Sandy - I'm very sorry to hear about your DH's grandfather. Give him a hug from all of us. You'll be in our prayers.

To everyone who has snow and lots of it -be careful with shoveling and driving. I'm off to work early as we have several inches ourselves. The commute will suck so I better get going. Take care all!

Sandy: Sorry about the loss of Dh Grandfather. I really miss mine

I have finally lost the added weight I put on during the holidays. I am back at 195. Now I just need to get past that. If all of you recall I have been at 195 since the first of last year. Just setting there like a knot on a log.

Next Monday we are starting a weight support program at work. We will meet every Monday during lunch to offer support to each other and share tips and recipes. Like here.

My son was laid off yesterday(or so he says) I wonder.

I really need to exercise but can't seem to get going. I walk so much at work I guess that will have to do .

Hope all of you have a great day and stya OP.
Catch you all later

Good Morning Ladies,
I am sitting here dressed and ready to go to work, but can't decided because of the weather. I have a mtg that is scheduled from 1:30 - 4:00 and they are predicting freezing rain this afternoon and basically a mess out! Since I have an hour+ drive on a good day it makes my commute a mess. So, I called my boss and he said the meeting was still scheduled - then a few minutes later I got an e-mail that said maybe it would be changed. So, here I sit --- waiting to decide if I am going to work. I am really hoping they cancel the meeting so I can stay here and work.

(hmmmm...I can't get my smiles or fonts to work)

I have been ready all your posts and they are really hitting home with me. I am in such a permanant funk these days. I can't get 100% back on track. I do ok about 80% of the time, but that is not enough, as we all know. I keep fluctuating up and down the same 5 pounds. I go to the gym every few days, I eat ok for breakfast and lunch and lose my mind in the evening and weekends. I have to get out of this!!! I will not gain back what I have worked so hard to lose!!!! I have to make the COMMITMENT I have to be WILLING to do what it takes. I just watch the Oprah show yesterday and it really got me thinking. I need to get all the junk food back out of my house, I need to get my DH to understand that I am going to do this and ask him to stop sabotoging me. He needs to make the decision to get healthy as well. I need to get back to planning my food by the week and grocery shopping with a plan. So much to do...need to take it one step at a time and get back to this healthy lifestyle. I CAN AND WILL DO IT!!!! YOU ALL WITH ME????

Sandy - I am so sorry for the loss that your family is dealing with. HUGS to you! Congrats on your weight loss!!!

Mary - Congrats on your loss as well!!

Terri - Be careful out there. Believe me, I know what you mean about the bad commute!

Ok, I have to make a decision about getting to work --- I'll try to catch up more later!

Barb

Sandy, I'm so sorry for your loss, but what a wonderful thing, knowing he's being greeted by those who have gone before him. {{{hugs}}} to you and your family.

I tried to post around 2:00 this morning. I had posted on the challenge thread then came here. Apparently, you have to log in at each thread? In other words, I lost another post! mental note: copy every post before you hit print!

I'm trying to remember what I had said.

I know that I had responded to 2cute's post. Good stuff there. Don't ever come off your soapbox!

Thin...you had some good advice for Tina... So much of this is mental work...we need to exercise our brains as well as our muscles!

I can't stay long here. I missed exercising yesterday, so I have to get to the gym this morning...dh promised that he'd come with me. He just got up to use the bathroom and I see him giving me the ol' "Boy, my knee hurts this morning!" I asked him if that's his way of telling me our gym date is off. I'm going anyway. With the crappy weather coming, I'd better get over there while I can.

Today is day #5 on the Beach! It does take some planning and preparation, but I know that I'm eating so much better! I do miss fruit though...10 more days to an orange!

Good Lord, I just heard someone say 10-15 inches of snow...I have to go put on the Weather Channel!

Hang in there, everyone! Sounds like a lot of us are getting back in the swing of things! Keep up the good work!

[hugs]andmore[hugs] to you and your family sandy. i also believe in a hereafter and that puts things in perspective. also congrats on the wgt. loss pat

Sandy, thank you for sharing your beautiful story of dh's grandfather passing. I was already teary eyed from the previous posts, but yours made them spill over. *HUGS*

I'm having a really tough time here, chicks. Your supportive posts have been so helpful this morning, but not just in the diet field. One of the new jobs is kicking my backside. I feel totally set up for failure in everything I'm asked to do, and I leave work in tears instead of with a feeling of accomplishment for working through all the problems. I honestly need the work, or I would call in today and just let him know it isn't going to happen and I would like to quit.

I'm heading out the door now. Please wish me luck.

Andria

SANDY ...((( HUGS ))) Your post was soooo moving. I am so sorry for your loss. And I am sooo grateful for your story... it has helped me deal with some problems I am having with the loss of my parents. Thank you.
And I want to congratulate you on your HUGE LOSS !!! WOW !!! That is super!!

