Oh, ye of little faith.

She has two nice knives, some pots and pans, dishes, a mini George Foreman grill and a toaster. The microwave is included. I'm sure she'll at least be making toast, grilled cheese sandwiches, and mac and cheese. I know for a fact that she'll be having a lot of salads (she's determined to lose weight once she gets to college). Given the 210 page cookbook that I've made for her, I'm sure she'll try a few other recipes.

I'm sure she will too....when she has a husband to cook for!

My week is off to a stressful start. I was up to 3:00 AM working last night and then back up at 9:00 AM this morning, which isn't too bad but is a couple hours less sleep than I like to get. And yesterday ended badly in terms of eating. Oh well, I'm going to get back on track today.

Paperclippy: Your knee pain sounds like patellofemoral syndrome or runner's knee. It's characterized by pain under the kneecap, particularly when going down stairs. You should ask your doctor about it, because it can get worse if you don't treat it. It's the problem that I have with me knee. Wearing one of those braces with a hole over the knee cap has really helped with mine. I've read somewhere that people with other knee problems or a tendency towards achy knees are more disposed to it. That's definitely the case for me--for years I've had problems with achy knees--when I stand up after sitting with my legs crossed for any length of time, I can barely walk because it hurts so much to straighten out my knees. Same thing when I get up in the middle of the night (I sleep on my side with my knees slightly bent).

alinnell: I remember eating a LOT of spaghetti when I was in college and had to make my own food! Spaghetti, tuna salad, and mac & cheese were our staples. At least there was some protein in the tuna!

the slim me: Yes, I've found that I've really cut back on alcohol too. I used to have several glasses of wine in the evenings, probably several times a week, but now I go months without drinking any. I hate to spare the calories on it, the alcohol makes me retain water, and I think it screws with my metabolism so that the weight I gain is out of proportion to the calories. I read an article in Self a year or so go about several women that gave up alcohol for a month or so, and the weight they lost was significantly higher than what you would expect for the reduction in calories from not drinking alcohol.

gatoramanda: Congrats on the 5 miles! That's awesome. And a pretty good pace too--almost a 10-min mile!

Michelle: I hate the dentist too! Does anyone not hate going to the dentist? Twice in my life I've gone ten-year spurts without going to the dentist, but right now I'm in a phase where I've been going regularly. My dental hygienist is a cutie, so that does help a bit. I have two very old fillings that have to be removed and the teeth capped--they are starting the work on Friday and I'm not looking forward to it (and, of course, the cute hygienist can't do this work, so there won't even be that to cheer me up).

Megan: I can definitely understand your frustration with the pressure to drink alcohol. If I recall, I think you are still in your twenties and I do think that is something that gets better as you and your friends get older. Eventually, everyone starts drinking less. I have been known to lie to my SO about things that are going to stress in the relationship (it our case, it is usually about returning purchases--it's a long story). But my thirteen year relationship is currently on the skids, so I'm not sure I'm really the one to ask.

WaterRat: Ooh--I saw both of those recipes in CL and the both definitely went on my list of recipes that I plan on making! Both looked really good, especially that spicy peanut chicken (spicy, nuts, and chicken--three of my favorite things ).

lilybelle: Great job on the workouts--that's a great rate of weight loss, you must be doing something right! I wish you could send some of that heat our way. It's been freezing lately here in NorCal.

wndranne: Congrats on your weight loss! Your DS sounds like a real cutie! I'm imagining him entranced by the ceiling fan.

Bargoo: congrats on a great trip and great food choices. I wish I could learn to do that.

Hopefully I didn't miss anyone! I hope you are all having a great week!

Barbara - Before this recent change, a review of my knee symptoms would have said that I had patellofemoral pain syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome, quadriceps tendinosis, patellar tendinosis, and whichever tendon issues affect the back of my knee (top and bottom). Essentially my tendons are just all screwed. :P That's why I was suprised when they stopped aching long enough for me to have specific pain in one place!

HI MAINTAINERS ~

COMING IN CHECKING FOR ANY NEW BABIES....I don't see any

I allowed myself to come back here since I have been at 170-171 for 8 days

Not much happening in my life exciting. Getting a lot of miles in on the treadmill and dog walks. Work has been slow the last 2 weeks, I am working but not full days every day. This is fine with me, have a new job starting Thursday and should be heading up to another one next week which will keep me busy for a few months. It is about 9 hours from home so that means I will stay in a hotel or company apartment which usually means...cruddy food choices...less chance of getting my miles in and zero computer/3FC time.....dang!

