Hey ladies-

Ugh I'm SO frustrated right now!! I'm on another damn plateau. I started the 30 day shred on Monday and did that twice and today I went to a spin/cycle class and got my *** kicked haha. I'm going to go on Flex starting Friday for a week or 2 just to kickstart my metabolism. I know I've said this for a few weeks but I'm gonna actually do it. For some reason I've been having trouble with my portions... I don't know if I'm eating enough or eating too much. Trying to figure that in with working out is starting to get frustrating. Hopefully Flex will help me out and help me lose these last 8 pounds so I can finally become a lifetime member!

Finals are coming up Monday and then I get to go home on Friday for a month It's gonna be a rough week but I'm ready. BRING IT!


Rhonda- You can do it! These changes are hard at first, and let me tell you, I was absolutely DYING when I was @ the bar w/ my friends and tried to cut back on alcohol. I ended up binging a lot. Now I can go out and drink diet coke and nobody knows the difference

Tech- Sorry to hear you fell off the wagon. This is the worst time of the year. Why do Thanksgiving, Christmas, AND New Years have to be so close together???

Hope the rest of you are having a good week! STAY STRONG!

Donna, thank you for the compliment, but our yard is far from good-looking. It's a work in slow process. I'm hoping it looks all right by spring, but it may take longer. Baby steps, dear friend. I'm tip-toeing, too.

Whew, Maryann. What a relief! This is fantastic news.

Rhonda, you are doing well. I admire your determination. You never lose sight of what you want--and you're making good progress.

Cuba. It's good to have you back.

Paula, Congratulations.

Sammi, just do what you can. Like I said earlier, "Baby steps."

I'm off here to do some watering. It's really windy and everything's looking dry.

Sandra, baby steps is the perfect way to describe weight loss. Trying to think positively, at least I'm not gaining, and 52 pounds in 7 months is fine with me. It's a lot more than I thought I was going to lose.

You're doing great, Sammi. I am proud of you.

Hey Everyone
Just a quick "HI"
And to let you know that I am really bummed here.
At weigh in hubby lost 2 1/2 lbs. I gained a pound. And what is so upsetting is we ate the same thing. So I was told you must be cheating. Said I am not.
So we will see what happens next week.
Still bummed about my kitty. Even my doggies are missing her.
Well I am going to go and check up on everyone.
I have been thinking about everyone.
Then yesterday had to spend part of the day in the ER with hubby. He is ok now.
So just hadnt taken time to get on here.
Hope everyone has had a great day.
Thinking of each of you.
coco

Hi everyone! I thought I would check out the core board here on 3fatchicks. I've been following Core for about 9 months and I really have gotten to the point where it is like second nature. It totally revamped all my eating habits. I really like the program! So I thought I'd join you guys here to share about that.

Hope everyone is enjoying a lovely start to December. This is my favorite time of the year. There is a buzz in the air with most people getting ready for the holidays. I also enjoy winter foods. I recently learned of a really nice winter stew that is core. I'll share it with ya here!

Andean Bean Stew With Winter Squash and Quinoa

this recipe is from the NYTimes, and it's stick-to-your ribs fantastic. Makes 8 big servings. (5pts)

1 pound dried pinto beans, rinsed and picked over, soaked in 2 quarts water overnight or for 6 hours

Salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
1 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes, with liquid
1 pound winter squash, such as butternut, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed thoroughly
Freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
1. Place the beans and soaking water in a large pot. Add water if necessary to cover the beans by about 2 inches, and bring to a boil. Skim off foam, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer gently for 60 minutes, or until the beans are tender but intact. Add salt to taste.
2. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick frying pan and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes, and add the paprika. Stir together for about a minute, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, for a minute or two, until the garlic and onions are very fragrant but not brown, and stir in the tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly and smell fragrant, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and scrape the contents of the pan into the pot of beans.
3. Bring the beans back to a simmer, add the bay leaf and winter squash, and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, or until the squash and beans are thoroughly tender. Add the quinoa and simmer for another 20 to 30 minutes, until the quinoa is translucent and displays an opaque thread. Taste and adjust salt. Add a generous amount of freshly ground pepper. Stir in the basil or parsley, simmer for a couple of minutes more, and serve.

Good Morning Ladies

Feel very energetic this morning,I have no idea why, but maybe my body got the rest it needed and now I can't get things done that I was slacking before.
Going to start with the diet, getting off the combo [flore] and work only with the core plan again.

Don't like counting points,but now that I starting up with the core the only points I have to count is the WPA'.s

CUBA-Thats what I'm going to do is make more veggie soup other the common ones we all love.I made a butternut squash & apple soup the other day a WW recipe and it was delish. You'll love the core Shepard's Pie I made it several times and thats one of my favorite core recipe.

PAULA-Thanks for your kind words.Thats wonderful that you lost, big congrats. The Flore doesn't work for me,so I decided to go back to the core.Theres something about counting points that messes my cykie [sp].