Jen... you sound so very harsh on yourself. Step back and focus on "enjoying" your weight loss. You have come sooooo far. Stop and think of some of the things you said you wanted to do when you lost your weight. What were some of those things?? Did you want to play in the park with your kids? Did you want to learn how to swim or play tennis or ????? Did you want to join a gym when you lost your weight ?? Well NOW is the time to do some of those things. CELEBRATE your great success. FOCUS on enjoying your weight loss ... those last few pounds will come off when you put your eneregy into living the life you could not live at your higher weight. {{{ HUGS }}} And for that bike.... If you can afford it.... GO FOR IT !!! But go for it with GUSTO !!!
THINK POSITIVE AND ACT POSITIVE !!!


Stephanie... I wrote you a longggg post... but deleted it.
I was getting a little TOO Know it allie. LOL
But I will share.... That God has already given you the ability to overcome.
Let your prayers be prayers of GRATITUDE. We all have the gift already.
Again... FOCUS on the solution ... not the problem.

Mary... I am happy you are going to be getting more support at work. How cool. Just one more thing to be thankful for.
Sorry to hear about your son. Hopefully he will get another job soon.

Barb ... it sounds like you know what to do... Now do it!!! Here is your list... now mark them off as you do it. You notice I deleted the part about what your husband needs to do.... Your job is to focus on YOU. GO FOR IT !!!

Kat.... what great words to read.... "I AM GOING ANYWAYS "
Those are the words of a "SUCCESSFUL" loser. I am Proud!!!!

Andria... {{{ HUGS }}} You sound so discouraged. Remember a new job is always hard to adjust to. It takes time. This is when you use those past accomplishments to keep you focused. You have had hard jobs before that seemed like the impossible. You overcame them... and you will overcome these problems too. And also remember.... NO ONE can do everything. We all have gifts ... and sometimes we want to be great at everything ... so if you find something that you cannot do... it is NOT the end of the world. It is just a disappointment. I don't think I am probably making any sense here. I think I will just shut up. Just remember one thing... Good is good enough and Take it one day at a time... one day, one problem, one solution.

Okay... sorry I have to go. I will try to get to the rest of you next time.
I love you ALL !!!!

Sandy, sorry to hear of you lost, I was in tears reading it. Evan sure will have a good memory of his Grandpa.
2cute, you are so full of wisdom. You always know the right thing to say, and can express your thoughts so wonderfully. I'm with you on the carbs, I really can't handle them. I am really interested in checking out the South Beach Diet, so a program on low carb diets the other night, and it sounds like the SBD is the most sensible of them all. I just have to buy the book now.
Kat, your doing the SBD, can you pm with the details of the first 2weeks, would like to get started as soon as possible, and we live an hour away form any book stores. If its not to much information, can you give me the basics.
I gained .5lbs last week, today is WI but I don't think I'm going to go, the
Tops meeting is 40mins away, and you guys thought you had cold weather, it's minus -42C today, with a wind chill of -55C. And it's suppose to be colder tomorrow, and all week long, as well as weve gotten tons of snow. Got to love Alberta weather, actually the last really cold winter we had was about 10yrs ago and it was minus -30c or colder for about 2months, hopefully this only lasts for this week.
I went and got gas this morning and went to put some gasline antifreeze in the van, I had to pry the lid of the the antifreeze bottle, and was using the van key to do so and it snapped. I was using my moms van, our second car was froze up, good thing she had a spare with her. All the schools are open but no busses are running, so my son gets to spend the day at the babysitters. Nobody shows up for school, and half the kids ride the school buses. I hate winter, at least I don't have to work outside, I couldn't imagine.
Well just a quick note to let you know I'm still around and reading, will try to post when I have the time.
Keep warm.

Well today is day 11 OP, but just barely. It has been really hard. I am only at lunch and have used 21 points already. That means I have 10 points to get me through the rest of the day. I am going to do it.....I am going to do it....I am going to do it.....

2Cute: Amen.....

Sandy: Sorry for your loss

Thin: I am happy with 5, but was hoping for more.

Got to run. I have so much work to do. Sorry for not replying to everyone.

sandy so sorry for the loss. you will be in my prayers.

tonight is wi and i am kinda looking forward to it. i really have been working hard with the exercise and food, so that scale better move, down of course.

OK! I did it! I bought the exercise bike!! (Thanks for the pep talk again 2Cute) I will ride it tomorrow after I take the kids to school. I only tried it for a couple of minutes tonight because by the time I push/pulled/shoved/dragged it from the parking lot up to my 4th floor apartment and spent a frustrating hour putting it together, I was pretty worn out! The guy at the sporting goods store was really motivating NOT!! I was asking the difference between two different models and he told me that I was just wasting my money cuz I wasn't going to use it anyway. He said he got one for his wife who only used it for a week then hung her clothes on it for a year before taking it to the thrift store. So I said "Fine. I won't buy a bike, but I'll take that expensive clothes rack right there" and pointed to the one I wanted. He just shrugged and rang it up. What a putz. I suppose he was just trying to save me money or something. It's obvious HE'S not on commission LOL.

