OK, OK! Peggy's buttered me up enough. I've come back. Actually, I've just been so swamped at work and with other stuff, I just can't seem to find any time for Jo.

Tuesday night, we went to the follow up meeting at the VFW for the parade and park events. It was supposed to be 7 to 8. Instead I got out of there around midnight! What a loud gripe session!! It was all so stupid. Then they started asking who wanted to be chairman next year and no one wanted the job. Surprise, surprise. I swore I'd never work that project again. Now I'm wavering a little but I'm certainly not going to be a subchairman like this one. Meetings for next year don't start until late August/early September. We'll just see.

One sad incident. I got a chance to talk to the father and brother of one of my friends from this project. Last week when we were all gearing up to work on the project, I was talking to this friend about what we were going to do, etc. That was on Tuesday April 30. On Friday, I went into the VFW and learned that he'd committed suicide on Thursday night. We're all still trying to understand. He was a really nice man and left behind 3 young kids. He seemed fine on Tuesday. It's so pointless.

But on a better note, last night I ... wait for it ... joined a gym!!! I'd been thinking about it and wavering back and forth. Last night after work, I drove up there just to check it out. Traffic heading in that direction at 5:00 is a nightmare (6 miles took 25 minutes) and I was thinking uh, uh, no way. Then I got there and the parking lot is teeny tiny and full. Two strikes. But I found a spot and went in and the people were all very nice and the guy showing me around was my age and very personable. The place is clean and bright and not too crowded even though it was right after work hours. The machines were totally intimidating and computerized but I guess I'm not too old to learn something new, eh?

Best part is that I'm going to go (at least for the first few times) with a couple of women here at work to help me learn the ropes. Actually, that's the second best part. The real best part is that not everyone in the place was 20 years old, 95 pounds and wearing spandex!! I even stopped at Walmart on the way home and (gasp! ) bought a pair of shorts!!

One interesting thing was what I heard myself telling the guy. I told him I was in WW and had lost 35-40 lbs. but that I wasn't joining the gym to lose weight as much as to tone up and build some muscle. I told him the number on the scale wasn't really all that important and I guess that's true. I just want to firm up and look good and feel energetic and "fit". Anyway, I'm starting with the 3 month trial membership and will take it from there. Wish me luck.

I guess I have to go. I'm all alone on the phones again this morning. Sigh. Some things never change. Darn, wish I'd known that before I filled my ever-present water bottle.... .

Thanks for listening to my rambling! Talk to you again soon.
Much love, Jo.

On my way out the door to meet Sharon and her hubby for dinner - they are in Michigan until tomorrow. Talk to ya later...

Love, CJ

CJ - Say Hi to Sharon for me...

Went to WI on Tuesday and lost 8/10 of a lb. I guess I'll have to say at least it was a loss and I'll take it! It sure is going slow. I hope I can continue. Like Jo, I'm thinking that sure is a lot of money but I'm not as strong as her and I really need those meetings. So there I've talked myself into continuing WW.
It's almost the week-end and Mother's day. Hope everyone has a great one. Will be back tomorrow, Carolyn

Happy TGIF! Thank goodness it is finally here. I count my weeks by the number of times I have left to get up for work, and finally have 0 'get ups' left this week. AAAAHHHHH! It will be so nice to think about staying in bed a few minutes longer tomorrow morning. Theeen, it's on to another marathon study weekend. I'm hoping to finish another course by the end of the month.

Well, as I knew yesterday, WI today was not very good. It's that time of month and my weight usually goes up about 5 pounds the first couple of days, so when I went to weigh-in, I was not surprised by the 3.75 pound gain. However, on the good side, if my weight is up 5 pounds, then my acutal loss is 1.25 pounds. There! Can anybody else beat that excuse for a gain and justify it soooo well.

AND, on top of all of that, I went to the gym this morning at 6:00 am. I really didn't want to be there, but I'm glad that I went. All those mirrors around at 6:00 am are enough to make one ill for the rest of the day. However, I did notice that I am finally starting to tone up. Yeah! I actually can see some muscle in my arms and legs, not just wrinkly old skin anymore. Here's hoping that I will be able to wear sleeveless shirts this summer.

Jo - Have you been to the gym yet? How is it working out. Do the people at the gym take any time to show you how the machines work? I find them soooo intimidating...

Sorry to hear about your friend. It is so heartwrenching to find out that your friends were suffering from such stress and you didn't even know about it. Sometimes our own problems seem so petty in comparison. Thinking of you. Take care.

Carolyn - Congratulations on the loss. Yes, you should take the loss and be proud that you are continuing to lose. Slow, but sure is the payoff for the hard work you are doing. Keep it up.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Talk on Monday.

