It's so quiet around here! I must admit I'm also guilty of not being here enough.

I weighed in yesterday and found I had lost the 2 lbs. that I had gained a couple of weeks back. It's been so hot around here lately that I've been eating lots of salads and downing the water. I hope this heat wave breaks soon. I'm not getting too much done around here.

Sami: A wedding date. That is so exciting and to see your daughter in her dress. Makes me sorry I never had daughters! We're here to encourage you in the 70 lbs. you have to lose. You can do it and imagine how proud your daughter will be of you!!

My DS is enjoying his job even though he's up at 5 every am. It's nice that he can work in the cool part of the day. He has realized the value of education. He doesn't want to mow fairways for the rest of his life. My youngest DS is at camp as a counsellor for the summer and is really enjoying it. He's so good with kids - he'll make a great teacher.

Gary: Sorry about the disappointing finish at National Champs. It's hard to watch your kids be disappointed.

Doitforme: Still praying for your pastor. Did you hear about the results yet? Keep us posted.

Zoe: I'm glad your gain wasn't devestating. Get back on that wagon and let's get moving! Let's do this.

Gutchie: It's great to hear how your DH is soaking up the Word. May it be an example to us who have been Christians for quite some time. Stay cool!! I'm trying to!

Hello to everyone else! PATRICIA -WHERE ARE YOU? COME BACK!

Hi,
I used to post to one of the other groups, but have been away for a while. I'm back.....looking for a group to join.
Sami, I noticed you and I have something in common. My DS will be getting married in Oct., 2003!! Like you I've set my sights on being at a healthier weight by then.
My posts might not be often, but I'd like to join you folks if you have room for another on board.
Happiness,
Mertz

Sorry! I was away again, But spent two days at Ausable point campground which is right on Lake Champlain, it is beautiful. Had a good time! Update on pastor- The pet scan is suppose to show any cancer cells bigger then a pencil eraser which is pretty amazing, his results showed an image on his hip, but when reveiwed by x-ray His Dr. said He didn't think it was cancer, but was possible scar tissur where he had a skin graft taken 5 yrs ago, for his back (for original site of the melanoma, where the reoccurance was found) So that was great news, however He can't be positive until they do a bone scan which they will do on Thursday, the results will be in Monday. If that comes back negitive for cancer, they will have to reopperate on the original site and try to get clean margins, then treat with interferon, and chemo / radiation I believe. If I understand it correctly if they find melanoma in any other place, they feel it qualifies as metastisis and will not operate, but will only treat with chemo and radiation. Please keep praying the Lord has answered and so far, the Dr's are optomistic that it isn't anywhere else. The bone scan Thursday will be the last test. Then He will be sent to sloan-kettering ( a big cancer institute) for a second opinion.

Which will give tell him how they will proceed, probably with surgery and then chemo/radiation. I think you for all your prayers, He didn't sleep all night Sunday night, as He was getting the results from the pet scan on Monday. It has been very wearing mentally for him, (worry about how his family will go on without him, if He doesn't recover) Please continue to keep him and his family in your prayers, that the bone scan will come back negitive for any cancer, That will be done on Thursday, results on Monday, and for comfort throughout this whole ordeal. God is so good, and I know what ever way it goes there is a purpose to everything, and He will work it all to good! Hi to all. I will keep you posted. I am camping most of the rest of the week, but will try to pop in and say hi. Sorry I didn't catch up on individual posts! But your all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless!! luv Sue

Sue thank you so much for keeping us posted on your pastor. I have thought of him often and I am keeping him and his family in my prayers. I am working on a diet plan That I can live with. I feel that I keep falling off the wagon because I havent worked out how to handle diffrent problems like what to eat when I am eating out. I am going to make a plan. I need to have the right mind set also.
May the Lord be with you today.
Sami