ALLISON ~ You know I'm just kidding about the kid and cooking I just remember my daughter running with the boys and girls tennis team after practice and meets to get food...never good places, although she made fairly good choices, she always has....but oh those desserts! She had a condo on campus until her last year, then it was her, now husband's grandparent's summer condo which they let her stay in for free. Which is actually her home right now. Anyway living on/in the beach area of Pt. Loma California it is hard to keep those kids in the kitchen!

I remember taking snacks (yep I still did that for the kids when they were in college ) for all the track meets of my son and tennis matches for my daughter. I would get big volume stuff at Costco, healthy and junky stuff. Angie and I would also make healthy cookies to give the kids. I'm not saying they didn't eat the healthy stuff, but I can guarantee you ALL the crappy stuff was gone each meet!

On the morning meets when I took donuts the icing and sprinkle ones went first....the whole wheat bagels I brought home

Just remember after class and band stuff she will be hungry....she will be running in a pack....a pack of hungry boys and girls....places to go-people to see....no time for cooking

Freshmen parents are so precious

JESSICA ~ I wish my dogs behaved with company! They really are pretty good after they have "met" everybody. I am sorry for your knee pain I had knee pain from 1971 when I separated ligaments in it until I severed them in 1990, have had no pain since I had ACL surgery...very happy for that but oh my that ACL surgery and year after was brutal. Hope things get settled at the doctor.

BARBARA ~ That was one long day girl! OUCH! I hope today is better for you. It is hot here! My brother is up in Folsom and said it is hot up there too...sorry you are cold.

GatorAMANDA~ Great job with that running! You are flat amazing! I'm going to have to get a 3FC marathon going for some of you

MICHELE ~ Happy anniversary! I have to go to the dentist a lot. I need to get 4 cleanings a year between my dentist and periodontist. I don't mind getting my teeth worked on so much but I do mind if I am in the chair too long...that hurts my back!

PAT ~ We get Cooking Light mag too but honestly I usually end up trying new recipes from the Rachael Ray one....not as healthy

LILY ~I hope the gym partner situation is working out better.

ANNE ~LOVE-LOVE the story of the little guy and the ceiling fan! Brings back so many memories here. I spent so much time with my son and his sports and although for most of those times, until she was old enough to play herself, my daughter was in at my side at practices and games, I did however have "father-daughter special days"....to make sure she knew she was special too. Still do actually, although now, since she is 25, she is usually the one that says..."OK Daddy we are due for a daddy/daughter day"

BARGOO ~Awesome work on the "no gain" birthday celebration! Happy birthday

MEGAN ~ I am sorry for your "just have a drink" issue I think most of what you are going through is because of the age of your group. Most of that will disappear as you get older. I'm not saying you should tell your boyfriend about those granola bars, but I think you need to sit him down and explain to him exactly the way you feel about the "have just a drink" thing. That if you want a drink you will have one and if you don't you won't and it is open for discussion! I think for the most part when our friends tell us it's OK to have a drink or eat a piece of cake, etc. that they mean well, that they are in their own way saying "Hey it's OK by us"... not giving permission really but saying they won't think less of you for...in their minds...you "giving in"....unless they have gone through weight management experiences they just won't get it. Don't worry that they don't get it either! It's not about them kiddo...it's ALL about you!

FREDA ~HI!

Well I am outta here for now...where's MEG?.....shows I haven't been her much...oops!

The week, thus far, has been uneventful. I've started reading for my dissertation, and it feels like I'm really pushing myself to read 5 articles each day (articles range from 6-140 pages each). In the back of my mind is that I have 15 days (yikes!) until I start teaching again. I have to do as much as I can before I hit classes and have to focus on my students instead.

Foodwise, I've been good. I still am thinking about those damn cookies, but I'm not having any, so that's ok. I did buy 100 calorie packs today and am looking forward to having them some time when I have the calories and the urge for something that appears to be cheating--though it won't be. The scale has been going down a bit lately. I've been walking my tootsies off. This morning, I drove to work, dropped off my stuff, drove back home, and walked to and from work. Seemed ridiculous, but it was exercise. The only problem I'm having is that my feet are sore on the bottoms, not the heels though. Doesn't seem like I've had this set of shoes long enough to wear them out, but I need to check as I definitely don't need foot trouble. Tonight, we wanted to have cheeseburgers at a restaurant for supper and I told my husband I could have them only if we walked there, so he joined me in a 3 mile walk for a cheeseburger. Since we share one cheeseburger, I feel/think it all balances out when we walk there.
I am thrilled to say that I found someone who owns a Wiifit program and is going to let me see hers before I decide to keep mine. Does anyone here use that program? I'm hoping it's fun and might encourage me to work out at home more. I'm guessing I'll be busier and busier as I return to work, and I don't want my exercise program to suffer too much. If you do have Wiifit, what do you think of it?
For once, I thought I'd check in mid week. Hope everyone is having a good week and taking care of yourself and your needs (though that sounds selfish, it isn't. If we don't take care of ourselves, we aren't strong enough to take care of others
Have a good week, all!

goalsuccess-- LOL about walking to get cheeseburgers! I've done similar. I've walked a couple of times to get ice cream. It is about 7 miles round trip!

