I woke up at 5 am this morning. I let Clyde outside and I gave him fresh food and water so I did my morning duties for today. Guess What??? Yes I lied, I STILL need to fold and put away my clothes and the towels, I'm not gonna say Im gonna get it all done today cause chances are I wont but I will get them done sometime this week. Im gonna do my 25 to 30 min walk outside this morning and then I do my 2 mile walk tonight at 6 or 6:30 pm. When I get home today (I have to go to school to help made the DA4A Lunch today) but anyway when I get home today Mom,Scott and I are gonna go run errands and then we're gonna go to walmart to do some food and non food shopping. Tonight its Fend For Yourself so chances are I'll have a 6 inch sub sandwich and some chips for dinner tonight. I've been craving a sub for a while now. I dont have to be at school until 10:30 this morning but Im getting picked up between 7:40 am and 8:10 am cause I want to be at school by 8:30 cause I have to get the DA4A Agenda ready for next Wed. Anyway Im running out of things to post about so Im gonna just end right here. I hope everyone has an awesome day today.

Terra— Your walking is such an inspiration to me! I keep on doing my nightly leg lifts, but I plan to add walking now that the BERP is over and the temperatures are starting to come down.

Dean— Good for you on taking that long walk! That's cool about your bike and your system of greenways. I have a nice lake with woods nearby that's a mile and a half walk all around it, and I hope to be hitting that trail soon. I feel so blessed to have it, I kinda feel guilty when I don't take advantage of it.

shinesgirl— Social support on this thread has made all the difference for me in the last nearly a year now that I've been on 3FC. I gave up aspartame and sugar last fall, and I never would've been able to keep that up without the folks here cheering me on. I really don't think you need to worry about rejection on this thread. We are as real as "real life," that's for sure, and this little community is nothing but supportive. You're right about my going for serene in the color scheme for my studio at the farm. What kind of art do you make in your studio? Can you share any links to images of your art? Remember that even though your supplies hide most of the walls, supplies are also inspirational!

Ubee— On the subject of portion control, do you remember last fall when I posted from Brooke Castillo's book about judging your hunger level from -10 (ravenous) to 0 (neutral) to +10 (overly stuffed)? I find that if I make myself stop now and then while I'm eating, and ask myself, "How hungry vs. full are you now?" it helps me to scale back on my portions. It takes practice, but it's good practice for lifelong change in your eating patterns.

Sam— Thanks for all the support about how exhausting the BERP (a four-months-long decluttering endeavor) was, and about how now after that, plus Mary's visit, I really do need a lot of rest. I can't really tell you how to motivate yourself to do your own BERP, except to suggest that even if you can carve out one hour from your busy schedule—an hour you devote every day to picking up & decluttering—those hours will add up from one day to the next, and you'll be surprised at what you can get done.

Betsy— We haven't seen you yet in the September thread, but I know you're busy with taking care of your brother-in-law. The two of you must be really close now. That's an enviable relationship you have with him.

Someone on my depression thread posted about the importance of "learn the lesson and move on." The lesson I've been learning in a big way recently is that when I go through periods of stress, even positive stress like getting new kittens, I have an aftermath of days of depression. But I track my moods on a 0 through -5 system, where 0 is a good day, and I'm happy to report that I've advanced from going through a few harrowing -3 days to yesterday being just -1. Mornings are my best times, so I try to plan things that take some "oomph" for that time of day.

Those kittens that look so sweet and calm in my photos do take a lot of work during their rambunctious periods. They've learned the rule about not biting electrical cords, but they still like to knock things down, shred tissue, and anything else they can come up with to raise a fuss. Plus they need twice-a-day medications for their ongoing sniffles and the ringworm. =sigh=

And I've found that trying to clip images out of magazines while they're around is hopeless: they watch my scissors with so much excitement, and grab at every loose piece of paper and turn it into a toy. So I'm getting behind on that part of the maintenance I have to do to keep our house from needing another BERP. Maybe when Bob gets back from the farm, I'll be able to close myself up in my studio just to do some clipping.

Good Morning!
Fi I was so happy to see you discuss maintenance so you don't end up with another BERP. It is just like weight loss we can never stop watching ourselves. I always thought lose the weight and then I could go back to what got me there in the first place.
Terra sounds like a busy day. Do you buy already made foods for you fend for yourself meals?
Dean good job on the walk. What color is your new toy?
Shinesgirl I get your fear of rejection and being judged. That is why I only comment in the 300 club. This group gets it that we are all doing the best we can. Life is not easy and losing weight is not easy let alone keeping it off. Take your time and only do what you are comfortable with.
Sam I hope your pain is gone. I must admit I love your spunk of sneaking on the internet while your boss is away.
I had a good day yesterday. I did eat after 5 pm. My neighbor brought me fresh green beans and I did not want to wait until today. My meals are planned for today. Instead of looking at logging my food as something I have to do I am looking at it as an education. Who knew raspberries had so many carbs? A friend is bringing over tomatoes so I am going to look up recipes. Also someone else dropped off zucchini. Lots to do.
Have a peaceful day!.

The bike is a gorgeous candy apple red with black fenders. Its a cheapie from WalMart, but aluminum frame and comfortable to ride. A Kent Del Rio... It seems that if you ask on the bike forums, you can't get by with anything less than a 5-6 hundred dollar special from the bike shop, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend that...

Dean

Fi- The kitties are gorgeous!!!

I am doing alright, school has started and it makes me feel useful again lol was feeling kind of down and pointless for the last little while, I had a hard time settling into my apartment and such.