you want Hi everyone-- All is well with me. Spent a half hour on the cross trainer just a little while ago-- burned off 430 cals and went 3.5 miles. I'll just put it back on though in a few-- DW is making hamburgers for dinner and I sure don't want to hurt her feelings and not eat enough She just walked in from her daily 2.4 mile run-- sweatin' up a storm-- she says "It's HOT" outside. It has been in the high 70's around here this week-- not nearly as bad as some of you have.
SAMI- Hey girl- you have plenty of time before the wedding to get in the best shape you can-- even if it means you don't lose the 70 lbs you want. Our genes (not jeans!!) dictate our body shapes-- don't be so hard on yourself!!! Just try to eat well balanced meals and exercise-- as far as going out to dinner why don't you start with a glass of water then a salad THEN-- WHATEVER you want-- if you think it is excessive then skip dessert-- if not-- ENJOY God wants us to enjoy our lives, if we screw up and over eat He will be with us to try and get back into shape. Beating yourself up doesn't do any one any good and it keeps you from having the positive attitude you need to be healthy.

WILMA - Sorry for the heat-- you have the right idea with the salad and water though girl-- keeps you from being dehydrated-- the #1 cause of fatigue!! So glad to hear your sons are enjoying their jobs-- my daughter is enjoying hers' too as a hostess at a 50's style diner-- she just came in from work and said " Dad, some people are soooo LAZY" First jobs can be a real awakining can't they. My son is also good with kids-- he is at his 2nd job right now-- coaching the summer program for the local high school cross country team.
MERTZ welcome, this is a great group of Christian ladies and one guy that bugs the heck out of them (me)
SUE I really hope you are enjoying all the camping with the burden of your pastor hanging in the balance. It must be hard for you-- God will work it all for good.
Well I gotta get showered-- have a great week.
HI TO ALL I MISSED and keep posting. IN HIS ARMS- Gary

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the welcome Gary.
Hope to get to know you all. I'm married, with 4 kids. 3 still as home. Have a lot of weight to lose. Over 100 lbs. Really need encouragement, since I tend to be an emotional eater. Something I didn't really realize until recently when I went on a binge. I've learned from that, tho. I'll have to learn other ways to deal with my emotions.
It's off to work for me.....Hope you all have a good day.
Happiness,
Mertz

Hi Mertz and a big welcome!!!! We are going to do this! My DD future M-I-L is a size 5 maybe smaller. I am not going to have pictures taken of me looking like this! I even have a dress I have been trying to get into for 3 years I could wear if I just LOST WEIGHT it sounds so easy but this time it has been sooooooo hard. Thinking back I was always thin until I started having kids and after my 2nd kid I had gained alot. So I start doing exercise and drinking water. I cut back on my sugar and I lost a lot of weight and looked great! So my challange for you and myself is start by braking on bad habit at a time. So this week my goal is to do streching exercises everyday (I suppose to do them anyways for my back) And drink a glass of water at every meal. And I encourage you to email often because I find I am made more accountable if I post often.
How is everone doing? Ez Thanks for you up beat posts your right about the eating. I saw on tv a show that said low fat diets are making us FAT. When I was on a diabetic diet it is a lot like WW I ate anything I want it was all about portion sizes. of course I choose low sugar Items because I felt better. I did so well I was able to go off meds. Now I need to go back on because my fasting has been in the 200 again.

I am lifting all CE in prayer,
Sami

Made it through the week end and I was OP! This is the first time I have made it a whole week end OP for a very long time. I am praying that everyone is doing well. Lifting you in prayer!
Sami

Well, I'm just about packed and ready to go. I leave in a few hours to go to cook at camp. I'm looking forward to it. It's a lot of work but I love the atmosphere of the camp. Plus, I get to connect with my youngest DS who is working there. He's pretty busy but I can at least see him during meals.

I also wanted to tell you that I lost another pound this week. This brings me to a total of 7 lbs. lost since the beginning of June. Hopefully this trend continues!!

Mertz: A big welcome to you. I hope you find the support and encouragement here that you need.

Sami: WAY TO GO! on staying OP. The loss will come after that. Keep it up! You will get into that dress for the wedding. I'm rooting for you!!

Gary: Sounds like you're doing great - getting into shape. It's great that you and your wife can do it together. My DH has a very physical job so he doens't need to exercise so I'm on my own here if I want to do it. You DD's job sounds great. What a neat atmosphere to work in!!

Sue: I hope you're having a great time camping. Just relax and enjoy yourself!!

Hello to everyone else! I'll "see" you on Friday!