Hi Ladies...... I know I have been "out of the loop" for quite some time... but.... I am here now.... I do think of you guys often and now that I am on line at work I have reading some of the posts.... I've tried to post at work but when I do, the system says there is not enough memory to do blah blah... whatever.... I assume the company has blocks on that sort of thing.... which sucks.... unless I am doing something wrong.

I have had a really bad year with my diabetes (which was diagnosed April 2001) then finally my doctor added another medication which brought my numbers down and I feel soooooo much better... I can't believe the difference.... I would be so sick at work and have to lay down..... then my doctor asks me now that I am feeling better am I back to work? well..... don't you know I wanted to say to her "you mean I could have been off all this time?" Did I not want to slap her? hehe.... But life is good where my sugar is concerned so......

Joanna and Tim are still "in love".... they are both doing great.... its funny because neither one of us are rarely on line anymore and it may be days before we read each other's e-mails... we may even talk on the phone before we read the e-mails.... we have both lost interest in the computer... but I am trying to regain my interest in it as we "used to" do a family Newsletter and haven't done one in quite some time so I want to re-start it and getting one printed and out by the end of June.

My weight is slowing falling off..... I too spent money on WW but it was at least convenient as we did it on our lunch hour at work so it wasn't a hardship to attend the meetings.... and even though you are with people at work everyone opened up and we discussed our problems and we all had one thing in common we were over weight.... you have to remember that I am a legal secretary, we had attorneys, and para-legals in these meetings. But we are all human and have our down falls..... In the end we didn't have enough paying customers to continue WW so it was discontinued last fall. We did however have 4 women who reached their goal.... and are still there.... granted they only lost 25 to 50 pounds but it was just as great a burden to them as I have. I try to follow WW but as long as the weight is coming off even at 1 or 2 pounds a month I am happy.... I weigh in now at 286.... I don't know what my last weight was that I "announced" but I am pleased at being under the 300 mark... having started at 369 almost 4 years ago. What a long road this has been.... and a well ridden road it is.... taking one day at a time.

I've had so many up and down modes this past year but looking forward to a brighter future now. I am getting tired so I will sign off for now and hope to be back soon.... Hi to everyone and all the newbies!!!!!! You are a great bunch of women... love to you all...... Carolyn

Hello Ladies!

I hope you are all doing well. I've been reading the posts and it seems that we are all in the same "funk".

I too haven't been posting because, quite frankly, I didn't feel that I had anything to contribute. I had been doing so well with all of this low carb program and then ... my body went nuts. I began to crave carbs ... lots of carbs. I really didn't give in that much but I did notice I was looking for whatever carb I could get my hands on. I didn't go to the gym for the past two weeks and I haven't been taking my weekly walks (three times a week) either. I do notice a pattern though ... when I see that I've lost some weight, I just eat. I dont know, is that normal? I think "Lady of Leisure" is really starting to get to me. One good thing that has come out of my unemployment is that I've lost 15 pounds since January. So I'm doing OK but sometimes I just need a good old fashioned "Butt Kick"

This is a long battle and it will not be won overnight. I thank you wonderful ladies for your inspiration and encouragement. Without that I think our funks would last a lot longer than they usually do.

Jo- Hang in there. I know how you feel. Take it one day at a time and don't give up on yourself.

Mary Kay- I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. I will keep you in my prayers.

Carolyn (Regency)- So nice to hear from you. Please tell Joanna I say hello and that I am happy that is she has found happiness.

CJ- You sure are one busy woman!! Nice to hear from you!!

Judy- My goodness woman, you are living on the edge aren't you! First you start a thread and then you go on a blind date then fit into an 18 ... Good for you!!!

Peggy- You are always so cheerful and upbeat ... Thank you!!

A big hello to anyone I missed!


Will try to post soon but I can't guarantee anything!

Here's to looking good, feeling good and just plain being happy:sheep:

Sylvia

OK, I tried to post this earlier and it didn't let me!!! Let's try this again .....

Here is a little something inspirational ... I hope it helps. Enjoy!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Reach for your Star"


Do not take anything
as being forever,
because forever is only
as long as today.
Know that the people who
are the richest
are not those who have the most,
but those who need the least.
That we are at our strongest
when life is at its worst,
and at our weakest when life
no longer offers a challenge.


That it is wiser not to expect,
but to hope,
for in expecting you ask for
disappointment,
whereas in hoping, you invite
surprise.
That unhappiness doesn't come from
not having something you want,
but from the lack of something
inside that you need.
That there are things to hold
and things to let go,
and letting go doesn't mean you lose,
but that you acquire that which
has been waiting around the corner.

