Oh noooooooooooooooooooo I just wrote a long post with individual responses to everybody and the screen froze before it posted. Waaaa I KNOW I have to do these in Notepad and copy and paste to avoid that. Oh well... I don't have time to do it all over so will just say greetings to everyone and thanks for the good wishes.

LOL oh it DID post, yippeeeeee

It must be getting close to bikini season with everyone coming back again.

I have had a hard few days. I was reading "The Faith Club" for my book club, and the section where they discuss anti-Semitic language reminded me of the white supremacists, and started a whole round of flashbacks and nightmares. It got so bad that I'm headed back to therapy the 1st.

Catherine: I am very sorry. Hope therapy makes it barable.

As for me: Today at work my sons school calls. My youngest son that is a freshman. They said he had a 101 temp and had to be picke dup. Ofcourse I had just got to work. My hubby left work and took him to the Dr. They don't think he has the flu...but she checked for mono and strep. With this swine crap it is really scaring me. I know I had a cold a while back but no temp. I am not going to lie...I am worried and scared. His temp has shot up to 102. I am going to watch him closley. If it gets worse..we are going to the ER. He did go swimming over the weekend and he always gets sick because of it. But again..being cautious. I told him that I would stay up with him and watch him sleep. He is worried because he has his finals on wednesday and thursday. But if he has a fever they wont let him stay at school. I knwo alot of you pray..his name is Justin.

I am going to go and sit with my son..watch some tv.

LOL Catherine... well I am a returnee but believe me I am a LONG way from bikini ready; and as I am turning 62 next week, THAT is a distant memory. Nevertheless I will do the best I can. And I hope your therapy goes well and helps with the problems you are facing.

Cyn, I am praying for Justin... for nothing serious, a speedy recovery and it not to hurt him with his finals!

Hey, Heather... you will know the answer to this. Just curious... certainly not a complaint but just a question. When someone is gone for a long period of time do they lose their "senior member" tag? I notice both mine and Val's is gone. I would guess that it is because of chronic absenteeism but just wondering if it ever comes back or we start over, etc.

Misti, Battle & Valerie!!!!xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Misti how is your Pastor's daughter (I think she was injured in a car crash?) so lovely to see you again.xxxxxx
Battle, WE never forgot you!!!lol So happy to see you again too.xxxxxxxx
Valerie, I'm sitting here GREEN!!!!!!lol You MUST post some pics of you riding Gabe, even if it makes me feel sick with jealousy!!!!lol Is he all filled out now & fully reached his final height? So glad your ankle is almost better, mine still goes a bit weak at times.xxxxxxx
I've gained a few pounds after 'stuff' going off at home, drinking wine or Belgian fruit cider & stuffing myself with rubbish foods (takeaways-Chinese, kebabs..etc) every night, it was totally mindless & I seemed unable to stop; so much so that I made myself ill & actually threw up!. Steve (hubby) has been ill with stress, overwork & bad cough, oldest son is SUPPOSED to have been thrown out this week-end but it got so bad/nasty we've put it on hold. I was scared he'd hit me or Steve. BUT youngest son got an award at school for improved behaviour which was LOVELY (he's the one they 'thought' might be Autistic as well but IS'NT!!!!). I'm still enjoying helping at 'big' school (11-18 yrs) & hoping to look for a job in September doing this sort of work.
Anyway I'm starting AGAIN..... any tips advice on how to STAY motivated would be REALLY APPRECIATED. I see pictures in magazines of people who've been overweight years/whole lives then they suddenly get in the 'zone' & lose it all, I wonder what/why it 'clicks' that time rather than previous attempts at weight loss?
I have to catch up on housework as I neglected that too.
I will be checking in EVERY day & staying accountable.
xxxxxxsharon

Sharon - I am sorry that you are having a rough patch right now. Try and find a piece of each day to take care of YOU. You won't be any good to anyone if you end up sick in bed. Are you still low carbing? I think that I remember you were doing that? Have you thought about giving it another go?

Misti -You can put anything you want under your name. Just change it in your profile.

Catherine - Bikini? Surely you jest! Nope..never wore one...never will. I just want to wear a bathing suit this summer and go swimming!!

I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing flashbacks. I hope time with the therapist will help ease that for you. I can't even imagine!

Battle - I am glad to see you back! I loved reading your posts. I know you have gained some weight back. Me too! I gained ALOT back on my 1 year binge, but the good thing is you are here and giving it another try. Just don't quit trying and you will succeed!!

I am continuing to stay on plan and I am making sure I get my exercise in and keeping my menus varied. Taking one day at a time here.....