We got a Wii and the Wii fit recently. We are enjoying it a great deal. Fun and challenging-- especially if you and your family are competitive like mine. I am not using it as a substitute for exercise, but just adding it on. Some people do use it when they don't have time to exercise and it would work if you use some of the more aerobic activities such as boxing, running and hula hooping. Let us know what you think of it....

Hi all,

I went on a beautiful dive yesterday by a jetty area in beautiful green water with lots of cool fish. I was glad the dive was pretty because the people in charge of the boat were frustrating to work with. I'm excited though, I think at 3 dives I've already dove more this summer than last year.

About the alcohol, I know not to let people pressure me, it is just so frustrating sometimes! I'm not a deceptive person but I'm ok with a few little white lies about what's in my cup occasionally.

goalsuccess, I think Allison has also used Wiifit - Allison? Good luck with all of your reading.

Gary, I know you'll figure out a way to balance your health and being away from home more.

Barbara, I'm sorry that you and your SO are having problems. I think I'm ok with a few white lies about what I'm drinking, as long as that's where it stops. It's one of those things I can see us laughing about in twenty years.

Allison, Gary, lol about Allison's DD cooking or not cooking in college! Allison, you're a good Mom to make sure she's prepared for school. I don't think you'd get much for a George Foreman at the pawn shop, anyway, they're a dime a dozen on a campus and way less expensive than text books!

Jessica, let us know how your dr's appt. goes.

Michele, thanks for understanding. I'm glad I'm not the only one!

Pat, your weekend cooking sounds yummy. I feel better about my produce prices, now, too! (Prices, yes, but I still lament at the generally iffy quality - but really there are worse things in life and I should get over it.)

Hi to everyone else. I hope you have a great day all.

Good morning everyone! I'm back from the doctor. No real changes to anything - she thinks it will take a little longer for my Cytomel to really kick in. She gave me Prilosec for my stomach hurting though.

I do have to do a minor rant . . . When I mentioned that I was hungry a lot and getting shaky when I didn't eat for a while, and that I'd gained five pounds in the past three weeks, she suggested I meet with a nutritionist about my diet and that five pounds was a normal fluctuation. I told her I have been weighing myself every day for several years and I know my normal fluctuations and for me, five pounds is not normal. She just said again I should meet with the nutritionist. Also, I keep a food log, and I know my diet has not changed! Obviously it is not responsible for the recent issues. :sigh: Oh well, maybe the cytomel will help things.

It might be interesting to meet with the nutritionist for metabolic testing, but I really don't think there's anything she could tell me that I don't already know.

Megan - your dive sounds like fun!

Hi to everyone else! I'm off to a meeting.

I did it. I went for my first gym visit yesterday. I'm thinking it was not such a good day to start. I had had a 14 hour fast for my blood test that morning and I went for my final vein procedure after that. Since I had fasted, I didn't have as big a breakfast (cottage cheese) but I did eat pretty consistently all day after that--but probably not quite enough protein. Anyway, I got shaky really quickly and at one point thought I'd either pass out or throw up, so we ended after just doing upper body with a few core exercises (one of which was really fun involving a medicine ball and an exercise ball all at once). I go back this afternoon for lower body (although I still feel a bit shaky this morning). After I get all trained I'll go on my own for a few days and then I'll have to be retrained as they're getting all new machines.

My eating has been spot on, but I'm up 2 pounds today. Can't figure that one out unless it's water retention from working out. No big deal. Surprisingly I'm not all that sore from my workout--my arms feel like normal, it's just a little tender in my chest.

Gary~I wrapped the cookbook and "hid" it in all of Dana's stuff for college. Hopefully she won't find it until she gets there. I want it to be a surprise.

goalsuccess~good luck on your dissertation! I have a Wii Fit, too, and it is fun, but I have a hard time getting myself to use it. I wish I had better motivation.

Megan~did you get the recipe I posted for the red pepper jelly? Your dive sounds nice.