SAMMI-Don't get frustrated,hang in there. I know, that I'm thinking about that also,[eating enough or too much]that way I'm using a 3 section plate or you can visualize a plate and place 1/2 if it with veggies and a 1/4 with protein & carbs. for portion control.Another possibility why your plateauing could be your finals that are stressing you out.Sending you

SANDRA-Thanks we were really worried about the port,and now TG that bridge is over.

COCO-Isn't that the way Men always lose faster than woman,as we are built differently. Congrats to your DH,and you're 1 lb is water weight for sure.It be gone soon.NO You are not cheating and don't let that frustrate you.MEN ARE DIFFERENT,don't ever go by them. Woman get upset for some reason like losing your kitty the stress & the weight creeps up.

THESUSANONE-Welcome to our board & thread. You'll find lots of support & motivation here,as we have a very caring group of woman on your side. I love the core plan comparing to the Flex like I mentioned above.Thanks for sharing your recipe. I'm with you its a nice time of the year,but from TG:thank2: to the end of the year are eating & drinks holidays and you must be careful of what you take in or by January the gains are so disappointing,with all the hard work you done the year before.

Have to go will post later

Hi, Chickies. I had one of those restless, almost sleepless nights and am pooped today so this will be short.

Sus. Thank you for the recipe. It sounds good.

Coco, this is just another example of women not losing the same as men. Don't get frustrated.

Maryann, can I borrow some energy?

Thank you so much for the kind words of welcome. It's like a ray of sunshine on a dark and stormy day. I hope to be an encouragement to you all too! It's so funny how much more hopeful I feel to enjoy a better December than in years past. I'm excited about the simplest things like wearing a pretty new red blouse I bought that fits and really is flattering. I'm looking forward to feeling more energy when I am at the holiday parties. I can socialize more comfortably without feeling so awkward and heavy. I'm so grateful that I can enjoy the foods too, but just being smart about my choices. I will definitely have the rich food too, but in smaller portions than I used to take. I'm even going to bake some yummy treats that have lower calories because they are lighter (less fat). I'll share some recipes, if that is allowed too. I don't want to trigger anyone! But I found some really neat recipes for low fat or fat free treats. The only detriment is the sugar, but in small portions that is manageable.

Hope your week is great!

susanone! This is a great group of people

I went to a reception today and ate THREE pastries. When I went back to get a sanwich I grabbed hold of CORE and got an apple instead.

Yesterday I had a headache and thought it was the mold on some boxes in the basement at work; today the headache came back and my neck was hurting. I thought it was my posture at the computer. When I got home I had fever of just over 100F, I think it's a cold and am headed for bed.

Have a great night everyone.

Rhonda

Rhonda, I hope you feel better soon.

All this talk of the new program may make me go back to WW soon!

Hi Ladies. Had a full day managment conference yesterday that went into our holiday party for work. I did OK food wise - not a core day but I am going to go figure out what I had and write it up.

Does anyone else use the online etools? The new Momentum plan is live on the ww site. Its basically flore with an option to not count points except for non-filling foods. HMMMM, flex or core. I'm not sure if the filling food list is the exact same as the core food list. but all of my routine things are still there.

Sus- welcome back. Its great that you are so positive about yourself. Being in control makes the world of difference. Keep up the positive attitude! I love it!

Rhonda, how are you feeling today? I hope better. Congrats on the apple!

Hi to everyone else!

I use the on-line tools. The new program looks like a combo of optional counting, Core and the GI diet to me. Looks good.

But, for me, today, tea and toast.



Rhonda

Great news! Our at work leader WILL give us the new materials next week! Can't wait to see the books, its easier than looking on line (IMO!).

Good Morning Ladies

I went over to the WW site and saw the new Momentum program. I'm a little confessed,but I think basically the filling foods are coming from the Core food list.Along with weekly point values. Which I believe its the WPA's,but don't know if the allowed point system is going to be the reg 35 or less.

I guess when the meeting members come to the thread they'll give us some more information.

Hope that we have a place for us to hang our hats now that this new momentum plan is in existence.If any one know where to post please let me know as I don't want to lose you gals,somewhere in cyperspace.

SANDRA-I didn't sleep well last night ,but I still have energy left over So if you need some it right here.

SUSAN-Thats how I feel I just like the simple things in life and big congrats in the NSV of fitting into that red blouse.Feel free to post your goods and look over at our recipe folder for all additional recipes.

RHONDA-We're very proud of you for going for the apple instead. 3 Cheers going out your way.Sorry about your headache and fever hope you feel better this morning.

VICKIE-I think I feel the same way,but first I'm going to try to figure it out myself and than ask some of friends that go to the meeting what it really entails.

PAULA-When I stopped the monthly pass I got kicked out of e-tools and can only get into the public part of the weight watchers site. It doesn't seem that different than what we thought??

Have a great one