Just a quick hello. I've been out of commission since Sat. I have been feeling terrible and my eating went down the tubes! Luckily, I ate so little, it didn't affect my weight, but needless to say it has been a challenge to get and stay on plan today!

I've missed you guys and will try to jump back in daily!!

Jane: You've done so great on Atkins. Do you think it's boredom? And congrats on fighting the urge to get that sub

Jina: Welcome back to the LC wagon Take it one day at a time!!

Why does it seem that I keep having problems staying OP? Stuff comes up and I go off this WOE. Camping, birthdays, etc. Do I WANT to stay OP for those things? Is it a bad thing if I don't (as long as I jump back on LC right away after)?? Questions that have been flying through my brain. I LOVE the weight that I've lost. Wish I could lose more but I'm pretty happy where I'm at (for now). So is it such a bad thing? Maybe I wasn't meant to be super skinny with killer abs.

Brenda - I know! I sound crazy don't I? I just got an email from my friend. Like I said, her DH is in Iraq so I asked her if she had been able to talk to him today. She said yes and that he earned his purple heart today. OMG, I almost started crying right there! Apparently, the building he was in got hit today and he ended up with a bunch of shrapnel in his back. BUT he's going to be fine and he was fine enough to call, so that's a good thing. The other friend that's going out with us has her DH in Iraq also, so I will definitely be DD for them tonight so they can exercise bad coping skills!

Also, remember that this is a LIFESTYLE. Keeping that in mind makes it easier to deal with. Instead of thinking of it as cheating, try looking at certain things as 'negotiated deviations' from the norm. I don't know if it will work for you, but for some reason, looking at it that way keeps me making better decisions more of the time. I can say no at parties and say yes on my anniversary. When I do say yes, I tend to pre-plan my next day's food, so it doesn't turn into a pattern. Make sense?

Jane & Jina - They really are good! But I'm pushing most of them off on DH because I know they shouldn't stay in the house long. Maybe I'll just freeze them and make it a once-a-week treat. It's definitely more of a maintenance thing.

Lori - Welcome back!

lol@bad coping skills. Glad her DH is going to be ok! This war sure is **** isn't it?

I need to sit down and think things through one of these days. Figure out what is my problem and where to go from here. How to get back the drive I started with. Maybe when things settle down I can do that. lol I have to try and stay OP during the "normal" days and learn that if I'm going to give in it should only be on special occasions...and even if I give in that shouldn't mean I eat like a pig.