Food still isn't great. I managed to bypass the Girl Scouts which I've NEVER been able to pass up before, only to be attacked by the Keebler Elves and their chocolate chip cookies that I bought for the kids. I bought those specifically cuz I don't really care for them. It's amazing how good things start looking when you've got a carb craving. Oh well. Tomorrow is yet another new day.

[[[[HUGS]]]] to everyone!!

I'll talk at ya later,
Jen

WAY TO GO JeN!!! I love the way you handled the salesman!
Enjoy your bike, I thik the exercise geting it to the 4th floor was enuf for one day!!!
I walked a little further today, think it was almost 3/4 a mile. Quite a struggle coming back up the hill, have to plan my route better, so it is down hill at the end!
Sandy I am so sorry that you are all going thru this painful time. Evan will do fine, sounds like he has a great image of where gpa is. I also believe in the hereafter. I had similar experience when my sister was in her last days, she was able to tell us who was waiting for her....and for that reason, there was real PEACE in her passing. I pray the same PEACE for Fern and the rest of you.

KATI love yor quote about 'a new day', I stole it for my signature on e-mails

back to work! sorting and packing!

Afternoon, everyone! Just checking in real quick before I run out to get my mom's mail for her, pick up Subway's and come home and blow the snow.

My mom's been in the house sick for the past two weeks so I've been going and doing her running for her. Not too bad, except on days like today where I have the day off and haven't even gotten dressed yet. But I will bundle up and get over there. I want to blow snow before the daylight is gone (not that there was any sun at all today) and it really turns cold!

Sandy: I'm so sorry for your loss. It was great that Evan decided he wanted to go see his grandpa last night. He has wonderful memories that will keep him company. Actually, you all do, but it's hard for the little ones. BIG [[[hugs]]] to all of you. * CONGRATS on your wonderful weightloss this week. You're doing GREAT!

2cute: You've been pretty profound here lately, my friend. Food for thought, instead of tummies....that's what we need more of.

Jen: Good for you, getting the bike! What the heck kind of saleman was that guy? No commission is RIGHT!!! Now just prove him wrong and use it everyday....just for spite if you have to. My WW leader was saying that even though she walks 5 days a week and has maintained her loss for 11 years, she now has had to ADD to her exercise regimen. Seems our bodies get used to what we feed/do with them and we have to mix it up some. Perhaps all you need is a couple of trips on that new bike of yours every week to get those pounds moving again.

Stephanie: Just be careful about going too low in your points. You should get as close to the 32 as you can. Eat an extra cookie if you have to . Otherwise your body says "Woah, you're starving me, better hold onto the fat!" And you sure don't want it to do that!

Terri: Hope your weather didn't get too severe!

Mary: Sorry about your son and his job. Hope he finds something again soon. * That's wonderful that you guys are doing a support thing at work. That's really going to be helpful. * BTW, I love this new longer posting Mary. (just in case you thought no one had noticed ).

Barb: "need to take it one step at a time and get back to this healthy lifestyle. I CAN AND WILL DO IT!!!! YOU ALL WITH ME????" YES, sir. I am. Did you end up going to work? Hope you were able to stay warm inside instead.

Katrina: Not sure what you meant about having to log in at each thread. I haven't had to log in since the first time after the crash. Then I just put my user name and password and Waaalaaa, it automatically puts me in whenever I come to the site. I just use my "favorites" where I've bookmarked the site, but I do have the address saved as the one that's the message board, not the home page. I don't know if that makes any difference or not. * Too bad hubby's ditching on you already. What a wus!

Pat: Good to see you.

Andria: Try not to stress too much. You have been a real rebounder when it comes to employment, so I'm sure if this doesn't work out, you'll find something else real soon.

Duckie: You just have not had the best day, have you? [[[hugs]]] Darlin'. And those temperatures (or should I say lack of temperature) Geez Louise! I can't imagine what you guys look like when you're dressed to go outside. And your heat bill must be astronomical!

Susie: Hang in there, girlfriend! You're doing so well. Day 11, I'm proud of you! Guess it will be taco soup and salad for you tonight! [[[hugs]]]

Audrey: Hope you get exactly what you're looking for at the scale. But if you don't, remember that you're losing inches with all that exercise.

Joyce: I missed you so I'm editing you in and hope that you'll find that I mentioned you. You're increasing your endurance with your walking so that's a wonderful accomplishment. Keep up the good work.

Well, I think I'm caught up so I will be out of here. I posted an article on the Article Thread that I saw about carbs. Interesting. Pointed out adding them back and also that the test group was small. Please don't take it as proclaiming and/or bashing in any way. Just was interesting and since no one else has posted an article in awhile, I thought I would.

Love ya bunches.

Hello...just testing...be back later!