Good Morning Ladies!

Had a few minutes between hearings and thought I'd post! COLD here today! Wind chill is -12! I don't want to be at work, but at least I work INSIDE!

Woke up to a NASTY pain in my left hip! Haven't decided if it's the actual hip or the back/disk problem rearing it's ugly head. It actually hurts more in the upper thigh and into the hip and now it's starting to go down into my leg and foot, which sounds (and feels) more like sciatica to me. FREAKIN' HURTS! I still stretched out and did 20 minutes on the Infernal Machine this morning and that was actually okay, but sitting it really getting to me! And what do I do for a living? SIT ALL DAY!

Karen, I'm so VERY sorry for you and your pup! It sounds like a seizure to me. I hope the vet gave a better report than it sounded like it may be.

Ruth, I hate my scale. Yesterday it said 239.5 and I had such high hopes. Today it says 242 - again. I have been PERFECTLY OP this week too! Drinking water, staying within (even below) on my points. Working out. This is why you shouldn't weigh every day, I know, it is so discouraging some times. Keep up with that commitment! We can do this!!!

Valerie, Glad the boys are in new digs and happy! Give Gabe sugar for me!

Terri, I didn't know you were contemplating the lap band. I've heard good things about it.

Everyone else, Not forgetting you - just running out of time!

Got to go~

Lilion - I have resisted lap-band for myself and encouraged DH for him. However, yesterday, I felt so defeated because I have been so good for since the first of the year and the scale was even higher than at the end of December. I just am tired of that feeling. Actually, I said to myself this ( ), I am done with trying and trying and not getting anywhere. I am ready if we can get it approved by the insurance.

TOM finally came today and I know that has a direct impact on that stupid scale. From now on, I am going to have to stay off the scale except for right after TOM. Such a joy to be a woman.

Just a quickie. IM for 22 minutes today. Was perfectly OP yesterday although I went over by a bowl of fruit loops yesterday. In fact, yesterday was the first day I didn't end up a point or two down. I drank plenty of water all week. I stayed away from the donuts and the bagels and the candy at the office. I was really, really, really good...

And I GAINED THREE POUNDS!

Today isn't looking like a good day so far.

Hang in there Lilion! You know it's a temprary hang up on that moody darn scale, and you've got the power to whip it. Teach that thing a lesson by sticking to plan, beating up on the IM, and you'll be victorious! Unless ya just wanna give up and let it discourage you??? Nah.

Terri, Isn't lap band adjustable and reversable? I like that they aren't permanantly removing stuff. It gives you more control over your own body ultimately. If you think it's a tool you can use to make the change you want, then go for it. Honestly, if I could afford it, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I hope the rest of you girls are doing well!

I finally got a workout in after work tonight. I'm a ways from my exercise goal for this month, but it's still quite doable if I keep trying. Some of that cold weather you guys have had has hit here this past week. It was miserable doing stalls last night - I thought my face was gonna freeze off. Got 'er done, tho.

Keep doin' what ya know is right. No matter what.

Hi,all
It's been a crazy week. I've been teaching a home bound student 3 days and had meetings and worked with a teacher who is struggling. I'm as busy as if I weren't retired! But on the up side, I joined the senior fitness center and have now been there 4 times and I have already seen a significant difference in my range of motion and flexibility. The center is great. They have trainers on staff all the time to encourage and keep you on track and I have a chart to mark down what I do each time. There must be 20 different weight and aerobic types of machines plus they teach stretching exercises. Right now I'm on a 4 week program of about 7 different things and once I've one those for a while, they'll change off to other machines. But I definitely notice a difference already and I am not stiff and sore afterwards either.

Karen, I hope the news for your dog/companion is better. I know the pain. As everyone in this group knows, I still mourn my best kitty pal Pawl, and we've all had animal companions that mean so much, so we are all praying for the best.

Mardi Gras is not far away!

Beware of the various bariatric surgeries! My sister wanted to have it done after her terrible year with the cholostomy etc. Of course, insurance does not cover the cost and even if the doctor writes letters, et.al. most insurances will not cover the full cost. BUT, and here's the rub. She has a friend who had the surgery done - if you don't stay on a food program after the surgery, eventually you WILL gain weight back. Her friend has started to regain weight now after a few years of having lost the weight. It's not a panacea. Also, the lap band surgery requires frequent follow up trips to the doctor for upper GI's etc. - not pleasant. I figure I have to face the reality - the only way to lose weight and keep it off is to reduce my food intake and increase my exercise regimen and stay with it FOREVER. At my age anyway I do not want to risk surgery, possible infection, etc.
Have a good weekend!

