having some uti issues about a week or so ago. thank god thats overwith. I feel your pain on that.

Carrie- I'm so proud of you , you're doing great

Dee- I'm sorry that you are dealing with a family member, Gosh I remember when my cousin was here, what a nightmare. Just dont' answer the phone and for pete's sake remind her its a puppy and it will pass. Mine was doing that and still does a little its annoying but heck they only do it for a while then they learn. you know. Just relax and kind of stay under the radar. unless she shows up.. then you're in for it. lol

Dee, you're a huge inspiration so dont worry , be happy it will all pass. you've been through much worse in your life and this is just a little test , you'll pass.

Im down to 230.2 I gained 3 since saturday but thats waterweight from my high carb loading reward filled food weekend, I'm back on track and I'll be down again in no time. talk to you all soon

Morning Ladies. Hope you are all having a good day.

Dee - Sorry that you are having to deal with that type of a person, hope it gets better and she just leaves you alone. I would have so just told her to back off and leave me alone... Those sweet chili pistachios sound wonderful, I will have to see if I can find them.

The sunburn is much better today.

Tori - don't worry about the little gain, you can get it back off quickly...isn't it just amazing how fast we can put weight back on...crazy and scary, I can gain like 5 lbs in one weekend.
Thanks for the encouragement.

I think we are actually going to have some Summer like weather today and tomorrow, like 87 today and 92 tomorrow ...but then a cool front comes in and puts us back down to the pleasant 70's ...yay !!

Food 6/10
B = hard boiled egg - 80, 1.5 turkey sausage patties - 75, half pce of toast with butter - 110
L = three jr roast beefs, just meat and half of one bun - 305
S = pistachios - 150, chips - 120
D = grilled chicken - 220, 1/2 cup quinoa pilaf - 180
S = tortilla - 80, peanut butter - 150, jelly - 50
Total for day - 1520

see ya !!!!

Hi Everyone.

I had a NSV today. We had soda and cake at a department meeting today. I had no soda and just a small piece of the cake. Man, I wanted that free coke! But when I think how it might have made my bladder feel and the empty calories of both cake and soda..I had to make a choice. I'm like Carri with soda. If I have one it starts me to more. So best to avoid it.

I will meet my workout partner tonight. It will be the first time I worked out this week. My Director is in town and that means long workhours.

My little kitty Hudda Budda will have surgery on his ear tomorrow. It is a total ear ablation..sort of a big surgery. Please say a little prayer for him and think good thoughts. I am worried about him.

Dee: I feel like coming over and telling that family member to BACK OFF! It makes me mad that she would treat you that way.

So proud of you for not stress eating. I so wish I could get to that place. I just keep trying every day.

I don't think I have ever had mozzie cheese. I am going to see if I can ask for it the local deli to taste it.

Carri: No soda for you! You are doing GREAT! I bet you are starting to feel better?

We are having the same weather here as you are. I'm looking forward to a bit cooler temps on the weekend. We have a outdoor wedding to attend on Saturday.

Tori: Proud of you for getting back on track. I saw your post on FB about my picture..thank you!

Lyss and LeeAnee: Where are you guys? We miss you!

Morning Gals ....

Susie and Dee - I thought when she said "mozzie" cheese that she meant mozzarella ? Was I wrong ? lol

Susie - I was gonna get out and walk tonight but it's gonna be over 90 today and Carri and that kind of heat don't mix...I get heat sick very easily...I guess we are supposed to get some really nasty storms tonight...thank God they are bringing cooler weather tomorrow.
I hope all goes well for your kitty ...love the name.
I am starting to feel somewhat better ...still having some gas and intestinal issues, little constipation ...maybe I should try some Activia...not sure...still having the diet headaches, nothing too bad though...I know I will be feeling great shortly though, so I hang on.

I got on the scale this morning and was only down 0.4 from Saturday so that pretty much pissed me off for the day...but I'm trying to keep it all in perspective and keep moving forward. I know I need to start exercising so I will do that soon and see what happens. It's not like I'm eating a lot ...I guess it's the whole turning 40 this year and my metabolism going to crap after that...lol ...at least that's what everyone else says...scary.

Food 6/11
B = half fiber bar - 85, pistachios - 170
L = 10 pce chicken bites - 330, sauce - 15, string cheese - 80
S = popcorn - 100, pce of candy - 25, applesauce - 50
D = frozen pizza ( low fat, thin crust ) - 360, parm cheese - 20
S = 2 T peanut butter - 190, celery - 2 stalks - 10 cals
Total for day = 1435

Have a good day everyone !

girls, I"m glad we're all doing good. I'm like you are with soda except my issue is with cakes, pies cookies, if i have a bite the whole box will be gone by the end of the day one by one I'll keep justifying..