Jessica~reading bout your shakiness rings a bell with me. Today I can't tell if I have the caffeine jitters or if I'm coming down with something. I hope it isn't the latter. I agree that you probably won't get much from the nutritionist that you don't already know. I was all prepared yesterday to discuss diet with the trainer just to let him know my diet is just fine, thank you very much! He didn't bring it up, though. Metabolic testing would be interesting, however.

Hello to everyone else!

Jessica, I hope the Prilosec helps you. It is like a miracle drug for me. I absolutely get sick, horrible hotflashes, stomach cramps and all if I run out of it even for one day. (TMI, it also keeps me regular). But, with the Prilosec it seems much easier for me to lose weight or at least maintain my weight and also helps me sleep better.

I had another 2 hour gym workout today. I really gave 100% and upped my cardio routine some.

We got a new kitten yesterday and Lacy named it Freddy. It's cute, grey and white striped. It loves the dogs already but is still unsure of people.

I made up a new chore chart yesterday for me and the girls. We'll see how this goes.

Hey Allison - are you following a low carb plan? I started one this week
(monday) it is only wed and I am sapped of energy. Just feel like i need any kind of sugar.
I don't even think I could drag myself to the gym let alone workout.

Hello everyone I'm still hanging in there and trying to get back on track.
So far ....so good.

-Susan

Hello all, I did not ahve a good night, at all. I took a benadryl for my sinis and got so shakey. I've taken it in the past and it doesn't usually do that, but it has the last two times. So, no more for me. And how do I hand any kind of problem? Eat of course! I was really off tract last night. But it was only one night and it's over...move on.

EZ, Just starting ot get to know you, and you're gone. I bet you will find some way to manage while you're away!

goalssuccess, Add me in there too! I make deals with myself all the time. I can have this if I do this...works for me!!

Jessica, Take advantageof the nutritionist. I love learning new things! I read all the articles and pick and choose.

Lilli, I was on Prilisic for awhile for acid reflux. I never noticed that it made any difference in losing weight. I probably should still be taking it. How does it help you?

Megan, Your dive sounds so fun! As for the getting a soft drink instead of alcohol, you don't have to tell anyone. It's not lying. You are having a "drink". And i'm not sure that I think people are saying it's all right with them if you have something. I think lots of times people try to sabatoge you when you are trying to diet. Sorry to sound so negative.

Barbara, I'm with you on the dentist thing! Who do I hate more, Dr. or dentist? Tossup!! Good luck Friday. I need to go too, for a cleaning and checkup. I've got to make myself go!!! Sorry to hear that your realationship isn't going well. I hope things improve. I know every couple has their good times and bad, and hope it's just that for you too, and it resolves soon.

Everyone, make it a good day, Freda

Hi everyone! Amazingly enough, I actually got some good exercise yesterday. I took the dog out for a wog, and went 2 miles (.75 of which was jogging). No knee problems, today my knees feel fine too. The only bad thing that happened was that that darn dog tripped me!!! I pretty much fell flat on my face, except that I landed on my side, not my front. No major injuries, I just scraped up my leg, shoulder, and the side of my head a little. I think I've got a pretty big bruise on my shoulder. I'm proud of myself for getting right back up and continuing -- it didn't really start hurting until later, and after I took a shower and got all the dirt washed out (I fell on a dirt trail) it was pretty much fine.

Today I'm getting lunch provided at work. I'm crossing my fingers that it will be Panera and not pizza or tacos, but you never know.

Susan~I'm trying to go low carb. My doctor recommended a book called Dr. Gundry's Diet Evolution which is really similar to both Atkins and South Beach although I'm not 100% sold on it. He advocates NO grains ever (but then says if you have to have grains have undercooked pasta or La Tortilla brand low carb tortillas). He advocates little or no fruit. He has this thing about the evolution of man where we started out as hunter-gatherers and morphed into grain eaters and when we started eating grains we got fat, so we should go back to hunter-gatherer. Well, if we go back to hunter-gatherer, why can't we have fruit? His contradictions bother me, but I have to admit I only skimmed the book so far.

Jessica~at least you have an excuse for your fall! Once while walking my dogs I fell flat on my face and it turns out that I tripped over nothing! Well, I stubbed my toe really bad, but in looking at where I fell, there was nothing to stub it on but myself. I apparently kicked my own foot and fell. I lost a toe nail and was terribly embarrassed although there was no one around to witness my stupidity! The dogs just stood over me and stared at me like "what are you doing down there" when I had hopes that they'd try and comfort me in my pain. Guess they weren't all that concerned! I'm glad you weren't hurt badly.