Yesterday was a terrible, awful day. Today is better. I did actually give in last night and eat onion rings and some DQ after I should have been done eating for the day. But It's okay. I'm mostly back on track today and worked out like I ought. And today the scale is actually still weighing me down from yesterday, although still up overall. Don't worry Valerie - I'm not giving up. Just ticked.

Thank you all for your compassion and support with my darling Dee-Dee. (short for Dumpster Dog, which is where we found her, all skin and bones and barely alive) She's a Doberman/Pointer mix, if you can imagine that! She has the coloring and fur of the Dobie, size of the Pointer with freckles (spots) on her tummy. Super sweet disposition.

I'm happy to report she is still among us! The doc gave her an injection and upped the meds, pulled a tooth and she came home that evening. Although I have to walk her with a back support, she is still wagging her tail and giving kisses. I will do whatever I can for her as long as she wants me to. I will know what to do and what to expect when the time comes. Since this ordeal, I have done so much research on the subject, that I now realize it is selfish to try to keep them around for our own wants. I will do the best I can to put my feelings aside and do the right thing by her, she deserves that and more. Thank goodness I work from home and can split up my time to take care of her. She sleeps most of the time, but that's pretty much what she's always done anyway!

I can't thank all enough for your kind words and thoughts. I know the day will eventually arrive, but for now, she's sound asleep on the couch in the living room!

I will try to catch up tomorrow.

Hi Peeps - looks like there is lots going on here. I normally post on the larger thread but was lurking for a little "boredom" help. House is cleaned, laundry done, went to my 90 minutes yoga class this morning, playing let the dog in - let the dog out with the girls. What now?

Lilion - I'm not sure what your infernal machine is but I have one too - maybe this would be a good time to jump on it and do a bit more exercise today.

I started exercising in a big way (for me) at the first of the year with two cardio classes and a 90 minute yoga class each week at the local hospital. The classes are all designed for new exercisers - all women - and it has been great. I am actually going to start going to one more cardio session a week.

The scale has not responded so well to my new exercise program - maybe it's scared to move the big 300 lb weight. I have been OP all year except for one meal last night and it just doesn't want to budge. Right now I am in a good frame of mind and know that will change - but WHEN??? Ok - rant over.

Looks like there are some fellow Missourians here. Everyone have a great weekend.

Hugs,
Carol

I forget we have new ladies who don't know about my Infernal Machine. My I.M., as it is sometimes called, is my elliptical. I wanted a treadmill and my DH wanted an elliptical. He won. The first time I used it I managed a whole, whoppin' THREE minutes on the thing before I had to stop. Wasn't all that long before I could do 10 minutes, then 15, then 20 and I was up to 30 last May. But then I quit for about 7 months and now I'm back at 20+ again. But it's a killer, no doubt. Twice the workout the same time on the treadmill was.

And the funny thing is, I'm the only one who's used the stupid thing in a YEAR! DH doesn't touch it.

Carol, where are you at? I'm smack dab in the middle, in our lovely little capital.

I am amazed at the time people put in on the eliptical - I can do 2 minutes - and that is all - for right now - I am going to try for 4 minutes in February. My IM is my treadmill - although right now I actually use one at the gym.

I'm in KC - Jeff is such a pretty town.

Hugs,
Carol

Yes Carol, sometimes I think they should just call this the Missouri Chicks & a few of their friends. At least you guys give us good weather reports before it gets here, to Ohio.

KAREN, I'm so relieved to hear that your sweet dumpster dog is once again happily living the high life she deserves. Give her a big schmooze for me!

Woo-hoo! BEARCUB - Break out the beads! Bring on the crawfish! Party in the streets! I believe that party-in-the-streets thing should be great exercise, shouldn't it?

LILION, I know better than to think you'd ever really give up. But I know you were frustrated by that nasty gadget. I'm glad today is going better, and I hope tomorrow is better still!

Hi Terri! Horse story:

Well, it happened tonight - the dreaded moment I've been terrified of. I was riding Gabe at the new barn, for the first time since Christmas. As we were turning one corner of the small arena, the girls started closing the outside door as I'd asked them to. But the grating of the big door spooked him and yes - he bolted with me aboard. I yelled "DON'T!!" about six times before it crossed my dull brain that screaming wasn't the best way to calm him down. I shut up, sat down, said "Whooooooa" in my deepest calm voice, and BINGO! He stopped. Shelby looks up at me and says "Well, at least you got to canter him for the first time." I said (heart in throat) "Oh? Is THAT what that was?? A CANTER???" not. If I hadn't yelled like that, I bet it would have been over sooner. I think the first yell was at him to not bolt, then to the girls to make them stop moving the door, or let's be honest, just a bit of brief mindless panic. At least it didn't last, I recovered my senses (if not my left stirrup) and my very very very very very good boy just stopped for me. After a confident sounding "Walk on. Step up Gabe" we were back in business.