I had plans to let my ankle recover for 2 months and do easy workouts then begin jillian michaels again. but i got bored and had insanity (my goal workout for next year ) on the counter. I tried it on monday on a whim. I love it! I burned 450 cals yesterday and today! its sooo hard i'm still sweating from it, thats my fat crying lol . I'm back to 229 today, but i ate 100 percent on point yesterday and i'm learning to stop saying oh i had a bite of cheesecake I should keep going till its all gone, thats out!

Hey girls what do you do to keep track of your water intake and calories? I use myplate. but water tracking is a bit more tricky I have treid a few things , keeping a water bottle and refilling throughout the day, or keeping a gallon jug with me , idk its all the same I gues..


Have a great day, each one of you are awesome!!

I've been reading and I think my problem is my calories might be too low...I think I go too low, i remember a while back Susie saying she lost more when she stuck to the high end of her calories...and I'm doing about 1500 per day, I'm wondering if I should go up to 1600 or higher ?

Tori - great job on the exercise...yes I'm glad that we all seem to be in the zone too ...the winter is always hard on us and seems like in the sUmmer we all do great, haha. Lets keep it up !!!
I keep track of my calories with either my Lose It app on my Iphone or by simply writing it down on paper...but I always have a running tally in my head so I don't go over...I don't really keep track of water as I drink SO much of it that I know I'm getting enough.

Today I had salad & baked onion rings for lunch & ate my 'guilt- free' Yonana ice cream made w a banana-strawberries & topped w nuts (protein) for my 3pm snack to keep me from crashing I was free to eat 3 slices of lasagna @ supper.

TY Tori, Carri & Susie for 'having my back' w M.B. bullying me about the puppy. I pray she is being patient w the teething/chewing & isn't mean to my puppy. I didn't tell my dh I gave her Sundae's adorable 10 wk puppy for 'free' instead of selling her, & if he finds out & what she said to me he'll b po @ her & @ me for giving her the pup & will try getting her back to sell her to a good home. We need the $400 for our debts, but M.B. has been on my back everytime I see her for 2 yr about a free puppy & I need peace so I did it. I learned a lesson, a bully is a bully even when they get what they want. She & my dh's nasty ex-wife r why we don't use FaceBook because we share some common ppl that would blab our life/pics w them & dh & I don't want that. I thought about joining MyLife, but the same thing would prob happen w those 2 nasty women... So we stay in contact 1 on 1, w ppl by phone/text/e-mail. Now U know why we're not on FB.

Mozzie cheese is mozzarella cheese The 'sweet chili pistachios' r on sale this week @ Meijers for $3 bag, they also have black pepper flavor I don't like-heartburn (I buy them in the produce dept.) I know CVS, Walgreen & Kroger has them in MI. Go to & click-on your zip-code, http://getcrackin.com & print a 50 cent coupon some grocery stores do double coupons I buy different nuts every month, but mostly eat almonds & walnuts; I eat them as my healthy candy, I caramelize the nuts or drizzle melted choc. chips across to eat healthy omega's & healthy fats. Now I use that as a special topping for my Yonana ice cream when I'm very good all week.

Tori, I was going to text U then U posted to us, I was getting worried about not hearing from U U & I r alike w sweets. Last night I made a choc. fudge cake for dh & subbed eggs & oil w natural applesauce instead & I made a cool-whip frosting instead of buttercream. I give myself 1/4 of the slices or cookies, cupcakes & the rest is gifted to dh/guests; out-of-sight, out-of-mind I put them into a container & have a diff 'go-to' dessert, for Me in my fridg or ready to munch on my counter that I call my Free food to munch, like my cocoa lava cookie recipe I posted here. I use choosemyplate.gov too. 'Stop the Insanity' is that what U r doing, whoo that sounds like a killer work-out I am soo proud of U for being back OP again

Carri, I'm happy U feel better. I love my Arby jr. sandwiches, I eat 2 & top them w tomato & lettuce & onion, gotta have lots of veggies @ lunch & supper. Umm metabolism does not change @ the magical #40 yr. when I was 44 yr I was wearing a small. My bod changed to a size medium @ 45 yr so its just about each person's lifestyle & health. I also got reading glasses @ 45 yr & my dh said I looked like a sexy teacher/librarian, men & their 1 track mind. Carri, U can look Fabulous & have a Gorgeous body, but it takes pre-planning. Your menu log looks too low on veggies for me, I'd add more veggies to all 3 meals. Please go Look @ choosemyplate.gov like Tori mentioned, here's the link to it: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/supertr...ood-plans.html or I'd ask your doctor about a diabetic diet & cookbook because I know she wants U to have a healthy-beautiful body. I enjoy Latino food & Mediterranian foods & most recipes r healthy & if U like Italian/pasta its a breeze making your own pasta w a hand-crank machine; I make fresh 'healthy raviloi & noodles' w mine w such low carbs, it's just crazy.

