I tend to be a slowpoke and not get personals done, but wanted to say to ALL the NEWCOMERS!

Good to have you Bloomer! Heck yeah we mean it! I've been around for over two years now and it's been a LONG two years, filled with triumphs and set-backs and sadness and joy and drama, and some of us have left and come back and some were here before me!

But you can count on us for a or or or or or or or or or or or - Whatever you may need at the time!!!

Check out the exercise threads - great for motivation - and the recipe thread - yummy good-for-you food!

And again -

Lesley - that's great news about your 4.8 lbs loss, you are doing so great with your losses

with your test results, I hope if they do show up any irregularities that they'll be fixable

Brenda - What's Rachael Ray?

Kayley - now haven't I said all along how fantastic WW is!! For somebody like you who has been so strict on diets like SB you must be enjoying the freedom of WW even more than somebody like me who's not crazy enough to try any other diet to you and to Andrew on doing so great with your losses so far

Lilion - what a sweety your hubby is to buy you such a perfect gift. An MP3 player is on my list of gifts I want from my hubby this year. I am fed up of having to play my music quietly at home, or listening to some of the garbage they play in the gym. I hope you'll have good fun putting your fave work out tunes on your MP3 player

TheStorySoFar - hi and It's lovely to have you here, and I have to you on your wonderful weight loss already. It will be great to cheer you on as you leave those 300s and move to the 200s, etc

Catherine - well done on being OP for a whole day and a half now. It's so hard to get back on track sometimes isn't it. I am now 90% through my first day back OP and so far so good. I think we have to think of our getting back on track in terms of the hours we get through sometimes rather than days, weeks or months etc. Onwards and downwards for us both

What do you get to do once you get your Leisure Pass? Is it like the one I have here. As I am on a low income I have something called a Passport to Leisure. It gives me 2/3rds off a lot of things from going to the gym, to seeing a show.

Jill - oh boy just reading about your stay at Jeff's mum's made my skin crawl. Being brought up in the mountains in Australia I saw my fair share of huge spiders, but never had to get one off me, I bet you were so pleased to get back to your own place away from those creepy crawlies!!

Patti - I was going to email earlier but wasn't sure if you had PC access now that yours has died on you. I see that you have got some access albeit limited, so I will email you after. Is your PC fixable or are you hoping hubby will let you buy a nice new one?

How are you doing with getting back OP today. Remember our deal? We owe it to ourselves to stop sabotaging ourselves and carry on losing. I was telling Sharon earlier that most of my weight I lost before Christmas, but this last 5 months I've really been messing around. Gaining, losing, gaining losing, just wasting time. It's time to stop now and keep in control

Bloomer - hi and Glad you found your way here and I have to say that I love seeing your 5 lbs lost Avatar. I love it because I can already picture the day when I see that Avatar showing 50 lbs lost, then 100 lbs etc, and I'll be cheering you along all the way

Sandy - I don't know if you'll get chance to see this before you go for your op, but I just wanted to say I'm sure it will all go well and I look forward to hearing from you when you are up to getting in touch afterwards

Annie - I hope you had a lovely weekend with your visitors, write soon and let me know how well you kept away from that lovely food. AND of course I am dying to hear how your WI went

Take care all and bye for now,

Hugs,

Ammi

Ammie i dont know what the set back is.. maybe with your loss and my set back with the knee we are just using food for comfort . anyways we still havent given up so i think we do deserve applause.i do want a new pc i love this one and i want one where i can use my wii to its full advantages... i think the one he was looking at will.

Boomer-Welcome

Ammi-The leisure pass here allows free use of all the city rec facilities. All the gym and pool drop in classes. If it is a sign up class like karate or special yoga classes, we pay 25%. It also lets us have free entry into things like the art museum and zoo. I also get my first library card at the end of the month. That will really make me feel like a real human again. I remember my old roommate who was an alcoholic saying that some times she had to go in 5 minute increments. It is too hard some times to think about doing this the rest of my life, but I know I can stay op today. That’s all I’m worried about is today. Tomorrow will take care of itself hopefully.