Most of all...
remember to use your dreams as a way
of knowing yourself better,
and as an inspiration to reach for your star.
- Nancye Sims

Happy Mother's Day Ladies!!!!!!!!!

I was just peeking in as I received the e-mail that someone else has posted..... and Sylvia it was you!! I love your poem, thats a keeper.

I will tell Joanna what you said..... and she is truly happy now.... I told her I posted and she was shocked (maybe she will feel guilty and post too... hehe).... she had a computer surge this morning and replied to my emails to her but she called me before I had a chance to read the emails... we are good at that. She and Tim are both on midnights now and they love it. Their old schedule was Joanna was on days and Tim was on afternoons... that was just too evil of a schedule.... now they see each all the time. Not so much at work as they work in different departments but they have quality time together now.

Everything with me is good.... life is good.... nice and quiet and anticipating a trip to see the family during Memorial week-end.. Joanna and Tim will be in Florida but I think I will see them Memorial Day evening as they work that night. A family fix is always good.

I am closing for now and Sylvia get out of your "funk" hehe..... {{{{{{hugs to you}}}}}} I have gone through the same thing.... lose weight and then subconsciously eat because I think I can... of course its 3 pounds off and 2 pounds on kind of thing..... not good.... but I do the same thing.. reward myself with food and don't even know I am doing it.... I need to get out of my funk too.... I think the phrase is "buck up"..... we do generally "back slide" sometimes..... but take one meal at a time and one walk at a time and you will be okay..... good for you for losing 15 pounds!! Thats great!!!

Well, love to you all.... and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!!!

Carolyn

Happy Mother's Day to All!!!!!
Well I really blew it today! But I don't care, Mother's Day is just one day. Tomorrow I may be singing another song because WI is on Tuesday.
Carolyn (Regency) it is good to hear from you. I think we could have a contest to see you can lose the slowest. I've spent a year on 34 lbs. At this rate I will be attending WW for 5 years before I get to my goal! Oh well, what else do I have to do. I am really glad to hear about Joanna. I have missed her a lot and nothing makes me happier than to know she is happy. Please tell her we have all missed her.

Judy, a size 18, WOW that is my small goal right now! My summer vacation is in three weeks. I always think I will lose then but somehow I just find more things to eat. Pray that I will exercise more then.

Peggy you are a studying fool. But I'm very proud of you for working that hard. I'm not sure I could do that any more. My goal for the summer is to do NOTHING! And I am very good at that.

I will check back after WI. If I gain I will not be discouraged because like I said I have 5 more years of WW.
Carolyn

Hi! Just a quick check-in. I do read all the posts every day (or as often as possible) but never seem to have time to post. Sure is good to see some old familiar names. I promise to post "more personally" soon.

Just wanted to tell you I had my evaluation session at the gym on Sat. AM and will have my program all set up for me and put into the computer, etc. on Wed. after work. I can't wait! The evaluation included weight and some flexibility and strength tests and she used this caliper thing to measure my body fat. Yikes! This old body can use some work, that's for sure!

Gotta run. Things here at work are the same as always. I won't say anything more....

Will post "for real" soon, I promise!
Love you guys!
Jo.

Welll, hope every mother here had a wonderful mother’s day! I did … even tho hubby had to go out of town (but did get home in the evening) my sons took me out to dinner. And … I didn’t overeat either – actually stayed OP!

Had a really wonderful dinner with Sharon and Ken too last Thursday! She says to say hello to everyone and she will post soon. We were hoping Chrissy and her girls could join us, but Chrissy was home sick with the flu – HOPE YOU ARE FEELING BETTER CHRISSY! Dick was really sick with the flu last week too.

Carolyn: Glad to see you are still hanging in with WW and still losing – even if it is going slow. I am so proud of you for staying with the program! Keep up the good work.

Carolyn (regency): So good to hear from you and I am so glad to hear that Joanne is doing well and is so happy! Please tell her Hi from me and that I sure do miss her contact. I am glad you are feeling better now and way to go on your weight loss … you are doing very well – keep it up! Post often ok?

Sylvia: Good to hear from you too kiddo! Post often – sound like you are doing well now on your weight loss – 15 lbs since January is great! I got myself in a small slump after the 1st of the year, but think I’m back OP now …

Peggy: did ya notice my food journals? I will catch up for Sat and Sun and today in a few minutes here – but it sure feels good to be back on track! Wow, my hats off to you for going to the gym at 6:00 in the morning to work out! I don’t even go downstairs on my treadmill – and I know that I should. I’m gonna work on that tho …

Sharon: GET IN HERE AND POST!!!!!