Susie, how old is Hudda Budda & what breed? I don't board cats, but I groom gentle cats & give vaccinations & sell some supplies. The groomer or vet U go to should've taught U how to clean his ears & sold U a cleaner, I use a otoscope checking inside pet ears when grooming from being a trained vet assistant. I'm sure he'll recover fine Soo great that U can workout this week after being so busy w your career I want to see the pic U posted on FB, post it here for me please or in a pm... I want to see your joy, I feel left out!

About tracking *water: I daily pour 2 qts distilled water into 2-3, of the 1 qt glass canning jars & flavor 1 jar in my fridge. When I'm gone I take my water, I keep a bottle 1/2 full of ice in my freezer in a 28 oz. Blenderbottle (came w a blenderball for smoothies on the go) from Amazon & a sling-holder keeps it from sweating, fits great in my car console. About tracking *food: I have a notebook to log into daily & also have a pocket size food calculator that includes fiber in it & my KindleFire. When I travel I rely on my pocket food calculator to track for me or my Kindle. I know everyone here uses their cell phone, I guess I like having a visual log sitting out that I can easily look @ instead of turning on my cell or laptop.
IS anybody watching The American Baking Competition on cbs @ 8pm or Masterchef on Fox or The Lookout on abc about rip-offs? I'm watching both & flipping during commercials & then The Lookout tonight. Big Brother is coming back June 26 Anyone got a healthy 'nut butter' you enjoy, for us to try?
G'night Have a Good week OP girls!

Good morning Girls …I’m back with a gassy stomach and constipation, lol !!! Last night I actually looked pregnant from all the bloating and my stomach was hard, still is….I really need something for the constipation, gonna go and get something today …any suggestions? I’ll be working tomorrow so I need something slow acting and not drastic.

I’ve been having a lot of gas and bloating and I may have found the culprit…I started taking an antacid a couple of months ago for periodic heart burn but then I just kept taking it every night regardless of if I needed it or not…I read that a side effect of those is gas and sometimes constipation …so gonna stop taking those tonight and just use when I need it.

Besides that I am okay ….just want my stomach to go down, it feels so big – and need to get things moving ( if you know what I mean )…sorry for the TMI first thing but you girls know how this can affect you.

Dee – I know I don’t eat enough veggies and fruit, that has always been my downfall, but I’m not a big fan of either …I really only like broccoli and it gives me gas, haha, and as you can see from above I don’t need any more of that right now …but you’re right …and I will see about changing it up more with veggies
I’m excited about Big Brother starting this year, hopefully it is better than last season. I got bored and stopped watching that one.

Food 6/11
B = low carb tortilla – 120, one egg – 80, one turkey sausage patty – 50, tomatoes and veggies – 20
L = sandwich thin – 90, chicken lunch meat – 60, one thin slice provolone – 40, lite mayo – 40, and cottage cheese – 130
S = goldfish – 140 , one pce of dark chocolate – 65
D = sandwich thin – 90, homemade chicken salad – 180, homemade tomato salad ( with mozz cheese balls mini ) with olive oil and balsamic – 110
S = Poptarts – 400 ( not my best choice but I was craving something sweet )
Total for day – 1615

Hi Susie, Tori, Mel, Leanne, and Lyss !! Have a great day.

Just got home from being gone all week camping....did not do as well as I should have.

I will not be going near a scale.

LOL Lyss , we have all had those weeks ...the important thing is that you had a great time with the family and made a lot of good memories...and now you move on and do better.

Good Morning Gals....so glad it's Friday !!! I literally LOVE my weekends.

Not much going on here though, still dealing with my issues that I mentioned yesterday...took the meds and now I see what happens. I am just ready for some relief and for my stomach not to feel like a balloon. Plus the scale hasn't moved all week from all this... I'm hoping the meds work over the weekend, the gas pills gave me some relief last night but we'll see...I did have a bunch of celery and I didn't know that it was one of the top veggies on the gas producing list ...so I'll be staying away from it for now.

Hope you all have a great weekend !!!

Food 6/14
B = granola bar - 190
L = chicken salad - 200, sandwich thin - 90, baked chips - 90
S = goldfish - 70, greek yogurt - 130
D = rotisserie chicken breast - 240, pesto and pine nut ravioli lighlty tossed with olive oil and parm - 310
S = celery - 20, 3T Peanut butter - 285
Total for day - 1625