Hi,

I'm surprised I've been on my challenge for three days. Received a compliment today--you look "slim". Yikes I'm 239lbs, it was lovely just the same. I am fitting into 18w. Yippee. Good thing. I've been surfing on the web, looking for lightweight travelling clothes and most sites offer up to XL (18w). I'm so thankful, I've been living a healthy life for 5mos. I noticed a great change in my energy. Thanks to all of you. You all are the one thing that's different this time around.

Thin, after you rest your back are you going to a movie this weekend? I can't wait to see Disney's Lilo & Stitch. I heard it's witty. It's based in Hawaii and for once is not tacky, touristy, fake portrayal of our people. I'll cut my hair tomorrow and probably color it this weekend.

I took Mikey to the park this morning. We walked for 45minutes. I slept an hour this evening and haven't gone to bed since. It's 4am Hawaii time. I spent 4 hrs on www.ricksteves.com grafitti wall (message board). Zillions hints on travelling to Europe. I am so excited, but have a lot of planning to do.

Have a wonderful Saturday. If you can't be in Hawaii, check out Lilo & Stitch.

Malia

I found Mrs. Katz back on the other thread so I thought I would bring her over here so no one would miss her post. I hope you don't mind.

Mrs. Katz wrote on 06-22-2002 07:00 PM

Hi all! I hope you are having a nice weekend. Do you know what is really hard? I just came back from a two day workshop where I had to stay over. Our breakfasts and lunches were supplied as part of the workshop fee. It is so hard to remain on a diet when there is no choice. There was only one entree and either you ate that or starved! I did try and watch that I didn't eat more of the "forbidden" foods and eat more of the better ones. Then, i worry that I will be hungry and then overeat for dinner. Usually if there is a salad, I can fill up on that, but there was salad only for one meal. Do you find that you are constantly thinking about food and planning what you will eat throughout the day? I get so frustrated when I mess up and then I just eat my way through the rest of the day. I am sorry to be so negative. By the way, the workshop was good and I got to go with my best friend. I hope you are all doing better than I am.

Mrs. Katz

Hi everyone! It has been a hugely busy day so I will only be here a minute....yeah, right.....like that ever happens!

What is the deal with all of us and the hair color this weekend. I did mine this morning too! That's kinda scarey that we're all due for a dye job at the same time!!!

My back is doing better. My Chiropractor is a miracle worker.....and a hunk too! Which of course doesn't hurt! WooHoo! I'm sure it was from the lopsided desk chair. I switched to just a straight chair last night and it's much better. Doesn't swivel or rock, but hey, at least it doesn't lean!!!

I have two theatre jobs to do this weekend. It's an open check where I count patrons for each show time. Well, this weekend we counted for Bourne Identity and Lilo and Stitch. No, Malia, we didn't get a chance to see it. Bourne Identity played 8 showtimes and Lilo and Stitch played 18 showtimes. That is alot of darn running around in a theatre! We also had my niece's graduation party to go to so I hired a friend to take some of the middle shows so that we could run by there for a few hours. And guess what? You're right. I get to do it all again tomorrow. This is a $500 weekend though and that is not small potatoes!!!

I'm gonna run and hit the hay. It's 12:30 my time and tomorrow will be a full one. See ya all later!

"I always wanted to be somebody. If I made it, it's half because I was game enough to take a lot of punishment along the way and half because there were a lot of people who cared enough to help me." - Althea Gibson

Hey all...

Just popping in to say "Hi" and I'm off...lots to do today...I wanted to start the day with a walk...and here I sit...doggie is looking at me like..."COME ON!"

Still going strong on the diet front...I never got a chance to make the salmon, Baylee...I think tonight will be a good night for that...no, we're going to see my daughter's show...this is the end of the second weekend and we haven't been there yet! (Bad parents!) Well, one thing or another kept popping up...son's baseball team kept winning, so they'd have more and more games...last night was the championship...they lost. MY son, however, scored the only run for his team, by stealing home! So, we're out of the bleachers and into the theater...a good balance.

The dog is now looking at me, and pacing, as if to say, "If you're NOT going to take me for walkies, can you AT LEAST let me out to pee?"

That's my cue...

Have a great day all...and when you're done... POST!