Jill-next time you go, go down to a tobacco shop, and buy a big bag of the worst smelling stuff there is. Sprinkle it around the outside of the house especially around windows and doors. That will keep out most bugs. For the ones already inside, I recommend flea collars. I know that sounds weird, but when I worked in the woods in South Carolina one summer, we tried everything to keep away the chiggers and ticks. We even sprinkled pure sulfur on the tops of our boots, but 2 minutes in the wet underbrush did that in. We finally started wearing flea collars on the tops of our boots, and that did it. Felt pretty silly, but that’s better than itching or being creeped out. Put one in your bag, and that will keep them away. You can even put them under your pant legs so no one seems them. There is also that sun screen that has bug juice in it. You could rub that on, and no one would know, and you might be less creeped out. I don’t mess around with Lyme disease.

Hey everyone-

Hope you all had a good weekend. We were busy getting information about buying a house. The housing market up here is really high. But we would really like to begin the process of looking for one. As far as being OP I have been doing really well. I have been making a point to eat more fruit and veggies. I just love watermelon but I am not sure if eating to much is bad because of the sugar!

PEGGY~Yay on losing 4 pounds! You are doing great!

WYLLENN~Good luck with getting through everything! I hope things don't get to stressful.

AMMI~Good to see you post. So sorry you had a gain. But you can lose those 7 pounds soon!

LESLEY~WTG on losing 4.8 pounds! I really hope all of your tests go well. Besides just wanting good health, hoping to get pregnant is one of my reasons for losing weight. So I wish you all the luck in the world with that!

BRENDA~Good to see you post! I wish you luck with staying OP. It is hard when things are so busy.

KAYLEY~Congrats on your loss! I bet it is does help with Andrew losing weight as well. I know it is when my DH is on program. Nothing like trying to lose weight and DH will bring home pizza or something!

LILION~Sounds like you did have a good weekend. Enjoy your new MP3 player.

THESTORYSOFAR~Of course you can hang around. WELCOME!

CATHERINE~Hope you get that leisure pass ASAP!

JILL~I am so sorry you had to go through that! The one thing we didn't have in Alaska was spiders...really didn't have any bugs in the arctic. I have been lucky not to see any spiders here yet but I so have a phobia! My mother in law lives in Austin Texas and they have trantulas!!!!! I couldn't believe that! I thought those huge things were only in pet stores? But she has a ton of them there just all out around the house! That is like my worst nightmare! I refuse to stay there again!

PATTI~Sorry your computer died! Good to see you post!



OK well I think we are going for a walk around the apartment complex. I hope you girls have a wonderful night! Stay OP!

Hello all my Friends,
Oh how I've missed you. I was able to catch up on last weeks thread, but that's as far back as I dared go. Plus, Ammi has done a good job keeping me up to date.


to all you knew ones. I look forward to getting to know you.


Catherine, I had to fight the tears reading your post when you finally had a minute to realize you were home. I am so happy for you.


Patti, I'm sorry about your pc and sorry to hear your knee is still giving you problems.


Mechelle, How are you? Did I understand correctly you're house hunting? It's a fun but stressful time, so take your time so the fun part wins out. How are you fur babies?


Sharon, your pics are just lovely. You look so young!
Your trip to see your sis sounded wonderful.


My sweet friend Annie, I'm thrilled you got your c-pap machine. My Andy has one and has used it since 1994.
Maybe it'll even help with your depression.


Ammi, Thanks for always thinking of me. It means a lot.
I hope you enjoyed your party. It sounds like it was a lot of fun.


Lilion, Glad to see you're still going strong. Your garden sounds wonderful. .....it was you with your garden, yes?