Greetings my Peeps!

Julia, when you get your new wii coach program set up, let me know how it is. I've seen it in the store and *almost* bought it.

Catherine, I'm doing the therapy thing on a weekly basis. I can't say it's helped or hurt so far. While I don't want nightmares or PTSS, I'd like to read something that will penetrate my thick skull and get to the root of the "over-eating when stressed" triggers.

Valerie, you go girl!! I am like Sharon, green with envy as I imagine you and Gabe riding with each other (as opposed to you and him struggling for control).

Battle, I also want a case of "The Zone" after you bottle it, ok? My last order seemed to get mixed up with "Complacency" and "Apathy".

Hugs to all my chickies and lurking roosters.

Luv,
Ratkitten

Hey Ratkitten! There's still a little bit of "WhoaWhoaWHOAdon'tdothat!" from time to time, but mostly, I can't lie, it's just awesome!

Sharon, motivation? Well, are you coming to visit Gabe (and me) or not? The only condition is that you help me to pick up your accent while you're here! I'm in a similar boat to yours - I've gained some of what I lost, but not all of it. I'm glad you stopped before you went as far as I did!

Battle, I haven't had a chance to look up all the posts, but great to see from others that you're really kicking it! I'll be looking for you!

Catherine, I wish I knew what to say to give you peace of mind and heart.

Last weekend I had the greatest birthday ever, and I got away without wallowing in cake and managed to stay OP. I still HAD some cake, just not the WHOLE cake, LOL!

Well, I’ve buckled down this last week and started actually journaling my food, (which is how I know I stayed OP even after I ate cake.) It’s made a great difference in helping me both keep things under control, and keep my perspective if I do have something not-so-good. It’s probably the single greatest tool a person can have regardless of what plan they follow, it’s not that complicated – and it’s free.

So why in the world do I usually refuse to do it? Laziness? Fear of success? Desire to self-destruct? How ‘bout this excuse: “It’s too hard to write EVERY thing down. I’m bound to forget something I ate sometimes…. So I just won’t write anything down at all.”? It’s kind of like saying “I’m going to go to Moose Jaw, Saskatchuwan, and I’m going to get there blindfolded.” …Sure you are, Cupcake. Good luck.

I don’t garden without looking at what I’m doing and using tools. I don’t do my hair and make-up without looking and using tools. I don’t cook dinner without looking at what I’m doing and using the right tools. But gee, I think I’ll just go lose a hundred pounds… without looking at what I’m doing or using tools to help me.

So I’m journaling, and I’m actually really getting into it. It doesn’t just help me with the information I’m writing down; it helps me keep focused on the project. My little book sits on my desk and work, and reminds me that I’m winning.

Good Morning Everyone,

I just got back from taking SIL to the airport. It was a nice short visit. lol.

Cyn: I hope that your cousins do move home so you won't miss them so much. I am praying for Justin to be okay.

Battle: Wow! I'm so glad to see you back like everyone else. You were very mjuch missed! I'm sure you will get back into the swing of things very soon. I love your posts and hearing about your life. Welcome home.

Debbie: Congrats that you are starting to get some customers for Avon and your beads. Times are so darn tough right now and it is good to see you starting to pick up. Hugs.

Lauren: Oh, I wish I could do something to help you lose enough weight so you can have your children. Please do your best sweetie. I am 42 years old and now it is just too darn late for me to start a family. We have come to this conclusion after much prayer and soul searching. I feel for you. I remember wanting children with my whole heart but I couldn't seem to lose enough weight to get pregnant. I will keep you in prayer hon. Hugs.

Anne: I am so impressed with your walking. Keep up the great work. I hope it warms up soon.

Val: Woo hoo to you for the -4 (net). Way to go. I'm so excited about you being able to ride Gabe out and about. How fun and thrilling. Sorry I missed wishing you a Happy Birthday. So, Happy late Birthday. I'm super glad it was a wonderful one and you didn't overindulge on the cake. Way to go.

Peggy: Congrats on the -2 pounds. Way to go on gathering up all the clothes you need to get rid of.

DC: Hi

Annette: Welcome. I am looking forward to getting to know you better. I love the idea of the competition that you are doing. That is how I got started exercising when I weighed 510 pounds was a little friendly competition between my hubby and I. I won by the way lol.

Jen: I hope your doggy learns his manners very soon. Good luck.

Carol: I am trying really hard to be ready for my SIL to move in. lol. I am telling myself daily it will be a blessing to have her here. It is just hard to have anyone living with you and I love the privacy that Joel and I have right now. I'm glad that we will be able to help her though. That is important.