PS...TINA, DID YOU STAY OP TODAY??

I'm back from my walk with the brown beast...she happily sniffed every bush from here to there and back again. She can't sniff long, though...I don't stop walking...don't want to break my pace! I (we) walked for 40 minutes...listened to the birdie's songs, felt the warmth of the sun, admired the neighbor's flowers, smelled the honeysuckle...and almost got my arm wrenched out of it's socket when a squirrel ran by...ahh nature...

Anyway the reason that I'm REALLY back is to share the following with you all...You may have seen it before, but it's message bears repeating...

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer.)

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet as
stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love yous."

More "I'm sorry's."

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it ... live it ...and never give it back. Stop sweating the small stuff.

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.

Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as we only get one shot at this and then it's gone.

I hope you all have a blessed day.

I'M BACK

Everyone left at 8:30AM, I cleaned, and am washing yet another load of clothes. Actually, I need a nap.

My one sister gets up by 6AM everyday no matter what and I feel guilty if I don't join her but my other sister likes to sleep in and stay up late at night. My brother and I just end up exhausted trying to be with both of them.

I miss them already but not the mess and commotion.

You are all doing good....so, now I have to buckle down and first find a plan to follow and then do it.

I mentioned the "menopause" diet advise before which I like but the author also recommends "Carbohydrate Addict's Lifespan Program, Potatoes not Prozac, and The Sugar Addicts Totaly Recover Program". Anyone tried any of these?

Hi Lucky...Welcome back!

I liked "Potatoes, not Prozac." found the diet easy to follow...I forget why I fizzled out on that one though...there's a good website by the author, Kathleen DesMaisons...www.radiantrecovery.com. Check it out...I think you'll like it.

I have been following, more or less, the eating plan outlined in "Fit for Life," I forget the author's name at the moment...fruit only on the morning...don't mix carbs and protein in the same meals...lots of veggies...water, water, water...and well, almost daily exercise...Today is my 11th day in a row of following it, I feel wonderful, energetic and I have lost at least 5 lbs so far...(weigh in again on wednesday) My underwear are fitting great, once again!

Just wanted to put my $.02 in...off to sis's house for a swim...

later, gators...

Hi Ladies,

I had a pretty good weekend. I went to my brother-in-law's place on Friday night for dinner and poker. I'd actually never played poker before but I ended up winning almost all of everybody's money... too bad it was monopoly money; I would have been rich!

My old highschool friend who now lives in Newfoundland came and went; while she was here, we figured out that we both have about the same amount of weight to lose so I recommended this site to her... hopefully we'll see her here soon!

My diet is going pretty well; I still feel very confident that I will stick to it until I reach my goal of 150 pounds. I'm also pretty confident that Wednesday (weigh-in day) will bring good news of a pound or two more lost...

Kat... I have heard that poem before but it's one of those you take the time to re-read. Those sentiments are why I recently cancelled my cable tv... I didn't want to waste my life sitting in front of it. There are SO many other things out there to be doing!

Thin... Glad to hear that your back is feeling better! Are you really sure you should have switched that chair though? You know that saying..."An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but if the doctor is cute, stay away from the fruit!"

Hi to everyone else out there! Remember, a year from now you'll wish you'd started eating well today... so do it now!

TTFN
Sara

I looked at the "Zone", read about "Potatoes, not Prozac" and read up on "Protein Power". I like parts of all of them.

I have a juicer, Kat, and love it. Of course, I haven't used it in a year but loved it when I did it.

Well, since my company is gone, tomorrow it's back to yard work.

Just a quick post before bed.
Today has been terribls I got a call about my best friend in the world. She is on a respirator not expected to live. I just talked to her less than 2 weeks ago. She has been in a wheel chair about 29 years from a gun shot. Tuesday was two weeks ago I called her and she said she was going in for a minor surgery on her bladder. Just an over night thing. The last thing I said to her was don't get any ideas about cutting out on me and she laughed. Her sister-in-law called today and said she was real bad looks like she had a problem with her lungs . I talked to her oldest son and they may take her off the resperator tomorrow. This is someone I could tell my most deepest secrets to.

Well I've cried on your shouldres long enough. If I'm not on for a while forgive me but I'll be back.

Oh, Mary, for sad ... I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.