Or was it VALERIE, I'm so sorry you're struggling so. I completely understand. Believe me. I do ok for most of the day usually and then give in to some stupid bad for me craving.
I can forget my exercise goal for the month. I haven't even started. I guess I should count moving furniture and stuff around cleaning Saturday as exercise. LOL
Today is day 3 or 4 of being op though. And I'm hoping I lose well after my surgery. A friend of mine had the same surgery, but not as extensive, and she said she didn't do anything for 2 weeks, but lay around in her recliner. she's given me lots of tips and I plan on following them. My sis is sending me a "donut" to sit on so I'm hoping that'll help too. I'm plenty scared about the surgery, but it has to be done. I cleaned like crazy Saturday, and have several meals in the freezer. We do eat quite simply so that'll help too. SD can always throw some chicken in the oven and microwave steam some veggies when the pre-made meals are done. In fact, even Abby can throw chicken in the oven. Sd leaves for her moms for the summer in a couple weeks.
Did you all have a good Mother's Day? Mine was lovely. Andy was amazing. He spoiled me rotten. Made my breakfast, got me a recliner, (we needed it , plus I guess I'll be about living in it after my surgery.) and my favorite, I got an I Pod shuffle!!!!
I screamed when I saw what it was. I've wanted one for forever and have no excuse not to go walking from now on. Even after surgery, I'm suppose to work up to taking 5, yes count them 5, 30 minute walks a day.
SD, Chantal got me a lovely candle and the sweetest card. There's still hope there! I also got a very nice card from Andy's oldest daughter, the one who is getting married in July. Those girls really surprise me sometimes.
Both my sons called, my dd in Ohio called, and my Oklahoma daughter called and send the most wonderful card. Did I mention I got the sweetest card from Andy? It was quite unlike him and was very romantic.
Our 14th wedding anniversary is Wednesday and since he spent all the money, we're just getting each other cards. I always feel cards are the best anyway cuz there's so much thought that goes into getting just the right one.
Well, it's about time to get Miss Abby to bed. She's putting it off which means she needs some attention and help getting it done.
I hope to check in tomorrow. Hope all of you have a lovely and op day!
Hugs,

Hello Ladies!

Well, the test is over and done with. Not exactly a walk in the park but not excruciating, either. He wasn't exactly gentle with the speculum, I can tell you that! Thank god my ob/gyn is more attuned to a woman's comfort. Then during the procedure I felt like I was having the worst cramps of my life. Thankfully it was all over in about 20 minutes. I did get to see my uterus and fallopian tubes on a little monitor, so that was kind of cool. Apparently some women who've had trouble conceiving have gotten pregnant just from having this procedure done, so I'm cautiously optimistic.

I had to miss my tai chi class this morning and didn't feel up to exercising this afternoon, so no workout today but I should be good to go the rest of the week.

Sharon, I bet it felt great having your sister make those comments! And for fitting into those 16s!

Peggy, congrats on being down 4lbs!

Heather, I hope things calm down soon and you're able to relax a bit soon.

Ammi, I hope you don't ever shy away again from posting just because you're not OP. What kind of fair-weather friends would that make us if we just wanted to hear from you when you're doing good? I'm glad you're back to feeling in control and ready to face the week - remember to take it one meal at a time, one day at a time. You've come so far and can definitely do this! And OMG it's good to know Rachel Ray's plot for world domination is not yet complete! She's a TV cook popular here in the US and people seem to either love her or hate her (can you guess which side I'm on? )

Brenda, I can't wait to see your bellydancing outfit! I wish something like that was offered where I live, although I don't know if I'd have the guts to do it anyway.

Kayley, congrats on losing 3.8lbs! That's great motivation to keep going, I'm sure. And kudos to your sweetie on losing as well!

Lilion, don't you just wish we could delete the word 'diet' from the English vocabulary? I hate when people say 'oh but when you go off the diet, you'll gain it all back' - uh, hello? No kidding, that's the whole point! This is for life, not just a limited time. Sounds like you worked off that Mexican this weekend! And how sweet for hubby to get you that MP3 player - I'm sure you'll put it to great use.

TheStorySoFar, and on your weight loss thus far! You've joined a great group with fabulous support and camaraderie. I hope we'll see a lot more of you around here!

Catherine, I'm glad you're back OP and I hope the scale starts showing the results of all your hard work soon. That leisure pass sounds so cool - I wish there was something like that here. And thanks for the tip on the tobacco - I may have to give that a try!

Jill, sorry you got so creeped out this weekend. Luckily I haven't had to worry about ticks or fleas coming in the house (yet) but being in the South, and living in a semi-rural area, I do have spiders coming in the house every so often. Thankfully the 'waterbugs' (i.e. cockroaches) seem to be staying outside so far this year. Growing up in Canada I didn't have to deal with too many creepy-crawlies and I still can't get over the fact that roaches are as common as spiders down here. I don't mind spiders that much (unless they invade my personal space) but roaches really give me the heebie-jeebies.