Julia: Happy Late Birthday sweetie!

Debi: Hi

Catherine: I cracked up about bikini season for me. lol. Not until I have "plastic surgery season". lol. Hugs to you on the thearapy sweetie. Hang in there.

Sahron: I'm so sorry that your son is scaring you enough to allow him to continue to live there. Hugs. I hope you guys can get him out soon. Congrats to your little boy. What a wonderful surprise for him to get that award after they made such a fuss over him.

Rat: Hi there.

Well, I think I am caught up. It is almost 12 noon here and I haven't eaten anything yet today, finicky tummy today. I need to go eat and maybe bounce on the trampoline before the rain comes back. It is a bad thunder storm and rain storm with lots of wind here today but it comes and goes so every time it goes I am hoping to bounce and then ride my bike inside while it is raining.

Blessings to you all,
Annie

Hi Ladies,
Just thought I would stop in between changing from Avon to beads and see whats shakin'!
You have been doing some talking!!! Glad to see some of the lurkers posting again and welcome back to ones who had left awhile back.

Things are fine here. Weather is still cold and we talked to a guy yesterday that told us he's lived here for over 40 years and has never seen a winter like this last one. Makes ya wonder what's in store this year.

Hope those of you who felt the earthquake in California are ok. It hit close to where my son and dil plan on moving in a month which makes me sort of nervous.

Well, gotta run, have a great day!
Debbie

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome back. It is great to be back among people who care and understand the struggle. Lesson learned: next time I am out of the Zone and am having a hard time managing my life, I need to find a few moments to check in. Maybe next time it won't take me a year to find my way back to a healthy lifestyle.

Catherine, you are always funny but the bikini season comment is a classic. I am snorting and my eyes are tearing. I hope you are feeling more grounded today.

Cyn: how is Justin today?

Misti: You got your Senior Member status back! All is right with the world. What was your starting weight way back when?

Sharon: I know you can do it. I have seen you lose weight and I know you can do it again.

Tori: You may have slipped but you are 90 lbs down! Good job in pulling yourself back from the edge before all the weight came back.

Rat: my experience with therapy was that over the years, the insights and messages gelled at random times over the course of years. It wasn't a linear process. (Not that I am the paragon of mental health or I'd be thin--but I've made a lot of progress through hard knocks and trying to learn from them with some additional outside help from time to time).

Valerie: I agree, documenting what you eat is the single most powerful tool in the toolbox. It forces you to be aware of your choices.

Annie: You look incredibly beautiful and healthy. I look up to you.

Lauren: Hold on to your dream. When you are feeling weak think of your dream.

Debbie: Good to see you're still here and still as enterprising as ever.

I know I've missed people but I have noted everyone's welcome and kind words.


Please think of me and send good wishes or prayers. Yesterday I got a call for a phone screen for a job at a company I have been trying to find a way into. It would be an ideal place for me to work and I have banged on every door in the buidling. I usually don't mention these job inquiries because there can be so many tries without a result, especially in this economy, but I really really want in there.

Good Afternoon all!

Annette, that sounds like a really neat and fun idea! I hope your youngest will find her groove and get into it. Hopefully seeing you all succeed will give her a desire to want it too.

Catherine - LOL, too funny! I too am not here b/c of bikini season. Oh Lord, I pray for those who would see me in one! LOL

Sharon - I want to know the secret too! I wanna be in the zone. I hate to hear about the things going on in your family. but yay for the improved behavior award!!!

Annie - Thank you so much. DH and I have even discussed adoption, it is not out of the question and we both have such a heart for children, especially those who NEED a home. I still want to have a child of my own and I am trying so hard to get into the zone and see the weight melt away. I can't remember if I've ever read what you are doing or if I asked some time back but what are you doing? To go from 510 to 215 that's AMAZING! Almost 300 pounds. WOW!

I was OP yesterday and that makes me so happy! I can't actually believe it. LOL Today I will stay on plan just have to make some adjustments. I'm not feeling well and have a headache, I tend to seek out comfort foods on these days and I did fall into the temptation at lunch but for supper I plan on keeping things within my plan limits. Does anyone else use sparkpeople.com? I like using it for "journaling", they have an iPhone app that I love! Right now in my journey I am focusing on eating right. Taking baby steps instead of plunging in head first. I think a lot of my problems before was trying to make too many drastic changes at once and I got overwhelmed. Well, I've gotta get back to work. Talk with you Ladies later!

Battle- Thanks! I should tape a picture of my Niece or Nephew on my computer screen at work to help me remember my dream.