Hey everyone

Thank you for all the birthday wishes! This has been a really nice day. I had a good physical therapy appointment, a healthy breakfast with Adam, went to see Hero, shopped with my sister, and... oh, did I mention that I weighed in at Decisions? I lost another pound!

The coolest thing is that I lost the 20 lbs. for my goal 3 weeks ahead of schedule! I set another 20 lb. goal and made sure to not spend the entire day blowing all my progress. Yes, I had birthday treats, but everything was kept well, well within reason.

My sister even came up with a really safe idea for a birthday cake for me. She bought a sugar free angel food cake and strawberry flavored light Cool Whip. They don't sell that flavor in FF, at least not here. We planned to serve mixed berries over it, but we were both pretty exhausted from all the shopping and ended up putting it all away. There is always tomorrow, and I love celebrating my birthday for days and days.

So, Terri, count me in for 3 lbs. down since this challenge started. Make sure to add my name to the next list!

I also have a suggestion for those struggling with food even though their exercise is going well. One thing stressed by every major diet plan out there is to journal everything that goes in your mouth. There are all sorts of reasons to do it, but the biggest one for me is accountability. In the face of a good chocolate bar, I can convince myself that I've had almost nothing to eat all day and that there is no reason I can't eat my candy and move on. Afterwards, I begin remembering a bit here, a nibble there, an entire meal in yet another place. Writing it down actively engages my brain in what I'm trying so hard to do for the rest of my body. Make your journal elaborate or as simple as a sticky note left on your desk at work. It doesn't seem to matter as long as you write it down consistently. Journaling is such a simple step, I think we often forget to just sit down and do it.

Have a great night, everyone! Thanks for making my day brighter.

Andria

You know, I'd love to be in these challenges - but I've still yet to come by a scale and really don't know if I can even afford it for the time being I'm okay with this though.. I think the goals of "working out daily" and similar are really fitting to me and my personality.

Today I didn't work out and I'm dissapointed, but now that *8 Days* in a row is my record, I think my next goal will be to break that record. I didn't eat much, and I've been feeling really stressed and fear I may be sick. Blah, its no good.. really bad week. I did convince myself out of getting pizza though! And had applesauce as a snack instead of something else not so good

I think I'm definitely going to pamper myself Friday after this bad week, and oddly enough my first thought when I thought of pampering - was working out first thing in the morning! I usually work out mid day and mostly at night, but I think if I do it early then I can either get it "over with" and feel that energy it gives me all day - or I could go again at night I want to have yummy smelling candles lit all day, gonna lather up the lotion and give myself some massages, read some of my Nora Roberts, eat only GOOD Healthy!! food and make myself feel wonderful.

I suggest you gals do it too - if not friday (since I know I'm probably the only one with such a wierd work schedule) some other day, and if not all day - at least an hour or so.

Hello,

It's your friendly stranger melissa....i've been more active on another area of 3fc lately....i recently found out that i have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)...I think it sounds worse than it actually is. what it means is my body produces more androgens than normal (androgens are what most refer to as "male" hormones, even though we all have them). Basically what happens, is when you are overweight your fat stores more estrogen, and that is converted to male hormones like testosterone. It leads to a few things: Irregular periods, acne, thinning hair, and even body hair in some women.
I found out about this when I went to the doctor and asked them about my irregular menses..and she informed me about PCOS, and was surprised that no one else told me about it. It effects 5-10% of all women and is a precurser to diabetes if left untreated (EEK!!)
My question is, have any of you ladies heard of this, or do you know of anyone dealing with it? It's just nice to know you aren't alone sometimes...

Howdy Ladies,

Well I hope everyone is well. I did not exercise yesterday. So I am going to exercise twice today. So I cannot stay long here. Work is going to be hectic this next week as so many people are off. But I will survive.

Rollcall for the 2 lbs by 9/30 challenge,
Terri
Redswirls
Judy
Lucky
Angela
Thin
Skittles (who is going to lose 3lbs + the 1.5 lbs she gained at the last challenge)


I am sorry this is late, but you said you like to celebrate it over a few days so...

Rollcall for the 2 lbs by 9/30 challenge:

Terri
Redswirls
Judy
Lucky
Angela
Thin
Skittles
Andria

Anyone else I can intimidate into joining?

Speaking of intimidation, I survived a presentation I had to do in front of a bunch of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford MBA's yesterday about pension accounting. I have been internally freaking out for several days. These people are not a bunch of schmucks but are highly successful business folks. There were at least 12 of them, two of my peers and my boss. Of the 12, they would fire questions at me all at the same time. One of my peers, who knows less than I do, kept trying to talk over me about MY stuff. I wanted to reach over and pinch the underneath of his arm so freakin' hard. But I knew it was over and went well when the big shot of them all, smiled and said that he was through with his questions. I wanted to leap for joy and then hit my peer in the back of the head because he couldn't answer his own damn questions. Needless to say, I was flying high and went home earlier than my normal late. But then I was so exhausted from the relief.