But I did some grocery shopping and I have big plans for actually cooking (which my neighbours/colleagues are excited to share)

this weekend I plan on finishing unpacking completely and starting to personalize my place.

Hope to remember to check in more

Rats. Back down to -3. Depression really sucks. But I made a collage, kind of an angry one.

Hi Everyone,

Still in pain over here...I did manage to go to the gym on Tuesday but skipped yesterday to run a few errands after getting paid like sending off rent and stuff like that. I was planning to go to the gym today after work by myself, but DH made a very good point. My infection is not healed yet and I need to stay as clean and dry as possible and getting all sweaty at the gym might cause it to flare more. I have never been in pain like this before and it's been really hard for me to just want to lay around and not do anything. I've been taking antibiotics and applying some cream to help with pain so I hope everything starts looking better by the weekend...I'm going to be really busy with a party and a baby shower on Saturday & Sunday and want to be able to enjoy myself. Last night I layed in an epsom salt bath...I've never done it before and it felt really nice. I think that has helped with my healing because I don't feel so much pressure and pain today. It's killing me not going to the gym though because I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels and this is going to throw off my weight loss for yet another week. I'm going to make sure I keep the fluids flowing and hopefully if anything I'll at least stay the same with no gain.

Since I'll be skipping the gym I'm going to go look for a dress this evening if DH isn't doing anything for the wedding. I also need new gym clothes so DH is going to help me pick some out at goodwill this weekend, but maybe I can get him to go tonight if we're both feeling up for it.

Just had my coffee and gonna work up to doing some actual work today lol...No personals today but maybe I'll check in again tonight when I have some time to address everyone Hope everyone has a great day!!

Good Morning!
Sam sorry for your misery. Will you be getting your dress from Target today?
Fi please take care of yourself. Your collage spoke volumes as to how I feel.
Dean candy apple red! Did you get a basket or pull behind cart for the doggies?
Hi Melissa!
This morning I felt sad. Since it was not 8 am I could not eat my feelings away. I actually sat and dealt with it. Afterwards I was thinking that I seldom feel sad then I thought how would I know, I always eat my feelings. Funny thing is once I let myself think/feel I felt better quickly. There is hope,
Have a peaceful day.

no basket or cart yet, but I'm thinking a largish basket might work well... They loooove the papoose, so we'll have to see how they do.

Dean

Good morning all. Today is a rare day without a doctor or PT appointment so I'm going to cut the grass in both yards and do some much needed yard maintenance. Bill is to the point where he can be by himself for a few hours, but still needs help with a lot of things.

Fi First, thank you for the wonderful compliment from the end of August thread -- meant a lot to me. I also loved your new collage and feel the same way only in my case I've spent this year taking care of everyone it seems but me.......yes, that was definitely whining on my part and I can hear my mom telling me to stop pouting or she'd give me something to pout about.

Dean Hope the recovery is of the shorter term for you. New bike sounds wonderful as do your plans for taking the doggies.

Ubee Great insight on dealing with our feelings through eating! I realized this morning that in planning a little get away just for me after Bill is released to drive again that I was scheduling it around restaurants and bakeries instead of fun things to do or museums I wanted to visit. OK, so how do we fix this?

Sam Hope each day that you're beginning to feel better -- sounds like you've kind of been through the wringer lately. Hope the shopping goes/went well.

Time4Me You must get a lot of satisfaction from your teaching which is great. Hope you can enjoy putting the new apartment together and enjoy the cooking.

Terra and Shinesgirl Hi! Hope you're both doing well.

Tomorrow we're back to multiple appointments in one day. I'm assuming Bill's boys will be here this weekend and that will pep him up. It's got to be tiring to have to sit in a recliner all day although they have him doing a lot of exercises now 3X a day so that at least gives him a break. He's a trouper! Guess I'd better get it in gear so I can pace myself. Have a great day.

I'm waiting now for Bob to get back from the farm. It will be nice to have someone else around to keep track of the kittens, because they can get pretty rambunctious during their high-activity periods and it's well-nigh impossible for me to always keep an eye on them when I'm in my worse depression (rating -3) periods. 'Been having way too many of those of late.

FionaW - I really like your collage! I'm sorry to hear about the depression kicking in - I know that black cloud is hard to get out from under! Btw, I wld post a link to my work but I'm not quite sure how to do it yet.

Sam - I hope you get that red dress - it sounds so pretty.

Betsy - You really described how I plan my trips too - it's not that I want to just eat, but being out of shape limits how much I can do, & that leads to sitting down someplace & that generally means a cafe & food. Bah.

Ubee - That took real discipline not to eat since it wasn't yet 8, & then to figure out that you "eat yr feelings" is very impressive self-help! Wow!

Good Morning!
Shinesgirl so nice to see you. I was wondering how you were doing when I woke up this morning. Thank you for your kind words.
Fi does your muesli magic still help?
Dean can you wear your papoose when you ride?
Betsy travel plans around food, boy do I know that tune. What is your second favorite thing to do besides eat? I like to view the scenery. We go somewhere and walk a little. Even if you just walked to the closest bench that would be getting out. I still stop for food but I try to find a foodie place that will have a unique salad. We also stop at cheese stores and get one chunk of che$$e that we normally would not splurge on. How about buying some exotic coffee??? You can do this Betsy!
I went on the treadmill today and am now enjoying my coffee with my friends. It was so nice of you all to join me. Your support means the world to me.
Have a peaceful day!

Hi everyone. I hope you don't mind if I join in. I am currently at 309 as of this morning. I have been a member before but I managed to gain almost all of the weight back.