Patti, sorry to hear your computer has died. I hope you get a new one soon.

Bloomer, and hope to see more of you on this journey!

Michelle, thanks for your kind words! I hope I can get pregnant soon although I want to get as much weight off as I can first. I want to be able to keep up with a baby once I finally have one. Good for you for staying OP!
__________________________________________________ ______

Alright, I'm going to have a cup of tea and a piece of WW lemon cake, and read a bit before bed. Talk to you later!

Sandy, we were posting about the same time ... I'm so glad to hear you had such a lovely Mother's Day, as you certainly deserve it. And even SD being sweet - that was a lovely surprise, I'm sure. When is your surgery?

Lesley, I'm glad your procedure went well and wasn't horribly painful. It sounds intrusive.
My surgery is Thursday at 10:30 am and it will be intrusive.
It was a wonderful surprise about sd. It gives me hope. In her card she hand wrote that I was a good mom. ALmost made me cry. Consistancy is the key, even if it is hard, huh? Thanks for being so supportive. I really appreciated it.
Big Hugs,

ps.....I got to change my ticker from while I was gone!!!!

Good evening everyone!

Just a quick note to say to all you lovelies. I had a long day since I had to travel to my office which is just about 2 hours away. I have to do it again tomorrow...ugh. I rarely have to go two days in a row but we are implementing new software and full staff needed to be on site. I usually only have to go two days a month - once every other week - so two days in a row will wear me out! I had a good op day. I always plan my complete day and count all my points before I go into the office because there is always food there and if I have my day planned out it is much easier to stick to.

Too tired really for personals...except Lesley - I have heard that about the dye test...that some women become pregnant afterwards. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you!!

Have a good evening everybody!

Cris

Thanks for the welcomes and the congrats.

I am starting to feel quite at home here already.

hi sandy good luck on the surgery.. well i am off to san antonio tomorrow night hope everyone has a good week

Hi ladies. Welcome to the new ladies. Congrats to the losers & those of you strong enough to keep on keepin' on, losses or not.

Pardon me for not keeping up with everyone. I'm still alive, still maintaining a miniscule loss. I am not, however, eating any better or moving any better than I was the last time I posted. Why, you ask?

Because someone opened the dang door and let all the creepy, crawly little germs possible into my immune system all at once. Hello, stomach flu. Oh yes, nice to see you too, head/chest cold & congestion. Come in and stay as long as you'd like . I think I have bought the entire stock of cold, allergy, and nausea medications from our closest store. I sent DH to the store yesterday to get me some Claritin, Benadryl, and Tylenol Cold medicine. Ten minutes and forty unbelievable dollars later, I'm still stuffy, still can't sleep, and my chest feels like an elephant sat on it and then proceeded to bounce. Sarcasm aside, I have been sick for most of the last month. Clearly I should not post when I am in medicated bliss. Have a lovely one ladies.

Andrew has this week off, so we went to the gym together this evening. I really love going with him. We both did weight training for 40 minutes. Feels good to head back after taking the weekend off (I don't go to the gym on the weekends, cuz it's SO packed). We came home, and it was just a gorgeous night out. The temperature was PERFECT, so we sat on our balcony in our new lawn chairs for a while, and just talked. I love the simple evenings like that. Got a bunch of running around to do tomorrow, but I wanted to make sure I got in a FEW personals before I get TOO far behind. Have a GREAT night, everyone!

Lilion - lol, I'm so used to calling it a diet, I guess it just pops out. But you're right...it IS a lifestyle change, and I'm LOVING it!!!

TheStorySoFar - Hello and to the forum!!! Please tell us a little more about yourself, and make yourself at home! I look forward to seeing you around!

Bloomer - A big to you as well!!!!!

Ammi - It is SUCH a great plan! I only wish I would have started it when I tried the first time! I might have had a bit more luck staying on plan for a longer period of time!

Lesley - Glad everything went well at the doctor!!! How soon are you looking at having a baby, or are you going to try now?

Brandnewme - Hope you feel better SOON!