To make up, I'm up and have already exercised. While I did some occassional stress eating, I'm pretty pleased that I didn't let it totally derail me. Progress!

Make today a great day!

Hi Ladies -
I have lots of replies I want to do, but I need to get started on work so hopefully I'll have time over lunch. I just wanted to say...Count me in for 2 pounds gone by 9/30. I am not going to claim a one pound loss last week because I didn't have an official starting weight the week prior. I was up and down due to TOM, but I am back on the down side now.
More later....
Barb

Hello ladies - I'm here now. Haven't even had time to be lurking! I didn't make the 1lb challenge , but that's they way it goes. Have been eating like CRAP lately - I need someone to come and slap me upside the head and tell me to knock it off!

Anyway, I'll be in for the 2lb gone by Sept 30th.
Rollcall for the 2 lbs by 9/30 challenge:

Terri
Redswirls
Judy
Lucky
Angela
Thin
Skittles
Andria
Lisa

Anyone else?!?!?!?!?!?!

Don't have any time right now for personals, just wanted to pop in and say "hi", that I'm always thinking about all of you and that I'm so glad that you're all here

Gotta run (wish I could literally ). Love and hugs to all!!

Hey everyone

This has turned out to be a busy day so far. This morning was getting blood drawn for some tests the ob-gyn wants run, then heading to my ortho appointment. They are thinking there might be a tear of the medial meniscus (not sure of the spelling there, sorry), but sometimes those can be worked out through physical therapy. If my knee is still locked after two more weeks of PT, then we'll be doing another scope. So, back to playing the wait-and-see game. After that appointment, Adam was going to take me out to lunch, but I was feeling rather blue, so we headed towards home. We stopped on the way and laminated the bookmarks I painted the other day. I'll finish making the thank you cards today, hopefully, and get them passed out.

This morning I also got to drop in at my Curves and do a miniature workout. I needed to see if it was ok with the owner before I tried much of anything, and she thought it was a great idea. It felt good to do some upper body and abs, at least. I really miss being there. I also got thinking, and it isn't like I can't do some upper body workout here. If I can think of a way to get up off the floor, I will do abs as well.

So, basically, I'm struggling, but haven't even come close to giving up this fight.

There are a couple of people we haven't heard much from lately, and I'm starting to worry about you. 2cute, are you doing ok? It was great to hear from Jen and find out she is fine. There are others out there. I know I miss Pam tons. I wonder if she comes through lurking at all. So many other names, all people who have touched my heart. *HUGS*

Love you all,

Andria

Thankful Thursday I'm thankful this colonoscopy is over! Every thing was fine, not even any polps to be tested. I wasn't really , so worried, but with my family history I couldn't afford to ignore it. But it's over and I've already taken my meds, so life can go on.

Terri, I really like the idea of the simple quick 2 pound challanges. Sign me up for the 2 pounds by the 30th.

Hi again,

I am soooo sorry...wallowing in my pity party, I forgot to congratulate all you fine women for trying so hard to meet the 1 lb. challenge. Well done! And also,



Happy Birthday Andria!!!!!

I am Thankful for the fact that despite the fact that I didn't work out last night, despite the fact that I had way too much pizza today, despite the fact that I've been unbareably sick today - I still worked out tonight. And I kicked higher than ever, moved faster than ever - more motivated than ever.

And I'm extremely thankful that working out helps release a lot of anger when you're fighting with your loved one

Andria.. thanks for the concern. I sent you a PM with more details than I am posting here on an open forum for the world to see. lol

For everyone else... I am headed out the door at 7am Friday morning to go to that wedding. Terri.. I plan to take your phone number with me... but the way it looks now I am going to be at relatives most of the weekend. I have SEVERAL who live in that area and EVERYONE wants me to come see them. Don't stay home and wait on my call. Live your life and if I can get away I will call. If you are busy that will be fine. I don't really think I will be able to get away. There are three new homes my neices and nephews want me to see. They are proud and want to show them off. I don't know how I will find the time to see everyone in the family.

Yes... I will join in the 2 lb challenge. Sign me up.

Morning Ladies,

Well last night was Survivor Night, I think I am going for Chris or Twilla. That is my first call as it stands now. We will see how the next show goes.

My talked to my dad yesterday. The eye of the storm was just 30 minutes NE of where they live in Alabama. He said by the time it was around them it wasn't too bad, just no electricity and some flooding and wind damage. Not as bad as on the coast though.

Mary, hope you all are alright down there is Mississippi. to watch over you and yours.

Terri, I'm not intimidated by you, I am empowered by you. Work your magic.

Lisa, this is for your own good and cause you requested it.
<< **SMACK**>>