I've survived my worst fear, and perhaps we both trust each other just a little more for it.

For the record, I worked out yesterday on my way home from work. I wasn't really dressed for it, but I was wearing pants and a comfortable top, and I had my work out shoes in the car (because I never take them out.) I knew I could find or invent an excuse if I went home to change, so I just bit the bullet and DID it.

Good Sunday morning chicks! Just checking in before I throw an egg in a pan and head off to the barn with a smile on my face. I may even take the doggy-boys with me. Then DH & I were talking about a movie since I still have the free passes I got last summer. Later we have to take the big truck out to the shop & drop it off. There's been some fuel getting into the oil, and that's SO not good.

The birds are feasting just outside the kitchen window; jays, doves, chickidees, nuthatches, juncos. Haven't seen the woodpeckers yet today. Simon's little doxie butt is up on the chair, watching them out the window. It's a lovely morning, although it would be even more lovely if there were horses out there too.

Hey gals,

I have been wiped out all weekend. I drug myself to work yesterday for a few hours. I got a few things done but I sure felt like I had been hit by a mack truck. Today has been a little better.

My big accomplishment today has been getting my VCR/DVD hooked up in the other spare bedroom which is the exercise room. Now I can do exercise videos that I have on tape. I also worked on some stuff that was sitting against the wall, unpacked and unused. I made more room to maneuver around.

Other than that, I have been putzing around, cleaning house. I need to go spend time in the back yard scooping poop. And I need to go bug a couple of horses.

Yesterday was just a horrible day for food. Pity party for not feeling good and being tired, I guess.

Valerie - My heart raced just reading about your "ride" with Gabe. I've had that "life flashing before my eyes" feeling. And what a great feeling when you realize its over AND you're still on the horse! We've got a over-night trail ride scheduled for April. This year, Spanky, will be going. We attempted this last year but got rained out and I was going to have to borrow a horse. Not this year. Great job on the exercise.

Carol - I'm south of KC about 40 minutues. I think any exercise machine is an IM. Because they can be so boring and tedius. I have stationary bikes. Once I get past the 12 min mark, I know I can do it. But its about the 12 min mark when I'm convinced that I'm going to keel over and die. So, do you think that's a mental hangup? Sounds like you're doing well with the exericse. Keep at it and that stupid scale will move. I'm having similar frustration myself.

Lilion - You're doing great at getting back on that IM. I want one this year.

Karen - I'm glad to hear that Deedee is still with you. It is very hard to know when to make the decision and my heart is with you. As you know, I've had to do that with our Bear dog last summer and my older mare just recently. But, you'll know when. One day you'll look in her eyes and your heart will know when to set her free. Enjoy every minute and every kiss and love the crap out of her until then.

Bearcub - That is great that you joined the fitness center and that its helping already.

Well, the backyard is calling and I better get up and moving.

to all!

I've been lurking hear for about a week and thought it about time I introduce myself. I'm Kim, 46, and restarting for what seems like the zillionth time the diet thing. If that sounds discouraged, I don't mean for it to...I'm actually feeling energized and on target. I'm determined to Do Something Different, to learn from my dozens of past failures (having been fat from childhood) at dieting and/or maintaining, and get to AND STAY at a place where I feel good. I've put 190 as my goal, but quite frankly, have NO idea where I really want to or should end up. I figure I'll know it once I get there. While my top weight of all time was about 450, I started this cycle at 398 and have made it to 379 this month. A solid start, but with so many struggles. I'm doing a program called "Healthy Inspirations" which is about the most rigid thing I've every done...checking in three times a week, getting weighed, focus on whole foods . I've usually dieted on my own, so I thought the accountability factor might be helpful. The whole foods focus is Very hard for me, a convenience food junkie!) Excercising at the Healthy Inspiration's Gym, and at home on the dreaded equipment. Getting great support from my dear hubby, who is on his own weight loss journey. Hoping to find additional support here among you all...delighted to see so many strong and women here.

WELCOME KIM!!! I don't think very many people just wake up one day, decide to lose weight, and then do it staight away without setbacks. I sure don't know any! Success is all about picking up after the stumbles, not giving up, continueing to seek and find one's own best path - even when that path changes. Sounds like you're determined and have found the path you need right now. I'm glad you're here and hope we can help, too!

TERRI, when in April is that ride? Remember the second weekend is Equine Affaire in Columbus. I'm still hoping you might make it for that! Maybe? It'll be a ball!