Well …. I have been pondering the same thing that Jello was about WW meetings … I feel that I have been on the program long enough to know how to stay on it without going to meetings and paying that $12 every week – I have you guys – and I do check out the WW boards too for tips and suggestions … I don’t feel that I am quitting on WW – I am just going to do it on my own – I will still keep the Thursday weigh-in day … and if I find myself “slipping” then I can always re-join. So, today, I definitely decided that I am going to do the WW program on my own with no meetings … I KNOW I can do it!

ANNOUNCEMENT: I want to get the updates going again but I need your most recent weights – ok? I will probably post this Thursday or Friday – so let me know if you all still want to be on the list – or if any of you wish to be added – NEED YOUR RECENT WEIGHT …and if anyone wants to be added (Slyvia?Carolyn(regency)?MK?) let me know your start date/start wt/present wt/goal wt …

OK … need to go post my journals and then get something for dinner. Later …

Love, CJ

Hi Ladies!

Just in for a quick hello. Nothing really new with me ....we've had 2 minor earthquakes (that's what the news calls them ... they didn't feel minor) and 45 aftershocks the past two days that have my nerves all rattled (sorry for the pun) so I've been out walking on the beach(4 blocks from my house) to get my mind off of it. OK, if I'm outside and there is another shaker I'm hoping I won't feel anything and I won't have to worry about anything falling on me. Aaahhhh, life in San Francisco and California.

I want to share this wonderful inspirational poem that a friend sent to me. I hope it lifts our spirits as some of us seem to be a bit blue.

Enjoy!

Sylvia

~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~

IT'S UP TO YOU.

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring
One smile begins a friendship
One handclasp lifts a soul
One star can guide a ship at sea
One word can frame the goal
One vote can change a nation
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness
One laugh will conquer gloom
One step must start each journey
One word must start each prayer
One hope will raise our spirits
One touch can show you care
One voice can speak with wisdom
One heart can know what's true
One life can make the difference
You see, IT'S UP TO YOU!!

~~UNKNOWN~~

Hi Ladies......

Just dropping in to say hi..... not much new here..... this week seems to be flying by.... I am looking forward to Memorial week-end and heading south to see the family.... Apparently Joanna and Tim are going to Florida..... or did I already tell you that? hehe......

CJ - I will tell Joanna you say hi....

Sylvia - your poem is beautiful..... and I feel for you and the earthquakes..... they would scare me to death..... I want no part of that living in California..... but I do suppose it would be a trade off for the weather.... hehe...... as long as the quakes are not deadly....

I don't think its ever going to be Spring or Summer here in Michigan. Its been cold and rainy all Spring..... we do have sunshine right now but expecting more rain tonight and tomorrow and highs of 45 all week-end..... UGH......

I have an interview Friday at 4:30 for a Probation Officer for the City of Taylor.... its volunteer work just one evening a week and it is light weight... misdemeanors.... not criminal... most drunk driving... I hope I pass the interview and am accepted for the job.... I think it would interesting and might get my foot into City Hall.... or the Court system in 23rd District Court..... one never knows..... hehe.... it might help with a job in Kentucky too in their Court system.... gotta be thinking ahead..... wish me luck.

I am going to close for now and everyone take care and be good....
Love to all..... Carolyn

Hi all! Don't post as often as I used to but I check in and read all your posts. Been really quiet here lately.

Biggest reason I don't post is because I'm not doing great. I stopped going to WW and used that as a reason for at least a little while to just eat and eat and eat and forget everything I'd learned. The good news is that I've pretty much stopped doing that but I'm still nowhere near as "good" as I was when I was OP. I have been to the gym (Who's the gym rat now!?!? ) 4 times this week. I LOVE IT!!! Of course, old paranoid Jo is thinking that if I don't wake up sore the next morning I must not be doing it right. Oh brother. But at least I'm moving the old body in strange and unusual ways!

Another reason I'm not posting is because I am soooooo busy. I just can't seem to get a break! Another VFW project will fill Sunday and I have my last "initiation" class at the gym on Saturday at 11:30. Really cuts into the middle of the day. But I'm hoping to spend tonight and a good part of tomorrow on house stuff. Supposed to rain all weekend so there goes the gardening but there's plenty of other projects, that's for sure! Maybe if I switch back from decaf to "real" coffee and give up sleeping????

Once again, I'll apologize for yet another me me me post. Boss will come through the door any minute now so I'll go. Hope to talk to you all again soon.

Love you!
Jo.